International
ROTARY E-CLUB CANADA ONE FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2025
Rotary International President for 2024-25, Stephanie Urchick, highlights her initiatives in 2024-25, including championing the Action Plan and promoting Rotary’s peacebuilding initiatives.
RI President Stephanie urges all members to “grow the Magic of Rotary by adding new members to our Rotary family and providing wonderful experiences to those already involved.”
“Unlock the Magic of Rotary by unlocking the power of women and girls. Advance the Magic of Rotary by fundraising to help change the world.”
“Together, we can make every club and every district ‘simply irresistible. ’”
Click this link to view several videos from the 2024 Singapore Convention including RI President Stephanie and RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo
Rotary
President 2024-25, Stephanie Urchick, (Pennsylvania, USA) TRF Newsletter Editor – Kitty Bucsko (RC of D6330 Passport)
RI PRESIDENT Stephanie Urchick
Click above for Auld Lang Syne.
Click above for Auld Lang Syne.
1 Editor Kitty Bucsko
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
FEBRUARY 2025 MESSAGE
Ripples of hope and change
This month, as we come together for the International Assembly and the Presidential Peace Conference, we celebrate The Magic of Rotary – a unique blend of global connection, vision, and action that empowers us to create lasting change.
One of the most inspiring examples is our Rotary Peace Fellowship program, a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission to build a more peaceful and just world.
For more than 23 years, Rotary Peace Fellowships have been transforming communities. Our Rotary Peace Centers, hosted at leading universities around the globe, have educated over 1,800 fellows who now work in more than 140 countries.
These centers cultivate expertise in fields like conflict resolution, sustainable development, and peacebuilding, preparing fellows to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This program exemplifies how Rotary turns vision into action, creating a ripple effect of hope and change.
This month during the Presidential Peace Conference, we celebrate a significant milestone with the opening of our newest peace center in Istanbul. This center will focus on training leaders to address peacebuilding challenges in the Middle East and North Africa, further extending Rotary’s impact.
Peace fellows are dedicated champions of transformation, addressing critical issues such as refugee resettlement, youth and women’s empowerment, and reconciliation in conflict zones. Many founded vital organizations or hold leadership roles in governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international institutions like the United Nations and World Bank.
One inspiring story is that of Ntang Julius Meleng, a 2024 Rotary Peace Fellow at Makerere University in Uganda. Through his Social Change Initiative, Julius has worked to empower young people in Cameroon to take active roles in peacebuilding and leadership.
His project provided training in conflict prevention, civic engagement, and leadership to youths and community officials in areas affected by conflict, equipping people to drive sustainable peace efforts.
Julius harnessed Rotary’s global network to overcome obstacles, including limited funding and security risks, and make a meaningful impact.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship gave Julius the tools and support to turn his vision into reality. His work embodies The Magic of Rotary – the transformative power of connecting people, sharing resources, and uniting for a common purpose.
As we reflect on the achievements of our peace fellows and celebrate Rotary’s enduring commitment to peace, let us also recognize the role that everyone in our network of 1.2 million members plays in creating magic through service.
Together, we can amplify our impact, inspire new generations of leaders, and build a brighter, more peaceful future.
STEPHANIE A. URCHICK PRESIDENT, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
2024-25
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR
FEBRUARY 2025 - MESSAGE
Ambassadors of peace
By some measures, great progress has been made in building more peaceful societies around the world. Yet the reality of ongoing regional wars, skirmishes, and violence globally reminds us how far we still have to go. These conflicts affect the humanity of us all, whether they occur far from us or in our own communities.
So, what can Rotary do to build peace?
As a global force for peace and conflict prevention, Rotary addresses the root causes of conflict. Our role at the 1945 United Nations charter is a testament to this enduring commitment.
Another cornerstone of this work is the Rotary Peace Centers program. Through The Rotary Foundation, these seven centers provide fully funded fellowships empowering individuals to address the complex challenges of conflict and development.
More than 1,800 alumni now work in over 140 countries as champions of peace, creating lasting change in their communities. Consider alumni like Pablo Cuevas, a 2015 peace fellow who leads the Paraguay office of the International Organization for Migration, aiding those displaced by crises. Leni Kinzli, a 2023 graduate, advocates for Sudan’s humanitarian needs with the United Nations World Food Programme. Yuki Daizumoto, a 2007 peace fellow, supports life-changing agricultural and livelihood projects in Afghanistan with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. These individuals embody Rotary’s investment in peace.
