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I am really interested in climate change and concerned about the impacts on us all. It is really important that people understand how they can help stop climate change before it's too late. The links shows how sea level rise may affect NZ cities!

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Alarming map shows large swathes of NZ towns and cities underwater by 2050

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“We now understand that the threat is far greater than we previously thought.”

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The type of social action that I have taken interest in, is how big companies such as Tesla, apple, McDonalds have taken into consideration of the posing threat of global warming and what they can do to help decrease Carbon emissions.

For example, fast food giant McDonald’s have increased their usage of recycled and biodegradable materials and integrated it fully into their supply chain.

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I have chosen mental health to see how mental health can effect your whole world, and how you see the world when You have bad mental health.

for example, I had a mate that had bad mental health he didn't see the world how he used to see it.
He didn't end up making it out the other side of the mental hole he was stuck in.

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Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan recently, the LGBT+ community in Afghanistan are fearing for their lives. A man who was interviewed stated that if his sexuality was revealed, would now have been "killed on the spot."

I chose this topic because I have strong feelings about human rights around the world, and have been following the news concerning Afghanistan very closely for the last two or three weeks.

I'm upset that in 2021, there are still so many places around the world where people's rights are being withheld from them. It makes me reflect on how lucky we are to live in New Zealand, but also hurts my heart to know that there are people suffering around the world.

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Before the Taliban uprising in Afghanistan, life for gay man Abdul (his name has been changed) was already dangerous.

If he'd spoken about his sexuality to the wrong person then, Abdul could have been arrested and taken to court for his sexuality, under Afghan laws.

But since the Taliban seized control of major cities in Afghanistan last week, Abdul tells Radio 1 Newsbeat his sexuality being revealed would now have him "killed on the spot".

The Taliban are a military group who have taken control of the country, and are known to enforce extreme Islamic ideals.

Under the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia Law, homosexuality is strictly prohibited and punishable by death.

The last time they were in power in Afghanistan, between the late 90s and 2001, 21-year-old Abdul hadn't been born.

"I've heard my parents and elders talk about the Taliban," he says.

"We watched some movies. But now, it's like being inside a movie."

This week, Abdul was supposed to be sitting his final university exams, going for lunch with friends, and visiting his boyfriend, who he met at a swimming pool three years ago.

Instead, he is sat in his home for the fourth day in a row. There are Taliban soldiers currently outside his front door.

"Even when I see the Taliban from the windows I feel really scared. My body starts shaking from seeing them," he says.

"Civilians are being killed. I don't think I will ever speak in front of them."

It's not just the country's new leaders who cannot find out about Abdul's sexuality.

He says: "As a gay person in Afghanistan, you cannot reveal yourself, even to your family or your friends.

"If I reveal myself to my family, maybe they will beat me, maybe they will kill me."

Although he was hiding his sexuality, Abdul had been enjoying his life in the country's vibrant city centre.

"My studies were going perfectly. There was life in the city, there were crowds in the city."

In the space of a week, Abdul feels he has watched his life disappear from in front of him.

"There is no future for us," he says.

"I don't think I will ever continue my education. My friends, I have lost contact with them. I don't know if they're okay.

"My partner, he is stuck in a different city with his family. I cannot go there, he cannot come here."

His father, who worked for the government, has gone into hiding for fear of the Taliban.

Most of the women Abdul knows won't leave the house in fear of their lives. Some are taking the risk, but only when accompanied outside by a man.

Over the past week, Abdul's mind has gone to the darkest of places.

"I'm under severe depression.

"I have thoughts to just finish this thing. I don't want to live this kind of life.

"I want a future that I can live freely, and not be pointed out by people saying you can't be gay here."

Abdul isn't hopeful about the Taliban's promises to rule differently and give women more opportunities.

"Even if the Taliban accepts a woman in the government, in school, they will never accept gay or LGBT people. They will kill all of them on the spot."

Speaking of the footage of Afghans clinging on to planes leaving the country, Abdul says: "They are not crazy."

