Rethos.com - eadlam's Global Feed

Impact of the global financial and economic crisis on health

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:13:07 -0500

Statement by WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan

We face a severe financial crisis of unprecedented dimensions in a world that has never before been so closely connected and interdependent. The consequences are global. The situation is volatile. The current financial crisis is rapidly becoming an economic crisis and threatens to become a social crisis in many countries.

The crisis comes at a time when commitment to global health has never been higher. It comes in the midst of the most ambitious drive in history to reduce poverty and distribute ...

Environmental Activists Expose Dangers of E-Waste

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:48:26 -0500

November 14, 2008, Delhi, India: In the streets of Mustaffabad, a poor quarter of Delhi, children in sandals sit on top of piles of broken glass and twisted metal, smashing computer monitors. Men with blowtorches melt circuit boards, while nearby, women sort and scrub other boards with diluted acid. Charred fiberglass and copper dust litter the ground.

This is the world of the electronic waste (e-waste) recyclers, who make a living by tearing apart the toxic remains of old home computers, cell phones and printer cartridges from the United States and other coun...

Ghana: Presidential candidates quizzed about sanitation on prime time radio

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:13:13 -0500

Candidates for the Ghanaian presidential election scheduled for December 2008 answered questions on prime time radio about their sanitation plans if they are elected.

The candidates took turns to answer questions on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show over three days from 23 to 26 September 2008. The media platform dubbed Flag bearers on Environmental Sanitation was by a coalition of water and sanitation NGOs in the country.

Everyday one of the candidates was taken through a series of questions to assess their level of understanding of the current state of sanitation...

Lifewater Researcher

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:06:20 -0500

Lifewater strives to maintain reliable and up-to-date WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) information and statistics. Lifewater Researchers investigate and submit reports to Lifewater on several subject areas. If
you enjoy learning, have research and writing skills, and want to help Lifewater maintain current and reliable information, consider being a Lifewater Researcher!

Visit our website for more info and an application: http://lifewater.org/get_involved/volunteer.html

Office Volunteer

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:00:52 -0500

Lifewater’s headquarters is located in San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast. If you are a Central Coast resident with free hours in your schedule, a special talent, or an extra set of hands for special
events, consider becoming a Lifewater Office Volunteer. Needs vary, so visit our website and please fill out an application, which will help Lifewater determine the best fit for your gifts and availability.

More than $800,000 Contribute "In Honor of Sarah Palin"

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:55:32 -0500

Enter Message / description of files attached:

Environmentalist Preaches Conservation as Chaos Engulfs Eastern Congo

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:46:25 -0500

Environmentalist Preaches Conservation as Chaos Engulfs Eastern Congo

November 4, 2008, Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo: With little more than a motorbike and a mission, Clement Kitambala has been spreading news about environmental issues in remote communities of the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo.

Amid renewed fighting that has displaced more than 130,000, ongoing food crises and rampant sexual violence, his newsletter, Tunza Mazingira ("Conserve the Environment" in Swahili), has provided a steady voice for conserva...

Grats to ya boy

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:59:23 -0500

Last night around 8pm I was at a house party here in Oakland getting ready for my band’s set when somebody across the room shouted out “Obama won! he did it!” and the whole room broke out in cheers and clapping. I pulled out my cellphone and sent a text message to my friend Labrie (who’s been pulling hard for an Obama victory and recorded a couple songs supporting him and his candidacy) saying “Grats to ya boy” and went back to working on getting our sound set up. Later that night as we closed o...

A Message of Hope, Love and Light

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:12:50 -0500

Dear AOKW Luminaries and Friends,

I cannot help but comment on the profound shift of consciousness that has just occurred as a result of this US election. It cannot be described in any other way but this: Awakening. Humanity has just been Awakened to the possibility of a New World Order; one that may now be built upon a foundation of Open Dialogue, Cooperative Collaboration and Equal Fellowship!

However, I feel that the road ahead will be quite a challenging and perilous one. The events that occur in the week ahead may test our collective determination and resolve.<...

Enviro-Friendly Cookies

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:44:01 -0500

Enter Message / description of files attached:

A CBC Montreal news report on Felix & Norton's Urgence-Biscuits mobile cookie bakery, and the owners' social entrepreneurship efforts.

Bible Illuminated's The Book New Testament

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:58:55 -0400

Forget heavy leather-bound volumes - this New Testament brings an entirely new look to the table.

Even the format of Illuminated World's New Testament is a vast departure from any version of the Bible that readers are familiar with. It doesn't look like a book, but instead looks like a high-end magazine, complete with glossy pages and illustrated with contemporary photographs.

Why These Pictures and Highlighted Passages?

The layout is a departure from tradition, but the text itself is not. The New Testament uses the sta...

