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Mature adult males are generally 54 mm in snout-to-vent length and weigh 6-8 grams, where mature females are generally 43 mm in length and weigh 3-4 grams.
What Do Cuban Brown Anoles Eat?
Diet and Nutrition
Brown anoles are carnivores (insectivores) and feed on small arthropods such as crickets, moths, ants, grasshoppers, cockroaches, mealworms, spiders, and waxworms. They may also eat other lizards, such as skinks and Carolina anole, lizard eggs, and their own molted skin and detached tails.
How Many Inches Are Anoles
Description: A small lizard (5.0 to 8.0 inches in length) which can be green, brown, or a mixture of both colors; may have some dark patterns on the back. Males are larger and have a pink or reddish throat fan.
How Big Is An Anole?
Male green anoles may grow to 8 inches, while females seldom exceed 5 to 6 inches. Young hatch at three-quarters to 1 inch in length. With a SVL (snout-to-vent length) of a large adult male being roughly 4 inches, fully half a green anole’s length is its tail.Apr 10, 2014
How Long Is A Green Anole?
The green anole is five to eight inches in length. It has a sharp nose, a narrow head, a slender body and a long, skinny tail. It has pads on its feet that help it climb, run on and cling to lots of different surfaces. It has a white belly and lips, very long hind legs, and moveable eyelids.
How Big Is A Green Anole?
Species Overview
Adult Size: Males are about eight inches long (including the tail) in captivity. Females are a bit smaller.
How Big Is A Adult Anole?
Adult anoles may grow to 12 to 45 cm (5 to 18 inches) in length, and most species can change colour. The males have large throat fans, or dewlaps, that are often brightly coloured.
What Kind Of Lights Do Anoles Need
In addition to the incandescent basking light, you should provide a full spectrum UVA/UVB light for 10 to 12 hours per day. This special light will help prevent your anole from developing metabolic bone disease and keep them looking brightly colored, active, and happy.Nov 22, 2021
Do Anoles Need A Heat Lamp?
Anoles are comfortable with a daytime temperature in their tank of 74-84 degrees and a nighttime temperature of 66-72. Use a daylight heat bulb in a heat lamp during the day to keep the temperature up in their tank. Most stores do not recommend using hot rocks.
Do Anoles Need Uvb Light?
Anoles are diurnal, which means that they are most active during the day. They require exposure to UVB light for their survival, and also benefit from bright plant grow lights in their environment.
Do Anole Lizards Need Uv Light?
These lizards are completely diurnal and most active in bright sun, and UVA and UVB are essential if they are to thrive and reproduce.Nov 3, 2008
Do Anoles Need Uvb Or Uva?
Yes! Anoles require UVB lighting for their survival.Dec 21, 2020
How Big Can Anoles Get
Anoles can grow to be 8 inches long.
How Big Is A Adult Anole?
Adult anoles may grow to 12 to 45 cm (5 to 18 inches) in length, and most species can change colour. The males have large throat fans, or dewlaps, that are often brightly coloured.
What Is The Largest Anole?
The knight anole (Anolis equestris) is the largest species of anole (US: /əˈnoʊ. li/ ( listen)) in the Dactyloidae family. Other common names include Cuban knight anole or Cuban giant anole, highlighting its native country, but it has also been introduced to Florida.
How Big Is A Full Grown Green Anole?
Anoles grow to 5-7 inches in length.
How Long Does It Take For An Anole To Reach Full Size?
AnolesWill reach sexual maturity atadult size in 12 to 18 months, but continue to grow very slowly their whole lives, under ideal conditions.
What Birds Eat Anoles
‘They’re very important as food for a very large number of birds,’ Nickerson said. ‘A very good protein package for some of the predators out there.’ And just think of the great sport they provide for cats. Blue jays, mockingbirds and egrets find the anole an especially toothsome treat, as do many snakes.Jun 9, 2001
Do Birds Eat Brown Anoles?
Hatchlings anoles are eaten by adults of other anole species. Although there is not much information on predators of the brown anole specifically, sources did note that adults are eaten by many vertebrates, such as broadhead skinks (Plestiodon laticeps), snakes and some birds.
Do Birds Eat Green Anoles?
Similarly, many types of birds will eat anoles at least occasionally (e.g., 40% of the species at one study site in Grenada were observed eating anoles), and some species eat them in large numbers.Feb 2, 2011
What Eats Anoles In Florida?
Because they are small and can be very abundant, especially in suburban areas, many animals prey upon brown anoles in Florida. Their predators include larger lizards, outdoor cats, snakes (e.g., black racers, Coluber constrictor, and corn snakes, Pantherophis guttatus) and birds.
How Do I Get Rid Of My Anoles?
To reduce Anole food, treat the foundation and landscape around your buildings. The best product for this is CYPERMETHRIN. It will provide a quick knockdown and control most any insect. In many cases, spraying every 1-2 months around your home will force nuisance Anoles to leave.
What Power Stores Sell Crickets For Anoles
Green Anole | Pet Supplies Pluswww.petsuppliesplus.com › pet-resource-center › species › reptile › green-…
How Many Crickets Should I Feed My Anole?
Crickets should make up their primary diet, supplemented once or twice a week with mealworms or waxworms. Feed anoles 2 to 5 crickets daily. Insects should be no more than half as big as the anole’s head.
Do Green Anoles Need Crickets?
Preparing an Anole’s Meal. Build a cricket sanctuary. Crickets are the most common lizard meal. Since anoles eat live prey, it is necessary to care for the crickets and provide them with a healthy habitat.
Can Crickets Hurt Anoles?
While it causes no harm to leave vegetables in your lizards cage for a day or more, you cannot allow feeder insects to roam the cage freely. Crickets — or other insects — left in the cage may nibble on your lizard, spread pathogens and elevate your pet’s stress level.
What Do Anoles Need In Their Cage?
A substrate of peat moss and soil with or without a layer of bark (e.g. orchid bark) is an ideal substrate for anoles. Live plants help maintain humidity and provide cover. Favorite live plants include sansevierias (snake plants), bromeliads, philodendrons, ivy, orchids, and vines.
Why Would The Introduction Of Brown Anoles Make The Green Anoles Population Go Down
Brown Anole – Texas Invasive Species Institutewww.tsusinvasives.org › home › database › anolis-sagrei
What Happened To The Green Anoles When The Brown Anoles Arrived?
Q. What happened to the green anoles when the brown anoles arrived on Lizard Island? Green anoles climb up trees to escape the brown anoles that want to eat them. Green anoles and brown anoles get along and create a new bred of anole.
What Impact Do Brown Anoles Have On The Ecosystem?
Ecosystem Roles
Anoles on islands may be significant predators of arthropods. Some experiments have shown that removing the lizards from islands results in increased populations of spiders, and reduced populations of other insects that are spider prey.
Resources
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/brown-anole-cuban-anole%23:~:text%3DMature%2520adult%2520males%2520are%2520generally,and%2520weigh%25203%252D4%2520grams.
https://animalia.bio/brown-anole%23:~:text%3DDiet%2520and%2520Nutrition,molted%2520skin%2520and%2520detached%2520tails.
https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/reptiles/lizards/green-anole.html
https://reptilesmagazine.com/green-anole-care-sheet/%23:~:text%3DMale%2520green%2520anoles%2520may%2520grow,anole’s%2520length%2520is%2520its%2520tail.
https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/greenanole.htm%23:~:text%3DThe%2520green%2520anole%2520is%2520five,hind%2520legs%252C%2520and%2520moveable%2520eyelids.
https://www.thesprucepets.com/green-anoles-pets-1236900%23:~:text%3DSpecies%2520Overview%26text%3DAdult%2520Size%253A%2520Males%2520are%2520about,Females%2520are%2520a%2520bit%2520smaller.
https://www.britannica.com/animal/anole%23:~:text%3DAdult%2520anoles%2520may%2520grow%2520to,that%2520are%2520often%2520brightly%2520coloured.
https://www.thesprucepets.com/keeping-green-anoles-as-pets-1236899
https://leoandluckys.com/pet-care/anole/%23:~:text%3DAnoles%2520are%2520comfortable%2520with%2520a,not%2520recommend%2520using%2520hot%2520rocks.
https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/brown-green-anole-care-sheet%23:~:text%3DAnoles%2520are%2520diurnal%252C%2520which%2520means,grow%2520lights%2520in%2520their%2520environment.
http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2008/11/03/the-green-anole-anolis-carolinensis-carolinensis-in-the-wild-and-captivity-care-in-captivity-part-2/%23:~:text%3DThese%2520lizards%2520are%2520completely%2520diurnal,are%2520to%2520thrive%2520and%2520reproduce.
https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/lizard-care/brown-green-anole-care-sheet%23:~:text%3DYes!,UVB%2520lighting%2520for%2520their%2520survival. | https://reptilelink.com/how-big-do-cuban-brown-anoles-get/ |
The pictures in this post are real. They have not been exaggerated in any way. The cats are as long as they seem.
Usually, the average length of a cat measured head-to-body is forty-six centimeters or eighteen inches. The tail is averagely thirty centimeters, or twelve inches long. That is the length of any regular cat you will see anywhere.
However, there are cat breeds that could grow exceptionally long. Indeed when you see them, you could mistake them for a slinky or the smaller version of some type of lion.
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The Maine Coon is such a type of cat. In the world, the longest cat is called Stewie. The Guinness World Records gave him this record after confirming that he was 123 centimeters, or 48.5 inches long. They measured him from the nose’s end to the end of the tail.
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Some of the cats stretch almost to the full length of an adult human. Some can reach up the light switch from a stool. It is freaky.
Others are long and flexible and black. They could easily be the ‘snake cats’ with the way they stretch into unbelievable curves. It is important to note that how long a cat can grow can be determined by the cat’s breed. | https://mayusharethis.com/229444/ |
There are 6 lizards you will come across in West Virginia, whether you are out walking in the forests or sitting in your own yard. If you’re wanting to find out more about the lizard you just saw in West Virginia, continue reading for detailed information.
Are There Poisonous Lizards In West Virginia?
The good news is that there are no poisonous lizards in West Virginia, but lizards do carry Salmonella.
If you or a family member touches or handles a lizard, ensure you wash your hands thoroughly and keep your hands away from your mouth until your hands are washed, eliminating the risk of getting Salmonella.
Lizards In West Virginia
The 6 lizards in West Virginia, include:
1. Eastern Fence Lizard
Scientific name: Sceloporus Undulatus.
Common name: Eastern fence lizard, prairie lizard, fence swift, gray lizard, northern fence lizard, pine lizard.
The eastern fence lizard is a gray or brown lizard that has a dark line running near the back of the thigh. They grow up to 7.5 inches (19cm).
Females are gray with wavy lines across her back. Her tummy is white with black flecks and maybe some pale blue on her throat and tummy. Males, on the other hand, are brown but tend to become a green/blue color on their tummy during summer.
Their throats are also green/blue with black.
2. Six-lined Racerunner
Scientific name: Aspidoscelis Sexlineatus.
Common name: Six-lined racerunner.
Six-lined racerunners are black, brown, or dark green in color with distinct yellow or green/yellow stripes down the body, the six stripes run from the head to the tail.
Their tummies are white in females and males have pale blue tummies. Males often have a green throat. The tail is double the length of their slender bodies.
These shy and fast-moving lizards can move up to 29 km/hr when trying to get away from predators.
These lizards are often seen in open floodplains, woodlands, grasslands, and even rocky outcrops.
3. Little Brown Skink
Scientific name: Scincella lateralis.
Common name: Little brown skink, ground skink.
The little brown skink or ground skink is one of the smallest reptiles you can find in North America. They grow up to 5.5 inches (14.5cm) in total length, that includes the tail.
If you have a small steam or pond in your yard, then you may come across these small lizards. They are copper brown in color with yellow or white tummies. They have an elongated body with short legs.
Little brown skink distribution map
The little brown skink can be found in most Eastern United States and Northern Mexico.
These skinks like a host of habitats from hedgerows and forests to the edge of a pond or stream.
They are found where there is plenty of leaf litter, which they use to hide themselves if approached. They actually spend most of their time hiding in the leaf litter, as they seldom climb any trees, unlike other skinks.
It’s not uncommon for this skink to hide in water if pursued. They do hibernate in winter and are active during the day, though it is not uncommon for them to be out at night.
4. American Five-lined Skink
Scientific name: Plestiodon fasciatus.
Common name: American five-lined skink.
The American five-lined skink goes by a number of names, such as redhead skink in adults and blue-tailed skink in juveniles.
This is a small to medium-sized lizard growing up to 8.5 inches (21.5cm) in total length.
The younger skinks are dark brown or black in color with five white to yellow stripes that run along with their bodies, accompanied by a bright blue tail, which fades with age, as may the stripes. Older American five-lined skinks lose their dark color to become a uniform brown.
These skinks can be found throughout the United States, though they tend to be more abundant in the southeastern US and Gulf Coat, especially on the coastal plains.
These ground-dwelling lizards prefer wooded habitat that is slightly moist. It’s not uncommon for them to be found inside the walls of buildings, in trees, and in rocky areas.
5. Broad-headed Skink
Scientific name: Plestiodon laticeps.
Common name: Broad-headed skink, broadhead skink.
This is one of the largest skinks growing up to 13 inches (33cm) in total length. These skinks have a triangular-shaped head with a wide jaw, which is where they go their names.
The males are olive brown to brown in color with bright orange heads during mating season. Females have five stripes that run down the back and tail. Juveniles have bright blue tails, which fade with age.
Broad-headed skink map
These skinks can be found in urban areas, though they prefer forest areas with good humidity and lots of leaf litter for them to hide in.
These lizards are the one skink that spends a lot of time in trees, they use trees for shelter and sleeping.
6. Coal Skink
Scientific name: Plestiodon Anthracinus.
Common name: Coal skink.
The coal skink has four light stripes that stretch on their tails. They can grow up to 7.1 inches (18cm) in total length, with their tail taking up a majority of their length.
The lateral stripe is around four scales in width without any light lines on the top of their heads. Males have a red coloration on the sides of their heads during spring and breeding season.
There are two subspecies: the Northern coal skink and the Southern coal skink.
These skinks enjoy humid wooded hillsides with plenty of leaf litter and loose stones which they use to hide from prey. You often find these lizards near springs, where they will hide under stones and debris below the water to escape their predators. | https://thepetenthusiast.com/lizards-in-west-virginia/ |
Guppy fish have a lifespan of 2-5 years depending on their genetics, diet, and living conditions. If you’re a beginner fishkeeper, you must be wondering how big your guppies will grow and after how long.
Female guppies are bigger than male guppies. A full-grown female guppy grows to a length of 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 inches), while an adult male’s size is 1.5-3.5 cm (0.6-1.4 inches). Newborn guppy fry measure approximately 0.6 cm (0.25 inches), with both males and females reaching their full size six months after birth.
Although guppies grow quickly, I recommend separating fry from adult fish to prevent them from being eaten by adult fish, including their mother.
Tank mates like kuhli loaches can also eat guppy fry.
You can return them to the tank once they grow to a size that won’t fit in the mouths of adult guppies (or other fish that can eat them).
When are guppies fully grown?
Guppies will reach the adult stage at six months of age. Their growth will either stop or slow down significantly. However, some male may still grow their fin and tail.
Guppies can live for 2 – 5 years but will become infertile when they reach an age of 1.5 – 2 years.
In the wild, male guppies can start reproducing at 1 month of age, but this can take a little longer in captivity. The fish reach their true sexual maturity at 3 months, especially those kept in aquariums.
On the other hand, female guppies reach sexual maturity at the age of 3 months. At this stage, female guppies appear visibly bigger than males, showing plumper, rounder bodies. However, mature males are more colorful than females.
Guppy species and their sizes
There may be slight variations in the size of guppy fish depending on their genetic makeup. Here are some varieties of guppies and their generalized average sizes.
Moscow guppy and swordtail guppy fish are some of the biggest types of guppies in aquariums.
Factors that affect guppy size
If your guppies aren’t growing to their full size even at a mature age, there’s something wrong that needs fixing.
Here are some factors that can affect the size of gup[y fish:
Genetics
Guppies found in rivers and ponds are quite different from those kept in aquariums. The indigenous guppies are not very colorful.
The colorful guppies found in aquariums today have been bred by crossbreeding different species of guppies.
If the parent guppies are bigger, then the fries born will grow to a large size and vice-versa.
Diet
Guppies are omnivorous, meaning they can be fed on meat and plant diets. Their body requires nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.
Poor diet is one of the reasons why guppies grow slowly and attain their full size late. To ensure their nutritional needs are met to grow properly, provide sufficient food (but do not overfeed).
Feed them live foods, insect larvae, shrimp, veggie pellets, freeze-dried foods, soft algae, and blood worms.
Water parameters
Poor water quality is the leading cause of slow growth and even death in guppies. Guppies require a 72 – 84°F temperature and a pH of 6.8 – 7.8. Failure to remove guppy waste and food leftovers from the tank will cause an ammonia spike.
A change in ideal water quality will cause the guppy to be stressed, affecting its growth.
Ensure a water temperature of about 80 degrees when your guppies are young and growing. At this temperature, the metabolic rate is great and your fish will grow at an optimum rate.
Tank size and stocking
Keeping too many guppies in a small tank will affect the water quality. The guppies will not have enough space to play, and they will deplete oxygen levels fast.
Also, keeping guppies in a huge tank will affect their growth because they will use most of their energy swimming and looking for food instead of growing.
We recommend one gallon of water for every inch of guppy fish. For example, keep 2-5 guppies in a 5-gallon tank, preferably 2 females and 1 male.
Stages of growth
Guppies undergo four stages of growth to reach maturity. From the time they’re born, guppies will go through physical and behavioral changes and may have different needs at each stage.
Here are the four stages of growth in guppies:
- Fry stage: Since guppies are livebearers, they give birth to their young. The fry are tiny, fragile, and mostly translucent. They will spend most of their time hiding in the freshwater tank vegetation as they feed on infusoria (the microscopic/semi-microscopic organisms that live in fish tanks).
- Juvenile guppies: Juvenile guppies are about 3 weeks old. They’re clearly visible in the water, swimming actively since their tails and fins have started to grow. You’ll often observe juvenile guppies swimming together and schooling whenever they feel threatened. Juveniles can feed on small live foods such as daphnia and live shrimp.
- Young adult stage: The sub-adult or young adult guppies are about 2 months old but have not attained their full-grown size. However, they’re colorful with fully developed fins and tails. You can distinguish their gender because males will have developed the gonopodium (anal fin).
- Adult guppies: Guppies reach their adult stage around six months after birth. Most adult guppies will be about 2 inches in size, but their length will vary depending on gender and general health.
Conclusion
The size of adult guppies varies, but males are typically 1.5–3.5 cm (0.6–1.4 in) long, while females are 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) long. However, selective breeding can and has produced guppies that may vary in shape, color pattern, and fin size. | https://fishparlor.com/how-big-guppies-get/ |
Many kinds of fishes visit Great Bay, New Jersey and its nearby beaches. Anglers and other shore visitors do not commonly see most of them. That is because they are too small to catch by hook and line (at least at the stage when they visit), they live too deeply in vegetation or holes to catch by net, or visit too briefly. Some are even fresh water species from connecting marsh creeks that briefly tolerate brackish water. Here is a list of some that you may see and some that you won't unless you put on a diving mask or drag a net through some murky marsh creeks. This is not a complete guide, but the pictures and hints about similar species should have you well on your way.
Gliding along on its broad fins, the kite-shaped clearnose skate can be found along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida, and along the eastern coastline of the Gulf of Mexico. This skate, which reaches sizes up to 30 inches long and 19 inches wide, earns its name from easily recognized translucent patches on either side of its "nose". As its downward-pointing mouth suggests, the clearnose skate often swims close to the bottom searching for clams, mussels, shrimp, crabs and small fish to catch and crush in its broad teeth. Like many skates, the clearnose lays eggs inside a protective case often referred to as a mermaids purse--these black cases are often found washed up along beaches. The clearnose skate also has a line of spines down the center of its back, giving it the less common name of brier skate.
Little skates have earned their name from being one of the smallest skates found in coastal waters along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Virginia. Reaching a maximum length of 21 inches, little skates are typically found on sandy or muddy bottoms looking for crabs, shrimp, worms and small fishes. The little skate also lays eggs inside a protective case. These "mermaids purses" are often found washed up along beaches. Little skates can be distinguished from clearnose skates (Raja eglanteria) by a lack of spines along the back, and can often only be distinguished from another species, the big skate (Raja ocellata), by comparing the number of teeth (little skates have fewer teeth than big skates).
The American shad is one of the largest members of a group of similar looking fishes called the herrings, reaching a size up to 30 inches and weighing up to 12 pounds. Shad are a dark blue-green on their back, and silvery to white on their sides and belly, often with several dark spots in a row behind their gill covers. Shad are anadromous, which means that they spend their adult lives at sea, and then return after several years to swim up freshwater rivers to lay their eggs and reproduce. Shad have no teeth, and feed on plankton (tiny animals) by swimming with their mouths open and filtering the plankton from the water. Many people catch shad using nets and rods when they return to rivers to spawn in late spring, and often enjoy eating the shad roe, or eggs, even more than the meat of the fish. The number of shad has decreased dramatically over the past 300 years as a result of overharvesting, pollution, and loss of habitats.
As a close cousin of the American shad, the alewife shares a similar appearance, range and habits, including: a dark greenish back and silvery sides, a diet of predominantly plankton that it filters from the water, and the need to return to freshwater to reproduce after maturing for several years at sea. Alewives are smaller than shad, reaching no more than 15 inches in length and typically not exceeding a pound in weight. The alewife travels far upstream to spawn in freshwater lakes, streams and ponds, and some landlocked populations exist in New York and Ontario lakes. Alewives are commercially fished, and while the eggs are sold as a delicacy for people, their meat is often used for fish and lobster bait. Many species of fish and birds also make alewife part of their diet, including striped bass, salmon, smallmouth bass, eels, perch, bluefish, weakfish, terns, eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and gulls. A characteristic marking of the alewife is a small black spot behind the gill, and a row of scales that form a sharp edge along the belly, giving them the nickname of "sawbelly". The nearly identical blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) is often only distinguished from the alewife by the color of the lining of the belly cavity--the alewife has a pinkish gray lining, while the blueback has a sooty or black lining.
The pipefish is a slender fish that can reach up to about 12 inches in length. Pipefish live among seaweeds and eelgrass in estuaries, and river mouths along the east coast of the Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. They sometimes wander out to sea. They like to eat small fish, fish eggs, copepods, and amphipods with their large snouts. They usually use their fins to swim, but when they need a quick get away, they can move like an eel.
A little known fact about the pipefish is that it can move each of its eyes separately, although we don't know exactly how this helps it.
Sticklebacks are armored fish, with 3 spines on their backs, and bony plates surrounding their sides. They like to use their spines as weapons as they eat shrimp, fish eggs, small fish, squid, and diatoms. They are usually dark gray, dark green-brown, or blue, and grow no larger than 4 inches. Sticklebacks like to live by the shore, especially in estuaries. They can live in salt or fresh water, but they usually stick to the salt water, unless they're spawning in streams. They can be found in the western Atlantic from Canada to Virginia, as well as on the eastern Atlantic coast. The similar fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadrates) has four spines on its back.
Sheepshead minnows are small fish, usually no larger than about 3 inches, found in shallow waters from Massachusetts to Mexico. They like areas like bays, marshes, and inlets, where the water is shallow and salty or brackish. These fish like to eat plants as well as animals, and they even attack fish bigger than themselves! Sheepshead minnows have square tails, deep bodies, sharp teeth, flat sides and a flat-topped head. They use their sharp teeth to attack large fish, and eat them bit by bit.
Spotfin killifish look very similar to mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), except they have a prominent spot on their fin. They reach a length of about 4 inches, and live in salt marshes along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina. They eat small fish, eelgrass, and other animals that live in the eelgrass with them. They are dark in color, with a round head, a pointed nose, and a round tail.
Mummichogs are usually no larger than about 4 inches, found in eelgrass beds and salt hay pools along the Atlantic coastline from Maine to Texas. They like the tidal creeks around bays and salt marshes, as well as streams, estuaries, and ditches. There, they can eat as many diatoms, mollusks, small fish, or pieces of eelgrass as they want! They have stout bodies, with a rounded back and belly, a round tail, and a blunt nose. Males are usually darker than females in color, and they have more stripes or dots than females too.
The striped killifish are very similar to mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus). They are found along the coast from Massachusetts to Florida in eelgrass beds and salt hay marsh. Striped killifish eat small fish, diatoms, mollusks, and insect larvae. These killifish, however, are larger than mummichogs, reaching up to 6 or 7 inches in length. They also like saltier water than mummichogs, and are often found on open beaches, rather than in bays and estuaries. Striped killifish also have pointed noses, instead of rounded, and they may have both vertical stripes and distinct horizontal stripes on their bodies. When only the stripes show they are often mistaken for small striped bass.
Rainwater killifish are very small, reaching only 2 inches long. They can live in the ocean, freshwater, or estuarine brackish water. They're found along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida, feeding on vegetation that they live in, or on very small animals. These killifish swim only a few inches from the surface of the water.
Silversides are often found in schools along the coast, on sandy or gravelly shores. At high tide, they are usually in the vegetation in bays and river mouths. They are usually no larger than about 5 or 6 inches in length, and like to eat shrimp, fish eggs, worms, squid, and mollusk larvae. Silversides have a long thin body, with a small mouth, a large eye, and a forked tail. They are eaten by a lot of larger fish, which makes them great for bait! Bait dealers commonly call them "spearing".
The spotted hake is one of several species of hake found along the Atlantic coast, ranging from Nova Scotia south to Florida. This slender fish lives in coastal waters and spends most of its time close to the bottom, looking for a meal of fish, shrimp or crabs. As one of the smaller species of hake, the spotted hake reaches lengths up to 16 inches and up to one-and-a-half pounds. Despite being relatively abundant, the small size and soft meat prevents it from being commercially important, although it is often accidentally caught by rod-and-reel fishermen. The spotted hake is easily recognized by having the outer half of its first dorsal fin colored black, a small barbel under the chin, and a dark lateral line running down its body.
Red hake, also known as squirrel hake, can be found in coastal waters from Newfoundland south to the Chesapeake Bay. As one of the larger hakes along the Atlantic coastline, the red hake can reach lengths of 25 inches and weights over 5 pounds. Although nearly identical in appearance to the white hake (Urophycis tenuis), the red hake can be recognized by having larger scales and a longer filament extending from its dorsal fin. Preferring to live close to the sandy or muddy bottom, this reddish-brown fish prowls the waters for a meal of crabs, shrimp, worms, squid and small fish. Similar to other hakes, this species lays eggs that include a small amount of oil, which allows them to float towards the surface where the young fish have a better chance of finding food. Because of their soft meat only the largest red hake are eaten by people, and are usually salted, smoked or made into fish cakes.
Q: What did the fisherman get who forgot to mend his nets?
A: A lot of missed hakes!
The toadfish has a large flat head, a round nose, a large mouth, and a plump belly. It has a very fleshy head, with a layer of slimy mucous covering its skin and no scales. Toadfish are generally dark in color, but they may change to match the seafloor. They may grow to a length of 12 inches, but this is rare. They live in holes in shallow water and under banks and like to eat the shrimps, hermit crabs, crabs, squid, and small fish that also live there. Toadfish can be found anywhere from Cuba to Maine, and they are not fun to catch! They snap and grunt when handled, and can swim very quickly to avoid being caught. They are called toadfish for their ability to croak, and large choruses of toadfish can be heard right through the hulls of anchored boats during spawning season!
Young mullet look very similar to silversides (Menidia menidia); however, there are a few key differences between them. Mullet have a much smaller eye than silversides, as well as a shorter head, a blunter nose, and a deeper body. Striped mullet are often bluish gray or greenish on the top of their body, and silvery toward the bottom. They can grow to a length of 30 inches, eating smaller fish as they grow. Mullets can be found anywhere along the Atlantic coast from New York to Brazil, and on the Pacific coast as well! The smaller white mullet (Mugil curema) are also common.
The bluefish is one fish that you don't want to interrupt when it's eating! They have very sharp teeth all around their mouth, which they use to cut large prey into pieces instead of swallowing it whole. Bluefish are considered one of the most bloodthirsty fish of the ocean, feeding on other fish, such as mackeral, menhaden, and herring as they travel in schools along the Atlantic. They like the open ocean as well as the shore, so they can be found in a variety of habitats. Bluefish have forked tails, a flat belly, a pointed snout, and a relatively slim body. They can grow to a size of 42 inches or more, weighing up to 20 pounds!
Permit are best known by sport fishermen as an elusive fish that can provide an exceptional fight, but occur in coastal New Jersey mostly as small young fish. Although permit are known to occasionally be found as far north as Massachusetts, they are most abundant in the warm, shallow waters of Florida and throughout the Caribbean. Reaching lengths up to 45 inches and weighing as much as 50 pounds, these beautiful fish patrol the shallow flats and mangroves at high tide in search of a meal of crabs, shrimp and small fish. Young permit tend to travel in schools in shallow water, while older ones are more solitary and prefer slightly deeper water. Permit are characterized by a dark blue-green or grayish back, silvery sides, a light yellow color on the belly, a narrow body, and a deeply forked tail. Permit resemble the closely related Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), but have a deeper body and are usually much larger.
In some areas you may need a license to get a permit! Get it?
The crevalle jack is a fast swimmer that typically travels in schools and is found along the entire coast of eastern North America, the Gulf of Mexico, and northern South America. Smaller fish are found in coastal bays, estuaries and shallow waters, including those of New Jersey, while larger fish are more common in deeper coastal waters up to 300 feet. Although these fish can reach up to 40 inches and 55 pounds, they typically reach a length of 24 inches. In order to reach this size, crevalle jacks are constantly searching for a meal of shrimp and other invertebrates, as well as fish that they often chase right up to the surface of the water.
Young crevalle jacks have 5 dark bars along their body that fade as the fish reaches about 6 inches in length, and the silver adults have a dark oval spot on their pectoral fins. Although some commercial fishing occurs for crevalle jack, they are pursued mostly by sport fishermen who enjoy their energetic fight when hooked.
Sea robins are known for their wing-like pectoral fins. Their entire head is surrounded by protective bony plates. They have a large mouth and 3 feelers formed from part of their pectoral fins to "taste" their surroundings. Striped sea robins grow to 18 inches, eating shrimps, small fish, and squid. They are usually found from Massachusetts to South Carolina on the seafloor, but will swim to the surface for almost any bait, even though most fishermen don't want the sea robins!
The white perch is very similar to its cousin, the striped bass, except that it is much smaller, doesn't have stripes as an adult, and has a deeper body. They will only reach a size of 15 inches, weighing 2 pounds. White perch also don't like the open ocean as much as bass but prefer the protection of vegetation and fallen branches in the brackish water of bays, estuaries, and barrier beaches along the Atlantic coast, from Canada to South Carolina.
The striped bass is one of the most sought after fish along the Atlantic coast, as fishermen head to the waters each morning to see if they can land a few. They are marked by rows of stripes, usually dark blue or green along their silvery body. They can grow up to 48 inches, weighing 30 pounds or more. Stripers often swim in schools for protection, and to capture more food, such as smaller fish, squid, shrimp, crab, and clams. Fishermen know that stripers have a one track mind, so when one food sources is plentiful, they'll ignore all other food until they're done with the one they're eating. If that wasn't bad enough, all of the fish in a school may do the same thing, making it very difficult to catch any fish!
The black sea bass is a very dark fish, from gray to brown to blue black, to blend in with the rocky ocean reefs where it lives. Black sea bass can be found as large as 24 inches and 8 pounds. Tehy occur along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida but seem to have preferred homes. They eat animals that live on the bottom of the seafloor, like shrimp, lobsters, crabs, and small fish. Fishermen can easily hook them with bait on the bottom near reefs.
The cunner looks very similar to the tautog (Tautoga onitis), except the cunner has a flat-topped head, thinner lips, and tougher skin. The cunner will change color depending on what bottom type it is living on to blend in with its surroundings and can easily catch its prey, like barnacles, mussels, shrimps, crabs, and lobsters. Cunner are usually dark; however, because most of the seafloor that they live on is dark colored rock or mud. Cunner will only grow to about 10 inches, and reach no more than half a pound. They are found from Newfoundland to New Jersey, usually in shallow waters of bays, harbors, or rocky and sandy shores but also occur on deep reefs and wrecks.
The tautog looks like a large cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus), with a deeper body. It is usually dark in color, with a rounded head and a square tail. Young tautog are usually blotchy, while older ones are darker and more solid in color. Males are slate gray with a white chin and white spot near the top on either side of the back. Tautog can grow to a length of 36 inches, and weigh up to 20 pounds, although they are usually no more than 5 pounds. They like shallow water even more than cunners! In colder northern waters it is rare to find one in water deeper than 50 feet, or further than 3 miles from shore. Toward New Jersey and Maryland, however, they can be found very deep, and up to 12 miles from shore. They like to hang out along steep rocky shores, and especially near piers anywhere from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. Along the way, they will eat mussels, barnacles, crabs, hermit crabs, sand dollars, shrimps, and worms.
Weakfish are slim fish, dark on the top, and light on the bottom, which grow to about 36 inches and weigh 12 pounds. They usually have spots all along their body, either black, bronze, or green, that form lines that go from back to front in a diagonal. They seem to like shallow water in bays, creeks, and sandy shores, and they are almost never found in fresh or deep water. Weakfish are sensitive to the cold, so they only travel as far north as Massachusetts, but as far south as Florida. They are often found in large schools, sometimes with thousands of fish in one group! The food they prefer is crabs, shrimps, squid, worms, and especially smaller fish. Their bones, including the jaw, are soft and so they easily get off anglers hooks. This is probably how they got their name. Weakfish and their relatives in the drumfish family can produce croaking or drumming sounds.
Kingfish and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) look very similar, except for a few things; the kingfish has a barbell on its chin, its upper jaw is farther than the lower jaw, where the weakfish's lower jaw is farther out than the upper jaw, and the first spine on its dorsal fin sticks out much further than the rest of the fin. It has thick, black diagonal bars on its body that are much more noticeable than the dots on the weakfish, and it has a dark top and lighter bottom. Kingfish grow to a length of 17 inches and weight up to 3 pounds. They like to eat mostly shrimps, as well as small fish and crabs. They like to stay by the coast in the summer, anywhere from Massachusetts to Florida, and travel in schools. In the winter, they go back to the open ocean.
The banded sunfish is dark colored, usually reaching about 6 inches in length, weighing less than half a pound. It can be found in shallow waters from New Hampshire to Florida. It prefers fresh water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds, where they eat small fish, shrimps, crabs, and worms. Like its cousin, the black banded sunfish does well in the acidic waters of the New Jersey Pine Barrens that drain into Great Bay.
The blackbanded sunfish is a silver colored fish with bright black lines. They grow to about 6 inches, and no more than half a pound. These sunfish like to eat small fish, shrimps, and worms and live in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers. They can be found anywhere from New Jersey to Florida.
Butterflyfish are usually associated with tropical reefs, but young butterflyfish can be found as far north as Massachusetts. As adults, they can grow as large as 10 inches, weighing 2 pounds or more, but the young that are delivered to New Jersey by ocean currents never make it through their first winter. From September to November these doomed juveniles can be quite common in warmer shallow back bays. Butterflyfish are brightly colored, yellow and white, with a black spot on the fin.
These flounder are left-handed flatfish. That is, they have both eyes on their left side and lie on their right side. Flounder are born like other finfish, with an eye on each side of their head, and they swim straight up. As they become adults, however, their right eye begins to move, and they start to swim on their side, rather than their bellies. They live along the bottom of the seafloor from North Carolina to Mississippi, growing up to 8 inches and weighing 1 pound. Smallmouth flounder are bottom feeders, eating small animals that live on the seafloor, like small fish, shrimp, and worms.
Windowpanes are another type of left-handed flatfish, lying on the right side, with both eyes on the left. Their body can be almost as broad as it is long, but they are very thin from side to side, so that sunlight will almost shine through a small one. Flounder are born like other finfish, with an eye on each side of their head, and they swim straight up. As they become adults, however, their right eye begins to move, and they start to swim on their side, rather than their bellies. They can reach a length of 20 inches, at a weight of 15 pounds or more. Windowpane, sometimes called "sundials" by anglers, can be found along the coast, in shallow waters from Canada to Florida. Windowpane live on the seafloor and can match their coloration to that of their surroundings, making it easier to hide and hunt.
The summer flounder is flatfish that lies on its right side and has both of its eyes on the left side of its head. They develop from an upright swimming larvae to an adult like the other left-eye flounders. Summer flounder, (also called "fluke") can be found along the coast from Maine to South Carolina in the warm summer months (which is why they are called summer flounder!), and much farther off shore in the winter months. These flounder grow to a size of about 36", weighing 15 pounds or more, eating squid, smaller fish, crabs, shrimp, worms, and mollusks as they grow.
Summer flounder almost always have a very pale bottom side, and their top-side often blends in with their environment. If they are on a pale bottom, they will be pale in color. If they are on a darker bottom, they will be darker in color. This makes it very difficult for predators, prey, and humans to see these fish in the water.
Puffers are very different from normal finfish. They have no teeth, but they use the bones of their jaws to cut food. They have no scales, but they are covered in prickles, which become sharp and pointy when the puffer inflates itself. When it's not inflated, it has a somewhat slender body, but when it is inflated, it's really fat. It uses air or water to inflate itself, usually when it's in a dangerous situation so that it looks bigger (and scarier). Puffers are usually dark colored on top and have white bellies. They can grow to a length of 14 inches, but they're usually much smaller than that, and the females are larger than the males! Puffers are found along the shoreline, sometimes in estuaries, but never more than a couple miles from shore, or in deep water. They feed on crabs, shrimps, worms, sea urchins, and barnacles anywhere from Florida to Massachussets. Another common summer visitor that can inflate itself is the spotted burfish (Chilomyctrus shopfei), but it has sharp spines! | http://web.archive.org/web/20080612004759/http:/www.stripertracker.org/biology/fieldguide.html |
Polar bears can be found all through the polar regions of the Northern hemisphere. They are the largest carnivore on land.
They have a black nose and eyes. They have two layers of fur which is so warm that adult bears can easily overheat when they run. The polar bear's fur is really clear, not white. Some light reflects off the fur and makes it look white. Most of the sun's rays reach their black skin, which absorbs the heat and keeps the polar bear warm. The adult's fur looks darker than the cub's fur.
Their teeth and claws are very sharp so they can catch their prey easily (seal). Their shoulder height can be five feet or more and when they are standing up, their height can be 8-11 feet. Females weigh 660-770 lbs and males weighs 880-990 lbs. Polar bears spend most of their time on drifting packs of ice, eating, and resting.
The bears reach sexual maturity 3 to 5 years after birth. They usually mate in March and have their cubs 7 to 8 months later. Each year pregnant polar bears dig a den in the snow of southern facing slopes, where they give birth. The females gives birth to one or two cubs. Cubs are usually born in December or January. They are naked, blind and deaf. They stay in their den with their mother until March or early April. Then they emerge from the dens. After a few days of getting used to the outside environment, they take little trips to strengthen the cubs. The families then move back to the sea ice and hunt for seals and other prey. The cubs learn how to hunt with their mothers for about two and a half years. They live for 15 to 20 years. Polar bears live alone, except for mothers who live with their cubs.
Polar bears adapt very well to the cold. Ursus Maritimus means "sea bear". The polar bear has a thick layer of blubber around 4.5 inches thick. That and the hollow shafts of their hair provides them with excellent insulation. This allows them to handle temperature of -34°F. Their ears and tail are very short so they don't lose any heat through them. They have a very good sense of smell. Their necks are longer than other bears to keep their head above the water when they swim. They have strong legs and partially webbed front feet to help them swim. Their feet can be up to twelve inches in diameter.
They hunt and eat seals and other sea life. The polar bear is a predator. It hunts and eats meat. The polar bear mostly eats ringed seals, which are very abundant. Adult ringed seal can grow to 4.1 feet in length and weigh 150 pounds. The bears also eat whale and walrus carcasses. In the summer they will also eat lemmings, arctic foxes and ducks. Like all bears they will also eat some plants.
The polar bear is listed as an endangered species. At one time there were only 5,000 polar bears left. In the past people hunted polar bears for their fur. All countries where the polar bears exists have conservation projects and restrict hunting. Today there are about 40,000 bears.
The polar bears aren't safe yet because chemicals are polluting their food stock. The ice packs in the North Pole are melting sooner in the spring, and cutting their time to hunt seals. The major cause of death for young polar bears is starvation.
by Emma T. 2001
Bibliography:
"Facts3.htm", http://polarbears alive.org/facts3.htm, (Nov 2000).
"Facts4.htm", http://polarbears alive.org/facts4.htm, (Nov 2000).
"Polar Bear", Wildlife Fact File, Packet 1, Card 10, BV/IMP Inc., USA. | https://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/polar_bear.php |
Table of Contents
How Big Do Res Turtles Get? A fully grown red eared slider can grow up to 12 inches in length. These are mostly females. Females are slightly larger than the male. A fully grown make can grow up to 9 inches.
How big will red eared turtles get? 12 inches
Full grown adults that have been raised with plenty of space available to them can reach 12 inches in length, with females usually being larger in size.
There are rare instances of adult red-eared sliders growing larger than 12 inches.
How big should a one year old red eared slider be? Age of the Red Eared Slider
? They typically reach this length at the age of 5 to 6 years.
It can take about 8 years for red-eared sliders to reach their full length, which is generally between 18 to 30 cm (7 to 12 inches).
How Big Do Res Turtles Get – Related Questions
How big should a 2 year old red eared slider be?
A pet Red Eared Slider can be as long as 12 inches at most.
Red Eared Slider Growth Chart:
Age Size
1 year 5 inches long (approx.)
2 year 6 inches long (approx.)
3 year 7 inches long (approx.)
4 year 8 inches long (approx.)
4 more rows
Do red eared turtles bite?
Red Eared Sliders bite, and the bite can be quite painful. But it’s highly unlikely because these reptiles don’t bite “just because.” Instead, these reptiles bite if you push them too hard. Thankfully, you can prevent this behavior.
What is a good pet turtle that stays small?
Small Turtle Species #1: Mississippi Mud Turtle (4 inches)
Small Turtle Species #2: Bog Turtle (3-4 inches)
Small Turtle Species #3: Common Musk Turtle (2-4.
How deep should a red eared slider water be?
?
Although she did not have the facilities or funds to keep the babies, she agreed to take them on.
Since 1975, however, selling baby turtles that are less than 4 inches long has been illegal in the U.
S.
, because some reptiles—red-eared sliders included—can harbor salmonella on their skin.
?
Red-eared sliders are excellent swimmers.
At night they sleep underwater, usually resting on the bottom or floating on the surface, using their inflated throat as a flotation aid.
Diet: These turtles are omnivorous – eating a variety of aquatic plants, insects, snails, fish, carrion and other small aquatic prey.
How often should I feed my red eared slider?
You should feed an adult red eared slider vegetables every other day or at least 3 times a week. Offer them a protein source once or twice a week. You can gradually reduce their protein to once a week the older they get.
Do red eared sliders stay small?
Red-eared sliders can grow up to 12 inches in length.
Males stay smaller than females but they still grow to be seven to nine inches long.
How do you know if a turtle is happy?
A healthy and happy turtle should have clear eyes with no discharge. They should also not show any signs of difficulty breathing. Swollen, cloudy, or “weepy” eyes with a discharge are all common signs your turtle is sick.
Can I take my red eared slider outside?
For example, red-eared sliders are quite hardy and adaptable.
However, some other species need warmer temperatures, so you must keep the natural habitats of your turtle in mind when deciding to house them outdoors.
In warmer climates, aquatic turtles may be able to live outdoors year-round.
Why won’t my red eared slider eat?
It’s pretty normal for baby red-eared slider turtles to stop eating if they changed their usual environment.
If you just bought your turtle, there is nothing you need to worry about.
It’s probably stressed out.
Once it gets accustomed to its new home, it will start to eat again.
How painful is a red eared slider bite?
Biting.
Red-eared sliders may bite — and the bite can be quite painful.
The bite will probably only hurt but may be more damaging to young kids with small fingers.
Keep in mind that red-eared sliders won’t bite “just because.
” In most cases, a bite is a result of an animal being mishandled or hurt.
?
Red-eared sliders and other pond sliders typically have fairly personable dispositions and quickly associate their keepers with food.
They will pace back and forth at the front of their enclosure in anticipation whenever you walk by.
Generally speaking, red-eared sliders dislike handling and prefer to be left alone.
How bad is a red eared slider bite?
The red-eared slider may bite you and it can be very painful.
If you are an adult, it might not break your skin and the bite will only hurt.
However, the bite can be more painful and damaging to kids who have small fingers.
You need to keep in mind that, they do not “just bite”.
What is the friendliest turtle for a pet?
Red Eared Slider
Do pet turtles recognize their owners?
All pet turtles do recognize their owners. Their unsocial behavior should not bother you at all. These turtles will see you as the food provider and nothing else. You should appreciate this as they have no other way of appreciating you other than feeling comfortable around you.
Do some turtles stay small?
The best pet turtles that stay small are Spotted turtles, Eastern Mud and Striped Mud turtles, Razorback and Common Musk turtles, and the males of most common pond turtle species, as they do not grow as large as their female counterparts. | https://neeness.com/how-big-do-res-turtles-get/ |
Wolf spiders are a family of hairy and robust arachnids adapted to various habitats. They are particularly common in meadows and grasslands, but they can also live in wetlands, deserts, and mountains–anywhere they can find insects to eat. They are agile hunters with excellent eyesight provided by the three rows of eyes: the top row with two medium-sized eyes, the middle with two large eyes, and the bottom with four small eyes.
Unlike most spiders, wolf spiders live mostly in solitude, hunt independently, and do not spin webs. Most wolf spiders prefer chasing down their prey. Others ambush prey near the mouth of a burrow.
There are around 2,900 species of wolf spiders in 124 genera. It’s not easy to tell them apart since they bear a striking resemblance. Most don’t pose a threat to humans unless cornered or provoked. Their bites are not dangerous, though some people can be allergic to a wolf spider’s venom.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about different types of wolf spiders, from how to identify them to where they can be found in the ecosystem.
1. Carolina Wolf Spider
The Carolina wolf spider (Hogna carolinensis) is the largest wolf spider in North America. Adult females can grow up to 0.86 to 1.37 inches (2.2-3.5 cm) long, while males can reach 0.7 to 0.78 inches (1.8-2 cm) long. They have a general light brown color with dark brown patterns on their backs. Males have a distinct orange coloration on their sides.
Like all wolf spiders, H. carolinensis live in either self-made burrows or ones they find. They also don’t make webs to catch prey. Unlike other wolf spiders, Carolina wolf spiders are expert hunters who prefer to actively search for prey instead of waiting to ambush in the burrows.
2. Tigrosa grandis
Tigrosa grandis is a type of wolf spider only found in the United States. It is often found in Montana, Texas, and Missouri. These wolf spiders are typically large. Adult Tigrosa grandis measure between 2 to 3 inches in length. They are either black or dark brown with brown or reddish stripes running down the middle of their carapace.
Like most wolf spiders, Tigrosa grandis tend to avoid people. They are often found wandering on the ground, in-home basements, in wood piles, and in many other places. If you come across a Tigrosa grandis, its first impulse will probably be to retreat.
3. Schizocosa mccooki
Schizocosa mccooki are fairly common in North America. They have light brown bodies with patterned cephalothoraxes and can grow up to three inches long. They prefer inhabiting open meadows or grasslands. Like most wolf spiders, Schizocosa mccooki do not pose any threat to humans. They hardly attack unless provoked.
4. Hogna frondicola
Hogna frondicola, commonly known as the forest wolf spider, is a wolf spider in the Lycosidae family. These wolf spiders are mainly found in the United States and Canada. They are slightly smaller as compared to other wolf spiders. Females measure between 11 and 14 mm, while males are approximately 9 to 12 mm.
Forest wolf spiders have large, powerful legs that give them the speed they need to hunt prey effectively. They are dark grey with a light grey stripe running down the center of their carapaces.
5. Geolycosa missouriensis
Geolycosa missouriensis is a wolf spider species mainly found in the United States and Canada. They are obligate burrowers who construct vertical burrows and retain them throughout their lives. In addition, Geolycosa missouriensis spiders are tenacious inhabitants of their burrows. They hardly move more than a few inches from the entrance and retreat fast into their burrows upon any slight suggestion of danger.
6. Rabid Wolf Spider
The rabid wolf spider (Rabidosa rabida) is one of the most common wolf spiders found across Oklahoma, Texas, and sometimes as far as Florida and Maine. Females are larger than males, with a body length of about an inch. Both sexes are typically yellow and have two dark stripes on the cephalothorax and one dark stripe on the abdomen.
Rabidosa rabida species are usually found in wooded areas and cotton fields. They attack when provoked, but their bite is harmless to humans. Like other wolf spiders, rabid wolf spiders don’t build webs to catch prey. They only weave the silk they use to wrap the prey in.
7. Pardosa amentata
Pardosa amentata, commonly known as the spotted wolf spider, is a wolf spider species in the genus Pardosa. These spiders measure approximately 0.2 – 0.32 inches (5 mm to 8 mm) in length and are brown with darker brown spots.
Pardosa amentata species are spread widely in central and northwestern Europe and are common in the British Isles. Like other wolf spiders, Pardosa amentata does not weave a web to catch prey but prefers chasing it.
8. Rabidosa punctulata
Rabidosa punctulata is a wolf spider species in the Lycosidae family. These spiders are light brown with alternating dark-light brown stripes on the cephalothorax, a dark band crossing the center of the abdomen, and dark spots on the underside of the abdomen. Like other wolf spiders, they do not spin webs. Instead, they ambush or chase the prey over short distances.
9. Allocosa subparva
Allocosa subparva is a wolf spider species that live in forested areas, far from human habitats. These spiders are black and have amber-striped legs. They have a distinct tan splotch on their abdomens, and their cephalothoraxes are black. Compared to most wolf spiders which are hairy, Allocosa subparva spiders exhibit an almost hairless appearance. These spiders are small, with adults reaching approximately an inch long.
10. Koch’s Wolf Spider
Like Allocosa Subparva species, Koch’s wolf spider species prefer living outdoors, away from humans. These spiders have a unique light brown stripe on their cephalothorax, which separates two dark brown stripes. Adult Koch’s wolf spiders grow up to an inch long. | https://100animals.com/discover-10-types-of-wolf-spiders/ |
Size: Adults remain small, less than 7 inches long from tip of nose to tip of tail.
Color: House mice are gray or brown and have hairless, scaly tails and ears that are relatively bald.
Habits: The house mouse is curious and tends to investigate new objects placed in its environment. House mice and their droppings are known carriers of disease including mites, typhus (fleas), salmonella, tapeworm, roundworm and others parasites. The house mouse is considered to be one of the most troublesome and economically important pests in the United States. Their relentless gnawing causes damage to both structures and property.
Diet: The house mouse often consumes food meant for humans or pets and favors grains, dried fruits, nuts and sweet materials.
Reproduction: A prolific breeder, the house mouse is sexually mature at two months old, has a gestation period of only three weeks, and averages five to eight young per litter. Each female may give birth to eight litters. The house mouse can live from two to three years.
Other Information: House mice are active wherever droppings, fresh gnawing and tracks are noticed. Their nests are made from shredded paper or other material and are often found in sheltered locations. House mice have an unpleasant, musky odor that identifies their presence. They are excellent climbers and can scale any rough vertical surface. They will also run horizontally along wire cables or ropes and can jump up 13 inches from the floor onto a flat surface. House mice can slip through a crack as small as 1/4 inch wide.
Norway Rat
Characteristics
Size: Adult Norway rats are large and robust, reaching up to 16 inches from nose to tip of tail.
Color: Norway rats are stocky and their tail length is less than their body length. Their tails are scaly and almost hairless. They range in color from white to brown to mottled, or blackish gray, reddish brown, and other variations. They have a blunt nose, small eyes, and small ears.
Habits: The Norway rat is primarily a ground dweller and prefers to live in burrows. It swims very well and often lives in sewers and other underground water systems. It can be found anywhere humans live. In suburban areas they live in and around residences, in cellars, warehouses, stores, slaughterhouses and docks. Although they can climb, Norway rats tend to inhabit the lower floors of multi-story buildings. This rat is primarily a nocturnal animal, and will usually only travel 20 to 30 feet from its home to find food and water. A normal life expectancy for this rat is one year or less.
Diet: Norway Rats are omnivores and opportunistic feeders, feeding on any natural or human foods available.
Reproduction: Norway rat litters average eight to nine pups, and a female may have several litters in her one year of life.
Other Information: The Norway rat is neophobic; avoiding new objects placed in its environment for some time. Damage from gnawing can be extensive, as they chew on plastic or metal pipes, wires, wood, furnishings and walls, and they often bite humans. While not the primary reservoir of bubonic plague, Norway rats have the potential to spread this disease and several others.
Roof Rat
Characteristics
Size: Adult roof rats reach 12 inches in length from nose to tip of tail.
Color: The roof rat can range in color from light brown to dark gray to black with a lighter grey belly. Its tail is noticeably longer than its body length. It has a pointed nose, large eyes, and large ears.
Habits: The roof rat is smaller and slimmer than the Norway rat, and cannot compete with the Norway when space is limited. Roof rats are nocturnal and secretive, staying out of view by hiding in the foliage from landscaped environments. A normal life expectancy for them is one year or less. Roof rat fleas can transmit disease such as the plague. Roof rats enter structures in search of food and are extremely destructive to stored food products, crops, pipes, and electrical wires. They are excellent climbers and often gain entry into homes through holes around cabling vents. Their climbing skills allow them to easily climb onto homes to wander from rooftop to rooftop.
Diet: Roof rats feed heavily on the fruits, nuts, vegetables, or garden snails found in suburban landscaped areas.
Reproduction: A female roof rat will have three to four litters in her year one year of life with an average of eight to nine pups per litter.
Other Information: Roof rats are much more aerial than Norway rats in their habitat selection and often live in trees or on vine covered fences. Roof rats can enter through any opening wider than one inch, they are excellent swimmers, can climb any rough surface, and can jump vertically about three feet.
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The largest mammals in the world are some of the most impressive creatures. They vary significantly in size, from the tiny manatee to the massive elephant.
Some of these animals are herbivores, while others are predators that hunt and scavenge for food. Here is a list of the ten largest mammals in the world, based on weight.
1. Blue whale
Table of Contents
The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth, weighing around 200 tons and measuring up to 100 feet in length. These massive creatures are found in all the world’s oceans, but they are most commonly seen in the cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.
Blue whales are filter feeders and subsist primarily on tiny shrimp-like creatures known as krill. During the day, an adult blue whale can consume up to 4 tons of krill.
To accommodate this vast quantity of food, blue whales have giant mouths. Their tongues can weigh as much as an elephant, and their throat pleats allow them to take in large amounts of water filtered out by their baleen plates.
Blue whales are social creatures and often travel in small groups. However, they are not currently considered to be endangered. The blue whale population has begun to recover from its last decline thanks to international conservation efforts.
- Lifespan: 80 – 90 years.
- Weight: 200 tons.
- Length: 100 feet.
2. African elephant
The African elephant is the world’s largest land animal, with males reaching heights of up to 13 feet and weighing up to 14,000 pounds. Females are slightly smaller but still impressive, with peaks of up to 9 feet and weights of up to 12,000 pounds.
African elephants are distinguished from their Asian cousins by their larger size and distinctive ears, shaped like the continent of Africa. African elephants are found across the sub-Saharan region of Africa, in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana.
They are most commonly found in savanna and grassland habitats, but they can also be found in forested areas. African elephants are herbivores, meaning that they primarily eat plants.
They eat a wide variety of plant life, including leaves, stems, bark, and fruits. African elephants are social animals, living in groups of up to 20 individuals.
These groups are led by a matriarch, the oldest and most experienced female in the group. The matriarch is responsible for leading the group to food and water sources and protecting the younger members from predators. African elephants have a lifespan of 60-70 years in the wild. However, they are increasingly threatened by habitat loss.
- Lifespan: 60 – 70 Years
- Weight: Female 12,000 lbs / Males 14,000 lbs.
- Length: 24 Feet on average.
3. White rhinoceros
The white rhinoceros is the largest rhinoceros species and one of the largest land mammals. Adult males can weigh up to 5,000 pounds and stand nearly six feet tall at the shoulder. Females are usually slightly smaller.
The white rhino is distinguished from other rhino species by size and coloration. Its name comes from the Dutch word “weit,” meaning wide, a reference to its square upper lips.
The white rhino is a grazer, eating primarily grasses and leaves. It is a social animal living in small herds of around 10 individuals.
The white rhino is native to Africa, where it once roamed across much of the continent. Today, however, its range has been reduced to just a few countries in southern Africa.
The primary threat to the white rhino is poaching, as its horns are prized for use in traditional Asian medicine.
As a result, the white rhino is classified as “Critically Endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. However, this magnificent animal may be saved from extinction with proper protection and conservation efforts.
- Lifespan: 40 – 50 Years
- Weight: 5,000 Pounds
- Length: 13 inches on average.
4. Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus is a massive mammal that inhabits rivers and lakes in Africa. Although they are often considered lazy creatures that spend most of their time wallowing in the water, hippos are active animals.
They use their large teeth and powerful jaws for grazing on grasses, and they are capable of running at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
Although they are herbivores, hippos can be aggressive animals and have been known to attack and kill humans.
However, their greatest threat is humans hunting them for meat and ivory. As a result of hunting and habitat loss, the hippopotamus is classified as a vulnerable species.
