Introduction

Several Republican-backed pushes to radically change the state’s labor laws died during the Legislative Session. Bills related to workers’ legal work status, minimum wage for interns, and child labor laws failed to advance. This report highlights the impact of these failed bills on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. House Bill 955 aimed to require small businesses to use the E-verify system to check workers’ legal work status. Although it passed in the House, it failed to advance in the Senate. This bill aligns with SDG 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth.
2. Another bill, HB 1225, sought to weaken child labor laws and allow longer working hours for 16- and 17-year-olds. It passed in the House but failed to advance in the Senate. This bill could have negative implications for SDG 8, as it may compromise the well-being and education of young workers.
3. Senate Bill 676/House Bill 541 proposed allowing employees to voluntarily opt in to get paid less than the minimum wage for pre-apprenticeships and internships. This bill also stalled out in committee. It raises concerns about fair wages and the exploitation of workers, which are contrary to SDG 8.

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The failed bills could have a negative impact on immigrant families who rely on certain industries for their livelihoods. The proposed changes to labor laws may result in lower wages and increased vulnerability to poverty, contradicting SDG 1.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The bills’ failure to advance is seen as a victory for Democrats who opposed the measures. They argued that the changes would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, exacerbating inequalities and hindering progress towards SDG 10.

Conclusion

The failure of these labor law changes in Florida is a significant development in the context of the SDGs. The bills’ potential negative impact on decent work, poverty reduction, and reduced inequalities highlights the importance of aligning legislative efforts with the SDGs. Moving forward, policymakers should consider the broader implications of proposed labor law changes to ensure they contribute to sustainable development.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities.
   • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
   • Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.
   • Indicator 10.4.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
   • Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months.

Analysis

The article discusses several Republican-backed pushes to change labor laws in Florida, which are connected to the following SDGs, targets, and indicators:

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

The article mentions bills that would allow interns to get paid below the minimum wage and loosen child labor laws. These proposals could undermine the achievement of full and productive employment, decent work, and equal pay for all individuals. The indicators mentioned in the article, such as average hourly earnings and unemployment rate, can be used to measure progress towards these targets.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
• Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.
• Indicator 10.4.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

The proposed bills mentioned in the article, such as allowing interns to be paid less than the minimum wage, could contribute to increased inequalities in the labor market. The indicators related to labor share of GDP and the proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income can be used to measure progress towards reducing inequalities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
• Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months.

The article does not directly discuss corruption or bribery, but it highlights the opposition of Democrats to the proposed bills. This opposition can be seen as a commitment to strong institutions and the reduction of corrupt practices that may arise from exploiting labor laws.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: floridapolitics.com

Introduction

As Donald Trump’s US presidency reaches its 100th day, Zimbabweans living with HIV are fearful about their futures as they struggle to get antiretroviral medication.

Challenges in Accessing Medication

1. Memory Sibanda, a 67-year-old HIV patient, faced difficulties in accessing antiretroviral medication from her usual clinic in February.
2. Mavis Makumbe, a 65-year-old widow living with HIV, discovered that the New Start Centre in Harare, where she usually collects her medication, was closed.
3. HIV positive prisoners in Chikurubi Maximum Prison reported a scarcity of medicines.

Trump Aid Cuts

The shortage of antiretroviral medication in Zimbabwe was caused by the suspension of all foreign aid by US President Donald Trump. The aid cut-off was extended for a further 30 days until 20 May.

Threat to Progress

Zimbabwe has made significant progress in combating HIV, achieving the 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS. However, the withdrawal of US aid threatens to reverse these gains.

Bribes for Medication

Some HIV patients admit to bribing nurses in order to obtain a six-month supply of antiretroviral medication.

Government Denial and Call for Action

The Zimbabwean government denies that antiretroviral medication has run out, but HIV patients have seen their treatment allocations reduced. Advocates call on the government to step up and purchase medication to prevent unnecessary deaths.

Conclusion

The crisis of HIV medication in Zimbabwe highlights the urgent need for sustainable funding and support to achieve the SDG targets related to HIV/AIDS.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
• SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.3: Number of people living with HIV who have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
• Indicator for SDG 10.3: Availability and affordability of essential medicines, including antiretroviral drugs, for all.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Explanation:

The article discusses the issues faced by HIV/AIDS patients in Zimbabwe due to the suspension of foreign aid, specifically antiretroviral medication shortages. These issues are connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to end the epidemics of AIDS and combat other communicable diseases. The target under SDG 3 that can be identified is 3.3, which focuses on ending the epidemics of AIDS. The indicator for this target is the number of people living with HIV who have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The article also highlights the inequalities faced by HIV/AIDS patients in accessing essential medicines, including antiretroviral drugs. This is connected to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, which aims to reduce inequalities of outcome. The target under SDG 10 that can be identified is 10.3, which focuses on reducing inequalities and promoting appropriate legislation and action. The indicator for this target is the availability and affordability of essential medicines for all.

These targets and indicators can be used to measure progress towards ensuring access to antiretroviral medication for HIV/AIDS patients in Zimbabwe and reducing inequalities in healthcare.

Source: healthpolicy-watch.news

Shanghai’s Vision for the Future of Horticulture and the Greenhouse Sector (2024-2035)

Introduction

In the face of accelerating urbanization, climate challenges, and increasing demand for sustainable food systems, Shanghai has laid out a bold and forward-looking strategy to transform its agricultural landscape. At the heart of this transformation lies the Shanghai Modern Facility Agriculture Master Plan (2024–2035), a comprehensive policy blueprint designed to guide the city’s agricultural development through innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration. The plan opens the door for deep collaboration with international leaders in agriculture, and the Netherlands stands out as a priority partner.

Opportunities in Modern Agriculture

Key opportunity areas in modern agriculture encompass a variety of innovative technologies and sustainable practices. These include:

1. Greenhouse automation and climate control systems
2. Water-saving irrigation and fertigation systems
3. Hydroponics, vertical farming, and aquaponics
4. Smart farming software and data platforms
5. High-efficiency seed technologies
6. Waste-to-resource solutions in circular agriculture

Together, these areas represent significant potential for innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.

Collaboration with the Netherlands

Through joint ventures, technical services, or pilot projects, Dutch enterprises can play a leading role in shaping the next generation of Shanghai’s agri-food system—one that is smart, green, and globally connected.

Policy Background and Strategic Context

Since 2023, Shanghai has prioritized modern horticulture as a key component of its urban-rural integration and food security strategy. The Master Plan is complemented by a short-term implementation roadmap, jointly signaling the municipality’s commitment to building a resilient, technologically advanced horticultural system.

The Master Plan envisions the emergence of Shanghai as a national benchmark for modern horticulture, blending high-tech farming with ecological integrity and social inclusivity. The development strategy is guided by the following pillars:

• Scientific and Technological Leadership
• High-Quality Food Security
• Integrated Spatial Development
• Full Industry Chain Innovation
• Global Collaboration

Spatial Structure: A New Agricultural Urbanism

To accommodate the complexity of metropolitan agriculture, Shanghai’s plan introduces a tiered spatial framework called “One Core, Four Wings, Three Circles”. The layout aims to integrate agriculture with protected farmland, green corridors, villages, towns, and leisure spaces—creating productive, ecological, and livable rural-urban interfaces.

“12 + X + 1” System: Building the Backbone

At the core of this Master Plan is the establishment of a “12 + X + 1” spatial system—strategically designed to concentrate resources, scale innovation, and support diverse agricultural functions.

• “12” Modern Horticulture and Greenhouse Zones (totaling 3,600 ha)
• “X” Agri-Tech Innovation Support Zones

Situated on Hengsha Island, the 16,000-hectare Modern Agricultural Industrial Park exemplifies Shanghai’s ecological ambitions. With rice paddies, organic vegetables, and eco-fisheries, it sets the bar for green, circular, and globally aligned agricultural development.

Source: Agroberichten Buitenland

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the transformation of Shanghai’s agricultural landscape, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration. These themes align with several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
• SDG 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
• SDG 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge-sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, particularly at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

The article’s content suggests targets related to increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, promoting renewable energy, upgrading infrastructure and adopting sustainable technologies, enhancing urbanization and sustainable human settlement planning, reducing food waste, integrating climate change measures, conserving ecosystems, and promoting international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

• Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
• Share of renewable energy in the energy mix
• Adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies
• Urbanization and human settlement planning indicators
• Food waste at the retail and consumer levels
• Integration of climate change measures into policies and planning
• Conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
• International cooperation in science, technology, and innovation

The article mentions or implies indicators such as agricultural productivity and incomes, share of renewable energy, adoption of clean technologies, urbanization indicators, food waste, integration of climate change measures, conservation of ecosystems, and international cooperation in science and technology.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hortidaily.com

Tackling Adolescent Pregnancy: WHO Releases New Guideline

In a bid to tackle the leading cause of death globally among 15–19-year-old girls, the World Health Organization (WHO) today released a new guideline aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancy and its significant related health complications.

Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Among other strategies, the guideline urges rapid action to end child marriage, extend girls’ schooling, and improve access to sexual and reproductive health services and information – all critical factors for reducing early pregnancies among teenagers around the world.

Creating Conditions for Girls and Young Women to Thrive

“Early pregnancies can have serious physical and psychological consequences for girls and young women, and often reflect fundamental inequalities that affect their ability to shape their relationships and their lives,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO and the United Nations’ Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP). “Tackling this issue therefore means creating conditions where girls and young women can thrive – by ensuring they can stay in school, be protected from violence and coercion, access sexual and reproductive health services that uphold their rights, and have real choices about their futures.”

The Impact of Early Pregnancy

• More than 21 million adolescent girls become pregnant each year in low and middle-income countries, around half of which are unintended.
• Early pregnancy can create cycles of intergenerational poverty that become difficult to break, impacting girls’ education, social connection, and future employment prospects.
• Early pregnancy brings serious health risks, including higher rates of infections, preterm births, and complications from unsafe abortions.

Addressing the Root Causes

Reasons for early pregnancy are varied and interrelated, including gender inequities, poverty, lack of opportunity, and inability to access sexual and reproductive health services. There is a strong correlation with child marriage: in low- and middle-income countries, 9 in 10 adolescent births take place among girls who were married before the age of 18.

Recommendations for Prevention

• The guideline recommends holistic efforts to provide viable alternatives to early marriage by strengthening girls’ education, savings, and employment prospects.
• If all girls finished their secondary schooling, it has been estimated that child marriages could be reduced by as much as two-thirds.
• The guideline recommends laws to prohibit marriage below the age of 18, consistent with human rights standards, and community engagement to prevent the practice.

Empowering Adolescents through Education

“Early marriage denies girls their childhood and has severe consequences for their health,” said Dr Sheri Bastien, Scientist for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health at WHO. “Education is critical to change the future for young girls, while empowering adolescents – both boys and girls – to understand consent, take charge of their health, and challenge the major gender inequalities that continue to drive high rates of child marriage and early pregnancy in many parts of the world.”

Ensuring Access to Quality Healthcare

The recommendations highlight the need to ensure adolescents can access high-quality, adolescent-responsive sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptive options. Young girls who get pregnant also need to be able to access high-quality and respectful healthcare during and after pregnancy and birth, free from stigma and discrimination, as well as safe abortion care.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Finally, comprehensive sexuality education is essential for both boys and girls to ensure they know where to access such services and how to use different types of contraception. It has been shown to reduce early pregnancies, delay the onset of sexual activity, and improve adolescents’ knowledge about their bodies and reproductive health.

Conclusion

This guideline updates an earlier edition of the guideline on adolescent pregnancy prevention from 2011 and focuses particularly on preventing child marriage and improving adolescents’ access to and use of contraception. It complements WHO’s related guidance around health services for adolescents, comprehensive sexuality education, and gender-based violence.

Progress and Disparities

Globally, there has been progress in reducing adolescent pregnancies and births. In 2021, an estimated 1 in 25 girls gave birth before the age of 20, compared to 1 in 15 two decades prior. However, significant disparities remain, with close to 1 in 10 adolescent girls (15–19 years) giving birth each year in some countries.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information, and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
   • Indicator: Access to sexual and reproductive health services and information.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
   • Indicator: Girls’ secondary school completion rates.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
   • Indicator: Prevalence of child, early, and forced marriage.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Indicator: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line.

5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Indicator: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information, and education.
• Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
• Target 5.3: Eliminate child, early, and forced marriage.
• Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:

• Access to sexual and reproductive health services and information (related to Target 3.7)
• Girls’ secondary school completion rates (related to Target 4.1)
• Prevalence of child, early, and forced marriage (related to Target 5.3)
• Proportion of population living below the national poverty line (related to Target 10.2)
• Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 who experienced sexual violence by age 18 (related to Target 16.2)

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int

CHICAGO (WLS) — On a swath of land nearly four hours southwest of Chicago is a massive project city leaders are banking on to bring down the price to power America’s third largest city.

Swift Current Energy says its nearly 4,000-acre solar farm, equipped with 1.6 million solar panels, is the largest solar park east of the Mississippi, and could be the solution to soaring energy costs for taxpayers.

The ABC7 Chicago I-Team was given exclusive access to the massive solar farm this month.

Chicago city leaders have said their five-year contract with the solar farm will power 70% of the city’s properties.

Through a Freedom of Information Act request, the ABC7 I-Team obtained records showing the city’s energy usage and costs for the past seven years.

Records show from 2017 to 2024, the city used 14% less natural gas, but the costs for natural gas increased by 19%.

Electricity usage for the city increased by 11% in that time, but electricity costs went up 80%.

That disparity is starkest at some of the city’s major power-using facilities.

O’Hare International Airport is the city’s No. 1 power user, and even though electricity usage declined by 19% over the past seven years, the costs for the airport’s electricity usage increased by 43%.

That pattern of electricity usage dropping while costs increased were the same at Midway Airport. City records show Midway’s electricity usage decreased by 14%, while its costs for electricity increased by 43%, just like O’Hare’s costs.

Chicago’s Department of Water Management (DWM) is the city’s second-largest user of power. The DWM owns and operates the Jardine Water Purification Plant, one of the largest water treatment facilities in the world.

Earlier this year, ABC7 was given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the facility that the city says delivers safe drinking water to more than five million people.

From 2017 to 2024, DWM’s electricity usage decreased by 13%, while its costs increased by 59%.

Those figures are top of mind for Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Environment Commissioner Angela Tovar.

Tovar said the city’s contract with Swift Current Energy will deliver power from the massive central Illinois solar farm to city-owned properties, all at a fixed rate.

“It’s a better deal because it is a fixed price, which is the value of a power purchase agreement,” Tovar explained. “You get a fixed price over a certain amount of time. And so that will work in our favor in the long term, especially as you think about the volatility of the energy markets.”

Tovar said the city has invested $422 million for its contract with Swift Current Energy.

City records show over the past five years, the city paid more than $425 million for its electricity and $124 million for natural gas serving its properties.

With the future power source, the city of Chicago is claiming 100% of its power usage will come from renewable energy sources, all aimed toward reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

“We wanted to leverage our buying power so that we could help support the green economy,” Tovar told the I-Team. “Just through this action, the city of Chicago is reducing our carbon footprint by 290,000 metric tons. That is the equivalent of taking 62,000 cars off the road every single year.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of energy usage from renewable sources
• Reduction in carbon footprint (metric tons)

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: abc7chicago.com

By Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, Vice President Sustainability, Novelis

ATLANTA, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —

Earth Day is a time to reflect on our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the planet. At Novelis, we are committed to driving sustainable practices and reducing our environmental impact, and this year’s theme—Our Power, Our Planet—resonates with our ongoing work toward renewable and clean energy solutions. As a global leader in aluminum recycling and rolling, we know that transitioning to renewable energy sources and embracing circularity are essential for a more sustainable future.

In recent years, Novelis has made meaningful strides in energy projects that align with our sustainability goals and contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of our operations. From incorporating more renewable energy sources to innovative collaborations, we continue to explore ways to integrate cleaner energy solutions into our business.

Solar-Powered Used Beverage Can Collection Centers in Brazil

In Brazil, Novelis has installed photovoltaic modules on the roofs of our collection centers located throughout the country, reducing energy consumption and ensuring that these facilities operate on clean, renewable power. The initiative strengthens our recycling supply chain while minimizing energy-related emissions.

• Novelis Invests in Solar Energy to Further Propel Sustainability Goals – Novelis

100% Renewable Energy for German Operations

In early 2024, Novelis signed a 10-year green Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Statkraft. This agreement will cover up to 40% of the electricity used at our Nachterstedt Recycling and Nachterstedt Rolling plants in Germany, ensuring that this electricity is sourced from German wind and solar installations. This transition to renewable energy will decrease carbon emissions from Novelis’ electricity consumption by more than 17,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually, reinforcing our commitment to clean energy solutions and sustainability.

• Novelis signs 100% Renewable Energy Contract for Its German Rolling and Recycling Plants :: Novelis Inc.

Solar Power in Italy

Our Pieve facility in Italy became home to Novelis’ first onsite solar park in 2023. This $2.4 million investment spans over 28,000 square meters, supplying approximately 12% of the plant’s electricity needs and reducing 1,450 tons of carbon emissions annually. The solar park’s output not only powers our operations but also feeds surplus energy back into the Italian national grid, further contributing to the region’s clean energy mix.

• Novelis builds first onsite solar park :: Novelis Inc.

Hydrogen Innovation in Recycling at UK plant

As part of our commitment to exploring cleaner energy solutions, Novelis recently conducted an industrial-scale test of hydrogen in an aluminum recycling furnace. This pilot marked a major milestone in our journey to use cleaner fuel alternatives in aluminum recycling. Hydrogen combustion produces zero CO₂ emissions, and its successful use in our industrial-scale furnace shows potential for reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the aluminum recycling sector.

• Significant step toward carbon-neutral production: Novelis successfully tests industrial scale use of hydrogen in a recycling furnace :: Novelis Inc.

The Power of Recycling: Why 75% Recycled Content Matters

While transitioning to clean energy is crucial, another very impactful way we can reduce emissions is by recycling more aluminum. Producing aluminum from recycled material requires approximately 95% less energy than making new aluminum, resulting in 95% fewer carbon emissions. This is why circularity is at the heart of our business model and why we are aiming to achieve 75% recycled content in our products by 2030, as part of Novelis 3×30, our company-wide vision to advance aluminum as the material of choice with circular solutions.

Using more recycled aluminum helps reduce demand for energy- and carbon-intensive primary aluminum and ensures that this infinitely recyclable material remains in circulation. That’s why Novelis continues to invest in recycling capacity and technology, scrap collection networks, and customer partnerships to reclaim and reuse aluminum scrap generated during their manufacturing processes.

Shaping a Sustainable World Together

Earth Day is a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet. At Novelis, we are leading the way by investing in clean energy, pioneering new recycling technologies, and advancing a circular economy for aluminum.

Together, we have the power to shape a cleaner, greener future.

This Earth Day, let’s harness Our Power to protect Our Planet and RECYCLE!

SOURCE: Novelis Inc.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of energy consumption from renewable sources
• Reduction in carbon emissions from electricity consumption
• Percentage of recycled content in products

Explanation:

The article highlights Novelis’ commitment to renewable and clean energy solutions, which aligns with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The targets under this SDG include increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, which is reflected in Novelis’ initiatives to invest in solar energy and transition to 100% renewable energy for their operations.

The article also mentions Novelis’ focus on recycling and reducing waste, which relates to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The target under this SDG is to reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse. Novelis aims to achieve 75% recycled content in their products by 2030, as part of their circular solutions vision.

Furthermore, the article discusses Novelis’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions and integrate climate change measures, which align with SDG 13 (Climate Action). The target under this SDG is to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning, which is reflected in Novelis’ initiatives to use clean energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: prnewswire.com

Introduction

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has revealed the details of her $800 million housing policy, outlining her plans to use city bonds to build or repair 30,000 homes. This initiative, called “Housing Opportunities Made Easy” (H.O.M.E.), aims to address the city’s housing crisis and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Overview of the Housing Policy

The mayor presented an overview of her H.O.M.E. initiative to City Council in March, but this is the first time her spending priorities have been made public. The bond money will be allocated to 38 programs, with a focus on expanding existing initiatives and addressing housing needs from various angles.

Key Initiatives and Goals

1. Affordable-Housing Preservation ($161 million)

   This initiative aims to extend the life of affordable contracts and repair older buildings to prevent the loss of units. The goal is to benefit over 4,000 households.

2. Turn the Key ($112 million)

   This program provides developers with city-owned land to build for-sale housing for first-time buyers. The funds will also help complete ongoing development projects, with a goal of creating at least 280 new households.

3. Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) ($84 million)

   BSRP assists lower-income homeowners in repairing their houses, with a focus on preserving the city’s aged housing stock. The program will be extended to those making 100% of the area median income, aiming to repair 7,500 homes.

4. Affordable-Housing Production ($79.5 million)

   This initiative aims to provide local funds to projects with an affordable component, reducing dependency on federal subsidies. The goal is to create 1,500 new units.

5. One-time Payments for Back Rent ($70 million)

   This program will cover rent backlog for tenants through one-time payments to landlords, helping to prevent evictions. The goal is to serve 11,000 households.

6. One Philly Mortgage ($50.7 million)

   This program aims to provide fixed-rate loans to first-time homeowners who may not qualify for conventional loans. The goal is to assist 3,000 households.

7. Expansion of the Philly First Home Program ($50 million)

   This program provides down payment and loan closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers. The grants are available to those making less than 100% of the area median income, with a goal of assisting 4,000 households.

Other Programs and Initiatives

• Rental-subsidy program
• Alleyway maintenance
• Homelessness prevention
• Program to help people with disabilities adapt their homes

Housing Shortage and Addressing Different Income Brackets

Philadelphia currently faces a shortage of 17,000 units in undersupplied areas. The administration aims to allocate funds to address the housing crisis across all income brackets, ensuring that both low-income and middle-class residents receive support.

Challenges and Commitment

As the Trump administration plans to cut affordable-housing programs, Mayor Parker may face pressure to allocate more funds to the lowest-income households. However, she remains committed to assisting households at various income levels and addressing the housing crisis as a whole.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
   • Indicator: Number of households served by the affordable-housing production program.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
   • Indicator: Number of households served by the Turn the Key program.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
   • Indicator: Number of households served by the affordable-housing preservation program.
   • Indicator: Number of households served by the Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP).
   • Indicator: Number of households served by the one-time payments for back rent program.
   • Indicator: Number of households served by the One Philly Mortgage program.
   • Indicator: Number of households served by the Philly First Home program.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: inquirer.com

Introduction

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) recently proposed bipartisan legislation that aims to reauthorize and expand adult education programs in America. The proposed bill, known as the Adult Education Workforce Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success Act (S. 1400), seeks to strengthen adult education and align it with the needs of the 21st century workforce.

Key Points

1. The proposed legislation would nearly double the authorized funding for adult education by 2030 to $1.35 billion.
2. The bill emphasizes the importance of digital and information literacy in adult education.
3. Representation in the workforce planning process would be ensured, with a focus on college and career navigators in public libraries and community-based organizations.
4. The professionalization of the adult education field would be supported through state certification policies, full-time staffing models, and expanded professional development opportunities and career pathways for adult educators.

Senator’s Statement

“It’s critical that all Hoosiers have the tools necessary to succeed in the modern economy, and that starts with strengthening adult education,” said Senator Young. “Our bipartisan bill would bolster critical services for adult learners, while also making important updates that ensure participants are prepared for the 21st century workforce.”

Support and Impact

The proposed legislation is supported by various organizations, including the Coalition for Adult Basic Education, the American Library Association, the National Coalition for Literacy, the National Skills Coalition, ProLiteracy, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the TESOL International Association, and the Urban Libraries Council.

Conclusion

Expanding and improving adult education programs is essential for the economic growth of the nation and the success of individuals. By aligning adult education with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as quality education (SDG 4) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), this legislation aims to create a more prosperous and successful society.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues

   • SDG 4: Quality Education
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content

   • SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
   • SDG 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

   • Increased funding for adult education programs by 2030 to $1.35 billion.
   • Emphasis on digital and information literacy in adult education.
   • Representation in the workforce planning process.
   • Investment in the professionalization of the adult education field.
   • Bolstering state certification policies.
   • Encouraging full-time staffing models.
   • Expanding professional development opportunities and career pathways for adult educators.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: riponadvance.com

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board has approved $1,365,578 in funding for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the state. These projects align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aim to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for farm families and communities in Kentucky.

County and State Funded Projects

• Barren County Board of Education: Approved up to $212,675 in multi-county funds to expand its agriculture education livestock facility, including a USDA meat processing component.
• Bluegrass Animal Clinic: Approved up to $49,188 in state funds and $9,838 in county funds to purchase a truck and Portavet as part of the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program.
• Grace Elizabeth Boyd: Approved up to $23,564 in state funds and $4,713 in county funds to purchase a truck as part of the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program.
• Harton Farms LLC: Approved up to $3,750 in state funds for consultation fees to maintain its Food Safety Plan and undergo a Good Agricultural Practices audit.
• Kentucky Fresh Harvest: Approved up to $3,750 in state funds for food safety consulting to prepare for a third-party audit as part of the Food Safety & Efficiency Incentives Program.
• Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc: Approved up to $7,000 in Logan County funds to purchase fencing for its outdoor arena.
• University of Kentucky Research Foundation-UKDRS: Approved up to $35,048 in state funds to purchase forage testing equipment.
• W&W Veterinary Services, PLLC: Approved up to $66,241 in state and Madison County funds to make upgrades to its large animal handling facility as part of the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program.

County Programs

County Agricultural Incentives Program (CAIP)

The CAIP provides cost-share assistance to Kentucky agricultural producers for practices that improve and diversify their farm operations. It covers various agricultural enterprises, including beef and dairy cattle, farm infrastructure, equine, forage, horticulture, poultry, swine, bees and honey, timber and technology, energy efficiency and production, marketing, and value-added production.

Eight CAIPs were approved in the following counties:

1. Clay ($270,800)
2. Green ($63,000)
3. Johnson ($68,000)
4. Knott ($38,000)
5. Logan ($51,421)
6. Mason ($40,000)*
7. Rockcastle ($148,590)
8. Washington ($120,000)

Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)

The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program facilitates the environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.

Two DARs were approved in the following counties:

1. Scott ($15,000)
2. Shelby ($15,000)

Next Generation Farmer Program (NextGen)

The NextGen program supports agricultural producers aged 18 to 40 who have been engaged in farming for at least three years.

One NextGen project was approved in Washington County.

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

The YAIP encourages youth to explore and engage in agricultural opportunities.

Two YAIPs were approved in the following counties:

1. Logan ($70,000)
2. Washington ($20,000)

All application periods and deadlines for CAIP, NextGen, and YAIP will be advertised locally.

*Existing programs receiving additional funding.

For more Kentucky business news, click here.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
6. SDG 15: Life on Land

Targets Identified:

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
2. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment
3. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
4. Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
5. Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
6. Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts

Indicators:

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex
• Indicator 9.2.2: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita
• Indicator 12.3.1: Global food loss index
• Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets to maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants, farmed and domesticated animals, and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional, and international levels, and ensure access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: lanereport.com

The Transformative Papacy of Pope Francis and the Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The death of Pope Francis marks the end of a spiritually, socially, and environmentally transformative papacy. For over a decade at the helm of the Catholic Church, Jorge Mario Bergoglio placed water at the center of his moral teachings, unambiguously proclaiming access to safe drinking water as a basic, fundamental, and universal human right.

In a world plagued by inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation, Francis not only clearly denounced the abuses of this vital resource but also inspired a new ethical perspective on water management—one that continues to shape the global water agenda. His voice, both firm and poetic, turned “sister water” into a symbol of human dignity, intergenerational justice, and care for our common home.

An Encyclical that Changed the Language of Water: Laudato si’

In May 2015, Pope Francis issued one of his most influential works: the encyclical Laudato si’, on the care for creation. For the first time, a magisterial document of such scale gave clear attention to environmental issues, blending spiritual messages with scientific and social perspectives. Within that framework, water took on an unprecedented role.

“Access to safe drinking water is a basic, fundamental and universal human right.” – Pope Francis, Laudato si’ (2015)

Pope Francis wrote: “Access to safe drinking water is a basic, fundamental and universal human right, because it is essential to human survival.” He condemned pollution, hoarding, speculation, and institutional neglect. He warned that the current model of development—driven by wastefulness and economic profit—threatens the sustainability of water resources, particularly for the poorest.

Beyond analysis, Laudato si’ offered a conceptual framework that still inspires many in the water sector: integral ecology. This vision acknowledges the interdependence between humans and nature and asserts that social and environmental crises cannot be addressed separately. In this context, water emerges as essential for health, nutrition, hygiene, and peaceful coexistence. Its scarcity or contamination is thus a form of structural violence.

Francis at the UN: “Clean Water for All, Now”

A few months after Laudato si’ was published, Pope Francis addressed the UN General Assembly for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In his speech, he firmly defended the effective right to drinking water and sanitation as vital to human progress.

“The simplest and most appropriate criteria for measuring the implementation of this agenda is the actual access of all people to essential material and spiritual goods: housing, dignified work, adequate food, drinking water, religious freedom,” he stated. His words became a regular reference for international organizations, NGOs, and water and development experts.

That day, Pope Francis didn’t only speak to world leaders—he spoke to the billions who still live without safe water, calling for an end to its treatment as a commodity and urging its transformation into public policy.

The Cry of Water at the Vatican

The Pope’s efforts went beyond declarations at global forums. In February 2017, he convened an international seminar at the Vatican on the human right to water. There, he delivered one of his most direct and prophetic speeches: “Are we not heading toward a great world war over water?” he asked before scientists, political leaders, and religious figures.

He reminded them that a thousand children die each day from causes related to contaminated water, and that lack of sanitation access is a silent form of exclusion. Within this context, Francis strongly criticized economic interests overriding fundamental rights and insisted that “water has no price, because it is more valuable than gold.”

“To defend water is to defend life.” – Pope Francis, seminar on the human right to water (2017)

That meeting was pivotal in shaping a global narrative of water as a common good, both morally and politically. Since then, the Holy See—through the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development—has consistently supported public policies, cooperation programs, and education initiatives focused on water.

World Water Day: From Denunciation to Action

Each year, on World Water Day, Francis used his platform to deliver messages blending analysis, condemnation, and commitment. In 2019, under the theme “Leave no one behind,” he wrote: “Committing to water is committing to justice. Enough of playing games with a human right like access to water.” In 2021, during the Angelus prayer, he once again emphasized that “water is for everyone and belongs to everyone.”

