environment-first

THIRST

From: jbrenman, 2 months ago

THIRST

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This is an educational presentation exploring humanity's water use and the emerging worldwide water shortage. It is designed to act as a stand-alone presentation. Enjoy!


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Environmental Watchdog Honored With $250,000 Heinz Award for the Environment

The founder and director of the Kentucky Resources Council, dubbed the “watchdog of the environment” in the Bluegrass state, has been selected to receive the 14th annual Heinz Award for the Environment, among the largest individual achievement prizes in the world.

Thomas J. FitzGerald, 53, of Louisville, Ky., an influential voice in improving the environmental landscape within his home state and across the nation, is among five distinguished Americans selected to receive one of the $250,000 awards, presented by the Heinz Family Foundation.

“For more than three decades, Tom FitzGerald has raised a thoughtful and courageous voice on behalf of many communities, families and individuals whose environmental health would have otherwise been at risk,” said Teresa Heinz, chairman of the Heinz Family Foundation. “He has been a ubiquitous and persistent leader in advocating for the fair and equitable application of environmental laws and has generously and tirelessly shouldered the causes of those without the resources or expertise to fend for themselves. It is fair to say that Mr. FitzGerald is singularly responsible for the health and well-being of countless individuals – in Kentucky and throughout the United States – thanks in large measure to his vigilant commitment to seeing that environmental protections are enforced and the welfare of our citizens regarded as sacrosanct. We are indeed honored to recognize him with the 14th annual Heinz Award for the Environment.”

Mr. FitzGerald has dedicated his career to helping citizens and organizations within Kentucky and across the country secure full and fair implementation of policies intended to safeguard their health, safety and quality of life. He is an authority on the enforcement of the national Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977, the federal law designed to protect against the adverse environmental and societal effects of surface coal mining operations, as well as other regulatory issues affecting the environment. After earning his law degree, Mr. FitzGerald worked as a law clerk and environmental specialist for the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, and in 1984, reshaped the Kentucky Resources Council, providing free legal assistance on environmental matters, pursuing environmental advocacy and making the name “Fitz” synonymous with environmental protection in Kentucky. Having worked to secure passage of a national mining law from 1972 forward, he was very active in the development of regulations under the 1977 law and in working with a handful of attorneys in the nation’s capital to defend those regulations against decades of industry lawsuits in the District of Columbia Circuit.
To preserve lands from the environmental consequences of mining, Mr. FitzGerald regularly leverages a generally ignored provision of SMCRA to persuade regulatory officials to declare areas of local or regional importance unsuitable for coal mining operations, a strategy that has proven more effective than litigation. It was a tactic that helped to save Black Mountain, Kentucky’s highest peak, as well as protected the watersheds that provide the drinking water for the cities of Middlesboro and Pineville, Ky., and the view shed of the Pine Mountain Settlement School, from mining.

Mr. FitzGerald’s influence extends well beyond issues related to coal. Working always on a pro bono basis and most often alone, he has helped draft ordinances to protect communities from sewage sludge disposal and factory hog farms as well as negotiated state statutes providing environmental protections related to brownfield redevelopment, the siting of new power plants, solid and hazardous waste management, renewable energy and energy efficiency. He has been a fixture in the halls of Kentucky’s General Assembly since 1978 and has lobbied to defeat scores of bills that would have lowered environmental quality and polluter accountability, including bills designed to strip local governments of their home-rule ability to regulate environmental problems, bills that would have prevented Kentucky’s environmental regulations from being more stringent than the minimum standards set by federal rules, and a bill that would have undercut Louisville’s Strategic Toxic Air Reduction Program. Additionally, Mr. FitzGerald continues to carry a caseload of individual cases where communities or individuals are threatened by air, land or water pollution, taking only those cases that the private bar would not take or which the citizen could not afford to bring.

Looking toward the future, Mr. FitzGerald has developed plans for an environmental leadership training program designed to cultivate the next generation of environmental watchdogs and create teams of volunteers, drawn largely from retired state environmental employees, to assist citizens and communities impacted by pollution. He also has been an adjunct professor of energy and environmental law at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law since 1986.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been nominated and selected as the 14th recipient of the Heinz Award in the area of the environment,” Mr. FitzGerald said. “I have been blessed many times over by family, by those whom KRC has represented, and by mentors who helped shape my unflagging belief that we each, working in good faith and with humility, can advance justice in all of its facets – environmental, economic, moral, generational. Kentucky, with 98 percent of our electricity generated by fossil fuels and an economy built on coal extraction and low-cost power, is ‘ground zero’ for climate change.

