The Weekly Crunch: Tiny Houses in Vancouver and Why the South Is the New China
YES! Illustration by Jennifer Luxton.
Why you can trust us
Welcome to The Crunch!, our weekly roundup of stories from around the web hand-picked by YES! staff. Here’s what we’ve been talking about this week:
What the frack?
Kathryn Schulz’ recent article in the New Yorker may have us all imagining the mega earthquake that’s due in the Pacific Northwest. But Oklahoma is feeling the shakes here and now: residents have experienced 40 earthquakes in the last week. Scientists have confirmed that the dramatic uptick in the state’s quakes is linked to increased fracking in the region. (via EcoWatch)
Save the bees
When the European Union banned neonicotinoid pesticides back in 2013 because they were probably making bees sick, YES! celebrated the decision. But the Guardian reports that the U.K. government has temporarily lifted the ban. Bee allies came out in full force and sent more than 500 petitions opposing the decision. (via The Guardian)
What would free college cost us?
Less than what the U.S. government currently spends subsidizing college costs with Pell grants, work study and other programs. (via The Atlantic)
Weekend at Bernie’s
In this conversation with Vox, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders explains his positions on health care, economics, and foreign policy—and the grassroots movement we need to achieve policies that benefit all Americans, not just the billionaires. (via Vox)
Lawless on the high seas
We knew things were rough out in the deep blue, but this series pulls the human component to the story. It left many readers wondering, “What can be done to change these circumstances?” In a follow-up to this question, author Ian Urbina put together a nice list of solutions to stop the abuse workers at sea face—and to protect our oceans. (via The New York Times)
The great debate
We’ve all had debates before, whether in person, on Facebook, or at a bar. Columnist Jef Rouner, however, says some opinions are just wrong. He makes some good points. After all, facts are facts—and some opinions are just plain ignorant.(via Houston Press)
Seventy percent of Hong Kong’s public rental units are “tiny”
And Vancouver is catching up by leading the way in tiny houses, also known as Accessory Dwelling Units. This series looks at their growing popularity at a time when cities are scrambling to find solutions for affordable housing. (via The Tyee)
America’s South is the New China
Why? It’s the world’s new source of cheap labor due to southern Republicans fighting against wage increases, minimum wage legislation, and unionization. But some have taken matters into their own hands, like this worker-owned textile co-op. (via The American Prospect)
Gangs of Seattle
Our new fellow, Marcus Green, reported on the unlikely alliance formed between former gang members in Seattle, creating a movement to unite neighborhoods once wracked with violence and conflict. (via Seattle Weekly)
All photos from Shutterstock.
