EarthOne: AsiaOne’s Green Take‑over
AsiaOne has just switched on a brand‑new section called EarthOne to tackle the planet’s pressing problems. “Because we love Earth and science,” they claim – and it’s not hard to see why. If you’re hungry for climate‑friendly scoops, the new space is your ticket.
Bill Gates Fires Up the Alarm
In a recent chat with Reuters, the Microsoft legend turned philanthropist raised some serious red flags: we’re still wrestling with COVID‑19, the climate threat is looming, energy bills are on the rise and the war in Ukraine is racking up losses. Here’s the kicker – the funds earmarked for diseases like malaria and AIDS might actually dip this year.
- “I’m genuinely worried,” Gates says. “If the worst of a global health crisis hasn’t convinced anyone that infectious disease won’t be a thing in the past, it could be the opposite.”
- He’s speaking ahead of the Goalkeepers report from his foundation, which tracks UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as slashing poverty and tuning up global health.
- The report shows the pandemic threw the world off course on almost every indicator – from maternal mortality to malnutrition – and we need five times the speed to hit 2030 targets.
- Gates adds, “saving lives in Africa and caring for the poorest nations will be a test of keeping that front‑line focus in the face of competing demands.”
Money‑Moves & Hope
He’s pumping more of his own cash into the foundation this year, bumping its annual budget from $6 billion to a hefty $9 billion by 2026. Yet he warns about the tug‑of‑war on the budgets of donor governments. Still, he keeps the optimism alive – especially around food security: “if the world invests in innovation, there’s hope.”
Key Take‑aways
- EarthOne is AsiaOne’s green newsroom for climate & science stories.
- Gates hits pause on disease funding amid global crises.
- Goalkeepers report underlines a massive speed‑up needed to meet 2030 targets.
- Foundation’s spend rises, but government budgets create tension.
- Hope remains, especially if we bank on fresh innovations.
So, if your conscience needs a little louder voice, dive into EarthOne – and if you’re a Gates fan, you’ve just got a front‑row ticket to the future of global health.