Presented in five categories, the other Heinz Award recipients are:
Arts and Humanities: Ann Hamilton, 52, visual artist and educator, from Columbus, Ohio
Human Condition: Brenda Krause Eheart, Ph.D., 64, founder of Generations of Hope and Hope Meadows, from Champaign, Ill.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN CHANGING CONSUMERS' LIVES AND BUYING HABITS

In a consumer survey taken in advance of Earth Day (April 22) by BuzzBack Market Research, 72 percent of those asked said they used energy efficient light bulbs and 57 percent said they purchased recycled products. But much work still needs to be done to change attitudes among consumers as less than 10 percent say they buy products only from “green” companies.

BuzzBack conducted a survey among 1,141 people in the US and United Kingdom to learn how they are changing their lives to be more “green” or environmentally conscious. About half of those surveyed agree completely/somewhat "that the environment is the most important issue, and are willing to make sacrifices such as convenience, comfort or cost savings in order to support the environment."

When it comes to using products to improve the environment, US consumers say they do the following more often than not:

72% use energy efficient light bulbs
70% turn down the thermostat
71% recycle paper
68% turn off electric appliances rather than leave them on stand-by
67% take more showers than baths to conserve water
57% recycle glass
57% purchase recycled products
55% purchase recycled paper
51% purchase refill products
38% use less household chemicals
36% walk short distances rather than drive
31% buy organic fruit or vegetables
20% take fewer flights
15% buy organic meat
6% only buy products from companies they consider Green
4% use a hybrid car
About three-quarters in both the US and UK are ‘extremely/slightly’ worried about global warming. More UK consumers are ‘slightly’ worried, and nearly two-thirds of these have made changes to things they do or buy as a result. In the US, among those worried about global warming, only half have made changes to what they do or buy.

BuzzBack Market Research, a New York City Internet consumer research and marketing firm, developed the study when several clients asked about sustainability and issues related to environmental consumerism.

Earth's Newsdesk Launches -- A Fierce New Voice for the Earth

September 8, 2008By Earth's Newsdesk, a project of Ecological Internet (EI)


A new type of environmental news service launchesthis week, as "Earth's Newsdesk" will report upon ecologicalscience, policy and advocacy from the Earth's perspective.Ecological Internet will begin regularly providing biocentricmedia releases and feature articles for publication elsewhere.This continues a long list of firsts from EI and itspredecessors, including the web's first blog and environmentalsearch engine.
The free service will build upon Ecological Internet'sconstant tracking of environmental science, policy andadvocacy -- and years of deep green analysis and action -- andwill report upon major threats and opportunities facingforests, climate, water and oceans. It will focus uponenvironmental sustainability and the needs of the biosphere,and her ability to continue maintaining a habitable Earth forall life.
"The emphasis will be upon fully and truthfully knowing themagnitude of global ecological crises, and reporting uponambitious yet attainable ecological sustainability solutions,"explains Ecological Internet's President, Dr. Glen Barry.
"There is something deeply wrong when foundation-fedenvironmental groups tell us logging ancient forests protectsthem, and governments fail miserably to promote adequateclimate policies. 'Earth's Newsdesk' will be a fierce,independent voice for ecological sufficiency. No government ororganization's greenwash will be safe from criticism."
This new news service, along with the soon to launch "NewEarth Rising" e-zine, will substantially increase EcologicalInternet's original content offerings. EI continues to recruitessayists and guest bloggers. These writings will complimentEcological Internet's unmatched environmental search, newstracking, deep ecological analysis and action alerts.

RELEASE:http://www.ecoearth.info/blog/2008/09/release_earths_newsdesk_launch.asp

About Dr Glen Barry:

Dr. Glen Barry is a leading global spokesperson on globalforest and climate policy. Ecological Internet provides theweb's leading environment, climate and forest web portals athttp://www.ecoearth.info/, http://www.climateark.org/ andhttp://forests.org/. Dr. Barry frequently conducts interviewson the latest global environmental policy developments and canbe reached at: glenbarry@ecologicalinternet.org (noteconfirmation email response required) and +1 (920) 776-1075.

