UN NEWS—Plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water continues to grow sharply and could more than double by 2030, according to an assessment released on Thursday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The report highlights dire consequences for health, the economy, biodiversity and the
Lauran Neergaard and Mike Stobbe, AP News - Millions more Americans can get a COVID-19 booster and choose a different company’s vaccine for that next shot, federal health officials said Thursday. Certain people who received Pfizer vaccinations months ago already are eligible for a booster and
UN NEWS—Between 20 to 50 per cent of irrigated soils in all continents have grown too salty to be fully fertile, creating significant challenges for more than 1.5 billion people trying to grow their own food. The information is part of the Global Map of Salt-Affected Soils, a new tool launched this Wednesday by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These soils are less
UN News - After a big drop last year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, global foreign direct investment (FDI) reached an estimated $852 billion in the first half of 2021, showing a stronger than expected rebound. That’s according to the latest Investment Trends Monitor, released this Tuesday by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It shows
UN News - To understand the richness of biodiversity across World Heritage marine sites, the UN scientific organization launched on Monday a project to protect and preserve biodiversity, based on the study of environmental DNA - cellular material released from living things into their surroundings. Launching the new programme, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that scientists
The inaugural winners of Prince William's Earthshot Prize were announced Sunday at a star-studded event at London’s Alexandra Palace. Earthshot Prize is an ambitious environmental program that aims to find new ideas and technologies around the world to tackle climate change and Earth’s most pressing challenges. Prince William
Media Release - “Key public health threats to the food and agriculture sector in the Caribbean include foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks, weather uncertainties, flooding and other natural disasters, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Region struggles with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,
UN News - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched an expert group that will examine the origins of new pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The proposed members of the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) were selected for their expertise in areas such as epidemiology, animal health, clinical
Barbershops, salons, gyms, cafés and bars in Sydney, Australia have reopened to fully vaccinated customers for the first time in more than 100 days. Sydney reopened on Monday after 73.5% of the New South Wales state population aged 16 and older were fully vaccinated and more
UN NEWS—The UN World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday unveiled an $8 billion pathway out of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a bid to make vaccines accessible to everyone, everywhere. The Global COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy aims to inoculate 40 percent of people in all countries by the end of
