Changing Arctic Affecting Air, Ocean, and Everything in Between
"Despite the fact that summer 2009 had more sea ice than in 2007 or 2008, scientists are seeing drastic changes in the region from just five years ago and at rates faster than anticipated. The findings were presented today in the annual update of the Arctic Report Card, a collaborative effort of 71 national and international scientists.
“The Arctic is a special and fragile place on this planet,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Climate change is happening faster in the Arctic than any other place on Earth — and with wide-ranging consequences. When I visited the northern corners of Alaska’s Arctic region earlier this year, I saw an area abundant with natural resources, diverse wildlife, proud local and native peoples — and a most uncertain future. This year’s Arctic Report Card underscores the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas pollution and adapting to climate changes already under way.”"
Arctic Report Card found here.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Country Analysis Brief: Azerbaijan
"With oil production in decline in most countries outside OPEC, Azerbaijan is seen as one of the few non-OPEC countries capable of increasing its output significantly over the next few years. However, conflicting claims over the maritime and seabed boundaries of the Caspian Sea have yet to be agreed among the 5 littoral states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan). An agreement on the division of the Caspian's rich oil and natural gas resources would open up new areas of exploration."
"With oil production in decline in most countries outside OPEC, Azerbaijan is seen as one of the few non-OPEC countries capable of increasing its output significantly over the next few years. However, conflicting claims over the maritime and seabed boundaries of the Caspian Sea have yet to be agreed among the 5 littoral states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan). An agreement on the division of the Caspian's rich oil and natural gas resources would open up new areas of exploration."
Education Employees Comprise Majority of State and Local Government Workforce
"At 8.9 million, education workers accounted for more than half of the 16.7 million state and local government full-time equivalent employees nationwide in 2008, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
State and local governments had a 1.4 percent increase in employment from 2007. Local governments — which include counties, cities, townships, special districts and school districts — accounted for 12.3 million full-time equivalent employees in 2008, compared with 4.4 million full-time equivalents that were employed by state governments..."
"At 8.9 million, education workers accounted for more than half of the 16.7 million state and local government full-time equivalent employees nationwide in 2008, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
State and local governments had a 1.4 percent increase in employment from 2007. Local governments — which include counties, cities, townships, special districts and school districts — accounted for 12.3 million full-time equivalent employees in 2008, compared with 4.4 million full-time equivalents that were employed by state governments..."
U.S. Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Proved Reserves, 2008
"The Energy Information Administration's (EIA) estimates of proved reserves of natural gas and crude oil as of the end of 2008 tell very different stories about apparent changes in the availability of these two energy resources in the United States. Proved reserves are those volumes of oil and natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Proved reserves of natural gas rose enough not only to replace production, but also to grow by almost 3 percent over 2007, largely due to continued development of unconventional gas from shales (see Table 1). In contrast, even though discoveries of crude oil rose for the third year in a row, proved reserves of crude oil fell by more than 10 percent. Under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules for determining reserves that have been in effect since 1982, operators assessed their 2008 reserves based on what they could produce with reasonable certainty at the market price on the last day of the year. Under updated SEC rules issued in 2008 that take effect in 2010, operators will instead use an average of first-day-of-the-month prices throughout the year, which is less sensitive to volatility in prices, in developing their reserves estimates. The SEC's new rules would have shown an increase in oil prices in 2008 compared to 2007, rather than the significant decline in the year-end 2008 price relative to the year-end 2007 price. Under the new rules, there would likely have been a smaller drop (or possibly even an increase) in crude oil proved reserves."
"The Energy Information Administration's (EIA) estimates of proved reserves of natural gas and crude oil as of the end of 2008 tell very different stories about apparent changes in the availability of these two energy resources in the United States. Proved reserves are those volumes of oil and natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Proved reserves of natural gas rose enough not only to replace production, but also to grow by almost 3 percent over 2007, largely due to continued development of unconventional gas from shales (see Table 1). In contrast, even though discoveries of crude oil rose for the third year in a row, proved reserves of crude oil fell by more than 10 percent. Under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules for determining reserves that have been in effect since 1982, operators assessed their 2008 reserves based on what they could produce with reasonable certainty at the market price on the last day of the year. Under updated SEC rules issued in 2008 that take effect in 2010, operators will instead use an average of first-day-of-the-month prices throughout the year, which is less sensitive to volatility in prices, in developing their reserves estimates. The SEC's new rules would have shown an increase in oil prices in 2008 compared to 2007, rather than the significant decline in the year-end 2008 price relative to the year-end 2007 price. Under the new rules, there would likely have been a smaller drop (or possibly even an increase) in crude oil proved reserves."
