Author Archives: Jill Tsai

This Is the Most Heartbreaking News About Animals You’ll Read Today

by Jill Tsai Posted on September 1, 2016

Mother Jones

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Africa’s iconic savanna elephants are disappearing—and poaching is to blame. That’s the takeaway of the Great Elephant Census, an elephant count conducted by researchers from an array of conservation and zoological groups in Africa.

Between 2007 and 2014, Africa’s elephant population dwindled by 30 percent, down to a grand total of just over 352,000 elephants. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there were as many as 3-5 million elephants in the early twentieth century.

Over the past 5-10 years, because of mounting demand for ivory, largely in China, elephant poaching has increased dramatically, especially in eastern and western Africa.

Some of the highest carcass ratios—a metric that compares PDF the number of dead elephants to the total number of live and dead elephants in a given area—were found in Cameroon, Mozambique, Tanzania and Angola, which had not been surveyed before.

Other reasons linked to the decline are human-elephant conflict, habitat loss and fragmentation, and the isolation of populations.

The report raises concerns about how the animals are protected. “The clear implication is that many reserves are failing to adequately shield elephants from poaching and human-elephant conflict,” said the study.

While these revelations may bring more attention to poaching and other issues affecting savanna elephants, the problems will likely persist. Poachers are paid handsomely—as much as $1,500 per pound of ivory on the black market—and they don’t serve much time in jail.

“If we can’t save the African elephant, what is the hope of conserving the rest of Africa’s wildlife?” said Mike Chase, GEC principal investigator, in a statement.

A few breathtaking photos of these disappearing majestic creatures:

Imago via ZUMA Press

Imago via ZUMA Press

Imago via ZUMA Press

Imago via ZUMA Press

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This Is the Most Heartbreaking News About Animals You’ll Read Today

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Here’s An Idea For Urban Living

by Jill Tsai Posted on May 9, 2016

Mother Jones

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A couple of days ago I read a post at New York magazine about a new kind of apartment:

This weekend, residents will begin moving into New York’s newest experiment in communal living: a blocky red-and-white building in Williamsburg, nestled snugly against the BQE. It’s run by the company Common, which sells “co-living,” a relatively new product that’s a start-up version of rental roommate shares.

Click the link for the full story, but it brought to mind a random thought that’s been on my mind for a long time. I’ve never mentioned it since it’s light years outside my wheelhouse of knowledge, but it’s Monday, so why not?

As near as I can tell, the Common approach is a building full of bedrooms of various sizes and prices. There are common bathrooms and dining areas in various places, and the rent ranges from $2,250 to $3,190. But if you’re going to go the dorm route, why not do it better? Take a look at the floor plan below:

I chose the bedroom size because it’s the size of my master bedroom. It’s plenty large and comfy, with room for two, lots of closet space, and a nice private bathroom. Five of these bedrooms enclose a 1,100 square foot common area, which is about the size of the entire downstairs of my house. In real life it would be divided into various areas, either via walls or potted plants or what have you. There’s plenty of space for a large kitchen in the center and various dining, seating, and TV rooms around it. The entire thing is 3,162 square feet, and every bedroom has two doors: one into the common area and a private door to the outside. The building would presumably have the usual amenities depending on how upscale it is: fitness center, laundry facilities, storage areas, etc.

So I’m curious: why doesn’t anyone do this? Are there regulatory issues? Has it been tried and failed? It seems like a decent idea that provides a lot of space for the money, and plenty of privacy too if you build the bedrooms right (i.e., good soundproofing). If five roommates are just too many, you could do the same thing with three bedrooms at a somewhat higher cost.

Obviously this isn’t ideal for everyone, but especially in high-cost urban areas it seems like a decent compromise between commune and private apartment that could be rented out for a reasonable price. Has this been done? If so, is there something I’m not thinking of that kept it from catching on?

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Here’s An Idea For Urban Living

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Watch Sepp Blatter Lash Out Against FIFA’s Critics in 2013

by Jill Tsai Posted on May 29, 2015

Mother Jones

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In October 2013, at the Oxford Union, FIFA president Sepp Blatter took aim at critics who viewed soccer’s international governing body as “a faceless machine printing money at the expense of the beautiful game.” (He also mocked Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo for how much he spends on his hair.) Blatter told the crowd:

There are those who will tell you that football is just a heartless, money-spinning game or just a pointless kick about on the grass. There are those who will tell you that FIFA is just a conspiracy, a scam, accountable to nobody and too powerful for anyone to resist. There are those who will tell you of the supposed sordid secrets that lie deep in our Bond villain headquarters in the hills above Zurich, where we apparently plot to exploit the unfortunate and the weak. They would have you believe that I sit in my office with a sinister grin, gently stroking the chin of an expensive, white Persian cat as my terrible sidekicks scour the earth to force countries to host the World Cup and to hand over all of their money. You might laugh. It is strange how fantasy so easily becomes confused with fact. And it feels almost absurd to have to say this. But that is not who we are. Not FIFA. Not me.

