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Katie Feikema

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES ANNUAL DEBATE ON LAW OF THE SEA ADOPTING TWO TEXTS BOLSTERIN... - 0 views

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Costa Rica Environment Food

shared by Katie Feikema on 14 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES ANNUAL DEBATE ON LAW OF THE SEA ADOPTING TWO TEXTS BOLSTERING UNITED NATIONS REGIME GOVERNING OCEAN SPACE, ITS RESOURCES, USES.
  • States News Service 
  • deep concern at the serious adverse impacts on the marine environment and biodiversity,
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  • the links between the health of the world's oceans and sustainable human development,
  • the essential need for cooperation, including through capacity-building and transfer of marine technology, to ensure that all States, especially developing countries, small islands and coastal African States, were able to implement the Convention and to benefit from the sustainable development of the oceans and seas
  • omnibus resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, reiterating,
  • the Assembly called upon all States that had not done so to apply widely, in accordance with international law, the precautionary and ecosystem approaches to the conservation, management and exploitation of fish stock.
  • fish stocks in many parts of the world were overfished
  • particular concern that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing constituted a serious threat to fish stocks and marine habitats, to the detriment of sustainable fisheries, as well as food security and the economies of many States, particularly in developing countries. It urged States "to exercise effective controls over their nationals [a] in order to deter and prevent them form engaging in" illegal fishing activities.
  • topics central to the debate were the protection of the world's deep waters, their biological diversity and fishing stocks, as well as international capacity-building in marine science and ocean affairs.
  • Least developed countries and the small island developing States, the success of capacity-building, and related transparency, depended to a large extent on international cooperation. That was true for Costa Rica. He urged promoting cooperation among all countries, including South-South cooperation, saying that for its part, Costa Rica had implemented national measures for the sustainable use of its marine resources. In July 2009, Costa Rica created two new management categories to sustainably use its marine wealth, designed to protect ecosystems.
  • Through a broad consultation process, Costa Rica last year had adopted a national strategy for managing marine and coastal resources, which established policies for integrating conservation efforts with socioeconomic development.
  • The Secretary-General's report was clear in showing that oceans and coastal ecosystems played a key role in mitigating the impacts of climate change, and he called on United Nations bodies to cooperate in the promotion of capacity in that regard.
  • he reiterated the importance of using scientific criteria in conservation management decisions. It was vital to ensure more information exchange on fish stocks and to implement the precautionary principle. He urged sanctions be carried out in the practice of shark finning, and in the transhipment of sharks on the high seas.
  • cooperation was important in identifying coastal marine areas' vulnerability to climate change.
  • referred to the importance of regional seas agreements and conventions in protecting and preserving the marine environment, and such schemes had proven useful in helping countries enforce multilateral treaties on such protection.
  • the draft resolution
  • Source Citation"GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES ANNUAL DEBATE ON LAW OF THE SEA ADOPTING TWO TEXTS BOLSTERING UNITED NATIONS REGIME GOVERNING OCEAN SPACE, ITS RESOURCES, USES." States News Service 7 Dec. 2010. Student Edition. Web. 13 Apr. 2011.
  • Document URLhttp://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=CJ243758226&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0
  • Katie Feikema on 14 Apr 11
     
    What are the effects of Costa Rica's ecological conservation, on their people, economy, environment, and food?  Source: Highlighted Summary: This article is discussing the United Nations law of the sea. It tells about the concerns they have for the low number of fish and other sea life. They are also pushing for this law in order for there to be a support system or larger more developed nations along with the newer smaller developing nations. Reflection: I think that what the United Nations was doing was a good idea. We always put a lot of pressure on protecting the earth, but less is done for the seas. Costa Rica is strongly green on land, and they seem to have been and still are taking steps to protect the sea. They are also protecting a good source of food for their country. Questions: 1) Does this article cover enough on green food sources to cover that section of our research question? 2) Should we rethink the "green" food part of our research question? 
Mallory Huizenga

"Costa Rica Expands Marine Protected Area Around Cocos Island" - 0 views

blogs.nationalgeographic.com/...-rica-expands-marine-prot.html

National Geographic

shared by Mallory Huizenga on 08 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Costa Rica has just announced the creation of a large new marine protected area (MPA) around Cocos Island National Park.
    • Mallory Huizenga
      Mallory Huizenga on 08 Mar 11
       
      Reflection: I found this article very helpful. The articles shows that Costa Rica is stepping beyond, and is beginning to conserve the water as much as the land. Costa Rica is working towards accomplishing a goal of ecological conservation. In protecting the water, and the ocean life community they are getting one step closer to their goal. National Geographic writes a wonderful article. This article shows the positives this protection has created, but it also highlights what Costa Rica still needs to work towards. The articles ends by saying, "The protection of the seamounts south of Cocos Island, by contrast, is a very important step in preserving a sensitive habitat that previously had no protection at all in Costa Rica". Costa Rica is taking the steps that need to be taken, and they are continuing to take the steps that are need to conserve the environment. Questions: 1) Will Costa Rica ban fishing in the park? 2) What other steps is Costa Rica taking in the protection of their waters? 3) How do fisherman feel about the possibility of losing their fishing grounds? 4) If fishing is ban in these waters how will the life of Costa Rican dependent on fishing change? 5) How does this broaden the answers to our research question?
  • called the Seamounts Marine Management Area
  • 35 miles south of Cocos
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • after more than a year of discussions between the Costa Rican government and conservation organizations, including National Geographic
  • highest abundances of large ocean predators (such as sharks) found anywhere in the world.
  • The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, Fundación de Amigos de la Isla del Coco--recommended the creation of a no-take marine reserve covering 25,000 square kilometers around Cocos Island National Park.
  • The government of Costa Rica instead created a 9,640-square-kilometer MPA that excludes purse seining for tuna, but will allow long-lining for tuna in some of its waters.
  • This is great news for marine conservation, and a good first step for Costa Rica to fill its gaps in ocean protection.
  • I believe this will not be sufficient to accomplish the goal of protecting Cocos' extraordinary undersea communities, however, because long-line fishing--which already accounts for the largest amount of illegal fishing at Cocos--will be allowed in much of the new MPA.
  • The protection of the seamounts south of Cocos Island, by contrast, is a very important step in preserving a sensitive habitat that previously had no protection at all in Costa Rica
  • Mallory Huizenga on 08 Mar 11
     
