There Is an Arch Villain Behind The Climate Crisis And There Is Just One Solution

The Great Healing

Today one million species of plants and animals are facing extinction. Over the next two decades, global warming will threaten the survival of virtually every multicellular life form — including us. In this "save-the-planet" book, The Great Healing - Five Compassions That Can Save The World, award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Stephen Erickson, a member of The Great Healing LLC, introduces exquisite creatures, human and non-human, and the challenges they face, while revealing the Arch Villain and humanity's singular solution.

Four esteemed thought leaders have joined Stephen to contribute three new essays, photos, and a poem:

• Wendell Berry - essayist, novelist, poet, farmer, national treasure
• Joel Fuhrman, MD - author of 6 New York Times bestsellers including Eat to Live and The End of Diabetes
• Alan Lewis – guides Food and Agriculture Policy for Natural Grocers stores
• Jo-Anne McArthur - investigative photojournalist

The main cause of global warming is Big Ag. Its behemoth dark twins, industrial agriculture and factory farming, are responsible for creating a far greater share of greenhouse gas emissions than any other industry. Industrial agriculture also kills the life of the soil, its microbiome, destroying healthy soil's ability to sequester carbon — making the Arch Villain a preeminently lethal adversary.

There exists only one solution to the climate crisis: Regenerative agriculture and healthy soil's natural ability to drawdown and hold carbon. The key to achieving this rapidly and at necessary scale are Five Compassions: Compassion for Animals, for Self, for the Land, for Community, and for Democracy.

Compassionate activism and widespread awareness can create The Great Healing. More than a "call-to-action" book, this is a book with a plan. Told empathetically through the stories of exquisite creatures, they are an emotional invitation, a way in, to easily grasp the situation and its urgency.

• Join in what will become the most important cause of all of humanity's endeavors to date.

Stephen Erickson (image via thegreathealing.org)

About Stephen Erickson:

Stephen Erickson is a scriptwriter, feature filmmaker, and entertainment executive. That while fathering his children on this fascinating planet during a short window of time that may prove to have been the most magnificent years for human beings ever to be alive.

In The Great Healing he introduces exquisite creatures and takes the reader on an emotional journey, while alerting everyone to a dire threat and revealing the singular solution.

• Buy The Great Healing - Five Compassions That Can Save The World on Amazon.

SOURCE: The Great Healing LLC

Multiple Award-Winning Short Film 'Bummer' Secures Newest Accolades From London Independent Film Awards

"An asteroid just had to come on this day. Now what?" - "Bummer" (image via imdb.com)

Limitless Films LLC recently announced that its 8th and newest short film "Bummer" netted three awards from the London Independent Film Awards. The monthly competition recognizes excellence in filmmaking from filmmakers from across the world. 

"Bummer" is a depiction of a mother and daughter's move to a new home in Florida, just as the story breaks of an imminent asteroid approach that will destroy earth.

The film is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America. "Bummer" has won a total of 41 awards worldwide.

"I'm incredibly thankful that 'Bummer' is receiving international recognition and that our film seems to be connecting with audiences around the world," said director and writer Barry Worthington. "I feel very lucky to have worked alongside such a talented cast, crew and collaborators. I'm excited about what we are accomplishing together."

"Bummer" is the newest in a distinguished catalog of award-winning films from Barry Worthington. The compelling short won: "Best Actress" for Marili Mejias, "Best Child/Young Actress" for Hope Perry, and "Best Editing" for Worthington. The film was completed in May of 2018 and officially launched for streaming on the Limitless Films website. 

"Bummer" has also earned Official Selection honors from the Rendezvous Film Festival in Amelia Island, Florida and the Kapow Intergalactic Film Festival in North Hollywood, California.

Barry Worthington (image via imdb.com)

About Barry Worthington:

Worthington had proud but humble beginnings showing his work in places like the Gaithersburg High School auditorium when he was just a teenager, before moving on to serve as an adjunct film professor at Towson University for film production and film theory. He also served as an adjunct film/art professor at Howard Community College.

