The iGlobe
Vol. 17, Issue #5
A Student Led Publication from The4Network
Save the Rainforests, Save the Planet
Rainforests Are an Important Part of the Ecosystem, What are We Doing to Protect Them?
By, Ava Torre
Rainforests are home to some of the most important ecosystems on earth. Without them, our planet would be practically uninhabitable. The rainforests help filter our air, provide us with food and medicines, and even give us cures to diseases. Whether you live right next to a rainforest, or thousands of miles away from one, you rely on the rainforests every day.
What is a rainforest exactly? According to the Rainforest Alliance, “Rainforests are forests that receive a great amount of rainfall—more than 80 inches each year. Composed of millions of unique ecosystems, rainforests are the central nervous system of our planet—a hotbed of evolution, life, and diversity.” Rainforests are categorized into two groups: temperate rainforests, and tropical rainforests. The difference between these types of rainforests is their location. Temperate rainforests are typically found in the mid latitudes near coastal, mountainous regions. You’ll find these rainforests in places such as Norway, The United States, and New Zealand. Temperate rainforests are often much cooler than tropical rainforests and usually not as diverse. Tropical rainforests can be found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn in countries such as Brazil and Australia. The Amazon rainforest is the biggest tropical rainforest on earth. There, you’ll find the world’s most important and diverse ecosystems. Rainforests are the oldest living ecosystems on the planet. Some have been alive since the dinosaurs, making them at least 70 million years old!
Rainforests are also home to a wide variety of natural resources. Many foods, woods, fibers, medications, and oils come from the rainforests. Approximately 70% of plants used in cancer treatments can only be found in rainforests. Many scientists believe that the rainforests hold the cures to many serious diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and Malaria. Companies all around the world are studying rainforest plants to find these cures, but they’re running out of time. Over 150 acres of rainforests are destroyed every minute and over 200,000 acres are lost every day. Within the past few centuries, humans have destroyed over half of all rainforests on our planet. At the rate things are going, rainforests might completely vanish within the next hundred years.
Rainforests are extremely important to both the health of our planet, and our lives. Without the rainforests, human civilization would collapse, countless species would go extinct, and the climate crisis would reach a point of no return. Rainforests are largely responsible for stabilizing the earth’s climate. As stated by National Geographic, “Its lush, green vegetation regulates global temperatures by absorbing massive amounts of radiation from the sun. They also absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide and convert them into oxygen.” Rainforests create about 40% of the world’s breathable air, and about 20% of the world’s oxygen. By clearing the rainforests, we are practically driving ourselves into extinction.
Luckily, we have an opportunity to stop deforestation and preserve our rainforests, but we must act now. It is crucial, for the wellbeing of all life on this planet, that we do everything we can to fight deforestation. First, we have to stop living in denial. The climate crisis is a very real and serious problem that we all have to become conscious of. While it can be sad, and even scary to think about, if we do not acknowledge it, we are never going to defeat it. Secondly, we have to educate ourselves on what is going on. Learning about the rainforests, deforestation, and human induced climate change will give us a better understanding of the challenges we face and possible solutions. Next, we have to use everything we learned and take action. There are tons of things we can do to fight for our planet. We can sign petitions, participate in nonviolent protests, raise money, volunteer through environmental organizations, buy from eco-friendly brands, support sustainable farms, and so much more. Everyone is capable of doing something, and there is no excuse for doing nothing. Lastly, we need to spread the word. Plenty of organizations are doing everything they can to fight for our planet, but they can’t do it alone. We all contribute to the problem, and we all have to do our part to stop it. In the words of Bill Nye, “When it comes to climate change, the main takeaway is that it’s real. Although we are all part of the cause, we can also be part of the solution.”
Work Cited:
https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/insights/what-is-a-rainforest/
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/rain-forest/
https://www.rainforesttrust.org/
Experts Weigh in on the Road to Global Economic Recovery
By Claire Sullivan
Source: Covid-19 Economic Recovery Index Ranking | Flourish
The Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to serious economic losses in countries around the world. In 2020, the pandemic cratered economic activity and investment, causing the global economy to contract by 4.3 percent (“Global economic recovery remains precarious, rebound of 4.7% to barely offset 2020 losses”). As countries begin to reopen and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economy is expected to stage a strong post-recession recovery. Though experts expect economic growth in almost every region of the world, countries will likely continue to struggle with Covid-19 and its long-term effects. As of 2021, experts estimate that global GDP will still be 3.2 percent below pre-pandemic predictions and per capita GDP will stay below pre-pandemic peaks (“The Global Economy: on Track for Strong but Uneven Growth as COVID-19 Still Weighs”). To ensure the global economy has a strong, sustainable recovery, governments should make strategic investments in the economy and society as a whole (“Global economic recovery remains precarious, rebound of 4.7% to barely offset 2020 losses”).
