Everything is interconnected. It's the whole six degrees thing, and it's one of the lessons I learned in development. For example, India's new child labor law, while promoted as a turning point for South Asia's human rights policy, isn't without it's fair amount of controversy.
Families who were dependent on that additional, if not problematic, source of income are now left even poorer and hungrier. And some of the children that the law was intended to protect are now left sleeping in the streets, without even the few rupees that helped them get through the day. I'm not against the law, but there are certain considerations that must be taken into account if such a law is expected to be successfully enforced.
Another connection was discovered recently that I find even more disturbing. When I think of American obesity, sure the Republican party jumps into my head, but I certainly don't think of rising fuel costs (gas maybe, but not fuel). Nevertheless, a study released recently has found a direct correlation between the ever-increasing weight of the American people and our ever-increasing need for more fuel. More simply, heavier drivers consume more gas. While the study only considers the additional payload in the vehicle, I think that further connections could be made based on decreased ability (or willingness) to actually walk where you need to go.
Read the article on CNN HERE.
Flown by Mark Mislivec at 02:54 PM on October 26, 2006
Comments
Also all these heavy shopping bags with all the fatty heavy stuff in them, and the increased transportation cost to the fast food chains... And the increased transport of foodstuff.
I once heard that importing a kg of mangoes from asia to europe leads to an additional output of 5 liters of Co2 (transported by airplane).
I am fully sharing your concern and have been on a severe diet for a week now... but nobody calculates the additional grumpyness due to my lack of food intake. It should definitely also be considered.... To make up for my bad mood, i had a twelfe year old tailor me curtains for cheap... Cheered me up bigtime!
Posted by: Mona at October 27, 2006 06:41 AM
i had to laugh at the word turning point. the indian government is getting better and better at making pretty laws but i can assure you especially the one on child labour is not enforced. and probably won't be for a long time. what i have gotten out of development so far is that there are no turning points. and no, i am not frustrated with my work. how are you? would be nice to hear from you!
Posted by: Judith at October 28, 2006 12:55 AM
What is your job Judith?
Posted by: MOna at November 1, 2006 10:06 AM
No post on election day? Has your perspective changed any being in the thick of where democracy lives?
Posted by: eric at November 7, 2006 03:48 PM
|  |
| September 2008 Flights |
|
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
|
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
|
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
|
28 |
29 |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|