(You can watch the whole speech below—It’s very long! He talks very slowly!—but the key bits are in the video up top.)

These words resonate now, as Blatter sets his sights on a fifth term at the head of the organization amid pressure and criticism following a series of corruption-related charges on senior FIFA officials that have roiled the sport.

But remember that “Bond villain headquarters in the hills above Zurich” Blatter was talking about? Well, Swiss photographer Luca Zanier snapped a photo of FIFA executive committee’s boardroom in Zurich, and it looks villain-esque. John Oliver even likened it to the war room in Dr. Strangelove.

Here is Blatter’s full speech, courtesy of the Oxford Union:

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Watch Sepp Blatter Lash Out Against FIFA’s Critics in 2013

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Invisibility Cloaks Aren’t Just for Harry Potter

by Jill Tsai Posted on November 15, 2013

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Invisibility Cloaks Aren’t Just for Harry Potter

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EPA chief: Stop saying environmental regs kill jobs

by Jill Tsai Posted on July 31, 2013

EPA chief: Stop saying environmental regs kill jobs

By Claire Thompson

U.S. EPA

Gina McCarthy takes the oath of office, with Carol Browner and Bob Perciasepe.

Tuesday, in her first speech as EPA administrator, Gina McCarthy got real with a crowd at Harvard Law School, the AP reports:

“Can we stop talking about environmental regulations killing jobs? Please, at least for today,” said McCarthy, referring to one of the favorite talking points of Republicans and industry groups.

“Let’s talk about this as an opportunity of a lifetime, because there are too many lifetimes at stake,” she said of efforts to address global warming.

The GOP has resorted to calling pretty much every Obama plan, especially those related to the climate, “job-killing.” McCarthy hammered home the emptiness of that claim. The Hill relays what she said:

The truth is cutting carbon pollution will spark business innovation, resulting in cleaner forms of American-made energy …

Right now, state and local communities — as well as industry, universities, and other non-profits — have been piloting projects, advancing policies, and developing best practices that follow the same basic blueprint: combining environmental and economic interests for combined maximum benefit. These on-the-ground efforts are the future. It’s a chance to harness the American entrepreneur spirit, developing new technologies and creating new jobs, while at the same time reducing carbon pollution to help our children and their children.

By appointing McCarthy, who pushed through tougher air-pollution regulations while at the head of EPA’s office of air quality, Obama signaled that he’s serious about using his executive power to cut carbon emissions. She warned him that she wouldn’t have an easy time getting Senate confirmation, The New York Times reports:

“Why would you want me?” Ms. McCarthy said she asked the president when he offered her the top job. “Do you realize the rules I’ve done over the past three or four years?” …

The president told Ms. McCarthy that his environmental and presidential legacy would be incomplete without a serious effort to address climate change.

She was right: Winning confirmation was an arduous process. But now that she’s in, she is “pumped” about the new job. More from the Times:

[S]he said the agency would play a crucial role in dealing with climate change, both in writing the rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing power plants and in helping communities adapt to the inevitable changes wrought by a warming planet.

She also said the agency had to do a better job of explaining its mission to hostile constituencies, including Congress and the agriculture, mining and utility industries. …

“I spend a lot of time protecting what we are doing rather than thinking about what we should be doing.”

McCarthy’s trip to Cambridge for her Harvard speech is the first of many public appearances she’ll be making over the coming weeks, part of a big push by the Obama administration and other Democrats to promote Obama’s climate plan. Politico reports:

Starting [this] week, McCarthy will begin traveling around the country to discuss the importance of acting on climate change. The White House official said her schedule includes speeches, media events and meetings with outside groups — all of which will be promoted heavily on social media. And the official added that McCarthy will begin meeting with states soon to discuss the agency’s pending climate regulations.

It’s nice to see Democrats going on the offensive for climate. If you happen to belong to the 80 percent of voters under 35 who support the president’s climate plan, you can launch your own promotion effort, too — maybe start by convincing your cranky uncle that emissions regulations don’t kill jobs.

Claire Thompson is an editorial assistant at Grist.