Pope Francis made access to drinking water one of the cornerstones of his magisterium

He also stressed the need to educate in a culture of care, warning against waste and indifference. “For us believers,” he stated, “water is not a commodity: it is a universal symbol and a source of life and health.” Following the spiritual example of St. Francis of Assisi, his role model, the Pope often reminded the faithful that giving drink to the thirsty is a work of mercy that today must be translated into effective policy and concrete solidarity.

Amazon, Africa, Middle East: A Church that Hears the Cry for Water

Pope Francis’s commitment to water was also evident in his closeness to communities directly affected by lack of access. In the Amazon Synod (2019) and the apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia (2020), he denounced river pollution and the devastating impact of illegal mining and deforestation on Indigenous peoples.

His encyclical Laudato si’ marked a turning point by placing the issue of water at the heart of ethical, social, and environmental debates

He supported networks such as REPAM and Caritas, as well as “water university” projects and environmental education efforts in Latin America and Africa. At the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar (2022), he reiterated his message: “Our world thirsts for peace, just as it thirsts for water.” He lamented that thousands of communities in conflict zones—such as Syria, Iraq, or South Sudan—have seen their water sources destroyed by war or neglect.

A Legacy for All Water Sector Stakeholders

Pope Francis was not an engineer, hydrologist, or manager. But he clearly understood the great water challenges of the 21st century and offered the world an essential ethical compass. His legacy speaks to governments, businesses, NGOs, academic institutions, and the media: water must no longer be a symbol of exclusion or a cause for conflict.

In this era of climate emergency, Francis taught that ensuring safe drinking water for all is both an ethical and ecological priority. His insistence on the link between climate change and water scarcity helped raise this issue to the highest levels of global discussion.

From Laudato si’ to his final messages, Francis made it clear that water is much more than a resource: it is a condition for life, an expression of human fraternity, and a reflection of our civilization’s true priorities.

Today, the water sector loses one of its most influential voices. But his message—“To defend water is to defend life”—will continue to inspire those who, through science, engineering, politics, or spirituality, strive to ensure water reaches everyone, especially those who need it most.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: smartwatermagazine.com

The state of Massachusetts has reached a settlement with three franchisees for violating the state’s child labor laws. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced that the state has cited Cafua Management Company, a Dunkin’ franchisee; The Brewster Company, a McDonald’s franchisee; and Knight Food Service, a Subway franchisee.

Violation Citations and Fines

The citations against the franchisees amount to a total of $226,385 in fines. In Massachusetts, underage employees are allowed to work a maximum of six days a week, nine hours a day, and 48 hours each week.

1. Cafua Management Company: Cafua reportedly failed to obtain the proper work permits for its teenage employees from February 2020 to February 2023. Cafua operates more than 80 Dunkin’ units and is required to pay $140,000 in penalties.
2. The Brewster Company: This eight-unit McDonald’s franchisee also failed to obtain proper work permits for employees under the age of 18 and allowed them to work longer than the state limit of nine hours a day. The franchisee has to pay $63,930 in penalties.
3. Knight Food Service: Massachusetts also cited multi-unit Subway owner Knight Food Service for the same violations as Brewster and Cafua. Knight also reportedly didn’t provide meal breaks for minors who worked more than six hours a day, as required by state law. The operator was fined $22,455.

None of the franchisors immediately responded to requests for comment.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. They aim to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges and promote sustainable development worldwide.

Relevance to the Article

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The violation of child labor laws highlights the importance of ensuring quality education for all children and promoting their rights to a safe and healthy learning environment.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The enforcement of child labor laws contributes to creating decent work opportunities and promoting inclusive economic growth.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their rights are upheld helps reduce inequalities and promote social justice.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Enforcing labor laws and holding violators accountable contributes to building strong institutions and promoting justice and peace within society.

Past Child Labor Violations

Franchisees nationwide have been charged with violating child labor laws in recent years.

• An eight-unit Baskin Robbins franchisee in Utah reportedly allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work outside permitted hours. The United States Department of Labor fined the franchisee, Jode LLC, $49,833 in 2024.
• Earlier last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry fined a 21-unit Wendy’s franchisee $300,000 for 766 reported violations. GCWen Management was also required to complete training on the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act to learn how to follow its laws.
• The United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction in 2023 that forbids John and Jessica Meza, former Subway operators, from violating the state Fair Labor Standards Act. Meza operated stores in the San Francisco Bay Area. Per court judgment, the operators were required to sell or shut down their 14 Subway stores and pay 184 workers $475,000 in wages, another $475,000 in liquidated damages, $12,000 in punitive damages, and $150,000 in penalties.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
– Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
– Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Source: franchisetimes.com

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has successfully completed a Technical Cooperation Programme Facility project on cooperative development and strengthening rural institutions under the national Agrarian Reform Programme in Tajikistan. This project aimed to improve the working environment of cooperatives and enhance the capacity of national authorities to support their development. Additionally, the project provided support to four agricultural cooperatives at the local level.

As part of these initiatives, FAO recently supplied office equipment to the four cooperatives and facilitated the purchase and transfer of essential agricultural equipment to the Nuri Shahriston Farmers’ Cooperative. This equipment includes two two-wheel tractors, a potato harvester, and various related tools. The availability of this machinery will greatly enhance the cooperative’s impact and utility for its members and their communities.

“FAO is committed to continuing its technical assistance and support to strengthen cooperatives, ensure their institutional and economic sustainability, and contribute to Tajikistan’s agricultural growth and food security. We are also collaborating closely with local partners to enhance the capacity of cooperatives in serving the needs of smallholder farmers and promoting rural development in the country,” said Aghasi Harutyunyan, FAO Representative a.i. in Tajikistan.

FAO’s efforts align with the “Agricultural Reform Programme of the Republic of Tajikistan,” which has played a crucial role in establishing cooperatives like “Nuri Shahriston.” Through these initiatives, FAO empowers cooperatives and their members to address challenges such as increasing farm productivity, improving access to machinery and markets, and ultimately contributing to the long-term growth and sustainability of Tajikistan’s agricultural sector and the stability of its rural economy.

Milestones of the Project

Under the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, the project hosted the First National Cooperatives Forum in March 2024. This forum provided a platform for local stakeholders and cooperatives to discuss their challenges, share experiences, explore development opportunities, and learn from successful cooperatives in other countries. The forum concluded with a Final Statement emphasizing the importance of creating an enabling environment for cooperative development, promotion, and emancipation.

A significant focus of the project has been the support provided to the Ministry of Agriculture in revising the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Cooperatives. Through a thorough analysis of the current legislative framework and discussions with relevant stakeholders, including cooperative members, recommendations for amendments to the law were prepared. These proposed amendments have been submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture for further approval by the Government of Tajikistan. It is expected that the amended law will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of cooperatives.

The project also organized training sessions on horticulture and potato production, equipping cooperative members with valuable skills in sustainable agricultural practices. An accounting system was established, and capacity building on accounting was provided for cooperative management. Based on the analysis of existing capacities, advantages, and assets of the cooperatives, as well as the needs of their members, development recommendations with detailed action plans and cost-benefit analyses were prepared for each cooperative. These recommendations were followed by marketing and financial planning trainings.

The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives under the slogan “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” Globally, cooperatives across all economic sectors contribute to more prosperous and inclusive societies by providing goods and services. In the agrifood sector, cooperatives play a crucial role in combating hunger and malnutrition. They are strategic allies in reducing power asymmetries, promoting decent work, strengthening territorial governance, and fostering public-private partnerships.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Specific Targets:

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
2. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
3. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
5. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

Indicators:

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex
• Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road
• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
• Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships

Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses efforts to strengthen cooperatives and rural institutions, which can help reduce poverty.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article mentions the improvement of agricultural productivity and access to machinery and markets, which are essential for achieving zero hunger.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article focuses on strengthening cooperatives, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing the capacity of small-scale food producers.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article mentions the provision of office equipment and agricultural machinery to cooperatives, contributing to infrastructure development.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article discusses the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights the collaboration between FAO, local partners, and the Ministry of Agriculture to support cooperatives and rural development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
2. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
3. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
5. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age – This indicator can measure progress towards reducing poverty.
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size – This indicator can measure progress towards doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex – This indicator can measure progress towards promoting decent job creation and formalization of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.
• Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road – This indicator can measure progress towards developing quality and reliable infrastructure.
• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP – This indicator can measure progress towards sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships – This indicator can measure progress towards promoting effective partnerships.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fao.org

The answer isn’t clear, but HR leaders may want to start paying attention.

Introduction

The Florida Legislature has filed two bills that would erode existing child labor laws. These bills would allow employers to schedule all 16 and 17-year-olds, as well as any 14 and 15-year-olds who have graduated from high school or are virtual students, for unlimited hours and days without breaks. Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attempted to propose a similar exemption for homeschooled and virtual students when they turn 16.

The Importance of Child Labor Laws

“Child labor is the canary in the coal mine,” says Ann Olivarius, a veteran civil rights attorney and senior partner at McAllister Olivarius. “There is no world in which legislatures strip child workers of their rights, but other rights and protections are steadfastly maintained for adults.”

Olivarius emphasizes that child workers are uniquely vulnerable to exploitation due to their position of authority and lack of knowledge about their rights in the workplace. They are less likely to be able to advocate for themselves and identify violations of civil law, such as sexual harassment or racism.

Connection to Trump Administration’s Anti-Immigration Efforts

It is no coincidence that Florida is pushing these bills as the Trump administration’s anti-immigration efforts intensify. Governor DeSantis himself has made statements suggesting that undocumented workers provide “dirt cheap labor” and that teenagers and college students should be able to fill these positions. Immigrants currently account for 27.4% of Florida’s labor force, with a significant portion working in industries such as agriculture, construction, and transportation.

Consequences and Concerns

Olivarius warns that allowing child labor to replace skilled immigrant work is not a long-term solution. Children working in physically demanding and exploitative jobs will be deprived of education and face long-term economic hardships. This also creates a competitive disadvantage for adult workers, as employers may lower wages and protections for the workforce as a whole.

Furthermore, these laws are emerging during a time of economic uncertainty, as Trump tariffs threaten to push the U.S. into a recession. The children who will be working under these conditions are likely to come from underresourced backgrounds and desperate circumstances.

Call to Action

Olivarius urges employers to consider the consequences of hiring children as young as 14, beyond short-term profit. Protecting the health, welfare, and education of children should be a priority for society. Child employment legislation exists to ensure these protections, and employers have the power to choose not to hire child labor.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these three SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship (SDG 4)
• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms (SDG 8)
• Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies (SDG 10)

The article highlights the erosion of child labor laws, which relates to Target 8.7 under SDG 8. It also mentions the potential impact on education and the long-term consequences of hiring children, which relates to Target 4.4 under SDG 4. Additionally, the article mentions the connection between immigration and labor force, which relates to Target 10.7 under SDG 10.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: benefitnews.com

by Melissa Foust-McCoy

Introduction

Clarendon County Adult Education (CCAE) has been honored with two prestigious awards from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), recognizing its exceptional service to adult learners. These accolades, the Excellence in Local Programming Award and a Local Enrichment Fund grant, highlight the program’s regional impact, student outcomes, and commitment to adult learners.

Excellence in Local Programming Award

The Excellence in Local Programming Award, funded by Essential Education, is presented to programs that demonstrate innovation and tangible results. Clarendon County Adult Education has been recognized for its dedication to student success and its transformative impact on lives.

Local Enrichment Fund Grant

CCAE has been awarded a Local Enrichment Fund grant from COABE’s Educate and Elevate Foundation. This grant will enable the program to expand its offerings by hiring three part-time instructors to teach GED and high school diploma classes. The new staff will also lead workforce and career readiness certification programs, including those designed for incarcerated adult learners preparing for reentry. Additionally, a new satellite site in Paxville will be established to extend the program’s services beyond its current boundaries.

Impressive Student Outcomes

During the 2024–2025 school year, CCAE achieved a remarkable 95% retention rate. Furthermore, 25% of graduates have continued their education, while 50% have successfully entered the workforce. These outcomes demonstrate the program’s commitment to empowering adult learners and facilitating their personal and professional growth.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Clarendon County Adult Education’s efforts align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:

• Goal 4: Quality Education – CCAE’s commitment to providing accessible education to adult learners contributes to achieving universal education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
• Goal 5: Gender Equality – By empowering adult learners, CCAE promotes gender equality and ensures equal access to education and opportunities for all.
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – CCAE’s focus on workforce readiness and career certification programs supports economic growth by equipping individuals with the skills needed for employment.
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities – CCAE’s dedication to serving incarcerated adult learners and providing them with educational opportunities helps reduce inequalities and promote social inclusion.

Regional Impact and Recognition

CCAE’s recent move to a more accessible location has contributed to its enrollment growth. The program has also received five statewide awards this year, including the Adult High School Completer Award, recognizing its achievement of the highest percentage of high school diploma earners in the state.

About COABE

The Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) represents over 82,000 adult educators across the United States. COABE works to support programs that help adult learners succeed in their educational and career endeavors. For more information, visit www.coabe.org or www.educateandelevatefoundation.org.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
   • Indicator 4.3.1: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
   • Indicator 8.6.1: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Indicator 16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:
– Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
– Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
– Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 4.3.1: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months.
– Indicator 8.6.1: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training.
– Indicator 16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population.

These indicators can be used to measure the progress of Clarendon County Adult Education (CCAE) in providing equal access to education, reducing the proportion of youth not in education or employment, and promoting equal access to justice.

By achieving a 95% retention rate, having graduates continue their education or enter the workforce, and expanding class offerings and services, CCAE is contributing to the targets and indicators mentioned above.

Source: manninglive.com

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has officially confirmed the Child Support Grant dates for the rest of 2025, providing millions of households across South Africa with critical information for financial and family planning. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, social worker, or professional in community services, understanding these dates is essential. Reliable access to this grant ensures children receive the consistent care, education, and nutrition they need to thrive.

Child Support Grant: A Cornerstone for Sustainable Development Goals

The Child Support Grant (CSG) continues to be one of the most widely utilized social assistance programs in the country. As of early 2025, more than 13 million children benefit from this vital support, according to SASSA. Confirming the grant payment schedule for the remainder of the year brings reassurance and structure to families who rely on it for day-to-day living.

The confirmed payment schedule for the Child Support Grant is as follows:

The SASSA Child Support Grant plays a vital role in the lives of millions of South African families. By confirming the 2025 payment dates, SASSA has empowered caregivers with the knowledge they need to ensure stability and well-being for their children. From providing nutrition to supporting education, this grant is a cornerstone of child development and social equity.

The Child Support Grant is a monthly financial assistance program initiated by the South African government to aid families with limited income. It is designed to reduce child poverty and improve the health, education, and overall well-being of children under the age of 18. As of 2025, the grant provides R530 per child, per month. For families with multiple children, the grant can significantly enhance the household’s ability to provide for basic needs like food, school uniforms, and transport. It’s not just about money—it’s about making sure every child has a fair shot at a better life.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must earn less than R52,800 annually (for single applicants) or R105,600 (for married couples). The grant is available to primary caregivers, which can include biological parents, grandparents, legal guardians, and in some cases, older siblings.

Importance of Payment Dates for Effective Planning

Having confirmed payment dates gives families the ability to plan more effectively. Here’s why this matters:

• School Planning: Parents can coordinate school fees, uniforms, and stationery purchases around payment dates.
• Healthcare Access: Many caregivers schedule children’s medical check-ups after grant payments.
• Nutrition: Groceries and essential household items are often purchased immediately after receiving the grant.
• Financial Stability: Knowing when money is coming in reduces anxiety and helps caregivers avoid risky loans or informal credit.

For professionals like educators, social workers, and NGO staff, having access to accurate payment dates means they can better support families, provide informed guidance, and plan outreach programs around when caregivers are most financially capable.

Steps for Smooth Grant Access

Staying organized and proactive is key to ensuring smooth grant access. Here’s a detailed guide:

Step 1: Stay Informed. Check updates from the official SASSA website, follow their verified social media accounts, or subscribe to trusted local news outlets. Misinformation spreads quickly—so always verify what you read.

Step 2: Choose the Right Payment Method. You can receive the grant through:

• SASSA Gold Card – withdraw at ATMs, retail stores like Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Checkers.
• Direct Bank Deposit – takes 1–2 days to reflect depending on the bank.
• Post Office – gradually being phased out due to operational changes.

Make sure your method is the most convenient and secure for your situation.

Step 3: Avoid Peak Withdrawal Days. The payment date is often the busiest. If possible, wait 24–48 hours before withdrawing your grant. This reduces long lines and the risk of technical delays.

Step 4: Track Your Balance Regularly. Use tools like USSD codes (e.g., 1203210# for SASSA Gold Card users), ATM balance inquiries, or banking apps.

Step 5: Report Issues Immediately. If you didn’t receive your grant or the amount was incorrect, contact SASSA through their official channels: Toll-Free Call Centre: 0800 60 10 11 or email at [email protected].

To apply for the Child Support Grant, you must be the primary caregiver of a child under 18, reside in South Africa with the child, and earn less than the specified annual income. Required documentation includes valid ID documents for both caregiver and child, the child’s birth certificate, proof of income, and proof of address.

For many, the Child Support Grant is a lifeline, helping to alleviate poverty and ensure that children have access to basic needs. The importance of this grant cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in the development and future success of South African children.

As misinformation continues to circulate, SASSA has also taken steps to debunk false claims about grant cancellations. Recently, SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi stated that no grants will be cancelled and that beneficiaries should not panic unless contacted directly by the agency regarding their specific grants.

With over 19 million South Africans relying on social grants, SASSA emphasizes the importance of verifying information before sharing it, particularly concerning income relied upon by millions. They encourage beneficiaries to stay informed through official channels and to report any suspicious information.

In a time when misinformation can easily spread, SASSA’s commitment to transparency and timely communication is vital for ensuring that beneficiaries feel secure and informed about their financial support.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• SDG 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate.
• SDG 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of children benefiting from the Child Support Grant
• Payment dates and schedule for the Child Support Grant
• Amount of financial assistance provided by the Child Support Grant
• Income eligibility criteria for the grant
• Types of payment methods available for the grant
• Availability and accessibility of accurate information about the grant

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: evrimagaci.org

Introduction

Adolescent pregnancy remains a critical global issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where 21 million girls aged 15–19 become pregnant each year—half unintentionally. Although global adolescent birth rates have declined, progress is uneven, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Social, economic, and cultural factors heavily influence adolescent pregnancy. Girls from poorer or less educated backgrounds are most affected. Child marriage, restrictive gender norms, and limited access to education and employment perpetuate cycles of early marriage and childbearing. Access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services remains limited. Many adolescents lack essential information on puberty, contraception, and sexual health. Barriers such as stigma, legal restrictions, and provider biases hinder access to contraception, with persistent inequities across regions and groups. The impacts of adolescent pregnancy go beyond health, affecting education, economic prospects, and social well-being. Addressing it requires coordinated, multisectoral efforts. Since the 2011 WHO guideline, new evidence has led to a more targeted approach, focusing on specific adolescent groups.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Preventing child marriage and responding to the needs and rights of married girls.
2. Improving adolescent access to, uptake of, and continued use of contraception.

Webinar objectives:

• Launch the updated WHO guideline on preventing early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries.
• Host panel discussions with stakeholders to explore dissemination and implementation strategies and opportunities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
   • Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
   • Indicator 4.7.2: Percentage of schools that provide life skills-based HIV and sexuality education within the national curriculum.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
   • Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are:

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
• Indicator 4.7.2: Percentage of schools that provide life skills-based HIV and sexuality education within the national curriculum.
• Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int

The North Dakota Senate has once again passed a $30 million incentive funding package for large agriculture developments. The bill, which was originally passed on March 26, was reconsidered to allow for further review by the Appropriations Committee. On April 16, the Senate adopted an emergency amendment to the bill, which would allow it to go into effect immediately if signed into law by Gov. Kelly Armstrong. Typically, state laws go into effect in August.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 2: Zero Hunger
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Incentive Package for Agristo Development

The bill aims to provide state incentives for large agricultural development and is expected to be part of the incentive package for the planned Agristo development in Grand Forks. Agristo, a Belgian potato processor, announced its $450 million plan for its first American facility earlier this year. The $30 million grant included in the bill would be paid in two parts. The first half would be given when a certificate of occupancy is issued, and the remaining half would be given when the facility reaches 50% of production capacity. The grant can be used for capital expenditures, infrastructure, and site acquisition.

To fund the grant, the Bank of North Dakota will be able to extend a line of credit to the agriculture commissioner for grant awards from the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund. It is important to note that the appropriation measure will only be valid until the biennium ending in June 2029.

Next Steps and Strong Legislative Support

With the emergency amendment, the bill will now go back to the House of Representatives for consideration. If the House adopts the amendments, it will go directly to Gov. Armstrong for signing. If the House does not adopt the amendments, the bill may go to a conference committee for further consideration.

The bill has received strong support from the Legislature, passing with a 45-5 vote in the Senate and previously passing with a 43-3 vote in March. The House also passed the measure with an 82-8 vote in February. The bill has been well-received in its committee hearings, with support from both legislators and testifiers.

About the Author

Matthew Voigt covers government in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses a $30 million incentive funding package for large agriculture developments. This relates to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The article also mentions the planned Agristo development, which connects to SDG 8 and SDG 9, as it involves economic growth and infrastructure development. Additionally, the involvement of the Bank of North Dakota and the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund highlights the importance of partnerships for achieving the SDGs (SDG 17).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

The article mentions the incentive funding package for large agriculture developments, which aims to support agricultural productivity and potentially increase the incomes of food producers (Target 2.3). The development of the Agristo facility and the associated incentives align with the targets of economic productivity, diversification, and innovation (Target 8.2). The funding package also involves infrastructure development, as it can be used for capital expenditures and site acquisition (Target 9.1). Lastly, the involvement of the Bank of North Dakota and the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund represents a partnership between the public and financial institutions (Target 17.17).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 2.3.1: Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status.
• Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
• Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.
• Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

The article does not explicitly mention these indicators. However, the achievement of Target 2.3 can be measured by tracking the average income of small-scale food producers (Indicator 2.3.1). Target 8.2 can be assessed through the annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person (Indicator 8.2.1). Indicator 9.1.1 can be used to measure progress towards Target 9.1 by determining the proportion of the rural population living within a certain distance from an all-season road. Lastly, Indicator 17.17.1 can be used to monitor the commitment of financial resources to public-private and civil society partnerships (Target 17.17).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: grandforksherald.com

Report on Violation of Child Labor Laws in Massachusetts

Introduction

Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced on Tuesday that her office has issued citations against three companies operating more than 88 locations of Dunkin’, McDonald’s, and Subway franchises in Massachusetts for violating the state’s child labor laws.

Violation Details

1. Cafua Management Company, LLC, which operates more than 80 franchises of Dunkin’ across Massachusetts, failed to obtain work permits before employing minors between February 2020 and February 2023. The company also allowed minors to work during legally prohibited hours, employed them beyond the state’s limit of nine daily working hours, and had them working without an adult supervisor after 8 p.m. The company agreed to a settlement with Campbell’s office which included $140,000 in penalties.
2. The Brewster Company, LLC, which runs eight McDonald’s franchises in the state, failed between May 2021 and May 2024 to obtain work permits before employing minors, allowed the young workers to take shifts during legally prohibited hours, and let them stay on the clock beyond the limit of nine daily working hours. Brewster agreed to a settlement that included $63,930 in penalties.
3. Knight Food Service, Inc., which operates several Subway franchises in Massachusetts, was found between February 2023 and August 2024 to have violated the state’s daily limit of working hours for minors, allowed the young workers to be without an adult supervisor after 8 p.m., and failed to get work permits before employing the minors. In addition, Campbell’s office alleged the company did not give the minors meal breaks when they were working more than six hours a day, a violation of state wage and hour laws. The company was issued $22,455 in penalties.

Importance of Child Labor Laws

Child labor laws exist to protect young workers and prioritize their safety and education as they learn new skills, earn income, and contribute to their communities. Enforcing these laws is crucial to empower youth and remind employers that Massachusetts is serious about protecting its workforce.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 4: Quality Education – Child labor laws ensure that young workers have the opportunity to receive an education while working.
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – By enforcing child labor laws, Massachusetts aims to provide decent work conditions for all workers, including young workers.
• Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Enforcing child labor laws promotes justice and strengthens institutions by holding employers accountable for their actions.

Conclusion

Violations of child labor laws by companies operating Dunkin’, McDonald’s, and Subway franchises in Massachusetts have been addressed by Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office. The penalties imposed on these companies serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting young workers and ensuring their safety and education. By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, Massachusetts is taking steps towards achieving a more equitable and sustainable society.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content

• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

• Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
• Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: boston.com

Netflix’s latest documentary, “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing,” premiered on April 9, 2025, and explores the world of child influencers and the inadequacy of child labor laws in the U.S. The three-part series follows the rise of Piper Rockelle, a YouTube child influencer, and sheds light on the hidden reality of child content creation.

The Rise of Kidfluencing

Piper Rockelle’s social media career was orchestrated by her mother, Tiffany Smith, who formed a group of aspiring child stars known as the “Squad.” The Squad gained immense popularity on Rockelle’s YouTube channel, where they showcased skits, dances, pranks, challenges, and crushes. The channel generated billions of views and earned between $4.2 to $7.5 million annually through revenue streams and brand partnerships.

Allegations of Abuse and Exploitation

However, as the Squad grew, concerns arose about the well-being of the children involved. Multiple Squad members came forward with allegations of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as exploitative work conditions. The children claimed to have worked long hours without breaks or meals, without on-set schooling, and without receiving fair compensation.

The Documentary and Lawsuit

“Bad Influence,” directed by Jenna Rosher and Kief Davidson, chronicles the creation of the Squad and the subsequent lawsuit filed against Tiffany Smith in 2022. The lawsuit, brought by 11 former Squad members and their parents, sought $22 million in damages. Smith settled the lawsuit for $1.85 million in 2024 without admitting wrongdoing.

Child Labor Laws Under Attack

The documentary highlights the increasing risks of child labor abuse and the need for stronger child labor protections. Violations of federal child labor laws have been on the rise, with a 43% increase in identified violations from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2024. However, instead of strengthening child labor laws, many states have been introducing bills to weaken existing protections.

Wave of State Laws Weakening Child Labor Laws

Since 2021, over 60 bills to weaken child labor laws have been introduced across 29 states. At least 17 of these bills have been enacted, including measures that eliminate work permits, lower age restrictions, expand work hours, and reduce restrictions on hazardous industries. Some bills even seek to lower the minimum wage for children.

Reasons Behind Deregulation

The push to deregulate child labor is driven by industry and political forces. Business groups and conservative organizations have been advocating for weaker child labor restrictions. Some states aim to reduce protections below the federal floor set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), potentially paving the way for national deregulation of child labor laws.

Implications for Organizational Leaders

The conflicting trends of increasing child labor violations and decreasing child labor protections call for organizational leaders to stay informed about the future of child labor laws. Companies may face pressure to take a stand on this issue, and calls for incorporating child labor protection into corporate social responsibility plans may expand.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant to child labor violations and exploitation mentioned in the article).

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
• Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young people (aged 18-29 years) who have experienced sexual violence by age 18 (relevant to the allegations of sexual abuse mentioned in the article).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: forbes.com

Clarendon County Adult Education Receives National Recognition

By Sharron Haley

Clarendon County Adult Education has been nationally recognized by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education with two prestigious awards: the Excellence in Local Programming Award and a Local Enrichment Fund grant from COABE’s Educate and Elevate Foundation.

“Clarendon County Adult Education’s vision to give back to society and help others at every turn is what makes this program truly exceptional,” said Sharon Bonney, CEO of COABE. “We are proud to support their continued impact through both recognition and funding.”

CCAE was nationally recognized for its exceptional commitment to adult learners by boasting a 95% retention rate for the 2024-25 school year, a growing regional footprint, and a track record of student success.

The grant will support the hiring of three highly qualified part-time instructors to teach GED and high school diploma classes. The new team will also offer career and workplace readiness certifications, crucial for both general and incarcerated adult learners preparing for workforce reentry. A new satellite site in Paxville will also expand services into that area of the county.

“The impact of additional funding and our recent recognition is tremendous,” said Lara Kolb, director of CCAE. “We are not only increasing access, but also raising the bar for outcomes – currently, 25% of our graduates are continuing their education, and 50% have joined the workforce.”

The Excellence in Local Programming Award is funded by Essential Education and celebrates innovation and results in the field.

“Clarendon County Adult Education is a shining example of how commitment and a focus on student success can transform lives,” said Dannielle Doyle, president of Essential Education.

CCAE sets the standard for adult education programs nationwide with its recent move to a more accessible location, increasing enrollment, and a string of five statewide awards, including the Adult High School Completer Award for having the highest percentage of high school diploma earners.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. Specific targets under those SDGs based on the article’s content:

• SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Retention rate: The article mentions that Clarendon County Adult Education (CCAE) had a 95% retention rate for the 2024-25 school year. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 4.3, as it shows the program’s commitment to ensuring equal access to education.
• Graduate outcomes: The article states that 25% of CCAE graduates are continuing their education and 50% have joined the workforce. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 4.3 and SDG 8.5, as it demonstrates the program’s impact on providing quality education and facilitating decent work and economic growth.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theitem.com

Introduction

The Florida House and Senate are currently considering legislation that has raised concerns among local school officials regarding the potential damaging impacts on students and their education. The proposed bills aim to relax, and in some cases, remove state restrictions on child labor.

Relaxing State Restrictions

Proponents of the bills argue that parents, rather than the government, should have the authority to decide when and how much teenagers as young as 13 can work outside the home each week. Governor Ron DeSantis supports these bills, suggesting that younger workers could replace the labor currently provided by undocumented migrants.

Proposed Amendments

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the state’s existing child labor laws by removing limitations on the working hours of 16- and 17-year-old children. It would also eliminate the guarantee of a meal break for teenage employees. Currently, children aged 16 and 17 are prohibited from working before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m. on a school day. They are also not allowed to work during school hours unless they are in a career education program. The proposed amendment would remove employment time restrictions for 14- and 15-year-old children who have graduated from high school, earned an equivalency diploma, are home-schooled, or are enrolled in virtual school.

Concerns from School Officials

School Superintendent David Moore, along with School Board Vice Chair Peggy Jones and School Board Chair Teri Barenborg, express concerns about the potential negative effects of easing child labor restrictions on students’ classroom performance and overall education. Moore emphasizes that allowing children to work long hours could lead to exhaustion, hindering their ability to learn effectively. Barenborg shares similar concerns, highlighting the potential for fatigue to impact students’ learning and health. She also fears that allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work more than 30 hours per week may lead some to prioritize their jobs over their education, resulting in dropouts.

Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals

The proposed legislation raises questions about its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education. By potentially compromising students’ ability to receive a quality education, the bills may hinder progress towards achieving this goal. Additionally, the potential negative impacts on students’ health and well-being align with Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Conclusion

The fate of the bills remains uncertain as neither Senate President Ben Albritton nor House Speaker Daniel Perez have committed to supporting their respective chamber’s bill. This reluctance may lead to changes in the proposals in the coming weeks. It is crucial to consider the potential consequences of relaxing child labor restrictions and ensure that any decisions made prioritize the well-being and education of Florida’s students.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

   The article discusses concerns raised by school officials about the potential detrimental effects of relaxing child labor restrictions on students’ education. These concerns highlight the importance of ensuring quality education and relevant skills development for young people.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.

   The proposed legislation aims to relax child labor restrictions, which raises concerns about the potential exploitation of young workers and the need to eradicate child labor in all its forms.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: veronews.com

Apr 8, 2025

What you need to know: A state grant of $14 million has secured safe drinking water for the severely disadvantaged community of Needles.

NEEDLES – After years of struggling with poor water quality and aging facilities, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the completion of a new water system for the City of Needles in eastern San Bernardino County. This system will ensure reliable access to safe drinking water for Needles’ 5,000 residents.

Today’s announcement of the new clean water system in Needles furthers the state’s goal to provide all Californians with clean and safe drinking water. Since 2019, thanks to state efforts, the number of Californians without safe drinking water has been reduced by half, from 1.6 million to about 800,000 people.

“I’m proud of the state’s work to expand clean water access to more Californians than ever before. With today’s announcement, the City of Needles now joins the 98% of Californians served by clean drinking water systems – and we won’t stop until we achieve safe water for all.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

The state fully funded the planning and construction of Needles’ new water system through a $14 million grant from its Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program. The project is part of Governor Newsom’s build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating thousands of jobs across the state. Find projects building your community at build.ca.gov.

The program was launched after Governor Newsom signed SB 200 in 2019, establishing funding for drinking water projects through the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. The city of Needles sought help from the State Water Board after a burst pipe and lightning strike caused its 80-year-old water system, already contending with contamination issues, to fail completely in 2020.

Needles’ experience illustrates the challenges that small, rural disadvantaged communities often face in providing safe drinking water. With a median household income of $40,000, the city was reluctant to raise water rates to pay for improvements to its prior water system, which fell into disrepair over time.

“This project represents more than a milestone — it’s a generational investment in the future of Needles,” said Patrick Martinez, Needles City Manager. “The $14.3 million SAFER grant provided a critical opportunity to turn long-standing infrastructure challenges into a model of resilience and sustainability. In strong partnership with the State Water Resources Control Board, we are restoring public confidence, strengthening regional capacity, and positioning our community for long-term economic growth. This is the kind of forward-looking, outcomes-driven investment California needs, and the City Council is proud to help secure a stable, reliable water future for the residents of Needles.”

California’s SAFER drinking water program

Today, 98% of Californians are served by water systems that consistently meet state and federal drinking water standards. Through the SAFER program, the state works to establish access to safe drinking water for the remaining 2% of Californians who predominantly reside in disadvantaged communities and communities of color with drinking water contamination and aging infrastructure.

SAFER leverages the State Water Resources Control Board’s regulatory authorities and funding from the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, Propositions 1, 68, and 84, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and other sources to support strategies to develop and implement sustainable solutions for these disadvantaged communities and communities at risk of lacking access to safe drinking water.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
   • Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
   • Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   The article highlights the completion of a new water system in the City of Needles, ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water for its residents. This addresses the goal of achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The target identified is Target 6.1, which aims to achieve this goal by 2030. The indicator mentioned is Indicator 6.1.1, which measures the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   The article mentions the funding and construction of Needles’ new water system, which falls under the development of quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. This aligns with Target 9.1, which aims to develop such infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being. The indicator mentioned is Indicator 9.1.1, which measures the proportion of the rural population living within 2 km of an all-season road.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The article discusses the challenges faced by small, rural disadvantaged communities like Needles in providing safe drinking water. This relates to the goal of ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services. The target identified is Target 11.1, which aims to achieve this by 2030. The indicator mentioned is Indicator 11.1.1, which measures the proportion of the urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.

Source: gov.ca.gov

Cobleskill, NY —

On April 7, 2025, State Police arrested 65-year-old Paul G. Hallock of Cobleskill on five counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest follows a complaint received regarding Hallock’s alleged inappropriate conversations with students at William H. Golding Middle School, where he worked as a lunch monitor.

The investigation revealed that from October 2024 to February 2025, Hallock engaged in conversations with multiple students under the age of 17 that were harmful to their mental and moral welfare.

Hallock was processed at SP Cobleskill and subsequently transferred to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Cooperation with the Investigation

The Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District has been cooperating fully with the investigation. Upon becoming aware of the concerns last week, Hallock was placed on administrative leave and has not been on school grounds since then.

In a statement released on April 11, 2025, the district’s superintendent said:

Early today, we were informed that Paul Hallock, an employee of the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District, was arrested by the New York State Police and charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The charges relate to alleged conversations Hallock had with multiple Golding Middle School students, in his role as a cafeteria monitor.

The district emphasized its commitment to student safety and encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact the New York State Police at 518-630-1700.

The superintendent further stated:

Our highest priority remains the safety and well-being of our students. We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive environment for all, and we will continue to fully cooperate with the New York State Police as this investigation progresses.

Support for Affected Students

The district’s Trauma, Illness, Grief (TIG) Team is available to provide support to any students affected by the situation.

Ongoing Investigation and Information Release

Due to the ongoing investigation and the timing of the April recess, the district does not anticipate releasing additional information at this time. Any new information will be shared after consultation with the New York State Police.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 4.7 under SDG 4: Quality Education, which focuses on ensuring that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including education for sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, and a culture of peace.
– Target 16.2 under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, violence, and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions the alleged inappropriate conversations with students at William H. Golding Middle School, which can be seen as an indicator of a violation of the principles of education for sustainable development and the promotion of a culture of peace, non-violence, and respect for human rights. Additionally, the arrest of Paul Hallock on charges of endangering the welfare of a child indicates the need to address and prevent child abuse and exploitation, which can be used as an indicator for progress towards Target 16.2.

Therefore, the indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are the alleged inappropriate conversations with students and the arrest of Paul Hallock.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbs6albany.com

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources, in accordance with national laws.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 5.a.1: (a) Proportion of total agricultural population with ownership or secure rights over agricultural land, by sex; and (b) share of women among owners or rights-bearers of agricultural land, by type of tenure.
• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
• Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fao.org

The Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) SEALC Network serves as the Technical Support Network for Public Employment Services in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Since 2009, the Network has been dedicated to enhancing and strengthening public employment services in the region.

Adapting to a Changing Labor Market

The labor market is constantly evolving, and various factors such as digital transformation, labor migration, population aging, and the emergence of green jobs are reshaping the workforce. In response to these changes, the SEALC Network has expanded its focus to equip public employment services in LAC with the necessary tools to enhance career paths and facilitate the connection between businesses and the talent they require.

Integration of Approaches for Greater Impact

Starting from 2023, the SEALC Network has embarked on a new phase aimed at increasing its impact by integrating approaches related to labor migration, green jobs, and digital transformation. By incorporating these elements into its initiatives, the Network seeks to address the challenges and opportunities presented by these key areas.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
3. Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Key Objectives of the SEALC Network

• Enhancing public employment services in LAC
• Supporting career development and advancement
• Promoting the integration of businesses and talent
• Addressing labor migration challenges
• Fostering the growth of green jobs
• Facilitating digital transformation in the workforce

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
   • Indicator 10.4.1: Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

Analysis

The article discusses the efforts of the IDB’s SEALC Network to strengthen public employment services in Latin America and the Caribbean. This aligns with SDG 8, which focuses on promoting decent work and economic growth. The Network’s aim to enhance career paths and connect businesses with talent addresses Target 8.3, which calls for the promotion of development-oriented policies that support job creation and entrepreneurship.

The article also mentions the labor market’s evolving nature, including digital transformation, labor migration, population aging, and green jobs. These factors contribute to reducing inequalities, which is the focus of SDG 10. The Network’s efforts to equip public employment services with tools to address these changes align with Target 10.4, which aims to adopt policies that achieve greater equality.

Additionally, the article highlights the SEALC Network’s role as a technical support network, emphasizing partnerships between public, public-private, and civil society entities. This aligns with SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals. The Network’s integration of approaches in labor migration, green jobs, and digital transformation contributes to Target 17.17, which encourages and promotes effective partnerships.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: iadb.org

By Peter Asare-Nuamah

The world’s population has experienced exponential growth since the first industrial revolution.

By 1950, the world population stood at 2.5 billion. In November 2022, the global population reached 8 billion, and it is projected to increase to about 9.7 billion by 2050 and 10.4 billion by mid-2080s.

The most rapid population growth is experienced in developing regions of the world, particularly in Africa.

With a total population of 283 million in 1960, Africa’s current population is 1.5 billion and projections show that the continent will experience the fastest growth rate, doubling its current population to about 2.5 billion by 2050.

In fact, between 2022 and 2050, more than half of the world’s rising population growth is anticipated to take place in Africa.

Rising global population, particularly in Africa, comes with its own complex challenges. The need to feed the growing population has become one of the key priorities of global development agenda, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2).

It is estimated that current agriculture and food systems’ production capacity have to be doubled by 2050 if we have to effectively and sustainably feed the global population.

Governments across the globe together with their development partners and research institutions are increasingly in search of solutions capable of addressing rising food insecurity.

Already, the majority of the world’s population, particularly in Africa and other developing regions, are experiencing severe food insecurity and nutrition-related challenges.

Thus, the majority of the global food insecure, diet deficient, and malnutrition population live in Africa and Asia, where population growth remains high.

Feeding the current and future population is therefore an urgent priority and requires transformation in agricultural systems and practices.

Governments across the African continent and their development partners have implemented programs and interventions aimed at addressing rising food insecurity and its associated nutrition and poverty challenges.

For instance, in Kenya, the Food Systems Resilience Program, which forms part of the Government of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aims at building resilience in the agricultural sector and ensuring food security.

Similarly, in Rwanda and 5 other African countries, the Voice for Change Partnership (V4CP) Program prioritizes the development, adoption, and implementation of inclusive policies and regulations on production and consumption of diverse and nutritious food, improved coordination of agriculture, food security, and nutrition actors, and increased accessibility and use of fortified crops or products.

The government of Ghana’s flagship Planting for Food and Job (PFJ) program addresses the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in responding to climate change through access to emerging and sustainable agricultural best practices, markets, improved seeds, and other agricultural inputs.

This enhances resilient agricultural systems, improving yields, productivity, and income, thereby tackling rising poverty among the rural poor.

Specific to child malnutrition, the school feeding program of the Ghanaian government complements nutritional intake of children by prioritizing increased access to nutritious food to school children in poor and at-risk communities.

There are equally regional-based programs that target agricultural transformation in Africa.

Some examples include the African Union’s Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), improved seed programs championed by both national and regional bodies, such as the Eastern Africa Grain Council.

Notwithstanding, the impacts of climate change and extremes, such as floods, droughts, pests, and diseases invasion among others, pose severe threats to global food systems, with smallholder agricultural systems being highly vulnerable.

Also, land degradation and low soil fertility are exacerbated by climate change with their concomitant effects visible in smallholder agricultural systems in Africa.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) projects that over 90% of the global arable soils will be lost to degradation by 2050. Addressing these complex challenges is essential for achieving transformation in global food systems.

Is Large Scale Industrial Agriculture the Solution?

Since the 1970s, development trajectories in developed economies have shifted towards a preference for large scale industrial agricultural production systems that have been promoted as a panacea to addressing agriculture and food systems challenges.

Indeed, large scale industrial agriculture has the potential to increase total productivity and yields by focusing on high-yielding monoculture crops, such as maize.

By increasing the overall productivity and yields per hectare, large scale industrial agriculture contributes directly or indirectly to food availability on the market.

Nevertheless, large scale industrial agricultural practices come with their own negative consequences and trade-offs that have become increasingly visible in global sustainability discourses.

For instance, given their preference for large scale agrochemical applications, industrial agriculture has been reported to contribute to excessive leaching and pollution of water bodies and underground water, and increase carbon emissions especially for nitrogen-based agrochemicals.

Also, the continuous application of chemical fertilizers without replenishing the soil leads to nutrient mining, which contributes to hidden hunger.

The health implications of large-scale industrial agriculture, such as food poisoning (e.g., salmonella) and exposure to toxins, have been well highlighted.

The adoption of genetically modified organisms, which is championed by large scale industrial agriculture organizations as the emerging solution, has also been contested in different contexts due to the differences in national laws and regulations.

The Crucial Role of Smallholder Farmers and Traditional Agricultural Practices

Large scale industrial agricultural practices, particularly agrochemical application and monoculture cultivation, have influenced and shaped global farming systems, as even smallholder farmers are increasingly adopting such practices in response to climate change.

Given the negative environmental footprint of such practices amidst the urgent global priority to promote environmental sustainability in agriculture, it is crucial to highlight how smallholder farmers serve as the cornerstone in promoting sustainable agriculture.

Classically, smallholder agricultural practices have been the foundation of global agriculture and food systems for centuries.

Practices, such as planting and/or maintaining trees on farms, concurrent planting of multiple but diverse nutrients requiring crops (crop diversification), crop rotation, cover cropping, mulching, shifting cultivation, fallowing, applying animal manure and crop residues (compost), have been inherent in traditional and smallholder farming systems.

These traditional practices are increasingly being highlighted as robust approaches to agricultural and food systems transformation.

They are ascribed to increase soil fertility, improve microorganisms’ activities, strengthen water hold capacity of soils, and reduce erosion and degradation, which cumulatively contribute to increased agricultural productivity, nutritious and high-quality yields.

The long-term effects of these practices are that they increase soil carbon sequestration, providing the double benefits of reducing carbon emissions and improving crops’ uptake of soil nutrients, thereby sustaining productivity.

Thus, agriculture and food systems transformation require healthy soils which smallholder agricultural practices can strategically offer.

Policies and Incentives

While smallholder agriculture has the promising potential to address both food security and environmental challenges, the benefits associated with smallholder agricultural practices take time to accrue, which often compel farmers to seek for quicker beneficial approaches, such as agrochemical application.

Hence, scaling up sustainable agricultural practices among smallholder farmers requires investment commitments from governments, the donor community, and development organizations.

In the United States, conscious efforts are made by federal and state governments to provide incentives and crop insurance for farmers engaged in the so-called regenerative agricultural practices that are typical of traditional agriculture practices that have been practiced for centuries in Africa.

Providing smallholder African farmers with incentives to offset the waiting period to accrue the benefits from traditional agricultural practices can significantly boost farmers’ willingness to adopt/continue such practices and minimize agrochemical application.

It is imperative to give prominence to and integrate traditional agricultural practices that have the potential to rejuvenate soil health and ecosystem services into national agricultural policies and regulations including extension services and extension education.

This will contribute to strengthening mass education and awareness about the essential benefits associated with traditional agricultural practices, which are often overlooked.

Similarly, market interventions are imperative if we have to sustain smallholder agriculture. Ecologically-produced food is essential for states’ interventions targeting health and nutrition, such as the school feeding programs for school children in rural communities.

To sustain such interventions and promote eco-friendly agriculture, there is the need to establish off-taker agreements with farmers engaged in eco-friendly agriculture, thereby giving them access to ready markets.

Again, improving mass education and awareness among the populace on the social (e.g., health and nutritional) and environmental benefits of consuming sustainably produced farm products from smallholder agriculture can increase demand on the market and boost production among farmers.

In effect, smallholder agriculture can be strategically positioned as the game changer for food security and environmental sustainability if appropriate support and conducive environments are created for the sector and smallholder farmers engaged in the sector.

The author, Dr. Peter Asare-Nuamah, is a Lecturer at the School of Sustainable Development, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ghana, and a Senior Researcher at the Center for Development Research, University of Bonn, Germany.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
• SDG 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
• Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
• Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
• Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: trt.global

In the past three decades, a variety of policies and programs have been created and implemented globally to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). However, millions of adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are unable to fully exercise their SRHR, becoming victims of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and maternal mortality. Education can serve as a key solution to addressing this issue by strengthening adolescent girls’ agency to make informed decisions about their bodies and access their rights.

Findings from Participatory Action Research (PAR) Study on SRHR in Nepal

1. Barriers to SRHR access:

• Pervasive misinformation about menstruation, contraception, and abortion
• Sociocultural stigma that discourages open discussion of sexual and reproductive health
• Teacher-centered pedagogies that limit critical engagement with SRHR topics and reinforce misconceptions
• Absence of safe spaces within educational, community, and family settings

• Art, poetry, and storytelling activities helped girls find their voices and strengthen their agency
• Participatory activities fostered awareness, dialogue, and collective advocacy
• Girls became change agents for their SRHR, campaigning actively within their schools and communities

Recommendations for Effective Integration of SRHR in Education

1. Integrate SRHR into school curricula:

• Ensure comprehensive and accurate information about menstruation, contraception, and abortion
• Promote open and inclusive discussions on sexual and reproductive health

• Encourage creative activities such as art, poetry, and storytelling to engage students
• Facilitate dialogue and critical thinking on SRHR topics

• Recognize girls as key agents of change in promoting SRHR
• Create supportive and safe learning environments to discuss SRHR issues

By implementing these recommendations, policymakers, educators, and communities can work together to build an inclusive and rights-based SRHR education system in Nepal, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality

The article discusses the barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) faced by adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These barriers include early marriage, teenage pregnancy, maternal mortality, misinformation, sociocultural stigma, and limited access to reliable information and support. The SDGs connected to these issues are SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences

The article emphasizes the need for universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, education for sustainable development, gender equality, and reproductive rights. The specific targets identified are Target 3.7, Target 4.7, and Target 5.6.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
• Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development, including gender equality and human rights, are mainstreamed at all levels in: (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
• Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress: Indicator 3.7.1, Indicator 4.7.1, and Indicator 5.6.1.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: brookings.edu

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer.

Analysis

The article highlights the partnership between Solar Energy World and GivePower to bring clean drinking water to communities in need. This partnership addresses the issue of clean water access, which is connected to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. By building solar-powered clean water purification stations, they contribute to achieving Target 6.1 of SDG 6, which aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article mentions that GivePower has already provided clean water to over 1.7 million people, indicating progress towards this target. The proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (Indicator 6.1.1) can be used to measure progress in achieving this target.

The article also emphasizes the power of solar energy in addressing environmental challenges and providing clean water globally. This aligns with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The use of solar energy contributes to Target 7.2, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption (Indicator 7.2.1) can be used to measure progress towards this target.

Furthermore, the article mentions that solar energy initiatives contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world, which connects to SDG 13: Climate Action. By integrating climate change measures into national policies and strategies, Target 13.2 aims to address climate change. The strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer (Indicator 13.2.1) can be used to measure progress towards this target.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wjla.com

China’s Experience in Driving Africa’s Agricultural Modernization

ADDIS ABABA — China’s successful experience and technological advancements serve as an instructive model for driving Africa’s agricultural modernization ambitions through robust industrialization, energy development, and human capital enhancement, a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) official said.

China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence

Dejene Tezera, director of the Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development Division at UNIDO, told Xinhua recently that China possesses the knowledge, technology, and relevant resources to support Africa’s sustainable development through cooperation in agriculture, industry, energy, capacity building, and digitalization.

The China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence, launched in November 2024 in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, is a practical platform for advancing Africa’s sustainable development by promoting industrialization, agricultural modernization, and skills development, Tezera said.

Challenges and Potential

“Africa faces many development challenges, the most critical of which are low levels of industrialization, agricultural productivity, and a shortage of skilled human resources,” he said. Despite Africa’s vast uncultivated arable land, abundant water resources, and a highly trainable young population offering “huge potential” for its agricultural sector, productivity remains low compared to other regions.

Coordinated Efforts for Accelerated Development

To accelerate Africa’s pursuit of agricultural modernization and improved productivity, the UN official underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts.

Tripartite Initiative

Describing the center of excellence as a testament to thriving South-South cooperation, Tezera said China contributes its knowledge, technology, and resources into the successful collaboration, while Ethiopia provides facilities and a supportive ecosystem for implementation, and UNIDO acts as the bridge ensuring technical assistance and coordination.

He said the tripartite initiative aims to help African countries shift from a demand-based agricultural production approach to a more commercialized production system through modernization.

Technology Transfer from China

“There is a very high potential to boost Africa’s agricultural productivity if the right technologies, knowledge, and skills are made available to African farmers. China has undergone similar agricultural development, and we aim to leverage best practices from China to expedite Africa’s agricultural modernization through targeted technology transfer endeavors,” he said.

Industrialization Efforts

Highlighting the industry sector’s “very low contribution” to the economy of many African countries, Tezera said that China’s industrialization experience could provide the necessary impetus for Africa’s industrialization efforts.

“China’s industrialization journey, especially following the country’s opening-up, has involved the development of industrial parks and zones, which can serve as an excellent approach to accelerate Africa’s industrialization. By transferring best practices from China, Africa can leapfrog into a modern agricultural system and subsequently into industrialization,” he said.

Role of Renewable Energy

Tezera also emphasized the role of the energy sector in achieving Africa’s agricultural modernization goals. He said that China’s “extensive experience” in renewable energy development, including solar, wind, and hydropower, can be tailored to meet Africa’s specific energy needs.

“All of these technologies will be systematically adapted in a step-by-step manner through the center of excellence, which will engage with numerous African countries based on their specific contexts and needs,” he added.

Expansion and Financial Support

He said that the center of excellence, initially focusing on Ethiopia, aims to establish satellite centers across various African countries, thereby making a contribution to the continent’s sustainable development.

“China is providing substantial financial resources to support African countries based on their needs, which facilitates the transfer of more practical and appropriate technologies from China to the African continent,” he said.

XINHUA

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 4: Quality Education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the specific target is to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers (Target 2.3).
• Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, the specific target is to increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services (Target 9.3).
• Under SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, the specific target is to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2).
• Under SDG 4: Quality Education, the specific target is to increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship (Target 4.4).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 2.3, indicators that can be used to measure progress include an increase in agricultural productivity and an increase in incomes of small-scale food producers.
• For Target 9.3, the indicator that can be used to measure progress is an increase in the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services.
• For Target 7.2, the indicator that can be used to measure progress is an increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• For Target 4.4, the indicator that can be used to measure progress is an increase in the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

Source: chinadaily.com.cn

Introduction

In today’s world, it is crucial to address the issue of child labor and its impact on sustainable development. This article highlights the consequences of government actions and the need to prioritize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in order to create a better future for children.

The Haunting Image of Deportation

A recent news report covering the deportation of illegal immigrants showcased a disturbing image of men in orange jumpsuits, treated like animals being led to slaughter. This image serves as a reminder of the need for compassion and humanity in our approach to immigration issues.

The Unforeseen Consequences

The government’s lack of foresight in handling immigration has led to unintended consequences. In Florida, the mass deportation of immigrants has resulted in a critical shortage of workers in major industries such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, and entertainment.

Children as a Replacement Workforce

To address the labor shortage, Florida lawmakers are considering weakening child labor laws, allowing children as young as 13 to work under certain conditions. This approach raises concerns about the impact on children’s education, well-being, and future prospects.

Protecting Children’s Rights

It is essential to prioritize the protection of children’s rights and well-being. Every state has laws in place to prevent the exploitation of children in the workforce. These laws set limits on working hours, prohibit dangerous occupations, and ensure that children have access to education.

Recent Changes in Child Labor Laws

While some states have strengthened child labor laws, others have made changes that potentially put children at risk. It is crucial to evaluate the impact of these changes and prioritize the safety and development of children.

Children Are Our Future

Children should be given the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. They should not be subjected to dangerous working conditions or denied access to education. It is our responsibility to protect and nurture our future generations.

The Importance of Foresight

As we navigate complex social issues, it is crucial to consider the long-term consequences of our actions. By prioritizing the SDGs and promoting sustainable development, we can create a world where children are not exploited but empowered to reach their full potential.

Conclusion

It is time to recognize the importance of protecting children’s rights and ensuring their well-being. By addressing the issue of child labor and working towards the SDGs, we can build a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cleveland.com

Jack Bobo, the executive director of the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, has been honored with the title of “IICA Chair in Global Food Security and Agricultural Innovation” by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). This recognition is in appreciation of Bobo’s expertise in sustainable food systems and his commitment to transforming global food systems for the better.

Prior to joining UCLA, Bobo served as the director of the Food Systems Institute at the University of Nottingham and held the position of senior advisor for global food policy at the U.S. Department of State for over 13 years. As a science communicator, Bobo frequently shares his knowledge to explain how policy decisions impact the public. In a recent interview with CGTN America, he discussed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget cuts.

IICA’s Efforts in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), headquartered in San Jose, Costa Rica, works towards improving agricultural development and rural well-being in Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada. It also assists the 34 countries involved in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To learn more about Jack Bobo’s appointment as the “IICA Chair in Global Food Security and Agricultural Innovation,” you can read the full release here.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Source: newsroom.ucla.edu

Several proposals currently under review in the Florida legislature aim to remove certain child labor protections. These proposals have recently been amended to allow some 13-year-olds to work.

Expansion of Working Hours for Teenagers

Last year, the legislature passed a policy that permitted 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to 30 hours per week. This year, new proposals in both the Florida House and Senate seek to allow these teenagers to work full-time. Additionally, the rules for 14- and 15-year-olds who are enrolled in homeschooling, virtual education, or have already graduated would be relaxed. The house version of the proposal would even allow 13-year-olds to work during the summer of the year they turn 14.

Supporting Family Decision-Making

Representative Monique Miller, a Palm Bay Republican, expressed her support for the bill during its first committee stop. She argued that it would empower families to make decisions regarding their children’s work, rather than having the government dictate what is best for them.

“I think every family needs to make that decision for what’s best for them, instead of having the government tell them what’s best,” she said.

Concerns and Criticisms

However, Democrats and labor advocacy groups have strongly criticized the bill, asserting that it will have negative consequences for education outcomes and enable employers to exploit lower-income children by pressuring them to work longer hours at a younger age, with fewer protections.

Representative Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat, expressed her concerns about the potential impact on wages for adult workers if children are allowed to work longer hours for less money.

“When you saturate the workforce with cheap labor, and this will be what happens. It impacts every worker’s bargaining power, every worker’s ability to advocate for better benefits and for better wages. So, it’s not just even impacting children. It really is a ripple effect in the entire system of our economy,” she said.

These proposed bills have emerged shortly after Governor Ron DeSantis voiced his support for increased teen labor to compensate for labor provided by immigrants.

“What’s wrong with expecting our young people to work part-time? That’s how it used to be when I was growing up. Why do we say we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when you know, teenagers used to work at these resorts, college students should be able to do this stuff,” he said.

It remains uncertain whether either of Florida’s two bills will pass. Senate President Ben Albritton has expressed uncertainty about his support, and House Speaker Daniel Perez has personal concerns about the proposed policies. Their hesitancy to endorse the bills may result in several changes being made to the proposals in the coming weeks.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article discusses proposals in the Florida legislature that would remove child labor protections and allow younger children to work. This connects to SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, as child labor can negatively impact education outcomes. It also relates to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, as it involves the issue of labor rights and protections for young workers.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.

Based on the article, the specific targets that can be identified under SDG 4 are related to ensuring that young people have relevant skills for employment and decent jobs. The article mentions proposals that would allow 14- and 15-year-olds who are enrolled in homeschool or virtual education to work, which could impact their education and skills development.

Under SDG 8, the target identified is to end child labor in all its forms by 2025. The article discusses proposals that would remove child labor protections and allow 13-year-olds to work, which raises concerns about the potential increase in child labor.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress:

For SDG 4.4, the indicator would be the proportion of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment. This could be measured by assessing the number of young people who have acquired technical and vocational skills through education or training programs.

For SDG 8.7, the indicator would be the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. This could be measured by collecting data on the number of children aged 5-17 years who are involved in work that is harmful to their well-being and development.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wusf.org

The Logan City Council recently revisited its decision to reject a contract committing the city to purchasing fossil fuels for decades. This decision was met with mixed emotions from the community, with some expressing pride in the democratic process and others feeling disappointed.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 13: Climate Action

Logan resident Jessica Murray, a strong advocate for sustainable development, urged the council to make the right choice in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She emphasized the need to reject a long-term investment in fossil fuels, even if it was a reduced commitment.

The council’s decision to reconsider the contract was driven by the impending closure of two coal-fired power plants that currently supply the city’s power. City officials have been searching for a reliable, around-the-clock power supply to fill the gap.

Public Opposition to Fossil Fuels

1. Over 30 members of the public spoke against the city’s plan to invest in fossil fuels.
2. Many criticized the city’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and called for greater investment in renewable energy sources.
3. Concerns were raised about the impact on future generations and the environment.

Murray was one of 24 individuals who spoke out against the city’s plan to invest in a natural gas plant in Power County, Idaho. The proposed investment was reduced to 15 megawatts, half of the initial 30 megawatts considered.

Despite the opposition, the council voted to move forward with the deal, citing the need for a stable power supply to support local businesses. Scott Nelson, a controller at Schreiber Foods, argued that renewables alone cannot meet the city’s energy needs and highlighted the financial impact of power shortages on businesses.

Baseload Power and Renewable Energy

Mark Montgomery, the city’s director of light and power, explained the concept of baseload power, which is the minimum amount of electricity needed at all times. He stated that renewable energy sources such as solar, batteries, and wind are not capable of providing baseload power consistently.

Montgomery emphasized the limited options available to Logan, with coal and natural gas being the only viable sources for baseload power. He mentioned unsuccessful attempts to explore geothermal power projects and the potential of nuclear power in the future.

Council’s Decision and Future Implications

The council voted to invest in only 15 megawatts of the project, despite the city needing 18 megawatts to replace the energy lost from the expected coal plant closures. The investment will be financed over 20 years and potentially available for the city to purchase for more than 30 years.

Council member Ernesto Lopez was the sole vote against the project, expressing a desire to explore alternative options. However, the majority of the council believed that waiting for a clean energy solution could have negative consequences for the community, particularly in terms of air quality.

Conclusion

The council’s decision sparked outcry from audience members, highlighting the urgency and importance of addressing climate change and transitioning to clean energy sources. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a framework for guiding cities like Logan towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the Logan City Council’s decision to invest in fossil fuels for its power supply, which is connected to the goal of achieving affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). The reliance on fossil fuels also has implications for climate change mitigation and adaptation (SDG 13). Additionally, the article mentions the impact on future generations and the need for greater investment in renewable energy sources, which aligns with the goal of protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• SDG 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests

The article highlights the need for greater investment in renewable energy sources, indicating a target under SDG 7.2. It also discusses the impact of the council’s decision on climate change mitigation and adaptation, which relates to the target under SDG 13.2. Furthermore, the article mentions the importance of considering sustainable management of forests, which aligns with the target under SDG 15.2.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of renewable energy in the city’s energy mix
• Integration of climate change measures in the city’s policies and planning
• Extent of sustainable management practices implemented in the city’s forests

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but progress towards the identified targets can be measured by tracking the percentage of renewable energy in the city’s energy mix, the extent to which climate change measures are integrated into the city’s policies and planning, and the implementation of sustainable management practices in the city’s forests.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: upr.org

The Florida legislature has advanced a new bill that aims to loosen child labor laws, specifically targeting homeschooled teenagers.

