Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1365202
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 APRIL 2021 6 CULTURE The power of digital to harness a green economy ONE thing that Covid-19 has proven is that humanity must not only look after itself but al- so after this planet. The climate emergency is al- ready having devastating con- sequences for all life on earth, for the most vulnerable and those who have contributed least to its destruction. Due to interconnection, the crises many are facing now cannot be tackled in isolation and it is dangerous to think that econ- omies cannot adapt to such a change. The good news is that digital technologies and the digital economy are now central to the way people work, conduct business, perform interna- tional trade and engage the world as individuals and com- munities. This means that the digitisation taking place in most sectors will also be able to support a green economy and environmental policies such as waste and recycling. A green economy A green economy prioritises the health of people and the planet and sees these entities as interconnected. Think so- lar and wind power instead of fossil fuels, or better public transport and more electric vehicles as opposed to petrol and diesel ones. It would also mean massive investment in renewables, housing and transport and rolling out training programs to skill people up for new jobs in all of these areas. This would not just be good for the planet, but also good for the economy. Such big investments could create hundreds of thousands of jobs worldwide and a win- win situation providing both jobs and greener solutions. The power of data One of the ways technol- ogy can contribute most is through the power of da- ta. Data allows businesses to analyse large data sets in or- der to make more informed strategic decisions. Thanks to connected devic- es and predictive analytics, data is more prevalent than ever, and companies that can effectively put it to use are en- joying the benefits. Not only are organizations harnessing and analysing more data, but they're also collaborating with it. A case in point is the motor indus- try which is undergoing huge change thanks to car-sharing apps and alternative mobility services which have less of a negative impact on the envi- ronment. A successful transition to climate neutrality will depend on the capacity of world lead- ers to bring innovation to the table, leveraging digital tech- nologies as key enablers. Harnessing such technolo- gies could bring entirely new ways of solving environmen- tal problems and at the same time will likely contribute to profound economic and so- cial change. People must come togeth- er and treat the tech sector as part of the solution rather than part of the problem and this is where the marriage be- tween governmental bodies and private agencies will be at its most profound. Online choir invites people worldwide to sing for Queen Elizabeth II THE Self-Isolation Choir is in- viting members of the public from all around the world to take part in a free singing pro- ject and will present the final recording to Queen Elizabeth II in memory of HRH Prince Phil- ip on 10th June, when he would have been 100 years old. Mark Strachan, the Founder of The Self-Isolation Choir ex- plains: We intend to record thou- sands of voices singing the hymn 'Eternal Father, Strong To Save', which was chosen by Prince Philip himself to be per- formed at his funeral. We will hold online sessions to learn this beautiful hymn and will then ask everyone to record their version on their mobile phone or computer and send it to us. We will combine all our voic- es in the studio to create one huge sound, and present our version of the hymn to Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 10th June, which would have been Prince Philip's 100th Birthday. Taking part is free of charge, although donations are wel- come and all profits will be donated to The Duke of Edin- burgh's International Award. We would like to encourage everyone in the Common- wealth and beyond to take part, especially anyone who has ever participated in the wonderful 'DofE' programme. Singers will be taught and conducted by Ralph Allwood MBE DMus, a highly acclaimed choral director, teacher and conductor, who was Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years. Online rehearsals will take place on Monday 10th May and Thursday 13th May at 17:00 BST. Singers will then have until Monday 17th May to record and submit their voice and (optional) headshot picture to create a montage picture of the whole choir. This will also be presented to the queen. Further information about this project and how to take part is available on The Self-Isolation Choir's website at www.theselfisolationchoir. com.