- Lifespan: 40 – 50 Years
- Weight: Between 3,500 to 9,920 pounds.
- Length: Between 10.8 and 16.5 feet
5. Grauer’s gorilla
Grauer’s gorilla, also known as the eastern lowland gorilla, is a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla. They are the largest of the four gorilla subspecies.
Adult male Grauer’s gorillas are substantially larger than adult females, with males averaging 400 pounds and females averaging 250 pounds. Males also have significantly longer arm spans, reaching up to 7 feet when fully extended.
Grauer’s gorillas are found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo wild. They inhabit dense tropical rainforests at altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 13,000 feet.
Grauer’s gorillas are shy and reclusive by nature, and much of their day is spent feeding on leaves, stems, fruit, and other vegetation. They also eat small mammals such as rodents and insect larvae.
Despite their large size, Grauer’s gorillas are proficient climbers and spend much of their time in trees. They are also knuckle-walkers, using their hands and knuckles to support their weight as they move about on all fours.
Grauer’s gorillas typically live in small groups consisting of a single adult male, several adult females, and their offspring. However, groups of up to 35 individuals have been observed.
- Lifespan: 35 to 50 Years
- Weight: Between 450 and 550 pounds
- Length: 6 Feet.
6. American Bison
The American Bison is a national icon, symbolizing the strength and spirit of the United States. These massive mammals once roamed the plains in great herds, but their numbers dwindled to extinction due to hunting and habitat loss.
Thanks to conservation efforts, the American Bison is returning, with an estimated 30,000 animals now living in public and private herds.
These shaggy-haired beasts can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand six feet tall at the shoulder, making them one of the largest land mammals in North America.
Bison are social animals that live in herds of up to 20 individuals.
They are herbivores that graze on grasses and other plants.
The American Bison is an integral part of our country’s natural heritage, and it is heartening to see these magnificent animals thriving again.
- Lifespan: 20 Years
- Weight: Up to 2,000 pounds.
- Length: 6 Feet.
7. Brown bear
The brown bear is a large mammal of the order Carnivora. The brown bear’s principal range includes parts of Russia, Central Asia, China, Canada, the United States, Scandinavia, and the Carpathian region of Europe.
It is one of the world’s largest land carnivores and can weigh 1,500 lb.
Brown bears are sometimes referred to as bruins or grizzlies. Male brown bears are typically 30/50% larger than females.
Coastal bears use storage beds much more frequently than inland bears; both sexes will begin digging their dens for 2–4 months before entering them for hibernation in November or December.
Holes may be found anywhere animals have dug or created an excavation, including:
- Under a rockfall,
- In a hollow tree or log,
- In another animal’s home, such as a beaver dam.
Once inside, the bear will enlarge the den by digging deeper into the hillside and sometimes excavating a side tunnel. Brown bears typically hibernate for 5–8 months.
- Lifespan: 20- 30 Years
- Weight: 300 to 860 pounds.
- Length: 5 – 7 feet.
8. Polar bear
The most prominent member of the bear family, the polar bear, is a magnificent and powerful animal. In the Arctic Circle, polar bears inhabit some of the most hostile environments on Earth.
Despite their name, these bears are not white; their fur is translucent and appears white because it reflects sunlight. Underneath the hair, polar bears have black skin, which helps absorb solar heat. This helps to keep them warm in their cold environment.
Polar bears are excellent swimmers and have traveled more than 15 miles daily in search of food.
Their diet consists primarily of seals, which they hunt using their sharp claws and powerful sense of smell. As the climate continues to change, polar bears are increasingly threatened by the loss of ice habitat and declining prey populations.
As a result, these majestic animals risk disappearing from the wild forever.
- Lifespan: 25 – 30 Years
- Weight: 1,700 pounds.
- Length: 8 – 10 Feet.
9. Giraffe
The giraffe is an African mammal easily recognizable by its long neck and legs. They are the tallest mammals on Earth, and their height can range from 16 to 19 feet.
Despite their size, giraffes are very graceful animals. They can run as fast as 35 miles per hour and are excellent swimmers.
Giraffes are primarily herbivores and spend most of their time eating tree leaves. However, they will eat fruit, flowers, and even small insects.
Giraffes are social animals typically live in herds of 10-20 individuals. These herds provide protection from predators such as lions and cheetahs.
Although giraffes are not currently endangered, they face many challenges, such as habitat loss and poaching. As a result, conservation efforts are necessary to ensure that these magnificent animals continue to thrive in the wild.
- Lifespan: 25 – 30 Years
- Weight: 3,000 Pounds.
- Height: Up to 18 Feet.
10. Moose
Moose are the most prominent members of the deer family, and they can be found in forested habitats across North America and Europe.
Moose are distinguished by their large size, long legs, and massive antlers.
- Males can weigh up to 1,400 pounds and stand over six feet tall at the shoulder.
- Females, or cows, are slightly smaller but can weigh over a thousand pounds.
Moose are herbivores and rely on a diet of leaves, twigs, and buds to stay healthy. In winter, when food is scarce, moose will also eat bark and moss.
Although they are generally solitary animals, moose will gather in small groups during the mating season.
Bulls will compete for cows by engaging in spectacular displays of antler wrestling. The winner of these contests will earn the right to mate with several females.
Calves are born in early spring, and they will stay with their mothers until the following late summer. After that, they will strike out on their own in search of new territory.
Moose are relatively long-lived animals, and bulls have been known to live for up to 16 years in the wild.
- Lifespan: 15 – 20 Years
- Weight: 1,200 to 1,600 pounds.
- Length: 5 to 6.5 feet.
11. Cape Buffalo
The Cape buffalo is a large African bovine. It is the typical representative of the subfamily Bovinae, family Bovidae, and order Artiodactyla. It occurs in woodlands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Sudan in the north to South Africa in the south.
Despite its extensive range, it has never been domesticated, and its nearest relatives are other wild bovines, such as the container antelope. The body of the Cape buffalo is stocky, with short legs and shoulders.
The horns are heavily fused at the base, forming a shield on the forehead called bosses. Both sexes have horns, but those of cows are generally thinner and point backward, while those of bulls tend to be thicker and curve forward.
Bulls also tend to be larger than cows, weighing up to 2000 lbs compared to 1300 lbs for cows.
Cape buffalo are generally black or dark brown, although some populations display a light grey coloration. Calves are born red or orange before they darken to adult coloration.
Cape buffalo herds can reach 1000 individuals, but these herds can grow to much larger sizes during migrations when several thousand animals may travel together.
- Lifespan: 15 to 25 Years
- Weight: 1100 to 2000 lb.
- Length: 5 to 11 feet.
12. Orca
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are one of the most well-known and easily recognizable types of cetaceans. They are large, black and white dolphins that can grow up to 32 feet long and weigh up to six tons.
Orcas may be found in all seas, from the chilly Arctic to the warm seas of the equator. They are highly social animals, living in family groups called pods that can number in the dozens or even hundreds.
Orcas are apex predators, meaning they sit at the top of the food chain. Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they have also been known to eat sharks, seals, and even whales.
Thanks to their intelligence and versatility, orcas have few natural predators. Humans are their only real threat, as we hunt them for their meat and capture them for use in marine parks.
Sadly, this has led to a decline in orcas populations in recent years. However, thanks to increasing public awareness of the plight of these amazing animals, efforts are being made to protect them and ensure their survival for generations to come.
- Lifespan: 30 to 50 Years
- Weight: 8,000 to 16,000 punds.
- Length: 30 feet on average.
13. Whale sharks
Few creatures evoke such a sense of awe and wonder as the whale shark. These gentle giants of the sea are the largest fish in the world, measuring up to 39 feet in length and weighing up to 5000 lbs.
Despite their size, whale sharks are gentle filter feeders that pose no threat to humans. In fact, they are often curious and will approach divers and snorkelers who venture into their territory.
Although they are widespread in tropical waters around the world, little is known about the migratory patterns of whale sharks.
Scientists believe they may travel vast distances yearly, covering tens of thousands of miles in search of food. However, much more research is needed to better understand these enigmatic creatures.
In recent years, whale sharks have become a popular tourist attraction in many parts of the world.
Swimmers and snorkelers can often spot them near coral reefs or offshore from beaches, where they come to feed on plankton and small fish.
While there is no doubt that seeing a whale shark up close is an unforgettable experience, it is essential to remember that these animals are wild and should be treated with respect.
By understanding more about these fascinating creatures, we can help ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy.
- Lifespan: 70 – 100 Years
- Weight: 41,000 pounds on average.
- Length: 45 Feet on average.
14. Elephant Seal
The elephant seal is a large marine mammal that can weigh up to four tons, grow up to 16 feet long, and weigh up to 5000 lbs.
Found in the Pacific Ocean, these seals get their name from their massive size and their thick, wrinkled skin, which is similar to an elephant’s.
Elephant seals spend most of their time at sea, but they come ashore to mate and give birth.
They can hold their breath for up to two hours, which allows them to dive to great depths in search of food. Prey items include fish, squid, and crustaceans.
Although primarily solitary animals, elephant seals can gather on beaches or ice floes in large groups. These gatherings are called “haul-outs” and provide opportunities for socializing, mating, and raising young pups.
Despite their size, elephant seals are agile swimmers and can reach speeds of up to 6 miles per hour. Their primary predators are sharks and killer whales.
However, humans also pose a threat to these animals; hunting and entanglement in fishing gear have resulted in declining populations of elephant seals in some parts of the world.
- Lifespan: 19 Years
- Weight: Up to 5,000 pounds.
- Length: 14 to 16 Feet.
15. Siberian Tiger
The Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the most giant wild cat in the world. Inhabiting the forests of Russia, China, and North Korea.
Tigers, in general, are apex predators at the top of the food chain. But the Siberian tiger is on top of the apex predators. These magnificent creatures can weigh up to 660 pounds and grow up to 10 feet long.
They are easily recognizable by their orange fur with black stripes, but what sets them apart from other tigers is their thick fur which helps them survive the cold winters in their habitat.
Unfortunately, Siberian tigers are endangered due to habitat loss and illegal hunting, with only an estimated 350-400 adult individuals remaining in the wild.
However, conservation efforts are underway to protect these amazing animals and ensure they have a future in the wild.
- Lifespan: 10- 14 Years in the Wild.
- Weight: 475 pounds on average.
- Length: 11 Feet on average.
16. Gray Wolf
The gray wolf is a large canine native to the forests of North America. Gray wolves are the most prominent Canidae family members, including dogs, jackals, and foxes.
Wolves were once common throughout North America, but they have been largely eradicated from the lower 48 states due to persecution by humans.
Today, gray wolves are primarily found in Alaska, Canada, and parts of the northern United States.
Despite their fearsome reputation, gray wolves are fearless predators with a strong sense of family. Wolves live in packs consisting of a mated pair and their offspring.
The pack members work together to raise their young and hunt for food. Although gray wolves typically prefer to prey on large animals such as deer and moose, they will also eat smaller mammals and carrion.
- Lifespan: 16 Years
- Weight: 60 to 100 Pounds.
- Length: 3 to 5 feet on average. | https://wildanimalscentral.com/largest-mammals-in-the-world/ |
Table of Contents
How Big Do Map Turtles Get? Adult males may reach up to around 7 inches, and females about 10 inches. Very large females develop enlarged heads, but males do not develop elongated fore-claws for courtship. The false map turtle (G.
Are map turtles good pets? Does the Map Turtle Make a Good Pet. Some Map Turtles make good pets. However, it is important that you never take a wild turtle as a pet, and equally important that you never release a pet turtle into the wild.
What size tank does a map turtle need? Full-grown map turtles need plenty of swimming space, but typically a 75-gallon fish tank will do well for one male turtle; females need about a 125-gallon tank. Gravel built up with some larger rocks to create a beach on one side of the tank serves well as a basking area and dry-docking station for your turtle.
How fast do map turtles grow? A study shows that a male map turtle would take 4 to 6 years to reach its full length, and a female map turtle would take more than ten years to attain the length if they are provided healthy food and environment.
How Big Do Map Turtles Get – Related Questions
How long can map turtles live?
The average lifespan for most Mississippi maps lies somewhere between 15 and 20 years, but when kept properly in captivity, a Mississippi map turtle can live for up to 30 years or more.
Do map turtles bite?
False map turtles are generally docile and do not bite. They are creatures of flowing water and will require large aquatic environments with adequate filtration.
Do map turtles get lonely?
No, turtles are not social animals and as a result they don’t get lonely. Turtles actually prefer to be alone, and not in the company of other turtles or animals.
Do turtles need a light at night?
Adult turtles don’t need night lights, and most turtles don’t care whether they’re red or blue as long as they’re not too bright. Another kind of night viewing lamp called an infrared heat lamp. They’re designed to produce heat as well as (usually) red light. Some provide mainly heat and little or no light.
Can you hold a map turtle?
You can hold your pet map turtles with your hands. It is safe as long as the turtle does not contain any transmissive diseases.
What type of turtles stay small?
Top 6 Species of Turtles that Stay Small
Eastern Mud Turtle.
Common Musk Turtle.
Michigan Spotted Turtle.
Diamond Back Terrapin.
Reeve’s Turtle.
Box Turtle.
Red-Eared Slider.
Wood Turtle.
•
Do turtles grow according to tank size?
Red-Eared Slider Size
Do map turtles sleep underwater?
So yes, turtles do sleep underwater. Species such as painted turtles, map turtles, sliders, mud turtles, musk turtles all sleep underwater. Most aquatic turtles sleep underwater for 4 to 7 hours.
How much does a map turtle cost?
The map turtles cost around $25 to $1000. The price varies from species to species. Again, the rate is not constant, and it can go up or down anytime. You can learn the price of map turtles from online or from a local pet store.
What can I feed my map turtle?
Earthworms, crickets, crayfish, feeder fish, bloodworms, blackworms and various leafy greens including romaine, red leaf, greenleaf, endive, escarole and kale can also occasionally be provided as treats. Map turtles are as remarkable in their diversity as they are in their behavior.
Can map turtles eat spinach?
Spinach, Chard, Beets, Rhubarb because they have Oxalic acid and it blocks the absorption of calcium. These foods cause the turtle to become calcium deficient even if a good source of calcium is provided which can result in soft shell or MBD (metabolic bone disease) which is fatal.
What fish can live with map turtles?
Compatible Tank Mates For Mississippi Map Turtle
Koi fish. Koi fish is very popular as a turtle tank mate.
Snail. Snails can be an ideal tank mate for the Mississippi map turtles.
Neon Tetra. Neon Tetra is another popular turtle tank mate.
Oscars.
Cichlids.
Comet Goldfish.
Do musk turtle bites hurt?
Do Musk Turtles’ Bites Hurt
How does a turtle bite feel?
It would feel like a clothes peg being closed on your finger, they simply aren’t strong enough to hurt someone, this applies to almost all species of turtles when they are hatchlings.
Do Painted turtles bite hard?
Painted turtles can and will bite. The mandibles are sharp and the jaws are powerful but even an adult is too small to do much damage. However, care should be used when handling and feeding any turtle.
Do turtles recognize their owners?
Turtles do seem to recognize their owners, they can pick up your sent and know you by your voice. Many owners share how their turtle swims up to the water level to them as if to greet them. It’s in their best interest to recognize and become attached to their owners as they provide for them.
What do turtles do for fun?
Turtles are fun to watch swim around in an aquarium, lazily walk their way across the terrain (e.g., your carpet), or even just chill out on a warm and comfortable rock. | https://neeness.com/how-big-do-map-turtles-get/ |
WILD ABOUT TEXAS: Snapping turtle turns fierce on land
As I have stated many times in past columns, my primary focus on selecting topics to write about is based upon a variety of factors including experience, relevance and requests. But occasionally, I will choose to write about a natural subject that is just can be a combination of all factors. I often get calls and emails about identifying animals, and one request that I frequently get is involves an extremely large species of aquatic turtle that is rarely found this state. Yet it is frequently misidentified by laymen and even amateur naturalists alike, and that species is the alligator snapping turtle.
The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) lives in large, deep creeks, rivers and lakes throughout the extreme eastern portions of this grand state. Outside of Texas, it can be seen primarily from the Florida Panhandle westward to extreme southeastern Kansas and northward to portions of Indiana.
Generally speaking, gator snappers are an almost totally aquatic species that reside in just about any slow moving, deep, quiet bodies of water that have ample vegetation to provide camouflage.
Gator snappers are surprisingly large turtles, with wild adult males capable of achieving weights of more than 200 pounds. In the throngs of protected captivity, where they are often overfed, adult males can weigh an astounding 250 pounds or more. Reports of adult males over 300 pounds have been circulating for decades; however, no confirmed observations of turtles this large have ever been documented.
The carapace, or top shell, can be up to about 30 inches in length, and by the time one were to measure the head, neck, carapace and tail, the total length can approach a whopping 60 inches. However, most adults are quite a bit smaller with the average carapace length of only 24 inches.
Adult females are definitely the smaller of the two sexes — mature females typically only achieve carapace lengths of 18 inches or so and a weight of less than 55 pounds. However, even at that “diminutive” size (when compared to mature adults), female gator snappers are still significantly larger than the more widely distributed and commonly observed eastern snapping turtle.
This species’ coloration of mud-brown remains fairly consistent as the turtle matures. The carapace is extremely corrugated and the back edge is highly serrated, particularly in juveniles. The nose is long and pointed, much more so than its close relative. The upper beak is intensely hooked, and the neck, while long, is not nearly as long proportionately as the “other” snapper’s is.
There are two diagnostic characteristics that can be used to separate this species from all other native turtles, save the eastern snapper. The first is the length of the tail. Every other species of native turtle (aquatic or not) has a short, stubby tail. Not so with the alligator snapping turtle. The tail of this snapper is as long, if not slightly longer, than the length of the carapace. The tail also has a thin serrated crest along the top of it.
The second characteristic is the shape of the plastron, or bottom shell. In all other native turtles, the plastron is the same size or slightly smaller than the carapace. Again, this Snapper is an exception to this. The plastron of the gator snapper is small, T-shaped in appearance, and is very soft. It is connected to the carapace at just two points along the side of the body.
Mating in this species occurs in the spring, and females will trek to find a suitable nesting area somewhere above the high-water mark. This is essentially the only time this species will actually leave its aquatic dwelling. Up to 50 eggs are laid in a nest that has been dug out by the female, and hatching occurs in about three months. The rugose young are small, having a carapace length of approximately 1½ inches.
The diet of this aquatic turtle is primarily fish, and studies have shown that its secondary prey item is other aquatic turtles. Contrary to popular belief among fisherman, the gator snapping turtle is not capable of depleting the stock of game fish in a body of water as its metabolism is rather slow.
This strictly carnivorous aquatic species of turtle employs a very interesting ambush method of hunting to obtain its prey. When hunting, it will lie motionless at the bottom of the body of water that it calls home. It will then open its mouth and wiggle its small, red tongue-appendage to mimic a worm. As a fish (or smaller turtle) comes in to investigate, the snapper will instantly shut its strong, hooked beak and jaws on its prey.
As the common name implies, the most striking characteristic of this species is the savage defensive behavior. This behavior is truly a “Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde” performance. Unbeknownst to most people, the snapping turtle is usually quiet and inoffensive while in the water. However, when encountered on land, it can be somewhat aggressive, surprisingly fast and agile in its attempts to defend itself from whatever it perceives to be a threat. It is not a turtle that should be approached carelessly or teased as it has powerful jaws capable of delivering a painful bite, and it typically is a benign species that would prefer to be left alone to live out its very long (up to 70 years or more) life.
Michael Price is owner of Wild About Texas, an educational company that specializes in venomous animal safety training, environmental consultations and ecotourism. Contact him at [email protected].
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Smart and agile, the impala is a graceful African antelope that stays vigilant at all times.
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Impala Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Bovidae
- Genus: Aepyceros
- Species: Aepyceros melampus
Impala Appearance
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Length: 51 inches
- Height: 28-36 inches
- Weight: 88-168 pounds
- Top speed: 56 mph – among the fastest land animals
Males are known as rams, while females are referred to as ewes and have no horns.
The common impala is a medium-sized antelope, and its name is derived from the Tswana word Phala, which means ‘red antelope.’ Its name in Afrikaans ‘Rooibok’ is also used to substitute Impala in English.
Impalas have a glossy, shiny reddish-brown coat, which features two-tone coloration. The impalas have a peculiar reddish-brown back, and tan flanks, a white underbelly, and a vertical black stripe appear on the back of each thigh.
They weigh anything between 88 to 168 pounds, reach a head-and-body length around 51 inches, and height of about 28-36 inches at the shoulders. Only the males grow slender horns, ranging between 18 to 36 inches long.
There is another species of impala, the black-faced impala, which is restricted to northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola.
Did you know? They are fleet runners who can leap up to 33 feet in length and 10 feet in height.
Impala Range & Habitat
Impalas prefer shady regions with water sources, which explains why they are mainly found between savannas and woodlands.
They steer clear from tall grass areas, as that would make them more vulnerable to predators.
The habitat impalas prefer is mainly found in Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Angola, and Uganda. The population of impalas is high in particular regions of these countries.
Distribution
- Continents: Africa
- Countries: Angola; Botswana; Eswatini; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Rwanda; South Africa; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe.
Habitats
Savanna | Shrubland | Grassland
Impala Behavior and Lifestyle
Impalas are both nocturnal and diurnal, which means their highest activity is right after sunrise and just before sunset. All they do for the rest of the hours are relax and ruminate.
They are very social and move around with the herd. The female herd usually contains 15 to 100 impalas, and one herd occupies territories spanning 100 to 180 hectares.
However, impalas are sedentary; adult and middle-aged males, in particular, can hold their territories for years.
During dry weather, the male and female herds mingle with each other. However, during the rainy season, the female herds become highly territorial and protective of the home ranges of their herds.
On the other hand, the young male impalas form bachelor herds of up to 30 individuals per herd.
Impalas are symbiotically related to oxpeckers, as seen in the photo above, which feed on ticks from those parts of the antelope’s body which the animal cannot access by itself.
Impala Diet
Impalas are herbivores and thrive on a variety of plants, depending on the availability of resources in the regions they live in. They primarily consume fruits, acacia pods, monocots, and dicots in areas with ample water.
The impalas switch to succulent vegetation if water is scarce in their territories. While impalas typically prefer more dicots, it is interesting that the dicot proportion is higher in the diets of females and bachelor impalas than the territorial males.
Impalas love a variety of grasses and include different types of soft and nutritious grasses. These antelopes aren’t fond of tall, tough grasses.
They are vigilant as they graze, and the herd members feeding towards the periphery are more alert than those in the center. In wet seasons, impalas prefer fresh, lush grass patches, whereas they switch to shrubs in the dry seasons.
Different regions in the African continent (where impalas are found the most) have vast grasslands and woodland borders. Also, the savanna regions in Africa are apt for impalas to graze and browse.
The four-chambered stomachs of impalas make it easy for them to ruminate. This ensures they get maximum nutrition from all the greens they consume. This, in turn, is converted into muscle, fat, and energy.
As carnivores prey on impalas, they get their share of nutrition from impalas too.
Impala Reproduction and Mating
Impalas follow a polygynous mating system, which means every male mates with numerous females. The breeding season of impalas spans from March to May, toward the end of the wet season.
During this period, the breeding activity is at its peak. The gestation period of impalas is 194 to 200 days, during which the pregnant females totally isolate themselves.
Once the females give birth to the calf (weighing around 11 pounds), it is immediately concealed in cover for the first few weeks of the delivery. Later, they both (the mother impala and the calf) join the herd back again.
The calves are weaned at 4 to 5 months of age, during which they join fellow impala calves. Even though impala males are sexually mature by the age of one, they start mating only at the age of four.
The adult males then move to establish their own territories to access the females.
Impala Conservation Status
Least concern
Impala Predators and Threats
Primary predators of impalas include carnivorous animals such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs.
Apart from these, they are also the food of jackals and eagles. Humans and hunting dogs, too, are predators of these antelopes.
Apart from this, the impalas are currently threatened due to human intervention in their natural habitat. Roads passing through their habitats negatively affect all aspects of their lives, making it difficult for these antelopes to feed, move, mate, and give birth.
South African people consume impala meat, making them more susceptible to hunting. Currently, the total number of impalas is estimated to be around 2,000,000.
Impala Facts
Here are some fun facts about impalas:
- To ensure the entire birth process goes smoothly without any fear of predators, impala females give birth to their calves in the afternoons. This is the time when their predators rest.
- When in threat, the impalas give out barking calls to alert the rest of the herd members. They also can recognize other animals’ warning calls.
- If a territorial male impala loses a fight to another, he must surrender the herd and move back to join the bachelor impala herd.
- Impalas cut down on the risk of being hunted down when they live in herds. This is because, at the sight of a predator, the entire herd scatters, running in different directions. This confuses the predator. | https://www.wildlifeexplained.com/impala/ |
South America is the fourth largest continent in size and the fifth largest in population. It is located primarily in the southern hemisphere. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The geography of South America is dominated by the Andes Mountain Range and the Amazon River (second longest river in the world). The Amazon rainforest is one of the world's most important natural resources and provides around six percent of the world's oxygen.
The Incan Civilization was a powerful empire that ruled much of western South America. It built the beautiful mountain city of Machu Picchu which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In the 1500's, Spain and Portugal colonized much of South America. The colonies gained independence in the 1800's with the help of leaders such as Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin. Much of South America still speaks Spanish or Portuguese as their primary language. Brazil, the largest country in South America, is one of the world's top economies and plays an important role in world politics.
Population:
387,489,196 (Source: 2010 United Nations)
Click here to see large map of South America
Area:
6,890,000 square miles
Ranking:
It is the fourth largest and fifth most populous continent
Major Biomes:
rainforest, savanna, grassland
Major cities:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Santiago, Chile
Brasilia, Brazil
Lima, Peru
Bogota, Colombia
Caracas, Venezuela
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Medellin, Colombia
Bordering Bodies of Water:
Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Amazon River, Parana River, Orinoco River, Tocantins River, Strait of Magellan, Lake Titicaca, Lake Maracaibo
Major Geographical Features:
Andes Mountains, Amazon Basin and Rainforest, Brazilian Highlands, Pampas plain, Patagonia, Guiana Highlands, Pantanal wetlands
Countries of South America
Learn more about the countries from the continent of South America. Get all sorts of information on each South American country including a map, a picture of the flag, population, and much more. Select the country below for more information:
Argentina
(Timeline of Argentina)
Bolivia
Brazil
(Timeline of Brazil)
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
French Guiana
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Coloring Map of South America
Color in this map to learn the countries of South America.
Click to get a larger printable version of map.
Fun Facts about South America:
The highest point in South America is Cerro Aconcagua in the Andes Mountains in the country of Argentina.
The largest South American country in both size and population is Brazil. The largest city is Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is also one of the ten largest cities in the world.
North and South America were named after Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.
The highest waterfall in the world is Santo del Angel (also called Angel Falls). It is almost 1000 meters high!
The Atacama Desert in Chile is considered to be one of the driest places on Earth.
Other Maps
Colonization of the Americas
(click for larger)
Population Density
(click for larger)
Satellite Map
(click for larger)
Geography Games:
South America Map Game
South America - Capital Cities
South America - Flags
South America Crossword
South America Word Search
Other Regions and Continents of the World:
Africa
Asia
Central America and Caribbean
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Middle East
North America
Oceania and Australia
South America
Southeast Asia
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The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical Rainforest in the world, covering over five and a half a million square kilometers and is being the home for many wildlife creatures.It is a home for almost one-third of all species, the Amazon Basin is the planet’s greatest reserve of all the life forms,it is home for many species which are not found any where else in the world.Although exact numbers are not known, the basin may contain up to one million plant species Almost over two-thirds of the fresh water that is present on the earth is found within this Amazon basin.Over 20% of the earth’s oxygen is produced here itself.The Amazon is made up of a mosaic of ecosystems and vegetation types including Rainforests, seasonal forests, deciduous forests.The Amazon forest stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the tree line of the Andes in the west.
History:
The Amazon Rainforest has been continuously inhabited for at least 10, 000 years and even more.The Forest area was formed during the Eocene era after temperatures had dropped around the world as the Atlantic Ocean had widened, paving the way for a warm and wet climate.The earliest inhabitants in this area were stone-age peoples, living in hundreds of far-flung tribes, some tiny, others numbering in the tens of thousands. It was from the west that Europeans explorers first arrived.According to the scientists, the Amazon Rainforest was created millions of years ago when the Amazon River changed direction from west to east.This forest has a history of at least 55 million years old. After the extinction of the dinosaurs, the climate got even wetter and the Rainforest grew as far south as the 45-degree latitude. The Amazon River itself was “discovered” by a Spanish explorer and conquistador.
Location:
The Amazon Rainforest,which is also known as the Amazon Jungle is located in South America in an area known as the Amazon River basin.It covers an area of 7 million square kilometers.The forest covers several countries,out of which Brazil and Peru holds the largest portion of this Rainforest.The Smaller portions exist in countries like Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname.Amazon Rainforest is located in the upper section of Brazil south of the Equator. The Amazon River is located 2 to 4 degrees south of the Equator.Because of this the temperature around this is humid and wet.
Wildlife in Amazon Rainforest:
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest home for wildlife,Here we can find tiny insects to huge predators, it’s a vast and interconnected web of life.And there are all naturally provided facilities to all type of species to survive.It is home for 60% of the wildlife species which is about one tenth of the wold’s species.Till now we can find at least 40,000 plant species which makes the rain forest looks like huge monster green covered on the land,It contains 427 mammals species including familiar forest mammals such as raccoons, bats, mice, deer and otter iconic rain forest mammals, such as jaguars, spider monkeys, black howler monkeys, anteaters and armadillosit also has strange and unique mammals such as capybara, freshwater dolphin, tapirs, peccaries, sloths and agouti,it comprises huge bird life about 1,300 birds species like harpy eagle, toucan and hoatzin and many more,378 reptiles species like boa and it also contains more than 400 amphibians like dart poison frog and many others.With around 3,000 freshwater fishes including the piranha have been found in the Amazon itself.
People and Communities:
More than 30 million people, including 350 indigenous and ethnic groups,live in the Amazon Forest area and these people depend on the natural resources that are available in abundant amount for agriculture, clothing and traditional medicines. Most live in large urban centers, but all residents depend on the Amazon’s natural bounty for food, shelter and livelihoods.However we can find thousands of distinct ethnic groups with their own distinctive language and culture that even remain today in tropical Rainforests around the world.Most of the tribal people don’t ever go to school like us,indeed they learn about the forest areas from their ancestors and few people in their communities.They learn about hunting,fishing and they also learn about the medicines available in those forest areas and how it must be used.
Destruction of Amazon:
Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest has increased almost about one third in the past year, reversing a decade-long trend of better protection for the world’s greatest Rainforest.Till now in this Rainforest the destruction cleared the area larger than 200 football fields.The worst year in which most of the destruction of the forest area took place is 2004,about 27,000 sq km of forest was destroyed.The increase in deforestation was largely caused by the expansion of farming areas and the development of infrastructure projects.
Highlights:
Travel to Amazon Rainforest offers the opportunity to breathe in some of the purest air on the planet and see some of the world’s most amazing birds and animals.We can have a look from the bullet ants to tarantulas, jaguars to capybaras, piranhas to giant river otters, capuchins to howler monkeys and much more.This is a must visit place by everyone in his life time and can have best memories in his life spending in this adventures Wildlife.Houses and cottages are also available for tourists near the forest area. | http://planetdens.com/history/amazon-rainforest-incomplete/ |
Located mainly in Brazil, Peru and Colombia, the Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. The Amazon covers 1.4 billion acres and boasts the most diverse wildlife in the world as well. Questions about the Amazon rainforest can be found here.
Asked in Chimpanzees, Houston, Amazon Rainforest
What places do Chimpanzees live?
The Tropical Rainforest Habitat of Chimpanzees includes forests, woodlands and Savannas. The reason for living here is that the chimpanzees are omnivores, that is they live on fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves and a few animals too and these are in a good supply in these places. They travel a lot so to sleep, they have to build a new nest every night. They live in groups ranging from 16 to 120. They live south east from Egypt.
Asked in Australia, Rainforests, Amazon Rainforest
What are facts about the Daintree Rainforest?
The Daintree Rainforest is the largest rainforest in Australia, covering an area of about 1,200 square kilometres. The Daintree Rainforest was added to the World Heritage List in 1988. About 30% of Australia's reptile, marsupial and frog species, 65% of the country's bat and butterfly species, and 20% of Australia's native bird species can be found within the Daintree. It is located north of Cairns in far north Queensland. The Daintree Rainforest was named after the nineteenth-century Australian geologist and photographer, Richard Daintree.
Asked in Geography, Meteorology and Weather, Amazon Rainforest
What is the weather like in Amazon rainforest?
The sun rises at six and begins to heat up the rainforest, causing water to evaporate and rise, making clouds. At about 3:00, the sun is at it's hottest and brightest, and tons of rain soon begins to fall, soaking the Amazon. Then, everything just calms down at night, ready for another hectic day the next day.
Asked in Amazon Rainforest
When was the Amazon rainforest found?
Asked in Rainforests, Forests, Amazon Rainforest
What type of food grows in rainforests?
There are bananas, nuts, cashews, avocados, mangoes, pineapples, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, salsa, guavas, kola nut (is used to flavour soft drinks) and tomatoes; vegetables including corn, potatoes, rice, winter squash and yams; spices like black pepper, cayenne, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, eggplants, sugar cane, tumeric, coffee and vanilla and nuts and lots more!!!
Asked in Science, Amazon Rainforest
What plants are found in the Amazon rainforest?
Asked in Endangered, Vulnerable, and Threatened Species, Chimpanzees, Amazon Rainforest
Where do chimpanzees live?
Chimpanzees live in central and west-central Africa, in the tropical rainforests. The rainforests supply food for the chimpanzees, who are omnivores (they eat fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves and also insects). Chimpanzees live in groups of from 16 to 100 individuals, usually segregated into cooperative family groups. The trees of the forest provide protection from predators, as chimps have excellent climbing abilities. Some chimpanzee groups are more nomadic than others, moving frequently to locate food. Africa (the continent) In tropical rainforest. In the rainforest In the rainforest
Asked in Tigers, Amazon Rainforest
Do tigers live in the Amazon Rainforest?
Asked in Climatology and Climate Changes, Rainforests, Amazon Rainforest
What is the climate like in the Amazon rainforest?
The climate in the Amazonian rain forest is warm and humid and the average temperature in the area is about 79 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the prominent features of this area is the difference between the temperature during the day and during the night is greater than that of the difference between the seasons. The Amazon rain forest consists four layers and each layer has its unique ecosystem and plants and animals are adapted to that. The tallest layer is called the emergent layer, which has trees of approximately 200 feet in height. The other layer is canopy which has smooth oval leaves and have pointed drip tip. This makes the flow of water easy and preventing the growth of mosses and fungi. The layer below the canopy layer is able to get only 5 per cent of sunlight and plants of this layer are uniquely adapted to survive in the shadowy layer. The lowest layer is the forest floor and is almost without any plant. Only 2 percent of sunlight reaches here. A: Between 22 and 32°C, Rarely falls beneath 25°C.
Asked in South America, Rainforests, Amazon Rainforest
What is the name of one of the national tribes that live in the Amazon rainforest?
Asked in Animal Life, Ecosystems, Rainforests, Amazon Rainforest
What is in the tropical rainforest?
That is a good question. Over 200 species live in the rain forest, including new bacteria, and other sub specimen. Panthers, tree frogs, and about more than 3 dozen other animals you know are in the rain forest. The reason why I like this question so much, is because you didn't ask about JUST animals, but plants too! Ferns, Aloe and many other plants, including fly traps live here too.
Asked in Travel & Places, Amazon Rainforest
What to do in a tropical rainforest?
Tropical rainforests tend to have the largest number of different species per hectare relative to the size of the forest patch, so I would recommend going hiking or nature watching. In some rainforests flowers bloom year round, and there are also more different kinds of brightly colored birds. Depending on the rainforest you could also go fishing, pick the unique plants that are found there, or visit the indigenous people. If you do decide to take any of the animals or plants be careful about the environmental impact of your actions and the local regulations. Sit in the rain and enjoy the time i have to be there
Asked in Landforms, Rainforests, Forests, Amazon Rainforest
What country is the Amazon Rain Forest in?
Asked in Rainforests, Example Sentences, Amazon Rainforest
What are tropical rainforests?
Asked in Amazon Rainforest
What is the waterfall called in the amazon rainforest?
Asked in Environmental Issues, Rainforests, Amazon River, Amazon Rainforest
What are the human impacts on the Amazon basin?
== == The impacts are many and they have a domino effect. Clear cutting which causes siltation in streams and reduces the quality of the soils. Most clear cuts are burned which releases CO2 into the atmosphere which contributes to global warming. The clear cutting also destroys natural habitats of delicate ecosystems which therefore leads to a reduction in populations and possibly extinctions.
Asked in History of Science, Ecosystems, Producers (food chain), Amazon Rainforest
Are leaves producers?
Asked in Rain and Flooding, Rainforests, Amazon Rainforest
What is the monthly rainfall in the Daintree rainforest?
Asked in Trees, Deforestation and Habitat Loss, Rainforests, Amazon Rainforest
What is the main vegetation in the rainforest?
Rain Forests are grouped into two major types: tropical and temperate. Most might say the main vegetation is trees, but rain forests have a vast amount of different kinds of vegetation. Here's some more information: A tropical rain forest has broadleaf evergreen trees that form a closed canopy, and abundance of vines and plants that grow on the trees called epiphytes, a relatively open forest floor, and a large number of species of plants and animals. The largest areas of this type of rain forest are in the Amazon basin of South America, the Congo basin and other lowland equatorial regions of Africa, and on the mainland and islands off Southeast Asia. Small areas of tropical rain forests can also be found in Central America and along the Queensland Coast of Australia. Temperate Rain Forests grow in higher-latitude regions that have wet, maritime climates. They are less extensive than the tropical rain forests, but have some of the most valuable timber in the world. The trees often exceed those of tropical forests in height, but the diversity of species is not as vast. Notable temperate rain forest areas are on the northwest coast of North America, southern Chile, Tasmania, and parts of southeastern Australia and New Zealand. While you will find Conifers, such as Redwood and Sitka Spruce in the temperate rain forests of North America, the tropical rain forests of the southern hemisphere include trees like Eucalyptus, Araucaria, and Nothofagus. Though Rain Forests cover less than six percent of the Earth's total land surface, the are home to up to three-fourths of all known species of plants and animals.
Asked in Rain and Flooding, South America, Amazon Rainforest
What is The Amazon monthly rainfall average?
Asked in Amazon Rainforest
Can you have a list of plants in the Amazon rainforest?
Asked in Rainforests, Soil, Amazon Rainforest
How does rainforest soil infulence climate?
It doesn't. Rainforest climate influences the soil. Soils are the result of a number of interrelated environmental factors, including climate and the organisms that live in and on the soil (mostly plants and microbes, but other living things can have a significant influence). The climate of the rainforest causes a lot of leaching of soluble and partially soluble materials in soils, so most rainforest soils are characterized by low natural fertility. | https://www.answers.com/t/amazon-rainforest |
The types of jungle trees that grow in a jungle are mostly determined by the region of the world in which the jungle is located.
Jungle trees are found in various places in the world and generally surround a rainforest. Rainforests are primarily found in countries located in the southern hemisphere, like Peru, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Brazil, Philippines, Indonesia, and several others.
These trees grow near the equator because jungle trees require warm, humid conditions. Jungle trees may be found throughout Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. This natural vegetation is like a rolling carpet of insects that consume anything that falls from a jungle tree. During the day, temperatures in jungles may reach 90 F (32.2 C), while at night, they can drop to 71 F (21.67 C).
After reading all about jungle trees and their role in the ecosystem, also check out facts about all living things and interesting plants.
What trees are found in jungles?
Some common Central American rainforest trees include kapok, cecropia, Brazil nut, annatto, chewing gum tree, mountain soursop, abiu, ilama, Astrocaryum palm, and rubber tree.
The palm species Euterpe precatory, a cousin of the açaí palm Euterpe oleracea, is the most prevalent tree species in Amazonia, and its tasty fruit is gaining popularity globally.
These trees need the most sunshine and wind because of their extreme height, and they are home to many eagles and other birds. The canopy is a dense clump of tall trees that absorb nearly all of the sunlight. The trees have grown so tightly together that any light that reaches the ground is blocked by their branches and leaves.
What trees are commonly found in the Amazon rainforest?
The Amazon rainforest is, of course, defined by its trees. For the forest ecosystem, these trees ensure the ideal temperature, amount of sunshine, and micro-habitats.
The trees, however, are being taken down to obtain fuel in the form of hard wood or to clear the land for farmland. As a result, many species became extinct, some even before we were aware of their existence.
The most common trees in the Amazon rainforest are the Brazil nut trees, the Wimba tree, the Brazilian mahogany, Lupuna, and the kapok tree.
What makes a jungle a jungle?
Land overrun with entangled flora at ground level, particularly in the tropics, is one of the most popular definitions of the jungle.
Typically, such foliage is dense enough to obstruct human movement, forcing travelers to cut through it. Because the understorey of rainforests is often devoid of plants owing to a lack of sunlight and is relatively simple to travel through, it distinguishes it from the jungle. Jungles can be found inside or near tropical forests, especially in locations in which the wood has indeed been exposed by natural disasters like storms or human activities like logging.
Do palm trees grow in the jungle?
Palms are commonly thought of as tropical plants, although this isn't always the case.
Almost all of these giant trees grow in the tropics, but only approximately 130 species can be found outside of them. The majority of them are found in subtropical areas, but a few may also be found in temperate zones. They generate cooking oil, construction materials, industrial fibers, and a number of other resources.
Rainforests range in variety in trees and account for around two-thirds of all palms. These compete for energy completely throughout their lives. Slow-growing species will be pushed out by the jungle canopy's massive trees, so they must grow quickly to access the life-giving sunshine.
Did You Know...
Trees provide an essential boost to the air we breathe, the water we drink, and much of the food we consume. While it's impossible to pick favorites among the tree species that exist on the planet, here are a few of the most beautiful and significant jungle trees present in the rainforests of the world:
Tree Of The Kapok: This rainforest tree can be found from southern Mexico to the southern Amazon, as well as in West Africa. The kapok tree has spines or pyramidal thorns of certain kinds, giving it a threatening look.
Tree Of Rubber: The rubber tree, which is native to the Amazon, is used to make anything from tires to waterproof clothes. The tree may be tapped for this chemical after around six years of age by removing small slices of bark.
Ramón Tree: The Ramón tree is native to areas of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, and it may be predominantly found in these countries' natural forests as a consequence of indigenous cultures' nearly century-old cultivation.
In order to grow giant jungle trees or rainforest trees near you, you need to plant suitable saplings in an open area of land that has adequate access to sunlight. Regular provision of water and fertilizers is the key to growing these giant trees. You can also easily make a rainforest model in a shoebox. Just add in some DIY fake trees and water bodies to make it realistic.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for jungle trees, then why not take a look at what eats plankton?, or how to stop dog from licking paws.
Written By
Kidadl Team
The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. From lino cutting to surfing to children’s mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family.
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Taiga forest covers the largest area of the Northern Russia and North America. It spread North America, Asia Europe.
2.The Amazon Forest — 5 million sq. kilometers
The Amazon rainforest is a moist broadleaf forest in the Amazon biome. There many animals live in the amazon and about 20% of the earth’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon. World’s Second largest river, the Amazon River flows through this jungle.
3.The Congo Rainforest — 2,023,428 sq. kilometers
The Congo Basin forests are a lifeline for more than 60 million people — providing food and income for many remote communities, storing huge amounts of carbon, supporting unique ecosystems and regulating the flow of the major rivers across Central Africa.
4.Valdivian Temperate Rainforest — 248,100 sq. kilometers
Valdivian Temperate Rainforest gets its name after the city of Valdivia.This forest is one of the densest forests in the world. This forest is an Eco region on the west coast of southern South America, in Chile and extending into Argentina.
5.Tongass Rainforest — 68,062 sq. kilometers
Tongass Rainforest is largest forest in the U.S.A more than the size of Sri Lanka.
6.Sundarbans – 10,000 sq. kilometers
Sundarbans cover Bangladesh as well as little part of Indian. The Sundarbans is the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
7.Xishuangbanna Tropical Forest — 2,402 sq kilometers
The Xishuangbanna Tropical Rainforest is situated in the China.
8.Daintree Forest – 2600 sq. kilometers
Daintree forest is the oldest forest in the world about 135 million yrs. It is located in Australia.
9.Kinabalu National Park – 754 sq. kilometers
Kinabalu National Park located in Malaysia and Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. It is Southeast Asia’s highest peak.
10.Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest – 192 sq. kilometers
Mindo Nambillo is a cloud forest which situated in South America. It is very dense forest, and neighboring forest to the great Amazon Forest. | http://www.top10s.org/top-10-largest-forests-in-the-world/ |
Where Is South America Located?
The uppermost portion of South America lies at a latitude of 14.6048° S and a longitude of 59.0625° W, and it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and Central America. The continent is in the Western Hemisphere.
In the world, South America ranks fifth in population and is the fourth-largest continent. The continent contains 12 countries, including Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Chile and Colombia, as well as the territories of the Falkland Islands, Galapagos Islands and French Guiana. Contained within South America are many of the world's largest and most diverse ecosystems: the highest waterfall is in Venezuela; the Amazon is the largest river by volume; the Andes is the longest mountain range; and the Atacama Desert in Chile the driest. The continent is also home to the largest rainforest, the highest capital city and the highest commercial lake in the world. | https://www.reference.com/geography/south-america-located-b31c5684b3bebc41 |
South America is a continent located on Earth which consists of countries such as Ecuador, Suriname, Brazil, Guiana, French Guiana, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile. It is well known for its tropical climate and rainforests.
South America appeared in an episode of The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, "7 Continents for 7 Koopas". When Bowser tried to conquer the entire Real World, he put Hop Koopa under control of South America. Hop used his Magic Wand to turn the Amazon Rainforest into a giant parking lot. However, Mario later restored the jungle to its natural form by using Hop's own Magic Wand.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is located in Rio de Janeiro, host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics. | https://www.mariowiki.com/South_America |
South America is the World’s fourth-largest continent – 17,840,000 km² covering approximately 12% of the Earth’s land and 3.5% of the Earth’s surface.
It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
The eastern side of the continent is generally lower than the west which contains the Andes mountain range.
The second-longest river in the World, the Amazon (6,400 km) flows across the top of the continent.
Argentina is home to the highest mountain Aconcagua (6960 m) and the World’s highest waterfall – Angel Falls (979 m).
South America is not divided into regions.
South America is located in the southern hemisphere. Those countries to the south of the continent have four distinct seasons.
The countries in the north of the continent have more constant high temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year.
Grassland – Hot summers and cold winters with above average rainfall.
Rainforest – High temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year.
Alpine/mountain – Cold, windy and snowy. It is winter from October to May with temperatures below freezing, while summer is from June to September where the temperature can reach 15?C.
There are 16 countries and Islands in South America.
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Brazil is the most economically developed country but the economies of Argentina, Venezuela, Peru and Uruguay are growing the most quickly. Throughout South America there is a wide gap between the rich and poor.
The plant life of South America is characterised according to climatic region.
The rainforest areas are jungles of dense, wet forests. The picture (left) shows an area of the Amazon Rainforest.
The desert regions are home to those plants that can survive the arid conditions and include varieties of cactii.
The deciduous forest region has a wealth of plant life and includes tall and short trees, shrubs, small plants and mosses.
Due to the cold during the winter months, only short grasses and shrubs can survive in the alpine/mountain region.
The grassland and savanna regions are characterised by large open areas of tall or short grass.
Plants found in the Mediterranean region have adapted to the differences in rainfall and temperature between winter and summer and include, palm trees, citrus trees, forest and scrub. | http://www.naturalhistoryonthenet.com/Continents/south_america.htm |
Considering the Amazon Rainforest spans 2.1 million square miles, it shouldn’t surprise you that it houses quite a few of the world’s greatest curiosities.
The Amazon is vast and dense, containing 20% of the world’s fresh water and serving as a home to an estimated 30% of the Earth’s species — but believe it or not, those aren’t even the wildest things about it.
Here are 10 facts about the Amazon Rainforest that may blow your mind:
1. The Amazon Rainforest contains roughly 10% of the world’s variety of life.
Home to nearly 50,000 different plant species and more than 2,500 animal species, the Amazon Rainforest is one of the world’s most diverse places; and more species are being discovered to this day. For instance, between 2014 and 2015, nearly 400 new species of plants and animals were identified in the Amazon. What makes it even more special is that of all the plant species identified in the rainforest, almost 75% of them are endemic, meaning they are only found in the Amazon.
2. The tallest tree in the Amazon Rainforest is almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty.
The tallest tree in the Amazon Rainforest was recently identified, towering an astounding 290 feet, just 15 feet shy of the Statue of Liberty’s tip. It is estimated that this tree may be around 400 years old and can store as much carbon as two and a half acres of rainforest elsewhere in the Amazon. The tree’s species name is Dinizia excelsa, and it has grown more than 65 feet beyond the species’ previous record height.
3. The Amazon is inhabited by millions of people.
This rainforest is home to over 30 million people, 9% of whom are Indigenous, from 350 different ethnic groups. The Amazon includes 3,344 formally acknowledged Indigenous territories. Located in South America, it stretches across nine nations, with Brazil holding 60% of the rainforest within its borders.
4. It’s the air filter of the Earth.
The Amazon Rainforest does not produce 20% of the Earth’s oxygen, as many headlines have claimed. Scientists estimate that the Amazon generates 6% of the oxygen produced on land, but this gets used up by trees making energy and microbes decomposing organic matter. It’s more accurate to say that the Amazon Rainforest acts as an air filter for the Earth.
5. The Amazon Rainforest houses some of the world’s most interesting creatures.
The Amazon is home to a variety of curious creatures the average person may not have heard of before. They include:
Amazon River Dolphin: Known for its pink color, the Amazon River dolphin is one of a handful of freshwater dolphin species known to exist. When excited, they flush a brighter pink (just like blushing humans.)
Peanut Head Bug: A planthopper with a small protruding head similar in shape to a peanut.
Capybara: Essentially oversized guinea pigs, the capybara is the largest rodent species, weighing up to 150 pounds.
Mata Mata: A freshwater turtle species known for its rough, knobby exterior and snorkel-like snoot (snout).
Potoo: Terrifyingly cute birds that look like owls, but aren’t even close relatives. Their wide, googly eyes made this species a meme in the early Aughts.
Bullet Ant: Thought to be the world’s most powerful stinging insect, the bullet ant is also the largest ant species.
6. The Amazon River‘s nickname is the “River Sea.”
The Amazon River is 3,977 miles long, with a span of up to 30 miles during wet seasons. It is the second-longest river in the world and is the world’s largest drainage system, earning it the nickname “River Sea.” In 2007, Martin Strel swam its entire length, swimming an average of 10 hours per day over 66 days.
7. It’s one of the wettest places on Earth.
The Amazon Rainforest experiences an average 12 feet of precipitation annually, approximating 200 rainy days; that’s 50 more days than Seattle, Washington! López de Micay, a Colombian city on the outskirts of the Amazon Basin, saw an estimated annual rainfall average of 42 feet between 1960 and 2012.
8. It’s the origin of most of the world’s food and pharmaceuticals.
It is thought that 80% of the world’s food varieties originate from rainforests like the Amazon. Familiar examples include our beloved coffee, avocados, bananas, cinnamon, chocolate, black pepper, nuts like cashews, palm oil, and açaí. More than 25% of modern pharmaceuticals contain Amazonian ingredients. One is the bark of the cinchona tree, which contains the well-known antiparasitic quinine, used to treat malaria. The lapacho and tawari trees are also believed to contain chemicals that can be used to fight cancer.
9. It relies on the Sahara Desert for nutrients.
The Amazon relies on African dust storms that originate in the Sahara for nutrients, like phosphorus, to maintain healthy and fertile soil, according to NASA. This dust travels more than 3,000 miles over the Atlantic Ocean to reach the Amazon. Phosphorus is essential for plant growth, and the Amazon Rainforest relies on it to keep its vegetation lush. It is estimated that 22,000 tons of phosphorus settles in the Amazon via trans-Atlantic Saharan dust storms.
10. The Amazon River used to run backward.
About 100 million years ago, the present-day continents South America and Africa separated, causing the Amazon River to flow westerly. South America eventually developed a small mountain range called Púrus Arch, which divided the Amazon River and caused its waters to flow both east and west. Millions of years later, the Andes Mountains grew tall enough to send the Amazon River’s waters to the east.
The Amazon Rainforest is a crucial part of our environment because it acts as a natural air filter and hosts an array of important plant and animal species. Although its lands are threatened by deforestation, conservation efforts are underway to protect them.
And you can also help protect the Amazon! By avoiding or reducing your consumption of products with palm oil, by consuming more responsibly-sourced paper and wood products, by donating to conservation funds, and even by holding environmentally destructive businesses accountable via social media, your actions today will help to preserve the world’s largest rainforest for generations to come. | https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/world-rainforest-day-10-mind-blowing-facts-about-rainforest/ |
Seated in the heart of South America, Brazil is the continent’s biggest economy, instrumental in the development of its neighboring countries. Brazil’s population currently stands at 211 million; however, figures from the World Bank indicate that annual population growth is falling, with rates dropping from 2.89% in 1960 to 0.78% in 2018. In contrast, Brazil’s annual GDP growth rate has increased at an average of 2.51% from 1991 until 2019. The destruction of the Brazilian rainforest is fueling this consistent growth in economic prosperity, but at what cost?
The Amazon rainforest, 60% of which is located in Brazil, has been hit by an excessive scale of destruction, potentially having permanent impacts on the land that many indigenous tribes call home. One reason as to why the destruction of the rainforest is perceived to be a necessity is linked to the fact that Brazil relies heavily on cattle ranching. It is the world’s largest exporter of beef: Roughly 1.63 million tons were exported in 2018, the highest number on record, totaling 20% of global beef exports.
The Amazon Rainforest Fires Are Worse Than You Think
These exports, driven by the global increase in demand for beef and soya from emerging markets like China, accounted for $6.57 billion in revenue in 2018 — an 11% increase from 2017, projected to grow to $7.26 billion this year. The revenue generated from the sale of beef across the world contributes in raising the living standards of individuals through higher incomes, leading to greater increase in the marginal propensity to consume.
Local and Global
While wildfires are common in the Amazon during the dry season, the vast destruction that has occurred earlier this year was to a large degree a result of fires started to clear land for farming. However, there is a limit to the size of land that can be allocated to cattle ranching, and there will come a point when Brazil will have to allocate its finite resources to producing other goods.
Rising incomes in the developed world have led to an increase in the demand for higher quality furniture. This increase in demand has fueled the extreme levels of logging that take place in Brazil, but has contributed positively to increasing exports on the global financial market. Brazil’s timber market contributes $53 billion, or 6.9%, to the country’s GDP. However, loss of these trees leads to soil erosion, which in turn leads to water pollution, which impacts those who rely on these for drinking water.
According to The Independent, deforestation levels in Brazil have risen to peak levels, with around 7,900 square kilometers of the Amazon cut down in the past 12 months. But over the last couple of years, the timber market has been shrinking due to a fall in export prices, consequently leading to falls in export revenue. Reliance on timber may be waning, which could lead to Brazil having to focus on other sectors in which it can gain a competitive advantage.
The destruction of the Amazon rainforest will inevitably lead to more extreme weather patterns across South America and the rest of the world. Rainforests are unique in the way that they can produce their own rainfall: Rainwater is extracted from the soil and travels to the canopy, where it is released back into the atmosphere as rain. This continuous cycle leads to a cooling effect that helps keep temperatures at a moderate level. Consequently, the destruction of vast amounts of rainforest will lead to less rainfall due to diminishing levels of moisture that surrounds the forest.
The constant fluctuations in weather patterns could have a massive impact on the jet stream, potentially leading to inconsistent weather patterns across the various countries beyond South America.
Each Tree
Each tree in the Amazon rainforest contain enormous levels of carbon, which, when burned, are released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide — a gas contributing to the greenhouse effect that is causing global warming. The World Resources Institute indicates that burning wood generates more carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy generated than fossil fuels. This statement shows the true extent of the problem caused by excessive deforestation and the severe impacts this is going to have on trying to stay within the Paris Climate Agreement of keeping temperatures below 2˚ Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The Amazon accounts for more than 10% of the world’s known biodiversity, meaning that the continuous destruction will lead to the inevitable disappearance of these species. Many indigenous people in Brazil rely on the species and flora of the immense landscape to sustain their livelihoods. Many tribal communities are evicted from their lands, and even those whose lands are protected feel the adverse effects of illegal logging and mining that come along with the destruction of the rainforest.
On the one hand, the rapid destruction of the Brazilian Amazon may be seen as necessary to maintain future economic growth. But it also poses an existential threat to the world at large. If the current trends continue, they will eventually lead to the permanent destruction of the Amazon. Many climate scientists believe that this tipping point has already been passed.
World leaders must step in and take action in order to help reduce the lasting impacts of this impending catastrophe. Individuals can play a big part in protecting this vast landscape by being mindful of the products they consume. It is our responsibility to make a change and live with the lasting consequences that will pass on to our future generations. We have to stop abusing the availability of these vital resources. The life of the Amazon — our planet’s green lung that produces 20% of the oxygen the Earth breathes — is in our hands.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.
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How do people travel in the rainforest? All living things rely on transportation to survive. Animals evade predators, seeds travel to grow in new areas, and people move to create new cities and find work. People, plants, and animals move in three basic ways: by air, by land, and by water. Most plants grow from a seed.
what foods grow in the rainforest?
