Four Degrees Instead of Two

According to an article in IRIN (http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96815/CLIMATE-CHANGE-A-four-degree-warmer-world ), there is much alarm over the rising global temperature. Apparently, scientists predict a four-degree rise, not the previously predicted two-degree rise, by the end of this century. Even though the two-degree rise is of grave concern, the four-degree rise would be devastating because of its effect on global drought and rising coastal waters. As we all know, global warming is caused by greenhouse gas emissions, which are still not under control.  What is it going to take for us to realize that all global citizens must participate in a concerted effort to reduce our carbon footprint? For me, all it takes is looking at a picture of Beijing’s skyline (http://en.mercopress.com/2013/02/14/beijing-s-pollution-alarms-neighbours).  What do you think?

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE’S INTERAMERICAN CAMPUS

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          World Environment Day is an annual event created by the United Nations Environment Programme.  The goal of this event is to become “the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action.”  World Environment Day celebrations began in 1972, and since then have become a primary way for the United Nations to stimulate global environmental awareness and encourage political attention and action regarding environmental issues.   

         The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is “Think·Eat·Save” and is aimed at reducing food waste and food loss as well as reducing our “foodprint.”  According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), every year 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted. This is equivalent to the same amount produced in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.  At the same time, 1 in every 7 people in the world go to bed hungry and more than 20,000 children under the age of 5 die daily from hunger.  Hunger and food availability are still among the world’s leading environmental, health, and social welfare issues.  

         On June 5^th World Environment Day will be celebrated at Miami Dade College’s InterAmerican Campus.  Planned events include a screening of the film Dive!, a poster session highlighting student work, a hunger banquet with discussion, talks and demos on local organic gardening efforts, collection of food for the Daily Bread Food Bank,  and more!  Miami Dade College students, faculty, staff and administration are all invited to participate. 

Hunger in South Florida

CBS4 Miami News recently published a report on child hunger in the South Florida, Area Study: 30% Of South Florida Families Hungry. According to reliable sources, South Florida is 12th on the list of American areas with food shortage problems.  This brings the Global Food Crisis right to our own doorstep. Driving around Miami, one would never know the reality of poverty and inadequate food distribution in the "land of plenty." With shiny new cars, miles and miles of restaurants, it's inconceivable that many urbanized families are struggling to put food on the table. One group of students from Miami Dade College are helping in Overtown, a historically economic  no man's land. The old saying is to start in your own backyard. As World Environment Day (June 5, 2013) approaches, the Miami Community should be exploring ways that we can 'distribute' the vast resources we have here in the Magic City. Where do we start? Can we do enough?