And ever since I can’t stop admiring him

It was destined for me to come to UAE. Otherwise, why would I have asked my husband to consider the offer he had already rejected? To cut the rest of the story short, he joined his job in UAE in January 2006, and I came to UAE in the same year in May. Just for a visit.I was actually on two months leave from my work (OneWorld South Asia).It was a good job, and I loved the kind of work I was doing there. But then....... I could not go back. I decided to stay back for my son Kabir, my husband and myself. I decided: it was better to stay together than just feel happy about the job waiting back in India.

Initial two years were very depressing with no job, no friends and a bad health. Finally after many rejections and frustrations,I now feel very much as a part and parcel of this side of the Globe. Since I had to live here, I started gathering information about the region, history of Emirates, important people etc.

Once I was travelling in a lift, I had to go to the 10th floor. An old man (an Emirati) boarded the lift on the first floor. He looked at the picture of Sheikh Zayed on the magazine (facing his side) and murmured something in Arabic and concluded –Peace be upon him. I could not understand the rest of the sentence spoken in Arabic, but I could guess- it was for sure, something positive. Later, I got a chance to do a cover story on the most respected man of the region and father of the Nation : Late Sheikh Zayed.

In the process, I got more fascinated by him and ever since...I can't stop admiring him.

Fraction of the story is attached below-

Sheikh Zayed- A Pioneer from Middle East: A leader of world stratum
Green Vision of a man from the Dessert

-Seema Sangra

In the history of the Emirates, there was a Sheikh, who ruled Abu Dhabi for the longest period; from 1855 to 1909- His name was Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. In 1918, he was blessed with a grandson who would change the region in more than one way. Sheikh Zayed was born in Al Nahyan clan to change the face of the region. He became the father of the nation, which he created from seven Trucial States, now called United Arab Emirates.

Son of the Dessert

At the time Sheikh Zayed was born, the emirate was poor and undeveloped dessert, with an economy based primarily on fishing and pearl diving along the coast and offshore and on simple agriculture in certain areas near oasis .Part of the population was nomadic, ranging across a wide area of south-eastern Arabia in search of pasture.


Principles of Islam

He started taking his religious education at the age of eight. Even as a member of the ruling family he led a simple life. Principles of Islam learnt early in his life, remained the foundation of his beliefs and principles throughout his life. He was a firm and dedicated opponent of people who tried to pervert the message of Islam and distorted Islam’s image by justifying doctrine of narrow-mindedness and terrorism. He was a true Muslim and understood and practiced Islam.

The Great Environmentalist: A Green Vision of a man from the Dessert

Sheikh Zayed was an environmentalist long before it became fashionable to be one. Of all the commendable qualities of this multi-faceted leader, it is perhaps as an environmentalist that he will be remembered by most. He was a son of the dessert but had a green dream, which he fulfilled with in his lifespan and passed it to the next generation of rulers. Preservation and enhancement of the environment was his passion. For five decades, Sheikh Zayed advocated and adopted the concept of what is known today as “Sustainable Development”. In one often-quoted statement, Sheikh Zayed said -“We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history and our heritage. On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live and to preserve it for succeeding generations”.

As a ruler of Al Ain, the key task for Sheikh Zayed was to stimulate the local economy, which was largely based on agriculture. To do this, he ensured that the ancient subterranean water channels or falajes (aflaj) were cleaned out, and personally financed the construction of a new one, taking part in the strenuous labour that was involved. He commenced the laying out of a visionary city plan, and, in a foretaste of the massive a forestation programme of today, he also ordered the planting of ornamental trees that, now grown to maturity, have made Al Ain one of the greenest cities in Arabia. Sheikh Zayed was responsible for the "green belt" of vast tracts of previously barren, arid land. Under all ambitious localised forestation programme more than 150 million trees were planted during his rule.

Sheikh Zayed was born into a world where the inter-relationship of Man and Nature was a crucial part of life itself. The time-honoured traditions of nomadism and of the skills they involved of living off a harsh and demanding land were still the key to survival for many of the people of Abu Dhabi. His knowledge of the environment around him led him to recognise the dangers posed by a non-sustainable exploitation of resources. He drew that insight from his knowledge of the traditional heritage of the people of the Emirates, and was interested not just in ensuring the conservation of wildlife, but also in learning about it. Sheikh Zayed developed an understanding of the relationship between man and his environment and, in particular, the need to ensure that sustainable use was made of natural resources. He learned, too, about the coastal fishing communities, and the age-old offshore pearling industry, which had begun as long ago as 5000BC, and involved diving without artificial aids to the seabed to harvest the pearls that were to be found there in profusion.


