February 2019 – Page 3 – Bridge Agents

Why Costa Rica Tops the Happiness Index

February 5, 2019 Bridge Agents

Costa Rica (Yes) – A child growing up in the Costa Rican countryside is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and biodiverse landscapes in the world. The government of this tiny Central American country aims to keep it that way. But preserving this land of tropical rainforests isn’t Costa Rica’s only accomplishment. The government ensures all citizens have access to health care and education, and the country actively promotes peace around the world. So when the New Economics Foundation released its second Happy Planet Index, a ranking of countries based on their…

This Twitter Account Celebrates Women in Japan, One Short Profile a Day

February 5, 2019 Bridge Agents

Japan (GV) – Celebrating Women in Japan is a project that publishes short profiles of prominent women in Japan on Facebook and Twitter once a day, every day. One recent woman profiled was influential manga creator Rumiko Takahashi. Yesterday, Rumiko Takahashi was awarded the Grand Prix at the prestigious Angouleme International Comics Festival for her contribution to the development of manga. Congratulations. Her work was described as ‘extremely progressive’. #Japan #CelebratingWomeninJapan pic.twitter.com/YkowwZqKCB — CelebratingWomeninJapan (@womenofjapan) January 25, 2019 The project is spearheaded by Melanie Brock, an international business consultant in Japan and…

Teachers Forced Out of Their Jobs Over Misconduct Often Keep Teaching for Years

February 5, 2019 Bridge Agents

San Diego, CA (VOSD) – Educators regularly stay in the classroom for two and a half years or more while the slow adjudication process of determining whether to revoke their credential goes forward. This years-long process plays out after teachers have already been investigated and forced to leave one district. In the meantime, they find work in others, often as substitute teachers. James Himmelsbach had a reputation for making unwanted advances toward his female co-workers at Carmel Creek Elementary School and intimidating those who challenged them. He would place his hands…

The World’s Shellfish Are Under Threat as Our Oceans Become More Acidic

February 1, 2019 Bridge Agents

World Wide (Conversation) – For the past few million years the world’s oceans have existed in a slightly alkaline state, with an average pH of 8.2. Now, with carbon emissions escalating, there is more CO₂ in the world’s atmosphere. This dissolves in the oceans, altering the chemistry of the seawater by lowering the pH and making it more acidic – up to 30% more in the past 200 years. This growing acidification of the oceans is becoming a serious problem for the production of shellfish around the world. Shellfish are…