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Ted

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Our campaign to ban plastic bags in Bali | Melati and Isabel Wijsen

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Cars crash

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Twenty people have been killed in a crash involving a stretch limousine taking people to a party in the US state of New York, police say.

All 18 people in the limousine died along with two pedestrians in the incident on Saturday afternoon in the town of Schoharie, police confirmed.

Witnesses described seeing the SUV-style limousine shoot across a junction and hit another car before ploughing into people in a shop car park.

The cause of the crash is unclear.

The victims have not yet been officially named but the New York Times reports that they include four sisters and at least two pairs of newlyweds. All those killed were adults, police say.

It is America's deadliest transport crash since 2009, said the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Robert Sumwalt.

What happened?

Early reports suggested the car had been taking the group to a wedding reception but later reports said they were travelling to a birthday party.

State police said on Sunday that the passengers in the limousine, described as a 2001 Ford Excursion, would not have been required to wear seatbelts.

The driver was also killed in the crash, they said.

A reporter for local news site Spectrum News, Mercedes Williams, tweeted images and footage from the scene of the incident, which took place near a store and cafe on routes 30 and 30A in Schoharie County.

The images show a long line of emergency services vehicles lining the roads, which were closed to traffic.

Another image shared on Twitter showed a large vehicle that appeared to have veered off the road and crashed into a tree.

Eyewitnesses say a number of people entering and leaving the store were hit in Saturday's incident, local media report.

"I heard this loud bang, I saw a lot of people here at the Apple Barrel [store and cafe] out in the parking lot," said Bridey Finnagen, who lives nearby. "Then I heard screaming."

How is the investigation unfolding?

New York State Police Cpt Richard O'Brien said several separate police units were involved in the investigation, including an identification unit and a drone team.

Authorities have said they expect investigators to be at the scene for at least five days.

Police said that a phone line had been set up to help assist relatives of the victims.

The NTSB is sending a team of investigators.

The location of the intersection is said to be in a hilly region and local authorities had only recently banned large trucks from using sections of the route.

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Limousine crash kills 20 in New York state

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Twenty people have been killed in a crash involving a stretch limousine taking people to a party in the US state of New York, police say. All 18 people in the limousine died along with two pedestrians in the incident on Saturday afternoon in the town of Schoharie, police confirmed.

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Global warming

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BBC News looks at what we know and don't know about the Earth's changing climate.

What is climate change?

The planet's climate has constantly been changing over geological time. The global average temperature today is about 15C, though geological evidence suggests it has been much higher and lower in the past.

However, the current period of warming is occurring more rapidly than many past events. Scientists are concerned that the natural fluctuation, or variability, is being overtaken by a rapid human-induced warming that has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.

What is the "greenhouse effect"?

The greenhouse effect refers to the way the Earth's atmosphere traps some of the energy from the Sun. Solar energy radiating back out to space from the Earth's surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases and re-emitted in all directions.

The energy that radiates back down to the planet heats both the lower atmosphere and the surface. Without this effect, the Earth would be about 30C colder, making our planet hostile to life.

Scientists believe we are adding to the natural greenhouse effect with gases released from industry and agriculture (known as emissions), trapping more energy and increasing the temperature. This is commonly referred to as global warming or climate change.

The most important of these greenhouse gases in terms of its contribution to warming is water vapour, but concentrations show little change and it persists in the atmosphere for only a few days.

On the other hand, carbon dioxide (CO2) persists for much longer (it would take hundreds of years for it to return to pre-industrial levels). In addition, there is only so much CO2 that can be soaked up by natural reservoirs such as the oceans.

Most man-made emissions of CO2 are through the burning of fossil fuels, as well as through cutting down carbon-absorbing forests. Other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are also released through human activities, but their overall abundance is small compared with carbon dioxide.

Since the industrial revolution began in 1750, CO2 levels have risen by more than 30% and methane levels have risen more than 140%. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is now higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years.

What is the evidence for warming?

Temperature records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about 0.8C (1.4F) in the last 100 years. About 0.6C (1.0F) of this warming occurred in the last three decades.

Click here to see how the Earth's surface temperatures from 1880 to 2017 compare to the 20th century average

Satellite data shows an average increase in global sea levels of some 3mm per year in recent decades. A large proportion of the change in sea level is accounted for by the thermal expansion of seawater. As seawater warms up, the molecules become less densely packed, causing an increase in the volume of the ocean.

But the melting of mountain glaciers and the retreat of polar ice sheets are also important contributors. Most glaciers in temperate regions of the world and along the Antarctic Peninsula are in retreat. Since 1979, satellite records show a dramatic decline in Arctic sea-ice extent, at an annual rate of 4% per decade. In 2012, the ice extent reached a record minimum that was 50% lower than the 1979-2000 average.

The Greenland Ice Sheet has experienced record melting in recent years; if the entire 2.8 million cu km sheet were to melt, it would raise sea levels by 6m.

Satellite data shows the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is also losing mass, and a recent study indicated that East Antarctica, which had displayed no clear warming or cooling trend, may also have started to lose mass in the last few years. But scientists are not expecting dramatic changes. In some places, mass may actually increase as warming temperatures drive the production of more snows.

The effects of a changing climate can also be seen in vegetation and land animals. These include earlier flowering and fruiting times for plants and changes in the territories (or ranges) occupied by animals.

What about the pause?

Some commentators have argued that since 1998, there had been no significant global warming despite ever increasing amounts of carbon dioxide being emitted. This is the so-called "pause" in warming. Scientists have tried to explain this in a number of ways.

These include:

variations in the Sun's energy output

a decline in atmospheric water vapour

greater storage of heat by the oceans.

But there has been no general consensus on the precise mechanism behind the pause.

And it would now seem that the hiatus has come to an abrupt halt: the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 were the three hottest years on record. In fact, a study published in Science journal in June 2015 doubted there had been a warming hiatus in the first place.

How much will temperatures rise in future?

In its 2013 assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecast a range of possible scenarios based on computer modelling. But most simulations indicate that global surface temperature change by the end of the 21st Century is likely to exceed 1.5C, relative to 1850.

A threshold of 2C is generally regarded as the gateway to dangerous warming.

Even if we cut greenhouse gas emissions dramatically now, scientists say the effects will continue because parts of the climate system, particularly large bodies of water and ice, can take hundreds of years to respond to changes in temperature. It also takes greenhouse gases decades to be removed from the atmosphere.

How will climate change affect us?

