McDonalds promises to buy sustainable beef from 2016

The multinational fast-food McDonald's admitted that will buy sustainable beef from 2016, according to the GreenBiz. According to the company, this measure comes to meet the growing environmental appeals and consumer concern with the origin of the food.

The company explains, however, that still doesn't know what is sustainable meat, with the concept of "green steak" still under construction. "The sustainable meat won't be defined by Mcdonald ' s.The key is to make the concept is defined by a group of stakeholders and broad coalition. We need a greater critical mass, "explained Bob Langert, Vice President of the company's sustainability.

To reach an understanding was created the Global Conference on Sustainable Meat, a group composed of large corporate players â€" Walmart, Cargill â€" and NGOs such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Last year, the Group issued a draft version of a document entitled "principles and criteria for Sustainable Meat".

The principles include people (human rights, safe and healthy working environment); Community (culture, heritage, employment, land rights, animal health and welfare, food safety and quality); natural resources (ecosystem health): and the efficiency and innovation (reducing waste, optimizing the production, economic vitality).

The fast-food network also States that is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products. The idea is part of a basic principle: If the business is sustained in the flesh, so that is more ecological meat â€" currently, 28% of the company's carbon footprint comes from animal protein

The meat that supplies more than 30 thousand restaurants worldwide network does not come directly from farmers or slaughterhouses. The McDonald's buys frozen product ´ from about 20 food processing companies around the world. Today, there are about 400 thousand farms animals that provide the network of fast food.

It is recalled that, in 2012, the famous chef Jamie Oliver had criticized the fast food company due to use of ammonium hydroxide on the products. The McDonald's accounts for 1.5% to 2% of all meat consumption in the countries in which it operates.

Foto:  21TonGiant / Creative Commons

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São Paulo: municipalities with more than 70% of preserved area may have tax benefits

The city of São Paulo is discussing a draft law which exempts from social security contributions all municipalities that have more than 70% of its area preserved â€" in forms of protected areas or permanent preservation area. If the Bill is approved, these municipalities will pay the 22 percent on the salaries of its employees.

The project was conceived by Mr Roberto de Lucena, of the Green Party, and adds devices to organic law of Social Security. The current legislation provides that companies should contribute to the financing of the so-called general system of Social Security (RGPS), with an average rate of 22% on the total of the salaries of workers who provide services to them.

This standard applies to cameras â€" city halls â€" that do not have own pension schemes, in order to ensure the social security of its employees â€" and not only.

However, as explained by Roberto de Lucena, in protected areas and in permanent preservation area is prohibited to build, to plant or explore the economic activity. "Thus the municipalities that have most of their territory in these areas do not have an economy strong enough to cope with all the tax burden", explains Mr.

Roberto de Lucena follow Twitter.

Now, the project will be analyzed by the committees on the environment and Sustainable Development, security (Security) Social and Family, of finance and taxation, and the Constitution, justice and citizenship.  In a short time, it can be a reality and inspiration for other Brazilian cities and even countries.

Photo: Miradas.com.br / Creative Commons

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Google opens vacancies for employees who speak Portuguese

Google just opened vacancies for professionals who speak fluent Portuguese and English, to work in cities such as Dublin, New York, Sao Paulo and Lisbon â€" and in the u.s. State of California. According to the Jobs around the world, also YouTube, which belongs to the same group, looking for professionals with the same characteristics to the Creator, Communiy Communications and in San Bruno, California.

De acordo com o site de empregos, o Google tem vagas para Product Quality Analyst, Legal Assistant e Community Manager, em Dublin, na Irlanda; Audience Development Strategist e Analytical Linguist, em Nova Iorque; Enterprise Direct Sales Representative Google Apps e Legal Assistent, na California; Legal Assistent, Account Manager, Marketing Manager, Interactive Producer, Platform Partnerships Lead, Developer Relations Program Manager, Strategic Partner Manager, Project Executive, Head of Media Platforms, Associate Online Specialist, Regional Facilities Manager, Regional Security Manager, Finance Operations Project and Process Analyst, em S.Paulo, no Brasil e Industry Manager Multisector, em Lisboa, Portugal.

