In the politics of climate change, it doesn't get much bigger than this. The world’s biggest emitter last night announced how it intends to reduce its carbon emission beyond 2020. 

China has joined 41 other nations to unveil its ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contribution’, or INDC in UN jargon. These are documents that every country attending this year’s climate summit in Paris must submit. They are long and tedious, but we did the hard work for you.

Here are three simple takeaways.

1. China is joining the battle against climate change. This alone is BIG.

For years China believed that it was industrialised Western nations who bore the primary responsibility for fixing the climate problem. This view has changed. China is now a fully active participant in the battle to keep global warming in check. Last November, China announced its intention to peak CO2 emissions earlier than 2030 and to ramp up clean energy use to around 20% by 2030. This gave the world an important preview of its long term plan.

2. China’s energy diet: cutting the carbs!

China’s commitment does not go far enough however. China has pledged a new carbon intensity reduction target of 60-65% by 2030 based on 2005 levels. This means that it will further reduce the quantity of CO2 emissions per unit of GDP. But Greenpeace believes that with the decline of China’s coal consumption, which contributes close to 80% of China’s energy related CO2 emissions, China could and has to do more than what was pledged today. 

China’s carbon reduction plan, coupled with the world’s other two major emitters, the US and the EU, is not enough to keep global temperature rises within two degrees, after which scientists warn our climate could spin out of control.

3. All eyes are on Paris. Will it deliver?

The announcement today marks huge progress, but it must be seen as the starting point for more ambitious actions. From our analysis, China’s commitments will have a large impact in the run up to Paris and after, but their ambition falls short of what we had hoped for and what is necessary to keep the world within the safe zone of a two degree temperature rise.

What China’s INDC announcement shows more clearly than ever is that all countries at the Paris climate summit must ramp up their ambition, and lock in goals that can potentially avoid catastrophic climate change. From today, all eyes turn to the Paris Climate Conference.

Li Shuo is a climate and energy policy officer with Greenpeace East Asia

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The Arctic Ocean is currently the world's most vulnerable ocean. But the hope is this will soon change. At a meeting held in Ostend, Belgium, last week, the OSPAR Convention agreed to adopt specific measures to protect its Arctic region, including a commitment to secure a marine protected area (MPA) in 2016. This means an unprecedented agreement on Arctic protection, which could result in safeguarding the first piece of a future sanctuary in the High Arctic in just a few months' time.

In 2016, the Arctic may finally receive well-deserved attention from OSPAR: a protected area equivalent in size to half of the surface of Spain (232,650 KM2). An area where no oil drilling or large industrial fishing will take place, and where the protection of threatened habitats and species will be the priority. A protected area where polar bears can live and thrive in their habitat without the threat of Shell finding oil and destroying their home.

Today is a day for celebration. The OSPAR Convention may not be widely known but nonetheless it has shown willingness in fulfilling the United Nations’ commitments on high seas protection. OSPAR will work this year with the aim of protecting almost 10% of the international waters of the Arctic Ocean. However, the journey will not be free of obstacles, as OSPAR has already encountered strong opposition to limit Arctic protection. During this year’s meeting cycle, Iceland, Norway and Denmark have done everything they possibly could to remove any Arctic related issues from OSPAR’s political agenda. 

But thanks to you we have been stronger. With your support, we put on our polar bear costumes, showed up to OSPAR’s political meetings, and talked face to face with its delegates. With your support, over the last few months we unfolded banners at the OSPAR meetings held in Bonn, London and Ostend, urging the delegates to take the lead on Arctic protection.

Thanks to you, we were not alone. We are now 7 million people asking for an Arctic Sanctuary and thousands who have demanded OSPAR delegates to live up to the Convention mandate and history, and be the heroes capable of driving change on environmental protection

There is a bumpy road ahead for those of us who dream of achieving protection for the Arctic Ocean. Together we can make these dreams a reality. The Arctic is our common heritage: we depend on it and what happens there affect us all. Thank you.

Pilar Marcos is the Arctic Team Leader for Greenpeace Spain.

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Air pollution.

Nobody can escape it. Young or old, rich or poor, everyone is affected by the fine particulate matter hanging over many cities across China.

These images by celebrated photographer, Lu Guang, take you on a visual journey through China’s industrial heartland, where the environment and the health of the people who depend on it are being affected. It’s grim.

When I went to Jiangsu province I was shocked. These photos show how thick the air is, but you can’t appreciate the odor through pictures. The smell is something I will never forgot.

So I was shocked when I got back to Beijing and crunched the data. I found that 90% of the country’s cities have air pollution that is off the charts, even by China’s own air quality standards.

And in Jiangsu and Hebei I was shocked again to find that 85% of factories were actually illegally polluting the air.  

It makes me angry that despite progress we  still face so many obstacles. But it’s also driving me to take action.

As the world’s largest emitter of CO2, it has been both key to global economic growth, as well as central to the response to global climate change.

So will China set the pace for climate change politics this year?

I think there is momentum within China to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions.

Our work in profiling the impacts of air pollution (here, here and here) is proving that another future is possible. Others across China are breaking ground with cutting edge documentaries, or creating art questioning the impacts of pollution, and Chinese leaders are talking up the need for an ambitiours climate summit in Paris this year.

Any minute now, China will submit its plan for reducing emission after 2020. It could be many things, but in my heart I hope that some good will come out of these grim images of modern day China.

Because we all deserve clean air and a safe planet. Ask your leaders to Act for Climate.

Qiuxia Wang is a Climate Campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia

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Contributed by Michelle Hassler

Life gets busy and the daily grind can be hectic and unpredictable. Being able to provide a tasty and nutritious meal for your family without much thought or preparation could be the silver lining on an otherwise cloudy day. If you need something in a pinch or are preparing a meal for others, it may be a good rule of thumb to stick to basics. Come up with something that will appeal to the entire family – especially kids who can be particular about what they eat. Remember, warming up a frozen meal should provide relief, not require you to take on the role of a short-order cook for picky eaters.