On the island of Sir Bani Yas, he encouraged the captive breeding of rare indigenous species including the Arabian Oryx and gazelle. In the early 1960s, aware that the Arabian Oryx was on the verge of extinction in Oman, he arranged, just in time, for the capture of two breeding pairs for the nucleus of a captive-breeding programme. Today, 40 years later, there are well over 2,000 Arabian oryx in captivity in the UAE, many on the island of Sir Bani Yas, which he turned into a private nature reserve.

In the late 1960s, when he became Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed created the Association for Animal Welfare, a group of rangers who patrolled - and still patrol - the deserts to ensure that there was no uncontrolled hunting of wildlife. He also pursued his interest in falconry and conservation, not just as a participant, but as the source of numerous initiatives that have come, over the years, to have a far-reaching effect. Thus the 1st World Conference on Falconry and Conservation, held in Abu Dhabi at the end of 1976, for the first time, brought falconers from North America, Europe and the Far East together with falconers from Arabia, acting as the launch pad for a strategy devised by Sheikh Zayed to bring falconers into the mainstream of emerging conservation efforts. It was at this time that captive-bred falcons from Europe first began to appear in Arabia, launching a trend that today sees most UAE falconers choosing captive-bred birds by preference.

A few years later, on Sheikh Zayed's instructions, the country's first Hunting Law was promulgated, providing protection to virtually all of the UAE's wildlife.

Besides issuing of legislation and the establishing of new governmental structures, Sheikh Zayed also showed in his own private actions that his personal commitment to conservation was deep-rooted, an essential component of the way he looked upon the world around him. He encouraged research into the ecology of falcons while he was amongst the first to discern the threats to wild falcon populations and set in motion a wide variety of captive-breeding programmes for species related to falconry. He also launched the Zayed Falcon Release Programme, which has now seen well over 1000 birds released back into the wild. Today, many of the initiatives on the environment and wildlife conservation made by Sheikh Zayed are enshrined in legislation.


In a segment of his biography published a quarter of a century ago, Sheikh Zayed recalled the moment in his youth when he recognised that the over-exploitation of natural resources could, and would, lead to the extinction of species. He mentions: "One day I set out on a hunting expedition in open country. My game was a large herd of gazelles spread over a wide area. I followed them and began shooting. Three hours later, I stopped to count my bag, and found I had shot fourteen gazelle. I pondered over this a long time. I realised that hunting with a gun was no more than an outright attack on animals, and a cause of their rapid extinction. I changed my mind, and decided to restrict myself to falconry only". The Zayed Archives of Falconry, the only institution in the world, was established exclusively to collect and preserve the history of world falconry.

A man who executed MDGs much before they were conceived internationally

If we look at his work: Eradication of poverty, Environment, Education, Empowerment of women, Public health, Partnership, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he executed most of the MDGs (applicable in the region, during his time), well before they were even conceived at international level!

An Enduring memory in people’s heart

After Sheikh Zayed’s death, Dr. James J. Zogby (a founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a Washington, D.C.-based organization which serves as the political and policy research arm of the Arab American community), interviewed couple of American dignitaries .

He writes: If a man can be known by his friends, then the tributes paid to Sheikh Zayed by this extraordinary collection of US public figures stood as a remarkable testimony to his greatness. What struck me, even more than what they said, was the intensity of their feelings about the man, and the common themes, each, in separate interviews, used in describing Sheikh Zayed's life and work.To a man, they spoke of their admiration for his extraordinary success in building his nation and leading it into the 21st Century. They spoke, as well, of his wisdom, a quality frequently mentioned in discussions of Sheikh Zayed. Each noted how Sheikh Zayed, while a friend and steady ally, never hesitated either to provide wise counsel or to criticise US policies that tested the friendship. They also noted his timely and generous assistance in meeting humanitarian challenges worldwide”.

He also writes :When critics ask "Have Arabs done good with their wealth?" or "Can Islam coexist with modernity?" one need only look to the UAE to see that the answer to both questions is definitively "yes".

