id How Fear of Cities Can Blind Us From Solutions to COVID-19 By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2020 14:19:32 +0000 Full Article
id Mexico is a prop in President Trump’s political narrative By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 20 Jun 2019 13:00:20 +0000 When it comes to his country’s relationship with Mexico, U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to take a position that is at once reckless and suicidal. Reckless, because he is single-handedly scuttling a bilateral relationship with a nation that is vital to the prosperity, security, and well-being of the U.S. Suicidal, because the punitive tariffs… Full Article
id Webinar: Fighting COVID-19: Experiences and lessons from the frontlines in Asia By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:05:41 +0000 Since the outbreak of COVID-19, some East and Southeast Asian countries have employed various public health policy and medical approaches to slow the spread of the virus within their borders. These measures have been reasonably effective in slowing the spread of the pandemic, but they have not taken root in many countries outside of the… Full Article
id 2014 Midterms: Congressional Elections and the Obama Climate Legacy By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Editor's Note: As part of the 2014 Midterm Elections Series, experts across Brookings will weigh in on issues that are central to this year's campaigns, how the candidates are engaging those topics, and what will shape policy for the next two years. In this post, William Antholis and Han Chen discuss the importance of climate and… Full Article Uncategorized
id 2014 Midterms: Congressional Elections and the Obama Climate Legacy By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Editor's Note: As part of the 2014 Midterm Elections Series, experts across Brookings will weigh in on issues that are central to this year's campaigns, how the candidates are engaging those topics, and what will shape policy for the next two years. In this post, William Antholis and Han Chen discuss the importance of climate and… Full Article Uncategorized
id Bridging the immigration divide: Forging a bipartisan policy on visas for STEM graduates By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:34:26 +0000 The “brain drain” caused by current immigration laws discourages foreign students who’ve obtained a degree in the United States from remaining here to pursue employment or entrepreneurial opportunities, and in the process enhance U.S. growth and competitiveness. Finding common ground on immigration reform is a challenge in today’s polarized political atmosphere, and the need for… Full Article
id Presidential leadership in the first year By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 02 Dec 2016 19:12:23 +0000 The first year in office presents a unique window of opportunity for a new president to advance his agenda and pass signature legislation. President Obama’s first year for instance saw the passage of the economic stimulus, Dodd-Frank, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, along with new ethics guidelines designed to curtail the influence of… Full Article
id A preview of President Obama's upcoming trip to Cuba and Argentina By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0400 In advance of President Obama’s historic trip to Cuba and Argentina, three Brookings scholars participated in a media roundtable to offer context and outline their expectations for the outcomes of the trip. Richard Feinberg and Ted Piccone discussed Cuba–including developments in the U.S.-Cuba relationship, the Cuban economy, and human rights on the island–and Harold Trinkunas offered insight on Argentina, inter-American relations, and the timing of the visit. Read the transcript (PDF) » Richard Feinberg: The idea is to promote a gradual incremental transition to a more open, pluralistic and prosperous Cuba integrated into global markets of goods, capital, and ideas. It is a long-term strategy. It cannot be measured by quarterly reports. Ted Piccone: ...the key [is] to unlock a whole set of future changes that I think will be net positive for the United States, but it is going to take time, and it is not going to happen overnight. Harold Trinkunas: Cuba is really about moving, among other things, a stumbling block to better relations with Latin America, and Argentina is about restoring a positive relationship with a key swing state in the region that was once one of our most important allies in the region. Downloads Download the transcript Authors Richard E. FeinbergTed PicconeHarold Trinkunas Image Source: © Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters Full Article
id Burkina Faso Protests Extending Presidential Term Limits By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:08:00 -0400 On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, tens of thousands of citizens of Burkina Faso gathered in its capital city, Ouagadougou, and its second biggest city, Bobo Dioulasso, to protest proposed changes to its constitution regarding term limits. A vote was planned for Thursday, on whether to extend the current limit of two terms to three. This vote is extremely controversial: Current President Blaise Compaoré, who came to power in a coup in 1987, has ruled the country for 27 years. Allowing him to run for election in November 2015 could extend his reign for another five years. In Ouagadougou on Wednesday, citizens angry over the possibility that parliament might make it possible for Campaoré to stay in power indefinitely set fire to the parliament and forced legislators to postpone the vote that had been set for Thursday, October 30, 2014 to decide the constitutional issue. A History of Autocracy in Burkina Faso The West African country has been plagued by dictators, autocracies and coups in the past. At independence on August 5, 1960, Maurice Yaméogo, leader of the Voltaic Democratic Union (Union démocratique voltaïque), became the country’s first president. Shortly after assuming power, Yaméogo banned all political opposition, forcing mass riots and demonstrations that only came to an end after the military intervened in 1966. Lt. Col. Sangoulé Lamizana and a collection of military elites took control of the government and subsequently dissolved the National Assembly as well as suspended the constitution. Lamizana stayed in power until November 1980 when the military overthrew the government and installed Col. Saye Zerbo as the new president. Two years later, Col. Zerbo’s government was overthrown by Maj. