AWARDS, AVOCADOS, AND AFRICA…THIS WEEK’S GLOBAL GOALS TOP 5

1000 days down… and only 4211 to go until its 2030, the deadline for achieving the Global Goals. There’s already a lot of progress being made – read on for your weekly round up of Global Goals stories.

LIFE BELOW WATER AWARD PRESENTED, LITERALLY, UNDERWATER

Hold your breath….This is the incredible moment UN Director of Oceans, Dr Lisa Svensson, presented BBC’s Blue Planet II producer James Honeyborne with the first ever award for Global #Goal14 – Life Below Water, and we don’t think they could have found a better setting for it (literally). This is the first ever award for the Sustainable Development Goal, and hopefully not the last. Come back next week for our full Cannes Lions highlights.

KENYA HANDS OUT FREE SANITARY TOWELS TO KEEP GIRLS IN SCHOOL

Did you know that for many girls in Africa, menstruation means missing school? This May, Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia cleared the way for the distribution of one million sanitary towels to girls in Kenya’s Makueni and Kitui counties. The government said it targeted more than 200,000 schoolgirls for distribution as part of a pilot program. Through funds provided by the government and channeled to the county governments, this initiative is set to benefit girls in Kenya, meaning that girls no longer have to miss out on their education. Read more about it here.

START-UP LAUNCHES PRODUCT TO KEEP YOUR AVOCADOS RIPE

Millenials rejoice…a Bill Gates backed start-up has created and launched a product the delays the ageing of fruits and vegetables. Not only does this mean your avocados will last longer, but it shows potential in reducing food waste from supermarkets and households across the world.

PALAU INTRODUCES AN ECO-PLEDGE FOR TOURISTS

The Pacific island nation of Palau now requires all visitors to sign a pledge promising to respect the local environment while they are there. Palau takes conservation very seriously, as they’ve already seen the effects of climate change on their pristine island. Thinking of going on holiday? Get up to speed on the pledge here .

1000 DAYS OLD

On June 21st we marked 1000 days since the signing of the Global Goals….that’s 1000 days closer to our final target of achieving ALL the goals by 2030. What are you doing to contribute to the goals?