If you are preparing a meal for someone in need, find out if they have any dietary restrictions. You may need to create a dish that follows a gluten-free, dairy-free or even diabetic diet. When it comes to freezer friendly meals, you can’t go wrong with a casserole, soup, chili or meatloaf; these foods hold up extremely well when it comes to freezing and reheating. It is best to defrost in the refrigerator, but if you did not plan ahead there is usually a defrost setting on the microwave that can be used. I have adapted three family-friendly recipes to prepare, freeze, and pull out for a rainy day.

 

Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe from Skinnytaste takes a beloved classic and jazzes it up by incorporating broccoli which adds nutritional value as well as a pop of color. Also, using low fat cheese and milk makes for a healthier take on this beloved dish. If broccoli is not appealing to you, leave it out. However, this is a great dish if you are looking to entice your kids into eating some veggies! Plus, macaroni and cheese is usually a safe bet when you are delivering a meal to someone and are unsure about their tastes.

Ingredients:
12 oz. high fiber elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup flour
2 cups skim milk
1 cup fat free chicken broth
2 cups reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
salt and pepper (to taste)
12 oz. fresh broccoli florets
2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
cooking spray

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and coat a large baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook macaroni and broccoli together in a large pot of salted, boiling water. Cook until pasta is slightly undercooked (al dente).
Melt butter in a large skillet. Sauté onion on a low heat for 2 minutes. Add flour and cook for a minute (until flour is golden and well combined).
Add milk and chicken broth to skillet and whisk until mixture comes to a boil.
Cook for 5 minutes until sauce is thick and smooth. Sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste.
Remove skillet from heat, add cheese and stir until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Combine cooked macaroni and broccoli and mix.
Pour into baking dish and top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
Spritz some cooking spray on top.
Bake for 15-20 minutes then broil for a few minutes until breadcrumbs are crispy and golden.

 

Veggie Chili

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman, this delicious vegetarian chili recipe boasts a long list of hearty ingredients. Since you will be tackling an extended shopping list followed by lots and slicing and dicing, this would be a great recipe to double or make for dinner and make an additional batch for freezing. Of course, making a batch for yourself and one for someone else is always a great option as well! Chili is a great comfort food that can be served in many ways, making it a perfect freezer friendly meal. Use it to top off some cornbread, nachos, or a salad. You can use it to make enchiladas or stuffed peppers. The possibilities are endless.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. olive oil
4 minced garlic cloves
1 large onion (diced)
1 red bell pepper (seeded and diced)
1 yellow bell pepper (seeded and diced)
1 green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
2 whole carrots (peeled and diced)
2 stalks celery (diced)
1 whole Jalapeno (seeded and finely diced)
3 cups vegetable broth
1 can (12 To 14 Ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced tomatoes and chili peppers)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground oregano
1 tbsp. ground cumin
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 large zucchini (diced)
1/4 cup masa (corn flour) or regular cornmeal
1/2 cup warm water

Instructions:
In a large pot, warm oil over medium heat.
Add garlic, onion, bell peppers, carrots, celery, and jalapenos. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.
Stir in oregano, cumin, chili powder, and salt until combined and cook for a few minutes.
Add broth, tomato sauce, and Rotel diced tomatoes.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add the beans and zucchini to pot. Stir, cover, and simmer for 30 more minutes.
Mix the masa with the warm water and stir it into the pot. Simmer for 15 more minutes and adjust seasonings to taste.

 

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

This recipe from Betty Crocker is a great option if you want to freeze single servings. A single pie could easily be popped into the oven or microwave in a pinch for lunch or dinner. Also, this is a great recipe for getting kids involved in the kitchen. Kids can spoon the mixture into the muffin tins and you can even put them to work grating the cheese.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground thyme
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
In large skillet, warm oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
Add onion and chicken broth and heat to simmering.
Add frozen vegetables and seasonings.
Heat, stirring occasionally, until almost all liquid is absorbed.
Cool 5 minutes and then stir in cheese.
In a medium bowl, whisk Bisquick, milk, and eggs until blended.
Spoon 1 tablespoon baking mixture into each muffin cup. Top with about 1/4 cup chicken mixture. Spoon 1 tablespoon baking mixture onto chicken mixture in each muffin cup.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick is clean after inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan and place on cooling rack.

 

Whether you are looking to relieve dinner stress on busy days or provide a meal for someone you care about, taking time to prepare freezer friendly meals for later will save time and benefit the entire family. Having dinners on hand will help to avoid unhealthy grab-and-go options and encourage your family to spend quality time together at the dinner table. Enjoy!

The post 3 Freezer Friendly Meals to Save for a Rainy Day appeared first on Lotsa Helping Hands.

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2nd Street and Capitol Mall Connector Bridge Construction of a new entrance into Old Sacramento at Capitol Mall and 2nd Street and installation of wider sidewalks on the O Street Bridge over I-5 will begin in July.  Work is expected to be finished in fall of 2016, ahead of the opening of the Golden 1 Center. The Riverfront Reconnection Project includes construction of the 2nd Street and
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Since I am currently an undergraduate student studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering at California State University of Sacramento, I was asked by a professor to be a replacement in the UCCONNECT program. For the program, my professor proposed a project to be completed within eight weeks. This project will be replacing my current project to design a digital art.

After accepting the project, my professor, who is also my advisor, suggested that the project will be based on a intelligent traffic light control system that communicates with a cell phone, mostly Android. The purpose of the project is to be able to detect traffic and be able to send a text to a cell phone if it is busy. I will be using a series of infrared sensors to detect the traffic with a microcontroller for traffic detection and control. I will also be learning how to program in Java and creating an app for Androids. After this project, I will be traveling to Cal Poly Pomona for a symposium and presenting my project for a scholarship opportunity.

