PennFuture Press Releases
PennFuture Press Releases
PennFuture, GASP, and local citizens urge Allegheny County Board of Health to reject clean air plan that sacrifices health of 80 families
Board of Health meeting on day when air pollution in area is dangerously high
(Pittsburgh, PA – March 10, 2010) – The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) and Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) will testify today before the Allegheny County Board of Health, urging the Board to reject the air pollution cleanup plan proposed by the Health Department. The plan, required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is seriou
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
PennFuture, GASP urge U.S. EPA to reject Allegheny County Health Department’s clean air plan that sacrifices health and lives of 80 families
Advocates for the families to urge Allegheny County Council to fix plan
(Pittsburgh, PA – March 2, 2010) – The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) and Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) today released a letter sent to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging the agency to take immediate action on the proposed clean air plan proposed by the Allegheny County Health Department. This long delayed p
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
Pennsylvania families could save $457 per year if energy efficiency policies are included in federal climate, green jobs, and energy bill
New report shows proven untapped potential to save energy and reduce home energy bills
[Pittsburgh, PA. February 24, 2010]- A new report released today finds that Pennsylvania families will continue to spend an extra $457 per year on their energy bills if strong energy efficiency policies are not incorporated into the climate and energy
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
PennFuture calls Commonwealth Foundation out for attacking integrity of Penn State, demands retraction and apology
Incident shows desperate lengths global warming deniers go to prop up their ideology
(Harrisburg, PA – February 16, 2010) – Jan Jarrett, president and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture), called today for the Commonwealth Foundation to retract its attack on the integrity of Penn State University, and to apologize for its actions.
“The real scandal is the lengths to which the right-wing will go in order to twist cli
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
PennFuture lauds Governor Rendell for support of tax on Marcellus Shale drilling, action on global warming, Clean Energy and Green Jobs legislation
(Harrisburg, PA – February 9, 2010) Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) praised Governor Ed Rendell’s proposal to tax Marcellus Shale drilling as part of his budget plan, and his proposals to pass Clean Energy and Green Jobs legislation and implement the state’s climate change action plan.
“Making gas drillers like Exxon-Mobil pay their fair share, as the governor said, is only fair, which is why it’s time to pass a tax on the drillers
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
Clean Energy/Green Jobs legislation will create nearly 130,000 new jobs, save consumers at least $1.9 billion
Harrisburg, PA (February 3, 2010) –Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) held a press conference today to highlight the recent study by global engineering, consulting, and construction firm Black & Veatch, which showed passage of the Clean Energy and Green Jobs legislation (HB 80 and SB 92) will lead to nearly 130,000 new jobs and save between $1.9 and $4.6 billion for Pennsylvania consumers. The study was released earlier this week, and was commissioned by the Commu
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
PennFuture praises Rendell decision to increase DEP’s staff and beef up regulations and inspections of Marcellus Shale drillers
Group urges legislators to adopt a severance tax on the drilling without delay
HARRISBURG, PA (January 28, 2010) – Jan Jarrett, president and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) today praised the governor’s decision to add 68 new staff to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and to strengthen regulation of gas drilling to provide better protection of Pennsylvania’s communities and natural resources from damage by n
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
Allegheny County air pollution cleanup plan too little, too late, leaving human health sacrifice zone
Pittsburgh, PA (January 22, 2009) – Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) and the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) have filed objections to the air pollution cleanup plan proposed by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) for the Liberty-Clairton area of the county. The plan, required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and already overdue, must detail the steps the county will take to guarantee that air quality meets national fine pa
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
PennFuture praises report from Allegheny County Air Quality Task Force
Recommendations could help citizens “Breathe Easy, Stay Healthy”
Pittsburgh, PA (January 11, 2010) – Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) heralded the recently-released report by the Allegheny County Environmental Air Quality Task Force, which was endorsed by County Executive Dan Onorato, Task F
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
PennFuture, Friends of Dunkard Creek file appeal on mine water treatment permit allowing dirty water to be released into creek
Permit changed without public notice
HARRISBURG, PA (January 4, 2010) – Attorneys with Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) last week filed an appeal before the Environmental Hearing Board challenging an amendment to the permit for the Shannopin Mine Dewatering Project. The appeal was filed on behalf of Friends of Dunkard Creek, as well as PennFuture.