About 80% of all of the developed world’s food originally came from the rainforests. Fruits like avocado, coconuts, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, bananas, pineapples, mangoes and tomatoes can all be found in the world’s rainforests, along with vegetables such as: maize or sweetcorn, potatoes, and winter squash.
How much paper comes from the Amazon rainforest? The plant, which has been in operation since 1978, produces more than 750 tons of pulp for paper every 24 hours, worth approximately $500,000, and has built 2,800 miles of roads through the Amazon rainforest to be used by its 700 vehicles.
which fruits grow in the rainforest?
Common Fruits Some of the most common rainforest fruits are those with which people are quite familiar such as bananas, oranges, pineapple, papaya, tangerines, coconut, mangoes and lemons. The rainforest also gives us avocadoes, figs, dates, limes, grapefruit and passion fruit, among many others.
What animals are edible in the rainforest?
13 Animals That Can Be Eaten In Order To Survive In The Jungle Bug Larva. Bird. Termites. Frog. Lizard. Snake. Grasshopper. Ant.
what can you eat in the tropical rainforest?
Consider these most popular food resources.
What is edible in the Amazon rainforest?
For food, there’s yucca roots and leaves, mushrooms, cocoa, edible ferns, and Amazonian cinnamon, vanilla, and grapes. There’s also taro, various citruses, bananas, green plantains, and toquilla palms—whose leaves are used to make hats and whose young hearts are edible.
Do bananas grow in the Amazon rainforest?
Bananas do grown in the Amazon rainforest. Banana plants grown in the tropical regions of Central and South America where it is hot and lots of rainfall. They also grow in Africa and Southeast Asia.
What lives in the tropical rainforest?
Rainforests are tremendously rich in animal life. Rainforests are populated with insects (like butterflies and beetles), arachnids (like spiders and ticks), worms, reptiles (like snakes and lizards), amphibians (like frogs and toads), birds (like parrots and toucans) and mammals (like sloths and jaguars).
What percent of medicine comes from the Amazon rainforest?
Currently 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest materials, but only 1% of these materials have been tested. One hectare (2.47 acres) of rainforest can contain over 750 types of trees, and 1500 species of higher plants.
Where the Amazon rainforest is located?
Brazil
What household items come from the rainforest?
Other staples that come from rainforests include citrus, cassava, and avocado, as well as cashews, Brazil nuts, and ubiquitous spices like vanilla and sugar. Then there are a few foods that many of us consider life-giving—coffee, tea, and cocoa—and yes, they come from tropical forests, too.
Do coconuts grow in the Amazon rainforest?
The coconut trees grow in rainforests and other tropical climates. The coconut palm tree grows in hot areas and most of them grow near seas so it can find moisture to grow. Some areas where they grow are Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific Region.
How fast does the rainforest grow?
We all know it takes a long time for cleared rainforests to regenerate, but how long exactly? According to a study focusing on the Brazilian Atlantic forest, certain aspects can return surprisingly quickly – within 65 years.
What does the rainforest provide?
Rainforests are often called the lungs of the planet for their role in absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and producing oxygen, upon which all animals depend for survival. Rainforests also stabilize climate, house incredible amounts of plants and wildlife, and produce nourishing rainfall all around the planet. | https://askingfact.com/what-edible-plants-grow-in-the-rainforest/ |
Regarding the geography of Peru, Peru lies on the central western coast of South America with the Pacific Ocean to its west. It shares borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east and Chile to the south. It is the third largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina and it ranks amongst the 20 largest countries in the world.
Peru is a diverse country geographically and has 11 ecological regions. It has rugged mountains, snow-capped peaks, an arid coastline, rivers and vast tracts of rainforest. The country is split into three distinct geographical areas, each region being starkly different with different ecosystems and climates. These geographical regions are the coast, the highlands and the Amazon Rainforest.
Geography:
Coast
The coastal area on the western side of the country includes Lima, Peru’s capital and other major cities such as Trujillo. It accounts for 11% of the area of the country and stretches from Ecuador to Chile. It is a narrow strip of desert that extends over 2,500 kilometres in length. It is characterised by narrow bands of arid to semi-arid desert, rocky coastline, beaches and fertile valleys alongside the Pacific Ocean. The fertile valleys are fed by rivers that flow down from the Andes Mountains and into the Pacific Ocean. The coastal desert was first inhabited thousands of years ago by the Chimu and the Nazca people. Desert regions include the Nazca Desert in southern Peru and the Sechura Desert to the north of the country.
Highlands
The highlands or sierra is the inland mountainous region of Peru that accounts for around 40% of the country. Its landscape is dominated by the Andes Mountain Range that runs through the middle of the country from north to south, made up of two distinct mountain ranges – the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental – the backbone of South America. Not only is this the second highest mountain range in the world with 37 peaks over 6,000 metres but it is also the longest continental mountain range in the world , extending for 7,000 kilometres through not only Peru but also extending through Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The central Andes are the tallest and steepest part of the mountain range, home to Mount Huascarán, at 6,768 metres above sea level, Peru’s highest peak. The southern Andes are also known as the altiplano or high plateau. The northern Andes are the lowest part of this region.
Amazon Rainforest
This vast and relatively flat region of plains in the Amazon River Basin is located in the east of the country. It is covered by an endless expanse of tropical rainforest consisting of both highland and lowland jungle. The region begins at the confluence of the Ucayali and Maranon Rivers and is Peru’s largest region, accounting for around 60% of Peru’s national territory. It includes the mighty Amazon River and countless other rivers, streams and tributaries. The western edge of the Amazon is shared with Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil and forms part of what is probably the most biodiverse region on Earth.
Whether you are looking for archaeology, culture, wildlife or adventure, Chimu Adventures can put together a tour of Peru to suit you. Click here to scour our range of fantastic tours and let us take you to South America! Contact us now. | https://www.chimuadventures.com/blog/2016/11/geography-peru/ |
US President Donald Trump skips summit talks on climate emergency and Amazon fires.
Amazon Forest / Facebook
Countries forming part of the G7 have agreed to an immediate $20m (€18m) aid package aimed at assisting Amazon countries combat wildfires which have plagued the region in recent weeks.
The fund is also aimed at a longer-term global initiative to protect the rainforest, considered to be the world’s lungs.
Leaders from the G7 countries, which comprise of Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, together with EU Council President Donald Tusk, met in Biarritz, France, for the annual G7 summit, the 45th of its kind.
The French and Chilean presidents announced the aid package on Monday, adding that it will include plans for a reforestation programme, further details of which will be revealed at the UN general assembly meeting in September.
Satellite date shows more than 41,000 fires in the Amazon region so far this year – more than half of which took place in August alone. Experts in the region say that the first are started by farmers or ranchers clearing existing farmland for agro-business purposes.
While the forest fires are not new at this time of year due to land being raised for agricultural purposes, critics have slammed Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro for the policy direction his government has taken, prioritising the economy and business over essential environmental protections.
Critics say farmers and those in the agricultural business are emboldened by the government’s moves to defund environmental protection agencies. In addition to this, the vast size of the state of Amazonia in Brazil makes it very difficult for there to be ongoing enforcement presence.
The Amazon rainforest is located in South America and covers 5.5 million sq km of land. Brazil has 60 per cent, Peru has 13 per cent, and Colombia has 10 per cent while other countries, namely Bolivia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, have very small parts of the rainforest within their borders.
French President Emmanuel Macron conceded that President Donald Trump was not in attendance for the G7 session on climate change, biodiversity and the oceans, but stresses that “his team was there” and that the USA supported the initiative.
President Macron was initial criticism of Mr Bolsonaro over the fires was met with anger, as the latter accused the former of colonialism. President Bolsonaro long accused European powers of suffering from a colonialist mentally, accusing the west of wanting to undermine Brazilian sovereignty through its interest in the Amazon.
FROM INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS
Helena Grech - 27th August 2019
Brazil to reject €18 million aid package to fight Amazon wildfire damage offered by G7 leaders
26th August 2019
America is one of two countries in the world, alongside Eritrea, that requires its citizens to pay tax on worldwide income, regardless of where they are residents.
20th August 2019
‘This government ends here,’ prime minister tells parliament.
The US president promised not to ‘do this’ a day after confirming interest in buying the country. | https://www.maltachamber.org.mt/en/g7-leaders-strike-agreement-to-help-amazon-countries-combat-wildfires |
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Throughout this past year, the Amazon rainforest has experienced thousands of fires that have the potential to negatively affect both the earth’s oxygen supply and the preservation of a clean atmosphere. According to the Washington Post, Amazonian cattle grazers and soybean growers set the fires to clear the land. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wants to use the Amazon land for future development, saying, “let’s use the riches that God gave us for the well-being of our population.”
Brazil is no stranger to these wildfires but the amount of fires are up 85 percent just in the last year. The fires are so large that they are visible from outer space, according to NASA officials, who have been constantly monitoring the fires and sharing pictures on Twitter. The rainforest covers 2.1 million square miles of land in South America and is about two-thirds the size of Europe. “The Amazon rainforest is one of the jewels of this earth,” said Director of College Counseling Dr. Chris Teel, who frequently travels to Brazil. Teel is not exaggerating the importance of the Amazon.
The Amazon rainforest has a major influence on water cycles and weather patterns around the world. It produces 20 percent of all the oxygen in our atmosphere. Additionally, the rainforest holds around 90 million tons of carbon, which will be detrimental to the atmosphere when it is released.
“The fires in the Amazon are highly concerning, yet no one seems to be concerned about it,” Associate Director of College Counseling Ashley Plaeger said. There are growing fears that Brazil does not intend to stop the fires, although many other countries have offered support to combat the threat.
Bolsonaro rejected a $20 million aid package presented from the international community following the G7 summit on August 25 to help fight the fires. According to CBS news, Bolsonaro reportedly told French president Emmanuel Macron that he needs to worry about “his home and colonies” and not Brazil. President Donald Trump tweeted that Bolsonaro “and his country have the full and complete support of the USA!” In a statement to news station Brazil247, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro also showed deep concern regarding the fires. “Venezuela expresses its deep concern about the gigantic and terrible fires that devastate the Amazon region in the territory of several South American countries, with very serious impacts on the population, ecosystems and biological diversity of the area,” he said. | https://the9825.org/1784/news/earths-most-valuable-rainforest-up-in-flames/ |
Scientists in Brazil believe the loss of billions of litres of water released as vapour clouds by Amazon rainforest trees is the result of continuing deforestation and climate change – leading to devastating drought.
The unprecedented drought now affecting São Paulo, South America’s giant metropolis, is believed to be caused by the absence of the “flying rivers” − the vapour clouds from the Amazon that normally bring rain to the centre and south of Brazil.
Some Brazilian scientists say the absence of rain that has dried up rivers and reservoirs in central and southeast Brazil is not just a quirk of nature, but a change brought about by a combination of the continuing deforestation of the Amazon and global warming.
This combination, they say, is reducing the role of the Amazon rainforest as a giant “water pump”, releasing billions of litres of humidity from the trees into the air in the form of vapour.
Meteorologist Jose Marengo, a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, first coined the phrase “flying rivers” to describe these massive volumes of vapour that rise from the rainforest, travel west, and then − blocked by the Andes − turn south.
Satellite images from the Centre for Weather Forecasts and Climate Research of Brazil’s National Space Research Institute (INPE) clearly show that, during January and February this year, the flying rivers failed to arrive, unlike the previous five years.
Alarming proportions
Deforestation all over Brazil has reached alarming proportions: 22% of the Amazon rainforest (an area larger than Portugal, Italy and Germany combined), 47% of the Cerrado in central Brazil, and 91.5% of the Atlantic forest that used to cover the entire length of the coastal area.
Latest figures from Deter, the Real Time Deforestation Detection System based on high frequency satellite images used by INPE, show that, after falling for two years, Amazon deforestation rose again by 10% between August 2013 and July 2014. The forest is being cleared for logging and farming.
Tocantins, Pará and Mato Grosso, three states in the Greater Amazon region that have suffered massive deforestation, are all registering higher average temperatures.
As long ago as 2009, Antonio Nobre, one of Brazil’s leading climate scientists, warned that, without the “flying rivers”, the area that produces 70% of South America’s GNP would be desert.
In an interview with the newspaper Valor, he said: “Destroying the Amazon to advance the agricultural frontier is like shooting yourself in the foot. The Amazon is a gigantic hydrological pump that brings the humidity of the Atlantic Ocean into the continent and guarantees the irrigation of the region.”
“Of course, we need agriculture,” he said. “But without trees there would be no water, and without water there is no food.
“A tonne of soy takes several tonnes of water to produce. When we export soy we are exporting fresh water to countries that don’t have this rain and can’t produce. It is the same with cotton, with ethanol. Water is the main agricultural input. If it weren’t, the Sahara would be green, because it has extremely fertile soil.”
Underestimated
Like other climate scientists, Nobre thinks the role of the Amazon rainforest in producing rain has been underestimated. In a single day, the Amazon region evaporates 20 billion tonnes of vapour − more than the 17 million tonnes of water that the Amazon river discharges each day into the Atlantic.
“A big tree with a crown 20 metres across evaporates up to 300 litres a day, whereas one square metre of ocean evaporates exactly one square metre,” he said. “One square metre of forest can contain eight or 10 metres of leaves, so it evaporates eight or 10 times more than the ocean. This flying river, which rises into the atmosphere in the form of vapour, is bigger than the biggest river on the Earth.”
The fear is that if the Amazon rainforest continues to be depleted at the present rate, events like the unprecedented drought of 2010 will occur more often. The fires set by farmers to clear areas for planting or for cattle-raising make it more vulnerable. | https://lab.org.uk/amazons-flying-rivers-dry-up/ |
South America is a continent in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It may also be considered a subcontinent of the Americas.
It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean; North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest. It includes twelve sovereign states (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela), a part of France (French Guiana), and a non-sovereign area (the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory though this is disputed by Argentina). In addition to this, the ABC islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama may also be considered part of South America.
South America has an area of 17,840,000 square kilometres (6,890,000 sq mi). Its population as of 2018 has been estimated at more than 423 million. South America ranks fourth in area (after Asia, Africa, and North America) and fifth in population (after Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America). Brazil is by far the most populous South American country, with more than half of the continent’s population, followed by Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela and Peru.
Most of the population lives near the continent’s western or eastern coasts while the interior and the far south are sparsely populated. The geography of western South America is dominated by the Andes mountains; in contrast, the eastern part contains both highland regions and vast lowlands where rivers such as the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná flow. Most of the continent lies in the tropics.
South America is home to the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela; the highest single-drop waterfall Kaieteur Falls in Guyana; the largest river by volume, the Amazon River; the longest mountain range, the Andes (whose highest mountain is Aconcagua at 6,962 m or 22,841 ft); the driest non-polar place on earth, the Atacama Desert; the largest rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest; the highest capital city, La Paz, Bolivia; the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca; and, excluding research stations in Antarctica, the world’s southernmost permanently inhabited community, Puerto Toro, Chile. | https://grumpysgetawayguide.com/earths-continents/south-america/ |
These pictures pretty much show the results.
Towards Realistic Solutions 3. More on Landlessness Skewed land distribution is one of the main underlying causes of rainforest destruction, and Sem Terra, a peasant land reform movement in Brazil, has been described by Noam Chomsky as the most important social movement in the world.
Link here to find out more. Introduction This paper examines the conventional solutions offered by governments and development agencies, and then outlines some of the principles on which most NGOs believe lasting solutions will have to be based. As the World Rainforest Movement points out, the issue of rainforest destruction is "now recognised as one of the greatest environmental threats -- and tragedies -- of all time" World Rainforest Movement Rainforests provide services such as climate stabilisation, soil generation regulation of water cycles and they are home for most of the species on earth including millions of forest peoples.
In order to determine the solutions to the problem, it is first necessary to identify the causes. Because there is disagreement about the causes, there is disagreement about the solutions.
The conventional approaches used by governments, development organisations and aid agencies are based on the assumption that deforestation is caused by poverty and overpopulation. Poor people who have little option but to clear the forests in order to survive are branded as culprits when in actual fact they are the victims of social injustice.
Development, which supposedly alleviates poverty, is seen as the solution by these mainstream bodies, but many non-government organisations NGOs maintain that development is the basic cause, rather than the cure.
Conventional Solutions A number of measures aimed at solving the problem of tropical deforestation have been introduced by governments and international development and aid organisations. Often, they are based on the assumption that poverty is a basic cause of deforestation.
Because they see development as the antidote to poverty they also see it as the solution to the problem of deforestation. However, development as it is usually promoted seldom helps the people who need it most, and in many cases actually accelerates deforestation. The Plan has made billions of dollars available to projects which are intended to save forests.
However there are problems with the Plan: It attempts to do this by promoting the tropical timber industry.
However, this approach has failed repeatedly. It focuses on overpopulation and poverty as the basic causes but does not address the central role of developed countries and the fundamental problem of landlessness.
As a result the needs of forests peoples were ignored. Since the introduction of the TFAP, tropical deforestation has accelerated alarmingly. Not only has the TFAP failed to decrease deforestation, it has contributed to an increase in the rate of destruction by promoting industrial logging in many tropical countries.
There are next to no examples of sustainable, industrial tropical timber operations in the world, even when using a limited economic definition of sustained yield- i. A study commissioned by the International Tropical Timber Organisation ITTOthe organisation responsible for regulating the international tropical timber trade, found that the amount of sustainable tropical timber harvesting is "on a world scale, negligible".
The more holistic ecological concept of sustainability, which refers to the continual maintenance of the whole ecosystem, is even less likely to be attained.The Amazon Rainforest, located in the northern part of South America, is the largest rainforest on Earth, containing more than 60% of Earth’s fresh water, over 20% of oxygen on Earth, and huge amounts of carbon dioxide (ACEER).
Amazon rainforest is the most significant portion of all protected area In Brazil. It covered the territory of nine countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, . Scanning the pristine skies above the Amazon rainforest revealed that small aerosol particles that form naturally in the upper atmosphere are carried to the lower atmosphere by rapid downdrafts.
Download thesis statement on Amazon Rainforest in our database or order an original thesis paper that will be written by one of our staff writers and delivered according to the deadline.
Purpose. The new Board of Directors is seeking input on proposed elements of a Mission Statement for the North-South Institute moving forward and on how to realize that mission..
The Back-Story. The North-South Institute was established in as Canada’s first independent policy research institution dedicated to international development. Rainforest Action Network preserves forests, protects the climate and upholds human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline partnerships and . | https://dabucipizirov.plombier-nemours.com/amazon-rainforest-research-paper-35297uu.html |
We are pleased to announce the launch of SPIRIT (Suicide Prevention and Implementation Research Initiative), a 5-year implementation research hub in India and Bangladesh funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), USA. SPIRIT is an inter-sectoral partnership focused on reducing suicides and attempted suicides and saving lives in South Asia.
SPIRIT addresses suicide prevention, an important issue in India and South Asia. Reducing the global suicide rate is an indicator for Target 3.4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aims by 2030 to reduce one third of premature mortality from non-communicable disease through prevention, and treatment, and promotion of wellbeing. Reducing the number of suicides is therefore essential for India to achieve the SDGs.
Integrated suicide prevention intervention
SPIRIT implements an integrated suicide prevention intervention in Mahesana district, located in the state of Gujarat, India. Nearly one third of suicides in India are due to pesticide poisoning and nearly a half of the suicides are impulsive. The project will collaborate with local governmental councils to create community storage facilities for pesticides. This will reduce the likelihood of impulsive suicides due to easy access to lethal pesticides in the home. The project will also collaborate with schools and teachers to deliver a simple training programme to adolescent school children to bolster coping skills to deal with mental distress and strengthening resilience and improving help seeking behaviour, thus reducing chances of suicide. SPIRIT will also train Community Health Workers to identify, support and refer people in their village at risk for suicide or attempted suicide. The SPIRIT hub also aims to strengthen research capacity in implementation science in mental health as well as facilitate the uptake of important implementation lessons from mental health programs and treatments into policy-making in South Asia. SPIRIT will do this by building a cadre of qualified implementation research fellows in India and Bangladesh. Finally, the hub will launch a program for empowering regional policy makers on using implementation research findings and lessons learned to develop policies and strategies for mental health and suicide prevention.
SPIRIT is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Soumitra Pathare (Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Pune, India) and Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Lakshmi VIjayakumar (SNEHA, Chennai, India) and Dr. Laura Shields-Zeeman (Trimbos Institute, Netherlands). The SPIRIT consortium brings together government agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities, and public health services from India, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. | https://www.trimbos.org/news-index/news/message/?msg=2527 |
Prevention & Early Intervention Programs
Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) program services are intended to implement strategies to prevent mental illness from becoming severe and disabling, emphasizing improvement to timely access to services for underserved populations. Strategies and activities are implemented early on to deter the onset of mental health conditions or relapse among individuals and to change community conditions that contribute to risk factors for developing behavioral or mental health issues.
Historically, the PEI program used a framework that provided guidance concerning key mental health needs and priority populations. The framework was grounded in the internationally recognized Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Framework and was provided by the California Department of Mental Health in 2007 through Information Notice
07-19 (DMH-IN 07-19). The IOM Framework, as related to PEI, describes a continuum of interventions that align with the severity of the population being served, ranging from activities targeting groups with no known risk for the development of a behavioral health condition to those experiencing the first onset of a serious mental illness, including psychosis.
On October 6, 2015, updated PEI Component Regulations became effective. The updated regulations were designed by the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) and changed the framework and structure of the PEI component as compared to the guidance received via DMH-IN 07-19. There are currently six (6) State-Defined Prevention and Early Intervention Programs by which PEI programs are categorized.
Stigma and Discrimination Reduction:
Outreach for Increasing Recognition of Early Signs of Mental Illness:
Access and Linkage to Treatment:
Prevention Only:
- Preschool PEI Program
- Resilience Promotion in African- American Children
- LIFT
- Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation (CASE)
- Older Adult Community Services
Both Prevention and Early Intervention: | https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/admin/mhsa/mhsa-programs/pei/ |
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Understand historical perspectives on prevention and promotion
- Define the different types of prevention
- Identify examples of risk and protective factors
- Describe various aspects of prevention programs and evaluation
One notable characteristic in the field of is the focus on of problems and wellness promotion, as discussed in Chapter 1 (Jason et al., 2019). This occurs through addressing individual-level competencies within a community and also through working to change systems and contexts. As highlighted in Chapter 1, prevention serves as an exemplary framework for Community Psychology research and also an innovative way to approach real-world problems. The core belief is that taking action early on can prevent more serious problems from developing in the future. Case Study 12.1 profiles Head Start, an early childhood prevention program for kids aimed to reduce the negative effects of poverty. The case study highlights the way the political and social forces of the time shaped the development of Head Start. This program represents a pivotal tale in the history of prevention, serving as an example of many of the key concepts detailed throughout this chapter.
Case Study 12.1
The Head Start Model
Head Start, an early childhood education program for children experiencing poverty and related stressors, was first established in 1965. Head Start was created in response to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s famous State of the Union address in 1964 where he called for an “unconditional war on poverty” (Watch the speech here). Programs from this era reflected efforts to improve social conditions and prevent the negative outcomes associated with poverty.
The purpose of Head Start programming is to reduce gaps in skills, appearing at kindergarten entry, between children experiencing poverty and their counterparts. These early disparities can continue throughout schooling and into adulthood; therefore, Head Start aims to provide equitable preschool services to improve children’s readiness for entering school. The Head Start model adopts an ecological, whole-child approach and provides comprehensive services to children while promoting the well-being of the whole family that extends beyond academics (watch The Head Start Advantage for a closer look). Head Start involvement has resulted in improved language development, learning/pre-academics, and social-emotional skills of children by the time of kindergarten entry (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, 2010).
Since its inception over 50 years ago, Head Start has expanded and evolved greatly. See the Office of Head Start’s interactive and detailed timeline. Head Start (and Early Head Start) programs currently serve children from birth to 5 years of age. According to the Office of Head Start, there are Head Start programs across all 50 states and several US territories.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
The concept of prevention comes from the field of public health. This is very different from the , which refers to the framework of treating social problems in the same manner that we treat illness. Community psychologists have long been critical of the medical model, given its shortcomings in locating social problems in the individual, which are often rooted in systematic inequalities. This talk describes key distinctions between the medical model and community-based to address female juvenile delinquency.
Two key aspects of a public health approach to problems include measuring the incidence and prevalence of disease. In Community Psychology, a public health approach requires that the focus is on measuring the incidence or prevalence of a social issue. refers to the number of new cases during a specified period of time (e.g., the annual rate of new cases of depression among women, the annual rate of new individuals who experience homelessness). is the total number of cases in a population (e.g., the total number of women in the population with depression, the total number of people in the population who are homeless in a particular country). Understanding the incidence and prevalence of a social problem is a critical first step to developing a prevention focus.
The 1960s were a critical point in time for the change in focus to prevention, rather than treatment, of individual disease (medical model). As seen in President Johnson’s speech, a focus on prevention was in the spirit of the times. During this point in history, there was a concentrated focus on social inequality and civil rights, the prevention of mental health disorders, and the establishment of innovative prevention programming in the community (e.g., Head Start). This time was not without debates about where to focus resources and how to define social problems. For example, Albee (1983) argued forcefully against the medical model for treating mental illness. That is, no mass disorder that affects large amounts of individuals (e.g., poverty, mental illness, homelessness) has ever been eradicated by providing treatment to each person affected by the problem. Nor is it feasible to train enough professionals (e.g., clinical psychologists) to end a problem (e.g., mental illness) that has roots in deeper social problems such as poverty and . Prevention efforts require an ideology aligned with social change, education, and primary prevention (Albee, 1983).
The field of prevention was somewhat new to many in the field of psychology. The public was also not familiar with this idea as it represented a very different way of thinking about solving problems. As one example, at a psychological convention in 1981, Bob Felner and Leonard Jason, two community psychologists, had a most interesting conversation with Jerry Frank, who was a senior editor at Pergamon, a major book publishing company. What often occurs at these types of meetings is that publishers and authors have discussions about possible book ideas, and Felner and Jason approached Jerry with the idea of an edited book in a new field in psychology. Jerry seemed interested, and then Felner and Jason said they wanted to title the book Preventive Psychology. Jerry looked puzzled and asked them why they would want to prevent psychology. Jerry’s reaction was actually very typical of how many people reacted to this new way of thinking about social problems. Felner and Jason chuckled and said they were not trying to prevent the field of psychology, but rather wanted to provide examples of how prevention could be used to address many problems that psychologists were dealing with such as addictions and school difficulties. Jerry had not thought about this approach before, and after a long discussion, he finally understood the exciting possibilities of this field and agreed to publish the book which was titled: Preventive Psychology: Theory, Research and Practice.
TYPES OF PREVENTION
In the wake of these debates, an abundance of programming and surfaced. This included research on preventive interventions to reduce mental illness and social problems such as crime and homelessness. The findings from these studies demonstrated that taking a prevention focus is effective (e.g., see Durlak & Wells’ 1997 meta-analysis on this topic).
There are three types of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary (Caplan, 1964). The corresponding Figure 1 above provides an overview of these types of prevention. includes efforts to stop the problem from beginning in the first place. For example, Durlak and Wells (1997), in a , analyzed mental health treatment studies and outcomes from prevention interventions with another area of focus: drug use, physical health, academic achievement. They identified that specific high-quality programs can prevent multiple problems across different areas. This research specified how important it is for collaboration to occur among prevention scientists across disciplines. Collaboration and work are other key focus areas of Community Psychology. Collaboration can maximize prevention efficiency and help researchers and practitioners understand the short-term and long-term effects of preventive interventions. The other important finding from this study was that positive mental health outcomes could be achieved through interventions targeting other aspects of human development and functioning. For example, (1) successful education programming can reduce future drug use and (2) programs promoting positive physical health can boost academic achievement.
includes interventions that detect a disease early and prevent it from getting worse. In another meta-analysis, Durlak and Wells (1998) evaluated outcomes of 130 secondary prevention mental health programs for children and adolescents. They found that secondary prevention produces positive effects on young people receiving treatment for mental health through significantly reducing problem behavior, increasing youth competencies, and improving social and emotional adjustment. This work was groundbreaking in that it highlighted how preventive interventions can be just as effective as providing individualized psychotherapy for children and adolescents and more effective than reactive approaches to preventing problem behavior such as smoking, alcohol use, and delinquency. One case study example of secondary prevention is sexual assault prevention on college campuses. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network states that college-age women have a high likelihood of experiencing sexual assault. Secondary prevention efforts to reduce sexual assault on college campuses may include self-defense, bystander intervention training, sex education regarding consent, resource education, and increasing sexual assault survivor visibility. The Centers for Disease Control and the American Psychological Association have both published recommendations to reduce sexual violence and make college campuses safer. A life transition can be stressful, such as entering school, graduating from school or getting married, and these are excellent times for implementing secondary preventive interventions. The following Case Study 12.2 illustrates one such program for youth transferring into a new school when some children are at high risk for developing academic and social problems.
Case Study 12.2
At-Risk Youth Transferring Into a New School
A group of community psychologists designed an intervention for transferring elementary students which included an orientation to the new school and a program buddy at the new school. Also, those transferring students who were assessed as having some early academic difficulties were provided tutoring twice a week, over the entire academic year. For some at-risk youth, the tutorial aspect of the intervention focused on working directly with the children; for another group of children, the intervention focused on working with both the children and their parents. One year after the intervention ended, only children in the schools with the parental involvement condition continued to improve in their math and reading grades. The continuing increase in reading grades following the intervention suggests that students receiving both school and home tutoring benefitted the most from the comprehensive intervention. This intervention demonstrates the value of providing comprehensive prevention interventions at critical points in a child’s life course (Jason et al., 1992).
treats disease or social problems with the goal to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of the problem after it has developed. Tertiary prevention differs from primary and secondary prevention in that it does not focus on reducing the incidence or prevalence of a disease or social problems, but rather on treating the problem once it arises. For example, as depicted in the video “An Ounce of Prevention,” parenting programs that increase key parenting characteristics, such as parental warmth, and support parents’ abilities to manage disruptive behaviors during early childhood, can prevent child maltreatment and future behavioral concerns in children. The video specifically describes the impact of such a tertiary prevention effort for a family facing several risks that may place children at greater risk for maltreatment and future behavioral distress, including underlying medical factors and poverty. These programs can be delivered to families on an individual or group basis (e.g., Incredible Years®, Triple P – Positive Parenting Program®) in the community.
The Ounce of Prevention video further depicts four prevention and promotion programs for young children, middle school adolescents, unemployed adults, and elderly people. These programs highlight each of the different types of prevention discussed above and why these programs are advantageous for their respective populations. The video includes interviews of the and program developers, footage of program activities, and a discussion of program outcomes. Indeed, an ounce of prevention can reduce a host of problematic behaviors and outcomes later in life.
The Institute of Medicine (Mrazek & Haggerty, 1994) also has developed definitions for prevention efforts. One key distinction in definition, as opposed to the prevention types earlier in the chapter (Caplan, 1964), is that tertiary prevention is no longer considered a type of prevention, but rather an intervention strategy.
refers to programming that targets people who have detectable early signs of maladjustment that foreshadow social, physical, or mental health problems. For example, the field of pediatrics has increased attention to decreasing the prevalence of childhood obesity in order to prevent adult obesity. Goldschmidt et al. (2013) specifically describe an indicated prevention approach that employed an intensive family-based treatment that included a combination of dieting, exercise, and behavioral (e.g., self-monitoring, parent skill training) strategies that targeted 669 obese and overweight youth across three cities in the US. Researchers measured the change in weight that was necessary to alter the status of overweight or obese youth to non-overweight. Results showed that despite some differences by age and initial weight classification, even a small decrease in weight was enough to move children into the non-overweight status after one year. Specifically, this underscores that preventive efforts during childhood may need only a small investment of resources to produce important changes. Another example of indicated prevention programs targeting substance use among youth can be found here.
involves programming that targets individuals who do not show any indication of the problem, but are at high risk for the development of the problem. For example, Head Start can be considered a type of selective prevention because many programs aim to provide comprehensive supports (e.g., schooling, family-based interventions) to children experiencing specific risk factors that place children at risk for later academic and social-emotional difficulties, such as poverty or developmental delays.
, which is similar to primary prevention, targets all of the people in a given population. School-based universal prevention programs that target behavioral and social-emotional functioning at the school or class-wide level are an example of a universal prevention approach to increasing access to services. These programs are a direct response to literature which indicated that the unmet behavioral and mental health needs of school-aged children increase the risk for longer-term declines in mental health, academic, and social functioning (Costello et al., 2005; Nastasi, 2004). One such prevention approach to population health that has demonstrated immediate and long-term behavioral, academic, and societal benefits, the PAX Good Behavior Game, is described in Case Study 12.3.
Case Study 12.3
The PAX Good Behavior Game®
The PAX Good Behavior Game® is a set of universal prevention strategies, rooted in decades of behavioral science that are implemented by classroom teachers in schools. PAX GBG aims to create a positive, safe, and nurturing classroom environment for learning and pro-social interactions. This nurturing environment enhances children’s behavioral skills, such as self-regulation and co-regulation with other classmates, and can improve learning outcomes in children. PAX is an example of universal prevention because it targets and benefits all students in a classroom or school, including the students who are exhibiting signs of behavioral and/or learning concerns as well as those who are not exhibiting these concerns. Click here to learn more about the good behavior game and watch Dr. Dennis Embry, president and senior scientist at PAXIS Institute talk about PAX.
In addition to immediate changes in the classroom, such as fewer instances of discipline referrals, studies have shown that children who were in PAX GBG classrooms during elementary school were less likely to use tobacco and other substances and more likely to experience better behavior and mental health in high school and young adulthood (e.g., Storr et al., 2002; Wilcox et al., 2008). Learn more about some of the short and long-term benefits of PAX GBG here.
*PAX Good Behavior Game images reproduced with permission from PAXIS Institute
PROMOTION
Related to the key concept of primary prevention is . Promotion involves empowering individuals to increase control of their health and well-being through literacy and programming. Community psychologists identified that the goal of preventing problems can be done through promoting well-being. Generally, there are two approaches to promotion. The first is through reducing the chances that the problem will arise. The second is through increasing skills, strengths, and competencies of individuals and settings to reduce the risk for problems arising. Cost-benefit analyses of promotion have shown that efforts that focus on health promotion are very cost-effective compared to reactive or treatment-oriented approaches (Durlak & Wells, 1997). Community psychologists argue that promotion must also take into consideration ecological approaches to improving the human condition. That is, those who are interested in preventing social problems and promoting human competencies and well-being must call attention to the relationship between broader social forces and rates of disease and social distress seen in communities (Albee, 1983). For example, Case Study 12.4 describes a community-based advocacy program developed by community psychologists to promote well-being among girls in the juvenile justice system.
Case Study 12.4
Resilience, Opportunity, Safety, Education, Strength (ROSES)
Resilience, Opportunity, Safety, Education, Strength is a community-based program in New York City that pairs a trained advocate with girls involved with or at-risk for juvenile justice system involvement. The program works to provide the girls with resources and education, defining personal goals, developing self-efficacy skills, encouraging engagement with various social contexts (i.e., school, family, peers) and promotion to reduce justice system involvement. Resilience, Opportunity, Safety, Education, Strength aims to learn more about justice-system-involved girls’ needs. Research shows that those girls who have participated in this program reported greater resilience and self-efficacy; fewer risk behaviors, including violence, crime, and substance use; and decreased negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, and anger (Javdani & Allen, 2016).
Learn more about ROSES.
Risk and Protective Factors
Another key concept is the role of risk and protective factors. are variables that are related to an increased risk for developing a disease or problem. While the term comes from a public health perspective, community psychologists use risk factors to understand factors associated with increased risk for various social problems such as homelessness, juvenile delinquency, or gender-based violence. For example, Figure 3 below depicts some of the most common risk factors, especially among children and adolescents, which prevention programs need to consider in reducing the development of social problems. Case Study 12.5 provides a specific example of risk factors for human trafficking, a pervasive problem around the globe. In contrast to risk factors, include variables that are related to a decreased risk for developing a disease or a social problem. Protective factors can include variables such as positive relationships, academic achievement, parental support, and strong economic conditions.
Case Study 12.5
The Most Vulnerable, The Risk Factors, and The Most Effective Programming
Human trafficking is a serious social problem in the US and around the world. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion for commercial sex or involuntary labor (Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000). For sex trafficking cases, there are a number of risk factors for youth. Taking an ecological perspective, these can include factors related to an individual’s sociodemographic characteristics as well as social, behavioral, and broader community risk factors. Figure 4 below includes a list of risk factors for human trafficking.
Thus, the most effective prevention programming, such as The Prevention Project program, should target the most vulnerable population (e.g., female youth) engaged in social or behavioral correlates of sex trafficking (e.g., running away), or involved with community systems and programs such as the juvenile justice system or foster care, or social problems more generally, like poverty. The most effective types of services tend to be integrated and target multiple risk factors.
PREVENTION RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMING
The Institute of Medicine developed a model for problem assessment, intervention, and strategies. For example, this research cycle includes assessing the prevalence of risk and protective factors of a problem area, developing prevention , researching the of those innovations, and disseminating innovations into the community. Figure 5 below outlines each aspect of the preventive intervention research cycle.
There are a number of challenges to conducting prevention research and using these models since they identify what needs to be done but provide very little detail on how these things will happen. Most models, such as the Institute of Medicine framework, focus on the functions that are part of the innovation, , and dissemination process, but not on the systems that support these functions. To address this gap, Wandersman and colleagues (2008) proposed a framework that describes relevant systems to help bridge the gap. The Interactive Systems Framework works to connect step four (conducting trials of the program) and step five (implementing the program in the community) of the Institute of Medicine model. Figure 6 below details the critical components of the Interactive Systems Framework to bridge this gap. For example, Halgunseth and colleagues (2012) used the Interactive Systems Framework to understand the relationship between program capacity and implementation in after-school settings. They examined eight after-school sites that received the Good Behavior Game (described in Case Study 12.2). Aligned with the Prevention Support System element of the Interactive Systems Framework, the after-school staff was trained and received weekly on-site support in implementing the intervention. It was found that after-school settings that were more organized and maintained strong links to individuals or community-based organizations scored higher in program fidelity and quality. Funders can utilize the Interactive Systems Framework to identify what kinds of support they should provide for the Prevention Synthesis and Translation System element; similarly, practitioners can gather information from that same component for what they need as well as from the Prevention Support System element. Additionally, practitioners can see what they need to do to build capacity from the perspective of the Prevention Delivery System component.
Program evaluation is a cornerstone of Community Psychology research and action. Broadly, program evaluation involves measuring the effectiveness of interventions and policies. This can include both processes (e.g., how were intervention activities implemented) and outcomes (e.g., did the intervention achieve the outcome objectives). Community psychologists engaged in prevention and promotion research and action use to guide these efforts. To read more about program evaluation, check out these resources from the Centers for Disease Control and the Community Tool Box. Conducting program evaluations is a key way that community psychologists can measure whether or not our prevention and promotion efforts are having the intended effect.
CRITIQUES OF THE PREVENTION PARADIGM
Even though prevention and promotion are seminal concepts in Community Psychology, they are not without drawbacks. Community psychologists have outlined two key critiques. First, prevention and promotion is limited in its focus on (Rappaport, 1981). Rappaport argued that prevention is “one-sided” in part because it is derived from a needs model, rather than a rights model. Further, Rappaport argued prevention programs may not be enough to change social institutions, but rather just add on to what is already in place. Rappaport made the case that empowerment is a better model because it prioritizes rights and offers a more transformative perspective to change social problems. Second, Miller and Shinn (2005) outlined another critique of prevention and promotion: the failure to adopt prevention programming is rooted in difficulties in implementation and dissemination.
Miller and Shinn (2005) described potential problems with the Institute of Medicine model of dissemination and potential ways community psychologists can directly counteract these problems in their dissemination efforts. They identified four distinct problems in disseminating prevention and promotion innovations. First, many communities have limited capacity (as shown in the video link) to implement a program, causing dissemination failure. The context in which community-based organizations function shapes that capacity, so folks interested in disseminating programs must take into account ecological factors. Second, often times there is an incongruence of values—a lack of compatibility and/or consistency between the setting and the prevention program. Third, Miller and Shinn argued that there is a presumption that innovations that “prove their worth” in a controlled, experimental setting are better than what they might replace when implemented. They referred to this as “innovation bias” that wrongly characterizes communities as passively waiting to adopt a prevention program rather than problem-solving themselves. Finally, they argued that the Institute of Medicine prevention and promotion model proposes an overly simplistic model of decision-making. It assumes that the evidence of the success of an innovation in a controlled, experimental setting is sufficient to promote decisions about adopting the innovation in practice. We know that many other considerations are also relevant in the decision-making of community agencies.
Miller and Shinn (2005) proposed two potential solutions to these pitfalls in the Institute of Medicine framework. Rather than using existing innovations developed in the context of a university and then translating them to a different environment in the community, community psychologists should identify promising prevention and promotion interventions already functioning in communities and study those to understand their effectiveness. Finally, they proposed that researchers should focus less on specific programs and more on powerful ideas that can improve quality of life. This focus on powerful ideas may actually come from the process of understanding how prevention and promotion programs work in communities by specifying the core elements of a program that could be applied in other community contexts. Thus, we should be “learning from communities” and disseminating their prevention and promotion efforts that work.
Despite these critiques, prevention is still an important framework in Community Psychology and has the potential to create sustainable change in communities. Looking at precipitating factors, an attempt is made to make meaningful changes in environmental or personal factors to eliminate the barriers to success and wellness. Disease and community disorder will always require reactive responses and treatment; however, one goal of Community Psychology is to prevent some of it. Prevention lowers the demand for treatment and allows for increased access to resources that individuals may otherwise not have access to. As noted in this chapter, prevention also has the potential to reduce societal costs in the long run, which means resources can continue being spread for a greater amount of time.
SUMMING UP
This chapter outlined the importance of prevention and promotion as key concepts in Community Psychology. We highlighted the historical and contemporary perspectives on prevention and promotion including different types of prevention (e.g., primary, secondary, tertiary), risk and protective factors, and the various aspects of prevention programs and the techniques needed to evaluate such programming. As seen throughout the chapter based on the wide range of examples—from childhood obesity prevention efforts to examining risk factors for human trafficking—there are a vast number of social issues community psychologists can explore with an eye towards prevention and promotion. These are important frameworks to use to target change across multiple levels (e.g., individuals, groups, settings, social systems) in order to prevent negative outcomes and promote well-being.
Critical Thought Questions
- What role do risk factors play in promotion? Why is that important?
- How have historical debates on prevention and promotion shaped the way we view their usefulness currently?
- How does each type of prevention impact problems experienced in society or by members of society?
- What aspects must we consider regarding prevention research and programming?
Take the Chapter 12 Quiz
View the Chapter 12 Lecture Slides
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REFERENCES
Albee, G. W. (1983). Preventing psychopathology and promoting human potential. American Psychologist, 37, 1043–1050.
Caplan, G. (1964). Principles of Preventive Psychiatry. Basic Books.
Costello, E. J., Egger, H., & Angold, A. (2005). 10-year research update review: The epidemiology of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders: I. Methods and public health burden. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(10), 972-986.
Durlak, J. A., & Wells, A. M. (1997). Primary prevention mental health programs for children and adolescents: A meta-analytic review. American Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 115-152.
Durlak, J. A. & Wells, A. M. (1998). Evaluation of indicated preventative intervention (secondary prevention) mental health programs for children and adolescents. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26, 775-802.
Goldschmidt, A. B., Wilfley, D. E., Paluch, R. A., Roemmich, J. N., & Epstein, L. H. (2013). Indicated prevention of adult obesity: How much weight change is necessary for normalization of weight status in children? JAMA Pediatrics, 167(1), 21-26.
Halgunseth, L. C., Carmack, C., Childs, S. S., Caldwell, L., Craig, A., & Smith, E. P. (2012). Using the Interactive Systems Framework in understanding the relation between program capacity and implementation in afterschool settings. American Journal of Community Psychology, 50, 311-320.
Jason, L. A., Glantsman, O., O’Brien, J. F., & Ramian, K. N. (2019). Introduction to the field of Community Psychology. In L. A. Jason, O Glantsman, J. F. O’Brien, & K. N. Ramian (Eds.), Introduction to Community Psychology: Becoming an agent of change. https://press.rebus.community/introductiontocommunitypsychology/chapter/intro-to-community-psychology/
Jason, L. A., Weine, A. W., Johnson, J. H., Warren-Sohlberg, L, Filippelli, L. A., Turner, E. Y., & Lardon, C. (1992). Helping Transfer Students. Jossey-Bass.
Javdani, S., & Allen, N. E. (2016). An ecological model for intervention for juvenile justice-involved girls: Development and preliminary prospective evaluation. Feminist Criminology, 11(2), 135-162.
Miller, R. L. & Shinn, M. (2005). Learning from communities: Overcoming difficulties in dissemination of prevention and promotion efforts. American Journal of Community Psychology, 35(3-4), 169-183.
Mrazek, P. J., Haggerty, R. J., & The Institute of Medicine, Committee on Prevention of Mental Disorders, Division of Biobehavorial Sciences and Mental Disorders. (1994). Reducing risks for mental disorders: Frontiers for preventive intervention research. National Academy Press.
Nastasi, B. K. (2004). Meeting the challenges of the future: Integrating public health and public education for mental health promotion. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 15(3-4), 295-312.
Rappaport, J. (1981). In praise of paradox: A social policy of empowerment over prevention. American Journal of Community Psychology, 9(1), 1.
Storr, C. L., Ialongo, N. S., Kellam, S. G., & Anthony, J. C. (2002). A randomized controlled trial of two primary school intervention strategies to prevent early onset tobacco smoking. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 66(1), 51-60.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. (2010). Directory of program services. Washington, DC. Office of Public Affairs. http://www.ncdsv.org/images/ACF_DirectoryOfProgramServices.pdf
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. 22 U.S.C § 7101.
Wandersman, A., Duffy, J., Flaspholer, P., Noonan, R., Lubell, K., Stillman, L., Blachman, M., Dunville, R., & Saul, J. (2008). Bridging the gap between prevention research and practice: The interactive systems framework for dissemination and implementation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41, 171-181.
Wilcox, H. C., Kellam, S. G., Brown, C. H., Poduska, J. M., Ialongo, N. S., Wang, W., & Anthony, J. C. (2008). The impact of two universal randomized first-and second-grade classroom interventions on young adult suicide ideation and attempts. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 95, S60-S73.
A field that goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and international influences to promote positive change, health, and empowerment at individual and systemic levels (SCRA27.org).
The focus on actions that stop problems before they happen by boosting individual skills as well as by engaging in environmental change.
In psychology, the medical model involves a therapist delivering one-on-one psychotherapy to patients. In medicine, it involves physicians providing treatments for one patient at a time.
Advocacy involves active promotion of a cause or principle involving actions that lead to a selected goal.
The number of new cases during a specified period of time.
The total number of cases in a population.
Oppression can be described as the collusion of dehumanization and exploitation.
The research whose results fall strictly on observable and verifiable evidence. It can be based on quantitative or qualitative methods.
Interventions designed to prevent the onset or future incidence of a specific problem.
A method for statistically summarizing the findings of multiple studies to quantify an average effect and identify possible predictors of variability of outcomes.
Scientists from multiple disciplines work together to try to understand complex social and community problems.
Early intervention that decreases the prevalence.
Implementing programming after the disorder has occurred.
A pool of people that are volunteering or being paid to participate in a study.
Programming that targets people who have detectable signs of maladjustment that foreshadow more significant mental disorders or who have biological markers that are linked to disorder.
Programming that targets people who are at high risk for the development of a disorder but do not show any indication of disorder.
Correlates of primary prevention; targets all the people in a given population.
Empowering individuals to increase control of their health through literacy and programming.
Variables that are related to an increased risk for developing a disease or problem.
Variables that are related to a decreased risk for developing a disease or a social problem.
The deliberate sharing of research findings to groups and communities that would benefit from said findings.
New knowledge or information such as programs or policies that could be useful to prevention efforts in the field.
Achievement of the results intended by the intervention (it is an indicator that the intervention works properly).
Sequence of actions that goes from the planned on paper to actions in natural community contexts. Good implementation depends on the skills of the community psychologists involved and the degree of community readiness.
A hypothesized description of the process, step by step, of how a prevention or promotion intervention should work.
The process of gaining power emerging at the individual, organizational, community, and societal levels, which are affected by peoples' previous experiences, skills, actions, and context. | https://press.rebus.community/introductiontocommunitypsychology/chapter/prevention-and-promotion/ |
THE WATERLOO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD invites applications for the position of:
Mental Health Lead
Job Posting Number: APSSP 2021-14
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board serves over 30,000 learners and provides services to students in 50 schools (Kindergarten to Grade 12 and adult learners) across the Waterloo Region.
The Board conducts intentional recruitment and selection as it seeks to achieve a state of greater equity for employees and students and to diversify its workforce.
All qualified applicants are welcome and encouraged to apply and applicants may choose to indicate if they are from a group who has experienced racial or social discrimination. Self-identification data will be used as a consideration in this posting. Aggregate data will be stored anonymously to support improvements to the Board’s hiring processes.
In keeping with directions outlined in the Ontario Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board is seeking a Mental Health Leader to coordinate, align, and implement a School Board Mental Health Strategy. In addition to providing leadership within the board and community in the area of school mental health, this individual will serve as a liaison with provincial mental health initiatives and will monitor and share our implementation progress and learning. Moreover, the Mental Health Leader will support district capacity building for mental health services and support in schools, evidence informed practice, and system navigation. The Mental Health Leader will report to the Supervisory Officer responsible for Special Education.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a liaison for provincial mental health initiatives. Collaborate with other Mental Health Leaders across the province to share learning and to provide input to the development and implementation of provincial resources.
- Work with system leaders in the board and community to further develop, implement, and communicate a comprehensive board Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
- Collaborate with the Special Education Department and the community partners, to develop an integrated system of care, and to facilitate navigation for students and their families.
- Conduct/update a district needs assessment and resource mapping to identify specific service delivery gaps in the area of mental health and addictions for students.
- Coordinate the delivery of mental health awareness and literacy programming, for a range of stakeholders within the board.
- Assist in the selection and implementation of mental health promotion and prevention programming strategies for the board.
- Submit reports to the Ministry as required throughout the year on project activities and findings. Work with the Special Education Program and Policy Branch to develop a reporting framework.
Qualifications:
- Completion of a Master’s degree in Psychiatry, Clinical/School Psychology or Social Work
- Registration with the appropriate professional college
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in strategy development, coordination, and implementation, in the area of mental health
- Extensive clinical experience within a school district setting, across the tiers of mental health intervention (promotion, prevention, intervention, crisis, system navigation)
- Experience providing and/or facilitating adult learning, professional learning and training
- Excellent communication, coordination, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team environment
- Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle as some travel will be required
Salary Range: $60,947 – $93,719 per (per the APSSP Collective agreement based on 194 school days)
Schedule: Full time Permanent Monday – Friday
Location(s): Catholic Education Centre – 35 Weber St Kitchener
Application Process: If you possess the skills, qualifications and personal attributes listed above and wish to be considered for this position, please send:
- A complete up-to-date personal resumé or curriculum vitae;
- Two current professional references;
- Documentation to support the qualifications and assets identified above. | https://www.localwork.ca/job/3859735/mental-health-lead/ |
The National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health recognises that the best way to support infant and child mental health is through prevention and early intervention.
Evidence has long supported a spectrum of mental health interventions ranging from promotion, prevention, early intervention, and treatment. Figure 2 describes a core set of mental health services needed to decrease disorder incidence, duration, severity and premature mortality (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, 2000).
A focus on preventing or intervening early in the progression of mental health difficulties not only benefits infants and children, but also creates a solid foundation for health outcomes later in life, making it a long-term investment in Australia’s future.
Prevention and early intervention activities can occur early in life and/or early in the progression of a mental health difficulty.
Prevention refers to interventions that occur before the initial onset of a condition to prevent its development. These types of interventions aim to identify and modify factors and environments that are associated with mental health difficulties. These factors may include perinatal influences; family and other interpersonal relationships; schools and workplaces; sports, social and cultural activities; media influences; and the physical and mental health of individuals and communities.
Early intervention programs aim to prevent progression from the early signs and symptoms of a mental health condition to a diagnosable condition. These programs include interventions that are appropriate for people developing or experiencing the first episode of a mental health difficulty. Early intervention aims to reduce the impact in terms of duration and damage and foster hope for future wellbeing.
Recognising mental health difficulties
Child mental health difficulties, or vulnerabilities, will often present themselves as behaviours, relationship problems, or traits. All of these presentations are indicative of strong emotions, worries or stresses in the child’s life.
However, this can also result in the child’s emotional difficulties being overlooked, as her or his behaviour can be assigned labels or attributes that do not open up an exploration of underlying issues for the child.
It is also important to keep in mind that these difficulties or vulnerabilities will not present in the same way as adult mental health difficulties do. Young children cannot process emotions, fears or worries in the same way as an adult.
In many cases, parents or adults in a child’s life will describe worrying behaviour, or a series of behaviours, when they express concerns for the child’s emotional wellbeing.
These behaviours also need to be seen in the context of child development, bearing in mind that not all children develop at the same pace. As children grow and develop, their ability to communicate or express their internal process will change. If behaviours fall outside the realm of what is expected for a particular developmental stage, they may indicate mental health difficulties.
The village
It takes a village to raise a child and in the case of prevention and early intervention the importance of the involvement of services beyond those focused on mental health is critical.
These services include not only health, family and community services, but also sectors such as sports, arts, business, education, labour, justice, transport, environment and housing1.
Also important are intersectoral strategies, such as those aimed at the socioeconomic empowerment of women, violence prevention and poverty reduction, as well as coordinated responses between infant, child, adolescent, adult and aged service providers and systems2.
1World Health Organization (n.d.). Mental health: strengthening our response (Fact Sheet). Retrieved from: <www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/>.
2World Health Organization (n.d.). Mental health: strengthening our response (Fact Sheet). Retrieved from: <www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/>.
Image: Mrazek, P. J., & Haggerty, R. J. (1994). Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventive Intervention Research. Washington DC: National Academy Press. | https://emergingminds.com.au/our-work/prevention-and-early-intervention/ |
NATIVE CONNECTIONS ALLIANCE
For the past 10 years, Oklahoma has had one of the highest rates of suicide within the United States. For a state that has a large American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population, many tribes have been affected by the suicide epidemic.
Recent (2015) data from the Oklahoma Department of Health’s Violent Death Reporting System shows that AI/AN residents over age 10 died of suicide at the rate of 43 per 100,000 population, compared with the national average for all races of 13.3 per 100,000. The physical, psychological, social and spiritual toll upon AI/ANs is great.
Intervention after the fact of a suicide (postvention), will be an essential part of the plan to bring aid and comfort to survivors and to reduce the possibility of additional suicide. The project will focus on building protective factors that have been shown to reduce suicide. Native Connections will measure the number of suicide attempts and completions as well as indicators of depression and substance abuse among Native youth in the target communities. The project will be evaluated by staff TEC epidemiologists and a professional evaluator who has a strong relationship with the SPTHB and Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma (C & A’s).
The goals of this program fall within two of SAMHSA’s strategic initiatives: Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, and Trauma and Justice:
- Reduce the Impact of substance abuse, mental illness, and trauma on AI/AN communities through a public health approach
- Allow AI/AN communities to support youth and young adults as they transition into adulthood by facilitating collaboration among agencies
- Assess community needs and strengths related to the purpose of the grant
- Identify and connect behavioral health services organizations existing in the community
- Lead efforts to improve coordination among related services for tribal young people and their families
- Identify gaps and develop a plan that the tribe will pilot in subsequent years of the grant
- Address behavioral health conditions that affect learning in Bureau of Indian Education schools
- Use strategies shown to be effective or promising in Native communities
We will use a universal prevention approach as well as the Community Readiness Assessment to develop a Strategic Action Plan that will guide our work throughout the grant.
The first year of our work will be devoted to the development of a coordinating committee led by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, then convening with this committee to monitor the incident of suicide and collaborate with any and all related resources within and outside the tribes.
Years 2-5 will be dedicated to reducing the number of Native suicide attempts within our Tribal Jurisdiction, developing a Tribal infrastructure that supports youth and young adults as they transition into adulthood by facilitating collaboration among agencies, and adopting mental health and wellness policies and fund a permanent Behavioral Health Unit to address suicide and substance abuse.
Native Connections is a joint effort between the SPTHB-TEC and the C & A Tribes of Oklahoma. The OKTEC brings administrative and subject matter expertise to assist the tribe to successfully implement programs, policies and practices that are founded upon a combination of evidence-based practices with traditional strength-based approaches that resonate withNatives.
The C & A tribal jurisdiction consists of several counties in went central Oklahoma. Tribal members live in a racially mixed community (not reservations), but Natives retain their cultural identity. There are also members of other tribes living in the area and a substantial number of bi racial persons that will also be served by the grant.
Blaine, Custer and Washita counties are very rural areas while Canadian County (the easternmost county) is a bedroom community for Oklahoma City.
When it comes to suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and substance abuse prevention in AI/AN communities, the challenges of behavioral health work in AI/AN communities span a variety of issues, including:
- Need for accessible behavioral health care, grounded in the traditions of that community
- Need for transparent, practical crisis protocols in an emergency and clearly defined follow-up procedures to care for youth at risk
- Need for coordination among youth-serving programs in AI/AN communities
- Need for tribal leadership support
Our efforts aim to empower our tribal partner to rely on evidence-based prevention practices and their tribal community through consulting with the Native Connections advisory council, elders, youth, and tribal leaders to help look at what is important to the Tribe in terms of cultural values, community norms and traditions.