Bill Details

• The bill, accessible here, proposes allowing children as young as 14 years old to work overnight shifts if they are homeschooled.
• If approved, the new law would permit 16 and 17-year-olds to work more than eight hours a day on school nights and up to 30 hours a week while attending school.

Addressing Workforce Challenges

1. Governor Ron DeSantis has acknowledged that efforts to remove undocumented immigrants from the state and the White House may have resulted in a reduced workforce for lower-wage jobs.
2. The governor sees young workers as a potential solution to this challenge.

Support and Opposition

• Senator Jay Collins, the bill’s drafter, believes that this legislation empowers parents to make decisions about their children’s work schedules. He stated, “This is about trusting parents—not the government—with decisions about their kids. This bill gives families the freedom to decide when their teenagers can work, while still keeping basic guardrails in place,” in an interview with First Coast News.
• Allison Vaughan, a business owner in Jacksonville and a mother of two, opposes the bill, expressing concerns about the negative impact on children’s rest, schoolwork, and overall childhood experience.
• On the other hand, Michael Miller, a father of three, supports the bill, believing that teenagers who work longer hours will develop a stronger work ethic and have better chances of success in the future.

Short-Term Solution

Parag Amin, an Employee Labor specialist, warns that adding children to the workforce to fill low-wage jobs is only a temporary fix. He explains, “Without a doubt, there are going to be labor shortages because of the immigration crackdowns, particularly in Florida,” in an interview with First Coast News.

Effective Date

If the bill is passed, it will be signed into law and go into effect in July 2025.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 4: Quality Education

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8 as it discusses child labor laws and the potential impact on the workforce. It is also connected to SDG 4 as it mentions the impact on teenagers’ education and childhood.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

The article’s content highlights the potential impact on child labor laws, which relates to SDG 8.7. It also mentions the potential impact on teenagers’ education and work-life balance, which relates to SDG 4.4.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 8.7: Number of children engaged in child labor.
• Indicator for SDG 4.4: Percentage of teenagers working more than eight hours a day on school nights and 30 hours a week while in school.

The article mentions the potential changes in child labor laws, which can be measured by tracking the number of children engaged in child labor. It also mentions the potential increase in working hours for teenagers, which can be measured by monitoring the percentage of teenagers working more than the specified limits.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: firstcoastnews.com

Many of the world’s greatest challenges could be solved with one simple resource: clean water.

For many, a morning cup of tea or coffee is a daily ritual. But for billions, access to safe water is a luxury that determines not just personal well-being but the survival of entire communities and nations. The presence or absence of clean water shapes the future, making it no surprise that Jesus compared Himself and His word to water.

The Global Water Crisis and the SDGs

Today, more than two billion people lack access to safe drinking water, leading to devastating consequences. Brian Dennett from Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel (AMG) explains, “This causes all kinds of waterborne diseases — cholera, dysentery — and claims thousands of lives in many countries where AMG is working.”

In some communities, people drink, bathe, and wash their clothes in the same contaminated water source — often near outhouses — exposing themselves to serious health risks. Yet with limited water available, they have no other choice.

“It is one of the most basic needs for health, education, and economic stability. Without it, communities remain trapped in poverty, disease, and suffering,” Dennett adds.

AMG’s Approach to Providing Clean Water

That’s why AMG makes clean water an important part of its mission. Depending on the needs of a community, they implement two key approaches:

1. Drilling deep wells in central locations to serve entire villages
2. Providing household water filtration systems to families one by one

But their mission doesn’t stop with physical water. After quenching physical thirst, AMG helps people discover the living water of Christ.

“When we visit a home to provide a water filter, we immediately begin a relationship, Gospel conversations with the family.”

The Impact of Clean Water on the SDGs

Access to clean water is not only crucial for personal well-being but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is directly linked to several SDGs, including:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

By providing clean water, AMG International is contributing to the global efforts to achieve these goals and improve the lives of individuals and communities around the world.

Conclusion

Jesus said that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst. As AMG International provides clean water, communities will also encounter the life-changing hope of Christ. Let us pray for the success of their mission and the realization of the SDGs.

Featured images courtesy of AMG International on Facebook.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• SDG 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
• SDG 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
• SDG 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day.
• SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Access to safe drinking water
• Access to adequate sanitation and hygiene
• Reduction in waterborne diseases (cholera, dysentery)
• Reduction in poverty
• Education on water-related health risks
• Employment opportunities in water-related projects

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mnnonline.org

Shucle, Hyundai Motor’s demand-responsive mobility service, leverages artificial intelligence to provide efficient and flexible transportation solutions. By dynamically adjusting routes in real-time based on user requests, it enables seamless ride-sharing and ensures a more accessible and accommodating travel experience for passengers.

Introduction of Voucher System

A key feature of the initiative is the introduction of a voucher system available to existing voucher taxi users, allowing them to ride up to twice a day free of charge. This system streamlines the process for users, who can now issue an electronic voucher directly through the Shucle app and begin using it immediately, eliminating the previous need to contact a mobility support center for authentication.

Enhancing Universal Accessibility

The demonstration highlights vehicles designed for universal accessibility, enhancing convenience and inclusivity for all passengers. The improved design allows for side-door boarding, allowing passengers with mobility support to travel comfortably alongside up to two companions. This improves upon traditional solutions that required rear boarding and isolated seating, which could lead to discomfort and social disconnection.

For passengers with vision or hearing loss, the vehicles are equipped with an accessibility-focused interface that includes high contrast mode and a tablet for seamless communication with the driver. The tablet, installed in the rear seat, allows passengers to easily send text messages, ensuring a more convenient and accommodating travel experience.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Hyundai Motor has been actively conducting research and pilot projects to enhance mobility for people with accessibility needs, including the Enable LA project in 2021. Building on the insights and data gathered from these initiatives, Hyundai Motor will continue refining its mobility solutions and services for real-world implementation.

Using insights gained from these initiatives, Hyundai Motor is committed to continuously refining its devices and services for broader implementation, aiming to foster freedom of movement for all in a more inclusive, accessible world.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.
– Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all.
– Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
– Introduction of a voucher system for existing voucher taxi users: This indicates progress towards providing affordable and accessible transport systems (Target 11.2).
– Use of artificial intelligence to dynamically adjust routes in real-time: This indicates progress towards developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure (Target 9.1).
– Vehicles designed for universal accessibility, allowing side-door boarding: This indicates progress towards promoting social inclusion and accessibility (Target 10.2 and Target 11.2).
– Accessibility-focused interface for passengers with vision or hearing loss: This indicates progress towards promoting social inclusion and accessibility (Target 10.2).

By analyzing these indicators, progress towards the identified targets can be measured.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hyundai.com

The answer, according to Florida lawmakers, is the state’s schoolchildren, who as young as 14 could soon be allowed to work overnight shifts without a break – even on school nights.

A bill that progressed this week through the Republican-dominated state senate seeks to remove numerous existing protections for teenage workers, and allow them, in the Florida governor’s words, to step into the shoes of immigrants who supply Florida’s tourism and agriculture industries with “dirt cheap labor”.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
3. Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Implications of the Proposed Bill

• The bill would permit unlimited working hours without breaks for 14- and 15-year-olds who are schooled at home or online.
• Employers would be able to require 16- and 17-year-olds to work for more than six days in a row.

“It’s essentially treating teens who have developing bodies and minds like adults, and this will allow employers to schedule them for unlimited hours, overnight and without breaks, and this is during the school year,” said Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at the Florida Policy Institute (FPI), an independent research and economic analysis group.

“It’s important to remind people that teens can work. They can get that experience and some extra money if they need it. But there have to be protections in place to protect our most vulnerable, and if we pass this that’s absolutely not going to happen.”

Meanwhile, an attempt by the state senator who sponsored the bill, the Sarasota Republican Jay Collins, to paint it as an issue of parental rights rather than a way to cover Florida’s deportation-driven labor shortfall also failed to impress critics.

“We’re not talking about The Jungle by Upton Sinclair,” he told the chamber on Wednesday, referring to the 1906 novel that described horrific and dangerous conditions endured by cheap immigrant laborers, including children, in Chicago’s meat-packing industry – an environment that still exists today.

DeSantis, he insisted, “is talking about those soft skill benefits to children growing”, and said his bill was aimed at teenagers working in places like grocery stores.

Tsoukalas rejected Collins’s claim. “There’s different arguments that people will put on the floor in order to do what they think it takes to get a bill passed. Given some of the justifications that state leaders have made in recent days, it’s clear that they are linking the immigration issue and child labor,” she said.

“When the sweeping anti-immigrant bill of 2023 passed, we did warn there would be impacts on the labor force and the economy given how reliant we are on immigrant labor. Of course, not all of those people are undocumented, but as we’ve seen recently at the federal level all types of people, even permanent residents, are getting threatened with deportation.

“Combined with what’s going on at the state level, that absolutely is a concern. It’s no surprise that last year, and then again this year, we’re talking about the need to fill gaps with other forms of labor.”

According to the US Census Bureau, more than 27% of Florida’s workforce is foreign-born.

The Farmworker Association of Florida, which represents tens of thousands of low-income, immigrant laborers, says about 60% of its membership is undocumented, and most vulnerable to detention and deportation. Others are among half a million Haitians nationwide who Trump has ordered to leave the US by August after he rescinded their temporary protected status.

Pushback from FPI and other groups persuaded Florida lawmakers to drop some of the harsher provisions in a child labor law that passed last year, and opponents are dismayed to find them back under consideration.

The state was singled out in a 2024 report by Governing for Impact and the Economic Policy Institute that recorded a surge in workplace injuries and violations involving minors – some in the agricultural industry where hazards include exposure to toxic chemicals and dangerous machinery.

The report noted a corresponding push in at least 30 mostly Republican-controlled states to weaken workplace protections for children, and warned the second Trump administration would seek to escalate the rollback.

“We’ve been saying since 2023 that this is a way for them to exploit minors, it was when they passed this large, anti-immigrant omnibus and the same year that they tried to pass the first law gutting child labor protection,” said Thomas Kennedy, spokesperson for the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

“The only short-term answer to workforce shortages has always been net migration and they’ll never go for that because of their politics. So their only answer is to widen the parameters of who can work, and you either go older or you go younger, and they chose to go younger.”

Kennedy and Tsoukalas are hopeful that Republicans who said they were uncomfortable with some parts of the bill will ultimately decide to vote against it. According to the Miami Herald, the Republican state senators Nick DiCeglie and Tom Wright helped move it out of the commerce and tourism committee on a 5-4 vote, but said it “needed work”.

Republican Joe Gruters joined three Democrats in voting against, saying: “We need to let kids be kids.”

Kennedy, however, pointed to another Republican bill that progressed this week that would allow employers to pay interns and apprentices less than minimum wage.

“To recap, they made the state hostile to immigrants. They deported a bunch of people, or scared people into not coming, or moving out of the state. They exacerbated worker shortages, so now they’re trying to gut child labor protection standards, while at the same time passing a law that would allow them to classify these children and other workers as interns,” he said.

“It’s insane, right?”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 8.7: Number of children in child labor, by age group and sex.
• Indicator for SDG 10.7: Number of countries that have implemented well-managed migration policies.
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com

Sustainable industry, innovation, and infrastructure are paramount to living in harmony with nature and improving health and education outcomes globally. Some 2.3 billion people lack access to basic sanitation, while 2.6 billion have unreliable access to electricity.

Goal 9 and the environment

Infrastructure – including buildings and transportation – is crucial to economic development but currently poses serious risks to human and environmental health. In the race to advance development, industry and infrastructure are often unsustainable, aggravating the triple planetary crisis and leading to direct and indirect long-term economic losses.

With rapid urbanization and an ever-growing global population, humanity must initiate multiple major transformations simultaneously to achieve environmental targets, including the Paris Agreement. Yet conflicts, including in Ukraine, and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted inefficiencies across industry, innovation and infrastructure. Climate-related shocks and stressors undermine the stability of infrastructure systems and their ability to provide essential services, especially to the most vulnerable.

Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries can save US$4.2 trillion worth of damages from climate impacts. Around 75 per cent of the infrastructure that will exist in 2050 has yet to be built, so humanity has a unique opportunity to improve building design, construction, retrofitting and operation. Only by doing this can we embrace low emissions, resource efficiency and resiliency to adapt to and overcome the triple planetary crisis.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure

     • Indicator: Access to basic sanitation
     • Indicator: Reliable access to electricity

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

     • Indicator: Investment in climate-resilient infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities, and promote innovation

     • Indicator: Industry and infrastructure sustainability

Analysis

The article addresses and connects to SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. It highlights the importance of sustainable industry, innovation, and infrastructure for living in harmony with nature and improving global health and education outcomes.

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under SDG 9 can be identified:

1. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure

   The article mentions that 2.3 billion people lack access to basic sanitation, indicating the need to develop quality and sustainable infrastructure to address this issue. Additionally, it states that 2.6 billion people have unreliable access to electricity, highlighting the importance of reliable infrastructure.

2. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

   The article emphasizes the need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries to save US$4.2 trillion worth of damages from climate impacts. This aligns with the target of upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable.

3. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities, and promote innovation

   The article mentions the importance of embracing low emissions, resource efficiency, and resiliency to adapt to and overcome the triple planetary crisis. This highlights the need to enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities, and promote innovation to achieve sustainable industry and infrastructure.

The article provides indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• The indicator of access to basic sanitation can be used to measure progress towards Target 9.1.
• The indicator of reliable access to electricity can also be used to measure progress towards Target 9.1.
• The indicator of investment in climate-resilient infrastructure can be used to measure progress towards Target 9.4.
• The indicator of industry and infrastructure sustainability can be used to measure progress towards Target 9.5.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: unep.org

High level of development of agrarian infrastructure

The availability of modern infrastructure is a key factor in the development of US agriculture. In all states, many highways have been built for this industry, connecting farms with nearby cities, warehouses for storing grain, vegetables, fruits, and livestock products, water supply systems (artificial reservoirs, wells, pumping stations) for watering plants and much more. No less developed is the energy infrastructure, which supplies agriculture with various energy sources. Gas pipelines, power lines, and wind generators are only a part of everything available for this industry. It is also worth remembering the various factories for processing finished products, places of sale of goods (wholesale and retail markets, fairs), and laboratories for quality control.

Automation of all processes

Automation is vital in developing agriculture and other industries in the United States. It makes it possible to reduce the influence of the human factor on the final result, thereby reducing the number of errors. Today, modern devices are being actively introduced in all areas. They are equipped with dozens or even hundreds of different sensors that collect information necessary for automatic decision-making. Thanks to such devices, it is possible to automate the process of sowing, watering, harvesting, pest control, monitoring soil quality, monitoring the condition of the field and much more. All this helps to improve the quality of products and make them competitive in the global market. Consequently, new opportunities are opening up for US agriculture, and an additional incentive for further development appears.

Careful control at each stage of the work carried out

The development of the United States agricultural sector is due to the careful attention to every detail. The process is carefully monitored from the moment of sowing to harvesting. If necessary, measures are taken to improve the situation and errors made at previous stages of work are corrected. Control over all agricultural activities is carried out not only by qualified specialists but also by automated systems. This combination eliminates various problems and allows you to get the expected result. Innovative control methods are used in the process of performing work. Some are just being introduced into the US agricultural sector but already have the desired effect. In the future, control over the work will be free of existing shortcomings. This will make this factor’s influence on American agriculture’s development even more significant.

Quick adaptation to changing conditions

The ability to quickly adapt to constantly changing conditions is one of the key factors for the success of any industry. US agriculture is no exception. Specialists working in this field have learned to adapt to frequent climate changes. Depending on the forecast for the year, they choose certain plants that can better withstand heat, excessive rainfall, or various natural disasters. Agricultural activities adapt to changes in US environmental legislation according to a similar principle. Depending on the laws and regulations adopted, specialists change the composition of fertilizers used, choose alternative methods of soil cultivation, and adjust the planting and harvesting process. The ability to adapt quickly to current conditions allows you to avoid losses and make good profits yearly. It is becoming an essential component of the further development of the US agricultural industry.

Technologies used in US agriculture

Night vision and thermal imaging

Modern technologies are being actively introduced into the US agricultural industry. Among them, thermal imaging and night vision are the most useful. They simplify the performance of many important tasks and make it possible to work anytime. Both technologies are often used on various agricultural machinery (controlled and unmanned). They make it possible to work 24/7, positively affecting the entire farming industry. In addition, night vision and thermal imaging allow you to monitor the health of plants and animals, identify errors made during sowing and watering, determine the first signs of pest infestation, protect farms and fields from thieves or animals that damage crops, and much more. Of course, agriculture does not use night vision binoculars, military-grade and other similar optics. They are replaced by more straightforward but no less effective devices. Also, specialists combine the capabilities of night vision and thermal imaging to perform some work.

Artificial intelligence

Modern technologies such as artificial intelligence have recently been introduced into US agriculture. No one knows the limits of its capabilities yet. Therefore, there is no doubt that AI can become an essential component of the industry’s further development. Today, this technology is used in many tasks in US agriculture. It is used to analyze data collected from various sensors (temperature, humidity, soil condition, etc.) and make the right decisions that increase crop yields, minimize costs, and reduce the number of errors. AI also helps choose places for planting seeds, determine the ideal fertilizers and pest control products for each specific case, predict crop yields, and optimize logistics. Without this technology, it would be difficult or even impossible to do all of the above. Therefore, artificial intelligence is quickly becoming an essential component of the development of the entire US agricultural industry.

Controlled agriculture

Introducing modern technologies helps radically change the USA’s agricultural sector and opens up new opportunities for its development. In this direction, controlled agriculture is the most promising. This technology involves the use of indoor and vertical farming methods. In the first case, various crops are grown not in open areas but in specially built greenhouses. In these places, ideal conditions for plants are created. They are provided with the necessary amount of light, water, and fertilizers, which allows for increasing the yield and avoiding many problems. Vertical farming is another promising direction in the development of agriculture. It involves growing plants in unique multi-tiered structures, where ideal conditions are also created. The main advantage of this direction is the ability to produce large volumes of agricultural products in a limited space. Under certain conditions, this can be done even in a metropolitan area, simplifying access to various city communications and reducing the costs of transporting finished products to stores and markets.

Modern biotechnology

The speed of development of US agriculture depends on innovations in biotechnology. This area is one of the most promising. It provides agriculture with effective biofertilizers made from safe substances for humans and nature. These compounds increase crop yields and help avoid violations of environmental legislation. Biotechnology also allows new types of crops to be obtained. They have improved characteristics, so they become resistant to unfavorable external conditions (for example, prolonged exposure to low or high temperatures, excessive humidity, etc.) and adapted to modern methods of growing plants. The emergence of disease-resistant crops is another achievement of biotechnology. These plants do not require additional processing and always give a good harvest. Their cultivation brings a consistently high income and provides the industry with the funds necessary for further development.

Agriculture is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. This result was achieved thanks to modern technologies, the availability of high-quality infrastructure, the automation of all processes, careful control over the work carried out and the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Combining all these factors allowed US agriculture to overtake many other industries in development and become a key element of the country’s economy.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

SDGs Addressed in the Article:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
4. SDG 13: Climate Action

Targets Identified Based on the Article’s Content:

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
• Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.
• Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.
• Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Explanation:
1. The article addresses or connects to the following SDGs: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). These SDGs are relevant to the issues discussed in the article, such as agricultural development, infrastructure, responsible production, and climate change adaptation.
2. Based on the article’s content, specific targets under the identified SDGs can be identified. For SDG 2, the target is to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. For SDG 9, the target is to develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. For SDG 12, the target is to reduce food waste and losses along production and supply chains. For SDG 13, the target is to improve education and awareness on climate change.
3. The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. For Target 2.3, the indicator is the volume of production per labor unit. For Target 9.1, the indicator is the proportion of the rural population living within 2 km of an all-season road. For Target 12.3, the indicator is the food loss index. For Target 13.3, the indicator is the number of countries integrating climate change measures into curricula.
4. The table presents the findings from analyzing the article, listing the SDGs, their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: fingerlakes1.com

A recent study has revealed that early-life exposure to air pollution can have lasting effects on child development and mental health in adolescence. The study, which integrated air pollution data with existing longitudinal data from the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS), highlights the long-term consequences of growing up in polluted environments.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. SDG 13: Climate Action

Background

The CHDS has been following over 1,200 children born in Christchurch in 1977, with a focus on developmental and mental health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine how exposure to air pollution during childhood and adolescence affects development and mental health. The researchers found that higher exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased risk of attention problems, conduct issues, lower educational attainment, and substance abuse in adolescence.

Air pollution is a leading environmental contributor to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, making children especially vulnerable due to their developing brains and bodies. Growing evidence suggests that air pollution can affect brain development, educational attainment, and mental health, contributing to depression, anxiety, and conduct or attention problems. However, few studies have tracked long-term exposure to air pollution from early childhood.

Patterns of Exposure

The research was conducted in Christchurch, a historical air-pollution hotspot, with a documented history of measurements and a long-running birth cohort study. The CHDS collects detailed information on participants’ health, development, education, and family backgrounds from prenatal into adulthood.

For this study, historical air-pollution data from 1977 to 1987, measured as the concentration of black smoke, was linked to the residential locations of birth cohort members. This allowed researchers to estimate each child’s annual exposure to air pollution during key developmental periods. Four distinct patterns of air-pollution exposure across childhood were identified:

• Consistently low
• Consistently high
• Elevated preschool
• High prenatal and postnatal

The study examined whether children in the higher exposure groups were more likely to experience adverse impacts on cognition, educational achievement, and mental health in later childhood and adolescence. The researchers adjusted for potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, neighborhood disadvantage, and parental characteristics.

Findings and Implications

While the effects of air pollution on individual outcomes were small, they could have significant consequences at a population level. Even small shifts in cognitive and mental health outcomes, when applied to entire populations of children exposed to poor air quality, can have major implications for future educational achievement, workforce productivity, and public health burdens.

The findings support previous research indicating that air pollution can affect brain function through inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodevelopmental pathways. They also highlight the sensitivity of certain developmental periods, such as the prenatal period and early childhood, to pollution exposure.

To address these findings, it is crucial to reduce children’s exposure to air pollution and improve urban air quality by reducing emissions from vehicles, industry, and residential heating. Promoting cleaner energy sources and providing better access to green spaces can also mitigate the impact of air pollution.

Stricter air quality regulations, particularly around schools and childcare centers, should be implemented to strengthen public health and policy measures. Additionally, air-quality monitoring in urban areas can help identify high-risk zones for children.

Public information campaigns are essential to minimize indoor and outdoor pollution exposure. Measures such as using air purifiers for indoor activities or limiting outdoor exposure during peak pollution periods can be effective strategies.

Further Research and Action

This study emphasizes the need for more research on the effects of air pollution on children’s mental health and cognition, particularly in different environmental and socioeconomic contexts. Policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals should consider air pollution as a potential risk factor for developmental challenges, not just a physical health concern.

Air pollution may not be as visible as poor housing or inaccessible healthcare, but its impact on child development can be significant at a population level. Tackling air pollution should be recognized as an essential public health strategy for protecting future generations, given the rising prevalence of mental ill health in young people and adults.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the long-term effects of air pollution on child development and mental health in adolescence. This is directly connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The article highlights the impact of air pollution on educational attainment and cognitive development in children. This aligns with SDG 4, which focuses on providing quality education for all.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article mentions the need to improve urban air quality and reduce emissions from vehicles, industry, and residential heating. This relates to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article emphasizes the importance of reducing air pollution and cutting emissions to improve air quality. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article does not directly address SDG 15, but it indirectly relates to the goal by highlighting the impact of air pollution on the environment and biodiversity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination

The article discusses the adverse effects of air pollution on child development and mental health, highlighting the need to reduce the negative health impacts of air pollution.

Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education

The article emphasizes the impact of air pollution on educational attainment and the need to provide quality education for all children, regardless of their exposure to air pollution.

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

The article calls for improving urban air quality and reducing emissions from various sources to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on child development and mental health.

Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

The article highlights the importance of integrating measures to reduce air pollution and improve air quality into national policies and strategies to combat climate change.

Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts

The article does not directly address this target, but it indirectly relates to the need to protect ecosystems and biodiversity from the harmful effects of air pollution.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, potential indicators could include measures of air pollution levels, educational attainment, mental health outcomes, and policy actions taken to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theconversation.com

As Florida officials enable Trump’s mass deportation policies, lawmakers in the state are looking to children to take on some of the jobs that have typically been done by immigrants.

Making its way through the state Senate is a new law, Senate Bill 918, that aims to loosen child labor laws and allow teenagers to work overnight shifts.

Loosening Child Labor Laws in Florida

1. The state’s legislature on Tuesday advanced a bill that would loosen child labor laws, allowing children as young as 14 years old to work overnight shifts. If the new law is passed, teenagers would be able to work overnight jobs on school days. They are currently prevented from working earlier than 6:30 am or later than 11 pm per state law.

S.B. 918 also “includes a number of changes including eliminating working time restrictions on teenagers aged 14 and 15 if they are home-schooled and ending guaranteed meal breaks for 16 and 17 year olds,” CNN reported.

Support from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis backs the law and has defended the idea of teenagers and college students working these jobs. DeSantis also explicitly linked the effort to the loss of immigrant labor. Speaking about the consequences of state verification laws at an event with border czar Tom Homan, the governor said, “Yes, we had people that left because of those rules, but you’ve also been able to hire other people. And what’s wrong with expecting our young people to be working part-time now?”

Rolling Back Child Labor Laws in the U.S.

• In recent years, several states — many of them led by Republican governors — have rolled back child labor laws. This map from the Economic Policy Institute illustrates the spike in states rolling back these laws from 2021 to 2024. Back in 2023, for example, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill that made it easier for companies to hire children without getting consent from their parents. One month earlier, The New York Times published a bombshell report about the exploitation of immigrant children in factories operated by some of the most well-known companies in the U.S.

That story should have spurred a nationwide push to strengthen child labor laws. Instead, states like Florida are going in the opposite direction, weakening such laws in part to deal with the fallout from the conservative movement’s demonization of immigrants. They’re essentially using child labor to paper over the gaps left by their draconian immigration policies.

Far-Right Playbook and Social Service Cuts

• Project 2025, the far-right playbook for Trump’s second term, specifically calls for rolling back “hazard” regulations around child labor. The text claims, “Some young adults show an interest in inherently dangerous jobs” and argues that “with parental consent and proper training, certain young adults should be allowed to learn and work in more dangerous occupations.”

Even as child labor laws are being rolled back, the Trump administration is working to gut social services, including funds that help provide school lunches to children and programs, like the supplemental nutrition assistance program, that help feed poor families. And if those cuts stay in place, they may leave American families with few alternatives to sending their children to work to keep food on the table.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve child labor, immigration policies, and the impact on labor laws and social services.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

The article’s content relates to these targets as it discusses child labor laws, immigration policies, and the exploitation of immigrant children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 8.7: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
• Indicator for SDG 10.7: Number of countries that have implemented well-managed migration policies.
• Indicator for SDG 12.2: Domestic material consumption per capita.
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by tracking the relevant data and statistics related to child labor, migration policies, resource consumption, and reporting of violence.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: msnbc.com

REACH Community Development, one of Oregon’s largest affordable housing landlords, is planning to sell its entire portfolio of scattered site homes in Southeast Portland. This decision has left some long-time tenants concerned about the possibility of being forced out of their homes.

Impact on Tenants

Sheryl Oldham, a senior and disabled tenant who has lived in her Southeast Portland rental home for 53 years, expressed her fear of being displaced. She stated, “I just want to stay here. Where am I going to go?”

About REACH Community Development

REACH Community Development is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for over 3,500 people in the Portland area. They develop and manage affordable apartments and homes, including scattered site homes like the one Oldham resides in.

Personal Story

Oldham, now 78 years old, has rented her home since 1972. The house is filled with family photos and memories, and she has a beautiful garden outside. She raised her children and grandchildren in this home, as evidenced by the pencil marks on the kitchen pantry that show their growth. Oldham described her home as a “wonderful place.”

Financial Challenges

In February, Oldham received a letter from REACH warning her that the house may be sold. A follow-up letter in March explained that rising costs, inflation, and high interest rates have worsened the financial situation for the nonprofit. REACH, like many organizations, needs to balance its budget while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Selling Scattered Site Homes

REACH is looking to sell its entire portfolio of scattered site homes, which includes approximately 80 properties in Southeast Portland. Margaret Salazar, CEO of REACH, stated that the organization has shifted its focus from small single-family homes to larger, multi-unit properties in the Portland-Vancouver metro area over the years.

Commitment to Residents

In the letter to residents, REACH emphasized its intention to sell to a nonprofit, mission-aligned purchaser who is committed to making the homes available to first-time buyers and existing REACH residents. Current residents will have the first opportunity to purchase their homes, and REACH is working on securing resources to assist residents in this process.

Sale Timeline and Support

The sale is expected to occur no earlier than June. The purchaser will sell the homes in phases over a two-year period, with the first phase going on the market in the fall. For residents who cannot afford to purchase their homes, REACH will provide relocation assistance, individual counseling, and priority placement in other REACH properties. Salazar reassured residents that REACH is committed to staying with them throughout the conversion process.

Concerns and Negotiations

Oldham’s lawyer and former neighbor expressed dissatisfaction with REACH’s lack of responsiveness, leaving residents in the dark. REACH acknowledged that negotiations are still ongoing, and they do not have all the details at this time. However, they are committed to providing more information and meeting with residents in person as the process moves forward.

Hope for the Future

Oldham remains hopeful that she will be able to purchase her house. The uncertainty surrounding her property has caused significant stress, but she firmly believes that this is where she belongs. She stated, “I want to remain here. I want to buy it and stay here.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure.
• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
• No specific indicators mentioned in the article for SDG 17.17.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kgw.com

Introduction

1. Florida has been facing challenges in curbing the employment of undocumented immigrants by businesses in the state.
2. These businesses require workers for low-wage and often undesirable jobs.

Proposed Solution: Loosening Child Labor Laws

• Florida’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, and the state legislature have proposed a potential solution to the labor shortage: allowing children to work.
• The state’s legislature has advanced a bill that would loosen child labor laws, permitting children as young as 14 years old to work overnight shifts.
• If passed, teenagers would be able to work overnight jobs on school days, contrary to the current state law that restricts working hours between 6:30 am and 11 pm.

