| Rich nations’ environmental footprint falls on poor
Norgaard, an ecological economist and UC Berkeley professor of energy and resources. "That, perhaps, is one reason that they are poor. You dont see it until you do the kind of accounting that we do here" The calculation of the ecological footprints of the worlds low-, middle- and high-income nations drew upon more than a decade of assessments by environmental economists who have tried to attach monetary figures to environmental damage, plus data from the recent United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and World Bank reports. Because of the monumental nature of such an accounting, the UC Berkeley researchers limited their study to six areas of human activity. Impacts of activities that are difficult to assess, such as loss of habitat and biodiversity and the effects of industrial pollution, were ignored.
Unit 5 vote revisits District 87 merger talk
In recent months, at multiple informational meetings about Unit 5's $96.7 million construction referendum, at least one person has asked a question related to merging with Bloomington's District 87.Would a merger save money by requiring less staff? Would it help with Unit 5's overcrowding? Would it improve educational opportunities for students?District 87 Superintendent Bob Nielsen said before anybody can definitively answer those questions — or argue for or against merger — a thorough and fair study of benefits and costs is needed.“All facts should be known" because a merger would have so many implications for both districts — and the community as a whole, Nielsen said.“We'd need to do a fairly large study to see if there are any (cost) savings," Unit 5 Superintendent Gary Niehaus agreed.The only time voters in both districts cast ballots on a merger was in 1996.
Le Tour de Langkawi 2008 - Stage 5
The battle of the sprinters continued in stage 5 today with Alberto Loddo of Tinkoff Credit systems adding to his stage victories. Alberto had the fastest legs in the mass finish with Argentine Mauro Richeze of CSF Group/Navigare second and Swiss sprinter Aurelien Clerc of Bouygues Telecom finishing third. Clerc displaced Anuar Manan as the green jersey wearer as Anuar faltered at the finish in sixth place. The win for Loddo on the rolling stage was a sort of reply from the Italian following Danilo Hondo's win in Stage Four yesterday and where after today, the score stood at one stage win each for the prolific sprinters.
Alberto Lodo celebrates! Clerc to his right takes green. Photo 2008 Action Images Loddo admitted after the 139.9km stage that he was desperate for a stage victory considering that his Tinkoff mates had been working hard for a bunch sprint over the last few days.
Anthony Kuhn, NPR Biography
As NPR's Beijing Correspondent, Anthony Kuhn reports on China and Northeast Asia. His stories cover the spectrum of how a resurgent China is affecting the world, from diplomacy to the environment; the ancient cultural traditions that still exert a profound influence in today's China; and the people's quest for social justice in a period of rapid modernization and uneven development. In 2004-2005, Kuhn was based in London. He covered stories ranging from the 2005 terrorist attacks on London's transport system to the sale of the Manchester United soccer team. In the spring of 2005, he reported from Iraq on the formation of the post-election interim government. Kuhn began contributing reports to NPR from China in 1996. During that time, Kuhn also worked as an accredited freelance reporter with the Los Angeles Times, and as Beijing correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review.
Fight against attempts to limit gun-owners' rights
Why aren't Central Illinois' non-criminal, legal gun owners, collectors, hobby/competition shooters and meat animal hunters addressing opinion pages about Chicago attempts at Illinois gun legislation?House Bill 731 would make firearms inoperable in homes, inviting burglars, home invaders and rapists.HB 758 would prohibit selling firearms to friends, curtailing collecting of rare historical firearms.HB 1503 would ban ownership of your sons' BB guns/air rifles - Red Ryder, Daisy.HB 1696 would revoke Firearm Owner Identification if your gun is stolen and not reported within 72 hours.HB 1793 would make you a felon en route to hunting with your unloaded, cased gun in a locked trunk if you pass within 1,000 feet of an airport, bus, train or track.HB 3633 would allow police to confiscate Firearm Owner Identification and firearms, if an angry spouse makes a complaint and a judge orders it.Under HB 1078, collections would to be ``monitored'' by Illinois State Police upon an owner's death.Senate Bill 1471: Manually loaded rifles/shotguns, pump actions, bolt actions, double rifles/double shotguns, long guns become illegal.
John Muir students get a lesson in medieval music
Fourth-grade students at John Muir Elementary School cover their ears Monday as Linda Wendt demonstrates the loud "bombarde," an early oboe-like instrument from Brittany in France. The instrument, used in parades, sounds like a cross between a bagpipe and a bicycle horn. .
Cis' blog roundup - Friday
This may be a little bit deep for this early in the morning, but I wanted to share this interview with Egyptian author Alaa Al Aswany that appeared in this month's National Geographic. There is much talk now of a "clash" of civilizations between the Muslim world and the West. How do you see this clash? I don't think it's a question of civilizations. Civilizations are the best part of human creation. They don't cause any kind of clashthey are a means to communicate. The clash comes from the aggressive interpretation of some religions. Religions have been used throughout history as a cause to wage war and kill people, but it's my opinion that religions are the same everywhere. They are a way to find God, a way to have positive values, to prove oneself as a good human being.
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