Please join me on this new adventure to complete my project.

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What's that about you may well ask? That's the same question I asked myself when I visited their website.

So I decided to check it out.

Walking into the Silo, I'm greeted by a table laden with sourdough sandwiches stuffed with roasted veggies and behind it a large industrial installation.

Sebastian, one of the staff, explains that this is the heated composter – capable of aerobically digesting (processing) the restaurant waste within a day. Everything goes into the digester: the compostable cutlery, plates, food waste….and within a day is turned into a rich compost that goes back to the farmers that supply the restaurant or is picked up by enthusiastic Brighton allotment holders.

But where does the food come from?

Sebastian explains that the Silo "intercepts food" rejected by the supermarkets and on its way to landfill. This means that the menu changes everyday depending on what produce has been "intercepted". The Silo also has 5-10 regular suppliers of local fruit and veg. Although not necessarily organic or local, the Silo tries to source as much seasonal produce as possible from as close as they can. For example, the organic wheat comes from Sussex or neighbouring Kent and is stone ground on the premises.

What’s pre-industrial food? This is food prepared using "techniques both modern and ancient" to provide a more primitive diet. This means a lot of fermented foods, like the spelt (an ancient grain cultivated since 5000BC) or rye sourdough bread, fermented brown rice, fermented ramson (wild garlic) and porridge with activated grains.

Despite opening only in October 2014, the Silo seems to be doing well and is currently crowd-funding for extending the kitchen and installing a coffee bar.

We need more 'conscious' and ecological restaurants like the Silo where serving food is not only a business but also a contribution to our culture, our society and our planet.

The Silo is definitely part of the food movement composed of farmers, people, business and organizations that want to make the food system more ecological, healthy and humanised. You can be part of it too by challenging yourself to do something differently when buying, preparing or growing your food. Need some inspiration? Visit http://ift.tt/1JBpIjs and pledge something today.

Image Gallery.. 

Iza Kruszewska is a senior food campaigner (and proud allotment holder) at Greenpeace International.

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Contributed by Haley Burress

You likely know someone who is living in the “sandwich generation”; the adults who are caring for both their own children and their aging parents. They might be your neighbors, someone at your church, or even you. Nearly half of middle aged parents are a part of this demographic, being pulled from parent-teacher conferences to geriatrician appointments and everywhere in between. In order to help others from the sandwich generation, you must find ways to lighten their load both emotionally and physically. We’ll get you headed in the right direction to help others with a few of our tips.

 

Offer transportation

Adults in the sandwich generation often feel like they simply do not have enough time or resources to run everyone around. Kiddos need to go to soccer practice, tutoring, and play dates after school while aging parents have doctor appointments, grocery shopping, and social visits. Trying to coordinate all of these drop-off destinations can be overwhelming and a huge energy suck for already tired sandwich generation adults. Help others who are living with these extra responsibilities by taking pick-up and drop-off duty. Offer to take a child to sports practice or sit with an aging parent at a chemotherapy appointment. Even better, make it a set weekly appointment that is consistent and reliable.

 

Offer food

Often times, sandwich generation adults can be so busy that making breakfast or dinner can seem overwhelming. It is easy to hit up an unhealthy drive-through option on the way home from work when you are too exhausted to even consider what to make for dinner. Help others by taking care of dinner, either for the family or for the aging parents once or twice per month. Consider dropping off scrambled egg burritos that can be frozen and then popped in the microwave or a double batch of chicken noodle soup. Take care to find out any food allergies or preferences and don’t forget dessert!

 

Offer respite

The sandwich generation is constantly thinking of someone other than themselves. It can be stressful enough raising children, but add in the extra concern for an aging or failing parent and it can be unbearable. Help others in the sandwich generation by making it your priority to check in and care for them. Put it on your calendar to call or text a few times per week or make it a priority to take your friend to coffee once a month. Ask your friend what she needs and respond with help. Does she need an afternoon alone to just wander the aisles of Target? Offer to watch the kids so that she can. Does she need someone to sit with her confused mother this weekend so that she can go to her child’s soccer game? Listen for her concerns and also watch for nonverbal signs of burnout or exhaustion.

 

Offer encouragement

Sometimes the sandwich generation just needs a pat on the back, a hug, or a listening ear. Offering encouragement can be a lifesaver, especially on a busy or stressful day. If you know that your friend is headed to a major doctor appointment with her aging parent, touch base with her that day to find out how it went. Letting your friend know that you love her and are listening will make her feel important and loved. Sandwich generation adults are under extra stress and deserve a high five of encouragement for all of the caring they do.

 

The post How to Help Others from the Sandwich Generation appeared first on Lotsa Helping Hands.

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One less nuclear reactor threat to the people of Europe with the early closure of the Grafenrheinfeld nuclear reactor.

Germany's 33 year-old Grafenrheinfeld nuclear reactor will be shut down permanently on June 27th as the country's phase out of nuclear power continues. It's the first reactor to close since Germany passed its Atomic Energy Act in July 2011 which requires the closure of all commercial nuclear reactors by the end of 2022.

The reactor is being shutdown seven months early as the disastrous economics of nuclear power and Germany's drive for clean and sustainable energy have made it impossible for its owner E.ON to operate the reactor and make a profit.

E.ON and other large nuclear utilities only have themselves to blame. They failed to anticipate the growth of renewable energy and so they failed to invest in it. At the same time, electricity prices have fallen making their nuclear power plants even less profitable.

That said, even E.ON is waking up to the new energy future of Germany. "The transformation of Europe's energy system continues to offer us attractive growth opportunities in renewables and distributed energy," said the company in a report from March this year.

But what are the implications of the closure of Grafenrheinfeld? Won't it leave an energy gap?

In short: no.

Since 1981, Grafenrheinfeld reactor was the cornerstone of electricity production in Bavaria but that was before the renewables revolution. Now its closure will be barely noticed. There will be no blackouts and the security of supply is guaranteed.