    Research Journal # 2: Article One Question: How is ecological conservation effecting Costa Rica? Source: National Geographic: "Costa Rica Expands Marine Protected Area Around Cocos Island" by Enric Sala Citation: Sala, Enric. "Costa Rica Expands Marine Protected Area ." NatGeo Newswatch. National Geographic, 6 Mar. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.. Summary: This article focuses on how Costa Rica is expanding their conservation to the waters. Costa Rica "has created a huge new marine park". The waters are being protected around the Coco Island National Park. The water houses tuna, sharks and other large ocean predators. The area is called the Seamounts Marine Management Area. The Costa Rican government has been in discussion of this protected area for over a year. Studies show that the Coco Islands National Park has one of the "highest abundances of large ocean predators". One problems remains. Fishing is still allowed in the park. Until fishing is no longer allowed the goal will not be accomplished. Costa Rica has taken one step forward in protecting the ocean life community, but more steps still need to be made. Reflection & Questions located on Sticky Note
Luke Terpstra

Georgia, Russia may continue WTO talks in April : Ukraine News by UNIAN - 0 views

www.unian.net/...news-425198.html

Georgia Russia Breakaway Nations old ways WTO Membership

shared by Luke Terpstra on 11 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • Georgian-Russian talks on Russia`s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) could continue in April, a spokesman for the Georgian government said Friday
  • The talks resumed on Thursday in Switzerland after being suspended for almost three years following Russia`s decision to lift economic sanctions against Georgia`s breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Os
  • setia in April 2008
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Russia has been in membership talks with the 153-nation WTO for 17 years and remains the only major economy still outside it.
  • However, Georgia says it will not allow Russia to join the global free trade club unless it cedes control of customs in the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
  • U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Washington supported Russia`s WTO bid and had tried to talk Georgia out of blocking Russia`s accession,
  • Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia in August 2008 when Moscow recognized the independence of the two former Georgian republics following a five-day war, which started when Georgia attacked South Ossetia in an attempt to bring it back under central control.
  • Luke Terpstra on 11 Apr 11
     
    "Georgia, Russia may continue WTO talks in April." Russia Information Agency 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. . Summary: Georgia is denying Russia it's membership into the WTO because of it's fight with russia. They wish to get a deal with russia by blackmailing them into giving back what Georgia lost in the 2008-present fight with Russia, and plans to use this as a bargaining chip. Most of the current members of the WTO do not like this and asked Russia a Georgia to settle it quickly so as to make Russia a member. Reflection: I think Georgia should use what ever tool of pursuasion they can against Russia. Russia had no business in Georgia from the start, and do not deserve anything in return but retribution. The people of Georgia have endured Russian opression for decades, and deserve a full withdrawl of russian troops from their land. It almost seems as if Russia is still hostile to it's former satilite nations, and as if none care for them, the world turns a blind eye and trades their freedom for oil, and other goods. The sattilite nations of the former soviet union are not completely washed away from these countries, and a lot of them are communist nations with a bad economy. Questions: 1. Why are the former soviet break-away nations so similar in the form of government and economic status as Russia? 2. Does Russia still play a big role in these countries? If so, how? 3. Does Georgia give a good mirror example for the american revolution? explain?
Mallory Huizenga

"Costa Rica Launches Groundbreaking Environmental Initiative" - 0 views

www.nature.org/...press4743.html

conservancy

shared by Mallory Huizenga on 08 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • The funding will support a new ground-breaking, multi-million-dollar environmental initiative called Forever Costa Rica that will at least double the nation’s marine protected areas, dramatically improve the management of both marine and terrestrial protected area systems and provide necessary financing to sustain these environmental efforts in perpetuity.
  • By 2015, with assistance from the Forever Costa Rica project, Costa Rica expects to become one of the first developing nations in the world – if not the first – to complete its protected-areas goals under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • On October 14, 2010 the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica, the Central Bank of Costa Rica and The Nature Conservancy announced their agreement on a debt-for-nature swap that will provide more than $27 million over the next 15 years
    • Mallory Huizenga
      Mallory Huizenga on 08 Mar 11
       
      Reflection: What a fascinating article. This article was jammed packed with information. The Forever Costa Rica project seems like a great way to go about conserving the land. I love how Costa Rica is so devoted and so passionate about conservation. Many other countries, including the United States could really learn from Costa Rica. Protecting natural resources is so important. Costa Rica has been taking the right steps forward. With the help of the Forever Costa Rica project and the finances of $27 million Costa Rica will be able to make strides forward in conservation and protecting their important lands. Questions: 1) Why is the United States helping in financing the project? 2) Does this mean the United States will consider the same for our country? 3) How many areas are projected to be protected? 4) How far has Costa Rica come since the project began in October 2010? 5) In our project we will need to include the Forever Costa Rica project.
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  • Forever Costa Rica will help expand the nation’s marine protected-area system, improve the management of all protected areas, and create management plans that will be subject to monitoring and continuous improvements.
  • Though it covers less than one-tenth of one percent of Earth’s surface, Costa Rica is one of the world’s richest natural treasures, hosting as much as five percent of the world’s biodiversity.
  • As one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, it has a proven track record for reaching and exceeding its conservation goals.
  • “Today, Costa Rica is showing the world that an entire nation can protect its natural patrimony forever.
  • “Forever Costa Rica is a groundbreaking initiative that could change the way many countries approach their national commitments to conservation and the environment.
  • Costa Rica’s commitments to protected areas while also serving the needs of its people—many of the new marine protected areas, for instance, will enable resource management that can help to sustain the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
  • Costa Rica is leading the world in demonstrating how to put such treaties into action and to achieve measurable and significant results in a meaningful timeframe.”
  • Costa Rica once again leads the charge in setting a new standard for environmental conservation, with a challenge to other nations to follow suit.
  • Costa Rica has a tremendous history of land conservation,
  • The seeds for Forever Costa Rica were planted in July 2007 when President Oscar Arias launched his visionary “Peace with Nature” program that encompassed a wide range of environmental initiatives.
  • Mallory Huizenga on 08 Mar 11
     
    Research Journal #2: Article Two Question: How is ecological conservation effecting Costa Rica? Source: The Nature Conservancy: "Costa Rica Launches Groundbreaking Environmental Initiative"  by Colleen Roche Citation: Roche, Colleen. "Costa Rica Launches Groundbreaking Environmental Initiative." Nature Conservancy News Room . The Nature Conservancy , 15 Oct. 2010. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. .  Summary: This article focuses on the Forever Costa Rica project. This project is working towards doubling the nation's marine protected areas, dramatically improve the management of protected areas, and provide the finances needed to sustain these "environmental efforts". By 2015 the project is hoping to become "one the first developing nations in the world--if not the first--to complete its protected-areas goals". Finances for the projects will come from the Government of the United States and the republic of Costa Rica as well as the Central Bank of Costa Rica and The Nature Conservancy. All together they will provide $27 million over the next 15 years. With the Forever Costa Rica project underway, and finances set in place, Costa Rica is ready to further their ecological conservation. Reflection & Questions on Sticky Note
Bryce Lutke

