Global Us: What connects us all

In 2019, Cyclone Idai devastated Mozambique's port city of Beira. Many died and entire neighborhoods were flooded. The city is now setting up large green areas designed to absorb future floodwaters. But entire fishing communities need to relocate.

Access to clean water may be a right, but it's often hard to come by. Contaminated water kills. Henry Othieno and Saudah Birungi have developed eco-friendly filters for use in schools and homes. They turn dirty lake water into drinking water.

Most farmers in Ecuador use just a few kinds of commercially produced seeds from abroad. Traditional and indigenous varieties are out of favor. But 'Seed Guardians' are seeking to preserve them and encourage farmers to use them.

It's risky to rely on a few varieties of a few crops. If climate change or disease were to wipe any out, we would be in a big mess. Seed banks preserve as many strains of crop plants as they can. Some old strains are more resilient than current ones.

Air conditioners, laptops, smartphones — as consumer demand for electronics grows, so does the waste. Some 53 million tonnes of e-waste are generated globally every year. But that waste is a valuable and profitable resource, as some companies are proving.

The Gwich'in people have a traditional way of life. But the native Alaskans and their habitat are under threat. Demand for oil and gas is stronger than concerns about climate change.

In the early 1970s crocodiles were considered almost extinct in northern Australia. Then the country banned hunting them and launched a conservation program that has been proving very successful. Both people and nature benefit.

Many women in Indonesia feel like second-class citizens. Sexual harassment in public is sadly commonplace, and criticizing it remains largely a taboo issue. But some women are taking a stand.

Uruguay generates over 90% of its power from renewables. The country now wants to pass on its know-how, and is training special engineers for the task. But despite all its success, Uruguay still has to convince some of its own people.

Nala Chengwe-Pupp is 15 years old, lives in South Africa and loves anything to do with art. She wants to study psychology like her sister and hopes that one day the world will be free of racism, homophobia and COVID-19.