End the Destruction!

     One challenge that not only harms certain localized areas, but also effects the whole globe, is habitat/ecosystem destruction. The continued loss of more and more ecosystem is changing the planet and causing many species to become endangered. A news article I found on a website called Green Environmental News showed a prime example of this. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.), announced that they will be dedicating two sections (41,914 square miles) of marine habitat for protection, on the West coast where endangered leatherback sea turtles are known to travel. "Critical habitat designations only affect federal plans that have the potential to adversely modify or destroy critical habitat," so this will help aide the leatherback in its fight against extinction by protecting its home. For more information you can visit:

http://www.greenenvironmentnews.com/Environment/Wildlife/Additional+critical+habitat+designated+for+leatherback+sea+turtles+off+West+Coast.

     After visiting the Student Involvement page at FGCU, I found the club called Eco-Action. The main focus of this organization is to improve local ecosystems and encourage environmentally sustainable outdoor recreational activities. I was a bit disappointed that they did not have a website to learn more, but I know that this is a very important issue here in Southwest Florida. With so many natural habitats in our area, it is important that we protect them and keep the ecosystems alive. The biggest cause of habitat destruction is building homes, businesses, and other infrastructure and that is what I want to change. To fight for the protection of wildlife, I could team up with large wildlife organizations such as N.O.A.A. and fight to have important ecosystems protected. Along with protecting these areas, educational tours could be given to specify the importance of each habitat to our entire world. The best way to change a problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. When people are knowledgeable about their surroundings, they can better the world by making smarter decisions when it comes to building, recycling, polluting, and other events that take a toll on our environment.

For Love or for Big Bucks

 Gay Marriage Debate is About Money, Too 

By, Richard H. Thaler

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/business/gay-marriage-debate-is-about-money-too.html?ref=samesexmarriage

     In this article, Richard H. Thaler, a professor of economics and behavioral science at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, dives into the controversial question: Are same-sex couples allowed to call themselves "married"? He explains that at the federal level, this issue is not only about the word "marriage", but it is also about money. People who are in domestic partnerships do not qualify for financial benefits that people who are married can obtain. This is because of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which says, “The word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” Thaler believes that the solution to this problem is to have Congress amend the Defense of Marriage Act so that wherever the word ‘marriage’ appears in any federal statute, it should say ‘domestic partnership between two people valid under the laws of the state where it was obtained.’ 

     This would mean that all unions that are called 'marriages' would be called 'domestic partnerships' that would be offered to different-sex couples as well as same-sex couples. Marriage would no longer be regulated by the government at this point and weddings would become private matters such as bar/bat mitzvahs. Thaler also argues that anyone who supports freedom of religion should support this proposal because then religions would have the freedom to decide their own criteria for marriage. The churches would be able to decide who they will and will not marry.   

     I agree with Thaler that same sex couples should be able to be together and receive the same financial benefits that any other couple can claim. Just because their relationship may be two men or to women, doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated the same way a man and a woman are treated. However, I feel that it may be too drastic and controversial to change all 'marriages' to 'domestic partnerships'. Too many religious believers stand by the term 'marriage' and would feel that it is an outrage to remove it. Although it would be nice for gay couples and straight couples to be able to marry and be called the same thing, I do not believe that Thaler's proposal would ever pass. Rather than changing the Marriage Act, more people would support the idea of creating a new act that allows couples of all sexes to receive the same financial support in all aspects of their relationship. It's only fair that gay couples be supported with health insurance, joined tax returns, social security, and citizenship just like married couples, in order to make their relationships as successful as different-sex marriages, even if they are given the name 'domestic partnerships'. What's in a name anyways?   

     

Kicking Poverty's Butt: One Microfinance at a Time

     Jamila supports her family by sewing clothes for clients in her neighborhood located in Pakistan. She is very passionate about what she does and she is a very honest salesperson. She regularly receives orders from her clients because her work is so good. Her husband is in the vegetable industry and believes in selling very fresh products for a good rate. Jamila's three daughters also help with her business and daily housework. Jamila has 33% of her loan raised and needs $925 more to have the complete $1,400 she needs. With the money from the loan, she will buy fresh vegetables for her husbands business to increase his profitable income.
     Jamila's group seems like the perfect candidates for the loan because they are honest people who not only love their business, but also have their customers best interest in mind. Both Jamila and her husband put passion into their businesses and that's why their clients return. This constant flow of business shows that Jamila and her group would be financially able to pay back the loan. With the increase in business the loan can provide, Jamila should be able to work her way out of poverty and eliminate her need for future loans.
     Jamila's loan is administered by Asasah, a partner of Save the Children. This field partner meets all standards required for partnership with Kiva. Social performance is something used by Kiva in partnering with organizations that work hard to create positive outcomes for the communities they serve. For this particular loan, Asasah's social performance strengths are anti-poverty focus, vulnerable group focus, family and community empowerment, entrepreneurial support, facilitation of savings, and innovation. Not only should these performance strengths prove to help Jamila in her fight against poverty, but they will also teach her and her community ways to save better, stand up for themselves, support their own businesses they started, and learn ways to make the best of situations by doing what they can with what they have.
     Another plus to this loan is that 0.00% of Asasah's loans are at risk and the currency exchange loss rate is also 0.00%. This is another factor proving that donors will receive their money back through the payment system. Over the 13 month repayment term, I believe that Jamila and her group will successfully pay back the loan and be one step closer to breaking free from poverty. Because this is a group loan, Jamila and her fellow group members will be able to support one another in repaying their share. In working to support her family, Jamila can feel a sense of self worth by providing her husband with the vegetables he needs for his business. She can finally feel more equal when it comes to financial issues.
     Kiva is an organization that uses the power of microfinance to help people of low-income free themselves from the chains of poverty. To learn more about Jamila's story and visit Kiva's informative website, click this live link provided: http://www.kiva.org/lend/385142. Maybe you too will be inspired to lend a hand across the globe. A little buck can go a long way.

 

Jamila (in blue) and the rest of her group members.

  

A salty American

I am the daughter of a nation that we all call home today.
The United States of America is where it all took place.
Born and raised in a salty haze,
I spent my days on the beach.
South Florida is my peninsula home,
and it's a part of what made me, me.

English is my only language and I speak it loud and proud.
My family comes together when the holidays roll around.
Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the fourth of July, are examples of such.
They've been celebrating these traditions since before I knew their touch.

I may be of Irish, Austrian, and Croatian decent,
but here in the U.S.A. is where all my time has been spent.
I fit the mold of your typical all-American girl,
blonde hair and green eyes are apart of my disguise.
I love the coast that I call my home,
and I feel the salty breeze sweep right through my bones.