Stuff YOU Should Know
China Ends One-Child Policy
China has the highest population of any country in the world. Between 1949 and 1976, its population almost doubled from 540 million to 940 million. This was due, in part, to a dramatic increase in life expectancy as well as a belief that more people empowered the country. In 1979, however, the Communist Party of China created the “family planning policy” where couples living in cities were only allowed to have one child. Government agencies were created to enforce the law. Over the years, the policy has created much controversy. Because male children are traditionally expected to care for parents as they age, many Chinese girls were abandoned at birth and therefore not counted. Many of those girls lived in orphanages and were adopted internationally. This has led to a gender imbalance in the country, as well as a predicted labor shortage.
In response, the Chinese Communist Party recently announced that couples would be allowed to have a second child. To be eligible, however, one parent must be an only child. Ten million people will now be eligible, but authorities do not expect to see a spike in population. This is because the cost of raising a child in China is considered quite high.
Dig Deeper Do some research and determine the reaction of the Chinese people regarding this new policy. See if you can find other cultures or governments that have implemented laws regarding population control.
Digital Tracking of Forests
Credit: McGraw-Hill Education; new technology is allowing scientists better ways to gather data on the amount of forests growing in the world.
Researchers from the University of Maryland partnered with Google to develop an interactive tool that illustrates the change in forest cover across the world. The journal Science recently published its findings. More than 650,000 images taken between 2000 and 2012 were complied to make a map. What makes this development of this tool significant is its speed and resolution. Experts estimate that it would have taken a single computer up to 15 years to process the same amount of data. With the use of Google’s satellite technology, it took just a few days.
The findings support what researchers have long suspected, that global forest density is falling, largely due to human activity. The study published in Science reported a loss of 888,000 square miles, with a re-growth gain of only 309,000 square miles. The research team is hoping to that the tools they are developing will help nations make policies to slow deforestation. Brazil, for example, is a current leader in protecting its tropical forests through regulation and incentives. Technological advancements such as the interactive tool created by the University of Maryland and Google greatly assist in their efforts.
Dig Deeper The Director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota (not involved in this project) called this breakthrough “like the Human Genome Project for the world’s ecosystems.” See if you can find out what he meant by this.
Your Digital Footprint and Your Future
It’s college-application season; do you know what your social media status says about you? In 2008 Kaplan, Inc., a nonprofit education company began conducting annual surveys of college admissions professionals. It asked how many students checked social media to find out more about an applicant. This year, 29 percent said they did a Google search (up from less than 10 percent in 2008). Facebook and Twitter searches are also on the rise. With social media no longer seen as the realm of teens, it is no longer considered a violation of privacy to pre-examine applicants in this way.
Potential employers are also widely using social media as a way to get to know those seeking employment. Some job seekers welcome this method of investigation. They see it as an opportunity to expand on their resume using other means such as blogs or personal websites. Others job candidates find it to be a violation of privacy, or the source of potential misunderstanding. Applicants are not powerless, however. Guidance counselors are advising their students in ways to manage their “digital identities,” such as removing inappropriate photographs and creating “socially acceptable” email addresses.
What Do You Think? Do you think it’s fair for college admissions professionals or potential employers to gather information about you online? Why or why not? Have you ever made an adjustment to a social media site just because you were concerned about your reputation? Why or why not?
“Healthy” Homes?
“Green” housing is no longer a new concept. Some architecture firms now specialize in building homes from recyclable materials while including energy-efficient features. But how about a home with purified water and air, flooring to support your posture, calming lighting design and vitamin-C-infused showers? A real estate firm named Delos, is offering condominiums with such luxuries and many other “wellness features.” Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly one of the buyers.
The “health-centric” residency concept was formally introduced during the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative conference. This is an annual gathering of leaders to create innovative solutions to the world’s problems. While the homes are currently only available to the wealthy, the idea is that technology will filter down and be used for building office buildings, schools and family homes. With every purchase of one of their properties, Delos has agreed to build 40 regular homes in Haiti.