One economic system that has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic is the market economic system. The threat posed by Covid-19 has led several countries to enact lockdowns and other preventive measures to slow the spread of the virus. These measures have had a significant effect on economic production in market economies. These measures have not only slowed down the production of essential goods in market economies but also have disrupted the supply chain of products. They have also contributed to the closure of several companies, causing millions of workers in market economies to lose their jobs (Shang et al.). While the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted most market economies, it has hit emerging market economies the hardest. Many emerging market economies suffer from poor social safety nets, weak public health systems, and limited ability to enact monetary and fiscal policies. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated these problems, increasing economic instability in emerging market economies (Ahmed et al.).
To promote economic stability and recovery in countries around the world, experts recommend policymakers enact several fiscal and monetary policies (“The Global Economy: on Track for Strong but Uneven Growth as COVID-19 Still Weighs”). First, experts suggest policymakers implement policies that encourage investment, such as instituting public-private partnerships and injecting capital into the banking system. Second, experts recommend policymakers implement policies to help increase earnings. One path policymakers can pursue to increase earnings is to increase government spending on public goods (Shannon and Carlson). One other path policymakers can pursue to increase earnings is to promote domestic spending. By promoting domestic spending, experts think policymakers can limit the effect of the pandemic on businesses and consumers, helping sustain employment and demand (Prasad and Wu). Third, experts recommend the government institute programs to support workforce readiness, such as reskilling programs for new industries (Shannon and Carlson). By implementing these policies, experts believe that governments can help the global economy stage a strong recovery.
As the global economy recovers, one problem that needs to be addressed is that developing countries will likely struggle to implement the fiscal and monetary policies prescribed. Since developing countries will probably have difficulty enacting these recovery strategies, the Covid-19 pandemic will likely have long-lasting economic effects on these countries (Tenison and Xu). While massive spending measures have prevented the global economy from collapsing, the difference between the size of stimulus packages in developed and developing countries will likely cause global economic recovery to be unevenly distributed. To address this issue, experts recommend developed countries provide greater support to developing countries. Developed countries can do this by providing debt relief to developing countries and offering extensive stimulus packages to help stimulate their economies (“Global economic recovery remains precarious, rebound of 4.7% to barely offset 2020 losses”). By providing aid and assistance to developing countries, developed countries can help ensure that economic recovery is equitable and evenly distributed.
The Covid-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for governments and businesses to create stronger, more equitable economies for the future. As the global economy reopens and recovers, governments and businesses can follow three guiding policies to produce more efficient and inclusive economies. Firstly, governments and businesses can invest in social issues and work together to enact social change. Secondly, governments and businesses can create and strengthen communication networks. To ensure open dialogue between governments and businesses, governments can implement roundtables, conferences, and other communication channels with businesses. Thirdly, governments can increase incentives for transparency. By providing economic incentives like tax breaks and increased capital support, governments can encourage companies to act in socially beneficial ways (Shannon and Carlson). By following these three guiding principles, governments and businesses can create economies for the future that promote both the economic and social well-being of citizens.
Works Cited:
Website Name: PwC. Website Address: Creating economic recovery and growth after COVID-19 (pwc.com). Date Accessed: 1/23/22.
Website Name: United Nations. Website Address: Global economic recovery remains precarious, rebound of 4.7% to barely offset 2020 losses | United Nations. Date Accessed: 1/23/22.
Website Name: Brookings. Website Address: Anatomy of the coronavirus collapse (brookings.edu). Date Accessed: 1/23/22.
Website Name: Tradeology. Website Address: Exploring the Global Economic Recovery from COVID-19 – Tradeology, the ITA Blog. Date Accessed: 1/23/22.
Website Name: The World Bank. Website Address: Global Economic Prospects: The Global Economy: on Track for Strong but Uneven Growth as COVID-19 Still Weighs (worldbank.org). Date Accessed: 1/23/22.
Website Name: Frontiers in Public Health. Website Address: Frontiers | Effects of Pandemic Outbreak on Economies: Evidence From Business History Context | Public Health (frontiersin.org). Date Accessed: 1/23/22.
