By Dr Natalia Kanem UN, Jul 11 2019 (IPS) – Every year on World Population Day (July 11), UNFPA receives queries from journalists about the total number of people around the world. Numbers are indeed important because they help governments…
Category: Green corner
Green Climate Fund agrees on ways to decide sans consensus
Songdo, 11 July (Indrajit Bose) — The Board of the UNFCCC’s Green Climate Fund (GCF) adopted a key decision on how the Board will make decisions in the event consensus could not be reached at its 23rd meeting in Songdo,…
Sustainable development needs fundamental governance changes
New York, 8 July 2019: “The world is off-track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most governments have failed to turn the transformational vision of the 2030 Agenda into real transformational policies. Even worse, xenophobia and authoritarianism are on…
Creating social legitimacy in the EU
by Christian Schweiger In our ‘Europe2025’ series, Christian Schweiger argues the EU will only survive long-term if it builds its future agenda on broad public support through open dialogue and innovative consultation. Throughout the past decade the European Union has…
Is there a co-relation between human development & SDGs?
By Pedro Conceição UN, Jul 1 2019 (IPS) – “People are the real wealth of nations,” began the first Human Development Report (HDR). That 1990 report marked a turning point in the global development debate. During the second half of…
Time for postcapitalism
by Paul Mason Paul Mason continues his sketch of a postcapitalist world by drawing out its implications for something in increasingly short supply—time. If we are lucky, the world stands on the brink of a rapid transition beyond carbon. We…
Investigate Morsi’s death
By Chandra Muzaffar Immediately after Dr Mohammed Morsi’s death on the 17th of June 2019, a number of organisations and individuals had called for a thorough, independent investigation into the cause of his death while on trial in a Cairo…
Ending colonial injustice: Chagos Islands back to natives
By Dr Jaspal Kaur Sadhu Singh The correction of this injustice has been achieved through a long drawn fight, somewhat of a David and Goliath contest. The outcome, culminating in a spectacular opinion and vote, has a number of consequences…
Integrity not practiced properly for lack of will: TIB
Dhaka, June 23 – Exercise of integrity is not done properly due to lack of political willingness which creates obstacles to prevent corruption, the establishment of good governance and accountability. Despite hiking allowances and salaries of the public servants—but corruption…
The re-awakening of compassion
If all youth were to work together with similar mind, similar heart, similar compassion, as the young members of Revolution to Improve Bangladesh are doing, there is no doubt an enormous difference would be made Sir Frank Peters A revolution…
Invest in refugee-hosting countries matching hospitality: UN
Dhaka, June 19 – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has laid emphasis on investment in the countries which are hosting refugees despite struggle with their own economic challenges and security concerns. “I want to recognise the humanity of countries that host…
This time is different
by Branko Milanovic Marx once wrote of the temptation, confronted with a new historical situation, to summon up the ‘borrowed language’ of the past. He’s still right, writes Branko Milanovic. Le hasard ne profite qu’aux esprits préparés (Chance favours only…
Hearing: Subscribers vent anger at cellphone operators
Dhaka, June 12 – Subscribers on Wednesday vented their anger at the poor services provided by different mobile phone companies in the country. At a public hearing arranged by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) at the Institution of Engineers,…
Eco-trends – what’s next on radar for green consumers
If 2018 was the year of the reusable coffee cup and paper straws, where next for the ethical high street consumer? BusinessWaste.co.uk research takes a closer look at the areas to watch in 2019 as well as a look back…
Oikya Front looks for greater unity
Dhaka, Jun 10 – Jatiya Oikya Front will forge a greater unity with all the pro-liberation and anti-government political parties to wage a strong movement for the ‘restoration’ of democracy. “We’ll forge greater unity. We’ll continue our movement for the…
China should lead on air pollution
by Kris Hartley, Asit K. Biswas Singapore/Hong Kong – The United Nations expects 68% of the world’s population to live in urban areas by 2050. As governments scramble to manage this flood of urban migration, they must address not only…
Japan’s government must exit coal
by Jan Erik Saugestad OSLO – Following the abdication of Emperor Akihito, Japan announced that its new imperial era would be called Reiwa (“beautiful harmony”). But if the Reiwa era is to live up to its name, Japan’s government must…
Populists, greens and the new map of European politics
by Sheri Berman In light of the gains by green parties and right-wing populists in the Euro-elections, Sheri Berman explores how the traditionally dominant parties respond to such challenges. ‘Peak populism’ and the ‘green wave‘ was how many observers summarised…
Beximco solar power contract may be terminated for failure
Dhaka, Jun 1 (UNB)— The government has initiated a process to terminate a contract with Beximco Group for its failure to implement a solar power project. Power Division sources said the Power Development Board (PDB) issued an ‘event of default…
Reflections from a mother on Menstrual Hygiene Day
Ruth Kennedy-Walker I recently returned to work after six months of maternity leave with my second child. Transitioning back to my ‘original’ role as a Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist at the World Bank, alongside my new role as a…
The Myth of Climate Wars?
by Alaa Murabit, Luca Bücken New York – In the years leading up to Syria’s civil war, the country endured three consecutive record-breaking droughts. By forcing internal displacement, the droughts arguably contributed to the social tensions that erupted in popular…
The Euro-elections in microcosm: Macron versus Le Pen
by Anna Nadibaidze Marine Le Pen didn’t surge forward in France, yet Emmanuel Macron lacked a winning alternative. It was the populists versus the progressives in the Euro-elections writ small. Throughout the European election campaign in France, it became clear…
NDA’s second term: What it means for India’s environment?
by Mayank Aggarwal • Since 2014, the National Democratic Alliance government has carried out a series of changes in India’s environmental laws aiming to simplify them and promote ease of business. Many of such changes were marred by controversies as…
It’s time to talk about democracy at work
by Stan De Spiegelaere Democracy at work has many benefits but above all, it is a matter of human dignity. My normal bike commute to work was interrupted by red flags. No revolution (yet) but industrial action blocked access to…
SC criticises HC bench, cancels its order: AG for action
Dhaka, May 16 – The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed graved concerned against a High Court bench for giving an unprecedented order relating to a civil case. The seven members bench of the Appellate Division head by chief justice Syed…
AL-backed BCL leaders clash at DU over central committee
Dhaka, May 13 – At least seven people were injured during a clash between two opposing factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Madhu’s Canteen of Dhaka University on Monday evening. Earlier in the afternoon, a 301-member central committee of…
20-Party partners criticise BNP for Parliament-joining
Dhaka, May 13 – The BNP-led 20-party alliance yesterday vowed to take to the streets with a new political course of action over the contemporary issues including the demand for the release of BNP’s ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia. BNP standing…
Ensuring the ‘lungs of the planet’ keep us alive
Forests are vitally important for sustaining life on Earth, and play a major role in the fight against climate change. With the 2019 session of the United Nations Forum on Forests wrapping up on Friday in New York, we delve…
India’s growing solar energy could leave a trail of wastes
Solar power may promise a bright future for India’s energy requirements, but behind the sheen is a growing mountain of waste. While the national government is pushing an ambitious solar power programme for India, it has, so far, failed to…
Is UAE leading the way for concentrated solar power in GCC?
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 9 2019 (IPS) – In April 2019, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) published a report on a “roadmap to 2050” in terms of renewable energy. The report highlighted the possibility that by 2050, about 86 percent of…