Worthington's film journey led him to complete his MFA in Film and Electronic Media in 2018. He has led Limitless Films into producing multiple award-winning films, securing a total of 121 awards since 2010, with pieces like: "Corrosion," "The Infinitely Generous Francis Victus," "Sponge," "Tanzanite," "Hollywood Trash," "Kin," and "River Haven."

The Trailer:

SOURCE: Limitless Films LLC

2050 Is Too Late – We Must Drastically Cut Carbon Emissions Much Sooner

Ratcliffe-on-Soar, one of 7 UK coal-fired power plants still in service. (Diana Parkhouse/Unsplash, CC BY-SA)

One of the last things that Theresa May did before she left office as the UK prime minister in July 2019 was to commit the country to a net zero carbon target in 2050. Weaning the entire economy off carbon-based fuels on this sort of timescale sounds ambitious, but several advanced economies have set targets considerably sooner than this.

Sweden and New Zealand are aiming for 2045, Finland for 2035 and Norway for 2030 – the most ambitious of any government. Extinction Rebellion has called for the UK to eliminate all carbon emissions by 2025. Our recent working paper explores the justification for these various targets.

The starting point is the global carbon budget calculated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This is the total amount of carbon that can be emitted into the atmosphere from now until the end of this century. The most recent estimate of a global budget that would offer a 66% chance of limiting climate warming to within 1.5C above the pre-industrial average is 420 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Working from here to a carbon budget for each country is both a technical and an ethical question. Using the UK as a detailed example, a simple proportional allocation would give the UK a budget of approximately 2.9 billion tonnes. But given the UK’s historical responsibility for carbon in the atmosphere and the undeniable need for development in the poorest countries in the world, there is a very strong argument that the UK should adopt a fair carbon budget somewhat lower than this. So, for example, if the poorer countries in the world were to have an allowable carbon budget just one-third higher than the richer countries, this would lead to a fair carbon budget for the UK of around 2.5 billion tonnes.

The question of how long this budget might last has no simple answer, because it depends how fast carbon emissions are cut over time. Remaining within any given budget depends inherently on the emissions pathway the country follows. If we cut emissions faster, we can afford a later target. If we cut too slowly, the budget will be exhausted, and we would be faced with the task of installing uncertain and costly negative emissions technologies to take carbon out of the atmosphere for the rest of the century.

The UK’s carbon footprint in 2018 was about 590m tonnes, measured on a “consumption basis”, which includes the carbon in imports but excludes that of exports. This footprint has been falling slowly (at around 1.5% a year) since 2010. But if it continued to fall this slowly, the carbon budget would be exhausted by 2023, in just four years’ time (Scenario a).

Even if we assume a straight-line reduction to zero emissions in 2050 (Scenario b), we would still generate a carbon overdraft approximately three times our allowable budget. In fact, the latest date by which we could draw a straight line from our current level of emissions to zero and still remain within the budget would be 2025 (Scenario c).

Four UK emissions pathways. (a) is based on our current rate of reduction, and (b) shows that linearly reducing emissions to net zero by 2050 means we’ll exhaust our carbon budget in four years. (c) shows that 2025 is the latest date we could linearly reduce our emissions to net zero, and (d) shows that for a 2050 target to stay within our budget, we’d need a 24% annual reduction in emissions. (Tim Jackson/CUSP, Author provided)

A target later than 2025 is possible only if the UK reduces emissions faster than the straight line pathway in the early years. In order to extend the target date for zero carbon to 2050, emission cuts would need to be in the region of 24% every year for the next three decades (Scenario d).

What is notable about this pathway is that, within little more than a decade, carbon emissions must already have fallen to a very low level. With a 24% annual rate of reduction, UK emissions in 2030 would only be 22m tonnes – less than 5% of the current level of emissions. Only a small programme of negative emissions technologies would be needed to achieve net zero at this point.

Clearly the challenge is still colossal. A 24% reduction in emissions amounts to a cut of 140 million tonnes in the very first year alone. The UK has never achieved anything close to this since its carbon footprint was first measured in 1990. In 2009, when the economy was in recession, the carbon footprint fell by 80m tonnes, while its best post-crisis reduction saw a fall of only 38m tonnes in 2016.

