Most people trust climate scientists less than other scientists – but not everywhere

by | May 20, 2025 | Business

Climate scientists are overall less trusted than other types of scientists, according to a new study led by the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR).

Dr Omid Ghasemi and colleagues compared responses from a survey of nearly 70,000 people across 68 countries on the trustworthiness of climate scientists with a broad range of other ideological and demographic factors. 

“We don’t exist in a vacuum, and this research allows a new lens to view different factors that may influence how people view climate scientists – and the forces undermining public confidence in their work,” Dr Ghasemi says.

The results, rated on a 5-point scale from 1 (not at all), to 5 (very strongly), revealed an overall average trust rating of 3.5 for climate scientists worldwide compared to 3.62 for scientists in general. 

However, six countries, and China in particular, bucked the trend entirely, indicating significantly higher trust in climate scientists.

Political polarisation putting ice caps at risk 

The research showed people with right-leaning political views tended to trust climate scientists less overall, including in the US, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and much of Europe. 

“It’s arguably not a surprise that you see significant increases in the trust gap between climate scientists and other scientists in these countries,” Dr Ghasemi says.  

“They have had decades of coordinated efforts by conservative political actors and fossil fuel interests to politicise climate science and undermine its credibility.” 

Interesting too, says Dr Ghasemi, are those countries which showed the opposite relationship, or no significant association between ideology and trust in climate scientists. 

“In some Eastern European, Southeast Asian, and African countries, right-leaning individuals tended to trust scientists and climate scientists more,” Dr Ghasemi says.  

“This might suggest that political leadership attitudes, rather than peoples’ political views, better explain these differences in trust.”

Demographic differences behind doubts 

The survey data, collected as part of the collaborative Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism (TISP) project, covered a total 111 variables. 

Dr Ghasemi’s analysis of the data collected reveals some non-political factors may also be linked to higher trust in climate scientists, such as living in cities, having stronger religious beliefs, valuing science or the scientific method, or being a younger rather than older adult. 

Meanwhile, people who support social hierarchies and those who believe common sense is better than scientific expertise are less likely to trust climate scientists. 

Interactive maps are available: 

The difference in trust between climate scientists and scientists in general

Average trust in climate scientists versus scientists in general

The relationship between political orientation and trust in climate scientists

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

A Garden of Stars Awaits at The 6th VP Choice Awards Night

by | May 20, 2025 | Business

The 6th Village Pipol Choice Awards (VPCA) is set to shine a spotlight on the brightest stars and standout brands that have blossomed in excellence. This prestigious event will honor individuals and companies that have captured the hearts of the Pipol and made significant strides in their respective industries. The much-anticipated Red Carpet and Awarding Ceremony will take place on May 29, 2025, at Blueleaf Cosmopolitan, Quezon City.

With May 29th fast approaching, the 6th Village Pipol Choice Awards (VPCA) is set to shine a spotlight on the stars and brands that have truly blossomed with excellence. This prestigious event will celebrate those who have captured the hearts of the Pipol and risen to the top of their respective industries.

Building on the momentum of last year’s record-breaking engagement, the VPCA continues to set the standard as the most followed and engaged award-giving body. This year, fresh platforms have been introduced, providing fans—our Pipol—with more opportunities to voice their choices and engage with their favorite brands and personalities. Through their votes, the audience will nourish the seeds of talent, enabling them to bloom into the stars of tomorrow.

In keeping with the theme “Blossom: A Floral Affair,” this year’s ceremony promises to be an unforgettable night where the red carpet transforms into a garden of glitz and glamour. Well-loved personalities, content creators, artists, and award-winning brands will step into the spotlight, creating a vibrant atmosphere of celebration. The event will honor outstanding achievements with 102 awards across a wide range of industries.

Continuing the tradition of fairness and credibility established in previous VP Choice Awards, this year’s winners are chosen through a dual scoring system. The final results are based on the combined power of Pipol’s online votes—giving the general public a chance to support their favorites—and the critical input of industry experts who bring their professional insight into the decision-making process. 

