Fall is officially here. I don't know about you but I have had enough of this pandemic and the complexities that its added to our daily lives. With our current economic and political climate, I have personally grown very weary of the divide that has engulfed our world. I hope that the day is coming when we can move past this health crisis and find a bridge to reconnect with truth and with each other as cherished human beings. I know that I am not alone in my fears for our future as I witness our positions growing more and more polarized and less tolerant of the "other side". I watch our nation sinking to new unimaginable levels where scientific evidence is being set aside and ignored for political gain. I watch the wildfires, the pandemic, the extreme weather patterns, the shrinking of Antarctica and I'm horrified that it just continues to get worse year after year. When are we all going to wake up and pay attention to what's really happening around all of us? And social media is not helping by feeding us information that keeps us glued to our devices and in our own personalized information bubbles. I recently saw the documentary "the Social Dilemma" and found an excellent explanation as to why our world is going down this divided path. I highly recommend everyone watch this. It explains what we are seeing in our world and why we are becoming so isolated and polarized. While I am not certain how I can best be part of a solution, I know one of the great positives in my own life right now is being part of Rotary. With Rotary we have the opportunity to help others both within our community and around the world with our efforts with Polio eradication, supporting world literacy, and funding causes in underprivileged areas. As Rotarians, the best thing we can do right now is be an example to our community by remembering what it really means to be a Rotarian. We need to go about our lives in ways that demonstrate kindness to each other and consideration for others. It all starts with you. While we can't change the world overnight, we can start with the little things like wearing masks, voting, and supporting causes that promote peace and the wellbeing of each other and our beautiful planet.
On Sept 17th we heard from guest speaker Dylan Farris, Executive Director of Human Resources and Facilities for El Segundo School District. Dylan described all the current constructions projects at all the schools in El Segundo. He showed the progress thru the Covid pandemic that has been made plus what the future of these projects will look like at completion and the new projects in the works.
On Sept 10th, we welcomed Daniel Nahmod to our weekly meeting. He shared music from the present and past and told stories about how the particular song came into his life or why he wrote it. Orange County, California-based Singer/Songwriter, Producer and Humanitarian DANIEL NAHMOD (\pronounced Nay-mod‚) has performed his profound, heart-opening original music for over one million people in 45 U.S. states and Canada since beginning his music career in 1999... selling 110,000 CDs (and 10,000 printed songbooks!) to date and receiving literally thousands of standing ovations along the way. His songs are recorded and performed all over the world on a weekly basis. Recent media appearances of Daniel's music include Saturday Night Live, The Voice, American Idol, The Super Bowl, and the Today Show.
Denese Lopez is the founder and executive director of W.E.L.L. Organization. She was raised by a single mother and grew up in Pico Rivera, California. She became a mother at 16 years old. She is a retired police officer from the state of California. Ms. Lopez started a nononprofit called W.E.L.L. (Women Empowered By Labors of Love). She has a background working with survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking. Her organization decorates and furnishes the homes or rooms of survivors. She shared with us how her organization provides survivors with any and all household furnishings and/or renovation needed in their homes. Everything they need to restore their home. All the work to the home is done by women, for women. Renewing and redecorating their homes from floor to ceiling is what we do. Once a woman realizes she deserves better, letting go is the best decision she will ever make.
Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.
Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress.
The direct damage costs to health (i.e. excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation), is estimated to be between USD 2-4 billion/year by 2030.
Areas with weak health infrastructure – mostly in developing countries – will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond.
Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy-use choices can result in improved health, particularly through reduced air pollution.
According to the United Nations, the COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption in the education system in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries across all continents. School closures and other learning spaces have impacted 94% of the world’s student population, 99% of which are in low and lower-middle income countries.
The global pandemic has also reduced learning opportunities for the most vulnerable children, youth, and adults living in poor or rural areas, girls, refugees, persons with disabilities and forcibly displaced persons which can drastically impact their futures. Closures of educational institutions go beyond just learning and effect other aspects of life, including access to nutritious food, affect the ability of many parents to work, and increase risks of violence against women and girls.
As Rotary members across the world continue to serve their communities during the pandemic through innovative and creative projects, we encourage you to take action by focusing on supporting literacy in our own community in honor of Rotary Basic Education and Literacy Month celebrated this September.
Tell us what you think! We want to hear from you. Let us know if you have any suggestions or ideas; please email us at info@elsegundorotary.org. Thank you for your support.