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo and the Council of Popular Salvation (CSP—Conseil du salut du peuple). Although it promised to transition the country to civilian rule and provide a new constitution, the Ouédraogo regime banned all political organizations, including opposition parties. There soon arose a political struggle within the CSP. The radicals, led by Captain Thomas Sankara, eventually overthrew the government in August 1983, and Capt. Sankara emerged as the country’s new leader. In 1984, the Sankara government changed the country’s name from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso and introduced many institutional reforms that effectively aligned the country with Marxist ideals. On October 15, 1987, Capt. Blaise Compaoré, a former colleague of Sankara’s, killed Sankara and several of his confidants in a successful coup d’état. In 1991, Campaoré was elected president in an election in which only 25 percent of the electorate participated because of a boycott movement organized and carried out by opposition parties. In 1998, he won reelection for another seven-year term. As president, Campaoré reversed all the progressive policies that Sankara had implemented. President Blaise Compaoré’s Time in Power In 2000, the country’s post-Cold War 1991 constitution was amended to impose a limit of two five-year consecutive terms on the presidency. However, Campaoré’s supporters argued that because he was in office when the amendments went into effect, they did not apply to him and, hence, he was qualified to run for re-election in 2005. Despite the fact that the opposition fielded several candidates, Campoaré won 80.35 percent of the votes cast in the 2005 presidential election. And, in the presidential elections held in November 2010, he captured 80.2 percent of votes. Over more than a quarter century in power, Campaoré has used an unusual formula to achieve relative stability in Burkina Faso—authoritarianism mixed with traces of democracy. The complex governance system has relied primarily on Campaoré’s dominant and charismatic political power and has failed to build sustainable institutions—specifically, those capable of maintaining the rule of law and enhancing peaceful coexistence in his absence. Constitutionally mandated presidential term limits strengthen the rule of law and provide a significant level of stability and predictability to the country’s governance institutions. In response to the efforts by Burkinabé members of parliament to change the constitution to enable Compaoré to secure another term in office, U.S. government officials have recently stated that “democratic institutions are strengthened when established rules are adhered to with consistency.” On his part, Campaoré has proclaimed that his main and immediate concern “is not to build a future for myself—but to see how the future of this country will take shape.” If this is indeed true, then he should exit gracefully from the Burkinabé political scene and henceforth serve as an elder statesman, providing his country’s new leadership with the advice and support that they need to deepen and institutionalize democracy, as well as enhance economic, social, political and human development. Insisting, as President Campoaré has done, that the constitution be changed so that he can seek an additional term in power not only destroys the country’s fragile stability but also sends the wrong message to citizens about the rule of law—while citizens must be law-abiding, the president does not have to abide by the country’s settled law; if the law stands in the way of the president’s personal ambitions, he can simply change the law to provide him with the wherewithal to achieve those objectives. Such behavior from the country’s chief executive does not augur well for deepening the country’s democracy, an objective that is dear to many Burkinabé. The question to ask President Campoaré is: How do you want history to remember you? As a self-serving political opportunist who used his public position to accumulate personal power and wealth, at the expense of fellow citizens, or as a public servant who led and directed his country’s transformation into a peaceful, safe and productive society? Authors John Mukum Mbaku Full Article
id To talk or not to talk to Trump: A question that divides Iran By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Tue, 19 Nov 2019 12:30:23 +0000 Earlier this month, Iran further expanded its nuclear enrichment program, taking another step away from the nuclear accord it had signed with world powers in July 2015. Since President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord, on May 2018, and re-imposed U.S. sanctions, Iran’s economy has lost nearly 10 percent of its output. Although the… Full Article
id Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: When President-elect Barack Obama assumes office in January, he will face a series of critical, complex and interrelated challenges in the Middle East. Each of these issues demands immediate attention: the ongoing war in Iraq; Iran’s regional and nuclear aspirations; the faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and weak governments in Lebanon and Palestine.Recognizing the critical nature… Full Article
id Managing Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: This paper appears as chapter 4 of Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President. See the book overview and executive summaries for information on other chapters. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CURRENT U.S. EFFORTS to stop Iran’s nuclear program have failed. Fortunately, however, because of technical limits, Iran appears to be two to three years… Full Article
