Closing the vaccine gap
There has been a recent push in closing the vaccine gap amongst people from ethnic minority backgrounds. As the vaccination rate has risen, more people from BAME communities have come forward to get the jab. Between mid-March to mid-June, the uptake of the vaccine rose from 75% to 86% amongst Asians and 55% to 68% for black people. More than 60% of the adult population have now had both doses. With more than 48 million people vaccinated, the UK continues to carry out its biggest immunisation program yet, and are now offering the vaccine to over 18s.
Lego to start building bricks from recycled bottles
The toy giant, Lego, produces approximately 120 billion pieces of plastic per year but has failed to do so in a sustainable manner. The company emits 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum, with 1/3 being produced during the construction of materials. In 2018, Lego had pledged to make all its core materials from sustainable sources by 2030. They have now promised to start making their bricks from recycled bottles and are aiming to get them on shelves within two years. This is just one more crucial step in the fight against climate change, and we can only hope that other companies follow in their footsteps.
Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law to ban TV shows
A new Hungarian law passed in parliament on the 16th of June that bans the depiction/promotion of homosexuality to under 18s. As advertisers, schoolteachers, and those in the media industry grapple with how the law will affect their work, the TV channel RTL Klub have said it may have to stop broadcasting series before 10pm. They have said series like Modern Family would be banned and episodes of Friends would not be allowed to be shown as they could portray homosexuality. This new law has been condemned by fourteen EU governments as well as the UK. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that it will be analysed for any breach of EU law.
