How can we help homeless people ?

Help homeless people and cure homelessness forever.

Homeless people and associated phenomenon homelessness need to be addressed seriously, as it is a rampant and persistent problem that has been doing rounds for the longest time. Poverty, unemployment due to mental or physical disabilities, illiteracy etc are some of the important causes that bring forth this condition which has severe harmful effects both at a social and individual level. So, how can we help homeless people? The answer can be provided in a two-fold way. Foremost is the necessity for this subject to be brought under focus and attention, it is not to stay as an anonymous and understated problem with roots that are ramifying each day. Writers and journalists should address this issue through relevant articles that describe the atrocity of the condition of the people who has to lead such a life, without security and vulnerable to immense violence on a daily basis. To find any kind of aid to a problem, it needs to be recognized first and recognition can only be brought about once this issue has a voice that reaches the mass. A detailed analysis of how this problem comes to be and possible ways of redressing it can be a good start. On a personal level, every individual can contribute to help homeless people in small but meaningful ways as well.

a. You can set aside extra or unused clothes or any other useful household material to give away to the homeless people. Food and money, if can be spared also obviously come to much use.

b. You can work at a Shelter or take care of one homeless person for an entire year. Volunteering work in free time is a great way of helping.

c. Let your profession help you in helping. For those in law, can provide free legal advice to these homeless people, just as people in medicine, can provide ample medical help and consultation.

d. Education is never wasted. Hence, you can also teach younger or older people about their rights and how they should react to situations. Knowledge always pays and helps people to know better about their condition and surroundings.

Most importantly to cure the menace, conscious and steady help is required to eradicate homelessness totally and provide solution to homeless people.  However there are more ways to  help homeless people?

how can we help prevent global warming ?

There are personal stakes in Global warming-Prevent it

Global Warming is a phenomenon which has been witnessed in the early 20^th century and it establishes that the average temperature is increasing globally which is a direct resultant of excessive pollution and emission of greenhouse gases.

This is a continuous process and if not curbed right now will result in melting of the polar ice caps which will cause the global sea level to rise by approximately 20 feet and hence almost all coastal areas will be submerged. Also, due to increase in sea volume, drastic changes in climatic patterns will be witnessed that threaten to collapse the entire eco-system as we know it. The first signs of the effects of global warming have been seen with the ice shelves melting in Antarctica.

Hence the threat is real and though we may not witness it materializing now but if we do not prevent it now, humans will see the planet go through a violent change because of a self created catastrophe. As mentioned earlier, it is majorly the Green house gases that have caused global warming. Hence reducing their emission is the key to prevent global warming.

But there are no hubs of green house gas production. They are a byproduct of the industrialization process. Green house gases comprise of Carbon dioxide and Chloro floro carbons (CFC). These gases are emitted on the burning of fossil fuel and with deforestation. With no trees to absorb them, their concentration increases in the atmosphere. The CFCs are commonly emitted from cooling devices like refrigerators and air conditioners and carbon dioxide from our motor vehicles and production units.

This gives us a fair idea that it is as a result of our comfortable lifestyle that Global warming has come into picture and it have to be our individual efforts to prevent the global temperatures from increasing. Groups like Amnesty and Green Peace are working to promote awareness amongst masses.

But how can we help prevent global warming? For example, if we reduce the usage of motor vehicles, we will contribute to lesser pollution. Likewise, recycling paper prevents deforestation. Recycling plastic and other non bio degradable material will reduce their production and hence lesser emission of green house gases. In fact, even if we use less electricity, we will contribute to the cause. Planting and maintaining trees is a constructive way to contribute to the environment and prevent Global Warming.

How to save  Save Antarctica?

Save Antarctica, Save the Planet

Antarctica is the frigid continent at the southern tip of the planet. Owing to its geographical location, this continent is perpetually covered with ice. Given the harsh conditions, there is no government in Antarctica. The Antarctic treaty in 1959 has established it as a scientific reserve and a hub for environmental preservation research. Antarctica stores approximately 70% of world’s fresh water and the huge mass of ice that covers the continent ensures that sea level across the world remains constant if these ice caps remain intact.