"They have businesses here. They have jobs here. They had a good life here.

"But they're not crazy that they are grabbing the plane from the tires, they are just dying. They know they are not safe."

Abdul says he is "waiting to find a way to get out of the country". There are some charities and campaigners trying to help Afghans like Abdul to safety.

Abdul says he has heard that the UK are planning to take 20,000 migrants from his country, but he says nobody knows how to apply or register themselves.

UK charity Stonewall has called on the UK government to start "helping LGBTQ+ Afghan refugees to survive, resettle and thrive."

"I just want to say, if anyone is hearing my message, as a youngster, I have a right to live freely and safely," Abdul says.

"I'm 21 years old. All my life, I spent it in war, in bomb blasting, losing friends, losing relatives.

"Just pray for us. Pray for our lives."

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.

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LGBT in Afghanistan: 'I could be killed on the spot'

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Before the Taliban uprising in Afghanistan, life for gay man Abdul (his name has been changed) was already dangerous. If he'd spoken about his sexuality to the wrong person then, Abdul could have been arrested and taken to court for his sexuality, under Afghan laws.

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Covid 19 Vaccine Rollout in NZ compared to the world.

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Covid 19 Vaccine Rollout in NZ compared to the world.

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The social issue I am interesting in is how NZ's covid vaccine compares to the rest of the world's. I wonder if things like the speed of the rollout and age groups who got in the queue first could have prevented the lockdown that we are in right now? How do we compare to the rest of the world? Could we have stopped this lockdown?

An example of this problem is that New Zealand has 'one of the lowest number of fully vaccinated people among the OECD - an international group of countries that are among the world's most prosperous economies.'

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I am interested in global warming and climate change because it is something that affects everyone. It is now at a point where it can't be reversed and only slowed down which makes it even more important to change our habits to even make the slightest difference.

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The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole. Since 1906, the global average surface temperature has increased by more than 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius)- even more in sensitive polar regions. And the impacts of rising temperatures aren't waiting for some far-flung future-the effects of global warming are appearing right now. The heat is melting glaciers and sea ice, shifting precipitation patterns, and setting animals on the move.

Many people think of global warming and climate change as synonyms, but scientists prefer to use "climate change" when describing the complex shifts now affecting our planet's weather and climate systems. Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts. All of these changes are emerging as humans continue to add heat-trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Scientists already have documented these impacts of climate change:

Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earth's poles. This includes mountain glaciers, ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice. In Montana's Glacier National Park the number of glaciers has declined to fewer than 30 from more than 150 in 1910.

Much of this melting ice contributes to sea-level rise. Global sea levels are rising 0.13 inches (3.2 millimeters) a year. The rise is occurring at a faster rate in recent years and is predicted to accelerate in the coming decades.

Rising temperatures are affecting wildlife and their habitats. Vanishing ice has challenged species such as the Adélie penguin in Antarctica, where some populations on the western peninsula have collapsed by 90 percent or more.

As temperatures change, many species are on the move. Some butterflies, foxes, and alpine plants have migrated farther north or to higher, cooler areas.

Precipitation (rain and snowfall) has increased across the globe, on average. Yet some regions are experiencing more severe drought, increasing the risk of wildfires, lost crops, and drinking water shortages.

Some species-including mosquitoes, ticks, jellyfish, and crop pests-are thriving. Booming populations of bark beetles that feed on spruce and pine trees, for example, have devastated millions of forested acres in the U.S.

Other effects could take place later this century, if warming continues. These include:

Sea levels are expected to rise between 10 and 32 inches (26 and 82 centimeters) or higher by the end of the century.

Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger. Floods and droughts will become more common. Large parts of the U.S., for example, face a higher risk of decades-long "megadroughts" by 2100.

Less freshwater will be available, since glaciers store about three-quarters of the world's freshwater.

Some diseases will spread, such as mosquito-borne malaria (and the 2016 resurgence of the Zika virus).

Ecosystems will continue to change: Some species will move farther north or become more successful; others, such as polar bears, won't be able to adapt and could become extinct.

