Author Archives: Kenya Best

Climate change – is it dying out?

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Climate change is not becoming a thing of the past. Recently, there has been a rise in strikes for environmental change throughout the world.

These protests are occurring as a result of society becoming more aware of the irreversible damages our lifestyles are posing for the future of the earth.

Since 2005, carbon dioxide levels have been on the rise, with the highest concentration being recorded this year at 650,000 parts per million.

This greenhouse gas traps heat in the atmosphere. This gas is released from human activities which include deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, respiration, etc. As a result of this gas being trapped in the atmosphere, temperatures around the globe have drastically risen in the past 19 years, with 2016 being recorded as the hottest years ever.

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Photo by: Kenya Best

A domino effect is occurring, as the rise in temperatures causes the Arctic ice caps to melt and as a consequence, the sea levels around the world are rising.

The United Kingdom is also beginning to face the effects of climate change. The Environment Agency has asked that urgent measures be taken to protect the country from coastal and river flooding.

When this average temperature rise of 4C occurs, many persons may be forced to leave their homes and businesses. Despite this, because of the increase in population, by 2050, the number of homes built on floodplains may be doubled.

Other severe effects of climate change include drought, high sea levels, stronger hurricanes and an increase in precipitation to name a few.

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Photo by: Kenya Best

With society seeing the changes occurring throughout the world as a result of global warming, more and more people are speaking out about the human activities that are damaging the atmosphere.

With this awareness, groups and campaigns are being formed in an attempt to save the planet. With the rise in campaigns, came the term “climate justice”, where global warming is a consequence of ethical and political issues, rather than being purely environmental or physical in nature.

Young children and adults are realising that their futures are in jeopardy and have begun speaking out against the governments, to ensure they put legislation in place to protect the Earth.

In the United Kingdom, Student Climate Network, is an organisation led by teenagers in the fight for climate justice. On 15th February, 2019, one of the largest climate strikes occurred, with over 10,000 students, skipping classes and taking to the streets to protest.

Throughout the world, more young people are being influenced by the young activist Greta Thunberg, who started it all. Through these strikes, governments have begun to take climate change and global warming more seriously.

A recent initiative by scientists in Cambridge has begun to find ways to repair the Earth’s climate. A research centre is being set-up to investigate revolutionary approaches as the current ways being implemented, on their own, will not stop the irrevocable damage already done.

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Photo by: Kenya Best

Some of these methods include refreezing the poles, recycling carbon dioxide and ocean greening.

I spoke to Stefan Adams, who for his final project, was showing the effects of climate change. “I think people are becoming more aware of [climate change] it.” He says this awareness is thanks to the media and the different strikes occurring.

“Getting away from using fossil fuels..governments imposing sanctions on air flight, food and shopping, so everybody uses a lot less. It’s quite totalitarian…you might have to start going on holiday only once a year or the world collapses.”

We as humans may have to give up on our lavish lifestyles in hopes that we have sustainable futures, but it’s up to governments to ensure they do their parts.

But what’s clear from all of this is that the fight against climate change is definitely not dying out – it seems like it has only just begun.

Below are the methods that the Cambridge scientists hope to help tackle the climate change crisis.

Think voluinous sleeves and bold prints. This fashion trends gears towards more drama than usual everyday dresses.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48206325

https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48069663

 

Julian Assange: The events leading to his arrest

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Founder of WikiLeaks Julian Assange has been sentenced in the UK to 50 weeks in prison for breaching bail back in 2012. The sentencing comes days before World Press Day 2019 on May 3rd. But who is Julian Assange?

Julian Assange is an Australian journalist, computer programmer and software developer. His infamy started at the young age of 16, when he hacked into a telecommunication company’s master terminal. He was then charged on 30 accounts of hacking in Australia, however, Assange was exempted with only a fine for damages to Nortel.

Assange further improved his technological skills and enrolled at the University of Melbourne. But this did not last long. For ethical reasons, such as not wanting to use his intelligence to aid the military, Assange left university and did not continue his degree in Mathematics.

Only 13 years ago, Assange began working on WikiLeaks: a website that “specialises in the analysis and publication of large datasets of censored and otherwise restricted official materials involving war, spying and corruption. This website officially launched in 2007 and became one of the biggest whistleblowers of the century.

In June, 2012, Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and was granted political asylum in August of that same year. Ecuador decided to protect him under the fear that his right as a human would be violated if he were to be extradited to Sweden.

Two years prior, in December 2010, Swedish authorities issued a European Arrest Warrant under the allegations of two counts of sexual molestation, one count of rape and one count of illegal coercion. On December 6th of the same year, Assange turned himself into British police.

In May 2012, the U.K’s Supreme Court ruled that Julian Assange should be extradited to Sweden to face his allegations. This forced Assange to seek political asylum at the

Ecuadorian embassy but only on their territory and if he left the embassy, he was free to be arrested by British police.

In 2015, the sexual assault and coercion charges were dropped, while the rape charges statute of limitations will expire in 2020. In February 2016, a United Nations panel was held which ruled that Assange was unreasonably detained and that he should be released and compensated for his deprivation of liberty.

However, both Sweden and UK rejected saying that Assange would be arrested if he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy. On May 19th 2017, Sweden said that the rape charges against Assange would be dropped. Later that year in December, Assange was granted Ecuadorian citizenship, but his relationship with the country was starting to deteriorate.

