Rubber Duckie, you're the one!

That adorable little yellow rubber duckies that we all remember from our childhoods are now considered world class travelers. In 1992 a shipment of 28, 000 little duckies was lost at sea and are still washing a shore to this day. Amazingly this duckies are helping us to better understand our ocean currents. Duckies have been found in a magnitude of areas, showing up in Alaska, Hawaii, South America, Australia, the Pacific Northwest and even frozen in Arctic ice! Other have been found washing ashore as far as Scotland and Newfoundland.  These little guys have generated a following in response to their amazing travels and have been christened with the name  the "Friendly Floatees".

A retired oceanographer has created a website dedicated to the Friendly Floatees which has an interactive map for sights of them. People have been sending him pictures of rubber duckies that they believe belong to the patch lost almost 20 years ago. What it truly amazing about the location of these duckies is their ability to help us better understand the North Pacific Gyre. The gyre stretches between Japan, southeast Alaska, Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands. They have helped scientists determine just how long it takes for the circuit to be completed. 3 years the friendly floatees have determined!

But something more concerning that is the rubber duckies have brought up is the issue of garbage dumped into the ocean. The North Pacific Gyre is also home to the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch. This patch is a large, floating pile of garbage the gyre accumulates and manages to stir. This patch consists mostly of various plastic debris, however, not quiet as cute as our friendly floatees. These rubber duckies have brought attention to a very grim situation that we as humanity has managed to get ourselves into. Globally there are 11 major gyres which could all potentially be sites for these large patches of floating trash that have an unknown impact on our aquatic life. If the friendly floatees can really teach us something its how durable plastic really is and that it is a global issue.

As cute as the rubber duckies are they can really teach us something about ourselves and the state of our planet. Years and years of producing and discarding plastic objects without much regard for their impacts is starting to show. The duckies are a strong motivator to reconsider the plastic items many of us still decide to throw away instead of recycling. If these giant patches of garbage were in your frontyard it would be unacceptable so why is it okay for the ocean and its inhabitants to deal with our wasteful ways? If we don't want our garbage I am sure they don't want it either.

Losing our way?

On the global stage each country has a persona that it represents or is well known for. In the case of Canada we are suppose to be the "peace keepers", the "freedom fighters"or any other variation of this that you may have heard. But over the past few years as our tyes with the United States has grown Canada has managed to grow out of this image. An example of our new "Canadian personality"is how we are planning on dealing with the Libyan conflict. To summarize, Libya agreed to a ceasefire upon authorization by the United Nations to use force in Libya if necessary to ensure the no-fly zone is upheld.  Our Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared that for the threat of military force to remain credible the "forces" (military presence from various countries) must be present and therefore we will deploy six fighter jets to help the cause.

With this one announcement Harper has managed to completely undermine Canada as a peace keeper. He manages to make military strength a strong underlying factor for Canada when that has never been what we are about. It is basically saying that 'Hey, we are okay with fighting now!',  when are our entire persona has been based on being the ones who try to keep the peace. By using military force and the threat of fighting our proiorities become skewed. And as a Canadian, the fact that we are continually becoming more like the United States is more then irritating. I have prided myself my entire life on being Canadian and being so different from the US. But as the years go by I find the peace keeper image slowly slipping out of our grasps.

We have abandoned our image for that of our neighbour, moving away from our roots as a country. We should be trying to find another way to contribute to the Libyan conflict instead of using military force. We have become just another military country that promotes violence instead of peace - something the world could really use right about now.

So much to do.... But where to start?

Every day I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to further my education but at the same time I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all. So many issues in every aspect of our lives that its hard to feel optimistic. My generation and those to come face many issues such as climate change, poverty, inequalities or even the loss of cultural identity for many. Continuously I am bombarded with the question, "What are you going to be doing after graduation?", but the reality is I have no idea. How can it be possible to pick just one cause when there is so much change needed?

For example, today alone I have encountered four of these issues, both national and global. By starting my day with reading the news I have already exposed myself to two issues. The various reports on Japan's current state as well as the arrest of two pedophiles from Canada who were connected to an international pedophile ring. Then upon my arrival at school I learn about the impact of urban landscapes on our environment as well as the economic costs of mitigating or adapting to climate change. This is just one day, it's hard to imagine everything I have been taught in my three years of university thus far. And it is even harder for me to imagine only picking one field in which I can try to make a difference.

But I've come to realize it isn't so much the wide range of issues but whether we even have it in us to change that is overwhelming me. In an era where there is so much knowledge about global issues it is disheartening that so many people still hold economic prosperity as the primary goal. Humanity is at a crucial point where change is necessary, we cannot continue on simply as is. The fundamentals of society need to change and I believe our generation has the knowledge, drive and ability to do so. It is no longer about choosing which feild I'd like to work in but learning to work together. As the Three Muskaters would say, "All for one and one for all".

Global Adaptation Deficit?

Today as I sat in class learning about adaptation in relation to climate change it became clear to me that globally there is a large adaptation deficit. Unfortunately, as most people know, in the last few days the the world has been plagued with a devastating earthquake and its corresponding tsunami. Because of the stress we put on our planet these sorts of events will start to increase in magnitude and frequency and  I find myself wondering how prepared we really as for these events.