The scale of potential impacts is uncertain. The changes could drive freshwater shortages, bring sweeping changes in food production conditions, and increase the number of deaths from floods, storms, heat waves and droughts. This is because climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events - though linking any single event to global warming is complicated.

Scientists forecast more rainfall overall, but say the risk of drought in inland areas during hot summers will increase. More flooding is expected from storms and rising sea levels. There are, however, likely to be very strong regional variations in these patterns.

Poorer countries, which are least equipped to deal with rapid change, could suffer the most.

Plant and animal extinctions are predicted as habitats change faster than species can adapt, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the health of millions could be threatened by increases in malaria, water-borne disease and malnutrition.

As an increased amount of CO2 is released into the atmosphere, there is increased uptake of CO2 by the oceans, and this leads to them becoming more acidic. This ongoing process of acidification could pose major problems for the world's coral reefs, as the changes in chemistry prevent corals from forming a calcified skeleton, which is essential for their survival.

Computer models are used to study the dynamics of the Earth's climate and make projections about future temperature change. But these climate models differ on "climate sensitivity" - the amount of warming or cooling that occurs as a particular factor, such as CO2. goes up or down.

Models also differ in the way that they express "climate feedbacks".

Global warming will cause some changes that look likely to create further heating, such as the release of large quantities of the greenhouse gas methane as permafrost (permanently frozen soil found mainly in the Arctic) melts. This is known as a positive climate feedback.

But negative feedbacks exist that could offset warming. Various "reservoirs" on Earth absorb CO2 as part of the carbon cycle - the process through which carbon is exchanged between, for example, the oceans and the land.

The question is: how will these balance out?

More: BBC News climate change special report

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BBC News looks at what we know and don't know about the Earth's changing climate. The planet's climate has constantly been changing over geological time. The global average temperature today is about 15C, though geological evidence suggests it has been much higher and lower in the past.

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Healing forest

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How To Create Peace, Purpose, Health

takes you on a fascinating journey to create remarkable changes in life through nature. You'll discover priceless ways that cultivate a calm mind, a healthy body, and peaceful relationships. Learn the secrets of healing in nature, with nature and know how to face the challenges of our times.

The Healing Forest

For thousands of years our ancestors hunted, gathered, and survived in the wilderness. Endless grasslands, dense forests and vast stretches of green were an integral part of a place we called home.

But in today's world, the green spaces are replaced by urban structures, crowded places and polluted environments. This rapid change puts an unwanted pressure on our body and mind. As a result we have seen that chronic illnesses, stress, depression, anxiety, burnout and other ailments are on the rise. Also as a society, there is an increase in apathy, anger, addictions, intolerance, and loneliness.

Let's see what nature can do for you. Countries around the world are uncovering scientific proof about nature's healing effects. Japan and South Korea have even created many healing forests where they practice forest bathing or healing forest walks. For our overloaded minds and overworked bodies, nature can yield surprising results.

"Our aim is simple. Helping people heal. Helping forests heal."

So how do we transform our connection with nature in a way that transforms us? How can we start sowing the seeds of peace, kindness, and health in the world around us?

Calm for your Mind, Body, Life

As humans, we have evolved in nature. It's what makes us feel complete. Multiple research on nature's healing powers have shown a wide variety of benefits for our physical, mental, and social health. It provides an easy and effective way for avoiding stress, anxiety, burnout, depression, as well as reducing their ill-effects. Connecting with nature boosts our body's immunity, energy levels, and healing ability. It can improve our mood, sleep, memory as well as focus. Nature activities also have a healthy influence on our emotional well-being and relationship skills.

Try our course with over 150+ ideas for your mind and body, heart and soul. Learn how to tap into the healing powers of nature and create ripples of positive change across your life.

The Giving Spirit Of Trees

Every month we share unique nature articles that prepare you for life's challenges - big and small. Ideas from around the world that gift us calm, clarity, and good health. Here's a small glimpse:

The Healing Forest project is run entirely by volunteers.

Our activities include: Showcasing nature arts, walks, meditations from around the world. Organising healing nature walks. Sharing the art and science of healing in nature, with nature. Publishing stories of peace and wisdom from amazing forests. Highlighting beautiful forests in your country that can serve as healing forests. Bringing attention to inspiring projects and people that give back to nature. Creating change leaders for the future, through our and programs.

Can you please share this page so it reaches where it's needed.
* Healing Forest Poem download.

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How To Create Peace, Purpose, Health Healing Forest takes you on a fascinating journey to create remarkable changes in life through nature. You'll discover priceless ways that cultivate a calm mind, a healthy body, and peaceful relationships. Learn the secrets of healing in nature, with nature and know how to face the challenges of our...

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Plastic bikes

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This bike path in the Netherlands is made from plastic waste

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It's just 30 metres long at the moment, but offers an alternative use for plastic waste to prevent it becoming pollution.

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Artic

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The Arctic vs. the Antarctic - Camille Seaman

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Indonesian earthquake

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People in Palu, Indonesia, are growing increasingly desperate for aid after a quake and tsunami hit the town.

Supplies of water, food and fuel are scarce and with roads damaged it is proving hard to bring more in, or reach the more remote areas.

The BBC's Jonathan Head, who is in the town, saw police firing warning shots and tear gas at crowds trying to take items from a small shop.

At least 844 people are confirmed to have been killed by Friday's disaster.

Officials say the final figure could be in the thousands.

Among those killed are 34 Indonesian students whose bodies were found under a church buried by a mudslide.

There are fears some survivors may still be trapped under the rubble of that and other buildings.

A volley of shots and tear gas
Jonathan Head, BBC News, Palu
Everyone we meet in Palu is focused on trying to get basic goods for their families. All normal services in the town have broken down; there's little running water, power, food or drinking water. People are desperate.

We saw one group of armed police guarding a shop, being pressed by local people to let them in.

Suddenly the police shouted, warning everyone to back off, followed by volleys of shots fired in the air and tear gas. Some of the men threw stones at the police; for a moment it seemed it might escalate.

Yet an hour later the police backed down and let the crowd in. The atmosphere was transformed, from anger to jubilation as people came running down the street clutching shopping bags.

The police tried to stop people taking non-food items - some were made to empty the sacks bulging with commandeered produce, and hand over plastic toys and toiletries.

One officer wearily told me it was his responsibility to protect the shop - but what could he do when people needed so much.

The bodies of the 34 students were found in Sigi Biromaru, just outside Palu, on Tuesday.

They were among a group of 86 students reported missing from a Bible camp in the Jonooge Church Training Centre. The whereabouts of the other 52 students are not known.

Aid workers told the BBC they were still in the process of retrieving the bodies, and were being hampered by mud.