This may have been as a result of Assange’s interference in the 2016 Presidential elections in America. Where 1200 emails from Hillary Clinton’s, one of the candidates in the presidential race, private server.

Earlier this year, in February, Australia granted Julian Assange a new passport as they feared that Ecuador would soon withdraw Assange’s asylum. Two months later, Australia’s fears came through Ecuador withdrew Assange’s asylum and as a result he was arrested at the embassy.

Following his arrest, it was announced that the WikiLeaks founder has been charged in the US for conspiring with Army Intelligence analyst, Chelsea Manning to break into a classified government computer at the Pentagon.

The following explainer shows the timeline of events before his arrest.

Julian assange

Infographic by: Kenya Best

Sources: 

https://www.biography.com/activist/julian-assange

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11949341

https://wikileaks.org/What-is-WikiLeaks.html

 

Are we living healthy lifestyles?

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If you’re looking to lose weight fast, then the diets mentioned below may be the ones for you. But if you are like me, and want to live healthily, then these diets are not recommended as they can result in long-term health risks.

 

 

The following infographic shows us what the diets mentioned in the audio are and how they make you lose weight.

leading a healthy lifestyle

 

Know your craft

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“Do what makes you happy. Do what you love. Do what excites you.”

With an easy-going personality and an infectious smile, Krissi McIlqham shares what she believes will result in success.

Sitting in the cosy café, the pleasant aroma of coffee lulls us into a peaceful chat. The buzzing chatter of the students around us, together with the warm rays of the sun shining through the window enhances the ambience of the room.

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Photo by: Phil Sharp

Similar to the comfort of the room was Krissi. It felt like I had known her for far longer than the five minutes I was there.

From her interactions with her students, I can see that she is respected for her knowledge of the entertainment world and her willingness to help her students succeed.

From a young age, she always dreamed of being an actress, but her desire for more recognition has pushed her past her juvenile aspirations, and now, she can call herself actress, producer, teacher, and Managing Director.

One day while acting, her friend, who worked at Mad Dog 2020, informed her that the extras casting agency was looking for a person to assist in film casting. From then on, Krissi progressed through the roles of Head of Television, Head of Television and Commercials, Head of Casting and finally Managing Director.

Krissi doesn’t believe in giving up one thing to pursue the other. Even if you don’t specialise in the role, you should still try it out.

When she first started acting, she described herself as being sensitive, especially when it came to being rejected. But now that she has been on the other side of the coin, she now sees how much work goes into casting and understands that directors look for particulars when choosing an individual for a role.

“People who look like foxes”

The weirdest brief for a role she received was “people who look like foxes”. Since supporting artists don’t have any lines, they are chosen purely based on appearance.

However, when she worked as a producer, the actor has to arouse emotion in her, or as she said “make her feel something”. For her, choosing the right fit for a role is purely instinctual.

Being a producer is no easy job. From casting to budgeting, for those who aren’t natural producers it may seem even harder. “I’m not a fan of producing, as it feels like a thankless job.”

However, even though she didn’t enjoy it, she still did it as she knew that it would help her develop her craft. Even with her clear dislike for producing, she enjoyed her first production as it made her realise she could do it herself and make her own work.

Her work in producing has made her adore the writer/producer of Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes as she believes the producer has done a lot for diversity in the acting world. “I’m obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy, I’ve probably watched that show about thirty times.”

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Photo by: Cam Harle

Krissi advises that anyone trying to get into the acting world, they should train. “Acting is hard and it needs work so you should train classically by understanding Shakespeare. Training your voice and body takes time.”

“Acting is personal.” When saying those words, reflecting in her eyes was the passion she had for acting and teaching acting. Even with her expertise in the field, she says she doesn’t know the right or exact way to act and that there isn’.t one way to teach an actor.

“Every actor needs to find their own actor tools”. In this way, they would understand the different acting methods and how to use them. She then tells me that this can only be done through constant training.

Throughout the conversation, Krissi’s smile was a constant, while talking about acting. I could tell that it was something that made her feel spirited. With the sun at its peak, I said my farewells but something she said stuck with me that could be applied to other jobs you are looking to pursue.

“You don’t have to go to an accredited drama school to succeed, you just have to know your craft.”

 

 

Permission was granted to use the photographs.

Who is the U.K Student Climate Network?

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On March 15th, students from more than 112 countries took to the streets in one of the biggest climate protests since.

 

Who started the young activist climate change movement?

 

This demand for climate change jump-started last year, when Swedish, 16-year-old, Greta Thunberg, influenced tens of thousands of young climate change activists in countries such as the United Kingdom. Australia, France, Uganda, Colombia and Thailand.

 

When is the next strike?

 

The next strike to this cause will be held, Friday, 12th  April, 2019.

 

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Image by: School Strike

 

Does the U.K have its own young activists climate change society?

 

In the United Kingdom, these activists have created their own network called the ‘UK Student Climate Network’.

This network is made up of under 18s who go against the government in hopes that they can protect their future.

Currently, the network has a target of £50,000 to help in their fight for climate change.

This infographic gives us the mission and demands of the UK Student Climate Network for the government that will help tackle the climate crisis and help he younger generation towards a better future.

 

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Images from: School Strike