Former UN Representative and Nepal Specialists Join Advocacy Project Board

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:15:24 -0400

October 27, 2008, Washington, DC: Soren Jessen-Petersen, who served as the United Nation's Special Representative in Kosovo during the run-up to the country's independence, has joined the Board of The Advocacy Project (AP). Suvash Darnal, a prominent advocate for Dalit rights in Nepal and Devin Greenleaf, a former AP Peace Fellow in Nepal, have also joined.

The selection of three new members, each of whom represents an important AP constituency, signals an increased role for the Board as the organization prepares for 2009. Mr Jessen-Petersen will explore synergies wi...

The YP4 fellowship (heads up, college students!)

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:11:51 -0400

Make change today. The Young People For (YP4) fellowship is a leadership development program focusing on identifying, engaging and empowering young progressive leaders.

Ideology 101 in 2008

Political thought in the United States can't just be divided into two camps — us vs. them, left vs. right, progressive vs. conservative — it's much more complicated than that. There are actually a variety of progressive viewpoints on the economy, fo...

Easy Ways You Can Help Conserve Rainforests

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:54:33 -0400

1Choose foods grown on farms certified by the Rainforest Alliance

Buy coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, bananas, orange juice, g...

Summer Job with Web Startup Company

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:04:41 -0400

BetterLesson has summer jobs available in the Research and Field Organizing departments. We are looking for dedicated educators with at least one year’s classroom experience to help us dramatically improve the lives of teachers and the quality of the instruction they deliver to students.

Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to cooper@betterlesson.org

Founding Director of Product Research

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:02:37 -0400

We are looking for someone with a keen interest in education technology and policy to head up our product research team.   We are looking for someone who is anxious to immerse him/herself in education technology and policy in order to help craft the long term vision of the website. The right candidate will:

1.    Have 1 or more years of prior research experience
2.    Have prior experience in the fields of education technology and/or policy.
3.    Possess strong writing and strategic thinking skills. ...

Founding-Level National Field Director

Tue, 27 May 2008 13:59:37 -0400

We have begun an aggressive grassroots effort to reach out to educators across the country. We are looking to hire someone with a minimum of two years’ classroom experience to lead this effort.   The right candidate will:

1.    Have some prior experience in outreach, recruitment, or sales
2.    Be exceptionally organized, creative, persuasive, extroverted, and resourceful.
3.    Possess strong leadership, critical thinking, and writing skills.
4.    Be committed to the soc...

Feminine Face of Activism

Sat, 17 May 2008 13:46:04 -0400

WOrking from the Heart: The Feminine Face of Activism

Join women from a round the world for this life-changing 6-day gathering in Bali, with Balinese indigenous wisdom leaders as co-facilitators. WOmen of all ages will come together who all share a deep sense of "calling" to help generate the kind of world you want to leave for your children and grandchildren. Stretch into your future as a global citizen and allow this more intimate experience to open your heart and expand your capacities as a committed leader. For more information, please visit...

Ally Request - Discover Perfect Energy

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:17:46 -0400

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:01:54 -0500

According to her… she heard the noise but couldnt figure out what it was, to her it sounded like the problem was in the basement. Also she was spending too much time at work to worry about it. It was the toilet at the front of the house on the ground level. It is more outside the house than inside and she almost never used it.

According to the water company she used almost enough water to fill a commercial swimming pool.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:02:33 -0500

Yay, there I am. This comment and the previous 3 are all mine. I’m done now. All fixed.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:01:50 -0500

hmm… am I me yet?

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:59:01 -0500

hmm strange. I guess I accidentally created two profiles at some point. Christopher Howse is me. The creator of this post.

About the $2000 dollar water bill… Does that mean he was not home to hear his toilet running for 3 months? I don’t get it. When a toilet is running it is not silent.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:53:09 -0500

Treehugger.com hates this post I guess, but I still think it is a great hack for most toilets. Thanks for all the positive responses people. I guess Iâ€™ll add that if you have a new model toilet that only uses 1 and a half gallons to flush, you should leave the rod alone. It is already low flow, and you may end up having problems getting it all down. Therefore, you may flush twice. That kind of makes the whole hack pointless. My toilet is olive green, aka, old as hell.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:41:27 -0500

If you must play with itâ€¦ take a screwdriver and adjust the level screw never bend the rod. Due to the pressure of the water on the rod it will slowly rotate and eventually go to a point higher than the original. This can make the toilet run constantly. My brothers ex was hit with a $2000 water bill (over a 3 month period) due to a toilet that kept on running. Other than that it is a great way to save water!

Halliburton Victim Twice Over - Americans for Fairness in Lending

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:50:09 -0500

Check out this important message from our Partner, Public Citizen: http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=22031 â€œNo one â€“ especially a victim of a heinous, violent crime â€“ should be denied access to a judge and jury because of a binding mandatory arbitration clause in an employment contract. â€œUnfortunately, this is what is happening to Jamie Leigh Jones, who recently told ABCâ€™s 20/20 that she was gang raped while working for a Halliburton subsidiary in Iraq. Now, she is being victimized twice over. Halliburton is denying her constitutional right to tak...