"The mud conditions in that area are terrible, we have to walk about 1.5 hours to reach [the mudslide area], that makes it very difficult," Ridwan Sobri, a spokesperson for the Indonesian Red Cross told the BBC.

How Palu suffered a 'worst case scenario' tsunami

Air traffic controller hailed as quake hero

A town smashed to pulp in minutes

Aerial shots of debris and survival after tsunami

Mr Sobri said the identities and ages of the students could not yet be confirmed.

'Unimaginable trauma'

Rescuers are also still hunting for survivors in the ruins of a four storey hotel in the town.

An estimated 50 people were inside the Hotel Roa Roa when it collapsed. About 12 people have been recovered - only three came out alive.

"We have to be very careful so we don't risk hurting any survivors when we move the debris," the head of the rescue team, Agus Haryono, told Reuters.

Across Palu, blocked roads, a damaged airport and broken telecommunications have made it difficult to bring help into the affected area, and impossible to contact more remote regions.

With hospitals damaged, injured people have been treated in the open and at least one military field hospital has been set up.

The military has taken over the airport to fly aid in, and injured people and other evacuees out.

But for thousands of people wanting to get the first commercial flight out of Palu, the wait continues.

"I'd get a plane anywhere. I've been waiting for two days. Haven't eaten, barely had a drink," 44-year-old food vendor Wiwid told Reuters news agency.

The charity Save the Children says many of the children in Palu "will have experienced unimaginable trauma and distress".

"Losing their mother or father, and watching everything they have known washed away," said the charity's Tom Howells.

Many people are having to sleep in makeshift shelters or on the street, with little access to food, medication or emotional support, added Mr Howells.

How Indonesia's tsunami warning system failed the victims

Why Sulawesi's tsunami is puzzling scientists

Across the city, mass graves are being dug, one of them to hold up to 300 bodies.

On the outskirts of Palu, bodies were brought for burial by lorries. At one mass grave which measured more than 50 metres (165ft), the smell of decomposition was said to be "overpowering".

'In the thousands'

The 7.5-magnitude quake occurred at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) just off the central island of Sulawesi at 18:03 (10:03 GMT) on Friday, setting off a tsunami.

The earthquake was powerful but shallow and with more lateral than vertical movement, not typically the kind of tremor that sets off tsunamis.

Vice-President Jusuf Kalla has said the final death toll could be in the thousands while the Red Cross estimates that more than 1.6 million people have been affected.

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Tensions rise as need for Palu aid grows

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People in Palu, Indonesia, are growing increasingly desperate for aid after a quake and tsunami hit the town. Supplies of water, food and fuel are scarce and with roads damaged it is proving hard to bring more in, or reach the more remote areas.

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Teatwave

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BBC iPlayer Radio - listen to live BBC Radio or catch up on BBC programmes from across the UK and World Service

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Plastic bottles

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Ending the Plastic Age, Costing the Earth - BBC Radio 4

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Solving the plastic problem. Four experts join Tom Heap to offer fresh answers.

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Survival after natural disasters

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On opposite sides of the world, two major storms have forced people to flee their homes and are threatening to bulldoze infrastructure and buildings.

In the US, officials warn that Hurricane Florence could cause "catastrophic" flooding which could kill "a lot of people" on the country's east coast.

Meanwhile, a super typhoon has arrived in the Philippines and officials say more than five million people are in its path.

The looming disasters have prompted people to prepare their homes and stock up on supplies. But what is best practice? And how can you cope once a storm has hit?

Here's what officials from both countries advise...

Housing

Images of people in the US boarding up the windows of their homes and businesses are commonplace when a hurricane is nearing land.

But the government's advice, posted as part of the Ready Campaign, suggests that installing permanent storm shutters in advance is the safest option. If there is no time then it advises using "exterior grade or marine plywood" to board up your windows.

"There could be a lot of debris and loose items that become projectiles," James Joseph, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), tells the BBC. "The heavy winds will pick items up and they could smash through windows."

When a hurricane hits, then, it's best to shelter in a windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor of a building, providing that it's not at risk of flooding.

"If you get trapped in a flooded building, go to the highest floor but do NOT enter a closed attic," FEMA tweeted as Hurricane Florence approached landfall on Friday.

In the Philippines, people in the path of Super Typhoon Mangkhut have been readying their homes by tying down their roofs with rope.

Residents of vulnerable makeshift houses near the coast have had to improvise ways to secure their properties. Some have weighed down their roofs with tires and shuttered their windows with any materials they can find.

"Examine your house and repair its unstable parts," advice from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) says. It suggests securing pets in a safe place, storing your most important belongings on high ground, and turning off the main power switch.

Supplies

Once a home is secured and prepared then people may either bed down to ride the storm out, or - if they're subject to an evacuation warning - move to a safer place.

"The biggest mistake people make is not heeding the warnings," Mr Joseph says. "They find themselves in very dangerous situations."

More than a million people have been ordered to leave the coasts of the Carolinas and Virginia, with more than 20,000 taking refuge in emergency shelters.

Similarly in the Philippines, thousands of people are being evacuated from their homes and placed in temporary shelters.

But what should people bring with them when leaving?

According to official advice in the US, an emergency preparedness kit should include:

The PRC advice adds that candles and battery-powered radios should be easily accessible.

Aftermath

Once the worst of a storm has subsided and people are able to return home, there are still a number of dangers, officials say.

"Avoid wading in floodwater, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water," the Ready Campaign warns.

It also advises wearing protective clothing when cleaning up, and working with someone else.

"You don't want to get injured in a situation when you're alone," Mr Joseph says. "Cell phone services might not be working so you definitely want to at least be in a pair so if anything occurs the other person can seek assistance for you."

He adds that people should not enter their home if the area has been closed off by the police or fire department.

"First responders need to ensure that the power has been turned off and any open gas lines have been turned off," he says. "We don't want there to be another emergency or disaster within the already existing disaster."

In the Philippines there are some more unique risks. "Beware of poisonous animals like snakes that may have entered your house," safety tips issued by the National Police in 2014 say.

The PRC also says to avoid letting floodwater accumulate in cans or pots to avoid "creating a favourable condition for mosquito breeding." It adds that any damaged electrical cables and posts should be reported to the authorities.

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On opposite sides of the world, two major storms have forced people to flee their homes and are threatening to bulldoze infrastructure and buildings. In the US, officials warn that Hurricane Florence could cause "catastrophic" flooding which could kill "a lot of people" on the country's east coast.

