On March 28, 2009, households and businesses in 2,712 cities, towns and municipalities in 83 countries will turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM in celebration of the 2009 Earth Hour. Earth Hour is an annual international event created by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund) to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.
Last year, only 400 cities in 35 countries participated in the Earth Hour. This year will prove to be the most successful yet with the sharp increase in the number of participants and I hope it will create the publicity much needed so everyone will be aware of the climate change issues.
In Christchurch, New Zealand, there will be an Earth Hour Unplugged Concert at the Cathedral Square; from 6PM to 10PM. Entrance is free.
While Obama’s race should not be an issue, I am afraid it is. Racists do exist, and many will not vote for Obama just because of his race. There have been rumours of attempts for Obama’s life (reminds me to watch 24 Season 1). This is very unfortunate because the man is very talented and I feel he will bring change. He believes in global cooperation and development, and not dominance through bullying. He wants peace, and he wants to talk to nations that do not agree with the US policies rather than go to war with them.
Today Americans decide on who will be the next president of the United States of America. It is a big responsibility because they elect one of the most powerful men on Earth: the leader of a superpower, the president of the US.
The opinion polls puts Obama ahead of McCain, but it is foolhardy for Obama to be overconfident at this stage. The results of the election will be revealed soon, but in the meantime, the financial crisis is not waiting for the results. Bush still needs to foresee the US until the announcement of the winning candidate. The new president will then have to take the reins of a nation facing difficult times ahead. The alarming rise in unemployment, climate change and the housing slump are a few pressing issues that the new president will face.
I personally prefer Obama to McCain, because I feel McCain will just continue the same government that Bush started (being both Republicans). It was the Bush administration that invaded Iraq in response to the September 11 attack when clearly there is no connection. The Iraq war that continually bleeds millions of dollars that should have been used for the restoration of the economy.
A lot can be heard and read about the US financial crisis; as huge news it is, how exactly will it affect the Juan dela Cruz’s of New Zealand? To get a firmer understanding of the situation, we begin where it all started. The US government enacted laws where it became very easy for people to buy houses that they couldn’t afford with mortgages that are too steep for their financial capabilities. It was a precarious balance for a while because heaps of houses are constructed to offset the increased demand. However, very soon the bubble was punctured when the banks realised that people really cannot pay their mortgages. Foreclosures became common, bankruptcies are aplenty, businesses are loosing money, and unemployment rose dramatically; on top of the highly controversial cost of the Iraq War ($600 Billion and still going up). The factors above (plus a whole lot more: politics, greed, irresponsibility, dodgy policies etc.) took a toll on the US economy.
Okay, we do not live in the US, in fact we are on the opposite side of the globe, what does it mean to the Pinoys down under? For starters, US have a large population, immense military strength, and undeniable influence in international influence. An economic crisis would send ripples of consequences to the rest of the world, in particular the decrease of economic aids from the US to the developing countries.
It is a known fact that China manufactures almost everything, and a decreased demand from a large nation like the US would be detrimental to the growing economy of China. Again, we do not live in China, so what does it mean to us? Even if the factories are in China, they still import raw materials from overseas.
One notable New Zealand export is wool. A decrease in demand from China will hurt the small farmers and small wool businesses, which in turn will affect the NZ economy. New Zealand officially is under a recession. A recession is defined as a “state of the economy declines; a widespread decline in the GDP and employment and trade lasting from six months to a year”. Unfortunately for us though. it is just starting. Food and oil prices may continue to rise, we may see more businesses downsizing, the NZ dollar exchange rate may slid farther down.
In the midst of all these sad circumstances, is there hope? There definitely is hope. A bailout plan was enacted to help the ailing US economy. Let us just hope that they are wiser now. After the NZ elections on November, the government can now focus on policies that will benefit the economy. The global uncertainties also brought a renewed faith in God, when the world has become very materialistic.
This dark storm is just but a phase in our lives. Pinoys are known to be very adaptive to any circumstances that fate will throw. Empower yourselves with WISE financial advises. Read more, and be updated with the current news and events. Study and learn new skills. Save. Stop the squabbling and be united for a change. Lastly pray often.
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