Volume 67 | Issue 2 | September 21, 2019
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Amazon forest fires lack funding
The Unsheltered in riverside
BY NATHANAEL HOVDA
ASST. BUSINESS & TECH EDITOR Thousands watched as smoke billowed up from one of the world’s most famous landmarks. Around the globe, people donated to help the firefighting efforts, with governments and international corporations pledging millions, as well. That was the scene after the fire inside the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Since the fire on April 15, more than $1 billion has been donated to the restoration process, which works to approximately $17,000 for every square foot of the building. Today, the Amazon rain forest is on fire, and the international response pales in comparison. Even after the world’s seven most-advanced economies convened for discussion in August, less than $30 million was offered to put out the fires that threaten the ecosystem often considered to be the “lungs” of the earth. That is less than one-hundredth of
a cent for every square foot burned. The people and businesses who donated in Paris are noticeably absent, as the majority of private donations are coming from smaller nonprofits that have been advocating for the rainforest’s protection for decades. As news of the fires spread, volunteers and donations lined up to help. But in the case of the Amazon rainforest, getting people and dollars to one of those most remote locations on the planet is not easy. In most cases, groups receiving the majority of donations are sending that money to future conservation — not to the approximately 73,000 fires raging in the rainforest. Private donations, no matter how small, have played a historically significant role in stopping fires and conserving the rainforest. But this time, activists and environmentalists warn they cannot solve the problem single-handedly.
SEE FUNDING AMAZON | PAGE 10
Students study abroad from CBU BY RANDI WUFLESTAD LIFESTYLE EDITOR
A homeless woman in downtown Riverside sits outside an abandoned gas station with all of her belongings.
Hayden Schuljak | Banner SEE HOMELESSNESS PHOTOS | PAGE 8
Riverside seeks solutions for city’s ‘homeless situation’ BY ABIGAIL WOLF MANAGING EDITOR
BY SUMMER CLARK ASST. NEWS EDITOR
While the rate of homelessness in Riverside County has decreased in recent years, public perception is that it has increased. According to the city’s 2017 Homeless Point in Time Count, Riverside county has 1,638 unsheltered homeless people living on the streets and 814 living in shelters. This is a 12 percent decrease from the 2015 reports, and the population of sheltered and unsheltered homeless combined is currently estimated by them to be at 2,165. The Department of Public Social Services, however, estimates these numbers to be significantly higher at 2,811 for the total population, a 21 percent increase this year in comparison to 2018. One of the reasons the general public sees an increase in homeless is because of the larger number of homeless people living near popular shopping centers. Sean Sandhu, owner of a local Waba Grill, said homelessness has affected his business negatively, making it harder for customers to enter the restaurant. “It has increased small crimes — petty theft and loitering — in the area,” Sandhu said. “Because of those crimes in the area,
customers don’t feel safe enough to come to less community. Higgins, as a student at California Bapmy restaurant.” Sandhu said he believes law enforce- tist University, said he has not had firstment does much to help the community, hand experience with the Riverside County but their approach may not solve the home- homeless population but learns about it in his criminal justice courses. lessness problem in the long-term. “A big factor in homelessness is drug “(Homeless) people migrate from place to place in the county,” Shadhu said. “Law abuse. Homelessness is brought up a lot in criminal justice courses and peoenforcement does ple who are addicted to drugs will a good job handling use whatever means necessary to homeless individuget their next fix, whether that is als, but all that does crime or using friends for money,” is force homeless Higgins said. people to migrate. We In June 2019, the Riverside need more governPublic Safety Engagement team ment programs and worked with hundreds of homeprojects to keep peoless people near an industrial park. ple off the streets,” Workers there estimated between Shadhu said. Ben Higgins, juSean Sandhu, 90-95 percent of the chronically homeless turned down services nior criminal justice owner of local Waba Grill they were offered, or did not follow major, said he knows through on information. Higgins of the transportation of the homeless population between coun- noted that this is what makes drug abuse such a complex challenge. ties in California. “They are not looking at those resources “I am aware that towns and cities will pick up homeless people and bus them to there. They are looking at ‘what can I (do) other towns to get rid of homeless people to be able to get my next fix?’” Higgins said. Many homeless people may be mentally out of their town,” Higgins said. Throughout the Riverside County area, ill, physically disabled or struggle with drug there are many people and organizations who are trying to help those in the homeSEE HOMELESSNESS | PAGE 3
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Law enforcement does a good job handling homeless individuals, but all that does is force homeless people to migrate.
Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience, as students are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in other cultures while taking courses in a variety of countries. Before beginning the application process, students must attend a Study Abroad 101 information session, where they can hear from the director of Academic Engagement about study abroad options and ask questions about the process. Garrett English, director of Academic Engagement, said many students who study abroad grow from their experience and return more confident and independent. “You’re going to learn about new cultures, perspective and see new places. On a personal level, you’re going to gain a lot of lifelong friendships. You’re with students who are studying abroad for the first time as well. Just being in that close proximity — being able to travel together and study together really builds some strong friendships,” English said. English said when it comes to California Baptist University students, the most popular locations to travel to include Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. However, there is a huge variety of countries from which students can choose. “I would encourage more students to go to Latin America and Asia because there are a lot of opportunities there, as well,” English said. In order to qualify for study abroad, first-time freshmen must complete at least a year at CBU and transfer students must complete at least a semester. CBU works with third-party organizations that have relationships with universities in other countries. Most of these companies require at least a 2.5 GPA for students to study with them. They provide academic advising and onsite assistance. “There’s an adviser that gets assigned to you and they guide you through the study abroad process. They also have residential staff on the ground that are checking in with you to make sure you’re safe,” English said. English said he believes students should consider many factors when deciding where to study abroad. This includes preferred climate, desired travel, amount of elective or general education requirements needed and whether they can speak the language of the host country. “If you’re looking to travel to a lot of countries, Australia is probably not a good option, for instance, because that would be a lot harder and more expensive. Europe could be a good option,” English said. Students can use federal aid such as California Grants or Pell
SEE STUDY ABROAD | PAGE 6
Pending law for California college athletes —
Lifestyle Tries: Decorative Pillows —
Spider-Man leaves MCU —
S p o r t s , Pg. 14
L i f e s t y l e , Pg. 7
A & E , Pg. 12
Athletes may be allowed paid sponsorships in the near future.
Check out the latest DIY and create a fringe pillow.
Sony and Disney reach a conclusion over Spider-Man’s involvement in future films.