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The question we want to answer by expressing thoughts, ideas, concerns, and interpretations of those of others is what we can do to end global poverty and how we are connected to poverty. Understanding where we stand in the world and how we can all affect one another can hopefully serve to motivate us to imagine a better world. This blog was created with the hope that we can build a community that is more aware and cares.
Thank you for your support!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Poverty Information
http://www.endpovertynow.ca/povertyresources
A short video about poverty:
How can so much poverty exist in a world richer than ever before?
An interpretation on writings by philosopher Thomas Pogge:
What can be done?
While there are different opinions out there and nothing is really for sure, it is important that we start getting our own ideas out so they can be a part of our discussions. We have to start somewhere...
A short video about poverty:
How can so much poverty exist in a world richer than ever before?
An interpretation on writings by philosopher Thomas Pogge:
What can be done?
While there are different opinions out there and nothing is really for sure, it is important that we start getting our own ideas out so they can be a part of our discussions. We have to start somewhere...
What can I do?
This is the next question we have to ask ourselves. Can our personal choices make a difference? Can more awareness in your own consumption habits and lifestyle help make this a more just world? Doesn't hurt to try and look into. In fact, with all the injustice in the world it seems like it could be a worthy cause. As a good researcher would approach an issue, we should be open to and not fear discovering something we didn't expect.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
"What can You Do?" Survey Responses
Your responses to the questions "What do you think is the most effective thing that you can do to help?"
1. Instead of always buying more stuff, have more interesting conversations with my friends.
2. Waste less
3. Push for the 1.0% of GDP initiative by the U.N. (where developed countries donate 1% of their GDP in providing security, food, aid, ect.)
4. Give money and time
5. Try to get wage increases without inflation. Fill in the wage gap caused by our unique capitalistic system. Also vote in accordance with personal ideals.
6. Push the U.S. into action
7. Dedicate my life to giving everything to others who are "needy"
8. Service. Worldwide care for others.
9. Work at food shelters.
10. Elect and write to elected officials about global poverty as well as purchase goods from economically responsible companies.
11. Buy local, responsible food and products.
12. Elect appropriate politicians. End war whicih leads to improper distribution.
13. Third world volunteering (direct, not through donations or other government media)
14. Prioritize
15. Awareness, knowledge
16. I don't know. There seem to be too many middle-men that separate me from the victims.
17. Protest. Awareness. Practice mutual aid locally.
18. Recycle, little things.
1. Instead of always buying more stuff, have more interesting conversations with my friends.
2. Waste less
3. Push for the 1.0% of GDP initiative by the U.N. (where developed countries donate 1% of their GDP in providing security, food, aid, ect.)
4. Give money and time
5. Try to get wage increases without inflation. Fill in the wage gap caused by our unique capitalistic system. Also vote in accordance with personal ideals.
6. Push the U.S. into action
7. Dedicate my life to giving everything to others who are "needy"
8. Service. Worldwide care for others.
9. Work at food shelters.
10. Elect and write to elected officials about global poverty as well as purchase goods from economically responsible companies.
11. Buy local, responsible food and products.
12. Elect appropriate politicians. End war whicih leads to improper distribution.
13. Third world volunteering (direct, not through donations or other government media)
14. Prioritize
15. Awareness, knowledge
16. I don't know. There seem to be too many middle-men that separate me from the victims.
17. Protest. Awareness. Practice mutual aid locally.
18. Recycle, little things.
Noticing Connections b/w poverty and the environment
Today we all live in a incredibly complex and interconnected world where anything we do or buy can affect people we never met before. These are some simple ideas about how poverty and the environment are connected.
1) Poor Countries and, in particular, poor individuals lack the resources to deal with intense climate changes and yet they are hardly the ones that are causing it. It has been shown with around 90% accuracy that extreme climate change is linked with human activity, i.e. unsustainable practices and consumption habits. Where do we fall into this, well the richest 20% of the global population, account for 86% of global consumption. The poorest 20% account for 1.3%. This seems to imply that our own lifestyles are affecting the environment that is then affecting many people in the world.
2) The IMF and World Bank enforced policies (they thought would help) on developing countries that reduced social programs (education, health, ect) and encouraged monoculture farms through free trade that left them in severe debt. Struggling to get our of this institutional trap, poor countries resort to unsustainable practices in production to feed the huge consumption of affluent countries. Shouldn't they be feeding themselves?
3) The last thought is very simple: We have a finite amount of resources in our environment. If you had a finite amount of food in your home would you eat as much as possible before your family could get much or would you ration it out to make sure everyone was fed? But this is not what is happening in our finite world...
An interesting site that pulls together lots of resources can be found here for more information:
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Development/PovertyEnv.asp
1) Poor Countries and, in particular, poor individuals lack the resources to deal with intense climate changes and yet they are hardly the ones that are causing it. It has been shown with around 90% accuracy that extreme climate change is linked with human activity, i.e. unsustainable practices and consumption habits. Where do we fall into this, well the richest 20% of the global population, account for 86% of global consumption. The poorest 20% account for 1.3%. This seems to imply that our own lifestyles are affecting the environment that is then affecting many people in the world.
2) The IMF and World Bank enforced policies (they thought would help) on developing countries that reduced social programs (education, health, ect) and encouraged monoculture farms through free trade that left them in severe debt. Struggling to get our of this institutional trap, poor countries resort to unsustainable practices in production to feed the huge consumption of affluent countries. Shouldn't they be feeding themselves?
3) The last thought is very simple: We have a finite amount of resources in our environment. If you had a finite amount of food in your home would you eat as much as possible before your family could get much or would you ration it out to make sure everyone was fed? But this is not what is happening in our finite world...
An interesting site that pulls together lots of resources can be found here for more information:
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Development/PovertyEnv.asp
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Eating Sustainably
We all have to eat to survive and it is good to enjoy and know the food that we eat as well as make sure its production is sustainable, safe, and just.
The following are funny videos trying to spread the word about organic food and U.S. policies that affect what we eat:
Grocery Store Wars
Food Policies
The following are funny videos trying to spread the word about organic food and U.S. policies that affect what we eat:
Grocery Store Wars
Food Policies
Understanding Consumption
An interesting and easy to follow video about how the process of production and consumption work and affect our world can be found in the following link:
The Story of Stuff
The Story of Stuff
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