With these cultural factors in mind, as well as information gained through the community needs assessment, our tribal partner can develop effective, comprehensive prevention programs that are based in community strengths, consider the importance of culture, and address the specific needs of youth in communities.
Research on youth resilience suggests risk factors of poverty, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma, including historical trauma, can be mitigated by the following experiences because they help build youths’ resilience. These experiences include:
- a consistent relationship with at least one safe, caring, reliable, and competent adult who promotes high expectations and encourages self-improvement;
- opportunities for constructive engagement in family, community, school, and other social institutions and productive decision-making;
- adolescent voice, choice, and personal responsibility;
- the development of self-regulation, self-reflection, self-confidence, self-compassion, and character.
Warning Signs of Suicide
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or reckless
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk of suicide. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
What To Do
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: | https://www.spthb.org/programs/our-grants/native-connections-alliance-2/ |
Lack of awareness and choosing to remain in denial are the main reasons why mental health issues in youth are allowed to linger without any intervention. The social stigma attached to mental health issues and the lingering hope that things will sort themselves out as the child grows up leads to an aggravation of issues to a point of no return. According to WHO reports one in every seven adolescents suffers from mental health issues. Unfortunately, 75 percent of young people who have mental health problems do not receive the necessary treatment.
Focus on mental health is as important as the attention given to food and physical health in children. It is essential that the emotional well-being of adolescents is handled with care by parents. You might need a combination of patience and love to handle their concerns with care and help them grow up to be well-balanced adults who can deal with the curve balls life is ready to throw at them.
What can help adolescents stay mentally healthy?
What factors can have an impact on the mental health of youth?
Vulnerable youngsters who are already mentally fragile may suffer in the event of being exposed to traumatic events. It could be being a witness or victim of violence, ill-treatment or sexual abuse. As the physical bodies and minds mature, teenagers undergo an emotional turmoil that is part of adolescence. It is important to manage this phase carefully as it could define their future as adults. Experiments with alcohol or drugs or sex during this phase could leave deep emotional scars and be detrimental to their mental health.
What is early intervention?
As with every other issue, early diagnosis can lead to early intervention and reduce problems before they manifest themselves in a pronounced form. This would require the awareness of parents about mental health symptoms and what they should look for in their adolescent children. Parents should know what indications to monitor and when to consult a mental health specialist to counsel the child. Addressing the problem early can definitely help in preventing or slowing down the mental disorder with or without medication. In the early stages, simple counseling may help in dispelling their fears or concerns and help them strengthen their minds.
What are the manifestations of mental health issues in youth?
Prevention and Promotion
Interventions for mental health promotion and prevention aim to improve an individual’s ability to regulate emotions, improve alternatives to risk-taking behaviours, build resilience for dealing with difficult situations and adversity, and promote supportive social environments and social networks.
These programs necessitate a multi-level approach with various delivery platforms – such as digital media, health or social care settings, schools, colleges or the community – and diverse strategies to reach adolescents, particularly the most vulnerable. Parents, teachers, educators and community members all have an important role to play in addressing mental issues faced by youngsters and handling them early.
To Wrap Up
It is critical to address the needs of adolescents suffering from mental illnesses. Mental health awareness is critical for the early identification of symptoms and seeking medical intervention.
There are a lot of resources available that can help to treat the underlying causes and rescue youth from a life plagued by mental illness. Adolescent mental health depends on avoiding institutionalization and over-medicalization, prioritizing non-pharmacological approaches, and respecting children’s rights. Early diagnosis and intervention can help to prevent or address mental health issues and resolve them early so that adolescents have an opportunity to live more fulfilling lives as adults. | https://www.samvednacare.com/blog/early-intervention-and-prevention-of-mental-health-issues-amongst-youth/ |
The St. Lawrence County Community Health Improvement Coalition, Bridge to Wellness, is an active committee with over fifty participating organizations including public health, higher eduction, hospitals, health centers and community based organizations. Partners work collaboratively to plan, implement and oversee the St. Lawrence County Community Health Improvement Plan and hospital Community Service Plans.
Mission: “We collaborate with community partners for the development and promotion of resources and opportunities that positively influence whole person health.”
Vision: “A community where everyone has knowledge of and access to the tools they need for a healthier life”.
Considering assessment results and the capacity of the region, the Bridge to Wellness Coalition identified ‘Prevent Chronic Disease’ and ‘Promote Well-Being and Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders’ as priorities for the 2019 Community Health Improvement Plan. This streamlined plan identifies additional opportunities to improve the health of residents. The coalition researched interventions grounded in evidence and selected activities to include environmental, systems and policy change. Several interventions will address multiple goals, which allows more focus and effort in one intervention while reaching more than one deliverable. | https://gethealthyslc.org/bridge-to-wellness/ |
Dr. Connors received her Ph.D. in Clinical Child and Community Psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology) and in the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine. Her program of research focuses on improving the quality of mental health promotion, prevention and intervention services in critical access points for children, adolescents and their families such as schools and primary care settings. Dr. Connors is currently conducting research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to select and test implementation strategies to increase the use of measurement-based care among school mental health clinicians based on participatory research methods and principles of implementation science. Her projects also focus on how to implement other evidence-based approaches in schools to promote student social and emotional wellbeing and resilience to adversity, stress and trauma using strategies such as learning collaboratives, training and ongoing consultation. Dr. Connors is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where she collaborates with the National Center for School Mental Health to advance research, practice, policy and training about comprehensive school mental health system quality and sustainability nationwide. | https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/elizabeth_connors/ |
Intercamhs’ vision is that mental health will be addressed through collaborative interdisciplinary whole school approaches for all school community members across nations.
Our Guiding Principles are that:
- The term ‘mental health’ should imply not only the consideration of mental illnesses and problems but also a positive state of emotional, social and cognitive well being in individuals, groups and communities.
- Mental health is viewed from a holistic perspective, recognising the interconnectedness of the physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological, as well as the social environment of school, family and community.
- In the school context, a coordinated ‘whole school approach’ to mental health teaching and learning is needed, linking curriculum to school culture and ethos, management and organisation and to partnerships with communities, service providers and families.
- Respect and sensitivity to cultural diversity and different skills and values, needs and experiences underpin collaborative activities across school communities, local communities and nation states.
- Work in mental health needs to: fully involve all participants in the process, including school staff, school students and parents; encourage genuine dialogue between parties; and foster a sense of empowerment and autonomy.
- Addressing mental health through schools in a comprehensive way involves a full range of levels of intervention, from mental health promotion for everyone, to targeted prevention and early intervention.
- Effective school mental health interventions involve interdisciplinary practice necessitating co-ordination between a wide range of agencies, both government and not for profit, where different perspectives, approaches and goals are respected.
- Positive mental health supports school quality and effectiveness, including promotion of meaningful learning and teaching by students and staff.
- As far as possible practice needs to build on ‘evidence based’ approaches, which involve appropriate use of a range of methods from both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms.
Intercamhs aims to:
- Develop and adopt a common language of terms related to mental health in schools.
- Build communication mechanisms between people interested or involved in school-based mental health in different countries.
- Encourage dialogue, the sharing of lessons learned, collaborative activities and mutual support among people and programs in different countries.
- Enhance interdisciplinary approaches to school-based health care.
- Promote the advancement of a strategic research agenda and collaborative research among people and programs in different countries.
- Foster the development of advocacy agendas, coalitions and policy improvements in areas vital to the advancement of mental health in schools.
- Raise awareness of the mental health needs of youth and the value of school-based programs in helping youth, schools and communities achieve desired outcomes.
- Stimulate increased funding and improved capacity to provide a full continuum of mental health promotion, early intervention and treatment services in schools. | https://intercamhs.org/principlesandaims-html/ |
In September 2005, LAUSD was awarded a SAMHSA grant to establish the LAUSD Trauma Services Adaptation Center for Schools and Communities (TSA for Schools). Recently refunded in 2012, and now known as The Treatment and Services Adaptation Center for Resiliency, Hope, and Wellness in Schools, our center is a partnership between LAUSD School Mental Health, USC School of Social Work, RAND Health, UCLA Health Services Research Center, UCLA Child Anxiety Program, and 3-C Institute for Social Development. A member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), The Treatment and Services Adaptation Center for Resiliency, Hope, and Wellness in Schools serves as a national leader in the promotion of trauma-informed schools, by identifying, developing, evaluating, and disseminating evidence-based trauma services across a continuum, from prevention services that focus on building resilience in students, to early interventions and more intensive services for trauma-exposed youth.
With a mission of enhancing schools’ ability to provide trauma-informed approaches to assure a supportive and nurturing environment for all students, our primary goals are to: serve as the primary trauma resource site for our nation’s schools; develop and disseminate school trauma prevention programs and; create and disseminate web-based training and skill-building programs for youth, teachers and school mental health professionals.
LAUSD TSA Center assists school mental health professionals and school communities to raise trauma awareness and the ability to deliver trauma informed services. LAUSD TSA Center staff is available to assist with specific requests and information relating to training. For more information or for technical assistance, please contact: 213-241-3841.
The web-pages, articles and other resources on this page are designed for schools and school personnel, toward supporting trauma-exposed youth and creating a trauma-sensitive school environment for all students.
Developed by our TSA for Schools, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is the only school-based early intervention program proven to be effective in addressing the mental health symptoms of traumatized youth who have been exposed to a wide variety of violence in their community. This program not only addresses trauma symptoms but can impact school performance and overall functioning as well as build resilience in youth and their families. CBITS was initially developed with a public health approach in mind, and made for and by school-based clinicians who serve an ethnically diverse student population, this program has been successfully disseminated in schools across the U.S. and internationally and has been nationally recognized as one of the leading school-based trauma interventions.
CBITS is a skills-based group intervention that is aimed at relieving symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and general anxiety among children exposed to community violence and trauma. Designed for use in schools by school based mental health professionals, CBITS was developed in close collaboration with school staff and administrators to alleviate behaviors that interfere with learning and regular school attendance.
CBITS has been implemented in elementary and middle schools across the country, with bicultural and bilingual students (Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and Korean) and multicultural, urban and rural populations, including Native American adolescents. The program has been studied extensively and has been shown in a randomized control trial to reduce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and depression.
CBITS has been implemented in grades six to nine (ages 10-15) with students who have experienced a wide range of violence such as community violence, trauma due to accidents and natural disasters, and trauma involving significant loss.
CBITS consists of 10 group sessions (six to eight children per group) of approximately an hour in length, conducted once a week in a school setting. In addition to the group sessions, participants receive one to three individual sessions, usually held before the exposure exercises. CBITS also includes parent education sessions and teacher education sessions. Student case management services and teacher consultation are added as needed.
As with other therapeutic interventions, parental permission is required for children to participate in CBITS groups in schools.
CBITS training is recommended for any mental health clinicians interested in implementing the model. It is designed for master’s degree-level (or higher) mental health professionals.
The 2-day clinical training includes: 1) An overview of child trauma and PTSD and the mental health and academic consequences, 2) A review of the history and evidence base of CBITS, 3) Instruction and practice with screening and assessment, including the introduction of valid screening tools, 4) Thorough session by session demonstrations and supervised practice of each core concept for group and individual sessions, including how to make the material culturally and contextually relevant to the audience, 5) Review of parent and teacher sessions, and 6) Engagement activities around implementation issues and site planning.
This workshop will paint a picture of both hope and caution. Children exposed to violence and trauma can be resilient, with the proper support. The negative effects of violence exposure on learning are well documented and may explain one aspect of the bleak reality that minority and underserved students continue to trail far behind their peers in academic outcomes after generations of education “reform”. Multiple studies have found that substantial numbers of children exposed to community violence and trauma later develop symptoms of child traumatic stress and associated difficulties. Exposure to community violence has also been positively correlated with decreased reading ability, lower grade-point average, more days of school absence, decreased rates of high school graduation, and increased expulsions and suspensions.
This workshop underscores the importance of focusing on prevention and early intervention, and identifying students who need further treatment to ensure that those that need it get the appropriate treatment rather than assuming that children will outgrow their symptoms.
Introduction to Prevention and Early Intervention using Evidence Based/Trauma-Informed, Culturally Competent Practice for Mental Health Professionals.
This workshop introduces a framework for creating “trauma informed” school systems by building the capacity of school community stakeholders: administrators, teachers, and school mental health professionals to understand the connection between children’s life experiences and their behaviors at school. The trauma-informed school can make specific modifications in the classroom and system wide, promoting school wide positive behavior supports to students who have been exposed to trauma.
These workshops are designed to impact the systems in which we operate as professionals and caregivers. They are designed to provide a “trauma lens”, underscore the importance of focusing on prevention and early intervention and identifying students who need further treatment to ensure that those that need it get the appropriate treatment rather than assuming that children will outgrow their symptoms. These workshops will also introduce Psychological First Aid for students after a school crisis, emergency or disaster. This model helps students bounce back more quickly from a critical event; assisting students to return to school, stay in school, continue to learn, and return to their usual school based activities after such an event. | https://achieve.lausd.net/Page/2514 |
TFQC has been at the forefront of tobacco prevention and control since the early 2000s. This bi-state, bi-county coalition is a collaboration of public health departments, health systems, a community-health collaborative, social service providers, substance abuse providers, and school districts. The coalition multiplies the impact of the tobacco prevention efforts in the county by speaking as one voice and assisting with education, policy development, and promotion of cessation.
The coalition has had success in collaboratively providing education locally and at the state level when working to increase state cigarette taxes, remove preemption, and implement the Smoke Free Air Act. The coalition continues to collaborate on extensive outreach opportunities throughout the community. The group has hosted “The River Bandits Book Buddy” games at Modern Woodman Park, reaching large numbers of youth and adults with education. The coalition has collaborated on educational presentations about tobacco and nicotine for professionals and the general public through schools, health organizations, and mental health treatment centers.
Due to the dedication of the organizational backing of the coalition, additional projects for educational materials have been developed and personalized for local outreach efforts. The materials created through the coalition help to educate families about the effects of secondhand smoke, daycare centers about the importance of nicotine-free environments and provide information to help tobacco users considering quitting. For years, the coalition has
collaborated through breakout workgroups to work on additional projects that assist in keeping our community healthy.
Some accomplishments of the TFQC since its inception:
- Helped businesses, child care centers, multi-unit housing locations, and community parks go tobacco and nicotine free
- Hosted trainings for health care providers on quitting tobacco use
- Educated the community about the health impacts of tobacco use
- Partnered with the Iowa and Illinois Department of Public Health to monitor the status of tobacco in our community
- Helped with the implementation of increased cigarette taxes in Iowa and Illinois
- Provided local support for the passage of the Smoke-free Illinois Act and the Iowa Smoke-free Air Act
- Served as a community resource for agencies and organizations
Annual Reports
To share our accomplishments and promote transparency, TFQC offers annual summary reports: | https://www.tobaccofreeqc.org/about-us/tfqc-history/ |
# Community psychology
Community psychology is concerned with the community as the unit of study. This contrasts with most psychology which focuses on the individual. Community psychology also studies the community as a context for the individuals within it, and the relationships of the individual to communities and society. Community psychologists seek to understand the functioning of the community, including the quality of life of persons within groups, organizations and institutions, communities, and society. Their aim is to enhance quality of life through collaborative research and action.
Community psychology employs various perspectives within and outside psychology to address issues of communities, the relationships within them, and related people's attitudes and behaviour.
Rappaport (1977) discusses the perspective of community psychology as an ecological perspective on the person–environment fit (this is often related to work environments) being the focus of study and action instead of attempting to change the personality of individual or the environment when an individual is seen as having a problem.
Closely related disciplines include community practice, ecological psychology, environmental psychology, critical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, social psychology, political science, public health, sociology, social work, applied anthropology, and community development.
In the United States, community psychology grew out of the community mental health movement, but evolved dramatically as early practitioners incorporated their understandings of political structures and other community contexts into perspectives on client services. However, in other regions, it has had different origins. In much of Latin America, for example, it developed from social psychology, as a response to the "crisis of social psychology" and the search for psychological theory and practice relevant to the social problems of the region.
## Society for Community Research and Action
Division 27 of the American Psychological Association is the community psychology division of the APA, called the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA). The Society's mission is as follows:
The Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) is an international organization devoted to advancing theory, research, and social action. Its members are committed to promoting health and empowerment and to preventing problems in communities, groups, and individuals. SCRA serves many different disciplines that focus on community research and action.
The SCRA website has resources for teaching and learning community psychology, information on events in the field and related to research and action, how to become involved and additional information on the field, members and undergraduate and graduate programs in community psychology.
## History of community psychology in the US
In the 1950s and 1960s, many factors contributed to the beginning of community psychology in the US. Some of these factors include:
A shift away from socially conservative, individual-focused practices in health care and psychology into a progressive period concerned with issues of public health, prevention and social change after World War II and social psychologists' growing interest in racial and religious prejudice, poverty, and other social issues The perceived need of larger-scale mental illness treatment for veterans Psychologists questioning the value of psychotherapy alone in treating large numbers of people with mental illness The development of community mental health centers and de-institutionalization of people with mental illnesses into their communities
### Swampscott Conference
In 1965, several psychologists met to discuss the future of community mental health as well as discuss the issue of only being involved with problems of mental health instead of the community as a whole. The Swampscott Conference is considered the birthplace of community psychology. A published report on the conference calls for community psychologists to be political activists, agents of social change and "participant-conceptualizers."
## Theories, concepts and values in community psychology
### Ecological levels of analysis
James Kelly (1966; Trickett, 1984) developed an ecological analogy used to understand the ways in which settings and individuals are interrelated. Unlike the ecological framework developed by Bronfenbrenner (1979), the focus of Kelly's framework was not so much on how different levels of the environment may impact on the individual, but on understanding how human communities function. Specifically, Kelly suggests that there are 4 important principles that govern people in settings:
adaptation: i.e. that what individuals do is adaptive given the demands of the surrounding context. It is a two-way process: Individuals adapt to the restrictions, constraints, and quality of the environment, while the environment adapts to its members Examples: In regards to adaption of the individual, take for instance when an individual adapts to the demands of a new job, they adapt to that environment by learning or acquiring any necessary skills that they may need to perform their tasks well. On the environmental side of adaption, we can imagine various situations involving the family, such as the birth of a child, new job of a parent, or when children attend college and move away from home; in all of these instances the environment adapted as necessary to the changes in its members succession: every setting has a history that created current structures, norms, attitudes, and policies, and any intervention in the setting must appreciate this history and understand why the current system exists in the form that it does. This principle applies to families, organizations, and communities; further, an implication of noting and understanding succession in these units is that psychologists must understand the history of that unit (family, organization, or community) before attempting to implement an intervention plan cycling of resources: each setting has resources that need to be identified and possibilities for new resources to be developed; a resource perspective emphasizes a focus on strengths of individuals, groups, and institutions within the setting and interventions are more likely to succeed if they build on such existing strengths, rather than introduce new external mechanisms for change. There are personal resources which include individual talents, strengths, or specialties, as well as social resources such as shared norms, beliefs, or values; further, aspects of the physical environment can be considered resources, such as calm resting places, a library, and other qualities of the space in particular interdependence: settings are systems, and any change to one aspect of the setting will have consequences for other aspects of the setting, so any intervention needs to anticipate its impact across the entire setting, and be prepared for unintended consequences. When we look at a school, for instance, as a real-world example, the interdependent parts include: students, teachers, administrators, students' parents, faculty and staff (secretaries, janitors, counselors, nurses), board members, and taxpayers
### First-order and second-order change
Because community psychologists often work on social issues, they are often working toward positive social change. Watzlawick, et al. (1974) differentiated between first-order and second-order change and how second-order change is often the focus of community psychology.
first-order change: positively changing the individuals in a setting to attempt to fix a problem second-order change: Attending to systems and structures involved with the problem to adjust the person–environment fit
As an example of how these methods differ, consider homelessness. A first-order change to "fix" homelessness would be to offer shelter to one or many homeless people. A second-order change would be to address issues in policy regarding affordable housing.
### Prevention and health promotion
Community psychology emphasizes principles and strategies of preventing social, emotional and behavioral problems and wellness and health promotion at the individual and community levels, borrowed from Public health and Preventive medicine, rather than a passive, "waiting-mode," treatment-based medical model. Universal, selective, primary, and indicated or secondary prevention (early identification and intervention) are particularly emphasized. Community psychology's contributions to prevention science have been substantial, including development and evaluation of the Head Start Program.
### Empowerment
One of the goals of community psychology involves empowerment of individuals and communities that have been marginalized by society.
One definition for the term is "an intentional, ongoing process centered in the local community, involving mutual respect, critical reflection, caring, and group participation, through which people lacking an equal share of resources gain greater access to and control over those resources" (Cornell Empowerment Group).
Rappaport's (1984) definition includes: "Empowerment is viewed as a process: the mechanism by which people, organizations, and communities gain mastery over their lives."
While empowerment has had an important place in community psychology research and literature, some have criticized its use. Riger (1993), for example, points to the paradoxical nature of empowerment being a masculine, individualistic construct being used in community research. Community psychologist Guy Holmes critiqued empowerment as a vague concept replete with what Wolf Wolfensberger has called 'high craze value' i.e. a fashionable term that means different things to different people, and ultimately means everything and nothing. Certainly few community psychologists would agree with Mao that 'power grows out of the barrel of a gun.'
In the 1990s, the support and empowerment paradigm (Racino, 1992) was proposed as an organizing concept to replace or complement the prior rehabilitation paradigm, and to acknowledge the diverse groups and community-based work of the emerging community disciplines.
### Social justice
A core value of community psychology is seeking social justice through research and action. Community psychologists are often advocates for equality and policies that allow for the wellbeing of all people, particularly marginalized populations.
### Diversity
Another value of community psychology involves embracing diversity. Rappaport includes diversity as a defining aspect of the field, calling research to be done for the benefit of diverse populations in gaining equality and justice. This value is seen through much of the research done with communities regardless of ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, disability status, socioeconomic status, gender and age.
### Individual wellness
Individual wellness is the physical and psychological wellbeing of all people. Research in community psychology focuses on methods to increase individual wellness, particularly through prevention and second-order change.
### Citizen participation
Citizen participation refers to the ability of individuals to have a voice in decision-making, defining and addressing problems, and the dissemination of information gathered on them. This is the basis for the usage of participatory action research in community psychology, where community members are often involved in the research process by sharing their unique knowledge and experience with the research team and working as co-researchers. In contrast, citizen participation is sought by community developers and community planners (i.e., public administrators) to assure that governmental funds best meet the needs of local citizenry. Three key values of participation are: building support for governmental planning, raising political consciousness, and furthering democratic values. Citizen participation in policymaking has a long history and has been particular strong in neighborhood action and poverty programs, and other activist-led initiatives.
### Collaboration and community strengths
Collaboration with community members to construct research and action projects makes community psychology an exceptionally applied field. By allowing communities to use their knowledge to contribute to projects in a collaborative, fair and equal manner, the process of research can itself be empowering to citizens. This requires an ongoing relationship between the researcher and the community from before the research begins to after the research is over.
### Psychological sense of community
Psychological sense of community (or simply "sense of community"), was introduced in 1974 by Seymour Sarason. In 1986 a major step was taken by David McMillan and David Chavis with the publication of their "Theory of Sense of Community" and in 1990 the "Sense of Community Index". Originally designed primarily in reference to neighborhoods, the Sense of Community Index (SCI) can be adapted to study other communities as well, including the workplace, schools, religious communities, communities of interest, etc.
### Empirical grounding
Community psychology grounds all advocacy and social justice action in empiricism. This empirical grounding is what separates community psychology from a social movement or grassroots organization. Methods from psychology have been adapted for use in the field that acknowledge value-driven, subjective research involving community members. The methods used in community psychology are therefore tailored to each individual research question. Quantitative as well as qualitative methods and other innovative methods are embraced.
The American psychological Association has sponsored two major conferences on community research methods and has recently published an edited book on this topic.
## Comparison of community and clinical psychology in the UK
Community psychology has been differentiated from traditional clinical psychology as practiced in the UK in the following ways:
Examples of community psychology in the UK have been documented by Carolyn Kagan and Mark Burton, Jim Orford and Guy Holmes.
## Education
Many programs related to community psychology are housed in psychology departments, while others are interdisciplinary. Students earning a community psychology degree complete courses that focus on: history and concepts of the field, human diversity and cultural competence, public health, community research methods and statistics, collaborative work in communities, organizational and community development and consultation, prevention and intervention, program evaluation, and grantwriting.
Research is a large component of both the PhD and master's degrees, as community psychologists base interventions on theory and research and use action-oriented research to promote positive change. Further, students will generally find niches under faculty mentors at their institutions related to local programs, organizations, grants, special populations, or social issues of interest—granting students the chance to have practice doing the work of a community psychologist, under the supervision of a faculty member.
Many community psychologists will find clinical psychologists involved in their work in communities, and collaboration between academic departments are encouraged.
To disseminate the field and make community psychology education free, an online Introduction to Community Psychology textbook was published in June 2019.
## Peer-reviewed journals
The following journals provide peer-reviewed articles related to community psychology:
American Journal of Community Psychology (Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) journal) The Australian Community Psychologist (Journal of the Australian Psychological Society) Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology (international journal) Journal of Community Psychology (international journal) Journal of Rural Community Psychology (e-journal) Psychosocial Intervention/Intervención Psicosocial (published in both Spanish and English) Rivista di Psicologia di Comunità (Italian journal) Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice (GJCCP)
In addition, there are a number of interdisciplinary journals, such as the Community Mental Health Journal, with articles in the field of community health that deal with aspects of community psychology. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_psychology |
What cybersecurity vulnerabilities new and old should organizations look out for this year? Let IBM X-Force be your guide to today’s top cybersecurity threats with this detailed report.
First, scanning for and exploiting vulnerabilities emerged as the top infection vector of 2020, according to the 2021 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index. In other words, attackers are finding that searching networks for unpatched issues or common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) and exploiting those vulnerabilities has become the most common — and successful — method for gaining initial access to a network. In fact, this infection method has surpassed even phishing emails and appears to have largely displaced credential theft as the most reliable method for attackers to infiltrate a network.
One CVE, CVE-2019-19871 (a Citrix server path traversal flaw), was far and away the most exploited vulnerability in 2020, according to X-Force data. Despite the dominance of this relatively new vulnerability, the list of the 10 most exploited vulnerabilities of 2020 was dominated by older security issues, with just two out of the top 10 being discovered in 2020.
The number of new vulnerabilities identified each year has followed a general upward trend since 1988, with 17,992 new vulnerabilities identified in 2020, and culminating in a grand total of 180,171 vulnerabilities identified by the end of 2020.
As cybersecurity vulnerabilities from prior years continue to pose a threat for organizations that have not yet patched them, this cumulative effect of vulnerabilities is increasing attack opportunities for threat actors on a yearly basis.
Figure 1: Newly Identified and Cumulative Vulnerabilities Per Year, 1988-2020 (Source: X-Force Red)
For security defenders, the importance of quickly identifying and remediating vulnerabilities has never been greater. These gateways into a network must be closed quickly, methodically and effectively to prevent threat actors from maintaining this upper hand they appear to have gained throughout 2020.
Two examples of lingering issues that have impacted organizations in 2020 are CVE-2006-1547 and CVE-2012-0391, which are both Apache Struts vulnerabilities. These were third and fourth on our list of most exploited vulnerabilities in 2020.
Although these vulnerabilities have been known for 15 and nine years, respectively, and remedies have long since been available, too often they remain unpatched, and attackers are still attempting to exploit them in large numbers. As the number of new vulnerabilities continues to grow each year, options for attackers to exploit are increasing exponentially as some old vulnerabilities remain viable entry points.
IBM Security X-Force ranked the top 10 CVEs of 2020 based on how frequently threat actors exploited or attempted to exploit them. The ranking is based on both IBM X-Force incident response (IR) and IBM managed security services (MSS) data for 2020. According to our findings, attackers focused on common enterprise applications and open source frameworks that many businesses use within their networks.
Explore the top three CVEs in greater detail below:
This CVE, disclosed in December 2019, applies to the Citrix ADC, Citrix Gateway and NetScaler Gateway. The vulnerability allows an attacker to perform arbitrary code execution on a Citrix server or download additional payloads, such as trojan backdoors allowing for command execution and brute-forcing passwords.
This vulnerability appeared multiple times in IBM’s incident response engagements, most notably in the first half of 2020. In fact, it alone accounted for 25% of all initial compromises X-Force saw in Q1 2020 and was part of a staggering 59% of all attacks X-Force remediated in January 2020. In fact, attackers exploited it 15 times more than any other used in X-Force incident response engagements, and IBM’s managed security services frequently observed alerts showing attackers were attempting to exploit this cybersecurity vulnerability.
The second-most exploited CVE of 2020 was CVE-2018-20062, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code. X-Force threat intelligence analysts have observed that it has largely been used to target Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This coincides with a major uptick in attacks against IoT in 2020 as revealed in IBM network data. Exploitation of CVE-2018-20062 has been linked to the deployment of a wide variety of malware, including the SpeakUp backdoor, Mirai botnet and various cryptocurrency miners.
ThinkPHP is an open-source PHP framework, and while this cybersecurity vulnerability was patched on Dec. 8, 2018, with ThinkPHP versions 5.0.23 and 5.1.31, a proof-of-concept to exploit it was published on Dec. 11, 2018, and continues to attract attackers trying to leverage it. The difficulty of identifying and patching IoT devices may be contributing to their continued susceptibility to this vulnerability.
This vulnerability, first discovered 15 years ago in 2006, allows an attacker to cause a denial of service — including a crash of the Struts web application — or even gain access to confidential information. Apache Struts is an open source framework commonly used to create Java web applications. Attackers have recognized the opportunities presented by the widespread use of this framework and have capitalized on several Apache Struts vulnerabilities.
Increased use of this dated vulnerability highlights the importance of scanning web applications for unpatched vulnerabilities and paying close attention to older web apps built with outdated frameworks.
Vulnerabilities that have not yet been made publicly known — potentially exploitable through zero-day exploits — continue to pose a threat to enterprise networks. Penetration testing has the potential to unearth as-yet-unknown vulnerabilities. Yet, overall, X-Force is observing that known cybersecurity vulnerabilities — with known mitigation options — continue to pose the more significant threat to organizations, when compared to zero-day exploits.
While enterprises may not always be able to control the exploitation of unknown vulnerabilities on their network, they can take structured action against known vulnerabilities. The relative payoff from focusing effort in this area is likely to be high. Vulnerability management services that identify, prioritize and remediate existing vulnerabilities can assist organizations in enhancing the security of their most critical assets.
Vulnerability management can be complex. It requires decision making that accounts for asset and data classification, business objectives, risk, performance benchmarks and more. There is no one perfect solution that can be applied to every organization. Some networks have sensitive machines and infrastructure that require rigorous testing to ensure nothing will fail when an update or patch is applied. Other networks have equipment that, upon final analysis, is better off not receiving a particular patch even once it becomes available. The balance is always about risk, and that’s never a simple answer.
While there are numerous considerations in some cases, prioritizing vulnerabilities is important, and X-Force recommends using our top ten CVEs list to identify the vulnerabilities being most actively exploited by threat actors today, and prioritizing remediation of those vulnerabilities as applicable.
Several additional measures can assist your organization in implementing a robust patch management program:
Learn more about the top attack vectors and attack types of 2020 with the X-Force Threat Intelligence Index.
Camille Singleton brings sixteen years of professional experience to cybersecurity topics, both in the US government and as an analyst at IBM. She is convers...
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For full details on this research, see the X-Force Red whitepaper “Controlling the Source: Abusing Source Code Management Systems”. This material is also being presented at Black Hat USA 2022. Source Code Management (SCM) systems play a vital role within organizations and have been an afterthought in terms of defenses compared to other critical enterprise systems such as Active Directory.…
Analysis and insights from hundreds of the brightest minds in the cybersecurity industry to help you prove compliance, grow business and stop threats. | https://securityintelligence.com/posts/top-10-cybersecurity-vulnerabilities-2020/ |
It is a fairly common occurrence that organizations approach us unsure what type of security testing they need because a particular security framework, best practice, or compliance requirement states they need quarterly scanning or a penetration test. While these security frameworks serve an important purpose of ensuring a standard set of expectations and requirements for organizations, the language surrounding various technical controls or Security Testing Services can be confusing, generic, or all sound very similar to one another. I hope to provide you with a better understanding of the distinctions between the various security testing services and to arm you with the knowledge necessary to know what type of service you need, based on your security program’s maturity and goals.
Vulnerability Scans
Vulnerability Scans are exactly what they sound like. Scans are performed with a vulnerability scanning application such as OpenVAS, Qualys, Nessus, Nexpose, etc., can be directed at external- or internal-facing system, and are generally performed monthly or quarterly. The output for a vulnerability scan is generally an Excel spreadsheet or PDF report. More mature organizations incorporate these results directly into a change management or bug tracking system, thus automating patch management workflows. Periodic vulnerability scanning is imperative to create a defensible environment. If you are not performing regular scanning, you are probably not prepared for a more comprehensive engagement such as a penetration test. Vulnerabilities by themselves are not the entirety of a penetration test. However, not patching is like leaving your front door open and unlocked while leaving for vacation.
Vulnerability Assessment
A Vulnerability Assessment is designed to give a snapshot of an organization’s vulnerability management program and assess its effectiveness against the current threat landscape. It generally consists of discussion with your security team regarding your vulnerability management workflow, as well as detailed reviews of both authenticated internal and unauthenticated external vulnerability scans. One key distinction is that this type of assessment usually does NOT include exploitation, as the focus is on threat management, rather than a more attack-focused engagement. Vulnerability assessments produce an in-depth report that provides overall risks associated with the vulnerability management program, along with detailed threats susceptible from a potential attacker’s point of view. The report lists the most critical identified vulnerabilities and the dangers/risks they pose to your environment. A more mature assessment, like the ones performed by True Digital Security, will categorize them using a framework such as the MITRE ATT&CK framework to provide context into where the identified vulnerabilities could be exploited in the attack chain. This assessment is the best option for organizations that are performing periodic vulnerability scanning but do not have a clear picture on their overall threat profile and how systems and application may be vulnerable.
Penetration Test
A Penetration Test is an assessment that is designed to fully test an environment’s security defenses. The penetration test is intended to test your environment using real attack tools and techniques used by malicious actors. You can expect network identification, vulnerability scanning, and automated and manual exploitation that includes password hash interception, database hardening testing, pass-the-hash, password cracking, vulnerability exploitation, and more. All findings are validated, and exploitation results are included to provide insight into what was done and what level of compromise was possible. The report lists the most critical of the identified vulnerabilities and the dangers/risks they pose to your environment. The narrative section provides a step-by-step review of the process performed by the Red Team and how security flaws were chained together to achieve the goal. Understanding how vulnerabilities can be used together and evaluating their impact to your organization is one of the primary distinctions between a penetration test and a vulnerability assessment or vulnerability scan as neither of them allow for exploitation. Penetration Tests grant a more realistic expectation of what a malicious actor could accomplish within your environment and provide assurance your security defenses are working.
Red Team Engagement
A Red Team Engagement is also known as an “attack simulation” or “adversary emulation”. In these engagements, the TRUE Red Team will take on the role of a malicious attacker with no internal knowledge of the organization and use all the tools/methods that would be used by one. The Red Team would perform external network exploitation and phishing attacks of various types to include malicious attachments and links to credential gathering websites and use the resulting compromise or access to attempt internal vulnerability exploitation and compromise. Physical social engineering or physical penetration tests may be included in these engagements in an effort to gain access to sensitive data via physical facility compromise. While penetration tests are focused primarily on tools and techniques used to compromise networks/systems, and Red Team Engagement is focused on operating within your environment, evading detection, and exfiltrating data. Purple teaming is often associated with attack simulations and is something you should consider during your next engagement. A Purple Team Engagement is simply a Red Team engagement in which TRUE’s Red Team is in constant contact with your organization’s defenders (i.e. the Blue Team). In this way, the Red Team can walk the Blue Team through the attack and determine what the attack looks like from a defensive point of view in real time. Red/Purple Team engagements are most effectively utilized by organizations that have a mature security program with multi-layered security measures and have consistently received clean penetration test reports.
How can we help?
If you need quarterly Vulnerability Scanning, a Vulnerability Assessment, a Penetration Test, a Red/Purple Team Engagement or just want to find out more about our services, we would be happy to help. Request a consultation today! | https://truedigitalsecurity.com/blog/right-penetration-test |
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What Is Vulnerability Assessment?
Vulnerability assessment is an evaluation method that enables organizations to review their systems for potential security weaknesses. It performs a vulnerability analysis process that aims to discover whether the organization is at risk of known vulnerabilities, assigns a level of severity to those vulnerabilities, and recommends whether a threat should be mitigated or remediated.
Vulnerability testing helps organizations discover whether their systems and software have active default settings that are insecure, which can include easily guessable admin passwords. It also assesses vulnerability to code injection attacks, such as Structured Query Language injection (SQLi) and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, and checks for a potential escalation of user privileges or incorrect authentication mechanisms.
Types of Vulnerability Assessments
The most common types of vulnerability assessments that organizations deploy are:
- Network-based scan: Identifies vulnerable systems on organizations’ wired and wireless networks, which could be used to launch security attacks against an organization’s networks.
- Host-based scan: Identifies potential vulnerabilities in hosts connecting to an organization’s network, such as critical servers and workstations. This vulnerability assessment also provides further visibility into configuration settings and the system’s patch history.
- Wireless scan: Typically assesses an organization’s Wi-Fi connections to search for potential rogue access points (APs) and validate whether the network is configured securely.
- Application scan: Tests an organization’s websites to search for known software vulnerabilities and weak configurations in web applications or networks.
- Database scan: Identifies weaknesses in databases and big data systems, such as misconfigurations, rogue databases, or insecure development environments, to protect organizations against potential malicious attacks.
4 Steps of Vulnerability Assessment
Organizations that undergo a vulnerability assessment will follow a four-step process.
However, it is important to remember that a vulnerability assessment is not a one-off activity that organizations forget about when it has been completed. It must be repeated regularly and operationalized by encouraging development, security, and operations teams to cooperate closely with each other—a process called DevSecOps.
Vulnerability Identification
The first step is to create a comprehensive list of vulnerabilities in an organization’s applications, servers, and systems. This is done by either scanning them using specific internet vulnerability assessment tools or by testing them manually. Vulnerability analysts can also use vulnerability databases, vendor announcements, threat intelligence feeds, and asset management systems to identify potential weaknesses.
This first step of the process helps organizations understand the full details. This includes elements like risk appetite and tolerance level, business impact analysis, mitigation practices and policies, countermeasures for devices and services, and residual risk treatment.
Vulnerability Analysis
The second step aims to discover the source and initial cause of the vulnerabilities identified in the first step. The analysis stage identifies the system components responsible for each vulnerability as well as its root cause.
Remediation
The final step in the vulnerability assessment process is to close any security gaps. This is usually a joint effort between the DevSecOps team, which sets out the most effective way to mitigate or remediate each vulnerability discovered. The remediation process includes introducing new cybersecurity measures, procedures, or tools; updating configuration and operational changes; and developing or implementing patches for identified vulnerabilities.
With the process completed, it is also vital for organizations to create a vulnerability assessment report. This needs to include recommendations on how to correct and mitigate vulnerabilities, risk mitigation techniques, and any gaps the assessment uncovers between the results and the organization’s system baseline.
The report needs to include the name of the vulnerabilities, the date they were discovered, and the score attributed based on the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database. It also needs to include a detailed description of vulnerabilities, systems affected, processes required to correct vulnerabilities, and a proof of concept of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Assessment Tools
Organizations can discover new and known vulnerabilities through specific vulnerability assessment tools. They should schedule regular and automated scans of their critical IT systems, and ensure the results of the scans are fed into their ongoing vulnerability assessment operation.
One of the most popular tools for vulnerability assessments is a web application scanner, such as the Fortinet Web Vulnerability Scanner. These tools scan, test, and simulate attack patterns of known vulnerabilities.
Protocol scanners can also be used to assess vulnerabilities. These are specifically designed to search for vulnerable network services, ports, and cybersecurity protocols. The other most common tool for vulnerability assessment purposes is a network scanner, which can be used to visualize organizations’ networks. It is also useful for discovering warning signs of vulnerabilities, such as insecure Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and spoofed or suspicious packet activity.
In addition, organizations should consider using plugins within the vulnerability assessment platform, such as scans of common and popular ports, firewalls, and content management systems (CMS), such as Drupal, Joomla, and WordPress.
How Fortinet Can Help: Vulnerability Assessment and WAF
Fortinet protects organizations and their business-critical applications through its FortiWeb web application firewall (WAF), which was named a Challenger in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for WAFs. Fortinet WAFs provide web applications with protection against attacks that target both known and new, or unknown, vulnerabilities.
The FortiWeb WAFs are particularly crucial to protecting organizations in the face of the ever-evolving threat landscape. Every time organizations deploy new web application features, update existing features, or expose new application programming interfaces (APIs), their attack surface expands. FortiWeb keeps pace with the expanding threat landscape, ensuring organizations are always protected through advanced features that defend them against known and zero-day threats.
FortiWeb uses an advanced and multi-layered approach that provides protection against high-risk threats, such as the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10. It also uses machine learning to customize protection for each application and ensure robust protection without the time-consuming manual modifications that other solutions require.
This enables the identification of anomalous, benign, and malicious behavior, as well as the capability to block malicious bot activity.
FortiWeb protects business applications wherever they are hosted, with options for hardware appliances, containers, cloud environments, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, and virtual machines. | https://www.fortinet.com/it/resources/cyberglossary/vulnerability-assessment |
Advanced persistent threats, or APTs, are attackers who are well funded and highly skilled and have access to sophisticated tools. In this video, Mike Chapple explains how attackers exploit zero-day vulnerabilities and danger posed by APTs.
- [Announcer] Many attacks take place because an…organization fails to apply security patches leaving them…vulnerable to an attacker who knows how to…exploit a vulnerability.…The fix for that situation is simple.…Organizations should apply security updates as soon as…they are available from operating system and application…vendors to fortify their systems against attack.…Unfortunately, it's not always possible to protect yourself…from every possible vulnerability because not all…vulnerabilities are known.…
Consider, for example, that modern operating systems…literally contain millions of lines of code.…There is no doubt that lurking in that massive amount of…code there are new security vulnerabilities that the…security community simply hasn't discovered yet.…Those vulnerabilities can expose an organization to risk.…When a security researcher discovers a new vulnerability,…they typically handle it in an ethical and…responsible fashion.…This normally means notifying the vendor responsible for the…vulnerability and giving them the opportunity to fix it…
AuthorMike Chapple
Released11/22/2017
- Comparing viruses, worms, and Trojans
- Backdoors and logic bombs
- Understanding the attacker
- Attack types: from denial of service to brute force attacks
- Preventing insider threats
- Wireless attacks
- Understanding cross-site scripting
- Preventing SQL injection
- Social engineering
- Scanning for vulnerabilities
- Penetration testing
- Assessing the impact of vulnerabilities
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
Related Courses
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IT Security Foundations: Core Conceptswith Lisa Bock1h 13m Beginner
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Insights from a Cybersecurity Professionalwith Mike Chapple32m 15s Intermediate
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 47s
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1. Malware
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Looking at advanced malware4m 25s
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Advanced persistent threats3m 40s
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2. Understanding Attackers
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Cybersecurity adversaries4m 11s
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Threat intelligence2m 37s
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3. Understanding Attack Types
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Denial of service attacks4m 25s
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Eavesdropping attacks4m 5s
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Network attacks6m 19s
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Network address spoofing3m 25s
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Password attacks8m 22s
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Watering hole attacks3m 6s
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4. Wireless Attacks
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Wireless eavesdropping4m 36s
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WPA and WPS attacks3m 30s
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Propagation attacks3m 42s
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Disassociation attacks2m 41s
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RFID security2m 56s
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5. Application Attacks
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Application security4m 16s
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Preventing SQL injection5m 7s
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Clickjacking1m 53s
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Overflow attacks3m 25s
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Session hijacking3m 50s
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Malicious add-ons2m 26s
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Code execution attacks3m 2s
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Driver manipulation2m 45s
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Error and exception handling3m 52s
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6. Social Engineering Attacks
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Social engineering5m 31s
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Impersonation attacks4m 45s
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Physical social engineering2m 27s
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7. Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing
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Security assessment tools5m 50s
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Scanning for vulnerabilities5m 35s
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Assessing threats3m 14s
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Threat assessment techniques2m 41s
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Penetration testing3m 56s
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8. Impact of Vulnerabilities
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Vendor vulnerabilities4m 21s
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Memory vulnerabilities4m 9s
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Conclusion
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Next steps42s
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The Importance of Cyber Vulnerability Testing
Businesses in every sector, regardless of size, are facing rising threats in cybersecurity every year. 2020 has so far seen the highest increases and this is why cyber vulnerability testing is so important.
Government figures suggest that nearly half (46%) of the country’s businesses and 26% of charities have reported instances of a cybersecurity breach in the last year alone. If previous trends continue, this percentage is only likely to rise. Of those businesses, it is the largest organisations that have been most highly targeted (75%), but today no business escapes the hackers, and it is up to us to ensure the right protection is in place.
The nature of cyber-attacks has changed over the past few years. For example, malware and other virus-centric attacks have fallen dramatically from 33% in 2017 to 16% while phishing has risen from 72% to 86% (2020). Some industry sectors have increased their ability to detect cyber threats, which could be reflected in the figures according to the experts.
What is cybersecurity?
In basic terms, cybersecurity is the practice of ensuring computers, mobile devices, systems, servers and networks are protected from attacks with malicious intent.
In a business environment, it is essential to employ sufficient protective measures to safeguard not only the systems, but the data contained within them. Since the introduction of GDPR in 2018, this has become even more important, particularly covering the personal information and business data of clients, suppliers and business associates and employees.
An often-overlooked aspect of cybersecurity is the process of destroying historic data that is no longer required. This can include the correct and complete removal of data from old servers or other hardware and devices. A surprising amount of data can be left in places where it can still be accessed and it is critical to ensure that removal of this information is carried out carefully and professionally to avoid this type of breach.
How damaging can a cybersecurity vulnerability be?
A cyber vulnerability can prove costly for businesses of all sizes. According to UK government data, the average cost of cybersecurity breaches during the last 12 months stands at around £3,230 for a small business and rising to an average of £5,220 for larger firms.
Around 1 in 5 businesses that identify a cyber breach experience a negative outcome involving the loss of money or of data. In addition, approximately 2 in 5 (39%) are left with the need for implementing new measures to combat further cyber-attack. This results in a wider negative impact in terms of investment, downtime and disruption to business operations.
For businesses of all sizes, cyber vulnerability testing is quickly becoming a necessity that they can ill afford to do without.
What is cyber vulnerability testing?
Cyber vulnerability testing involves a deliberate, planned cyber attack on a business’ IT systems and network to determine where the vulnerabilities lie. Known as Penetration Testing or Pen Testing in the industry, it can be a valuable exercise in safeguarding the business from future threats.
Penetration testing forms an important part of the security risk assessment for any business, highlighting clear flaws and rooting out subtle vulnerabilities from a hacker’s perspective. The results can then be used to help safeguard IT systems and networks, effectively plugging any gaps left open to attack. Results can also prove vital in terms of assessing where cybersecurity awareness training is needed and provide the basis for the implementation of new standards.
How is it managed?
Firstly, cyber vulnerability testing is defined by the needs of the business or organisation. This can encompass a range of requirements, such as:
- Network security
- Mobile devices (both business and personal)
- Physical security components
- Applications or software
- For cybersecurity training purposes
- Server protocols
- WAF policies
When carrying out testing, J&L will determine the most likely areas of vulnerability that could be open to a breach. Penetration testing also pinpoints what type of information could be valuable to a hacker and why. This is in addition to revealing the likely damage it could lead to and how the system currently works to fend off the potential cyber breach.
There are various levels of cyber vulnerability testing that we use for your business, depending on its needs:
- Internal – to identify potential attack behind the company firewall
- External – to determine the likelihood of an attack on public business assets
- Targeted – working in conjunction with the business IT security team
- Blind – with little information, such as the business name only
- Double-blind – often for training purpose to help the security IT spot an attempted breach
Talk to us about cyber vulnerability testing
J&L work with businesses of all sizes to strengthen cybersecurity at all levels. Since 2004, we have taken a ‘jargon-free’ approach to this complex subject to ensure our clients can truly understand the value of IT security across the business model.
We work closely with your existing IT teams to deliver the most up-to-date testing available. With cyber attacks evolving, we know that you need to stay a step ahead of the hackers. We make sure that you can through the assessment of your security protocols and processes and giving you the right advice and support.
Here at J&L, we understand that the complexities of cybersecurity are far-reaching for businesses of any size. With 2020 so far creating chaos within many industries and thousands of employees working from home, there are growing opportunities for hackers to exploit the vulnerabilities within your network.
Whether you have experienced a security breach or are looking to plug the gaps in your cybersecurity, talk to us about cyber vulnerability testing and let us help. | https://www.jarrettandlam.com/resources/blog/article/the-importance-of-cyber-vulnerability-testing |
In the current technology landscape, as hackers devise increasingly sophisticated methods to target potential flaws of a system, organizations are always at risk of cyberattacks. To mitigate such risks, organizations use vulnerability assessment (VA) as the process of reviewing security threats and the risks such threats pose to the environment.
This allows organizations to remediate weaknesses in infrastructure and application security before threat actors can exploit them. Additionally, by using automated scanning tools to identify and report potential entry points, VulnerabilityAssessment offers deeper insights into the organization’s existing assets and associated threats that can be used for cyber attacks.
This article delves into the importance of vulnerability scanning while highlighting various ways and tools to perform an effective Vulnerability Assessment.
- The Importance of Performing Vulnerability Assessments
- How to Perform a Vulnerability Assessment
- Types of Vulnerability Assessments
- The 6 Steps to Effective Vulnerability Assessment
- The Top Vulnerability Assessment Tools
- Summary
The Importance of Performing Vulnerability Assessments
Vulnerability Assessment employs the scanning of systems, machines and networks to outline a high-level view of an application’s security status. These tools analyze and assess security risks along with offering remediation recommendations. Regular Vulnerability Assessment is essential in modern applications and enterprises for various reasons, including:
Identifying vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them
By providing software teams with information on security posture and weaknesses, likelihood, severity, and effects, Vulnerability Assessment allows organizations to define action paths to mitigate attacks. VA tools also employ a consistent threat detection mechanism that reduces the chances of a threat actor penetrating the application ecosystem. This makes regular vulnerability assessments a great starting point for any organization looking to boost its security stack since it provides an insight into the structural weaknesses of software platforms. Besides this, VA assigns risk levels and priorities to potential threats, allowing security teams to focus on patching software vulnerabilities that add the most value for money.
Evaluating the security performance of third-party solutions
An Application Programming Interface (API) acts as a major entry point for most breaches, making API-integrated third-party vendor solutions a potential security risk. Therefore, the VA process undertakes a third-party risk assessment program that detects, identifies, and classifies third-party plugins’ regulatory and financial risks. A comprehensive vulnerability assessment also includes tools to gain full visibility into third-party risk level to help teams derive efficient threat modelling.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
With the growing cyberattack landscape, there is a consistent rise of regulatory standards that issue guidelines on protecting consumer data and privacy. To meet such mandatory compliances, every software organization must administer appropriate security measures and the right tools to test and evaluate their effectiveness. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is one such standard that helps maintain the policies, technologies and processes to protect sensitive financial data from breaches. In addition, the standard ensures financial institutions understand and implement evaluation procedures to ensure security for financial solutions. Other compliance and regulatory frameworks that necessitate Vulnerability Assessment include:
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- ISO 27001/27002
- Service Organization Control (SOC2), among others
With the right assessment approach, organizations can detect policy and compliance breaches proactively. A thorough policy-level assessment also enables a robust audit framework that ensures application codes are written as per the regulatory guidelines and follow a pre-defined change control.
Mitigating financial risks
A successful security breach often costs the company time, money and labour. Once a threat actor has infiltrated a system, they could make its services unavailable, cutting off the organization’s revenue streams and causing considerable damage to reputation. Additionally, hackers aim to destabilize infrastructure, which costs money to bring back up. VulnerabilityAssessments pre-empt such cyber attack, saving costs, confidential business data and, more importantly, the organization’s long-standing reputation.
Proof of system security for end-users
With a proper Vulnerability Assessment, an organization can maintain an up-to-date inventory of every component in the application’s ecosystem and the cyber risks associated with each. While this allows software teams to debug, patch or reconfigure assets, it also gives end-users confidence that their data is kept confidential. This also protects the organization from regulatory penalties enforced through cybersecurity frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) act.
How to Perform a Vulnerability Assessment
The technical Vulnerability Assessment process typically follows a 4-step cycle: Testing, Analysis, Risk Evaluation and Resolution. Each potential vulnerability is sequentially identified, tested, evaluated and given a priority score based on several factors, including:
- The components it affects
- The data compromised
- The likelihood and ease of a hack
- How Severe the attack can be
- Potential losses that could arise from the vulnerability
After assessing and prioritizing the risk, the team determines the most appropriate path to mitigate the threat and closes the security gap.
An organization can typically perform assessments in two ways: Internally or Externally. Internal vulnerability scans are performed with full access to the network running the application being scanned. These are commonly thorough in-house vulnerability scans that highlight the complete landscape of an application’s security vulnerabilities. On the other hand, an external vulnerability scan is performed to test penetration outside the system’s network. These scans typically uncover the ports exposed to the internet and are mostly used to examine how strong and secure externally facing services are.
Types of Vulnerability Assessments
Vulnerability Assessment varies depending on the system component that is scanned for potential weaknesses. Though approaches to vulnerability analysis differ for different organizations, the following are the five commonly used assessment models:
Network-Based Vulnerability Assessment
Network-Based vulnerability scans probe geographically distributed machines and applications to detect security gaps in networks and communication systems. Network vulnerability testing tasks include:
- Detecting and prioritizing network threats
- Analyzing networking devices for compromised passwords
- Reviewing the system’s strength against common attacks
Network-based vulnerability assessment tools use automated capabilities such as Stack Fingerprinting to identify consistent properties of the networking stack in a remote host.
Some popular network-based vulnerability scanners include:
- SolarWinds Network Configuration Management (NCM)
- Retina
- CyberCop Scanner
- Nessus Professional
- SyxSense Secure
- Intruder Vulnerability Scanner
Application Scanning
These tools are used to detect incorrect configurations and open common vulnerabilities within the web and mobile applications. The scanner analyzes the application’s code against a database of manifested vulnerabilities and establishes how secure an application is. To ensure a Vulnerability Assessment comprises vulnerabilities arising from updates and application changes, it is recommended as a best practice that application scanning is performed after every such change.
Application Scanning is broadly categorized into:
Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
SAST models on a multiform of Source Code Analysis, Binary Analysis, and White Box Testing Techniques. At a glance, SAST tools examine an application’s source code for security vulnerabilities, usually before the code is pushed to production. For example, through Static Analysis, SAST involves testing static code for defects as input validation, race conditions, numerical errors, and more. On the other hand, Binary Analysis tests code defects that are already built and compiled.
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
Commonly referred to as Black Box Testing, DAST involves Vulnerability Scanning tools within a compiled code. These tools test an application from an outsider’s perspective with limited to no knowledge of the written source code. DAST tools simulate the action of an attack vector while testing the application during runtime to uncover potential security loopholes. DAST tools explore a wide range of vulnerabilities including, memory corruption, cross-site request forgery, remote file inclusion, buffer overflow, and denial-of-service.
Host Scanning
Host-based scanners detect and analyze weaknesses in machines such as workstations, servers, and other network hosts. These scanners use a manager/agent structure to scan and report how the system complies with organization-wide security standards.
Some popular host scanning solutions include:
Database Scanning
The database represents the most crucial layer of an IT infrastructure that remains a prime target for threat actors. Database vulnerability scanners audit database security, helping teams to assess risks in the data layer and prioritize identified risks for remediation. These tools identify default vendor accounts, misconfigurations, missing patches, excessive privileges and other external database threats.
Wireless Network Scanning
On account of the rise of IoT devices and Wireless Networks (WLAN), there is an emerging trend of attackers exploiting compromised wireless networks to infiltrate a system. To help mitigate such attacks, wireless network scanning tools test connections between different devices connected to the system and identify susceptible entry points. While using such security tools, organizations can simulate cyberattacks and devise techniques to deal with threats as they arrive.
The 6 Steps to Effective Vulnerability Assessment
The Vulnerability Assessment (VA) approach follows a sequence of steps to provide administrators helpful insights on possible security threats. The steps typically involve:
Planning
As the first step, the planning phase involves characterising system components by defining their risk and critical value. In this phase, software teams achieve details of the critical business factors that drive the organization’s security landscape, such as:
- The Firm’s risk appetite
- Migration practices and policies for all devices
- Residual treatment of risk
- Countermeasures for device vulnerabilities
- An analysis of the business impact
Scanning
This step involves using automated vulnerability scanning tools or manual processes (such as penetration testing) to identify vulnerabilities within the entire tech stack. Scanning tools rely on security vulnerability databases and threat intelligence to point out unusual patterns in systems. This phase also relies on advanced analytics and security protocols to identify system weaknesses and susceptible entry points.
Analysis
Once threats are identified, those are examined and assessed to establish the possible root causes. While doing so, software teams identify the infrastructure components responsible for vulnerabilities and where the threat is bound to arise. As part of a comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment, a diligent analysis is a huge factor when determining the most suitable path for remediation.