Global warming has started to cause ice shelves to break off and flow outwards and cause sea level to rise. Till the last century, the ice mass of the continent had remained constant but over the last few decades, it has been observed that ice volume has gradually started to decrease and huge ice shelves have been witnessed to break off the continent. The continent has also witnessed a hole in the Ozone layer due to the excessive emission Green House Gases which have caused the rise in temperature across the continent and the globe.

The threat is increasing of sea level by approximately 20 feet if the polar ice melts causing coastal areas to submerge and allow harmful ultraviolet rays will reach the surface on the depletion of Ozone layer.

So the task the environmentalists have at hand is to prevent the isolation and the continent from decrepitating. The primary task is to reduce the emission of Carbon dioxide which is a direct cause of global warming. Yet it is ironical that the threat that the future generations face has originated mostly because of our quest for convenience.

Consider the usage of vehicles which emit the largest percentage of carbon dioxide emission or the usage of refrigerators and air conditioners which result in the emission of CFCs (responsible for the depletion of Ozone Layer) and carbon dioxide which again adds on to the excess warming.

It is up to every individual to help prevent the calamity of the future. Less usage of vehicles and more of walking reduces emission and is good for health. Planting trees and maintaining flora adds oxygen to the atmosphere. Recycling paper reduces production and hence deforestation. It has to be a collective effort from us along similar lines that is going to make the difference. Let’s save Antarctica: So the question remains:  How can we help Antarctica?

How can we help Africa?

Africa has always been perceived to be the continent where a majority of population lives under the poverty line as defined by the UN. The simplest definition that UN offers for the poverty line is people who earn less than a US Dollar a day and survive on it. Africa is like a blotch on humankind for reasons that have never been defined and we need to garner a collective effort to bring up the economy and make for better life conditions in the continent.

All through the years we have seen collective aid garnered by G8 and other gatherings helping Africa come out of its poverty and better the living conditions. The following could be a few alternatives to achieve the objective – How can we help Africa?

1. G8 has decided to double the Africa aid. However, with the question hanging on the fact “how much of such aid actually reaches the needy?” it is best to think in terms of reducing such aid or phasing it out completely. In fact some Ugandan and Kenyan newspapers have reported that most of such aid goes to the bureaucratic institutions and not to the deservedly needy.
2. Classified debt relief: To cut losses and start afresh, the government used debt relief as an aid to improve African living conditions. However, not much prudence is being used in this realm by powers that are resulting in setting a precedent where debt relief comes for an exchange.
3. Free Trade: Live 8 organizers have come up with free trade as a good measure to make Africa self sufficient in the coming years. This however can only be bought upon by World Trade Organization when they meet next to negate the agricultural subsidies offered by developing nations and foster a free trade with Africa, so that the continent of poor countries can get on its feet with confidence in the near future.
4. Microfinance: Encouraging microfinance that can reach the grassroots and develop the economies from the bottom to top strategy would be good to empower the needy and build a sturdy continent.
5. Corruption: Cutting down on corrupt regimes and dictatorial African states would be good step forward to make sure that Africa grows unbound and confident.

Although there are many other ideas to make sure that the African continent grows in stature, the above are only beginning arguments to ponder and think about in our quest – “How can we help Africa?”

How can we help endangered tigers?

It is a sad fact of life that while a few lucky tigers today enjoy the sanctuary and safety of life in a tiger farm, their brother tigers out there in the wild are being mercilessly hunted down, to the brink of extinction, to satisfy the demands of the illicit “tiger parts” trade, and also for fur trimmings in Tibet.

From the village markets of Borneo to the backstreets of Bangkok tiger part products are routinely and openly sold, as aphrodisiacs, or as cures for ailments such as arthritis, the tigers slain by poachers and illegally exported. Hundreds of internet sales and auction sites, particularly from China, Hong Kong and Tai Wan boldly offer illicit tiger part products for sale with little regulation or recrimination. The illicit tiger part trade is huge. Already two tiger sub species have become extinct, the five remaining groups now under similar and immediate threat. Another problem for the remaining tiger population is that in many places their normal habitat and environment has been diminished such that breeding patterns are disrupted.

How can we help endangered tigers, you ask, – the problem seems too overwhelming.