Today, the whole world realises the great contrast UAE is able to create in the region full of conflict and mistrust. It has emerged as a nation- where a strong sense of identity is not a hindrance in respecting the faith and customs of people from more than 200 nationalities, living in the UAE. A nation built on vision of a man who was indeed a Pioneer from the Middle East and a leader of world stratum.
A Country becomes a Nation…… when its lead by a visionary.

I salute -Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan :People’s Man and World’s Leader!

(Mercy Be upon Him)


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Health Beat

Junk food causes fatty liver

According to a recent study, junk has been linked to Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NFLD). Initially, fatty liver can be benign, however, when the fat storage in the body exceeds the maximum limit, the body starts throwing fatty acids into the liver. If left untreated, NFLD can result in fibrosis of liver and in the extreme cases, it can lead to cirrhosis. So eating junk food is as worse as drinking alcohol.

Bio-solids and human health

Bio-solids are ubiquitous with contaminants potentially harmful to human beings, livestock, wildlife, crops, soil and groundwater. Poorly tested or regulated, bio-solids may contain thousands of toxic chemicals that may have adverse impact. The problem is further compounded as guidelines for spreading bio-solids on farmland are outdated and inadequate in most of the countries of the world.

Chlorinated Tris back in children’s life

Chlorinated Tris —a flame retardant that was taken out of children’s pyjamas more than 30 years ago after it was found to cause cancer is now being used with increasing regularity in furniture, paint —even baby carriers and bassinets —and manufacturers are under no obligation to let the public know about it. As a user, one can not find out what kinds of paints or cushions contain chlorinated Tris by looking at labels either.
Arlene Blum, a scientist from the University of California-Berkeley whose work led to the chemicals being taken out of children's sleepwear in the 1970s, said she was astonished to learn that Chlorinated Tris is back in such widespread use in other consumer products, particularly couches and places where children play.
Breastfeeding boosts children’s immunity

Breastfed babies are not only protected against a huge range of infections, they also enjoy lifelong benefits, from higher intelligence to a lower risk of obesity and diabetes. Breast milk is the ultimate functional food. Besides providing babies with the essential nutrients they need to grow and develop, it also contains hundreds of active components that do everything from targeting dangerous pathogens and boosting the development of a baby's gut to preventing allergic reactions and increasing appetite. What's more, the composition of breast milk changes over time to match babies' needs - levels of natural painkillers called beta-endorphins are highest right after birth,

Asthma during early pregnancy may cause birth defects

Asthma flare-ups early in pregnancy may raise the risk of birth defects, a new study suggests. In a study of 3,477 asthmatic women who gave birth, at least once between 1990 and 2000, Canadian researchers found that those who had had symptom flare-ups in the first trimester, were 48 percent more likely to have a baby with a congenital malformation Overall, 13 percent of the babies born to women with asthma attacks had at least one malformation, such as a birth defect of the heart, facial structures, spine or digestive system. That compared with 9 percent of infants whose mothers had well-controlled asthma in early pregnancy. The findings have been published in the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. This study highlights the need for women to take suitable medication to avoid exacerbations.

Green Tips

A lot of water and energy are used while cleaning clothes. However, we can save both by practising a few eco-friendly laundry tips:

· Only do full loads of laundry, use as little water as possible.

· Before doing the laundry, inspect the clothes because they may not be that dirty. Some items just need to be re-pressed and placed on hangers.

· Up to 90 per cent of the energy used for washing clothes goes to heating the water. A warm wash and cold rinse will work just as well as a hot water wash and a warm rinse on nearly all clothes.

· Hang up clothes immediately after you've worn them, give them a day off between wearings, and air them out before returning them to the closet. Use a clothes brush occasionally to remove surface dust. Thus you can comfortably skip washing the clothes a couple of times.

· Hang clothing outside to dry or inside in a dry, warm room and save energy.

· If you must use a machine to dry your clothes, clean your dryer’s lint trap after every load to keep the air circulating efficiently. Lint build-up is also a fire hazard.

· Use lemon juice to the rinse cycle and hang your clothes outside in the sun which will bleach clothes naturally and will also save energy.

· Treat spills quickly to prevent staining. And do not iron stained garments; heat sets the stains.

· The best way to save water and energy on washing clothes is to possess a small wardrobe. You may begin by donating your older garments that you would not use in future and buy less in future.