This month, the Foundation Trustees will consider a plan to establish our eighth Rotary Peace Center, in Asia, as part of our vision to have peace centers on every inhabited continent by 2030.
But our commitment extends beyond the peace centers. Through Rotary’s partnership with the Institute for Economics and Peace, we have trained over 300 Positive Peace Activators from 60 countries. Our forgiveness and social cohesion curricula help members heal communities. Through our Foundation grants and service, Rotary members are fostering peace by engaging with youths, strengthening civil society, and resolving core issues that can lead to conflict.
At President Stephanie Urchick’s Peace Conference in Istanbul this month, we will celebrate this work and the first class of the Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center at Bahçeşehir University.
Remember that you are also ambassadors of peace through service projects, exchange programs, and as supporters of The Rotary Foundation.
My wish for 2025 is for peace to take root and flourish ever more widely, with Rotary playing an increasingly meaningful role in that noble pursuit.
MARK DANIEL MALONEY
Foundation Trustee Chair, 2024-25
A QUICK-READ ECO MOMENT
Food waste or air travel pollution? Which contributes more Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to our atmosphere?
Both air travel and food waste significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, but the scale and mechanisms differ.
Food Waste:
• Global Impact: Food waste contributes to about 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). If food waste were a country, it would be the thirdlargest emitter after China and the United States.
• Key Mechanisms:
o Methane Emissions: Food that ends up in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas up to 28 times more potent than CO₂ over a century.
o Resource Waste: The water, energy, land, and labor used to grow, transport, and store wasted food are squandered, leading to indirect emissions.
o Global Scale: Roughly 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted every year globally, with significant environmental costs.
Air Travel:
• Global Impact: Air travel accounts for about 2.5 - 3% of global CO₂ emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). However, the total climate impact of aviation is higher some studies estimate around 4-5% due to non-CO₂ effects like condensation trails (contrails) and other emissions at high altitudes.
• Key Mechanisms:
o Jet Fuel Combustion: Releases CO₂ directly into the atmosphere.
o High Altitude Effects: Emissions from planes at cruising altitudes contribute disproportionately to global warming due to the formation of contrails and clouds.
o Global Scale: Air travel emissions are growing rapidly, with aviation projected to account for a larger share of emissions as other sectors decarbonize.
Which is More Damaging Overall?
In terms of global greenhouse gas emissions, food waste has a significantly larger footprint (8-10%) compared to air travel (2.5-5%).
However:
• Air travel is a concentrated emitter: A relatively small proportion of the global population flies, meaning a single flight can have a much higher per-person carbon footprint compared to food waste.
• Food waste is widespread: Everyone consumes food, so the cumulative impact of wasted food is massive and more distributed.
Key Takeaways:
1. Addressing food waste has a larger global potential for reducing emissions. Its footprint is bigger and affects multiple sectors (agriculture, transportation, energy, and waste management).
2. Reducing air travel is critical for high-frequency flyers, as the per-trip emissions are high.
3. Tackling both issues is vital for a comprehensive approach to mitigating climate change.
ROTARY’S FEBRUARY FOCUS
PEACE & CONFLICT PREVENTION/RESOLUTION
Click here for read more
Today, over 70 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children.
We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.
Rotary creates environments of peace
As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.
By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Our commitment to peacebuilding today answers new challenges: how we can make the greatest possible impact and how we can achieve our vision of lasting change. We are approaching the concept of peace with greater cohesion and inclusivity, broadening the scope of what we mean by peacebuilding, and finding more ways for people to get involved.
Rotary creates environments where peace can happen.
Learn how Rotary is responding to the war in Ukraine.
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the ongoing loss of life and humanitarian hardship caused by the war in Ukraine. We’re using our deep networks and decades of experience to take meaningful action in the region.
Learn more and view a short video of how Rotary is responding to Ukraine. Click here.
Fully funded fellowships. Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers.
Rotary Peace Centres program. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
Click here to read and learn more.
