News Roundup 11/01/20
Asian American Candidates and Society During COVID-19
Yuh-Line Niou, a member of the New York State Assembly, is Taiwanese American and has been facing hardships in her district since the start of the pandemic. In Manhattan and Chinatown, many Asian American businesses were forced to close down as people began to avoid their restaurants and neighborhoods. Niou addresses the realities of Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates running for the election; such as receiving racist remarks. David Kim, a Democratic congressional candidate for Los Angeles County, is Korean American and has been experiencing racist slurs and negative attitudes throughout his virtual campaigns. Kim states:
"I'd never heard that type of racism to my face — not to that extreme."
Source: NPR
The U.S. Breaks Early Voting Record
Setting up the path to make history, as of today, Americans set a record breaking number of 93 million early ballots. Michael McDonald, University of Florida professor, predicted in 2019 that there would be higher numbers in voter turnout for the 2020 election. McDonald states:
"It's good news, because we were very much concerned about how it would be possible to conduct an election during a pandemic."
Out of the 91 million requested mail-in ballots, approximately 59 million early ballots have been returned by mail. According to data by Circle, Tish College, voters from ages 18-29 have significantly increased since the 2016 presidential election. The numbers for early voting has never been as high as it has been for the 2020 presidential election.
Source: NPR
Source: Circle
Australia Releases Report of Climate Change Being a Factor in Fires
The Bushfire Royal Commission believes that global warming in the Earth is making its way for more frequent and severe natural disasters. The Royal Commission believes that fires will no longer be easily put out and address the seriousness of climate change, as it has altered temperatures. The report not only discusses in detail, the urgency of global warming, but also makes it clear that human-caused climate change ignited the Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20. Australia's federal and state government have not been promising for implementing or encouraging change to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Source: VICE
Source: Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements
Voters in California and Proposition 18
Individuals who are 17-years-old and turn 18 by the next election will be able to vote, only if California votes yes. Kevin Mullin, California Assemblyman, believes that by engaging young citizens into the ballots will result in a higher voter turnout. Opponents state:
"Important decisions must be made by voters who are legally adults, not by high school minors."
Supporters of Proposition 18 say if most 17-year-olds are already working and pay taxes, then they should be more than able to become involved in politics. If it passes the impact would be minimal, but it would represent all young voters in California.
Source: CNN
The Growing Urgency of Climate Change Worldwide
Scientists, policy makers and environmental activists say that the US needs a president that will make a difference for understanding the importance of climate change. They also believe that it is critically essential for the US to make a difference, but also for the sake of different parts of the world, like Australia. The US comes second to China for being the largest to contribute to pollution in the world; giving them the responsibility to take action. However, President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement, in which seeks to further avoid global warming. The outcome of the elections will potentially determine what will be done to address climate change.
Source: CNN