Latest Stories from Jessica
Opinion – Pulitzer Prize shows the power of citizen journalism
Darnella Fraizer was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for documenting the police brutality that resulted in George Floydβs death. The video initiated global protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Β Β Awarding a Pulitzer prize to a regular citizen for capturing a moment that sparked the world into action emphasises the true power of the voice of the people, made possible by modern media. Seventeen-year-old Darnella Frazierβs was honoured for her...
Mapping challenges for the future of sustainable architecture
Green walls and solar panels are no longer considered adequate for making a building βgreenβ. Architects suggest the process must start from the inside out. What is sustainable architecture, truly? When someone asks this question, what do you think of? Like most people, my response would probably be something like: buildings designed to incorporate a vast amount of plant life and open space, features that would hopefully neutralise the structureβs carbon...
UN urges leaders to deliver Β£72 billion for climate change fight
With COP26 just five months away, global leaders have yet to consolidate the funding they pledged for climate change. The money is essential for mapping the next steps towards climate action. Weβre all familiar with the saying βmoney makes the world go round.β As wealthy nations hold out on their promise to donate Β£72 billion to combat climate change by helping developing countries invest in greener technologies, this statement has never...
New corporate tax laws aim to slash global inequity
World leaders have agreed to start taxing the earnings of tech giants at a minimum of 15 percent annually. What could this increased government income mean for the future? Over the last week, leaders of the G7 countries met in Cornwall to discuss the most pressing global issues of the moment. Climate change, COVID vaccine distribution, and global tax deals were all on the agenda. All were vital conversations, but the...
βMount Recyclemoreβ sculpted from e-waste ahead of G7 summit
A giant sculpture made from electronic waste has been constructed across the water from a hotel in Cornwall, where this yearβs G7 summit is being hosted. The artwork depicts the faces of the worldβs seven most powerful democratic leaders and aims to draw attention to e-waste that is generated by devices not recycled or resold each year. According to a report published by the UN, 53.6 million tonnes of electronic...
Wildlife trafficking increases on Facebook despite ban
Social media platforms are being utilised by dealers in the wildlife trade to connect with potential buyers. Despite Facebook imposing a ban on animal trafficking, the practice has increased online. Like many businesses that were forced to develop a stronger online market presence due to the global pandemic, dealers in the illegal exotic animal and animal product trade have taken to social media to make sales. Ivory from the tusks of...
Wealthy countries hoard vaccines while poorer nations go without first dose
The worldβs most wealthy countries are offering outrageous incentives to encourage citizens to get vaccinated. Meanwhile,Β citizens inΒ poorer nations have yet to receive a single dose. For many, a widely available vaccine seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel, a way out of lengthy lockdowns and a tool that would stop rising death tolls and ultimately lead to the closure of the pandemic. However, the race for pharmaceutical companies...
Michaela Coel wins two BAFTA awards for βI May Destroy Youβ
The ground-breaking television series received double recognition in the BAFTAβs most diverse set of winners yet. After being controversially snubbed at the Golden Globe Awards, Michaela Coel collected two BAFTA awards for Best Actress and Best Mini-Series for the complex, important, and multi-dimensional series that is I May Destroy You. The twelve-part series was inspired by Coelβs own experience as a Black female creative dealing with the aftermath of her sexual...
Wigs are booming despite a steep ethical price tag
The desire for authentic human hair wigs is growing rapidly thanks to pop culture, but the flashing lights of the red carpet are blinding consumers to the dark secrets of the hair trade. Outside of the Black community, wig-wearing among white women was almost exclusively reserved for fancy dress parties, religious practices, or as a solution for hair loss. Wigs previously held connotations of beauty deception, masking your identity, or false...
Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open citing mental health reasons
The mental health of athletes has been a neglected topic for a long time. Gen-Z champion tennis player Naomi Osaka is sparking the conversation in professional sport. On Monday, Gen-Z tennis star Naomi Osaka announced her withdrawal from the French Open due to mental health reasons. The decision comes after she was fined $15,000 for skipping an obligatory post-match press conference due to anxiety. She was also threatened with disqualification...