Read next: Is Global Warming Real?

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The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole, and everywhere in between.

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I am interested in this social action about deforestation as I think it is a very important topic and also has connections with climate change. Trees are getting cut down more often now so we can develop land and build new houses .

There are lots of consequences when it come to deforestation for example.
More and more animals habitats are getting destroyed and they are having to leave and go find new places where they can live . With trees getting cut down we are losing vegetation and that can also cause climate change. Because without vegetation we cant grow plants and without plants we wouldn't be able to live or breathe.

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I am interested in learning more about the Mental Health in New Zealand. As we can all look at previous things that have not only affected ourselves but others as well in the community I feel like there is not enough support for mental health.

For example RHS has lost multiple students to suicide within the last few years, we all need to know that no one will ever know or understand the reason why someone commits suicide. In New Zealand there are now many advocates that continue to support and bring awareness to mental health

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They are trying to kill all pests by 2050 but with the 1080 they are also killing a lot of other animals and insects. And the way they get 1080 out is by just dropping it out of a plane or a helicopter and it gets into the creeks, ponds, rivers and lakes.

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A social issue that I am interested in is racism within Health Sectors. The definition of racism is 'the belief that certain races of people are by birth, or nature, superior to others.' Within this there are three  main types of racism. 1- The differential access to the goods, services, and opportunities  of society by race. 2- Prejudice or discrimination. This can be intentional, and unintentional. 3- Acceptance of the stigmatised races of negative messages about their own abilities and worth.

A 2016 study found that many white medical students wrongly believed that black people have a higher pain tolerance than white people. Out of all of the participants in this study, 73% had at least one false belief about the biological differences between races.

A few examples of these beliefs is that they thought that black people had thicker skin, less sensitive nerve endings, and stronger immune systems. Black people are less likely to receive proper medication in cases of appendicitis, and recurring cancer. Black women are also 3 to 4 times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women. As well as this, if a black and white women had the exact same physical characteristics. e.g weight, height, age, etc. and they also receive the same prenatal care, the black women is more likely to have the worst outcome, and their babies are two to three more times likely to die within the first year.

This is all so unfair, and it is wrong that this is happening to people just because of their skin colour. Race should have nothing to do with how someone gets treated. They should be judged by who they are on the inside, not what they look like on the outside. Nelson Mandela, who is the former president of South Africa, and South Africa's first black head of state quoted, "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than the opposite.”

I believe that this is the way we should treat everyone because we are all equal, regardless of our culture, religion, or gender. No matter what we look like on the outside, on the inside we are all human. We all deserve the same amount of respect and regard.

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I chose this subject because bullying is a serious and distressing experience. Many children and young people carry the effects of bullying into their adult lives. Children that experience verbal and physical bullying are at a greater risk of developing depression than children who do not experience bullying.

Children and young people have a right to feel safe and secure. It’s important that adults, listen to children and young people and help them find the support they need. So it's important that you have good information to support you when dealing with anything to do with bullying.

Bullying is unacceptable in any form. It is not a normal part of growing up. Schools must treat bullying seriously. Schools must provide a safe physical and emotional environment for students.

Bullying is a word sometimes used to describe a lot of things that are not actually bullying. These other behaviours are just as serious and upsetting, but may need to be sorted out in a different way. Sometimes there may be a fight or argument between students. If this happens once, or with a friend and they can sort it out, it is not bullying. Not liking someone, a one-off mean or spiteful act, or isolated incident of aggression are not bullying.

Bullying can happen to anyone, anywhere, and in lots of different ways. It could be in a physical place, such as a playground, classroom, bus, or park, or online, on social media, or by text messages. Bullying behaviour is complex. It can be physical, verbal or social bullying. It can be obvious or hidden.

Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions, such as hitting, kicking, tripping, shoving, taking or damaging belongings, rude hand gestures, or being made afraid of getting hurt.

Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things, such as threats, discriminatory remarks, name calling, making fun of someone, hurtful comments, emails, texts, anonymous comments or postings online.

