#access to natural resources

[indizombie]

Lange says that bedrock environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act have improved air quality and human health conditions in the United States, but at the same time they may also contribute to the lag in sustainable production of EV materials.“When we restrict access to natural resources, these international companies can choose to go elsewhere,” he says — often to countries with lax environmental and human rights laws.”

Tim Lyndon, ‘The EV Revolution Brings Environmental Uncertainty at Every Turn’, EcoWatch

[im-still-watching-anime]

tsunade, hearing about gaara becoming kazekage: he became a kage already?? even though he’s a kid?? but YOU GUYS won’t let me give my job to naruto, the number one kid in the world??

[orbiting-star]

as a zookeeper I have to do public talks fairly often and where I live it is a legal requirement for zoos to educate the public on conservation issues (which is done in part by public talks).

I just love starting off a talk talking about how cute the animals are and where they live and how they hunt and whatever else. All the fun facts about their behaviour and the enrichment we provide and things like that. and just when they're invested and having a good time i hit them with the ol' "this is why the exotic pet trade is evil" and just watch their faces change as i talk about why they should be mindful of the videos they watch on the internet. absolute gold. even better when i can TELL they're having The Realisation

[firestorm09890]

if you were wondering how that batshit video game crossover rp I mention intermittently is going, right now Beat twewy (neo era) is actively pursuing the friendship of Zexion because he's smart and, quote, "so cool dawg", which has included Beat stealing a kill from him and then winking at him, so. it sure is going. btw i highly recommend doing batshit rps with your friends featuring your respective favorite fictional weirdos, it's been doing wonders for my mental health

[thehostacollective]

This is really great! Accessible hiking trails!

(Also if anyone knows a way to link a non-subscriber version I would greatly appreciate it!)

[gothmods]

Seeing glimpses of some big discourse on twitter but i have decided to ignore shit started on there because i think the tweet format is so fucking counterproductive to having actually meaningful conversations

[bonefall]

What bout the clans making jerky like they could cut thin pieces of meat off pray and laying it out to dry

I've gotten this suggestion a couple of times so I'll promise you and everyone else that I'll definitely do this one!

It's just a matter of structuring it... in its most basic version, making jerky would just be a repeat of the Dried Minnows entry (sun or wind drying). So to avoid redundancy, I'll be showing you how the cats can make a smoker.

And then there's the rub, because I could just do ThunderClan Jerky, or I could make it more of an entry on the different types of smokers each Clan prefers, or I could do ThunderClan's favorite smoker construction using Jerky as the headliner and then show a smoked dish from each clan...

Much to think about. But, I will be showing how jerky is made. One way or another jerky will come.

[itsagrimm]

"and then he drank the water from the river / sink in the abandoned house / rain water ..."

listen, i know it's just fanfics. but I keep reading this in fan works and worry that some might actually think it's safe to drink water from questionable sources.

Should you ever be in an outdoor situation where you don't have your usual water access - don't drink water from whatever-seems-fine-source. It can make you really sick. Please rely on locally approved sources of water or filter / test yourself before slurping down liquid cholera.

[agentfascinateur]

I think it's a Bidenesque victory, of bringing the country back from the ideological edge. It's a great thing for the environment and agrifood systems in a time of food scarcity due to the war Russia is unjustly waging on Ukraine. BRICS is a major player and Brazil can be the friendly bulwark for those seeking to keep everyone in their lane while cooperating for the greater good rather than fighting and creating more hostile environments. There is so much to do, to combat greed, to optimize everyone's performance - from health to eliminating poverty to saving the planet. We must start by letting people be so all can achieve a sustainable prosperity. Maybe it starts with Brazil!