Its been two years

Its been two years since we lost the great Crocodile Hunter. It was this fateful day when the ever smiling Steve Irwin left a vacuum in the world of animal lovers. The one who said:

"I consider myself a wildlife warrior. My mission is to save the world's endangered species.”

Steve Irwin was born on 22 February 1962 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. His father Bob Irwin was a wildlife expert and his mother Lyn was a wildlife rehabilitator. He moved with his parents as a child to Queensland in 1970. In Queensland, Bob and Lyn Irwin started the small Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, where Steve grew up around crocodiles and other reptiles.
Irwin’s love towards wild life started early as he became involved with the park in a number of ways, including taking part in daily animal feeding, as well as care and maintenance activities. He wrestled his first crocodile; again under his father's supervision when we was barely nine years old. His fascination towards reptiles got him an unusual Birthday present- a 12-foot (4 m) scrub python!

He graduated from Caloundra State High School in 1979 and soon moved to Northern Queensland, where he became a crocodile trapper, removing crocodiles from populated areas where they were considered a danger.

Life changed further for Steve in 1991 when he met his soul mate Terri Raines. The two married in June 1992. The footage, of their crocodile-trapping honeymoon became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter, which was debuted on Australian TV screens in 1996, and later in North American television. The Crocodile Hunter became successful in the United States, UK and over 137 countries, reaching 500 million people. Steve was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around the world. He also got a nick name as “Crocodile Hunter”. In 1998, he again presented a series –The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World produced and directed by Mark Strickson.

Other than a cameo role in the Eddie Murphy film Dr Dolittle 2, self portrayal in –The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Video Wiggly Safari, which was set in Irwin's Australia Zoo, he also gave his voice for the 2006 animated film Happy Feet, as an elephant seal named Trev. He was also involved in several media campaigns, promoted Australian tourism and appeared on campaign posters. He donated all the fee received from media campaign to the wildlife fund. He was a passionate conservationist and believed in promoting environmentalism by sharing his excitement about the natural world rather than preaching to people. He was concerned with conservation of endangered animals and land clearing leading to loss of habitat.

In 2001, Irwin was awarded the Centenary Medal for his "service” to global conservation and to Australian tourism He was also nominated in 2004 for Australian of the Year. In May 2007, the Rwandan Government announced that it would name a baby gorilla after Steve Irwin as a tribute to his work in wildlife conservation. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary was named by the Kerala government after late Steve Irwin.

He knew the dangers involved in his profession, but his love towards animals was unconditional. He loved the wildlife from core of his heart and always felt that they are harmless. In a way, he went to extent of pardoning the stingray in advance, who killed the great Crocodile Hunter. He wrote –“If I ever get bitten, stomped, chewed, lacerated, trampled, kicked, gouged, stung, or peed on - it's my fault, never the animal’s!”. Steve was killed during a filming expedition on the Great Barrier Reef in 2006. It was a rare accident in which Steve swam over a stingray and was stung by its barb in his chest.

He was indeed larger than life personality. When the world lost Steve Irwin, this is how Discovery Communication’s Founder and Chairman, John Hendricks described him and said, "Steve was a larger than life force. He brought joy and learning about the natural world to millions and millions of people across the globe”.

Plan of Action

Global food crisis has assumed a tongue in cheek significance. While the USA blames the developing world for the present food crisis, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) pins the blame on America. Empirical evidences suggest that the consumption of cereals is growing far more rapidly in America than in any other developing country. The issue has been further complicated with increased use of corn for producing fuel. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) informs that about 30 million tones of corn was used in America to produce bio-fuels last year.

Concerns of developing countries are equally important. Developed countries provide agriculture subsidies to their farmers and oppose the same benefit for the farmers of poorer nations in WTO negotiations on agriculture subsidies. Farmers complain that they are not getting return on their investment and labour and that farming has become an unattractive avocation. They blame that the governments are taking agricultural land for industrial purpose and leave them to join the bandwagon of landless labouerers. The governments take the plea that industrial growth is required to remain competitive in a global economy.

So the global food crisis has actually resulted in an attention-grabbing orchestra of blame-game. As a result, the central issues emanating from the global food crisis have been diffused. Although people holding leadership positions acknowledge the presence of a crisis, they are more likely to issue statements blaming some other party rather than having a serious look at the problem itself and explore possible solutions. Such a scenario has led to a sense of helplessness at all levels.

