France will start paying citizens to repair their clothing
In a bid to reduce national textile waste, citizens in France will receive cashback payments in return for mending their clothes rather than throwing them out. If evidence of a heavily polluted planet isn’t enough to stop people from throwing away their clothing at the first visible sign of wear,...
Current in People
Fake meat sales plummet reigniting the ‘plant-based fad’ debate
Once championed as a way to simultaneously prevent animal cruelty and fight the climate crisis, the protein alternative industry looks to be tanking. This poses the question: is the veganism hype losing its spark? In recent years, it’s become common knowledge that replacing the dearth of meat in the average...
South Africa leads in global unemployment crisis
A South Africa report by the UN reveals a disconcerting national unemployment rate that persistently hovers above 30%. Gen Z in particular have an unemployment rate exceeding 60%. South Africa is grappling with a deep-rooted unemployment crisis. The United Nations recently released a report that paints a somber picture, revealing...
Waste management has been overshadowed by recycling myth
Global recycling systems will unfortunately never be capable of keeping up with the growing amount of plastic humans dispose of each year. How did we forget about other viable options? ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle!’ Every kid was taught this iconic phrase. But the emphasis on recycling as a saving grace has seen...
Is there a connection between psychedelic use and eco-activism?
What are the current psychedelic renaissance’s effects on environmental activism and how can the nature-connectedness that’s bolstered by hallucinogenic drugs galvanise social movements and ultimately inspire faster action against the climate crisis? We’ve recently seen a growing acceptance within scientific fields that controlled psychedelic experiences can successfully transform mental health. Despite...
Our changing climate is making humanitarian work more difficult
A new report by the humanitarian aid charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reveals the growing number of challenges workers face when trying to offer humanitarian aid around the world. While the climate crisis is one of the primary causes of humanitarian issues, it is now becoming an obstacle to providing...
Why the bounce-back of tourism is bittersweet
As restrictions lift, we’re all reclaiming the joy of travel. But it’s best we approach this new chapter with caution. Tourism is one of the great joys in life. Correction, travel. Travel is one of the great joys in life. The distinction is necessary because of the baggage tourism carries, both literally and figuratively. While the tourism industry helps uplift entire communities, encouraging economic growth, cultural understanding, and a huge number...
The perils of sidelining younger politicians in India
How veteran leaders clinging to power can breed discontentment and defections. When it comes to power within a political party, state or nation, politics does seem to be a zero-sum game. This was seen recently in the state of Maharashtra, one of the most electorally significant in India. Ajit Pawar, a politician of the National Congress Party (NCP) broke away, taking a band of parliamentarians with him and was made the deputy...
Italy is removing LGBTQIA+ parents from birth certificates
It’s one of many crackdowns on the queer community since far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni came to power. Italy is often seen as the land of love. Breathtaking seascapes, decadent food, and an intoxicating language have earned it this status of romantic mecca. But the country’s government seems to be hell-bent on betraying love left right and centre. That is, queer love. Italy has begun removing the names of non-biological gay mothers...
What will be the impact of India’s rice-export ban?
The country’s decision to take 10m tonnes of rice off the global export market in an attempt to curb domestic inflation has raised fears of shortages and further increases in food prices around the world. In early July, after extreme rainfall wiped out paddy fields in India, government officials banned the export of non-basmati white rice to pre-emptively ‘ensure adequate domestic availability at reasonable prices.’ Rice prices in India have risen...