BBC NEWS | Americas | Keeping Cuba on the economic road - 0 views

news.bbc.co.uk/...7795388.stm

Cuba

shared by Bryce Lutke on 09 Mar 11 - Cached
  • In many ways, this communist island in the Caribbean has managed to survive despite the odds.
  • One of the effects of the embargo is that the streets of the Cuban capital, Havana, are still filled with many of the same old American cars
  • were here when Fidel Castro came to power 50 years ago.
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  • Geovani Perez drives a red and cream 1959 Buick convertible. It was built the year that Fidel Castro came to power. Like much of the Cuban economy, it's still running - if only just.
  • Cubans have become masters of improvisation.
  • The only cars that Cubans are legally allowed to buy or sell are those built before the revolution.
  • It's the same with housing. Most Cubans have title to their homes and can pass them on to their children but there is no open market to buy or sell land or property.
  • One of the goals of Fidel Castro's revolution was to create an egalitarian society.
  • Private enterprise was banned and everyone from doctors to factory workers was paid the same.
  • Today Cuba has one of the most centrally controlled, state-run economies left in the world.
  • It is inefficient and the average salary is barely $25 (£17) a month.
  • Since taking over from his ailing brother
  • Raul Castro has initiated some modest but symbolic reforms.
  • "Socialism means... equality of rights and opportunities, not salaries. Equality does not mean egalitarianism," he said.
  • President Castro has ordered that workers should receive bonuses based on productivity.
  • Cuba should be self-sufficient in food but instead spends $2bn (£1.4bn) a year on imports.
  • It is the small private sector which produces most of the food
  • Cuba remains a one-party state
  • Politically, though, there are no signs of reform.
  • A few critical voices within the communist party are tolerated.
  • Alongside the old American cars, the roads here are also full of old Russian Ladas.
  • Drive past any school and the children's uniforms are another reminder of the Soviet
  • Primary school children wear red and white, with a red neck scarf. Just like their former Soviet counterparts were, this age group are called the Pioneers.
  • Education and health are both known here as "triumphs of the revolution".
  • Cuba boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the world.
  • The health statistics are equally impressive. All the key indicators from infant mortality to life expectancy are among the best in the Americas.
  • Its doctor to patient ratio is one of the highest in the world.
  • Health care has now become a major export.
  • Cuba sends tens of thousands of doctors and health workers to some of the poorest parts of Latin America and Africa.
  • From the earliest days of the revolution, one of our objectives was to let other countries in the third world share in our achievements.
  • Bryce Lutke on 09 Mar 11
     
    What is the effect of the trade embargo on the Cuban Economy? Summary: Cuba Has struggled though the rule of Fidel Castro. There are still  many signs of what the effects are today, classic 1950's cars are still quite common in the nation because cars have become so expensive to by from the government. Despite all of these things Cuba has accomplished many things; they have accomplished one of the highest literacy rates in the world and a great health care program. They send doctors throughout the Americas and Africa to help others who are less fortunate then themselves. Response: It is quite impressive what Cuba has been able to accomplish what they have given the fact that their government owns almost all of their businesses and controls so many aspects of their lives. I think it is amazing how they have adapted to how to live in a communist government, making their own repairs to their cars and still making 50 year old cars run instead of buying new cars. They have come a long way as a nation but I think they still have a long ways to go before they can be a great nation.   
Mallory Huizenga

"Costa Rica Aims to Be a Carbon-Neutral Nation" - 0 views

www.npr.org/...story.php

NPR CostaRica

shared by Mallory Huizenga on 29 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • It's announced it wants to be the first developing nation to be carbon-neutral; that is, to have zero output of carbon dioxide. It's goal is to be that by 2021.
  • A small regional air carrier called Nature Air advertises itself as the world's first carbon-neutral airline.
  • What if everything, every hotel room, every sack of coffee beans, every microprocessor made by Intel carried the C-neutral brand?
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  • Land owners think of cattle, agriculture or selling to a developer, and forest conservation is the last thing they think about. So we need to create an incentive so the property owner will conserve.
  • Saving trees is important. They're the lungs of the Earth. Costa Rica claims to have planted five million trees last year, although there's no proof how many of them survived, but that's not going to make this or any other country carbon-neutral.
  • New Zealand and Norway have also pledged to erase their carbon footprints
  • , in 2005 Costa Rican plant life absorbed about two and a half million metric tons of CO2, but Costa Ricans produced five times that amount, about twelve and a half million metric tons of CO2
  • The big obstacle for all three countries is transportation.
  • I'm not against it, but I think it will be very difficult, because here our culture is not educated for such a thing.
  • Some Costa Ricans believe their government's goal of zero carbon emissions is a distraction from more pressing environmental problems. Illegal loggers are still hauling out old growth hardwoods.
  • What if you don't become carbon neutral but become 90% carbon neutral? I think this still would be a great example to the world.
  • Or 80% carbon neutral, or 70%. People who work on global warming say considering the sluggish movement of most countries on climate change, Costa Rica's green crusade, however quixotic, should be applauded.
  • Mallory Huizenga on 29 Mar 11
     
    Research Journal #3: Article Two Research Question: How is ecological conservation effecting Costa Rica? Source: NPR: "Costa Rica Aims to Be a Carbon-Neutral Nation" by John Burnett Citation: Burnett, John. "Costa Rica Aims to Be a Carbon-Neutral Nation." Climate Connections. NPR, Feb. 2008. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. . Summary: This article is set up interview style. The author John Burnett, talks with different people about Costa Rica's goal to become carbon-neutral by 2021. Becoming carbon-neutral in a short amount of time isn't that easy. Other countries such as New Zealand and Norway also hope to become carbon-neutral, but have set their goal for a later date of 2050. This article focuses on the transportation, cattle ranching, trees, and the Costa Rican government. The article looks at what those areas are doing to bring Costa Rica to being carbon-neutral. The article does speak of how failure of reaching this goal is quite possible unless Costa Rica works hard to change its ways.  Reflection: I found this article intriguing because it brought forth the idea that Costa Rica could fail. Other articles I have read, don't talk about the possibility of failure. If Costa Rica takes the right steps, and works hard to change their ways I do believe they can become carbon-neutral. I hope that Costa Rica works hard to achieve this goal. They have strong potential. I think there willingness and their drive to become carbon-neutral will lead them to becoming carbon-neutral. Questions: 1) How far along is Costa Rica on their journey to becoming carbon-neutral? 2) How much is still need to be done for Costa Rica in the next 10 years? 3) How many other countries are striving to become carbon-neutral? 4) Is America looking at one day becoming carbon-neutral?
Ji-Yoon Jeon

