Internet for the Amazon tribes
The Amazon, which covers around 4.1 million square kilometers in Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, houses more than one-third of the world’s remaining rainforests and plays a critical role in global water cycles andclimate regulation. A high rate of deforestation in the zone not only includes an important loss of biodiversity, but also a change in the release of the carbon contained within the vegetation, which could accelerate global warming. At the current rate, scientists warned that in two decades the Amazon Rainforest will be reduced by 40% due to agricultural expansion. Looking for urgent solutions, Brazil’s government will provide free Internet access to native Indian tribes in the Amazon in an effort to help protect the world’s biggest rain forest. Read more
Filed Under Environment
A troglobite success story
Everyone knows what a troglodyte is, it’s common sense. But what exactly is a troglobite? Allow me, or rather, dear friend Wikipedia, to explain. “A troglobite is an animal that lives entirely in the dark parts of caves that have a specific humidity and air mix. They are often endemic to a specific site, that is, a species or sub-species only exists in that location and has adapted to that location’s particular environment and food sources.” Of course this means any slight disturbance made to that species ecosystem could quickly render them obsolete. In turn this means the fate of many troglobite species often lies in the hands of mining outfits. And that, in turn, makes for the occasional underdog troglobite overcoming and defeating a multi-billion-dollar mining operation story, such as this one: 11 troglobite species were discovered in what was supposed to be a developed iron ore mine in Western Australia. Environmental protection officials rejected the proposal, stating that the $10 billion plan would cause the extinction of at least 5 of the species. Of course the bad guy, Opposition environment spokesman Steve Thomas, isn’t happy and comments that the upgraded requirements of the mining sector in the environmental approvals process puts future developments at risk. Well, that’s the point Steve, now isn’t it? Who needs iron
ore anyway?
Filed Under Environment
Mexico may legalize abortion
One of the most controversial and argumentative topics of all times is abortion. The moral and legal aspects of it are subject to intense debate in many parts of the world and its ethical aspects are much discussed in all major philosophies and religions around the globe. Mexico, one the most religious countries in the world (almost 90% of the population is Catholic), is under a conflict; abortion in general is illegal, but yesterday its lawmakers began hearings to a proposal that intends to legalize most abortions. The legislation could allow thousands of women across the country to travel to Mexico City for safe, legal abortions. In 2000, the city’s Legislative Assembly approved a law allowing abortion in cases of rape or when the mother’s health was at risk. However, women and girls who approach the authorities to exercise this right face multiple obstacles, Human Rights Watch found.
Filed Under Human Rights, Politics
What soft drinks do to you
My brother sleeps a lot and he is always thirsty and he is always peeing, and without coincidence – he is addicted to soft drinks. I, on the other hand, was never much of a pop fan. I must say though, within the past year, I’ve consumed more Coke than ever, thanks to the free ones given out at my workplace cafeteria. And now I realize I have the very same tendencies as my brother. Today, I feel it especially. Drowsy, dehydrated, and running to the bathroom every few minutes. It could be that I’ve got the flu, it could be a build up - the past 300 days of Coke - or perhaps my psychosomatic illness is finally just kicking in after reading this frightening article: “In the first ten minutes 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavour allowing you to keep it down.” The article effectively describes the horrors such immediate amounts of sugar and caffeine creates inside throughout the first hour after consuming a soft drink.
I’ve said it about alcohol; I’ll say it about soft drinks. I’ll never drink that stuff again.
Filed Under Research
Paris, the bike city
Bicycles are one of the best inventions ever. They are cheap, fast and environmentally friendly. Contemporary generations are increasing their interest and concern about ecological issues and their possible functional solutions. As far as we know, one of the biggest problems for the environmental dispute is vehicles; driving our car everywhere and producing a considerable amount of carbon dioxide is killing the planet. There is no doubt that, in a near future, cities must change their automobile-driven infrastructure and make it more welcoming (and safer) for the cyclist.
Paris is already thinking ahead; with its more of 314 kilometers of bike paths separated from traffic is now supporting a new network where about 1,500 stations stocked with specially designed, vandal-proof bikes will be scattered around the city. After getting a membership, you can borrow a bike from one station and use it. As soon as you are done with it, you just have to return it to any other near station.
Remarkable idea, don’t you think? It will not just change the landscape of this already beautiful and classic city, but will make it quieter, less polluted and, above all, will support and create a more sustainable life for us and for the future generations. Hopefully this idea can inspire other cities around the world.
Filed Under Environment, Modern Life, World Health
The ultimate marathon across the Sahara
If you’ve got $5000 laying around and feel like running for 6 days through the desert, 240 km, at 50 degrees Celsius, carrying all your rations, clothes, and sleeping necessities, on your back… well you’re going to have to wait for a few more years to pay for a spot in the Marathon Des Sables. Booked until 2009, the world’s most grueling marathon has so far seen 7,000 competitors trudge through Saharan sands. This year’s 700 masochists began their trek on Sunday, raising money for various charities including Facing Africa.
The Marathon Des Sables was founded 21 years ago by Patrick Bauer who had trekked for some 300km through the Algerian Sahara two years earlier and desired to share this experience. In its 20 years, a very interesting collection of testimonials has been compiled. Only one person has died on the course… not bad.
Filed Under History & traditions
Homage to Gabriel García Márquez
A good book is the purest essence of a human soul and reading one can become a trip to an intriguing journey where our mind is transported to the land of imagination. But to write a good piece isn’t always easy. Like Wellesley said: “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.”
Over the years, Latin American literature has developed a rich and complex diversity of themes, forms, creative idioms and styles, introducing to global readers magical realism and becoming an important addition to the literature world. Gabriel García Márquez, a Colombian novelist, journalist, publisher, political activist, recipient of the 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature and just turning 80, assisted to a congress that released a special commemorative edition to one of his masterpieces: “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” a novel that surpassed 50 million readers and one of the most important writing pieces in the world. A piece in which Latin Americans recognized themselves, celebrated their passion, their intensity, their spirituality, superstition and their grand propensity for failure.
Filed Under Events