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:42:29 -0500

Willow:

Why would your friends find it strange that you use the bathroom? hehe

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:47:40 -0500

That’s an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing! My friends will all be wondering why I suddenly start making trips to their toilets…

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:08:52 -0500

Not a toilet safe in Oslo this christmas!

Simplify the Holidays and stay away from Credit Card Traps - Americans for Fairness in Lending

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:13:01 -0500

As you consider how to celebrate the holidays responsibly, take some time to protect yourself from credit card tricks & traps. Read AFFILâ€™s Holiday Credit Card Tips before you break out the plastic this season, at http://www.affil.org/consumer_rsc/holiday-credit-card-tips. 1. Donâ€™t get tricked, trapped or suckered into a card with bad terms. If you want a credit card, get one with a long-term low interest rate (APR). If you get a low introductory rate, chances are itâ€™ll start at 0% and then jump to 20% with one almost-on-time-but-didnâ€™t-quite-make-it payment. Still want a credit ...

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:52:13 -0500

Christopher!!! You are my hero!!!! Vandalism that benefits us all!!! Hooray! I will do this to every toilet I use if the tank cover can be removed!!!!! Yipee!! Look out Gas stations in California here I come! Beware restaurants I’m on my way…..OOOOHHHH yes I’ll get you at the beauty salon too!!!!!! lol lol lol lol lol

Overdraft Abuse: Tell Your Story - Americans for Fairness in Lending

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:05:18 -0500

Congress needs to hear your story: A message from the Center for Responsible Lending Jennifer Rakowski of Oakland, CA had been with her bank for 15 years when, before she knew what hit her, she accumulated a series of overdrafts in quick succession that put her over $300 in the red. Has something like this happened to you? Consumers are catching on to the ways in which banks artificially increase overdrafts, costing their account holders billions per year in unfair fees. When the House Financial Services Committee was debating H.R. 946 this month, Congresswoman Carolyn Malone...

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:53:14 -0500

Shhh! I just hacked 4 of my neighbors toilets…don’t tell! What a great idea…I have never thought about that. I will now vandalize every toilet I come across!

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:29:43 -0500

genius

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:22:58 -0500

@ Jerry…

And while we’re convincing the farmers, let’s not be hypocritical and make sure we don’t waste so much water ourselves.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:18:10 -0400

Dugg on Digg.com. Go here to Digg it yourself and move it up in the rankings.

http://digg.com/environment/Save_Water_Hack_Your_Friends_Toilets

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:31:14 -0400

I don’t believe it is a good idea to go screwing around with other peoples toilets. Besides, household use accounts for only 15% of water use (agriculture 70%, industrial 15%) so if we get farmers to stop growing rice in the desert (because of access to cheap plentiful water) then we could save more water than messing around with a million friends toilets.

Alliance Accepted! - Americans for Fairness in Lending

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:01:20 -0400

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:29:25 -0400

love it! i am so in…Bryan…prepare to be toilet abused.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:52:48 -0400

Great! A toilet hack!

My wife and I don’t flush after every use. It’s pretty obvious when the toilet actually NEEDS to be flushed, and then this tip comes in handy, especially if you live in an apartment and have an old, wasteful toilet you can’t replace.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:33:49 -0400

Those toilets with the half flush option were all over Australia when I was there, and I have never seen one in Canada.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:47:21 -0400

Why the heck aren’t toilets just designed with this kink in place? You do see some modern toilets with the ‘half-flush’ option, but surely all modern toilets shoulds be designed to work at the most effective standard.

What is the actual policy on flushing: ‘if it’s yellow let it mellow’ – is this best? Is it best to avoid flushing even in other people’s homes? Obviously it’s not so bad for us guys…

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:45:58 -0400

not many people know that water companies often have to pump the fresh water to homes. So using less water actually reduces energy use as well .

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:31:23 -0400

Wow, what a great idea! I will definitely be linking to these sites from EarthThreat.org in the near future, and when I have a place of my own I will certainly install a system such as these.

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 12:13:33 -0400

Great hack! here is something that I found long time ago.

The Aqus system collects the water from a bathroom sink and filters and disinfects it before it gets re-used as flush water for an adjacent toilet. It saves between 10 and 20 gallons of fresh water per day for two person bathrooms with normal activities. This represents between 3,650 and 7,300 gallons of fresh water saved per year. An equal amount of wastewater cost is also saved.” This would mean an annual savings of $40.88 to $81.76 (based on an average rate of $5.60 per 1,000 gallons) from using a device like th...

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:51:52 -0400

Haha! Good man. I’ve already attacked a hand full my self! Why stop now?!?

New comment - Abuse Your Friend's Toilets

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:28:16 -0400

Great tip, can’t wait to start hacking away at my friend’s toilets.