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How To Filter Through Choices To Find The Best Solar Panel Contractor

by Jill Tsai Posted on July 23, 2013

Do not make the cost the deciding factor when hiring or not hiring a solar panel installation contractor to perform an improvement project at your home. You need to know what others have said about them. Do people you know recommend them? How is the quality of their work? You want quality for the price that is quoted, not necessarily the lowest price. Keep reading to learn why.

Most projects require a solar panel installation contractor to have a license. This is because the contractor has the broad task of overseeing many aspects and people. He/she may not have time to talk with you long while on the work site.

Real estate brokers are often great sources of information on solar panel installation contractors. Brokers often use contractors to get a property ready for sale. Ask for a recommendation and then tell the contractor who offered the recommendation. This may rate special discounts or faster service. .

It should always be a priority to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if a solar panel installation contractor has the right credentials. A contractor may look like they’re genuine and licenses, but you should always do your research and be sure of who you’re trusting your project with.

If your solar panel installation contractor contacts you repeatedly, try answering them timely. You must build a respectful relation and understand each other’s concerns and entertain it for effective outcomes. However, if you face difficulty then you can politely ask them to call you in certain frame of the day.

Ask for a couple of days after the completion before payment is due. Under no circumstances should this be more than a week. However, you require time to properly inspect project after the solar panel installation contractor is gone.

It’s absolutely necessary you always get a contract that details everything about your project. It should explain clearly all of the scheduling and estimated expenses. You and your solar panel installation contractor will sign this and it will then be legally binding for you both to follow. To see if a contractor will stick to these, check with their references to get more an idea about them.

When you choose a solar panel installation contractor, you do not have to be involved in any solar panel expert contract negotiation. Your contractor will enter into agreements with all of the solar panel experts and negotiate the terms for the project themselves. The only thing you should be concerned about is confirming the contractor pays the subs what is owed on your job.

You need to go through lot of information when you’re hiring a solar panel installation contractor. All depends on your research on that particular contractor, how much information you have collected about him/her. The best policy is to ask the contractor to be specific and provide you the information you asked. Being specific would only let you take the decision right and on time.

Don’t go for the cheapest solar panel installation contractor. While it may seem like it is saving you money and sometimes a cheap contractor is qualified, a more expensive and more experienced contractor will make better work.

Go to any popular search engine and enter solar heating solutions into search field. You can find a few useful tips about solar options you can use immediately.

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Most Egyptians Don’t Want a Secular Government

by Jill Tsai Posted on July 8, 2013

Mother Jones

Dave Schuler makes a point about Egyptian politics that’s far from new, but perhaps deserves to be repeated a little more often than it is: most of the population of Egypt doesn’t want a secular government. It wants an Islamic government, as the election results from two years ago show:

Of the parties listed above, the Democratic Alliance (parties allied with the Muslim Brotherhood—37.5%), the Islamist Bloc (Salafist parties even more radical than the DA—27.8%), and Al Wasat (3.7%) are all Islamist parties with an aggregate total of 69% of the vote….It’s possible that after the unpleasant experience with Morsi that public opinion may change, but in what direction? Most Egyptians are clearly not liberal democrats.

In my view the greatest likelihood is for either a return to the status quo ante, perhaps a kinder, gentler Mubarak or another Islamist government, a Morsi who isn’t Morsi. Societies depend on institutions and the two strongest institutions in Egypt are the military and the Muslim Brotherhood.

In Egypt, you can either have a secular government or you can have a democracy. You probably can’t have both.

UPDATE: Elizabeth Nugent summarizes Egyptian polling data, which paints pretty much the same picture:

Recent survey data suggests that the vast majority of Egyptians are Islamists….In April 2013, Pew released a report titled “The World’s Muslims: Religion, Politics, and Society,” which included a nationally representative sample of 1,798 Egyptians….74 percent favored making sharia the official law of their country….Of those who favored making sharia the law of the land, 70 percent wanted sharia to apply to both Muslims as well as non-Muslims….94 percent wanted religious judges (instead of civil courts) to decide family and property matters; 70 percent wanted corporal (hadd) punishments for crimes; 81 percent supported stoning as punishment for adultery; and 86 percent supported punishing those who converted from Islam with death….Arab barometer data collected in June 2011 also found that 80% of a 1200-person nationally representative sample of Egyptians agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “The government and parliament should enact laws in accordance with Islamic law.”

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Most Egyptians Don’t Want a Secular Government

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Discovering The Best Solar Panel Contractor Is Made Simple With These Tips

by Jill Tsai Posted on June 25, 2013

If you have a decent solar panel installation contractor who has done multiple jobs for you, you are fortunate. A good contractor is hard to find. If you’re now in a situation where you need to look for a new contractor, don’t get discouraged. The following tips will guide you in your search and hopefully you can find a new contractor who will be available for many years to come.

