Rand B.

Poverty is not a tourist attraction. 😭🥵What even breaks my heart more is that the little boy had to wash his hands. As storytellers, travelers, and global citizens, we must recognize the fine line between raising awareness and exploiting dignity. Communities facing hardship are not spectacles for consumption. They are human beings with dreams, resilience, and a right to tell their own stories on their own terms. True impact comes when we shift from poverty tourism to partnership. Instead of taking pictures of suffering, let’s invest in local businesses, support grassroots initiatives, and amplify voices from within communities. Instead of dropping in for an experience, let’s build long-term relationships that lead to empowerment and transformation. Storytelling should never strip away dignity. Tourism should never commodify struggle. Development should never be about “saving” but about standing alongside. It’s time we replace curiosity with compassion, and pity with purpose. #DignityInStorytelling #EthicalTourism #SocialImpact #GlobalResponsibility

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Albuquerque New Mexico City Council approves funding for new film studio & warehouse - new article & KOAT news clip video: https://lnkd.in/gXTt4eGr. - Albuquerque City Council has approved funding to expand Mesa Films & build a new studio on 60 acres next to Double Eagle Airport, creating 24 full-time jobs & more than 750 production jobs in the city - plus Growing an industry: New Mexico Film Office economic impact study shows strong growth and return on investment - 2024 article: https://lnkd.in/gTPjK2Ry - There are three New Mexico film partners — Netflix Studios, NBC Universal & 828 Productions — that have made at least a 10-year deal to have a production hub in New Mexico.

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Houston First unveils film incentives to attract major productions - new article: https://lnkd.in/g8ceKJf5 - plus New Houston film incentive aims to draw big-budget productions - new article: https://lnkd.in/gDmFC26M - plus Texas film incentive bill could boost Houston's economy - ABC 13 news clip: https://lnkd.in/g3scjn_8 - The initiative, years in the making, will offer 10% on local spend with a cap of $100,000 back per qualifying project, with a total of $400,000 allocated annually for productions - projects must achieve 60% of principal photography within a 60-mile radius of downtown Houston & demonstrate at least $500,000 in local expenditures - At least 55% of the cast & crew must also be Texas residents, & the principal production office must be located in Houston

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“If you’re flaring gas, you’re burning cash. If you’re not fixing pipes, you’re losing cash.” Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley opened today’s methane roundtable at the Paris Peace Forum with a powerful reminder: methane abatement is the “love language” shared by both the oil & gas sector and those fighting for the planet. With hurricane Melissa causing devastating impact in the Caribbean, the urgency was palpable. As Martina Otto, Climate & Clean Air Coalition, put it: “When you’re in an emergency, nobody pulls the emergency brake just a little bit.” We need to act — fast and decisively. Regulation was a key theme. Mechthild Wörsdörfer emphasized the importance of consistent implementation of the EU Methane Regulation across all Member States, and the need for engagement with industry and third countries. With Environmental Defense Fund Europe we continue to actively engage in this space. From our perspective, it's clear that 👉 Methane is a climate and governance opportunity. It’s the fastest, most cost-effective way to slow warming — and politically achievable at a time when global climate governance needs renewed momentum. 👉 The EU Methane Regulation is a practical model for transparency and cooperation across borders. It enhances transparency across the value chain and fosters collaboration between suppliers and buyers. 👉 Europe needs to deliver on implementing the EU Methane Regulation. Clarity, consistency and delivery are critical for European credibility in this space. 👉 Methane is a tool for Europe’s energy security. Transparency builds trust — and is critical for securing reliable supply. The EU Methane Regulation is more than a climate tool; it’s a blueprint for systemic change. #PPF2025 #NewCoalitions #ParisPeaceForum

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Why Protecting Fungi Matters for Mycopreneurs Part II: The Fungal Conservation Pledge and Including Fungi in Wildlife Trade Policies (Today’s Mycopreneur Newsletter is the second part of a three part installment by Chiapas, MX 🇲🇽 based mycologist Ezequiel Cruz. The invite to todays Mycopreneur Incubator is in the newsletter as well.) Excerpt: How do proposed global fungi policy initiatives impact mycopreneurship? For starters, implementing policies for fungal protection will lead to comprehensive conservation assessments of a country's native Funga. As a result, certain wild species that are not yet cultivated in laboratories—such as ectomycorrhizal fungi—may be classified as threatened, leading to stricter regulations on their harvesting and trade (Heilmann-Clausen et al., 2015; Niego et al., 2023) (e.g. Amanita chrysoblema the north american version of the overhyped A. muscaria). Right or wrong? You tell me. Personally, I believe that regulations will drive more extensive testing, leading to better-performing products that require fewer resources—maximizing the use of harvested fruiting bodies. Additionally, regulating wild mushroom-based products will bring greater transparency regarding the actual mushroom content in each item. Both advancements ultimately benefit consumers by ensuring higher-quality products. Another key point that we must consider is that assuring the prevalence of wild fungi will also protect ancient mycopreneurial practices, because let’s remember that fungal entrepreneurship isn’t just about big businesses or mass-produced goods—it’s also deeply rooted in the heritage of Indigenous traditions. Across the world, many Indigenous communities around the world rely on wild mushrooms, not just for food but as an important source of income during mushroom season. Hence, ignoring these traditional practices would mean overlooking a rich and sustainable form of mycopreneurship that has existed for generations. By protecting wild fungi and the forests they grow in, we’re not just conserving biodiversity—we’re also ensuring that these cultural and economic traditions continue to thrive (Pérez-Moreno et al., 2021a; Pérez-Moreno et al., 2021b).

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🚨 How US Just Captured 15 Million bpd of China’s Lifeline? 🇻🇪Venezuela's exports jumped 60% in 30 days but now flow through US licensed channels. 🇮🇳India is pivoting away from Russian crude toward American push. 🇮🇷Iran faces a choice: accept US-supervised nuclear oversight, or watch Hormuz tensions keep China's import costs elevated. Every path leads to the same outcome... 🇨🇳China pays more for energy, no matter what happens next. ⚠️I just published my latest Article on how this plays out: ✅ Why Brent at mid-$60 is fragile (one incident = 🚀) ✅ The 4 phase strategy to encircle China's energy security ✅ Oil'Scenarios ✅ What to watch this Friday when US-Iran talks begin in Oman The Abraham Lincoln carrier isn't positioned 500 miles off Iran's coast as a defensive move. It's a message to Beijing about what happens if they miscalculate on Taiwan. 💡Full analysis in the article, Link in the below comments 👇 #oil #Venezuela #China #Iran #India #Russia #Trump What are your thoughts?

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The OCCIDENTAL ARTS & ECOLOGY CENTER is now fully powered by a #solar and #energystorage #microgrid. The 80-acre #organic farm and #resilience demonstration site expects the microgrid will save it more than $2 million in #energycosts over the next 25 years. Rod Walton Microgrid Knowledge https://lnkd.in/gX5kxqHZ

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