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Leading global relief organizations have collaborated on a significant report that forecasts populations that have become casualties of armed conflict, that will be on the brink of annihilation in 2020 without necessary intervention and assistance.

A recent United Nations report also underscored multiple drivers of humanitarian crises. Armed conflict has driven a record 71 million people from their homes. More than half of the 50 countries with the most displacements were affected by both conflict and natural disaster. Eight of the worst food crises in the world are linked to both conflict and climate shocks. Hunger is rising and it is driven largely by conflict. Two-thirds of the 74 million people suffering from acute hunger in the world live in 21 countries and territories affected by conflict and insecurity.

The countries on the 2020 Watch List include war-torn Yemen; the Democratic Republic of Congo, where militia violence is hindering the response to end the Ebola outbreak; a number of perils facing Central America; extremist attacks in West Africa’s Sahel; violent protests in Iraq; South Sudan, recovering from years of civil war; and the continuing crisis in Venezuela.

Nongovernmental organizations are challenged to employ new, imaginative and innovative approaches to be able to impact this poverty and human suffering. They need to build their capacity to work in conflict-ridden, hostile environments, which is where the extremely poor in most need of assistance are. There are now record numbers of refugees and internally displaced who are fleeing from conflicts that are lasting longer. This calls for development approaches and longer-lasting solutions that include new partners, including the private sector. It will become vital to include local partners who best know the social and political context of their communities.

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The 2020 Early Warning Forecast of Urgent Global Humanitarian Crises
Baltimore, Maryland

Lutheran World Relief and IMA World Health have released the 2020 Early Warning Forecast of regions they are monitoring for potential or worsening humanitarian crises over the coming year: Casualties of Conflict: 7 Urgent Humanitarian Crises. Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard, president & CEO, noted that "the humanitarian outlook for 2020 and beyond forecasts a situation that is both complex and insecure, even as global development gains bring millions out of extreme poverty. "The causes and conditions of extreme poverty are rarely limited to a single factor," he said. "Rather, the world's most vulnerable people live in a complex context, often in fragile or failing states, where political and social systems that might offer protection have broken down. And increasingly, the common underlying denominator is violent conflict."

Working in these complex humanitarian contexts presents a number of challenges for international NGOs working to eliminate poverty and ease human suffering. "We will need to employ new, imaginative and innovative approaches if we hope to make an impact," Speckhard said. "We are going to have to build our capacity to work in conflict-ridden, hostile environments, because that's where the extremely poor who most need assistance are going to be.
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Hemp-based Products to Grow in Popularity in 2020
New Delhi, India

Hemp is a variety of Cannabis plant whose stalk and seeds can be utilized to make paper, garments, sugars, bundling material, and a lot of other things but opposite to the popular misconception, it can't get an individual 'high'.

Recently, Indian government has legalized the production of industrial hemp in Uttrakhand, due to which the hemp business have soared and hemp-based products have gained popularity. Looking at the current consumption rates, it is only logical to say that hemp industry is likely to rise in the year 2020. This will be easier as hemp industry start-ups like that of the Health Horizons have started to educate people about the facts and misconceptions. The company's main aim is to enlighten people about the differences between hemp and marijuana, and introduce them to the benefits of this non-psychedelic variety.

Rohit Shah, one of the directors at the Health Horizons explained that marijuana (a.k.a pot/ganja/weed) and hemp are cousins. These are two types of Cannabis Sativa and not the same thing. The part of cannabis that causes uncanny happiness or a drifting inclination/ euphoria is THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is heavily present in marijuana. But, hemp does not have any critical measure of THC, just approximately 0.3 percent, which is insufficient to cause a high. Rather, it comprises of various other parts that are valuable economically and health-wise.

The hemp business is undoubtedly on the ascent. Its reputation in the market has improved as the advantages of the plant have become better known. An ever increasing number of organizations and individuals are becoming aware of how hemp is different from marijuana. Further, with the legalization of producing industrial hemp, a number of business-oriented individuals are looking at it as viable business. Rohit also shed light on their expansion plans to add hemp-based clothing into their product line. He told us that the Health Horizons witnessed a significant increase in the sales of hemp seeds by the end of the year and this has given them hope that their efforts to shatter the stigmas around hemp consumption have been fruitful.
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Holistic Pet Experts Kick Off 2020 With West Coast Educational Tour
Toronto, Canada

Thousands of animals lose their lives every year from over prescribing of toxic and often unnecessary prescription medications. In an effort to stop this needless suffering, three trusted holistic pet care experts are joining forces to sponsor a FREE educational tour of the West Coast from Jan. 2 through Feb. 10.

The tour marks the launch of the alliance between Angela Ardolino, medical cannabis expert and founder of CBD Dog Health, Deb Gwynn, certified herbalist, founder of Glacier Peak Holistics, and Julie Anne Lee, DCH, founder of Adored Beast Apothecary. Together, these pet-care powerhouses plan to save as many animals as possible by producing educational programming to empower pet parents about healing their pets with natural and proven methods. The tour includes sessions throughout California and Nevada with the CBD Dog Health education team, which includes Ardolino, CBD Dog Health co-owner, Hernando Umana, and director of education Carter Easler.

