Hong Kong’s first blog for SDG education news and announcements
Credit – AI generated image from Canva Fast fashion refers to a terrible business model in the clothing industry where new designs move quickly from the runway to stores to meet the latest trends, emphasizing rapid production at the lowest possible input costs to provide affordable and up to date clothing to trend-following consumers. Brands using fast fashion practices often release multiple collections per year, encouraging frequent purchases and instilling a culture of disposability, hoping you’ll buy the next thing, wear it once, then dump it for something new. What they count on is you thinking about the speed and affordability of looking your best while casually overlooking the high cost to both the environment and workers in the supply chain. The fast fashion industry, driven by relentless profit motives and trend-focused production, poses significant barriers to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its environmental impact is profound, con . . .
New COP29 proposal shows wide gap persists on climate funding deal (Reuters) New UN initiative aims to counter climate disinformation (UN News) Digital tech and AI can boost climate action, but curbing the sector’s emissions is key (UN News) Revealing the hidden costs of what we eat (Science Daily) PUMA #KnowYourStuff Sustainable Leather Alternatives (Happy Eco news) Mission 300: African Electrification Initiative Targets 300 Million Africans (Happy Eco news) What is hybrid warfare, which some fear Russia will use after Ukraine’s strike? (The Guardian) Eight times more children will face extreme heatwaves by 2050s, Unicef says (The Guardian) Will China assume more responsibility for global climate finance? (Eco-business) Is nuclear power gaining new energy? (BBC News) . . .
I recently came across a compelling study about plastic pollution that I found particularly eye-opening. Here are some of the key findings. Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year, with a substantial portion ending up in our oceans. This plastic not only threatens marine life but also disrupts entire ecosystems. The research estimates that approximately 1 million marine creatures die each year due to plastic debris, including entanglement and ingestion. The study also examined the effectiveness of current recycling efforts, revealing that only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. A staggering 79% ends up in landfills or as litter, contributing to long-lasting pollution. The researchers advocate for improved recycling technologies and infrastructure to enhance recovery rates and reduce the volume of plastic waste that enters our environment. Another critical aspect highlighted in the research is the rise of microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5mm . . .
COP29: Why are countries fighting over climate finance? (Reuters) Trump win worries international partners ahead of COP29 climate summit (Reuters) Cyberattacks on healthcare: A global threat that can’t be ignored (UN News) Time to dismantle legacies of slavery and colonialism impacting African diaspora (UN News) Fossil fuel CO2 emissions increase again in 2024 (Science Daily) New study links air pollution with higher rates of head and neck cancer (Science Daily) How To Ensure Your Eco-Friendly Garden Thrives (Happy Eco news) ‘Almost unparalleled suffering’ in Gaza as UN says nearly 70% of those killed are women and children (The Guardian) Imbalance of power: Women at international climate negotiations (Eco-business) How leaf blowers and jet washers are tackling wildfires (BBC News) . . .
For those whose news feed is filled with environmental news, you have spotted the news out of Lahore, Pakistan this week, which recently faced an environmental crisis of, frankly staggering proportions reminiscent of the Great Smog of London back in 1952. On November 2nd, 2024, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of over1900, a figure that shattered previous records and placed Lahore at the top of the list of the world's most polluted cities. This alarming environmental anomaly serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to address air pollution and keep closer watch on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The reasons behind Lahore's hazardous air quality are multifaceted. A combination of environmental factors, including its geographical location in a valley prone to temperature inversions, coupled with other sources like industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and agricultural burning, contribute to the problem. The situation is exacerbated . . .
As COP29 kicks off in Baku, Azerbaijan, the focus is on climate finance and the urgent need for action. Dubbed the “finance COP,” this year’s conference aims to help countries scale up their climate ambitions and secure necessary funding to tackle the climate crisis effectively. COP, or “Conference of the Parties,” refers to the meetings of countries involved in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Since its inception in 1992, these annual meetings have served as vital platforms for discussing and monitoring progress in climate action. While politicians and diplomats often take centre stage, many others contribute to the conversations at COP. Environmental activists, Indigenous representatives, and industry lobbyists all play important roles. However, the increasing presence of fossil fuel lobbyists raises concerns about whose interests are prioritised in the discussions. At COP28, nearly 200 countries committed for the fi . . .
I recently read an article about the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, and it provided some valuable insights. One of the most striking points was the significant energy consumption associated with training AI models. These models rely heavily on computational power, leading to a large carbon footprint, especially when they are powered by non-renewable energy sources. In fact, the article noted that the carbon footprint of a single AI model can be comparable to that of several cars over a year, which underscores the urgent need for greener practices within the tech industry. Despite these challenges, the article highlighted the potential for AI to contribute positively to sustainability efforts. For instance, AI technologies are being used to optimise energy usage in smart grids and improve supply chain efficiencies. This shows that while AI has a considerable environmental impact, its applications can lead to reduced ecological footprints in various sectors. Another c . . .
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest falls to lowest since 2015 (Reuters) Displacement crisis reaches 123 million, amid ongoing conflicts (UN News) UNESCO urges more action to combat violence and bullying at school (UN News) Small reductions to meat production in wealthier countries may help fight climate change, new analysis concludes (Science Daily) Curbing air pollution control devices would cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars (Science Daily) Breakthrough in Sustainable Lithium Production (Happy Eco news) Wind Powered Cargo Ships: New Era in Sustainable Shipping? (Happy Eco news) In an era of environmental crises, women closest to the destruction must be heard (The Guardian) ‘A wrecking ball’: experts warn Trump’s win sets back global climate action (The Guardian) INC-5: What to look out for at plastics treaty talks in Busan (Eco-business) Why is China upping coal power despite green energy boom? (Eco-business) Industrial wastelands to . . .
