Humane Education Issues in the News...

Each week we post links to news about relevant humane education issues, ways that people all over the world are manifesting humane education, and items that provide excellent material for discussing humane issues, from human rights to environmental preservation, to animal protection, to media and culture.

Rising oil prices cause rise in wood as fuel, rise in environmental problems - New York Times (2/19/08)
As oil, gas and propane prices rise, more people are returning to wood to heat their homes. But using wood as a fuel causes a variety of environmental problems.

Is “global warming” too "cozy" to spark much concern? - New York Times (2/18/08)
Blog post regarding concerns that the words “global” and “warming” don’t connote much concern or danger to people, so perhaps we need a change in the language we use to talk about it, such as “global climate disruption,” or “atmosphere cancer” or “planetary meltdown.”

Artists use their work to bring attention to human rights issues - Thaindian News (2/18/08)
Several artists from the northeastern states of India have come together for an art conclave, to promote human rights through their work.

Bottle backlash brings new strategies for beverage industry – Brandweek (2/17/08)
With the growth of bottled water sales declining, companies like Pepsi and Coke are experimenting with new strategies, including “socially responsible” water brands and hooking up with celebrity endorsers.

Human rights group wants to stop execution of woman convicted of “witchcraft” - Reuters – Africa (2/17/08)
A Saudi woman has been convicted of witchcraft and sentenced to be executed by beheading. Human rights groups are calling on the Saudi government to stop the execution.

Students make activism fashionable - Bainbridge Island Review (2/16/08)
Two young women used their fashion skills to create clothes made from recycled and vintage fabrics in order to put on a show to benefit an Afghani women’s education fund.

Theater group promotes social justice - Iowa City Press-Citizen (2/16/08)
Members of the Darwin Turner Action Theatre at the University of Iowa perform pieces centered on social justice issues, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and “white privilege.”

Art & activism merge at summit for teens – Twin Cities Daily Planet (2/16/08)
Minnesota teens attended a summit which nurtured the connection between art and activism and gave teens a chance to dream and create their own activist artwork.

U.S. aims to reduce number of animals used to test chemicals - The Guardian (2/15/08)
The NIH and EPA have announced plans to use cell cultures, computer models, and robotics to test the toxicity of chemicals, thus reducing the number of animals used in such experiments.

Teacher challenges students to “take a stand” - LaCrosse Tribune (2/14/08)
Recently a 5th grade teacher asked her students “What would you be willing to take a stand against?” Answers included poverty, war, global warming and animal cruelty, and the exercise has sparked some students to take action on their own.

Company strives for fairer worker conditions; is it enough? – New York Times (2/13/08)
Profiles Counter Sourcing founder Joe Falcone and his efforts to improve conditions for the workers that produce licensed wear for several universities. Also quotes his critics.

Conditions of “global trade in animals” for food revealed – The Independent (2/13/08)
“Across the world, more than a billion live animals are transported every week.”
An investigation by a coalition of animal welfare groups revealed the horrific conditions under which animals are transported thousands of miles to become food.

Safeway increases animal welfare standards – Meat & Poultry (2/12/08)
Safeway has announced that it will make several changes in its animal welfare policies, including buying more chickens killed with the slightly more humane controlled-atmosphere stunning system, buying pigs not kept in gestation crates, and buying more cage-free eggs.

“Shopping won’t save us” - Orlando Sentinel.com (2/11/08)
A columnist shares her views on the negative impact of consumerism and materialism.