[anarchywoofwoof]

the funny thing is that i don't think younger people - and i mean those under the age of 40 - really have a grasp on how many of today's issues can be tied back to a disastrous reagan policy:

war on drugs: reagan's aggressive escalation of the war on drugs was a catastrophic policy, primarily targeting minority communities and fueling mass incarceration. the crusade against drugs was more about controlling the Black, Latino and Native communities than addressing the actual problems of drug abuse, leading to a legacy of broken families and systemic racism within the criminal justice system.

deregulation and economic policies: reaganomics was an absolute disaster for the working class. reagan's policies of aggressive tax cuts for the rich, deregulation, and slashing social programs were nothing less than class warfare, deepening income inequality and entrenching corporate greed. these types of policies were a clear message that reagan's america was only for the wealthy elite and a loud "fuck you" to working americans.

environmental policies: despite his reputation being whitewashed thanks to the recovery of the ozone layer, reagan's environmental record was an unmitigated disaster. his administration gutted critical environmental protections and institutions like the EPA, turning a blind eye to pollution and corporate exploitation of natural resources. this blatant disregard for the planet was a clear sign of prioritizing short-term corporate profits over the future of the environment.

AIDS crisis: reagan's gross neglect of the aids crisis was nothing short of criminal and this doesn't even begin to touch on his wife's involvement. his administration's indifference to the plight of the lgbtq+ community during this devastating epidemic revealed a deep-seated bigotry and a complete failure of moral leadership.

mental health: reagan's dismantling of mental health institutions under the guise of 'reform' led directly to a surge in homelessness and a lack of support for those with mental health issues. his policies were cruel and inhumane and showed a personality-defining callous disregard for the most vulnerable in society.

labor and unions: reagan's attack on labor unions, exemplified by his handling of the patco strike, was a blatant assault on workers' rights. his actions emboldened corporations to suppress union activities, leading to a significant erosion of workers' power and rights in the workplace. he was colloquially known as "Ronnie the Union Buster Reagan"

foreign policy and military interventions: reagan's foreign policy, particularly in latin america, was imperialist and ruthless. his administration's support for dictatorships and right-wing death squads under the guise of fighting "communism" showed a complete disregard for human rights and self-determination of other nations.

public health: yes, reagan's agricultural policies actually facilitated the rise of high fructose corn syrup, once again prioritizing corporate profits over public health. this shift in the food industry has had lasting negative impacts on health, contributing to the obesity epidemic and other health issues.

privatization: reagan's push for privatization was a systematic dismantling of public services, transferring wealth and power to private corporations and further eroding the public's access to essential services.

education policies: his approach to education was more of an attack on public education than anything else, gutting funding and promoting policies that undermined equal access to quality education. this was, again, part of a broader agenda to maintain a status quo where the privileged remain in power.

this is just what i could come up with in a relatively short time and i did not even live under this man's presidency. the level at which ronald reagan has broken the united states truly can't be overstated.

[mortalityplays]

I know you have all probably seen the esims for gaza posts circulating. Some of you have probably looked at them and thought maybe you should help out, but have weighed up the daunting process of signing up for something you're unfamiliar with vs. the gut-wrenching scale of the things people are going through on the ground right now, and you've put it off or questioned whether it will make enough of a difference vs. some other future kind of activism you could put that $6+ towards. I'm not calling you out or scolding you, it is natural to feel conflicted and ambivalent about the multiple calls for aid that you are seeing on social media.

but consider this: what would you do if you suddenly had to leave your home? how would you cope? how would you begin to plan where to go next, or figure out what to do to take care of yourself? most likely you would reach reflexively for your phone.

telecoms access is not a petty luxury in 2024. a loaded esim means the ability to call family members and find out where they are and whether they're safe, and whether they need anything you can provide for them. it means access to maps and regular updates on the situation unfolding around you. it means you can look up whether it's safe to drink rain water, or how to tie a type of knot you've never had to think about before, or how to treat an injury without medical supplies. it means the ability to tell people outside the situation what you are seeing, what you are feeling, what you are thinking. it is an absolutely crucial resource. and it starts at $6 for 7 days.

many many people have observed that internet access is changing the way the world understands genocide. internet access is life or death, and it is shaping modern history in front of you. and it starts at $6 for 7 days.

please, please visit gazaesims.com and spend 5 minutes and $6 to change the way this plays out for everyone.

