Global News and Analysis Archives - Page 45 of 294

West Virginia Teachers’ Strike: When the Rank and File Leads

Cathy Kunkel March 6, 2018 Cathy Kunkel

It’s unclear how the standoff between West Virginia workers and the state senate will end, but if nothing else, this week’s decision to keep striking is a reminder that the rank and file can lead.

“We believe the best course of action at this time is to return to school tomorrow, however, we realize that not everyone will,” said the West Virginia Education Association’s president at a press conference Wednesday evening. Since then, school remains cancelled in all fifty-five counties in West Virginia as striking teachers and school service personnel refuse to return to work. read more

How New York City Won Divestment From Fossil Fuels

Nancy Romer March 5, 2018 Nancy Romer

Source: Common Dreams

The divestment campaign provides an excellent example of how dedicated organizing, clear demands and strategies, creative tactics, strong coalitions, and good luck can come together for a win

After five years of tireless organizing, the movement to divest NYC public worker pension funds from fossil fuels scored a win. On Jan. 10, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City will divest the $5 billion of its pension funds presently invested in fossil fuel stocks. It will also sue the top five fossil fuel corporations—ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips—charging that because they hid the evidence that burning fossil fuels causes climate change, they are responsible for the billions of dollars the city has spent on climate remediation. read more

The Malkawi Aboriginal Painting Site on Napabunna land in South Australia. Photo by Fairfax Media/Getty Images

After Thousands of Years, Western Science Is Slowly Catching Up to Indigenous Knowledge

George Nicholas February 28, 2018 George Nicholas

Source: Yes! Magazine

Our knowledge of what the denizens of the animal kingdom are up to, especially when humans aren’t around, has steadily increased over the last 50 years. For example, we know now that animals use tools in their daily lives. Chimps use twigs to fish for termites; sea otters break open shellfish on rocks they selected; octopi carry coconut shell halves to later use as shelters.

The latest discovery has taken this assessment to new heights, literally. A team of researchers led by Mark Bonta and Robert Gosford in northern Australia has documented kites and falcons, colloquially termed “firehawks,” intentionally carrying burning sticks to spread fire. While it has long been known that birds will take advantage of natural fires that cause insects, rodents and reptiles to flee and thus increase feeding opportunities, that they would intercede to spread fire to unburned locales is astounding. read more

What It’s Like to Teach a Class That Doesn’t Remember 9/11

Rebecca Gordon February 26, 2018 Rebecca Gordon

Many of my students have lived their entire lives in a country at war.

Vandana Shiva: Seed Freedom and the Future of Farming

Vandana Shiva February 26, 2018 Vandana Shiva

In an era of climate change, rejuvenating and regenerating the soil through ecological processes has become a survival imperative for the human species.

Demonstrators gather at the site of a planned speech by white nationalist Richard Spencer in Gainesville, Florida. Source: Getty Images

Anti-Fascist Organizing Explodes on US College Campuses

Shane Burley February 26, 2018 Shane Burley

Source: Waging Nonviolence

On December 13, six members of the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents shared a statement titled “United Against Hate,” showing their opposition to the current negotiations happening between the university and white nationalist Richard Spencer. After a disastrous appearance at the University of Florida at Gainesville, which saw mass actions by the No Nazis as UF coalition, Spencer had set his sites on the University of Michigan for his so-called “alt-right” recruitment. read more