Where Stars Blossom: A Preview of the 6th VPCA

The grand event will unfold in full bloom at The Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Bridgetown, Quezon City, where the stage will come alive with stunning performances. Leading the celebration will be this year’s resident host, Joy Barcoma, together with Wize Estabillo.

Guests can look forward to an evening of surprise performances that promise to keep everyone entertained. This year’s performances will reflect the blossoming talent that each artist brings to the table, filling the venue with energy and life.

The VPCA will also honor this year’s Hall of Fame awardees—those whose contributions have consistently flourished over the years. These distinguished individuals have excelled in their categories for three consecutive years, earning a well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame. Among the honorees this year are Belle Marianio, Donny Pangilinan, and Pablo of SB19.

Rooted in Support: The Names Behind the Celebration

The 6th VPCA owes its success to its generous partners, including Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group as co-presenter, alongside major sponsors, Variahealth, Fleek Beauty, and Hyaloo. Contributing to the event’s success are valued partners such as LA Chicks, Tooth Studio by John Crespo, Novel Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgicenter, Joey Peria Event and Floristry, Philgifts, Getmarqed Photography, Horizon Digital Management, and J Layson, as well as the official voting app partner, Choicely—all of whom help bring this floral affair to life.

To amplify the reach of this highly anticipated event, we are also thankful for the support of our media partners: ABS-CBN News, Philstar Global, The Manila Times, Pilipino Mirror, BusinessWeek National, Mindanao Daily News, Blogapalooza, TNC, Klik.PH, CETV, Plus 63, TAP Mag, Vritimes, Light TV, and A2Z. Their dedication to sharing the excitement with our community means the world.

In the spirit of giving back, VPCA continues its tradition of advocacy. This year, Love Yourself Inc. has been named as the official beneficiary, with a portion of proceeds from Facebook Reel Stars during the voting season supporting HIV awareness, mental health, and self-care initiatives.

To ensure this grand celebration reaches fans nationwide, the event will be live-streamed via the official VP Choice Awards App, beginning at 6:00 PM on May 29. For more details, visit www.vpchoiceawards.com.

As the petals of talent unfold, the 6th VPCA reminds us that growth is a journey—rooted in passion, nurtured by support, and celebrated in full bloom. Join us as we witness excellence take center stage and honor the individuals and brands that continue to inspire, influence, and thrive.

Words by: Regene Narciso

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Creativeans and HOVARLAY Partner to Drive Sustainable Transformation at Supplier Sustainability Day 2025 by Mandai Wildlife Group and Changi Airport Group

by | May 19, 2025 | Business

SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 — In a strategic push towards a greener supply chain, Creativeans, an award-winning brand and design consultancy, has partnered with smart packaging solution platform, HOVARLAY, to empower brands with innovative, sustainable packaging solutions. As part of this collaboration, Creativeans and HOVARLAY participated in Supplier Sustainability Day 2025, held on Friday, 16 May 2025 at the Meranti Ballroom, Mandai Rainforest Resort, where the team showcased how design and technology can accelerate sustainability across industries.

Organised by Mandai Wildlife Group and Changi Airport Group, the event brought together a curated group of suppliers and changemakers to explore real-world solutions that make operations and product offerings more sustainable. The programme featured keynote addresses, expert-led panel discussions, and solution showcases aimed at enabling meaningful, measurable impact.

Making Packaging Smarter and Greener

In Southeast Asia, the sustainable packaging market is witnessing accelerated growth, fuelled by evolving consumer expectations and strengthened by regional regulations aimed at reducing environmental impact. According to Precedence Research, the global sustainable packaging market was valued at USD 117.54 billion in 2024 and is projected to nearly double, reaching USD 240.52 billion by 2034. Southeast Asia plays a significant role in this growth trajectory, with countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand leading the adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions. 