Legislative Progress and Support

• The bill has passed through the Florida Senate’s Commerce and Tourism committee with five votes in favor and four against.
• It will now proceed through two other relevant committees before being put to a vote with the full Florida Senate.
• Governor DeSantis supports the law and has been vocal about cracking down on immigration, aligning with President Donald Trump’s stance.

Economic Concerns and Immigration Crackdown

• Economists have warned that cracking down on immigration could lead to inflation and labor shortages.
• Governor DeSantis argues that teenagers and college students should be given the opportunity to work, reducing the need to import foreign workers.

Previous Child Labor Law Changes in Florida

• Last year, the state legislature passed a law allowing home-schooled 16- and 17-year-olds to work at any hour of the day.
• The new proposed law includes additional changes, such as eliminating working time restrictions for 14- and 15-year-olds who are home-schooled and ending guaranteed meal breaks for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Child Labor Violations and Statistics

• The number of child labor violations in Florida has nearly tripled in recent years, according to US Department of Labor statistics.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8 as they involve labor laws and employment practices. They are also connected to SDG 10 as they touch on the topic of inequality and the potential impact on vulnerable groups, such as children.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The article highlights the potential loosening of child labor laws, which could impact SDG 8.7 by potentially allowing the worst forms of child labor. It also raises concerns about the inclusion and protection of young workers, which relates to SDG 10.2.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of child labor violations
• Changes in child labor laws and restrictions

The article mentions that the number of child labor violations in Florida has nearly tripled in recent years, indicating a potential indicator to measure progress towards SDG 8.7. Additionally, the article discusses the potential changes in child labor laws, which can be monitored as an indicator of progress towards both SDG 8.7 and SDG 10.2.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cnn.com

Introduction

In a significant move towards addressing child labor violations, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill for the second time in less than two years. This bill aims to increase penalties for such violations, highlighting the growing partisan divide on this issue.

The Bill and Voting Results

The bill, which can be accessed here, was passed by the House with a vote of 117 to 85. Notably, all Democrats supported the bill, while most Republicans opposed it.

Penalty Hike for Employers

The bill proposes an increase in fines for businesses that employ underage workers. Currently, the fines stand at $500 for the first offense and $1,500 for subsequent offenses. If the bill becomes law, these fines will be raised to $1,000 and $3,000, respectively.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant to measuring the prevalence of child labor).
• Indicator 8.7.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population (relevant to measuring progress in eradicating human trafficking).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: pennlive.com

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 2.3: Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Indicator for SDG 11.3: Inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
• Indicator for SDG 12.2: Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• Indicator for SDG 15.2: Implementation of sustainable forest management.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: midhudsonnews.com

On this World Water Day, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of safe drinking water for all individuals. Currently, more than 4 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, which is responsible for 90% of water-borne diseases. Unfortunately, universal access to drinking water is not projected to be achieved until 2094. To expedite progress, it is essential to develop innovative, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.

A Sustainable Commitment for Safe Water Access

Our partnership with 1001fontaines, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to drinking water worldwide, reflects this dynamic. For over 20 years, 1001fontaines has been addressing the needs of underserved communities through resilient water purification infrastructure and affordable services. They utilize 20-liter reusable bottles to ensure convenience and sustainability.

1001fontaines focuses on building local capacity and ensuring financial viability for their local partners. Their approach encourages sustainable behavior change, as evidenced by the adoption of their solutions by over a million people in Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Madagascar.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

Since 2007, Diehl Metering has been supporting 1001fontaines in their mission. Initially, we contributed with Corona M meters, and this year, we will provide next-generation meters like the ALTAIR. These meters are designed for demanding environments and compatible with various water qualities.

“Back in 2007, joining this project meant believing in a shared mission: bringing safe water to those who need it most. Over the years, I’ve realized how many children, families, and entire communities still struggle every day for this necessity. Being part of this humanitarian journey has been an honor, knowing that together, we are making a real difference for humanity.” – Pascal PERRIERE (Special Project Manager)

Minimizing water losses is crucial, and we are proud to contribute our expertise. Through leak detection and advanced technologies, we enhance water management and optimize distribution to ensure that every drop counts. Our commitment to sustainability is strengthened through smart resource management.

Join the Mission to Provide Safe Water to Schools

The Water in School program is a powerful initiative that guarantees children have access to clean drinking water every day at school. For just 2€, 1001fontaines provides a year of safe drinking water. At Diehl Metering, we are committed to helping the next generation. By partnering with 1001fontaines, we ensure that children have the essentials for a healthy life and empower them to build a sustainable future.

Together, let’s contribute to a future where safe water is a fundamental right for all, not a privilege.

Learn more in the video: World Water Day webinar: 1001fontaines partnership

More about our commitment to sustainability: Sustainability | Diehl Metering

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
   • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
   • Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

Source: diehl.com

DIXON – In the midst of National Agriculture Week, the Lee County Board unanimously approved a resolution Thursday making a commitment to support and promote agriculture in the county.

Importance of National Agriculture Week

Ag Week, from March 16 to 22, is celebrated across the U.S. to raise awareness about the importance of agriculture while highlighting the industry’s contributions to the nation’s economy. The approved resolution acknowledges the large amount of farmed land in Lee County and its direct effect on the local economy.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 1: No Poverty
2. Goal 2: Zero Hunger
3. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
4. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
5. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
6. Goal 13: Climate Action
7. Goal 15: Life on Land

Agriculture in Lee County

Lee County has a total of 829 farms covering 377,886 acres. The agriculture industry supports 3,325 jobs, which accounts for about 19% of all jobs in the county, according to the resolution that uses data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2022 census.

Testimonials from Future Farmers

“We are in support of the pro ag resolution and agriculture in Lee County,” Ashton Franklin Center FFA chapter member Elsie Viall told the board.

Elsie is an eighth grader at AFC. She wants to become a hog farmer and an ag teacher when she grows up.

“Agriculture has impacted my life in a lot of really good ways, and FFA in particular has helped a lot with leadership,” AFC FFA Vice President Kate Viall said.

Benefits of Agriculture in Lee County

• Supports the food security of residents
• Creates additional jobs generating economic growth
• Farmland is a limited resource vital to agriculture and the economic well-being of the county

Support from Lee County Farm Bureau

The Lee County Farm Bureau, a nonprofit organization based in Amboy, sponsored the resolution and passed out pro-agriculture pins to board members after the meeting.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
   • Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
   • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article highlights the importance of agriculture in Lee County and its impact on the local economy. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The article mentions the large amount of farmed land in Lee County and its direct effect on the local economy. This connects to SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all people. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 2.3, which focuses on doubling the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 2.3.1, which measures the volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article mentions that the agriculture industry in Lee County supports 3,325 jobs, which accounts for about 19% of all jobs in the county. This relates to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 8.3, which focuses on promoting development-oriented policies that support decent job creation and entrepreneurship. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 8.3.1, which measures the proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

The article acknowledges the importance of farmland as a limited resource vital to agriculture and the economic well-being of Lee County. This aligns with SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 15.1, which focuses on ensuring the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 15.1.1, which measures the forest area as a proportion of total land area.

Source: shawlocal.com

Senators Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., have reintroduced legislation aimed at preventing companies from receiving federal contracts if they have been found to have committed serious, repeated, or pervasive violations of child labor laws.

The senators reintroduced the bill in anticipation of the confirmation vote for Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary. The vote is scheduled for Monday evening.

Disclosure of Child Labor Violations and Ineligibility for Federal Contracts

Hawley and Booker’s legislation would require companies seeking federal contracts to disclose any child labor violations committed by the company or its subcontractors within the past three years. Additionally, it would mandate the labor secretary to compile a list of companies that are ineligible for federal contracts due to any violations.

“Companies that illegally employ children should not be rewarded with lucrative federal government contracts that generate millions of dollars for corporations,” said Hawley, who expressed concerns about child labor during Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation hearing. “This bipartisan legislation would hold companies accountable for engaging in child labor exploitation and ensure that offenders face appropriate consequences.”

Addressing Child Labor Violations in the United States

The reintroduction of this legislation follows the discovery of several American companies employing adolescents illegally and in hazardous occupations, as revealed by investigations conducted by NBC News and The New York Times. Many of these children were unaccompanied migrants who entered the United States in recent years.

Companies such as Perdue Farms and JBS have faced penalties for illegally employing migrant children in their slaughterhouses. Other U.S. businesses have pledged to eliminate child labor from their supply chains.

Ensuring Children’s Safety and Well-being

Booker emphasized the urgency of addressing child labor violations in the United States, stating, “Currently, big corporations are exploiting children in workplaces where federal law explicitly prohibits their presence. Children are being exposed to dangerous machinery in factories, handling toxic chemicals, and working exhausting shifts in meat processing plants, all in flagrant violation of the law.”

He added, “Federal contracts should not be used to prioritize profits for corporations that continue to jeopardize the safety and well-being of our children.”

Last week, Hawley introduced another bipartisan labor legislation aimed at expediting first contracts for new unions. The bill is co-sponsored by Booker, as well as Senators Gary Peters, D-Mich., Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article discusses child labor violations and the need to hold companies accountable for engaging in child labor exploitation. This aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.

The article emphasizes the need to address child labor violations and ensure that companies do not engage in child labor exploitation. Target 8.7 specifically focuses on eradicating child labor and securing the prohibition and elimination of its worst forms by 2025.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (in accordance with the International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor).

The article mentions the illegal employment of adolescents and unaccompanied migrant children, highlighting the issue of child labor. Indicator 8.7.1 measures the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, providing a quantitative measure of progress towards ending child labor.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbcnews.com

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A Centre County Mennonite church is taking the turn towards using clean solar energy.

Introduction

On Friday morning, local leaders and residents gathered to learn more about the benefits of solar energy for the church and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Solar Energy for a Sustainable Future

The State College Mennonite church has made the decision to transition to solar energy, recognizing its affordability and positive impact on the environment. By embracing renewable energy, the church aims to inspire other businesses and organizations to follow suit.

Partnership for Solar Installation

Local leaders from the University Mennonite Church collaborated with the solar company Envinity to install various solar panels and systems throughout the church. This partnership highlights the potential of solar energy as a viable resource for businesses.

Advocating for Solar Energy

Church leaders joined forces with the solar energy advocacy group PennEnvironment to conduct a tour of the newly installed solar panels. The purpose of the tour was to provide valuable insights and tips for consumers interested in adopting solar energy.

Benefits of Solar Energy

The church expects the newly installed solar panels to significantly reduce energy costs and decrease reliance on traditional power sources. Additionally, solar panels offer the advantage of fixed energy costs over a period of time, providing stability and predictability for businesses.

Looking Ahead

In the future, solar companies plan to enhance battery storage capabilities to ensure consistent energy supply even on cloudy days. State officials and solar energy groups hope that this initiative will set a precedent for other local businesses and residents to embrace clean energy, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific target under SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy that can be identified is 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article mentions that the State College Mennonite church is switching to solar energy, which is a renewable energy source.

No specific targets under SDG 13: Climate Action can be identified based on the article’s content.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No indicators mentioned or implied in the article can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wjactv.com

Today, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $2,195,289 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the state at its monthly board meeting.

“Diversity is what keeps Kentucky agriculture strong and relevant for our producers,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Chair Jonathan Shell. “The projects funded this month by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board will help sustain that diversity, fostering stronger communities and a more prosperous future.

County and State Funded Projects

• Hopkinsville Elevator Company, Inc. was approved up to $300,000 in multi-county funds to renew, expand, and develop rail accessibility.
• Sugarloaf Mountain Meats and Processing was approved up to $3,750 in state funds for funding consultation fees for a PAX Food Safety Consulting, and HACCP certification and training.
• Three Rivers Vet Services was approved up to $56,250 in state and multi-county funds to purchase a truck for large animal ambulatory service as part of the Large & Food Animal Veterinary Incentives Program.

County Programs

County Agricultural Incentives Program (CAIP)

CAIP provides Kentucky agricultural producers with cost-share assistance on practices to allow them to improve and diversify their current farm operations. CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 incentive areas, including, but not limited to: beef and dairy cattle; farm infrastructure, fencing, and water enhancement; equine; forage; goats and sheep; horticulture; poultry; swine; bees and honey; timber and technology, as well as energy efficiency and production; marketing; and value-added production.

Ten CAIPs were approved by the board in the following counties totaling $1,724,595:

• Bath: $263,000
• Garrard: $350,000
• Lawrence: $150,000
• Letcher: $49,287
• Madison: $280,000
• Montgomery: $80,000
• Ohio: $135,000
• Owen: $20,000
• Robertson: $276,790
• Wolfe: $120,518

Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)

The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.

• One DAR was approved by the board in Madison County totaling $10,000.

Shared-Use Equipment Program

The Shared-Use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis.

Two Shared-Use Equipment Programs were approved by the board in the following counties, totaling $50,694:

• Barren: $21,069
• Madison: $29,625

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

Two YAIPs were approved by the board in the following counties, totaling $50,000:

• Bath: $35,000
• Owen: $15,000

All application periods and deadlines for CAIP and YAIP will be advertised locally.

*Existing programs receiving additional funding.

Copyright 2025 WBKO. All rights reserved.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.
• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
• SDG 11.a: Support positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Investment in agricultural diversification and rural development projects
• Renewal, expansion, and development of rail accessibility
• Funding consultation fees for food safety consulting and HACCP certification and training
• Purchase of a truck for large animal ambulatory service
• Cost-share assistance for improving and diversifying farm operations
• Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program
• Shared-Use Equipment Program
• Youth Agricultural Incentives Program

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wbko.com

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article addresses various issues related to child labor, poverty, education, gender inequality, decent work, economic growth, inequalities, responsible consumption, and production, and the need for peace, justice, and strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

The article highlights the need to address poverty, ensure quality education, eliminate violence against women and girls, eradicate forced labor and child labor, facilitate safe migration, promote responsible consumption and production, and end abuse and exploitation of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
• Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination.
• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
• Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.

The article implies the need to measure the proportion of the population living in poverty, the proficiency level of children in reading and mathematics, the prevalence of violence against women and girls, the number of children engaged in child labor, the recruitment cost borne by employees in migration, the material footprint and consumption patterns, and the number of victims of human trafficking.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ncronline.org

Fauquier County Celebrates Agriculture Appreciation Month

Fauquier County is shining a spotlight on its agricultural community this March, recognizing the role of local farmers, agribusiness professionals, and agricultural traditions during Agriculture Appreciation Month.

Proclamation of Agriculture Month

At its March 13 meeting, the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed March 2025 as “Agriculture Month,” aligning with the national observance established in 1973. Marshall District Supervisor Regan Washer presented the proclamation, noting the deep roots of farming in the county’s economy, history, and identity.

“Agricultural producers are a time-honored and vital part of Fauquier County, the commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States,” Washer read from the proclamation. “The farms and agribusinesses of Fauquier County create the captivating rural landscape that helps define our county. The agricultural community generates over $67 million in sales, fostering pride and economic stability in the community where we live and work.”

Honoring Contributions to the Agricultural Community

As part of the recognition, the board honored three people whose work has had a lasting impact on Fauquier’s agricultural community.

• Jake Grove, a fifth-generation farmer and president of the Fauquier Farm Bureau, was commended for his leadership in conservation efforts and youth agricultural programs.
• Tim Mize, an animal science agent with the Cooperative Extension Office, was recognized for his two decades of service guiding and supporting local producers.
• Butter Strother of the Fauquier Livestock Exchange was praised for her role in facilitating livestock sales and equipment auctions—resources critical to farmers across the county.

Celebrating National Agriculture Week

The county’s recognition extends beyond the boardroom, as the Fauquier County Agriculture Development Department is celebrating National Agriculture Week from March 16-22. The department took to social media to highlight the importance of agriculture and encourage residents to show their support.

“Agriculture is more than just an industry in Fauquier County—it’s a way of life,” the department wrote. “From growing fresh, local food to preserving our beautiful farmland, our agricultural community plays a vital role in keeping our county thriving.”

Residents are encouraged to support farmers by shopping at local farms and markets, thanking agricultural workers, and sharing their farm-to-table experiences using #FauquierAgWeek.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s National Agriculture Day

Fauquier’s recognition of its agricultural roots is reflected on a larger scale, as the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation also marked National Agriculture Day on March 18. The organization shared statistics showcasing the industry’s significance, noting that agriculture remains Virginia’s top industry, generating 381,800 jobs across 38,995 farms.

Fauquier County itself plays a significant role in the state’s agricultural landscape, ranking fourth among Virginia counties in total farmland, with 261,666 acres, according to the 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture Census.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article highlights the importance of agriculture in Fauquier County and its impact on the local economy, history, and identity. It also emphasizes the role of farmers, agribusiness professionals, and agricultural traditions in the community. These issues are connected to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The article mentions the economic stability and sales generated by the agricultural community, which aligns with SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth. Additionally, SDG 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure is relevant as it emphasizes the importance of supporting agricultural practices and technologies. SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production is connected to the promotion of local farms and markets. Finally, SDG 15 on life on land is relevant as it focuses on the preservation of farmland and the sustainable management of ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to increasing agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers (SDG 2.3), promoting job creation and entrepreneurship (SDG 8.3), upgrading infrastructure and adopting sustainable technologies (SDG 9.4), achieving sustainable management of natural resources (SDG 12.2), and promoting sustainable forest management (SDG 15.2).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
• Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added.
• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
• Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress: volume of production per labor unit (Indicator 2.3.1), proportion of informal employment (Indicator 8.3.1), CO2 emission per unit of value added (Indicator 9.4.1), material footprint (Indicator 12.2.1), and progress towards sustainable forest management (Indicator 15.2.1).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fauquiernow.com

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox heralded a Trump administration decision to use some federal lands for residential developments as the biggest change Washington, D.C., could make to address the nation’s housing affordability crisis.

On Monday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who oversees the management of federal lands, and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, who oversees affordable housing programs, announced a new partnership to identify underutilized lands for “tailored housing programs with guidance from states and localities.”

“This is by far the most significant action the federal government can take to make housing less expensive,” Cox told the Deseret News in a statement. “This effort will help ensure more Utah families have a shot at the American dream.”

The new federal initiative, which closely mirrors the HOUSES Act introduced by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, aims to simplify the land transfer process and promote housing-friendly policies that take into account important environmental considerations, according to the announcement posted on X.

Some criticized the proposal, saying it would sacrifice public access to federal lands for private development. But it attracted praise from voices on both sides of the aisle who see the amount of federally controlled lands in the West as being in tension with housing supply.

How much of Utah is federal lands?

Nearly 65% of Utah is owned and managed by the federal government. No other state lacks as much control of its territory with the exception of Nevada. Many states in the Midwest and on the East Coast have less than 4% of their land controlled by federal agencies.

In January, Cox’s senior adviser on housing affordability, Steve Waldrip, called the idea of opening up federal lands for home construction “a great solution” to Utah’s housing crisis that has seen the median house price explode to at least five times the median household income in 60% of the state.

Population growth is currently outpacing construction by around 6,000 units a year in Utah, Waldrip said. If this trend continues, last year’s shortage of 37,000 homes could grow to 45,000 homes over the course of 2025.

Much of this shortage is caused by the high cost of construction supplies, infrastructure and land. According to Waldrip, 217,000 acres within Utah city boundaries, and 650,000 acres within a mile outside of city limits, is owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the National Forest Service.

“We’re not talking about building houses under Delicate Arch,” Cox said Thursday during his monthly televised news conference. “This is land within the boundaries of existing cities and towns throughout the country.”

Cox pointed to Clark County, Nevada, as an example of where this has been attempted with great success in maintaining affordable home prices after former Sen. Harry Reid sponsored a law affecting just the areas around Las Vegas.

In his earlier statement, Cox reiterated that removing federal obstacles to building on the thousands of acres of federal land along the Wasatch Front will help to increase housing supply and decrease costs for Utahns.

“By responsibly identifying underused federal properties and streamlining the regulatory process, this initiative will cut through the red tape that has slowed down housing development for far too long,” Cox said.

But if municipalities could build on this land they would still be faced with the problem of massive infrastructure needs, including new roads and plumbing, that would need innovative funding mechanisms with the state’s help, according to Waldrip.

Mike Lee’s HOUSES Act

Utah’s senior senator took Monday’s announcement as an opportunity to promote a novel piece of legislation he has pushed for the last three years.

Lee’s Helping Open Underutilized Space to Ensure Shelter — or HOUSES — Act, would allow municipalities to purchase federally managed land touching city limits for the purpose of developing affordable homes.

“The Houses Act would give hardworking Americans access to affordable, single-family housing by opening up unused federal land in or near municipalities for that purpose,” Lee said in a post resharing Burgum and Turner’s video.

Lee’s proposal has received repeated praise from Cox and state lawmakers but has not had much luck in congressional committees. But a source familiar with Capitol conversations said Lee is expected to work with the administration on advancing the use of federal lands for single-family housing along the lines of his HOUSES Act.

Utah’s Legislature passed a resolution in support of Lee’s bill during the 2024 legislative session. In August, the state announced a landmark lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether the federal government has constitutional authority to maintain unappropriated public lands in the state against the state’s wishes.

The Supreme Court refused to hear Utah’s case in January. But Cox and Utah Attorney General Derek Brown announced they will continue their efforts to control more of Utah’s public lands with a lawsuit in federal district court.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular, forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator: Percentage of population with access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.
• Indicator: Percentage of land owned and controlled by federal agencies within a state.
• Indicator: Median house price compared to median household income.
• Indicator: Number of affordable homes developed on federally managed land.
• Indicator: Percentage of federal lands opened up for residential development.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: deseret.com

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Mo – Schuyler County has officially received an Agri-Ready County Designation from Missouri Farmers Care.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

This designation highlights the county’s commitment to promoting agricultural development, boosting economic growth, and supporting educational initiatives that enhance agricultural literacy. According to a 2021 Missouri Department of Economic Contribution Study, Schuyler County’s agriculture industry generated just over $44 million in economic output.

Agri-Ready County Designation Program

The Agri-Ready County Designation program identifies and promotes counties across the state that create policies and initiatives supportive of agricultural growth and sustainability. The goal of the program is to strengthen agricultural businesses, promote counties as an ideal location for business growth, and improve workforce readiness for careers in agriculture.

Key Achievements

• Promoting agricultural development
• Boosting economic growth
• Supporting educational initiatives for agricultural literacy

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

1. Goal 1: No Poverty – The Agri-Ready County Designation program contributes to poverty reduction by promoting agricultural development and creating economic opportunities in Schuyler County.
2. Goal 2: Zero Hunger – By strengthening agricultural businesses, the program helps ensure food security and access to nutritious food in the county.
3. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The program’s focus on improving workforce readiness for careers in agriculture contributes to sustainable economic growth and job creation.
4. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The program promotes sustainable agricultural practices and supports the production of environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural products.
5. Goal 15: Life on Land – By supporting agricultural sustainability, the program helps protect and restore ecosystems, biodiversity, and soil health in Schuyler County.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular, women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources, and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors.
• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions the following indicators:

• Economic output of Schuyler County’s agriculture industry: This can be used to measure progress towards Target 1.4 and Target 8.2.
• Number of policies and initiatives supportive of agricultural growth and sustainability: This can be used to measure progress towards Target 2.3 and Target 12.2.
• Integration of climate change measures into county policies and initiatives: This can be used to measure progress towards Target 13.2.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: kmzu.com

West Virginia Lawmakers Prioritize Removing Work Permit Requirements for Young Workers

West Virginia lawmakers are focusing on addressing the state’s workforce challenges by prioritizing the passage of a bill this session to remove work permit requirements for 14 and 15-year-olds. The measure aims to replace the existing permit, which currently requires school approval, with a simple age certificate from the state Division of Labor and written parental consent.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. Goal 4: Quality Education

Benefits of Removing Work Permit Requirements

• Streamlined Process: The proposed change would simplify the process for young workers to obtain employment, eliminating the need for school approval and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
• Increased Opportunities: By removing work permit requirements, more job opportunities would be available to young workers, allowing them to gain valuable skills and experience at an early age.
• Promoting Economic Growth: Allowing young workers to enter the workforce without cumbersome permit requirements can contribute to the overall economic growth of the state.

Support for the Bill

Sen. Rollan Roberts (center), R-Raleigh, is a strong advocate for removing work permit requirements. He believes that this change aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by creating a more inclusive and accessible job market for young individuals.

Sen. Roberts emphasizes the importance of providing quality education and practical work experience to young people, as it sets the foundation for their future success. By removing work permit requirements, the bill aims to support Goal 4: Quality Education, by allowing young workers to gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills.

Conclusion

The proposed bill to remove work permit requirements for 14 and 15-year-olds in West Virginia aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 4: Quality Education. By simplifying the process and increasing job opportunities for young workers, the state can promote economic growth and provide valuable experiences for its future workforce.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article discusses a bill in West Virginia that aims to remove work permit requirements for 14 and 15-year-olds. This issue is related to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.

The article highlights the proposed bill’s intention to simplify the work permit process for young workers. By removing the existing permit requirement and replacing it with a simple age certificate and parental consent, the bill aims to reduce barriers to employment for 14 and 15-year-olds. This aligns with Target 8.7, which aims to eliminate the worst forms of child labor and ensure the prohibition and eradication of forced labor and human trafficking.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators, but it implies the need to track the number of 14 and 15-year-olds who are able to enter the workforce without the need for a work permit. This data would be relevant to Indicator 8.7.1, which measures the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: wvgazettemail.com

George Melton ‘76 has lived quite the life working overseas, using his education in forestry and soil science to help promote agricultural development in war-torn communities throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Caucasus.

Agribusiness Advisor for Agricultural Support to Azerbaijan Project

Recently, for example, Melton served as an agribusiness advisor for the Agricultural Support to Azerbaijan Project. The $8.5 million project, which operated from 2014 to 2018, aimed to increase the incomes of the country’s agribusinesses and agricultural producers.

International Experience and Counter Insurgency Programs

Melton’s international experience extends beyond agricultural development. During his time overseas, he also served with various American and international military groups in Afghanistan and other countries to help implement counterinsurgency programs.

Involvement in College and Forestry Club

As a student in the College of Natural Resources, Melton, who always loved the outdoors, was heavily involved in extracurricular activities. He not only served as president of the Forestry Club and vice president of the Forestry Council, but he was also a member of the NC State chapter of Xi Sigma Pi, the national honor society for forestry and related sciences.

Impact of Forestry Education

One of his favorite memories while at NC State was his time spent in the Forestry Club. “The Forestry Club at that time was the second richest student organization on campus next to the student government,” Melton said.

“Choosing to major in forestry at NC State was one of the best decisions that I have made.”

The college, which was then called the NC State School of Forestry, taught him a lot that would prove very useful during his decades-long career. He said that professors really instilled in him the values of working hard, not giving up, and developing good relationships with others.

“Choosing to major in forestry at NC State was one of the best decisions that I have made,” Melton said. “We must never stop learning and we must always exceed the expectations of those that we serve. My professors first taught me that and the workplace reinforced it.”

He added, “I came out of forestry school knowing that I should do extracurricular things, whether it was speaking at meetings or joining the Rotary Club or just doing whatever I could out in the communities so that I could really get to know people and develop good strong professional relationships. I learned all of that from my forestry professors.”

Seeking a New Path

Melton worked in various positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service from 1976 to 1985. During this time, he also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas in 1983.

In 1985, with encouragement from a friend working in international agriculture at the time, Melton decided to try his hand in the industry. He spent five years with Rhone-Poulence Agrichemical Company as a sales representative before joining Abbott Laboratories where he sold and managed the sales of biological pesticides and plant growth regulators.

During his employment with Abbott Laboratories, Melton volunteered to travel to Iraq to serve as an agricultural advisor in the country’s war zones. While in Iraq from 2008 to 2010, Melton worked to improve relationships with villages in Babylon and Mosul.

Embracing the Mission

After three years in Iraq, Melton traveled to northern Afghanistan as an agricultural advisor with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service to provide technical assistance to farmers. He also managed the Sheep to Shop project.

The Sheep to Shop project was launched by the U.S. Department of Commerce to help local Afghan communities increase their exports of rugs and carpets. Melton helped build a processing facility for wool and a nursery to assist women employed at the facility.

“We were at the opening of the nursery and I’ll never forget this woman lifted her chador, stared me straight in the eye and said through my interpreter, ‘Thank you for putting the nursery in. Now, I don’t have to give my children opium to put them to sleep so I can work.’ That’s what they have to do to survive. If you can help women in these countries, you help a whole family,” Melton said.

In Afghanistan, agriculture is the main livelihood for approximately 75% of the population. The growth of the agriculture sector is crucial for food security and is a major contributor to the country’s economic well-being.

During his time in Afghanistan, Melton learned that a lot of women in the country don’t get nearly enough protein. “Their bones are really brittle and they don’t get enough calcium either, honestly, because they don’t get the milk. So, they’ve got a pretty rough life.”

One of Melton’s most memorable experiences overseas involved his work with Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, a nonprofit organization. He helped install cold storage units and drip irrigation systems to assist with pomegranate orchards in Azerbaijan.

Melton, in partnership with researchers from Texas A&M University, also assisted in increasing the country’s cotton yields, conducting value chain analysis to assess which aspect of the production required additional funding.

Now retired from his work as an agricultural advisor, Melton lives in Austin, Texas, and manages Lone Oak Ranch and Retreat with his wife, Lenoir. He is currently working on a book about his time spent overseas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading history books and fishing.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
   • Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
   • Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources, in accordance with national laws.
   • Indicator 5.a.1: (a) Proportion of total agricultural population with ownership or secure rights over agricultural land, by sex; and (b) share of women among owners or rights-bearers of agricultural land, by type of tenure.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.

5. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cnr.ncsu.edu

Alaa Farouk, Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, met with Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, to discuss expanding cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and UN agencies involved in the agricultural sector. The meeting, which was also attended by Saad Moussa, Supervisor of External Agricultural Relations, focused on exploring ways to enhance joint efforts in agricultural development.

Collaboration with UN agencies in agricultural development

Minister Farouk highlighted the successful and productive collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and various UN-affiliated organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). These partnerships have played a vital role in supporting agricultural and rural development across Egypt and advancing food system sustainability.

Positive impact on small-scale farmers, rural women, and youth

The minister commended the outcomes of joint projects in Egyptian villages and agricultural sectors, emphasizing their positive impact on small-scale farmers, rural women, and youth. He expressed a strong desire to expand these collaborations further, particularly in fostering inclusive agricultural growth and promoting rural empowerment.

