Baillie Gifford society , in every family .” Recent Positive Change purchases reflect the importance of this theme . Coursera is an online platform that provides a range of educational material , from short courses to online degrees . It appeals to different stakeholders within the education system : learners , academic partners and corporations . By providing online content , Qian explains , “ Coursera is helping to improve access to learning through lower costs and greater convenience and helping to provide relevant qualifications in an ever-evolving job market ”. Similarly , Duolingo provides online educational content , but its focus is on helping people study languages . English is considered a passport to success in many countries and is widely acknowledged as the lingua franca of the cultural , business and academic worlds . As such , a good grasp of English often leads to higher salaries and greater educational , economic and cultural opportunities . Qian believes that Duolingo “ is run by a thoughtful and missionfocused founder who can strike the right balance between delivering for learners and increasing revenue ”.
Sustainable agriculture Just as we need to change our fashion habits , we also need to address how we eat , Fox believes . “ It ’ s about raising awareness . The agricultural sector is responsible for 20 per cent of emissions and 70 per cent of global water consumption and is the leading contributor to biodiversity loss . How can we address that ?” Since 2009 , Beyond Meat has been developing healthy , plant-based meat alternatives that mimic the taste and sensory experience of animal meat but have a far lower environmental impact . “ Having enjoyed some of their burgers over the summer , I can say they ’ ve made good progress ,” Fox says . “ They have partnered with big food chains such as McDonald ’ s and Starbucks , so there are signs that a brand advantage is emerging there as well .” Agricultural equipment is another way we can improve farming productivity while reducing its negative environmental impact . This is crucial for a more sustainable
Issue 86 - July 2022 / 21 /