To tackle the challenges of packaging waste, Creativeans and HOVARLAY offer a transformative solution: Smart Packaging with Augmented Reality Technology. This approach allows brands to update marketing content, brand stories, and campaigns seamlessly without reprinting or reproducing physical packaging. The result is reduced waste, cost efficiency, and enhanced agility in marketing execution.

“Many suppliers today face increasing pressure to meet sustainability standards, but often lack the design knowledge and strategic clarity to embed these values meaningfully into their brand,” said Kimming Yap, Managing Director of Creativeans. “This challenge is especially apparent in nature-led destinations like Mandai, where sustainability is not just a requirement, but a shared responsibility. That is where we come in. Our role is to bridge that gap, by fusing creative storytelling with sustainable innovation, we help Mandai Wildlife Group and Changi Airport Group suppliers reimagine their packaging, unify their brand messaging, and build long-term value through environmentally conscious innovation. It is not just about looking sustainable, it is about being it, in a way that’s authentic, strategic, and future-ready.”

A standout example is Ho Nuts, a Singapore-based brand that reinvents the traditional peanut snack with a modern, sustainable twist. Featuring the characters Uncle Ho and Kacang, Ho Nuts offers sustainably sourced peanuts in eco-friendly, food-safe packaging that preserves freshness. Creativeans crafted a brand experience for Ho Nuts that extends beyond the physical jar by integrating digital storytelling powered by HOVARLAY. This innovation enables the brand to share seasonal campaigns, sustainability updates, and educational content seamlessly through the same packaging, resulting in a longer product lifecycle, reduced packaging waste, and stronger customer engagement.

Turning Traceability into a Business Advantage

Beyond packaging, HOVARLAY also addresses the growing demand for supply chain transparency. Customers want to know where their products come from, how they are made, and whether sustainability claims are real.

With HOVARLAY, brands can showcase their sustainability journeys, from farm to shelf, using interactive smart labels. This digital layer turns passive packaging into an engagement platform, where consumers can explore a product’s backstory, environmental impact, and ethical sourcing practices.

At the same time, brands gain access to real-time consumer engagement data. These insights help businesses understand what matters most to their audiences, enabling them to iterate smarter, invest better, and grow more responsibly.

“In today’s market, packaging is more than just a protective layer, it is a powerful touchpoint for transparency and trust. Yet many brands struggle to measure the environmental effectiveness of their packaging or keep up with evolving consumer expectations around sustainability. That is where HOVARLAY comes in. By embedding digital traceability and behavioural analytics directly into physical packaging, we help brands capture real-time insights on customer engagement and sustainability performance. This not only enables smarter decisions but also bridges the gap between impact ambition and measurable outcomes,” said Brian Tay, Co-founder of HOVARLAY.

Driving Sustainable Transformation Through Collaboration

At Supplier Sustainability Day 2025, Creativeans and its innovation partner HOVARLAY joined forces to support Mandai and Changi Airport Group’s supplier ecosystem in advancing their sustainability efforts. As Singapore accelerates towards the goals of the Green Plan 2030, such as reducing landfill waste by 30% and achieving net zero emissions by 2050, Creativeans provided strategic guidance on integrating sustainable practices into business models. Through services like sustainability assessments, eco-conscious packaging design, and sustainability branding, we empower suppliers to align their operations with national targets while strengthening their brand relevance and market competitiveness.

