Category Archives: Analysis

Organ donation: whether we opt in or out, research finds it’s the will of our family that matters

Alberto Molina Pérez, Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados (IESA – CSIC) ; David Rodríguez-Arias, Universidad de Granada, and Janet Delgado, Universidad de Granada Organ transplantation allows patients who are suffering from organ failure to receive a healthy organ from a donor. This procedure can help to extend and improve the lives of recipients, and isContinue reading “Organ donation: whether we opt in or out, research finds it’s the will of our family that matters”

Climate change can be beaten – why some scientists are hopeful

Patrick Omeja, Makerere University; Abay Yimere, Tufts University; Desta Mebratu, Stellenbosch University, and Jennifer Fitchett, University of the Witwatersrand Can our planet recover from climate change? Commissioning Editor, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, asked scientists to share the reasons they believe there is hope. Jennifer Fitchett, Associate Professor of Physical Geography, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies,Continue reading “Climate change can be beaten – why some scientists are hopeful”

Community wildlife conservation isn’t always a win-win solution: the case of Kenya’s Samburu

Carolyn K. Lesorogol, Washington University in St Louis Community-based wildlife conservation is often promoted as a win-win solution. The idea behind this approach is that the people who live close to wildlife can be involved in protecting it and have an interest in doing so. This results in wildlife being protected (a win for globalContinue reading “Community wildlife conservation isn’t always a win-win solution: the case of Kenya’s Samburu”

Taxes on sugary beverages are not enough on their own to halt march of obesity in Asia

Asit K. Biswas, National University of Singapore and Kris Hartley, Cornell University Facing declining markets in Western countries, multinational food companies are targeting Africa, Asia, and Latin America as new consumers of packaged foods, in a move that may worsen the global epidemic of chronic illness related to diabetes. Governments are striking back at obesityContinue reading “Taxes on sugary beverages are not enough on their own to halt march of obesity in Asia”

Underpaid at home, vulnerable abroad: how seasonal job schemes are draining Pacific nations of vital workers

Apisalome Movono, Massey University; Leilani Faaiuaso, and Regina Scheyvens, Massey University The economic impact of COVID on Pacific Island states, combined with major labour shortages in Australia and New Zealand, has created a perfect storm. A mass exodus means Pacific nations are now losing crucial workers at such volume that their own development prospects areContinue reading “Underpaid at home, vulnerable abroad: how seasonal job schemes are draining Pacific nations of vital workers”

Burning waste must end: African leaders look to recycling for better health and value

Desta Mebratu, Stellenbosch University When African environment ministers met in Senegal in mid-September, they made one of the most important decisions in the history of waste management in Africa. The ministers laid the foundation to end the open dumping and burning of waste. Putting this decision into action will have multiple economic, environmental and socialContinue reading “Burning waste must end: African leaders look to recycling for better health and value”

Climate finance for Africa: the key challenges and what needs to be done about them

Ademola Adenle, Technical University of Denmark Climate change is a significant threat to development across Africa. Important sectors, such as agriculture, health and water will feel a considerable adverse impact from 1.5⁰C-2⁰C of global warming, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the agricultural sector, negative climate change impactsContinue reading “Climate finance for Africa: the key challenges and what needs to be done about them”

Education in Kenya’s informal settlements can work better if parents get involved – here’s how

Benta A. Abuya, African Population and Health Research Center Education is a public good. All children should have access to education as a human right, irrespective of their gender, socioeconomic or disability status. This is reinforced and validated by countries’ commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4. Its promise is inclusive and equitable education, and lifelongContinue reading “Education in Kenya’s informal settlements can work better if parents get involved – here’s how”

‘He was in fear of his life’: bullying can be a major factor in deciding to homeschool

Rebecca English, Queensland University of Technology An increasing number of Australian families are educating their children at home, either through homeschooling or distance education. My research highlights how some parents are not necessarily choosing to homeschool for religious reasons or because they want to hothouse their kids. Nor are they doing it as their firstContinue reading “‘He was in fear of his life’: bullying can be a major factor in deciding to homeschool”