Website Name: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Website Address: The Fed - The Impact of COVID-19 on Emerging Market Economies' Financial Conditions (federalreserve.gov). Date Accessed: 1/23/22.
Website Name: Flourish. Website Address: Covid-19 Economic Recovery Index Ranking | Flourish. Date Accessed: 2/22/22.
George Washington had a couple of key advantages over his counterparts during the war. He was well versed in the terrain, having experience fighting in North America during the 7 years’ war. He was in most ways a capable commander. I wouldn’t say he was amongst the likes of Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Caesar, or any other particularly skilled tactician. But he was able to see when opportunity arose for him to take advantage of. The best example of this would be during the battle of Trenton and Princeton. Most commanders, when faced with unfavorable odds, become timid and cautious. When opportunities arise, they often ignore it in favor for safer strategic decisions. Napoleon was not only a great tactician, but also could see when he had an opportunity which could fail miserably, but often would be a decisive victory. Such as at Austerlitz when he rushed the unprepared Austrians knowing the Russian army was supposed to be reinforcing. If he decided to be timid and play defensive more than likely he would have done much worse and maybe even would have lost if he didn’t immediately seize the opportunity presented to him. Washington was faced with an opportunity which could have resulted in disaster at Trenton. But, instead of being timid, he pushed his advantage which caught the Hessians off guard. He would later do the same thing with General Howe at the Battle of Princeton.
Why George Washington is the Best President
By Saxon Haney
The early war took place mostly in the Middle Colonies and New England. These areas are characterized by forests, cold weather, and vast coastlines where most of the major cities were located. The weather would have a dire effect on the colonial army which was best exemplified when they camped in Valley Forge for the winter. The harsh weather and poor shelters would make desertion a serious problem for the colonial army. However, the Colonial Army and General Washington would be well versed in this kind of terrain whereas the British and Hessians would not. General Washington wouldn’t have been able to cut off General Howe from reinforcements if the terrain was a clear plain at Princeton. The geography also was good for guerrilla warfare due to the thick forests which would be a constant nuisance for troop and supply movements during the war. Later, after General Washington encircled General Burgoyne at the battle of Saratoga, the fighting would move to South Carolina which was much more favorable in weather.
Foreign assistance wouldn’t really be seen until after the Battle of Saratoga. After the Americans demonstrated that they could win the war, major nations like France, Spain, and the Netherlands would begin to send aid to the United States. The aid would mostly consist of food, guns, gunpowder, and soldiers. However, the naval contribution that came from Spain shouldn’t be overlooked as it made it harder for the British to supply their troops and maintain naval dominance over North America’s coastlines. Two notable men that were important to the discipline and training of the Colonial Army were Baron von Steubon and Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Baron Von Steubon was a Prussian trained military officer. He was poor however and as such sought any opportunity that came to him. When he heard that Benjamin Franklin was in Paris, he offered to help the Colonial Army and then arrived in 1777. After he arrived, he became most well-known for disciplining what were a collection of volunteers with little to no experience in a professional army. Lafayette was best known for securing foreign aid from France, as well as leading troops during the Revolutionary War.
The colonies were defiant despite severe losses. American spirit during the war as Nathaniel Green put it was “We fight, get beat. rise, fight again.”. This contributed to the war repeatedly such as at Trenton and Princeton. American stubbornness encouraged the king and parliament to begin leaving America so they could deal with France. By 1781 their constant defiance led to the antiwar members in parliament becoming a majority. Which would see the war end sooner and in the colony’s favor.
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A Letter from the Editor
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the iGlobe School newspaper for the 2021-2022 school year. A lot has happened in the last year. The iGlobe writing staff writes about all of it and that means we record what happened as we see it. That means we get to write history, our take, on what effects us the most. The students who write for the newspaper become the voice for the school, and all of us--a very large group--is waiting for you to join us in any capacity you feel comfortable. We hope that you will submit an article to the paper for publishing, come to meetings as you would like, or simply chat in our comments boxes with our authors.
Throughout the school year, I offer you a place to communicate with me right here on the front page of the newspaper in the comments boxes. What is going on in your neck of the universe? Below, please leave me your thoughts and ideas. I check here early and often, and look forward to creating a dialogue. Otherwise, the iGlobe School newspaper meets every Tuesday at 1 PM est. If you would like to contact me personally outside of meetings, please email our iGlobe inbox at iglobeschoolnewspaper@gmail.com.
See you in class, or the next iGlobe meeting. Friends are waiting for you. What are you waiting for?
Warmly,
Brent Haney
iGlobe Editor-in-Chief
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