-
-
Planet is running out of clean water, new film warns
One sixth of the world's population does not have access to clean drinking water. More than 2 million people, most of them children, die each year from water-borne diseases.
Water-related problems aren't restricted to the developing world. A harmful pesticide, banned by many European countries, remains widely used in the United States, where it runs into rivers and streams.
And one expert estimates California's water supply will run out in 20 years.
These sobering statistics come from "FLOW," a new documentary film about the world's dwindling water supply. The filmmakers and their sources argue a combination of factors, including drought and skyrocketing demand, have created a looming global crisis that threatens the long-term survival of the human race.
After premiering in January at the Sundance Film Festival, "FLOW" opened September 12 in New York and Los Angeles, California, and expands to more cities this week. The New York Times called the documentary "less depressing than galvanizing, an informed and heartfelt examination of the tug of war between public health and private interests."
As the film shows, some nations are banking on controversial technology, such as desalination plants that convert seawater into freshwater, to meet future water needs. Meanwhile, water has become a commodity that supports a $400 billion global industry -- the third largest behind electricity and oil. One sixth of the world's population does not have access to clean drinking water. More than 2 million people, most of them childr... more -
Survey: Nearly Every Kid a Video Gamer
The survey found that while young Americans don't necessarily play the same thing, nearly all of them — girls included — play video games of one kind or another.
And they don't just play by themselves. Nearly two-thirds play video games to socialize face-to-face with friends and family, while just over a quarter said they play with Internet friends.
"It shows that gamers are social people," says Amanda Lenhart, a senior researcher at Pew who led the report on the survey. "They communicate just as much. They spend time face-to-face, just as much as other kids. They e-mail and text."
The survey, released Tuesday, combined the telephone responses from a nationally representative sample of 1,102 young people, ages 12 to 17, and their parents. Performed from November 2007 through February of this year, and partly funded by the MacArthur Foundation, it had a margin of error of three percentage points.
Among other things, the survey found that:
— Ninety-seven percent of young respondents play video games. That's 99 percent of boys and 94 percent of girls, with little difference in the percentages among various racial and ethnic groups and incomes. In fact, 7 percent of those surveyed said they didn't have a computer at home, but did have a game console, such as Sony Corp.'s PlayStation, Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox or Nintendo Co.'s Wii.
— They play often. When surveyed, half of the respondents said they had played a video game the previous day.
— Their games of choice are as diverse as their tastes in music or TV. Eighty percent of respondents play five or more different game genres, with racing, puzzles, sports and action the most common. Favorites were "Guitar Hero," ''Halo 3," ''Madden NFL," solitaire and "Dance Dance Revolution."
— Young people are routinely able to get their hands on games that are rated "M'' (for mature) or "AO" (adults only). Three-quarters of parents who were surveyed said they "always" or "sometimes" check the ratings on their kids' games. And yet, half of boys who were questioned listed a game with an "M'' or "AO" rating as one of their favorites, compared with 14 percent of girls.
Regardless, Pew researchers said they want to steer clear of depicting video games as "good" or "bad," says Joseph Kahne, a study co-author and dean of the education school at Mills College in California. The survey found that while young Americans don't necessarily play the same thing, nearly all of them — girls included — play vid... more -
Did you know?
Very interesting video that uses statistics to show just how we've come and need to go.
-
Thought you were the only miserable one? Here's 7 reasons why the 21st centur...
"Scientists call it the Naked Photo Test, and it works like this: say a photo turns up of you nakedly doing something that would shame you and your family for generations. Bestiality, perhaps. Ask yourself how many people in your life you would trust with that photo. If you're like the rest of us, you probably have at most two.
Even more depressing, studies show that about one out of four people have no one they can confide in."
And the list goes on and on. This really is one of those 'sad, but true' parts of life. "Scientists call it the Naked Photo Test, and it works like this: say a photo turns up of you nakedly doing something that would ... more -
QUICKIES: sticky notes of 21st Century
Neat! except that you have to write on an actual sticky...
