Brazil’s Amazon Fund has been revived thanks to new governance
After a decade of success, Brazil’s internationally-funded rainforest protection program was frozen in 2019 by President Jair Bolsonaro. Now, the nation’s Supreme Court has announced the Amazon Fund will continue operations by 2023. Fridays are for good news, and luckily, there have been some great developments happening in regard to...
Current in People
Exclusive – COP27’s Biodiversity Day with Kasha Slavner
We spoke with award-winning filmmaker and activist Kasha Slavner about what it means to respect and protect our planet on COP’s Biodiversity Day. Yesterday’s theme at COP27 was Biodiversity Day. Leaders gathered to discuss nature and ecosystem-based solutions to climate mitigation and adaptation. They also built strategies to mobilise global...
Exclusive – COP27’s Water Day with Bodhi Patil & Nyombi Morris
Yesterday was Water Day at COP27. World leaders set out to discuss sustainable water resource management, as well as water scarcity, drought, cross-boundary cooperation, and improving water systems. Currently, 3.6 billion people face inadequate access to water for at least one month per year. By 2050, water scarcity is expected to...
Why social media might do more harm than good for refugees
Social media has been a powerful tool in shedding light on what's happening to the people of Ukraine, Afghanistan, and even Palestine. But is it the best way to help the ever-growing refugee crisis? Seven years ago, the photo of three-year-old Alan Kurdi found on the shores of Bodrum, Turkey,...
Exclusive – COP 27’s Decarbonisation Day with Michael Backlund
We spoke to Climate Science president and climate and peace activist Michael Backlund about COP27, decarbonisation, and how young people can get involved in fighting against the climate emergency. Friday of COP27’s first week was officially ‘Decarbonisation Day’, where leaders and attendees will discuss various technologies and campaigns to...
Exclusive – COP27’s Science Day with Ann Makosinski
We spoke to inventor and public speaker Ann Makosinski about science, climate change, and how COP27 can help young people to get their voices heard. We’re back with another exclusive chat with Ann Makosinski, the inventor and public speaker from Canada. In 2013 she won the Google Science Fair with...
Exclusive – COP27’s Finance Day with Oluwaseyi Moejoh
We had the pleasure of speaking with U-Recycle Initiative’s co-founder, Oluwaseyi Moejoh, about one of the most daunting and misunderstood themes of COP27: finance.
Oluwaseyi Moejoh is a Nigerian environmentalist and global change-maker who is enthusiastic about sustainability and the protection of the oceans.
She is the co-founder of U-Recycle Initiative, a youth-led organisation focused on advancing a circular economy in Africa and beyond through reinforcing environmental sustainability and recycling culture.
Indonesia passes legislation outlawing sex outside marriage
Indonesia’s parliament has approved a controversial new criminal code that bans both locals and foreigners from extramarital sex. Critics view the move as a ‘disaster’ for human rights, and a potential blow to the country's booming tourism sector. Following years of parliamentary discussions and heated public debate, Indonesia has just passed a controversial new criminal code that critics say is a dramatic setback to freedoms in the world’s third-largest democracy. Under...
France officially bans short-haul domestic flights
In a promising turn of events, the European Commission has approved a bill abolishing flights between cities in France. Any journey under 2.5 hours will be scrapped for the next three years, and train travel is being incentivised. It’s taken ages to get here, but finally ink is dry on the paper. Ending close to a two-year stalemate, the European Commission has approved bans to short-haul flights between cities in France....
Lab-grown blood cells administered to humans for the first time
In a world-first clinical trial, lab-grown red blood cells have been transfused into humans. If successful, its continuation will bolster supplies for those with rare blood types and improve treatment for people who require regular transfusions. You’ve heard of lab-grown meat, but what about lab-grown human blood? For the very first time, a couple of spoonfuls (5-10ml) of lab-grown blood have been injected into volunteers participating in the RESTORE randomised controlled...
