Listening To (and Saving) the World's Languages

Languages are in flux. Many are threatened and dying out. A number of languages are currently being constructed (e.g. Esperanto, Interlingua). An article in the NY Times reported that New York is "home to 800 languages" and, as such, is "the capital of language density." Learn more

There are a number of reasons for language die out, including colonialism, ethnic cleansing, etc. Many of the speakers of endangered languages are indigenous peoples who have been colonized and have survived genocide.

One of the tasks, as cosmopolitans, of our century is to preserve endangered languages as much as possible. On the other hand it should also be a goal to foster an international language that will serve as the world's official second language, a dream put forward by the 19th century spiritual teacher and Muslim reformer Baha'ullah.

On a World Language, Baha'ullah taught;
"The oneness of language, namely that a universal language shall be adopted which shall be taught by all the schools and academies of the world. A committee appointed by national bodies shall select a suitable language to be used as a means of communication, and that language shall be taught in all the schools of the world in order that everyone shall need but two languages, his national tongue and the universal language. All will acquire the international language.” (Learn more)

At a minimum, we suggest that all people of the world become multilingual, which should include:
(a) The predominant language of the region in which they are residing
(b) Can sign in a standardized universal and international sign language
(c) Can read and write simplified Chinese
(d) Can communicate in an international constructed language such as Esperanto or Interlingua

Visit Pandora on languages here or Earth on Languages here

California Leads Call for Boycotts of Arizona

California has taken the step of calling for a boycott of Arizona in the wake of Arizona's anti-immigrant laws. Read more. We congratulate Calif on this and implore other states and countries to follow the state's lead.

The world of the 22nd century will hopefully be one where the borders between peoples have come down. The issues facing us today are global, and can no longer be addressed by nation-state models. Just as trade restrictions have been eased, so too should labor have the right of movement.

To learn more about global citizenship visit us on Earth here and on Pandora here.

Apple Inc Sweatshops

This year "Apple admitted that it had identified at least 11 children working in overseas factories which produce iPods, iPhones, and computers. In addition to the child labor, illegal and exploitative working conditions for adults exist in some of Apple's factories as well...The company admitted that just over half of its overseas factories ignore the company policy that employees cannot work more than 60 hours a week. And the factories in China, where the majority are located, regularly break Chinese labor laws which prohibit employees from working more than 49 hours a week. Only 65% of factories were paying the wages and benefits due to workers, and 24 factories in China violated minimum wage laws." Read more here

The good thing is that report was brought forward by Apple themselves, showing a raising of consciousness on their part.

Let's turn the clock back to 1999:
"U.S. firms [such as the Gap] enjoyed advantages in Saipan unvailable to them onthe mainland, including a low minimum wage - only $3.05 an hour..." Read more

To learn more about corporations, visit our Earth site here

Lindsey Graham Threatens Climate Bill

The bill would help cut greenhouse gases by 17% below the 2005 levels (target = 2010). If Graham and his ilk are successful, how will their grandchildren view them? Though they will be long gone, the class of 2030, which will be in their 40's by mid-century may look back with shock (but certainly no awe).

Avatar Tree Planting Initiative



Join the effort to plant a million trees - organized by the creators of Avatar - here

Consider the environment on Pandora here

Learn about the current state of the environment on Earth here