Involvement of private sector and efforts for sustainable development

Farouk also underscored the importance of involving both the private sector in Egypt and across Africa to boost trade, investment, and food security on the continent. He outlined the Egyptian government’s efforts to improve the investment climate, including in agriculture, to support sustainable development.

UN’s cooperation framework and commitment to sustainable agricultural development

In response, the UN Resident Coordinator detailed the UN’s cooperation framework with Egypt, which spans five key areas: climate and resource sustainability, education, health, migration, and more. This framework guides UN agencies’ actions in Egypt from 2023 to 2027. Panova expressed her commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote sustainable agricultural development and food security in Egypt.

Ministerial-level discussions with African nations and sharing of expertise

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to plan ministerial-level discussions with African nations under the leadership of Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture. These meetings will involve relevant UN agencies and private sector representatives from selected African countries. The aim is to establish new mechanisms for cooperation and encourage private sector investment, in line with Egypt’s broader efforts to foster stronger ties with African nations. Additionally, Egypt reiterated its readiness to share agricultural research expertise with African countries, with the support of UN agencies active in these regions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dailynewsegypt.com

Introduction

The development of alternative energy sources in Kazakhstan is a crucial step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Market incentives, rather than substantial government investments, play a significant role in promoting the growth of renewable energy in the country. This report highlights the various opportunities and challenges associated with alternative energy development in Kazakhstan.

Opportunities for Alternative Energy

Kazakhstan is at the initial stages of developing alternative energy sources. However, the country is taking proactive measures by drafting a law on alternative energy, with support from the Ministry of Energy and Kazenergy Association. There are several opportunities for utilizing low-potential heat, including waste heat and wastewater, through heat pumps. Additionally, landfill and metallurgical gases can be used for electricity and heat production. For instance, a facility in Pavlodar already utilizes gas from petroleum coke production for power generation. Nuclear energy also offers long-term economic benefits, and the use of low-potential heat could provide cost-effective heating solutions for distant consumers.

Investment Approaches

Investment approaches vary depending on the sector. Hydrogen energy requires venture capital to lower production costs, while nuclear power demands large-scale, long-term investment. Waste heat recovery and industrial gas utilization can be supported by an energy service company (ESCO) market, where private investors fund projects in exchange for cost savings.

Regulatory Changes

Regulatory changes are crucial for unlocking the full potential of alternative energy development in Kazakhstan. Currently, energy producers lack economic incentives to improve fuel efficiency, as costs are passed on to consumers. To address this, the government could set efficiency targets for energy producers and require them to hold regular tenders among ESCO firms to utilize waste heat, thereby directly reducing energy consumption.

The Future of Alternative Energy in Kazakhstan

It is predicted that Kazakhstan will expand its use of nuclear, hydrogen, and waste-based energy solutions. By 2045, low-potential heat could account for 20 percent of the heating market, while industrial waste gases could be fully integrated into energy production.

Conclusion

The development of alternative energy sources in Kazakhstan is crucial for achieving the SDGs. Market incentives, regulatory changes, and strategic investments are key factors in promoting the growth of renewable energy. By leveraging the country’s opportunities and addressing the challenges, Kazakhstan can make significant progress towards a sustainable and greener future.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of the population with access to electricity.
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

1. SDGs Addressed:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. Specific Targets:

• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Indicators:

• Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of the population with access to electricity.
• Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
• Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added.
• Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

The article mentions the development of alternative energy sources, such as low-potential heat, waste heat, wastewater, landfill and metallurgical gases, nuclear energy, and hydrogen energy. These align with the targets under SDG 7 and SDG 9, which aim to increase the share of renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and upgrade infrastructure. The indicators mentioned in the article, such as the proportion of the population with access to electricity, renewable energy share, CO2 emissions per unit of value added, and the integration of climate change measures into national policies, reflect the progress towards the identified targets.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: astanatimes.com

The development follows Israel’s decision on Sunday to cut power to the Strip – in a bid to increase pressure on Hamas over hostage releases – disrupting vital desalination operations.

Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF official in Gaza, reported that 600,000 people who had regained access to drinking water in November 2024 are once again cut off. “It’s really vital for thousands of families and children to restore this connection,” she said.

UN agencies estimate that 1.8 million people – over half of them children – urgently need water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.

West Bank Displacement

Mr. Lazzarini highlighted the escalating crisis in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli security operations have led to the largest displacement of Palestinians since 1967.

Around 40,000 people, many of them refugees, have been forced to flee their homes, with entire communities emptied due to intensified military activities.

The Commissioner-General condemned what he called the systematic dismantling of UNRWA’s operations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem following Israel’s ban on agency operations, pointing to the “increased pressure from the municipality to vacate its premises and halt service provision,” with international staff denied entry or expelled.

Mr. Lazzarini warned that efforts to undermine UNRWA – through funding suspensions, legislative restrictions and disinformation campaigns – pose a severe threat to regional stability.

Calls for Unhindered Access

Humanitarian Coordinator Muhannad Hadi called for the entry of lifesaving aid to resume “immediately,” as any further delays will affect the progress achieved during the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lazzarini further emphasized the importance of a political framework to prevent the crisis from escalating.

He referenced ongoing diplomatic efforts, including proposals led by Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the League of Arab States, to implement a two-State solution and transition humanitarian services to Palestinian-led institutions.

“When there is political will, humanitarian assistance can be unhindered and uninterrupted,” he underscored.

Funding Crisis

As the crisis unfolds, UNRWA is also grappling with severe financial constraints, exacerbated by funding suspensions from key donors.

Mr. Lazzarini urged Member States to sustain UNRWA’s operations until a clear political solution emerges, warning that cutting support prematurely will only intensify calls for Palestinians’ return or resettlement.

“The rights of Palestinian refugees exist independently of the agency,” he said, underscoring that ending UNRWA’s mandate without a viable alternative will only deepen civilian suffering. 

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.un.org

President Trump’s pick to lead the United States Department of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, will soon oversee the federal government’s response to labor rights issues across the US. One of her key priorities should be taking action to end hazardous child labor.

Increasing Incidents of Hazardous Child Labor

• Investigative reports have revealed instances of children working harrowing overnight shifts in slaughterhouses and using wildly dangerous machinery in auto body plants.
• In October 2024, the Department of Labor reported an 88 percent increase in child labor violations since 2019.

Hazardous Child Labor on US Farms

• Research conducted by my colleagues and I has highlighted hazardous child labor on US farms, where children work exhausting 12-hour shifts in the heat and are exposed to toxic pesticides and other dangers.
• While hiring children for hazardous work in meatpacking plants and factories is illegal, most of the dangerous child labor observed on farms remains unregulated.

Weak Labor Laws and Enforcement

• Under US labor law, children of any age can work on small farms. At 12, children can work on any-sized farms with parental permission as long as they do not miss school. At 16, children can engage in hazardous work on farms, while in other sectors, the minimum age for hazardous work is 18.
• The Biden administration has increased child labor enforcement, but the Trump administration’s cuts to federal personnel and budgets may hinder these efforts. Additionally, enforcement alone is insufficient when the laws themselves are inadequate to protect children from danger.

Marginalization of Children Involved in Hazardous Child Labor

• The Trump administration’s immigration policies further marginalize children engaged in hazardous child labor, as many of them are the children of immigrants. Unaccompanied migrant youth are also at risk.
• Immigration raids create a climate of fear that enables workplace exploitation and discourages the reporting of abuse, especially for children.

The Role of Congress

• Sens. Cory Booker and Josh Hawley have reintroduced bipartisan legislation aiming to hold companies with federal contracts accountable for child labor in their operations. Congress should pass this bill and strengthen legal protections for children involved in child labor.

Children’s health, lives, and futures are at stake.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The issue of hazardous child labor is directly connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Ending hazardous child labor is an important aspect of achieving decent work and economic growth.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article mentions that most child farmworkers interviewed were the children of immigrants. This highlights the connection to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries. The issue of child labor in this context is linked to the inequalities faced by immigrant communities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article mentions the need to end abuse, exploitation, and violence against children involved in hazardous child labor. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.

The article highlights the need to take action to end hazardous child labor. This aligns with Target 8.7, which specifically addresses the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. The target also aims to end child labor in all its forms by 2025.

Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.

The article mentions the marginalization of children involved in hazardous child labor, particularly those who are children of immigrants. This connects to Target 10.7, which aims to facilitate safe and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through well-managed migration policies.

Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

The article emphasizes the need to end abuse, exploitation, and violence against children involved in hazardous child labor. This aligns with Target 16.2, which specifically addresses the goal of ending all forms of violence against children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, the indicators provided below are relevant to the issues discussed and can be used to measure progress:

Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (in accordance with the International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor).

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 8.7, as it focuses on the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor. It provides a quantitative measure of the extent of child labor and can help track progress in reducing and eliminating it.

Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in the country of destination.

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 10.7, as it focuses on the recruitment cost borne by employees. It provides a measure of the financial burden faced by migrants and can help assess the effectiveness of migration policies in ensuring safe and responsible migration.

Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.2, as it focuses on the proportion of young women and men who have experienced sexual violence. While not directly mentioned in the article, it is relevant to the broader issue of ending abuse and exploitation of children involved in hazardous labor.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hrw.org

If water levels continue to drop in the primary source of water in north Cape Coral, new well permits could be limited or put in hiatus and homeowners could face a total ban on irrigation.

Joint Action Plan for Water Conservation

The Cape Coral City Council approved additional measures on Wednesday night to address the declining levels of the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer. This joint action plan involves the South Florida Water Management District, Lee County, and the city of Cape Coral.

Protecting the Aquifer and Ensuring Drinking Water Supply

The primary goal of the action plan is to protect the aquifer, which serves as the source of water for properties not connected to city utilities. The plan aims to prevent permanent damage to the aquifer and ensure a sustainable drinking water supply for domestic users. It is important to note that city-provided potable water comes from a deeper aquifer that is not affected by the declining levels.

Actions Taken to Date

• Limiting irrigation to one day a week in the northeast quadrant of Cape Coral
• Accelerating the North 6 Utility Expansion Project expansion by 2030
• Completing North 1 west by the end of this year
• Completing North 1 east by 2027
• Drilling new and replacement wells into the lower portion of the aquifer (approximately 250 feet in production zone two)

Most of the existing wells are located in the production zone one of the aquifer.

Future Actions

If the aquifer declines less than 10 feet (93 feet for two consecutive weeks), the following actions will be implemented:

• Limiting construction of new wells to potable use only
• Restricting new potable wells and replacement wells within the shortage area to a depth of 250 feet
• Implementing zero irrigation days

According to Utilities Director Jeff Pearson, the current water level is approximately 91 feet below land surface, which is just 2 feet away from triggering the future actions.

If the water level declines another 10 feet for two consecutive weeks, the following measures will be taken:

• Ceasing new permits for wells
• Implementing zero irrigation days for all private well users

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed in the Article:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Specific Targets Identified:

1. SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
2. SDG 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied:

• Water level in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer
• Limiting irrigation to one day a week
• Accelerating the North 6 Utility Expansion Project
• Drilling new and replacement wells into the lower portion of the aquifer
• Decline of the aquifer by 10 feet for two consecutive weeks
• Limiting construction of new wells to potable use
• Implementation of zero irrigation days

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article addresses or connects to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
2. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the water level in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, limiting irrigation to one day a week, drilling new and replacement wells into the lower portion of the aquifer, the decline of the aquifer by 10 feet for two consecutive weeks, limiting construction of new wells to potable use, and the implementation of zero irrigation days.

These indicators provide measurable data and actions that can be monitored to assess progress towards increasing water-use efficiency, ensuring sustainable water withdrawals, addressing water scarcity, reducing the impact of water-related disasters, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Source: capecoralbreeze.com

Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals established by the United Nations to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by the world. These goals aim to promote sustainable development and improve the lives of people everywhere.

Importance of SDGs

The SDGs are crucial for achieving a more sustainable and equitable future. They provide a framework for countries and organizations to work together towards common objectives. By focusing on these goals, we can address issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation.

SDGs and Our Contest

Our contest aligns with the SDGs by promoting sustainable development and raising awareness about the importance of these goals. By participating in the contest, you not only have a chance to win exciting prizes but also contribute to the global efforts towards achieving the SDGs.

Conclusion

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a powerful tool for creating positive change in the world. Through our contest, we aim to engage individuals and organizations in supporting these goals and working towards a more sustainable future for all.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Targets, and Indicators in the Article

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. 

Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated, by cities.

Goal SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement. 

Source: elkhornmediagroup.com

Introduction

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the issue of sending notifications and verifying email addresses. While it does not explicitly mention the SDGs, the topics of peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16) and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17) can be connected to the issues highlighted in the article. Ensuring the proper functioning of email notifications and verification processes requires strong institutions and effective partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development

Based on the content of the article, the specific targets that can be identified are target 16.6, which focuses on developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels, and target 17.16, which aims to enhance the global partnership for sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: goldcountrymedia.com

Building resilient food systems

As global food systems face unprecedented challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and market disruptions, the facility’s work in promoting sustainable agricultural practices has become increasingly relevant.

By facilitating the transfer of climate-resilient farming techniques and inclusive business models, the China-IFAD partnership contributes to building more sustainable and equitable food systems across the Global South.

The renewed funding represents not only a financial commitment but also a recognition of the effectiveness of South-South cooperation as a mechanism for sustainable development. 

As the world grapples with interconnected challenges of poverty, hunger, and climate change, such partnerships demonstrate how knowledge-sharing between nations can accelerate progress towards a more sustainable future.

IFAD’s partnership with China is a cornerstone of our work in Asia and indeed around the world,” said Lario. 

“We look forward to continuing our support for China’s agenda of rural revitalization and working globally to share our knowledge, resources, and expertise on rural poverty alleviation and empower small-scale farmers through the China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation facility.”

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Building resilient food systems

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the challenges faced by global food systems due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and market disruptions. These issues are directly connected to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the article mentions the transfer of climate-resilient farming techniques, which aligns with SDG 13 on climate action. The promotion of sustainable agricultural practices also relates to SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Lastly, the article highlights the partnership between China and IFAD as a mechanism for sustainable development, which is in line with SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
• SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries.

Based on the article’s content, the targets identified under the relevant SDGs are as follows:
– SDG 2.4: The article mentions the transfer of climate-resilient farming techniques, which aligns with the target of implementing resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production while maintaining ecosystems and strengthening capacity for adaptation to climate change.
– SDG 13.1: The article highlights the challenges faced by global food systems due to climate change, indicating the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
– SDG 15.2: The article emphasizes the importance of promoting sustainable agricultural practices and protecting terrestrial ecosystems, aligning with the target of implementing sustainable management of forests and halting deforestation.
– SDG 17.16: The article discusses the partnership between China and IFAD as a mechanism for sustainable development, demonstrating the need to enhance global partnerships and mobilize resources to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, the article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. To measure progress towards the targets, indicators such as the adoption rate of climate-resilient farming techniques, the increase in agricultural productivity, the extent of forest restoration and afforestation, and the level of international cooperation and knowledge-sharing can be used.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sustainabilitymag.com

Introduction

China has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing and strengthening the agricultural sector with the release of its “No 1 Central Document” for 2025. The document outlines a series of enhanced measures aimed at advancing all-around rural revitalization.

Boosting Agricultural Efficiency

China aims to significantly boost agricultural efficiency, invigorate rural areas, and raise farmers’ incomes. This will be achieved through targeted measures that address key priorities and pressing challenges.

Enhancing Food Supply Capacity

China recognizes the importance of ensuring food security and will focus on improving the supply capacity of grain and other essential agricultural products. This includes increasing per-unit yields of grain and promoting high-yield and efficient production models. The country will also leverage cutting-edge technologies to improve the efficiency and diversity of its food supply.

Protecting Arable Land

China acknowledges that arable land is the foundation of ensuring food security. With less than 10 percent of the planet’s arable land, China feeds one-fifth of the world’s population. To consolidate this foundation, China will strengthen its protection efforts for arable land and improve its quality through measures such as maintaining the quantity of land and regulating land use.

Support for Low-Income Groups and Underdeveloped Regions

China will refine its support policies for low-income residents and underdeveloped areas. It aims to prevent a large-scale lapse or relapse into poverty by persistently upholding the bottom line. The country will strengthen support for low-income rural populations through enhanced social assistance and stimulating the internal driving force within this population group. Additionally, targeted policy support will be provided to underdeveloped rural regions, enabling them to catch up in the modernization process.

Encouraging Entrepreneurship in Rural Regions

The key to rural revitalization lies in developing the talent pool needed to address prominent issues in China’s modernization process. China has seen an increase in college graduates and white-collar talent returning to or relocating to rural areas to start businesses. The country plans to improve the mechanisms for cultivating and developing rural talent, combining local training and external recruitment. This includes strengthening technical and skill training for farmers, cultivating rural artisans, creating a favorable entrepreneurship environment, and improving services at grassroots levels.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular, the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
• Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day.
• Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location (urban/rural).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
• Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.

Analysis

1. The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

2. Specific targets under those SDGs identified based on the article’s content are:
– Target 2.1: Ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
– Target 1.1: Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
– Target 8.3: Promoting decent job creation, entrepreneurship, and the growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.
– Target 11.3: Enhancing inclusive and sustainable urbanization and human settlement planning.
– Target 12.3: Halving per capita global food waste and reducing food losses.

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are:
– Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
– Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity.
– Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line.
– Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment.
– Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate.
– Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.

4. Table presenting the findings:

Source: chinadaily.com.cn

Submitted by 3M

Originally published on 3M News Center

As countries prioritize energy security and enhance industrial competitiveness in an increasingly complex global landscape, investment in resilient, sustainable energy solutions has come into sharp focus. A recent 3M survey conducted by Morning Consult* across 10 countries revealed that 69% of respondents anticipate job growth in the energy sector over the next decade, and 75% believe their governments should invest more in creating jobs in the clean energy sector.

“Building a more secure energy future will require the accelerated adoption of existing approaches as well as the development of new science-based technologies,” says Wendy Bauer, group president, 3M Transportation and Electronics Group. “By focusing on areas where we can make the greatest impact, 3M can scale solutions to help strengthen our energy infrastructure. Our history of innovation in the energy sector underscores our commitment to meeting long-term energy needs across the value chain.”

Energy generation solutions

• Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, is pivotal in the transition to clean energy systems. 79% of the global survey respondents support government policies promoting green hydrogen as an alternative energy source. 3M has developed advanced catalyst technologies that help enhance the efficiency of electrolyzers, the components that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. These innovations not only help improve performance but can also help our customers overcome their barriers to scaling up their production. This solution can facilitate broader adoption of green hydrogen and help contribute to significant reductions in carbon emissions.
• Nuclear energy remains an important alternative for reliable and low-carbon power generation, with 62% of the global survey respondents recognizing its potential. 3M offers a range of products that can help our customers enhance their safety and efficiency in nuclear power plants. For instance, 3M’s radiation-shielding materials are used by customers to help protect against radiation, and 3M’s stable isotopes can help our customers speed up the handling of fuels. These solutions can help support the safer and more efficient operation of customers’ nuclear facilities, contributing to a balanced energy mix.
• While the global energy landscape shifts towards more renewable sources, oil and gas continue to play a significant role. 3M’s innovative solutions aim to help improve efficiency in this sector. For example, 3M Glass Bubbles help enhance drilling efficiency and potentially reduce energy consumption. Additionally, these 3M Glass Bubbles are used in pipeline insulation to help our customers maintain optimal temperatures, thereby helping them improve their energy efficiency in oil and gas transportation.
• As industries work to reduce their emissions, 3M also offers technologies tailored for carbon capture. 3M Structured Sorbent Sheets for Direct Air Capture are engineered specifically to capture CO₂ from atmospheric air, at which point the captured CO₂ can then either be sequestered permanently underground or used to produce green concrete or other advanced materials.

Energy transmission solutions

The global energy transition requires not only cleaner energy generation but also efficient and resilient transmission systems to move electricity from generation sites to areas of demand. As power grids integrate more renewable energy sources, the need for advanced transmission technologies intensifies.

3M’s Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR) is a high-temperature, low-sag (HTLS) overhead transmission conductor that helps utility customers enhance grid capacity and reliability. 3M ACCR provides significant advantages in upgrades of thermally limited lines without requiring new towers or right of way; across long spans or difficult terrain; in extreme climate conditions and weather challenges; and in sensitive areas where preserving ecosystems or urban landscapes is particularly important.

By integrating 3M ACCR, utilities and grid operators can strengthen their transmission networks to accommodate growing energy demands while also helping reduce the need for costly and disruptive infrastructure upgrades.

Energy distribution solutions

A resilient and intelligent electrical grid is essential to meet the increasing energy demands of modern economies. As grids integrate more renewable energy sources and decentralized power generation, utilities require advanced monitoring and diagnostic solutions to help ensure reliability and efficiency.

3M’s Sensored Cable Accessories provide real-time data on electrical grid performance, helping utilities detect faults, optimize energy distribution, and reduce their downtime. By integrating sensors into cable accessories, these smart grid solutions can help utilities enhance predictive maintenance, minimize outages, and improve overall grid resilience. This technology can play a crucial role in modernizing energy infrastructure, helping ensure a seamless transition to more dynamic and sustainable electricity networks.

Energy consumption and efficiency solutions

As the demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital storage grows, data centers are consuming increasing amounts of electricity. Efficient energy management is essential to helping our customers meet their sustainability goals while also maintaining reliable performance. 3M Air Containment Barrier Film uses 80% less material than polycarbonate sheets typically used and can be installed in framed panels or directly to server racks. Easy to install and assemble, the film improves heat management for longer server life and lower carbon impact, promoting greater sustainability. By helping to optimize thermal management, 3M solutions support the development of more energy-efficient data centers.

Improving energy efficiency in buildings is crucial for reducing overall energy consumption. Aligned with the 77% of the global survey respondents who support solutions that enhance building energy efficiency, 3M offers innovative products such as window films and natural pozzolans. 3M Window Films are engineered to help improve efficiency by reflecting solar heat, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning and lowering energy costs. Additionally, 3M Natural Pozzolans contribute to the performance of concrete, reducing the need for cement in the mixture and the associated carbon footprint.

3M’s wide-ranging solutions to help support the energy economy encompass energy generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. 3M’s global team is dedicated to driving innovation for customers and positioning 3M as a key collaborator in the transition to energy security.

*The 3M 2025 State of Science Insights survey was conducted between Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, 2024, among a national sample of 10,959 Adults in each of 10 countries (U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, France, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan, and South Korea). The interviews were conducted online and the data was weighted to approximate a target sample of adults for each market. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point for global results, and 3 percentage points for each individual country.

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to global challenges at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • SDG 13: Climate Action

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content

   • SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
   • SDG 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
   • SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
   • SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
   • SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

   • Percentage of respondents supporting government policies promoting green hydrogen
   • Percentage of respondents recognizing the potential of nuclear energy
   • Usage of 3M Glass Bubbles in pipeline insulation
   • Usage of 3M Structured Sorbent Sheets for Direct Air Capture
   • Usage of 3M ACCR in upgrading transmission lines
   • Usage of 3M Sensored Cable Accessories for real-time data on electrical grid performance
   • Usage of 3M Air Containment Barrier Film in data centers
   • Percentage of respondents supporting solutions that enhance building energy efficiency

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: csrwire.com

Introduction

Agriculture has no single, simple origin. A wide variety of plants and animals have been independently domesticated at different times and in numerous places. The first agriculture appears to have developed at the closing of the last Pleistocene glacial period, or Ice Age (about 11,700 years ago). At that time temperatures warmed, glaciers melted, sea levels rose, and ecosystems throughout the world reorganized. The changes were more dramatic in temperate regions than in the tropics.

The Role of Climate Change

Although global climate change played a role in the development of agriculture, it does not account for the complex and diverse cultural responses that ensued, the specific timing of the appearance of agricultural communities in different regions, or the specific regional impact of climate change on local environments. By studying populations that did not develop intensive agriculture or certain cultigens, such as wheat and rice, archaeologists narrow the search for causes. For instance, Australian Aborigines and many of the Native American peoples of western North America developed complex methods to manage diverse sets of plants and animals, often including (but not limited to) cultivation. These practices may be representative of activities common in some parts of the world before 15,000 years ago.

The Continuum of Subsistence Practices

Plant and animal management was and is a familiar concept within hunting and gathering cultures, but it took on new dimensions as natural selection and mutation produced phenotypes that were increasingly reliant upon people. Because some resource management practices, such as intensively tending nondomesticated nut-bearing trees, bridge the boundary between foraging and farming, archaeologists investigating agricultural origins generally frame their work in terms of a continuum of subsistence practices.

The Role of Domestication

Notably, agriculture does not appear to have developed in particularly impoverished settings; domestication does not seem to have been a response to food scarcity or deprivation. In fact, quite the opposite appears to be the case. It was once thought that human population pressure was a significant factor in the process, but research indicated by the late 20th century that populations rose significantly only after people had established food production. Instead, it is thought that—at least initially—the new animals and plants that were developed through domestication may have helped to maintain ways of life that emphasized hunting and gathering by providing insurance in lean seasons. When considered in terms of food management, dogs may have been initially domesticated as hunting companions, while meat and milk could be obtained more reliably from herds of sheep, goats, reindeer, or cattle than from their wild counterparts or other game animals. Domestication made resource planning a more predictable exercise in regions that combined extreme seasonal variation and rich natural resource abundance.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 2.4: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries that have communicated the integration of climate change into their national policies, strategies, and planning.
• Indicator for SDG 15.1: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: britannica.com

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WBKO) – During its monthly board meeting, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $292,722 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the state.

County and State Funded Projects

• Kentucky Halal Meats, LLC was approved up to $1,350 in state funds for consultation fees as part of the Food Safety and Efficiency Incentives Program.
• Metcalfe County 4-H Council, Incorporated was approved up to $2,063 in Metcalfe County funds to purchase 40 hams for the Metcalfe Co. 4-H members.

STATE PROGRAMS

On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Program

The On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Program provides incentives for Kentucky farm families to increase the energy efficiency of existing equipment or facilities on the farm, per the release.

Six On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Programs, totaling $53,591, were approved in the following counties:

• Breckenridge: $10,300
• Carlisle: $10,300
• Graves: $5,181
• Ohio: $7,210
• Rockcastle: $10,300
• Union: $10,300

COUNTY PROGRAMS

County Agricultural Incentive Program (CAIP)

CAIP provides Kentucky agricultural producers with cost-share assistance on practices to allow them to improve and diversify their current farm operations. CAIP covers a wide variety of agricultural enterprises in its 11 investment areas, including, but not limited to:

• beef and dairy cattle
• farm infrastructure
• fencing
• water enhancement
• equine
• forage
• goats and sheep
• horticulture
• poultry
• swine
• bees and honey
• timber and technology
• energy efficiency and production
• marketing
• value-added production.

Two CAIPs, totaling $176,718, were approved by the board in the following counties:

• Floyd: $76,718
• Jessamine: $100,000

Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR)

The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers.

One DAR, totaling $12,500, was approved by the board in Hardin County.

Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)

YAIP encourages youth to engage in and explore agricultural opportunities.

One YAIP, totaling $30,000, was approved by the board in Casey County.

Shared-Use Equipment Program

The Shared-Use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis.

One Shared-Use Equipment Program, totaling $16,500, was approved by the board in Mercer County.

All application periods and deadlines for CAIP and YAIP will be advertised locally.

*Existing programs receiving additional funding.

Copyright 2025 WBKO. All rights reserved.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.
• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
• SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of agricultural diversification and rural development projects funded
• Amount of funds allocated to consultation fees and purchase of hams
• Number of approved On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Programs
• Total funding approved for On-Farm Energy Efficiency Incentives Programs
• Number of approved County Agricultural Incentive Programs (CAIPs)
• Total funding approved for County Agricultural Incentive Programs (CAIPs)
• Number of approved projects under Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR) Program
• Total funding approved for Deceased Farm Animal Removal (DAR) Program
• Number of approved projects under Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)
• Total funding approved for Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (YAIP)
• Number of approved projects under Shared-Use Equipment Program
• Total funding approved for Shared-Use Equipment Program

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wbko.com

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, questioned former Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Labor (DOL), at a HELP committee hearing on her nomination. Murray pressed Chavez-DeRemer on the Trump administration’s unprecedented and unlawful efforts to hold up federal funding Congress passed into law, and whether it’s appropriate for Elon Musk—whose companies have repeatedly been accused of violating labor laws—to have access to sensitive, market-moving data at the Department of Labor. Murray also asked Chavez-DeRemer about how she would make sure the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and the Solicitor’s office would enforce our nation’s child labor law, as the number of minors employed in violation of child labor laws has increased dramatically since 2019—something Senator Murray has introduced legislation to combat.

Murray’s Questioning on Funding Freezes

1. Murray began by pressing Chavez-DeRemer on Trump’s ongoing illegal funding freezes—and whether she will follow the law and ensure that funding passed by Congress and signed into law isn’t illegally held up by the Trump administration.
2. Chavez DeRemer replied that, “The President of the United States has the power to determine what he’s going to do through his executive power. I have not been confirmed. I have not been read into all that.”
3. Murray asked, “Ok I’m asking you: will you follow the law? There is an Impoundment Control Act—will you follow that law?”
4. Chavez DeRemer replied, “I will follow the law and the Constitution.”
5. Murray pressed, “If you receive a directive to violate appropriations laws and withhold funding for workers, what will you do?”
6. Chavez DeRemer said, “I do not believe the President is going to ask me to break the law.”
7. Murray followed up, “But we have seen that across the board since he was put into office—where he is violating that law—so you will likely be asked. What will you do?”
8. Chavez DeRemer replied, “Well it’s a hypothetical, I have not talked to the President on this issue.”
9. Murray pressed again, “So you won’t commit to following the law if the President tells you to violate it?”
10. Chavez DeRemer said, “I will commit to following the law and I do not believe the President would ever ask me to break the law.”