Remediation
This step combines the efforts of DevOps teams and security experts to determine the best threat mitigation method. Remediation mostly include tasks, such as:
- Introducing new security measures
- Updating application configurations
- Implementing a vulnerability patch
Reporting & Documentation
This is one of the crucial phases of the vulnerability management chain that proactively adds value to remediation recommendations. The VA report boosts scanner recommendations by including data from the initial assessment. The same report also structures the information processed by VA scanners so that future users can easily comprehend and take countermeasures to mitigate cyber risks.
Repetition
Cyberattack vectors consistently conceive new methods to penetrate systems and networks. This requires VulnerabilityAssessment to be a Continuous Process – which is equally innovative and performed regularly to allow software teams to do efficient threat modelling while calculating the robustness of their security systems. Additionally, VA should be repeatedly carried out after every system upgrade or configuration change as a thumb rule.
The Top Vulnerability Assessment Tools
With an increased focus on cybersecurity and threat intelligence, many third-party solution vendors offer managed vulnerability assessment solutions. Read more about choosing and implementing a vulnerability assessment tool here.
Some of the most popular VA tools include:
This is a popular commercial-grade security issues automated vulnerability assessment tool that offers advanced crawling to detect vulnerabilities within applications. By seamlessly integrating into the application’s development pipeline, Crashtest Security combines high-grade, industry-standard scanning power with a user-friendly interface for efficient application and API testing.
Comodo HackerProof
The platform uses a daily security vulnerability scanning schedule to detect security threats and assure users that the web application meets security standards. In addition, Comodo HackerProof provides a Trustmark that can be displayed on a website to increase user confidence. As an additional feature, the HackerProof Trustmark provides real-time scanning information, helping users get more confidence and trust in the web application.
IBM QRadar Security Intelligence
The IBM QRadar platform offers a single pane of glass for security teams to get performance insights of applications running on multiple platforms. The system leverages Artificial Intelligence to identify and prioritize potential data breaches, reducing analysis time by up to 50%. Besides this, IBM QRadar leverages a closed-loop feedback mechanism to automate the mitigation process.
SolarWinds NCM
The SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is an automated network configuration management and backup solution that saves time and reduces labour costs while maintaining compliance standards. For Vulnerability Assessment, the platform offers network scanning and discovery to maintain updated information on all network devices.
Some key features of SolarWinds NCM include:
- Network compliance and automation
- Vulnerability Assessment
- Configuration Backup
- Network Insights
- Integrated Network Performance Monitor
Summary
Given that up to 60% of breaches in modern systems involve unpatched security gaps and unidentified entry points, vulnerability assessment is an essential practice to safeguard an organization’s cybersecurity landscape.
Furthermore, as regular assessments help organizations harden critical systems and ensure compliance with data protection regulations, organizations improvise risk mitigation while keeping operations unimpacted and efficient.
Do you want to run automated vulnerability testing on your web app or API Now? Then, register to Crashtest Security and assess your vulnerabilities here. No hustle, no credit card required – you can set it up in minutes. | https://crashtest-security.com/vulnerability-assessment-guide/ |
Cybercrime is one of the most intrusive threats in Australia. It is also the most significant threat that impacts individuals and businesses. This fact was highlighted in the ACSC annual cyber threat report from July 2019 to June 2020.
Malicious cyber incidents are increasing in frequency, scale, and sophistication. Phishing and spear-phishing remain two of the most common ways in which hackers gain access to networks. Ransomware, too, has become a significant threat to business and government operations.
The severity of cyberattacks is increasing because of our growing dependence on technology. The evolving nature of cyberattacks and threat actors also add more weight to cybersecurity. As we transition into a digital economy, we need to update our safeguards against cyber threats.
No entity wants to expose themselves to cyber risks. The best way to protect against cyber risks is to invest in prevention. This is better than remediation. One way to achieve this is by conducting routine cybersecurity vulnerability testing.
Let’s find out how.
Cybersecurity vulnerability testing is usually the first step in penetration testing. It is the process of evaluating security risks in software systems to reduce the probability of threats.
The goal, here, is to reduce unauthorised access to systems and networks. It also identifies gaps or weaknesses in any internal security control that may violate the system’s security policy.
Cybersecurity vulnerability testing identifies and ranks the vulnerabilities in your system before someone can exploit them. Today, it is a useful way to detect and resolve security issues.
In this process, operating systems, application software, and networks are scanned. This ensures that you identify vulnerabilities, including inappropriate software design and insecure authentication across your organisation.
There are a few steps to performing cybersecurity vulnerability testing.
Step 1: Commit to risk identification and analysis
First, list out all assets that are a part of your company’s information system. This will allow you to assign risks to each asset to account for situations that may arise.
Step 2: Conduct vulnerability scanning
Ensure all policies and procedures have an owner responsible for the content. In this process, you may have to make sure these are approved by senior management before they take effect.
Step 3: Identify the types of vulnerability scans that will be used
This depends on the software that is running on the system you need to scan and secure. Determine the type of scan you will use to achieve the most accurate results. These may include elements like networks and applications.
Step 4: Configure the scans
For this step, add a list of target IPs, define port ranges and protocols, and define targets. You must also set up the aggressiveness of the scans, the time, and the notifications.
Step 5: Perform the testing
The tool used for cybersecurity vulnerability testing will fingerprint the specified targets. This is to gather basic information. The tool will then itemise the targets for more detailed specifications, which include the ports and services that are running.
Step 6: Evaluate and consider possible risks
The risks associated with performing vulnerability testing depends on the availability of the target system. Sometimes, the links and connections cannot handle the traffic load generated by the testing. This can cause the remote target to shut down and become unavailable.
Step 7: Interpret the results of the cybersecurity vulnerability testing
Prioritise a public exploit for any vulnerabilities found on your system. In comparison, other vulnerabilities may be exploitable with greater effort.
Step 8: Create a remediation and mitigation plan
Prioritise mitigating each vulnerability identified in your results. This is when IT and information security staff work closely with each other. This streamlines the resolution and remediation process.
Cybersecurity vulnerability testing is a complex and ongoing process. Seek the expertise of cybersecurity professionals to perform these scans for a successful vulnerability management strategy.
Get in touch with our team at Triskele Labs and find out how we help you carry out vulnerability testing to contribute to the success of your company’s cybersecurity programme. | https://www.triskelelabs.com/blog/how-to-perform-and-manage-cybersecurity-vulnerability-testing |
Cybersecurity Threat Advisory: Threat actors targeting VoIP provides with DDoS attacks
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Up to 5 vulnerabilities were uncovered within the use of the TLS protocol in multiple models of the Aruba and Avaya Network switches. These vulnerabilities, if exploited, can provide threat actors remote access to enterprise networks and to transfer confidential...
Cybersecurity Threat Advisory: Apache CouchDB critical vulnerability
Apache has released a patch for a critical remote privilege escalation vulnerability in Apache CouchDB 3.2.1 protocol. This vulnerability, if not patched, can allow threat actors to execute code on a targeted server or client without being authenticated. Barracuda MSP...
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Cybersecurity Threat Advisory: GitLab vulnerability could allow account takeover
GitLab released an advisory on Thursday, March 31st regarding a new critical vulnerability found in their product, currently being tracked as CVE-2022-1162. This vulnerability can lead to vulnerable account takeover when exploited. GitLab has released a security patch, and Barracuda...
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The Log4j vulnerability has recently made headlines around the world. Concerns around this vulnerability center on the fact that an attacker who can control log messages or log message parameters can execute arbitrary code loaded from LDAP servers when message...
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Prepare for the next cyberattack with a cybersecurity checklist
From the supply-chain attack at the beginning of the year, to the ransomware attack that took down a major pipeline in the United States, cyberattacks have been doing significant damage in recent times. Now, the latest supply-chain attack that some...
Remote work cybersecurity: Choosing between VPN and ZTNA
With many businesses accepting remote and hybrid work models, businesses are now looking to MSPs to evaluate the long-term sustainability of their existing cybersecurity infrastructure to ensure their businesses are protected. For many, this means turning from existing cybersecurity protections... | https://smartermsp.com/author/dorisau/ |
The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, this week urged customers who are using the Firefox browser to upgrade to version 72.0.1, as there is a major vulnerability in older versions of the Firefox browser.
Mozilla has warned Firefox users to update their browser to the latest version after security researchers found a vulnerability that hackers were actively exploiting in “targeted attacks” against users.
But Qihoo did not say precisely how the bug was exploited, who the attackers were, or who was targeted.
Browser vulnerabilities are a hot commodity in security circles as they can be used to infect vulnerable computers — often silently and without the user noticing — and be used to deliver malware or ransomware. Browsers are also a target for nation states and governments and their use of surveillance tools, known as network investigative techniques — or NITs. These vulnerability-exploiting tools have been used by federal agents to spy on and catch criminals. But these tools have drawn ire from the security community because the feds’ failure to disclose the bugs to the software makers could result in bad actors exploiting the same vulnerabilities for malicious purposes.
Mozilla issued the security advisory for Firefox 72, which had only been out for two days before the vulnerability was found.
Homeland Security’s cyber advisory unit, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, also issued a security warning, advising users to update to Firefox 72.0.1, which fixes the vulnerability. Little information was given about the bug, only that it could be used to “take control of an affected system.”
Firefox users can update their browser from the settings.
Mozilla released Firefox 72.0.1 on Wednesday to address a security issue that allows malicious entities to run unauthorized code on a target computer through a webpage, letting them take control of an affected system. From Mozilla:
Incorrect alias information in IonMonkey JIT compiler for setting array elements could lead to a type confusion. We are aware of targeted attacks in the wild abusing this flaw.
As the above quote states, there are known targeted attacks exploiting this flaw, which means it’s important for all Firefox users to upgrade, including enterprise users.
The vulnerability was first discovered by Chinese company Qihoo 360 two days after the release of Firefox 72, but there is no word on how long the bug has been exploited nor who used the vulnerability or who might have been targeted. This is the third zero-day vulnerability that Mozilla has addressed within the last year, with the company patching two other major vulnerabilities in June 2019. | https://virtualattacks.com/u-s-department-of-homeland-security-urges-firefox-users-to-install-update-amid-active-attack/ |
The Threat: Website and Web Application Security Risks
Attacks against web applications constitute more than 60% of the total attack attempts observed on the Internet. These vulnerabilities are being exploited widely to convert trusted web sites into malicious websites serving content that contains client-side exploits.
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Are your web servers vulnerable to attack?
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Could an attacker obtain credit card or other information from your back end server?
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Could your web server be used as an entrance point to get deeper into your network?
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Is your web site vulnerable to cross-site scripting or SQL injection?
How do you answer these questions?
The Solution: A Website and Web Application Penetration Test
Website, Web Server and Web Application Penetration Testing Methodology
Our website and web application penetration testing services are conducted by skilled professionals using the latest tools, best practice and our own proprietary testing techniques.
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The majority of the exercise is a manual process involving multiple phases, each tailored to the nature and purpose of your application.
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Whilst automated software forms part of our toolset, we believe there is no substitute for an intelligent, experienced and informed approach using skills honed over many years and hundreds of tests.
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Initially the application will be tested from an unauthenticated (anonymous) perspective to simulate an opportunistic attack. This phase will reveal vulnerabilities typically associated with misconfigurations and issues such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
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We will then conduct a series of detailed, creative tests using valid credentials. These tests will disclose deeper problems such as business logic errors, authentication defects, and privilege escalation (whether a user can access another account, or gain administrative access to part or all of the application).
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We will also conduct a vulnerability scan the underlying web server platform for flaws that may not be apparent at the application layer.
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All identified vulnerabilities are verified to remove false positives and are exploited to demonstrate the real risks and impact of an attack.
Our test methodology has been informed by:
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The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
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The ISO 27001 standard, particularly the sections relating to publicly available information
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Guidance offered by manufacturers and trusted third parties
Our technical approach focuses on these key areas: | https://www.krygernv.com/web-and-application-pentesting |
A penetration test, occasionally pentest, is a method of evaluating the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack from malicious outsiders (who do not have an authorized means of accessing the organization’s systems) and malicious insiders (who have some level of authorized access).
The process involves an active analysis of the system for any potential vulnerabilities that could result from poor or improper system configuration, both known and unknown hardware or software flaws, or operational weaknesses in process or technical countermeasures.
This analysis is carried out from the position of a potential attacker and can involve active exploitation of security vulnerabilities.
Security issues uncovered through the penetration test are presented to the system’s owner. Effective penetration tests will couple this information with an accurate assessment of the potential impacts to the organization and outline a range of technical and procedural countermeasures to reduce risks.
Penetration tests are valuable for several reasons:
- Determining the feasibility of a particular set of attack vectors
- Identifying higher-risk vulnerabilities that result from a combination of lower-risk vulnerabilities exploited in a particular sequence
- Identifying vulnerabilities that may be difficult or impossible to detect with automated network or application vulnerability scanning software
- Assessing the magnitude of potential business and operational impacts of successful attacks
- Testing the ability of network defenders to successfully detect and respond to the attacks
- Providing evidence to support increased investments in security personnel and technology
White, Black or Gray box
Penetration tests can be conducted in several ways. The most common difference is the amount of knowledge of the implementation details of the system being tested that are available to the testers. Black box testing assumes no prior knowledge of the infrastructure to be tested. The testers must first determine the location and extent of the systems before commencing their analysis.
At the other end of the spectrum, white box testing provides the testers with complete knowledge of the infrastructure to be tested, often including network diagrams, source code, and IP addressing information. There are also several variations in between, often known as grey box tests. Penetration tests can also be described as “full disclosure” (white box), “partial disclosure” (grey box), or “blind” (black box) tests based on the amount of information provided to the testing party.
The relative merits of these approaches are debated. Black box testing simulates an attack from someone who is unfamiliar with the system. White box testing simulates what might happen during an “inside job” or after a “leak” of sensitive information, where the attacker has access to source code, network layouts, and possibly even some passwords.
The services offered by penetration testing firms span a similar range, from a simple scan of an organization’s IP address space for open ports and identification banners to a full audit of source code for an application.
Information Leak
Information Leak is an application weakness where an application reveals sensitive data, such as technical details of the web application, environment, or user-specific data. Sensitive data may be used by an attacker to exploit the target web application, its hosting network, or its users. Therefore, leakage of sensitive data should be limited or prevented whenever possible. Information Leakage, in its most common form, is the result of one or more of the following conditions: A failure to scrub out HTML/Script comments containing sensitive information, improper application or server configurations, or differences in page responses for valid versus invalid data.
We test for OWASP Top 10 in order to offer your company the best possible protection.
OWASP Top 10 searches for the following vulnerabilities: | https://www.esec.rs/en/penetration-testing/ |
Whether an organisation is small or large, public or private, it is likely to hold information that if compromised could cause harm to staff, customers and the organisation’s reputation.
Weaknesses in internet facing networks and applications can occur due to poorly patched, configured or unsupported systems. Where these vulnerabilities occur, it increases the possibility that they may be exploited by malicious attackers to compromise or steal data. Therefore, it is essential to identify these weaknesses and understand how they can be remediated to defend against damaging attacks.
Regular penetration testing, particularly after the introduction of new functionality or infrastructure is an essential facet of security best practice. Periodic penetration tests improve security and minimise the chance of cyber attacks.
The Service
Penetration testing identifies security vulnerabilities within computer systems, networks or web applications and exploits these to ethically imitate a real-world hack.
It is an effective way of testing the security controls in place and whether they are adequately protecting systems and sensitive data.
External network and web application tests are performed over the internet, and can be carried out remotely.
Using a mixture of tools and manual processes, depending on whether targets are at the infrastructure or application layers, we check for weaknesses such as:
- Network vulnerabilities
- Network architecture and the use of security zones
- Web browsing controls
- Firewall configuration and segregation of zones
- Software vulnerabilities at the infrastructure and server level
- Business Logic vulnerabilities
- Input validation issues
- SQL Injection, cross-site scripting and all OWASP top 10 vulnerabilities
- Access control & authentication issues
- Password strength and susceptibility to brute-force attacks
- Session management vulnerabilities
Our experienced and specialist security consultants carry out the testing, analyse results and provide a tailored report with the issues identified, ranked in order of priority with practical remedial actions and recommendations. Additionally, we discuss the key findings with clients to ensure the impact of our findings are fully understood and where necessary provide further details.
This service can be carried out remotely. | https://bhconsulting.ie/cybersecurity/penetration-testing/ |
Last week in security news, a U.S. company announced that its penetration tool had incorporated a fully working exploit for the BlueKeep vulnerability. This discovery came around the same time that researchers observed a new version of a cryptocurrency-mining botnet using a BlueKeep RDP protocol vulnerability scanner module. Plenty of other malware- and ransomware-related stories broke during the week as well.
On July 23, Immunity Inc. announced that it had integrated a fully functional BlueKeep exploit into its CANVAS v7.23 penetration testing toolkit. This development made it possible for pen testers to begin abusing the BlueKeep module to open a shell on infected remotes and thereby achieve remote code execution (RCE).
According to ZDNet, the creation of the new module marked the first time that a BlueKeep exploit became available to even a limited audience. The availability of the exploit wasn’t extensive at the time of its release, since licenses for CANVAS range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Even so, ZDNet noted that digital attackers are known to pirate or outright purchase penetration testing software to give an edge to their future attack campaigns.
Source: iStock
A couple of months before news of the first BlueKeep exploit became available, Microsoft didn’t mince words in urging system admins to patch vulnerable machines. The company explained that the threat level was too great to do nothing:
“…the vulnerability is ‘wormable’, meaning that any future malware that exploits this vulnerability could propagate from vulnerable computer to vulnerable computer in a similar way as the WannaCry malware spread across the globe in 2017. While we have observed no exploitation of this vulnerability, it is highly likely that malicious actors will write an exploit for this vulnerability and incorporate it into their malware.”
To defend against BlueKeep-based attacks, security professionals need to embrace a comprehensive vulnerability management program through which they can prioritize known weaknesses and focus their patching efforts. Toward that end, organizations should break down cybersecurity silos so that IT and security professionals can work together to defend against vulnerabilities such as BlueKeep.
David Bisson is an infosec news junkie and security journalist. He works as Contributing Editor for Graham Cluley Security News and Associate Editor for Trip...
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Analysis and insights from hundreds of the brightest minds in the cybersecurity industry to help you prove compliance, grow business and stop threats. | https://securityintelligence.com/news/weekly-security-news-roundup-us-company-selling-fully-working-bluekeep-exploit/ |
When assessing cybersecurity, you'll inevitably come across vulnerabilities and threats. And while they can seem like the same thing, they're pretty different. Related, sure, but different nonetheless.
A threat is an active danger poised against your business, a hacker or malware that is trying to break through your defenses. A vulnerability, on the other hand, is a weakness that can be exploited by a threat.
Generally, it can seem more pressing to invest in solutions that address threats while overlooking vulnerabilities. However, in this post, we're going to explore why vulnerability management matters and how you can begin implementing it throughout your business.
What is vulnerability management?
Let's start by defining what vulnerability management is.
Vulnerability management is the practice of identifying, classifying, remediating, and mitigating vulnerabilities. It is a continuous process that should be incorporated into an organization's overall security posture.
A key word in this definition is "remediation". Vulnerability management isn't just about finding potential vulnerabilities but taking steps to remove them.
This is critical, as each vulnerability that you remove is a threat that you've stopped. Working to remove these vulnerabilities is an excellent proactive strategy and will do just as much to protect your business as threat response systems.
The 5 stages of vulnerability management
While your vulnerability management might not look like the process your peers use, there is an overall process that most businesses implement. It's a five-stage process --- and one that we'll break down for you now.
Step 1. Assess
The first step in vulnerability management is to assess your current cybersecurity measures. Here, you or (more often) a third-party service will perform penetration testing on your systems. This will help make you aware of where your vulnerabilities lie.
Step 2. Prioritize
Next, you'll need to prioritize these vulnerabilities. Which are the most critical, which are the least critical, and in what order are you going to work to address them? This ensures that each threat is handled in the appropriate way and timeframe.
Step 3. Act
After you've spotted and prioritized your vulnerabilities, it's time to start acting to remove them. Here, your IT team will deploy patches, invest in new services, and otherwise take measures to make sure that the vulnerability is gone or at the very least unable to be exploited.
Step 4. Reassess
The fourth step in the vulnerability management process is reassessment. During this step, your business should be doing another cycle of checks and testing to make sure that the vulnerability has truly been addressed. If not, then it's on to step five.
Step 5. Improve
Step five is, of course, improving. If your vulnerabilities haven't been fixed during step three, then you need to engage in more action to solve the underlying issue.
And if you have solved your vulnerabilities, then you may want to look at the bigger picture and understand how these vulnerabilities arose. If you can understand how and where they came from, you can take additional measures to prevent future challenges.
Vulnerability management tools
Now that we've covered the process of vulnerability management, it's time to look at the specific tools that are going to carry you through that process. While you don't have to have all of these tools at work, using a combination of them is the best route to take.
Look for weak points --- vulnerability scanners and penetration testing
Identifying vulnerabilities can be done in a number of ways, but the most common method is to use a vulnerability scanner.
These scanners look at your network's endpoints (which include devices like laptops, servers, routers, modems, etc.) and search for potential weaknesses. That could be holes in your security, missing patch updates, and various other vulnerabilities.
Another rock-solid tool for assessing your business's vulnerability management is penetration testing. Penetration testing is a service typically offered by a security provider. It involves attacking your business's network and assets in a safe, controlled way. If the provider is able to break through your defenses, then you know you need to make a change.
Receive crucial data --- BAS tools and vulnerability assessments
Breach and Attack Simulation tools, also known as BAS tools, are similar to penetration testing, albeit a bit more automated. They probe your network for weaknesses and then provide solutions to compensate for those weaknesses.
Another important aspect of vulnerability management is assessing the risk posed by each vulnerability. This is typically done with a vulnerability assessment tool. These tools provide a way to prioritize vulnerabilities based on their risk.
Vulnerability assessments are one of the most holistic tools for approaching your vulnerability management. They look at your overall security posture and see where you stand. They also spot vulnerabilities and help you prioritize how to address those vulnerabilities.
Bring security up to speed --- patch management
Once vulnerabilities have been identified and prioritized, they need to be remediated. This is typically done with patch management --- the process of installing security updates to fix vulnerabilities.
Generally speaking, it falls on your business rather than a provider to initiate patch management, though it can be outsourced. Patch management is all about coming up with the technical, deployable solutions that are going to secure your business.
So after you've gone through and identified all of the weak points in your business's security, you initiate patch management and start closing those weak points. Then, periodically, you repeat the process from scratch, finding new weaknesses and addressing them once again with patch management.
Vulnerability management is just one part of an overall security strategy
While vulnerability management is an important component of your overall security strategy, it should be just one part of a larger whole. To better round out your approach and keep your business and its customers safe, you'll need to invest in more security tools.
Samurai XDR automatically guards your endpoints, looking for potential threats 24/7. Reach out to our team today and start exploring your security options.
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IT components such as operating systems, application software, and even networks, have many vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities are open to compromise or exploitation. This creates the possibility for penetration into the systems that may result in unauthorized access and a compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets.
Vulnerability tests are performed to identify vulnerabilities while penetration tests are conducted to check the following:
- The possibility of compromising the systems such that the established access control mechanisms may be defeated and unauthorized access is gained
- The systems can be shut down or overloaded with malicious data using techniques such as DoS attacks, to the point where access by legitimate users or processes may be denied
Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing processes are like IT audits. Therefore, it is preferred that they are performed by third parties.
The primary purpose of vulnerability and penetration tests is to identify, evaluate, and mitigate the risks due to vulnerability exploitation.
Vulnerability assessment
Vulnerability assessment is a process in which the IT systems such as computers and networks, and software such as operating systems and application software are scanned in order to indentify the presence of known and unknown vulnerabilities.
Vulnerabilities in IT systems such as software and networks can be considered holes or errors.
These vulnerabilities are due to improper software design, insecure coding, or both. For example, buffer overflow is a vulnerability where the boundary limits for an entity such as variables and constants are not properly defined or checked. This can be compromised by supplying data which is greater than what the entity can hold. This results in a memory spill over into other areas and thereby corrupts the instructions or code that need to be processed by the microprocessor.
When a vulnerability is exploited it results in a security violation, which will result in a certain impact. A security violation may be an unauthorized access, escalation of privileges, or denial-of-service to the IT systems.
Tools are used in the process of identifying vulnerabilities. These tools are called vulnerability scanners. A vulnerability scanning tool can be a hardware-based or software application.
Generally, vulnerabilities can be classified based on the type of security error. A type is a root cause of the vulnerability.
Vulnerabilities can be classified into the following types:
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Access Control Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to the lack of enforcement pertaining to users or functions that are permitted, or denied, access to an object or a resource.
Examples:
Improper or no access control list or table
No privilege model
Inadequate file permissions
Improper or weak encoding
Security violation and impact:
Files, objects, or processes can be accessed directly without authenticationor routing.
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Authentication Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to inadequate identification mechanisms so that a user or a process is not correctly identified.
Examples:
Weak or static passwords
Improper or weak encoding, or weak algorithms
Security violation and impact:
An unauthorized, or less privileged user (for example, Guest user), or a less privileged process gains higher privileges, such as administrative or root access to the system
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Boundary Condition Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to inadequate checking and validating mechanisms such that the length of the data is not checked or validated against the size of the data storage or resource.
Examples:
Buffer overflow
Overwriting the original data in the memory
Security violation and impact:
Memory is overwritten with some arbitrary code so that is gains access to programs or corrupts the memory. This will ultimately crash the operating system. An unstable system due to memory corruption may be exploited to get command prompt, or shell access, by injecting an arbitrary code
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Configuration Weakness Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to the improper configuration of system parameters, or leaving the default configuration settings as it is, which may not be secure.
Examples:
Default security policy configuration
File and print access in Internet connection sharing
Security violation and impact:
Most of the default configuration settings of many software applications are published and are available in the public domain. For example, some applications come with standard default passwords. If they are not secured, they allow an attacker to compromise the system. Configuration weaknesses are also exploited to gain higher privileges resulting in privilege escalation impacts.
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Exception Handling Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to improper setup or coding where the system fails to handle, or properly respond to, exceptional or unexpected data or conditions.
Example:
SQL Injection
Security violation and impact:
By injecting exceptional data, user credentials can be captured by an unauthorized entity
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Input Validation Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to a lack of verification mechanisms to validate the input data or contents.
Examples:
Directory traversal
Malformed URLs
Security violation and impact:
Due to poor input validation, access to system-privileged programs may be obtained.
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Randomization Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to a mismatch in random data or random data for the process. Specifically, these vulnerabilities are predominantly related to encryption algorithms.
Examples:
Weak encryption key
Insufficient random data
Security violation and impact:
Cryptographic key can be compromised which will impact the data and access security.
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Resource Vulnerabilities
It is an error due to a lack of resources availability for correct operations or processes.
Examples:
Memory getting full
CPU is completely utilized
Security violation and impact:
Due to the lack of resources the system becomes unstable or hangs. This results in a denial of services to the legitimate users.
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State Error
It is an error that is a result of the lack of state maintenance due to incorrect process flows.
Examples:
Opening multiple tabs in web browsers
Security violation and impact:
There are specific security attacks, such as Cross-site scripting (XSS), that will result in user-authenticated sessions being hijacked.
Information security professionals need to be aware of the processes involved in identifying system vulnerabilities. It is important to devise suitable countermeasures, in a cost effective and efficient way, to reduce the risk factor associated with the identified vulnerabilities. Some such measures are applying patches supplied by the application vendors and hardening the systems. | https://hub.packtpub.com/cissp-vulnerability-and-penetration-testing-access-control/ |
BI.ZONE LLC (hereinafter referred to as BI.ZONE) is committed to protecting your privacy and takes its responsibilities regarding the security of information being handled very seriously.
This Cyber Security Policy explains the measures we apply to protect your data on the Def.Zone Cloud Cybersecurity Services Platform (hereinafter referred to as Def.Zone) and for the company as a whole.
Basics Cybersecurity Principles
At BI.ZONE, the core principle of the cybersecurity management process is continuous improvement, consisting of the following stages:
Planning. We regularly assess BI.ZONE's cybersecurity risks and, based on the results of this assessment, plan the necessary protective measures.
Execution. We use our protection system to neutralise cybersecurity risks that have been identified as relevant to the company.
Audit. We regularly test and review our security system.
Improvement. We continuously improve our protection system.
Our Security Team
To ensure best quality services, we dedicate our best BI.ZONE experts with outstanding qualifications.
Their professionalism is evidenced by the following certificates:
Cybersecurity Measures
In ensuring cybersecurity, we are guided by the requirements of Russian legislation, as well as global best practices and industry standards on cybersecurity.
All issues related to cybersecurity are handled by a dedicated cybersecurity task team which engages in the following activities on a regular basis:
Cybersecurity risk analysis. In order to effectively manage cybersecurity and make decisions regarding its measures and implementation, BI.ZONE has adopted a process to manage cybersecurity risks. The main objectives of this process are: to identify the vulnerabilities and threats to company assets, and the probability of them being exploited; to assess the current level of risks and to develop a risk mitigation plan.
Cybersecurity incident management. In order to minimise possible damage from cybersecurity incidents, BI.ZONE has implemented a process for identifying, responding (countering attacks in real time), resolving and analysing the causes of cybersecurity incidents.
Raising awareness in the field of cybersecurity. We regularly educate and test our employees on the rules of working with confidential information as well as on basic rules of cyber hygiene.
Access control. We regularly monitor all users who have access to confidential information on the Def.Zone platform and also use roles delimit access to certain certain information. Thus, a Def.Zone user sees only the information that they actually need. We keep records and control of our employees who have access to confidential information on the Def.Zone platform.
Network security and application protection. All data transmitted between you and Def.Zone is strictly encrypted. In order to protect Def.Zone from malicious activities, computer viruses, Trojans and other malicious software, we use continuous antivirus protection tools as well as several firewall solutions that fully cover the infrastructure of BI.ZONE.
Ensuring cybersecurity at all stages of the life cycle. Our cybersecurity service monitors all upgrades of the Def.Zone platform, thereby minimising the risk of vulnerabilities and errors. We also test and update all components of the Def.Zone platform on a regular basis.
Business continuity management. BI.ZONE has implemented business continuity management processes, thus ensuring a high level of service availability. All data of the Def.Zone platform are backed up frequently. Data backups are stored in a specialised geographically dispersed system.
Monitoring of cybersecurity events. All cybersecurity events occurring on the Def.Zone platform are analysed 24/7 by the Def.Zone's own Security Operations Centre (SOC). SOC processes are certified in accordance with the international standard ISO 27001:2013.
Cybersecurity Audit. We perform automatic vulnerability scanning procedures on an ongoing basis. We also conduct regular internal and external (involving independent teams) cybersecurity audits and penetration tests on the Def.Zone platform. Penetration testing is carried out by a team of specialists certified in accordance with the international standard CREST.
Physical security. All confidential information of the Def.Zone platform is stored in its own secure data processing centres (DPC) located in Russian, which meet the requirements of industry security standards. Access to premises with information systems processing personal data is restricted and regularly monitored by the security services.
Changes
BI.ZONE may make changes to the current Cybersecurity Policy without prior notice. Any changes will take effect from the moment they are published.
Contact Us
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can write to us at [email protected]. | https://def.zone/doc/files/en-us/html/DefZone_CybersecurityPolicy_EN/Def.Zone_Cybersecurity_Policy.html |
Personhood of autonomous systems: Perceived autonomy in computer science
This is the third article in our series on the personhood of autonomous systems. In the first article, we explored the concept of autonomy from legal, philosophical, and technological points of view. We followed this discussion by talking about Kant’s concept of autonomy in the second article. Here, we will make an attempt to understand how autonomy is perceived in the computer science domain.
Autonomy v. Automation
You will often see individuals correlating autonomy with automation. However, both of these mechanisms can be performed separately without human interference. Automation functions without any human intervention, but it is devoid of taking decisions on its own. It will substitute daily actions with software and automated programmes that will require regular checks by human beings out of necessity. On the other hand, autonomy in computer systems intends to follow and match the psychological actions of human beings. The following three factors will characterise autonomy in computer systems:
- Recurrence of communication with human beings required by the machines to perform actions efficiently.
- Competence of machines to perform actions, regardless of natural concerns and human intelligence factors.
- Decisive levels of machines concerning functional decisions for achieving a goal.
Levels of autonomy
Some researchers believe that autonomy in computer science is delegated. With ten levels of autonomy, the difficulty in implementing autonomy increases with the increasing number of levels.
- At level 0, an autonomous device is merely automated.
- From level two to four, the allotment of decision-making competency between machines and humans becomes prominent.
- At level 9, a machine receives the fundamental decision-making powers, with humans having special reserved powers.
- At last, at level 10, a machine becomes completely autonomous.
Autonomy in practice
Autonomous systems are capable of amassing various types of information. This includes techniques to achieve their goals or getting familiar with a dynamic environment without human intervention. In the computer science domain, the theory of autonomy is analogous to the human’s nervous system. Our nervous system manages a wide range of body functions with negligible inputs from us. It is capable of arrangement, development, restoration, and protection on its own. The idea behind autonomous systems is to make them competent to control themselves for performing higher goals than system administrators. Autonomy is often an encouraging advancement to reduce human efforts and capital requirements.
Sooner or later, autonomous systems will become a part of our surroundings. They will accustom themselves to changes in the environment and perform spontaneous actions for accomplishing their tasks. While there have been multiple attempts to evaluate and determine the level of autonomy in AI devices, prospective researchers can still explore this area. One can construe autonomous systems as task-oriented and spontaneous with no supervision by any external agent. Such systems also come with the capability to interact and react based on their previous experiences.
Autonomous systems and legal personality
The legal liability of individuals is not based on strong philosophical grounds such as intent or free will. Certain technical restrains bar the lawmakers from parting away with the traditional concept of what liability consists of. It is imperative to note the distinction between the legal liabilities of individuals and autonomous systems. One practical justification is the non-traceability of such actions to human beings. As such, the liability of individuals becomes irrelevant in the context of autonomous systems. In traditional jurisprudence, there is a necessity of humans behind the veil of legal persons. When it comes down to autonomous systems, we will need real characters. No legal deception here can aid the quest for justice.
At present, the parallels between autonomous systems and legal personality are far from ideal. We need to answer if these autonomous devices can be regarded as authentic operators in the eyes of traditional psychological concepts? Here is an illustration that can help understand the problem.
Consider that there is a co-worker in your office. Their name is X. They come across as a knowledgeable and fun-loving person. They are decent in interaction with people and maintain their composure in difficult situations. Later, you come to know that X is nothing but an autonomous system. The creators have designed it so well that it can encounter all types of communications and provide subsequent responses. The level of sophistication is such that it would never display superiority in front of human beings.
After knowing this fact, will you treat X in the same manner as before? The most likely answer is no. For most of us, X will stop being a legal or moral agent. In other words, it will just be an autonomous system working efficiently with the help of well-defined algorithms.
Endnotes
This illustration of X calls out for a discussion certainly. Humans tend to attribute intentions to inorganic things. However, we are less likely to perceive objects systematically. As children grow old, their instincts of considering machines as alive objects slow down. This further substantiates that autonomous systems may fulfil the requirements of autonomy as perceived in computer science, but they cannot fulfil the requirements of autonomy as promulgated by Kant yet. | https://cyberblogindia.in/personhood-autonomous-systems-perceived-autonomy/ |
Mines Action Canada’s Opening Statement at Convention on Conventional Weapons
Mines Action Canada delivered an opening statement at the Convention on Conventional this afternoon. The text of the statement is available online here.
Opening Statement – Convention on Conventional Weapons 13 April 2015
Thank you Mr.Chair. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of Mines Action Canada. Mines Action Canada is a Canadian disarmament organization that has been working to reduce the impact of indiscriminate weapons for over twenty years. For years we have worked with partners around the world including here at the CCW to respond to the global crisis caused by landmines and cluster munitions. We have seen that the international community can come together to respond to a humanitarian catastrophe and can create international humanitarian law to protect civilians often after the fact due to the changing nature of conflict and technological advances. However, we are here today in an attempt to look forward. We are looking at future weapons that will require new legal instruments to prevent future catastrophes. Throughout this week I hope we will keep my grandmother’s advice in mind: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
As a co-founder of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, Mines Action Canada is very conscious of public opinion concerning autonomous weapons systems. Since last year’s discussions here at the CCW, opposition to autonomous weapons systems has grown in Canada. In addition to our member organizations, academics, parliamentarians, industry, faith communities and members of the general public have expressed concern about the potential humanitarian impacts of autonomous weapons systems. The widespread opposition to this technology indicates that there may be negative consequences for robotics more generally should autonomous weapons systems be used in armed conflict or in other circumstances. The erosion of public trust in robotic systems and autonomy as a result of the use of autonomous weapons systems could severely limit our ability to harness the good that robotics could do for humanity.
In addition to these concerns about the impact on public trust in robotics, we have numerous legal, moral, ethical, technical, military, political and humanitarian concerns about autonomous weapons systems which have led to the conclusion that new international humanitarian law is needed to ensure meaningful human control over these and other weapons. There is a moral imperative to consider the long term effects of the development and deployment of autonomous weapons systems on human society. Proponents of these technologies cite possible battlefield benefits and yet a discussion only dealing with short term or battlefield effects is not enough. We must ask the difficult questions: is it acceptable to cede decisions over life and death in conflict to machines? Who would be accountable for autonomous weapons systems? How can IHL adapt when new technology blurs the line between combatant and weapon?
IHL has demonstrated an ability to adapt and evolve to prevent the development and deployment of new and unnecessarily harmful technology. CCW Protocol IV banning blinding laser weapons is a good example which demonstrates that not only is there a need to add to IHL to address new technology, but also that we can prevent the development and use of weapons before their unacceptable humanitarian consequences create a catastrophe. We have published a memo to delegates which further explores the lessons learned from Protocol IV.
Autonomous weapons systems are not your average new weapon; they have the potential to fundamentally alter the nature of conflict. As a “game-changer” autonomous weapons deserve a serious and in-depth discussion. We hope that this week will see attempts to define meaningful human control and will foster a strong desire to pursue discussions towards a new legal instrument that places meaningful human control at the centre all decisions to use violent force.
Thank you.
Posted on April 13, 2015, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment. | https://stopkillerrobots.ca/2015/04/13/mines-action-canadas-opening-statement-at-convention-on-conventional-weapons/ |
Alex Leveringhaus on Military Drones
Alex Leveringhaus & Tjerk de Greef have written an excellent paper that has got me thinking about the relationship between cognitive engineering, international humanitarian law and drones. He will be presenting his paper at BILETA. There is also a Plenary, which is a must attend event. I thought it a good idea for a couple of us, who have read his paper, to engage with Alex in a series of responses.
Abstract
The paper provides a critical analysis of the arguments made in favour of as well as against operationally autonomous targeting systems. It argues that critics and advocates of these systems both raise important points. However, neither of the two camps, the paper maintains, manages to present an unequivocal case for or against autonomous targeting systems. In response, we outline a more nuanced position that combines elements from both camps. Furthermore, we propose an approach to autonomous weapons systems that transcends the current debate. This approach, we contend, has significant potential to enhance the quality of targeting decisions.
The paper begins by making clear the distinction between moral and operational autonomy. This distinction is critical to appreciating the thrust of the argument (and it also avoids engulfing the discussion with moral and humanitarian law issues):
Playing a major role in contemporary moral and political philosophy, the former concept denotes that an agent is capable of pursuing a conception of the good life based on his/her own reasons and motives, rather than those of another agent.iii By contrast, operational autonomy, with which we are concerned in this paper, denotes that a machine is capable of carrying out specific tasks without a human operator and without being subject to certain regulatory constraints.
Why is this distinction important? One importance of the distinction is to bring to the forefront the role of cognitive engineering. Without delving into the complex aspects of the concept, the authors emphasis on its value to understanding "operational autonomy" appears to focus on the cognitive demands of the war space and its implications for the socio-technical domain incorporating autonomous and human interactions. A system is self-sufficient in the sense of being programmed, let us say, to capture information of the landscape from an aerial viewpoint. The same system may also be built in during the design phase so that we end up with programs that facilitate, what I would describe as overlaying machine autonomy with a human interface:
To use a contemporary example, the Rules of Engagement state that jet fighter pilots are not allowed to use the jet’s fire radar system during the first phase of the information processing loop. During subsequent phases, though, this restriction might be lifted. Similarly, operationally autonomous machines will be subject to specific restrictions at different stages of the information processing loop.
This brief overview is necessary for the conclusions reached by the authors:
Returning to the debate over the role of operational autonomy in targeting systems, we think it is fair to say that critics and advocates of operationally autonomous targeting systems (abbreviated as OATS hereinafter) have in mind systems that (1) are wholly self-sufficient with regard to all four stages of the information processing loop (Self-Sufficiency) and (2) are permitted to apply force to certain targets (Self-Direction). We call these types of targeting systems fully operationally autonomous (we refer to them as OATS+). In this case, human operators are either taken out of the loop or remain on the loop. Yet, since operational autonomy is a matter of degree and therefore highly dependent on the quality of the governing software of a system, there can be OATS that have less than full operational autonomy [see picture 1]. For the sake of simplicity, we continue to refer to less than fully operationally autonomous systems as OATS. With this conceptual background in place, let us now scrutinise some of the arguments that have been made for and against OATS+.
Let us, for present, purposes accept this framing of the debate. In this part, I briefly set out the authors' middle ground which envisages a collaborative cognitive solution. It has one benefit:
This move, we contend, potentially enhances situational understanding and subsequent decision-making. The notion of cooperation between human and artificial agents requires a paradigm shift, from fully autonomous weapons systems to e-Partnership-based systems.xi The concept of e-Partnerships is not entirely new. E-Partnerships are already being prototyped in the domains of health care, space missions, and naval warfare.xii For now, however, we are content with briefly outlining how e-Partnerships might work in the context of OATS.
It is not difficult to see what the authors have in mind and their appreciation of the need to move away from the stark characterisation of the debates on the use of drones in military warfare. As I have interpreted the discussion of the e-Partnership model, I understand the authors as requiring us to engage more fully with the role and value of complex autonomous systems and urging us to be mindful of the need to observe and better understand the situational domain of warfare and the human dimension. I think this is a legitimate goal. The authors have undertaken substantial research before embarking on the "cognitive engineering" route. I think it is right to create a decision making framework which integrates autonomous adaptive capability across the various interpretive domains. There is a less explicit dimension, which I hope to explore more fully with Alex and colleagues, namely, the role on e-Parnership/cognitive engineering in auditing the limits of both humans and autonomous systems. Whether algorithmic decision making can be easily rationalised into moral and operational components is something that I am still a little unsure about. I am also uncertain whether the e-Partnership model can be used to parse the seemingly irreconcilable differences that appear to exist between the "moral" and the "operational" camps. I also think that those who are vehemently opposed to the use of drones in the military theatre space would accept that removing the technological or human operator's shortcomings would readily subscribe to a partnership model, in whatever form. In short, is the e-Partnership model nothing more than an extremely ingenious way of creating a distinction between moral and operational responsibility? My thinking on this is at best fuzzy. As I read media and press accounts of military drones or reports from Human Rights organizations and lawyers, I wonder at what point in time do we cede "responsibility" (which was not defined - and to be fair - not the subject of the paper) to machines. Do we need a sentient being that oversees both autonomous systems and human operators? | http://savirimuthu.co.uk/blog/alex-leveringhaus-military-drones/ |
The first session of the 2019 United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (UN GGE on LAWS) was opened on 25 March 2019 and chaired by Mr Ljupčo Jivan Gjorgjinski (Minister Counsellor, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of North Macedonia). The first part of the meeting was dedicated to the adoption of the agenda, the confirmation of the rules of procedure, and the organisation of the work of the GGE. On the organisation of the work of the GGE, there was a strong proposal for two amendments: first, the removal of the clarifying questions to the agenda item, arguing that this would impact the time available for substantial discussions; and second, the shortening of the time for discussions on the human element. The first amendment was contested by some delegations, with the respective arguments that delegations can be pragmatic and decide when and in which circumstances to address the questions. With regard to the second amendment, other delegations stressed the importance of the human element. Therefore, a longer time is needed for discussing it. There was also a proposal to add a footnote in the organisation of the work, explaining that the clarifying questions are indicative questions from the chair, which are not subject to consensus. The proposal was rejected by one delegation, which suggested inserting the questions in an additional Food for Thought Paper. The chair stressed that this was the initial goal of the questions, which will eventually be discussed in dedicated sessions during the meeting.
The session then moved to item 5(c) Review of the potential military applications of related technologies in the context of the GGE’s work with the guiding questions:
- How and to what extent is human involvement in the use of force currently exercised with existing weapons that employ or can employ autonomy in their critical functions, over different stages of their life cycle?
- How is responsibility ensured for the use of force with existing weapons that employ or can be employed with autonomy in their critical functions? Relevant existing weapons could include types of:
Air defence weapon systems with autonomous modes or functions;
Missiles with autonomous modes or functions;
Active protection weapon systems with autonomous modes or functions;
Loitering weapons with autonomous modes or functions;
Naval or land mines with autonomous modes or functions;
‘Sentry’ weapons with autonomous modes or functions.
Interventions from the delegations were based on the experiences from High Contracting Parties, previous sessions’ written contributions, and the following working papers:
Submitted by the Russian Federation, the paper highlights the benefits of LAWS with regards to the decrease of application of weapons, the increase of accuracy of weapon guidance, and the lowering the rate of unintentional strikes against civilians and civilian items. Furthermore, the Russian Federation underlined the possible uses of LAWS for the destruction of military facilities; protection and safekeeping of critical infrastructure (atomic power plants, dams, bridges, and so on); elimination of terrorist groups; and protection of civilians. Moreover, Russia argued that the existing automated systems used in military apparatus should not fall into a ‘special’ category requiring restrictions or bans. It further argued that it is the degree of automation that allows the system to operate in ‘dynamic combat situations and in various environments while ensuring an adequate level of discrimination and accuracy’. Russia’s position stressed that the compliance to international humanitarian law (IHL) is driven by the degree of automation, existing international frameworks are already applicable and they already limit automated weapons systems, therefore do not need to be updated. Among these are: indiscriminate and disproportionate use of LAWS, as well as their use against civilians or without precautions taken to protect civilians is unacceptable; any military use of LAWS should be conducted in compliance with the principle of proportionality between the military necessity and the damage caused; the decision on whether and how to use LAWS is made by a person planning the military operation and developing scenarios of the use (mission) of these systems.
- CCW/GGE.1/2019/WP.2 – Australia’s System of Control and Applications for Autonomous Weapon Systems. The working paper is submitted alongside Australia’s 2018 working paper.
Australia stressed its position in the use of military force, and the implementation of the ‘system of control’ which ‘incrementally builds upon itself, embedding controls into military processes and capability at all stages of their design, development, training and usage’. In Australia’s view, this would ensure respect of the principles of accountability and responsibility.
- CCW/GGE.1/2019/WP.3 – Possible outcome of the GGE 2019 and future actions of international community on LAWS.
The paper was submitted by Japan. With regard to the definition of LAWS, Japan stressed the need to deepen the discussion on the notion of lethality and forms of human control. Moreover, with regards to the scope of rules, Japan highlighted that fully autonomous weapons systems with lethality do not allow a meaningful human control. International law ethics, as well as the principles of IHL should be included in the development of LAWS, and any violation of IHL should be attributed ‘to States or individual persons as is the case with conventional weapons systems’. Finally, Japan underlined the importance of information sharing and confidence building measures, necessary for ensuring secure transparency.
Crucial aspects that were recalled and re-stressed were the need for LAWS to comply to existing legal frameworks of international law (IL), IHL and especially compliance to the Martens Clause. New technologies complement military activities and have the potential to change armed conflicts. Many European delegations recalled the need for meaningful human control as the only element able to comply to principles of IHL. To this extent, it was proposed to push for awareness training with the aim of promoting responsible innovation for policymakers and businesses. Underlining this view, a delegation re-proposed the adoption of a political declaration outlining principles such as the necessity of human control in the use force, the importance of human accountability, and the elements of transparency and technology review. Finally, the need for trust between humans and machines was acknowledged, recalling the role of art. 36 API in addressing the deployment of new technologies.
Delegations recognised that the use of LAWS can have beneficial aspects in complementing military activities. It was argued that the discussions of possible options must involve discussions on how these technologies can enhance the protection of civilians and civilian items. Nonetheless, as other delegations pointed out, the disarmament machinery and arms control on LAWS can lead to an arms race from states and non-state actors. Additional issues were stressed with regards to the biases LAWS can perpetuate. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) can be heavily biased and such algorithmic biases can rise at all stages of development. In addition to that, a delegation highlighted that discussions and decisions on LAWS should not amplify existing asymmetries.
A final intervention from the floor clarified that there is the need to look at the development of AI systems with impartiality and objectivity in order not to sacrifice the development of science and technology in discussions. | https://dig.watch/event/group-governmental-experts-lethal-autonomous-weapons-systems-gge-laws/un-gge-laws-day-1-morning |
The European and North American Workshop on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is being convened by the Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center at the University of Notre Dame and the Peace Research Institute Oslo.
This day-and-a-half event, hosted at Notre Dame’s Rome Global Gateway facility, will bring together a small group of leading scholars and experts working on issues related to AI from various disciplines and perspectives. Discussions will explore the conceptual and ethical foundations as well as applications related to artificial intelligence and related technologies, including autonomous weapon systems.
The workshop will consist of several panels of experts, each of whom will give a short, informal presentation of about 30 minutes, followed by discussion among participants. The panels will focus on foundational issues, ethics of AI, ethics in AI, and AI military applications.
A full schedule along with more information about the participants is included below.
Accommodations
Hotel Capo D’Africa
Via Capo D’Africa, 54
Check in any time after 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19
Thursday, October 20
All events to take place in Notre Dame Rome’s Global Gateway facility unless otherwise specified.
Speakers are asked to keep their remarks to a maximum of 30 minutes, which will be followed by 15 minutes of discussion.
You can click on items in the agenda for more details.
9:00–9:30 AM: Registration/Coffee and Tea
In the Matthew and Joyce Walsh Aula
9:30–9:45 AM: Welcome Remarks
Warren von Eschenbach, Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center
9:45–11:15 AM: Session 1
Chair: Greg Reichberg, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo
“Ghosts in the Machine: The Relevance of Folk Conceptions of AI”
Ophelia Deroy (Ludwig Maximilian University Munich)
Abstract: Much of the ethics of AI comes from evidence and anticipation that citizens and users will hold autonomous AI as responsible or eventually come to wonder about their rights and moral status. But what shapes people’s conceptions of AI and how do they matter and relate to the ontological categories needed to ground ethical and legal frameworks? This talk will explore these questions and warns that folk conceptions of AI are fundamentally non-rational.
“Algorithm Risk Assessment and AI Auditing”
Jovana Davidovic (University of Iowa)
Abstract: Scholars, policymakers, and business are increasingly aware of the importance of AI governance. In this talk, I address why AI governance matters to society, and why businesses need it. I start by defining AI governance and examining some of the key initiatives and organization structures that have been built with an eye towards meaningful AI governance. I focus on the role of ethical risk assessments and impact assessments as well as bias audits for robust AI ethical risk management and AI governance. I also share the results of our team's most recent research on what works when it comes to AI governance and supplement those findings with a case study discussing the main lessons our team has drawn from performing ethical risk assessments and bias audits.
11:15–11:30 AM: Break
11:30 AM–1:00 PM: Session 2
Chair: Warren von Eschenbach, Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center
“Human-AI-interaction in Security-related Decision-making: Empirical Findings and Normative Consequences”
Markus Christen (University of Zurich)
Abstract: Decision-making in security-related contexts (armed conflict, law enforcement, and rescue) often involves limited information, stress, and time pressure for the involved human decider. It is foreseeable that AI systems both as decision-support systems and (embodied) decision-making systems (such as robots) will become increasingly important in such settings to overcome those limitations. However, given that human life is at stake in such situations, there is still consensus that moral responsibility in such decisions should remain with humans, which translates into the idea of “meaningful human control.” In this contribution, results of various studies from our research group will be presented to better understand human-AI interaction in security-related decision-making. We present results from survey studies (including a representative sample of the Swiss population) on responsibility-attribution to human or AI decision-makers and on human behavior experiments when interacting with human and/or AI systems that either advise a human decision-maker (in-the-loop and on-the-loop setting) or where humans have to predict the behavior of human-piloted or AI piloted systems. In the light of those results, the concept of “meaningful human control” of AI systems will be discussed from a normative point of view and a potential alternative—“controlling” humans through AI systems—will be sketched.
“Give Killer Robots a Chance?”
Ed Barrett (United States Naval Academy)
1:00–2:30 PM: Lunch and Keynote
Chair: Greg Reichberg, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo
Keynote
Paolo Benanti, Extraordinary Professor of Moral Theology, Bioethics, Neuroethics, and Ethics of Technologies, Pontifical Gregorian University
Abstract: Artificial intelligences permeate many aspects of daily living: doing an internet search, applying for a loan, looking for a job, and even getting to know a person through a platform are all activities that occur through the action of various artificial intelligence algorithms. These technologies, precisely because they are present in the background of existence, become almost invisible and are unknown to us in their true nature. Trying to make the action of these ubiquitous tools visible and understandable and asking what to do to manage them and how not to oust humans from the decision-making process is the goal of this colloquium. It tries to address the challenge of keeping humanity capable of control in an age when the machine becomes capable of surrogating human decisions. What can the machine do without human control? What decisions can it make? How to manage the possible nefarious outcomes of this delegation? Most importantly, how to ensure that the person always remains at the center of those processes vital to the survival of our species and peaceful social coexistence?
2:30–4:00 PM: Session 3
Chair: Warren von Eschenbach, Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center
“In Conversation with AI: Aligning Language Models with Human Values”
Atoosa Kasirzadeh (University of Edinburgh)
Abstract: Large-scale language technologies are increasingly used in various forms of communication with humans across different contexts. One particular use case of these technologies, conversational agents, output natural language text in response to prompts and queries. This mode of engagement raises a number of social and ethical questions including: What does it mean to align conversational agents with human values? Which values should they be aligned with? And how can this be done? In this paper, we propose a number of steps that help answer these questions. We start by developing a philosophical analysis of the building blocks of linguistic communication between conversational agents and human interlocutors. We then use this analysis to identify and formulate ideal norms of conversation that can serve as mechanisms governing linguistic communication between humans and conversational agents. Furthermore, we explore how these norms can be used to align conversational agents with human values across a range of different discursive domains. We conclude by examining some practical implications of our proposal for future research into the creation of aligned conversational agents.
“AI Bias in Practice: How to Manage It and How It Can Play a Key Role Towards the Common Good”
Georgina Curto Rex (University of Notre Dame)
Abstract: An important body of work has been dedicated to the mitigation of AI bias, in line with the Trustworthy AI principle of justice and fairness. However, an increasing number of voices highlight the need for recommendations on how to translate this ethical principle into practice. Based on a social sciences framework, I will present a methodology to assist AI multidisciplinary teams in the management of fairness decision-making throughout the design of AI systems with the active participation of the legitimate stakeholders. On the other hand, AI can help us identify, follow up, and raise awareness about societal biases. In that respect, I will present the first set of empirical data evidencing bias against the poor, which constitutes an aggravating factor for gender, race, or age discrimination. Finally, AI can also constitute a useful tool to inform policymaking. By using AI simulation systems, I will present a project in which we aim to obtain evidence whether lower levels of bias against the poor would contribute to achieve lower levels of poverty, in line with the #1 UN Sustainable Development Goal. Our ultimate goal is to provide recommendations for a new generation of poverty-reduction policies, which would focus not only on redistribution of wealth but also on the mitigation of bias against the poor.
4:00–4:15 PM: Break
4:15–5:45 PM: Session 4
Chair: Greg Reichberg, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo
“‘Justice removed’? Assessing Prospects for Just War Reasoning with AI on the Battlefield”
Esther Reed (University of Exeter)
Abstract: This paper assesses prospects for (an ethic of) just war reasoning with AI on the battlefield. Mindful of lack of progress at the CCW, it considers recent Holy See statements that prioritize the presumption against war over the presumption against injustice, in part due to AI-enabled technologies, before asking what justice on the battlefield requires. The paper considers the claim that it is impossible today to speak of a “just war” and/or justice on the battlefield against the question of whether military force must yet play a part in the search for justice and peace because the practical demand for peace requires judgment against wrongdoing. The argument is advanced that (i) those in political authority with the capacity to effect what “may yet be sufficiently necessary for the common good to be required for peace” (ST II-II, q.40, a.1) are required so to do; and (ii) that while new threat environments and weapons technologies variously intensify moral challenge/s to restore justice to just war reasoning—not least because of the realities of “persistent competition below the threshold of war”—the tradition is conceptually equipped for this challenge.
“Concatenating Artificial Intelligence with Other Military Technologies”
George Lucas (United States Naval Academy)
Abstract: A site visit with the CEO and engineers of a leading international armaments manufacturer reveals the emergent and wholly unanticipated legal and moral challenges that can arise when combining distinctive individual technologies to inadvertently create an entirely new class of weapon (in this instance, an “intelligent” and lethally armed autonomous anti-tank weapon for use in Ukraine) out of seemingly innocuous components. The resultant “slippery slope” underscores a healthy shared anxiety among many defense contractors and engineers who genuinely desire to assure themselves that their chosen activities are morally justifiable and specifically do not violate the extant provisions of international law or otherwise represent reckless or irresponsibly risky behavior. Efforts at governance of weapons development are impossible without the willing participation of such experts, whether working directly for national governments, their militaries, or private defense contractors. I apply the distinction between “black-letter” (hard) law and voluntary compliance (“soft law”) to the current legal debates regarding robotics, cyber, and other new areas of governance wherein the “canons of good governance” tend to mitigate against prospects for substantive “hard law” revisions, making voluntary consent and compliance a more reasonable path to success.