It is dangerously misleading for advanced nations to set target dates as far out as 2050. Doing so ignores the importance of staying within a fair carbon budget and gives a false impression that action can be delayed. In reality, the only way to ensure that any developed country remains within its fair budget is to aim for an early net zero target. For the UK, that means bringing forward the government’s target by at least two decades.

This might all seem daunting, but every year that progress is delayed, the challenge only gets bigger. Remaining within a fair carbon budget for the rest of this century requires deep and early decarbonisation. Anything else will risk a climate catastrophe.

About Today's Contributor:

Tim Jackson, Professor of Sustainable Development and Director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), University of Surrey

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

Bruce Springsteen's Critically Acclaimed Album 'Western Stars' Comes to the Big Screen This October as a Feature Film

Bruce Springsteen's "Western Stars"

On the heels of the successful world premiere of Bruce Springsteen's "Western Stars" at the Toronto International Film Festival, Fathom Events announces that it will bring music legend Bruce Springsteen to cinemas across America in an exclusive two-night theatrical release of "Western Stars." 

• The Fathom screenings, which will be held on October 19 and 23, will also feature an exclusive look behind the scenes with Springsteen, including never-before-seen archival footage and previously unreleased music from the Springsteen vault

"Western Stars," the cinematic film version of his latest globally successful album, was directed by Thom Zimny, his longtime collaborator, and Springsteen, marking his directorial debut. Following the Fathom events, "Western Stars" is slated for release on October 25, 2019.

From Fathom Events and Warner Bros., this special two-day event will premiere in cinemas nationwide on Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (all local times). For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

"Western Stars" offers Springsteen fans across the country a unique opportunity to see him perform all 13 songs from the critically lauded album—his first studio album in five years. Touching on themes of love and loss, loneliness and family and the inexorable passage of time, the documentary film evokes the American West—both the mythic and the hardscrabble—weaving archival footage and Springsteen's personal narration with song to tell the story of Western Stars.

• In a first for Springsteen, his rendition of the album is backed up by a 30-piece orchestra and set under the cathedral ceiling of his own historic nearly 100-year-old barn.

"Western Stars" is written and performed by Bruce Springsteen, with Special Guest Patti Scialfa. Thom Zimny, Jon Landau, Barbara Carr and George Travis produced the film, with Springsteen serving as executive producer. The original score is by Springsteen.

Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. Pictures President, Domestic Distribution, stated, "Bruce Springsteen has made an indelible mark on music and contemporary culture over the course of his extraordinary career, spanning more than 40 years. With 'Western Stars,' Bruce continues to evolve his craft as, for the first time, he takes us all on a cinematic journey through his music and his life. We are thrilled to be working with him and his fellow director, Thom Zimny, to bring this trailblazing film to audiences."

"Bruce Springsteen is a legendary artist who brings audiences of different generations together," said Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt. "The up-close visuals and spectacular acoustics transport cinema audiences right to Bruce's barn for a complete musical experience."

The Trailer:

• Tickets for "Western Stars" are available at FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.

SOURCE: Fathom Events

Bud Light Produces Special Edition Alien-Themed Cans [Just In Time For The Storm Area 51 Event]

Alien-themed Bud Light cans (PRNewsfoto/Bud Light)

Today, Bud Light announced it is producing an alien-themed Bud Light Can to share with any alien that leaves the sanctuary of Area 51 on September 20th.

In July, Bud Light had pledged free beer for all aliens who escaped and promised to create a limited-edition alien pack if this tweet received 51K retweets. While the tweet fell just short of 51K RTs, Bud Light aims to please and the consumer response was so great, they decided to make it anyway. The favorite light lager of American Earthlings has followed through and created the Bud Light alien cans for legal drinking aged humans and extraterrestrials to enjoy together.

A Bud Light operative unable to disclose their name for security purposes said, "The way we see it, we'd much rather people crack open a crisp Bud Light with alien visitors rather than storm Area 51. Nothing says we come in peace like sharing a beer with friends from another place or another galaxy. We promised to have beer waiting for any alien that wants it and we plan to deliver on that promise. Our hope is that humans stock up too because you never know when you might need some Bud Lights to welcome intergalactic neighbors."

