Latest news with #Pankhurst
Otago Daily Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Lost for words when having to describe a pillock
Sir Ian Taylor discusses rushed legislation, forgotten women and the triumphant return of the word "pillock". I recently finished reading a book called A Dictionary of Lost Words, a moving tale that left me thinking about the stories we lose when certain voices are left out of the conversation. The story centres on Esme, a young girl who spends her childhood beneath the sorting table where the first Oxford English Dictionary is being compiled, quite literally beneath the men deciding which words matter. From her hiding place, she begins collecting discarded words, many of them spoken by women, by workers, by people whose language didn't fit the mould. It's a reminder that history isn't just written by the victors, it is often edited by them as well. So, when I read about the rushed passage of the government's Equal Pay Amendment Bill, I couldn't help but wonder what voices, what words, were they hoping would drop beneath the table. Brooke van Velden, the minister behind the Bill, assures us it's all about empowering women. A noble aim, no question. But her reassurances feel a lot like those of Emmeline Pankhurst, the famous suffragette who also features in A Dictionary of Lost Words. I had always thought that Pankhurst had fought the fight for women to vote in the UK. What I learned was her fight was only for "some" women, not all women. Women who were property-owning, well-spoken and preferably able to prepare a cucumber sandwich without upsetting the tablecloth. Her fight did not include the working-class women of the time. One could argue that Brooke herself fits nicely into Pankhurst's vision of the ideal female citizen: well-paid, well-dressed and well clear of the factory floor, the night shift in aged care, our overstretched hospitals and schools, or our early childhood centres. Her work career appears to have been confined to the closeted halls of public relations for firms like Philip Morris, the multinational tobacco company where she was a "corporate affairs consultant". From there she has stepped into the world of politics where, as part of a minority partner in the coalition government, she enjoys the comfort of a salary of more than $300,000 a year, plus expenses. Not to mention the guaranteed, uncontested, annual pay rises, between now and the next election, of 10%. In the context of The Dictionary of Lost Words, the word "irony" springs to mind. I asked ChatGPT how Esme, the central character of the book, might define the word irony in the context of Minister van Velden's rationale for her actions. This was the response. Esme's Definition of Irony in The Context of the Amendments to the Pay Equity Bill Irony (n) A word that slips between intention and outcome, cloaked in contradiction. A silent smile, often bitter, where justice is spoken but not served. It then went on to add: "Esme might sit with the Oxford Dictionary draft in one hand and the newspaper article in the other, her fingers brushing over the word 'equity' as if to weigh its truth. She would see the irony not simply in the Bill's withdrawal but in who introduced it. A woman in power proposing emergency legislation that would silence the voices of those sitting beneath the table with Esme — women whose work has long gone uncounted: the carers, the cleaners, the teachers, the nurses. Those without names who carry trays, wipe brows, and raise other people's children. Irony is when those who have been voiceless the longest are asked, yet again, to wait their turn." Van Velden, like Pankhurst, seems to be championing women's rights while quietly stepping around the very women most in need of them. At another level, there's a wonderful irony (that word again) in A Dictionary of Lost Words. "Pillock" — this too was a word that fell beneath the table, excluded from the original Oxford Dictionary by the men making the decisions on what words were to be included. Apparently, it was a "woman's word" and, crucially, one used exclusively to describe men. You can probably guess why the learned gentlemen of the time didn't think it worthy of inclusion. Back then, every word submitted for the dictionary had to be written on a small piece of paper called a slip, with an example sentence showing how the word was used in context. I can already picture the slip for this one: Word: Pillock (n) Example in context: On hearing David Seymour make the claim that Brooke van Velden had saved her budget, the Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, was heard to mutter, "what a pillock." I can almost see Esme quietly sliding that one into the submission box with a wry smile. No explanation required. But there is a lot of evidence that supports the case for pillock being used in the context of David Seymour. — Treaty Principles Bill: millions of taxpayer money spent on a Bill everyone knew would fail when it came to Parliament. — School lunch cuts: $3 meals outsourced offshore, delivered late and barely edible. — Charter schools: more millions of taxpayer money spent on administration for just seven schools, one with half a dozen students — learning French. — The tractor stunt: driving a Land Rover up Parliament's steps, ignoring the advice of security guards that it was an offence. All this while frontline workers like nurses, early childhood teachers, cleaners and caregivers, the very people historically undervalued and underpaid, are left out of the room, out of the process and out of the promise of change. They deserve to be heard. Amendments to a Bill meant to fix a history of undervaluing women's work is being pushed through in a way that continues to undervalue women's voices. Esme would be shaking her head. The fight for equity isn't just about ticking boxes. It's about understanding context, listening deeply and recognising the value of every contribution, not just the ones made from a seat in Parliament or a leather chair in a boardroom. We have a chance here in Aotearoa to show what real leadership looks like. But leadership doesn't mean charging ahead with blinkers on. It means slowing down long enough to make sure everyone's with you, all voices are heard, especially those that are under the table. Otherwise, we may one day find ourselves leafing through a future Dictionary of Lost Bills wondering how we managed to lose the meaning of "equity" and how the word pillock made such a triumphant comeback. I was left wondering what alternatives might be used in place of pillock. There are a number — idiot, fool, simpleton, dunce — but a new one will be added to the list on May 31. Deputy Prime Minister. — Sir Ian Taylor is founder and managing director of Dunedin company Animation Research.