"We have traveled the East Coast educating as many people as possible on how to care for their pets naturally," says Ardolino. "It seemed only right to band together to bring natural relief to as many animals as possible. We will teach the power of cannabis, safe use of essential herbs and oils for pets, and will share information about earth elements and minerals."
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Persistent organic pollutants in maternal blood linked to smaller fetal size, NIH study suggests
Bethseda, Maryland

Pregnant women exposed to persistent organic pollutants, or POPs, had slightly smaller fetuses than women who haven't been exposed to these chemicals, according to an analysis of ultrasound scans by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The researchers also found that the women in their study had lower levels of POPs than women in the 2003-2004 U.S. Health and Nutrition Survey, the most recent comprehensive study of these compounds in U.S. pregnant women. The latest findings suggest that the chemicals, which are no longer produced in the United States but persist in the environment, may have lasting health effects even at low levels.

The study appears in JAMA Pediatrics and was conducted by Pauline Mendola, Ph.D., an investigator in the Epidemiology Branch at NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and colleagues.

Persistent organic pollutants are chemicals once used in agriculture, disease control, manufacturing, and industrial processes. They include the pesticide DDT and dioxin, a byproduct of herbicide production and paper bleaching. POPs are slow to break down, may persist in water and air, and may be passed through the food chain. Their health effects vary, but some compounds have been linked to reproductive disorders and a higher risk of birth defects.
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Duke Energy, North Carolina regulators and environmentalists reach agreement to permanently close all remaining ash basins in North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina

In a major achievement that puts the coal ash debate to rest in North Carolina, state regulators, community groups and Duke Energy have agreed to a plan to permanently close the company's remaining nine coal ash basins in the state, primarily by excavation with ash moved to lined landfills.

The agreement announced by Duke Energy, North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and groups represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) details a reasonable and prudent plan for basin closure that continues to protect people, communities and the environment with a keen focus on investing for the future and our shared clean energy vision. This plan is consistent with the approach Duke Energy is taking to close ash basins in South Carolina and benefits customers and communities in both states.

"This agreement significantly reduces the cost to close our coal ash basins in the Carolinas for our customers, while delivering the same environmental benefits as full excavation," said Stephen De May, North Carolina president, Duke Energy. "We are fully focused on these important activities and building a clean energy future for the Carolinas."
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Investing in health workers yields ‘triple dividend', WHO chief says in New Year's message
New York, New York

“They are doing life-saving work every day, including during holidays when the rest of us are with our loved ones at home”, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), in his video message for the new year. “But the world needs to do a better job in supporting our health workers, paying them, training them and protecting them”. WHO estimates that the world will need another 18 million health workers, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. He recalled that 2020 is the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, which celebrates the professionals who provide a wide range of health services “from the first moments of life to the last”.

There are 22 million nurses and two million midwives worldwide, who prevent, diagnose and treat diseases, provide expert care during childbirth and also serve people caught in humanitarian emergencies and conflicts, according to WHO. “During this year, WHO and our partners will ask countries to improve the education and employment of nurses and midwives”, said the WHO chief. He also observed that 70 per cent of the global health workforce is female, pointing out that “jobs for health workers are often jobs for women”.
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Colorado's Wild Animal Sanctuary Rescues a Record 204 Animals in 2019
Keenesburg, Colorado

Capping off a year with an already record number of animals rescued from abuse and neglect, an additional three tigers and two black bears arrived at their new Colorado home on December 29 from a failed facility in Texas.

Bringing the total number of animals rescued by The Wild Animal Sanctuary in 2019 to 204, the five new residents can look forward to a life free from human exploitation while living in large, natural habitats. For the bears that means a life of roaming free with other rescued bears on 250 acres of forested land at the Sanctuary's secondary location, The Wild Animal Refuge, in southern Colorado.

Of note were 24 animals rescued from a roadside zoo in Virginia in August, including three tigers, two lions and two Asiatic Black Bears; 16 animals from the Wildlife Waystation in California, including 10 bears and three hyenas; a total of 13 bears from two zoos in Argentina, three of which are rare Spectacled Bears. It is the first time the bears have felt natural substrate under their feet. The largest rescue took place in January when 131 animals were removed from a dire hoarding situation in Ordway, Colorado. In all, a total of 31 bears of various species were given a new lease on life by the Sanctuary, with most of them being rehomed at the Refuge.
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Loro Parque Foundation Saves 10 Species of Parrots From Total Extinction in the Wild
Tenerife, Spain

This year, as part of the celebration of its 25th anniversary, Loro Parque Foundation has managed to add to its list of species saved from extinction the Grey-Breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus), native to Brazil. With this success, the Foundation celebrates that it has already prevented the disappearance of 10 species of parrots thanks to its longstanding involvement with in and ex situ protection and conservation projects.