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Deadly storm

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South China is bearing the brunt of Typhoon Mangkhut, which is deluging areas with heavy rain and wind speeds of up to 100mph (162km/h).

Millions of lives have been put on standstill as flights are cancelled, trains stopped and major roads closed.

Residents in the densely populated province of Guangdong have been in lockdown on the highest alert.

Two people were killed there, according to Chinese state media. At least 64 died in the Philippines.

Mangkhut, considered the strongest storm of 2018, ploughed through the north of the main Philippine island of Luzon on Saturday before travelling west.

Mangkhut is expected to gradually weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday as it continues to move inland.

What's the impact on China?

Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall on the Chinese coast near Jiangmen city on Sunday afternoon.

More than 2.45 million people were evacuated in advance as authorities issued a red alert, the highest warning level.

'Extraordinarily powerful' wind
Eyewitness: Matt Bossons, American journalist, Shenzhen
The wind is extraordinarily powerful and the rain has rendered visibility very, very limited at this point.

There's still a lot of waves coming in off the ocean and there's a lot of storm surge coming up onto the beach and on to the hotel grounds.

We were supposed to leave this morning and we're still here as of now because the major roadways in the province are all closed and the trains which connect Shenzhen to most other parts of the country and province have all stopped, so our plans to try and get out of here have been delayed for probably at least another 24 hours or so.

Authorities also issued their maximum alert in Hong Kong, warning residents to stay indoors and away from windows to avoid flying debris.

Despite avoiding a direct hit, winds there reportedly reached more than 110mph.

As the storm passed, it made skyscrapers sway, flooded streets and broke windows.

Officials put the number of injured at more than 200, as water levels surged by almost 3.5m (12ft) in places.

Most shops and public services were shut, and about 900 flights were cancelled at Hong Kong International Airport.

A resident living in a high-rise in the city told Reuters news agency she could feel her building swaying in the storm.

"It swayed for quite a long time, at least two hours," Elaine Wong said. "It made me feel so dizzy."

In neighbouring Macau, for the first time in its history, the territory's famous casinos were ordered to close.

How badly was the Philippines hit?

Dozens of people are reportedly missing.

Most of the deaths were reportedly caused by landslides, government officials say.

The hardest hit province was Benguet, where 38 people were reportedly killed, with 37 more unaccounted for, the Associated Press reports.

One of the worst incidents there was in the town of Ucab in Itogon, where accommodation for miners was crushed by a large landslide, killing at least 26, according to police.

The BBC's Howard Johnson travelled 80km from the city of Tuguegarao to Aparri on the northern coast.

He describes a trail of destruction along the route - forests ripped to shreds, electricity poles felled and crops eradicated.

There is also concern over the economic cost of the typhoon, which has caused extensive damage to farmland in Cagayan, a key agricultural province.

Francis Tolentino, a political adviser to President Rodrigo Duterte, told the BBC that he estimated only a fifth of produce there had been harvested in advance - threatening staples like rice and corn.

Preparation and evacuation procedures have improved since Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 which killed more than 7,000 people.

Warnings were issued, travel was restricted, schools shut and the army was put on standby in advance.
How have you been affected by the typhoon? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk .
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South China is bearing the brunt of Typhoon Mangkhut, which is deluging areas with heavy rain and wind speeds of up to 100mph (162km/h). Millions of lives have been put on standstill as flights are cancelled, trains stopped and major roads closed. Residents in the densely populated province of Guangdong have been in lockdown on the highest alert.

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What’s the difference between typhoon,hurricane

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What's the difference between hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons? - CBBC Newsround

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Find out how hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons differ depending on where they appear.

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Extinct animals

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is the national animal of your country at risk of extinction?

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Is the national animal of your country at risk of extinction?, Newsday - BBC World Service

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New research shows that many of these iconic symbols could disappear in the next 50 years

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Elephants

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the inquiry junior - what’s killing africa’s elephants?

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The Inquiry Junior - What's Killing Africa's Elephants?, The Inquiry - BBC World Service

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Poachers, jewellery makers and angry farmers: the story behind the decline of elephants

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Hurricane

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The outer bands of Hurricane Florence are lashing parts of the US East Coast.

Officials warn of life-threatening storm surges in both North and South Carolina as the hurricane moves towards land with maximum sustained wind speeds of 100mph (155 km/h).

More than 100,000 homes are already without power as weather conditions begin to worsen.

Officials have warned the storm has the potential to kill "a lot of people" amid risks of "catastrophic" flooding.

More than a million people along the coastlines of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have been ordered to evacuate.

Thousands had taken shelter in emergency facilities by Thursday night.

Photographs showed residents crowded into corridors with blankets on inflatable mattresses and mats.

What is the latest?

Conditions deteriorated throughout Thursday as wind speeds gradually strengthened in coastal areas.

Some areas of North Carolina saw almost a foot of rain just a few hours, and footage showed sea levels begin to surge in land.

For now Hurricane Florence remains a category two storm, with no significant weakening expected before the hurricane's eye makes landfall on Friday morning.

The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) says that despite the gradual lowering in wind strength, the storm remains extremely dangerous because of the high volume of rainfall and storm surges predicted.

"Inland flooding kills a lot of people unfortunately and that's what we're about to see," Fema administrator Brock Long told a news conference on Thursday morning.

He said that people living near rivers, streams and lowland areas in the region were most at risk.

How bad is it expected to get?

The latest weather predictions show the storm slowing to a near standstill as it pummels the coast with "copious amounts of rain" from Thursday night to Saturday.

Wind speeds are only expected to weaken on Saturday as the storm moves slowly across land.

Meteorologists have warned floodwaters may rise up to 13ft (4m) in areas as some rivers see their flows "reversed".

Parts of the Carolina coast are expecting 20-30 (50-75cm) inches of rain, with isolated regions seeing up to 40in of downpour.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is imposing a 12-hour curfew from 19:00 local time on Thursday.

Petrol stations in the area are reporting shortages and energy companies predict that one to three million homes and businesses may lose power.

Officials have warned restorations to electricity could take days or even weeks.

Over 1,400 flights have been cancelled, according to FlightAware.com, as most of the coastal region's airports are closed to ride out the storm.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned people: "Today the threat becomes a reality."

Emergency workers are arriving from other parts of the US to aid in rescues.

The Coast Guard has shallow-water response boats ready to help trapped residents.

Is global warming to blame?

The relationship between climate change and hurricanes is a complex one.

Warmer seas power hurricanes. So as the temperature of ocean water goes up, we might expect the intensity of hurricanes to increase in future.