The simple explanation is that over the last 15 years Germany has embraced renewables. The share of renewable energy in electricity generation grew from six percent in 2000 to around 27 percent in 2014, spread across wind, solar, and bioenergy. Germany is a major net exporter of electricity, reaching record levels in 2013 and 2014.

"This is going smoothly... No one, no company, no private citizen will feel that the reactor power is off the grid," says Bavarian Economy and Energy Minister Ilse Aigner.

So what's next? It's clear that Germany doesn't need nuclear power and that renewables are more than up to the job of leading the country into a future of sustainable, safe electricity.

But the job isn't finished. At current growth rates, Germany is likely to reach its target of 35 percent by 2020 for renewable electricity. However, the overall share of renewable energy generation remains quite low at 11 percent because the power industry is being left to its own devices.

Germany will probably not reach its target of 20 percent of its total energy provision being renewable by the end of this decade without further government support.

So while it is excellent news from Grafenrheinfeld, there is still much to do. In the mean time, with the closure of this reactor, we see the victory of renewables over nuclear power. Germany is leading the way globally to the safe, clean energy future. The rest of the world needs to follow.

Justin McKeating is a nuclear blogger for Greenpeace International, based in the UK.

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Contributed by Michelle Hassler

Sitting across from a doctor and hearing the words, “you have cancer” may be the scariest moment of your life. Those three little words may seem like they can stop time altogether. However, after the initial blow, time seems to speed up as you immediately become more aware of your mortality than ever before. Some are immediately hit with the gravity of the situation. Others may need time to process the information and seek comfort in a mind-numbing state of denial. Reality may seem too harsh, too uncertain, or too much to process. However, there is one part of reality that may be even harder to handle: having to tell your children, “I have cancer.” As a parent, you have always been there to support and protect your children. Not knowing what changes the future will bring is a scary reality. How are your kids supposed to cope with this diagnosis when you yourself are having trouble dealing with the news?

Of course, families have different dynamics and every child is unique. Exactly how you tell your children, “I have cancer” is a personal decision as far as timing and method of delivery. Depending on the age of your child, you will use different terminology and explanations to describe the cancer and treatment process. However, it is important to be open and honest. Sharing information with your children will help them know what to expect and provide them with a sense of control in a situation where it is easy to feel powerless.

When talking to your kids about cancer, consider the following suggestions when it comes to content, delivery, and accessibility.

 

Choose an Appropriate Time

Certainly, the “I have cancer” conversation is not one to have on the way to baseball practice. Designate a block of time when there are no other activities or distractions. Choose a time when children are alert, calm, and can have free time after the conversation. If you have more than one child, it may be best to speak with each one individually. This way you can tailor the terminology and explanations to their appropriate age level and meet their emotional needs in an individual setting. Explain things on a level they can understand in a thoughtful, serious way. If you would like, you can regroup as a family and have a larger meeting after speaking to everyone if it would be helpful for your family members to engage in group support. Be sure to continue to check in with each individual child throughout your treatment and see how they are feeling. They might just need some reassurance along the way. They may not want to approach you out of a sense they are afraid or fearful they are burdening you. Be sure to seem approachable and encourage them to come to you with questions.

 

Go In With a Plan

If you have a spouse, talk to them about how they think the subject should be approached. If you do not have a spouse, reach out to a close confidant such as a sibling or best friend and have them help you through the process. During difficult conversations, it’s important to remember that things often do not go as planned—and that is okay. Be flexible and honest. It will be an emotional conversation and emotional conversations can be unpredictable. It is okay to cry. It is okay to show emotion and to be vulnerable in front of your children. However, it is important to remain a constant pillar of love. Reassure that you love them, you will always be there for them, and they will always be taken care of. Remind them that you cannot catch cancer and it is not their fault! Do not blow off their questions. Facing their fears head-on will create a dialogue that they need to have and will provide reassurance that you are being honest with them throughout the process.

 

Educate Your Family

Arm yourself and your family with knowledge. Remember, knowledge is power and feeling like they are kept in the loop will allow them to feel informed and helped to avoid pangs of fear or uncertainty when others ask them about your condition.

Older children will have a better understanding of what cancer is and the what the process entails. However, do not assume that they know all about it. Cancer is a scary word and many kids and adults will automatically think they worst when they hear you say, “I have cancer.” You may want to have literature on hand to help explain things. Perhaps print out an article explaining the type of cancer you have if it would help your teenager to understand the diagnosis. They may want to see pictures of cancer cells or hear specifics regarding methods of treatment.

For younger children, you may want to start by focusing on the part of the body that has the cancer. Explain that the specific part of your body is not working the way it should. If there is a tumor, explain that a bunch of bad cells started to grow and they need to be taken out or stopped from growing. This narrative will be different depending on your type of cancer and individual case. Explain possible symptoms such as pain, nausea, and hair loss in order to prepare them to see vulnerable side of you. Reassure them that if they are tired or grumpy they still love you more than ever.

 

Arrange Support

Throughout diagnosis and treatment, it may be beneficial for children to speak with someone else regarding your cancer whether it is another adult in their life or an outside professional source. Also, talk to friends and family about helping to ease your burden and help with your household routines especially during treatment. Whether you are recovering from surgery, receiving radiation, or undergoing chemotherapy, you will need help logistically and emotionally. Setting up a community through Lotsa Helping Hands will allow friends to help support you and your family.

 

The post Honey, I Have Cancer: How to Talk to Your Children About Cancer appeared first on Lotsa Helping Hands.

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Today, something incredible happened in the Netherlands. In a landmark court case, in which NGO Urgenda along with 900 concerned Dutch citizens sued the government for failing to act on climate change, the Dutch court ruled in their favour. It was a brave and necessary verdict.

Faiza Oulahsen is a Climate Campaigner at Greenpeace Netherlands.

