Hong Kong’s first blog for SDG education news and announcements
Image by Annette from Pixabay I recently came across this interesting video released by National Geographic about sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture rejects industrial farming in favour of practices that mimic natural ecological processes. By minimising tilling, promoting healthy soil through crop rotation, and fostering natural pest control, it aims to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilisers. Embracing broader principles, such as fair treatment of farm workers and fair food pricing, sustainable agriculture offers a holistic approach to addressing the environmental and social implications of food production. Critics raise concerns about lower crop yields and higher land use, but proponents argue that with increased efficiency, sustainably farmed lands can be as productive as conventionally farmed ones. Overall, sustainable agriculture plays a critical role in ensuring food security and reducing the environmental impact of food production, offe . . .
Water is ‘canary in the coalmine’ of climate change: WMO (UN News) The week the world comes to Manhattan: Looking back at UNGA79 (UN News) Global EV Charging Market Set for Explosive Growth (Happy Eco news) Global Tribunal Highlights Fossil Fuel Environmental Impact Cases (Happy Eco news) Gang violence leaves Haiti facing ‘worst hunger emergency in the western hemisphere’ (The Guardian) ‘Gamechanger’ HIV prevention drug to be made available cheaply in 120 countries (The Guardian) Disease and malnutrition stalk water-scarce Afghanistan (Eco-business) Can regenerative agriculture make palm oil sustainable? (Eco-business) Climate report warns of escalating crisis, urges immediate action as UN summit nears (Science Daily) Global energy-related CO2 emissions set to peak this year, consultancy DNV says (Reuters) How satellites are mapping the future of turtle conservation (BBC News) . . .
Did we all forget about the SDGs? I ran across an old article today titled, ‘The United States Can’t Afford to Forget about the Sustainable Development Goals,’ written a mere year after they were first announced as replacements for the original Millennium Development Goals, and I came to a startling realization – I am shocked at how few people I speak with on a regular basis either have never heard of the SDGs or had completely forgotten about their existence. Rarely do they pop-up in mainstream news, nor are they referenced in the rhetoric of most political figures we see in the news every day. I find it appalling they are not topics found outside of a geography classroom or other strictly academic setting. Everyone wants the world to be a better place (I’d hope), yet not that many have the wherewithal to do anything about it. The Goals were established with this in mind and every initiative of every target has something actionable behind it that we shou . . .
In a recent article on Forbes, Mirek Dusek from the World Economic Forum looks at the opportunities presented in the Intelligent Age for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are currently seeing a concerning lack of progress towards achieving the SDGs, with only 17% of the targets on track. However, Dusek points out that the Intelligent Age, characterised by rapid technological advancement, renewable energy, and the digital economy, has the potential to accelerate progress. It presents opportunities to unlock economic growth and address specific challenges related to resource management, financial inclusion and education. Dusek stresses the importance of open, affordable, and accessible innovation to ensure that the Intelligent Age contributes to building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive societies. The article also emphasises the need for international collaboration to address the challenges of the SDGs and unlock the full potential of the Intelligent Age. Read . . .
Sustainable development is a crucial concept in today's world, aiming to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, there are several misconceptions and myths surrounding sustainable development that need to be addressed. In this blog post, we will debunk common myths and shed light on the realities of sustainable development. Myth 1: Sustainable Development is Only About Environmental Conservation Reality: While environmental conservation is a vital aspect of sustainable development, it also encompasses social equity and economic prosperity. Sustainable development seeks to balance environmental, social, and economic goals for a more inclusive and resilient future. Myth 2: Sustainable Development is Expensive and Impractical Reality: While certain sustainable practices may require initial investments, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. Sustainable development can lead to resource efficiency, . . .
UN deputy chief urges leaders to increase innovation amid global crises (UN News) ‘Irrefutable’ need for global regulation of AI: UN experts (UN News) Urban Beekeeping: Honey Havens in Concrete Jungles (Happy Eco news) Sweden cuts tax on flying despite admitting it would increase emissions (The Guardian) ‘We empower ourselves’: the women cleaning up Bolivia’s Lake Uru Uru (The Guardian) How does Indonesia’s palm oil industry fuel the climate crisis? (Eco-business) Aggressive hiring of sustainability talent from consultancies is creating expertise gap: recruiter (Eco-business) Critical crops' alternative way to succeed in heat and drought (Science Daily) World Bank climate finance reaches record $42.6 bln in fiscal 2024 (Reuters) Will sustainable aviation fuels take off? (BBC News) . . .
Launching your own sustainable initiative is an impactful way to contribute to a better future for both current and future generations. Whether you're passionate about renewable energy, zero-waste living, or eco-friendly products, here are some tips to help you succeed in launching your sustainable initiative: Define Your Mission and Goals: Having a clear mission will guide your initiative and align your efforts. Research and Planning: Understand the issue you're addressing, learn from existing solutions, and identify potential challenges. Engage Your Community: Building a supportive network can amplify the impact of your initiative and inspire collective action. Embrace Innovation: Incorporate innovative solutions and technologies to enhance the effectiveness of your initiative. Measure and Communicate Impact: Tracking benefits and outcomes will demonstrate its effectiveness and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices. For more advice and mentorshi . . .
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Call for ‘solutions across the board’ as 79th General Assembly opens (UN News) ‘Incalculable cost’ of conflict on the lives of children (UN News) 2024: The Climate Election (Happy Eco news) G20 countries turning backs on fossil fuel pledge, say campaigners (The Guardian) ‘The world’s simply not noticing’: 2024 likely to be deadliest year for aid workers (The Guardian) The solar pump revolution could bring water to millions of Africans but it must be sustainable and fair (The Guardian) Digital transformation key to future-proofing climate-stressed Southeast Asia: report (Eco-business) Reducing ‘overconsumption’ of meat and dairy could cut one-sixth of food emissions (Eco-business) Uncollected waste and open burning leading causes of the plastic pollution crisis (Science Daily) Fear of 'lost generation' as Gaza school year begins with all classes shut (Reuters) Bolivia declares n . . .