6:00 PM: Reception
TBD
7:30 PM: Dinner
At Hotel Capo D’Africa
Friday, October 21
All events to take place in Notre Dame Rome’s Global Gateway facility unless otherwise specified.
Speakers are asked to keep their remarks to a maximum of 30 minutes, which will be followed by 15 minutes of discussion.
You can click on items in the agenda for more details.
8:15–8:45 AM: Coffee and Tea
8:45–11:00 AM: Session 5
Chair: Greg Reichberg, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo
“Dawn of the Moral Dead: Artificial Intelligence and the Case for Moral Zombies”
Sigurd Hovd (Peace Research Institute Oslo)
Abstract: A philosophical zombie is physical duplicate of a conscious subject, functionally identical to this subject (endowed with identical behavioral capacities), but lacking any characteristics associated with qualitative consciousness or sentience. The logical conceivability of such beings, and what plausible metaphysical position that is to be implied therefrom, has been, and remains, a topic of much contention in contemporary analytic philosophy of mind. Recently this being of philosophical thought experiments has also entered debates on moral artificial agency. For if we realize that to think of algorithms as potential artificial moral agents is to think of a kind of moral zombie, we should also realize that a true artificial moral agent is a fundamentally incoherent notion. So Carissa Véliz has recently argued, pointing to the fact that concepts of moral autonomy and accountability, arguably essential features of what we think it means to be a moral agent, rely centrally on our conception of sentience. Responding to this argument, I will in this article point to what I see as an asymmetric set of theoretical motivations guiding accounts of artificial moral agency, vs. human original moral agency. Corresponding to these different theoretical motivations are different sets of theoretical constraints, which, I will argue, should make the notion a moral zombie far more conceivable than it may first appear.
“Can AI Systems Behave Themselves? Towards a Genuine Machine Ethics”
Thomas Powers (University of Delaware)
Abstract: Discussions of AI ethics have lately drawn journalistic and hence popular interest. Popular media have highlighted the dangers—some real, some imagined—of increasingly autonomous and intelligent machines that might escape human control. These dangers point to allegedly unresolved (or unresolvable) moral dilemmas for autonomous vehicles, displaced human agency and the loss of human control, and even the weaponization of many theaters of war by means of AI computers. While journalists, technologists, and even some governmental bodies have become very interested in the ethics of AI, researchers have made scant progress in putting ethics into AI. The time is ripe to do some foundational work on the concept of ethical automation and the logic of control architectures. I will argue that our best chance to address the risks of AI systems is by controlling them with programmed ethical routines that are rule-based. Such forms of programmed control are represented in an older paradigm of “symbolic” AI and expert systems and do not presuppose anything like consciousness or judgment in the AI system. The rival paradigm of “sub-symbolic” AI relies on analyzing large data sets and applying machine learning techniques. While machine learning has shown tremendous technological advances, such as in facial recognition (Facebook) and natural language processing (Siri), and these advances can support ethics in AI, I will argue that they are unlikely to produce satisfactory results in the area of ethical control.
11:00–11:15 AM: Break
11:15 AM–12:45 PM: Session 6
Chair: Warren von Eschenbach, Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center
TBD
Annette Zimmermann (University of Wisconsin)
“Moral Robots? How to Make AI Agents Fit for Human Societies”
Matthias Scheutz (Tufts University)
Abstract: Artificial intelligence is different from other technologies in that it enables and creates machines that can perceive the world and act on it autonomously. We are, for the first time in human history, on the verge of creating sentient machines that could significantly improve our lives and better human societies. Yet, AI also poses dangers that are ours to mitigate as we are developing ever more complex AI systems. In this presentation, I will argue that AI-enabled systems, in particular autonomous robots, must have moral competence: they need to be aware of human social and moral norms, be able to follow these norms, and justify their decisions and actions with resource to normative principles in ways that humans understand. Throughout the presentation I will give examples from our work on AI robots and human-robot interaction to demonstrate how we envision ethical autonomous robots. | https://techethics.nd.edu/news-and-events/events/rome-ethics-of-ai-workshop/ |
Following extensive consultations, the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on AI released ethics guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence. Three broad principles emerged from those guidelines, suggesting that trustworthy AI should be:
To meet those criteria, the guidelines establish seven specific requirements: human agency and oversight; technical robustness and safety; privacy and data governance; transparency; diversity, nondiscrimination and fairness; societal and environmental well-being; and accountability, including auditability. These interrelated requirements provide guiding principles on both ethical and operational decision-making.
These principles are intertwined. Sound governance is the “glue” that binds the guidelines’ operational requirements. While human agency and oversight on AI decisions are essential, they are only possible through proper governance, which in turn depends on technical robustness at the outset.
A. Empowering decision-making
According to the guidelines, AI systems should be used to empower and assist human beings, and should not operate in a vacuum. The guidelines recommend using “human-in-the-loop, human-on-the-loop, and human-in-command approaches,” respectively referred to as HITL, HOTL and HIC in the guidelines.
These refer to different degrees of oversight — HITL, according to the guidelines, “refers to the capability for human intervention in every decision cycle of the system.” In many cases related to AI, HITL is not possible or necessarily desirable. HOTL means the human can be involved in the design cycle and monitor the system once it is in use. HIC means the human oversees the AI system, including its broader impact on economic, societal, legal and ethical issues. This oversight includes decisions on whether to use AI and when to override a decision made by the system. The guidelines posit that “the less oversight a human can exercise over an AI system, the more extensive testing and stricter governance is required.”
The guidelines appear to favor more comprehensive AI HIC oversight because it accounts for factors beyond those that are immediately connected to the task at hand. HIC is also the most flexible model. But recognizing that human oversight might be limited, the model implicitly recommends stronger governance and stricter testing.
B. Ensuring technical robustness and safety
The guidelines recommend a four-pronged approach to technical robustness and safety:
These technological requirements further highlight that although complex, AI should not be perceived as mysterious or unmanageable. Its risks are predictable, measurable and manageable, and proper safety measures are just as important here as they are in all other aspects of a business’s operations.
C. Maintaining privacy and data governance
The guidelines approach governance from the perspective of maintaining privacy and data protection, as well as the quality and integrity of data. Access to data should follow well-defined protocols that determine who can access data and under which circumstances.
As we recently discussed, proper governance can mitigate more risks than those immediately connected to privacy and data protection. One of these is cybersecurity; when regulators review registrants’ files for compliance with cybersecurity requirements, they look for policies and procedures that ensure those requirements are met. In other words, the process is just as important as the results.
D. Promoting transparency and accountability through governance
Although the EU’s guidelines on AI aren’t compulsory, they are written in a style that emphasizes principles-based regulation, where those principles focus on process. The guidelines list transparency and accountability as distinct requirements, but these are fundamentally process-oriented requirements because they can be achieved only through good governance.
For transparency, the guidelines recommend identifying the datasets and processes that lead to the AI’s decision or, as applicable, the reasons why an AI decision was erroneous. This is related to the principle of “explainability,” which pertains to the description both of the technical processes of the AI system and the related human decisions.
As for accountability, the guidelines specify that this requirement complements the others and “is closely linked to the principle of fairness.” While this principle does not require full disclosure of intellectual property, it does require an assessment of algorithms as well as data and design processes, along with an evaluation by internal and external auditors of those elements. This means that companies using AI systems should be prepared to explain to regulators (and data owners) in some detail how the AI works, such as what specific data is imputed, how those inputs are utilized, processed and analyzed by the software, and what checks and audits there are on the system — in terms of both computerized and human oversight.
The guidelines’ other requirements provide overarching ethical principles to guide both decision-making and oversight, introducing the “human” aspect of decisions aided by AI. AI decisions should not discriminate, should not be biased and should support the well-being of the data population.
Users should ensure that the AI datasets aren’t biased against certain groups or people, because this could potentially exacerbate prejudice and marginalization — key concerns seemingly underpinning these EU guidelines.
AI should be designed with accessibility in mind, particularly when being used directly by a consumer or an individual with a nontechnical background. The AI should be easy to use regardless of age, gender, abilities or characteristics. And it should, at a minimum, be understandable by all constituents. To that end, the guidelines recommend consulting key stakeholders and users for their input in product design.
Finally, the guidelines recommend designing AI so it is sustainable and environmentally friendly, with a beneficial social impact.
The guidelines presage increasing regulatory interest in the impact of artificial intelligence both on security and societal well-being. This increasing scrutiny can work to demystify the technology, however complex, and assist in anticipating and controlling errors and software misuse.
The use of the word “requirement” in the guidelines suggests that as the technology continues to develop and become better understood both by users and regulators, the guidelines may well become more detailed and prescriptive, and even codified. Companies that utilize AI tools with EU resident data inputs would be well served to focus on these guidelines now and move toward the transparency, human oversight and ethical directives that they encourage.
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DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
© Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Refine your interests » | https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/european-commission-issues-ethics-44057/ |
The Safe-AI Scaffolding Strategy is a positive way forward
This post is partly excerpted from the preprint to:
Omohundro, Steve (forthcoming 2013) “Autonomous Technology and the Greater Human Good”, Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Artificial Intelligence (special volume “Impacts and Risks of Artificial General Intelligence”, ed. Vincent C. Müller).
To ensure the greater human good over the longer term, autonomous technology must be designed and deployed in a very careful manner. These systems have the potential to solve many of today’s problems but they also have the potential to create many new problems. We’ve seen that the computational infrastructure of the future must protect against harmful autonomous systems. We would also like it to make decisions in alignment with the best of human values and principles of good governance. Designing that infrastructure will probably require the use of powerful autonomous systems. So the technologies we need to solve the problems may themselves cause problems.
To solve this conundrum, we can learn from an ancient architectural principle. Stone arches have been used in construction since the second millennium BC. They are stable structures that make good use of stone’s ability to resist compression. But partially constructed arches are unstable. Ancient builders created the idea of first building a wood form on top of which the stone arch could be built. Once the arch was completed and stable, the wood form could be removed.
We can safely develop autonomous technologies in a similar way. We build a sequence of provably-safe autonomous systems which are used in the construction of more powerful and less limited successor systems. The early systems are used to model human values and governance structures. They are also used to construct proofs of safety and other desired characteristics for more complex and less limited successor systems. In this way we can build up the powerful technologies that can best serve the greater human good without significant risk along the development path.
Many new insights and technologies will be required during this process. The field of positive psychology was formally introduced only in 1998. The formalization and automation of human strengths and virtues will require much further study. Intelligent systems will also be required to model the game theory and economics of different possible governance and legal frameworks.
The new infrastructure must also detect dangerous systems and prevent them from causing harm. As robotics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology develop and become widespread, the potential destructive power of harmful systems will grow. It will become increasingly crucial to detect harmful systems early, preferably before they are deployed. That suggests the need for pervasive surveillance which must be balanced against the desire for freedom. Intelligent systems may introduce new intermediate possibilities that restrict surveillance to detecting precisely specified classes of dangerous behavior while provably keeping other behaviors private.
In conclusion, it appears that humanity’s great challenge for this century is to extend cooperative human values and institutions to autonomous technology for the greater good. We have described some of the many challenges in that quest but have also outlined an approach to meeting those challenges. | https://selfawaresystems.com/2013/02/26/the-safe-ai-scaffolding-strategy-is-a-positive-way-forward/?shared=email&msg=fail |
NEW YORK- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the establishment of a Conviction Review Bureau in the New York Office of Attorney General (OAG), a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative to address issues related to wrongful convictions across New York State. Partnering with law enforcement across the state, Schneiderman said the bureau will work to ensure that New York's justice system maximizes its ability to convict the real perpetrators of crimes, while preventing innocent people from being penalized for crimes they did not commit.
"There is only one person who wins when the wrong person is convicted of a crime: the real perpetrator, who remains free to commit more crimes. For victims, their families, and any of us who could suffer the nightmare of being wrongly accused, it is imperative that we do everything possible to maximize accuracy, justice, and reliability in our justice system," Attorney General Schneiderman said. "As a result, my office will be working with District Attorneys across the state to address compelling claims of innocence, and I will conduct a top-to-bottom review of my office's investigatory and prosecutorial procedures, and adapt them as needed to ensure reliability."
Schneiderman emphasized that there are numerous examples of District Attorneys successfully reviewing and reinvestigating cases, perhaps most famously the Central Park jogger case in New York County. However, there may be instances in which it is helpful for an independent and specialized entity to enter the process. To address this criminal justice imperative, Attorney General Schneiderman today announced that his Conviction Review Bureau will:
1) Review Potential Wrongful Conviction Cases. The Conviction Review Bureau will work with D.A.’s offices to identify cases where the involvement of the Conviction Review Bureau may be of use. The OAG will be available for referrals from District Attorneys as resources allow, and on referral will investigate in anticipation of potential litigation. These might include cases where a D.A.’s office lacks the additional staff required to conduct a review, or a conflict might exist. It is anticipated that these cases will be serious felonies and ones in which the claimant's other options are exhausted (eg, an Article 440 motion has not succeeded). In addition, the OAG will continue to address claims of actual innocence in its own cases.
2)Conduct Top-to-Bottom Review of OAG’s Investigatory and Prosecutorial Procedures. The Bureau will conduct an internal review of the OAG's investigative procedures (e.g., identification procedures, the recording of confessions). After intensive study, the Bureau will adopt best practices for the office's investigative division with the goal of maximizing reliability. In addition to addressing the efficacy of investigations, the Bureau will also devise guidelines for best prosecutorial practices to be applied by OAG attorneys, to help ensure the fair administration of justice .
3) Efficiently Resolve Unjust Conviction Torts. A subcommittee of the Bureau willmeet to resolve unjust conviction torts filed against the state. This will enable those found by the courts to have been unjustly convicted, and meeting the requirements for compensation under state law, to receive it in an efficient, streamlined manner.
In making his announcement, Attorney General Schneiderman expressed gratitude to the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York (DAASNY) led by Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore, as well as to the New York State Justice Task Force, commissioned by Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman, both of which have been exploring improvements to law enforcement procedures to make them as fair and reliable as possible.
The new bureau will be led by Chief Thomas Schellhammer, an Assistant Attorney General and former homicide prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney Office, and Director Blake Zeff, who serves as senior advisor to the Attorney General.
“I look forward to continuing to partner with leaders in law enforcement in New York State, so that together we will lead the way for the nation, when it comes to criminal justice reforms,” Attorney General Schneiderman said.
Schneiderman’s announcement today was hailed by bipartisan leaders in the criminal justice and law enforcement communities.
Jonathan Lippman, Chief Judge of the State of New York, said, "Attorney General Schneiderman is to be commended for his landmark effort to curb the nightmare of wrongful convictions. One wrongfully convicted person is one too many, and I believe the reforms announced today will help pave the way toward reducing such injustices."
Janet DiFiore, Westchester County District Attorney and President of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, said, “The integrity of the criminal justice system in New York State hinges on ensuring that the guilty are held accountable and the innocent are protected. The District Attorneys Association continues in its efforts in this regard and appreciates Attorney General Schneiderman's leadership in seeking to partner with us in this effort, by allocating resources and the expertise of his office.”
Barry Scheck, Co-Director of the Innocence Project, said, “We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for taking on the problem of wrongful convictions in New York. As we’ve learned through DNA exonerations, wrongful convictions give you an opportunity to see where the system failed and how it can be made more just. We hope that district attorneys throughout the state will take advantage of this initiative, because all New Yorkers are hurt when the wrong person is convicted of a crime and the real perpetrator is free to commit more crimes.”
Kathleen B. Hogan, Warren County District Attorney, said, “District Attorneys have always appreciated the seriousness of post-conviction review. Many offices have limited resources, with 40 D.A. offices in the state having ten or fewer attorneys to handle their entire caseload. That's why I applaud Attorney General Schneiderman and welcome his assistance in providing experienced attorneys who will work collaboratively with D.A. offices to review cases in the post-conviction context.”
Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, President of the New York State NAACP, said, “The NAACP New York State Conference believes this is a step in the right direction because we need more effective measures to prevent ‘wrongful convictions.’ The NAACP NYS Conference commends the AG's office for the creation of the CRB and we look forward to following its progress and results.”
Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Manhattan District Attorney, said, “I applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for his innovative initiative to curb wrongful convictions. My office has instituted a program to ensure the integrity of our convictions, and I am delighted to partner with the Attorney General in achieving justice for New Yorkers and preserving the public's confidence in law enforcement.”
Vincent E. Doyle III, President of the New York State Bar Association, said, “Attorney General Schneiderman has long demonstrated a commitment to addressing the serious issue of wrongful convictions. The Association was proud to work with then-state Senator Schneiderman on legislation addressing the root causes of wrongful convictions, which we hope will be enacted in the near future. We commend the Attorney General for making the resources of his office available to help address this ongoing problem.”
William J. Fitzpatrick, Onondaga County District Attorney, said,"As prosecutors, we should always be vigilant of preventing wrongful convictions. That starts with establishing and implementing practices and procedures to ensure the right person is arrested and tried. It also requires careful examination of legitimate claims of innocence that warrant review after conviction. In recent years, the District Attorney's Association of the State of New York has established standing committees to address these issues, such as the Committee on the Fair and Ethical Administration of Justice, the Best Practices Committee and the Ethics Committee. To have Attorney General Schneiderman, offer assistance to district attorneys' offices and partner with state prosecutors to ensure that the guilty are convicted and that the innocent are exonerated is a testament to his leadership, vision and cooperation. As one of the 62 elected district attorneys in the state, I along with my fellow prosecutors, applaud his efforts."
Lonnie Soury, President of Falseconfessions.org, said, “Eric Schneiderman kept his word by fulfilling his commitment to address this urgent criminal justice imperative. He fought to pass legislation to limit wrongful convictions while a State Senator and now, in his role of Attorney General, he is instituting a program that will hopefully be a model for developing best practices on those factors that lead to wrongful convictions such as false confessions and witness misidentification. This program will help prevent innocent people from going to prison, contribute to apprehending the guilty, and give hope to those currently wrongfully imprisoned.”
Groups audience: | https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2012/ag-schneiderman-announces-landmark-initiative-address-wrongful-convictions-new |
This year marks the Innocence Project’s 30th anniversary, and it has been one filled with powerful moments that were skillfully captured on camera. From the campaign to stop Melissa Lucio’s execution to the exonerations of Mallory Nicholson, John Galvan, and Herman Williams, these events not only reflect milestone achievements but also serve as important reminders of why our work in criminal and racial justice reform is necessary.
From poignant portraits to representations of activism in action, these images convey different emotional states: joy, optimism, excitement, confidence, calmness, steadfastness, and more. They tell stories of the years lost to wrongful conviction, of a life returned, and of a hopeful future. Most importantly, they are hard proof that the criminal legal system continues to ensnare innocent people — and that freedom is a precious right too often taken for granted.
These images are just a small sample of the countless moments captured this year, all of which are enduring records of lived experiences that drive our work every day.
1. Huwe Burton reflects on his passion for music
Huwe Burton shares how music helped him retain hope through his many years of wrongful conviction in a moving story published in February.
2. Melissa Lucio’s supporters rally against her scheduled execution
Dozens of supporters for Melissa Lucio bring attention to her case in March at the 26th Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice — an annual march that pays tribute to labor and civil rights leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta — in San Antonio, Texas.
3. Mallory Nicholson is exonerated after 40 years
Mallory Nicholson celebrates his exoneration in June after being wrongly convicted of a burglary and sexual assault he never committed.
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4. John Galvan walks free in Chicago
In June, John Galvan experiences freedom for the first time in 35 years after he, along with his co-defendants Arthur Alemendarez and Francisco Nanez, were wrongly convicted of an arson they did not commit. They are exonerated just days later, on July 21.
5. Herman Williams is finally home
Herman Williams comes home in September after an Illinois judge vacated his murder conviction and ordered his immediate release.
6. Gerry Thomas rebuilds his life following 30 years of wrongful conviction
Gerry Thomas, who was wrongly convicted of a sexual assault and attempted murder he never committed, shares how creating became his “spiritual food” in powerful story published in Februrary.
7. Michelle Murphy poses for a portrait at the 2022 Innocence Network Conference
In 2014, Michelle Murphy was exonerated after DNA testing proved her innocence in a murder she did not commit. She is the first among a growing number of women the Innocence Project has helped exonerate.
8. Paul Hildwin shows off his tattoos at the 2022 Innocence Network Conference
In 2020, Paul Hildwin, who spent 29 years on death row, walked free in Florida after a court ordered his release with time served. He has always maintained his innocence in a 1985 murder for which he was convicted.
9. Cornelius Dupree and Marvin Anderson come together on Wrongful Conviction Day
Exonerees Cornelius Dupree and Marvin Anderson join supporters and other exonerees at the Riverside Church in New York to commemorate Wrongful Conviction Day.
10. New York City unveils the Gate of the Exonerated in Central Park in honor of wrongfully convicted individuals
Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Kevin Richardson Jr. — all of whom are members of the Exonerated Five — celebrate the renaming of a Central Park entrance in tribute to wrongly convicted people. | https://innocenceproject.org/10-striking-photos-that-perfectly-capture-the-innocence-projects-highlights-of-2022/ |
The United States of America has three cardinal branches of the criminal justice system. These include law enforcement agencies like the police, the courts system and the correctional system. Given that it is a democratic country, the United States’ criminal justice system is founded on the tenets of the rule of law. Therefore, all these three critical organs of the government must carry out their constitutional and statutory mandate within the confines of federal and state laws. Indeed, the criminal justice system is configured in a way that it enables both levels of government to function in an efficacious manner. As a result, the system can control juvenile and criminal activities by sanctioning offenders as well as providing the requisite rehabilitation to them (Neubauer & Fradella, 2013).
The police, sheriffs and federal agents are the principal agents in the law enforcement category. Their cardinal function is to ensure law and order. Otherwise put, they have a duty to manage and control crime in order to make America safe and secure. Indeed, there are, in all most all cases, the first people at the scene of the crime and thus the contact person between criminals and the courts system, as well as victims and the courts. Based on their investigation, evidence and eye witness’s testimony, they have the discretion to decide whether to make arrests. The prosecutor is the link that joins the law enforcers to courts. Courts settle disputes and punish criminals through a just, fair and transparent trial process. A prosecutor brings his court before a judge who determines the facts in issue using his grasp of the law of the land and principles of natural justice (Neubauer & Fradella, 2013). Both the prosecutor and the accused person, or through his lawyer, will be given amply time examine or cross examine witnesses on the stand. While the prosecutor’s objective is to prove the accused guilty, the accused, or his counsel seeks to create a reasonable doubt in the mind of the trier of facts. The last branch of the criminal justice system is called the correctional department. It seeks to rehabilitate and confine prisoners by assigning them sanctions handed down by the courts. Apart from incarceration, other correction mechanisms include parole and probation. These are designed to afford the offender the opportunity to make amends and participate in the activities of the society as a free person. A prison sentence can be a one day sentence up to life imprisonment (Neubauer & Fradella, 2013).
While a criminal offense is treated as an offense to the state, and thus prosecuted by the state, the justice system, through civil proceedings, provides an avenue whereby a victim of a crime can seek legal redress. A victim of crime can initiate some of the following civil proceedings against the perpetrator. These include assault, battery, wrongful death, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud and conversion among others. Battery involves cases where there is actual bodily harm such as malicious wounding and foundling. Assault, on the other hand, involves putting the victim in fear. In this case, the perpetrator must be a person who is capable and able to inflict harm to the victim (Bergman, 2013). A claim of wrongful death can be instituted following a conviction of murder or manslaughter. In order for the victim to prove his case, he has to show that the death caused by the perpetrator was unjustifiable. The destruction or theft of a person’s property and the intentional misrepresentation of issues to a victim can lead to a claim of conversion and fraud respectively. In case the court finds that the perpetrator is liable, the victim, or his family in case of the victim’s death, will be awarded damages, which is a form of monetary compensation (Bergman, 2013).
A victim advocates program is a mechanism designed to facilitate the recovery of victims who suffered grievous crimes. It involves a group of professionals who seek to offer emotional support and to counsel victims to help them heal and continue with their normal lives. The main objective of victim advocate programs is to prevent victims from losing control over their lives following the unfortunate incidents. Indeed, some organizations provide hotlines, one-one-one counseling sessions and support groups to help victims recollect themselves. However, this process requires the cooperation and commitment of the victim in order to succeed. Therefore, the advocates present the victim with all the options available to him and then they let him come to a decision by himself (Fisher & Lab, 2010). Furthermore, these advocates ensure that they maintain the highest levels of confidentiality. However, a department that handles victims with law enforcement agency may collaborate with the investigative unit from time to time in the interest of justice. These programs are instrumental in safety planning, helping victims find shelter, intervening in cases involving landlords, creditors and employers on behalf of the victim and also providing legal aid. Among all the roles and responsibilities that victim advocacy programs carry out, their main role, which is extremely significant in the society, is counseling a victim and helping them back on their feet (Fisher & Lab, 2010).
References
Bergman, P. (2013). Criminal Law: A Desk Reference. New York: Nolo.
Fisher, B. S., & Lab, S. P. (2010). Encyclopedia of Victimology and Crime Prevention, Volume 1. New York: Sage.
Neubauer, D., & Fradella, H. (2013). America's Courts and the Criminal Justice System. New York: Cengage Learning. | https://www.wowessays.com/free-samples/good-research-paper-about-victimology/ |
Editorial: A long time for justice to prevail
Joseph Sledge may become the latest in a series of examples of wrongful conviction in North Carolina. What is North Carolina going to do about it?
It is almost criminal that this man has spent at least two-thirds of his 34 years behind bars trying to get someone to review his case. Sledge, now 68, has been in prison half his life for a crime he probably did not commit. DNA testing seems to exonerate him, and he has one of the best advocacy teams in the state working on his case, lawyer Christine Mumma and the Actual Innocence Project staff. Without that group’s commitment to justice, wrongfully convicted North Carolinians have little hope that someone will take a second look at their case.
A compelling report by The News & Observer of Raleigh outlined Sledge’s almost Quixotic quest to prove his innocence since his conviction for the murder of a Bladen County woman and the murder and rape of her adult daughter. His is a tale of unfortunate coincidences, starting with an escape in September 1976 from a Bladen County prison camp where he was working off a conviction for stealing boxes of clothes from a department store. Within hours of his escape, Josephine and Ailene Davis were stabbed to death five miles away, and Ailene Davis, 53, was raped.
The physical evidence didn’t match, but that mattered little. Questions surrounding money paid to jailhouse witnesses after their testimony against Sledge were brushed off by then-prosecutor Mike Easley and others. Still, he maintained his innocence.
Finally, in 2003, Superior Court Judge William Gore ordered testing of evidence that was available, which did not include the missing blood, fingerprints and the rape kit. Nothing happened until Mumma and her staff picked up the case and, miraculously, the lost evidence was found after someone in the Columbus County court clerk’s office apparently decided to do some housecleaning.
Further work will be needed to clear his name, but at least now he will have that chance.
Sledge is not alone in having his pleas of innocence fall on deaf ears. Four men so far have been exonerated by DNA evidence. Others, including former death-row inmate Alan Gell and convicted murderer Greg Taylor, were determined to be innocent based on prosecutorial misconduct or shoddy investigations that overlooked exculpatory evidence.
Sledge shouldn’t have to prove his innocence. In the United States the law doesn’t allow us to imprison people because they look guilty. We imprison them only upon the establishment of guilt beyond a “reasonable doubt.” In Sledge’s case, “reasonable doubt” meant that the hairs found at the scene belonged to a black man who might be Sledge. That doesn’t meet the standard.
District Attorney Jon David, who is now head prosecutor over Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties, says he will “go where the truth leads.” And if that truth leads to someone other than Sledge, as appears likely, David should lead the charge for reforms to prevent wrongful convictions and remedy those that have already occurred. At the very least it should include broader processing of DNA evidence in older cases.
Apologists for the current flawed system note that usually, the law gets the right person. That’s not good enough. Sentencing an innocent person isn’t justice. Neither is the inevitable result – allowing the guilty person to escape punishment. | https://www.newbernsj.com/story/opinion/editorials/2013/03/19/editorial-long-time-for-justice/34202679007/ |
While I was genuinely touched by Gregory Bright's firsthand story of his wrongful conviction that cost him 27 years in prison, I must challenge his statement when he says: "How easy it is to put innocent people behind bars."
That's just not true.
Having spent an equal amount of time (27 years) as a federal agent investigating and arresting violent criminals, I can assure readers that it is extremely challenging to convict the truly guilty, and nearly impossible to obtain a conviction of an equally innocent person.
The safeguards for law-abiding society that have been implemented by statutes, and the courts require law enforcement to constantly check and re-check the evidence it intends to use to obtain a conviction. And that's exactly the way it should be in a free society.
So how do miscarriages of justice, as depicted in the current film Conviction and in Bright's own conviction, happen?
The answer is quite simple: Any criminal justice system that includes and relies upon human participation will (by definition) be imperfect.
Well-meaning witnesses can be mistaken about what they think they saw or heard, often during violent chaotic criminal situations.
However, to suggest that these same people intentionally fabricate or falsify their testimony to help win a conviction is grossly unfair to average citizens who are simply trying to do their civic duty.
Likewise, it is an insult to professional law enforcement officers and prosecutors to suggest they would trade their personal ethics and integrity to obtain a conviction they believe to be undeserved and unproven.
The men and women I had the privilege to work with during my career worked as hard to eliminate suspects as they did to build a case against alleged criminals.
They had this dedication because no one wanted to be surprised at trial where a slipshod case would result in an acquittal, and an acquittal meant the victim had yet to receive justice.
When any "wrongful conviction" occurs, it is not only a tragedy, but also a travesty of what we hope our criminal justice system will accomplish. However, that same disappointment ought to be present when a guilty man goes free under the same system.
But flaws and all, I truly believe ours is probably the best and most impartial system in the world. If I were innocent of an alleged crime, I know of no other system I would rather have decide my fate.
MIKE BOYLE,
retired FBI agent, | https://www.jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2010-10-28/story/wrongful-convictions-system-works-hard-be-fair |
TORONTO (CP)--The federal justice minister is entertaining changes in how wrongful conviction cases are handled, drawing inspiration from an independent British tribunal that has won the admiration of Canadian lawyers.
"I think our model is working well and at the same time, maybe we can take some things from them and apply it here," Irwin Cotler said while attending a conference in Toronto.
"I've looked into the British system from A to Z, and it's a good system and it works well. It's something we can certainly explore."
The minister's comments follow a string of high-profile murder cases being sent back to the courts while others remain under government review as possible miscarriages of justice.
In just under two years, Cotler has referred three cases of alleged wrongful conviction to the court of appeal and quashed the convictions of three others and ordered new trials.
The Association for Defence of the Wrongly Convicted says that represents a small number of wrongly convicted cases in Canada.
On Wednesday, they reiterated their call for an independent tribunal as the latest developments unfolded in Canada's saga of the wrongfully convicted--an ongoing tale that encompasses the likes of David Milgaard and Guy Paul Morin.
On Wednesday, Bill Mullins-Johnson was granted bail after 12 years behind bars for the murder and rape of his four-year-old niece while Cotler decides whether there was a miscarriage of justice in his case.
Association lawyer James Lockyer, whose organization is the only one in Canada taking on such cases, was buoyed by Cotler's comments.
Still, he pressed the minister to follow through and create an independent tribunal like the one that serves England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"We know there are far more cases out there," said Lockyer.
A similar plague of wrongful conviction cases in England led to the creation of its independent body in 1997.
"Public confidence in the criminal justice system was shaken," said Boris Worrall of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
"We don't represent the defence, we don't represent the judiciary, the police, even the applicant," Worrall said in an interview from the commission's headquarters in Birmingham, England.
"The fact that the commission is entirely independent of the rest of the system enables people to have more confidence in the criminal justice system."
Investigators, mainly lawyers and former police officers, have the power to obtain any documents held by public institutions--including secret services--that are material to the case in question.
Their final report is forwarded to a commissioner who decides if the case should be ordered back to appeal court.
Only one in 25 cases brought to the attention of the tribunal is deemed a miscarriage of justice and sent to court. But of those, 70 per cent result in quashed convictions for the wrongly convicted.
The commission has helped overturn some 50 murder convictions since its inception. Among the high profile cases it sent to the courts this year was that of Donna Anthony, a woman convicted of killing her two children.
"She's one of a number of mothers whose convictions have been quashed after evidence about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was called into question," said Worrall.
Scotland and Norway have adopted similar independent bodies to deal with wrongful convictions, and Worrall says numerous other nations visit commission headquarters regularly to observe their methods. | https://willzuzak.ca/lp/cotler/cotler-press-2005-09-21.html |
In 1952, a young Somali sailor named Mahmood Mattan was arrested for the murder of a Jewish shopkeeper in Cardiff, Wales, a crime he did not commit but nonetheless was convicted of and hanged for. This true story is the inspiration behind Nadifa Mohamed’s masterful Booker Prize short-listed novel, The Fortune Men, a powerful evocation of one man’s life and a harrowing tale of racial injustice.
In the 1950s, the Tiger Bay area of Cardiff is a multiracial, multilingual community of Somalis, Arabs, Jews, West Indians and West Africans. It’s also the home of Mattan, his Welsh wife and their three sons. When Violet Volacki is stabbed in her shop, her sister, Diana, thinks she sees a Somali at the door. A gambler and petty thief, Mattan tries to ignore the tidal wave of suspicion flowing from the police, his landlord, even the men at his mosque. But he grossly underestimates the racism of the local community, which wants to punish not only him but also his wife for marrying an African immigrant. Mattan’s protestations of innocence and his belief in the British justice system are no match for the prosecution’s fabricated testimonies and false witness statements.
Mohamed brilliantly re-creates Tiger Bay’s bustling world of racetracks, milk bars and rooming houses, filled with diverse characters who range from the bigoted detectives to the sheikh from the local mosque. Part of the novel is told by Diana, whose family immigrated to England to escape antisemitic violence in Russia and who never names Mattan as the man she saw, despite pressure from police. The Fortune Men is a reminder of a particularly egregious example of injustice and prejudice, but by including Diana’s point of view, Mohamed suggests that Mattan’s experience is not an isolated incident but one that was and is repeated wherever systemic racism exists.
In the real-world case, after decades of campaigning by his family and the wider Somali community, Mattan was exonerated. His name was cleared almost 50 years after his death, and the wrongful conviction and execution was the first miscarriage of justice ever rectified by the British courts. But these events happened decades after the action in Mohamed’s novel. She instead focuses on Mattan’s childhood in Hargeisa, his globetrotting years with the merchant navy and his final weeks in a Welsh jail, where a renewal of faith leads to a new assessment of life. Mohamed’s command of both Mattan’s place in the historical record and the intimate details of his life makes for a remarkable novel. | http://bobbilanemusic.com/index-408.html |
Wrongful conviction refers to a situation where an individual is charged, tried and convicted of an offense they did not actually commit. The individual that serves a sentence is not the actual criminal but just a victim. Wrong convictions always lead to the freedom of the real criminal and replacing them with innocent individuals. In the event of a discovery by the public on a wrong conviction, their trust in the judicial system is always compromised because the judicial system is supposed to defend the rights of the innocent and convict perpetrators and not the other way round. It is true humans, despite their professionalism, are prone to errors but those that lead to wrongful convictions are almost not forgivable. This paper will examine some of the elements that revolve around wrongful convictions i.e. factor that contribute to such convictions and possible remedies.
Most judicial systems operate under certain values and beliefs for example, that a person is considered innocent until sufficient evidence is presented to persuade the system that they are actually guilty. The adjudication after the trial is, therefore, the only way to tell if a person is guilty or not. Failure to honor this value may lead to the public discrediting the system as it will be assumed that the judicial system does not only act on the guilty but also the innocent. It will also mean that the society is not free from crime as the real perpetrators are left to roam among them in the meantime. It is also true that arrests and charges take quite a short time to make but proving innocence can take a lifetime. There have been cases of wrongful convictions nationally and worldwide which has drawn public attention to the criminal justice system. Landmark cases include the infamous Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and Mr. Artis in the U.S.A and Donald Marshall case in Canada. Mr. Carter was a boxer and was sent to jail for murder convictions and served for 19 years before he was released.
Wrong convictions have adverse effects on the lives of the victims as well as put the credibility of the judicial system at stake. It is a problem that the judicial system must find a way of eliminating or limiting at all cost but do so then they must critically examine factors that lead to wrongful convictions. The factors that lead to wrongful convictions include; misconduct and poor training in forensics labs, using jailhouse informants, poor defense lawyering, eyewitness misidentification or distortion of information, false confessions and police and prosecutorial mistakes. The following is a brief description of this factors and how they have played a part in real wrongful conviction cases.
Junk Science
Sometimes forensic scientists engage in misconduct and give false testimonies which lead to impairment of the final verdict. Most of the tests done by forensic scientists are done with little scientific validation, insufficient assessment of how reliable or significant they are which leads to forensic scientists taking to the stand without scientific basis of their results (Garrett and Peter 2). In the 1980s a breakthrough in medicine proved effective when DNA testing was used to prove innocence and convict felons. DNA testing came about as a result of thorough research carried out in top institutions even though some forensic methodologies such as shoe and bite mark comparison, hair microscopy, firearm tool mark analysis have not received sufficient scientific evaluation. Those that have passed through the necessary procedures like serology are sometimes not carried out properly.
Eyewitness Misidentification
Eyewitness is one of the most common evidence used in courtrooms. They are very persuasive and compelling but also prone to errors. This is because it relies on the brain which as some experts explain, should be handled with care just like other evidence found at the scene of the crime. An eyewitness can sometimes give false information and in some cases, it is because of the incompetence of the officers conducting an investigation. For example, giving a witness with a picture containing suspects and putting a mark on one of them. The eyewitness can also mislead investigation as the identification of a suspect when the crime is still fresh might make the officers reluctant on carrying out further investigation and as time goes the real perpetrator can be lost. The information given by this witnesses sometimes should be critically looked at, for example, a witness claiming to identify someone they saw at night or at a long range.
False Confessions
A false confession is a case where a defendant admits guilt of having committed a crime which in truth they had nothing to do with whatsoever. Reasons for false confession vary but the most common is the defendant’s belief that pleading guilty is more beneficial than continuity to claim innocence. Other factors that can lead to false confessions include; coercion, ignorance, fear of violence, the threat of a harsh sentence, intoxication, mental impairment, etc. An example was the death of Georgia inmate Troy Davis who was killed with the use of lethal injection not having the opportunity to realize that seven of the nine eyewitnesses were coerced by the police as his attorney Stephen Marsh revealed.
A possible solution or remedy to this is recording of interrogations from the beginning to the end including even the smallest details. This will ensure that these confessions can be assessed and their authenticity verified. This will also regulate the interrogation process and get rid of police coercion or torture the suspects into admitting guilt. This will also curb the problem of promises or threats made by the officers who perform the interrogation.
Police and Prosecutorial Mistakes
Some wrongful conviction is as a result of a mistake of the justice system. This could be because of police misconduct such as the above case where they coerce witnesses to give false testimonies (Joy 399). Darry Hunt was sentenced in 1984 and served for 19 years before DNA testing proved his innocence and cleared the rape allegations. This was as a result of a conviction made by a racist jury. Such mistakes have always led to costly wrongful convictions. The Perth mint swindle involving the two brothers Brian Mickelberg and Ray Peter in 2011 an incident which led them to file a case against Western Australia police for framing them.
Poor Defense Lawyering
Sometimes it is the person with whom the defendant entrusts their freedom is the one person that lets them down. Sometimes this defense lawyer fails to make calls to witnesses or prepare for trials which lead to the suffering of their clients.
After knowing the problem and the causes then some solutions can be offered to reduce the cases and improve the services offered by the criminal justice system as well as increase the credibility of the judiciary system. The following are some of the improvements that can be made to reduce the cases of wrongful convictions;
Improve DNA testing procedures
DNA testing has been an important aspect in criminal justice system and has helped in solving cases of wrongful convictions. DNA testing has been responsible for swinging a lot of cases involving wrongful convictions to the defendant’s favor. Improving DNA testing will, therefore, translate to fewer cases of wrong convictions. In the U.S.A alone over two hundred and thirty people serving an average of twelve years in prison have exonerated through DNA testing 75% who were wrongfully convicted. An example is the case of Lynn Dejac who was saved by DNA testing which swung the proceedings in her favor. She was convicted of murdering her daughter but later the DNA testing revealed that it was her companion who was guilty. (Findley 333)
Examining closed cases when new information is received
With the authentication of DNA testing, many convicted suspects have been exonerated. This because when a new piece of evidence surfaces then the case should be re-opened. The justice system should be flexible and continue with investigations and should a new information come up then include the information to the list of evidence. An amateur boxer known as Deway was convicted of the murder of an elderly woman in 1983 but the case was overturned in 2009 after new evidence was found. It is better late than never and in the judicial context late justice still proves that proves the competence of the system (Leo and Steven 82).
Blinded administration
To prevent misidentification by witnesses then the officer revealing the line-up can be one who has no knowledge of the appearance of the suspect. This will stop them from making unconscious gestures for example that may provide a hint to the witness (Griffin 16). Both the witness and the officer should have no prior knowledge of the suspect to prevent manipulation. In smaller agencies then folder shuffles can prove effective in blinding the officer.
Lineup composition and Instructions
The lineup presented to the witness should include “fillers” who are individuals with similar traits as those described by the witness even though are non-suspects. The suspect should not be conspicuous or outstanding from the other people in the lineup. The witness should also not view the suspect multiple times in different procedures. To reduce the pressure on the witness they should be informed that the suspect does not necessarily have to be in the lineup and that was not the end of the investigation.
Conclusion
Wrongful convictions have several effects and implications some of which are very costly and because of this, it should be reduced as much as possible even though these cases are not rampant. It might not appear as a very issue but if it was you going through such an ordeal then one can truly understand how devastating it can be and the challenges associated. Over the years’ landmark cases have concentrated the focus of the public who have today become very alert especially towards verdicts made on crucial and sensitive cases. This paper has examined why wrongful convictions are so important, what causes these convictions and some of the possible solutions that can help the judicial system get rid of this vice.
Work Cited
Garrett, Brandon L., and Peter J. Neufeld. “Invalid forensic science testimony and wrongful convictions.” Virginia Law Review (2009): 1-97.
Joy, Peter A. “The relationship between prosecutorial misconduct and wrongful convictions: Shaping remedies for a broken system.” Wisconsin Law Review 2006 (2006): 399.
Griffin, Lissa. “The correction of wrongful convictions: a comparative perspective.” American University International Law Review 16 (2001).
Leo, Richard A., and Steven A. Drizin. “The problem of false confessions in the post-DNA world.” North Carolina Law Review 82 (2004).
Findley, Keith A. “Learning from our mistakes: A criminal justice commission to study wrongful convictions.” Cal. WL Rev. 38 (2001): 333. | https://www.essaysexperts.net/blog/sample-term-paper-on-wrongful-conviction/ |
In a ruling that could make it easier for victims of alleged wrongful convictions to turn to forensic science to prove their innocence, the Supreme Court of Canada has ordered Ontario’s attorney general to hand over exhibits from a Toronto murder case for testing at the province’s crime lab.
It is the first time a Canadian court has ordered court exhibits released for forensic testing when a case is over, after a convicted person has exhausted all appeals.
The Crown fought hard against it.
Lawyers for Leighton Hay, who was convicted of gunning down Collin Moore at a Victoria Park Ave. nightclub in 2002, want to have hair clippings taken from a razor and garbage can in their client’s home tested to determine if they are scalp or facial hair.
Moore, 51, a prominent member of the city’s Guyanese community, was hosting a charity dance at the club when he was killed by two gunmen, one of whom an eyewitness described as having dreadlocks.
The Crown argued that Hay was that person and that he later shaved his head to change his appearance.
Hay maintains he was asleep at home at the time of the killing and the hairs were shavings from his beard.
In a decision Thursday, Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Supreme Court said it was “in the interests of justice” that Hay have access to the trial exhibits, given the importance the Crown attached to the head-shaving evidence at his trial.
In an interview with the Star, James Lockyer, a lawyer representing Hay, said the decision is “very good” news for future cases of suspected wrongful convictions because it means prosecutors can no longer arbitrarily refuse to release exhibits for “post-conviction” forensic testing.
“That’s essential if we want to get to the bottom of wrongful convictions,” he said.
But the attorney-general’s ministry interprets the ruling as applying only to Hay’s case and says it will not change Crown practice in this area.
There is “nothing arbitrary” about the Crown’s decisions on whether to release exhibits, ministry spokesperson Brendan Crawley said Thursday. There is a policy in place that requires prosecutors to consider the relevance of the exhibit in question and the forensic tests being sought, he said.
For several years, lawyers for people with wrongful conviction claims had managed to reach agreements with prosecutors to have exhibits released for testing, but the Crown adopted a different tack in Hay’s case, closing the door to such a request.
Access to trial exhibits for post-conviction testing has been a major issue in the United States, where lawyers for convicted people have brought more than 400 court applications seeking release of the material.
Last month, in a case from Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court was asked to rule that condemned prisoners have a civil rights claim to forensic testing, specifically DNA testing. The decision is on reserve.
Hay, meanwhile, is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in connection with Moore’s slaying. Gary Eunick, a Toronto hair stylist, was also convicted of first-degree murder in the case. | https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2010/11/18/crown_ordered_to_release_exhibits_from_toronto_murder_case.html |
In 2016, Adnan Syed—the man who was convicted in 2000 of murdering his high school classmate Hae Min Lee—was offered a new trial. This podcast SerialHe had doubted the pull of the levers that led to his conviction. This included the fact that the prosecution relied on poor evidence, his defense attorney not adequately representing him, as well as the fact the prosecution did not use enough.
Syed’s conviction was overturned last month. Today, Maryland prosecutors dismissed the charges. This is not the result of the new trial. You would not be able to believe that it ever happened.
However, the trial-that wasn’t is an important part of this story. This tells a lot about how long the U.S. criminal justice system has gone to ensure the integrity and fairness of wrongful convictions despite it being an absurdity.
One year and half later Serial forced new life into Syed’s case, a judge with the Baltimore City Circuit Court vacated his conviction—not to be confused with Syed’s vacated conviction this past September—and, in June 2016, ordered a retrial, citing ineffective assistance of his defense counsel. This attorney, disbarred one year later, failed to challenge the testimony of the state about the “evidence” concerning the unreliability and location of mobile towers.
This decision was confirmed by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals in March 2018. The criminal justice system is very focused on the finality of sentences, so there are many procedural hurdles and deadlines that can be difficult for prisoners to follow when appealing against them. Reason‘s C.J. After that decision was made, Ciaramella took the case to court. It’s not easy to succeed when DNA testing is allowed and new evidence can be introduced.
This was in perversely prophetic as Syed failed to succeed for all of the reasons. After another wasted year, Maryland’s highest courts revoked Syed’s new trial for 2019. They acknowledged that Syed was not represented by a competent counsel, but ruled that Syed was out of luck.
The fact that the legal systems can continue withholding liberty despite valid innocence claims might seem surprising. However, it’s not the norm. Syed’s release was the exception.
Here’s an example: Syed’s conviction was overturned in spite of and not because of his appeals to innocence. It was an accident, according to a wise artist. After being sentenced as a minor, he was condemned to death in prison and applied for mercy according to Maryland’s law that allows consideration of resentence after serving at least twenty years behind bars. Lara Bazelon writes in New York Becky Feldman was the head of Baltimore City’s Sentencing Review Unit and found more to his application than a possible candidate for early freedom. In addition to the aforementioned holes in the case, it became clear that the prosecution had pinpointed two other potential suspects—one had threatened to murder Lee prior to her death—and had concealed at least one of those possible perpetrators from the defense, which is illegal.
Even more frustrating is the Why. What is the reason that the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office is refusing to try Syed? This is often what happens when convictions are overturned. The DNA evidence taken from Lee’s shoes was just tested and excluded Syed. It was not a miracle that this evidence appeared 23 years after the murder.
The Adnan Syed Case just shows you there are many other cases. [wrongful convictions]”Underside,” Bazelon tells us, an associate professor of law at University of San Francisco Reason. “The only reason he got out was because of the sheer pressure of the media attention forcing prosecutors to revisit it over and over…. [Most]You don’t have the resources and they will not be found. If we find them, then it is almost impossible for them to escape because of the procedural barriers that are placed in their path.
Syed is not the only one. Charlie Vaughn may be a case in point. This man is currently on a life-sentence for murder. Radley Balko meticulously detailed his case. As the state prioritizes procedure over claims of innocence, it’s clear that Syed is not alone. The fact that Rodney Reed will be the Supreme Court’s case today is even more relevant. This comes on the exact same day as the prosecutors dropped all charges against Syed. They will be asked: Does the state need to perform DNA testing on Reed before executing him for murder that he denies he committed? | https://capitolhilltimes.com/2022/10/11/syed-exoneration-shows-how-hard-it-is-to-free-innocent-people/ |
PHILADELPHIA (January 3, 2022) – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has granted federal habeas relief to Willie Stokes, who has been serving a life sentence for murder since 1984 despite his conviction resting largely on a key witness who pleaded guilty to perjury soon after Stokes’ conviction. The Court and the District Attorney’s Office agreed that Stokes’ due process rights were violated at the time of his conviction and during subsequent attempts to have his conviction overturned.
“This remarkable case is marked by prosecutorial and policing practices that were too pervasive during the so-called tough-on-crime 1980s and 1990s, and unfortunately persist in far too many jurisdictions today. Prosecutors have an obligation to seek justice, and to redefine prosecutorial success – not by ‘wins’ in the form of convictions, but by accuracy and fairness in resolving criminal investigations and prosecutions,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “Mr. Stokes’ ordeal over nearly four decades of filing relief petition after relief petition, only to be rejected on procedural bases and without all of the evidence the Constitution says he was owed from the Commonwealth, underscores the urgency of the criminal legal system seeking justice over finality. I want to thank Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Stiegler and and David Napiorski of our Federal Litigation Unit and DAO Law Division Supervisor Nancy Winkelman for working to make sure this office always seeks justice on behalf of the Commonwealth.”
Following years of unsuccessful Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) and federal habeas litigation, the U.S. District Court last November agreed to hold an evidentiary hearing on Stokes’ petition for a writ of habeas corpus. After hearing the evidence presented at that hearing, the DAO agreed that Stokes was entitled to federal habeas relief due to misconduct at the time of Stokes’ conviction and subsequent petitions for relief regarding a failure to disclose that the key witness at Stokes’ preliminary hearing, Franklin Lee, had recanted his testimony and was soon after prosecuted by the DAO for perjury.
During the evidentiary hearing in November, Lee testified that his initial statement given to police and his testimony at the preliminary hearing implicating Stokes in the 1980 murder of Leslie Campbell in North Philadelphia had been false. Lee also testified that prosecutors at the time told him he would receive a favorable deal on his open cases in exchange for his testimony against Stokes. There was no other evidence linking Stokes directly to the crime.
Prosecutors went on to secure a conviction and life sentence without the possibility of parole for Stokes, and they also pursued perjury charges against Lee for recanting his preliminary hearing testimony at Stokes’ trial. Prior to DA Krasner, the DAO did not disclose Lee’s perjury conviction to Stokes, which Stokes could have used as he pursued PCRA and federal habeas relief.
Stokes’ case has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer series, “The Homicide Files,” focusing on police and prosecutorial misconduct in Philadelphia. The DAO Conviction Integrity Unit, which investigates credible claims of official misconduct and innocence, has secured 24 exonerations of 23 wrongfully convicted individuals since 2018.
Following the November evidentiary hearing, Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells filed a report and recommendation that Stokes be granted habeas relief on his claim that the Commonwealth violated Brady v. Maryland in failing to turn over the fact of Lee’s perjury conviction for over 30 years. Judge Wells’ December 22, 2021, opinion finds that the best available evidence suggests that Lee pled guilty to perjuring himself at Stokes’s preliminary hearing, where he inculpated Stokes, and not at his trial, where he recanted his prior testimony. Judge Wells further finds that there is a reasonable probability that Stokes would have been acquitted without Lee’s testimony and that the trial verdict is therefore unreliable. Judge Wells recommends that Stokes be granted habeas relief on his claim, and the Commonwealth agrees.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Savage approved and adopted Judge Wells’ report and recommendation, and granted Stokes’ petition for habeas relief.
CONTACT:[email protected]Jane Roh, 215-686-8711,
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. | https://phillyda.org/news/with-dao-support-federal-court-vacates-1984-murder-conviction-of-willie-stokes/ |
As American citizens, it is our duty to not simply accept everything we are told as truth.
A few weeks ago on Oct. 2, Wrongful Conviction Day took place. Wrongful Conviction Day serves as a time to raise awareness and support for those who have been wrongfully convicted and incarcerated in our broken criminal justice system.
The criminal justice system is a crucial building block to our society. Like any other major institution in America, we blindly trust this system to uphold the law in all circumstances, believing that it will always provide the Americans citizens with the steps to justice.
However, due to the vast amounts of innocent people that have been convicted and often times incarcerated for life, we can see that this system is in fact severely flawed.
Wrongful convictions happen for a myriad of reasons, but one of the most common is because of mistaken eye witness identification. In fact, mistaken witness ID has been involved in more than 70 percent of convictions that have been overturned by DNA testing since 1989.
Although it is easy to assume that it would be challenging to misidentify a suspect, particularly when it holds the weight of sentencing someone to prison for life, it is actually extremely feasible with the methods set in place.
Errors in identification can be made when the witness can’t recall some of their memory, which happens often in stressful situations. Witnesses also many times feel pressure from officials to identify someone at all costs, even if they aren’t positive the person they are identifying is the perpetrator.
It is also found that oftentimes the police involved in administering the lineup give cues to the witness to identify a certain person.
As American citizens, it is our duty to not simply accept everything we are told as truth. As troubling as it can be to face the fact that our nation’s institutions are not inherent, we must take into consideration that people’s lives are many times at stake because of what we’ve chosen to believe.
The nature of law is that it is a closed system, it has a beginning and an end. It is not constantly seeking to discover the truth in all situations, but rather to find the end and close cases.
This is what organizations such as the Innocence Projectand its chapters seek to do. They aim to keep uncovering the truth, even after the law has already said "case closed."
There have been 2,285 exonerations since 1989. This is largely in part due to these organizations, which aid in providing pro bono legal assistance to help those wrongfully convicted prove their innocence and they continue to support those who were convicted once they are freed and reintroduced into society.
On top of helping specific individuals in their endeavors to obtain freedom, they also work to pass laws to prevent wrongful convictions from being able to take place.
If you are ever interested in learning more about the Innocence Network, locate which projects are near you and get involved. Here in Tallahassee, our local project is the Innocence Project of Florida. Also, make sure to vote in the midterm elections Nov. 6 and put people in office that care about reforming our criminal justice system. | https://www.fsunews.com/story/life/2018/10/21/our-role-wrongful-convictions/1710032002/ |
Wrongful Conviction Project
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Our Mission and Vision
The Wrongful Conviction Project’s mission is to free wrongfully convicted Ohioans and to reform the criminal legal system to prevent future injustice. We effectively and compassionately advocate for our clients, serving them both while they are incarcerated and upon release. Collaborating with local, state, and national partners, we educate stakeholders about the causes of wrongful conviction and pursue policy and legislative reforms to improve the criminal legal system.
About the Wrongful Conviction Project
The Wrongful Conviction Project (WCP) was created in 2009 to address claims of innocence where biological evidence (DNA) was not available. Due in part to the generosity of Moritz College of Law alumna Erin Moriarty and a grant from the Department of Justice, the WCP has since grown to include three full-time staff. The WCP works closely with the Moritz College of Law and Capital University Law School, hosting law students as interns, externs, and volunteers and training them to be quality advocates. The WCP is also a member of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organizations around the world dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions, and supporting the exonerated after they are freed.
Each year, the WCP receives hundreds of applications for assistance. Each application is thoroughly screened and evaluated, with careful attention paid to factors known to cause wrongful convictions, including false or misleading forensic evidence, official misconduct, false confessions, mistaken eyewitness identification, and perjury/false accusation. The WCP conducts extensive investigations, consults with experts, and provides quality representation to wrongfully convicted individuals.
How to Get Help
The Wrongful Conviction Project focuses primarily on wrongful conviction claims that do not involve DNA evidence. The WCP only evaluates the claims of people who were convicted in Ohio, are currently incarcerated, and who claim factual innocence. The WCP does not provide legal assistance during the time of pretrial, trial, or an individual’s direct appeal.
Those interested in having the WCP evaluate their case for possible assistance must complete a Wrongful Conviction Project Screening Questionnaire and return it to the Wrongful Conviction Project at:
Wrongful Conviction Project
Office of the Ohio Public Defender
250 East Broad Street
Suite 1400
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Once the WCP has conducted an initial screening of an applicant’s case, it will contact them by mail.
Questions about the WCP? Contact us.
Defender of Justice Award
Erin F. Moriarty, Esq., Journalist
Born in Cincinnati and raised in Columbus, Erin graduated from the Ohio State University, Phi Beta Kappa, with a degree in behavioral sciences, and received a law degree from Ohio State’s College of Law in 1977. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Maryland. Erin’s work as a journalist for CBS News is well known, including her dedication to issues of justice, including wrongful convictions. This commitment was on display through her brilliant investigative reporting on the wrongful conviction of Ryan Ferguson in Columbia, Missouri. Her work brought national attention to the case and was instrumental in Ryan’s ultimate exoneration.
Erin brought her dedication to issues of injustice home by generously donating through the Moritz College of Law to help fund the Wrongful Conviction Project’s Fellowship Program that began in 2010. Erin’s generosity did not stop there. She has continued to support our Project by continuing to fund WCP student intern positions every year. Erin regularly communicates with the Project expressing her support and appreciation for our work.