Social bulling involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships, such as spreading rumours or personal information, excluding from groups or activities, telling lies about someone, posting negative material online.

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Salwa Mohamad's son and husbands' lives were taken after the March 15 attacks. The Hollywood film 'They Are Us' script is in development and Salwa has a simple message for director Ayman Jamar and actress Rose Byrne; "I just want to say to her, 'put yourself in my shoes'. Just that,".

The film focuses on the March 15 terror attacks and an exert from the script states: 'The lack of clear visual context for the gunman somehow makes the event more shocking, more frightening...' The widows are disgusted and angered the way their loved ones characters are portrayed. The women are convinced this movie will be worse than the livestream and turned into a horror movie that their children will someday watch.

The pain and memories this film is causing these women is unacceptable and they fear the terrorist thinks he's won. "I think it's a very bad idea to make a movie and earn money from our pain." Says Mohamad.

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Mohamad has not spoken to the producers of They Are Us and after being contacted by Newshub asked to see the parts of the script her family members featured in.

After we showed it to her, she said she felt "very angry".

"It was very difficult for me reading that. It's bringing all the bad memories," Mohamad said.

"I think it's a very bad idea to make a movie and earn money from our pain."

She said the idea of the film was "unacceptable".

"The movie is just like the livestream. It's worse - worse than the livestream.

"It would encourage others to do the same, or even to make it better, to avoid the mistakes the terrorist made.

"I just want to ask the producers: if one of their loved ones was killed, would they like to see that and see how they died in a movie? And their children? Is it something good for them?

"I want to ask them to put themselves in my shoes."

The producers of They Are Us have pointed out the script is still in development and is subject to change. The film's Dubai-based producer Ayman Jama told Newshub "any victim family who does not want to share their story we... will not mention or showcase their loved ones' stories".

Newshub supplied questions to the agent representing both Rose Byrne and the Kiwi writer and director of the film, Andrew Niccol, but has yet to receive a response.

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March 15 widow Salwa Mohamad's message to Rose Byrne about They Are Us film

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Mohamad has not spoken to the producers of They Are Us and after being contacted by Newshub asked to see the parts of the script her family members featured in. After we showed it to her, she said she felt "very angry". "It was very difficult for me reading that.

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Four-wheel drives on Rakahuri, Killing lots of unique black-billed birds!

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Four-wheel drives on Rakahuri, Killing lots of unique black-billed birds!

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A social action that I'm interested in is people killing native black-billed birds that are rare in North Canterbury. A few groups of motorcyclists and four-wheeled drives rove over a colony of black-billed birds nests in Ashley Rahahuri Regional Park in North Canterbury! They killed 10 birds which is really sad and disappointing as they a unique & a rare bird in New Zealand.

Black-Billed birds are the most threatened gull species in the whole world so they are considered nationally critical by the DOC (Doc Of Conservation). These black-billed birds mainly breed on the South Island braided rivers so people killing them would  take the numbers down for the next breeding season which is pretty sad.

There is current trends but that could go down by 70% in the next 30 years. This year has been really successful for breeding in the  colony. The DOC worked closely with Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare group and people in the community to keep them safe! DOC had cameras set up for predators, but they have not been as much of a problem as people have been.
We need to get people to understand that birds are one of the things in New Zealand that make this place beautiful! :)

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Several rare birds are dead after a group of motorcyclists and four-wheel-drivers rode through a colony of nesting black-billed gulls in North Canterbury.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairwoman Jenny Hughey said the motorists killed 10 birds in the colony last week while nesting in the Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park.

"This is extremely disappointing and unacceptable behaviour, and we are exploring what our enforcement options are."

Black-billed gulls are the most threatened gull species in the world and are considered nationally critical by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

READ MORE:
* Native birds killed by powerlines along Canterbury's Ashley-Rakahuri River
* Urban bird colony in ruins of former office block in Christchurch
* Endangered black-billed gulls' challenging breeding season 'successful'
* Driver runs over critically endangered gulls on Canterbury riverbed

"These beautiful birds are unique to New Zealand, mainly breeding on South Island braided rivers," Hughey said.