HOVARLAY complements this approach by transforming packaging into a dynamic digital experience. Without changing the physical pack, suppliers can launch real-time campaigns, share traceability and sustainability data, and gain valuable consumer insights. Together, Creativeans and HOVARLAY deliver an end-to-end solution that combines design, strategy, and smart technology, enabling suppliers to reduce waste, extend packaging lifecycles, and build more responsible, future-ready brands.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Produk Eropah Premium Kembali ke Malaysia dengan Peluang Lebih Luas Tahun 2025

by | May 19, 2025 | Business

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [13 Mei 2025, Selasa] – Untuk Siaran Segera

Kesatuan Koperasi Pertanian Kebangsaan Greece (ETHEAS) dan Jawatankuasa Tenusu Latvia (LDC) dengan bangganya meneruskan program “Penyediaan Maklumat dan Promosi Produk Pertanian di Kanada, Malaysia, dan Korea Selatan” yang berlangsung dari 1 Januari 2024 hingga 31 Disember 2026. Dibiayai oleh Kesatuan Eropah, program ini mempromosikan produk pertanian Eropah berkualiti tinggi di Korea Selatan, Malaysia dan Kanada melalui kempen “Produk Eropah Premium”.

Kempen ini mencerminkan komitmen Kesatuan Eropah terhadap keselamatan, kualiti, dan kebajikan haiwan. Peraturan EU dipercayai di seluruh dunia kerana protokol keselamatan yang menyeluruh, termasuk kawalan teliti penggunaan racun perosak dan piawaian kebersihan yang tinggi di fasiliti pemprosesan, yang memastikan produk premium berkualiti terbaik. Kempen ini memiliki empat objektif utama: meningkatkan kesedaran tentang produk Eropah berkualiti tinggi, mempertingkatkan pengiktirafan pengguna, meningkatkan penggunaan, dan meningkatkan eksport.

Kejayaan Produk Eropah Premium di SIAL Kanada

Bagi memulakan program ini, Produk Eropah Premium telah mencatat kejayaan besar di SIAL Kanada 2025, yang berlangsung di Toronto dari 29 April hingga 1 Mei 2025. Di Booth 1017.3, pengunjung dapat menemui pelbagai produk premium terpilih yang mewakili yang terbaik dari pertanian Greece dan Latvia.

Kempen Produk Eropah Premium mempromosikan lima kategori produk. Kategori pertama memaparkan 11 produk bertauliah PDO dari Greece, termasuk minyak zaitun, buah zaitun, anggur kering, safron, keju keras, serta gam mastik dan minyak gam. Empat kategori selebihnya menonjolkan produk Latvia: produk tenusu, buah-buahan bergula, coklat dan konfeksi, serta snek masin. Kerjasama di SIAL Kanada ini menggambarkan permintaan antarabangsa yang semakin meningkat untuk produk makanan asli dan boleh dikesan, menghubungkan kecemerlangan pertanian Eropah dengan pengguna di seluruh dunia.

Komitmen kepada Kualiti dan Kelestarian

Kempen Produk Eropah Premium mengukuhkan standard terjamin Kesatuan Eropah dalam pengeluaran makanan, memastikan setiap produk memenuhi kriteria terperinci untuk keselamatan, kelestarian, dan keaslian. Dari kaedah pertanian tradisional Greece hingga proses fermentasi tenusu semula jadi Latvia, standard ini menjamin profil rasa yang unik dan manfaat pemakanan.

Jenama kempen yang mudah dikenali, yang terinspirasi dari landskap semula jadi dan warisan pertanian Eropah, mengingatkan pengguna tentang tradisi yang berakar umbi di sebalik setiap produk.

Mengembangkan Jangkauan Global

Selepas SIAL Kanada, ETHEAS dan LDC akan meneruskan perjalanan promosi mereka di Seoul Food & Hotel (SFH) di Korea Selatan dari 10-13 Jun 2025, dan Food & Hotel Malaysia (FHM) dari 23-26 September 2025 di Pusat Konvensyen Kuala Lumpur. Acara ini akan menampilkan sesi tasting khusus yang menyerlahkan kualiti unik produk Greece dan Latvia.

Melalui platform antarabangsa utama ini, kempen tersebut mengukuhkan kehadiran pertanian Eropah di Asia dan Amerika Utara, membina hubungan jangka panjang dengan pengimport, pengedar, dan peruncit sambil menunjukkan ciri-ciri kualiti, keselamatan, dan kelestarian tersendiri yang menjadikan produk Eropah ini pilihan premium untuk pengguna di seluruh dunia.

