Hong Kong’s first blog for SDG education news and announcements
Make AI work for everyone, UN chief says (UN News) The Taliban’s harsh new ‘vice and virtue’ laws are a throwback to the oppression of the 1990s – especially for the women of Afghanistan (The Conversation) New Solar Heat Technology to Decarbonize Steel and Cement Production (Happy Eco news) ‘Typhoons have prevented me going to school’: The children behind South Korea’s landmark climate win (The Guardian) Gender equality stalling or going backwards for 1bn women and girls (The Guardian) Saving the faltering energy SDG (Eco-business) Toxic, deadly, cheap: Life for women gold miners in the Philippines (Eco-business) Agricultural impact of flooding (Science Daily) Brazil's Amazon rainforest fires in August reach 14-year high (Reuters) Comment: Why compostable packaging can't absolve us of our single-use sins (Reuters) . . .
Recently, I listened to a thought-provoking podcast that delved into the intersection of climate change and child marriage. The podcast highlighted the alarming statistics revealed in a 2023 report by Save the Children titled “Girls at the centre of the storm: Her planet, her future, her solutions.” One of the most striking findings was that around two-thirds of child marriages occur in regions with higher-than-average climate risks. This revelation sheds light on the profound effects of climate change on communities, particularly in vulnerable regions. For example, extreme weather events such as droughts and floods can disrupt livelihoods, leading to increased economic hardship and food insecurity. This, in turn, can exacerbate social issues such as child marriage as families grapple with the impacts of climate change. The report emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address these interconnected challenges. It underscores the importance of integrating . . .
Image by Suzal Gurung from Pixabay ‘Lessons of the past forgotten’ as nuclear proliferation continues (UN News) What is sea level rise and why does it matter to our future? (UN News) How much microplastic are you drinking? New tool can tell you in minutes (Science Daily) ‘Humanity is failing’: official report warns our chance to save the Great Barrier Reef is fast closing (The Conversation) Hydrogen Trains Gaining Momentum (Happy Eco news) Slow the growth, save the world? Why declining birth rates need not mean an end to prosperity (The Guardian) ‘Frightening’ Taliban law bans women from speaking in public (The Guardian) China’s pipeline of future coal plants set to shrink with sharp drop in new permit approvals (Eco-business) Five charts: How climate change is driving up food prices around the world (Eco-business) Hong Kong turns to green energy (HKTDC) . . .
Image by Sadegh Shafiee from Pixabay Mythbuster: breaking down recycling myths Recycling contributes to a circular economy by reducing waste sent to landfills, conserving natural resources, and minimizing environmental impact. It helps close the loop on resource consumption and waste generation, creating a more sustainable system. Let’s look at some common recycling myths. Myth 1: recycling doesn't save energy One common misconception about recycling is that it doesn't save energy. In reality, recycling is an energy-saving process that reduces the need for new materials, which require more energy to produce. For instance, recycling paper uses 40% less energy than making new paper from raw materials. Myth 2: all paper can be recycled Not all paper can be recycled. Paper contaminated with food or grease cannot be recycled as it can contaminate the entire batch. Check with your local recycling program to see which paper types are accepted. Myth 3: A product labelled . . .
Image by xiSerge from Pixabay Tracking the extent of homelessness around the world (Our World In Data) Mpox: What you need to know about the latest public health emergency (UN News) Scientists achieve more than 98% efficiency removing nanoplastics from water (Science Daily) Warming waters and nutrient overload: A dangerous combination threatening our rivers and lakes (Science Daily) New genetically engineered wood can store carbon and reduce emissions (Science Daily) If we want more solar and wind farms, we need to get locals on board by ensuring they all benefit too (The Conversation) How protectionism can help developing countries unlock their economic potential (The Conversation) Sustainability Isn’t Just Skin Deep—Are You Paying Attention to Your Factories? (Sourcing Journal) Countries' climate obligations could be legally defined at top UN court in December (UN News) Corporate sustainability is maturing, not disappearing (Fast Company) Unexploded o . . .
Image by CharlVera from Pixabay You have likely seen wildfires in the news this year due to their widespread impact. Unprecedented fires have destroyed millions of hectares of land, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and eliminated entire habitats. The main factors driving the risk of fire development are dry fuel, oxygen, and heat. Ignition sources of wildfires around the world include natural events like lightning strikes (of which climate change is undoubtedly the biggest trigger) and human activities such as vehicle fires, cigarette butts, and campfires. Hannah Ritchie's recent post examines the recent prevalence of wildfires across different countries. In 2023, Canada saw a record-breaking amount of area burned, more than double the previous record since the 1970s. Greece also experienced a significant year for wildfires, with the second-highest amount of area burned since the 1980s. This Guardian article looks at the impacts of gruelling fires in America thi . . .
Image by OleksandrPidvalnyi from Pixabay Green jobs: what skills do I need? In light of the recent emphasis on corporate sustainability and governance, businesses are increasingly seeking candidates with strong skills and knowledge in sustainability issues. What initially started as mere awareness has now evolved into a critical aspect of business operations, reshaping the way businesses perceive sustainability and its integration into their business models. This shift has led to a significant annual growth in "green jobs." Now, let's explore the essential skills and experiences required for a role in the field of sustainability: Build on your sustainability knowledge To enhance your understanding, dive into relevant books, news articles, and blogs. For instance, YCI Lab consistently publishes insightful blog posts and weekly round-ups of interesting articles. To delve even deeper, ITS Foundation has programmes including Young Changemaker Incubator (YCI) and YAAPP. Craf . . .
Image by Polifoto from Pixabay Air conditioning causes around 3% of greenhouse gas emissions. How will this change in the future? (Our World In Data) The New Global Ecotourism Boom (Happy Eco News) The climate impact of feeding ourselves is getting worse and worse (New Scientist) Youth jobless rate falls to 15-year low, says UN labour agency (UN News) Reduce, reuse, 're-fly-cle': How genetically modified flies can reduce waste and keep it out of landfills (Science Daily) New genetically engineered wood can store carbon and reduce emissions (Science Daily) The Geneva Conventions at 75: do the laws of war still have a fighting chance in today’s bloody world? (The Conversation) ‘Europe is doing great’ on wind power, while US, Russia and Japan fall behind (Euro News) New Climate Resilient Potatoes (Happy Eco News) 'Trees as a catalyst for transformation': National Forest celebrates tree planting milestone (Business Green)Killing them softly: Southeast . . .
