Ask Barack Obama. The post Why are Americans at Each Other’s Throats? appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

Schoolchildren indoctrinated into hating the Jews. The post The Manipulation of Innocence appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

Idan still has some learning to do about the full malignancy of Islam. The post Sarah Idan’s Fateful Selfie appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

During the 2000s‚ as global fossil fuel costs skyrocketed‚ Uruguay faced a tremendous issue. Uruguay‚ as a country heavily reliant on foreign oil‚ found itself in an energy crisis. With a population of 3.4 million‚ the surge in energy demand surged by 8.4 percent in the preceding year. As a result‚ household energy expenses skyrocketed‚ putting a strain on individuals’ wallets and increasing anger among the populace. President Tabaré Vázquez has been dealing with rising energy costs and financial strains on people. Despite a mutual aid agreement with neighboring countries such as Argentina and Paraguay in the event of an energy emergency‚ Uruguay was forced to purchase electricity at exorbitant prices. This dependency on external sources intensified the economic burden‚ forcing Vázquez to seek fast remedies to the catastrophic energy problem. The unexpected solution came from physicist Ramón Méndez Galain‚ spearheading a radical shift towards clean energy. Uruguay’s amazing energy transition Today‚ Uruguay is a witness to a nearly complete transition away from fossil fuels in power production. Depending on weather conditions‚ the country generates between 90 and 95 percent of its power from renewable sources‚ sometimes even reaching 98 percent. Uruguay’s transformation presents it as a potential model for countries attempting to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. A bold diversion from nuclear power “I had been working abroad for 14 years‚ and when I came back‚ there was this energy crisis‚ but the only solution people were giving was to install a nuclear power plant – that was it‚” Galain recalls. “I was a nuclear physicist‚ so I thought I could understand a little about this problem.” As Galain looked deeper into nuclear power as a potential solution to Uruguay’s energy crisis‚ he became less convinced. Instead‚ he argued for renewables. In a paper he published about the topic‚ Galain explained why Uruguay should invest in wind power. Because of his conviction‚ Galain was appointed as Uruguay’s energy secretary‚ tasked with carrying out this ambitious plan. Uruguay’s economic environment and energy demands Despite its small size‚ Uruguay enjoys economic success‚ with one of the highest GDP per capita rates in South America. This economic expansion fueled a spike in demand for contemporary conveniences‚ exacerbating the need for power. During his tenure‚ Galain oversaw the construction of over 50 wind farms as well as the expansion of hydropower to fulfill this rising need. Changing people’s attitudes toward renewable energy Galain overcame the problem of changing the narrative in the face of misconceptions about renewable energy. “No one believed we could do it. We needed new solutions. We needed to do things differently‚” he emphasizes. Overcoming mistrust required exposing myths about cost‚ inconsistency‚ and job loss‚ which was critical for gaining widespread public support. Accepting a ‘just transition’ The concept of a ‘just transition‘ became essential in order to ensure that no one was left behind. Contrary to what people expected‚ rather than job losses‚ nearly 50‚000 new work opportunities arose. Retraining programs aided in adapting to the changing energy landscape‚ exemplifying the country’s dedication to an inclusive transformation. Success stories from the renewable wave The story of Santiago Revello shows the transforming potential of Uruguay’s renewable projects. When Revello was considering selling his beef farm‚ he met Fernando Schaich‚ a wind farm developer. Their collaboration culminated in the installation of 22 wind turbines on Revello’s farm‚ providing a lucrative cash stream while not interfering with existing agricultural operations. Uruguay’s current challenges in the green transition However‚ Uruguay’s march to green energy has not been without challenges. Gonzalo Casaravilla‚ previous president of UTE‚ the public energy firm‚ mentioned logistical issues‚ particularly outside of urban areas. The delivery of wind turbine components over Uruguay’s narrower roadways was a daunting obstacle that required cautious planning and execution. Rolling roadblocks and convoys became the norm‚ reducing interruption during the building of new wind farms. “At the outset‚ the technical teams were cautious. But later‚ they acknowledged it as a commendable strategy‚” Casaravilla recalls. The initial tension eventually gave way to a cohesive and effective team‚ demonstrating the adaptability and durability of the transition process. Navigating public perceptions and realities Despite its triumphs‚ Uruguay’s transformation experienced