Biodiversity

Thousands upon thousands of plant, animal, and microorganisms species within different ecosystems of the planet such as rainforests, oceans, coral reefs, and deserts all making up are planet is known as biodiversity.

Why should we care about declining biodiversity? Biodiversity boots ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role. For instance, a large number of plant species means a greater variety of crops, greater species diversity ensure sustainability for all life forms, and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

Currently, a major threat to Canada’s biodiversity is invasive species. Invasive species are “pests” that come from other countries or regions and are called “alien” when they move outside their native environment. Invasive species degrade habitat, introduce parasites and disease, and lead to species at risk. Invasive speciecs move into ecosystems and take over, killing local species and harming food webs.

In addition, fishing, hunting, forestry, tourism and agriculture can all be affected by invasive species. Some examples of invasive species are zebra muscles, sea lamprey, and emerald ash borer. In the Great Lakes Basin, invasive species foul water intakes, reduce the value of commercial and recreational fisheries, and reduce property values. Every year invasive plants cost the agriculture and forest industries in Canada about $7.5 billion. In the Great Lakes, damage associated with zebra mussels has cost between $3 billion and $7.5 billion. Fighting and preventing the spread of invasive species is also extremely expensive. That’s why the best plan is to prevent invasive species from entering Ontario in the first place.

Lastly invasive species can be dangerous to human health. For example, giant hogweed, a plant introduced from Asia, is toxic. The plant’s sap can cause painful burning blisters on skin and  temporary or permanent blindness if it gets in your eyes.

ISU Reflection Presentation: Human Trafficking

What was the most important/interesting thing that you learned during the presentations of your peer, and how does this change your perspective on the world.

In our World Issues class the presentation thus far that has impacted me the most is “Human Trafficking” presented by Robin. Although I am quite familiar with the issue of human trafficking in developing worlds, Robin’s presentation brought to my attention some dreadful specifics I was not aware of. The United Nations highlights human trafficking as one of its key concerns. In a study of 155 countries it found that sexual exploitation is the most common form of human trafficking, with 79% of victims used for the sex trade; 18% are used for forced labour. Human trafficking is a crime against humanity and violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights set by the United Nations. It involves the act of recruiting, transporting, harbouring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Trafficking often occurs from less developed countries where people are rendered vulnerable to trafficking by virtue of poverty, conflict or other conditions. Most trafficking is national or regional, but there are also notable cases of long distance trafficking. Europe and Asia are the most prominent for victims from the widest range of destinations.

Although human trafficking is mainly seen in the third world we cannot forget this problem also occurs at home. With forthcoming federal laws targeting human trafficking, analysts say youth need to know criminals prey on young adults to feed prostitution rings in Canada's big cities. The RCMP website notes that youth, runaways, and new immigrants as well as anyone who is economically disadvantaged could be a potential victim. After viewing this presentation my perspective on the World remains the same, however I feel much more informed and inspired.

In addition, Robin’s presentation was quite motivating by creating personal connections from statements of victims and successfully captured the audience’s attention through her introduction. However, although Robin was self assured she needed to maintain eye contact audience and an enthusiastic tone instead of reading word for word from a script. Robin was able to initiate a heated debate on whether prostitution should be legal in Canada and whether legalizing it will protect the victims of trafficking or make them more vulnerable.

Global Gender Equality

Education is widely recognized as the gateway to economic security and opportunity. In developing countries, particularly for girls and women, education remains elusive. For instance, in many areas of Afghanistan, young girls are often taken out of school once they reach teenage years and are eligible to become mothers. Cultural factors and the reluctance to send girls and boys to the same school after third grade also play a large role of preventing girls from attend school. Furthermore, China’s one child policy has heightened the ratio between males and females. Naturally, 105 males are born for every 100 females. However, the desire to have males has caused an increase of 114 males for every 100 females among children from birth through the ages four years. Similarly, the number of females born and surviving in India is significantly less compared with the number of males, due to the disproportionate numbers of female fetuses being aborted and baby girls deliberately neglected and left to die. Abortion, neglect, abandonment, and infanticide have been known to be more prevalent to female infants. The normal ratio of births should be 950 girls for every 1000 boys, however in some regions the number is as low as 300. In my opinion, creating awarness of the issue, reducing poverty, and giving equal education opportunities from governments and NGO’s is the best way to solve this issue.

