Africa is at the forefront of the battle against climate change and biodiversity loss. With a quarter of the world’s biodiversity, the continent is facing both drought and flooding in many regions, putting immense pressure on its natural ecosystems. In order to protect the well-being of the human species, African leaders are coming together to form the A Pan African Conservation Trust Fund (A-PACT), which aims to pool resources and expand coverage of 8,600 protected and conserved areas across the continent. Africa is showing its leadership in this space and is now preparing for the 15th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15). Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