id NY Fashion Week: Miguel Adrover Unveils hessnatur Eco-Tee at Whole Foods (Video) By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:30:52 -0400 Fashion icon and hessnatur Creative Director Miguel Adrover at Whole Foods Market. Credit Emma Grady Hessnatur kicked off New York Fashion Week Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Whole Foods Market Tribeca with the launch of their "World in your hand" Full Article Living
id John Mackey Steps Down As Chairman of Whole Foods: Did He Jump or Was He Pushed? By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:26:24 -0500 On Christmas Eve, John Mackey announced that he is stepping down as Chairman of the Board of Whole Foods. Full Article Business
id Did the "Organic Elite" Sell Out to Monsanto? By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:50:33 -0500 By now, most of us have read the miscellaneous (numerous) statements from companies like Whole Foods, Organic Valley, Stonyfield, and the Non-GMO Project in defense of their participation in the Full Article Living
id LA Residents Get Fresh Food Delivered by Bike to Their Doorstep By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0500 LA Whole Foods shoppers now can have concierge-shopped groceries delivered to their door via solar powered electric bikes Full Article Living
id Canada's Conservative leader blasts food guide for 'bias' against dairy By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 07:40:00 -0400 "Chocolate milk saved my son's life," Andrew Scheer said. So he has promised to rewrite the dietary guidelines if elected this fall. Full Article Living
id Brazil gripped by major political crisis in midst of Covid-19 pandemic By www.marxist.com Published On :: Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:27:13 +0100 A major political crisis has broken out in Brazil. The Minister of Justice Moro resigned yesterday after president Bolsonaro removed the head of the Federal Police (FP) Valeixo, who had been nominated by Moro. The now former minister of justice has accused Bolsonaro of wanting to appoint a new FP head from whom he could get information in relation to cases involving Bolsonaro's sons, including the assassination of PSOL councillor Marielle Franco. Full Article Brazil
id Brazil: an isolated, crisis-ridden and aimless government – Bolsonaro out! By www.marxist.com Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 10:38:21 +0100 The political crisis is accelerating. Bolsonaro is isolating himself more and more as his government teeters. The press is adding pressure and calling for investigations. Ex-president Fernando Henrique Cardoso is calling for Bolsonaro’s resignation. Right-wing politicians, who were elected in the wake of Bolsonaro (Doria, Witzel etc.), jumped ship a long time ago, like all good opportunists. Mandetta is gone. Moro is gone. And the question that many ask is: how long can right-hand-man Paulo Guedes last? Full Article Brazil
id Venezuela foils mercenary incursion: Guaidó and Washington responsible By www.marxist.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 08:14:47 +0100 In the early hours of Sunday 3 May, Venezuelan police and armed forces foiled an attempt by armed men to disembark in Macuto, La Guaira, 35km from the capital Caracas. In the ensuing clashes eight mercenaries were killed and weapons were seized, both from speedboats and stored on land. According to the authorities, the attack had the aim of kidnapping Venezuelan officials and sparking a military coup. Full Article Venezuela
id Modernist Matchbox is an off-grid micro-house in a micro-village By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 07:00:00 -0500 Built as part of a community of tiny homes in Washington DC, this contemporary solar-powered tiny home collects its own rainwater and has a thoughtful interior to boot. Full Article Design
id Great protected bike lanes are popping up in Washington DC (video) By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:31:06 -0400 If we can put a center-running bike lane down the center of Pennsylvania avenue, we should be able to do it almost everywhere! Full Article Transportation
id Will autonomous delivery robots soon be pushing pedestrians off the sidewalks? By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Jul 2016 12:06:02 -0400 Nobody is actually asking the question, because pedestrians don't matter, do they? Full Article Transportation
id First residential building certified to the Fitwel standard By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 03 May 2018 11:15:36 -0400 Fitwel is all about healthy living, and it's going to be big. Full Article Design
id This May Day, get outside and celebrate spring. By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 01 May 2018 08:55:10 -0400 It doesn't have to be all about politics. Full Article Living
id Paris had a marvellous moving sidewalk in 1900 By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Mon, 28 Jan 2019 08:24:46 -0500 It's like a moving High Line, and is still a very good idea. Full Article Transportation
id Analysts expect 18GW of subsidy-free renewables in UK by 2030 By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Mar 2018 06:12:29 -0400 Britain has already made great progress in decarbonizing the grid. It looks like there's more to come. Full Article Energy
id Tour Facebook's New Energy Efficient Data Center (Video) By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Mon, 02 May 2011 15:09:00 -0400 Facebook just opened their newest data center, which they've pushed to make as energy efficient as possible. In fact, it even inspired the Open Compute project in which they open source every last detail about the data Full Article Technology
id "Fish Chopper" Animation Shows the Gruesome, Deadly Side of Power Plant Cooling Towers (Video) By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:46:00 -0400 The Sierra Club is pointing attention to the once-through cooling systems used by many power plants. Power plants suck up over 200 billion gallons of water a day, and with that water comes millions of fish that don't exactly Full Article Technology
