Without fresh ideas to address rapid urbanization, the number of people living in slums lacking access to basic infrastructure and services such as sanitation, electricity, and health care may skyrocket from one billion at present to three billion by 2050, the United Nations reported earlier this month. That wake up call is one of several alarm bells sounded in the UN World … [Read more...]
Young scholars invited to write sustainability article
The IHDP Secretariat's Writing Contest is open again! Young scholars are invited to take part and write an article for the third issue of the Dimensions magazine, to be published mid 2013. The issue will focus on the human dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals that have been widely discussed in the context of the Rio+20 summit. The magazine is directed towards a wider … [Read more...]
HFC’s in your fridge is a dangerous greenhouse gas
Brazil, China and India have the dubious honor of becoming the first nations to directly contradict the pledges made at the Rio+20 summit last month. All 193 member states of the UN signed the declaration in Rio which included: “We recognize that the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances is resulting in a rapid increase in the use and release of high global-warming … [Read more...]
Rio+20 an epic fail, say civil society groups
As Rio+20 came to a close, civil society groups from across the globe were quick to condemn world leaders - particularly from rich countries - for failing to live up to their promises or offer new vision. "Just like in climate negotiations, the EU dresses up its own economic interests as ambitious new ideas when in reality they came without the political will to make the … [Read more...]
New balance sheet for wealth of nations
The world’s fixation on economic growth ignores a rapid and largely irreversible depletion of natural resources, which will seriously harm future generations. This is according to a report, which on 17 June in Rio, unveiled a new indicator aimed at encouraging sustainability - the Inclusive Wealth Index (IWI). true state of the nation's wealth The IWI, which looks beyond … [Read more...]
Important speech for the world
"One of the world’s biggest myths is that going organic is a choice. From the perspective of food security, there is no choice." On Tuesday 19th June, the opening session of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, forming part of UNCSD Rio+20. At this Sustainable Development Learning Event, the following … [Read more...]
Ethical labelling proves a necessity
With the strongest economy and a growing middle-class in its urban centres, South Africa has the largest market for “ethical” products on the continent. Therefore, there is an urgent need for proper food labeling, to avoid 'greenwashing' and to benefit farmers that really do offer ethically produced food. The environmental and social impacts of modern society’s reckless … [Read more...]
Practical measures set out for sustainable development
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development - or Rio+20 - took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 20-22 June 2012. It resulted in a focused political outcome document which contains clear and practical measures for implementing sustainable development. In Rio, Member States decided to launch a process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), … [Read more...]
Goals and actions for a sustainable future
With less than one month to Rio+20, the next round of negotiations between governments to forge the outcome document for the major global conference on sustainable development took place late last month at the United Nations from 29 May to 2 June. This latest round was added to provide negotiators with an additional opportunity to move talks forward in an effort to finalize … [Read more...]
Science and technology to develop capacity in developing countries
Last week, WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Director General Francis Gurry and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) Director General Kandeh Yumkella met to strengthen their cooperation around global innovation. According to the announcement released by both parties, it was agreed that “the two organizations should collaborate on … [Read more...]
