BBC and partners unveil landmark coding initiative
The BBC and partners have unveiled the BBC micro:bit – a pocket-sized, codeable computer that aims to address the UK’s critical skills shortage in the technology sector. In the BBC’s most ambitious education initiative for 30 years, up to 1 million devices will be given to every 11 or 12 year old child across the UK, for free. The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that children can code, customise and control to bring digital ideas, games and apps to life. Partners include ARM, Barclays, Microsoft, NordicSemiconductor, Samsung and the Wellcome Trust. In the 1980s, the BBC Micro introduced many children to computing for the first time. Tony Hall, Director-General of the BBC, said: “Channelling the spirit of the Micro for the digital age, the BBC micro:bit will inspire a new generation in a defining moment for digital creativity here in the UK. (BBC)
Policy & Research
Singapore pledges new 2030 greenhouse gas targets to limit climate change
Singapore has outlined two new environmental targets for the country for the year 2030, in line with global plans to limit climate change and its impact on the world. The government has pledged that Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions will peak around 2030 at the equivalent of about 65 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, even if the economy continues to grow after that year. The country will also become more efficient in its economic activity, and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to achieve each dollar of gross domestic product (GDP). In 2005, Singapore created the equivalent of about 0.176kg of carbon dioxide for each GDP dollar. It aims to lower this to 0.113kg per dollar by 2030, a reduction of about 36 per cent. Singapore now accounts for 0.11 percent of global emissions, even though it contributes 2.2 percent of global trade. (The Straits Times)
WHO urges governments to raise tobacco taxes to beat smoking
Governments around the world should increase taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products to save lives and generate funds for stronger health services, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. In its latest annual report, entitled The Global Tobacco Epidemic 2015, the United Nations health agency said that too few governments make full use of tobacco taxes to dissuade people from smoking or help them to cut down and quit. It recommends that at least 75 percent of the price of a pack of cigarettes should be tax. The WHO calculates that one person dies from tobacco-related disease every six seconds or so, equivalent to about 6 million people a year. The number is forecast to rise to more than 8 million people a year by 2030 unless strong measures are taken. There are a billion smokers worldwide, but many countries have extremely low tobacco tax rates and some have no special tobacco taxes at all, the WHO said. (Thomson Reuters)
Employees
Cambodia union warns about fainting garment factory workers
The president of one of Cambodia’s largest labour unions representing the apparel sector has expressed concern about the growing number of garment factory workers fainting from overwork and harsh factory conditions. Ath Thon, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union, an independent union, said at least 100 workers had fainted over the past four days due to lack of adequate food, physical exhaustion and exposure to chemical odours. Besides the more than 100 who became seriously ill from factory work, hundreds of others reported not feeling well. Ath Thon urged the government to resolve the issue by improving the minimum wage so garment factory workers could buy enough food to eat. They currently are paid a minimum wage of US $128 a month. Last month, several thousands of workers protested in front of the Ministry of Labour in the capital Phnom Penh to demand that the minimum wage be increased to US $177 per month and their work conditions be improved. (Eco-Business)
Energy
Study: More green energy competition will reduce UK energy bills
A lack of competition in allocation of clean energy subsidies has inflated energy bills in the UK, a landmark study by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded. The year-long investigation, initiated after the energy regulator expressed concerns, has resolved that a lack of competition in the energy sector has caused small businesses to be charged an extra £500 million a year. It also claims that between 2009 and 2013 the Big Six energy companies collectively charged households £1.2 billion a year more than they would have in a competitive market. The authority says the impact of clean energy on corporate bills could have been lessened if contracts for renewable projects awarded early support had been auctioned competitively. (Business Green)
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