With current trends, they could decline about 70 per cent further over the next 30 years. However, this year had been a successful breeding season in the colony, she said.

"We work closely with the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group and the community to keep it safe."

Grant Davey, a member of the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group and also BRaid​, said this year was the second largest black-billed gull colony on the Ashley River in 20 years.

"The 1278 nests have produced approximately the same number of fledglings (flying chicks) - this is a very good outcome."

He was "outraged" by several incidents where people had ploughed through the colony at speed - some of which had been caught on trail cameras and one he witnessed first-hand.

"We had cameras set up for predators, but they have not been as much of a problem as people.

"It is so disappointing to see after all the work that has been done by us and ECan - blocking off access to the river, putting up signs and the education that goes into it."

Other species in the area, such as the black-fronted tern and banded dotterel, were also in danger of being killed by the drivers, he said.

Hughey said the nesting area had been cordoned off since September to protect the colony and would reopen in two weeks when the birds had fledged.

"We monitor the area closely, and there is signage installed along the river advising park users about the nesting area, and concrete blocks are installed at entry points to deter vehicles.

"The measures we, and the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group, have taken this season have been largely successful and the majority of park users have been respectful and avoided this area."

The nesting areas are protected by the Wildlife Act, which is administered by DOC.

DOC North Canterbury operations manager Kingsley Timpson said the department was investigating reports of multiple vehicles driving through the Ashley River colony.

"It is unacceptable for people to drive through colonies of this threatened bird ... People driving through the area and disturbing the tarāpuka has been an ongoing problem.

"Anyone who disturbs black-billed gulls and/or their nests can be convicted with penalties ranging from fines up to $100,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment."

Several people have been prosecuted for killing gulls in the past, including:

In 2019, DOC prosecuted a 64-year-old from Blenheim man for driving over red-billed gulls, killing at least eight birds. He was convicted and sentenced to three months' community detention, and ordered to pay $700 costs.

In 2019, DOC prosecuted a 26-year-old from Kaikōura man for driving over a flock of red-billed gulls, killing at least three birds. He was convicted and fined $3000 and costs of $1500.

In 2015, DOC prosecuted a 33-year-old man from Invercargill for shooting black-billed gulls, killing at least one. He was convicted and fined $950 plus $100 costs.

In 2013, an Ashburton man was successfully prosecuted for damaging a nesting colony of endangered black-billed gulls on the Ashburton/Hakatere riverbed. He was sentenced to one month in jail.

Anyone who sees people disturbing the colonies should call 0800 324 636.

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Drivers kill rare birds on North Canterbury riverbed

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Several rare birds are dead after a group of motorcyclists and four-wheel-drivers rode through a colony of nesting black-billed gulls in North Canterbury. Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairwoman Jenny Hughey said the motorists killed 10 birds in the colony last week while nesting in the Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park.

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The social issue i have chosen is diesel ute tax because it is effecting the farmers all around new zealand. If the farmers are effected by a new diesel ute tax they aren't going to have the same motivation to produce vegetables and meat for the supermarkets all across New Zealand.

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Explainer: Thousands of frustrated rural residents are protesting on Friday against a growing list of Government regulations and policies. Reporter Georgia Forrester looks at what these policies are, and why farmers say they have had enough.
Farmers, tradies, business people and families will be among the throngs of people tooting their ute horns and driving tractors in unified protest on Friday.

The " Howl of a Protest " event has been organised by a volunteer group of farmers and rural advocates called Groundswell NZ.

This movement is more than just frustrated cockies throwing their hands up in the air - thousands of rural New Zealanders want change, and they want the Government to listen.