The Shannopin Mine Dewatering Project, which was designed to prevent a
Source: PennFuture Press Releases |
Marketplace – Sustainability
Marketplace – Sustainability
Buying green, but not for the planet 10 Mar 2010, 6:00 pm
Sometimes the real reason people buy green is not always Mother Earth, and the marketing for those products is starting to reflect that. Andrea Gardner reports.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
A new solar plan rises from the dust 10 Mar 2010, 1:20 pm
Los Angeles’s utility company is considering installing solar panels on a dry lake bed in the shadow of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Besides providing green energy for the city, this would also help the community with dust issues. Jennifer Collins reports.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
Game consoles zapping U.S. energy 10 Mar 2010, 1:00 pm
The Senate is taking up ways to improve energy efficiency in homes, including certain video game consoles known to be energy vampires. Nationally, these consoles could be using as much energy as San Diego does in one year. Brett Neely reports.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
Grouse decision may hurt oil, gas, wind 5 Mar 2010, 6:41 pm
Environmentalists want the greater sage grouse of the American West listed as endangered. Ranchers and energy developers don’t. Sarah Gardner reports on the Interior Department’s compromise of sorts.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
Critics contest EPA CO2 regulation 3 Mar 2010, 3:41 pm
The Environmental Protection Agency’s annual budget includes President Obama’s proposed $43 million to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Sarah Gardner reports why today’s budgetary Senate hearing could turn into a climate regulations debate.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
More bad allergies means more drugs 2 Mar 2010, 12:08 pm
Italian research shows that hotter weather and higher carbon dioxide levels lead plants to produce more pollen, which aggravates human allergies. And that means profits for the pharmaceutical industry. Caitlan Carroll reports.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
Conservation projects displace locals 26 Feb 2010, 6:32 pm
Several years ago three U.S. companies sank millions of dollars into a forest reserve in southern Brazil to earn credits to cover some of their carbon emissions back in America. How does the scheme work on the ground? Michael Montgomery reports in collaboration with Mark Schapiro.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
Public utilities differ on gas regulation 26 Feb 2010, 6:31 pm
A trade group of utilities has backed efforts to block the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. But that group doesn’t speak for all of its members. Jennifer Collins reports.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
Calculating the value of carbon in trees 25 Feb 2010, 5:55 pm
Delegates at the global climate summit failed to figure out a way to stop the destruction of the world’s forests. But some lawmakers think they have a solution, and it relies on financing from some of America’s biggest polluters. Michael Montgomery reports in collaboration with Mark Schapiro.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
Baby steps to stem greenhouse gases 24 Feb 2010, 5:55 pm
The failure of the Copenhagen talks, a key Republican victory in the Senate and the recession have all hurt the prospects for serious cuts in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Where does that leave us? Sarah Gardner reports.
Source: Marketplace – Sustainability |
TreeHugger
TreeHugger is a fast-growing web magazine, dedicated to everything that has a modern aesthetic yet is environmentally responsible. Our influential audience stops by frequently to check out the latest news, reviews and recommendations for modern yet green products and services. Consumers also rely on the directory to help facilitate their buying processes. TreeHugger is the most effective way for them to find well designed products that are also ecologically sensitive.