Muslims Asked to Be Peaceful. - 0 views

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Peace Islam Violence

shared by Ji-Yoon Jeon on 17 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • Muslims to avoid violence in the name of religion.
  • the religious values of Islam are best promoted and nurtured through peace and understanding, not violence.
  • "Religious values of tolerance and compassion, both within the Islamic community and in relations with others, can go a long way in inculcating the much needed culture of peace,"
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • the efforts of the Acholi Religious Peace Initiative, which brings together Christian and Muslim leaders in search of peace in northern Uganda.
  • "Such collaboration among various social and religious groups in Uganda will foster national unity,"
  • Ji-Yoon Jeon on 17 Feb 11
     
    Research question: Is Islam a religion of peace or invitation to violence? "Muslims Asked to Be Peaceful." Africa News Service 23 June 2004. Student Edition. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=A118509071&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: This article was about the United Nations Development Programe advising Ugandan Muslims to avoid violence. One of the representer, Toure, said that the value of Islam is best promoted and nurtured through peace, not violence. He kept stressing that peace is the key for better religious values and peace will bring foster national unity. Reflection: I think he is absolutely right. Violence is never an answer for anything. Peace might not always work out as we think, but peace is the ultimate key for incorporating all other religions and achieve better value of Islam. By reading this, Muslims asked to be peaceful, it tells me that still people's view of Islam is violence. Even though it's only a small group of people being violence, it's impact is enough to get this kind of advise. I think Muslims should remind themselves of the foundation of Islam.  Questions: 1)Why are they asking Muslims to be peaceful and not other religions? 2)What is the relationship between Muslims and the advisor? 3)What is Muslims view of this advise?
Bryce Lutke

Cuba History - 0 views

www.countryreports.org/...Overview.aspx

Cuba History

shared by Bryce Lutke on 17 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • Indian population died out, African slaves were imported to work the ranches and plantations. Slavery was abolished in 1886.
  • Cuba was the last major Spanish colony to gain independence
  • 1868. Jose Marti, Cuba’s national hero
  • ...26 more annotations...
  • the United States entered the conflict after an explosion of undetermined origin caused the USS Maine to sink in Havana Harbor on February 15
  • December of that year, under the Treaty of Paris, Spain relinquished control of Cuba to the United States. On May 20, 1902, the United States granted Cuba its independence
  • retained the right to intervene to preserve Cuban independence and stability in accordance with the Platt Amendment.
  • 1934, the Platt Amendment was repealed
  • The United States and Cuba concluded a Treaty of Relations in 1934 which, among other things, continued the 1903 agreements that leased the Guantanamo Bay naval base to the United States.
  • Independent Cuba was often ruled by authoritarian political and military figures who either obtained or remained in power by force
  • Fulgencio Batista
  • organized a non-commissioned officer revolt in September 1933 and wielded significant power behind the scenes until he was elected president in 1940
  • Batista was voted out of office in 1944 and did not run in 1948
  • Running for president again in 1952, Batista seized power in a bloodless coup 3 months before the election was to take place
  • On July 26, 1953, Fidel Castro, who had been involved in increasingly violent political activity before Batista’s coup, led a failed attack on the Moncada army barracks in Santiago de Cuba in which more than 100 died
  • he was convicted and jailed, and subsequently was freed in an act of clemency, then went into exile in Mexico.
  • There he organized the “26th of July Movement” with the goal of overthrowing Batista, and the group sailed to Cuba on board the yacht Granma, landing in the eastern part of the island in December 1956.
  • Batista’s dictatorial rule fueled increasing popular discontent and the rise of many active urban and rural resistance groups
  • Faced with a corrupt and ineffective military, itself dispirited by a U.S. Government embargo on weapons sales to Cuba, and public indignation and revulsion at his brutality toward opponents, Batista fled on January 1, 1959
  • Castro had promised a return to constitutional rule and democratic elections along with social reforms, Castro used his control of the military to consolidate power by repressing all dissent from his decisions, marginalizing other resistance figures, and imprisoning or executing thousands of opponents.
  • An estimated 3,200 people were executed by the Castro regime between 1959-62
  • As the revolution became more radical, hundreds of thousands of Cubans fled the island.
  • Castro declared Cuba a socialist state on April 16, 1961
  • For the next 30 years, Castro pursued close relations with the Soviet Union
  • worked in concert with the geopolitical goals of Soviet communism
  • funding and fomenting violent subversive and insurrectional activities, as well as military adventurism, until the demise of the U.S.S.R. in 1991.
  • Relations between the United States and Cuba deteriorated rapidly as the Cuban regime expropriated U.S. properties and moved toward adoption of a one-party communist system
  • In response, the United States imposed an embargo on Cuba in October 1960
  • in response to Castro’s provocations, broke diplomatic relations on January 3, 1961
  • Tensions between the two governments peaked during the October 1962 missile crisis.
  • Bryce Lutke on 17 Feb 11
     
    What effects have the US embargo had on the Cuban economy? Cuba - History. Pleasant Grove UT: Country Reports, n.d. Country Reports. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. . Summary: This article gave a summary of the nation on Cuba. It gave information on how Cuba became a country with its revolution though the 1962 missile crisis, how Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba and a little of his history in the nation. It told about how Cuba aligned itself with the soviet union and how the embargo with the United States came into being.  Reflection: I thought this summary of the Cuban history was very interesting. The article was full of great information on Cuba I learned more on how Fidel Castro came into power and why the United States put an embargo on Cuba than I had ever known just by reading this article. I would like to have known more about some critical issues that they mentioned like the missile crisis and some of the things tat Fidel Castro did in their history.
Katie Feikema

Costa Rica's citizens of conservation: in their newly adopted homes, enclaves of foreig... - 0 views