Murray’s Questioning on Elon Musk’s Access to Sensitive Information

• Murray continued her questioning by asking about Elon Musk’s DOGE team accessing sensitive information at the Department of Labor—and the serious conflict of interest concerns it raised.
• Murray stated, “Last week, Elon Musk’s DOGE team came to the Department of Labor and got access to the Department’s sensitive information system. Musk’s companies have, as you must know, been repeatedly accused of violating labor laws—including workplace safety laws, discrimination laws, and wage and hour laws. In fact, OSHA has investigated Tesla and SpaceX. Now, Elon can access those investigations about HIS companies–because he’s gone in and gotten those records. He can also access sensitive, market moving data created by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That gives him tremendous power to manipulate quarterly jobs numbers and other important economic data—to say nothing of raising potential insider trading concerns.”
• Murray asked, “Just to make this abundantly clear: Elon Musk is now in a position to use his unelected role to use confidential government data to advance his own corporate interests, while suppressing his competitors. Do you believe it is appropriate for someone with such blatant conflicts of interest to have access to those confidential economic and personal information?”
• Chavez DeRemer responded, “Thank you Senator Murray. If I have the honor of being confirmed by this committee and the full Senate, then I will have the opportunity—I have not stepped foot into the Department of Labor. And I understand…”
• Murray continued, “Well, my question to you is will you protect the private information of people whose records you will be overseeing? Will you allow anyone—a billionaire, or anyone else—to come in and access that?”
• Chavez DeRemer evaded, “Again, because I have not been confirmed, I only see the reports that everybody else is seeing—I have not been read into that. If confirmed, I will…”
• Murray pressed, “You’re not answering the question.”
• Chavez DeRemer replied, “If confirmed, I will support the Department of Labor. I think it’s important to support the Department of Labor. But I have not been…”
• Murray pressed again, “… the private information that you will be overseeing? Will you protect that?”
• Chavez DeRemer said, “I would protect the private information. On this issue, I have not been privy to those conversations with the President—I have seen that. If confirmed, I commit to you that I will always protect the Department of Labor and those issues,”

Murray’s Questioning on Child Labor Violations

1. Murray concluded her questioning by raising awareness of the worrying spike in child labor violations over the last five years.
2. Murray asked, “Well, let me ask you about child labor. It’s an area that I have been very worried about–the rise of child labor violations. The Wage and Hour Division at the department has actually seen a 31 percent increase in minors employed in violation of child labor laws since 2019. In the last administration, the Wage and Hour Division at DOL and the Solicitor’s office worked really hard to secure some really important victories against some really egregious violators. How will you make sure that the Wage and Hour Division and the Solicitor’s office work together to enforce our child labor laws in this country?”
3. Chavez DeRemer responded, “Well, protecting… child labor is abhorrent. And nobody should stand for child labor exploitation. I will do everything in my power within the Department of Labor to double down on the safety of all American workers that are exploited–but especially child labor. And I would love to work with your office, if this is an important issue–it should be important to everybody, making sure that we protect against any child labor exploitation.”

About Senator Murray’s Work

Throughout her career, Senator Murray has championed workers’ rights and fought to combat employment discrimination, including as the top Democrat on the Senate labor committee from 2015-2022—among other things, Senator Murray fought back against a proposed DOL rule by the Trump administration that would allow federal contractors and subcontractors to justify discrimination against women, LGBTQ+ people, and members of certain religious groups on ideological grounds. Senator Murray first introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act—comprehensive labor legislation to protect workers’ right to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces—in the 116th Congress. Murray also leads the Paycheck Fairness Act to combat wage discrimination and help close the wage gap, and has helped lead the fight for paid family and medical leave since she first joined Congress.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
• SDG 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
• SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 8.8: Number of labor rights violations reported and resolved.
• Indicator for SDG 10.7: Number of policies and measures implemented to ensure safe and regular migration.
• Indicator for SDG 16.6: Level of transparency and accountability in government institutions.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: murray.senate.gov

The fine for businesses that violate Iowa’s child labor laws by having teens work too many hours or work too late at night has been lowered this week. The penalty had been $10,000, but has been lowered to $2500 for having a teenager work beyond the allowed time limits in state law.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all. The SDGs are integrated and indivisible, meaning that progress in one goal can positively impact progress in others. In the context of child labor, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 4: Quality Education are particularly relevant.

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The reduction of fines for child labor violations may undermine efforts to ensure decent work for all and promote economic growth. It is important to enforce child labor limits to protect the rights and well-being of children, while also promoting fair and inclusive economic development.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education – Allowing children to work during school hours or late at night can hinder their access to quality education. It is crucial to prioritize education and ensure that children have the necessary time and resources to learn and develop.

Mitchell Mahan, an attorney with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, says $10,000 is the maximum amount for any child labor violation, including a worksite fatality if the employee is under 18.

“If a child is in the wrong occupation which is presumptively more dangerous, we still have a $10,000 penalty that applies,” Mahan says. “It just seemed, reading the statute, if the highest we could go is $10,000, maybe it shouldn’t apply to working 10 minutes late.”

Peter Hird of the Iowa Federation of Labor says it’s the wrong approach to enforcing child labor limits.

“We have seen examples in Iowa and other states where younger children are working night shifts or on job sites during the day. We believe the law should act as a deterrent to discourage employers from employing children at times when kids should either be receiving education or getting the necessary rest,” Hird says. “If Iowa were to find a dozen kids working on a night shift…this rule would be a penalty break for those bad actors. If anything, penalties should be increased for this type of behavior.”

Governor Reynolds signed child labor changes into law in 2023 to allow 14- and 15-year-old olds to work up to six hours on a school day and ’til 9 p.m. on school nights or until 11 p.m. during the summer. Iowa law also allows children of any age to work at a business owned by their family. Under a rule change that took effect this week, a parent no longer has to be present when their child works at the family’s business.

The changes were discussed earlier this week during a meeting of the legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 4: Quality Education

The article discusses child labor laws and their enforcement, which are directly related to SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. It also mentions the importance of children receiving education, which is connected to SDG 4 – Quality Education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

The article highlights the issue of child labor and discusses the enforcement of child labor laws. This aligns with SDG 8.7, which aims to eradicate forced labor and eliminate the worst forms of child labor. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of children receiving education, which relates to SDG 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth with relevant skills for employment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions the following indicators:

• Penalty amount for child labor violations
• Number of child labor violations
• Number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds on school days
• Number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds on school nights
• Number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds during the summer

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of SDG 8.7 and SDG 4.4. By tracking the number of child labor violations and monitoring the number of hours worked by 14- and 15-year-olds, progress can be measured in terms of eradicating forced labor and ensuring that children have access to education.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: radioiowa.com

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
4. SDG 15: Life on Land

Introduction

TotalEnergies, a major player in the biogas industry, has strengthened its position in France and Europe with the commissioning of the BioBéarn biogas production unit in Mourenx, France. This facility has an annual production capacity of 160 gigawatt hours (GWh).

Location and Background

The BioBéarn unit is situated on a 7-hectare former brownfield site in the Lacq basin. This marks TotalEnergies’ 18th biogas production unit in France. The facility is designed to convert 220,000 tons of organic waste annually from local farming activities and the agri-food industry.

Conversion Process and Sustainability

The anaerobic digestion process is employed to convert the organic waste into biogas. This biogas is then purified and transformed into biomethane, a renewable and carbon-free gas that shares similar characteristics with natural gas. The production of biomethane at BioBéarn has been certified as sustainable by ISCC, meeting the highest sustainability criteria of the EU REDII Directive.

Integration with Natural Gas Transmission Network

Since January 2023, BioBéarn has been injecting its biomethane into the natural gas transmission network operated by Teréga. The facility will gradually increase its production capacity to reach 160 GWh, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 32,000 inhabitants. By avoiding the emission of 32,000 tons of CO₂ per year, BioBéarn contributes to the local and sustainable growth of the Lacq basin, a historical gas area.

Biomethane Purchase Agreement

As part of a Biomethane Purchase Agreement signed in June 2023, BioBéarn will supply Saint-Gobain France with 100 GWh of biomethane over a three-year period starting in 2024. This collaboration supports Saint-Gobain’s efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in France.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: totalenergies.com

Felicity Bradstock

Felicity Bradstock is a freelance writer specialising in Energy and Finance. She has a Master’s in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK.

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By Felicity Bradstock – Feb 15, 2025, 12:00 PM CST

• The Trump administration has declared a national energy emergency to support fossil fuels, but it is also backing nuclear power, unlike other clean energy sources.
• Energy Secretary Chris Wright is prioritizing nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear power and small modular reactors, aiming to launch an American nuclear renaissance.
• Trump’s policies are expected to boost domestic uranium production and reclassify uranium as a critical mineral, reducing reliance on foreign sources.

President Trump has doubled down on his pledges to allow for more fossil fuel production and reign in green funding since he came into office last month. He signed executive orders to allow for new oil and gas exploration and boost output, as well as restrict new renewable energy projects and halt a great deal of green funding. He declared a national energy emergency on 20th January, under the National Emergencies Act, largely in a bid to support fossil fuels and condemn renewable energy sources. However, perhaps surprisingly, his condemnation of clean energy does not appear to extend to nuclear power, which is expected to flourish under the Trump administration. 

Chris Wright, the Energy Secretary appointed by Trump, sees commercial nuclear energy as a key power source in the future of U.S. energy. Upon taking office, he listed his priorities, which included advanced nuclear power, fossil fuels, geothermal, and hydropower. Wright’s first Secretarial Order states, “The long-awaited American nuclear renaissance must launch during President Trump’s administration. As global energy demand continues to grow, America must lead the commercialisation of affordable and abundant nuclear energy. As such, the Department will work diligently and creatively to enable the rapid deployment and export of next-generation nuclear technology.” It also says, “The Department must also prioritise true technological breakthroughs – such as nuclear fusion.”

Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, responded by saying, “We applaud the Senate’s confirmation of Chris Wright as Secretary of Energy. In this new role, Secretary Wright will play a pivotal role in furthering our nation’s energy and national security goals through prioritizing reliable, 24/7/365 energy generation, like clean nuclear energy. We look forward to working with Secretary Wright to continue our progress toward building the resilient, reliable, and affordable energy grid of the future.” 

Some expect Trump to back smaller-scale nuclear projects that are faster and cheaper to get up and running. During his presidential campaign in October, Trump pointed out in an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan that large-scale nuclear builds like Vogtle “get too big, and too complex and too expensive.” 

During his first term in office, Trump signed an executive order promoting the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) for national defence and space exploration. SMRs are viewed by many as the future of nuclear power as they can be developed cheaper and faster than conventional reactors and can be joined together to produce more power. Further, several non-traditional nuclear energy companies, including start-ups, without the capabilities to build large reactors are developing SMRs. The licensing process for SMRs is expected to be more streamlined than large-scale projects, allowing for faster deployment of nuclear energy across the U.S. This would help achieve Trump’s aim of providing more energy to data centres to support the rollout of complex technologies, such as artificial intelligence. 

Trump has also emphasised his support for national energy production and goods manufacturing. He recently requested that uranium be reclassified as a critical mineral, after the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) dropped the nuclear metal from its critical minerals list in 2022 when it deemed uranium a “fuel mineral”, meaning it no longer qualified. In his “Unleashing American Energy”, Trump asks for uranium to be put back on the list, a move that would help unlock federal funding and fast-track permitting for domestic uranium projects.

The U.S. began producing its first high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) in 2023. The Biden administration supported the development of uranium projects following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions on Russian energy. Previously, the U.S. depended heavily on Russia for its HALEU, as the only commercial producer of the fuel. Centrus Energy Corp produced the first 20 kg of domestic HALEU as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DoE) HALEU Demonstration project at an enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio. Speaking about this achievement, Centrus President and CEO Daniel Poneman stated, “This critical milestone is essential to meeting the Department’s near-term HALEU needs while laying the groundwork for the full restoration of America’s lost domestic uranium enrichment capacity.”

The U.S. continues to import most of its uranium from Canada, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan because it is cheaper and more abundant. U.S. companies pay a combined $1 billion a year to Russia’s state-owned nuclear agency, Rosatom, importing around 14 percent of U.S. uranium and 28 percent of U.S. enrichment services. However, with sanctions on Russian energy and the potential introduction of tariffs on Canadian products, Trump is expected to support the expansion of a domestic uranium industry.  

Experience from President Trump’s first term in office, as well as decisions made in the first month of his second term, suggest that, unlike other clean energy sources, nuclear power might thrive under the Trump administration. In addition to fossil fuels, Trump has voiced his support for nuclear power and has appointed an Energy Secretary who favours the power source, suggesting that the sector may grow significantly as several states continue to back clean energy projects. 

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com 

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com

Felicity Bradstock

Felicity Bradstock is a freelance writer specialising in Energy and Finance. She has a Master’s in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 7.2: Share of renewable energy in the total energy consumption.
• Indicator for SDG 9.1: Investment in infrastructure as a percentage of GDP.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Existence of national policies and plans that integrate climate change measures.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oilprice.com

A recent rule change in Iowa has resulted in a reduction of fines for businesses that violate the state’s child labor laws. The new penalty for having teenagers work beyond the allowed time limits has been lowered from $10,000 to $2,500.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals established by the United Nations to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges. The reduction in fines for child labor law violations aligns with several SDGs, including:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education – Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Reducing inequalities within and among countries.

This rule change aims to strike a balance between protecting the rights and well-being of young workers and supporting businesses’ economic growth. By reducing the financial burden on businesses, it encourages compliance with child labor laws while promoting sustainable development.

Implications of the Rule Change

The lowered fines for child labor law violations may have several implications:

• Increased Compliance: The reduced penalty may incentivize businesses to adhere to the time limits set by state law, ensuring the protection of young workers.
• Enhanced Reporting: With lower fines, businesses may be more willing to report violations and seek guidance on how to comply with child labor laws.
• Monitoring and Enforcement: The rule change highlights the importance of effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and address potential violations.

It is crucial for businesses to prioritize the well-being and development of young workers while striving for economic growth. By aligning with the SDGs, Iowa’s child labor laws contribute to the global efforts towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The issues highlighted in the article are related to child labor laws and the penalties for violations. These issues are connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Additionally, the issues are also connected to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
• Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 8.7, which focuses on eradicating child labor, and Target 10.7, which aims to ensure safe and responsible migration of people.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions the fine amount for businesses that violate child labor laws. The reduction of the fine from $10,000 to $2,500 can be seen as an indicator of progress towards eradicating child labor (Target 8.7). It implies that the government is taking measures to enforce child labor laws and penalize violators.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: stormlakeradio.com

The future of farming through NC A&T’s youth agriculture program

Introduction

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program is engaging 4H high school students across the state in the future of farming practices. The program is hosted at NC A&T, one of seven historically black colleges and universities preparing the next generation for careers in farming thanks to a federal grant.

Program Objectives

• Engage underserved populations in agriculture
• Promote STEM careers in agriculture
• Increase the number of black farmers in North Carolina

Program Activities

The program provides high school students from rural areas with hands-on experience and mentorship from current college students and professors. The students learn about various aspects of farming, including the use of technology and innovation.

• Students learn about robotic milkers and managing beef cattle
• They explore the integration of technology in farming practices
• Drones are used for agricultural purposes

Impact and Expected Growth

The program had 300 high school participants and over 100 mentors in 2024. It is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The aim is to reach upwards of 3,000 high school students over the next four years.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – by promoting agriculture as a viable career option, the program aims to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by empowering young people to engage in farming practices, the program contributes to food security
3. SDG 4: Quality Education – by providing hands-on experience and mentorship, the program enhances the quality of education for high school students
4. SDG 5: Gender Equality – by engaging underserved populations, including girls, the program promotes gender equality in the agricultural sector
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by preparing the next generation for careers in farming, the program contributes to economic growth
6. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – by showcasing the integration of technology in farming practices, the program promotes innovation in the agricultural sector
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – the program is a collaboration between NC A&T and other organizations, demonstrating the importance of partnerships in achieving the SDGs

Conclusion

The Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program at NC A&T is playing a crucial role in engaging high school students in the future of farming practices. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and the use of technology, the program aims to increase the number of black farmers in North Carolina and promote sustainable agriculture. By aligning with the SDGs, the program contributes to the achievement of global development goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• SDG 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 2.3: Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Indicator for SDG 4.4: Number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
• Indicator for SDG 8.6: Proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• Indicator for SDG 9.5: Research and development spending and number of research and development workers.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Measures of social, economic, and political inclusion of all individuals.
• Indicator for SDG 17.6: Regional and international cooperation on science, technology, and innovation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wxii12.com

Metro Wire Staff

Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced the appointment of Julie Lassa as the administrator of the Division of Agricultural Development. Secretary Randy Romanski made the announcement on Monday.

Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The appointment of Julie Lassa aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. The SDGs aim to promote sustainable agriculture and economic growth, which are crucial for the well-being of communities and the environment. Lassa’s experience and expertise in the agriculture industry will contribute to the achievement of these goals.

Background and Qualifications

Julie Lassa, who grew up on a small family dairy farm in central Wisconsin, has been a strong advocate for agriculture throughout her career. As a Wisconsin legislator, she played a key role in the creation of the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin and Farm to School programs. These initiatives promote local food production, support farmers, and enhance the connection between consumers and the agricultural sector.

Lassa’s most recent role was as the Wisconsin state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. In this position, she focused on investments in housing, community infrastructure, and business development in rural communities. These efforts contribute to the economic development and sustainability of rural areas, aligning with the SDGs.

Commitment to Wisconsin Agriculture

In a press release, Julie Lassa expressed her enthusiasm for joining DATCP and continuing to advocate for Wisconsin agriculture. She emphasized the importance of creating new economic opportunities for this vital sector of the state’s economy. Lassa’s appointment demonstrates DATCP’s commitment to supporting and promoting sustainable agriculture in Wisconsin.

Education and Start Date

Julie Lassa holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She will assume her new role as the administrator of the Division of Agricultural Development on February 18.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 2.3: Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Indicator for SDG 8.3: Growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in the agriculture sector.
• Indicator for SDG 12.2: Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources in agriculture.
• Indicator for SDG 17.17: Number of effective public-private partnerships supporting agriculture and economic development.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: spmetrowire.com

Samuel Arose Arenas, a 25-year-old man from Charleston, has been charged on Thursday with possessing child sexual abuse material, according to the office of Attorney General Wilson.

Charges and Punishment

1. Arenas is charged with 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
2. This charge is punishable by up to 10 years on each count upon conviction.

Investigation and Arrest

• Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
• This report led them to investigate Arenas and found that he possessed files of child sexual abuse material.
• The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest with investigators from the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Legal Proceedings

Arenas is currently being held at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address various global challenges, including the protection of children from exploitation and abuse. SDG 16 promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions, which includes efforts to combat child exploitation and abuse. This case highlights the importance of achieving SDG 16 and ensuring the safety and well-being of children.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
   • Indicator: Number of cases and convictions of child sexual exploitation

Analysis

The article discusses the arrest of Samuel Arose Arenas, who has been charged with 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. This issue is directly connected to SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions. Specifically, Target 16.2 aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The arrest of Arenas for possessing child sexual abuse material aligns with this target.

The article mentions that Arenas is charged with 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. This information indicates that the specific target under SDG 16.2, which is to end exploitation of children, is relevant to the article’s content.

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to measuring progress towards the identified targets. However, the number of cases and convictions of child sexual exploitation can be used as an indicator to measure progress in addressing this issue. This indicator reflects the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts and the criminal justice system in combating child sexual exploitation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: live5news.com

After a yearlong drought, adult basic education will return to the Prior Lake-Savage area.

At Monday’s regular meeting, the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board approved an agreement allowing District 719 Community Education Services to begin hosting local adult basic education courses.

Local Oversight and Sustainable Development Goals

“We would have the local oversight and we would have the funds to set up classes in our own community,” said Leanne Weyrauch, director of Community Education. “The agreement allows us to be able do what we think is best and that would meet the need.”

Community Education will alter its current partnership with the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative (CSEC) to offer the classes, which will begin Monday, Oct. 3 at Bridges Area Learning Center and include English Language Learners (ELL) and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) programming.

State Aid and Demand for Adult Basic Education

School districts receive allocated amounts of state aid, based on a formula, in order to provide adult basic education. District 719 – as one of eight member districts in the CSEC consortium – gave its funds to CSEC, which organized and staffed adult basic education courses. District 719 was the third largest CSEC member district in terms of aid. CSEC staff is responsible for determining the location of adult basic education classes based in part on demand.

“It didn’t have the connection with the district,” Weyrauch said. “It was sort of like you were outsourcing it someone.”

One side effect of this arrangement meant that learners in Prior Lake and Savage may, as was the case last year, be forced to travel to Shakopee, Belle Plaine or New Prague, etc., because programming is not available in their immediate community. GED classes in Prior Lake and Savage were phased out around 10 years ago, Weyrauch estimated, and low enrollment at a Glendale Elementary School section of ELL classes in 2009-10 resulted in no local adult basic education programming in the area in 2010-11.

New Agreement and Evaluation for Renewal

Under the new agreement, District 719 will bill CSEC for two-thirds of the district’s allocated state aid to provide programming locally. CSEC will retain the remaining one-third in exchange for instructor training, GED testing and other administrative work. CSEC will continue to be the “fiscal agent,” Weyrauch noted.

“We’re self-supported,” she said. “There is no cost to the general fund whatsoever.”

On Monday the School Board approved a job description for two adult basic education instructors and Weyrauch has already be-gun interviewing applicants. She will present the top two candidates at the board’s Monday, Sept. 26 meeting for approval.

The agreement is a yearlong pilot and will be evaluated for renewal once the year is complete. CSEC’s adult basic education classes include workforce education, family literacy and transition to employment – courses that are not available in Prior Lake-Savage. Because District 719 is still a partner with CSEC, local learners will still be able to take advantage of those CSEC classes, Weyrauch said.

“Those services are already available and staffed much bigger somewhere else,” she added.

Future Programming and Impact on Other Districts

Though she would like to look to locally providing programs like family literacy, if there is a need, Weyrauch said there isn’t a strong local call for programming beyond ELL and GED, the initial offerings under the new system.

Though District 719’s contributions to CSEC were so large under the old model, Weyrauch said the new agreement will have a minimal impact “to other districts in terms of being able to sustain their programming.”

Accessibility and Benefits of Local Adult Basic Education

Adult basic education classes are free for students and they do not need to live within District 719 boundaries in order to take classes here. Weyrauch anticipates that local enrollment will grow, which will result in more funding in subsequent years, because courses are now offered in the area. She also listed other benefits to the arrangement.

“The opportunity for us to do it locally is that we have more engagement with the school district and the community,” Weyrauch said. “You have more ownership because you’re managing it in-house in your own district.”

Originally Published: September 16, 2011 at 10:10 AM CDT

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the return of adult basic education courses to the Prior Lake-Savage area, which is related to the goal of providing quality education (SDG 4). It also mentions the inclusion of workforce education and transition to employment courses, which align with the goal of promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). Additionally, the article highlights the previous lack of programming in the area, indicating a potential reduction in inequalities (SDG 10) by providing educational opportunities locally.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
• SDG 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

The article’s content aligns with these targets as it discusses the provision of affordable and quality adult basic education courses, which can contribute to equal access to education (SDG 4.3). It also mentions workforce education and transition to employment courses, which can help reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (SDG 8.6). Additionally, by offering local programming and addressing the previous lack of adult basic education in the area, the initiative aims to reduce inequalities of outcome (SDG 10.3).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of adult learners enrolled in the adult basic education courses
• Percentage of adult learners who successfully complete the courses
• Number of workforce education and transition to employment courses offered
• Percentage of youth in the area who are not in employment, education, or training
• Number of local learners taking advantage of CSEC classes

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but these indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. The number of adult learners enrolled and the percentage of learners who successfully complete the courses can indicate the extent of equal access to education (SDG 4.3). The number of workforce education and transition to employment courses offered can measure progress towards promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8.6). The percentage of youth not in employment, education, or training can be used to assess progress in reducing this proportion (SDG 8.6). Lastly, the number of local learners taking advantage of CSEC classes can indicate the impact of the initiative in reducing inequalities of outcome (SDG 10.3).

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: twincities.com

Location and Contact Information

Hutchinson ABE is located in room 145 at Ridgewater College, 2 Century Ave. S.E. All classes offered by Hutchinson ABE are free of charge, ensuring equal access to education for all individuals regardless of their socio-economic background (SDG 10). For more information, please contact Hutchinson ABE at 320-234-8507.

Originally Published: October 31, 2015 at 12:00 AM CDT

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:

• SDG 4: Quality Education

The article discusses the change in hours at Hutchinson Adult Basic Education (ABE) to provide students with more time to attend classes after work. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

2. Specific targets under SDG 4 based on the article’s content:

1. Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.

The extended evening hours at Hutchinson ABE allow students, both men and women, to have equal access to education after work. This contributes to achieving Target 4.3 under SDG 4.

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 4.3.1: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, by sex.
• Indicator 4.3.2: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training by employment status.

The article mentions that the change in hours at Hutchinson ABE allows students to attend classes after work. These indicators can be used to measure the participation rate of adults in non-formal education and training, considering their employment status and sex.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: twincities.com

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 1: No Poverty
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Gentrification continues to sweep through Palm Beach County, placing more of its housing stock out of reach for households with an income of less than $145,000.

According to a 20-page study undertaken for the county by Florida International University, households with income under that figure will find it challenging to find housing in Palm Beach County. The study highlights the existing affordable housing shortfall and the factors contributing to it, such as rampant investor buys, housing appreciation, rent increases, and limited affordable housing projects.

The study emphasizes the negative impact of rapid appreciation on housing affordability and the resulting outmigration of young people from the county. It also points out that the current level of new housing construction activity is insufficient to meet the population growth, with nearly three-quarters of the county’s housing stock being more than 25 years old.

The population of Palm Beach County is expected to increase by more than 205,000 people from 2022 to 2035, exacerbating the housing affordability problem. The study suggests that the prices have started to level off, allowing for a more accurate projection of future housing affordability.

Impact on Affordable Rental Units

The loss of affordable housing units is a significant concern, with a decrease in homes valued at less than $400,000 and a significant decrease in monthly rentals of $2,000 or less. The study highlights the need for more aggressive measures to increase density on projects and create more affordable housing units while respecting the community.

Proposed Solutions

Jonathan Brown, the county’s director of housing and economic development, proposes changes in how funds are distributed to projects seeking assistance through the county’s $200 million housing bond issue. These changes include limiting workforce housing projects to owners with incomes no greater than 110% of the area median income, reducing assistance to 20% of total development cost, and extending the deed restrictions for rental projects to 50 years.

Developers have cited high construction costs and interest rates as barriers to undertaking affordable housing projects. However, the county has recently approved the first four projects to make use of the funds from the $200 million housing bond, which will provide affordable housing options for low- and middle-income families.

The FIU study highlights the need for proactive measures to address the affordable housing crisis in Palm Beach County and ensure sustainable cities and communities for all residents.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article highlights the issue of gentrification and the increasing unaffordability of housing in Palm Beach County, Florida. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

SDG 1: No Poverty

The issue of unaffordable housing affects households with incomes below $145,000, making it difficult for them to find housing in Palm Beach County. This aligns with SDG 1, which aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article discusses the lack of access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing in Palm Beach County, as well as the need for inclusive and sustainable urbanization. These issues are directly related to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities.

Summary

The article addresses the issues of unaffordable housing and gentrification in Palm Beach County, Florida. These issues are connected to SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. However, the article does not provide specific targets or indicators related to these SDGs.

Source: palmbeachpost.com

Introduction

Maryland Democrats have recently introduced a comprehensive energy plan aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by lowering costs and increasing energy production within the state. The plan focuses on streamlining the approval process for new energy projects, including renewable sources and potentially natural gas plants.

Main Points

1. The proposed legislation aims to make it easier to build new energy plants and power projects in Maryland.
2. If passed, the plan could lead to an increase in renewable energy, nuclear power, and potentially natural gas in the state.
3. Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the plan’s heavy reliance on long-term solutions and its potential lack of immediate relief for high energy costs.

Details of the Energy Plan

The energy plan put forward by Maryland Democrats seeks to address the state’s energy challenges and promote sustainable development. The legislation aims to diversify the energy generation sources in order to reduce stress on the power system and lower energy costs for Maryland consumers. The plan emphasizes the importance of achieving the SDGs and ensuring a reliable energy grid for the state.

Concerns from Republican Lawmakers

Republican lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the proposed energy plan, particularly regarding its focus on long-term solutions and its heavy reliance on solar, wind, and battery storage. They argue that immediate relief for high utility rates is necessary and suggest the inclusion of new gas-fired power plants to compensate for recent power plant closures.

Expected Benefits of the Energy Plan

Despite concerns from Republican lawmakers, the Democratic leaders behind the legislation remain hopeful that the plan will help lower utility bills, increase energy production in Maryland, and promote cleaner energy sources. They believe that by streamlining the approval process and providing consumer protections, the plan will lead to greater affordability, reliability, and predictability of Maryland’s energy grid.

Conclusion

The proposed energy plan in Maryland aligns with the SDGs and aims to address the state’s energy challenges while promoting sustainable development. By diversifying energy sources and streamlining the approval process for new projects, Maryland Democrats hope to achieve their goals of lower energy costs, increased energy production, and a cleaner energy grid for the state.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage increase in renewable energy generation in Maryland
• Reduction in energy costs for Maryland consumers
• Number of new energy projects approved and implemented in Maryland
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by utilities

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Note: The specific indicators mentioned in the table are examples and may not be explicitly stated in the article. They are derived from the targets and can be used to measure progress towards achieving those targets.

Source: delmarvanow.com

In 2010, the UN’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) based at the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a technical consultation on the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people in developing countries. One central recommendation was to expand focus beyond 15-19-year-olds to address adolescents who are 10-19 years-old.

There was also a strong belief, in 2010, that programs and services directed at adolescents in general, and younger adolescents in particular (e.g., sexuality education), needed to be developmentally appropriate. Without research to base such recommendations , age became the proxy; and without sufficient data to the contrary, conservative age cut-offs were the norm.

In 2022, HRP decided to take stock of what had been learnt in the intervening years with a specific emphasis on young adolescents and sexual and reproductive health. Five priority papers were commissioned: 1. Trends in adolescent health over the past decade; 2. Risk and protective factors related to sexual health outcomes for young adolescents; 3. Laws and policies that have improved adolescent health; 4. Interventions that have made a difference for sexual and reproductive health outcomes and how have they worked; and 5. Research advances in adolescent health: principles and approaches. In September 2024, the papers were published open access in the Journal of Adolescent Health and launched at an event on the sidelines of the Summit for the Future.

This past year WHO undertook an exercise to solicit global input with the goal of identifying priority issues warranting investment and research that will advance adolescent health and most specifically sexual and reproductive health over the next decade. The priority research areas noted below have been derived from that process. 

Sexual and reproductive health research priorities for young adolescents 2025-2035

• How does the use of social media affect young adolescents’ SRHR – both positively and negatively? 
• What are the mental health challenges faced by young adolescents and how do these affect their SRHR? 
• How do the SRHR needs of young adolescents vary by subpopulations (e.g., different genders, displaced populations, ethnic minorities, people living with disabilities, or other marginalized populations)? 
• How can implementation of comprehensive sexuality education be strengthened among young adolescents?  
• What are the most critical modifiable factors that should be addressed to promote SRHR of young adolescents (including addressing early pregnancy, child marriage and gender-based violence)?  
• How can interventions/services be developed and delivered that meet the specific health needs of adolescents, taking into account age, developmental needs and the involvement of caregivers where appropriate? 
• Where do young adolescents seek information on SRHR (e.g., peers, school, teachers, caregivers, digital technologies)?  
• How can young adolescents be meaningfully engaged in the co-design of programmes and services that meet their needs? 
• What do young adolescents consider as positive aspects of SRHR in their lives? 
• How can access to training and resources for health care and educational providers be improved to inform high quality implementation of services for young adolescents? 