World Crude Oil Production Projected to Peak a Decade Sooner 12 Mar 2010, 11:00 am
Source: iStock Photo via American Chemical Society. Guest blogger Cara Smusiak is a journalist and regular contributor to NaturallySavvy.com’s Naturally Green section.Alternative energy efforts received a bit of a boon this week from a study published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Energy & Fuels, which revealed conventional crude oil production might peak in 2014–…Read the full story on TreeHugger
Source: TreeHugger |
Memory Marathon is the Start of London Olympics 2012 12 Mar 2010, 10:10 am
Images by B. Alter from the film Memory MarathonFor all of those suffering Olympic withdrawal (that means most Canadians) we bring you the Memory Marathon. It’s part of the cultural offerings of London’s upcoming summer Olympics in 2012. It is about the importance of personal memories, in this case those of past Olympics. The artist Simon Pope walked a specially planned 26 mile marathon through the five London boroughs where the Olympics will take place. He s…Read the full story on TreeHugger
Source: TreeHugger |
Lifestyle Adjustments, As Poverty Comes To The American Suburbs 12 Mar 2010, 2:09 am
Food pantry. Image credit: St. Louis Post Dispatch, (Laurie Skrivan/P-D)The era in which increasing numbers of people were willing to pay a premium for locally grown food or for ‘organic’ clothing appears to be ending. Poverty has become common in many US suburbs, triggered by ‘the economy,’ and in particular by the preceding fad of having a huge home with low property taxes in the far suburbs . For an example, see the emblematic story in the StarTribune, Read the full story on TreeHugger
Source: TreeHugger |
Scientists Aim to Learn More About Tiny Anteaters 12 Mar 2010, 1:25 am
Photos: Projeto TamanduáVery little is know about Silky anteaters, which make their home in the Amazon rainforest, other than the fact that they’re tiny, nocturnal, ant-loving, and of course, incredibly cute. But, in hopes of learning more about these fascinating little creatures, soon scientists will be venturing out into the jungles of Brazil to observe them in the wild–where they hope to find its population strong and stable, unlike those of the diminutive anteater’s Read the full story on TreeHugger
Source: TreeHugger |
Today on Planet 100: Arctic Methane Leak (Video) 11 Mar 2010, 10:35 pm
Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense
The Internet staff of Environmental Defense share their thoughts and strategies on how to best put the Internet to work for the environment.
Get a Badge to Save a Friend and the Ocean 28 Jan 2008, 10:40 pm
We've updated our seafood selector to make choosing fish that is both good for you AND the ocean even easier! Help us spread the word and stop a friend from consuming sushi that has high mercury levels. Share this wealth of knowledge and help a family member choose seafood that was caught using [...]
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Lauren Guite
Governors Take the Lead on Climate Change 14 Nov 2007, 3:23 pm
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/E30ml3QvvJ0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Now it's time for Congress to do the same.
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Web Team
Thank You 13 Nov 2007, 8:46 pm
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/9IdulWdL7O0" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]A thank you to all of Environmental Defense's online activists and donors. Become an activist by visiting http://environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=820. Become a donor by visiting https://donate.environmentaldefense.org/01/aaw00aa001.
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Web Team
Elizabeth Thompson on Getting a Climate Vote in Congress 3 Oct 2007, 4:06 pm
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/oLFT5cp-hxI" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Elizabeth Thompson, Legislative Director at Environmental Defense, talks about the possiblity of a bill on global warming in Congress this year.
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Web Team
Steve Cochran on Getting a Climate Vote in Congress 3 Oct 2007, 4:01 pm
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/GpBfibvsHcs" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]Steve Cochran, the Director of the National Climate Campaign at Environmental Defense, talks about getting Congress to vote for a bill on global warming.
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Web Team
Grab a Transportation Transformation Badge 11 Sep 2007, 3:21 pm
So you've taken action in our Transportation Transformation campaign.You've pledged to do your part in transforming your state's public transportation, you've added points to your state's total, yet you still feel you need to do more. We understand.Now it's time to spread the word using your blog or MySpace page. Just copy and paste the [...]
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Sharon Kasper
Friday Fun: Help organize our Web site! 27 Jul 2007, 9:56 pm
We're improving how we organize all our online resources, and we could use your help! If you have 10 minutes, click on the link below and show us how YOU would organize the items on the list.We need about 30 people to do this, so feel free to pass on to friends. Thanks for the [...]