id Smart Grid Comes To The Netherlands By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:32:00 -0400 It's no secret that there are vast concerns in major utility companies operating a large smart grid connected to household smart meters that charge consumers a variable rate based on Full Article Technology
id Another Reason We Need the Smart Grid: Record Heat By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:47:00 -0400 In case you're still among the set doubting if the smart grid is really necessary, Earth2Tech has a solid post explaining how record heat (something that is going to happen a lot more often, unfortunately) is a prime example of how the smart grid can Full Article Technology
id Smart Grid Survey Shows People Want More Than Just Money Savings By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:30:00 -0500 Study shows that customers think the non-monetary benefits of the smart grid are great. That is, once someone explains what they are... Full Article Technology
id Viral Video Calls for Mass Exodus from Fossil Fuels By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:38:35 -0500 Popular anger at profiteering energy utilities is high. One wind-power pioneer is hoping to harness that sentiment with a funny viral video. Full Article Energy
id Worldwide Smart Grid Spending to Hit $46 Billion in 2015 By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:02:44 -0400 A new report says utilities around the world will ramp up smart grid spending, with worldwide projects hitting $46.4 billion in 2015. Full Article Technology
id 4 Ways to Avoid the Hidden Evils of Valentine’s Day By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:53:00 -0500 From child labor to blood diamonds, showing your love can have some seriously unexpected pitfalls. Full Article Living
id Utensilmate is a great candidate for the Wrongest Product Award By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 11:07:26 -0400 I can't decide if this is just what I always needed or the worst product ever put on Kickstarter. Full Article Design
id Another look at the question: Bidet or toilet paper, or yes, adult wipes? By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 14:10:47 -0500 Apparently adult wipes are a huge growth industry. Another good reason to switch to a bidet equipped toilet. Full Article Design
id TranquiliT Adds Something Green to Your Wedding With Eco-Friendly Bridal Gowns By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:15:13 -0400 TranquiliT may be better known for its downward-dog-friendly garb, but the erstwhile yoga-wear label is now rocking the frock, matrimonial style. Outfit the femmes of your bridal party—bride, bridesmaids, and flower girls—in 95 percent organic bamboo Full Article Living
id Planet Green's Ultimate Green Wedding Guide By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 15 May 2009 15:26:00 -0400 Whether you're the romantic, three-tiered cake type—or the "let's hitched at a civil court and call it a day" sort of guy or gal there's something for everyone in Planet Green's fresh off-the-blog Ultimate Green Full Article TreeHugger Exclusives
id 5 Ridiculously Over-the-Top, Extravagant Celebrity Weddings By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:46:30 -0400 Photo via Madeline's Weddings and Events/ CakellaAll you really need to get married is love--and maybe a ring, and a marriage license. But that doesn't stop celebrities from going overboard when they're ready to tie the knot, hosting parties decorated Full Article Living
id 10 Wacky (and Mostly Wasteful) Royal Wedding Souvenirs (Slideshow) By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:02:56 -0400 In the market for a royal PEZ dispenser? Full Article Living
id Learn and laugh: 5 food waste videos By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:25:13 -0400 Created for World Environment Day, these videos illustrate the global issue of food waste with both humor and gravity. Full Article Living
id Video showdown: Vote for the best in the United Nations Environment Programme’s competition By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:28:39 -0400 Send one of these video bloggers to cover World Environment Day. Full Article Science
id 21-year-old activist wins World Environment Day video competition By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 08 May 2014 11:44:25 -0400 The United Nations Environment Programme and goodwill ambassador Don Cheadle have selected a winner. See the video here. Full Article Science
id Europe bans two cosmetic ingredients you didn't know are hazardous By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Mar 2018 03:52:43 -0400 The chemicals that make your personal products silky smooth are banned from all cosmetics that are washed off after use. Full Article Living
id Canadians demand nation-wide strategy on plastic pollution By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:29:00 -0400 It's time for action on the federal level. Full Article Science
id Organic winemaker faces jail for refusing to apply pesticide By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:41:27 -0500 The French agriculture ministry has sentenced Emmanuel Giboulot six months in jail for not taking preventative measures against a bacterial vine disease. Full Article Science
id The Alchema machine turns fruit into wine or cider on your counter By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 26 Jan 2017 15:14:29 -0500 Just what we've been waiting for - an automated home fermentation device that can turn fruit or honey into wine, mead, or cider. Full Article Technology
id This tiny house community aims to help veterans rebuild their lives (Video) By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2018 14:29:57 -0400 Entirely funded by donations, this project is hoping to provide veterans struggling with PTSD or homelessness free housing, counseling and an experience of the healing power of nature. Full Article Design
id There's not enough land for everyone in the world to follow U.S. dietary guidelines By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 17 Aug 2018 05:30:00 -0400 We'd need another Canada-sized chunk of fertile land, scientists say, in order to meet those requirements. Full Article Science