Candidates must be licensed, creative, dynamic, strong ability to work in team and experience in similar functions. You can access the application at this link.

In the case of vacancies made available to YouTube, applicants must present professional experience, licensed, be proactive and dynamic. The functions are for helping millions of video producers creating captivating content, developing a loyal following and find success with YouTube.

Apply here for YouTube.

Foto: Robert Scoble / Creative Commons

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IKEA will help illuminate the refugee camps

IKEA, through the IKEA Foundation â€" in partnership with the UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR), will help illuminate the refugee camps in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, in an initiative entitled "a better life for refugees".

Between 3 February and 29 March, for each LED bulb sold on the Swedish brand stores, IKEA Foundation will donate € 1 to UNHCR so that access to the lighting, renewable energy and basic education be improved in the refugee camps.

According to Jonatahn Spampinato, director of Institutional Relations and Strategic Planning of the IKEA Foundation, the program aims to "make the lives of refugees better, with more opportunities". "The darkness has many negative aspects in life," stressed in the programme presentation Spampinato which took place today at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon.

Currently there are approximately 10.5 million refugees worldwide, of which about half are children. In 2013, more than two million people have become refugees â€" which represents a new record in 20 years.

"The campaign is more important than the UN launched with private sector companies," said Laura Iucci, Director of Corporate Projects and Fundraising of the UNHCR. "Sometimes we think make donations have to be rich, but that's not true", stated the representative of the UN agency, explaining that through the IKEA everyone can help make a difference and improve the conditions of refugee camps.

"The lack of lighting in most fields can have a devastating effect on security, education and income prospects of refugees. The absence of sunlight means that even the simplest activities, how to use the bathroom, collect water or go back to the shelter can be dangerous, particularly for women and girls, "IKEA said in a statement. According to Laura Iucci, on average, a refugee goes on between 12 to 13 years in a refugee camp, sites that have an average size similar to the city of Porto.

The money collected during the campaign will help the refugees from the camps in Jordan, Sudan, Bangladesh, Chad and Ethiopia.

In parallel, the project involves the exposure of a Royal tent, used by families in refugee camps, which aims "to raise awareness of the situation in which they live and refugees assist UNHCR in response to one of the biggest problems in these fields: the lack of illumination".

The exhibition of the tent is made in partnership with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The tent will be exposed in the gardens of the Foundation until February 12, next to the Art Library, with free entry.

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Fish oil may help prevent Alzheimer's

Eating more fish can contribute to a bigger brain and help prevent Alzheimer's disease. A new American study indicates that people with higher levels of Omega-3 in the body, which can be purchased through the fatty acids of fish, have a larger brain volume in more advanced ages.

The decrease in brain volume is a sign of Alzheimer's but also the normal aging process. Owning the larger brain volume in advanced ages is the equivalent to preserve between one to two years of mental health, the study that was published in the scientific journal Neurology.

One of the keys to the Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic acid is hexaenóico, which is believed to help the central nervous system cells to communicate with each other. The richest sources of Omega-3 and other fatty acids are fish with large percentage of natural oil, such as sardines, herring and mackerel.

"Our study suggests that a larger reserve of fatty acids and Omega-3 can help slow the loss of cognitive function that can monitor brain atrophy," says the study's author, James Pottala, University of South Dakota. "These higher levels of fatty acids can be achieved through a more fish-based diet and through the use of supplements. The results indicate that the effect on cerebral volume is equivalent to slow normal brain cell loss that occurs with aging, between one to two years, "he explains.

Besides the sardines, herring and mackerel, also the white fish such as cod, flounder and haddock, are a good source of fatty acids, although possessing smaller amounts. Coupled with the increased consumption of fish, fish oil supplements are recommended as prevention of heart attack and sudden death. With a diet of fish more regularly the odds of surviving a heart attack increases a third.