[deoidesign]

A general cane guide for writers and artists (from a cane user, writer, and artist!)

Disclaimer: Though I have been using a cane for 6 years, I am not a doctor, nor am I by any means an expert. This guide is true to my experience, but there are as many ways to use a cane as there are cane users!

This guide will not include: White canes for blindness, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs as I have no personal experience with these.

This is meant to be a general guide to get you started and avoid some common mishaps/misconceptions in your writing, but you absolutely should continue to do your own research outside of this guide!

This is NOT a medical resource!!! And never tell a real person you think they're using a cane wrong!

The biggest recurring problem I've seen is using the cane on the wrong side. The cane goes on the opposite side of the pain! If your character has even-sided pain or needs it for balance/weakness, then use the cane in the non-dominant hand to keep the dominant hand free. Some cane users also switch sides to give their arm a rest!

A cane takes about 20% of your weight off the opposite leg. It should fit within your natural gait and become something of an extension of your body. If you need more weight off than 20%, then crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair is needed.

Putting more pressure on the cane, using it on the wrong side, or having it at the wrong height can make it less effective, and can cause long term damage to your body from improper pressure and posture. (Hugh Laurie genuinely hurt his body from years of using a cane wrong on House!)

(some people elect to use a cane wrong for their personal situation despite this, everyone is different!)

(an animated GIF of a cane matching the natural walking gait. It turns red when pressure is placed on it.)

When going up and down stairs, there is an ideal standard: You want to use the handrail and the cane at the same time, or prioritize the handrail if it's only on one side. When going up stairs you lead with your good leg and follow with the cane and hurt leg together. When going down stairs you lead with the cane and the bad leg and follow with the good leg!

Realistically though, many people don't move out of the way for cane users to access the railing, many stairs don't have railings, and many are wet, rusty, or generally not ideal to grip.

In these cases, if you have a friend nearby, holding on to them is a good idea. Or, take it one step at a time carefully if you're alone.

Now we come to a very common mistake I see... Using fashion canes for medical use!

(These are 4 broad shapes, but there is INCREDIBLE variation in cane handles. Research heavily what will be best for your character's specific needs!)

The handle is the contact point for all the weight you're putting on your cane, and that pressure is being put onto your hand, wrist, and shoulder. So the shape is very important for long term use!

Knob handles (and very decorative handles) are not used for medical use for this reason. It adds extra stress to the body and can damage your hand to put constant pressure onto these painful shapes.

The weight of a cane is also incredibly important, as a heavier cane will cause wear on your body much faster. When you're using it all day, it gets heavy fast! If your character struggles with weakness, then they won't want a heavy cane if they can help it!

This is also part of why sword canes aren't usually very viable for medical use (along with them usually being knob handles) is that swords are extra weight!

However, a small knife or perhaps a retractable blade hidden within the base might be viable even for weak characters.

Bases have a lot of variability as well, and the modern standard is generally adjustable bases. Adjustable canes are very handy if your character regularly changes shoe height, for instance (gotta keep the height at your hip!)

Canes help on most terrain with their standard base and structure. But for some terrain, you might want a different base, or to forego the cane entirely! This article covers it pretty well.

Many cane users decorate their canes! Stickers are incredibly common, and painting canes is relatively common as well! You'll also see people replacing the standard wrist strap with a personalized one, or even adding a small charm to the ring the strap connects to. (nothing too large, or it gets annoying as the cane is swinging around everywhere)

(my canes, for reference)

If your character uses a cane full time, then they might also have multiple canes that look different aesthetically to match their outfits!

When it comes to practical things outside of the cane, you reasonably only have one hand available while it's being used. Many people will hook their cane onto their arm or let it dangle on the strap (if they have one) while using their cane arm, but it's often significantly less convenient than 2 hands. But, if you need 2 hands, then it's either setting the cane down or letting it hang!