State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009
"The State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009 provides for the first time information on fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and policy and environmental support within each state.† Fruits and vegetables, as part of a healthy diet, are important for optimal child growth, weight management, and chronic disease prevention.1,2 Supporting increased F&V access, availability, and reduced price are key strategies towards the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) goal of improved F&V consumption and thus improved nutrition among all Americans..."
"The State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009 provides for the first time information on fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and policy and environmental support within each state.† Fruits and vegetables, as part of a healthy diet, are important for optimal child growth, weight management, and chronic disease prevention.1,2 Supporting increased F&V access, availability, and reduced price are key strategies towards the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) goal of improved F&V consumption and thus improved nutrition among all Americans..."
FDIC Adopts Guidance on Prudent Commercial Real Estate Loan Workouts
"The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), in coordination with the other member Agencies of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), adopted a policy statement today supporting prudent commercial real estate (CRE) loan workouts. This policy statement stresses that performing loans, including those that have been renewed or restructured on reasonable modified terms, made to creditworthy borrowers will not be subject to adverse classification solely because the value of the underlying collateral declined.
This policy statement provides guidance to examiners, and financial institutions that are working with CRE borrowers who are experiencing diminished operating cash flows, depreciated collateral values, or prolonged delays in selling or renting commercial properties. It also recognizes that during these difficult economic circumstances, continued credit availability to businesses, especially small businesses, is challenging, even where borrower performance has been acceptable. This policy statement reflects the appropriate balance of prudent credit practices and meeting legitimate credit needs..."
"The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), in coordination with the other member Agencies of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), adopted a policy statement today supporting prudent commercial real estate (CRE) loan workouts. This policy statement stresses that performing loans, including those that have been renewed or restructured on reasonable modified terms, made to creditworthy borrowers will not be subject to adverse classification solely because the value of the underlying collateral declined.
This policy statement provides guidance to examiners, and financial institutions that are working with CRE borrowers who are experiencing diminished operating cash flows, depreciated collateral values, or prolonged delays in selling or renting commercial properties. It also recognizes that during these difficult economic circumstances, continued credit availability to businesses, especially small businesses, is challenging, even where borrower performance has been acceptable. This policy statement reflects the appropriate balance of prudent credit practices and meeting legitimate credit needs..."
Friday, October 30, 2009
Lower Premiums, Stronger Businesses: How Health Insurance Reform Will Bring Down Costs for Small Businesses
"Across the country, America’s businesses are struggling as the cost of health care continues to skyrocket. Premiums for employer-based health insurance have more than doubled since 2000, a growth rate three times that of wages.1 By 2025, one in every four dollars in our nation’s economy will be spent on health care2 – money that could have been invested in our nation’s businesses. Rising health care costs cut into employee wages and impede hiring and business growth.
Small businesses, the backbone of job creation in our economy, are disproportionately burdened by the financial strains caused by rising health care costs.3 On average, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy. 4 This difference is due in part to high broker fees (which can be up to 10 percent of premiums),5 and health plan administrative costs that are three to four times those in the large group market.6 These higher costs discourage small businesses from covering their employees. In a recent national survey, nearly three-quarters of small businesses that did not offer benefits cited high premiums as the reason..."
"Across the country, America’s businesses are struggling as the cost of health care continues to skyrocket. Premiums for employer-based health insurance have more than doubled since 2000, a growth rate three times that of wages.1 By 2025, one in every four dollars in our nation’s economy will be spent on health care2 – money that could have been invested in our nation’s businesses. Rising health care costs cut into employee wages and impede hiring and business growth.
Small businesses, the backbone of job creation in our economy, are disproportionately burdened by the financial strains caused by rising health care costs.3 On average, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy. 4 This difference is due in part to high broker fees (which can be up to 10 percent of premiums),5 and health plan administrative costs that are three to four times those in the large group market.6 These higher costs discourage small businesses from covering their employees. In a recent national survey, nearly three-quarters of small businesses that did not offer benefits cited high premiums as the reason..."