"For any aliens that escape or decide to visit Earth, Bud Light produced an alien-friendly fridge that's stocked with plenty of Bud Light alien cans." (PRNewsfoto/Bud Light)

Starting today, fans in Nevada, Arizona, and California will be able to purchase the Bud Light alien cans to celebrate the potential release of our otherworldly friends. The special-edition aluminum cans feature a green alien and black background as well as a new crest welcoming all extraterrestrials from near and far to crack a cold one.

For any aliens that escape or decide to visit Earth, Bud Light produced an alien-friendly fridge that's stocked with plenty of Bud Light alien cans. The fridge is locked and includes an alien finger scan in order to open, to ensure the beer supply is available only to our extraterrestrial friends. 

"The fridge is locked and includes an alien finger scan in order to open, to ensure the beer supply is available only to our extraterrestrial friends..." (PRNewsfoto/Bud Light)

Bud Light is staging the fridge in a coveted Las Vegas club's VIP section at the Luxor Hotel and Casino that will be roped off and reserved exclusively for aliens to live it up. The VIP table invites aliens, 21 years or older, to join the party from September 13 - September 20 and toast to their escape while making a few new human friends over alien-themed Bud Lights. 

"The special-edition aluminum cans feature a green alien and black background as well as a new crest welcoming all extraterrestrials from near and far to crack a cold one..." (PRNewsfoto/Bud Light)

• Bud Light is also sponsoring the Area 51 Celebration music festival on September 19 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. 

To bring the raid to fans everywhere, Bud Light is also producing a line of limited-edition merch to match the alien-themed Bud Light Cans. Starting today, legal drinking aged fans can purchase items online from the abgiftshop.com. Merch includes koozies, shirts, hat and bomber jackets and prices range from $100 or less. (PRNewsfoto/Bud Light)

SOURCE: Bud Light

'QT8: The First Eight,' Exploring the Career of Quentin Tarantino, is Coming to Movie Theaters Nationwide for One Night on October 21

QT8: The First Eight (Quentin Tarantino's first eight movies)

Fathom Events is bringing a new documentary film chronicling the thrilling journey of Quentin Tarantino's first eight movies to theaters nationwide for just one night on October 21. "QT8: The First Eight," directed by Tara Wood ("21 Years: Richard Linklater"), gives its audience an inside look at the legendary filmmaker's body of work through interviews with former cast members, film industry experts.

Fathom Events presents "QT8: The First Eight" in more than 800 select movie theaters on Monday, October 21 at 7:00pm local time, through Fathom's Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change)

"I'm thrilled to partner with Fathom events to bring 'QT8: The First Eight,' to Tarantino's voracious fans throughout the country," said director Tara Wood. "Quentin's filmography is on its own incomparable level. His films inspire, provoke and challenge us individually and as a society to the utmost extremes, all stemming from his passion for people and continuous exploration of the human condition."

The documentary offers an in-depth look at Tarantino's first eight movies, and features interviews with his contemporaries, former cast members and industry experts, including Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Kurt Russell, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Jason Lee, Lucy Liu, Diane Kruger, Zoe Bell and more. "QT8: The First Eight" sheds new light on the life and legacy of Quentin Tarantino, and gives viewers unprecedented access to his vision throughout his career.

"Fathom continually strives to bring premium, exclusive documentaries to audiences across the country," said Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt. "In bringing 'QT8: The First Eight' to cinemas nationwide, we certainly achieve that goal, giving behind-the-scenes access to the career of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time."

• Tickets for "QT8: The First Eight" can be purchased at FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.

SOURCE: Fathom Events

Rising Pop Star, Alex Freeman Empowering Kids

Alex Freeman "Focused" Cover Art

Alex Freeman has studied Taylor Swift and loves how she connects with her fans as well as continued to write her own music. Alex loves how Taylor stays true to her message and performs to large audiences. Alex has been touring this last summer performing her original music as well as covers, she loves the interaction with the crowd.

