Hong Kong’s first blog for SDG education news and announcements
Most international migrants don’t move very far from their home countries (Our World in Data) Deforestation in the Amazon has halved in the last few years (Hannah Ritchie) Humanity’s fate can't be left to algorithms, UN chief tells Security Council (UN News) Migrant workers ‘indispensable’ to global economic growth: UN labour agency (UN News) Engineers unveil breakthrough in ultra-clean biofuel technology (Science Daily) Indigenous Ways of Knowing: A Conversation with Carolynne Crawley About Natural Relationships (Happy Eco news) Bridging the Climate Literacy Gap in Schools (Happy Eco news) Bamboo bonanza: how a village in India used its forest to go from poverty to prosperity (The Guardian) . . .
The article "Bridging the Climate Literacy Gap in Schools" from Happy Eco News highlights a critical issue: the uneven distribution of climate education across various demographics and regions. While many students today benefit from increased focus on environmental topics in their curricula, significant gaps remain, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Historically, environmental education was limited, often reduced to simple recycling habits. However, the narrative is shifting as educational systems begin to embrace a more comprehensive approach to climate literacy. The article notes a UK study revealing that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to express anxiety about climate change, potentially due to their limited exposure to thorough climate education and nature-based activities. In contrast, their more advantaged peers often display curiosity and eagerness to engage with environmental issues. To bridge this gap, the article suggests integra . . .
Large amounts of antibiotics are used in livestock, but several countries have shown this doesn’t have to be the case (Our World in Data) Do more people die from heat or cold? How will this change in the future? (Hannah Ritchie) At least 68 journalist killings in 2024, UNESCO reports (UN News) Poverty, conflict and climate fuel spike in trafficking victims: UN report (UN News) Fine particulate air pollution may play a role in adverse birth outcomes (Science Daily) Meet These Teenage Inventors From The Earth Prize (Happy Eco news) Student Turns Social Impact Project into AI-Powered Climate Tech Company (Happy Eco news) ‘A human face on an abstract problem’: ICJ forced to listen to climate victims (The Guardian) The indigenous women saving India's endangered giant yams (BBC News) . . .
Every year on December 11, we celebrate International Mountain Day, a day dedicated to honoring the vital role that mountains play in sustaining life on Earth. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002, this observance aims to raise awareness about the importance of mountains and the challenges they face. Mountains cover approximately 22% of the Earth's land surface and are home to about 15% of the global population. These majestic landscapes are crucial sources of water, food, and energy, playing a significant role in regulating our climate. Many communities rely on mountains for freshwater, as they are key watersheds that supply rivers and lakes. However, mountains are not immune to threats. Climate change, deforestation, and overgrazing are just a few of the issues that jeopardize these vital ecosystems. The consequences can be dire, leading to soil erosion, landslides, and flooding, which affect both the environment and the communities that depend on these regions . . .
Climate change will affect food production, but here are the things we can do to adapt (Our World in Data) Vertical farming: a local solution for greens, but not feeding the world any time soon (Hannah Ritchie) ‘War on drugs has failed, completely and utterly’: UN human rights chief (UN News) Global trade to hit record $33 trillion in 2024, but uncertainties over tariffs loom (UN News) Fine particulate air pollution may play a role in adverse birth outcomes (Science Daily) The Rise of Green Financing: How Sustainable Investments Are Shaping a Better Future (Happy Eco news) Australia accused of undermining landmark climate change case brought by Pacific nations in international court (The Guardian) The people growing their own toilet paper (BBC News) . . .
At the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, a hearing is underway where representatives from vulnerable nations, particularly Pacific island states, argue that a small number of countries should be held legally responsible for the climate crisis. Vanuatu’s special envoy for climate change highlighted that these nations have produced the majority of greenhouse gas emissions but those that have produced very little are facing the severest impacts, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. This hearing, the result of years of advocacy and a UN resolution for clarity on state obligations regarding climate action, will feature statements from 98 countries, including major historical emitters like the UK, as well as nations like Bangladesh that contribute little yet suffer greatly. Key discussions focus on the historical injustices of colonialism and the ongoing negligence of major emitters. As the ICJ considers these arguments, its advisory opinions are no . . .
Sustainability profession scrambles to fill 'extreme gap' in digital skills to harness power of AI (Reuters) Security Council urged to ensure greater protection of humanitarian workers (UN News) Upholding human rights is key to ending AIDS by 2030 (UN News) Can we avert the looming food crisis of climate change? (Science Daily) Revolutionary Solvent Removes 98% of Nanoplastics from Water (Happy Eco news) Colombia outlaws child marriage after 17-year campaign (The Guardian) Cattle, crops and ancient olive groves: Lebanon’s farmers ‘lose everything’ to Israeli bombs (The Guardian) ‘Break free from brackets’: Officials urge plastics treaty talks to move past discussion into legal text (Eco-business) Citizenship sales, land creation and legal battles: How small islands are confronting existential climate threat (BBC News) . . .
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) convened in Baku, Azerbaijan, gathering global leaders, negotiators, and civil society to confront the urgent realities of climate change. This year’s conference emphasized not just ambitious targets but also the contentious issues surrounding climate finance, which play a crucial role in enabling both mitigation and adaptation efforts globally. Critics argue that as the world races toward rising temperatures, gradual efforts are insufficient. With only incremental funding increases for developing countries and a lack of tangible progress on the phase-out of fossil fuels, Baku did not deliver the transformative agreement that many climate advocates had anticipated. Here are some of the key outcomes: Reaffirmed National Commitments: COP29 witnessed a reaffirmation of many countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), with several nations enhancing their targets. However, the talks highlighted a significant gap between pledges . . .
