2006-10-24 – Things Are Good

Introducing……Agasel

Agasel You may have noticed a new name popping up around this site. Agasel has joined the team of volunteers that help spread good news around the world via this very website.

She brings with her a lot of knowledge of how traditional media functions and an interest in making the world a better place. Agasel is based in Vancouver, but looking for a more tropical climate to spend her life in that is conducive to her writing.

Agasel has already told us that we should do less homework and fashionable horseback riding.

You can get to know her personally at her blog.

Government to Cut Greenhouse Gas by 2010

Canada’s Environment Minister Rona Ambrose introduced a proposed clean air act during a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday. The Tory Government has targeted industry sectors who will now have mandatory requirements that will be enforced to cut greenhouse emissions in half by 2050. These industries include gas and oil as well as the auto industry.

By 2011 further measures will be taken for more long term goals to cut smog emmisions, the act will take a baby steps approach toward a larger goal of reductions up to 65 per cent by 2050. Although it is a small step it is nice to see some action being taken. Ambrose said any polluter who goes over the regulated targets will be fined, with the money going to an environmental damage fund.

UN’s Declaration of Human Rights in 21 Languages

Oct. 24th is United Nations Day, and to celebrate LibriVox collected the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 21 Languages. You can download audio files of LibriVox volunteers reading the declaration at LibriVox.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly. It defines the fundamental rights of individuals, and exhorts all governments to protect these rights. The UN has translated the document into over three hundred languages and dialects. This audiobook includes readings in 21 languages, by LibriVox volunteers.”

The United Nations wants people around the world to remember that we are all humans and that we should all get along. Today many schools will celebrate the diversity of human culture.

In Costa Rica, UN day is a holiday, awesome!