find.galegroup.com/...retrieve.do

costa Rica environment

shared by Katie Feikema on 17 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • Historically, Costa Rica has been ecofriendly. It has set aside a higher percentage of land as national parks than any other nation in the Americas. Government programs assist landowners with reforestation, helping to bring land back to its natural state.
  • a number of examples exist where foreigners have become agents of change who add to the richness of Costa Rican fife. The Costa Rican government hopes to encourage such balanced exchanges.
  • Out of the Kyoto Protocols and through the World Bank, Costa Rica was selected to sell carbon credits. "They are paying people to produce oxygen,"
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  • Several times a year, they bring groups of university student volunteers to work in this small Costa Rican community. Last year, the volunteers renovated the school by painting it, sanding and varnishing the desks and chairs, and repairing windows. They also helped build an organic garden and learned about the value of growing their own foods.
  • The group also had a dream to create a library to serve the schools in the four communities of the Valle de Diamante. This past February the library opened right next to the freshly renovated school in La Florida.
  • The library, which serves the four community schools, will enhance the quality of education and create long-lasting opportunities for the areas children.
  • Villages are looking for a new ways to sustain themselves and their culture. This library, along with new skills related to farming organically, composting, using bio-fuels and alternative energy, and rehabilitating and reforesting land will bring greater financial abundance to the communities.
  • Their dream is to create a sustainable environment and a balanced ecology benefiting their region and the entire planet.
  • I see my role as making them aware of what's available through national programs and then facilitating the implementation." When he leaves after two years, the community will be more aware of the resources available to them and more able to fight for their own development.
  • Over time, Ewing's interest in cattle was replaced with an enthusiasm for the natural world of the Costa Rican forest. Little by little, he began thinking of the hacienda as a nature preserve.
  • Ewing allowed other parts of the hacienda to regenerate naturally. The rich, fertile, volcanic soil of the region, along with the vast seed bank of the primary forest and the average 150 inches of yearly rainfall, brought rapid reforestation.
  • In August of 1995, President José María Figueres signed a decree designating Hacienda Barú as a National Wildlife Refuge. The forest continues to regenerate.
  • Hacienda Barú's story is one of enormous success, and it is not just an ecological success, as spectacular as that is. Perhaps more importantly, the experience of Hacienda Barú has pioneered a way for others to follow.
  • Hacienda Barti National Wildlife Refuge. The densely forested 830 acres belie its previous incarnation as a cattle ranch and rice farm.
  • Source Citation"Costa Rica's citizens of conservation: in their newly adopted homes, enclaves of foreigners support their local communities by using sustainable methods to preserve the land and the environment." Americas [English Edition] July-Aug. 2010: 22+. Academic OneFile. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.
    • Katie Feikema
      Katie Feikema on 17 Feb 11
       
      Reflection: I think that what these people did in Costa Rica seems to have been very beneficial to them and the native Costa Ricans. Through the experience they are able to serve and get close to nature which can be a very relaxing and rewarding experience. They are also able to improve the education, environment, and quality of life for the Costa Ricans. They are teaching them a bit about how to farm better as well wich will be a great asset to the natives as they build up their economy through better agriculture.Questions:1) I wonder how the natives feel about what American's are doing there. Do they give their full support? Or are they skeptical?    2) Is the impact they have made becoming more noticeable in the economy as well as the environment?3) Do they plan to slowly back out of the leadership positions and teach the natives how to carry on for themselves? 
  • Katie Feikema on 17 Feb 11
     
    Research Question: What effect does Costa Rica's ecological conservation have on it's environment and economy? Source: "Costa Rica's citizens of conservation: in their newly adopted homes, enclaves of foreigners support their local communities by using sustainable methods to preserve the land and the environment." Americas [English Edition] July-Aug. 2010: 22+. Academic OneFile. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. Summary: This article is about the success and help that people, not native to Costa Rica, have been able to bring to their "adopted land" in Costa Rica. They tell about what got them interested, what they did and how it has helped the country of Costa Rica. 
lane rottschafer

Afghan Opium Output at Record High - 0 views

news.nationalgeographic.com/...photo2.html

Opium Middle East

shared by lane rottschafer on 06 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Afghan Opium Output at Record High
  • Afghanistan farmers are growing 477,000 acres (193,000 hectares) of opium poppies
  • a 17 percent increase from 408,000 acres (165,000 hectares) recorded in 2006
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • The southern province of Helmand alone—with 253,944 acres (102,770 hectares) under cultivation—accounts for more than half of the national total
  • no other country in the world has ever had such a large amount of farmland used for illegal activity
  • lane rottschafer on 06 Mar 11
     
    http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/08/photogalleries/afghanistan-pictures/photo2.html Afghan Opium Output at Record High How is the Opium Drug Trade affecting the people of the middle east? Summary: They are saying that the opium sales are getting really bad. Afghanistan farmers are growing 477,000 acres (193,000 hectares) of opium poppies, that is a 17 percent increase from 408,000 acres (165,000 hectares) recorded in 2006. The southern province of Helmand alone, with 253,944 acres (102,770 hectares) of land under cultivation, accounts for more than 50% of the national total. Except for china over 100 years ago, this is the most land that has ever been used for illegal activity. Reflection: I would say that if this is the highest its been on over 100 years, there is a huge issue. I think that its interesting that the first time i heard about this huge issue is because of this project. When there is this big of an issue, everyone should be aware of it. I think that we need to some how get these people to make money some other way, and to find other ways to be stable. Its a hard situation because people even in america will do whatever it takes to survive, and thats what these people have to do. Its sad that this is the only way that they can survive. Questions: 1) why is there so much be sold now? 2) how many people are growing it, not just how much land? 3) how much do they need to sell to survive for a week? 4) how much do they need to sell to survive for a month? Citation: Images, Reza/Getty. "Afghan Opium Output at Record High." National Geographic. N.p., 28 Oct. 2010. Web. 6 Mar. 2011. .
lane rottschafer

Addicted nation.(CURRENT COMMENT)(Afghanistan as an opium producer)(Brief article) - 0 views

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Opium Poppy Afghanistan

shared by lane rottschafer on 08 Mar 11 - Cached
  • lane rottschafer on 08 Mar 11
     
    http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/retrieve.do?subjectParam=&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T003&sgCurrentPosition=&subjectAction=&prodId=STOM&searchId=R1&docId=A235289555&currentPosition=1&bucketSubId=&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&docLevel=&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale(en,,):FQE%3D(ke,None,5)opium:And:FQE%3D(ke,None,11)afghanistan:And:LQE%3D(AC,None,8)fulltext$&inPS=true&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&nav=prev Addicted nation.(CURRENT COMMENT)(Afghanistan as an opium producer)(Brief article) What are the effects of opium sales on Afghanistan Summary: Afghanistan is the worlds largest opium producers. Now they are seeing to have addicts to opium of all ages. The most common is a 28 year old male, married with children but separated from his wife. Parents are giving opium to there children as a pain killer because that have no other choices. Over half a million people don't have access to addiction treatment. The growing of poppy, (opium) is partly increasing because of greater access to irrigation and fertilizers. Families that grow poppy are reluctant to switch to a food crop because it would make them less money. Summary: I think that the issues are getting worse now that parents are starting to give it to there children. THis is creating a whole new generation of addicts. The fact that the people who are already addicted don't have access to a recovery center doesn't help either. Also, having poppy bring in more of an income to families who grow it, It will be almost impossible to make them switch to a food crop. Questions: 1) Why are there not other pain killers for families 2) What are other crops that people could grow to get a good income 3) How many exactly are addicted to opium 4) How many kids under the age of 18 are addicted. Citation: "Addicted nation." America 16 Aug. 2010: 4. Student Edition. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.
Mark De Haan