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Kira Marchenese
Cleaner air for New York City? 11 Jul 2007, 5:45 pm
Will New York implement congestion pricing and reap the benefits of cleaner air and reduced traffic? If you live in New York, you can help make it happen! Email your state legislators today.And spread the word! Join our Facebook group, "I love New York, but the traffic is killing me", or add this video of [...]
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Jessica Bosanko
Environmental Defense on Care2 and Facebook 27 Jun 2007, 7:47 pm
We've got more treats for all you social networkers out there!Use Care2? Be sure to:Friend Environmental Defense Join our groupFor all the Facebook fans, add the causes application and support us:Smart ways to stop global warming GREEN
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Jessica Bosanko
Got a write in entry? 13 Jun 2007, 7:23 pm
Did we leave your first choice off the list in our "most influential environmental book" poll? Make your pitch here! Add your entry to the comments and make your case.
Source: Non-profit Internet Strategy – Environmental Defense | Jessica Bosanko
Main Feed – Environmental Defense
Environmental Defense partners with businesses, governments and citizens to find practical environmental solutions using science and economics. This feed contains all news articles and press releases from our website.
H20 Conservation is Everywhere this Week. Coincidence? I think not 11 Mar 2010, 10:41 pm
The last few days have been all about conserving Texas water. First, there was the release of the National Wildlife Federation/Sierra Club report on Monday. Then, on Tuesday I went to not one, but two meetings about how Texans can save water and use it more wisely. The trend tells me that Texans are finally [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Putting the Cart Before the Horse: The Legislature calls out the Administration on rushing water decisions 11 Mar 2010, 7:43 pm
Cynthia Koehler is Senior Attorney andCalifornia Water Legislative Director for EDF. Ann Hayden is a Senior Water Resource Analyst at EDF. If nothing else, Tuesday’s joint oversight hearing before the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife and the Senate Resources and Water Committees made clear that while the Delta package was enacted last year, the Legislature remains [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Listening Sessions with Gullah/Geechee Fishermen Continue 11 Mar 2010, 5:30 pm
My journey to engage and build relationships with Southeastern, African-American fishermen continued last week with stops in Florida and Georgia. On Friday and Saturday, I reunited with Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, to co-sponsor listening sessions in Fernandina, Florida and Brunswick, Georgia. Mirroring the session [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Profiles in Restoration: The Central Wetlands Unit, Part II 11 Mar 2010, 3:03 pm
One of our goals at Restoration and Resilience is to offer a better analysis of green jobs potential than past jobs multipliers have provided. To do this, we’ll examine case studies of completed and proposed wetland restoration projects. This is the second in a series of posts that lay out some estimates of the job creation that could be generated by restoration of [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Events: Grant Application Deadlines for the Road Home and Individual Mitigation Measures Programs, March 10 10 Mar 2010, 9:05 pm
As reported by (the appropriately named) David Hammer in the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Monday, today is the deadline for applications by Louisiana homeowners to secure extra construction aid from the Road Home program. These grants of up to $100,000 are available to those who had selected "Option 1" under the original Road Home grant process, and can be used [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Drop by Drop: Seven Ways Texas Cities Can Conserve Water 10 Mar 2010, 6:42 pm
Guest post by Ken Kramer, Director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.The best and cheapest source of water is the one that’s already on tap.Unfortunately for Texas – which is the fastest growing state in the union – a new report from National Wildlife Federation and the Lone Star Chapter of the [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Let’s Stay in Touch 10 Mar 2010, 6:22 pm
An important objective of Environmental Defense Fund's Innovation Exchange is to connect with other people who work at the nexus of business and sustainability and make the whole network more effective. We believe networking and shared learning are central to the rapid innovation needed to dramatically improve sustainability in business. We want to know who [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Yes Virginia, Texas has a James River too… 9 Mar 2010, 8:17 pm
NEW REPORT REVIEWS POTENTIAL THREATS TO CENTRAL TEXAS RIVERGuest post by Tyson Broad, author of The Unknown River of Central Texas and a Llano resident.Despite being a major tributary to the Llano River and the home to one the nation’s largest nursery caves for bats, the James River is not well known because travelers do not [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Can Elevating Houses Keep Unemployment From Rising? 9 Mar 2010, 4:17 pm
The following is a pretty stark visualization of unemployment rates in Louisiana compared to the rest of the United States (a nifty tool provided by the folks at Google). Before Katrina (that big spike there in 2005), Louisiana's unemployment consistently hovered above the national average. But after the storm, unemployment dipped below and stayed below the [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
A New Tool for the Fleet Manager’s Toolkit: Reduce Costs and Emissions from Medium-Duty Trucks 9 Mar 2010, 2:00 pm
Medium-duty trucks are the workhorses of the American economy. They deliver food and beverages to restaurants and convenience stores, drop off packages at homes and offices, serve as mobile workshops for all types of technicians and perform thousands of other daily tasks. They are also responsible for producing over 80 million metric tons of carbon [...]