For this reason, optimizing one handed use is ideal! Keeping bags/items on the side of your free hand helps keep your items accessible.

When sitting, the cane either leans against a wall or table, goes under the chair, or hooks onto the back of the chair. (It often falls when hanging off of a chair, in my experience)

When getting up, the user will either use their cane to help them balance/support as they stand, or get up and then grab their cane. This depends on what it's being used for (balance vs pain when walking, for instance!)

That's everything I can think of for now. Thank you for reading my long-but-absolutely-not-comprehensive list of things to keep in mind when writing or drawing a cane user!

Happy disability pride month! Go forth and make more characters use canes!!!

[internationalwomenday]

13th plenary meeting - Commission on the Status of Women, Sixty-eighth session (CSW68) - General discussion (continued)

The sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from 11  to 22 March 2024 under the theme "Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective". Review theme: Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls

Watch the 13th plenary meeting - Commission on the Status of Women, Sixty-eighth session (CSW68) - General discussion (continued)

[eeitonline]

Natural Resources: Maximizing Opportunities in the Face of Limited Access in Eastern Europe

by Eastern European Institute for Trade

Limited access to natural resources has long been a pressing concern for Eastern Europe, as the region grapples with the challenge of securing a stable and sustainable supply of critical materials. Such constraints have the potential to hinder economic growth, exacerbate geopolitical tensions, and jeopardize energy security. However, by adopting innovative strategies and fostering cross-border collaboration, Eastern European nations can effectively overcome these obstacles and capitalize on the opportunities presented by their natural resources.

One such opportunity lies in the expansion of renewable energy production. By investing in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, Eastern European countries can reduce their dependence on imported fossil fuels and promote sustainable development (Popescu, 2019). This shift towards renewables also holds the potential to boost job creation, stimulate innovation, and attract foreign investment in the green energy sector (Babcicky & Seebauer, 2017).

Furthermore, the sustainable management of water resources is a critical issue for Eastern Europe, particularly in the context of climate change and increased water scarcity. To address this challenge, regional cooperation and the sharing of best practices in water management are crucial (Araral & Wang, 2013). This can be facilitated through initiatives such as the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), which promotes the sustainable use of shared water resources among its member states.

Another avenue to maximize opportunities in the face of limited access to natural resources is through the circular economy. This concept entails the transformation of waste materials into valuable resources, promoting the efficient use of resources and reducing environmental pollution (Kirchherr et al., 2017). By adopting circular economy principles, Eastern European countries can not only conserve scarce resources but also generate economic growth and job opportunities in waste management and recycling sectors.

Additionally, the diversification of energy sources is of utmost importance for ensuring energy security in Eastern Europe. By investing in a mix of domestic and imported energy sources, including natural gas, oil, and renewables, the region can reduce its vulnerability to supply disruptions and price fluctuations (EIA, 2017). This diversification can be achieved through the development of regional energy infrastructure, such as gas pipelines and electricity interconnections, which facilitate the integration of energy markets and promote energy trade among neighboring countries (Tagliapietra & Zachmann, 2016).

To conclude, Eastern European nations face significant challenges in terms of limited access to natural resources. However, by embracing innovative approaches such as renewable energy production, sustainable water management, circular economy principles, and energy diversification, the region can effectively overcome these constraints and unlock the full potential of its natural resources.

References:

Araral, E., & Wang, Y. (2013). Water governance 2.0: A review and second generation research agenda. Water Resources Management, 27(11), 3945–3957.

Babcicky, P., & Seebauer, S. (2017). The two faces of market support — How deployment policies affect technological exploration and exploitation in the solar photovoltaic industry. Research Policy, 46(4), 821–838.

EIA. (2017). Europe’s Dependence on Natural Gas. U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., & Hekkert, M. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, 127, 221–232.

Popescu, G. H. (2019). Renewable energy in Eastern Europe: Policies, capacity, and future perspectives. Energy Policy, 125, 433–442.