In the past, Alex has opened for Kidz Bop in front of 12,000 people in New York and at the Florida Family Kids Expo in front of 19,000 spectators. When asked by news reporters from NBC at TWCNY, "How can someone so young bring such high energy, an amazing show and electrify the audience?" Alex answers, "I feel the most alive when I'm on stage, and I give it every ounce of my energy.... the best part is when they give energy back!"

Like Taylor Swift, Alex Freeman has her message. She wants to empower kids to dream big, set goals and go after them with confidence and determination. Alex has spoken to many schools about, being kind, setting goals. She tells the kids, "Every day you get to wake up and decide who you are going to be today....so be amazing, do amazing things and brighten someone's day."

Alex Freeman - Orlando, Florida (image via AlexFreemanRocks.com/music)

She tells kids to smile and be nice. Alex's first song she wrote when she was 5 years old was called BE NICE, a song she wrote after being bullied, to help other kids being bullied not feel the way she did like no one cared. Alex was so excited when the Black Eyed Peas released a song recently with the same name as her song Be Nice! It is on the top of her playlist. 

Alex's mom, Kim Freeman added "Alex use to dance in my belly whenever I turned on the Black Eyed Peas and she wouldn't stop moving until I shut the music off". Alex loves the Black Eyed Peas to this day. "I just love music and everything about it, I don't think anyone's life could be complete without it," Alex added in. 

• Tune in to see Alex's newest video Focused launching on YouTube tonight.

"Keep an eye out for Miss Alex Freeman, she is a girl on a mission and If I were to bet... She will someday be a household name like her Idol Taylor Swift."

SOURCE: Alex Freeman

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"The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb" - A Science Fiction Novel By Ricardo Alexanders

The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb

September 1943, Manhattan is stuck after Shanghai's been obliterated. In a hidden history that only one man lived to tell, a young archaeologist saves the world from an extraterrestrial Armageddon.

While defending his country against Japanese invasion, archaeologist CJ Hoo is taken as a prisoner of war and forced to take part in the excavation of the tomb of the First King of China, a process that unearths a ruthless force and the true origin of Chinese civilization.

The excavation ends; but China is still in dire need of help. Teamed up with American adventurer Dr. Harry Jones, a close friend of President Roosevelt, CJ returns to the tomb and convinces the guardians of the tomb to interfere human affairs.

The tide of the World War is turned but no one sees the rise of an otherworldly evil. Neither the Allies nor the Axis powers can stand in its way. Our world is at the brink of annihilation. At the final moment, CJ finds himself back in the tomb of the First King, as the last line of resistance for the survival of mankind.

Book Details:

The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb
By Ricardo Alexanders
ISBN: 978-1979564953
ASIN: B0778ZN5DM
Pages: 575
Genre: Science Fiction

• TLR: Dragon Tomb is available in print and eBook formats.

Book Trailer: 

About the Author:

Ricardo Alexanders is the author of Bollywood Invasion and The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb. He lives in Massachusetts, enjoys music, and loves to write time-travel stories that blend fantasy, science, and real history.

Purchase Links:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble 
• IndieBound,org 

SOURCE: BookBuzz.net

Disney And Pixar's 'Coco' Comes To The Hollywood Bowl For The First Time Live In Concert With Special Guests Including Benjamin Bratt, Eva Longoria, Carlos Rivera And More

Disney And Pixar's 'Coco' Comes To The Hollywood Bowl For The First Time Live In Concert

Disney and Pixar's Coco will be brought to life on stage for the first time ever this November at the Hollywood Bowl for one weekend only – Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th. 

The spectacular event in Los Angeles will include an all-star lineup of special guests including Benjamin Bratt, Eva Longoria, Carlos Rivera, Miguel, Alanna Ubach, Alex Gonzalez, Jaime Camil, Lele Pons, Rudy Mancuso and Natalia Jimenez who will appear throughout the evening as the beloved film plays on the Bowl's movie screen accompanied by a full, live orchestra. Mariachi Divas will also entertain the audience with traditional Mariachi music throughout the night.

Conductor Sarah Hicks will lead the full orchestra performing Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino's original score along with special guests performing the film's songs including Academy Award-winner for Original Song "Remember Me," as well as "Un Poco Loco," "The World Es Mi Familia," and many more.