-
Catholics waver on faith but like pope
U.S. Catholics give high marks to Pope Benedict XVI and they're more satisfied with their bishops than four years ago, but they're still drifting from church teachings and practices, a study released Sunday shows.
On the eve of Benedict's first papal trip here, 82% of U.S. Catholics say they are satisfied with his leadership, according the study, which was conducted by the church's research arm in the USA.
Esteem for bishops rose to 72%, up from a low of 53% in May 2002, when the question was first asked. The clergy sexual abuse scandal, when many Catholics felt bishops had failed to protect children, exploded in January 2002. Bishops had their highest rating, 74%, in 2005 when Benedict was elected.
Even so, only 43% of Catholics say they look to church teachings, the pope and their bishops "in deciding what is morally acceptable," according to the study, Sacraments Today: Belief and Practice among U.S. Catholics. U.S. Catholics give high marks to Pope Benedict XVI and they're more satisfied with their bishops than four years ago, but they&#... more -
1 in 100 U.S. adults behind bars, new study says
Incarceration rates are even higher for some groups. One in 36 Hispanic adults is behind bars, based on Justice Department figures for 2006. One in 15 black adults is, too, as is one in nine black men between the ages of 20 and 34.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
1 in a hundred doesn't sound bad compared with 1 in 9, blacks obviously have it way worse. This is institutionalized slavery.
When are we going to do something about this? Angela Davis, help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Incarceration rates are even higher for some groups. One in 36 Hispanic adults is behind bars, based on Justice Department figures for... more -
Leading Engineers And Scientists Identify How To Improve Quality Of Life
http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/ And at the top of the list for me: making solar power affordable. It is way past time to stop just talking and take action. We have the capacity and the technology to make solar arrays, photovoltaics, and other types of solar technologies that can be installed on open lands that could generate safe, clean, and affordable power to millions of people around the world. Not to mention the opportunity for new jobs that would bring and the chance to also bring many in third world countries out of poverty. Particularly in Africa which was made for solar power. We must invest in it, demand it, and aggressively work to make governments see that federal loan subsidies for nuclear plants will do nothing to save this planet from the catastrophe that is upon us if we do not take bold action now. All of the other items on their list are also important, especially regarding providing clean water, which can also be done with solar power in third world countries. The solution rises in the sky every morning. Sometimes the solutions really are that simple. http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/ And at the top of the list for me: making solar power affordable. It is way past time to stop ju... more
-
Interfaith Blessing of the Garden: Native Plants are new lawn for 21st Century in ...
During 2008 a solar fountain will flow - and wild flowers will bloom - in a native plants garden that has replaced the lawn at the Lutheran Campus Ministry "Lothlorien" house for students at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
An interfaith "Blessing of the Garden" ceremony included chanting, incense and other religious traditions from several faith communities.
Earth Keeper Initiative volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has the story.
The producers thank Lutheran Campus Ministry student leader Sarah Swanson, NMU sophomore from Rapid River, MI for her videography and photography talents that helped make this video possible
(Marquette, Michigan) - In the spring of 2008 a solar fountain will flow and flowers will bloom in a northern Michigan native plants garden nurtured by university students that was blessed by a Buddhist head priest and a Lutheran pastor
A "Blessing of the Garden" ceremony was held in October 2007 at Lothlorien - the Northern Michigan University Lutheran Campus Ministry house near Lake Superior.
A heavy rain poured the entire day almost causing the ceremony to be moved inside, but the sun came out for 20 minutes and the rain resumed just as the blessing and a tour were completed.
Performing the blessing was Rev. Jon Magnuson, director of Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) at Northern Michigan University (NMU) in Marquette, MI; and Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo, a Zen Buddhist temple.
The Lothlorien lawn has been turned into a native plants garden that includes rocks from three of the Great Lakes.
