Our Words Are Not Enough—Only Bold Action on Renewables Can Help the Planet
Embracing new, renewable options can remove the global craving for fossil fuels and protect nations from the highly volatile ebb and flow of energy markets.
Progress in the Development of Globally Accessible Early Warning Systems: The Gender Dimension of Disaster Risk Reduction
The impacts of hazard events are not gender-neutral. Women are often placed at greater risk through a lack of timely and relevant information about imminent hazards.
Message in a Baton: International Relay Approaches Sharm el-Sheikh Calling for Climate Education
Climate education is, without a doubt, critical to mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change and building sustainable and resilient communities.
The State of Mental Health Globally in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Progress on the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2023)
Although major advancements in our understanding of what causes mental health conditions and how to treat them have been made in the last 20 years, very few improvements in service coverage and quality have been made.
The Growing Effects of Light Pollution on Migratory Birds
Light pollution is the theme of this year’s (8 October 2022), a global campaign to raise awareness about migratory birds and major threats.
Overcoming Babel: Why Translation Is Key to Lasting Peace and Development
As globalization flows into every corner of the virtual and physical worlds, and geopolitical and cultural tensions rise, accurate, professional translation mediates the potential cultural and language barriers in politics, national security and diplomacy, as well as between communities.
We Are Running Out of Time
This year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference—COP 27—will arguably be the most important climate conference of the decade. From 6 to 18 November 2022, world leaders gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt must put words into action to hold the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C.
We Can All Help Reduce Food Loss and Waste
Food loss and waste (FLW) implies unnecessary pressure on the environment and the natural resources used to produce it in the first place. It essentially means that land and water resources have been wasted, pollution created and greenhouse gases emitted to no purpose.
Let’s Recommit to Protecting Students, Educators and Schools from Attack
Education is fundamental, even during war. Access to learning can give children and young people the knowledge and abilities needed to contribute to their communities and economies—and the skills to resolve disputes and rebuild after conflict.
The Other Victims of Enforced Disappearance
Aside from the legal debate on the concept of the victim in an enforced disappearance and the lack of political will in many situations to fulfil victims’ rights, it is indisputable that the next of kin of the disappeared suffer as much and sometimes more than those who are no longer present.
Ending Nuclear Testing to Advance Global Peace and Security
While the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty has already helped advance the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament agenda, we must remain vigilant. The proliferation of nuclear weapons and the threat of their use continue to pose unacceptable risks to humanity.
World Water Week 2022: Revealing the Importance of Unseen Water
This year’s conference will place particular focus on what can be described as “invisible water”—groundwater, soil moisture and atmospheric water. These occurrences of water are often forgotten, even by experts in the water community, and their potential is therefore not fully explored.
To Continue Delivering for the Children of Ukraine, We Must Look to Partnerships
This World Humanitarian Day, aid workers in Ukraine and around the world are facing challenges on a level never seen before, with key issues being access to those in need.
Future-Proof Skills Can Help Balance Individual and Societal Progress
Conceptual and strategic thinking, creativity, problem-solving, empathy, optimism, ethics, emotional intelligence and judgment are the future-proof skills and attributes that machines will not be able to replicate with the same standards and agility as qualified human beings.
All Stakeholders Have a Role to Play in Ridding the World of Chemical Weapons
The process of destroying chemical arsenals declared to OPCW will soon be completed. However, current global events have underscored that preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons is on an agenda that will remain open forever.