Insist that all the agreed costs, both for labor, material expenses and other miscellaneous expenses are stated and signed in an agreement. To determine the legitimacy of the solar panel installation contractor, contact his references and let them state whether if they had another chance they would consider hiring this contractor or not. As per to the priorities that the contractor will state, visit the site to ensure he lives up to your expectations.

There are many places that you can search in order to find the right solar panel installation contractor for your project. Start by looking online, through the yellow pages, checking with the local Chamber of Commerce, and even asking your friends and family.

When you develop your budget, allot for at least 10% extra in case of unanticipated issues that may come up during your project. Also, do not pay your solar panel installation contractor if he/she is not on time or does not finish each step according to your specifications.

Try to get your solar panel installation contractor to provide you with catalogs from their material suppliers. This will help you stay involved and do your own research on everything. Solar Panel Contractors may try to cut costs by using poor materials. Keep an eye out and be active in selecting materials for your project.

If you are not familiar with the area you are in, then the best way to find a reputable solar panel installation contractor is by going to the Chamber of Commerce and asking whether they can recommend someone. The members of the Chamber of Commerce are citizens of good repute and have to remain so to retain their membership. They are also involved with a lot of honorary work within their community.

To avert delays during the improvement of your project, it is advisable to get to know the financial standing of the solar panel installation contractor with the bank. This avoids cases whereby the contractor cannot finish the project because the suppliers cannot supply the materials required as they are indebted by the contractor. This saves you time and money.

Never accept the first bid you receive. Get several different bids and detailed projections from each potential solar panel installation contractor so that you can compare them. You want to ensure that no one is trying to hide any extra fees or sneakily raise their profit margins without you knowing. Comparing different bids will help you find such things if there are any.

If you work with a designer and a solar panel installation contractor on a same project, make them sign the same contract. This will help them understand what their works are separately and also what is the exact amount of budget allocated to them separately.

Interested in finding more about the subject of solar heating? Be certain to go to Yahoo and look for solar heating solutions. You could find quite a bit of information.

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Get A Grasp On Finding A Good Solar Panel Contractor By Reading These Tips

by Jill Tsai Posted on May 31, 2013

Sure, you can have the solar panel company truck with the fancy signage on the side and box of tools parked in the back and claim to be a solar panel installation contractor. But that doesn’t mean you’re competent, nor does it mean you’re up to the job. Rather than just believing what everyone tells you about what they offer, follow our tips and take the time to find someone who really can promise quality work at the right price.

While you’re doing research online, you should never take anybody’s work to the fullest extent on a solar panel installation contractor. Always contract their references and see their professional rank, see if they’re legitimate or a terrible contractor. This should make your choice much easier.

Prefer having warranties for items installed in your job. Of course, you won’t want damaged items in the end before even using it. The solar panel installation contractor has to assure all items to last a definite amount of time.

You will want to search for and hire a solar panel installation contractor who is willing and able to keep your interests in mind. Before hiring a contractor for your project, it is bets to take some time and explain all the requirements and expectations that you have for the contractor to ensure the project runs smoothly.

Pick a specialist. If you are remodeling a bathroom, choose a solar panel installation contractor that does this type of work. This holds true for any project. While a contractor can generally do it all, if your project is focused in one area, your contractor should be also.

Request recommendations from your area trade association and community. Contact sources and determine what they liked and hated about the performance of your potential solar panel installation contractor. If it suits your design, check out the contractor’s style and perspective.

Draw up your own paperwork for the solar panel installation contractors you are considering to use when making a bid on your job. It is easier for you to compare the bids side by side if you are looking at the exact same paperwork. If a contractor wants to use his own paperwork then ask them to provide yours along with theirs too.

Only hire a solar panel installation contractor from your state. States have different laws for contractors and doing this will make sure that your contractor is following the laws of the state and will prevent any legal trouble from coming out of this.

When you’re deciding between potential solar panel installation contractors for your project, make sure that both of your priorities and values are aligned. What a person believes and values (about work – never discuss religion or politics, of course!) speaks volumes about the kind of human being they are.

Using trade directions can be a great resource when researching a potential solar panel installation contractor. These directories usually perform background checks on contractors and verify that they are legitimate. They’ll also know if a contractor doesn’t have a good reputation.

Whenever you are dying to know more about the topic of solar panels perth, go ahead and visit Bing and search for westsun solar. You’ll be happy you did!

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