Kempen Produk Eropah Premium di Malaysia

Selepas Food Hotel Malaysia, kempen Produk Eropah Premium akan memperluaskan inisiatifnya di Malaysia dengan mengadakan program mesyuarat B2B yang komprehensif, menghubungkan pengeluar Greece dan Latvia secara langsung dengan profesional perdagangan utama Malaysia melalui sesi business matching yang telah diatur. Pertemuan ini akan membolehkan interaksi peribadi dengan pembeli bertaraf tinggi yang berminat khusus dengan produk makanan premium Eropah.

Selain program B2B, rancangan strategik yang mensasarkan pengguna dalam penerbitan industri makanan terkemuka Malaysia dan platform digital akan melengkapi kehadiran fizikal, menonjolkan standard luar biasa, kaedah pengeluaran lestari, dan rasa autentik yang membezakan produk Eropah di pasaran makanan Malaysia yang pelbagai.

Kempen Produk Eropah Premium mengalu-alukan profesional industri untuk menemui kualiti, keaslian, dan kepelbagaian tawaran Eropah dari Greece dan Latvia. Kami menjemput pengimport, pengedar, peruncit, dan pemimpin perkhidmatan makanan untuk berhubung dengan pengeluar yang dipercayai dan meneroka kerjasama berpotensi yang menyokong pertumbuhan jangka panjang dan nilai dalam pasaran Malaysia.

Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai kempen “Produk Eropah Premium”, sila layari https://premiumeuropeanproducts.eu/ atau emel kepada kami di in**@*********************ts.eu.

Laman yang didedikasikan untuk program ini boleh didapati di  Instagram, Facebook dan  YouTube, @premiumeuropeanproducts.

Nota kepada Editor

Mengenai Kesatuan Koperasi Pertanian Kebangsaan Greece (ETHEAS)

Ditubuhkan oleh koperasi terkemuka Greece dan disahkan oleh undang-undang Greece, ETHEAS adalah badan penyelaras kebangsaan Koperasi Pertanian di Greece. Dengan lebih 300 koperasi ahli yang mewakili kira-kira 80% daripada jumlah perolehan koperasi pertanian Greece, ETHEAS bertujuan untuk memupuk pembangunan luar bandar dan koperasi, menyokong dan mempromosikan aktiviti ahlinya di dalam dan luar negara, memberikan pendapat pakar mengenai pergerakan koperasi, pengeluaran pertanian dan pembangunan sektor, mengawasi penyebaran dan promosi idea koperasi, serta berkhidmat dan mendidik ahlinya melalui kajian, projek penyelidikan, dan tugasan.

Mengenai Jawatankuasa Tenusu Latvia (LDC)

Jawatankuasa Tenusu Latvia (LDC), ditubuhkan pada 1995, mewakili sektor pemprosesan tenusu Latvia dan bertujuan untuk melindungi kepentingannya. Ia terdiri daripada 17 ahli yang memproses kira-kira 80% daripada susu yang dihasilkan secara industri di Latvia.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Australia’s oldest prehistoric tree frog hops 22 million years back in time

by | May 16, 2025 | Business

Scientists have now discovered the oldest ancestor for all the Australian tree frogs, with distant links to the tree frogs of South America.

Newly discovered evidence of Australia’s earliest species of tree frog challenges what we know about when Australian and South American frogs parted ways on the evolutionary tree.

Previously, scientists believed Australian and South American tree frogs separated from each other about 33 million years ago.

But in a study published today in Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, palaeontologists from UNSW Sydney say the new species, Litoria tylerantiqua, is now at about 55 million years old, the earliest known member of the pelodryadid family of Australian tree frogs.