Fatty acids Act in different ways in reducing the risk of heart attacks: reduce blood fat, reduce the risk of blood clots and reduce arrhythmias, which can prove fatal. These acids can reduce brain inflammation and play an important role in brain development and in the renewal of the cells of the central nervous system.

Foto: Ultima_Bruce / Creative Commons

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Pollution in China is coming to the United States

China's pollution is spreading in large quantities across the Pacific Ocean, according to the United States, reveals a new study. This effect is to cause side effects on the environment and health of Americans.

In some days of the year, acid rain caused by the burning of fossil fuels in China may be responsible for up to a quarter of sulfate pollution in the Western United States, points to a study conducted by a team of American and Chinese researchers, published by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States.

Cities like Los Angeles are experiencing a smog day extra per year due to nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide produced by the export industry of China, points out the study.

Between 17% to 36% of various air pollutants from China, in 2006, came from the production of goods for export, referred to the study, and a fifth of those assets were linked to trade between China and the United States. Currently, one-third of greenhouse gases produced in China from exporting industries.

The neighboring countries of China, notably Japan and South Korea, have suffered regularly from toxic clouds from China over the past decades, since the environmental regulations were sacrificed in favor of economic and industrial growth.

However, the new study indicates that many of the pollutants, including black carbon â€" impure form of carbon produced during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, wood and biomass-which contributes to climate change and is related to the cancer and coronary and pulmonary diseases, can travel great distances through the air masses known as "westerlies" ("westerlies").

Cross-border pollution has been an issue discussed in the international climate negotiations, in which China has argued that developed countries should take responsibility for a portion of greenhouse gases of China, since these are sourced in the manufacture of products ordered Western countries.

"International cooperation to reduce cross-border transport of polluted air must face the question of who is responsible for the emissions in a given country for the production of goods that support consumption in another country," said the study which is quoted by the Guardian.

Foto:  somiz / Creative Commons

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Escape unemployment via organic farming

After a long administrative career, Teresa Rodrigues was unemployed at the age of 53 years. Without waiting for the job to hit the door, this Lisbon decided to put his hands on the ground and start your own business, proving that life can give great laps, even after 50.

This is how it started the Quinta da Pedra Branca. After becoming unemployed, Teresa Rodrigues moved to Lisbon, with the family, to the village of Monte Gordo, in Mafra, where in 1995 acquired the land from the farm.

After great dedication to reclaim the lands of Pedra Branca, which once gave work to many of the inhabitants of the village in fruit-growing and vine, the family of Teresa Rodrigues transformed the place from a farm dedicated to organic farming.

"The idea of this project came up initially for pleasure in agriculture and by eating vegetables and fruit for a healthy and enjoyable way. However, the outcomes for some professionals and professional instability to others gave the big push in the decision to embrace this project, "says Teresa Rodrigues.

Even before becoming a farmer, the former in matter by organic farming. "Three years before Quinta da Pedra Branca exist became associated with the Agrobio, in order to participate in the existing formations, have access to information disclosed," says Teresa Rodrigues. "At the time, with so few knowledge about organic farming, the Agrobio was very useful for me, becoming a great source of knowledge, motivating and driving force" reveals.

The five hectares of the farm are managed by various members of the family and produce essentially organic hampers for sale to the public. The main project of Quinta da Pedra Branca is the Bio-Nice Campaign, which aims to "promote essentially three components: Nice in flavor, pleasant in the environment and pleasant in price" indicates Teresa Rodrigues. "When the family decided to embrace this biological commitment every conversation that appeared on the draft converged on the importance of these points as a means to expand and provide the greatest number of people, a healthy diet".

Currently the farm produces three types of baskets: small and large (five and eight pounds, respectively), with pre-defined and custom products, where consumers can choose the amount and variety of products. All products have Ecocert certification in organic production.

The baskets can be purchased every Saturday on the market or market of Loures Agrobio online and orders delivered later in six previously defined points.

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