Journal

Stories are waves

by Şevval Akbaş October 05, 2019

Children at my daughter’s developmental stage identify most strongly with their own gender, and reading about girls who have epic adventures has helped my daughter expand her own possible futures. It's in the games she plays, and the stories she tells. As with the fanfic writers who find personal validation in their creations, Girl Bilbo has helped my daughter imagine the person she will become.

Posted in child development, fanfic, Female Bilbo, gender equality, genderswapping, Girl Bilbo, impact of stories, incomplit, social impact, stories for change

"We are seeing the beginnings of the era of climate barbarism"

by Şevval Akbaş September 20, 2019

The No Logo author Naomi Klein talks about solutions to the climate crisis, Greta Thunberg, birth strikes and how she finds hope.

Posted in birth strikes, climate barbarism, climate change, climate crisis, Extinction Rebellion, Green New Deal, Greta Thunberg, social impact

Week for Future and Climate Justice

by Şevval Akbaş September 20, 2019

Adults will join young people across the planet as millions of people disrupt business as usual by joining the global climate strikes on the 20th September and 27th September and for the ‘Week for Future and Climate Justice’ in between.
The Week for Future and Climate Justice will be marked with direct actions and activities highlighting the devastating impacts of climate and ecological breakdown that are being felt the world over.

Posted in activism, climate change, climatestrike, fridays for future, FridaysForFuture, global climate strike, Greta Thunberg, incomplit, social impact

Uganda is Turning Its Children into Wildlife Protectors

by Şevval Akbaş April 26, 2019

Uganda is educating its school children on the importance of conservation and protecting the nation’s endangered animals.
As part of an attempt by the Government to provide public guidance on wildlife protection, alongside normal curriculum subjects like maths and English, Uganda’s school children also learn about conservation education.
Students are taught about the country’s threatened species in the classroom – through educational books and board games – and through trips to wildlife education centers.

Posted in child development, endangered animals, environment, natural world, nature and children, nature and people, social impact, uganda, wild, wildlife

Why stories matter for children’s learning

by Şevval Akbaş April 19, 2019

Scholars have found that stories have a strong influence on children’s understanding of cultural and gender roles. Stories do not just develop children’s literacy; they convey values, beliefs, attitudes and social norms which, in turn, shape children’s perceptions of reality.

Posted in child development, impact of stories, intercultural perspective, social impact, stories for change, story, story completing workshops

Kenya Replaced Presidents on Its Currency with Pictures of Endangered Animals

by Şevval Akbaş April 12, 2019

Kenya has unveiled new currency with native wildlife inscriptions, replacing images of former presidents. The nation’s wildlife and national parks are not only a source of great pride for Kenyans, they’re also a vital part of the country’s economy, bringing in crowds of tourists every year.

Posted in endangered animals, environment, kenya, natural world, nature and people, social impact, wild, wildlife

60% Of All Mammals On Earth Are Livestock, Says New Study

by Şevval Akbaş April 05, 2019

Since civilization was established, the human race has caused the loss of 83 percent of all wild animals and 50 percent of all plants. Simultaneously, livestock farmed for human consumption represents a large portion of animals on Earth, meaning the natural harmonious balance between species is decreasing while farming animals for food is increasing.

Posted in civilization, environment, human consumption, natural world, nature and people, planet earth, social impact, wild, wild animals, wildlife

It’s Official: Giraffes Added to Endangered Species List Under Threat of Extinction

by Şevval Akbaş March 29, 2019

Whilst giraffes are commonly seen on safari, in the media, and in zoos, people, including conservationists, are unaware that these majestic animals are undergoing a silent extinction. While giraffe populations in southern Africa are doing just fine, the world’s tallest animal is under severe pressure in some of its core ranges across East, Central and West Africa.

Posted in endangered animals, endangered species, environment, giraffe, natural world, nature and people, planet earth, social impact, wild, wildlife

Intact Forests Are Crucial to Mitigating Climate Change

by Şevval Akbaş March 22, 2019

In just the past decade, the world has lost more than seven percent of its intact forests; also known as large connected areas free from disturbances caused by humanity. This figure shows to be only accelerating. A new study says maintaining these remaining intact forests is of utmost importance.

Posted in climate change, environment, human and nature, intact forest, natural world, nature and people, planet earth, social impact, wildlife

'Shocking' human impact reported on world's protected areas

by Şevval Akbaş March 15, 2019

Six million sq km of forests, parks and conservation areas are under "intense human pressure" from mining, logging and farming.Countries rich and poor, are quick to designate protected areas but fail to follow up with funding and enforcement. This is why biodiversity is still in catastrophic decline, the authors say.

Posted in environment, human impact, natural heritage, natural world, nature and people, planet earth, protected areas, social impact, wildlife

If Children Lose Contact With Nature, They Won’t Fight For It

by Şevval Akbaş March 08, 2019

Studies in several nations show that children's games are more creative in green places than in concrete playgrounds. Natural spaces encourage fantasy and roleplay, reasoning and observation. The social standing of children there depends less on physical dominance, more on inventiveness and language skills.

Posted in child development, child games, environment, natural world, nature and children, nature and people, outdoor activities in childhood, social impact

In 45 Years, We Have Killed 60% of Earth’s Wildlife

by Şevval Akbaş February 15, 2019

Humans have been around for more than 2 million years. But in the last 44 years, we have achieved what we haven’t in all this while: a mass annihilation of our fellow earthlings. Between 1970 and 2014, Earth lost nearly 60% decline of its mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, almost all of it due to human activity. The rate at which Earth is losing its biodiversity is comparable only to the mass extinctions.

Posted in environment, living planet report, natural world, nature and people, planet earth, social impact, wild, wildlife, WWF