benevolence

mohandasgandhi:

Investigation Of Baby Dolphin Deaths In Gulf Kept Confidential By U.S. Government

The U.S. government is keeping a tight lid on its probe into scores of unexplained dolphin deaths along the Gulf Coast, possibly connected to last year’s BP oil spill, causing tension with some independent marine scientists.

Wildlife biologists contracted by the National Marine Fisheries Service to document spikes in dolphin mortality and to collect specimens and tissue samples for the agency were quietly ordered late last month to keep their findings confidential.

The gag order was contained in an agency letter informing outside scientists that its review of the dolphin die-off, classified as an “unusual mortality event (UME),” had been folded into a federal criminal investigation launched last summer into the oil spill.

“Because of the seriousness of the legal case, no data or findings may be released, presented or discussed outside the UME investigative team without prior approval,” the letter, obtained by Reuters, stated.

A number of scientists said they have been personally rebuked by federal officials for “speaking out of turn” to the media about efforts to determine the cause of some 200 dolphin deaths this year, and about 90 others last year, in the Gulf.

Moreover, they said collected samples and specimens are being turned over to the government for analysis under a protocol that will leave independent scientists in the dark about the efficacy and outcome of any laboratory tests.

(Read  more)

thehopemovement:

Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren’t strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses.

90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation.

Here is what The Hope Movement is doing to put a dent in the global water crisis: with your donation to mycharity: water, we will personally advertise your blog to all of our followers! The donation can be as small as $5.00. The Hope Movement has be featured in everything from newspapers to television news programs! 

Or … 

You may start your own charity at mycharitywater.org! Raise $10.00 or more, and we’ll see what we can do in return. It’s so easy an elementary school student can do it - as a matter of fact … they do, and are raising hundreds! 

100% of your donations go towards funding clean water projects in lesser developed countries around the globe.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

In His grip, 

Brett.