Why they hate us - 0 views

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Hezbollah Hizbollah Israel Hizbullah

shared by Mark De Haan on 08 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • The mass-based Hezbollah (Party of God) is centered on a core group of militant Shiite clerics, who, like all successful Lebanese politicians, employ armed bands to underscore their message.
  • Hezbollah was formed in 1982, at iranian urging, as aradical alternative to Lebanon's mainstream Shiite movement, Amal. The clerics who founded Hezbollah objected to the secular goals of Amal's leader, Nabih Berri, who opposed the establishment of a separate Shiite entity. Hezbollah's leaders and Iran consider Lebanon, where the Shiites are the largest religious sect, fertile ground for a second Islamic Republic. Last March 15 the now famous Lebanese magazine al Shiraa described Hezbollah as a "branch" of the Iranian revolution, which received "guidance" and "orders" from the Islamic Republic.
  • Hezbollah made its antipathy for the West clear in its 1985manifesto, which proclaimed, "America, France and their allies must leave Lebanon once and for all," and vowed, "We are for dealing with evil at its roots and its roots are in America." The document reserved special hostility for the Phalangist Party, a largely Maronite Christian organization founded by Lebanese President Amin Gemayel's father. Hezbollah declared that the Phalangists "must be subjected to justice . . . for their crimes against Moslems and Christians, with encouragement from America and Israel," a reference to the slaughter of hundreds by the Phalangists and the closely related Lebanese Forces during the civil war. The conduct of the United States and Israel in Lebanon has helped create the present atmosphere, in which anyone from the West is fair game.
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  • Although the Maronites are estimated to compose only 16 percent of teh population, since 1943 they have been guaranteed the presidency, command of the armed forces and a 6-to-5 Christian to Moslem ration in Parliament.
  • But instead of urging change, the United States and France provided Gemayel with about a billion dollars' worth of weapons, which he turned first on the Druze and then on the mainly Shiite southern suburbs of Beirut. The presence of the U.S. marines and the shelling of Druze and Syrian positions by U.S. warships indicated Washington's commitment to a minority Christian regime against its rivals.
  • To make matters worse, U.S. intelligence became involved with some of the mst unsavory elements on the Lebanese scene. According to newspaper accounts, a Lebanese unit undergoing counterintelligence training with the C.I.A. had planted, though without U.S. authorization, the car bomb that on March 8, 1985, killed ninety-two persons and wounded 200 more outside the home of Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, who is considered the spirtual guide of Hezbollah. This sequence of events, argues Rashid Khalidi, "enabled the Lebanese partisans of Iran to turn a lot of people violently against the United States."
  • Mark De Haan on 08 Mar 11
     
    Why they hate us (Lebanese Shiites) - Stanley Reed The Nation Reed, Stanley. "Why they hate us." The Nation 244 (1987): 168+. Student Edition. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary: This article is an editorial as to why Hezbollah and Muslim Shiites have such hatred for the United States. Most of it is in regards to Israel. The United States continues to back Israel, and Hezbollah as a group despises this. They see America as the root of all evil.  Reflection: Back in 1985, when this article was written, we seemed to be totally anti-Hezbollah. We supported the Christian government that had won office, we then supplied the Lebanese government with weapons which they used to oppress the Shiite Muslims in Beirut. This only created more and more hatred against the United States and Israel, as well as Western culture as a whole. Questions: 1. Where there any violent reactions from Hezbollah after the attacks by the Lebanese President in 1985? 2. Does Hezbollah's hate for Israel come from the Western culture or the opposing religion? 3. How much support does Hezbollah receive from Iran, and how much from Lebanon?
Luke Terpstra

Georgia names Russia enemy number one: Voice of Russia - 0 views

english.ruvr.ru/...44645681.html

russia conflict georgia

shared by Luke Terpstra on 17 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • Georgia has unveiled its new national security strategy, declaring Russia its major enemy. 
  • Actually, there seems to be nothing new about the document. The Saakashvili regime has just stopped beating around the bush
  • After the 2008 conflict when Georgia invaded its breakaway republic of South Ossetia and Russia sent its troops there to protect the local population, as well as that of neighboring Abkhazia, official Tbilisi has made its choice.
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  • It was already clear in 2006
  • And it has become absolutely evident by now that Tbilisi is ready to officially put Russia on its blacklist."
  • The document was submitted to parliament, inviting parties to deliver their take on the problem of national security
  • It is clear, however, that the president will get the document he wants.
  • In case he decides to launch another military campaign, he will use this document as justification.
  • Vladimir Zharikhin explained to the VOR what stands behind the newly unveiled national security strategy:"By designating Russia its major enemy, Georgia has actually unveiled its plans for revenge. And all promises it has made to the EU, primarily about the non-application of force to restore its territorial integrity, no longer sound truthful."
  • At the latest UN Human Rights Council session, Georgia was criticized for a lack of independence of its judiciary system, suppression of the opposition and journalists, as well as Georgian nationalism and anti-Russian propaganda.
  • Luke Terpstra on 17 Feb 11
     
    Vatutin, Alexander. "Georgia names Russia enemy number one." Voice of Russia (2011): n. pag. Web. 17 Feb 2011.   Summary:       Georgia is officially declaring Russia an enemy of state. They have an official document in the works and it seems there is nothing stoping it's passage through Georgia's parliment. Russia is saying that Georgia has always been this way and claims that it has always known this.       My big thing is why would Russia need to go out and state that they already knew it. If you would think about it from both sides, I'm sure you could come up with a lot of different stuff. But one thing is for sure it is the agressivness of both sides that got them in this fist fight. If after the civil war they did lots of peace talks and negotiations they might be friends by now.  Questions:  1. What caused the hurt between the two countries?  2. Why is Russia not giving Georgia its space?  3. What does this mean for peace talks?
Haley Luurtsema

UN EXPERT ON DISPLACED PERSONS SAYS HAITI IS STILL IN CRISIS. - 0 views

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shared by Haley Luurtsema on 11 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • Nine months after the earthquake, Haiti is still living through a profound humanitarian crisis that affects the human rights of those displaced by the disaster," said Walter Kaelin
  • 1.3 million people - people who lost their homes during the earthquake
  • he Government of Haiti needs to endorse and communicate publicly a plan on how to provide durable solutions for those in the camps and to inform and consult with the displaced on its implementation.
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  • "Rape is a serious concern - in and outside the camps.
  • While I encourage the Haitian National Police and the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to increase its presence and patrols in the camps, this is only part of the solution."
  • "The Government needs to send a clear signal to the police and the justice system that ending widespread impunity for the perpetrators is a priority," said the Representative
  • Haley Luurtsema on 11 Apr 11
     
