Podcast Summary
Peace and the rule of law prioritized in upcoming elections: Europe and Latin America's feminist foreign policy influences prioritization of peace and rule of law in elections. Young activists in Myanmar train to become lawyers, judges, and prosecutors to establish legal framework for peace.
In the coming years, peace and the rule of law will be prioritized in various elections around the world, particularly in regions that have experienced conflict for decades. This shift is influenced by the adoption of feminist foreign policy in Europe and Latin America, aiming to challenge the traditional male-dominated approach to war and peace. In Myanmar, for instance, a group of young men and women are undergoing a rigorous training to become lawyers, judges, and prosecutors, as they believe that establishing a legal framework will be crucial for restoring order and maintaining peace once the ongoing civil uprising comes to an end. Despite the ongoing conflict, these students remain hopeful and determined to contribute to the rebuilding process. This serves as a reminder that peace is not an unattainable dream, but a goal that requires continuous effort and investment in education, justice, and the rule of law.
Karenni Army Makes Significant Military Progress Against Myanmar Military: The Karenni Army, a small militia group in Myanmar, has captured over 65 army posts, controls over 70% of Karenni state, and displaced over 80% of its population. Despite the challenges, they prioritize education and work towards democracy.
The Karenni Army, a small militia group in Myanmar, has made significant military progress against the Myanmar military, also known as the Junta, along the northern border with China. They have captured over 65 army posts and control more than 70% of Karenni state. The Junta still has around 1,000 soldiers stationed in the central part of the state, but they are confined to their bases and can only receive supplies and reinforcements by air. The war has displaced over 80% of Riyadh's population and caused hundreds of civilian casualties. Despite the hardships, the Karenni people prioritize education and have established an interim executive council as a step towards democracy. The war is far from over, but there is hope for peace as more than 50 elections are scheduled around the world in 2024, and some places are making peace a priority. Additionally, the rise of feminist foreign policy in Europe and Latin America is challenging the traditional "boys club" approach to war and peace.
Ancient Cheese Making Process at Nettlebed Creamery Combines Manual Labor and Machines: The labor-intensive nature of cheese making in Britain necessitates automation for increased productivity, but high costs prevent many small businesses from investing in robots.
The ancient process of cheese making at Nettlebed Creamery in Oxfordshire, England, involves a combination of manual labor and machine usage. While machines help with some steps, such as cutting curds into pieces, other tasks require human intervention. The need for more automation in cheese making is significant due to the labor-intensive nature of the process and the current productivity challenges in Britain. The country has the lowest adoption rate for robots among G7 nations, and the situation has been exacerbated by labor shortages following Brexit and the pandemic. Despite the benefits of automation, many small businesses in Britain cannot afford to invest in robots due to their high cost. Improving the efficiency of cheese making through automation could significantly boost Britain's productivity, especially in light of the pressing labor shortages and an aging workforce.
High fixed costs for small companies in Britain hinder robot investment: Small British firms face significant upfront and annual costs for robot investment, but the decreasing cost of automation is expected to accelerate adoption.
Small companies in Britain face high fixed costs when investing in robots, making automation a challenging prospect. For instance, milking robots for a herd of 200 cows can cost upwards of £400,000 to buy and £20,000 to maintain annually. Uncertainty around government policy and a lack of skilled workers further hinder investment. However, there are bright spots in industries like automotive and logistics where robots are more prevalent. The good news is that the cost of automation is decreasing, which should help accelerate the adoption of robots in Britain. In the meantime, machines like pasteurizers are being funded to improve production processes in industries like cheese making. Despite the challenges, Rose expressed that machines would make her job more enjoyable rather than taking it away. On a lighter note, Sarah shared an insight into the maple syrup industry in Canada, which is currently thriving. Maple sap is collected during specific temperature conditions and then boiled down to create the sweet syrup. Overall, the discussion highlighted the challenges and opportunities surrounding automation in British industries.
Record-breaking maple syrup production in Canada: Canada produced a record-breaking 80 million liters of maple syrup in 2022, up 54% from the previous year. Prices for consumers remain stable due to strategic reserves, and producers are meeting growing international demand by increasing productivity.
The Canadian maple syrup industry experienced a record-breaking production year in 2022, with nearly 80,000,000 liters produced, representing a 54% year-over-year increase. This surpassed the previous record set just two years earlier by 22%. Despite the increase in production, prices for consumers have not decreased due to Canada's strategic maple syrup reserve, which helps stabilize prices and protect against market fluctuations. Producers have been working to meet growing international demand, which has increased by as much as 20% in a single year, by increasing productivity and the number of taps. However, the industry is weather-dependent, and climate change could offer opportunities for increased production due to warmer temperatures and the ability for maple trees to grow further north. Yet, extreme weather events can still pose a significant threat to production. Overall, the maple syrup industry has grown significantly over the last 50 years, with production increasing sevenfold.
Quebec maple syrup producers seek new insurance policies due to climate change challenges: Climate change brings new risks to the maple syrup industry, prompting Quebec producers to lobby for insurance protection, while the future impact on the industry remains uncertain
The maple syrup industry in Canada is facing new challenges due to climate change, including increased pest infestations and devastating wildfires. In response, Quebec maple syrup producers are lobbying their government for new insurance policies to protect their businesses during these uncertain seasons. Industry experts are unsure if climate change will ultimately benefit or harm the industry. Meanwhile, the industry continues to thrive, with 2024 set to see over 50 elections worldwide where peace may be on the ballot. Notably, some countries are experimenting with feminist foreign policy to change the way war and peace are conducted, which could potentially lead to more peaceful outcomes. The new season of "Things That Go Boom" from Inkstick Media and PRX, exploring these and other global issues, premieres March 18th.
