#society

Humans have produced more than 9 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled and the vast majority ends up in landfills and in the environment, where it disintegrates into micro-particles that pollute water and air, harm marine wildlife and are ultimately ingested by humans.

Sustainable cities, which are connected and optimised through the use of technology, are not only an unstoppable global phenomenon, they are also the only solution for containing and reducing the alarming environmental and socio-economic repercussions that urbanisation will have for our planet. We present the world's smartest cities.

Mexico City generates over 13,000 tonnes of solid waste every day, with the added problem that only 1.28% is recycled. This was one of the reasons why, in 2012, the Mexican State Ministry of Environment (SEDEMA) launched an initiative called Mercado de Trueque (barter market), which allows citizens to exchange waste such as plastic, PET, aluminium cans, paper, cardboard, glass or electronic waste for locally grown fresh food.

One feature of note in the so-called "new normal" is the merging of the discourse on the climate and the economy, focusing all activities of the climate agenda on these two aspects, which must be intrinsically linked to ensure that recovery leads to a robust, healthy and sustainable economy. Below, we review the main climate-related events up to the end of 2020.

The planet's resources are running out and we need to take steps quickly to adopt habits that are respectful of and healthy for the planet and future generations. Leading a sustainable life means more than being a responsible consumer. It is a question of living based on a commitment to the environment and making little changes to our daily lives.

Ecovillages are small, self-sufficient communities that live from and for their natural surroundings. There are more than 10,000 ecovillages in the world, mainly in rural areas where their inhabitants build societies based on cooperation, self-sufficiency, renewable energies and ecological materials. Find out how they work...