HO HO HO.. IT´S CHRISTMAS TIME

In 7 days we are going to celebrate Christmas. Time to be together with family and friends. Time to bake some cookies and to drink hot chocolate. But nowadays Christmas is also a feast of commerce. Some people just rarly know what Christmas is actually is about and what is the story behind this feast.
Do you already have all your Christmas presents for your dear ones?  What do you think about this kind of habit to spend a lot of money for presents?

The following infographic presents results of HBSC surve2012 y about the British Christmas shopping habits:

source: http://www.investmenteurope.net/investment-europe/news/2222137/infographic-christmas-shopping-moves-online-hbsc-finds

THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS...

The world is shocked.. again.. Again there was such a horrible shooting in an American School as we have heard.. too much... 20 children lost their lives without reason. And again there is a debatte about the right to keep and wear arms, anchored in the Second Amendment! Proponents argue with the opportunity to defend the own person, but what about the 20 children?? They were not able to wear weapons to defend themselves! Is this right still capable? I don´t think so...
Have a look at the following infographic and tell me your opinion about the right to keep and bear arms? Do you agree with it or do you think guns cannot be a solution?

source: http://aiusayouth.tumblr.com/image/25106911200

ELECTIONS IN CATALONIA 2012

The Separatists in Spain's Catalonia won regional elections in 2012 but failed to get a resounding mandate for a referendum on independence. What do you think about the wish to become independent in future? Is it just utopia or still in progress? 

Check out the seating in the parliament of 2010 and 2012 in the infographic below. 

NEW TRANSPORT POLICY

Since the start of this year, any airline whose planes fly into or out of the European Union must pay for its carbon emissions. And foreign carriers are none too pleased...

"Because flights into the EU have been included in their entirety, not just the portion within European airspace, they detect an infringement of their sovereignty. Last month, in response to a suit from an American industry body, Airlines for America (A4A), the European Court of Justice dismissed that concern. A4A, which claims, improbably, that the scheme will cost its members more than $3 billion by 2020, may file a fresh suit in the High Court in London."

source: http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2012/01/emissions-trading?zid=313&ah=fe2aac0b11adef572d67aed9273b6e55

IS WEST BETTER THAN EAST?

When I travelled to Vancouver in Canada I was fully impressed about this country. Everything looked well organized, peacefully and just alright. In contrast, my imagination of China was completely the other way around. I thought China would be pretty violent, maybe because of the government. Another picture in my mind was an exploding Chinese population. All the more I was surprised when I got some data about these countries. Although China has a high number of births, the population is decreasing and the rate of intention homicide is pretty low. Whereas in Canada there is a very low birth rate but there is a high level of homicide. So, is China a nicer country than its reputation?!


Have a look at the infographic:

MEAT CONSUMPTION PER CAPITA

Links between meat consumption and climate change have been widely known for many years

Between 1961 and 2002, meat consumption has seen a large increase virtually worldwide and a corresponding jump in its environmental impact. Links between meat consumption and climate change have been widely known for many years, partly due to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest to make room for the livestock. Clearing these forests is estimated to produce a staggering 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the entire transport sector.

Increased meat-eating has followed rising affluence in many parts of the world. China’s levels doubled between 1990 and 2002. Back in 1961, the Chinese consumed a mere 3.6kg per person, while

in 2002 they reached 52.4kg each; half of the world’s pork is now consumed in China.

The US and the UK are among the few countries whose meat consumption levels have remained relatively stable. Surprisingly, it is not the US with the largest consumption (124.8), but Den- mark with shocking 145.9kg per person in 2002. 

To have a look at the data click here.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/meat-consumption-per-capita-climate-change?INTCMP=SRCH