Source: Main Feed – Environmental Defense |
Global Issues
Announcement of new and updated content on the globalissues.org web site. GlobalIssues.org is a web site attempting to look at various global issues to show they are inter-related.
Obesity: a growing global problem 14 Feb 2010, 11:57 pm
Obesity typically results from over-eating (especially an unhealthy diet) and lack of enough exercise.
In our modern world with increasingly cheap, high calorie food (example, fast food — or junk food
), prepared foods that are high in things like salt, sugars or fat, combined with our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, increasing urbanization and changing modes of transportation, it is no wonder that obesity has rapidly increased in the last few decades, around the world.
The number of people overweight or obese is now rivaling the number of people suffering from hunger around the world. Obese people were thought to be mainly from richer countries or wealthier segments of society, but poor people can also suffer as the food industry supplies cheaper food of poorer quality.
Environmental, societal and life-style factors all have an impact on obesity and health. While individuals are responsible for their choices, other actors such as the food industry are also part of the problem, and solution. Unfortunately, the food industry appears reluctant to take too many measures that could affect their bottom line, preferring to solely blame individuals instead.
The obesity page has been updated to include additional data, information and videos about the impacts of obesity, childhood obesity and what can be done about it.
Source: Global Issues |
Conservation struggle: tiger numbers continue to decline 13 Feb 2010, 11:01 pm
Tiger numbers are on the decline. The estimated number of tigers remaining globally is thought to be between around 3,400 to 5,100 tigers with possibly just under 40 left in China.
The tiger is a powerful symbol of conservation, yet despite measures to help their numbers, various threats such as habitat loss and poaching continue to threaten their numbers.
These and additional numbers as well as a video from the BBC were added.
Read full article: Nature and Animal Conservation
Source: Global Issues |
Haiti 1 Feb 2010, 12:06 am
The devastating earthquake that hit Haiti earlier in January has led to immense coverage of the ensuing humanitarian emergency.
But Haiti’s problems are numerous and goes back decades. A combination of a long turmoiled history, outside influence/interference preventing local democracy and development, political instability, environmental degradation, poverty and natural disasters all combine making it incredibly difficult to see how Haiti will be able to get out of its present situation.
The Haiti page on this web site has been updated to provide an overview of the earthquake related problems that occurred, though is not an up to date service on the relief efforts. However, the page has a lot of background information on Haiti from a geopolitical angle, which may provide some background and context to the nations’ troubles and challenges.
(The Inter Press Service news coverage on Haiti carried by this web site may be of interest for more up to date stories.)
Source: Global Issues |
Racism 12 Jan 2010, 11:58 pm
Racism can be found in many places around the world, often rooted in complex historical circumstances mixed with contemporary issues and conditions. The racism article on this site was getting quite old, so it has been updated with a few more examples and background information. More will be added over time.