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"Why us? What did we ever do to deserve this?"

These were the words said by Claire Anterea, from Kiribati, as she narrated her terrifying experience of Cyclone Pam during a recent climate justice and human rights workshop held in Vanuatu. Claire was joined by other Pam survivors from Pacific Island countries like Kiribati, Tuvalu, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Representatives from the Philippines were also there as they have had more than their fair share of devastating super typhoons.

Claire fought back tears. Earlier, she had only intended to listen, but changed her mind after learning about the latest science that paints a grim picture for vulnerable countries like Kiribati. This was followed by images and accounts of the Philippine's experience with extreme weather events like 2013's super typhoon Haiyan.

I noted how Claire shifted her composure from anguish to grit when she said, "It is our basic human rights that are now threatened by climate change." Her words were powerful. I paused to reflect on what she said: Freedom. Survival. Self-determination.

I vividly recall our very own history in the Philippines, which is filled with human rights struggles across three generations. It is disheartening that in this modern era our basic human rights, such as freedom and survival, are still being infringed upon and continue to be threatened by man-made climate change.

For a long time, no one could pinpoint who exactly was causing the climate to change and how to hold them accountable. This is no longer the case.

In a groundbreaking study by scientist Richard Heede, just 90 carbon major entities – including the worlds' largest fossil fuel companies – are responsible for an estimated 65% of all anthropogenic CO2 between 1751 and 2013. The 50 investor-owned carbon major companies contributed 315 Gt CO2e, equivalent to 21.72% of estimated global industrial emissions through 2010.

"I have been to four climate negotiations and nothing has happened. As a mother, I want to secure my children's freedom and survival, and the rest of humanity. If world leaders can't even make a commitment in these negotiations, then it would be up to citizens like myself who must take action and fight for our continued existence on this planet," concluded Claire. She later signed a People's Declaration for Climate Justice along with other workshop participants.

Climate change has become the synonymous for extreme weather events that batter vulnerable countries that have contributed very little in their creation but are facing its disproportionate impacts. It is high time to expose those liable and hold them to account for their irresponsible activities. This is an injustice that should not be inherited by our children and future generations.

The people of the Philippines are now taking climate action by holding the big carbon polluters accountable for their role in the climate crisis. In fact, today, Dutch courts, in a worldwide landmark ruling, ordered the state to reduce carbon emissions to protect its citizens from climate change.

This is a big step for a Climate Justice movement that is growing and gaining ground. Soon, many other people will follow suit in the fight to reclaim the climate and ensure humanity's own survival.

Anna Abad is a Climate Justice Campaigner with Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Every 60 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. 5.3 million Americans currently suffer from the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Although it is such a prevalent disease, most people living with Alzheimer’s are not aware of their diagnosis.  Only 45 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease or their caregivers report ever being told of their diagnosis by a healthcare provider. That is why it is so important to understand the symptoms of Alzheimer’s so that you can seek out the best care for your loved one and the proper support for yourself as a caregiver.

 

Memory loss
One of the most well-known symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. This can include forgetting recently learned information, forgetting important names, dates or events, and repeatedly asking the same questions. Of course, we all experience moments of temporary forgetfulness when we misplace our keys or can’t remember a colleague’s name. However, the memory loss that comes along with Alzheimer’s disease is severe enough to affect daily life.

 

Confusion dealing with everyday tasks

Another symptom of Alzheimer’s occurs when people find it difficult or confusing to manage everyday tasks that they used to handle with ease. For example, they might experience confusion when balancing a checkbook, keeping track of bills and medications, using their favorite electronic devices, or navigating directions to a well-known destination. It is normal to have a bad day on occasion, but people who begin to continually find themselves making mistakes when dealing with simple tasks may be suffering one of the most commonly known symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

 

Lapses in judgement

Displaying unusual lapses in judgement can be another symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Be on the lookout for someone who begins neglecting their personal hygiene, choosing clothing that is inappropriate for the weather, or making poor decisions that they typically wouldn’t make –  like investing money in a scam.

 

Difficulty communicating
Everyone has experienced the moment where you know what you want to say but can’t find the right words, even when they are on the tip of your tongue. However, for sufferers of Alzheimer’s, this can become a frequent occurrence. Alzheimer’s makes it difficult to find the right words, which can make conversations very frustrating. People may call an item by the wrong name, repeat themselves, or stop mid-conversation because they are unsure how to finish.

 

Withdrawal from social activities
Due to the memory loss, confusion, and difficulties communicating, people with Alzheimer’s tend to withdrawal from work and social activities that they once enjoyed. For many people, their newly altered mental state makes social interaction such a struggle that it is no longer considered worthwhile to continue activities and hobbies that they engaged in before.

 

Disorientation
Sufferers from Alzheimer’s disease often feel a sense of disorientation, not understanding where they are in time or space. Their internal clock may be disrupted, making it hard to decipher spans of time as well as the appropriate times to do things like eat or sleep. They may also become confused about where they are, even if it’s a location or neighborhood that they are intimately familiar with.

In severe cases, this sense of disorientation can lead Alzheimer’s sufferers to wander away from their homes. They may be in search of food, water, or a bathroom, but they may forget where to go to find it. They may be looking to remove themselves from a stress-filled situation or an environment with too much stimulation. Or they may be reliving their memories and carrying out an everyday routine from their past, like going to work every morning.

 

By understanding the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, you will be better equipped to identify it. Identifying and understanding the disease is the best way to proactively seek help from professionals, friends and family. If a loved one does receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, you can be knowledgeable about the stages of Alzheimer’s disease so that you can provide the best care possible.

 

The post Do You Know the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s? appeared first on Lotsa Helping Hands.

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TEDxSacramento2015 audience on Friday, June 12, 2015 at the Sacramento Community Center Theater. Photo: Phil America.

