International

Tropical Deforestation: State Control, Environmentalism and Indigenous Knowledge

Submitted by emmafox14 on October 6, 2017 - 7:54pm
English

Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has become a large global environmental issue, destroying remote communities and permanently altering large ecosystems in the pursuit of profit and development. Recently, according to an article printed in the New York Times written by Ernesto Londono called Brazilian Judge Stymies Plan to Allow Mining in Amazon Region, a federal judge in Brazil temporarily halted a plan by the President Michel Temer to allow mining in a large area of the Amazon forest.

A Greener Approach to E-waste Disposal

Submitted by BrentES on October 6, 2017 - 7:18pm
English

A Greener Approach to E-waste Disposal

Niue and Chile: Protectors of the Pacific

Submitted by cicada on October 6, 2017 - 7:14pm
English

Recently, Chile and the small island nation of Niue (containing only about 1600 people) have set aside some of their waters for conservation purposes. Niue devoted 40% of its economic zone while Chile created two new parks. Collectively, the two nations’ efforts have set aside an ocean area twice the size of Germany – specifically 290,000 square feet – for conservation purposes. The areas, which are listed as marine protected areas, strictly prohibit extractive activities such as fishing (Greshko, 2017).

Canada's Softwood Lumber Dispute: Another Hurdle in the Staples Trap

Submitted by Jhunt08 on October 6, 2017 - 7:06pm
English

Canada and the United States share one of the most stable and profitable alliances in the world. Geographically speaking this relationship was inevitable, the Canada-United States border is the longest in the world and both countries are relatively isolated from other trading partners. Canadians and Americans also share a similar culture and colonial past that simplifies any collaboration between the countries. Despite this there are quarrels in every relationship and one of the most incessant is our conflict over softwood lumber.

Is this the Solution to the EU Plastic Dilemma?

Submitted by dwyerh on October 6, 2017 - 6:31pm
The European Union (EU) recently rejected the proposal of a tax that would be placed on the distribution and disposal of single-use plastic products. Instead of the tax, the EU committed to running a series of public awareness campaigns relating to the impacts of plastics on the environment. Justifying this decision, the vice president of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, says that a tax implemented by the EU on plastics would not be sustainable, and that changing the way plastic was produced and used could be more effective.

Divided Kingdoms

Submitted by Émilie Saucier on October 6, 2017 - 7:59am
English

As of right now, Britain is part of the European Union, but it is expected to leave it soon. This would have consequences in Northern Ireland which is part of the united kingdom. A separation would mean for them that they would need a real border separating Northern Ireland from Ireland. Which would mean that they couldn't rely as much anymore on them on aspects such as economical and agricultural. Also imposing a border would be very difficult and costly since about 300 roads are crossing the border.

Divided Kingdoms

Submitted by Émilie Saucier on October 6, 2017 - 7:59am
English

As of right now, Britain is part of the European Union, but it is expected to leave it soon. This would have consequences in Northern Ireland which is part of the united kingdom. A separation would mean for them that they would need a real border separating Northern Ireland from Ireland. Which would mean that they couldn't rely as much anymore on them on aspects such as economical and agricultural. Also imposing a border would be very difficult and costly since about 300 roads are crossing the border.

Kiva

Submitted by abrozovic on October 5, 2017 - 3:02pm

Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. We celebrate and support people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.

By lending as little as $25 on Kiva, anyone can help a borrower start or grow a business, go to school, access clean energy or realize their potential. For some, it’s a matter of survival, for others it’s the fuel for a life-long ambition.

Undefined

The Effects of Rapid Urbanization

Submitted by AmandaMateus on October 4, 2017 - 9:01pm
English

The article, “Can Smarter Growth Guide China’s Urban Building Boom?” by David Biello, the science curator for TED as well as the contributing editor for Scientific American, explains several ideas and setbacks regarding rapid growth in cities, particularly in the city Ordos in China. In this article, Biello justifies the effects of rapid urbanization on the environment and presents practical solutions to avoid unsustainable methods of construction. The high demand for apartment buildings and amenities for the million new residents in these areas leads to poor construction.

Urban Sprawl; Urban Nightmare

Submitted by Hannah on October 1, 2017 - 10:17pm

The Merriam-Webster defines urban sprawl as “the spreading of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a city.” But it’s more than that: Urban sprawl has defined how where many us of live is planned out, and therefore, how we move and live within that space. The sources used in this text (The Economist, Concordia News and The Guardian) each explain either a problem or solution relating to urban sprawl.