Source: Global Issues |
Poverty around the world: informal settlements and slums 3 Jan 2010, 12:12 am
Approximately 1 in 6 people live in informal settlements, or slums. In developing countries, some 1 in 3 people living in cities are living in slum areas.
While there have been some successes in reducing the number of people living in such areas in recent years by about a tenth (mostly in China and India), numerous problems persist.
Some settlements are not officially recognized despite being present for decades and being home to thousands of people. This then means that residents have been denied a range of essential services provided by the government to other residents such as water, sanitation, electricity, garbage collection, health, education, access roads and transport.
In some places, people face an almost daily threat of forced eviction without notice or appropriate compensation. Human rights groups have filmed cases where bulldozers come in without warning while residents are there. This often occurs when developers want the land for further development and may include state collusion.
Due to the very conditions in which people live, their ability to stand up for their rights and have their voices heard is greatly reduced. And yet, despite this, there is much of humanity to be found in these areas, with vibrancy and enterprising people struggling to make a living.
The poverty around the world page has been updated to explores some of these aspects further, with additional information and videos.
Read full article: Poverty Around The World
Source: Global Issues |
Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 30 Dec 2009, 5:42 am
December 7 – December 18, 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark was the venue for the 15th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the 15th Conference of the Parties — or COP 15.
As with previous conferences, thousands of politicians (including head of states), diplomats, journalists, lobbyists and NGOs attended hoping the summit would finalize a post-Kyoto international agreement on climate change to take effect in 2013.
The build-up to the meeting was full of optimism and hope, as the US was, for the first time in a long time, going to be seen as a positive contributor, and their involvement is always recognized as key. There was also increasing focus on emerging economies such as China and India.
Instead of a positive outcome, most commentators saw it as a failure, though for different reasons.
This article provides a very brief summary of the outcome and related issues:
Read full article: COP15 — Copenhagen Climate Conference
Source: Global Issues |
Iran: recent nuclear weapons concerns unfounded? 29 Dec 2009, 3:58 am
Towards the end of 2009 it was revealed published a document which purportedly described an Iranian plan to do experiments on what the newspaper described as a neutron initiator
for an atomic weapon. However, it seems US intelligence sources find this Iran nuclear document to be a fabrication. Shortly before his term as head of the IAEA ended, Dr. Elbaradei reiterated that using the language of force on this issue has not been helpful and despite some serious failings recently failings by Iran not to disclose an enrichment facility by a certain time, to present the Iran threat as imminent is hype.
This update expands on the above as well as adds a few notes on the recent political violence that has erupted as Iran’s security forces have clamped down on protesters supporting moderate opposition parties.
Source: Global Issues |
Inequality in Rich Countries 7 Dec 2009, 12:58 am
Once nations are industrialized, more equal societies almost always do better in terms of health, well-being and social cohesion. Large income inequalities within societies destroys the social fabric and quality of life for everyone.
That is what the Equality Trust in the UK have found after researching numerous aspects of inequality.
They looked at a wide range of health and social problems and found that,
- Outcomes are substantially worse in more unequal societies
- The problems tend to move together, implying that they share an underlying cause
- Whether their findings are tested internationally among the rich countries, or among the 50 states of the USA, there is almost always the same tendency for outcomes to be much worse in more unequal societies.
For industrialized nations, it would seem that economic growth is therefore less important than equality when it comes to social cohesion and individual well-being.
This update includes a video describing this in further detail, as well as charts and graphs showing the relationship between various social factors and inequality.
Read full article: Poverty Around The World
Source: Global Issues |
Women’s Rights and Climate Change 5 Dec 2009, 11:58 pm
There has been 30 years of the UN women’s rights treaty, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Many indicators suggest that immense progress has been made, with the treaty even being described as one of the most successful human rights treaties ever. Nonetheless, numerous challenges remain around the world.
At the same time, it is increasingly accepted that women (especially in poorer countries) are going to be more vulnerable to climate change impacts. This can be for a number of reasons, including poverty, inequality and deprivation.