By Lauren Herman

TEDxSacramento’s biggest conference yet, TEDxSacramento2015, took place on Friday, June 12 as the final event of its “THIS Changes EVERYTHING” season 2014/2015. Close to 2,000 people from the Sacramento region spent their day listening to others speak their truth, sharing their own stories and reflecting upon the endless possibility of change at the Sacramento Community Center Theater.

Change is a fitting theme for the latest TEDxSacramento season, especially as the heart of Sacramento - its downtown region - undergoes significant construction and redevelopment. This change may serve as a turning point for Sacramento, and this conference gave Sacramentans the opportunity for individual reflection and collective action about what change means to them.

The conference speakers upheld the theme of change; all are dreamers and change makers reimagining how things can be while disrupting the status quo and forever changing the way we see our community, our world and ourselves.

TEDxSacramento speaker Dr. Ernesto Sirolli delivering the first talk at TEDxSacramento2015 "THIS Changes EVERYTHING" on June 12, 2015. Photo: Phil America.

Whether inspiring action or change in business, technology, start-ups, international development, film, or medicine, each speaker offered something to learn, to think, and to do – to claim and become the “this” in “this changes everything.”

- Dr. Braimah Apambire, researcher and development expert, spoke about health changes made possible from developments in water and sanitation.

- Researcher, Dr. Edward Damiano, spoke about developing a bionic pancreas that will change the lives for type 1-diabetes patients.

- Digital producer, Alexander Dervin, spoke about change that comes from creativity and expression.

TEDxSacramento speaker Alexander Dervin on the TEDxSacramento stage. Photo: Phil America.

- Julie Lein, non-profit leader and start-up advocate, spoke about change in innovation made possible only through collaboration between government and start-ups.

- Social enterprise leader, Dr. Ernesto Sirolli, spoke about the changes in international development made possible by Millennials.

- Judy Robinett, business leader and author, spoke about the change and power of networks.

Six Sacramento community members, including Tre Borden, Thomas Dodson, Renee Mitchell, Karla Nelson, Clay Nutting, and Amber Scott, were also given the opportunity to deliver an action pitch on the TED stage about their idea for local innovation and change as part of TEDxSacramento’s Changemaker Fellowship in partnership with The Urban Hive.  

TEDxSacramento conference attendees in front of an art installation - one of the many activities designed for the occasion. Thank you to Phil America, Dorian Lynde and Lauren Herman for their collaboration on this installation. Photo: Phil America.

These changemaker ideas ranged from re-examining communication training in police units, expanding local art through the sharing economy, and increasing online parenting. One of these individuals will be award a fellowship to support the development of this idea, so it can "change everything" in the Sacramento region and beyond.

If you did not attend this or any of the TEDxSacramento events this season, please share the experience of a TEDx talks with yourself and others. Let TEDxSacramento change something for you as it has for thousands of others in the Capital Region by joining a worldwide movement of people embracing and exchanging ideas of change. The world is constantly changing with or without you, so join us - become the “this” in “this changes everything”.

Thank you to the following speakers, performers and contributors who brought hope and inspiration to the conference: Edward Damiano, Alexander Dervin, Braimah Apambire, Edward Damiano, Ernesto Sirolli, Julie Lein, Judy Robinett, Tre Borden, Thomas Dodson, Renee Mitchell, Karla Nelson, Clay Nutting, and Amber Scott, Adrian Bellue, Capital Dance Project, Air Aligned, Grow Local: Joe Kye and the Sounds of Sacramento (made of Joe Kye, Adrian Bellue, Ricky Berger, James Cavern, Dean Haakernson, and Jahari Sai), Phil America, Dorian Lynde, One Button Suit, Denver J Band, Ariel Jean, Afternoon Teacup Collection, Rosaura Unangst with Pigment and Parchment.

 

 

from Blog - TEDxSacramento http://ift.tt/1dfdIJR

Hello my name is Mhong Thao from the Sac BHC Youth Media Team I have been on the Sac BHC Youth Media Team for one year and three months. It’s amazing what I am doing now because it’s great and there is nothing better, then being a part of the media team.

For my  summer project I will be challenging myself to learn Spanish. I took a Spanish class last semester at Sacramento City College, and  I ended up failing because I couldn’t keep up with the class. Learning Spanish was easy at first but once we got to the harder parts it was a different story. It was like learning how to speak English again. I always wanted to communicate with people that spoke Spanish. I know how to greet people but when having a conversation it is more difficult. So now my goal for the end of the summer is to learn Spanish and once I learn the basic of Spanish. I want to learn Spanish so I can communicate better with people and so I can help them out more when they need help. So when a Spanish speaker speak to me then I can just guide them the help they really need.

from Sacramento Building Healthy Communities http://ift.tt/1SGWDs4

Contributed by Haley Buress

If you are searching for hospice care at home, you are likely experiencing a wide range of emotions. Depending on how you came to your current situation, you might be struggling with issues of peace and understanding, as well as grief and confusion. But giving your loved one the chance to spend their last months at home is one of the best gifts you can give. People who are able to die at home are given the chance to be around those that they love, surrounded by their favorite things at home. Because we know that hospice care at home can be uncharted territory for many caregivers, we have compiled a few things that you need to know when bringing the service home with you.

 

Don’t wait
Hospice care at home features a team that is entirely dedicated to supporting your loved one, you, and your whole family throughout the disease process. The sooner that you and your loved one can start taking advantage of hospice, the sooner you both can start using hospice services that range from medication evaluation, pain interventions, and support groups. It is unfortunate when hospice is seen as something for the last days of life when hospice care at home services could have started years before. If your loved one has a terminal diagnosis, hospice care at home can start driving the care and treatment plan for your loved one, focusing on comfort and peace. Hospice does not mean imminent death, but instead a person-centered approach to dying with dignity and grace.