Parrots rest on the tree branches Parrots rest on the tree branches The Grey-Breasted Parakeet, originally from the Baturité Mountains, was an endangered species because of the illegal captures designated for the pet trade and the lack of suitable nesting sites. However, the alliance between the Loro Parque Foundation and the organisation AQUASIS has strengthened the work of renowned biologist Fabio Nunes and his team in the area, where they have managed to enumerate over 1,000 chicks born in artificial nests.

This incredible result has to do precisely with the placement of these artificial nests and their monitoring since 2010, despite the difficulties encountered during the process, such as protection against predators.

One of the ways of observing and understanding the habits of this species, little known in the past, has been an active presence in the field, which has allowed specialists to obtain a large amount of very important scientific information including for other projects of similar characteristics.

Furthermore, the tagging work has been fundamental, because it enables the gathering of data on the movement and distribution (through their banding) of the parakeets, which are able to hide very well amongst the vegetation. In addition, key in this process has been the creation of protected areas, which are recognized by the local population.
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Author, Inspirational Leader and Life-Coach Trina L. Martin Releases Book: 'From a Mess to Amazing: 7 Steps to Create the Life You Deserve'
Houston, Texas

Thirty-year Navy veteran Trina L. Martin's new book, "From a Mess to Amazing," draws from a lifetime of personal and professional experiences to help readers break the chains of the past and move into a better, more secure future. Including a fully workable program of Trina's signature life-lessons, "From a Mess to Amazing" illustrates how to establish autonomy and power by dissolving the burdens of the past, while cultivating the psychological healing power of renewed self-esteem.

"From a Mess to Amazing" begins by asking a few simple, but important questions: How do people keep calm and stable, when they feel like such a mess inside? And how do people begin to navigate through their daily doubts and feelings of hopelessness while wrestling with the painful legacies of a terrible past? Trina addresses these questions as she shares her own life struggles, relating how she overcame a succession of abusive relationships, battered confidence and broken self-esteem -- before presenting a comprehensive, yet easy-to-follow roadmap that leads back to self-love, joy and true freedom.

Trina's inspirational personal stories and clear advice help readers to understand who they are -- finally realizing that they do not have to be defined by their mistakes. Trina teaches people to change their negative thinking, dissolve bitterness and resentment, and begin loving themselves as worthy recipients and in alignment with their God-given destiny.
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Top Mindfulness Trends for 2020
Orlando, Florida

Mindfulness has become mainstream in the past decade gracing the covers of magazines and making waves in wellness circles and beyond while transforming the lives of celebrities and business leaders alike. As we ring in the next decade, eMindful weighs in on what to expect in mindfulness in the year ahead.

Precision mindfulness will be the way of the future. One size does not fit all, but the same mindfulness and resilience interventions are often applied generically across distinct behavioral health conditions. Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers, in collaboration with eMindful, recently published findings in Mindfulness for a new taxonomy that will advance the field to a targeted, skills-based approach allowing for greater precision in applying mindfulness to clinical conditions.

Mindfulness will help address the health epidemic of the new decade. WHO has characterized stress as the health epidemic of the 21st Century estimated to cost businesses $300 billion a year. Mindfulness has been found to reduce stress and associated healthcare costs and improve productivity.

Mindfulness will be used in non-traditional ways. While Western medicine has its place, mindfulness is key to addressing the underlying cause of chronic conditions while helping individuals cope with their circumstances.

Mindfulness will be the antidote for opioid misuse. An estimated 92 million U.S. adults use prescription opioids for pain, and 11.5 million misuse them, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Opioid misuse recently led prominent medical organizations to support greater use of nonpharmacological therapies, such as mindfulness, for chronic pain. Using applied mindfulness practices reverses the disabling effects of chronic pain and limits the need for medication.
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OPOS-Fullpower launches "The First 24/7 Opioid Compliance Solution"
Santa Cruz, Californina

Fullpower Technologies, "The sleep technology company" and OPOS, "The opioid optimization company", are announcing a partnership to create "The first 24/7 opioid compliance solution". The solution combines Fullpower's patented contactless biosensing polysomnography grade sleep monitoring and AI platform with OPOS opioid optimization, functional monitoring, and prescriber risk management.

The opioid epidemic has revealed that these powerful pain medications have real risks. The more recent reductions in opioid prescribing have created new obstacles for patients who rely on these important treatments. Physicians are challenged with compliance across a wide range of new opioid prescribing guidelines from the CDC, state medical boards and recent changes in state laws across the country that define a new de facto standard of care for opioid use. The Fullpower OPOS solution ensures that physicians are able to meet the new standard of care and adhere to the guidelines based on information that reflects the 24/7 life experience of the patient non-invasively while protecting privacy and security.

It is estimated that there are 116 million people suffering from chronic pain in the US and as many as 30 million patients receive long term opioid care. Chronic opioid therapy and the complexities of polypharmacy affect sleep, daily activities, and quality of life. Through 24/7 functional monitoring, physicians and their patients can gain insight into the efficacy, safety, and risks of long term opioid use to maximize a patient's quality of life.
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