Fighting for women’s rights and gender equality is therefore seen as crucial from a number of perspectives.
This update includes a few notes on additional progress seen around the world due to the CEDAW treaty as well as information and a couple of videos on how climate change already impacts women in similar ways in places far apart as Bolivia and Vietnam.
Read full article: Women’s Rights
Source: Global Issues |
AIDS Around the World 29 Nov 2009, 2:34 am
UNAIDS has updated their estimates for various aspects for AIDS/HIV. It says that for 2008 worldwide, there were an estimated:
- 33.4 million living with HIV
- 2.7 million new infections of HIV
- 2 million deaths from AIDS
Approximately 7 out of 10 deaths for 2008 were in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region that also has over two-thirds of adult HIV cases and over 90% of new HIV infections amongst children.
Looking over recent years, UNAIDS finds some improvements, such as reductions in deaths from AIDS and of new incidences of HIV infections. Yet, were it not for the politics and other problems throughout the past couple of decades, perhaps means more lives could have been saved.
The AIDS page has been updated with newer graphs and charts.
Read full article: AIDS Around the World
Source: Global Issues |
Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool
Welcome!We need your help to add images to the inspirational stories and quotes that the Sierra Club sends out every day in our e-newsletter, the Daily Ray of Hope.How it works: Submit your best examples of original photos that you think will remind people why we all work so hard to protect the natural environment, and that will give people a little extra pep in their step! We will select a photo each weekday to appear alongside our Daily Ray of Hope for the day. If you are not signed up for the Daily Ray of Hope, you can sign up here to watch for your photo to appear. We will give you proper credit if your photo is selected.If you have any questions, post them here, or email cara.longpre@sierraclub.org.Thanks for your help in making the Daily Ray of Hope even Hope-ier!
More Blue Shadows 12 Mar 2010, 6:50 am
glaciergirl has added a photo to the pool:
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
Looking towards the fading sun 12 Mar 2010, 4:33 am
Elizabeth Haslam has added a photo to the pool:
Every one loves spring flowers on the Central Coast and everywhere. Winter rain brings March flowers.
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
5 of 5 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) – Four Canada Geese were resting and feeding 12 Mar 2010, 2:04 am
mikebaird has added a photo to the pool:
5 of 5 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) – Four Canada Geese were resting and feeding at the Los Osos Creek outlet to the Morro Bay estuary, Los Osos, Morro Bay, CA 11 March 2010. Set of 5 images. Photo by Michael "Mike" L. Baird, mike [at} mikebaird d o t com, flickr.bairdphotos.com; Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 600mm f/4.0 Lens with Circular Polarizer (no time to take it off from earlier water shots) and 2.0X TE on Gitzo GZGT5540LS tripod with Wimberley Gimbal Head II, set about one foot off the ground.
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
Sea Lions at rest 11 Mar 2010, 11:51 pm
saunamamo has added a photo to the pool:
Soaking up the sun
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
Poppy for Today 11 Mar 2010, 11:45 pm
Steve Corey has added a photo to the pool:
Laguna Lake Park, SLO.
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
Sandymount Strand, Perspective 3 11 Mar 2010, 10:18 am
Michael Foley Photography has added a photo to the pool:
Sandymount Strand on a clear day with the tide out. Vast emptiness. A refuge from the crowds. It’s hard to imagine that this is surrounded by Dublin city.
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
Iris Droppling 10 Mar 2010, 8:17 pm
puliarf has added a photo to the pool:
In the backyard garden. Cropped a bit of the dog out of the background. All dew drops are for reals. Not sprayed on, not photoshopped.
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
DSC_0026 10 Mar 2010, 7:00 pm
kriedom has added a photo to the pool:
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
015 10 Mar 2010, 7:00 pm
kriedom has added a photo to the pool:
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
023 10 Mar 2010, 7:00 pm
kriedom has added a photo to the pool:
Source: Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope Pool |
Copyright©2007 admin
