Climate crisis bigger challenge than COVID?
Good news for the environment this week: Australian business leaders are focusing on the impact of climate change as their number-one concern (ahead of the pandemic), polystyrene is slated to be phased out and echidnas are hailed for their soil regeneration powers. And don’t forget – it’s Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday.
Ingenious toy for visually impaired kids
Lego Braille Bricks – a fun toy designed for visually impaired kids – has just been launched in Australia. Schools and educators are given the blocks for free so that kids can turn learning braille into a fun thing. Kids are raving about it (of course, it’s Lego) so let’s find out more…
Toilet paper outperforms corporate Australia
It is said that Simon Griffiths had the idea to create Who Gives a Crap in the bathroom. A producer of toilet paper that would donate 50 per cent of profit to sanitation projects in developing countries. It has just made its biggest donation ever – outperforming Atlassian and Qantas.
Homelessness figures on the up
Last year 40,000 rough sleepers were moved into temporary housing. Governments announced spending to fund social housing and there were hopes many, if not most, of these people would eventually move into their own homes. What is happening to now? As it turns out, the news is not all good.
Farewell, ye olde gas guzzler
The government’s just-announced electric car policy is a far cry from last election’s “war on the weekend” campaign. Still, the only party showing leadership is the car industry itself with five-minute recharge batteries now on offer. It looks our domestic car market is about to be shaken up. Or will it?
Racism a matter for all Australians
Collingwood’s leaked report on racism within the club came as no surprise. And if it weren’t for Eddie McGuire’s attempt at spinning its findings, it wouldn’t have been getting this much airtime. The discussion on racism in Australia takes centre stage once again. And that’s a good thing.
Australian children do not belong in prisons
The push to lift the age of criminal responsibility for children from 10 to 14 years may have failed last year but the world is watching. At a recent UN gathering, 30 countries condemned the Australian government over high rates of child incarceration. They are demanding change.
Asylum seekers freed from detention
It would have been easy to miss the news that the government is quietly releasing refugees from detention. A third group of refugees, including one woman, brought to Australia under now-repealed Medevac laws has just been released. We take a look at what’s been happening – and why.
50 countries to protect 30% of planet by 2030
Fifty countries including China, France, UK and Germany have pledged to protect 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030. With new modelling showing that green initiatives like these could create 191 million jobs worldwide, it makes economic sense too. Great news – but where was Australia?
Humanitarian crises go underreported
Coverage of the pandemic dominated world headlines in 2020. But did you know that the launch of PlayStation 5 received 26 times more news attention than 10 humanitarian crises combined? Over 230 million people are in desperate need of help but you most likely never heard about it.
Green year’s resolutions to help the planet
Welcome to 2021. This year we will again bring you lots of stories about social and environmental issues, and how you can make a change. This week we’re going to green up our new year’s resolutions with these tips. Let’s make 2021 the greenest year yet.
New Zealand facing long-term water shortage
Like many parts of Australia, New Zealand is currently experiencing a La Niña summer. Although this summer’s projected rainfall should keep Auckland’s water supply levels sustainable in the short term, Wellington could be running dry within the next six years.