At the core of the protest are seven demands relating to specific Government policies and regulations that farmers either want scrapped or re-written. Here's a look at what these policies are, why the Government is implementing them, and why farmers are against them:

READ MORE:
* 'Enough is enough': Canterbury's rural mayors lend support to rural protest
* Farmer frustration is boiling over after a 'winter of discontent' Federated Farmers president says
* Tractors, utes and dogs expected in Blenheim's CBD for protest
* Farmers group plans more protest action as it expands into Canterbury and West Coast

What is the freshwater policy?

The health of New Zealand's rivers and lakes has been steadily declining over recent decades, so the Government stepped in to change that.

New rules to protect and restore New Zealand's fresh water came into effect in September 2020. Through these rules the Government aims to improve the quality of the country's lakes, rivers and streams within a generation.

The rules include a National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management, National Environmental Standards for Freshwater, stock exclusion regulations, and updates to the regulations which cover the measurement and reporting of water takes.

What's the problem with the 'ute tax'?

The Government's Clean Car Package has been extensively talked about among the public and media.

While the protest movement initially began with the freshwater policy, it's this "ute tax" that became the final straw for farmers facing increasing environmental and regulatory pressures.

The issue farmers have with the scheme is that there is currently no electric alternative available for utes in New Zealand.

"If there is no alternative, the policy is clearly unworkable and merely another financial burden," Groundswell NZ says.

The battle for overseas workers

The Government has made some border exceptions in this area. In June, it said an additional 200 dairy workers and 50 vets would be allowed to enter the country. However, these numbers did not appear to be enough to fill the gap, with Federated Farmers previously estimating the dairy sector was short between 2000 and 4000 workers.

Groundswell NZ says the rural sector urgently needs contractors, horticulturalists, dairy farmers and fruit-pickers. It wants overseas seasonal rural workers to be given entry as "skilled manual labourers" and prioritised through MIQ to help lift the pressures on farmers and growers.

What's the Emissions Trading Scheme?

The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme is part of the country's response to climate change and is the Government's main tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In December, the Government declared a climate change emergency. At the time, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledged the burden for the next generation if action was not taken.

Groundswell NZ's position statement says: "The NZ Emissions Trading Scheme is seeing large areas of farmland incentivised into pines and a significant cost-burden borne by the world's most emissions-efficient farmers. The unworkable elements of climate-change policy which are crucifying farmers and growers must be withdrawn."

Farmers are currently exempt from the Emissions Trading Scheme. At the moment, the agricultural industry and Government are designing a different scheme to cover farms and agricultural gases, which is expected to come into effect in 2025.

Pine forests are covered by the ETS, which has helped make it more profitable to convert some farmland to trees.

What are Significant Natural Areas?

Significant natural areas (SNAs) are natural areas that contain indigenous vegetation, fauna or threatened species that are protected as part of ongoing biodiversity efforts.

The Resource Management Act requires that SNAs are protected on both public or private land.

SNAs have become a contentious issue because many indigenous lowland forests and wetlands are on private land, and some land owners see the mapping and identifying of these areas by councils as a "land grab".

Groundswell NZ wants the regulations to be abandoned or re-written. It would instead like to see funding redirected to "proven systems like the QEII National Trust" - where private land can be voluntarily placed in protection by landowners in partnership with an independent trust.

What's the issue with indigenous biodiversity?

It is mulling a proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity which would set out criteria for councils to identify and protect Significant Natural Areas on private land. This policy is still in a draft state and not yet in effect.

Groundswell NZ believes the draft policy should be scrapped. It says this policy punishes the landowners who have already been proactive in conservation, turns biodiversity "into a liability" and wastes money on box-ticking assessments.

"Councils should be able to work with and support the many landowner initiatives such as landcare and catchment groups and the QEII National Trust. It is essential to protect landowners' private property rights," the position statement document states.

What's the high country legislation?

The Bill would end the controversial tenure review process, which divides Crown-owned leasehold stations into freehold and conservation land.

Groundswell NZ's position statement calls this Bill "another big-stick layer of regulation" being applied to high-country farmers, over and above existing council regulations, and says the unnecessary burden "must be lifted".

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What are Aotearoa's farmers actually protesting about this Friday?