Summary of new polioviruses this week, cases and positive environmental isolates:
• Pakistan: two WPV1 cases and 17 WPV1-positive environmental samples
• Chad: three cVDPV2 cases
• Ethiopia: seven cVDPV2 cases
• Germany: eleven cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
• Nigeria: one cVDPV2 case
Partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) have updated the Global Polio Surveillance Action Plan (GPSAP) for 2025-2026, to maximise benefits of available technical and operational tools. The GPSAP 2025-2026 is aligned with the GPEI Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026: delivering on a promise, extension to 2029. It reflects the key surveillance activities that will facilitate achievement of the GPEI strategic goals to eradicate wild poliovirus type 1 and interrupt transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2.
The GPSAP is available here.
Maintaining detailed and accurate inventories of poliovirus infectious and potentially infectious materials, in laboratories and other facilities, is a key first step to minimizing containment risks. A new data collection and reporting system being rolled out in the African region is helping to enhance data timeliness, quality and reliability. More
The polio eradication campaign has been ongoing for many years and has achieved so much through the years since the idea germinated in the 1980s.
Setbacks are nothing new and it has been to the credit of all associated with the polio eradication partners that their dedication has brought the eradication achievements to such a high level.
We are so close – and we have been so close for a very long time.
We CAN finish the job – and we WILL finish the job!
A LITTLE HISTORY – GPEI GLOBAL POLIO ERADICATION INITIATIVE
Our goal
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.
Explore the history of Rotary and polio eradication
DATE
1894
1905
POLIO ACHIEVEMENT MILESTONES
The first major documented polio outbreak in the U.S. occurs in Vermont; 18 deaths and 132 cases of permanent paralysis are reported.
Swedish physician Ivar Wickman suggests that polio is a contagious disease that can be spread from person to person and also recognized that polio could be present in people who show no symptoms.
1908 2 physicians in Vienna, Karl Landsteiner and Erwin Popper, discover that polio is caused by a virus.
1916
1929
A major polio outbreak in New York City kills more than 2,000 people Across the U.S., polio takes the lives of about 6,000 people and paralyzes thousands more.
Philip Drinker and Harvard University’s Louis Agassiz Shaw Jr. invent an artificial respirator for patients suffering from paralytic polio – the iron lung.
1955 A vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk is declared “safe and effective.”
1960 The U.S. government licenses the oral polio vaccine developed by Dr. Albert Sabin.
1979
1985
1988
1994
1995
2000
2003
2004
Rotary International begins its fight against polio with a multi-year project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines.
Rotary International launches PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated privatesector support of a public health initiative, with an initial fundraising target of U.S. $120 million
Rotary International and the World Health Organization launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. There are an estimated 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries.
The International Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication announces that polio has been eliminated from the Americas.
Health workers and volunteers immunize 165 million children in China and India in one week.
Rotary launches the PolioPlus Partners program, enabling Rotary members in polio-free countries to provide support to fellow members in polio-affected countries for polio eradication activities.
A record 555 million children – almost 10% of the world’s population – receive the oral polio vaccine. The Western Pacific region, spanning from Australia to China, is declared polio-free.
The Rotary Foundation raises $119 million in a 12-month campaign. Rotary’s total contribution to polio eradication exceeds $500 million. Six countries remain polio-endemic – Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan
In Africa, synchronized National Immunization Days in 23 countries target 80 million children, the largest coordinated polio immunization effort on the continent.
2006 The number of polio-endemic countries drops to 4 – Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Pakistan.
2009
2011
2012
Rotary’s overall contribution to the eradication effort nears $800 million. In January, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledges $355 million and issues Rotary a challenge grant of $200 million. This announcement will result in a combined $555 million in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Rotary welcomes celebrities and other major public figures into a new public awareness campaign and ambassador program called “This Close” to ending polio. Program ambassadors include Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu, violinist Itzhak Perlman, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates, Grammy Award-winning singers Angelique Kidjo and Ziggy Marley, and environmentalist Dr. Jane Goodall. Rotary’s funding for polio eradication exceeds $1 billion.
India surpasses 1 year without a recorded case of polio and is removed from the list of countries where polio is endemic. Polio remains endemic in just 3 countries. Rotary surpasses its $200 Million Challenge fundraising goal more than 5 months earlier than expected.