Hopefully, the Year of the Tiger 2010 will not prove to be the year of its extinction, as governments and world animal conservation groups move into action to better support the tiger in its hour of need. More cordial relations between the Indian and Chinese governments now mean pro-active initiatives such as regulation of tiger farms and the punishment of poachers trading in illegal tiger parts, with sanctions including prison sentences. The Dali Lama of Tibet has decreed against the wearing of tiger and other animal skins with traditional robes. Increased availability of cheap pharmaceutical drugs is reducing dependence upon traditional folk lore remedies which involve the use of tiger parts. People need to be educated to make the change.

How can we help endangered tigers – well, everyone can help endangered tigers simply by not buying any tiger products, including tiger skins, bones or teeth.. Tiger conservation groups such as Save the Tiger Fund, or Wildlife Warriors, who have a tiger conservation program in Sumatra, welcome new members, with contributions and donations being well spent on tiger conservation and public education. You can even join a tiger adoption program. Many options are available when you ask the question: how can we help endangered tigers.

How can we help Fair Trade?

World FairTrade Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in May by thousands of people at hundreds of events in over 70 countries throughout the world. Visit the World FairTrade Day website on which you will find many ideas and inspirations in answer to your question – how can we help Fair Trade.

This year many of those affiliated with Fair Trade have organized Fairtrade breakfasts, complete with custom designed FairTrade tablecloths – a perfect opportunity to meet and greet others committed to the growth and development of this ethical, organic, worldwide trading structure, to participate in and feel the energy, the synergy, the momentum of its growth.

FairTrade offers an alternative to the rigid supply/demand profit/loss dynamics of the traditional pan global market place, with a commitment to mutual respect, sustainability, long term growth and development and increasingly better standards for all involved. Traditionally, farmers, small manufacturers and artisans have been very much at the mercy of the elements and the vagaries of markets often much less than “perfect” in their operation, particularly with the supply of commodities from third world countries to more developed nations.

Now, with FairTrade we can make a personal commitment to help producers around the world, and particularly those in less developed countries, see a fair and ethical return for the efforts made to produce consumer goods simply by making a decision to purchase goods labeled FairTrade.

When asking how can we help Fair Trade, consider the best form of promotion of any cause which is by word of mouth. Lead by example and let your relatives, friends and the wider community know of your personal commitment to helping others into a new and better lifestyle – products may cost a little more but they will have been produced without child labor, under good working conditions with profits independently monitored and ploughed back into creating better standards and sustainable improvements in lifestyle and the workplace. Consider joining World FairTrade Day website and giving your support to FairTrade. Find out more about its history, its mission, its vision for the future. Millions now living in poverty in Asia, Africa and Latin America have hope through Fairtrade of emerging into a new and better way of living – not by hand outs, grants or aid packages – but by your positive response to the question – how can we help Fair Trade. ..

How can we help endangered animals?

Some of the most endangered animals in the world are those which we are unlikely to meet unless we choose to go travelling through a tropical rain forest. In terms of bio-diversity and numbers, the rain forests have traditionally teemed with colorful, intriguing, and outright mysterious animals, reptiles, birds and insect life. Today however, rain forests are themselves endangered with over 25,000 square miles per year, of a total million and a half square miles being converted to agricultural purposes, destroying the rain forest habitat forever. Around half of the total world animal species have their homes in the rain forest environment, whole communities being wiped out completely with the destruction of their habitat. Rain forest animals are also under threat from poachers. Since 1948, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has monitored endangered species and publishes a “red list” of endangered wildlife species – take a look at the list and you will see that the question is urgent and needs to be asked – how can we help endangered animals.

As of early April this year 17,291 out of 47,677 red listed species are threatened with extinction and new species are coming into the red list each year. This reporting is treated with alarm by worldwide conservation groups such as WWF, which provides access to information to its members, on its website to the public and actively promotes conservation projects, having over 5 million supporters in more than a hundred countries.

Additional protection for endangered animals comes from the CITES 1973 convention from which 120 countries have signed a treaty on illegal trade in wildlife.

When considering the question how can we help endangered animals, there are many national and local organizations that we can join so as to help create an effective “voice” on behalf of the endangered animals of the world. Endangered animals are not limited to exotic places in other countries and by far the most effective thing that we can do to help endangered animals is to discover what animals in our own state or locality are considered under threat, and volunteer our time to help.

Many organizations actively lobby, advocate, and promote public awareness, whilst also being active in hands-on conservation efforts. By joining with others and forming a group, we can work out best answers to the problem – how can we help endangered animals?