The study is based on fossils unearthed from Murgon on the traditional lands of the Waka Waka people of south-eastern Queensland. The new species, Litoria tylerantiqua, is named in honour of the late Michael Tyler, a renowned Australian herpetologist globally celebrated for his research on frogs and toads.

“It is only fitting to name Australia’s earliest tree frog in honour of a man who was a giant in Australian frog research and in particular the first to explore the fossil record for Australian frogs,” says study lead author Dr Roy Farman, an adjunct associate lecturer with UNSW School of Biological, Earth & and Environmental Sciences.

Evolutionary history of Australian tree frogs

Around 55 million years ago, Australia, Antarctica and South America were linked together as the last remnants of the southern supercontinent Gondwana. Global climates were warmer during this period, while a forested corridor linked South America and Australia.

Up until now, it was thought the earliest Australian tree frogs came from the Late Oligocene (about 26 million years ago) and the Early Miocene (23 million years ago). Fossils of the Late Oligocene were found at Kangaroo Well in the Northern Territory and Etadunna Formation at Lake Palankarinna, South Australia, while the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Queensland revealed tree frogs from the Early Miocene.

But the new species extends the fossil record of pelodryadids by approximately 30 million years, to a time potentially close to the divergence of Australian tree frogs from the South American tree frogs.

Previous estimates based on molecular clock studies – a method scientists use to figure out when different species split from a common ancestor by looking at the rate of genetic changes over time – suggested that Australian and South American tree frogs separated from each other at about 33 million years ago.

“Our research indicates that that date is at least 22 million years too young,” Dr Farman says.

“While molecular studies are important for understanding the evolutionary relationships of different groups of animals, these studies should be calibrated using knowledge from the fossil record and in this case the fossil record provides a more accurate time for separation of the southern world’s tree frogs.”

Using new technology to study ancient frogs

To conduct this research, the authors used CT scans of spirit-preserved frogs from Australian museum collections to compare the three-dimensional shape of the fossil bones with those of living species. The technique – called three-dimensional geometric morphometrics – has only been used on fossil frogs once before. Using these new methods, they were able to unravel the relationships of these fossils to all other groups of frogs living and extinct.   

“We had a real problem at the start of this study because the pelvic bones of most living frogs were invisible inside whole pickled frogs rather than available for study as skeletons,” Dr Farman says.

“Museums understandably want to ensure these often unique or rare pickled specimens remain intact for molecular studies because DNA can be obtained from their soft tissues. This meant that instead of skeletonising these specimens, we needed instead to make CT scans of them, enabling us to create 3D models of their otherwise invisible skeletons.

“Using these cutting-edge investigative methods, we were able to determine from the shape of the fossil ilia – one of three bones that make up each side of the pelvis – that this new Murgon species of frog is more closely related to the Australian tree frogs (pelodryadids) than the South American tree frogs (phyllomedusids).”

Seasoned survivors that outlasted the dinosaurs

Litoria tylerantiqua joins the only other Murgon frog, the ground-dwelling Platyplectrum casca (previously described as Lechriodus casca), as the oldest frogs known from Australia. Both have living relatives in Australia and New Guinea demonstrating remarkable resilience over time.

“Despite their delicate nature, frogs have been surprisingly successful at surviving several mass extinction events since their origins about 250 million years ago, including the mass extinction 66 million years ago that took out the non-flying dinosaurs,” Dr Farman says.

“Although global extinction events triggered by human activities – such as rapid climate change and the spread of chytrid fungus – may be among the worst challenges frogs have had to face, the fossil record could reveal how some frog groups overcame previous challenges, perhaps by adapting to new, less-threatening habitats. This could provide clues about how we might be able to help by translocating some threatened frogs into more future-secure habitats.”

Frogs such as the southern corroboree frog are threatened in their current habitats which have become more hostile due to climate change. The authors say that if the fossil record shows physically similar frogs living in very different habitats, today’s frogs may benefit by being reintroduced into similar environments.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES