Kelley Stuart – Von Keller Blog https://www.blog.von-keller.org Von Keller News Blog Mon, 01 May 2023 15:17:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cropped-favicon-Von-Keller-blog-32x32.png Kelley Stuart – Von Keller Blog https://www.blog.von-keller.org 32 32 Global Pet Adoption by North Shore Animal League https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/global-pet-adoption-by-north-shore-animal-league/ https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/global-pet-adoption-by-north-shore-animal-league/#respond Mon, 01 May 2023 15:14:41 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/?p=1960

Global Pet Adoption by North Shore Animal League

From May 6 to 13, North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) will hold its 29th annual Global Pet Adoptathon at its site in Port Washington. The month-long initiative, in collaboration with Rachael Ray Nutrish, is dedicated to helping animals locally, nationally, and internationally find loving homes. In order to preserve the lives of homeless animals, more than 2,000 animal shelters and rescue organizations will also take part in the Global Pet Adoptathon throughout the month of May.

Finding caring, responsible homes for animals who have been rescued locally, nationally, and internationally is the main goal of this annual, month-long program. It also honors the committed global community that promotes and supports animal adoption and rescue.

The most variety and animals will be available for adoption at NSALA’s adoption facility thanks to the 2023 Global Pet Adoptathon. Numerous dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens of various breeds, ages, and sizes will be present.

The New York Mets mascot Mr. Met will make a special appearance on opening weekend, starting on Saturday, May 6, when NSALA will stage exciting events to kick off the occasion. May 6 and 7 will see an extension of hours.

Additionally, there will be interactive photo booths, outdoor activities like Jenga and corn hole, arts and crafts, food, and drinks. Additionally, there will be a dog park meet and greet for households welcoming new pets.

How does it work?

Animal League America promotes animal adoption as the most effective method of obtaining a pet by working with regional municipal animal care and control organizations, local and foster-based rescue organizations, and shelters of all sizes and locations.

Major cities (New Orleans, Houston, and Los Angeles) as well as smaller towns (Anderson, SC; Fayetteville, NC; and Prineville, OR) are home to the participating shelter partners. Each organization will commemorate the Global Pet Adoptathon with unique events, adoption incentives, and regional advertising.

Animal League America works together with each to get the support of the local media in spreading the word that adopting animals is the better alternative. Finding responsible, loving homes for thousands of abandoned animals is the shared objective of everyone working together.

For more information about Global Pet Adoptathon and to find a participating shelter, visit Animal League directly.

Source: PR Newswire

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

lady holding cat
]]> https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/global-pet-adoption-by-north-shore-animal-league/feed/ 0 JP Morgan is the Superhero of the Banking Crisis https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/jp-morgan-is-the-superhero-of-the-banking-crisis/ https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/jp-morgan-is-the-superhero-of-the-banking-crisis/#respond Mon, 01 May 2023 13:57:05 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/?p=1941

JP Morgan the Superhero of the Banking Crisis

JP Morgan Chase is buying First Republic Bank’s deposits, along with a “substantial amount of their assets and certain liabilities,” after the failing bank was placed in the FDIC’s receivership overnight. The Feds seize First Republic Bank, then sell it to JP Morgan Chase.

After seizing control of the troubled First Republic, the FDIC announced the transaction right away. The FDIC will lose $13 billion as a result of the disaster. The nation’s banks, which contribute to the agency by paying premiums, will pay that sum.

Following the weekend seizure of the troubled lender by regulators, JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) announced on Monday that it would purchase the majority of First Republic Bank’s (FRC.N) assets. This marks the third failure of a significant U.S. bank in the past two months.

However, the collapse of First Republic shows that the banking crisis is still ongoing. Following a period in which no banks failed in either 2021 or 2022, First Republic represents the third bank failure in the previous seven weeks.

Play Video

Details of the deal

While First Republic Bank’s corporate debt and preferred stock will not be accepted, JP Morgan, already the largest bank in the US, has entered into a loss-share agreement with the FDIC on single-family, residential, and commercial loans it purchased.

The agreement enables First Republic to fail in a controlled manner and spares authorities from having to guarantee all of the bank’s deposits, as they were forced to do when two other banks failed in March.

Last week, First Republic revealed that it had experienced more than $100 billion in outflows in the first quarter and was considering its alternatives, adding to the stress in the banking industry.

The failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March shocked the banking industry, and rival UBS had to step in and save Switzerland’s Credit Suisse (CSGN.S).

Prior to being suspended on Monday, premarket trading in First Republic shares fell 43.3%. This year, the value of the bank’s stock has dropped by 97%. Shares of JP Morgan climbed 2.7%.

Is the Fed rate the cause of this crisis?

Since last year, the U.S. Federal Reserve has steadily increased its benchmark interest rate, defying demands for a pause in the wake of the March banking crisis.

After the central bank’s two-day policy meeting on Wednesday, investors have priced in a 90% chance of another 25 basis point rate hike, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

Sources say JPMorgan was one of a number of prospective purchasers, along with PNC Financial Services Group (PNC.N) and Citizens Financial Group Inc. (CFG.N), that submitted final bids on Sunday in an auction held by American regulators.

A security officer walks outside of a First Republic Bank location in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 26, 2023.(JEFF CHIU/AP)

The bank takeover process

First Republic has been taken over, according to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and the FDIC will serve as its receiver.

The cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) was projected by the FDIC to be at $13 billion. The FDIC’s termination of the receivership will reveal the final price.

According to the statement, JPMorgan has taken over all of the bank’s deposits and will refund $25 billion of the $30 billion in deposits made by large banks with First Republic in March. JPMorgan, with headquarters in New York, will take on $173 billion in loans, $30 billion in securities, and $92 billion in deposits.

“Our government invited us and others to step up, and we did,” said Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chairman and CEO.

According to JPMorgan, it expects to make a one-time, post-tax gain of around $2.6 billion as a result of the transaction, which does not include an anticipated $2 billion in post-tax restructuring charges that are projected to occur over the next 18 months.

The 84 locations across eight states of the defunct bank will reopen as JPMorgan Chase Bank branches starting on Monday, it was noted.

Since 2021, JPMorgan has acquired more than 30 businesses in transactions worth more than $5 billion.

In recent years, American authorities have been reluctant to sanction significant bank mergers, even though the Biden administration has been tough on anti-competitive behavior.

The Fed increased its target rate by more than 400 basis points in 2022, and most of this was due to an increase in the natural interest rate, which in turn was due to a previous easy money policy’s acceleration of nominal gross domestic product (NGDP) growth.

Source: Reuter, YouTube

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

]]> https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/jp-morgan-is-the-superhero-of-the-banking-crisis/feed/ 0 Data from satellites Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon has decreased since last year. https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/data-from-satellites-deforestation-in-brazils-amazon-has-decreased-since-last-year/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:18:15 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/?p=1712

Data from satellites Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon has decreased since last year.

According to preliminary satellite data collected by the government’s space research agency Inpe, 167 square kilometers (64 square miles) were cleared in the region last month, down 61% from January 2022, the worst month in the eight-year series.

Deforestation in January was also lower than the 196 square km historical average for the month since 2016, though January data can be especially noisy due to heavy clouds over the rainforest early in the year. The new figures came after Reuters exclusively reported on that the US was considering making its first contribution to a multilateral fund aimed at combating Amazon deforestation, with an announcement possible during President Joe Biden’s meeting with Lula at the White House.

An aerial view shows a boundary demarcation area at the Arara indigenous reserve during an operation to combat deforestation near Uruara, Para State, Brazil January 21, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

Healthy vegetation sits alongside a field scorched by fire in the Amazon rainforest in 2019. Leonardo Carrato/Bloomberg

Play Video about An aerial view shows a deforested area during an operation to combat deforestation at the Cachoeira Seca indigenous reserve, in Uruara, Para State, Brazil January 19, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Source: Reuter

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

deforestation Brazil
]]> Conservation Activist in Ghana Suing the Government to Protect the forest from Mining https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/conservation-activist-in-ghana-suing-the-government-to-protect-the-forest-from-mining/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:20:22 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/?p=1690

Environmental activist groups in Ghana are suing the government to prevent mining in the forest.

In response to mounting requests for more nature reserves to tackle climate change, environmental activists have filed a lawsuit against the government of Ghana to stop a proposed mining project in a protected national forest that they claim threatens their health and wellbeing.

The proposed mine in Ghana’s Atewa Range Forest is a component of a $2 billion agreement with China under which the latter will receive access to bauxite, which is used to create aluminum, in exchange for funding infrastructure initiatives in Ghana like roads and bridges.

About the Atewa Forest

The Atewa Range Forest Reserve in Ghana’s eastern region is internationally recognized as one of the most important ecosystems in West Africa due to its high species diversity, rare species, and hydrological importance. In 1926, the forest was designated as a National Forest Reserve, then as a Special Biological Protection Area in 1994, a Hill Sanctuary in 1995, and one of Ghana’s 30 Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) in 1999. It is also designated as a Critical Bird Area.

The forest ranges in elevation from 300 to 800 meters. The highest parts are frequently shrouded in mist and clouds, resulting in a distinct flora and trees dripping with epiphytic mosses and lichens. Shade-bearing herbs cover the ground where the tree canopy remains intact.

Atewa forest contains at least 1100 plant species, 56 of which are threatened with extinction and many of which are endemic to the Upper Guinea ecoregion (humid forests west of Togo/Benin) with highly localised distributions. Butterfly diversity is also high – the highest of any site in West Africa – with over 700 species thought to exist, including two unique to this forest (Mylothis atewa and Anthene helpsi). Amphibians include 40 species, one-third of which are threatened. conraua derooi, a critically cndangered cogo clippery frog, has a stronghold in the Atewa Forest.

What is Bauxite?

Aluminum’s primary raw material is bauxite. Almost all of the aluminum produced in history has been extracted from bauxite. Although the United States has a few small bauxite deposits, at least 99% of the bauxite used in the country is imported. The US is also a significant importer of aluminum metal.

Bauxite is a non-mineral. It is a rock made up primarily of aluminum-bearing minerals. It forms when laterite soils in a wet tropical or subtropical climate are severely leached of silica and other soluble materials.

Why would the government allow this mining from China?

The proposed mining for Aluminum in Ghana’s Atewa Range Forest is a component of a $2 billion agreement with China under which the latter will receive access to bauxite,  in exchange for funding infrastructure initiatives in Ghana like roads and bridges.

The Ghanaian government, through the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH) and the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA), is attempting to combine the well-known, traditional method of road construction and rehabilitation with the new concept of output and performance-based road contracting (OPRC) for the management and maintenance of selected highways and feeder roads in the country’s Brong-Ahafo, Northern, and Upper East regions.

Local Ghanian advocacy groups complaints

According to their lawyer, seven local advocacy groups and four citizens claim that mining in the forest violates their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment, as well as their right to protect it for future generations.

The government of Ghana’s spokesman did not respond immediately to requests for comment, and the state-owned Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) declined to comment.

President Nana Akufo-Addo has previously stated that bauxite can be extracted without causing harm to wildlife, and GIADEC has promised that the expanding bauxite industry will create 35,000 jobs.

Is this deforestation of the northern region?

Experts estimate that at least a million species will become extinct in the next few decades, and the United Nations wants governments to support plans to conserve 30% of the earth’s surface by 2030 at its Biodiversity Convention next year in China.

Local groups across Africa are becoming more confident in using the courts to pursue grievances against mining companies, as they balance the need to boost job creation and economic growth with the preservation of their diminishing forest cover.

According to the U.S.-based Global Forest Watch, Ghana experienced a 60% increase in primary forest loss between 2017 and 2018, the highest increase in any tropical country, with trees lost due to illegal mining, logging, and expanding cocoa farms.

A 90 km away capital city, Accra, receives water from three major rivers that originate in the Atewa forest, which is also home to uncommon plants and animals.

Since 2017, protests, an online petition with nearly 30,000 signatures, a billboard outside the presidential palace, and backing from celebrity environmentalist and actor Leonardo DiCaprio on Twitter calling for the mining to be halted.

Bulldozers have already started cutting routes through the woodland, despite the protesters’ calls for it to be transformed into a national park.

Play Video
Source: Reuters

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

]]> World Water Day: The power of water https://www.blog.von-keller.org/news/conservation/world-water-day-what-to-know-about-the-water-crisis/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:07:23 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/2017/12/25/world-water-day-what-to-know-about-the-water-crisis/

World Water Day: The power of water

Water is central to sustainable development because it is necessary for socioeconomic development, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems, and human survival. Water is also central to climate change adaptation, acting as a vital link between society and the environment.

As the world’s population grows, there is a greater need to balance competing commercial demands on water resources so that communities have enough for their needs. Women and girls, in particular, must have access to clean, private sanitation facilities in order to manage menstruation and maternity in dignity and safety.

Water unites all aspects of life. Access to safe water and sanitation can quickly transform problems into opportunities, giving people more time for school and work and contributing to better health for women, children, and families all over the world. Today, 771 million people (one in ten) do not have access to safe drinking water, and 1.7 billion people (one in four) do not have access to a toilet.

Is a global health crisis caused by a lack of water?

Water unites all aspects of life. Access to safe water and sanitation can quickly transform problems into opportunities, giving people more time for school and work and contributing to better health for women, children, and families all over the world. Today, 771 million people (one in ten) do not have access to safe drinking water, and 1.7 billion people (one in four) do not have access to a toilet.

Water cannot be considered in isolation from sanitation at the community scale. They are critical for reducing the global burden of the disease and improving population health, education, and economic productivity.

  • 2.2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water services
  • (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
  • Almost 2 billion people rely on health-care facilities that do not provide basic water services. (World Health Organization/UNICEF 2020)
  • Over half of the world’s population, or 4.2 billion people, do not have access to safe sanitation services. 2019 (WHO/UNICEF)
  • Every year, 297,000 children under the age of five die from diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor sanitation, poor hygiene, or unsafe drinking water. 2019 (WHO/UNICEF)
  • 2 billion people live in countries with severe water scarcity. (UN 2019)
  • Weather-related disasters from climate change, such as floods and droughts, account for 90% of all natural disasters. (UNISDR)
  • Almost all water, (80% )of wastewater is discharged into the environment without being treated or reused. UNESCO (2017a)
  • A cooperative management framework does not exist for roughly two-thirds of the world’s transboundary rivers. (SIWI)
  • Out dated agriculture practices is responsible for 70% of global water withdrawal.

How do a lack of water affect kids in developing regions?

Globally, more than 1.42 billion people, including 450 million children, live in areas of high, or extremely high, water vulnerability, according to a new analysis released by UNICEF. This means that 1 in 5 children worldwide does not have enough water to meet their everyday needs.

The study, which is part of the “Water Security for All” initiative, identifies areas where physical water scarcity risks intersect with inadequate water service levels. These communities rely on surface water, unimproved sources, or water that can take more than 30 minutes to collect. This is a basic essential to life. We can build oil pipelines all over the world, but our children still have to walk to get water to eat, shower, and drink.

Water stress has been exacerbated by decades of mismanagement, poor management, over-extraction of groundwater, and contamination of freshwater supplies. Simultaneously, water demand is increasing due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and increased water needs from a variety of sectors. Water stress is being exacerbated by climate change and extreme weather events. The resulting impact on children’s health, development, and safety jeopardizes decades of significant progress in child survival and sustainable development. It endangers children’s lives today and threatens future generations.

What effect does water have on the climate?

Water stress has been magnified by decades of poor management, poor management, over-extraction of groundwater, and contamination of freshwater supplies. Simultaneously, water demand is increasing due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and increased water needs from a variety of sectors. Water stress is being amplified by warming temperatures and severe weather events. The resulting impact on children’s health, development, and safety jeopardizes decades of significant progress in child survival and sustainable development. It endangers children’s lives today and threatens future generations.

  1. Extreme weather events and changes in water cycle patterns are making access to safe drinking water more difficult, particularly for the most vulnerable children.

    Between 2001 and 2018, 74% of natural disasters, including droughts and floods, were water-related. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of such events.
  2. Around 450 million children live in areas with a high or incredibly high risk of flooding. This means they don’t have enough water to meet their daily requirements.
  3. When natural disasters strike, they can destroy or contaminate entire water supplies, increasing the risk of diseases such as cholera and typhoid, to which children are especially vulnerable.
  4. Rising temperatures can cause deadly pathogens to grow in freshwater sources, making the water unsafe to drink.
  5. Major water pollution endangers the lives of children. Water and sanitation-related diseases are among the leading causes of death among children under the age of five.
  6. Rising sea levels are causing fresh water to become salty, threatening the water resources on which millions rely.
  7. Adapting to climate change’s water effects will protect children’s health and save their lives. Water efficiency and the transition to solar-powered water systems will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and further safeguard children’s futures.

The world needs to become more water-savvy. Everyone has a part to play, and we can’t afford to waste time.

Source: UNICEF

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

]]> A New EPA “Good Neighbor” Rule Seeks to Reduce Power Plant Downwind Emissions. https://www.blog.von-keller.org/sustainable-energy/good-neighbor-rule-for-power-plants/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 01:56:54 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/?p=1653

A New EPA "Good Neighbor" Rule Seeks to Reduce Power Plant Downwind Emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new “good neighbor” rule that limits smokestack emissions from factories and other industrial sources that burden nearby neighborhoods with uncontrollable smog-causing pollutants. To enhance the quality of the air for millions of people living in areas downwind, nearly two dozen states will need to reduce dangerous industrial emissions of nitrogen oxide and other pollutants.

According to the EPA, the final rule, which went into effect on Wednesday, will avert millions of asthma attacks, thousands of deaths, and tens of thousands of hospital admissions. It will also cut down on sick days.

“Every neighborhood deserves to breathe clean air. The EPA Administrator, Michael Regan, stated that “we are aware that air pollution does not stop at state lines.

Power plants must comply with the rule by May, “locking in major emission reductions to ensure cleaner air and providing public health safeguards for individuals who have suffered far too long from air-quality related damage and illness,” according to Regan. In 2026, the restrictions on industrial locations go into force.

In addition to rules on wastewater pollution, mercury and air toxics, and rules anticipated on greenhouse gas emissions, the cross-state pollution rule “makes it impossible for utilities to make decisions based on the merits of what keeps the lights on, forcing those utilities to make decisions solely based on the EPA’s agenda,” Bernstein said.

Watch: Environmental: Proposed Changes to Protect American Families& Drinking Water.

According to the EPA, the rule offers power facilities choice in how to comply, including using scrubbers and established carbon trading systems.

Due to competition from cheap and readily available natural gas, falling prices for renewable energy, and environmental laws, the amount of electricity generated from coal in the United States has significantly decreased over the previous 15 years. According to the Energy Information Administration, many facilities have been shut down, and another 23% of the nation’s operating coal-powered fleet is planned to retire by 2029.

More than 123 million people lived in counties that frequently encountered dangerous ozone levels, according to a 2021 report by the lung association. By bringing on more hot, bright days that are ideal for raising ozone levels, climate change will probably make the issue worse.

Source: EPA.GOV

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

]]> Environmental: Proposed Changes to Protect American Families Drinking Water. https://www.blog.von-keller.org/food-health/environmental-proposed-changes-to-protect-american-families-drinking-water/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 00:46:41 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/?p=1618

Environmental: Proposed Changes to Protect American Families' Drinking Water.

The EPA is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water are more dangerous than previously thought, posing health risks even at levels so low that they cannot currently be detected, coined “Forever Chemicals”

Although PFOA and PFOS have been voluntarily phased out by American manufacturers, there are still certain uses for the chemicals, and because they do not degrade over time, they are still present in the environment. The substances are a subset of PFAS, a wider group of “forever chemicals” that have been present in industrial and consumer items since the 1940s.

This Monday, the EPA released a “quasi” health recommendations, replacing 2016 standards that had placed the health risk levels for PFOA and PFOS at 70 parts per trillion. Products including cardboard packing, carpets, and firefighting foam contain the chemicals.

What are PFOA, PFOS, and PFAS?

Both PFOA and PFOS… the man-made substances that were once employed in the production of many different consumer goods. While they temporarily ease life, they have severe negative long-term implications on both human and environmental health.

Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate–more commonly referred to as PFOA and PFOS, respectively–are fluorinated organic compounds that are part of larger group of compounds known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These synthetic compounds are notorious for not being affected by lipids or water. PFOA and PFOS were widely employed to coat goods that were intended to be stain-resistant, waterproof, or non-stick (like DuPont’s Teflon) once production ramped up in the 1950s. While being practical, these highly fluorinated chemicals are linked to some major health issues. The fact that they linger in the environment for a very, very long time only serves to exacerbate their harmful impact on human health.

The will “Never Break Down”  in the environment at all.

PFOA and PFOS in our Drinking Water

In 2016, PFOA contamination was discovered in 1% of samples taken from public drinking water systems around the country. Despite this, PFOA and PFOS levels in drinking water are not officially regulated by the EPA. The EPA did issue temporary health advisories for the substances in 2009.

For PFOS and PFOA in public water systems, the EPA upgraded the 2009 standards with lifelong health advisories in 2016. 

Nico De Pasquale Photography / Getty Images

It informed towns that it was unsafe for drinking water sources to include levels of PFOA and PFOS (combined) above 70 ppt.

According to epidemiological data in human populations and ongoing research on laboratory animals, the EPA has hypothesized that exposure to PFOA and PFOS above a threshold may have the following effects on human health:

  • Effects on development
  • Cancer
  • Liver injury
  • autoimmune diseases
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Heart-related issues

How has Europe made similar changes?

There European started making similar changes back in 2020 as follows:

  • 2020 saw the revision of the EU’s Drinking Water Directive to limit total PFAS to 500 ng/l.
  • The EU will prohibit the use of all PFAS in firefighting foams and other applications, only allowing their use in situations where they are actually necessary for society.
  • In order to work on PFAS remediation, the EU has asked for proposals under the Green Deal and is providing subsidies to encourage research.
    According to research conducted in the UK between 2014 and 2019 on lakes, rivers, groundwaters, estuaries, and coastal waters, PFAS are widely distributed in English surface and groundwaters.
  • According to the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate’s findings, there have been no notifications of PFAS levels in drinking water that are higher than recommended.
    PFAS are often examined using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.
  • Fluoride-containing compound screening can be done using combustion ion chromatography.
  • See more.

What is next?

With federal financial support, water companies that provide services to urban regions should be able to spread out costs with the aid of the federal government in a manner similar to that of an advocacy group that works to remove dangerous substances from food, water, clothing, and other products. There are currently PFAS drinking water limitations in place in a number of states. 

The House passed legislation that would mandate the EPA to establish discharge limits for a number of companies suspected of discharging PFAS into the water and create a national threshold for PFAS in drinking water. In the Senate, the bill is deadlocked.

Source: Travis Long / Associated Press

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

Photo:Damir Mijailovic Pexel

]]> Meat vs. Plant Protein: 7 Comparisons https://www.blog.von-keller.org/food-health/meat-vs-plant-protein-7-comparisons/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:59:33 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/2017/12/26/getting-enough-protien/

Meat vs. Plant Protein: 7 Comparisons

When researchers compared the nutritional profiles of plants and meat, the results were astounding. Astonishingly, plants are just as good as meat for protein, but plants have additional health benefits from phyto- and micronutrients that you may not be aware of.

 

string bean, beans, assortment-3861864.jpg
beef, bowl, cooking-1846030.jpg

Ground Beef vs. Black Beans

GROUND BEEF: 3 oz = 22g protein   |  BLACK BEANS: 1.5 cups = 22.5g protein

Beef and beans are befitting adversaries in the “which has the most protein” contest. When the environmental and nutritional impact of the two are compared, black beans win hands down for being easier on the Earth, easier on the body, easier to prepare and eat, and providing more nutritional benefit than a hamburger patty.

anacardium, cashew, cashew nuts-3523449.jpg
steak, beef steak, fillet-4394612.jpg

Steak vs. Cashews

STEAK: 4 oz = 40g protein CASHEWS: 1 cup = 40g protein

It appears unlikely that a cup of cashew nuts could contain the same amount of protein as a 4oz steak. But it’s true. Not only that, but cashews have a high nutritional value with 83 milligrams of magnesium, 168 milligrams of phosphorus, and 187 milligrams of potassium per ounce.

pumpkin seeds, snack, food-5612187.jpg
turkey, roast, meal-315079.jpg

Turkey vs. Pumpkin Seeds

TURKEY: 3 oz = 26gram of  protein – PUMPKIN SEEDS: ¾ cup = 30g protein

When we compared pumpkin seeds to turkey meat, we found that a mere handful contains more glutamate, zinc, and phytosterols than turkey. When it comes to protein, both are comparable, but why not load up on copper, manganese, phosphorous, vitamin K, E, and B while you’re at it? Pumpkin seeds are far more efficient to grow than turkey seeds and are far less harmful to the environment.

White Meat Chicken vs. Lentil Beans

CHICKEN: 3 oz = 26gram of  protein – LENTIL BEANS:1.5 cup = 27g protein

A small 1.5 cup serving of lentils contains the same amount of protein as a 3 oz chicken breast, but lentils also contain dietary fiber, copper, phosphorus, and manganese that you cannot get from meat. To easily replace the chicken on Meatless Monday, look for veggie patties made from lentils at your local health food store.

Salmon Fish vs. Peanut Butter

Salmon 3 oz = 23 gram of  protein – Nut Butter:  .5 cup = 32g protein

Salmon and peanuts are both high in Omega-6 fatty acids and potassium and are both excellent sources of protein. One tablespoon of peanut butter contains 8g of protein, making it a popular pick-me-up snack for athletes. It’s common to mistake the peanut for a nut, but it’s actually a legume, and as a legume, it’s high in dietary fiber, bone-building magnesium, and skin-smoothing Vitamin E.

meat
green-spirulina-smoothie-featured-1

Tilapia vs. Spirulina

TILAPIA 3.5 oz = 22 gram of  protein – SPIRULINA  .5 cup = 20g protein

Both are high in protein and come from the ocean, but the ancient blue-green algae may actually help remove toxins like arsenic with every spoonful. Spirulina contains 8 essential amino acids and is high in potassium, calcium, and zinc. It is a natural detoxifier and anti-inflammatory that requires no preparation. Add it to salad dressings and smoothies.

Pork vs. Split Peas

PORK 4 oz = 30 gram of  protein – SPLIT PEAS:  2 cup = 30 g protein

 

Pork and peas match up pretty well. Peas contain 16g of dietary fiber per cup and are high in potassium, magnesium, and iron. They’ve recently gained popularity as a base protein for plant-based protein powders.

Source: Pexel.com

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

]]> Is It Safe to Work Out While Pregnant?​ https://www.blog.von-keller.org/food-health/is-it-safe-to-work-out-while-pregnant/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:19:36 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/2017/12/26/safe-exercises-during-pregnancy/

Is It Safe to Work Out While Pregnant?

pregnant woman practicing yoga and keeping an eye on her heart rate while exercising

During pregnancy, your body undergoes numerous changes to support the growth of your baby. They can cause fatigue and aches and pains, so it makes sense why many pregnant women may be hesitant to expend any of their energy on exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, working out during pregnancy has many benefits, including a lower risk of gestational diabetes and reduced backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling.

Is it necessary to keep your heart rate under 140 beats per minute while pregnant?

“The 140-beat-per-minute limit is an outdated number,” says Rachel Trotta, a NASM-certified personal trainer who specializes in pre- and post-natal fitness. So the answer is no.