Purpose of the request for concept notes

The present request for concept notes is intended to advance the above priorities through research. Research can include: developing and testing a new intervention or replicating an existing intervention that has been shown to be effective in a new context (simply replicating an intervention is not in itself research). Both experimental designs and implementation research will be considered. Research can be descriptive such as undertaking a survey on knowledge, attitudes and perspectives of adolescents toward a specific issue or analyzing demographic data to answer specific questions or it can study how laws and/or policies impact populations of young people. Systematic and other types of literature reviews will not qualify in this RFP.  Pre-submission inquiries regarding the suitability of a proposal for this specific call are encouraged and can be directed to Sheri Bastien at srhrel@who.int.

Preparing your application

Applications must be in English using 11-point Times New Roman or similar font. Please limit your submission to no more than three pages. Applications must answer each of the following: 

1. What priority will be the focus of the study? (Applications must focus on one of the priorities stated above.) 
2. What are the research questions guiding the study? (1-2 research questions) 
3. What is the knowledge gap this research will aim to address and how might that knowledge improve adolescent health? 
4. What is the potential for the study to have impact at the national, regional or global level? 
5. What is the population of focus in the research? (Although the intent of this RFP is on young adolescents under age 15 years-old, proposals can include older adolescents as well.) 
6. What methods will be used to conduct the study?  Given that determinants of adolescent health and wellbeing often cross disciplinary boundaries (for example, health and education), a multidisciplinary approach is strongly encouraged. 
7. What are the resources required to undertake the study (financial, ethical approvals, expertise, access to specific populations etc.)? 
8. Who are the collaborating partners/ organizations (if any)?  
9. Who will be on the research team (please provide names and titles/ affiliations)? 
10. What are the problems/ barriers and/or ethical concerns that might arise doing this research and how will these be addressed? 

Eligibility

Any individual or team member from the following is eligible to apply:

There is no restriction as to settings for the research. For example, any of the following are all potential settings: clinics, schools, community organizations, sports and recreational settings, religious institutions and prisons (these are only examples). The settings for the study should be determined by the research question(s).  

Budget

If the study is selected through this RFP, US$2500 will be provided to the lead applicant. This is intended to contribute to the further development and articulation of the research proposal.

Important dates

February 21st: all applications must be submitted by 11:59PM (23:59) CET (Geneva time). All applications must be submitted via email to: srhrel@who.int . NOTE: Late applications will not be accepted (no exceptions).

March 14th: The lead applicant will be notified at the email address provided that their proposal was selected as a finalist and that a representative from the team is invited to a workshop. Further workshop details will be provided at this time. Travel costs to the meeting are to be covered by WHO/HRP. NOTE: We are unable to notify all applicants who are not finalists; neither are we able to provide feedback on all applications as to why they are not finalists.

March 18th: Lead applicant of application confirms receipt of notice and confirms availability to attend the workshop planned for all finalists.

May: A three-day workshop is planned for all finalists to assist in preparing award-winning proposals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article relate to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young adolescents, which align with SDG 3. Additionally, the article mentions the need for developmentally appropriate programs and services, which connects to SDG 4. The article also emphasizes the importance of addressing the SRHR needs of different subpopulations, including gender minorities, displaced populations, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities, which relates to SDG 5 and SDG 10. Lastly, the article mentions the involvement of caregivers and the need for meaningful engagement of young adolescents, which aligns with SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
• SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.
• SDG 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health services (SDG 3.7), promoting education for sustainable development and gender equality (SDG 4.7), ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (SDG 5.6), reducing inequalities and eliminating discriminatory laws and policies (SDG 10.3), and promoting inclusive and participatory decision-making (SDG 16.7).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
• Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
• Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care
• Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law
• Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions, by sex, age, persons with disabilities, and population groups

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but the identified targets can be measured using the indicators mentioned above. These indicators can help track progress towards ensuring access to family planning, integrating education for sustainable development and gender equality, promoting informed decision-making in reproductive health, reducing discrimination and harassment, and achieving inclusive representation in public institutions.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content

   • SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
   • SDG 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress towards the Identified Targets

   • Adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes in infrastructure and industries.
   • Enhancement of inclusive and sustainable urbanization and human settlement planning and management.
   • Public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: www2.fundsforngos.org

Introduction

Some 40% of Monmouth and Ocean County towns in New Jersey are resisting the state’s newly calculated affordable housing obligations, according to a review by the Asbury Park Press. These towns are proposing to build fewer units than assigned or are opting out of the program altogether. Officials argue that the state’s calculations are incorrect and fail to consider the limited availability of developable land.

Challenges Faced by New Jersey Towns

New Jersey towns had until January 31st to pass a resolution either accepting or challenging their affordable housing obligations for the next decade, as determined by the Department of Community Affairs. Failure to pass a resolution could result in lawsuits from builders or advocates, potentially forcing towns to build higher-density housing.

Participation and Results

Out of the 86 municipalities in Monmouth and Ocean counties, 51 accepted the state’s calculations, while 16 passed resolutions contesting the calculations. Another 19 towns did not pass a resolution, leaving them vulnerable to lawsuits. Statewide, over 76% of municipalities participated in the process, a 25% increase from the previous round.

Towns’ Own Calculations and Litigation

Several towns, including Marlboro, Brick, Stafford, and Pine Beach, submitted their own calculations, which differed significantly from the state’s. These discrepancies could lead to legal challenges and require resolution by the Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program. Other towns, such as Lavallette and Middletown, decided not to pass a resolution and are prepared to face potential lawsuits.

Towns’ Responses to Affordable Housing Obligations

Monmouth County

• Aberdeen
• Eatontown
• Hazlet
• Holmdel
• Howell
• Manalapan
• Marlboro
• Neptune
• Tinton Falls
• Wall

Ocean County

• Brick
• Jackson
• Little Egg Harbor
• Pine Beach
• Stafford
• Toms River

Towns Without Resolutions

Monmouth County

• Deal
• Interlaken
• Loch Arbour
• Long Branch
• Middletown
• Roosevelt
• Shrewsbury Township
• Union Beach
• West Long Branch

Ocean County

• Bay Head
• Beachwood
• Eagleswood
• Island Heights
• Lavallette
• Mantoloking
• Ocean Gate
• Point Pleasant Beach
• South Toms River
• Tuckerton

Michael L. Diamond is a business reporter at the Asbury Park Press. He has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry since 1999. He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The issues highlighted in the article are related to affordable housing obligations and the provision of fair share of affordable housing for those with moderate and low incomes. These issues are connected to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, the issues are also connected to SDG 1, which aims to eradicate poverty, and SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are related to ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing (SDG 11.1), reducing poverty (SDG 1.2), and promoting social and economic inclusion (SDG 10.2).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of affordable housing units built by each town
• Proportion of population living in poverty
• Level of social and economic inclusion in housing policies

The article mentions the number of affordable housing units proposed by each town as a response to the state’s calculations. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards the target of ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing (SDG 11.1). The article also discusses the impact of housing prices on middle-class households, which can be an indicator of the proportion of population living in poverty (SDG 1.2). Additionally, the article highlights the towns’ calculations and their inclusion in the decision-making process, which can be an indicator of the level of social and economic inclusion in housing policies (SDG 10.2).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: app.com

Biodiversity loss in Latin America, the burden of international trade

The benefits that the ecosystems of South American provide to society vanishing at an accelerated rate due to deforestation for commercial agriculture and cattle ranching

by
Matías Mastrángelo

04 FEB 2025 10:30

Introduction

The benefits that the ecosystems of South America provide to society are vanishing at an accelerated rate due to deforestation for commercial agriculture and cattle ranching. This article explores the impact of international trade on biodiversity loss in Latin America.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Goal 15: Life on Land

The loss of biodiversity in Latin America directly affects Goal 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Deforestation for commercial agriculture and cattle ranching threatens the existence of various plant and animal species, disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Causes of Biodiversity Loss

Deforestation for Commercial Agriculture

One of the main causes of biodiversity loss in Latin America is deforestation for commercial agriculture. Large areas of forests are cleared to make way for crops such as soybeans, palm oil, and coffee. This destruction of natural habitats leads to the displacement and extinction of numerous species.

Cattle Ranching

Cattle ranching is another significant contributor to biodiversity loss in the region. Forests are cleared to create pastureland for livestock, resulting in the destruction of habitats and the loss of biodiversity. Additionally, the expansion of cattle ranching contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Impact on Local Communities

The loss of biodiversity in Latin America has severe consequences for local communities. Indigenous peoples and traditional communities rely on the ecosystems for their livelihoods, including food, medicine, and cultural practices. The destruction of these ecosystems disrupts their way of life and threatens their cultural heritage.

International Trade and Biodiversity Loss

The international trade of agricultural commodities from Latin America plays a significant role in driving deforestation and biodiversity loss. Demand for products such as soybeans, palm oil, and beef fuels the expansion of commercial agriculture and cattle ranching, leading to the destruction of natural habitats.

Supply Chains and Accountability

It is essential for companies and governments to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their supply chains. Implementing sustainable practices and ensuring traceability can help reduce deforestation and biodiversity loss. International agreements and regulations can also play a crucial role in promoting sustainable trade.

Conclusion

Biodiversity loss in Latin America due to deforestation for commercial agriculture and cattle ranching is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 15, provide a framework for promoting sustainable land use and protecting ecosystems. By prioritizing sustainable practices and holding stakeholders accountable, we can work towards preserving the rich biodiversity of Latin America for future generations.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: renewablematter.eu

Report on Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics

Highlights:

• According to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.
• While medical advances have helped more people live longer with cardiovascular diseases, many of the risk factors which lead to these diseases, including high blood pressure and obesity, continue to grow at alarming rates.
• Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, claim more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths – the #2 and #3 causes of death – combined.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT / 5 a.m. ET Monday, Jan. 27, 2025

DALLAS, Jan. 27, 2025 — Heart disease kills more people than any other cause as many of the risks factors that contribute to it remain on the rise, according the data reported in the 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of U.S. and Global Data From the American Heart Association. The annual update published today in Circulation, the peer-reviewed, flagship journal of the American Heart Association, the leading global voluntary health organization devoted to changing the future of health care for a world of healthier lives for all.

“Did you know that in the U.S., someone dies of cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds? Nearly 2,500 people in the U.S. die from cardiovascular disease every day. Those are alarming statistics to me – and they should be alarming for all of us, because it’s likely many among those whom we lose will be our friends and loved ones,” said Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, the volunteer president of the American Heart Association. “Too many people are dying from heart disease and from stroke which remains the 5^th leading cause of death. Together, they kill more people than all cancers and accidental deaths – the #2 and #3 causes of death – combined.”

Cardiovascular Disease Statistics

According to the Association’s 2025 statistical report, in 2022 (the most recent year for which final data is available), the overall number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) related deaths in the U.S. was 941,652, an increase of more than 10,000 from the 931,578 CVD deaths in 2021. The age-adjusted death rate attributable to CVD was 224.3 per 100,000 people, a slight decrease from 233.3 per 100,000 reported in 2021.

The report indicates the overall number of cardiovascular-related deaths appears to be leveling out after a major uptick during the COVID pandemic. In fact, the age-adjusted death rates dropped for all but one of the ten leading causes of death. The kidney disease age-adjusted death rates increased 1.5%.

“Kidney disease has actually been on the rise over the past decade. In our report, we noted a significant increase in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among Medicare beneficiaries from 9.2% in 2011 to 14.2% in 2021. Additionally, the global prevalence of kidney disease has increased more than 27% in relative terms since 2010,” said American Heart Association volunteer and chair of the Association’s statistical update writing committee Seth S. Martin, M.D., M.H.S., FAHA, a professor of medicine and cardiologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. “The reason this is important is that, first, cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to kidney disease. Second, the risk factors of these diseases are closely interrelated. These include high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes – all health conditions that are rising substantially across the U.S. and the world.”

Prevalence of Risk Factors

According to the Association’s 2025 Statistics Update:

• Nearly 47% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure.
• More than 72% of U.S. adults have unhealthy weight (currently defined as body mass index ≥25, with nearly 42% having obesity (currently defined as body mass index ≥30).
• More than half of U.S. adults (57%) have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

In a 2023 presidential advisory and scientific statement, the American Heart Association recognized cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome as a health disorder due to the risk factor connections among heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity leading to poor health outcomes.

In the editorial accompanying the 2025 Statistics Update, American Heart Association volunteer Dhruv S. Kazi, M.D., M.Sc., M.S., FAHA, who is head of health economics and associate director of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and associate professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, noted the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is projected to worsen over the coming decades.

“Although we have made a lot of progress against cardiovascular disease in the past few decades, there is a lot more work that remains to be done. If recent trends continue, hypertension and obesity will each affect more than 180 million U.S. adults by 2050, whereas the prevalence of diabetes will climb to more than 80 million. And over the same time period, we expect to see a 300% increase health care costs related to cardiovascular disease,” said Kazi, who was the volunteer vice-chair of the advisory writing group of the American Heart Association’s 2024 presidential advisories: Forecasting the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States Through 2050: Prevalence of Risk Factors and Disease and Forecasting the Economic Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States through 2050. “And it is important to acknowledge that, although cardiovascular disease affects us all, it doesn’t affect us all equally. For instance, there is wide variation in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure by sex and race/ethnicity.”

Prevalence Rates and Risk Factors

• For overall prevalence of obesity, Black women had the highest rate of obesity at 57.9%, compared to the lowest rate of 14.5% which was among Asian women.
• For overall prevalence of diabetes, Hispanic men had the highest rate of diabetes at 14.5% compared to the lowest rate of 7.7% which was among white women.
• For the overall prevalence of high blood pressure, Black women had the highest rate of high blood pressure at 58.4% compared to the lowest rate of 35.3% which was among Hispanic women.

The prevalence of these risk factors – obesity in particular – is also growing among young people and globally:

• As many as 40% of U.S. children have an unhealthy weight (currently defined as body mass index ≥85th percentile), with 20% having obesity (currently defined as ≥95th percentile).
• Nearly 60% of adults globally have an unhealthy weight.

“In the update, we noted calculations that found excess weight contributes to as many as 1,300 additional deaths per day in the U.S., nearly 500,000 per year. It lowers life expectancy by as much as 2.4 years compared to a healthy weight,” said American Heart Association volunteer and vice-chair of the Association’s statistical update writing committee Latha P. Palaniappan, M.D., M.S., FAHA, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. “The impact on lives lost is twice as high for women, and higher for Black adults than for white adults. It’s alarming to note that excess weight now costs us even more lives than smoking – as smoking rates have actually fallen in recent years. Being overweight is the new smoking when it comes to health threats.”

Tobacco Use and Smoking Rates

• Since the U.S. Surgeon General’s first report on the health dangers of smoking, age-adjusted prevalence of smoking among adults has declined, from 51% of men smoking in 1965 to 15.6% in 2018 and from 34% of women in 1965 to 12.0% in 2018.
• Current cigarette use among all U.S. adults is 11.5%.
• About 28% of high school students reported ever using any tobacco product in 2023, compared to about 34% in 2022.
• In 2023, 12.6% of high school students reported current use of any tobacco product, compared to 16.5% in 2022.
• E-cigarette use has also seen a recent downward trend among youth: 10% of high school students reported current use of e-cigarettes in 2023, compared to 14.1% in 2022.

“Another positive trend over the years has been a reduction in the rates of high cholesterol. That’s likely thanks, in part, to increased awareness about the dietary and lifestyle factors that impact cholesterol levels, along with the availability of medications and better clinical control,” Churchwell said. “Recent clinical research has identified a number of new medication therapies to address the growing burden of obesity, as well, and we look forward to learning more about those advances as the body of science builds.”

However, Kazi and Churchwell both warn that the solution to saving lives will need to be much broader than medical intervention.

“The disparities in risk and outcomes call for tailored interventions among high-risk populations,” Kazi said. “Simply discovering breakthrough therapies isn’t going to be enough – we have to ensure that these therapies are accessible and affordable to people who need them most.”

“Heart disease was once considered a death sentence, but thanks to the many advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment, people are able to live longer, healthier lives even after a cardiovascular event,” said Churchwell, who is an associate clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. “Certainly, any medical or clinical therapy that can treat the risk factors that contribute to CVD are essential. More importantly, I would say that we need to stop these risk factors in their tracks, keep people healthy throughout their lifespan. That will only be possible with a strong emphasis on early prevention and equitable health access for all.”

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Cathy Lewis: cathy.lewis@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases
• Age-adjusted death rate attributable to cardiovascular diseases
• Prevalence of high blood pressure
• Prevalence of obesity
• Prevalence of diabetes
• Prevalence of tobacco use
• Prevalence of high cholesterol
• Prevalence of unhealthy weight in children

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: newsroom.heart.org

Student Health Services emphasized its commitment to providing gender-affirming care, sexual and reproductive health services, and mental health services in response to recent executive orders by President Donald Trump. 

Executive Orders by President Donald Trump

1. Executive Order on Gender Ideology: Trump signed an executive order on January 20, which bans promoting “gender ideology,” defines “female” and “male” as a person belonging to their sex at conception, and redefines sex as strictly binary.
2. Executive Order on Abortion: On January 25, Trump also signed an executive order banning foreign aid workers from offering information about abortion and strengthening an existing domestic policy that bans federal funding for abortion.

Commitment to Inclusive and Culturally Sensitive Healthcare

• Student Health Services (SHS) recognizes that the recent signing of Executive Orders is deeply distressing for many BU students.
• SHS reiterates its continued commitment to providing high-quality health services that are inclusive and culturally sensitive to the identities, needs, and experiences of all BU students, including transgender and non-binary students.

Supporting Students’ Healthcare Needs

Behavioral Health Referral Coordinator and Co-chair for SHS’s Gender Affirming Healthcare Committee Jill Nuding wrote in an email to The Daily Free Press that SHS will continue to provide students the care and support they need. 

Nuding wrote that all SHS departments, including the GAH committee, will work with student healthcare providers and other departments on campus to ensure students have the resources needed to support students.

Concerns and Hopes for Continued Healthcare Services

Oluwatofe Akinyanmi, a member of BU’s Center for Gender, Sexuality, and Activism, expressed feeling “helpless” seeing Trump’s recent executive orders, especially considering BU is “largely funded by federal funding.”

Freshman Afia Asamoah, a senior co-editing intern at Her Campus BU, hopes BU will continue to provide reproductive healthcare services despite Trump’s executive orders.

SHS’s Firm Commitment to Inclusive Healthcare

While the impacts of the Trump administration’s policies on BU are unclear, Nuding reiterated SHS’s commitment to inclusive healthcare.

“Although there are many unknowns of what specific impact the Trump administration’s policies will have on BU, SHS stands firm on its commitment to providing healthcare that is inclusive to the identities, needs, and experiences of all BU students, including transgender and non-binary students,” Nuding wrote. “SHS believes gender-affirming care is needed, lifesaving care.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
   • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
   • Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
   • Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.
   • Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
• Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.
• Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
• Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care.
• Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

Source: dailyfreepress.com

Introduction

By Parjiono and Chandra Kusuma

Asia’s collective development agenda offers an opportunity to address global challenges like food security, a pressing concern for many countries in the region. South Africa’s 2025 G20 presidency, with its theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’, is set to emphasize this issue, aligning with Asian nations’ food self-sufficiency and sustainable development priorities.

Food Insecurity in Asia

Food insecurity remains a critical issue for Asia, home to the largest share of the global population facing hunger. Despite adequate global food production, between 713-757 million people experienced hunger in 2023. These figures highlight setbacks in achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2, which aim to eradicate poverty and hunger respectively.

Hunger disrupts health systems, impedes educational progress, lowers productivity, and deepens inequalities, perpetuating poverty cycles in many developing Asian economies.

Diverse Approaches to Food Security in Asia

Asia is a highly diverse region with significant variations in economic development, resource endowments, and policy priorities. Wealthier economies are central to shaping regional food security strategies. These nations have pioneered technological innovations, trade agreements, and financial mechanisms that influence regional agricultural markets and supply chains. Japan and South Korea actively promote global agricultural cooperation, while Singapore’s advanced urban farming technologies serve as a model for sustainable food production in land-scarce settings.

The historical tension between trade-based and self-sufficiency-based approaches to food security has shaped Asia’s policy landscape. China, with its dual identity as a middle-income country and major global player, exemplifies this tension. While its focus on food sovereignty has driven domestic investments in agricultural modernization, China remains a significant importer of staples like soybeans and corn.

Trade has historically played a crucial role in stabilizing food supplies, particularly during crises. Advocates of trade-based approaches argue that protectionist measures can exacerbate food insecurity by distorting markets and reducing efficiency. But the 2008 global food crisis highlighted the risks of over-reliance on global markets, prompting many Asian nations to pursue food sovereignty.

The ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) exemplifies how regional cooperation can enable countries to combine self-sufficiency with trade-based resilience. By pooling resources and coordinating policies, APTERR ensures emergency food supplies while preserving the benefits of trade integration.

Addressing Food Insecurity in Asia

Agriculture is central to economic and social stability across Asia, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Food insecurity disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in countries like Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Addressing these disparities requires targeted investments in agricultural productivity, infrastructure, and climate resilience.

Indonesia’s approach serves as a case study in advancing food security. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has introduced ambitious reforms targeting food self-sufficiency within four years. The establishment of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) in 2021 by former president Joko Widodo reflected an institutional commitment to streamlining food policies.

Public investment in land intensification, irrigation, logistics networks, and farmer financing underpin Asia’s food security strategy. Indonesia’s 139.4 trillion rupiah (US$8.6 billion) allocation for food security in its 2025 budget exemplifies this. Investments in food infrastructure, strategic reserves, and agricultural technology modernization aim to reduce import reliance and bolster food sovereignty. Food diversification is reducing dependency on traditional staples and building resilience against supply shocks.

Improving nutrition through social programs like Indonesia’s free nutritious meal initiative is particularly vital for human capital development. Adequate nutrition enhances children’s learning capacities, improves workforce productivity, and supports long-term economic growth. These priorities align with regional visions like Indonesia’s Golden Indonesia 2045, which integrates food security into broader development goals.

India’s embrace of digital agriculture and precision farming, Vietnam’s focus on supply chain efficiency, and Thailand’s sustainable farming practices illustrate the region’s shared commitment to modernizing agriculture and addressing food insecurity. Wealthier nations contribute through technological innovation and financial support, facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity building.

Challenges and Collaborative Solutions

While some progress has been made, key challenges persist. Climate change threatens crop yields and growing seasons, while urbanization encroaches on arable land. Infrastructure gaps hinder the efficient distribution of food across vast regions. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating climate-smart agriculture, technological innovation, and regional collaboration.

Organizations like ASEAN play a vital role in fostering cooperation. Mechanisms such as the ASEAN Food Security Reserve and APTERR are bolstering regional food resilience and emergency preparedness. Sharing best practices and mobilizing resources through these platforms enhances Asia’s collective capacity to address food insecurity.

Asia’s active engagement in global forums like the G20 further strengthens its food security agenda. The G20 Finance Track offers mechanisms to promote sustainable agriculture and resource mobilization. Initiatives like the Agricultural Market Information System and the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists provide avenues to leverage innovation and data-driven decision-making in global food systems.

South Africa’s G20 presidency, with its emphasis on artificial intelligence and data governance, complements Asia’s modernization efforts. AI-driven tools for precision farming, yield forecasting, and crop monitoring can revolutionize agricultural productivity and reduce resource wastage, creating more sustainable food systems.

Conclusion

Food security is not just a policy goal but a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development. Through platforms like the G20 and strengthened South-South cooperation, Asian nations have an opportunity to lead by example. By investing in agricultural modernization, fostering regional partnerships, and leveraging global platforms, Asia can contribute to a more inclusive and resilient global food system, ensuring the right to adequate food for all.

About the Authors

• Parjiono is Indonesia G20 Finance Deputy and Assistant to the Indonesian Minister of Finance for Macroeconomics and International Finance.
• Chandra Kusuma is Team Leader for the G20 and OECD at the Ministry of Finance.

Source: This article was published by East Asia Forum

The opinions expressed in this article are the authors’ own.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Relevant to the Issues Discussed

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses food security, hunger, poverty, health, economic growth, agriculture, infrastructure, climate change, and regional cooperation, all of which are connected to these SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• SDG 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labor-intensive sectors.
• SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge-sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, particularly at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

These targets address poverty reduction, hunger eradication, agricultural productivity, child mortality, economic productivity, infrastructure development, access to housing and basic services, climate resilience, and regional cooperation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Proportion of population living in poverty
• Number of people experiencing hunger
• Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
• Neonatal mortality rate and under-5 mortality rate
• Economic productivity levels
• Investment in infrastructure and adoption of sustainable technologies
• Access to adequate housing and basic services
• Resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards
• Level of regional and international cooperation on science, technology, and innovation

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets, as they provide measurable data on poverty, hunger, agricultural productivity, health, economic productivity, infrastructure development, climate resilience, and regional cooperation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: eurasiareview.com

As seen in Table 1, 380 pregnant adolescents were interviewed with a response rate of 100%. The data reveals several key sociodemographic and maternal characteristics. Most mothers were aged 18–19 years, accounting for 297 (78.16%), while 173 (45.53%) were aged 15–17. The majority were Somali, representing 315 (82.9%), followed by Oromo at 40 (10.53%), Amhara at 23 (6.05%), and Tigray at 2 (0.53%). In terms of religion, 345 (90.79%) of the respondents identified as Muslim, with a smaller proportion being Orthodox Christians at 33 (8.68%) and Protestants at 2 (0.53%). Slightly more mothers resided in rural areas, 198 (52.11%), compared to 182 (47.9%) in urban areas.

Prevalence of undernutrition among adolescent pregnant women in Dolo-Ado, Somali Region

As shown in Fig. 1, the study assessed the prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women in Dolo-Ado town using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as an indicator. The mean MUAC of the participants was 24.2 cm (± 2.4 SD), reflecting the average nutritional status of the group and indicating some level of variability among individuals. Among the 380 women interviewed, 79 (21%) were classified as undernourished, defined by a MUAC measurement of less than 22 cm. Meanwhile, 3.2% of the women were found to be severely undernourished, indicating a critical level of nutritional deprivation that demands urgent intervention to prevent adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The remaining 79% of the participants had a normal nutritional status (MUAC ≥ 22 cm), suggesting that the majority of the women met the minimum nutritional requirements to support pregnancy.

Prevalence of food security among adolescents pregnant in Dolo-ado town, Somali region

The study revealed that among the adolescent pregnant women surveyed, 127 (33%) were from food-insecure households, while 253 (67%) were from food-secure households. These findings indicate that two-thirds of the respondents lived in food-secure conditions, suggesting that the majority had relatively better access to food resources. However, one-third of the participants faced food insecurity, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.

Minimum dietary diversity score of respondents in Dolo-Ado town, Somali region

The analysis of the Minimum Dietary Diversity Score (MDD-W) among the adolescent pregnant mothers in Dolo-Ado revealed that only 11 (3%) of them met the minimum recommended dietary diversity score by consuming five or more food groups in the previous 24 h. Conversely, a significant majority, 369 (97%), failed to meet the dietary diversity threshold, consuming fewer than five food groups.

Maternal-related characteristics of respondents in Dolo-Ado town

As shown in Table 2, the analysis of maternal health and nutrition factors reveals that most women had only one previous pregnancy, with 225 (59.21%) in this category, while 26 (6.84%) had five or more pregnancies. A significant majority of pregnancies were unintended 359(94.47%). Regarding the stage of pregnancy, 260 (68.42%) were in the first trimester, followed by 110 (28.95%) in the second trimester, and 10 (2.63%) in the third trimester. Antenatal visits were attended by 297 (78.16%), while 83 (21.84%) did not attend.

Bivariate logistic regression analysis of adolescent pregnant women in Dolo-Ado town

As shown in Table 3, the results indicate that several significant factors are associated with undernutrition among adolescent pregnant women in the Dolo-Ado district. The analysis shows that maternal education is a key determinant of undernutrition. Illiterate mothers had 13(3.42%) undernourished compared to 208(54.74%) who were not, with a COR of 4.4 (2.1–9.2) and a p-value of 0.13. Primary-educated mothers had 27(7.11%) undernourished versus 47(12.37%) not undernourished, with a COR of 1.4 (3.2–3.6) and a p-value of 0.03. Secondary-educated mothers reported 15(3.95%) undernourished compared to 30(7.89%) not undernourished, with a COR of 2.5 (1.5–5.7) and a p-value of 0.14. Mothers with college and above education served as the reference group.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of adolescent pregnant women in Dolo-Ado town

As shown in Table 4, the results indicate that several significant factors are associated with undernutrition among adolescent pregnant women in the Dolo-Ado district.

In the context of maternal education, illiterate mothers were four times more likely to be undernourished compared to their literate counterparts, (AOR) of 3.9 (95% CI: 1.9–8.0). Additionally, pregnant adolescent mothers residing in rural areas were 12 times more likely to experience undernutrition than those living in urban areas (AOR of 12 (95% CI: 3.5–42.9). Regarding monthly family income, households earning less than 1500 Birr had approximately three times the likelihood of undernutrition compared to those with higher incomes, AOR of 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2–5.4).

Food insecurity was identified as a significant predictor of undernutrition. Pregnant adolescents from food-insecure households were six times more likely to be undernourished compared to those from food-secure households, (AOR of 6.2 (95% CI: 2.8–13.9). Furthermore, mothers who consumed five or fewer food groups were 13 times more likely to experience undernutrition, (AOR of 13.1 (95% CI: 2.2–77.3).

Lastly, regarding Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, pregnant adolescent mothers who did not receive IFA supplementation were approximately four times more likely to be undernourished compared to those who did receive it, (AOR of 3.6 (95% CI: 1.7–7.5).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular, the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• Indicator: Prevalence of undernutrition among adolescent pregnant women (Table 1)
• Indicator: Prevalence of food security among adolescent pregnant women (Sec19)
• Indicator: Minimum dietary diversity score of respondents (Sec20)
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
• Indicator: Prevalence of undernutrition among adolescent pregnant women (Table 1)
• SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• Indicator: Maternal education as a determinant of undernutrition (Sec22)
• SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
• Indicator: Family planning practices (Sec21)
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• Indicator: Access to safe water (Table 1)
• Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
• Indicator: Access to toilets (Table 1)
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
• Indicator: Multivariate logistic regression analysis of adolescent pregnant women (Sec23)

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators