Momentum Magazine » Global Issues

Losing 50% of the world’s languages by 2100

Justin Long — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:55:06 +0000

By the year 2100, many linguists estimate, half of the world’s 6,912
distinct languages will be extinct. At present, 548 of them retain
fewer than ninety-nine speakers. We can expect to lose a language every
ten days; and behind each of these disappearances lies a story of
cultural loss, sadness and isolation. The Times Literary Supplement.

World Food Program announces program to help hunger hot spots

Justin Long — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:57:12 +0000

A U.N. agency rolled out a $214 million program Tuesday to help 16 needy places hit hard by high prices for food and oil, amid a crisis already making it hard for aid groups to provide enough food for the world’s hungry. In AP.

No maize, no peace in Zimbabwe

Justin Long — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:54:25 +0000

Maize is a strategic crop that is necessary for the maintenance of
social tranquility. Without the staple food Zimbabwe
will descent into chaos. It needs seed, fertilizers, fuel and other things to grow it locally. In Harare Tribune.

Aid staff cannot help millions facing famine in Somalia

Justin Long — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:52:22 +0000

Hunger levels in Somalia are the worst in 20 years. 1 in 6 under-5s acutely malnourished. 23 aid workers killed, 18 abducted, and the area off-limits to aid agencies. In Telegraph.

Ethiopia’s toxic cocktail of drought, inflation, conflict, plagues.

Justin Long — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:50:19 +0000

Ethiopia faces a toxic cocktail: drought, global inflation, armed conflict, and plagues. At least 14 million need food aid. USA Today.

World Vision calls for protection of children in food crisis

Justin Long — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:00:48 +0000

World Vision recognises that there are
both short and long-term implications of the current food crisis.
Urgent measures need to be put in place to ensure children and their
families have access to nutritious food. WV calls on the international community to prioritise the protection of children’s rights.

Australia: pray for rain

Justin Long — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:46:57 +0000

Australians are asked to pray for rain: some areas are in the worst drought in over 40 years with cattle properties destocked and dams dry.

Mass evictions may follow lake grab in Phnom Penh

Justin Long — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:10:36 +0000

A plan to redevelop Phnom Penh’s largest remaining natural lake into a residential and shopping precinct has ignited a storm of protests and claims that it could result in the largest eviction in Cambodia’s post-war history. In IPSNews.

What the world eats: a cultural photo review

Justin Long — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:19:08 +0000

Here’s a great photo series, “What the world eats,” that wonderfully shows differences in cultures. Here’s the book, with even more photos.

Statistics on food and hunger

Justin Long — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:15:43 +0000

Hunger kills more people annually than: AIDS, malaria, TB combined
Hungry in USA: 1 in 10
Hungry children in USA: 1 in 5
Amount of food wasted each year in USA: 96 billion pounds
Hat tip: World Vision Radio