2014 India goes 3 full years without a new case caused by the wild poliovirus, and the World Health Organization certifies the South-East Asia region polio-free. Polio cases are down over 99% since 1988.
2019 Nigeria goes 3 full years without a new case caused by the wild poliovirus.
2020 The World Health Organization (WHO) certifies the African region wild polio-free.
SUPPORT THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
THE POLIOPLUS SOCIETY
Join the PolioPlus Society in your club or in District 6330.
Donations are matched annually 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation up to US$50 million, generating a potential total of US$150 million toward polio eradication.
Raise awareness in your community by planning events or projects that support the fight against polio.
Visit endpolio.org to find the latest information and tools to help you share the story of our fight against polio and raise support.
Ending this disease forever remains our top humanitarian priority and needs our full commitment.
How can you take action? Donate to End Polio
INTERNATIONAL DATES TO NOTE (plus
Sunday, February 2
World Wetlands Day
https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-wetlands-day
Tuesday, February 4
International Day of Human Fraternity
https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-fraternity
Thursday, February 6
International Day for Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation https://www.un.org/en/observances/female-genital-mutilation-day
Tuesday, February 11
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/
Thursday, February 20
World Day of Social Justice
https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day Did you know?
Women are typically given smaller research grants than their male colleagues and, while they represent 33.3% of all researchers, only 12% of members of national science academies are women.
• In cutting edge fields such as artificial intelligence, only one in five professionals (22%) is a woman.
• Despite a shortage of skills in most of the technological fields driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution, women still account for only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of graduates in computer science and informatics.
• Female researchers tend to have shorter, less well-paid careers. Their work is under-represented in highprofile journals, and they are often passed over for promotion.
Mark your calendars – Tuesday, April 22, 2025
55th Anniversary of Earth Day!
FOUNDATION GRANTS – 7 AREAS OF FOCUS
Rotarians can get involved in various types of service –
Club Service, Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service, New Generations (Youth) Service
A list of Rotary's 7 areas of focus and a brief description of each:
1. Peacebuilding and conflict prevention: Rotary aims to address the root causes of conflict and promote sustainable peace through initiatives that support education and training, promote community dialogue, and build networks of peacebuilders.
2. Disease prevention and treatment: Rotary works to improve health outcomes and reduce the spread of disease through initiatives that promote immunization, provide access to clean water and sanitation, and support medical research.
3. Water and sanitation: Rotary aims to improve access to clean water and sanitation in underserved communities, through initiatives that promote infrastructure development, support education and training, and raise awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation.
4. Maternal and child health: Rotary works to improve maternal and child health outcomes by supporting initiatives that provide access to prenatal and postnatal care, promote vaccination, and support nutrition and education programs for mothers and children.
5. Basic education and literacy: Rotary aims to improve access to education and literacy for children and adults, through initiatives that support teacher training, provide educational resources and materials, and promote community-based programs that increase literacy rates.
6. Economic and community development: Rotary works to support economic and community development initiatives that promote job creation, increase access to financial services, and support small business development and entrepreneurship.
7. Supporting the environment: Rotary aims to support environmental sustainability initiatives, through programs that promote conservation, improve access to clean energy, and support the development of sustainable agriculture and other eco-friendly practices.
Calculate your carbon footprint Click here.
OUR FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT
ROTARY’S 7TH AREA OF FOCUS
A TEDTalk by Dr. Jonathan Foley
Solutions | Jonathan Foley | TEDxBoston
Click the link below to view the TEDTalk. (approx. 20 minutes) – Click here.
Dr. Jonathan Foley is a leading climate scientist, sustainability expert, educator, and public speaker.
Project Drawdown. He is also executive director of Project Drawdown the world’s leading resource for climate solutions. His work focuses on finding solutions to sustain the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources we all depend on.
For the first in the Drawdown series videos, click here.
A CIRCULAR ECONOMY SHOULD BE OUR GOAL –
A circular economy is an economic model focused on sustainability, aiming to minimize waste and make the most of resources. Unlike the traditional linear economy, which follows a "take-make-dispose" pattern, a circular economy is designed to be regenerative, keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible.
