Hong Kong’s first blog for SDG education news and announcements
How much foreign aid is spent domestically rather than overseas? (Our World in Data) Could whales be a solution to climate change? Probably only a very small one. (Hannah Ritchie) Tariffs: Job protectors or trade killers? (UN News) Fast fashion fuelling global waste crisis, UN chief warns (UN News) Amazon Rainforest Conservation Blockchain Initiative Launched by CAF and O.N.E. Amazon (Happy Eco news) Global Youth Climate Summit 2025: Empowering Young Leaders for Climate Action (Happy Eco news) How Karachi’s women got into power: the female electricians lighting up homes in Pakistan (The Guardian) Aid cuts predicted to cause 2.9 million more HIV-related deaths by 2030 – study (The Guardian) Expert says climate change behind South Korea's worst wildfires on record (The Guardian) . . .
I recently read an article about the "Single Banana Experiment" that got me thinking about food waste and consumer behavior. Conducted by researchers at the University of Bath, the experiment focused on the lonely single bananas often left behind in grocery stores. These bananas, usually sold in bunches, often end up in the trash simply because shoppers only want part of a bunch. What struck me was the innovative approach the researchers took to address this issue. They placed emotional signage next to the single bananas, using images of sad and happy bananas to evoke feelings in shoppers. The results were remarkable: the sad banana signage was particularly effective in encouraging customers to rescue these overlooked fruits. This simple yet clever tactic highlights the power of emotional connection in shaping our choices. This experiment serves as a powerful reminder that reducing food waste is a shared responsibility between retailers and consumers. It also shows that creativity ca . . .
For many of us, it doesn’t cost much to improve someone’s life, and we can do much more of it (Our World in Data) Some key insights from the UK Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget (Hannah Ritchie) ‘Anxiety, paranoia, fear’: The consequences of digital violence against women (UN News) Humanitarian system at breaking point as funding cuts force life-or-death choices (UN News) African Carbon Capture Project Paves Way for Low-Cost, Sustainable Climate Solutions (Happy Eco news) The Single Banana Experiment (Happy Eco news) Biased laws and poverty driving huge rise in female prisoners – report (The Guardian) USAid cuts could create untreatable TB bug ‘resistant to everything we have’ (The Guardian) ‘If you don’t get early years right, children are unlikely to catch up’: why South Africa is trying to reboot its school system (The Guardian) . . .
I recently read an intriguing article on Happy Eco News about "sportswashing" and its implications for sustainability. The piece explores how fossil fuel companies are investing billions in sports sponsorships to enhance their public image amid increasing climate scrutiny. According to a study by the New Weather Institute, over $5.6 billion has flowed from the oil and gas sector into various sports, including football, motorsports, and golf. This practice aims to divert attention from the environmental damage these industries cause, including air pollution responsible for millions of deaths annually. The article highlights the strategic partnerships between major sports organizations and companies like Saudi Aramco and Ineos, which seek to align their brands with the positive aspects of sports. However, as awareness of climate issues grows, there’s a rising call for sports entities to reconsider these relationships. Some leagues and teams are already distancing themselves from f . . .
Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) often sits quietly in the shadow of its more glamorous counterparts. While goals like "No Poverty" and "Zero Hunger" grab headlines, “Partnerships for the Goals” is too vague or intangibly defined to be directly visualized. This goal serves as the very lifeline of the entire 2030 Agenda, the invisible thread that connects and strengthens all other goals – nothing works without it. If there are no partnerships, individual actors going it alone have nearly zero chance of affecting positive change. Look at any of the other 16 SDGs - Climate change, poverty, global health crises, and economic inequality – these are not isolated issues; they are deeply interconnected and demand solutions made to address multiple problems. Needless to say, all of the SDGs transcend national borders and need mobilized resources, shared knowledge, and a willingness to give up some autonomy in the name of a greater humanity level good. Unle . . .
“Cool” years are now hotter than the “warm” years of the past: tracking global temperatures through El Niño and La Niña (Our World in Data) How big were wildfires in 2024? (Hannah Ritchie) Nuclear energy watchdog chief raises ‘serious’ safety concerns over sites in Ukraine and Iran (UN News) Oceans of opportunity squeezed dry by unsustainable use (UN News) What is Sportswashing? (Happy Eco news) Japan Introduces the World’s First Plant-Based Motor Oil for Racing (Happy Eco news) Those of us who rely on aid must accept the new reality and shape our own destiny (The Guardian) Thailand condemned for ‘shameful’ mass deportation of Uyghur refugees to China (The Guardian) We can farm more seafood while minimizing its impact on biodiversity (Science Daily) . . .
In many countries, people breathe the cleanest air in centuries. What can the rest of the world learn from this? (Our World in Data) Some interesting charts on the "Cleantech Revolution” (Hannah Ritchie) What is social justice and how is the UN helping make it a reality? (UN News) Multilateralism: What is it, and why does it matter? (UN News) The Hidden Cost of Secondhand Stores: Are We Consuming Too Much? (Happy Eco news) Converting CO2 and Waste to Bioplastics (Happy Eco news) Handouts are never free. The cruel US aid freeze is an opportunity for the Caribbean (The Guardian) The Ugandan arts centre bringing harmony to Africa’s biggest refugee camp (The Guardian) We can farm more seafood while minimizing its impact on biodiversity (Science Daily) . . .
I recently read an insightful article by Hannah Ritchie on Our World in Data that highlights how many countries are experiencing some of the cleanest air in centuries. This transformation offers valuable lessons for sustainability. Air pollution often worsens before it improves, following a predictable trajectory as countries industrialize. However, advancements in technology and policy can accelerate the transition to cleaner air. For instance, the UK and US have drastically reduced sulfur dioxide emissions through a combination of reduced coal consumption and scrubbing technologies. Meanwhile, China has managed to cut sulfur dioxide emissions while increasing coal use by adopting innovative technologies. The rise of electric vehicles presents a significant opportunity for cleaner transportation, particularly in developing markets. Additionally, international collaboration in sharing knowledge and technology can further enhance improvements in air quality. Ritchie’s article re . . .