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Explainer: Thousands of frustrated rural residents are protesting on Friday against a growing list of Government regulations and policies. Reporter Georgia Forrester looks at what these policies are, and why farmers say they have had enough. Farmers, tradies, business people and families will be among the throngs of people tooting their ute horns and driving tractors in unified protest on Friday.

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The social action that I'm interested in is global warming Because it is affecting the whole world as the global temperature is getting warmer. Between 1906 and 2005 the global temperature rose by 0.74 degrees celsius. If we don't do anything about it we will continue to see these temperatures rising.

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Social action for anxiety/depression in elite athletes

I am interested in the social action for athletes that are elite or high performance and suffer from anxiety and/or depression due to the social pressures placed on them by others.

A good example of this is the recent death of Olivia Podmore, an NZ cyclist at the top of her game.  It is thought that the pressures of performing high in the sport became too much and suicide may be involved here.

Athletes are under extreme pressure to perform for their country and we need to provide some social action to avoid further disasters such as this in the future.

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Fifteen years ago it was made a commitment for the international community to create universal primary school education for all children, But there are still 57 million primary school aged children out of school.

I chose this topic because I believe that all children no matter race, or gender should have the opportunity to attend school.

There are many organizations that try to help make the opportunity possible and one of them is Kids can. In New Zealand, they give kids clothes, shoes, food, and health products. These resources allow children to come to school and start their life up well.

War and conflict are a big part of why children don't come to school. 18% of primary school aged children live in conflict affected countries. These children take up 42% of the children who don't attend school around the world.

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pollution is not just in the ocean but also on land

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Ocean Pollution is the issue that I'm worried about. This is because in the future there will be no sea live left unless we stop dumping  plastic and trash into the ocean. you could help by simply putting your trash in the right bin and stop buying items that have a lot of plastic in them.
you could ask your parent to first look at the product there buying and first check if the plastic that they use is recyclable and then buy it.
the ocean is very important to the world as well because 'Scientists estimate that 50-80% of the oxygen production on Earth comes from the ocean' which is a big deal since we are destroying it! soon without the ocean we can no longer breath like we used to.

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This topic interested me because I have had many friendships and family that have suffered from Mental illnesses and I want to be able to help the people that are close to me and learn more about the mental health in New Zealand.

I think that there is not enough support for mental health and we need to start bringing more awareness to this subject as it can affect our community and the society we live in. We don't need anymore people suffering and feeling like they can't get any help.

RHS needs to get more education on mental health and be able to recognise the symptoms in the students and gather more knowledge on how to help the people that are struggling.

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Bethany-Mental Health Foundation in New Zealand 

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Bethany-Mental Health Foundation in New Zealand 

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I want to know more about this topic, there is a lot of problems with Mental Health in NZ, I think this should be worked on as this is damaging society and the future.

I think the schools should be more informed about mental health illnesses, how to deal with them in a healthy way, symptoms, and just more knowledge on this topic.

Some of them can't get help. If someone is brave enough to talk to you about their struggles with Mental health, don't ignore it, or think they are just saying it for attention, maybe suggest to go see a school counsellor for help, or you could maybe go, and ask how you could help your friend/family member in need. Or talk to a teacher/parent.

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I am interested in Climate change as I think it is a very important issue. Humans are destroying the earths climate and temperature by burning fossil fules, cutting down trees and farming livestock.

The consequence of this social action is rising sea levels, Heat waves and storms. Which in return are effecting humans. To stop this you should get your energy from wind and sun. You should also stop deforestation as taking away trees makes it harder to fight climate change.

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Marine pollution occurs when substances used or spread by humans, such as industrial, agricultural and residential waste, particles, noise, excess carbon dioxide or invasive organisms enter the ocean and cause harmful effects there.

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I have chosen mental health I think this is a very big one because this is not something that has been talked about lots and not a lot of people that have it talk up about it which is not good.

Mental health is a big thing especially in the younger generation mental health can ruin peoples lives takes control of them until they have had enough and take there lives with then impacts more and more people once they made that one dumb decision I have lost mates to this family member to mental health issues.