To understand people’s perspective on the global food crisis and find out what can be done to mitigate the impact of food insecurity and food inflation. I will invite all the readers to take on from where our great leaders in various countries have failed and develop a plan of action, which can be both realistic and feasible. Do Comment....

Factoid

Studies suggest that those who have worked for 10 or more years as a hair stylist could have a risk of bladder cancer five times that of the general population.


Nail polish and nail polish removers are essentially mixtures of toxic chemicals. Many of the solvents and substances used in nail varnishes such as toluene, acetone, formaldehyde, and especially phthalates, if present, are reproductive toxicants and hazardous and have been found to cause health problems in workers, including occupational asthma.


Children in particular tend to be more sensitive to fragrances, and can develop allergic reactions easily.


Studies in the US “found that about 70% of college women say they feel worse about their own looks after reading women’s magazines”.


Women can use up to 20 different products as part of their daily routine.


It has been estimated that as much as 50% of the cost of a bottle of perfume can be accounted for by packaging and advertising.

In the middle ages, cosmetics usage was restricted to use within the upper classes.

In the 1800s, make-up was used primarily by prostitutes

Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors.

Hitler told women that face painting was for clowns and not for the women of the Master Race.

By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use in nearly all societies around the world.
--

Global Food Crisis: A Reality check

It is a ‘voiceless famine to voice less people’ in the poor nations, but when it comes to hunger even a newly born child cries loudly. People around the world are agitating because they are HUNGRY …..anyone listening?

“Unless there is a major change in policy, 600 million people worldwide will regularly go hungry by 2015. But it is the poorest in the world who face the disheartening future –800 million people did not have enough to eat on a daily basis even before the recent huge rise in prices.” –International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Governments across the world –particularly in the countries across North Africa, from Mauritania to Egypt, and most of the countries in Asia –are looking nervously at rising food prices and wondering about the political impact if things do not ease soon.

So when it comes to food situation, where do we stand today? What is the real situation? How have we reached this situation? These are the few questions we need to ask to understand the present scenario. Food insecurity is not just about a lack of food, but includes poor nutritional quality of available food and constant worry about getting food in the future. Food shortage and soaring food prices have direct relation to each other.
Soaring food prices in the world

In deed, the world is experiencing a dramatic increase in food prices. During the first three months of 2008, international nominal prices of all major food commodities reached their highest levels in nearly 50 years while prices in real terms were the highest in nearly 30 years. Although the food market situation differs from country to country and future evolution remains highly uncertain, best projections suggest that food prices are likely to remain high in the next few years and high prices are expected to affect markets in most of the developing countries. Interestingly, the current price increase has enveloped almost all major food crop commodities.

The World Bank now believes that around 33 countries are in danger of being destabilised by food price inflation. A BBC report ‘The cost of food: Facts and figures’, divulges significant price rise in a single year –March 2007-March 2008. According to the report, corn price has gone 31% up, Rice 74%, Soya 84%, and wheat 130%.

Rising food prices are causing severe hardship and suffering across the globe. For many of the 800 million people who are already affected by chronic hunger, higher food prices can be devastating. Already their ranks are being swelled by many other millions of poor people who now find themselves unable to buy the food that their families need for a healthy life. It is not surprising that this is provoking social unrest across the developing world.

In recent months media has covered stories on the plight of hungry millions from around the world. There are reports of poor lining up in Pakistan, most days of the week, to get a chance to grab the free (some times leftover) food that is distributed by a few restaurants. Many women hid their faces, ashamed and embarrassed that their misfortune is being witnessed by others. This scenario has emerged as prices in Karachi's markets have jumped to their highest level in 30 years. In Ethiopian town of Shashamene, women walk for several hours with young sick severely malnourished children slung on their backs, to the treatment centre when the simple cure to their disease is adequate food, which they cannot afford. Thus, millions of children are at risk.

Besides seeking alms and benevolence of the rich, the poor people have also reacted to the phenomenal increase in the food prices through political actions such as protest march. Recently, tens of thousands of people in Mexico marched in protest against price rises for tortillas. People were angry and there were fights. About 40m Mexicans, who live on $5 (AED18.25) a day or less have Tortillas as a staple diet and when the price of tortillas rises, it is a big news, which effects 40 millions the most . Many hold American corn farmers responsible for diverting their crops away to produce bio-fuels.

