The climate crisis in Bangladesh is accelerating; Germany reveals first 5 years of same-sex marriage

The climate crisis in Bangladesh is accelerating; Germany reveals first 5 years of same-sex marriage

Today’s global news summary brings news from Bangladesh, Germany, and the UK and discusses issues as diverse as the climate crisis, same-sex marriage, and the rise of food prices. 
 


The climate crisis in Bangladesh is accelerating
Migration and ethnicity | Environment

The Guardian reports that the most catastrophic flash floods in a century have hit Bangladesh and statistics from the UN show that over seven million people across seven districts have been affected. Ahmed, 24, from Mirabazar, who is a volunteer for the Bangladesh Red Crescent, recognises that “women in Sylhet are more likely to be affected by the climate emergency than men”.

IZA World of Labor author Linguère Mously Mbaye has written on the relationship between climatic shocks, natural disasters and migration. In her article she notes that “moderate flooding, as compared to low levels of flooding, increased an individual’s likelihood to move locally, but decreased his or her likelihood to make a long-distance migration; this was especially true for vulnerable groups such as the poor or women.”

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Data disclosed on Germany’s first 5 years of same-sex marriage
Behavioral and personnel economics | Demography, family, and gender

In 2018, Germany saw its highest number of same-sex marriages, as couples rushed to marry in the first full year where it was possible in the country. “The data also shows that, since Germany's first same-sex marriages took place in October 2017, the proportion of women marrying women has increased,” Deutsche Welle reports. In 2017, 45% of same-sex marriages were between women, compared to 53% in 2021.

Nick Drydakis has explored the topic of sexual orientation when it comes to job access. In his article he looks at studies made between 1989–2014, which take into account lesbian workers. He notes that: “on average, lesbians earn more than comparable heterosexual women.”

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Food prices in the UK are rising
Development

The Institute of Grocery Distribution, which provides analysis to major grocers, predicts that prices could rise by as much as 15% as household staples such as bread, meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables become more expensive. “Ukraine - known as the "breadbasket of Europe" - produces significant amounts of wheat, corn and sunflower oil. But the conflict is disrupting the supply of these goods, driving up prices on international markets,” The BBC reports.

“Wheat prices have risen by 60%, while sunflower oil costs have risen by 20–25% since the start of the conflict. As Russia and Ukraine account for nearly 30% of global wheat exports and 70% of sunflower seed/oil exports, the welfare implications were predicted to be non-negligible,” IZA World of Labor author Ralitza Dimova writes. “The direct food price impact is aggravated by the intermediate effect of animal feeds and fertilizers, with the latter experiencing a 142% price increase compared to a year ago and Russia and Belarus accounting for 30% of exports.”

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