Archived General Blog Posts
Fires burning in the Amazon - an International Crisis
8/23/2019 (Permalink)
Fires burning in the Amazon - an International Crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron is calling on world leaders to place the massive fires destroying Brazil's Amazon Rainforest at the top of their agenda as they gather in France's southwest for the Group of Seven summit.
"Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest – the lungs which produces 20% of our planet's oxygen – is on fire," Macron wrote in a tweet Thursday. "It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days!"
France is hosting the summit in the city of Biarritz, on the Atlantic coast, which begins on Saturday. President Trump and leaders from Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom will also attend.
Both Germany and Norway have also weighed in on the fires, criticizing Bolsonaro's lack of action and saying they would withhold $60 million in funds for sustainability projects in Brazil's forests.
Onyx Lorenzoni, Bolsonaro's chief of staff, on Thursday accused European countries of exaggerating environmental problems in an effort to stifle rainforest development.
"There is deforestation in Brazil, yes, but not at the rate and level that they say," he said, according to the Brazilian news website globo.com.
In a tweet later on Thursday, Bolsonaro responded to Macron: "I regret that Macron seeks to make personal political gains in an internal matter for Brazil and other Amazonian countries. The sensationalist tone he used does nothing to solve the problem."
Bolsonaro has also accused the media of hyping the fires to undermine him. "Most of the media wants Brazil to end up like Venezuela," he said. Venezuela's economy has collapsed over the past decade.
In an announcement this week by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, the agency said there have been 74,155 fires in the country so far this year – about half in the last month and most of them in the Amazon. That represents an 84% increase from the previous year.
International Women's Day 2018
3/8/2018 (Permalink)
As people around the world celebrate International Women’s Day on Thursday — an annual March 8 observance — countries from Kyrgyzstan to Cambodia will officially honor women’s rights and achievements across the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. The day has been designated as an official United Nations observance since 1975, which was International Women’s Year, and is a national holiday in many parts of the world.
But the day’s origins go much further back than 1975 — and are more radical than what we might expect from a day so widely celebrated.
Centering around the socialist movements of the early 20th century, here’s more on the history of how International Women’s Day (IWD) came to be:
How did International Women’s Day start?
The impetus for establishing an International Women’s Day can be traced back to New York City in February 1908, when thousands of women who were garment workers went on strike and marched through the city to protest against their working conditions. “Like today, these women were in less organized workplaces [than their male counterparts], were in the lower echelons of the garment industry, and were working at low wages and experiencing sexual harassment,” says Eileen Boris, Professor of Feminist Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara.
In honor of the anniversary of those strikes, which were ongoing for more than a year, a National Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time in the U.S. on Feb. 28, 1909, spearheaded by the Socialist Party of America.
Led by German campaigner and socialist Clara Zetkin, the idea to turn the day into an international movement advocating universal suffrage was established at the International Conference of Working Women in 1910. Zetkin was renowned as a passionate orator and advocate for working women’s rights, and her efforts were crucial to the day’s recognition throughout much of Europe in the early 1910s.
Effects of Water Damage
3/1/2018 (Permalink)
Effects of Water Damage
Water damage is a problem that most property owners dread. When it rains heavily or snow melts quickly, the risk of this type of damage increases. Water can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage by damaging wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to remediate. Hiring a water damage restoration company can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies employ experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup.
<section1">Causes of Water Damage
There are several possible causes of water damage. Leaky dishwashers, clogged toilets, broken pipes, broken dishwasher hoses, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs, plumbing leaks, and foundation cracks are just some of the possible causes of water damage in homes and businesses. Floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain are other possible causes of this type of damage and can lead to having water in basements. Too much water can lead to minor problems such as water in basement areas, or it can lead to the destruction of homes and businesses. Once a home or business sustains water damage, it is important to start the water damage cleanup immediately. Starting water damage cleanup as soon as possible increases the likelihood of saving water-soaked furniture, carpets, rugs, clothing, and other items.
Categories of Water Damage
Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different categories assigned to water damage. Category 1 refers to clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows. Category 2 water is also called gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness of ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage. Category 3 water is known as black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.
There are also several classes of water damage. The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options. Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation. Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage. Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture. Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.
Restoration Process
The water restoration process is an important one. Using the right procedures and materials can help people save cherished belongings and even prevent their homes from being condemned. Water restoration companies specialize in mitigating the effects of water, but the success for water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the amount of water that caused the damage. Water restoration companies may hire outside experts to assess a property and determine a water restoration and water removal plan. These water restoration companies typically use high-tech equipment and well-documented procedures to control water damage. Water in basement areas may only require a short cleanup process, but water in other areas of a property will require extensive remediation.
Health Hazards
It is important to hire one of these water damage restoration companies as soon as possible after water damage occurs. Moisture promotes the growth of mold and other organisms, increasing the risk for serious health problems. Mold exposure may aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children and people with compromised immune systems. Exposure may also increase the risk for respiratory diseases and other medical problems. Cleaning up immediately can help mitigate the health effects of water damage on everyone in a home or commercial space.
If you need assistance with any water damage that you have, please call our team of experts at SERVPRO Scripps Ranch Mira Mesa Rancho Penasquitos at any time of the day! We are here to help.
Emergency Preparedness
2/8/2018 (Permalink)
National Safety Council
Emergency Preparedness: Will You be Ready if Disaster Strikes?
Images of devastation in Texas and Florida caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma are heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the victims and first responders.
Get daily hurricane updates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
What happens if disaster strikes and effects you or your family? First call a reputable damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Scripps Ranch Mira Mesa Rancho Penasquitos. Our technicians are trained to take care of water damage and mold mitigation due to flash flooding and heavy rains. We are available to help anywhere in San Diego County - especially Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa and Rancho Penasquitos. We are ready to take on water damage jobs both large and small. In addition, their customers give SERVPRO Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos excellent reviews for their quick, efficient, and high-quality water restoration work and mold mitigation work. Call today for a quick, no-cost estimate at 858.270.5234
September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month, held annually in September and sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, reminds us that we need to be ready to respond to natural and man-made disasters – no matter where we live. Disaster can strike at any time, so it's important to have a planned response when you're at work, on vacation or on the road.
The National Safety Council offers some safety tips specific to each of the following emergencies:
Federal agencies, like Ready.gov, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also are valuable resources for emergency preparedness.
When you face a natural or man-made emergency, try to stay informed through radio, TV or the Internet. In some cases, however, cable, electric and cell phone service will be disabled, making communication nearly impossible. The National Safety Council recommends the following general precautions that apply to many disaster situations:
- Make sure to have a family communication plan in place; all members of the family should review and practice the plan
- Have all family members' and other important phone numbers written down or memorized
- Have an emergency kit in your car and at least three days of food and water at home
- Be sure to store all important documents – birth certificates, insurance policies, etc. – in a fire-proof safe or safety deposit box
- Assign one family member the responsibility of learning first aid and CPR
- Know how to shut off utilities.
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