Tagliapietra, S., & Szklo, A. (2019). Renewable energy cooperation in Europe and Africa: A strategic analysis. Energy Strategy Reviews, 23, 101347.

Read more at Eastern European Institute for Trade.

[dead-end-draws]

WOF tribe Merchant/Trading booth concepts:

Hey folks! This one was the recent winner of this WOF poll, so here’s my concept art that headcannons trading in Pyrrhia.

Read below cut for close-ups of the individual booths + the thought process / headcannons behind the design choices: 👇

Skywings: The Sky Kingdom’s mountain ranges provide plenty of pasture for raising sheep. As such, Skywing shepherds benefit from traveling to sell their wool, dyes, fabric, and woven tapestries. Many of these merchant tables also include herbs grown exclusively in the mountains, or ibex drinking horns that can be strapped on a dragon’s shoulder & carried in flight.

Along with goods, Skywing merchants may offer sewing services to fix tears, burn marks, or other fabric damage. They are sought out for their quality clothing, and most fabric across Pyrria originated from a Skywing’s talons.

Mudwings: Mudwings’ abundant food & cooking skills are envied almost anywhere in Pyrrhia. Their swamps have fertile soil, responsible for hosting diverse crops which can be purchased as produce at merchant stalls. For those lucky enough to find a traveling Mudwing merchant, the promise of a delicious dish can be whipped up and served at the stall in no time. Along with produce goods, Mudwings sell weaved baskets, spices, and cooking ware.

Sandwings: Sandwing booths offer luxuries of the desert: It’s most common to find accessories such as gold carved jewelry or musical instruments such as drums, lyres, & mandolins for sale. Though, even more sought out across Pyrrhia is Sandwing tattoos/piercings, which are done within the merchant areas. Ink etchings on papyrus paper are stationed outside their tents to showcase designs. All which can be selected, and poked into the skin with a tapping stick and plant dye ink by a trained talon.

Seawings: SeaWings sell a variety of ocean related goods; taking a share in the fish market with Icewings. Outside of food, there are den decorations like driftwood carvings, accessories such as seashell & pearl jewelry, and rope nets weaved by expert Seawing sailors. Some Seawings even sell fishing equipment, canoes, or offer sailor knot tying instructions to curious dragon buyers.

Nightwings: During the war, it was near impossible to find a Nightwing merchant. Most refused to participate in merchant territory, mostly as a way to keep up with their tribe’s mysterious nature.

Though in the more shady, unground parts of the market you can buy from a huge selection of obsidian weaponry, the sharpest in Pyrrhia. No one knew initially how Nightwings smithed so many weapons, or why, until their secret volcano kingdom and the intention to invade the rainforest was discovered. Then forging armor & weapons became clear. Along with a vast armory, for the right price, some Nightwing merchants offer Prophecies & Nightwing Literature (not always guaranteed to always be reliable) and assassin services as well (very reliable).

Rainwings: Though Rainwings haven’t been part of Pyrrhia trading for years, they have a vast hold on dragon medicine. An apothecary of herbs, salves, and remedies are all offered for various ailments due to the rainforest’s abundant resources. Along with medicinal goods, many Rainwings are fruit vendors, promising to any hesitant meat-eating dragons that such an array of flavors isn’t to be missed. Though, their fruit selling pitches often fall flat to most other predominantly meat-eating tribes.

Icewings: Icewings have everything a dragon could need to brace the cold, with a selection of goods only found in the most frigid regions of Pyrrhia. Furs, bone jewelry, and fresh fish (thanks to frost breath) are served on ice. Though Icewings themselves don’t require fur to withstand the cold, it’s considered fashionable and common in upper ranks to wear fur as a status symbol. Since metal is hard to smith without fire & in cold temperatures, fur and bone are more accessible to Icewings for clothing statements.

[kingcervix]

Chainsaw ⚧️ he/him ⚧️ trans fag

sideblog (main) -> inbox open -> spam like/reblog 👍

no dni but blank blogs get blocked

🦇: @noxnovacula