Oppenheimer And The Man Who Saved 1 Billion Lives / Journey To Zero - Hunger Podcast / Eddie Ndopu's New Book
This week's update highlights the work of a scientist much less known than Oppenheimer but who helped save 1 billion lives. It looks at several new podcast episodes and a new book, plus much more!
Dear Friends and Supporters,
It’s been a hot week here in New York, and only getting hotter, with July set to be the hottest month on record – a brutal reminder that, without urgent action, climate change is here to stay.
I hope you’re all finding ways to stay cool and hydrated, whether affected by heat waves here in New York or across Europe. I’m bringing you lots of updates this week, including a reading list to keep you busy on the beach!
But first, if you want some tips on how to talk about climate change in your networks and build support, I recommend checking out this recent podcast from Outrage & Optimism.
Oppenheimer And The Man Who Saved 1 Billion Lives: Tale Of Two Geniuses
For those among us who were excitedly awaiting last week's “Barbenheimer” double feature, this week’s Forbes piece is for you. While Oppenheimer covers the life of the 'Father of the Atomic Bomb’, providing insight into Oppenheimer's multifaceted legacy, and the devastating toll the bomb took on lives in Japan, a much less told story is that of Norman Borlaug. Borlaug was hailed as the "Forgotten Benefactor of Humanity" and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, leaving an enduring mark as the "Father of the Green Revolution”. His groundbreaking work in agricultural science in the mid-20th century significantly boosted food supplies and saved countless lives. If you’re curious to learn more about Borlaug, and why he deserves his own three-hour feature film, you can check out my piece in Forbes here.
Louder Than Ever! Calling on Australia to Stand Up For Farmers
The world is currently facing a worsening hunger crisis, and smallholder farmers hold the key to fighting it. That’s why Global Citizen is calling on Australia to demonstrate its leadership as an agricultural superpower. By rejoining the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Australian Government can make a crucial difference in empowering these farmers and providing much-needed assistance to vulnerable communities across the Indo-Pacific region. Joining the voices of stakeholders across Australia and the Pacific, the team at GC published this Open Letter, calling on Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Agricultural Minister Murray Watt, and International Development Pat Conroy to commit to make Australia an IFAD member state. You can add your voice and support the campaign by clicking here.
Global Citizen at the 2023 Women Deliver Conference
The Women Deliver 2023 Conference was held in-person in Kigali, Rwanda as well as virtually, from 17-20 July 2023. As one of the largest multi-sectoral convenings to advance gender equality, it convened 6,000 people including of course thousands of women and girls rights activists and defenders, in Kigali. Vice President, Global Policy Liz Agbor-Tabi, Senior Director, Africa Advocacy & Partnerships Maimuna Maibe, and Global Citizen Ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha attended the conference and promoted Global Citizen’s work to advance gender equality, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights. At the "Period Party", organized by WASH United in partnership with Procter & Gamble, GC combined advocacy for more action on menstrual health and hygiene with fun performances and Bloody Marys.
GC also had the pleasure of speaking with Vice President, Equality & Inclusion and Community Impact at P&G, Allison Kumphuis, during the Global Citizen x Procter & Gamble fireside chat. They discussed the impact made through their partnership with P&G and shared their commitment to advance intersectional equity.
The aim of WD2023 was to enable inclusive and co-created spaces that foster solidarity for sustainable solutions to gender equality.
Double Feature! Journey to Zero Hunger Podcast
If you enjoyed listening to Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the last episode of the Journey to Zero Hunger Podcast, I’m thrilled to share a doubleheader. The next two episodes feature renowned food security advocate, Sabrina Elba, and yours truly!
In the first episode, PepsiCo Foundation President C.D. Glin brings his unique perspective to the impact of climate migration on world hunger. First, Daniel Runde from the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains why an understanding of the reasons for mass migration is necessary to address it. Then C.D. welcomes model, actress, and advocate, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, who has been championing the voices of smallholder farmers and rural communities facing the brunt of the climate crisis. Inspired by the solutions discussed in this episode, we remain hopeful and determined about the journey to zero hunger.
Next, I had the honor of sitting across Aloe Blacc to discuss the power of local solutions, tailored by those closest to the problem. We discussed how Global Citizen is mobilizing millions of people to end food insecurity and extreme poverty across the planet.
Grow your enterprise and secure that bag!
On Monday, the members of the Global Citizen team had the great pleasure of joining Wangari Kuria, Global Citizen Prize Winner and Founder of Farmer on Fire, in hosting a skills-building webinar. Farmer on Fire unites an international cohort of farmers to learn from each other, build their platforms and connect to valuable opportunities to grow their enterprises. This webinar focused on providing tips and tricks for farmers going through the arduous process of securing grant funding for nascent business. Learn more about Farmer on Fire’s amazing work here.
Accenture’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge
This week, the folks in the Global Citizen corporate partnerships team launched the third episode of an 8-part video series highlighting Global Citizen’s Global Partner, Accenture, and their Sustainability Innovation Challenge - a six-month program that empowers Accenture employees and students worldwide to build knowledge, leverage tools, and pressure-test ideas for real-world solutions to address sustainability challenges.