• Coco Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl will transform the legendary venue into the Land of the Dead with special pre-show activities. Day of the Dead costumes are encouraged.

Mousetrappe, the award-winning immersive design agency and media studio, returns to create state-of-the-art digital projection imagery on the shell of the iconic Hollywood Bowl. Earlier this year, Mousetrappe also created imagery for Disney's The Little Mermaid Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

"I'm very excited to join this incredible group of exceptional talent, in the city that I'm from, to bring this very special movie and message to life," said Miguel. "The idea of celebrating our ancestors is very dear to my heart, especially after the passing of my grandparents."

"It is such an honor to be a part of this monumental celebration at the Bowl," said Alanna Ubach. "Love to my beautiful family and friends watching!"

"Mis raíces latinas son mi orgullo y celebrarlo sumando mi voz a la música de Coco en el Hollywood Bowl es un honor," said Natalia Jimenez.

"Coco is my heart, it means everything to me. It's ancestors, family, music, love, culture, traditions, dreams, and passion. Coco is everything that inspires, connects, and makes the world a better place. It's a unique film," said Alex Gonzalez. "The Hollywood Bowl is a very special place where we can celebrate and share our love and appreciation for music and Coco! It's a huge honor and privilege to be a part of this beautiful performance at the Hollywood Bowl. I am so excited, can't wait!"

Felipe Fernandez del Paso serves as director of Coco Live in Concert. Fernandez del Paso has directed theater and film, and is also a production designer, set designer and writer. He received an Oscar nomination for Best Production Design for the 2003 film, "Frida."

Amy Tinkham is Creative Consulant for Coco Live in Concert. Most recently she served as Creative Director for Aerosmith's "Deuces are Wild" Las Vegas residency and James Taylor's Caesars Palace residency. She also directs the Dancing with the Stars and America's Got Talent Live tours. She is currently working with Franco Dragone on a new show in China.

The concert is produced by Disney Concerts and Live Nation/Andrew Hewitt & Bill Silva Presents, a team who has performed together several highly acclaimed live to film events at the Hollywood Bowl including Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Concert starring Zooey Deschanel and Kelsey Grammer as well as Disney's The Little Mermaid starring Lea Michele and Harvey Fierstein.

About Coco

Disney and Pixar's Coco features an original score from Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino, "Remember Me" by Oscar winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco and co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina. 

• The film won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song.

Despite his family's baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. Disney and Pixar's Coco is directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist Monsters University) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3).

• Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, September 13th at 12pm PT at Ticketmaster.com.

SOURCE: Live Nation Entertainment

3,758 School Backpacks Laid At The United Nations Show The Grave Scale Of Child Deaths In Conflict In 2018

On 8 September 2019, a UNICEF installation highlighting the grave scale of child deaths in conflict during 2018 on the North Lawn at the United Nations Headquarters. © UNICEF/UN0341974/ (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)

A UNICEF installation to show the devastating scale of child deaths in conflict zones in 2018 was unveiled today at the United Nations in New York. The haunting display features 3,758 backpacks in rows reminiscent of a graveyard, each one representing a senseless loss of a young life to conflict.

The installation, which will run through 10 September, is a message to world leaders as children in many parts of the world are returning back to school, and just days ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly. Once the installation is taken down, the backpacks will continue on their journey to support children's education.

"UNICEF backpacks have always been a symbol of hope and childhood possibility," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "In just two weeks, world leaders gathering at the UN General Assembly will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This installation should remind them of the stakes."

According to the 2019 Annual Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict, more than 12,000 children were killed or maimed in conflict zones last year – the highest number since the United Nations started monitoring and reporting this grave violation. These are only verified incidents – the actual numbers are likely to be much higher. UNICEF estimates that in a quarter of these incidences, children lost their lives.

In ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and many more, children pay the heaviest price of war. Continued, widespread use of explosive weapons such as airstrikes, landmines, mortars, improvised explosive devices, rocket attacks, cluster munitions, artillery shelling cause the vast majority of child casualties in armed conflict.