According to Megan Gray, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist at Orlando Health Physician Associates, these guidelines were once the norm because it was thought that raising your heart rate too high could affect blood flow and oxygen levels for your baby. However, she claims that there isn’t enough research to make a recommendation for an ideal heart rate while exercising during pregnancy.

Source: WebMD

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

]]> Silicon Valley Bank Collapses: Could Mean Big Changes for the Banking Industry https://www.blog.von-keller.org/finance/silicon-valley-bank-collapsed/ Mon, 13 Mar 2023 20:34:06 +0000 https://www.blog.von-keller.org/authors/russia-is-likely-using-the-assault-on-bakhmut-to-degrade-wagner-forces-in-order-to-weaken-its-founder-western-analysis-finds/

Silicon Valley Bank Collapses: Could Mean Big Changes for the Banking Industry

The Silicon Valley Bank collapsed with astounding speed and seemingly without warning. The bank had been in business for just over a year when it went bankrupt, leaving countless customers and employees stranded.

What caused the Silicon Valley Bank to fail?

The cause of the Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse is still unknown, but it is likely that the bank was not adequately prepared for the rapidly changing financial landscape. The bank was founded just over a year ago and was quickly overwhelmed by the competition.

This is not the first time a new bank has failed in Silicon Valley. In fact, the region has a long history of banking failures.

Who is this Bank?

Silicon Valley Bank is a regional bank that serves the Silicon Valley area. The bank was founded in 1906 and has since grown to be one of the largest banks in the region. Silicon Valley Bank offers a wide range of services, including personal and commercial banking, mortgage lending, and wealth management. The bank has a strong focus on customer service and offers a variety of financial products and services to its customers. Silicon Valley Bank is a member of the FDIC and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

The shocking truth behind its collapse!

SVB experienced an unexpected, abrupt collapse after a two day period in which customers withdrew their deposits in what is termed as a “bank run.”

The roots of SVB’s demise can be traced back to the Federal Reserve’s recent tightening of monetary policy. With their aggressive interest rate hikes, investors have had to pay more when borrowing money. This in turn has increased the burden on tech start-ups who struggle to raise new venture capital funding, and as a result are relying more heavily on deposits held by SVB. These economic factors coupled with rising rates causing a decrease in bond portfolio yields—which were averaging 1.79% last week compared to the 10-year Treasury yield of around 3.9%, according to Reuters—contributed significantly towards the closure of this well-known business.

Several years ago, SVB decided to allocate billions of dollars into US government bonds in an attempt to make money from the near-zero interest rate environment. However, when the Federal Reserve raised rates aggressively in order to tame inflation, this bet backfired. As a result, the value of their bond portfolio dropped and the yield fell below the 10-year Treasury yield. Further compounding the damage done was that startups had to pay higher borrowing costs, resulting in them drawing down on deposits held with SVB for funding operations and growth.

The final trigger for bank customers

SVB’s financial issues stem from prior investments, leading to a deposit run when they announced they were selling securities at a loss, and also issuing $2.25 billion in new shares. This was necessary to make up for the shortfall in their finances.

That sentiment set off panic among customers, who decided remove their money very quickly.

Will this the start of the 2023 bank crisis?

There is a lot of talk about the possibility of a bank crisis in the near future. This is because the world economy is slowly recovering from covid-19, but there are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed. One issue that is causing a lot of concern is the fact that there are a lot of loans that are not being repaid. This is causing a lot of banks to go into debt, and this is leading to a lot of problems.

If the bank crisis in the 2023 does happen, it will be a huge problem. This is because a lot of people will lose a lot of money, and the world economy will be slowed down even more.

In support of U.S. businesses and households, the Federal Reserve Board announced Sunday it will make additional funds available to eligible depository institutions. This is part of an effort to further secure deposits and maintain the reliability of banking systems in providing money and credit to consumers. The goal is to give banks the flexibility they need in servicing their customers’ monetary needs.

Source: CNN, Federal Reserve Press Release

Von Keller Blog is an informational website with public news, company insights and reports of our companies events, news, press and blogging. Let’s Chat.

]]>