Estimates of the Prevalence of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, United States, April–July 2009
"Through July 2009, a total of 43,677 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were reported in the United States, which is likely a substantial underestimate of the true number. Correcting for under-ascertainment using a multiplier model, we estimate that 1.8 million–5.7 million cases occurred, including 9,000–21,000 hospitalizations...
"Through July 2009, a total of 43,677 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were reported in the United States, which is likely a substantial underestimate of the true number. Correcting for under-ascertainment using a multiplier model, we estimate that 1.8 million–5.7 million cases occurred, including 9,000–21,000 hospitalizations...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October 24, 2009- President Obama Signs Emergency Declaration for H1N1 Flu
"Authority
Section 1135 of the Social Security Act [42 USC §1320b–5] permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities in response to emergencies. Two conditions must be met for the Secretary to be able to issue such “1135 waivers”: first, the Secretary must have declared a Public Health Emergency; second, the President must have declared a National Emergency either through a Stafford Act Declaration or National Emergencies act Declaration. If these conditions are met, then healthcare facilities may petition for 1135 waivers in response to particular needs, and only within the geographic and temporal limits of the emergency declarations...'
Read the official Declaration
"Authority
Section 1135 of the Social Security Act [42 USC §1320b–5] permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities in response to emergencies. Two conditions must be met for the Secretary to be able to issue such “1135 waivers”: first, the Secretary must have declared a Public Health Emergency; second, the President must have declared a National Emergency either through a Stafford Act Declaration or National Emergencies act Declaration. If these conditions are met, then healthcare facilities may petition for 1135 waivers in response to particular needs, and only within the geographic and temporal limits of the emergency declarations...'
Read the official Declaration
Monday, October 26, 2009
Crime Against People with Disabilities, 2007
"Presents the first findings about nonfatal violent and property crime experienced by persons with disabilities, based on the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The report includes data on nonfatal violent victimization (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault) and property crime (burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft) against persons with disabilities in 2007. It compares the victimization experience of persons with and without disabilities, using population estimates based on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Data are presented on victim and crime characteristics of persons with and without disabilities, including age, race and gender distribution; offender weapon use; victim injuries; and reporting to the police.
Highlights include the following:
Persons with disabilities were victims of about 47,000 rapes, 79,000 robberies, 114,000 aggravated assaults, and 476,000 simple assaults.
Age-adjusted rate of nonfatal violent crime against persons with disabilities was 1.5 times higher than the rate for persons without disabilities.
Females with a disability had a higher victimization rate than males with a disability; males had a higher rate than females among those without a disability."
"Presents the first findings about nonfatal violent and property crime experienced by persons with disabilities, based on the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The report includes data on nonfatal violent victimization (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault) and property crime (burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft) against persons with disabilities in 2007. It compares the victimization experience of persons with and without disabilities, using population estimates based on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Data are presented on victim and crime characteristics of persons with and without disabilities, including age, race and gender distribution; offender weapon use; victim injuries; and reporting to the police.
Highlights include the following:
Persons with disabilities were victims of about 47,000 rapes, 79,000 robberies, 114,000 aggravated assaults, and 476,000 simple assaults.
Age-adjusted rate of nonfatal violent crime against persons with disabilities was 1.5 times higher than the rate for persons without disabilities.
Females with a disability had a higher victimization rate than males with a disability; males had a higher rate than females among those without a disability."
The Department of Defense’s Use of Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress
"The United States is relying on contractors to provide a wide variety of services in Iraq and
Afghanistan, including security. Private firms known as Private Security Contractors (PSCs) are
hired to protect individuals, transport convoys, forward operating bases, buildings, and other
economic infrastructure, as well as train security forces. While DOD has previously contracted
for security in Bosnia and elsewhere, it appears that in Iraq and Afghanistan DOD is for the first
time relying so heavily on armed contractors to provide security during combat or stability
operations. As of June 2009, there were over 18,000 armed private security contractors in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Recent contracting trends indicate that the number of such contractors may
continue to increase..."
Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress
"The United States is relying on contractors to provide a wide variety of services in Iraq and
Afghanistan, including security. Private firms known as Private Security Contractors (PSCs) are
hired to protect individuals, transport convoys, forward operating bases, buildings, and other
economic infrastructure, as well as train security forces. While DOD has previously contracted
for security in Bosnia and elsewhere, it appears that in Iraq and Afghanistan DOD is for the first
time relying so heavily on armed contractors to provide security during combat or stability
operations. As of June 2009, there were over 18,000 armed private security contractors in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Recent contracting trends indicate that the number of such contractors may
continue to increase..."
Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
"The Afghan government’s limited writ and widespread official corruption are helping sustain a
Taliban insurgency, and have fed pessimism about the Afghanistan stabilization effort. President
Hamid Karzai has previously been able to confine ethnic disputes to political competition by
engaging in compromises with major faction leaders, combined with occasional moves to weaken
them. This strategy has enabled Karzai to focus on trying, with limited success to date, to win
over disillusioned members of his ethnic Pashtun community, some of whom are tolerating or
even supporting Taliban insurgents. Despite the measurable loss of confidence in Karzai, many
Afghans consider their country’s difficulties as beyond his control, and he was still went into the August 20, 2009, as the favorite. Turnout was lower than expected, particularly in Karzai’s homeprovinces in the south, and the final but uncertified results, released September 16, 2009, show him at 54.6%. However, there have been widespread charges of fraud not only from his Tajik
main opponent, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, but also from a U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints
Commission that is investigating the charges. It is likely to take until October 7, 2009 until
a result is certified, and a major question is whether Karzai would still have a high enough (50%+)total to avoid a second-round runoff. Whether or not he has enough votes, observers in
Afghanistan say the two main contenders might try to avoid ethnic or political violence through
a negotiated settlement..."
"The Afghan government’s limited writ and widespread official corruption are helping sustain a
Taliban insurgency, and have fed pessimism about the Afghanistan stabilization effort. President
Hamid Karzai has previously been able to confine ethnic disputes to political competition by
engaging in compromises with major faction leaders, combined with occasional moves to weaken
them. This strategy has enabled Karzai to focus on trying, with limited success to date, to win
over disillusioned members of his ethnic Pashtun community, some of whom are tolerating or
even supporting Taliban insurgents. Despite the measurable loss of confidence in Karzai, many
Afghans consider their country’s difficulties as beyond his control, and he was still went into the August 20, 2009, as the favorite. Turnout was lower than expected, particularly in Karzai’s homeprovinces in the south, and the final but uncertified results, released September 16, 2009, show him at 54.6%. However, there have been widespread charges of fraud not only from his Tajik
main opponent, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, but also from a U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints
Commission that is investigating the charges. It is likely to take until October 7, 2009 until
a result is certified, and a major question is whether Karzai would still have a high enough (50%+)total to avoid a second-round runoff. Whether or not he has enough votes, observers in
Afghanistan say the two main contenders might try to avoid ethnic or political violence through
a negotiated settlement..."
Income and Poverty Among Older Americans in 2008
"Older Americans are an economically diverse group. In 2008, the median income of individuals aged 65 and older was $18,208 but incomes varied widely around this average. One-fourth of Americans 65 and older had incomes of less than $11,139 in 2008, while another one-fourth had incomes of $33,677 or more. Older Americans receive income from a variety of sources, including earnings, pensions, personal savings, and public programs such as Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. This report provides information from the March 2009 Current Population Survey on the number of elderly individuals and households who received income from each of these sources in 2008 and the amount of income received by individuals and households. Income from each source is reported as the annual amount received in 2008..."
"Older Americans are an economically diverse group. In 2008, the median income of individuals aged 65 and older was $18,208 but incomes varied widely around this average. One-fourth of Americans 65 and older had incomes of less than $11,139 in 2008, while another one-fourth had incomes of $33,677 or more. Older Americans receive income from a variety of sources, including earnings, pensions, personal savings, and public programs such as Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. This report provides information from the March 2009 Current Population Survey on the number of elderly individuals and households who received income from each of these sources in 2008 and the amount of income received by individuals and households. Income from each source is reported as the annual amount received in 2008..."
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