NSA AIC Feedback Reflections

            While working as Marouf al-Bakhit representing Jordan in the Arab-Israeli Conflict simulation I have come to realize how important the conflicts in the Middle East have become and how difficult it can be to negotiate with other nations. In my opinion we were powerful representatives of Jordan and diligent participents throughout the AIC website. Through participating in this simulation I developed my critical thinking skills, learned how to compromise, and became more informed about Middle Eastern cultures. We did not have an issue contacting our NSA when we were unclear or wanted something proofread. In adition, our primary goal was to do what was best for our people and our country. I initiated many mature, diplomatic compromises and trade agreements, created many alliances, and communicated with many countries hearing their ideas and thoughts about the issues at hand. We are proud of our press release, strategic goals statement, action form, and the work we have put into this simulation. I have come back from this simulationas a stronger more informed World Issues student.

Belarus: Dictatorship

            "When the people fear their goverment there is tyranny, but when the goverment fears the people there is democracy." ~Thomas Jefferson. Democracy is defined as a form of goverment in which citizens have an equall say in decisions that affect their lives and a certain amount of participation in the development and passage of legislation. In most cultures democracy is highly valued as it gives citizens a voice to be heard with. However, there are leaders around the world who still abuse their power; even under a "democracy". In our World Issues class we have been asked to read the Maclean's article "Belarus: Europe's ugly little dictatorship." and post are opinions pertaining to the issue.Ales Michalevic practiced politics in Belarus for quite some time and ran as a canidate in last December's presidential election. His rival Lukasenko won 80 percent of the vote which was difficult to beilve as Lukasenko's goverment was violent, corrupt, and economically as well as morally bankrupt. Thousands spilled into the streets in protest and Michalevic was arrested when he refused to read a text accusing other canidates for inciting mass disturbances and "hoolagaism". He was tortured in prison but released two months later and made his way illegaly to Ukraine. “It’s not about Lukashenko, it’s about what comes after. It’s not about the next dictator, it’s about a strong civil society.” said Michalevic. In Canada, laws and legislation is follows rule of law and society's rights and freedoms have been recorded in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognized by goverments and society.

To Act or Not to Act

Whether its fear, ignorance, or approval there are many reasons why a person chooses to become a bystander. For the following blog post we have been asked to give a brief summary of a certain incident where we have failed to act. Off the top of my head it is difficult to choose a good incident pertaining to this issue, however; I can think of many hypothetical situations where a person chooses to become a bystander. For example, someone may choose not to act out of fear for their life. It can be dangerous to approach a large group of people on your own who are singling out a victim such as a gang in downtown Toronto robbing a civilian. In my opinion the best way to react in this situation would be to call for support, such as police, who are trained and qualified to handle serious and dangerous situations. However, there are many ways you can make a stand and speak up. Following clip is a good example of speaking out against bullying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJut7KQhI4

It is wrong to say no one stands up against bullying. Stop A Bully is a Canada wide anti bullying program developed by a British Colombian teacher, allowing any student who is victim or witness to bullying to be able to safely report it to school officials without fear of becoming a target themselves. Julie Rousseau, the Principal of Rick Hansen Secondary, has shown that her school has made confronting school bullying and creating a safe school environment a top priority at the school, which includes using the Stop A Bully safe reporting system. Taking pro-active steps instead of reactive steps is the most effcient way to combat bullying. Students often times endure bullying because they hope it will go away or they fear a consiquencial reaction if they stand up! Creating awarness as well as NOT ignoring bullying incidents in your school and community will reduce the drastic outcomes we hear of so often. As you can see above there are many ways to proactively respond to bullying, so stand up and don't be a bystandor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh1jNAZHKIw

 

Interdependence

Mackenzie Morison

Interdependence is the theory that humans are mutually dependent on each other for our own well being. US President Franklin Roosevelt clearly explains this in his following quote: "We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations, far away.... We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community."

The quote directly relates to the world we live in today. Through technologies and communications countries around the world are becoming more and more interconnected everyday. For instance, the recession in one country can easily spread and affect other countries; a good example of this is the European Debt Crisis. In addition, as a global community we are all affected by and taking part in Climate Change.