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Good morning, this is Michelle, and today we’re seeing how tech corporations teaming up with agribusinesses to solve the food problems of the world could open a can of worms.

In other environmental news, a report from UNEP underscores the environmental injustices of plastic pollution as marginalised communities are the first to suffer the consequences throughout all stages of plastic production.

Also, with reports going around that Cop26 might be delayed a second time, the UK has assured everyone that the climate summit is still on.

photo journaliste

Michelle Langrand

02.04.2021


Climate & environment news


Photo article

Drones used to seed in a rice paddy near a local agriculture technology center in Busan, South Korea, May 2019. (Keystone)

🌾 🤖 ‘Agribusiness-as-usual’. Climate smart farms, drone-delivered food and algorithms nudging consumers’ eating habits are some of the innovations that many hope will make food systems more sustainable. But with big tech players leading this movement, there are fears that this will only aggravate the environmental and social issues that stem from corporations hoarding the food markets.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

🏭🥤Marginalised communities bear the brunt of plastic pollution. From its earliest stages in oil extraction and refinery sites to the landfill it ends up in, plastic has disastrous consequences for the environment and for people’s health. Populations living around manufacturing and waste sides are the first to feel the impacts, according to a new report.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

🇺🇳 🇬🇧 Climate summit still happening, for now. The UK government has said that it has no plans of postponing Cop26 to be held in November in Glasgow, rebutting claims to the contrary. Some countries have been calling for the meeting to be pushed back if it cannot happen in-person. Any final decision will have to be reached with the UN.

BBC (EN)

Here's what else is happening


Image of the day


Photo article

One of Sempé’s drawings projected on the Reformation Wall in Parc des Bastions. (Keystone/Martial Trezzini)

An antidote to gloom. To welcome spring and help dispel for few moments the anxiety brought by the pandemic, drawings by the famous French cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempé are being projected every evening over the facades of the Grand Théâtre de Genève, the Rath Museum, the Palais Eynard, Bastions wing of the University of Geneva, the Reformation Wall and the Société de Lecture. Geneva residents can take a stroll through the city landmarks and admire his humorous art until 7 April.

Société de Lecture (EN)

Next on the agenda


📌 5-16 April | Global Youth Summit. Youth-led workshops and events aim to strengthen networks and build momentum around nature and climate action in the lead up to IUCN’s World Conservation Congress in 2021.

IUCN (EN)

📌 6 April | Ag!r. Talks with an expert on plants, clips by Swiss humorist Marina Rollman, comic reading sessions and performances for individuals that want to know how they can help address the climate and environmental challenges of our time.

Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (EN)

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Have a good day!

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