Nearly two dozen people were injured in Bangladesh capital Dhaka, as police opened fire in air and used batons and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who turned violent while demanding a wage hike to meet the steep food prices. It is a ‘silent famine’ in the all the poor nations as grains get converted to biofuel and other food products in the chain also rise in price. Recently in Egypt and Philippines, similar riots have taken place. In United States common middleclass households are seeing their weekly grocery bill rising by 40 to 50% over the last two years.

Yemen has been affected significantly where the price of a 50-kg sack of wheat has increased from 3300 in the end of 2007 to over 7200 in 2008. Yemen's imports of wheat have doubled since 2004, while the percentage of domestic production of grains is providing the local market with around 8 % of the total market demand of grains. The Yemeni consumers with their grain demands, thereby making Yemen more vulnerable to the shocks of the international markets and the increasing costs of grains, which have resulted in considerable economic hardships for the people of Yemen.

Even India and China are facing food shortages and the common people are using credit cards to fulfil their food requirements. With food accounting for a third of China's consumer price basket and even more in other countries, the situation is a time bomb for the region. Global food prices have risen, stretching many families beyond breaking point. While food prices have increased significantly in past few years, there has not been any commensurate increase in people's incomes. African governments are watching anxiously. Food riots have been reported in recently in several countries. At least 40 people were killed in protests in Cameroon. There have also been violent demonstrations in Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Senegal and Burkina Faso, where a nationwide strike against any food price increases started. In Afghanistan, a country which produced over 90 per cent of its own food can now fulfil only two-thirds of the domestic requirements. Around two million tonnes of grain will have to be imported.

Most of the countries have similar story to tell. Poor have no choice, and they are forced to rely on the charity of others, because of the crippling effect of rising food prices. Poor spend 50 to 80 per cent of their meagre income on food.

So what is the alternative?

Shall we focus on development of agriculture sector with a positive mindset whereby the farmers get their due in terms of remuneration and return on investment commensurate to their labour and input value? Can we make agriculture a lucrative avocation? Can we really stop the migration of rural labour into cities and towns? Can there be an equitable distribution of food? These are a few very simple questions that must be considered by all the stakeholders including the nation states in order to diffuse the global food crisis.

Did you know that?

• 862 million people across the world are hungry, up from 852 million a year ago.

• Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds.

• In essence, hunger is the most extreme form of poverty, where individuals or families cannot afford to meet their most basic need for food.

• Hunger manifests itself in many ways other than starvation and famine. Most poor people who
battle hunger deal with chronic undernourishment and vitamin or mineral deficiencies, which
result in stunted growth, weakness and heightened susceptibility to illness.

• Countries in which a large portion of the population battles hunger daily are usually poor and
often lack the social safety nets. When a family that lives in a poor country cannot grow enough
food or earn enough money to buy food, there is nowhere to turn for help.

Who’s the fairest of us all?

I am a believer that beauty starts inside out. What we eat and how we think keeps us beautiful. As they say: happiness is a state of mind, and so is the beauty. Happiness reflects in our actions and also on our looks. A smiling face always looks beautiful. Make-up can be a lifesaver on certain occasions. There is nothing actually wrong in makeup. Ignorance and over-indulgence of cosmetics is a concern though.

It's been used from centuries, but never had it had such dangerous ingredients in it, which we rub on our fragile skin these days. Unless one has degree in chemistry, one wouldn't notice the presence of notorious chemicals in a well packaged product, bombarded by advertisements with super models in it. So whom should we blame?

Shall we blame our uncontrollable, ever growing desire to look good? Or is it the cosmetic industry, which is not supplying all natural cosmetics for the huge demand? So who puts all that junk on our bathroom shelf? I guess we only do that.Are we becoming unfailingly insecure consumers? Are we insecure about our looks? What if the mirror on the wall might not choose me as "the fairest of all"? Social scientists offer various reasons to explain this insecurity. Due to beauty image created by the media and to some extent our society, some women go to extent of receiving multiple injections – some approved some off-label, and others wholly unapproved.

It's the time that we are fair to our own self and to the nature, which is God's gift to us like our bodies. Let us be fair to our bodies and be happy with our looks. Let the inner beauty outshine the perceived perception that we follow all the time. It's high time we stop treating ourselves as a product, which can be continuously upgraded and modified in accordance with new interests and greater resources. After all, cosmetics are about feeling and looking good. Tell yourself - you are fair of the all.