some pushback. Some individuals questioned why their energy bills have not decreased significantly despite the transition to renewable sources. Ramón Méndez Galain‚ undeterred by the objections‚ dismissed the narrative‚ emphasizing the broader positive influence. “We had 40 percent poverty; now it’s 10 percent‚ and extreme poverty has almost disappeared. People have access to amenities like air conditioning‚ increasing electricity consumption‚” Galain explains. Xavier Costantini of McKinsey‚ located in Montevideo‚ debunks the myth that renewable energy is free. While maintenance expenditures are relatively low‚ the initial investment must be repaid. Uruguay’s advantages‚ such as plentiful wind and hydropower‚ combined with political stability and strategic tax policies‚ aided its transition. However‚ Costantini claims that similar conditions exist elsewhere‚ citing Scotland’s hydropower potential in the UK. Lessons for the global transition Uruguay’s success story‚ while not a universal model‚ might provide useful lessons for other countries pursuing a renewable transition. Uruguay hopes to create a new pattern as it moves forward with its transformation‚ transitioning public transportation to electric vehicles. If successful‚ this project could serve as a model for other countries‚ demonstrating a practical strategy to decarbonizing economies. Uruguay’s continual efforts provide insight into the changing landscape of sustainable practices. As China expands into new territories as part of its green transition‚ the rest of the world watches in expectation‚ looking for inspiration and advice for their own sustainable energy transformations.The post How Uruguay achieved 98% renewable energy  first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Setting objectives in therapy can be challenging‚ but breaking them down into clear‚ attainable steps can be transformative. Therapy is a collaborative journey; while your therapist helps you‚ focusing on these little goals can lead to profound results. Acknowledging and navigating feelings According to Cassie Ekstrom‚ LCSW‚ merely noticing daily emotions—both emotional and physical—is an important first step. She offers the following advice: “Acknowledging what you’re feeling—emotionally and physically—on a daily basis is important‚ especially when starting therapy.” Beyond identification‚ it’s about learning to tolerate discomfort. Writing down your feelings or exploring them with guided questions might help you manage and understand them. Examining failures and mistakes healthily “It’s unproductive to dwell on past mistakes‚” says Weena Wise‚ LCFT. She suggests mindfulness and appreciation activities to move the attention away from regrets. Wise goes on to say‚ “Learning to reflect on [mistakes] in a productive‚ more compassionate way will help make goal setting truly successful in the future.” Recognize toxic influences It is critical to detach yourself from people who drain your emotional energy. According to Jaclyn Bsales‚ LCSW‚ “paying attention to how the people in your life make you feel is crucial.” Setting limits or even breaking ties with people who have a detrimental impact on your well-being might be a worthwhile goal for cultivating a healthy social circle. Establishing healthy boundaries “Boundaries aren’t just for toxic relationships; they’re crucial with close friends or partners too‚” says Adia Gooden‚ a professor of psychology. She advocates communicating clearly with loved ones‚ preserving balance‚ and mutual respect in partnerships. Expanding support networks “Having multiple confidantes to lean on when you’re struggling can provide you with different perspectives‚” says Stephanie Harimoto‚ LMFT. Collaborating with your therapist to strengthen existing friendships or form new ones can provide diverse viewpoints and emotional support. Cultivating self-compassion Matthew Braman‚ LCSW‚ emphasizes the value of self-compassion. He goes on to state‚ “Many people are taught how to love‚ respect‚ and have compassion for others‚ but unfortunately‚ they’re not taught to do the same for themselves.” Therapists might use mindfulness and cognitive behavioral strategies to silence the inner critic and promote a positive self-image. Balancing social media use “Especially with all of the challenges going on in the world‚ [too much] scrolling can have a very real impact on your mood‚” says Gavin Shafron‚ a psychologist. Setting screen time limitations and re-evaluating the influence of internet content on mood‚ sleep‚ and productivity can be important therapeutic goals. Remember‚ these changes do not occur overnight. With practice and direction from a trained therapist‚ even minor changes can lead to tremendous personal growth and well-being.The post 7 realistic therapy goals to kickstart your 2024 mental health journey first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

As the noise of resolutions heightens at the start of a new year‚ maybe God is inviting you to pause‚ listen‚ and walk at His pace. A new year doesn’t have to define you.