The third episode features Tomas, a strategist at Accenture, and his team's winning idea to focus on a gamified approach that rewards eco-conscious actions. This approach helps people develop long-term sustainable habits that positively affect our planet.
This episode can be found on YouTube - have a watch, and see how Accenture’s employees make sustainability a daily choice in people’s lives. Let the team know what you think in the comments on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter!
Let's Make History with Eddie Ndopu's "Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw"
Last week, my good friend, Eddie Ndopu, launched his memoir, “Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw". The book launches officially on August 1, and all of Eddie’s closest friends are working to get Eddie's memoir on the New York Times Bestseller List, potentially making him the first disabled author of color to achieve this. We need your help to make it happen!
For orders of less than 500 copies, use the links below. Every pre-order counts!
Pre-Order for signed copies: Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw Pre-Order
Bulk Buy (not signed): Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw Bulk Order Form
We have to get all orders in by this Friday, July 28th for the orders to count, because the book launches publicly on Tuesday, August 1st.
In addition, we would appreciate it if you can spread the word about the book in your networks.
Media Kit for social sharing: Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw Media Kit
Islands on the Frontlines of Climate Change
This week, the Alliance Of Small Island States (AOSIS), launched a special VIDEO on social media. This is the first of a 4-part video series on a new framework which will soon launch with the support of the United Nations, that provides a holistic assessment of Small Island Developing States' vulnerable status. This will hopefully provide islands with a better shot at accessing the finance they need to respond to the climate crisis and other shocks. More information can be found here.
A description of the videos can be found below:
Small island developing states (SIDS) continuously call attention to the need for support, in light of our vulnerabilities which leave us lagging behind the rest of the world. Our calls fall on deaf ears to devastating effect, creating larger and larger barriers to respond to the climate crisis, insidious debt cycles, and external shocks. Our words have not been enough - but with this video series we hope to finally open your eyes. SIDS need a new way forward, supported by the international community. The Multidimensional Vulnerability Index #MVI is a tool which finally takes the special circumstances of SIDS into account, designed to help us access critical support to drive sustainable development. Will you join the #MVI movement to support a bright future for SIDS? #SupportSIDS #MVIforSIDSfuture
The Global Town Hall is on again!
After the first collaboration last November with the Jakarta- based think tank Foreign Policy Community Indonesia (FPCI), the Global Town Hall is back again this year! Set to take place fully virtually on September 2, this 15-hour marathon of policy and action-focused discussion is certain to be of your interest! 12 sessions, co-curated by Global Citizen with FPCI bringing together top-notch speakers from Governments, the private sector, civil society policy partners, and activists - including the four 2023 Global Citizen prize winners, will address issues from AI, climate financing, protection of human rights defenders, youth participation and the way forward in pandemic preparedness! Timed to take place before the G20 Summit and Delhi and as part of our advocacy work ahead of our September 23 festival in New York, the Global Town Hall will provide a great venue for action-oriented discussions and to engage the expected ten thousand participants to take action with us! Registration is free and open HERE!
Help Buzurgmeh Yorov Regain his Freedom!
Buzurgmehr Yorov, a human rights lawyer from Tajikistan, has been unjustly imprisoned for years for representing members of a banned opposition party. Since his arrest on September 28, 2015, Yorov has faced a litany of trumped-up charges, including forgery, fraud, inciting hostility, and extremism. Despite the lack of evidence against him, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison in October 2016 which was increased to 28 years in October 2019. This case of Buzurgmehr is one of the different cases of imprisoned Human Rights Defenders we are supporting get their freedom, together with IVICUS and their flagship Stand As My Witness campaign. Please make sure you help amplify and take the action yourself too HERE
More Cuts for Development Aid
Unfortunately, we are seeing a trend with G7 nations cutting their aid and development budgets. The latest example is Germany – the only G7 member who reached the decades-old goal of 0.7 % of GNI in recent years –, and which is now set to cut their aid for 2024 by € 3.7 Bn compared to this year. While overall numbers should ensure that Germany stays the second biggest G7 donor after the US, it’s likely that they will fall under the target mark for the first time since 2020. This is especially disappointing since the current government coalition promised to adhere to the 0.7 target and always tie increases in spending for military & development aid together which they officially announced will no longer be the case.
As in prior years, the team at GC is campaigning with our civil society coalition in Germany against these cuts which still need to be approved by the German Bundestag in the fall.
My Weekend Reading List
The Palestinian women working to save Gaza's fishing industry
‘Era of global boiling has arrived,’ says UN chief as July set to be hottest month on record
Barbie Has Never Been a Great Symbol, but She’s an Excellent Mirror
Greta Gerwig on the Blockbuster ‘Barbie’ Opening (and How She Got Away With It)
As always, if you’re enjoying the weekly newsletter format, and want even more, you can subscribe to my Substack here where I publish reviews, lists and articles on a regular basis.
Stay cool,
Mick