 

The team is varied
The hospice team that you and your loved one will likely work with will be varied in expertise and specialty. This wide range of experience and talent is one of the top benefits of working with a hospice team. Your loved one will have the chance to have pain and medications reviewed by a doctor and nurse with experience in end of life care. Music therapists, social workers, and spiritual support are often a part of the team as well, giving weekly visits with your loved one and with you.

 

It doesn’t have to be your home
If your loved one doesn’t want to return home for the final months of life, that option is also available. Hospice care can also happen in a nursing home or an in-patient environment, or you can go to another home. For example, if mom is terminal but doesn’t want to return to her home due to distance or other reasons, you can have her spend her last months in your home. Hospice services will work with you to make any environment – her home, your home, an in-patient room – as comfortable as possible. They will help you get a hospital bed when necessary, as well as any other medical equipment.

 

They care about you, too
Hospice care is focused on the patient, certainly. However, many hospice agencies are also dedicated to you, the caregiver. Hospice services often include a paid home health aide to come in and assist with activities of daily living (ADL’s) and medication. Take advantage of this time for yourself to get out and about, reminding yourself that you are more than just the caregiver role. You can also work with hospice to arrange respite care for your loved one if you are headed out of town for the weekend or an extended period. Finally, hospice also often offers support groups and can connect you with ways to recognize and work through your grief. Even better, most hospice services for the caregiver do not stop when the patient passes away. Family members or loved ones are often invited to memorial services, support services, and other educational groups well after the patient dies.

 

Death isn’t ideal. However, when paired with the right match of a compassionate and person-centered hospice agency, death can become supported and dignified.

 

The post Things You NEED to Know About Hospice Care at Home appeared first on Lotsa Helping Hands.

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Hi my name is Estefanie from Sac BHC Youth Media Team and this summer I decided to challenge myself to learn to cook more food from my Mexican American ethnic background. I’ve dabbled in the kitchen before but this summer I really want to throw my self headfirst in. The first dish I am going to learn to make is Green Chile-Chicken Enchiladas.

 

My mom Drusilla Reyes will be my cooking instructor. I’ve watched her cook nearly every night for my family and I for the last eighteen years, and I feel the urge now to learn more then I already do in the kitchen. This summer project betters my life in different ways, now that I am 18 and I will be going to college in the fall, I want to be able to cook for myself and not be completely dependent of my mom, or always have to go out to eat because I don’t know how to cook enough. Also my mom is also pregnant with my little brother (baby #2) and I feel this could be one of the last few bonding time we’ll get before she completely dedicates her time to the new baby. I’m excited to embark on this journey this summer, stay tuned for a visual presentation of my project.

from Sacramento Building Healthy Communities http://ift.tt/1BxuLCj

Hi, my name is Cindy Chao and I have been with Sac BHC Youth Media Team since January 2015. During my junior year of high school, I took a graphic design class in which I learned how to use Adobe Photoshop. Since then, I rarely had time to develop and utilize my skills in Adobe Photoshop since I was balancing school, work, and all sorts.

 

For my summer project, I want to revisit and improve my Adobe Photoshop abilities and combine it with one of my favorite hobbies, gaming. I always had an interest in different types of games and their development and one day hope to work with a video game developer in the future. This summer, I got introduced to a game called Hero Siege from my friends and started my bonding time with them since I am usually focused on school during Fall and Spring.

 

I have always considered myself a better colorist than a sketch artist. So for this project, I will be using a two-step process. The first step consists me of me sketching what I envision on paper and scanning it onto the computer. From then on, the second step is to trace the picture and coloring it. I know this would be a long process since I have done similar projects to this, but I hope you will join me on this expedition and see how my project develops.

from Sacramento Building Healthy Communities http://ift.tt/1H7vvi0

Government representatives from the 15 countries, including the European Union, are meeting this week in Ostend (Belgium). These countries make up the OSPAR Commission which regulates the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. A big part of the Commission's responsibility is the part of the Arctic Ocean, which begins off the coast of Iceland and runs between Norway and Greenland all the way to the North Pole.

The Arctic Ocean is not only the least protected ocean in the world, but it is also one of the oceans under the most pressure. Climate change is happening at a swifter pace there than anywhere else on the planet and the receding sea ice is being exploited by huge fishing vessels (floating factories almost) and oil companies that are moving further and further North, putting the unique Arctic ecology under threat.

The OSPAR Commission is one of the few international bodies that has a history they can truly be proud of. Its achievements in environmental protection are impressive. Under the OSPAR Convention, the Commission has the mandate to apply the strongest environmental practices and standards to “take the necessary measures to protect the maritime area against the adverse effects of human activities”.

But some members of OSPAR are willing to let the Arctic fall between the cracks and ignore both their mandate and their responsibility to protect this unique ecosystem.

The Arctic coastal states — Norway, Denmark and Iceland, who are also members of OSPAR — are using every argument, no matter how weak, to block progress. They have recently claimed that the Arctic countries themselves can handle it. Unfortunately, history and the current political reality, proves otherwise. Their arguments are, at best, pipe-dreams. Here is why there has been a deliberate attempt to prevent the necessary action to protect the unique Arcitc wildlife:

1. Even though an Arctic Council already exists which is supposed to ensure environmental protection in the Arctic, in its almost 20 years history it has never agreed on any strong measures for protection of anything in the Arctic. In the face of this, OSPAR has established a wide range of strong, binding protective measures and already have a working system in place.

2. The Arctic Council is already bound by a mandate until 2017 and will be able to adopt binding protection by 2019 at earliest. And even then, they do not have jurisdiction over the areas outside of the international waters (including the North Pole). The Arctic cannot wait for this.

3. OSPAR could reach a principle agreement already in the coming days and start implementation almost immediately thereafter.

OSPAR has a collective responsibility to fulfil their mandate and do their part to protect the Arctic. They must commit to establishing a network of marine protected areas (including the uninhabited waters around the North Pole) and an action plan, which ensures that the uniqueness of the area is unequivocally incorporated into this plan.

