EarthAction

December 1 is World AIDS Day

 

    In 1988, the World Health Organization established World Aids Day to raise awareness about HIV and to commemorate the lives that have been lost to HIV. December 1 is a day for global citizens to unite in the fight against HIV. It is a day to support those living with HIV by fighting common misconceptions about the virus that contribute to the stigmatization of HIV positive persons. The World Health Organization estimates that 39 million people’s lives have been taken by HIV since the start of the epidemic in the early 1980’s. Today, over 35 million people are living with HIV/AIDS with the majority residing in developing countries. Prevention is key to combating the HIV epidemic, and awareness along with education are crucial to prevention efforts. 

    HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is a virus transmitted through bodily fluids that attacks the immune system. When left untreated, HIV severely damages the immune system, leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) in the final stage of HIV. Thankfully, antiretroviral treatments can control HIV so that HIV positive persons can live healthy, uncompromised lives and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others. The number of HIV positive people receiving antiretroviral treatment has increased by 5.6 million since 2010 to 12.9 million people in 2013. However, most people living with or at risk for HIV don’t have access to prevention, care, and treatment due to poverty, stigma, and lack of government funding. Despite the progress achieved in combating HIV/AIDS thus far, it is still the fastest growing health threat to development today.  

    In light of World Aids Day, I invite you to raise HIV awareness by wearing the symbolic red ribbon in solidarity with those living with HIV/AIDS. I urge you to further educate yourself about HIV/AIDS in an effort to destigmatize HIV and debunk common misconceptions. You can find out more about the red ribbon here, and more about HIV/AIDS here.

    Let’s combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic once and for all.

Support Syrian Refugees

   

 

PHOTO: ELYSE DESROCHERS 

    
Anti-refugee rhetoric by many people and leaders in the European Union nations and the United States has intensified in light of the recent terror attacks in Paris. This rhetoric appears to be fueled by the belief that one of the perpetrators responsible posed as a Syrian refugee entering France. As a result, some right-wing politicians and European nations have already called for stricter border controls and a downsizing in refugee quotas. Poland, Latvia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have directly linked the refugee crisis in Europe to the attacks on France and leaders have already called for the closing of the Schengen border, a major blow to the E.U.’s resettling programs. Poland especially has been wary of the potential influx of Syrian refugees in its region.

In the United States, at least 24 governors have announced that they will not accept Syrian refugees due to the recent terror attacks. These states range from Texas to New Hampshire and Massachusetts. However, it must be understood that these states have no jurisdiction in regards to the resettling of refugees. The case of Hines v. Davidowitz shows that it is the federal government that has the power to deal with immigration and refugee issues. The Supreme Court ruled, “The supremacy of the national power in the general field of foreign affairs, including power over immigration, naturalization and deportation, is made clear by the Constitution” In addition, the Refugee Act of 1980 enables the President to admit refugees who face “persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion” as well as "unforeseen emergency refugee situations" into the United States.

Not only is the denial of Syrian refugees a violation of immigration law and beyond the realm of state power, it demonstrates that the United States cannot uphold the values that it preaches. America must serve as a model of hope and strength, not one of fear and cowardice. The attacks in Paris were heinous and raise the question of security, but by no means should they be used as an excuse to refuse people basic human rights and protection. There are thousands of people fleeing from unimaginable horrors in search for a place to call home. Americans need to respond as concerned people from a nation with a long history of welcoming refugees.

 

Please send a message to your Governor and let him or her know your thoughts on this issue.

 

SOURCE

Climate Justice in Pakistan

6 November, 2015

A High Court in Pakistan has set a legal precedent, both at home and abroad by ordering the government to enforce its climate change policy and establishing a climate change commission to oversee the process. A public interest litigation case brought by a farmer against government failure to develop the required resilience to climate change as set out in the 2012 National climate Change Policy has provided fresh impetus to civil society to play a lead role in highlighting the impacts of climate change on sectors like food, water, energy and disasters that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of people.

Pakistan is the third most vulnerable country to climate change. Weak regulations at home and lack of assistance from countries responsible for global warming is increasing vulnerability and reducing resilience. Pakistan needs support to build its adaptive capacity and hopes that COP21 in Paris will achieve an agreement that will help it to develop a climate resilient policy framework that combines local action with global support to strengthen its adaptive capacity.

-Aisha Khan