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Pollution may not seem like a big deal to us because you may not see lakes and rivers covered in pollution like the image above, but in other country's it is even worse.

The reason to why pollution is bad because we are not just affecting ourselves by putting our litter everywhere, but we are affecting our ecosystem by putting these non biogratible resources out into not just our planet but animals habitats too.

I'm interested in this topic because there is still time to change! By recycling we can safely reuse our everyday waste and put it out to make new resources we can reuse. We are also saving energy by making our new resources out of things we've already created!

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Harriett - Mental Challenges athletes face.

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Harriett - Mental Challenges athletes face.

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I want to know more about the mental problems elite and professional athletes face. Fear of failure is a big on, they all want to succeed and make them selves and everyone around them happy. Setting too high of expectations causes athletes to worry about the results and have then fear failing. Seeking social approval adds even more pressure onto them.

Quite a few athletes tend to be perfectionist, wanting their training and performance to be at its best. Messing up wouldn't be perfect so they push them self and become observe over making everything perfect. Even though they have high levels of motivation, perfectionist normal underachieve due to the fear of failing and want success so badly.

I am interested in this topic because mental health is starting to get talked about more, more people are reaching out for help. Athletes normally aren't seen as people but more as entertainment. I think helping them to become happier will mean they will want to keep playing that sport and getting more people involved.

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Family violence increasing during lockdown. 

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Family violence increasing during lockdown. 

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Family violence has spiked sense the beginning of level 4. Diane Strong who is Nelson Women's refuge manager said that Monday, August 23 was the "worst day ever" for the refuge, with 41 calls from Nelson through Motueka. Usually they have an average maybe 20 she said.
"Thats a huge increase."
Diane strong said to the green party leader Marama Davidson's message telling people to leave their bubble if they're unsafe is one of the reasons why they are receiving more calls than last year.

I think this is extremely disheartening knowing that some people in lock down are feeling unsafe and threatened. I thought this this would be an important subject to talk about as its not commonly known of.

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This social issue I have picked interests me as it's so common everywhere in the world. Over lockdown, most of the homeless have been put into temporary hotels and accommodation in NZ due to them not being allowed out on the streets.

Manila, Philippines has the highest rate of homelessness with 3.1 million people, with 70,000 of them being children. By comparison, NZ is on the lower side with there only being 41,000, this still is higher than it should be but it is low considering some places are in the millions.

NZ has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the OECD countries, An OECD country is a developed country that has a high-income economy, there are 34 countries that are a part of this.

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Cardiff University Students' Union - Find out what's on, meet the elected officers and keep up to date with the latest student information.

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The social issue that I am interested in is human trafficking as this is definitely an issue all over the world not so much here in New Zealand though so I feel as people don't pay much attention to it as it is not too bad here.

Human trafficking can be exploiting people for the benefit of getting yourself money because you have debts and not very great income so you could be sending someone off for labour or they could be exploited for sexual actions.

Most people that are exploited sexually are not found or are found years and years later with many stories to tell, there was a little girl named faith who was twelve years old who told her story of what happened to her when she was exploited.

Human trafficking is most commonly done surprisingly in California which in 2019 there were one thousand five hundred and seven cases one thousand one hundred and eighteen cases we sexual, one hundred and fifty-eight were labour cases and sixty nine were both sexual and labor cases.

I find this completely unfair for all children and adults that will have to go through the horror's of human trafficking because they will have the terror of maybe being there for months or even years and having to come out of that being scared to be around people in the open and can effect people mentally and physically.

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I am interested in saving animals because more and more animals are going extinct every year. Some of these animals include some types of rhinos, gorillas, tigers, pandas and so much more. It is important to save these animals because when animals become extinct our ecosystems become imbalanced, this can effect many things like our source of plants, medicines and even make other animal species become endangered too.

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homelessness                                                      

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homelessness                                                      

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i chose this topic because there is a huge lack of stable houses and people not helping out enough