A hotter atmosphere can also hold more water, so this should allow hurricanes to dump more water on affected areas.

But there are so many factors that contribute to these rare events, it has been difficult to tease out clear trends from the data.
Are you in the area? How are you preparing for the hurricane? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:

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'Life-threatening' storm starts to lash US

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The outer bands of Hurricane Florence are lashing parts of the US East Coast. Officials warn of life-threatening storm surges in both North and South Carolina as the hurricane moves towards land with maximum sustained wind speeds of 100mph (155 km/h). More than 100,000 homes are already without power as weather conditions begin to worsen.

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Hurricane

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Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a category two storm as it approaches the US but officials still warn of a "disaster at the doorstep".

Florence's winds may have dropped to 110mph (175km/h) but its slow-moving nature could mean it lingers for days, bringing catastrophic flooding.

Some 10 million people are now under some form of storm watch.

Florence may now be heading further south, and Georgia is the latest state to declare an emergency.

It joins North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC.

As of 23:00 Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday (03:00 GMT Thursday), Florence was 280 miles (455km) south-east of Wilmington in North Carolina, the latest National Hurricane Centre advisory says.

Forecasters have adjusted the predicted path of Florence. It is now expected to make landfall a little further south, on the Carolinas border on Thursday.

Although the maximum sustained winds have fallen, they are not expected to weaken further and the forward speed of the hurricane is also dropping, meaning it could linger near the coastline through to Saturday,

This means that torrential rainfall could last for significant periods and cause catastrophic flooding, including in inland areas such as Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said: "The time to prepare is almost over, Disaster is at the doorstep and it's coming in."

Up to 1.7 million people have been ordered to evacuate across South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

Some 5.25 million people are under hurricane warning or watch, and another 4.9 million people are under storm warning or watch, Associated Press reported.

The biggest danger to life could be from storm surges, which are still predicted to be as high as 13ft (4m) between Cape Fear and Cape Lookout in North Carolina, areas that could also see up to 40in (101cm) of rain.

Hurricane force winds will emanate up to 80 miles from the centre of the storm, say meteorologists.

President Donald Trump issued a video message saying: "This is going to be one of the biggest ones to ever hit our country... Protection of life is the absolute highest priority."

A National Weather Service forecaster said: "This will likely be the storm of a lifetime for portions of the Carolina coast.

"And that's saying a lot given the impacts we've seen from Hurricanes Diana, Hugo, Fran, Bonnie, Floyd and Matthew.

"I can't emphasise enough the potential for unbelievable damage from wind, storm surge and inland flooding with this storm."

Jeff Byard, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said: "This is going to be a Mike Tyson punch to the Carolina coast."

Florence could wreak more than $170bn (£130bn) of havoc and damage nearly 759,000 homes and businesses, says analytics firm CoreLogic.

Energy companies warned Florence could knock out power in some areas for weeks

Waves 83ft (25m) tall were recorded at sea on Wednesday morning.

European astronaut Alexander Gerst shared images of Florence's eye wall from space, calling the storm a "no-kidding nightmare".

But while many coastal residents have complied with mandatory evacuation orders, others are boarding up their homes and vowing to ride out the storm.

Delicatessen owner in Wilmington, Brad Corpening, told Reuters he would stay, saying: "I'm not approaching Florence from fear or panic. It's going to happen. We just need to figure out how to make it through."

Restaurant owner in the town, Solange Iliou Thompson, told Agence France-Presse: "I'm staying. The building's solid and Buddha will protect us.

"What can you do? You can't stop Mother Nature."
Are you in the area? How are you preparing for the hurricane s? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk .
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'Disaster' still feared as US storm weakens

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Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a category two storm as it approaches the US but officials still warn of a "disaster at the doorstep". Florence's winds may have dropped to 110mph (175km/h) but its slow-moving nature could mean it lingers for days, bringing catastrophic flooding.

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Hurricane

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US President Donald Trump has issued a series of warnings to prepare for Hurricane Florence, which is gathering power as it approaches the Carolinas.

Mr Trump tweeted that this was "one of the worst storms to hit the East Coast in many years".

Florence is at present a Category Four storm, with sustained winds of about 140mph (220km/h).

On its current track it is predicted to make landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina, late on Thursday.

A number of mandatory evacuations have been ordered in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, affecting more than a million people.

South Carolina's Governor Henry McMaster has given the entire coastline until noon on Tuesday to leave.

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington has also ordered a mandatory evacuation of students.

In its latest advisory at 23:00 eastern time (0300 GMT). the National Hurricane Center said of Florence: "Some strengthening is expected during the next 36 hours, and Florence is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday."

It said hurricane-force winds would "extend outward up to 40 miles (65km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds [would] extend outward up to 150 miles (240km)".

The 23:00 report placed Florence about 465 miles south-east of Bermuda, moving west-north-west at about 13mph.

This would see it pass between Bermuda and the Bahamas on Tuesday and Wednesday and make landfall on the North Carolina coast at about 22:00 local time on Thursday.

The chief meteorologist for WCBD-TV in South Carolina, Rob Fowler, told the BBC that Florence was a large storm and getting bigger, and those even 100 miles away would feel the impact.

He said the predicted heavy rain and storm surges could threaten areas such as Charleston, which is only a few metres above sea level, and that Florence could rival the impact of Hurricane Hugo, which wreaked $7bn (£5.3bn) in damage and claimed 49 lives in 1989.

Schools in affected areas will begin to close on Tuesday and lanes on some highways will be reversed to aid evacuations.

"We are not going to gamble with the lives of the people of South Carolina," Mr McMaster said.

The office of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam predicted "catastrophic inland flooding, high winds and possible widespread power outages".

Rainfall could be up to 20in (50cm) in some areas. This could worsen if, as some meteorologists predict, Florence stalls after it makes landfall.

National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham told the Associated Press news agency: "It's not just the coast. When you stall a system like this and it moves real slow, some of that rainfall can extend well away from the centre."

A similar event caused devastation in Texas last year when Hurricane Harvey hit.

'We were nonstop'

President Trump has signed approvals for the declarations of emergency in the Carolinas and said he had spoken to the governors of the affected states.

He sent out five tweets over four hours warning people to heed advice and stay safe:

The US Navy is sending 30 ships stationed in Virginia out to sea.

Residents of affected areas have been flocking to stores to stock up on essentials.

Hardware store manager John Johnson told Agence France-Presse news agency there had been a rush on batteries, flashlights, plastic tarpaulins and sandbags at his Charleston shop.

"From eight o'clock 'til two we were slammed. We were nonstop," he said.