The LCM house name, Lothlorien, comes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The garden includes Michigan plants and others from the Boreal border regions of the northern United States including Black Eye Susan, aster, dogbane, bluestem, and Sensitive fern.
Prayers, incense, bells, and chants were part of the ceremony that included a tour of the garden by NMU Student Michael Joko Rotter, a member of Lake Superior Zendo.
"Lothlorien is a magical kingdom part of what Tolkien called Middle-earth - where time passes differently," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, a Lutheran pastor, who founded the NMU EarthKeeper Student Team. Many of the campus ministry students belong to the interfaith NMU EK Student Team.
"Our natural native plants landscaping - our Lothlorien garden - is a sign of a new way of living with the world," Magnuson said. "It honors the indigenous and native plants of our region."
"Lothlorien came into being first as a song," Rev. Magnuson said. "The garden will be a haven for birds and other small creatures."
"The fountain represents the water of Lake Superior and the waters of our baptism," Magnuson said.
The Central Upper Peninsula Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans donated $1,600.
"Students are involved - and we like to support things that young people are going to be enthusiastically involved in like this native plants garden," said Judy Quirk, president of the Thrivent central U.P. chapter.
A fountain in the garden is going to be converted to solar power in the spring of 2008 and the sun will charge a battery allowing the water to flow in cloudy weather.
"We hope this will inspire people to learn the benefits that native plants have, such as requiring a third less water, and no pesticides or fertilizers," said Rotter.
Rotter said the "garden represents the hope of the future."
Cedar Tree Institute:
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org
Lake Superior Interfaith Communication Network:
http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans:
http://www.thrivent.com During 2008 a solar fountain will flow - and wild flowers will bloom - in a native plants garden that has replaced the lawn at the Lu... more -
Photos of really old people ...
who have lived in three centuries. These folks were born in the 19th century and have lived into the 21st. WOW! Check out the photos.
Do you know anybody who has lived that long? who have lived in three centuries. These folks were born in the 19th century and have lived into the 21st. WOW! Check out the photo... more -
Web Playgrounds of the Very Young
"Get ready for total inundation," said Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst at the research firm eMarketer, who estimates that 20 million children will be members of a virtual world by 2011, up from 8.2 million today. "Get ready for total inundation," said Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst at the research firm eMarketer, who estimates that 2... more
-
Aboriginal Rugby Star Barred From Pub...For Being Too Black
A former Australian aboriginal rugby league star and five friends have been awarded thousands of dollars in damages after they were refused entry to a pub because it barred blacks, media reported. A former Australian aboriginal rugby league star and five friends have been awarded thousands of dollars in damages after they were re... more
-
Depleted uranium is a crime! (Warning Strong Content)
STRONG CONTENT!
MORE INFO ABOUT DEPLETED URANIUM:
http://www.cadu.org.uk/intro.htm
(Campaign Against Depleted Uranium)
The photos are by Takashi Morizumi.
Takashi Morizumi is a photojournalist who covers topics in Japan and overseas such as the effects of US military bases and environmental problems. In particular, since the later half of the 90s, he has covered the damages caused by nuclear mining, testing, power plants, and the use of depleteted uranium and other nuclear weapons.
Takashi has been documenting the children of Iraq since 1998. He has observed the effects of the U.S. government blockade: no medical supplies, malnourished children, weakened children dying in large numbers, and the alarming increase in leukemia, cancer, and physical deformities.
Takashi has combined approximately 50 of his photos of Iraq into an exhibition that is being shown around the world.
"I hope to show to many people a view of the things happening around the world that I have been investigating. In the 21st century, where is the world heading? Can mankind's intelligence lead us to a bright future? I want you to keep thinking positively."
Animation made by Eric Blumrich STRONG CONTENT! MORE INFO ABOUT DEPLETED URANIUM: http://www.cadu.org.uk/intro.htm (Campaign Against Depleted Uranium) ... more
-
related topics
21st century
Contributors (29)
21st century
