ATLANTA, Georgia — According to a press release by Rep. Mike Quigley [D-IL], COVID-19 is just one of the many viruses that originated from wild animals in the past few decades. On January 4, 2021, Rep. Quigley and Rep. Fred Upton [R-MI] reintroduced H.R.151, the Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2021, to prioritize global public health. “For the sake of our health, our economy and our livelihoods, preventing the next pandemic before it starts is perhaps the most important thing we must do,” says Rep. Quigley. The History of the Preventing Future Pandemics Act The initial bill was introduced in…
Author: Yuki
PLANO, Texas — Global AIDS research nonprofit, amfAR, raised more than $11 million in research support at amfAR’s annual Gala Cannes. It was a star-studded event in which a variety of celebrities and donors were on-hand to bid on a number of different items and experiences, ranging from beautiful works of art to luxurious weeklong stays on yachts. This included the sale of 1,500 open editions of a unique non-fungible token (NFT) adaption of a piece by celebrated artist Sacha Jafri, inspired by his visits to different refugee camps around the globe. The digital translation of Jafri’s piece raised more than…
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — For western U.S. states, drought can devastate farming. The amount of water from the Colorado River that replenishes the reservoir is decreasing. The ingenious water management, which made this region habitable, is failing. Therefore, alternative methods are needed for poverty alleviation in farming-reliant communities. Wasteful Irrigation Agriculture accounts for 70% of global water consumption. However, unsustainable irrigation increases food waste. Moreover, climate change impacts food production. Some estimates suggest there will be a 3% to 10% decrease in harvest production by 2050. If conservation through water management is not implemented, poverty alleviation for farming-reliant communities…
PALATINE, Illinois — Water insecurity is a growing issue in sub-Saharan Africa. According to Global Citizen, “Of the 783 million people who are without access to clean water, 40% live in sub-Saharan Africa.” However, the Hippo Roller and similar inventions are helping the region move toward a more stable future with improved water access. Water Access Issues in Africa Poverty is a significant barrier in water access as impoverished people simply cannot afford the cost of running water and impoverished countries do not have the funds to put in place adequate water infrastructure. Natural disasters as well as flooding and…
GOLD COAST, Queensland, Australia — Supermodel and actress, Cara Delevingne and her friend Christabel Reed have launched a powerful campaign to end climate change called EcoResolution. The campaign influences people, including Delevigne’s 43 million Instagram followers, to make a commitment to take personal action against climate change. The aim of the campaign is to create a communal space where people not only feel comfortable enough to talk about the impact of climate change but also can learn from each other to find a solution to the issue. #MyEcoResolution Campaign The campaign has gained support from a multitude of people across…
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — As communities struggle to find normalcy after COVID-19, the much-neglected tourism industry desperately needs revenue. Estimated losses could reach “$3.3 trillion, or 4.2% of global GDP” in just one year. Moreover, because tourism involves multiple industries, a $1 million decrease in tourism revenue signals a net loss of $2 to $3 million to national economies. However, this crisis is also an opportunity to redress past shortcomings and to foster new perspectives. Specifically, there are myriad opportunities for sustainability in wine tourism to combat intractable rural poverty. Role of Tourism Previously, in a $7 trillion market…
CHANHASSEN, Minnesota — On May 24, 2021, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced S.Res. 229 in response to an attack on a girls’ school in Kabul, Afghanistan, earlier in the month. The conflict between the Afghan government and terrorist groups, such as the Taliban and ISIS, has resulted in increased insecurity. This instability proved especially detrimental for girls whose education has continually been put at risk as a result of the conflict. The Senate resolution addresses the ongoing violence against girls in Afghanistan and reaffirms the United States’s commitment to protecting girls’ education. Attack on Kabul and Violence Against Women Senator…
SEATTLE, Washington — COVID-19 has made severe global impacts, but impoverished countries are facing the harshest consequences. There are 46 countries identified by the United Nations (UN) as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) due to “severe structural impediments to sustainable development.” These nations have the fewest means with which to fight the pandemic. LDCs have approximately 900 million people and account for less than 1% of recorded COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, these low percentages are not an accurate reflection of the current situation. Without the necessary resources to test people, it is impossible for institutions to gather precise data. COVID’s…
TACOMA, Washington — Senegal is a country in West Africa that lies along the coast. The nation is home to about 15.7 million people. Poverty is widespread in Senegal, as 46.7% of the population lives below the poverty line. After being elected in 2012, President Macky Sall began to implement new economic policies to improve Senegal’s economy and hopefully alleviate some poverty. The government is currently working on 19 projects as a part of the president’s plan (Emerging Senegal Plan). Senegal has made progress in terms of poverty, but it still has some ways to go. One problem that continues…
SEATTLE, Washington — Spread across the European Union (EU), the Roma Travelers are considered the largest minority in the European continent, with roughly six million living in EU states. The Roma have a long history of suffering from racial persecution, leading to socioeconomic struggles that continue to this day. Unfortunately, the effects of COVID-19 on the Roma have only worsened these struggles. Impact of COVID-19 on Romani Communities The worst effects of poverty had plagued Roma communities even before COVID-19 had spread to EU countries. Roughly 80% of all Roma live in inadequate, overcrowded houses, largely in densely populated areas.…