Resident Deborah LaRoche told the agency: "It doesn't matter what happened in [previous] storms. This one is different."

Some petrol stations were running dry as customers filled up.

Curtis Oil, a fuel distributor in Chesterfield, South Carolina, said it had been "overwhelmed with requests by state agencies and everybody else".
Are you in the area? How are you preparing for the hurricane? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:

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US President Donald Trump has issued a series of warnings to prepare for Hurricane Florence, which is gathering power as it approaches the Carolinas. Mr Trump tweeted that this was "one of the worst storms to hit the East Coast in many years".

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Food consumption and reduction of water footprints

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Switching to a healthier diet can reduce an individual's water footprint by as much as 55%.

According to new research, turning vegetarian has the biggest impact, but even cutting down on meat gives a saving of at least 10%.

Shifting to a healthy diet is a "win-win situation", say researchers.

Citizens will be healthier and their food can be produced using less of one of our most precious natural resources - water.

"The main message is that if you shift to a healthy diet, be it with meat or without (vegetarian or pescetarian), according to your own preference, it's not only good for your health, but it's also very good for the environment in the sense that you reduce your water footprint substantially," said Dr Davy Vanham of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, in Ispra, Italy.

Facts from the study

The water footprint from food consumption (domestic and imported food) per person per day is 2,757 litres in the UK, compared with 2,929 for Germany and 3,861 for France

Switching to a healthy diet with meat would reduce water consumption by 11-35%

A healthy pescetarian diet (meat is replaced with fish and pulses, animal fat is replaced with oils from crops) reduces water consumption by 33-35%

A healthy vegetarian diet (no fish or meat, oils from crops in place of animal fat) reduces water consumption by 35-55%.

Freshwater resources are already scarce, but the problem is set to get worse, due to population growth, changing lifestyles and climate change.

Public messages on saving water by taking shorter showers or turning off the tap when brushing teeth are well known.

But there is lower awareness of the amount of water used to produce food. Raising livestock uses up a lot of water. Oils, sugars and fats also require large amounts of water to produce, but growing fruits and vegetables is more water efficient.

"If you look at the numbers for the countries it goes to 3,000 - 4,000 litres per person per day; these are enormous amounts when you compare them with direct water use at home," said Dr Vanham.

The results were broadly similar in the three countries, confirming that people in Europe tend to eat too much red meat, sugar and fat, but do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, he said.

The research, carried out in the UK, France and Germany, is published in the journal, Nature Sustainability.

It is based on analysis of food-related water consumption for current and recommended diets (healthy diet with meat, healthy pescetarian diet and healthy vegetarian diet) down to the level of individual boroughs, in the most detailed study of its kind.

The authors acknowledge that encouraging people to change their diet is not straightforward and requires a number of interventions, from taxing unhealthy food to better food labelling.

Follow Helen on Twitter.

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Switching to a healthier diet can reduce an individual's water footprint by as much as 55%. According to new research, turning vegetarian has the biggest impact, but even cutting down on meat gives a saving of at least 10%. Shifting to a healthy diet is a "win-win situation", say researchers.

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Volcanoes video

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Volcanoes are Earth's geologic architects. They've created more than 80 percent of our planet's surface, laying the foundation that has allowed life to thrive. Their explosive force crafts mountains as well as craters. Lava rivers spread into bleak landscapes. But as time ticks by, the elements break down these volcanic rocks, liberating nutrients from their stony prisons and creating remarkably fertile soils that have allowed civilizations to flourish.

There are volcanoes on every continent, even Antarctica. Some 1,500 volcanoes are still considered potentially active around the world today; 161 of those-over 10 percent-sit within the boundaries of the United States.

But each volcano is different. Some burst to life in explosive eruptions, like the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, and others burp rivers of lava in what's known as an effusive eruption, like the 2018 activity of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano. These differences are all thanks to the chemistry driving the molten activity. Effusive eruptions are more common when the magma is less viscous, or runny, which allows gas to escape and the magma to flow down the volcano's slopes. Explosive eruptions, however, happen when viscous molten rock traps the gasses, building pressure until it violently breaks free.

How do volcanoes form?

The majority of volcanoes in the world form along the boundaries of Earth's tectonic plates-massive expanses of our planet's lithosphere that continually shift, bumping into one another. When tectonic plates collide, one often plunges deep below the other in what's known as a subduction zone.

As the descending landmass sinks deep into the Earth, temperatures and pressures climb, releasing water from the rocks. The water slightly reduces the melting point of the overlying rock, forming magma that can work its way to the surface-the spark of life to reawaken a slumbering volcano.

Not all volcanoes are related to subduction, however. Another way volcanoes can form is what's known as hotspot volcanism. In this situation, a zone of magmatic activity-or a hotspot-in the middle of a tectonic plate can push up through the crust to form a volcano. Although the hotspot itself is thought to be largely stationary, the tectonic plates continue their slow march, building a line of volcanoes or islands on the surface. This mechanism is thought to be behind the Hawaii volcanic chain.

Where are all these volcanoes?

Some 75 percent of the world's active volcanoes are positioned around the ring of fire, a 25,000-mile long, horseshoe-shaped zone that stretches from the southern tip of South America across the West Coast of North America, through the Bering Sea to Japan, and on to New Zealand.

This region is where the edges of the Pacific and Nazca plates butt up against an array of other tectonic plates. Importantly, however, the volcanoes of the ring aren't geologically connected. In other words, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia is not related to one in Alaska, and it could not stir the infamous Yellowstone supervolcano.

What are some of the dangers from a volcano?

Volcanic eruptions pose many dangers aside from lava flows. It's important to heed local authorities' advice during active eruptions and evacuate regions when necessary.

One particular danger is pyroclastic flows, avalanches of hot rocks, ash, and toxic gas that race down slopes at speeds as high as 450 miles an hour. Such an event was responsible for wiping out the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum after Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79.

Similarly, volcanic mudflows called lahars can be very destructive. These fast-flowing waves of mud and debris can race down a volcano's flanks, burying entire towns.

Ash is another volcanic danger. Unlike the soft, fluffy bits of charred wood left after a campfire, volcanic ash is made of sharp fragments of rocks and volcanic glass each less than two millimeters across. The ash forms as the gasses within rising magma expand, shattering the cooling rocks as they burst from the volcano's mouth. It's not only dangerous to inhale, it's heavy and builds up quickly. Volcanic ash can collapse weak structures, cause power outages, and is a challenge to shovel away post-eruption.

Can we predict volcanic eruptions?