In 2013, the Ohio Public Defender, in recognition of her support for OPD's Wrongful Conviction Project, help to those who defend the poor, and dedication to improving justice by protecting, defending, and strengthening the rights of all, recognized Erin as a Defender of Justice. | https://opd.ohio.gov/law-library/innocence/Wrongful-Conviction-Project |
Innocent people are regularly convicted of crimes they did not commit. A number of systemic factors have been found to contribute to wrongful convictions, including eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, informant testimony, official misconduct, and faulty forensic evidence. In Miscarriages of Justice in Canada, Kathryn M. Campbell offers an extensive overview of wrongful convictions, bringing together current sociological, criminological, and legal research, as well as current case-law examples. For the first time, information on all known and suspected cases of wrongful conviction in Canada is included and interspersed with discussions of how wrongful convictions happen, how existing remedies to rectify them are inadequate, and how those who have been victimized by these errors are rarely compensated. Campbell reveals that the causes of wrongful convictions are, in fact, avoidable, and that those in the criminal justice system must exercise greater vigilance and openness to the possibility of error if the problem of wrongful conviction is to be resolved.
|Author||: C. Ronald Huff,Martin Killias|
|Publisher||: Routledge|
|Release Date||: 2013|
|ISBN 10||: 0415539935|
|Pages||: 431 pages|
This innovative work builds on Huff and Killiase(tm) earlier publication (2008), but is broader and more thoroughly comparative in a number of important ways:ee (1) while focusing heavily on wrongful convictions, it places the subject of wrongful convictions in the broader contextual framework of miscarriages of justice and provides discussions of different types of miscarriages of justice that have not previously received much scholarly attention by criminologists; (2) it addresses, in much greater detail, the questions of how, and how often, wrongful convictions occur; (3) it provides more in-depth consideration of the role of forensic science in helping produce wrongful convictions and in helping free those who have been wrongfully convicted; (4) it offers new insights into the origins and current progress of the innocence movement, as well as the challenges that await the exonerated when they return to "free" society; (5) it assesses the impact of the use of alternatives to trials (especially plea bargains in the U.S. and summary proceedings and penal orders in Europe) in producing wrongful convictions; (6) it considers how the U.S. and Canada have responded to 9/11 and the increased threat of terrorism by enacting legislation and adopting policies that may exacerbate the problem of wrongful conviction; and (7) it provides in-depth considerations of two topics related to wrongful conviction:ee voluntary false confessions and convictions which, although technically not wrongful since they are based on law violations, represent another type of miscarriage of justice since they are due solely to unjust laws resulting from political repression.ee
|Author||: Kathryn M. Campbell|
|Publisher||: University of Toronto Press|
|Release Date||:|
|ISBN 10||: 0802094066|
|Pages||: 329 pages|
|Author||: Mark L. Howe,Lauren M. Knott,Martin A. Conway|
|Publisher||: Psychology Press|
|Release Date||: 2017-08-16|
|ISBN 10||: 131761738X|
|Pages||: 206 pages|
Memory is often the primary evidence in the courtroom, yet unfortunately this evidence may not be fit for purpose. This is because memory is both fallible and malleable; it is possible to forget and also to falsely remember things which never happened. The legal system has been slow to adapt to scientific findings about memory even though such findings have implications for the use of memory as evidence, not only in the case of eyewitness testimony, but also for how jurors, barristers, and judges weigh evidence. Memory and Miscarriages of Justice provides an authoritative look at the role of memory in law and highlights the common misunderstandings surrounding it while bringing the modern scientific understanding of memory to the forefront. Drawing on the latest research, this book examines cases where memory has played a role in miscarriages of justice and makes recommendations from the science of memory to support the future of memory evidence in the legal system. Appealing to undergraduate and postgraduate students of psychology and law, memory experts, and legal professionals, this book provides an insightful and global view of the use of memory within the legal system.
|Author||: M. Naughton|
|Publisher||: Springer|
|Release Date||: 2007-09-05|
|ISBN 10||: 023059896X|
|Pages||: 233 pages|
Drawing on Foucauldian theory and 'social harm' paradigms, Naughton offers a radical redefinition of miscarriages of justice from a critical perspective. This book uncovers the limits of the entire criminal justice process and challenges the dominant perception that miscarriages of justices are rare and exceptional cases of wrongful imprisonment.
|Author||: Clive Walker|
|Publisher||: OUP Oxford|
|Release Date||: 1999|
|ISBN 10||: 1854316877|
|Pages||: 402 pages|
The authors examine the various steps within the criminal justice system which have resulted in the conviction of the innocent, and suggest remedies as to how miscarriages might be avoided in the future. The contributors comprise academics, campaigners and practitioners.
|Author||: Bibi Sangha,Robert N. Moles,Kent Roach|
|Publisher||: N.A|
|Release Date||: 2010|
|ISBN 10||: 9781552211861|
|Pages||: 447 pages|
Miscarriages of justice have been the focus of judicial and public inquiries in Britain, Canada, and Australia. The objective of Forensic Investigations and Miscarriages of Justice is to make clear that, despite the rules laid down by statutes and decided cases to ensure that criminal trials are properly conducted, there are many instances where those rules have not been properly applied. In all three jurisdictions, there have been cases in which investigations have fundamentally miscarried and where expert witnesses have given evidence that has been either fraudulent or wrong. The book reviews how these problem cases are dealt with, and the marked differences between the jurisdictions in the procedures available to identify possible errors. The authors recommend ways to narrow the gap between the rhetoric of impartial forensic science and prosecutions and the re-ality of a growing number of recognized miscarriages of justice, emphasizing that both forensic science and the legal system must change and seek to better understand each other.
|Author||: C. Ronald Huff,Martin Killias|
|Publisher||: Temple University Press|
|Release Date||: 2010-01-28|
|ISBN 10||: 159213646X|
|Pages||: 326 pages|
Imperfections in the criminal justice system have long intrigued the general public and worried scholars and legal practitioners. In Wrongful Conviction, criminologists C. Ronald Huff and Martin Killias present an important collection of essays that analyzes cases of injustice across an array of legal systems, with contributors from North America, Europe and Israel. This collection includes a number of well-developed public-policy recommendations intended to reduce the instances of courts punishing innocents. It also offers suggestions for compensating more fairly those who are wrongfully convicted.
|Author||: Austin Sarat|
|Publisher||: NYU Press|
|Release Date||: 2009-01-01|
|ISBN 10||: 9780814762257|
|Pages||: 359 pages|
Since 1989, there have been over 200 post-conviction DNA exonerations in the United States. On the surface, the release of innocent people from prison could be seen as a victory for the criminal justice system: the wrong person went to jail, but the mistake was fixed and the accused set free. A closer look at miscarriages of justice, however, reveals that such errors are not aberrations but deeply revealing, common features of our legal system. The ten original essays in When Law Fails view wrongful convictions not as random mistakes but as organic outcomes of a misshaped larger system that is rife with faulty eyewitness identifications, false confessions, biased juries, and racial discrimination. Distinguished legal thinkers Charles J. Ogletree, Jr., and Austin Sarat have assembled a stellar group of contributors who try to make sense of justice gone wrong and to answer urgent questions. Are miscarriages of justice systemic or symptomatic, or are they mostly idiosyncratic? What are the broader implications of justice gone awry for the ways we think about law? Are there ways of reconceptualizing legal missteps that are particularly useful or illuminating? These instructive essays both address the questions and point the way toward further discussion. When Law Fails reveals the dramatic consequences as well as the daily realities of breakdowns in the law’s ability to deliver justice swiftly and fairly, and calls on us to look beyond headline-grabbing exonerations to see how failure is embedded in the legal system itself. Once we are able to recognize miscarriages of justice we will be able to begin to fix our broken legal system. Contributors: Douglas A. Berman, Markus D. Dubber, Mary L. Dudziak, Patricia Ewick, Daniel Givelber, Linda Ross Meyer, Charles J. Ogletree, Jr., Austin Sarat, Jonathan Simon, and Robert Weisberg.
|Author||: Eric Volz|
|Publisher||: St. Martin's Press|
|Release Date||: 2010-04-27|
|ISBN 10||: 9781429925358|
|Pages||: 304 pages|
In the spirit of Midnight Express and Not Without My Daughter comes the harrowing true story of an American held in a Nicaraguan prison for a murder he didn't commit. Eric Volz was in his late twenties in 2005 when he moved from California to Nicaragua. He and a friend cofounded a bilingual magazine, El Puente, and it proved more successful than they ever expected. Then Volz met Doris Jiménez, an incomparable beauty from a small Nicaraguan beach town, and they began a passionate and meaningful relationship. Though the relationship ended amicably less than a year later and Volz moved his business to the capital city of Managua, a close bond between the two endured. Nothing prepared him for the phone call he received on November 21, 2006, when he learned that Doris had been found dead---murdered---in her seaside clothing boutique. He rushed from Managua to be with her friends and family, and before he knew it, he found himself accused of her murder, arrested, and imprisoned. Decried in the press and vilified by his onetime friends, Volz suffered horrific conditions, illness, deadly inmates, an angry lynch mob, sadistic guards, and the merciless treatment of government officials. It was only through his dogged persistence, the tireless support of his friends and family, and the assistance of a former intelligence operative that Eric was released, in December 2007, after more than a year in prison. A story that made national and international headlines, this is the first and only book to tell Eric's absorbing, moving account in his own words. Visit the companion Exhibit Hall at the Gringo Nightmare website for additional photos, audio clips, video, case files, and more. | https://www.skinvaders.com/data/miscarriages-of-justice/ |
Upon graduating from the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in the spring 2019, Jeffrey Deskovic left with a law degree and one goal: to continue working to exonerate falsely convicted and incarcerated individuals, like himself, serving time in prison.
Earlier this month, the Sing Sing Prison Museum presented its monthly webinar special from a new webinar series, “Justice Talks.” This webinar series invites people everywhere to participate in conversations regarding the criminal justice system, incarceration, and those directly and indirectly affected.
This month’s webinar, titled “Wrongful Conviction,” screened a 20-minute documentary, “Conviction,” written, produced and directed by Jia Wertz which tells the story of Jeffrey Deskovic being falsely convicted of the rape and murder of a former Peekskill High School classmate at only 17 years old.
In 1989, shortly after the discovery of the victim’s body, Deskovic was questioned by detectives regarding his involvement in the attack. Despite there being no record of Deskovic’s DNA by the medical examiner, Deskovic says he underwent heavy interrogation without a parent or guardian present, was given numerous cups of coffee but no food prior to polygraph tests, and experienced aggressive police tactics for multiple hours straight in hopes that he would confess.
In the Q&A session following the screening of the film, Professor Brandon Garrett, Director at the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke University School of Law and author of Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecution Goes Wrong, stressed the use of deception as a police tactic, which had ultimately led to Deskovic’s false confession.
“Not only can someone say ‘fine, fine, if you let me out of this room, I did it,’” Garrett tells the panel, “they can offer details carefully fed to them by law enforcement then make it seem like they knew exactly how the crime happened and this confession contamination problem is a really disturbing one.”
After a 28 day sentence in solitary confinement, 11 years of attempting to appeal his case and every attempt being declined, Deskovic spent four additional years writing letters seeking legal help in finding additional evidence to prove his innocence.
“I went to the parole board and then they turned me down as well. So, at that point I thought I was going to die in prison,” Deskovic says.
Deskovic kept a pen pal during his time in prison. He says that during this time of losing hope, writing his pen pal played a great role in his drive to continue his fight to freedom.
“Writing my pen pal and back and forth and him encouraging me to keep going, I think, was definitely a major factor in my motivation to keep going,” he stated.
After spending 16 years in prison, DNA evidence from Steve Cunningham, the actual perpetrator, was found on additional items tested, proving Deskovic’s innocence. In 2007, Cunningham confessed to the crime.
“I was angry for the first week and then I felt like this anger is destroying me, you know, I’ve got to let this go,” Deskovic says, “I lost so much and I don’t want to, in effect, lose the rest of my life and the vehicle that allows me to actualize that is I take that energy and channel it and it fuels the advocacy work that I do.”
Post release, Deskovic used a portion of his settlement compensation to launch the Deskovic Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to exonerating the wrongfully convicted and wrongful conviction prevention. This past spring 2019, Deskovic received his law degree from the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and is now an attorney. His acceptance to Pace has allowed him to maintain his personal life and continue his advocacy work all while attending law school. He says he and the foundation’s next steps are using this credential to continue exonerating wrongful convictions.
“Initially, I’m going to enter some of the 10 cases that are already active as co-counsel and I’m going to continue to push for policy changes with the extra credential,” Deskovic says, “and at some point, I’ll be the lead attorney representing some of the clients myself.”
Jia Wertz’s short film, also her debut film, “Conviction,” documenting Deskovic’s story has won multiple awards including Best Picture at the Georgia Shorts Film Festival, Best Cinematography at the Georgia Documentary Film Festival and the Award of Distinction at the Canada Shorts Film Festival. According to Wertz, the short was meant to answer one question, that question being: how is someone who is innocent impacted by wrongful conviction and how do they reintegrate back into society? Wertz has disclosed that a feature length film is in the works, diving deeper into Deskovic’s trial, and other aspects like the psychology behind false confessions and DNA testing.
The Deskovic Foundation has freed 10 individuals to date and is continuing its advocacy for wrongful conviction prevention while working towards exonerating those who are currently serving time under wrongful conviction. For more information on the Deskovic Foundation and Jeffrey Deskovic’s experience, visit www.DeskovicFoundation.org. | https://pacechronicle.com/showcase/2021/02/10/wrongfully-convicted-the-story-of-pace-university-graduate-jeffrey-deskovic-19-is-told-through-award-winning-short-film-conviction/?print=true |
By 2030, 80 per cent of Mexico’s population will live in cities. Increasing urbanisation, combined with economic development, presents major challenges for the country, among them, the environmental impact. Efficient use of residential, traffic and natural areas, modern and sustainable transport systems, and a conscientious approach to using water, energy, and natural resources in the planning and development of cities and industries are essential in improving the quality of life in Mexico's cities and protecting the environment. To shape the country’s economic development in a more environmentally friendly manner, greater importance must be also placed on sustainable consumption and production. This requires close cooperation between civil society, the private sector and different levels of government. The development and local implementation of joint measures in solving environmental problems will help Mexico fulfil its international obligations such as the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Objective
With their improved environmental management practices, cities and businesses create an incentive for sustainable consumption, production and services.
Approach
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ is working with the project Urban-industrial Environmental Management II to raise the level of environmental management in Mexico’s cities and businesses. The project partners are the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU), governments at state and municipal level, the private sector and civil society. Together with these partners, GIZ aims to create green, liveable and inclusive cities as well as make consumption and production more sustainable. In this way, it actively contributes to environmental protection and identifies sustainable development opportunities for Mexico. GIZ focuses on the following three areas:
- Environmental management in cities
The project supports the implementation of innovative models for environmental protection at municipal level in six of Mexico’s pilot cities, including in the fields of environmentally friendly mobility, wastewater treatment, waste management, sustainable tourism, air quality improvement and environmental education for the population. Successful models have been made available to communities across the country with the support of the Mexican authorities. Training of local decision-makers on environmental affairs and sustainable urban development are also part of the project activities. GIZ is currently working together with the cities of Cozumel, Puebla and Tlalnepantla. Projects are also being implemented with the federal states of Mexico and Puebla to strengthen cooperation within communities in metropolitan regions.
- Production of sustainable goods and services
In cooperation with the Mexican Government and business associations, GIZ promotes the production of sustainable goods and services to support the development of the Mexican economy in a more environmentally friendly manner. These activities include promoting eco-friendly and resource-efficient innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), training for businesses in environmental management and introducing environmental criteria for procurement in the public sector. GIZ also supports Mexican cities in boosting sustainable tourism and reinforces economic development in selected metropolitan regions. Together with GOPA Infra GmbH, training was provided to companies and public institutions to raise their awareness of environmental management.
- Environmental policy and civil society
Promoting a strong civil society committed to environmental policy that voices its interests and contributes to political and economic decisions will further increase awareness of environmental protection in Mexican cities and businesses. A strong civil society also enables better monitoring of the government by the population and improves transparency regarding the implementation of measures. This is why GIZ is supporting the civil society organisations involved in environmental protection. For example, it ensures that environmental projects continue when there are changes in government and supports the exchange of ideas and innovative environmental protection measures. By using social networks and other information and communications technology, GIZ increases communication between civil society and authorities on key environmental issues and ensures that the people’s interests are more accurately reflected in the actions of the authorities.
Results
Residents in the metropolitan area of Toluca suffer from increasing air pollution. In response, GIZ worked with the municipal administration, the private sector and civil society to establish a low-emission zone in the city centre. Measures to reduce energy consumption and for waste recycling, environmental education, and the introduction of bike rental systems are noticeably lowering the air pollution in the Ecozona Toluca, an area nearly three square kilometres in size. Low-emission zones are now part of the federal state of Mexico’s environmental policy programme and are being implemented accordingly in other cities as well. For example, GIZ is currently supporting the introduction of a low-emission zone in the industrial city of Tlalnepantla.
In cooperation with the Mexican Association of Industrial Parks (AMPIP), GIZ is also implementing the Competitiveness Programme of Industrial Areas through Sustainability (PROCAIS) in two industrial areas. With the support of PROCAIS, resources such as water, energy and waste can be dealt with more responsibly in industrial areas. The programme also includes measures on occupational safety and gender equality.
Twenty-one per cent of the Mexican population are between the ages of 15 and 29; however, this age group's involvement in environmental issues is particularly low. As a result, GIZ is working with civil society to motivate young people to step up their engagement with the environment. The handbook ‘Together We’re Building the Future', jointly developed by GIZ and the organisation Fondo para la Comunicación y la Educación Ambiental, aims to raise awareness among young people between the ages of 15 and 20 about educational institutions and other organisations focused on environmental issues and their importance in implementing the 2030 Agenda, thereby motivating young people to become actively involved in environmental policy. | https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/25612.html |
IRC Ghana, at both the national and district level, is helping partners to raise awareness that strong water and sanitation systems and appropriate hygiene behaviours are critical in the fight against the pandemic.
Ghana recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 12, 2020 and as at May 10, 2020 4,700 cases have been recorded with 22 deaths and 494 recoveries. In the light of the pandemic, the Government of Ghana led by the President H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, announced a series of measures and continues to review and provide updates to Ghana’s enhanced response to the coronavirus pandemic. These measures are geared towards combating the pandemic:
In response to the National COVID-19 measures some ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) developed and are implementing COVID-19 emergency response action plans. Government leadership in this trying time and the response of partners like the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), Ministry of Health (MoH)/ Ghana Health Service (GHS), Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and the Asutifi North District Assembly (ANDA) to the national COVID-19 measures is commendable.
As partners who have worked severally towards bringing safe and reliable drinking water to the rural poor in Ghana, it is the collective responsibility of all to adjust, align and support the current efforts. IRC Ghana, in this direction, is supporting the National COVID-19 response at both the national and district levels, working closely with partners and the Government - MSWR, CWSA, MoH / GHS and the ANDA, to step up awareness that strong water and sanitation systems, and appropriate hygiene behaviours are critical in the fight against the pandemic.
IRC has provided financial resources to support the implementation of the COVID response plans of the MSWR, CWSA, GHS and the ANDA. The support to the MSWR is for the monitoring and coordination of WASH related COVID-19 interventions; and the CWSA for community outreach on handwashing with soap and water. The collaboration with MoH/GHS (Institutional Care Division) is to support the COVID-19 Risk Assessment of selected healthcare facilities with reported cases to mitigate the rate of infections.
At the district level, the financial resources to the ANDA is for the training of health workers, district staff, counter medicine sellers and CSOs about the virus; and to undertake detailed assessment of district COVID response needs, which is central to tackling the public health emergency and the long-term development of resilient systems.
Additionally, IRC Ghana has in collaboration with the Resource Centre Network and Netcentric Campaign deployed all channels to support the WASH/ COVID-19 dialogue; and to amplify relevant messages to key audiences and beneficiaries at the national and district levels.
IRC Ghana believes this is the time to act decisively and collectively to promote the value of water, sanitation and hygiene to the health and security of everyone everywhere in Ghana - leaving no one behind.
The CWSA, a public institution responsible for providing safe water, water related sanitation and hygiene services to rural communities and small towns in Ghana, set up a team, which developed a COVID-19 emergency response strategy and guidelines to reach out to rural communities.
Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi, Chief Executive of CWSA stated: “The focus of our strategy is the promotion of effective handwashing with soap, application of alcohol-based sanitisers and deployment of handwashing logistics through our regional and water system offices. Our offices will engage communities through local radio stations and community information centres, to provide the right information on proper handwashing with soap and how to avoid contracting the coronavirus disease. Communities will also be supported to construct simple local handwashing facilities especially at the household level, such as tippy taps.”
Mr. Siabi added that the agency will also contribute towards the provision of handwashing facilities, soap and hand sanitisers to community clinics and Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds. He further stated, “Our Community Relations Officers will mount intensive public education in rural communities on proper handwashing and prevention of COVID-19. CWSA will ensure that water is available to facilitate proper handwashing with soap under running water in rural communities and small towns.”
As part of the strategy implementation process, the Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources donated handwashing facilities to Osu Children’s home in Accra. The Agency is also working with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development through the Public Health Emergency Committees to help communities across the country.
IRC Ghana, in addition to the funding support, is working with CWSA in engaging stakeholders and amplifying key evidence-based educational messages, including short videos on handwashing through the WASH resource centre network channels, CSO partner networks, the Sanitation Challenge WhatsApp platform and the ANAM district level platforms.
IRC Ghana also provided support to produce a short handwashing video for the National Development Planning Commission’s hygiene awareness campaign in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was part of a round of documentation of WASH success stories commissioned by the NDPC. The documentation is about handwashing facilities developed by World Vision in schools in the Asutifi North District and captured by IRC Ghana in March 2020.
Collective efforts for Asutifi North District COVID-19 response
The Asutifi North District has been implementing several measures in response to the National COVID-19 strategy - including the ban on meetings and workshops and the call on citizens to observe social distancing and hand hygiene protocols. These measures have slowed economic activity, affected businesses and the implementation of the ANAM project activities.
Though the district is yet to report its first confirmed case, the impact of COVID-19 is already being felt by the citizens either directly or indirectly ranging from people in the formal sector to the informal sector whose businesses and incomes have been severely affected.
In response to the pandemic at the district level, the Asutifi North District Assembly has prepared and operationalised an Epidemic Preparedness and Response plan. The objectives of the plan are to:
To operationalise the plan, a Public Health Emergency Committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the plan which is in line with the national COVID strategy. Under the guidance of the Committee, several measures including public awareness campaigns have been launched to sensitise the public on the pandemic. An emergency phone number has also been set up to enable citizens to call in to report any suspected case for immediate action.
To ensure compliance with the President’s directives on social distancing and provision of handwashing facilities in markets to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the District Assembly has met and agreed with the market queens to divide the market into segments to reduce congestion and provide handwashing facilities.
The Conrad Hilton Foundation (CNHF) Grantees working in the district to support the implementation of the ANAM WASH master plan are collaborating with the District Assembly in various ways to implement the District COVID response plan.
IRC Ghana has provided financial resources to the Asutifi North District Assembly to roll out public awareness creation amongst the citizenry about the virus through information vans and community information centres. This support also enabled the Assembly to carry out training of trainers’ workshop for the district staff, health workers, counter medicine sellers and CSOs about the virus.
Furthermore, IRC Ghana in collaboration with Netcentric Campaigns and the District Assembly are creating public awareness on COVID-19 amongst the citizenry through radio and information centres, ANAM website, ANAM Facebook page, and production and distribution of leaflets to provide information.
World Vision International, Ghana is providing Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) for health care workers and handwashing facilities for institutions and public places in the district.
Safe Water Network (SWN) has started providing free water for the people of Gambia and Wamahinso in compliance with government directive on three months free water for citizens to help prevent and contain the spread of the virus in the district. SWN will also identify and connect health care facilities within the operational areas of their water stations to ensure infection prevention and control. Additionally, information materials on COVID-19 will be disseminated at the standpipes, water stations, and water kiosks of Safe Water Network and Aquaya Institute.
Other private companies operating within the district including Newmont Gold Corp Ghana Limited and religious bodies have also provided hand hygiene facilities to the Asutifi North District Assembly for onward distribution to communities, public places and health facilities to help fight the virus. As part of the corporate social responsibility of the local media network, additional airtime (slots) for radio adverts and talk shows on COVID-19 has been offered to the District Assembly to create awareness and educate the citizenry.
It is possible some of the projections for WASH coverage under the ANAM initiative may be affected, depending on the course of the pandemic in Ghana. However, ANAM partners are committed to supporting the district COVID response, considering that an effective WASH system is a source of resilience for communities in the district. Indeed, the pandemic underscores the importance of WASH, especially proper hygiene practice as a vital protection for communities at all levels.
Report on a sensitisation workshop on COVID-19 by Sammy Asare and Ahafo Kenyasi and originally posted on Kingdomfmonline. | https://www.ircwash.org/news/ghana-irc-supports-covid-19-response |
By 2050, the global human population is expected to exceed nine billion. Currently, 12.5% of the global population, or one in eight people, are undernourished – the vast majority of whom live in developing countries, where the prevalence of undernourishment is estimated at 14.9%. With the global demand for food, feed and fibre set to nearly double, there is an urgency about how to feed the world. Producing 70% more food for an additional 2.3 billion people by 2050 while combating poverty and hunger; using scarce natural resources more efficiently and adapting to climate change are the main challenges facing world agriculture.
Responding to these challenges will take investments in innovation, research and development, in affordable technologies and in smallholder farmers, who are essential to stable, productive and equitable agricultural development. In many regions fewer people will be living in rural areas and even fewer will be farmers. Making farms more productive and more resilient through sustainable intensification systems ‐ increasing crop yields with improved nutrition levels and resistance to disease and climate change, while using less water, pesticides and fertilizers and lowering greenhouse gas emissions is critical.
Such enormous tasks cannot be faced without a true partnership involving governments, academic and scientific communities, non-governmental organizations, communities, farmers as well as the food industry itself. Policies and practices aimed at advancing the goals of sustainable agriculture, improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, securing the stability of rural communities and helping ensure the future of the world’s food supply certainly cannot be implemented without a proper involvement also of the food industry.
As the World Health Organization Global Strategy on Physical Activity and Health suggests, reducing the risk factors for chronic disease on a global basis will demand collaboration among many different groups. The success of the Global Strategy can only be based on a comprehensive approach with active participation by all involved, including government, the food and beverage industry, civil society and other public- and private-sector stakeholders.
The UN Declaration of 16 September 2011 on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/66/L.1 ):
- recognizes “the need for the efforts and engagement of all sectors of society to generate effective responses for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases”;
- acknowledges “the contribution and important role played by all relevant stakeholders, including, where and as appropriate, the private sector and industry, in support of national efforts for non-communicable disease prevention and control”;
- commits to “advance the implementation of multi-sectoral, cost-effective, population-wide interventions in order to reduce the impact of the common non-communicable disease risk factors”;
- commits to “develop, strengthen and implement multi-sectoral public policies and action plans to promote health education and health literacy, including through evidence-based education and information strategies and programmes in and out of schools, and through public awareness campaigns”.
To sum up:
1) the Food Industry is an essential partner to help reach the goal of an improved nutrition worldwide and, therefore, it should be properly involved in a whole-of-society effort towards reaching such a goal. Of course, proper “rules of engagement” could usefully be defined for such an involvement.
2) The best way to improve nutrition is not through regulations and restrictions, but rather through nutrition education and literacy, especially through evidence-based education and information strategies and programmes (in and out of schools) and targeted public awareness campaigns. | http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/zh/comment/5199 |
A Marine Protected Area (MPA) are coastal and sea zones specially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biodiversity, natural and associated cultural resources covering all features and values of a park area including soil, mineral, living things as well as all historic and pre-historic, sites, trails, structures, and inscriptions, managed through legal or other effective means (Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage, 2003). MPAs include marine parks, nature reserves and locally managed marine areas that protect reefs, seagrass beds, shipwrecks, archaeological sites, tidal lagoons, etc. The National Policy on Biological Diversity has set a target of 10% of coastal and marine areas to be conserved by 2025 (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 2016). To date, Malaysia’s gazettement of MPAs is at 5.3%.
Protecting MPAs is a key focus for Yayasan Hasanah’s Environment focus area. Therefore, as part of our knowledge sharing initiative, we gathered a panel of experts to discuss the importance and the challenges in identifying, establishing and managing MPAs. The session, hosted as a webinar, was conducted on 1 December 2020. 4 panellists participated in the discussion; 1) Robecca Jumin, Head of Conservation – Sabah WWF – Malaysia; 2) Jasmin Mohd Saad, Policy and Institutional Analysis – Ocean Research; 3) Julian Hyde, General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia; and 4) Lim Ai Gik, Department of Fisheries Malaysia. The session was moderated by Ivy Wong, Lead of Environment, Yayasan Hasanah. Learnings of the webinar are highlighted below:
Importance of MPAs
- Sustainability of livelihood (Lim Ah Gaik)
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential to our livelihood. Apart from serving as a nature-based solution to environmental and climate problems, it ensures food security and serves as an economic asset for the tourism and fisheries industries. It supports the livelihood of our local communities as well as the fishermen community.
- Protect marine resources (Jasmin Mohd Saad)
MPAs are crucial as it serves as one of the strategies for environmental protection and conservation of aquatic resources. MPAs help to preserve valuable environments and representative samples of marine life as well as restore ocean productivity and prevent further degradation. The existence of MPAs will also help in monitoring the threat to marine resources.
Challenges in identifying, establishing, and managing MPAs in Malaysia
Although MPAs play a significant role in ensuring the livelihood of communities and protecting and preserving the life of marine biodiversity, establishing and managing MPAs is not an easy and direct process. The speakers highlighted some of the challenges in identifying, establishing, and managing MPAs
- Engagement of politicians and stakeholders. (Lim Ah Gaik, Robecca Jumin, Julian Hyde & Jasmin Mohd Saad)
Active participation of politicians and stakeholders in managing an MPA is said to be one of the contributing factors for a successful MPA in other countries such as Indonesia. The process of gazetting and managing MPAs is lengthy and requires a lot of networking and cooperation from many levels of authority and stakeholders.
- Policy and Institutional issues (Jasmin Mohd Said & Julian Hyde)
Commitment from state and federal agencies is crucial in ensuring the successful implementation of MPA. One of the challenges in implementing MPAs in Malaysia is the lack of forcing factors, such as the legal requirement to ensure that the recommended actions (design and implementation of MPA) are integrated into the MPA development plans.
- Community Awareness (Robecca Jumin)
Community members often do not realise the existence and importance of MPAs. This lack of awareness can be attributed to the relatively hidden and inaccessible nature of MPAs. Increasing the awareness and participation of local communities to share their knowledge and information about their marine area is beneficial to improve the management plan and controlling illegal activities such as fish bombing, cyanide fishing, bottom trawling and by-catch. Without community support for such marine protection, it is unlikely that these areas will be designated in the first place.
In conclusion, Marine Protected Areas are important for the future because it can protect depleted, threatened, rare, and endangered species and populations. Furthermore, protecting MPAs means protecting the livelihood and sustainability of food production. Therefore, everyone has a responsibility and a role to play in making sure that implementation of Marine Protected Areas in Malaysia is successful.
The recording of the webinar can be found at our facebook page.
Reference: | https://yayasanhasanah.org/2021/05/17/the-importance-and-challenges-in-establishing-and-managing-malaysias-marine-protected-areas/ |
How Local Communities Can Join Hands And Work For Sustainable Development
Community-driven campaigns are the first step towards an inclusive and sustainable development. They empower community members and give them control and management of local resources, while guiding them on sustainability and protection of the same.
This decentralized approach strengthens the local grassroots-level organizations while reducing dependence on Governments and Administration. One of the most successful initiatives in this sphere was the development of ‘Self Help Groups’ (SHGs) in rural areas, which were comprised of women.
These groups were instrumental in providing credit to aspiring women entrepreneurs. They gave women a voice in the community’s decision-making process and provided opportunities for skill-development and better employability.
A prime example of the success of this model is an SHG in Palayanur village in Tamil Nadu, which trained 100 villagers in nursing and computer skills, enabling more lucrative employment opportunities and greatly uplifting the socio-economic conditions in the village.
This shows the effectiveness of involving local communities in identifying local solutions for their local challenges.
It is essential to provide community members with opportunities to voice their social realities. TEDxHyderabad is a forum where conversations hold the purpose of triggering social change. A TEDxHyderabadSalon on Civic Responsibility 2017 event hosted a conversation on the shocking statistics on depleting groundwater levels and the drying up of lakes in the city, which are the only source of freshwater.
It also highlighted the poor quality of water in the lakes of Hyderabad, due to inflow of sewage, garbage dumping and general apathy. This led to the birth of ‘Live The Lakes’, a campaign spearheaded by Kalpana Ramesh, aiming to preserve and maintain Hyderabad’s lakes while transforming the ‘hazard zones’ around them into clean community spaces.
The campaign encouraged the community to practice rainwater harvesting and received support from the State Government. SAHE (Society for Advancement of Human Endeavour) played a vital role in raising funds for the initiative and organizing India’s first ‘Lake Protection Committee’.
Today, ‘Live The Lakes’ is testament to an effective partnership between the community, State, civic bodies, corporates and grassroots organizations. This innovative model is easily replicated in cities like Bangalore, which are also reeling under an acute water crisis and destruction to natural lakes and water bodies.
Challenges within the community
Often, individuals with the desire to make a change within their communities face several obstacles including lack of funding and lack of awareness amongst the community members itself. Sometimes, deep-rooted belief systems, habits and superstitions held by many in the community can become barriers to sustainable progress. As community members become more aware about local issues there is a rise in willingness to participate and contribute towards a solution.
It is, hence, essential to build platforms and groups through which these community members can discuss and identify solutions to their local challenges while working together to build resources like labour, funds and knowledge that they will need to effectively combat these challenges.
Role of community in sustainable development
Direct participation from the community fosters inclusive development of all its members. Economic progress leads to social change, better access to education and healthcare, and infrastructural growth.
A community would have the most proficient knowledge about their local realities. Hence, it is imperative to design welfare campaigns that are grounded in these insights.
Empowering the community to identify solutions to the local challenges would help them reduce their dependence on bureaucratic institutions and State action. It would enable them to become a self-sufficient, through mutually-beneficial partnerships with NGOs and other organizations.
Key components of a community-driven campaign
A decentralized approach towards development requires critical insights from the community, meticulous research and actionable strategies.
The first step in designing a campaign is to identify the needs and challenges in the community. This can be carried out through extensive interactions with the population in focus.
The next step is to identify the resources within the community which can be harnessed to effectively navigate through the challenges.
Constituent actors, grassroots organizations, social workers and local entrepreneurs must be allocated with specific responsibilities. In case of absent resources in the community, these players must work in cohesion to create avenues to access these resources.
Entrepreneurs and corporates can also perform a critical role in empowering a community. Through the TEDxHyderabad 2018 platform, MIT graduate Srikanth Bolla spoke extensively about Bollant Industries, which employs 600 differently-abled individuals from rural Andhra Pradesh. Pioneers like Bolla could successfully tap into the business potential of the communities and open up a range of career opportunities.
Partnerships of this nature go beyond the ‘welfare alone’ narrative and help in building a mutually-profitable relationship with the community.
The most important step in this process is to ensure the effective implementation of the campaign and track the progress within the community. It is essential to monitor the effectiveness of the campaign to identify the limitations (if any) and devise strategies to overcome these.
In conclusion
A critical aspect of a community-driven campaign is to provide a platform, such as TEDxHyderabad, to the agents of social change.
These platforms create opportunities for them to voice their ideas and opinions to an audience that might prove to be resourceful in creating actionable change. It also helps these pioneers to engage in a conversation, driven by social responsibility, democratic growth and equitable distribution of resources, while maintaining cultural relevance.
The Conversation (0)
Start a conversation, not a fire. Post with kindness. | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/how-local-communities-can-join-hands-and-work-for-sustainable-development-371024.html |
About US:
War Child Canada is an internationally recognized charity organization registered in Toronto, Canada that works with war-affected communities to help children reclaim their childhood through access to education, opportunity and justice. War Child Canada takes an active role in raising public awareness around the impact of war on communities and the shared responsibility to act. When war itself ends, the consequences endure. A lack of employment opportunities, the absence of effective economic or social structures, an under-educated population and a culture of impunity around rights violations combine to create conditions that make a return to conflict all too possible. But by making a long-term investment to create an environment in which childhood can thrive, the cycle of violence can be broken.
Job Summary: The Education Officer manages the day-to-day operations including mobilization, implementation and development of community sensitization and training activities for refugee community beneficiaries, host community members and all education actors relevant to achieving the project goal. The incumbent will also be responsible for conducting awareness campaigns, supervising accelerated Learning program teachers, forge strong partnership and collaboration with governmental departments and nongovernmental organizations to identify and effectively respond to education concerns, with particular focus on school going children.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and provide community sensitizations and dialogues on education;
- Provide training and supervision clinics to ALP Teachers on teacher code of conduct.
- Conduct Education Supervision clinics together with the district Education Office representatives
- Organize and facilitate monthly forums that bring together refugee women and girls to share experiences and discuss issues related to women and girls in Education
- Provide technical training on Education, Child protection, Refugee rights and obligation, actors, and other relevant actors;
- Prepare communication and training materials, and develop new sensitization and training approaches;
- Make follow up visits in each community after activities to document impact;
- Conduct radio panel discussions as per the work plan;
- Actively participate in the development and dissemination of Education and Communication (IEC) material to both refugees and host communities;
- Work in liaison with the Legal team to ensure a consistent and coordinated implementation of programs for instance when involving legal staff to take up training/ awareness sessions;
- Conduct mobilization for education key stakeholders, community members to participate in awareness sensitization and trainings as requested by Project Manager;
- Extensive collaboration and consultation with local and nationals in the NGO and private sector authorities, INGOs, national NGOs, refugee / community leaders and the community;
- Prepare a narrative report at the end project Activities provided and to recommend any improvement.
- Undertake field monitoring visits in each community after the training/ outreach activities have been conducted to assess impact and identify potentials for program improvement;
- Participate in the community surveys to assess program results and impact and as well participate in the quarterly internal reviews of the program;
- Attend monthly team meetings to share experiences, lessons learnt and challenges;
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant for the War Child Canada Education Officer job placement must hold a University-level education in development studies or any related field.
- A minimum of three to five years’ experience in Education programming activities particularly at field level.
- Ability and Skills in participatory methodology to facilitate trainings with community;
- Proficiency in computer packages such as MS word, Excel Power Point and Data base;
- Previous experience in project report writing;
- Prior exposure and experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of Training Programs.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English, knowledge of local language of the Community is an asset.
- Good coordination, facilitation, training, mentoring and motivational skills.
- Previous experience or understanding of participatory approaches and community mobilization in relation to education
- Proven ability to establish and implement robust M&E plans for protection activities.
- Ability to work in multi partner environments in implementing protection activities and services.
- Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills with attention to details.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, time, tight schedules and meeting deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills (both in written and spoken English).
- Excellent record keeping and report writing skills.
- Excellent networking, interpersonal and negotiating skills.
- Demonstrated competence in conceptual, analytical and problem solving skills.
- Good computer skills (word, excel, outlook, power point, internet).
- Previous experience working at a global organization and in emergency situations is an asset.
- Experience of developing and using information systems and running a range of reports.
- Able to travel, at times at short notice, and spend time away from work base and home.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should submit hard copies of their curriculum vitae and an accompanying cover letter in a sealed envelope to:
Human Resources Manager,
War Child Canada (WCC), | https://www.theugandanjobline.com/2018/01/5-education-officer-ngo-job-opportunities-war-child-canada-wcc.html |
Three Perspectives: Taking Climate Action on Campus
In August 2021, we hosted a Virtual Adaptations panel discussion on campus sustainability. Our panel included: Greg Power, Head of Capital Projects and Planning, Estates and Facilities, Trinity College Dublin; Merry Rankin, Director of Sustainability, Iowa State University; and Ron Saporta, Chief Operating Officer, Property Services & Sustainability, University of Toronto. This timely discussion highlighted how institutions are thinking about our climate challenges as they relate to the built environment and operations. In the following essays, our HDR colleagues provide their perspectives on some of the important issues discussed during the panel:
- Our "Climate-Positive" Movement — Sally Lee
- Navigating the Roadblocks of Climate Action Plans — Somayeh Mousazadeh
- Culture Shift: 5 Strategies for Maximizing Student and Community Involvement in Climate Action Planning — Jean Hansen
Our “Climate-Positive” Movement
According to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, our planet is rapidly accelerating towards a human-driven climate crisis. In the wake of one of the most unwavering and sobering determinations we have ever received from the IPCC, the recent Virtual Adaptations discussion was a timely conversation between a geographically diverse panel of campus sustainability leaders that gave me hope that positive change may be on the fiery horizon…but we must act together. And fast.
One powerful takeaway from the conversation is the unanimous consensus from the panellists that culture is the biggest driver of the significant changes campuses have been able to achieve in the last 15 years, not only in policy and industry but, more importantly, in the acceptance of climate change as a very real phenomenon. Climate action and sustainability initiatives have more support than ever before. And perhaps no generation is as vocal about this reality as Gen Z.
Gen Z currently makes up the majority of students in the higher education system and will continue to do so for at least the next decade, a critical pocket of time for achieving climate action targets that could play a crucial role in our planet’s future. As the first generation of people who grew up in a fully digital, socially and globally-connected world, studies show Gen Zers are more in touch with global news, trends, and issues than generations before, closely tying their decisions and activism to their values and passions. As Merry Rankin observed, a decade ago, roughly 40% of students stated that an institution’s commitment to sustainability had an impact on whether or not they would choose to enrol, while today, over 60% of students agree with that statement. To use the words of Greg Power, sustainability and conscientious sourcing are a part of this generation’s “muscle memory.”
Educational institutions need to harness Gen Z’s sense of urgency and willingness to take climate-conscious action. As we move towards a future that will be defined by unprecedented climate events, our human species will need to problem-solve, adapt, and think quickly in response to conditions we have not seen before. Within the educational system, curriculum and pedagogies must evolve to equip future generations to face the anomalies that are headed our way. Ron Saporta spoke of experiential learning working its way into the curriculum at the University of Toronto, stating examples of how this immersive technique has already shown win-win-win outcomes for student, community, and planet. By leveraging university coursework as an opportunity to solve community-based issues, the student body can play an active role in developing real-time, enforceable solutions with environmental payback for the local communities of which they are a part.
It is increasingly evident that through partnerships between state, community, and university, the powerful combinations of multi-generational, multi-disciplinary teams can strengthen community resilience, impact policy, and drive positive industry changes to combat the climate crisis from multiple angles. As Ron suggested at one point in the panel, shifting our collective thinking from one that aims to achieve a “carbon negative” outcome to one that strives for “climate positive” actions may more effectively align with the critical agenda at hand and push us towards new partnerships, more inclusive discipline engagements, and creative innovations.
Sally Lee, AIA, NCARB, CDT, LEED AP BD+C, is a design architect and associate at HDR. With a background in international commercial work, retail, education, and science and technology, Sally brings a diverse range of cultural and spatial design experience that contributes to meaningful design that enriches the relationships between individuals, communities, and environments.
Navigating the Roadblocks of Climate Action Plans
In the recent Virtual Adaptations discussion, it was interesting to hear from the panellists that in addressing the climate emergency, the problem is not always lack of a good plan.
They discussed how their institutions face multifaceted challenges to implement their plans and achieve their sustainability goals.
I highlight three of those major challenges below and share how our panellists suggested addressing them.
Financial Mechanisms
Panelists identified the cost-benefit of energy savings as an early and key driver of sustainability on campuses. At the same time, the costs associated with implementing low carbon systems, upgrading old infrastructure and adopting new technology is one of the primary barriers to implementing sustainable solutions on campus.
Many universities set ambitious plans to contribute to global climate goals. However, they rarely have the necessary funding and are often unclear about the financial aid and support that universities could receive to overcome financial barriers. For example, certified climate bonds are an interesting financial model available to some universities to finance their climate action plans. However, many universities are unaware of them. Moreover, administration and processes involved are very onerous. Even when you go through the process of applying for bonds, getting a fully-funded plan, as in the recent case of Oberlin College, is not always guaranteed. Although the aid is still helpful, it may not be enough to fully achieve sustainability goals.
Given the urgency of climate change, more support and clarity on financial structures and funding mechanisms can help colleges and universities implement their sustainability plans. Aside from global organizations, local governments have incentives to financially support universities to achieve their sustainability goals. Universities, as large organisms within the cities, can help them lower their overall carbon footprint.
Organizational Adoption
As identified by panellists, organizational adoption is another important consideration. For instance, sometimes maintenance and operations staff's lack of familiarity with new technologies creates barriers in adopting more sustainable systems. In my role as an architect working with institutions, I notice that a common concern from the staff is the lack of available support from suppliers of these new technologies. Suppliers should consider how to address this concern as part of the commercialization of the new green technologies. There is an obvious opportunity for the industry to partner with the universities to provide adequate training and build a body of local trades to provide technical support as needed.
Another aspect is that the research equipment and standards at universities are not necessarily made with efficient consumption practices in mind. Tapping into the resources provided by initiatives and organizations such as My Green Lab, I2SL and SLCan can help researchers, lab staff and students operate the labs more sustainably and demand cleaner technology for purposes of intense research.
Technological Opportunities and Barriers
Panelists also discussed how the availability of advanced technology has made sustainable strategies more affordable and therefore easier for universities to adopt. However, technology alone cannot be the answer. Over-reliance on technology to run mechanical systems can undermine some of the low tech and passive methods that can be made more efficient from both a financial and operations perspective. For example, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to supply fresh air and proper ventilation has become urgent. We often observe resistance from mechanical and operation staff to provide operable windows, because they are concerned that open windows can create waste of energy while the mechanical systems are running. However, providing 100% fresh air through mechanical systems is a very high tech, high energy and more expensive alternative.
Using automated operable windows is a relatively affordable method to address this concern while substantially improving the air quality in any space. As one of the panellists mentioned, academic communities should aim to optimize the technological results with the least consumption and impact on the environment. More awareness and information about the life cycle impact of products and technologies is crucial in making the right decision about adopting a technology that actually makes a difference.
As all panellists underscored, the benefits to personal health and wellness will help further propel sustainable efforts moving forward. Air quality is becoming more and more important to students and staff from a health and wellness perspective. We need to make sure that when we adopt the increasing number of building technologies that are available to us, we don’t create future barriers to sustainability or compromise wellness.
Somayeh Mousazadeh OMRAIC, OAA INTERN is a project designer at HDR. She has more than 10 years of experience, working on highly complex institutional projects. As a design strategist, she plays a distinctive role in projects with inherent complexity and competing requirements. Somayeh is motivated by an optimistic design ideology in which nature, humans, and economy can equally thrive — where efficiency and quality coexist.
Culture Shift: 5 Strategies for Maximizing Student and Community Involvement in Climate Action Planning
It is easy to be cynical or disheartened in the current moment we are living: higher education and our larger society are grappling with the impacts of the global pandemic, issues of social justice and a climate crisis that grows more dire each day, particularly given the recent IPCC report. But after listening to our speakers during the recent Virtual Adaptations discussion, I feel more hopeful. The shared commitment all three of their universities hold to engaging on these issues with not only their students and faculty, but also with their greater communities, restored my confidence in the power of people and organizations to tackle big, tough challenges.
The panellists themselves reiterated that a culture shift is underway in the way people think about sustainability, and we have an opportunity to capitalize on that. Below are five ideas that I heard during the session that help to cultivate this type of culture:
- Keep an Open Line of Communication: Opening up lines of communication between student leadership and administration can help promote sustainability as an integral part of the culture in which all are involved in achieving results – whether that is around reducing carbon emissions, decarbonization, repurposing space or making more sustainable, healthier choices.
- Extend the Sustainability Conversation Beyond the Campus: Connecting students to their community and getting them directly involved gives them firsthand exposure to systems thinking and strategic planning that can take them beyond the campus. The effort of this collective community acts as a learning laboratory and allows everyone to feel some ownership in solutions and in being a part of the resiliency force.
- Integrate Resiliency and Climate Adaptation Strategies: Designing agility and flexibility into systems and planning can allow universities to respond not only to their own needs but also to the community’s needs in times of disaster. For example, universities can plan for resiliency zones that can serve not only those on the campus, but also the broader community.
- Leverage Town-Gown Collaboration for Impact: Universities should play an active role in their community’s decarbonization efforts and overall policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to extend the impact of both through a symbiotic relationship.
- Utilize Experiential Learning to Ground Ideas in Reality: Giving students experiential learning opportunities, such as providing energy modelling for local landlords, or developing sustainable policies for local NGO(s) can help reinforce these ideas and drive positive impact in the community.
The growth in awareness, interest and knowledge in the climate crisis and the engagement of universities, students and communities on these issues brings hope to a challenging time. The pandemic has raised awareness of the relationships between public health, climate, social justice and the built environment. With heightened awareness of both the climate crisis and the interconnected nature of our lives we have an opportunity to work together to continue the positive culture shift around sustainability, resiliency and adaptation.
Climate change used to be much more nebulous, but now universities are engaging their students, faculty, administrators, and larger communities to set goals and long-term visions and to help activate real, positive change. With heightened awareness of both the climate crisis and the interconnected nature of our lives, we have an opportunity to work together to continue the positive culture shift around sustainability, resiliency and adaptation.
Jean Hansen, FIIDA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP, CID, EDAC, AAHID is sustainable principal at HDR. She is based in San Francisco with 30+ years of experience in interior design, medical planning and sustainable design. Jean is responsible for advancing HDR's sustainability initiatives internally and in project and research work for healthcare and institutional environments. | https://www.hdrinc.com/au/insights/three-perspectives-taking-climate-action-campus |
Genevieve Donnellon-May | Climate Change Fellow
In the era of climate crisis, countless droughts and floods, and increasing demand creating pressures on existing water supplies, more sustainable urban water practices are essential.
What we are witnessing worldwide are the consequences of poor water management due to factors like bureaucratic inertia, absence of investment funds, and inappropriate institutional arrangements. Given these circumstances, governments should rethink their approaches to water management to meet increased demand and avoid further concerns of water crises.
While poor water management is occurring worldwide, it is often more noticeable in developing countries. Estimates from the World Bank suggest that approximately 45 million cubic metres of water are ‘lost’ (e.g. through leaks) daily in developing countries, costing more than US$3 billion annually. As a result, water utilities find it difficult to provide reliable coverage to consumers at affordable prices.
If the water losses in developing countries could be halved, the saved water would supply around 90 million people. For this to happen, governments must recognise that improving water management practices is necessary to decrease demand and provide consumers with more sustainable water supplies.
Water Demand Management Measures
One way of addressing these issues is for governments, water utilities, public policymakers, and other stakeholders to implement water demand management (WDM) measures in urban areas.
While governments have traditionally sought to achieve greater water security through supply expansion, there is growing interest worldwide in WDM. WDM seeks to increase water consumption efficiency by providing users with more sustainable and cost-effective supplies while improving water quality. Furthermore, it is key for water-scarce countries and countries aiming to improve their domestic water security in the long term.
To improve water consumption efficiency, various measures can be used, including technical measures (e.g. leakage detection technology and smart water meters), economic incentives (e.g. tariff schemes and metering), and non-price mechanisms (e.g. water conservation campaigns and consumer education). These practices are already used worldwide to some extent, including in Australia, Cambodia, Namibia, the European Union (EU), and the United States of America (US).
Alternative Water Supply Systems
Alternative water supply systems – such as desalination, rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems, and highly treated wastewater – are additional WDM measures which governments should consider. As these alternative water supply systems can be treated to the World Health Organisation’s drinking standards, they can also enable governments to improve water security on various scales (national, regional, and local).
Alternative water supplies are already in place in countries like Israel, a water-insecure country known for its frequent droughts and water shortages. For instance, 55 per cent of Israel’s domestic water is sourced from desalination. As a result, Israel is now estimated to produce 20 per cent more water than it needs. Furthermore, within the next few years, Israel expects the desalinated water from its seven desalination plants to produce up to 90 per cent of its annual municipal and industrial water consumption.
Elsewhere, in Singapore, the country’s ‘Four National Taps’ strategy is in place to ensure Singapore’s continued sustainable and diversified water supply. The four different sources of water are as follows: water from local catchments, imported water from Malaysia, NEWater (high-grade reclaimed water), and desalinated water. The varied water sources have enabled Singapore to meet growing water demand and become more resilient towards weather variability. By 2060, NEWater and desalination are expected to meet up to 85 per cent of Singapore’s water demand.
Challenges
The implementation of WDM measures, however, is not without challenges. A major challenge to consider is the cost of implementing WDM measures, particularly alternative water supply systems. For instance, desalination plants, although climate-resilient, are considered expensive and energy-intensive. Additionally, concerns have been raised over their environmental impacts.
Another challenge to consider is dependence on the reliability of rainfall and climate. In cities where there are no water shortages or restrictions, installing RWH systems (e.g. rainwater tanks) can be expensive. This means that RWH may not be cost-effective or considered necessary, given the abundance of rain.
Furthermore, public attitudes towards WDM measures is an additional key factor as they can have the power to determine if certain projects go ahead as planned. In the case of wastewater being treated to drinking water quality standard, for instance, the visceral image of “toilet to tap” could be off-putting to water consumers, despite research demonstrating that reclaimed wastewater is reliable and safe to drink.
Despite the challenges presented by WDM, from a long-term perspective, governments should aim to improve water management by increasing water use efficiency through multisectoral WDM measures which are both climate resilient and can improve water quality. While alternative water source systems like desalination and treated wastewater may be considered more controversial WDM measures given public attitudes and the associated concerns over environmental impacts, they undoubtedly have a role to play in reducing water scarcity fears and achieving water security in urban areas. In order for WDM measures to be successfully implemented and abided by, governments could create public information campaigns to both raise awareness of the importance of sustainable urban water supplies and promote behaviour change. By doing so, countries can avoid further fears of global water crises and achieve water security.
Genevieve Donnellon-May is the Climate Change Fellow for Young Australians in International Affairs. | https://www.youngausint.org.au/post/why-it-s-time-to-rethink-water-management |
About US:
International Justice Mission (IJM) is an international human rights organization that works to ensure that all, especially the most vulnerable, have proper and appropriate access to justice. IJM has been delivering ground-breaking partnerships with justice sector actors and governments globally for over 20 years, offering collaborative casework, mentoring and system reform to ensure that justice systems work for all, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.
About IRISH Aid – IJM Project:
The Government of Ireland project with IJM is a multi-year project that aims to strengthen protection mechanisms within the justice sector and local community structures as a way of ending violence against women and girls (VAWG).
As part of the project, International Justice Mission will work in 5 districts in the Karamoja region through its mentoring and collaborative casework model to improve survivor and community knowledge of justice essential services, strengthen and improve the coordination of services, incorporate survivor voice, empower survivors, and strengthen accountability of justice services to communities. IJM will use this innovative, evidence-based model to implement 3 specific objectives on the project.
Job Summary: The Community engagement officer will among other responsibilities be the main liaison between IJM and the community in the project districts. The officer will be at the forefront of contributing to and implementing engagement plans and strategies for community engagement in fulfillment of the project goals and objectives
The officer will develop and maintain positive working relationship between the IJM team and various stakeholders in the community and the district. Lead the planning for and development of activities designed to equip local leaders and communities to support VAWG survivors. Lead the formation of survivor groups within communities
Curate learnings from engagement with the community to support alignment of IJM programs and activities to effectively respond to VAWC. The incumbent will lead the engagement with Local leaders to empower them be effective first responders to protect women and children against violence
Also Read: Senior IT Auditor Job – Centenary Bank
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensure appropriate consultation of community stakeholders before the implementation of activities and feedback concerns, suggestions to the project for them to be considered.
- Ensure that the community level dialogue is inclusive by supporting the mapping of key stakeholders in the districts.
- Integrate Community engagement into IJM strategies, operational frameworks, policies, and plans, setting out how community engagement activities and approaches will be implemented in the context of Karamoja.
- Ensure programme staff have a full understanding of the communities they are working with, including the community dynamics, culture, and power relations between different groups.
- Develop strong and open relationships with key community stakeholders and establish community committees or representatives if needed, ensuring they fairly represent the full cross-section of the community, including men, women, boys, girls, and vulnerable groups.
- Based on community feedback and assessment data, identify, and utilise the best communication approaches to provide communities with relevant and actionable interventions for the mitigation and response to VAWG in the region.
- Produce and disseminate internal and external reports, evaluations, brochures, case studies and web stories that demonstrate the impact of Community Engagement, promote it to new audiences, and raise the profile of IJMs operations in Karamoja.
- Support programmes and operations to adopt innovative approaches and evidence-based advocacy to better understand and engage with communities in Karamoja on VAWG and behaviour change issues.
- Carry out regular checks as part of monitoring to ensure behaviour and social change approaches are appropriate and are having an impact on communities and adapted as and when needed.
- Support the Knowledge and Awareness community outreach campaigns (IEC Materials, Door to door campaigns, use of megaphones, Radio Talk shows, Billboards, Community Drives using PA System, Community Drama groups, Community Radios) which seek to address prevalent VAWG issues in the community.
Key Deliverables
- Participate in the formulation and the implementation of a stakeholder engagement strategy at community level in duty location.
- Maintain an up-to-date database of all stakeholders IJM is working with and coordinate all activities at the duty station.
- Prepare quality activity and monthly reports to be submitted to the coordinator.