Greenpeace, based on the demands of more than seven million Arctic defenders, urges OSPAR to no longer turn a blind eye to what is at stake here. It is a fine line to walk, when some member states are adamantly against the needed actions, but if OSPAR still refuses to act and take the needed measures to protect this beautiful place, its reputation will falter — just as rapidly as the Arctic will be destroyed by greedy oil companies.


Jon Burwald is an arctic campaigner with Greenpeace Nordic

from Greenpeace news http://ift.tt/1BGnNv7

Staring out at the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, I feel a sense of past and present colliding. Forty-four years ago in these same waters off Canada's west coast, my father Robert Hunter and a group of Greenpeace co-founders sailed to stop nuclear testing on the Alaskan island of Amchitka. Today, we have just taken a similar passage on the west coast to disrupt Shell's plans for drilling in the Arctic this year.

For me, staring back at the same waves my father once encountered reminds me that we live a common story. While these events are separated by time, they are essentially the same struggle. For these are the defining issues of our eras and we are the dreamers that believe we can change them.

Greenpeace was founded by dreamers. People who believed they could turn the tides of history against a great sense of impossibility. They had a vision for what could be, and sparked that same imagination in others. They did this through what my father called "Mind Bombs" – an idea that our greatest tool for revolution is our own consciousness. If we can flip the switch mentally, society and the world at large can be moved.

In this fight to save the Arctic, we need "Mind Bombs" now more than ever.

First voyage with Greenpeace co-founders and Robert Hunter giving a revolutionary fist in the air (top, left).

Nuclear Bomb Vs. Climate Bomb

For the early Greenpeace co-founders in 1971, it seemed an impossible mission to stop Richard Nixon's nuclear test blast off an island called Amchitka. During the post Cold-War era where highly vested political and economic interests spurred the US into nuclear arms proliferation – at any costs. The blast was to hit a vulnerable ecosystem of Amchitka island, making this small island a symbol for a nuclear apocalypse. For the youth generation of the 1970's, protecting it meant saving the world.

Today's fight resembles that very first Greenpeace campaign, but with seemingly more impossible odds. In less than a few weeks, Shell wants to launch another kind of bomb - a "climate bomb" - by beginning to drill for oil in the newly ice-free parts of the Alaskan Arctic. But unlike any other place on Earth, the Arctic is a cooling system for our Earth's atmosphere. With upwards of 30-50% of sea ice gone, it's a place that is already in danger. Recklessly exploiting this region would seal our fate with runaway climate change. The Arctic is the symbol of our generation, because literally and metaphorically it is our tipping point on climate change.

So this year we have tried to disrupt Shell's plans at every turn. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, six brave volunteers scaled Shell's oil rig to shine a spotlight on their drilling plans. Hundreds of Kayaktivists blocked and protested the drilling rig for nearly a month. Recently, 16 activists were arrested trying to intervene as their vessels headed north. A First Nations delegation and Greenpeace team helped spread resistance along Canada's west coast, building a powerful allied movement. While just a few days ago, we took another action…

Last Wednesday I joined a team of Greenpeace and First Nations activists to confront Shell's oil rig, the Polar Pioneer as it headed north to Alaska. We felt small and tiny on our inflatable boats compared to the 300-foot-tall drilling rig attached to two massive tug boats. But the power of the moment was overwhelming, as Indigenous artists Audrey Siegl stood boldly and firmly face-to-face with Shell's machinery. Meanwhile, two swimmers, Victor Acton Pickering (from Fiji) and Mark Worthing (Canadian), swam directly in the path of the oncoming vessels. This was a #MindBomb moment.

But this wouldn't be the end of our story…

Emily on an inflatable boat with the action team, heading out to confront Shell's Arctic drilling rig the Polar Pioneer. © Emily Hunter

A Mind Bomb

In 1971 the first Greenpeace activists did not get to the blast in time, despite their best efforts. The Coast Guard stopped them before they could get to Amchitka, as they had illegally entered US waters and had to turn back. For us here today on the Esperanza, our action will not stop Shell. One action at one time cannot stop their machine. We know this reality.

But like the lessons of the past show, small groups of people taking action can help spark an idea. That idea can become far more powerful than anything we can do alone. It can become the #MindBomb switch in consciousness. It can galvanize more of us in this fight and it can transform the world. It is what helped to eventually end US underground nuclear testing after that first campaign. It launched Greenpeace into existence.

Today, the seeds of another #MindBomb grows in the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. It is an idea that challenges an old story: that fossil fuels are somehow inevitable and oil companies are somehow invincible; a story we have too often been conditioned to believe is true. Instead, we replace it with a far more powerful idea: that companies like Shell are relics of the past and we must transition to renewable energy. We must put our concerns for people and the planet before profit.

First Nations activist Audrey Siegl stood boldly to confront Shell's drilling rig the Polar Pioneer.

We've seen this idea take hold with a student movement that is pushing to divest (the opposite of invest) billions of dollars from the fossil fuel industry. Pope Francis recently ordered a decree on faith that gives guidance on responding to scientific warnings on climate change. Economically, we see more energy being produced by renewable power than coal, natural gas, and oil combined. And just last week the G7 summit agreed to make fossil fuels a thing of the past by the end of this century.

The #MindBomb is the tool that makes the world change. It was the consciousness switch that ultimately stopped the US nuclear testing in the 1970's. It will be our tool to ultimately win this fight against Arctic drilling as well.

Staring out at these waves in the Pacific Ocean, I know in my heart that the story of my father's time and the story of our time is only separated by that – time. Our struggles and our tools for revolution remain the same. An idea can change the world – but it is up to us to make it true.

To the dreamers in all of us making our dreams true!

Emily Hunter is a Digital Mobilizer for Greenpeace Canada.

from Greenpeace news http://ift.tt/1IZd6mZ