Romy News - 29 March 2024

Hello there! Ah, Friday, the day when we start dreaming of the weekend, I hope you had a great week! Today, I’m here to share fascinating stories and new things to learn. You’ll see, it’s amazing! Get ready, because today, we’re going to talk about a very important topic on our planet, discover a passion shared by many people around the world, and finally, I’ll tell you the story of a very famous gentleman. Let’s go! …

Did you know that one billion meals are wasted every day around the world? Yes, you heard that right, one billion! It’s such a big number that it’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? Today, together, we’re going to try to understand why so much food is lost and what the consequences are. It’s very important, because knowing is the power to act and make a change. Food waste, according to the UN’s 2022 figures, represents around one billion meals thrown away each day, with over half of these losses coming from homes like yours or mine. It’s a real global tragedy, especially when we think about the 800 million people suffering from hunger worldwide. Surprisingly, if food waste were a country, it would rank just after the United States and China as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases! Amazing, isn’t it? Among the main culprits are families like yours or mine, followed by catering services, and finally supermarkets. Silly things like buying more than necessary, not accurately gauging portions, or throwing away perfectly good food because the date on the packaging scares us contribute greatly to this problem. And in developing countries, a lack of enough refrigerators adds to the challenge. But why is it so serious? Well, wasting food also means wasting a lot of water and agricultural land that was used to produce it, and it’s responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. It also costs over 1 trillion dollars every year, showing that we’re not doing everything to stop this waste. So, what can we do? Start with simple actions: think before buying, learn to accurately estimate how much we eat, and don’t immediately throw away leftovers. Knowing when expiration dates are just guides and not strict rules can also help, not to mention giving away or composting what we don’t eat. It’s by each of us making a small effort that we can feed humanity and take care of our beautiful planet. To make this more fun and educational, why not try a little experiment with your family? Try keeping track of everything you throw away for a week. Then, discuss together how you could reduce this waste. It’s a great project that you can tell me about by sending a message on Instagram! …

After talking about food waste, let’s take a big leap into a completely different world - the world of manga! These Japanese comic books that captivate readers all over the world. Today, a very interesting question comes from one of our listeners, Romain, who is in Grade 3 in Angoulême: in what country, besides Japan, do we find the highest number of manga fans? Manga was born in Japan and holds a central place in its culture. Every year, thousands of manga are published and read by people of all ages, generating astronomical sales.

But wait, you’ll be surprised! France holds the second place in the world for manga consumption! In France, almost half of the comics sold are manga! In 2022, the French bought around 40 million manga! Compared to the United States, where only 28 million manga were sold in the same year, France is truly the manga champion.

Why do the French love manga so much? Well, it all started in the 1970s when the first Japanese animated series like Goldorak arrived on French television. Since then, manga has become a true passion for many French people, from children to adults.

Let me introduce you to the most popular manga in France. One Piece: This is one of the most well-known and best-selling manga in the world with over 523.2 million copies sold in 2023! Huge! It tells the adventures of a young pirate named Luffy who sets out in search of a fabulous treasure called the “One Piece”. It’s a super fun manga with lots of action and funny characters!

Dragon Ball: This is a cult manga that follows the exploits of Goku, a boy with a monkey tail who becomes a super warrior. He must face off against evil characters while training to become stronger and stronger. It’s a manga filled with martial arts and epic battles!

Fairy Tail: It’s the story of a guild of wizards who have thrilling adventures. The main character is a young girl named Lucy who joins this guild and befriends other mages with incredible powers. It’s a super funny manga full of magic!

Now, I’m curious: do you read manga? Which one is your favorite? Don’t forget to share your answer with me by sending a message on Instagram. It’s always exciting to discover new worlds through the pages of a manga! …

Let’s move from the captivating world of manga to our Friday theme where we discover a significant historical figure. Today, we’re going to talk about Winston Churchill, a man whose courage and words guided many people through very dark moments of the 20th century. Winston Churchill was born on November 30, 1874, into a British aristocratic family. From a young age, he discovered a passion for history and literature, interests that would profoundly influence his career and style. Although he had a bit of a rough start in school, Churchill quickly stood out for his passion for writing and public speaking, skills that would become major assets in his political and public life. Fascinated by the military world, he decided to engage in it, seeing it as an opportunity for adventure and service to his country. In 1940, as the world faced one of its greatest threats with Nazi expansionism, Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. His powerful speeches and firm leadership played a crucial role in maintaining the morale of the British and allied forces. One of his most famous speeches, in which he declared “We shall fight on the beaches”, reflected his determination to fight the German invasion at any cost, inspiring courage and hope. After the war, Churchill did not rest on his laurels; he devoted himself to writing, an activity that would earn him a Nobel Prize in Literature for his historical works and speeches. He would even be called back to the position of Prime Minister from 1951 to 1955, continuing to play an influential role in international politics. Churchill’s legacy is measured not only through his political achievements, but also by his lasting influence on world history and culture, embodying resilience, intelligence, and leadership. To delve deeper and be inspired by this extraordinary man, why not try creating your own speech on the theme “Facing Challenges”, drawing inspiration from Churchill? After writing a few lines, discuss with your parents how words have the power to inspire and motivate, even in the toughest times. It’s a lovely way to discover how, in the face of challenges, words can become our greatest strength. …

Well, our episode for today comes to an end. I’m counting on you to be mindful of food waste! Now you know that France is the second manga country after Japan, and you’ve discovered a courageous man who did a lot for Europe! See you soon for more discoveries together! Bye Bye!