"As many children go back to school this week, we are drawing attention to the thousands of children killed in conflict zones and whose tragic loss will forever be felt in their homes, classrooms and communities around the world," said Fore. "The remarkable gains made for children in the last 30 years clearly show what we can do if we harness the political will to put children first."

SOURCE: UNICEF Canada

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" Celebrates Global Expansion With The Biggest Times Square Takeover On Record

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, universally acclaimed for its breathtaking magic and stage wizardry, last night welcomed fans "Back to Hogwarts" with the launch of a new worldwide campaign in the heart of Times Square.

To mark the global milestone, the show hosted the largest-ever Times Square takeover, with award-winning actress and Harry Potter fan, Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as Wizarding World fans and influencers. Fans witnessed a jaw-dropping takeover of nearly all the Times Square screens, which revealed the never-before-seen Harry Potter and the Cursed Child campaign, in celebration of its global expansion.

• With more than two million tickets sold worldwide, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been spreading its magic and thrilling audiences across the globe in London, New York and Melbourne, with more productions opening soon in San Francisco, Hamburg and Toronto.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

"We are very proud that J.K. Rowling chose to tell her eighth story on stage. Just as she created a generation of lifelong readers with the Harry Potter book series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now doing the same for theatre, with over half of our audiences worldwide being first time theatre-goers of all ages," said Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. "Three years in and over two million tickets sold thus far, it is so exciting to watch audiences all over the world be transported 'Back to Hogwarts' to revisit their beloved characters. There is nothing like the experience of being in a theatre with a community of others, seeing and experiencing in real-time as the magic unfolds live before your eyes. The Boy Who Lived, lives on, and the story continues on stage across the world because, as J.K. Rowling herself said: 'Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.'"

As a special thank you to Harry Potter fans, and as a nod to the famous platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is announcing that 934 lucky people around the world will get the chance to watch the show as complimentary guests. But fans have to act fast. To find out how you might become one of them, go to harrypotteronstage.com now and select your chosen location.

"Harry Potter has such a special place in my heart and seeing the characters from the stories come to life on stage was true magic for me," said actress Sarah Jessica Parker. "From the astounding stagecraft, to the magic and illusions, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child brings true storytelling to life that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Being part of the whole experience tonight was one that I'll never forget."

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Receiving universal acclaim for its breathtaking magic and stage wizardry, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the most awarded play in theatre history, winning 25 major U.S. awards, including six Tony Awards with one for Best Play and 24 major theatre awards in the U.K. being the most awarded show in the history of Britain's Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now playing at the Palace Theatre in London, where it received its world premiere in July 2016; at the Lyric Theatre in New York, where it opened on Broadway in April 2018; and at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, where it opened earlier this year. Upcoming productions include the exclusive U.S. West Coast premiere in San Francisco at the Curran later this year; the German premiere, the first non-English language production, at the Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt in Hamburg in spring of 2020; and the Canadian premiere at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto in fall of 2020.

SOURCE: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

5 Things You Must Do Before Advertising Online

Online Advertising - Highway Sign (Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images)

It could take just seconds for you to set up an online advertisement and start marketing your business online. However, you shouldn’t just jump into advertising online as quickly as that. You need to make sure you tick a few things off before advertising.

 Below, you’ll find 5 things you need to do.

1. Know Your Budget

The first thing you need to do is know your budget - advertising online is an ongoing thing, so how much can you afford monthly? You’ll need to allocate enough to get results, but not more than you need to. Think about it carefully - it can be tricky!

 2. Find The Right Company To Work Alongside

You’ll need a marketing company to work alongside. You can teach yourself a lot of things online, but you still shouldn’t do your marketing alone.

 3. Know Your Target Audience

You need to know exactly who your target audience is, so create consumer profiles so that you can target them effectively. Targeting just anybody will not work and you’ll spend more money.

4. Have Appropriate Places For The Clicks To Land

Where will the clicks you get actually land? Make sure you create appropriate landing pages designed to draw people in.

 5. Have A Strategy That You’re Happy With

Make sure you’re happy with the strategy that you have in place. Strategies will vary depending on the type of business, for example, popup banners can work well for the eLearning industry.

Look at the infographic below to learn more!

 ⏩Look at these pop up banner design infographic 2019 edition