The prosperity that we are enjoying today could largely be attributed to the industrial revolution of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Yet this enhancement of our standard of living has come at a steep price: the creation of the so-called linear economy. In other words, we have a “take, make and dispose” economy. We take natural resources, make things and dispose of them in landfills and elsewhere. Read more here.
Key Principles of a Circular Economy:
1. Designing Out Waste and Pollution: Products and systems are designed to reduce waste and pollution from the outset.
2. Keeping Products and Materials in Use: By prioritizing reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling, the lifecycle of products and materials is extended.
3. Regenerating Natural Systems: The model encourages using renewable resources and restoring ecosystems, ensuring that economic activity contributes to, rather than depletes, the planet’s natural resources.
Examples:
• Recycling: Turning used products (like plastic or paper) into raw materials for new ones.
• Product as a Service: Renting or sharing products (e.g., car-sharing services) instead of owning them.
• Closed-Loop Manufacturing: Using waste materials as inputs for new production cycles.
• Repairable Products: Designing items to be easily fixed, like modular smartphones.
educating about the environment and climate change
In essence, the circular economy challenges us to rethink the way we produce, consume, and dispose of goods, shifting toward a system that works in harmony with nature. It’s a pivotal concept in addressing climate change and resource scarcity.
Here are some key references:
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: This organization defines a circular economy as one that is restorative and regenerative by design, aiming to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times. They emphasize three main principles: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA describes a circular economy as a system that keeps materials and products in circulation for as long as possible, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency. They highlight strategies such as recycling, reuse, and sustainable product design. Environmental Protection Agency
• Wikipedia: The Wikipedia entry on the circular economy defines it as a model of production and consumption involving sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. It contrasts this with the traditional linear economy's "take-makedispose" model.
Wikipedia
• IBM: IBM explains that a circular economy creates closed-loop systems where waste is minimized, resources are conserved, and natural systems are regenerated. They discuss strategies like reducing waste and pollution, extending product lifespans, and regenerating natural systems.
IBM
Recent Developments in Circular Economy Initiatives
The Times
Circular economy start-ups can thrive in throwaway society
HOW DOES A PLANT-BASED DIET BENEFIT OUR PLANET?
It’s not just our own health that can benefit from a plant-based diet!
A 2019 study published in Science found that a global shift to plant-based diets could reduce food-related emissions by 49%. According to the United Nations, transitioning to plant-based diets could help meet climate targets and reduce agricultural land use by 76%.
Small Changes, Big Impact
• Even reducing meat consumption by one meal per day can significantly lower emissions and resource use. (Science Daily)
According to numerous sources, a plant-based diet can significantly mitigate environmental impacts, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption.
Environmental Impact of Livestock Farming
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Livestock farming contributes about 14.5% of global anthropogenic emissions, primarily methane from digestion and manure. (FAO)
• Land Use and Deforestation: 80% of Amazon deforestation is linked to cattle grazing and feed crops. Livestock occupies 83% of agricultural land but provides only 18% of global calories. (Springer Link)
Environmental Impact of Fishing
• Overfishing: Nearly 90% of fish stocks are overexploited, threatening marine ecosystems. (Vox)
• Habitat Destruction: Trawling disrupts seabed habitats and releases stored carbon, akin to deforestation. (Vox)
Benefits of Plant-Based
Diets
• Emission Reduction: Switching to plant-based diets could reduce food-related emissions by up to 70%. (BBC)
• Water Conservation: Producing beef requires 15,000 liters of water per kg, while vegetables need just 322 liters. (Scientific American)
• Health Benefits: Plant-based diets lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer (Scientific American)
BECOME AN ECO-CHAMPION!!