Even as we learn of the various threats presented from human induced climate change we continue on in hopes that it will just turn around and be okay. People continue wanting houses with an ocean view or are too concerned with the costs of being prepared. Economic gain continues to be more relevant then preparing for what is bound to happen. As the initial shock from the earthquake and tsunami pass many countries are re-evaluating the structural integrity of their buildings. Countries need to start being prepared for what may happen. Building houses on the coast - not such a good idea with rising sea levels. We need a reality check. The planet is changing and we need to prepare for the worst.

But can we prepare for large events such as the earthquake in Japan? Is there any adaptive strategy large enough to help cope with impacts as devastating as in Japan? If not then we are in for a depressing future globally. I believe we can, it will just take a change in our perceptions. Something that is easier said then done.

My thoughts are with those effected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Back to the Beginning

I originally wanted my first blog to set the stage for why I am doing this. However, I got a little side tracked with articles and sort of jumped the gun. So this blog is going to take a few steps back and do just that.

So, why am I writing a blog? To put it shortly, it’s a requirement for my marketing class. However, that doesn't really clarify anything. If you’ve had the opportunity to read my "About Me" section you are aware that I am in International Development. And for my program I am required to embark on an 8 month field placement in Malawi. For my placement I will be working for the Ngolowindo Cooperative Society which will have me working alongside farmers in Malawi helping them to create a sustainable market for their products (to summarize it without getting into too much boring detail). I am so excited to have this once in a lifetime opportunity to get some hands on experience in the International Development field.

One question that I am bombarded with on a regular basis is “What is International Development?” and “Where will a degree in International Development get you?”. And you would think that by my third year in this program I would have a straightforward, simplistic answer for them. However, I don’t and its not from a lack of trying. I have now come to the conclusion that even individuals who have spent their entire lives studying International Development wouldn’t be able to provide you with this answer. It is a complex and ever changing field that I believe in the near future will becoming increasingly important. As part of the program we are required to study economics, statistical analysis, environmental issues, political science and the humanities. Each interacts and plays a crucial role in how humanity will play out in the years to come. There are so many areas of International Development that what it means is based on your own perspective.

Another question that I am frequented by is “Why did you choose International Development?”. And I think everyone in my program has a distinctly different story as to why they choose this field – each of us holds a different “Aha!” moment so to speak. For me I believe my entire life has led up to this. I have been aware of the many issues of inequality that plague the world still today – from being the only girl on a boys hockey team and facing ridicule to celebrating Emancipation Day with my family for the past 20 years. Even throughout public school my projects always related to environmental issues or issues of inequality. My parents have always called me a “bleeding – heart” for various reasons, but it is this quality that I believe makes me so passionate about International Development. This along with my education will hopefully allow me to make a real difference in the world one day.

Alas, this blog is intended to be a place for me to share my thoughts and ideas regarding International Development as well as Malawi. As I prepare for my departure (in September of this year!!) I will keep you updated on my pre - departure activities as well as any fascinating International Development or Malawi – related news. I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I really look forward to any feedback you may have ☺ .

The world is beautiful and diverse place, but there are many issues of inequality that still exist. This is just a short video that helps put it all into perspective. As the world continues to grow it will continue experiencing the many issues it already faces. Growing pains is a reality for the world and is something that needs to be addressed.

Battle Against Pollution

Just a little something on Malawi. An interesting article that was forwarded onto me about the proactive role Malawi is taking on pollution.

Have a read :)
Malawi to ban farting?

Over Consumption at its Finest

So here it is - my first blog. I had fully intended for my first blog to be a little something about myself and how I managed to get myself where I am today. But I stumbled across this article and couldn't resist sharing it. The article is sharing the G8 - G20 summit's ability to win a spoof award from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. These spoof awards, also known as Teddies, are awarded to acknowledge the largest money sinks provincially, federally and municipally. The federal teddy was awarded to those who organized the G8 - G20 summit. The total estimate for this completely necessary event? A billion dollars.

It is amazing that as a Western society we are capable of spending this much money on a summit intended for global development and to discuss government over - spending. Let's face it, the real purpose behind the G8: to gather the richest/most powerful countries to have a pre - meeting to a meeting with the slightly less rich countries to predetermine what it is we want to accomplish at the G20. The entire thing is a colossal waste of money, representing only the interesting of the eight present. Why is the G8 necessary in the first place? There is no reason these eight countries should have a meeting of their own before letting "lesser" countries to the table. Imagine the cost reduction in simply eliminating the G8.

Then there is the issue of equality. Equal representation at these summits has always been a fierce topic of debate. The rich countries hold the money and therefore the power..... so they should make the decisions? (That's how it would appear). Why not let those who experience development and its corresponding issues have a voice of their own? If we have so much money burning a hole in our pockets that we can afford to spend a billion dollars on a summit for twenty countries then why not invite everyone? It can't be "us and them" anymore. As we enter the 21st century we need to realize we our issues are global and we all need to work together.

Canada is suppose to be the "helpers" on the global stage but we are just drowning in the politics of development issues. We need to re - evaluate: instead of wasting large quantities of money on meetings about the issues its time we start to address the issues or potentially start holding up our end of agreements we have previously made. The Kyoto Protocol is a perfect example - but that is another issue for another day.

If you wanted to have a read for yourself: G8 - G20 Named Most Wasteful Spending