    Research Question: Still today, what are the social, economical, and political effects of the earthquake in Haiti? Citation Source: "UN EXPERT ON DISPLACED PERSONS SAYS HAITI IS STILL IN CRISIS." States News Service 19 Oct. 2010. Student Edition. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. Summary: This article is about the 1.3 million people who lost their homes during the earthquake and were left with no where to go. Nine months after, Haiti is still struggling with the natural disaster. However, the government isn't doing the best job of helping. In camps that have been set up for the homeless, rape has become a serious concern. That is why the Haitian National Police and the Unites States Stabilization Mission in Haiti must increase it's presence in the camps. Then, their is the government that needs to enforce police power and the justice system so that the injustice can soon come to an end. Nevertheless, these are the issues that are left behind and often forgotten. The time after the quake when the reality of a broken government really comes out.   
Laurel Ackerman

Israel Delays Approval Of East Jerusalem Housing : NPR - 0 views

www.npr.org/...story.php

Israel Palestine Peace talks East Jerusalem Housing

shared by Laurel Ackerman on 14 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked a government panel to put off final approval of 2,500 new apartments in east Jerusalem, an official said Monday
  • Amid reports of an unofficial, foreign-mediated cease-fire, Palestinian militants appeared to be stilling their rocket and mortar fire Monday, and Israel was refraining from retaliating for previous attacks.
  • Israel's controversial foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, voiced concerns that any lull would merely allow Hamas to strengthen and regroup. He told Israel Radio that restraint was "a grave mistake" and that Israel's main objective should be "the toppling of the Hamas regime."
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • no confirmation Monday that cease-fire conditions had been nailed down
  • The easing of tensions along the Gaza border came as the Palestinian Authority moved forward with plans to gain international recognition for an independent state. The Palestinians hope to take their case to the United Nations in September and sidestep talks with Israel
  • Negotiations with Netanyahu never got off the ground because he refuses to commit to an internationally mandated settlement freeze, and Palestinians say they won't negotiate without one.
  • The Palestinians plan to tell a conference of donor countries this week that they are ready for statehood.
  • Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has been laying the groundwork with a series of developments and reforms.
  • Ali Jarbawi, the Palestinian minister of planning, said Monday that the Palestinian government has reduced its dependence on foreign aid by 35 percent in the past two years
  • One added that Netanyahu's office had asked the Interior Ministry to delay the discussion of the project, citing pressure from the Quartet of international peacemakers — the U.S., European Union, United Nations and Russia
  • Netanyahu on Monday accused the international community — "people with good intentions," he called them — of putting peace even further out of reach by telling the Palestinians they don't have to negotiate.
  • Laurel Ackerman on 14 Apr 11
     
    How does the conflict in Israel affect the futures of Palestinian children compared to Israeli children?   "Israel Delays Approval Of East Jerusalem Housing ." National Public Radio. NPR, 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. . Summary: Israel is building in East Jerusalem, a part of Jerusalem under Palestinian control. Along with that, Israel and Palestinians have been fighting; however, they are trying to get a cease-fire. Even with an unofficial cease-fire, Israel is delaying the East Jerusalem housing project because of pressure from the Quartet although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is against the settlement freeze. But, Palestine will not negotiate an official cease-fire without one. 
Nick Mast

Egypt News - Mubarak: I authorize Egypt FM to detect my assets, family abroad - 0 views

news.egypt.com/...-assets-and-family-abroad.html

shared by Nick Mast on 14 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • Al Arabiya satellite channel Sunday broadcasts an audio tape of Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak, as his first since his resignation 
  • Egypt's Ex-president Mubarak said that "I hurt a lot - and still do - because which I faced and my family of unjust campaigns and false allegations aimed at harming my reputation and appeal in my integrity and my attitude and historical military and political, who worked hard for which Egypt and its people .. War and peace .."
  • Mubarak is denying that he abused his authority to amass wealth and property in his first speech since his ouster.
  • Nick Mast on 14 Apr 11
     
    Mubarak: I authorize Egypt FM to detect my assets, family abroad By:Egypt News  Summary: On a Al Arabiya channel this past sunday Mubarak said his first words since his resignation. In his statement summed up, he said because of of the false allegations aimed at hurting my name and integrity has harmed me and my family. Also adding i gave up my position as president by taking in what he thought the people of Egypt wanted. In this statement he also denies any abuse of power or authority to amass more money.  Reflection: After reading this i think that it is a good thing that he came out and said something to clear the air, although not many people cared to listen to what he said because they still don't believe him, but he had to say something. And i also found it interesting that he keeps bringing up what he didn't do to harm the nation, i think he should have not said anything about that seeing how it is in the past, and that most people in the world have a forgive fast or forget things fast and that people probably don't care as much because they are trying to move on as a nation.  Questions:Is he telling the truth? How badly is him and his family hurt from this whole thing? Is there a way he can improve his public image? Why did he wait this long to say something?
Bryce Lutke

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com - 0 views

www.cnn.com/video

Cuba

shared by Bryce Lutke on 11 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • Bryce Lutke on 11 Apr 11
     
    Quotes: The Communist economic modle he introduced after his revolution has in someways failed Jeffery Goldburg Published part of those conversations on a Blog Fidel Castro's over riding fear that the world is on the brink of a nuclear war "The Cuban Model doesn't even work for us any more" Fidel Castro He (raul Castro) has insisted on numerous occasions that changes needed to be made to the economy he has introduced some modest reforms to farmers barbers and even taxies Fidel Castro has completely avoided domestic issues Darlington, Shasta. CNN. CNN, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. . Summary: Fidel Castro seems to realize that the empire that he dreamed of has very little chance of succeeding and that changes need to be made he is supporting some of the steps that his brother Raul Castro has made to change the way that the Cuban Government is run and is now coming out of a media nonexistence to speak of such subjects  Response: I think it is is a good thing that Fidel is realizing that the plans he made for the nation of Cuba are not turing out as well as he had planned and that changes need to be made to how their nation is run. I think it is a good sign that he is supporting his successor in the steps he is taking to make changes to the economy of Cuba.  Questions: What are some of the other things that he is changing? Are they working? What are some ongoing changes right now?
Mallory Huizenga