Volcanoes give some warning of pending eruption, making it vital for scientists to closely monitor any volcanoes near large population centers. Warning signs include small earthquakes, swelling or bulging of the volcano's sides, and increased emission of gasses from its vents. None of those signs necessarily mean an eruption is imminent, but they can help scientists evaluate the state of the volcano when magma is building.

However, it's impossible to say exactly when, or even if, any given volcano will erupt. Volcanoes don't run on a timetable like a train. This means it's impossible for one to be "overdue" for eruption -no matter what news headlines say.

What is the largest eruption in history?

The deadliest eruption in recorded history was the 1815 explosion of Mount Tabora in Indonesia. The blast was one of the most powerful ever documented and created a caldera -essentially a crater-4 miles across and more than 3,600 feet deep. A superheated plume of hot ash and gas shot 28 miles into the sky, producing numerous pyroclastic flows when it collapsed.

The eruption and its immediate dangers killed around 10,000 people. But that wasn't its only impact. The volcanic ash and gas injected into the atmosphere obscured the sun and increased the reflectivity of Earth, cooling its surface and causing what's known as the year without a summer. Starvation and disease during this time killed some 82,000 more people, and the gloomy conditions are often credited as the inspiration for gothic horror tales, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Although there have been several big eruptions in recorded history, volcanic eruptions today are no more frequent than there were a decade or even a century ago. At least a dozen volcanoes erupt on any given day. As monitoring capacity for-and interest in-volcanic eruptions increases, coverage of the activity more frequently appears in the news and on social media. As Erik Klemetti, associate professor of geosciences at Denison University, writes in The Washington Post: "The world is not more volcanically active, we're just more volcanically aware."

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Volcanoes are Earth's geologic architects. They've created more than 80 percent of our planet's surface, laying the foundation that has allowed life to thrive. Their explosive force crafts mountains as well as craters. Lava rivers spread into bleak landscapes.

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Environment.List+reading

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Scientists confirm: the ozone hole is indeed healing.

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Explain the recycling processes for aluminum, plastic, glass, and paper through educational videos about waste management. Related classroom activities will educate kids about reusing materials, reducing waste, and recycling. These environmental science resources are great teaching tools for Earth Day (April 22) and America Recycles Day (November 15).

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Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on World Day Against Child Labour. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading:

Your browser does not support this audio player.

READING

One of the world's most serious problems is the use of child labour. June 12 is the World Day Against Child Labour. All around the world people will take part in activities to raise awareness of the damage child labour does to children, families and societies. The day is also one on which the world promotes the human rights of children. The United Nations set out in its Millennium Development Goals a number of targets to help prevent child labour. By 2015, it hopes all children complete their primary education and that there is equality in education. To do this, governments must take steps to reduce poverty and provide enough jobs for adults. These are the two main reasons why we have child labour today.

There are over 250 million children worldwide who work in some kind of labour. Eighty percent of these, around 200 million, work in dangerous and hazardous conditions. A senior UNICEF spokesperson on child protection said: "Child labour is a widespread phenomenon all over the world...When that work stands between a child and his or her chances for education, or affects his or her health, then we consider this a violation of the rights of children." There are many terrible forms of child labour. These include working in dangerous mines deep below the ground and being a slave in the sex industry. Many children are sold by their parents to raise money. Many more are beaten and abused by cruel employers, or sold by child traffickers.

Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.

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ESL Lesson on World Day Against Child Labour

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Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on World Day Against Child Labour. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading: Your browser does not support this audio player. One of the world's most serious problems is the use of child labour.

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http://badgergoesglobal.weebly.com/climate-change.htmlhttp://badgergoesglobal.weebly.com/climate-change.html

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Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on Day to Combat Desertification & Drought. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading:

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READING

One of the most pressing problems facing our world today is the advance of deserts and the droughts this causes. June 17 is officially the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. It was created by the United Nations to draw attention to the seriousness of farmland and forests lost to deserts. The UN General Assembly drew up the "Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa". This long-titled initiative hopes to reverse desertification. To do this, agencies must educate poorer nations about the dangers of land degradation. Such education is one way to help reduce poverty and encourage sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a speech that "land degradation affects a significant portion of the Earth's arable lands, directly impacting the well-being of people and economic development of countries". He added that: "As the population grows, and with it the demand for agriculture production, traditional systems of managing the land are collapsing." Mr. Ban said the UN must work harder to reduce poverty and protect dry lands. He told the world: "The time has come for the international community to recognize that dry land, where nearly half of the world's poor live, is not waste land. Rather, they are potential areas for agricultural intensification for both food and energy needs."

Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.

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ESL Lesson on Day to Combat Desertification & Drought

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Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on Day to Combat Desertification & Drought. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading: Your browser does not support this audio player.

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Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on World Environment Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading:

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READING

World Environment Day (WED) is a day we all need to put in our diaries. It happens on June 5 every year and should be one of the most important days of the holiday calendar. WED was created in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly. The environment wasn't such a big issue back then. It is one of the hottest topics in the world today. WED helps raise worldwide awareness of the threats to our environment. Many environmental agencies organize events based on different themes each year. These events encourage both governments and local communities to work together. This ensures environmental problems are tackled from a grass roots level and at a presidential level.

Many people in rich countries are aware of today's environmental issues. Even though many of the world's citizens know the issues, too few people do enough to combat them. Perhaps the most serious issue is global warming. WED could be the day to start changing our lifestyle forever to reduce our carbon footprint. Most of us use far too much energy. With a little thought, we could all use less power and help the environment. WED also needs to make people in poorer countries aware of the dangers to the environment. The governments of new superpowers such as China and India need to reduce their energy consumption too. Hopefully, World Environment Day will become more celebrated every year.

Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.

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Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on World Environment Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading: Your browser does not support this audio player. World Environment Day (WED) is a day we all need to put in our diaries.

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Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on World Oceans Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading:

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READING

Over seventy per cent of the Earth's surface is ocean. Many of our oceans are being damaged by human activity. On June 8, we recognize the importance of the oceans with World Ocean Day. This important day in the environmental calendar began on 8 June 1992. It was started by a group of environmentalists at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. On World Ocean Day, activities take place around the world. These let us appreciate how important the oceans are to us and how they are essential for our survival. It is a day for us to learn more about the diversity of life in the oceans and how our actions are killing many species. The day also hopes to raise awareness that our oceans are an important part of keeping our planet at the right temperature.