VIEW
AN IMPORTANT CLIMATE VIDEO
Please click the link below to view this important Climate video (8 minutes) We don’t have to be on our own.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_d0qrlDHaw&t=1s
READ THE LATEST ESRAG
NEWSLETTER
Further reading for our Environmental Champions Click here
PER-CAPITA GHG EMISSIONS & STANDARD OF LIVING
There is a general correlation between high Fossil Fuel Reliance per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a relatively high standard of living, but it’s not a perfect match. Here's how they relate:
How Per Capita Emissions Reflect Standard of Living
1. Energy-Intensive Lifestyles:
o High-income countries often have greater access to energy-intensive conveniences, such as private vehicles, air conditioning, and large homes, all of which increase per capita emissions.
o For example, countries like the United States, Australia, and Canada combine high per capita emissions with a high standard of living (Source)
2. Fossil Fuel Reliance
o Countries like Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia have high per capita emissions due to their economies being centered on fossil fuel production and energy-intensive industries. These nations often use heavily subsidized energy, leading to wasteful consumption patterns, even though they may not always equate to a universally high quality of life for all citizens. (Source)
3. Population Size and Distribution:
o Countries with small populations and vast resources, like Australia and Canada, tend to have higher per capita emissions because the infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.) serves fewer people, making energy use less efficient per person. (Source)
4. Urbanization and Transport:
o High-income countries with less urban density (like Canada and Australia) often rely more on personal vehicles, which increases emissions compared to densely populated countries with efficient public transportation systems. (Source)
Exceptions to the Correlation
1. Resource-Exporting Nations:
o Nations like Qatar and Kuwait have exceptionally high emissions, largely due to their role as fossil fuel exporters, which inflates per capita emissions without necessarily reflecting broader prosperity or diversity in their economies.
2. Economic Inequality:
o A high national average per capita emission doesn't always mean everyone benefits equally. In some countries, emissions may be concentrated in industries or among wealthier segments of the population, while others live modestly.
3. Sustainable High Standards:
o Some countries with high standards of living, like Sweden or Denmark, have relatively low per capita emissions because of their investment in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
Does High Per Capita Emission Equal a High Standard of Living?
Not necessarily. While high emissions often indicate a developed economy with a high standard of living, other factors like inequality, resource dependence, and sustainability practices complicate the picture.
For example:
• Qatar has high emissions and a high GDP per capita, but its wealth is concentrated, and not everyone enjoys the same standard of living.
• Sweden enjoys a very high standard of living but has low per capita emissions due to its commitment to sustainability.
Key Takeaway
High per capita emissions can be an indicator of a high standard of living, but they often reflect inefficiencies or reliance on fossil fuels rather than equitable prosperity. Countries aiming to maintain a high quality of life while reducing emissions are working toward a sustainable balance, which is a critical goal in combating climate change. � �
educating about the environment and climate change
Click here to read an article from June 20
And click here to view a climate video –“Zero Waste is not about Recycling more, but about Recycling less”
Our Fragile Environment and Climate Change
ACROSS
5 What simple term describes the gradual rise in Earth's temperature due to trapped greenhouse gases?
7 What term refers to the practice of reducing water usage?
8 What is the term for the contamination of water bodies with harmful substances?
10 What energy source is harnessed from the Sun?
12 What type of energy is produced by the movement of water?
13 What layer of the atmosphere protects us from harmful UV rays?
17 What term is used for the cutting down of forests for agriculture or urban use?
18 What term refers to the variety of life on Earth?
19 What international agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
20 What is the process of turning waste materials into new products?
21 What is the main cause of rising sea levels?
22 What term refers to the destructrion of coral reefs due to temperature changes?
DOWN
1 What phenomenon occurs when ocean currents are disrupted by warming waters? (2 words)
2 What is the main greenhouse gas emitted by burning fossil fuels? (2 words)
3 What element is the building
block of all known life on Earth?
4 What type of car uses both gasoline and electricity?
6 Which natural disaster is caused by prolonged periods of rain and melting snow?
9 What is the term for species that no longer exist?
11 What is a large-scale planting of trees called?
14 What gas is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect besides carbon dioxide?
15 What agricultural practice uses natural pest control and avoids synthetic chemicals?
16 What do we call the process of turning organic waste into nutrient-rich soil?
Supporting the Rotary Foundation: A Call to Action for Rotarians
The Rotary Foundation is the heartbeat of Rotary’s mission to create lasting change globally and locally.
Supporting the Foundation ensures the success of projects that address critical issues like clean water, education, disease prevention, and peacebuilding.
Learn
Understanding the impact of the Rotary Foundation is the first step. Explore the Areas of Focus – Stories of Impact – Rotary’s Financial Efficiency.
