Wednesday 28 October 2009

Promote Vegetarianism

"Eating meat could become as socially unacceptable within a generation as drink-driving."

A very interesting article I came across the other day. Stop eating meat, cows harm the planet. Confused? So was I.

Apparently climate change experts say that meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. Dietary shifts are needed to halve greenhouse gases caused by methane-producing livestock such as cows. Does this really mean giving up meat altogether?! I personally know some people who would faint after reading this.

Singer and animal rights activist Chrissie Hynde is determind, and called for cruelty-free dairy farming worldwide.

Meat consumption is wasteful of resources including water and land, not to mention secondary issues like the increased medical costs associated with eating a meat-based diet. So would we all be better off giving it up?

There are entire cultures representing millions of people who have lived and thrived for centuries without meat, which is enough evidence that human beings do not "need" meat to satisy their taste buds or to survive. In fact, the evidence weighs heavily in the other direction: The hazards of a meat diet in comparison to the benefits of a vegeterian diet are well known in the medical and scientific community. Health, animal cruelty, and environmental issues could be alleviated if everyone ate a vegeterian diet.

I really do hope i'm not the only one with this view..

Thursday 22 October 2009

What happens next..?

Having an interest in the political crisis taking place in our country at present, I thought it would be a good idea to attend a debate taking place at my university about the upcoming general elections.

City University’s new Head of Journalism, Professor George Brock, who was hosting the event said: “The members of this panel will help to shape what you see and hear about the long election campaign that has just begun. Find out what they know. Find out what they think."

Walking in with an open mind was a positive start. It wasn’t long before the lecture theatre was almost full with under and post grads. The City University Journalism department is huge as it is, so I guess I was expecting some interesting questions being put forward to the panel.

The panel was made up by some of the UK’s most prominent political journalists, including Sam Coates (Chief Political Correspondent, The Times), Steve Richards (Chief Political Commentator, The Independent) and Pippa Crerar (Political Correspondent, Evening Standard), to debate the runners and riders in the general election race.

It started off pretty boring with Pippa Crerar so far away from the mike, you could hardly hear her. Then Steve Richards came to the mike and lit up the whole lecture theatre. His loud voice and strong views made a lot of the audience nod to his points. He came up with some plausible suggestions towards the Labour and Conservative party which stirred up some views from the audience. Concluding with Sam Coates and his ideas, a prediction was made of the election results by each panellist.

Some of their predictions made sense and in reality, could actually happen. But as far as I’m aware, political outcomes are always doubtful to the very end.

Many people came up with different points, such as why has The Sun made its decision to openly support the Tories during campaign? Has blogging changed political journalism? And has the MP’s expenses scandal really messed stuff for the outcome of these elections? All questions which may seem easy to answer, but difficult to understand what’s really behind it.

Overall I think the debate went well. It broadened my knowledge of the elections and what could actually happen. But I think I’m left with the question “What do the Tories actually stand for?” We seem to be wanting a way out from Labour, but a way in with the Tories may not necessarily be the answer...Hmm!

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Charitable Causes - Get Involved.

It is a popular saying that: “To the world you are just one person. But to one person, you could be the world.”

Despite what we may often think, we are in an incredibly fortunate position. Studying at university is out of reach for so many people our age, yet still a major part of their dreams. With a little help and support however, we have the ability to make those dreams come true.

There are a wide range of charitable causes for students to get involved with to help make a difference, you just need a little direction. Here are three simple ways of supporting children’s charities, and making a difference:

Shopping – Helping Handbags was set up by Melora Johnson, a Londoner, after reading an article about a disabled children’s home in Bulgaria where the children, aged from just a few months to 18 years, were brutally neglected. Her idea was to design a handbag and sell it online, with all proceeds going to the Baba programme run by Bulgaria’s Abandoned Children Trust. The Tabitha, £150, comes in caramel, purple and metallic, and is available at
www.helpinghandbags.co.uk

Mentoring – Kids Co. Mentoring was established by the Kids Company charity, based in London. The innovative and flexible mentoring programme is ideal for students, as it involves just one weekly meeting with your allocated mentee, at a time and place of your choice. This can be an exceptionally rewarding experience as you work with young people to help them achieve their goals, build confidence and self esteem, and reach their potential. Often with so many young people all that’s missing is that little bit of hope, which you can give them. More information on training and enrolment into the Kids Co. Mentoring programme is available at
www.kidsco.org.uk/mentor

Partying –Trekstock was founded by Sophie Epstone in 2006 to raise awareness about the Teenage Cancer Trust. Parties, gigs and events are held for Trekstock, and all proceeds are donated to the Trust. People of all ages suffer from cancer, but the Teenage Cancer Trust specializes in young people, alike you and I, who are in need. Organising an event for Trekstock could lead to anything from a breakthrough in research to a simple smile for a patient. Either is entirely worth it. For information on how to get involved, visit: http://
www.trekstock.com/

Actively becoming involved with charity work will not only benefit the children on the receiving end of your efforts, but will also enhance your own CV, especially causes like Kids Co. Mentoring and Trekstock. It is vital for the future of the children who depend on such causes for people like us to apply ourselves and get involved, so be it a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, or a bracket of time for an organised cause, it’s important we make the effort. If we don't do something ourselves, then we cannot expect a change.

Visit http://www.leapanywhere.co.uk/ to learn about new and exciting ways of helping others. To these kids, one person could make all the difference. That one person could be you.