"Costa Rica: Committed to Conservation" - 0 views

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MEL

shared by Mallory Huizenga on 17 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • As a result, it intends to protect at least 25 percent of its territory as wildlands. The economic benefits of Costa Rica's conservation commitments include important revenue from hydropower, ecotourism, and scientific activity.
  • Based on land-use capability, less than 40 percent of Costa Rica's land is suitable for agriculture and approximately 60 percent is most suitably left as forest. Some 35 percent of Costa Rica is now pastureland, but only 8 percent is appropriate to that use.
  • The current government has established a goal of completely protecting primary forest, allowing secondary forest to flourish, and promoting tree plantations on degraded soils to meet demands for lumber and paper products.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Costa Rica has done more than any other developing country to establish a comprehensive joint implementation (JI) regime as a strategy to meet the objectives of the climate treaty and promote its own sustainable development goals.
  • A high-level Consultative Committee on Climate Change was formed to shape JI policy, within the context of the national greenhouse gas emissions
  • More recently, the OCIC strategy has been exclusively to promote three national-scale projects focusing on (1) consolidation of parks, (2) natural forest management by private landowners, and (3) renewable energy.
  • Changes in Costa Rica's forestry laws during the 1980s and '90s supported substantial tree planting in Costa Rica
  • The law addresses four key environmental services offered by plantations and forests: (1) carbon fixation, (2) watershed protection, (3) biodiversity resources, and (4) protection of natural forest ecosystems located in zones of particular interest.
  • An understanding now exists between the nations of the world that protecting climate and conserving biodiversity are important goals.
  • Mallory Huizenga on 17 Feb 11
     
    Research Journal #1: Article Two Question: How is ecological conservation effecting Costa Rica? Source: MEL Database: "Costa Rica: Committed to Conservation" by Rene Castro Citation: Castro, Rene. "Costa Rica: committed to conservation." World and I Nov. 1998: 65+. Student Edition. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. Summary: This article talks mainly about what Costa Rica's government is doing to converse the land. The article emphasis how Costa Rica is implying their hopes and dreams into reality for the country. The author uses specific facts such as the percentage of wild-lands, the percentage of forests, the percentage of land used for agriculture. The articles also presents the measures that the government set in place in the mid-1990s to create a more sustainable ecology. The end of the articles discuss how Costa Rica is going to keep this "green" idea alive into the future. Reflection: I found this article helpful because it talks about the government side of the conservation, and what the government is doing to help provide and enforce conservation in Costa Rica. The articles makes great points, and is filled with a lot of facts about the country's ecology. I was glad to find an article that talked about the steps that were made to bring Costa Rica to the place where they are in ecological conservation.   Questions: 1) What is the government continuing to do? 2) How well have the guidelines been followed over the years. 3) What other steps outside of the government have been taken to enforce the conservation. 4) As a group we will need to include the starting point behind this push for conservation in our exhibit.
Heather Kapenga

Zambia's HIV infection rates up. - 0 views

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Zambia HIV AIDS

shared by Heather Kapenga on 18 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • The country's National AIDS Council (NAC) said the rate of new HIV infection rose from 70, 000 in 2007 to 82, 000 this year.
  • 79 percent of the new infections were resulted from active people having sex with non-regular partners.
  • Zambia's Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS, an organization embracing all religions, said there was need to spread latest information on new infections to sustain prevention among young people, adding that the organization was committed to ensuring that the southern African country remains free from HIV/ AIDS by 2015.
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  • Zambia's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate currently stands at 14.3 percent among people aged between 15 and 49.
  • the unprecedented number of new infections had resulted in an increase in orphans and vulnerable children, pledging that the government and cooperating partners will consider increasing budgetary support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
  • COPYRIGHT 2009 COMTEX News Network, Inc. LUSAKA, Dec 02, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Zambia
    • Heather Kapenga
      Heather Kapenga on 18 Feb 11
       
      Reflection: I was very surprised by how huge these numbers are of people in Zambia who are affected by HIV/AIDS and how 82,000 people this year are affected by it. I was also surprised to read about how up to 79% of people in Zambia are infected with AIDS by having affairs and that you would think they would not do this so they do not end up being infected with AIDS and passing it down to their children right away from birth. This article contributes to my research question because, it gives out facts about how many people are affected by AIDS and how that affects them and their children and how they would like to put an end to this epidemic before this disease keeps passing on.Questions:1. Why do these people continue to be infected by HIV/AIDS when they can put a stop to it by not being sexually active?2. Are there any other ways to prevent these people from being infected by HIV/AIDS?3.Why would it take up to 2015 for southern African countries to become HIV/AIDS free?
  • Heather Kapenga on 18 Feb 11
     
    Research Question: What is the effect of AIDS/HIV in Zambia? Citation: "Zambia's HIV infection rates up." Xinhua News Agency 2 Dec. 2009. Student Edition. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. Summary: The National AIDS Council (NAC) says that the rate of  the HIV infection has increased dramatically from 70,000 people to 82,000 people in Zambia. Also there is an epidemic of up to 79% of people who are being infected by HIV by having affairs. Plus Zambia's Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS ensured that souther African countries to remain AIDS free by 2015. Finally the current rate of people in Zambia affected by HIV/AIDS is at 14.3% for people between the ages of 15 and 49.
Ji-Yoon Jeon

Mobs attack 3 churches in Indonesia. - 1 views

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Islam Violence

shared by Ji-Yoon Jeon on 09 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Three churches in Indonesia were attacked by Muslim mobs upset over what they deemed a light sentence against a Christian in a blasphemy case
  • the crowd set fire to one church and stoned two others in the town, where shops remained closed.
  • Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Violence erupted Tuesday in the town of Temanggung in Central Java after a court sentenced Antonius Richmond Bawengan to five years on charges of blaspheming Islam in books and articles he distributed in October 2010
  • courthouse also was attacked by some of those attending the trial, forcing the evacuation of the judges.
  • The latest violence follows a similar incident Sunday in which members of the Ahmadiyah sect were attacked, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to several more.
  • The Ahmadiyahs are not accepted as a part of Islam by mainstream Muslims.
  • Ji-Yoon Jeon on 09 Mar 11
     
    Research question: Is Islam a religion of peace or invitation to violence? "Mobs attack 3 churches in Indonesia." UPI NewsTrack 8 Feb. 2011. Student Edition. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=A248610396&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: This article was talking about three churches in Indonesia being attacked by Muslim mobs. Antonious Richmond Bawengan had sentenced to 5 years for blaspheming Islam in book and articles he distributed. And this upset the Muslims and the mob put fired on one church and threw stones to two other churches in the town. Also the courthouse was attacked by some of those attending the trial. They broke windows and set fires on cars. The article also says that before similar case had happened. Reflection: By looking at this news article, I could see that why people consider Islam religion as violence. It's not just Muslims being angry at the trial result, they are taking far more steps next. Since Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, this can be happen more often than any other countries. And also in the article, it said the similar case happened not too long ago, which was the members of the Ahmadiyah sect being attacked. And the Ahmadiyahs are not considered as a part of Islam by mainstream Muslims, so we can see that Muslims are very violent toward non-Muslims. There are always death and injuries when they act out their violence. Questions: 1. Why were the mob so mad at the trial's result? 2. Why did they attack the churches not other buildings? 3. What happened to the m
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