The world's oceans are under serious threat today. Over-fishing, pollution and global warming are just a few of the things damaging the seas. Climate change means sea levels are rising. Scientists say that within fifty years, many of today's countries will be under water. A warming world also changes the way ocean water circulates. If parts of the world become too warm, ocean temperatures could change and cause havoc to the world's weather patterns. Changing water temperatures could also make many marine species extinct. Oceans are becoming saltier because of global warming. This is killing many coral reefs, which lead to many species of ocean life dying. We really need to start thinking about how our lives damage the oceans.

Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on World Oceans Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this reading: Your browser does not support this audio player. Over seventy per cent of the Earth's surface is ocean.

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Written By: Deborah Wolfe
Photos by: Tiatemjen Jamir

"You're still a child, Derrick. Your main priorities should be school, and fun - not work!"

I was talking to my 15-year-old son. His after-school job was creeping up in hours. I was worried about his sleep and his schoolwork. He hadn't played soccer with his friends in two weeks.

Here in Canada, we know the importance of protecting children, so they have a chance to be children. But in many parts of the world, a child Derrick's age would already be working 12-hour shifts through pain, exhaustion, and abuse.

There are 168 million child labourers worldwide and half of them are working in jobs that are dangerous, dirty and degrading. June 12 is World Day Against Child Labour and I want to share Jatin's story, whose life I can't imagine for my son.

In the shadow of the Taj Mahal

He meant to work for just a little while, until his father recovered from illness. But that was four years ago. Jatin's dream of school got fainter with each passing year, until it disappeared completely.

Thirteen-year-old Jatin now toils alongside his father, making shoes. They work in a factory in someone's home. Jatin's work consists of cutting, stitching, and gluing the leather pieces. His hands ache constantly.

The shop is one of many that exist in the city of Agra, known for the world-famous Taj Mahal mausoleum. Many of Jatin's shoes find their way to nearby markets, where tourists go to shop. It's easy to picture the travelers, celebrating the deals they've scored on beautiful pairs of hand-made leather shoes. Perhaps they don't know about Jatin, and other children like him.

Pain and anxiety

The factory where Jatin labours is anything but safe, with heavy machinery and sharp tools lying everywhere. The boss hovers nearby, ready to shout when his young worker slows.

"The manager scares me when he yells at me for not doing my work properly," says Jatin. "There are days I don't want to go to work. But then I know that if I don't, we won't have enough money for food and rent."

I think about this 13-year-old boy, hunched on the floor, making shoes his family can't afford to buy. I feel sorrow - and a sense of outrage. Jatin came into the world with a wealth of potential. Who knows what he might have become? Jatin shouldn't have to give up both his childhood and his future, just to help his family get by.

For his pain and sacrifice, Jatin helps his father accumulate a total of $55 a week. Here in Canada, my son earns that much in a single evening. But Derrick is saving for a new cell phone. Jatin is saving for next month's rent.

Finding the culprit

A story like this can leave us feeling helpless - and angry. It's easy to blame Jatin's father. When he recovered from his illness, Jatin continued to work, rather than returning to school.

But there's a lot we don't know about the family. And many things are different in deep poverty. The illness might well have lasted months, leaving the family buried in debt. It could take years to dig out.

We could blame the tourists who buy Jatin's shoes, reveling in the low, low prices. But then, we'd need to look at our own shopping habits. Where do the shoes that we purchase from our local mall originate? Was there child labour in their making?

Jatin's father may not hold the power to advocate for his son. But we do. You can speak up for Jatin, and millions of other children like him.

Share the story. Sign the pledge. Join the movement.
This article was written for World Vision Canada's No Child For Sale campaign. The campaign works to to hold Canadian companies with overseas factories accountable for the way their products are made.

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Shoe Maker: A life I can't imagine for my son

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Written By: Deborah WolfePhotos by: Tiatemjen Jamir "You're still a child, Derrick. Your main priorities should be school, and fun - not work!"I was talking to my 15-year-old son. His after-school job was creeping up in hours. I was worried about his sleep and his schoolwork.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42260580http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42260580

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http://www.bbc.com/news/video_and_audio/headlines/42512361/why-china-doesn-t-want-your-waste-anymorehttp://www.bbc.com/news/video_and_audio/headlines/42512361/why-china-doesn-t-want-your-waste-anymore

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Weather, Weather forecast - Vocabulary List in English

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Vocabulary list of the Weather - Learning English Online with Lists and Sentences

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Let's learn more about your digital footprint. Answer all three poll questions below to get a sense of your footprint's size and shape, and how it compares with your classmates. (Check all that apply).

If you checked the box beside any of these choices, you definitely have a digital footprint! Almost everyone visits web sites. Although it may not seem like you're leaving a footprint when you visit a site, corporations may be tracking your visit for marketing purposes.

Social networking sites are also an important part of your digital life. Facebook tends to be for social interaction, LinkedIn is related to employment, and people use Twitter for both business and social purposes. If you use your cell phone to update your social networking accounts, then you probably update frequently and on the fly! Because it is so easy to post, be sure to think carefully before you do it.

Lastly, a web site all about you is a significant project that takes time and effort. But if you do it well, your web site can become a personal portfolio to help market you to future colleges and employers!

By now, you have probably realized that your digital footprint can be influenced by others. Posting online about the fun you're having in real life is one of the best parts of social networking. Sometimes you might know when someone is posting something about you, but sometimes you may not. If you do not know all your social networking friends in real life, you should carefully consider how much information you share with those "friends."

It's also important to choose passwords your friends can't guess, and keep your passwords private. Now that you know how important and permanent a digital footprint can be, treat your friends' digital footprints with respect. The Internet is an open stage for the world, not a place to play even a friendly prank.

Now that you know all the ways that you and others are shaping your digital footprint, it's important to be vigilant about keeping your footprint in shape. Have you ever realized how closely marketers are watching you online? Does it bother you at all, and would it affect the kinds of things you might shop for online?

Searching for yourself on a search engine is a quick way to see what information is out there about you. You may find a number of people who have the same name as you--and some of them might have a digital footprint you wouldn't want for yourself. How will you make yourself stand out in the crowd of people who may seem to be you?

Using an appropriate photo of yourself in your social networking profiles is an important start. Think carefully about posting your contact information or birthday. As fun as it is to get birthday messages, you may also get targeted by marketers or even identity thieves.

We all have good days and bad days, but remember that what goes on the Internet is public and long-lasting. Do you want everyone, including your future employers, to see your personal business, including fights and breakups?

And if there are some parts of your digital footprint that you are not proud of, don't be afraid to untag a photo, ask a friend to take something of yours down, or even delete an account. These "fixes" are not absolute, but they can help to keep your private business private.

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