Ask
Encourage open dialogue about the Rotary Foundation by asking key questions: What inspires you to serve through Rotary? – Have you seen a Foundation-funded project in action? – What causes do you care about?
Commit
Making a personal commitment to support the Foundation solidifies its importance: Individual donations – Club goals – Sustained giving.
Membership
Support for the Foundation strengthens Rotary membership by enhancing engagement and pride: Retain members – Attract New Members – Build Fellowship
ROTARY’S FOUR-WAY TEST
A Thoughtful Start to any day
As we move forward into 2025, let us continue to reflect on the Rotary Four-Way Test, a guiding principle for how we interact with one another. It reminds us to ask ourselves:
• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
These simple but profound questions are at the heart of what it means to be a Rotarian. They encourage us to approach every interaction with integrity, fairness, kindness, and respect.
Our words have power power to inspire, uplift, and connect. May we use them wisely in all situations to support one another and foster the goodwill that makes our Rotary family so special.
Here’s to a year of meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and unwavering kindness!
Click the 4-way test above and open the link to hear the Four-Way Test by RC of Saskatoon Nutana.
FAST FORWARD TO MARCH –Rotary’s focus on WATER & SANITATION
Clean water is a basic need for human beings. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. However, at least 3,000 children die each day from diseases caused by unsafe water, which is what motivates our members to build wells, install rainwater harvesting systems, and teach community members how to maintain new infrastructure.
Preventable waterborne diseases. While very few people die of thirst, millions die from preventable waterborne diseases, providing the impetus for our members to also improve sanitation facilities in undeveloped countries. Members start by providing toilets and latrines that flush into a sewer or safe enclosure and then add education programs to promote handwashing and other good hygiene habits.
Click here to listen to We are the World.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION EREY –
Every Rotarian Every Year
Our Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative encourages all Rotary club members to contribute something each year to The Rotary Foundation. We hope that you can consider at least $100 USD every year to help us reach our goal to support the Rotary Foundation financially each year.
Sustaining member. One who contributes $100 USD every year is a Sustaining Member. With EREY, we encourage you to contribute an amount you can afford every year.
ROTARY BEQUEST SOCIETY
What is a Rotary Foundation Bequest Society Member? Those who have made commitments for future gifts of $10,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation are invited to join the Bequest Society.
Donors may elect to receive various benefits and recognition pieces commemorating their commitment at each new recognition level, including pins, crystals, named funds, and special seating at the Rotary International Convention.
A bequest gift of at least $10,000 in your name to The Rotary Foundation creates a legacy of your generosity and compassion as you are helping many people live better lives around the world.
Today there are over 18,000 Bequest Society Members worldwide.
Will you join them by leaving a gift to Rotary in your estate?
Contact the Rotary Foundation’s Planned Giving team.
https://rotarycalgary2025.org/host-hospitality-event-landing-page
See a short video here about host hospitality at a Rotary International Convention –specifically Calgary.
Host Hospitality Evening is a Rotary Convention tradition in which registrants are given a memorable evening of local hospitality and international fellowship. Local customs and interaction between guests and hosts are the integral part of this Experience.
Our Host Organizing Committee is working closely with local Clubs in Calgary and the surrounding area to provide an experience at Rotarians’ homes, restaurants, and larger venues. Your evening consists of dinner (including transportation) with local Rotarians.
We are working very hard to secure as many private dinners at Rotarians’ homes as possible and we will do our very best to ensure Convention registrants who wish to be part of the Host Hospitality Experience are accommodated. We will also have transportation for those with mobility challenges.
To attend this sought after Experience, sign up when registering. The cost is $50 US.
Ticketing for Host Hospitality will close in late April 2025 to allow us ample time to get necessary information to our guests and hosts. We are looking forward to “Hosting the World for Dinner” on June 23, 2025 in Calgary!!
HOST HOSPITALITY AT THE RI CONVENTION
Host Hospitality at a Rotary International Convention is one of the most cherished traditions, offering attendees a unique and personal glimpse into the local culture and fellowship of the host city.
This program connects Rotarians and their guests with local Rotary members who open their homes, clubs, or favorite venues for an evening of friendship, food, and cultural exchange.
