Global plastic pollution talks have stalled – but a treaty is possible if countries can agree on these three things

Dec 03, 2024 05:50 am UTC| Insights & Views Business

United Nations-backed talks for a global treaty to end plastic pollution wrapped up without an agreement in the early hours of Sunday December 1. A new round of talks is expected in mid-2025. Negotiations foundered over...

AI without limits threatens public trust — here are some guidelines for preserving communications integrity

Dec 03, 2024 05:45 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

The rapid advancement and adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of communications. AI-powered tools can now generate convincing text, images, audio and video from textual...

97% of adult Australians have limited skills to verify information online – new report

Dec 03, 2024 05:44 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

Australians now use social media more often than any other type of media, including TV, radio and websites. While the increased use of social media platforms present new opportunities to access and engage with information,...

NZ’s gas shortage was not caused by the offshore exploration ban – but it was still a flawed policy

Dec 02, 2024 23:37 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Historically, gas in New Zealand traded below NZ$10 per gigajoule. When prices hit $50 per gigajoule in August this year, anyone with gas to sell could have made a lot of money. But there clearly wasnt much gas around....

960 million dirty diapers are a big waste problem – what can be done with them

Dec 02, 2024 23:37 pm UTC| Insights & Views Business

The use of disposable diapers (nappies) is growing in African countries. The disposable diaper undoubtedly makes it easier for many parents to work or spend time on other things, including their own and their childs...

Getting Britain to work without blaming ‘scroungers’ – can Starmer change the narrative?

Dec 02, 2024 23:29 pm UTC| Insights & Views

At face value, the governments approach to get Britain working marks a pointed departure from the toxic anti-welfare rhetoric of recent decades. Both Keir Starmer and his work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, have...

A rising tide of e-waste, made worse by AI, threatens our health, the environment and the economy

Dec 02, 2024 23:29 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology

Our growing reliance on technology at home and in the workplace has raised the profile of e-waste. This consists of discarded electrical devices including laptops, smartphones, televisions, computer servers, washing...