News Archives » North America
Forest Peoples Programme Newsletter Available in Three Languages July 22nd, 2011
Given the increasingly urgent threat of climate change, efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation have led to sustained calls by indigenous peoples and concerned NGOs that forest peoples’ rights must be secured. These programs, known as REDD, are supposed to respect human rights and ensure the effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. Funders are to ‘safeguard’ these principles and ensure countries observe their international obligations.
Learn more in the newsletter of the Forest Peoples Programme, available also in Spanish and French.
Puede leer nuestro boletín de noticias en español
Lisez notre e-newsletter en français
Forest Peoples Programme supports forest peoples to secure and sustainably manage their forests, lands and livelihoods.
Their strategies to achieve this include:
(a) promoting the rights and interests of forest peoples at local, national and international levels;
(b) creating space for forest peoples to have an effective voice in decision-making processes;
(c) challenging top-down policies and projects that deprive local peoples of resources;
(d) coordinating support among environmental organizations for forest peoples’ vision;
(e) supporting community-led sustainable forest management; and
(f) publicizing forest peoples’ plight through research, analysis and documentation.
For more information, visit the Forest Peoples Programme website.
Eco-Tip for July July 15th, 2011
Switch out your curtains. White curtains in summer reflect heat. In the winter, dark heavy curtains help warm rooms and let you lower your thermostat. For each degree you adjust your thermostat, you save 3-5% on your energy bill and reduce carbon emissions too.
Prominent Christians, Jews and Muslims Unite to Protect Funding for Poverty Assistance Programming July 15th, 2011
Interfaith Coalition Warns Administration, Congress that Houses of Worship Will Be Unable to Make Up the Difference in Funding Caused by Cuts to Poverty Programs .
Representing a growing movement of Americans concerned that the Administration and Congress are enacting a budget deal that will place an undue burden on the poor “while shielding the wealthiest from any additional sacrifice,” leaders representing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths today launched a new campaign to encourage policymakers to maintain a robust U.S. commitment to domestic and international poverty programs. Fr. William Antone, OMI joined the other national faith leaders in issuing this call.
Inspired by a common spiritual conviction that God has called on all Americans to protect the vulnerable and promote the dignity of all individuals living in society, the interfaith coalition is aiming to protect those struggling to overcome poverty in the U.S. and abroad and to exclude programs that protect people in poverty from the budget deficit debates.
Click here to read more »
CHA Videos Record Benefits of the Affordable Care Act July 15th, 2011
Watch these powerful short videos produced by the Catholic Health Association featuring people whose lives have been improved by the Affordable Care Act. Statistics and studies can tell one story but nothing is quite as powerful as the true, touching accounts given by real families working to stay healthy and contribute to our country.
The series of video stories is available at www.YouTube.com/HealthReformWorks
They represent part of CHA’s effort to correct misinformation on health reform and show how the law is already assisting individuals and families all over the country. Please take a few moments to view these videos and share the information with others.
Bill Introduced to Close Tax Loopholes, Raise Revenue and Keep Profits and Jobs in U.S. July 12th, 2011
Transfer pricing is a system whereby multinational corporations manipulate their internal prices to shift profits offshore, where they pay little or no tax.
In the midst of the current heated debate on the budget and associated deficit reduction, the introduction of a comprehensive bill to permanently close tax loopholes puts specific revenue-raising proposals on the table.
The Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act, introduced today by Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), would put new restrictions on the use of offshore tax havens to avoid and evade federal taxes. Some of the key provisions include taxing foreign corporations that do business primarily in the U.S., as domestic corporations, and requiring annual country-by-country reporting by SEC-registered corporations related to their employees, sales, purchases, financing arrangements, and taxes.
For a summary of the bill, click here.
Read Senator Levin’s press release for more information.
Click here to read more »