- Take part in the risk management for Irish Aid project for issues related to stakeholders’ acceptance of the project and reporting activities in the district.
- Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the engagement and stakeholder’s acceptance level for the project.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the Community Engagement Officer job must hold a bachelor’s degree or its Equivalent in Community psychology, Adult & Community Education, Development Studies, Social Work, communications, Social Sciences or related field.
- At least two to three years of community engagement work and technical assistance experience in addressing issues of Gender Based Violence.
- Professional and able to communicate clearly, with clients, communities, and staff.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
- Knowledge of Nga’karimojong and other locally spoken languages is a requirement.
- Must reside in either Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk and Napak.
- Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), or government agency implementing related interventions.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to analyse and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
- Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action with the goals and objectives of the project in mind.
- Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
How to Apply:
All interested candidates should email their Application, CV, and statement of faith to [email protected]
Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted
What is a statement of faith? A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship. | https://www.campustimesug.com/community-engagement-officer-job-international-justice-mission-ijm/ |
Description:
The partnership, which began its full range of programming in April 2013, is a joint initiative between AKFC and the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada. It represents a new, strategic approach to development cooperation that allows for projects of significant scale, adopts a regional perspective to persistent development challenges in health and education, employs system-wide interventions, promotes innovation, gender equality, and community leadership, and creates a platform for Canadian institutions and individuals to both gain and contribute expertise on global issues.
The partnership is made up of six integrated components:
Central Asia Health Systems Strengthening
This initiative addressed the health needs of vulnerable populations – particularly women, newborns, and children under five – in Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. It did so by (1) strengthening service delivery through a network of 20 health facilities across the region; (2) improving the knowledge and skills of health professionals to manage and provide quality care; (3) mobilizing community health workers to improve local health-seeking behaviours and disease prevention; and (4) supporting locally-relevant health research, learning, and knowledge sharing to improve health systems in Central Asia.
Over the course of the program, an average of 170,960 people benefited annually from local health awareness campaigns, improved health services delivered by trained professionals, and improved facilities, medical equipment, and supplies – including the establishment of eHealth systems to increase access to quality care in remote communities.
Strengthening Education Systems in East Africa
The aim of this program was to make sustainable improvements to teacher education and learning outcomes for pre-primary and primary students in the public education systems in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This program equipped both experienced and aspiring teachers to use child-centred and gender-responsive teaching strategies in the classroom; strengthened institutions and technical capacities of governments and communities to ensure accountable school leadership and management; and generated regionally-relevant evidence to inform educational policies and practices.
More than 330,000 children are now getting a quality education, parents and teachers are better equipped to nurture young minds from an early age, and girls and boys have more equal opportunities as they progress through school.
Strengthening Civil Society Institutions
By building the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of local organizations to conduct human development programming, this initiative strengthened the permanent capacity of communities to lead their own development over the long term. The initiative focused on three areas:
- Civil society organizations enhanced their understanding of gender equality issues and used practical methods and strategies in project planning and implementation to ensure that their programming is equitable.
- Recognizing that advances and improvements in development programming often come from experimentation, the innovation component supported civil society organizations to test new and innovative development approaches across sectors.
- The climate change adaptation component supported civil society organizations in developing and implementing climate change adaptation strategies and/or interventions in various sectors including agriculture, water conservation, micro-finance, and disaster risk reduction.
A total of 168 local organizations in Africa and Asia benefitted from capacity building to implement programming to improve human development. Taken together, this initiative benefitted 247,218 women, men, and children.
Institutional Partnerships for Human Development
By facilitating partnerships between higher education institutions in Africa, Asia, and Canada, this initiative aimed to mobilize Canadian expertise and institutions to respond to a broad set of needs within local institutions in Asia and Africa, in their efforts to improve human development. Partnerships were focused on building capacity in the areas of early human development, medicine, natural resource governance, technical education, and academic research. The initiative:
- Increased skills and knowledge of female and male professionals in a range of technical fields contributing to human development in Africa and Asia.
- Increased the availability of quality, independent analysis and research on issues affecting human development in Africa and Asia.
- Increased opportunities for the effective and sustained engagement of Canadian institutions in overseas development initiatives.
In total, this initiative supported 12 partnerships between Canadian universities and colleges and overseas institutions.
Canadian Professionals for Development
To meet the demands for capacity strengthening of partner institutions overseas, this initiative engaged Canadians with a range of skill sets and levels of experience to support these needs. It also developed the capabilities of the placed Canadian professionals, helping them to become more employable, more able to operate in the developing world, more knowledgeable about global development issues, and better global citizens.
The initiative offered placements in two categories: (1) the Canadian Development Exchange, for entry to mid-level Canadian professionals; and (2) the International Youth Fellowship, for Canadian professionals under age 30.
In total, 196 Canadians participated in overseas placements, in areas such as program monitoring, gender equality, and communications, contributing to key technical needs of partner institutions and acquiring meaningful experience overseas.
Public Engagement and Professional Learning
This initiative sought to raise awareness of international development and inspire Canadians to get involved. AKFC worked with over 80 organizations across the country to deliver a diverse set of activities targeting members of the public, educators, youth, media, and the international development community. Engagement platforms include a volunteer speaker bureau; events such as workshops, seminars and speaker series; interactive exhibitions; resources and publications; digital and social media outreach; and a media fellowship for Canadian journalists.
AKFC reached more than 120,000 Canadians across the country through in-person activities, and 15 million people through digital communication and print media. Ninety-three percent of surveyed respondents reported an increase in knowledge on international development issues as a result of participating in project activities.
The Partnership for Advancing Human Development in Africa and Asia benefitted from the regional expertise and assets of the Aga Khan Development Network in Africa and Asia and collaboration with local governments and civil society organizations to ensure the long-term sustainability of program outcomes.
- CAHSS Beneficiaries: 170,960 women, men, and children annually through health promotion activities
- SESEA Beneficiaries: 766,598 students and education stakeholders (386,648 female and 379,950 male)
- SCSI Beneficiaries: 247,218 women, men, and children (109,180 female and 138,038 male)
- PE&PL Beneficiaries: 128,838 women, men, and children in Canada
- IPHD Beneficiaries: 11,443 (6,512 female and 4,931 male)
- CPD Beneficiaries: 196 (155 female and 41 male)
Learn more:
Explore the results of this remarkable partnership in a new digital report, 1 Million Lives Unlocked.
Results: | https://www.akfc.ca/our-work/partnership-advancing-human-development-africa-asia-pahdaa/ |
It has been said that government should be ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ With this in mind, in my role as Mayor of Nili Municipality, we taken action to ensure the participation of citizens in urban-decision making processes. I share these experiences in the article below.
Afghan towns and cities – including Nili – are rapidly urbanizing and are faced with numerous constraints and challenges, including the largely informal nature of development, resource limitations, and gaps in infrastructure and service delivery. Fractured state-society relations and limited public confidence in government further compound these challenges.
Despite these challenges, urbanization presents numerous opportunities. Cities can be drivers of economic development and contribute to state and peace-building objectives. If urbanization is properly managed, cities can create livelihood opportunities, improve access to services and drive socioeconomic development. Inclusive cities which provide space for all sectors of society – including women and children – are fundamental for development prospects.
Consider this: The current urban population of Afghanistan is only one third of the country’s population; yet urban areas currently account for fifty percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. By 2050, the urban share of the country’s population predicted to reach fifty percent. This presents vital opportunities for economic growth and development.
In this context, participatory planning is an essential tool for harnessing the opportunities of urbanization. International and national experience has shown that participatory planning is essential for expanding access to services and improving state-society relations.
Participatory planning initiatives have yielded positive outcomes in many Afghan cities, including Nili. Nonetheless, there is a need build knowledge on best practices, to scale-up and institutionalize these approaches.
This article therefore shares lessons learned from participatory planning and project implementation in Nili. It includes the following: (1) Introduction to participatory planning Nili; (2) Benefits of urban planning; (4) Challenges and factors to be considered; and (5) Recommendations to scale-up, institutionalize and expand public participation.
Participatory planning is an urban planning approach grounded in the understanding that putting the public at the center of urban decision-making leads strong outcomes. In a participatory planning, the various sectors of the community are involved in all phases of urban planning and project implementation – in large cities and small villages alike. The inclusion of the various community sectors in a fair and transparent manner is central to the approach. Public participation in urban decision-making is increasingly seen as a key strategy to develop sustainable urban solutions and contribute to building government-citizen trust.
In Afghanistan, the concept of participation is not a new phenomenon. Concepts of participation and cooperation have a long history, for example hasher,the long-standing cooperation and assistance in the social life of the people. With rising urbanization, however, traditional social networks and pattern of participation have changed and often become fractured. Patterns of participation therefore need to be adapted to the modern urban context.
The importance of participatory planning is highlighted in the Urban National Priority Programme 2016–2026, in particular Flagship Action 2 – City for All. Under the CFA programme, the Ministry of Urban Development and Land, Kabul Municipality, Deputy Ministry of Municipalities and local authorities (including Nili), with the support of UN-Habitat, have led efforts to mainstream participatory urban planning and co-implement urban infrastructure projects in eleven cities, along with the programme’s other objectives to improve land tenure security and municipal governance. The U-NPP also sets an objective to upgrade informal settlements in the major cities using a citywide, multi-sectoral and participatory approach, which has been operationalized through the Citizens Charter in Cities programme.
Furthermore, participatory planning is central to many global mandates to which Afghanistan is a signatory, such as the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs are a set of 17 globally-agreed goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These include Goal 11 which aims to make cities safe and sustainable by ensuring access to safe and affordable housing and upgrading slum settlements – in a way that is both participatory and inclusive. Goal 11’s Target 11.3 aims to enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries by 2030.
In Nili City, the municipality has recently taken initiative to deliver urban services through public participation. The communities are involved at each step, including project proposal, assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation. The communities also contribute 10 percent of the total budget of project costs, which therefore helps ensure ownership and project sustainability.
It was initially difficult to institutionalize the participatory planning approach, but this has been made possible through meeting with the various community sectors of the city, engagement of elders and local leaders, and a safayicampaign which provides the incentive for the highest safayipaying gozars to implement projects.
The municipality has now established and institutionalized an approach for participatory planning and co-implementation of projects. These participatory planning efforts yield promising results at the local level and contribute to the achieving the goals of the U-NPP, the SDGs and New Urban Agenda.
Establishment of Community Development Councils and Gozar Assemblies:CDCs and GAs (area-based networks of households) are important mechanisms for mobilizing residents for collective community-led action. Given the position of CDCs and GAs as parallel structures to formal local governance, these structures facilitate community-government collaboration.
Community action planning:This involves community workshops to collectively identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of their local urban area, to propose solutions and priority projects, and develop actions plan to guide local urban development.
Co-implementation of civil works projects:priority civil works infrastructure projects are co-implemented by government and the community.
Community contributions: Community contributions help ensure ownership of projects and foster government-public collaboration. These can be in-kind, such as labor or materials, or cash, often 10 percent of the project cost.
Inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches:Inclusive approaches require involving the various community sectors and stakeholders. This includes youth, women, children, religious leaders, NGOs and UN agencies with technical expertise in the urban sector and civil society groups. Gender sensitivity means ensuring women are given full opportunity to contribute in a fair manner, for example by undertaking women-only focus groups, including women in the structure of local-level councils, and forming women’s council, as we have done in Nili.
More effective projects:Technical experts can gain valuable inputs from the community in the design, planning and implementation of infrastructure projects. Furthermore, experience has shown that including women and children in design processes leads to better outcomes: urban services and infrastructure that are safe and useable for all.
Project sustainability: Involving the community in all phases of project infrastructure development and implementation, combined with community contributions results in invested stake in the ownership of projects and thus helps ensure the sustainability and maintenance of infrastructure.
Improved communication between government and citizens: Co-implementation and co-ownership of projects provides a mechanism for ongoing collaboration between government and citizens.
Stronger state-society relations: Public participation is a democratic process: it allows citizens to see tangible action from government to improve local urban conditions in line with public needs and thereby builds trust.
Improved intra-society communication:Participatory planning is a collaborative approach which encourages citizens to consider the collective benefits over political and ethnic prerogatives. This makies it an important tool for fostering communication and respect across divides. In Nili, we initially found ingrained intra-society divisions can challenge collective decision making. However, intra-society communication improves with each participatory action as people become more accustomed to collective decision-making.
Development of relevant local development action plans: Governments urgently need more planning and problem-solving; they cannot run on automatic pilot. But urban planning is not a one-off activity. Cities of rapid change require plans to be reviewed and updated regularly. Bringing together stakeholders along with technical experts is the most effective way to tackle new problems, address opportunities and define new directions.
Greater commitment to implement projects and plans:When people participate in a planning process, they are more likely to be committed to the plans, because they have talked them through, because the plans reflect their own thinking, and because the group has developed consensus.
Encouragement of creativity, initiative and responsibility: Bringing together the views and ideas of various stakeholders results in a greater ideas and creative solutions to urban problems. And co-implementation provides an opportunity for citizens to take initiative and responsibility of the infrastructure and development of their urban area.
Despite the recent gains and recognition of the importance of participatory planning, there are also many challenges and factors which need to be considered.
Unfortunately, in the past the role of the community has sometimes only been limited to implementation stage of projects – rather than in the assessment, planning, and monitoring stages of projects too. In cases where public participation is not undertaken properly, projects are undertaken without genuine involvement of the public which results in ineffective outcomes.
Another challenge – and one that we were initially faced with in Nili – is that the public view urban service delivery as a solely government responsibility, even despite low municipal revenue. Fortunately, public participation in urban-service delivery increases the public’s understanding of the benefits of collaborating with government to improve the local urban conditions.
Furthermore, due to negative past experiences, the public may lack confidence in government authorities, and may view participation as something that is politically motivation or just undertaken as a tokenistic requirement.
Community awareness:the public must be informed about the importance and value of being involved in projects from the early stage. The community must be mobilized at all stages of the projects to achieve theproject sustainability.
Involvement in all stages: it is crucial to involve all sectors of the community in all stage of projects, from needs assessment, formulation, feasibility studies, planning and design, implementation, monitoringand evaluation.
Project implementation, monitoring and maintenance training: Communities should receive training and support to improve to their capacity to implementand maintain projects. If community members are to not well prepared with skills andknowledge of project management and maintenance, it will be challenging to achieve project sustainability.
Project sustainability:Without participation and a sense of ownership, projects are unlikely to be maintained long-term which puts the objectives of the project at risk. A maintenance plan, which set out responsibility between government and communities, is an important tool in this regard.
Based on the experience and goals of Nili Municipality, the following recommended actions are made with the view to scale-up and institutionalize participatory approaches.
Develop and institutionalize a system for receiving proposals for urban services from the public, as well as local contractors.
Solicit early stage involvement of the public when formulating development programs.
Disseminate detailed and comprehensive report about the activities and actions of the municipality to the public.
Establish public monitoring councils to monitor and provide feedback on projects and current affairs of the municipality.
Implement procedures to ensure the municipality pays attention to citizens’ satisfaction, such as ongoing surveys and follow up actions.
Facilitate direct and continuous relationship between the mayor and the people through regular council and committee sessions and public forums.
The conviction of the government management and the influential officials to participatory approaches and their strong support to undertake action.
The confidence of municipal staff in the effectiveness of participatory planning.
Implementation and continuity of participatory activities in non-violent situations.
Knowledge of the long-term results and patience to reach these results.
Continuity of urbans plans, so that they are not canceled with changes in management.
Establish and strengthen local councils, including women-centered councils and committees to increase the participation of women.
Collaborate with non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations as a bridge for enhancing public participation. Encourage these organizations to integrate participatory in all their activities.
Expand educational programmes to build public understanding of concepts of participation, especially for children and adolescents. Encourage scientific and cultural educators to lead educational activities.
Undertaken communications campaigns about participatory approaches and projects, including campaigns to congratulate communities which have taken initiative. Collaborate with local leaders and influential individuals to promote participation.
Implement actions to ensure inclusion of various stakeholders, including the youth, the elderly, women, disabled and the marginalized.
Take inclusive actions so that government lead by example, such as the appointment of women and younger persons as mayors and in other positions of authority.
Organize and incentivize participation in collaborative activities, such as environmental improvement programs, cultural activities, sports and safety initiatives, etc. at various levels (schools, offices, guilds and neighborhoods etc.).
Take initiative to respond to the factors which have limited the trust of citizens. Provide platforms for discussing issues, proposing solutions and implementing measures to improve government-society relations.
Disseminate successful participatory examples and lessons learned, with the view to understand which problems are most effectively addressed with participatory approaches and which approaches are suited to specific regions and urban contexts in Afghanistan.
Let me return to the point made earlier: Afghan cities and towns are growing rapidly. The challenges faced are numerous – but so too are the potential benefits of urbanization. Public participation is a vital tool to harness the opportunities.
We must work together to scale-up and institutionalize participatory approaches, so that we build inclusive, sustainable and peaceful Afghan towns and cities.
Zohra Ahmadi is a very young female Mayor. She has been appointed as the Mayor for Nili city in Daikundi in 2018. She has previously worked with AKDN, UNAMA and Un-Habitat organizations in Afghanistan. She has Masters in urban planning from the Architecture and Urban Development faculty of Tehran University. | https://www.khaama.com/opinion-public-participation-is-vital-for-the-inclusive-sustainable-and-peaceful-cities-09876/ |
In a rapidly urbanising world, a lot of attention is rightly focused on the challenges surrounding transport, housing, energy and employment. Yet many cities with steeply rising populations often neglect a resource that is essential to sustaining all activities in a city:water. Nick Michell highlights how cities can work towards achieving sustainable water systems and the benefits that will bring
Water as a risk needs to be understood and managed to ensure the security of people’s habitats and livelihoods. Historical development pathways are often not appropriate for planning future urban water systems, considering the uncertainties of climate change and rapid population growth. Planning these systems with increased modularity and reduced dependencies will enhance the ability to react to unforeseen trends and events.
This is why the International Water Association (IWA) has developed the Principles for Water-Wise Cities, which were unveiled at the Association’s Global Congress last November. The Principles aim to inspire urban leaders, water managers, individuals and other stakeholders to collaboratively find solutions on water management challenges, and to implement water-wise management strategies through a shared vision that will enable the development of flexible and adaptable cities.
“Cities striving to achieve sustainable urban water, are cities where all urban waters are used and managed by water-wise communities: citizens, professionals, leaders all acting in a wise way towards their water resources,” says Corinne Trommsdorff, Manager, Cities of the Future Programme, IWA. “They are cities that are connected to their basins to maximise security from floods and droughts, as well as protect the quality of their freshwater source. They are cities built in a way that is sensitive to water issues so that short-term risks are minimised and resources are preserved, while liveability is improved as a co-benefit.”
Creating water-wise cities is a huge task due to the slow pace of planning, unclear lines of governance which makes stakeholder collaboration difficult, and the low level of citizen engagement. Water-sensitive cities are great places to live, where innovation, social cohesion, creativity and culture flourish, but achieving this requires harnessing the power of collaboration with adapted governance.
The Principles for Water-Wise Cities are structured along four increasing levels of action (each enabled by the next level), accompanied by five building blocks through which the urban stakeholders can deliver sustainable urban water, becoming a water-wise community.
A number of partners, from local government and the public and private sectors have joined forces to endorse the Principles and collaborate on supporting cities as they work to become more water resilient.
“In a world of limited resources, we will need innovations in two key areas to meet the SDGs–cities and water,” says Randolf Webb, Senior Analyst for Strategy and Business Development at Xylem, one of the endorsers. “Cities are often an efficient place to deploy capital towards sustainable development, and water is one of the few sectors where investments can drive positive environmental, economic, and societal outcomes.”
The Principles provide cities with a roadmap and tools to capitalise on the opportunity identified by Webb.
“There will be challenges such as balancing priorities and financing initiatives, but with cross-sector collaboration and sufficient political will, I’m optimistic that we can get there in my lifetime,” he adds.
Collaboration
Roles and responsibilities for managing water vary depending on the city, but are often spread across different levels of government and a range of stakeholders such as service providers, public authorities and river basin organisations. Even in very decentralised examples, national governments have a role to play in setting proper incentives and frameworks for urban water governance. Clarifying specific responsibilities at every level of government can help identify potential disparities, duplications or grey areas and help in coordinating the actions of multiple players in an efficient and inclusive way.
The Principles advocate a consistent approach to sustainable urban water management, which aims to galvanise action so that city leaders engage in policy discourse and partnership development with leaders in the environmental, agricultural, energy and waste sectors.
“National economies are built on strong cities,” says Councillor David McLachlan, Chairman of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee, Brisbane City Council, another endorser of the Principles. “If cities wish to remain prosperous and resilient, it is essential that they have a robust framework for sustainable urban water management, with support from all levels of government. This is particularly important in our climate, where there can be long dry periods that require us to manage our water sparingly. It may, however, require new governance and finance frameworks to achieve water-wise cities.”
Water in cities is affected by decisions made in other sectors and vice versa. It is essential to ensure that water is recognised as a key factor of sustainable growth in cities and such a strategic vision is essential for strengthening policy coherence for an integrated urban water policy.
“A governance structure that enables collaboration is critical and many cities still have a lot of progress to fully facilitate this,” adds Trommsdorff. “The OECD Water Governance in Cities report is a good framework for cities to transition to water-proofing all their decisions, even the ones, which are not initially related to water, but that have a more or less direct impact on waters in the city. In terms of financing, there is also a need to evolve and improve towards more circular economy models.”
Building on a survey of 48 cities from OECD countries as well as emerging economies, the Water Governance in Cities report shows that significant progress has been achieved in urban water management, but important challenges remain. For instance among the cities surveyed, the average share of wastewater treated was 90 percent in 2012 compared to 82 percent in 1990; while per capita domestic water consumption decreased by 20 percent between 2000 and 2012.
However more than 90 percent of the cities surveyed reported ageing or lacking infrastructure, which threatens universal coverage of drinking water and sanitation and diminishes the capacity to protect citizens against water-related disasters.
Governance issues
As emphasised in the OECD report, policy responses need to be tailored to a given city’s needs, while aligning with national goals and priorities. Water is a local issue and the way in which it is governed in a city can differ, not only nationally, but also on a district level, making it critical to have an understanding of specific regional challenges, and to involve local stakeholders in public policies.
Milwaukee, in the United States, has become a centre for water innovation due to leadership from The Water Council, an international organisation headquartered there, which is comprised of a partnership among business, academic, and government leaders.
After several decades of decline, the city’s population has stabilised and is now back on the rise, forcing Milwaukee into expanding its effort to maintain and replace its traditional water infrastructure. At the same time, the city is expanding green infrastructure as well as new water technology demonstration sites in its four eco-industrial districts, including the Water Technology District, Harbor District, Menomonee Valley, and 30th Street Industrial Corridor.
One of the emerging policy and governance issues, however, relates to the condition of sewer laterals and drinking water service lines. Historically, private property owners were responsible for the condition of sewer laterals (pipes that connect homes and businesses to the sewer mains.) Private property owners are similarly responsible for drinking water service lines (pipes that connect buildings to the public infrastructure which begins at the property line). Sewer laterals that develop leaks and cracks can allow groundwater to enter the sanitary sewer system and potentially overwhelm it in large storms.
“The issue of lead drinking water service lines in older properties has also emerged as a public health concern,” explains Erick Shambarger, Environmental Sustainability Director, City of Milwaukee. “The city and sewerage district does not have much control over the condition of these private laterals and drinking water service lines under the historic utility model. However, the condition of laterals can have a collective impact on how well the sewer and stormwater utility functions. Lead in drinking water service lines can periodically affect the quality of drinking water at the tap.”
As private entities often do not have the means or will to replace this ageing infrastructure on private properties, Milwaukee is exploring policy options to provide financial assistance to replace these laterals and service lines over time.
Overcoming issues related to who does what, at what level of government, and how and why public policies are designed and implemented, is often a thankless task for many cities and certainly hinders the route towards a sustainable water system.
One solution to counter this is to create a centralised organisation that is solely responsible for water services in the city, as has been successfully done by Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Waternet was formed as a joint venture by the City of Amsterdam and the Regional Public Water Authority Amstel, Gooi en Vecht, and has control of all public water services in the city, which are financed by dedicated local and regional taxes.
Waternet takes the lead in new collaborative platforms working across urban challenges such as climate adaptation and the circular economy. The Amsterdam Rainproof platform is a collaborative network of public administration entities, entrepreneurs and citizen initiatives. Together, they are committed to making Amsterdam more resilient to extreme rainfall, both on small and large scales, in buildings and gardens in public areas.
“From a Dutch perspective cities and regional water authorities have a lot of responsibility and power over its water services,” says Roelof Kruize, Managing Director, Waternet. “I strongly believe in the strength of non-profit, publicly owned and locally rooted water utilities, which are able to collaborate with other public administration entities, entrepreneurs and citizens in working on cross-cutting themes such as sustainability and resilience.”
Raising awareness among citizens
Capacity is often the Achilles’ heel of local governments with 65 percent of surveyed OECD cities reporting the lack of staff and managerial competencies as a challenge. These inadequacies can in turn directly affect the mindset and behaviour of citizens, who put faith in the knowledge and proficiency of city officials to provide water services.
It is important to raise awareness among citizens and policy makers of the water-security dangers to trigger policy and behavioural change, and engage with stakeholders, including property developers and long-term institutional investors, to build consensus on the acceptable level of risk and secure willingness to pay for water services.
“While we have made great progress with our water management across the 59 municipalities of Lyon Metropole, like the redevelopment of Grand Parc Miribel Jonage to include natural flooding areas upstream of the city to better protect it against flooding from the Rhône, we still need to improve our work with raising awareness among our residents,” says Elisabeth Sibeud, Head of Studies, Grand Lyon Water Department. “It’s important for them to understand the water challenges that we are facing and, for instance, better manage rainwater on their own properties. We are working and having discussions with other cities about how they have managed to do this successfully.”
Technology is one way of not only educating citizens but also empowering them to make change and save money. Currently, many in western economies just turn on the tap for a drink or a shower without giving it a second thought. Providing people with more information about their water bills will help them manage their usage, and assist water authorities in reducing overall demand.
Smart cities can move towards a point where technology in individual homes will enable people to have real-time understanding of their water use throughout the day. They’ll be able to see how much water is used in each room of the house and at which times, through a smartphone app. Households will also be able to identify water leaks that they don’t currently know exist, which costs both them and the water authorities money.
Co-benefits
Even if initially targeted at simply delivering basic services, there are numerous co-benefits of integrating water into urban planning, which will improve liveability in a city.
A typical example is stormwater management using green infrastructure with the primary objective to reduce flooding, which also contributes to the wellbeing of urban dwellers with green parks and roadsides reducing the heat island effect, or through enhancing food security with urban food production. Cities could also coordinate with energy and telecom services to share trenches for pipes and wires. In this case, the co-benefit of integration is reduced costs and construction disruptions.
Clean waterways can provide waterfronts for public spaces fostering a sense of place and social equity, while buildings can be designed that need less water, as they harvest rainwater, reuse greywater, and produce energy from organic wastes, offsetting expensive centralised infrastructure expansion to provide water and collect and treat waste.
“Water defines Brisbane as a river city,” says David McLachlan. “Inhabitants expect adequate clean water to be delivered affordably. They also expect access to a healthy environment that supports a water- based outdoor lifestyle. The people of Brisbane enjoy recreation along our river and local waterways, and harvested rainwater, providing ‘fit for purpose’ water to their irrigated gardens, shadeways and local parks.”
Sustainable urban water is about all people in a city having access to water services that are regenerative, in other words, that do not take more nor send back to the environment more than it can give or take. Regenerative water services are also more modular and adaptive, so that when a disaster strikes and changes occur, water services can bounce back or spring forward into supporting basic needs.
City leaders need to engage in policy discourse and partnership development with leaders in the environmental, agricultural, energy and waste sectors. Policy makers and city service providers must embrace inclusive decision making that engages and empowers urban citizens to establish water-wise communities.
Collaboration is essential, but beyond collaboration, regular communication across sectors and industries is critical. Each of the entities involved in creating a sustainable water management system must make decisions based on timely and accurate data, which then needs to be shared.
In most cities the key is not in changing the way institutions are organised but in making sure they work together towards a common goal. And herein lies the challenge because cross-sectoral or cross-institutional collaboration is very difficult because it requires people to think beyond their own assigned workplan or targets. | https://www.thesourcemagazine.org/collaboration-key-creating-water-wise-cities/ |
Ireland is a hub for technology and innovation, with a thriving economy and a rapidly growing population of internet users. However, this also means that the country is becoming an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals. Here are some of the cybersecurity needs that Ireland will face in 2023:
Protecting critical infrastructure: Ireland's critical infrastructure, such as its energy, transportation, and healthcare systems, are becoming increasingly connected to the internet, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Ensuring the security of these systems is vital to maintaining the country's economic and national security.
Maintaining data privacy: With the increasing amount of personal and sensitive data being collected and stored online, protecting the privacy of Irish citizens will become increasingly important. This will require strict data privacy laws, as well as compliance with international regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Keeping up with the latest cyber threats: As cyber threats continue to evolve, it will be essential for Ireland to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in cybersecurity. This will require investment in research and development, as well as ongoing training for cybersecurity professionals.
Cybersecurity skills gap: The cybersecurity industry is facing a shortage of skilled professionals, which will be a major concern for Ireland as it looks to protect its digital assets and infrastructure. This will require efforts to educate and train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, as well as attract talent from abroad.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) protection: SMEs constitute 99% of all Irish businesses, yet they are less likely to have dedicated cybersecurity resources and can be more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Efforts to raise awareness and provide affordable cybersecurity solutions for SMEs will be important for protecting Ireland's economy.
Cyber insurance: As cyber threats become more prevalent, more companies in Ireland will purchase insurance to protect themselves against financial losses from cyberattacks. This will require the development of a robust cyber insurance market, as well as awareness raising campaigns to educate Irish businesses about the importance of cyber insurance.
Cybercrime: With the increase of cybercrime, Ireland will need to develop a robust legal framework to tackle cybercrime and prosecute cybercriminals. This will require collaboration between law enforcement, government agencies and the private sector.
Cybersecurity in the public sector: The Irish government is responsible for delivering public services to its citizens, hence it will be important to ensure that these services are protected from cyber attacks. This will require the implementation of security measures and protocols to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access.
To address these needs, it is important for Ireland to invest in cybersecurity research and development, provide education and training for cybersecurity professionals, and promote collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia. It is also important for Irish businesses to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, by implementing best practices such as using strong passwords, keeping software and operating systems up to date, and regularly backing up important data.
In conclusion, as Ireland continues to grow and advance technologically, cybersecurity will become an increasingly important issue. By understanding the cybersecurity needs of the country and taking the necessary steps to protect against cyber threats, Ireland can ensure the security of its citizens, economy, and national security.
Talk to one of our Cyber experts to secure your business. | https://www.k2cloud.ie/post/cybersecurity-needs-in-ireland-2023 |
Authors:
Ashad Sentongo
Director of Africa Programs at the Auschwitz Institute
for Peace and Reconciliation
About the Report
The report assesses capacities, challenges, policies, programmes and activities taking place in Uganda in relation to P/CVE-related national-local co-operation (NLC), using the GCTF’s NLC Good Practices as a point of reference. It then provides recommendations for strengthening national-local and broader P/CVE-related cooperation throughout the country. The recommendations are illustrative rather than comprehensive and are aimed at providing entry points for discussions to enhance NLC as part of a wider effort to operationalise and sustain a whole-of-society approach to P/CVE in Uganda.
This report was commissioned by SCN's Management Unit, with support from Australia’s DFAT. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the interviewees, workshop articipants, SCN, its members, Management Unit or donors, including DFAT.
Key Findings
1. Uganda recently elaborated a national P/CVE strategy and an accompanying 11-point plan of action. However, the document is not publicly available, leaving few Ugandans aware of its existence, let alone its content. Moreover, although there is an office – the National Technical Committee (NTC) within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) – responsible for overseeing strategy implementation, it is under-resourced, particularly when compared with the agencies involved in overseeing the implementation of Ugandan counter-terrorism (CT) efforts. Moreover, the national government does not allocate funding for locally led P/CVE activities. As a result, all such activities are funded by international donors and development partners, with the projects often being driven by the interests of external stakeholders rather than those of local communities.
2. Uganda’s elaborate decentralisation structures offer advantages for facilitating and strengthening NLC. However, the national government’s centralised and securitised approach to countering terrorism has increasingly limited the mandate and ability of local authorities to respond to the needs of their communities or address local conflicts. This has impeded their ability to contribute to P/CVE efforts, reinforcing the notion the mandate for P/CVE rests exclusively with the national government.
3. The state-centric approach to P/CVE fuels perceptions of the threat of violent extremism (VE) as a national problem. This in turn undermines NLC and diminishes chances of a structured dialogue involving national and local actors. Instead, P/CVE is perceived by some as a ploy for the security sector to justify it being given the largest share of the national budget.
4. Security agencies often apply CT policies and tools against (non-violent) extremist groups, Muslim communities and political opposition leaders. This has eroded trust, particularly between local communities and security forces, undermining NLC efforts. Because P/CVE is largely seen through a security paradigm, there is a perception that any form of collaboration with national actors is contributing to a further securitisation of the approach.
5. Cross-cutting structural problems, including poverty, poor management of natural resources, and corruption, have both helped fuel extremist violence and hindered nationwide collaborative efforts to address the conditions conducive to its spread.
6. Nearly everyone interviewed for this report believe that P/CVE-related cooperation between national and local actors is either limited or non-existent. One of the major hurdles to NLC remains the absence of an institutionalised framework – let alone mechanism(s) to implement it – for dialogue and cooperation between national and local actors to be able to develop and implement coherent and complementary local P/CVE programmes. In the absence of a co-ordination mechanism, national and local institutions and organisations working on P/CVE-related activities largely operate independently of each other, often competing and acting in self-interest to be prominent and seen as active.
7. Community policing activities of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) can provide opportunities for inclusive dialogue to strengthen P/CVE-related NLC – including through town hall meetings and community watch teams. However, the UPF and other security actors lack the necessary P/CVE knowledge and skills to leverage these opportunities.
8. No sustained P/CVE capacity-building programmes are reported in Uganda, and the few short-term training seminars and workshops intended to advance P/CVE efforts in the country are not seen as having contributed to P/CVE or related policy discussions or changes in the public or private sectors.
9. Political will at the national level to prevent and counter VE appears to be increasing, as evidenced, for example, by the recent elaboration of a national P/CVE strategy in Uganda. However, there is limited focus on prevention in practice, whether through dialogue, resilience building or social-economic interventions in marginalised or affected communities. Moreover, because of the heavy involvement of national security agencies and actors in P/CVE, information about relevant activities is often classified and thus not shared with local government and civil society actors.
10. Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Uganda are involved in implementing local P/CVE activities. They are well versed in local-level drivers of and dynamics surrounding VE and are well placed to cultivate local partnerships and ownership of local P/CVE efforts. However, competition for limited funding opportunities has created few incentives for strengthening intra-CSO cooperation and communication. This contributes to a lack of clarity among CSOs as to their appropriate role(s) in P/CVE efforts.
11. The NTC appears committed to expanding and deepening engagement with local governments and CSOs across the country. However, these interactions seem so far to be largely limited to creating awareness about the national P/CVE strategy and have yet to include essential local actors, such as cultural and religious leaders, and representatives from political parties and informal sector groups. Where such interaction exists, it is not formally organised or recorded, and in other cases it is security or intelligence-led, especially when threats or incidents have been reported.
Summary of Recommendations
1. Conduct inclusive dialogues
- Conduct inclusive dialogues that involve NTC, NCTC and non-security national actors, as well as representatives from local government and CSOs, to integrate the national P/CVE and CT frameworks into an integrated and comprehensive strategy based on a shared understanding of the threat that should inform related programmes and activities towards a whole-of-society approach to P/CVE.
- The dialogues would help national and local actors to mitigate security and political pressures, and other factors that may undermine NLC; define roles and responsibilities for implementing the national P/CVE framework; develop multi-stakeholder programming
leading to implementation at the local level; and ensure that perspectives of local actors are reflected throughout.
- Undertake national- and community-level dialogues to determine roles and define expectations to inform localised P/CVE programming and facilitate discussions among local leaders and communities to identify and address drivers of VE.
- Facilitate local government-led dialogues to incorporate the national P/CVE strategy into national, district and local government programmes targeting women, youth, education, environment, governance, poverty alleviation, corruption and other livelihood improvement activities. For example, capacity-building programmes implemented by district- and community-level working groups and structures, such as the sub-county and parish local councils, could be leveraged to facilitate multi-stakeholder co-ordination to implement the national P/CVE strategy, and hold regular meetings with communities to identify and address local issues and concerns related to VE.
2. Move beyond a security-led approach to P/CVE
- Expand the mandates of national government forums such as the IPOD and PCF to provide politically inclusive platforms where political leaders and their manifestos can also work to strengthen cooperation with local actors on P/CVE matters.
- Leverage the IPOD to allow political leaders and their respective political parties to discuss and agree on a P/CVE agenda, which can be incorporated into their codes of conduct, to guide stakeholders to avoid the perpetration of extremism and radicalisation of their supporters and to help rally political parties to commit to sharing lessons and expertise around P/CVE.
3. Implement
- Conduct institutional- and community-level P/CVE resilience mapping to help determine VE vulnerabilities, and implement evidence-based strategies towards more effective and sustainable P/CVE interventions. These should, inter alia, support the implementation of tailored programmes to address existing vulnerabilities and increase the recurrence of impactful programmes, while mitigating the risk of further securitisation and exacerbating any existing perceptions of exclusion and marginalisation.
- Increase public awareness of the existence and content of the national P/CVE strategy and its accompanying plan of action, e.g., by making them widely accessible and convening a high-level multi-stakeholder event to launch them.
- Include budget lines dedicated to P/CVE programme development and implementation, particularly at the local level in relevant MDAs, including those outside the security sector.
- Develop and implement multi-stakeholder P/CVE programming linked to the national P/CVE framework to facilitate its implementation at the local level, build partnerships, and allocate roles and resources for implementing the embedded action plan, which contains the 11 priority areas for interventions and other programmes. Hold dialogue sessions to ensure that the action plan implementation approaches incorporate the perspectives of local actors, both governmental and civil society.
- Support implementation of initiatives seeking to build synergy and increase collaboration between formal and informal institutions and sectors, in the form of raising awareness and strengthening co-ordination through dialogue, public outreach, and other relevant and inclusive initiatives around P/CVE. The initiatives should benefit from consultations with and participation of local P/CVE and peacebuilding practitioners concerning what actually works in specific contexts, while avoiding what does not.
4. Raise awareness and build capacity
- Support and build the capacity of CSOs, religious and cultural leaders, and institutions, to be able to participate and otherwise engage in national and local government policymaking discussions and programme development, and facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues that can contribute to P/CVE. For example, training should build skills for P/CVE advocacy, planning and project implementation; stakeholder engagement to mobilise political will and support; communication; and resource mobilisation and related practices to enhance cooperation between national and local actors.
- Raise awareness of the benefits of a whole-of-society approach to addressing VE, including through workshops, seminars and policy briefs across government MDAs, to help demystify P/CVE as solely a security matter, and promote the benefits of integrating P/CVE approaches into wider national and local government (non-security) programming. Aim integration at mainstreaming P/CVE into projects and activities to redress local grievances and conditions that breed the appeal of VE.
- Build capacity for a P/CVE early warning and early response system, to collect and analyse data on emergent VE risks, threats and vulnerabilities, and to create evidence-based opportunities for early P/CVE responses.
5. Coordinate and share information
- Mandate and resource the NTC to serve as a multi-stakeholder co-ordination mechanism, which includes national and local actors, to guide investment in and oversee the implementation of local P/CVE activities to help ensure alignment between local programmes and the national framework.
- Formalise information sharing through regular multi-stakeholder forums involving national and local security, political, civil society, cultural, religious, women and youth actors concerning P/CVE. A mechanism to facilitate discussions on the dissemination of information related to VE and P/CVE is needed to address existing information gaps – often fuelled by trust deficits between these sectors – which limit the complementarity between programmes and activities.
- Mandate and resource CiSCAVE to coordinate P/CVE activities among CSOs across the regions of the country and to track P/CVE funding patterns. Consider launching a public-private fund that can mobilise contributions from different sources and support local P/CVE activities, including those aimed at strengthening NLC.
6. Research and document
- Given the evolving nature of the threat, sustained research and documentation of conditions, causes, manifestations and opportunities for NLC towards P/CVE is needed to ensure P/CVE policies, programmes and interventions are evidence-based and efforts to enhance P/CVE-related NLC focus on addressing the documented threats and vulnerabilities, supported by research. This can help de-politicise P/CVE conversations, which in turn can help reduce the trust-related barriers to enhancing NLC. Facilitate quality management of NLC towards effective co-ordination and implementation of P/CVE interventions, and their continuous improvement in planning and impact.
- Support the culture of information sharing and exchange across national and local governments, MDAs of government, civil society and local governments. | https://strongcitiesnetwork.org/en/gctf-good-practices-mapping-report-uganda/ |
Inadequate management of municipal solid waste has become a global concern, affecting the quality of life in cities, especially within developing nations. The case of India is no different. High population density, rapid urbanisation and increasing consumption have made solid waste management a challenge. India is presently among the top 10 MSW-generating countries, given its large urban population and increasing adoption of high-consumption lifestyles (World Watch Institute, 2012). The current MSW generation is around 62 million tonnes annually and is expected to reach 436 million tonnes per year by 2050¹, write Sonali Mehra and Tavishi Darbari, Research Associates, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
Over the years, the Government of India has introduced several policies at various levels to address the issue of waste management. However, there are some gaps that need to be addressed and fulfilled. One of the critical phases of effective waste management is the segregation of waste at its source. Segregation of waste and recycling practices are not merely technical matters but, require behavioural and social changes. Though policies that address solid waste management have been in place for a long time, the most significant push to improve waste management came with the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission in October 2014.²
Also Read: NIUA’s recent efforts in capacity building in waste management
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a leading example of an all-hands-on-deck approach towards achieving a national goal.³ Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned SBM to become a people’s movement and it has truly become everyone’s priority. The partnerships and convergence that this programme has achieved, across the central, states, between public and private sectors and most importantly between the government and its citizens are unique. Since the launch of SBM in 2014, the world’s largest behaviour change programme has managed to make incredible strides – increasing India’s sanitation coverage from 39 per cent to nearly 100 per cent in just five years. It has actively mobilised and exhilarated 1.3 billion people⁴. The main reason behind the successful implementation of SBM is the bottom-up approach of the programme towards behaviour change, and a widespread partnership- driven approach. Managing waste is essential for sustainable development. From a social, economic, and environmental perspective, Solid Waste Management plays a key role in achieving at least seven of the 17 SDGs. Specifically Targeting no. 11.6 of SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management”. Therefore, it is important for policymakers to comprehend the linkages between SWM targets and other SDGs.
As stated by (Ajzen, 1991), the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)⁵ is one of the most effective theoretical frameworks to explore the effectiveness of the policy design in the case of SBM. TPB is considered more systematic in explaining behavioural change and assumes that people behave rationally and that they take into consideration the implications of their actions.
The individual’s intention to perform or not to perform the behaviour is a critical pre-determinant of the practice. Understanding how to promote more sustainable behaviors across a range of contexts remains a key challenge for policymakers and researchers.
To make our cities more sustainable and livable appropriate behavioral change strategy needs to be adopted to promote citizen engagement for managing the waste at its source. There are two strategies that have been effective at motivating environmentally responsible behaviours. These include Information, Education and Awareness (IEC), and the reward-penalty approach.
The IEC informs, educate and inspires people to realise their roles and responsibilities and benefits accruing from investing in the right waste management practices. In the reward- penalty approach, a penalty refers to a punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract. It includes a monetary fine that is assigned for individuals who abstain from obeying the by-laws. Whereas, rewarding a citizen refers to a monetary incentive that will be offered for any environmentally and socially responsible behaviour.
Also Read: Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 to focus on solid, liquid waste management
With the successful implementation of SBM 1.0 various cities across India initiated innovative approaches to transform the individual behaviour to make the cities clean and sustainable and a step towards becoming more Swachh.
As a part of IEC activities, in the city of Indore, citizens played a significant role in making the city neat and clean. The cleanliness scenario of Indore was changed by the improved habits of its people. The Indore Municipal Corporation involved 850 self-help groups in spreading awareness for source segregation at home and conducting mass campaigns. For enlightening the citizens, several religious leaders came together on a common platform and conducted mass road-sweeping exercises at various locations. The composting awareness campaigns have been conducted by the Indore Municipal Corporation which resulted in more than 50,000 households doing home composting by converting kitchen waste into compost. Within a span of one year the Municipal Corporation successfully sensitised citizens for segregation at source, and not dumping garbage in open areas. The Swachhata story of Indore is a true transformation through community participation.
In Mumbai, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) organised city-level exhibitions for promoting segregation and processing of solid waste at the source. Similar exhibitions were also arranged at ward levels to create awareness about segregation, decentralised processing of waste techniques and options in the market. MCGM conducted public awareness and participation programmes by staging “Street Plays” and involving dignitaries which had a compelling effect in transforming the cities and attaining the desired goal.
In Madukkarai, the ACC Madukkarai Cement Works has evolved and launched the “Clean & Green Madukkarai”. This programme is implemented by Thidakazhivu Melanmai Thittam – SHG Groups consisting of 55 women. The programme aims to create and strengthen the mechanisms for the effective disposal of solid and domestic waste of the community. The programme has been successful due to active community participation. It aimed at bringing a behavioural change in the community for proper disposal of waste and to strengthen the existing Panchayat waste management programme. The continuous education and awareness generation resulted in 100 per cent participation of the community in effectively disposing of waste. After the implementation of this initiative, Madukkarai Panchayat has turned out to be a cleaner community.
Also Read: eGov August 2018 – Telangana A Leader in Waste Management
As a part of the reward-penalty approach, in Panchgani, the council has come up with a penalty to deal with the issue of plastic and littering waste. A fine of Rs 500 is levied for the first time offender and those repeatedly not complying with the norms are fined Rs 5000. Also, they have levied a penalty for any activity that creates dirt in the city. To keep the citizen well informed about the reward-penalty approach, the council had put up signboards everywhere to inform tourists and citizens that throwing of garbage would be penalised. Every tourist entering Panchgani was politely intercepted by a Swachh volunteer and handed over an eco-friendly bag wherein they could collect all their trash generated during the visit. It is also complete bin free as alternative arrangements have been made for collecting fallen leaves by placing gunny bags at frequent intervals. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, a penalty will be charged for violating the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 including littering in public spaces. The fine ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 2500.
Improved solid waste management systems have the potential to address multiple SDGs, both explicitly and implicitly. However, while many cities already have recycling and other domestic solid waste separation systems in place, there is a lack of support and understanding of their importance among citizens. The journey of SBM 1.0 clearly depicts to successfully implement any model in the cities, it is very important to opt for an integrated and collaborative approach for a targeted outcome. The behavioural change model can help cities to understand the behaviour and actions of individuals but to implement that behaviour requires a combined and dedicated effort. We should acknowledge that the actual change in the behaviour and practices in the communities take time and the interventions need to be designed accordingly to be delivered with relevant and progressive messaging. The SBM took five years to transform the cities. Persistence and innovation is the key to a sustainable and effective behavioural change for achieving household level source segregation of municipal solid waste in India. | https://egov.eletsonline.com/2021/12/behavioural-change-an-efficient-strategy-for-waste-management/ |
A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a fixed rhyme scheme. It's traditionally written in iambic pentameter -- a line of verse that includes five feet of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable, for a line with a total of 10 syllables. The Petrarchan sonnet breaks the sonnet into an octave, consisting of eight lines, followed by a sestet, or a group of six lines. The Shakespearean, or English, sonnet, follows the form of three quatrains of four lines each, followed by a two-line couplet. Writing a sonnet requires knowledge of structure, rhyme scheme and meter.
Since the sonnet is a relatively strict type of poem to write, you should first decide what kind of sonnet you want to write. The Petrarchan sonnet follows a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA -- where all "A" lines and all "B" lines rhyme with each other -- for the octave and CDECDE or CDCDCD for the sestet, where matching letters stand for rhymes at the last word in each line. A Shakespearean sonnet uses the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The Spenserian sonnet uses quatrains and a couplet, but it follows the scheme ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. You can even choose to make up your own rhyme scheme while maintaining a 14-line poem.
Consider the subject matter of your poem and stick to one concept. Many traditional sonnets are about love and nature; you can follow this traditional approach or write about any idea you have. Sonnets also tend to state a problem, question, argument or observation, and the latter half or end of the poem brings clarification or a counterargument to the initial statement.
Using iambic pentameter without it sounding forced can be difficult. Read some sonnets first to get an idea of the meter and the musical nature of the rhythm. To start, write what comes out naturally, focusing on the rhyme scheme. Edit the lines later to put them in iambic pentameter. Consider monosyllabic words, which can be accented or unaccented, depending on their position in the phrase. You can break the meter, but meter breaks should relate to some important event or idea in the sonnet; this technique gives attention to that point in the sonnet.
The most important part of a sonnet is the turn, or volta. The turn answers the question, provides a counterargument, summarizes the rest of the poem or brings a surprise or clarification to the poem's opening idea. In Shakespeare’s sonnet “My Mistress’ Eyes,” the first 12 lines express how the speaker’s mistress does not look like the beautiful images he describes, but the final two lines admit his love is rare and incomparable. The Shakespearean sonnet places the turn in the final couplet, while the Petrarchan sonnet puts it around lines eight or nine, near the start of the sestet. Analyze some sonnets to get an idea of where to place the turn.
Even if you work with the structure on your first draft, revision is key to making your poem the best it can be. Read the poem aloud and focus on the rhythm and meter. Fix any places that aren’t in iambic pentameter. Find lines that could use enjambment -- a technique that carries the phrase to the next line to avoid all end-stopped lines. Check your work for concrete imagery, and avoid generalizations or overly abstract thoughts.
Batema, Cara. "How to Write a Sonnet." , https://penandthepad.com/write-sonnet-3335.html. Accessed 25 April 2019. | https://penandthepad.com/write-sonnet-3335.html |
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Form and Meter
What we've got here, gang, is a sonnet. And that means a few things as far as form and meter are concerned. Let's start with the overall form of the poem, shall we? We shall. So check it out: like any sonnet, "The Soldier" has 14 lines. Now, most sonnets are subdivided into two groups: the first eight lines (called the octave) and the last six lines (the sestet). In general, the octave introduces a problem which is then resolved in the sestet. What's more, the ninth line of a sonnet (i.e., the first line of the sestet) is called the "turn" or "volta" because this is where the poem usually starts to shift gears.
In the case of the "The Soldier," for example, the first 8 lines of the poem discuss the possibility of the soldier dying and reflect on the role England has played in his development. In the ninth line, the speaker imagines what it will be like in heaven (hint: like, totally super-awesome), and thus shifts or "turns" the direction of the poem away from the earth and toward an afterlife in the sky.
So that's how the poem is organized in terms of general structure, but how about line for line? Well, just like the good sonnet that it is, "The Soldier" is written in a metrical form called iambic pentameter. If that sounds familiar to you, that's probably because it's the most common meter in English poetry. If you've read any Shakespeare, you've run into this rhythm a time or two, even if you weren't aware of it at the time.
So what does iambic pentameter even mean? You see, every line of iambic pentameter contains five (pent- is the prefix that means five) iambs. Now, an iamb is a two-syllable pair that consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. (Said out loud it sounds like this: da-DUM. "Allow," for example, is an iamb.) Not satisfied? You want an example? Well, okay then! Just peep line 9:
And think, this heart, all evil shed away.
Now, not every line in the poem scans as perfectly as this one does (what would be the fun in that?). Take line 8 as an example:
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
You'll notice that this line begins with a stressed syllable, rather than an unstressed syllable. (In the poetry biz, a syllable pair that contains a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable is called a trochee.) It sure seems like the speaker really wants to emphasize that word "washed," doesn't it? Small substitutions like this are fairly common in poetry, so just be on the lookout for any metrical oddities. Any time a pattern is established, then broken, those breaks are designed to catch a reader's eye for emphasis (or catch their ear, as in this case).
But why use a sonnet to begin with? Brooke has his choice of any form of poem—or no form, even—but he went with this set-up. We think, though, that a sonnet is just a peachy choice. After all, the poem is celebrating patriotism and English-ness, and there aren't too many other forms of poetry more closely associated with England than the sonnet. And yet… this poem isn't exactly, 100% in the English style.
Let's roll it back for second. There are in fact many different types of sonnets, but the two most common are the Petrarchan sonnet (named after the famous Italian sonneteer Francesco Petrarca) and the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet. The major difference between these two types is the rhyme scheme. The octave of a Petrarchan sonnet generally follows this form: ABBAABBA, where each letter represents one particular end rhyme for that line. In this case, line 1 (A) would rhyme with lines 4, 5, and 8, while the sestet could take several forms (CDECDE and CDCDCD being the most popular).
The English sonnet, in contrast, has a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCD EFEFGG (the final two, rhyming lines are known as a heroic couplet, bee-tee-dubs). Now, we're telling you all this stuff about rhymes because Brooke's poem combines elements of both the Petrarchan and the Shakespearean sonnet. The octave is like an English sonnet, and its rhyme scheme is ABABCDCD. The sestet, however, takes the form of a Petrarchan sonnet and has a rhyme scheme of EFGEFG.
So now for the big question: why did Brooke use two different types of sonnet in the poem—one historically associated with England, and one with Italy? It may have something to do with the politics of the looming war, we think. It's not that England and Italy were fighting yet (that didn't happen really until World War II). But England was about to enter a conflict that began (and would be fought) on the European continent. In joining these two sonnet forms together, then, Brooke's poem is in a way enacting the kind of English-European fusion that was to come (only through arms this time, not words).
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What is an Italian sonnet called?
What is an Italian sonnet called?
Definition of Italian sonnet. : a sonnet consisting of an octave rhyming abba abba and a sestet rhyming in any of various patterns (such as cde cde or cdc dcd) — called also Petrarchan sonnet.
Is a sonnet a love poem?
Funnily enough, the sonnet was the original love poem and it stems from the Italian word for 'little song'. … Each sonnet has its own style and rhyme scheme. This type of poetry flows beautifully and mimics the pattern of speech. In Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, he talks about love and what it means to him.
Why is it called petrarchan sonnet?
The Petrarchan Sonnet is named after the Italian poet Francesco Petrarch, a lyrical poet of fourteenth-century Italy.
What is a haiku poem?
"Haiku" is a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Haiku poems consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. … Because Haikus are such short poems, they are usually written about things that are recognizable to the reader.
What is Sonnet example?
This is a famous example of sonnet that opens William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet. We can see all the telltale signs of Shakespeare's style of sonnet, such as iambic pentameter, a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and a final conclusion asking the audience to pay close attention in the final couplet.
What are the first 8 lines of a sonnet called?
The sonnet is split in two groups: the "octave" (of 8 lines) and the "sestet" (of 6 lines), for a total of 14 lines. The octave (the first 8 lines) typically introduces the theme or problem using a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA.
Who introduced blank verse?
Henry Howard introduced blank verse into England in the 16th century with his translation of Virgil's Aeneid. Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare transformed it into the characteristic medium of Elizabethan and Jacobean drama.
What is the first part of a sonnet called?
The first twelve lines are divided into three quatrains with four lines each. In the three quatrains the poet establishes a theme or problem and then resolves it in the final two lines, called the couplet. The rhyme scheme of the quatrains is abab cdcd efef.
Who popularized the Italian sonnet?
a sonnet form popularized by Petrarch, consisting of an octave with the rhyme scheme abbaabba and of a sestet with one of several rhyme schemes, as cdecde or cdcdcd.
What is a free verse poem?
Free verse is a literary device that can be defined as poetry that is free from limitations of regular meter or rhythm, and does not rhyme with fixed forms. Such poems are without rhythm and rhyme schemes, do not follow regular rhyme scheme rules, yet still provide artistic expression.
What is a 16 line sonnet called?
Often, at the point where the eight-line section, known as the octave, turns into the six-line section, or sestet, there is a volta, from the Italian for 'turn' – this is a shift in the poem's tone, subject or logic that gains power from (or demands?) the matching shift in its structure.
What is poetry in English?
Poetry is a type of literature based on the interplay of words and rhythm. … These poems, however, still have a rhythmic quality and seek to create beauty through their words. The opposite of poetry is “prose” – that is, normal text that runs without line breaks or rhythm. This article, for example, is written in prose.
What are the characteristics of an Italian sonnet?
They can alternatively be written in three stanzas with two quatrains, or four lines each, and a sestet. Petrarchan sonnets are always 14 lines total, and they are written in iambic pentameter, which features lines of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables.
Do Italian sonnets use iambic pentameter?
The Italian (or Petrarchan) Sonnet: The basic meter of all sonnets in English is iambic pentameter (basic information on iambic pentameter),although there have been a few tetrameter and even hexametersonnets, as well. The exact pattern of sestet rhymes (unlike the octave pattern)is flexible.
What are the two parts of a sonnet?
The ballad is a poem that is typically arranged in quatrains with the rhyme scheme ABAB. Ballads are usually narrative, which means they tell a story. Ballads began as folk songs and continue to be used today in modern music.
What is petrarchan love?
A Petrarchan lover is melodramatic, self-consciously suffering and has given himself up to the power of his mistress. At the start of Romeo and Juliet, this is the character type that Shakespeare is making fun of when Romeo is drooping all over the stage for the great love of his life… Rosaline. | https://answerstoall.com/language/what-is-an-italian-sonnet-called/ |
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