What to Expect
During a Host Hospitality event, visiting Rotarians have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic local experience. It might include:
• A home-cooked meal or a shared dinner at a favorite local restaurant.
• A tour of local landmarks, often accompanied by stories and insights from local Rotarians.
• Entertainment, such as music, dancing, or storytelling, showcasing the cultural richness of the region.
• An intimate setting to share stories, build friendships, and exchange Rotary experiences.
Why It’s Special
• Fellowship Beyond Borders: It fosters meaningful connections that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
• Cultural Immersion: Visitors get to experience the host city in a way that goes beyond typical tourist activities.
• Memorable Connections: Many Rotarians leave with not just memories but lasting friendships.
• How It Reflects Rotary’s Values
Host Hospitality beautifully demonstrates Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self, as host members generously share their time, resources, and homes.
It also exemplifies the Spirit of international understanding and goodwill, a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission.
Whether you’re attending your first Rotary International Convention or are a seasoned participant, Host Hospitality is an enriching opportunity to connect with the heart of Rotary fellowship and the culture of the host city.
It's a perfect reminder of how Rotary unites people from all walks of life under a common purpose: creating a better world together. It’s the Magic of Rotary!
Your in-person registration includes a full day of activities:
• Admission to the convention’s opening and closing ceremonies, general sessions, breakout sessions, and the House of Friendship.
• Transportation between your hotel and the convention venue, if you booked your hotel through Rotary’s official housing partner, Maritz Events.
What’s not included:
• Preconvention events
• Rotary- and host-ticketed events
• Housing, meals, and transportation to and from the airport
• If you register as Saturday, House of Friendship only, anything other than access to the House of Friendship on Saturday, 21 June, is not included
Cancellations
and refunds
Should you need to cancel a registration, a $50 processing fee applies to each registrant (each person). Requests to cancel registrants or Rotary-ticketed events must be received in writing by 30 April 2025. Cancellations caused by visa denial must be received in writing by 25 June 2025.
We prefer you cancel online, but you can also email ri.registration@rotary.org or fax +1-847-556-2194.
RI will refund registration and ticket fees if the convention is cancelled but is not responsible for travel or other related costs incurred by Rotarians and their guests.
Registration and tickets are not transferable.
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR FEBRUARY
"In the quiet moments between the busyness, we find the power to refocus, to rekindle our passion, and to reimagine the possibilities ahead.
As the new year unfolds, let February be a month to nurture seeds of growth, act with purpose, and embrace the small steps that lead to big transformations."
February is a perfect time to remind ourselves that progress isn’t always bold or immediate it’s often found in steady, consistent actions that build momentum for the months ahead.
Peace begins with understanding.
When we take the time to listen without judgment, to see the world through someone else’s eyes, we create the foundation for tolerance, empathy, and lasting harmony.
Let February inspire us to build bridges where walls once stood and to approach conflicts with compassion and a commitment to unity.
But no -
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind. Let it be something good. 2 2 Author unknown
1. Plastic Production and Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
o In 2019, the production of virgin plastic emitted approximately 2.24 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, accounting for about 5.3% of total global greenhouse gas emissions C&EN
https://cen.acs.org/environment/greenhouse-gases/Plastic-production-belches-over-5/102/web/2024/04?utm_
2. Comparison with Aviation Industry Emissions:
o In the same year, emissions from aviation and shipping combined totaled 1.32 billion metric tons C&EN -
https://cen.acs.org/environment/greenhouse-gases/Plastic-production-belches-over-5/102/web/2024/04?utm_
3. Projected Increase in Plastic Demand:
o Global plastic production is projected to triple by 2060, which could significantly increase its share of global emissions.
Vox
https://www.vox.com/climate/373316/plastics-microplastics-humans-water-environment-health?utm_
4. Plastic's Share of the Global Carbon Budget by 2050:
o If current trends continue, plastic production could account for up to 15% of the global carbon budget by 2050.
Columbia Climate School News
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/02/20/plastic-production-climate-change/?utm_
These sources provide detailed analyses and projections regarding the environmental impact of plastic production and its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
And finally – a series of Climate Change Videos that most can relate to… Click here
(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzvRx_johoA9fDngbRuMXM_Q7hYMXH_gw)