We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, Chairman and Founding Director of Sports and Sustainability International, about the intersection of sports, sustainability and health. This discussion comes at an incredible moment for both health and sustainability, which have never been more of a polarizing force in our economic, cultural and political discussions.
A new partnership between UNICEF and LIXIL, one of the largest home and water product suppliers in the world, aims to jumpstart progress on one of the goals: SDG 6, which mandates improved access to clean water and sanitation for all. Around 2.3 billion people in the world currently don’t have access to a clean, safe toilet. By 2021, LIXIL and UNICEF want to help lower that number by 250 million to supplement progress on SDG 6. “There aren’t any impossibilities or any lack of technology posing a barrier to access,” says Jin Montesano, chief public affairs officer for LIXIL. “But it is a very complex issue that requires more focus on solutions and partners coming together to accelerate progress on the goal.”
Although women fill nearly half of all jobs in the U.S., they hold less than 25% of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. A nonprofit camp in Charlotte is working to close this gender gap with help from local companies like Duke Energy.