Euronews
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Why women should be leading climate action, according to the experts
Only eight out of 78 world leaders at the last climate summit were women. How can we fix that? ADVERTISEMENT The climate crisis doesn't affect everyone equally - women and girls bear the brunt of the suffering, largely because they make up the majority of the world's poor. In rural areas, it is women and girls often responsible for securing water, food, and firewood for their families. During drought and floods, women are forced to work harder and walk further. As climate change exacerbates conflicts, inequalities and vulnerabilities, women also face increased risks of gender-based violence. When extreme weather hits, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men, and an estimated four out of five people displaced by the impacts of climate change are women and girls. 'Put simply: climate change is sexist,' Helen Pankhurst, senior advisor on gender equality at CARE International UK tells Euronews Green. 'It's a feminist issue which threatens the fundamental rights of women and girls.' Despite the labour burden climate changes places on women, they are on the ground 'leading the charge when it comes to grassroots campaigning and inspiring change,' according to Pankhurst. 'They're pulling together their communities and showing leadership in coming up with solutions, demonstrating resilience and delivering hope for a better future,' she says. 'They are also leading in civil society, fighting back against policies which are doing irreparable harm. There is a groundswell of women standing up and saying things must change; they're just not in seats of political power.' Only eight out of 78 world leaders at the last climate summit were women 'It is deeply frustrating that the women and girls whose lives are so disproportionately affected are not being heard on the global stage,' says Pankhurst. 'Climate and gender justice go hand in hand; you can't have one without the other.' Only eight out of 78 world leaders who participated in the most recent COP29 were women. Although delegations at the UN climate conference are consistently increasing in numbers, women's representation has stagnated and even decreased. Bianca Pitt, co-founder of SHE Changes Climate, a campaign to get women equally represented at international climate negotiations and beyond, tells Euronews why it is vital women be included in climate talks and negotiations. 'When women suffer, everyone suffers,' she says. 'It has a knock-on effect.' If women - ideally from economically marginalised backgrounds - aren't included in decision making about climate change, then women's lived experiences and perspectives aren't being heard. 'If we only have a select group of people making decisions, the decisions will be incomplete - they won't have the desired outcome,' she adds. 'The majority of decisions are made by men for men and women. That creates a blind spot because we can only make decisions based on our own lived experience in the peer group we are in.' Women in power leads to stronger climate policies, studies show Pitt said it isn't 'fair' that women aren't included in the most important discussions being had about our planet, but it isn't just about fairness – it's about what is going to produce the best outcomes. When decision-making processes incorporate the perspectives of men and women, solutions are more comprehensive and robust. ADVERTISEMENT One study on gender and climate change found that female representation in national parliaments across 91 countries correlated with more stringent climate change policies and lower carbon emissions. Another Italian study found that women leaders prioritise proper waste management, decreasing the misuse of water, energy and resources. In the private sector, research shows that companies with a bigger share of women on their boards are more likely to improve energy efficiency, reduce firms' overall environmental impact and invest in renewable energy. Women-led firms make more efforts to curb emissions and have better results for environmental, social and governance indicators. ADVERTISEMENT 'Research shows the economies in which women participate are more resilient – they're stronger, more productive, and have better outcomes for everyone,' Pitt says. It's the same for nations and businesses for whom women lead on climate change, she says. When women are involved in making decisions on climate change, policies are more likely to succeed. Why aren't more women leading on climate change? 'We know that women are leading on climate change at a grassroots level and within civil society; we see it at CARE International through our programmes all over the world,' Pankhurst says. 'Women are leading the climate response in their homes and communities, coming up with innovative and sustainable solutions like leading agriculture cooperatives, encouraging their communities to plant drought-resistant crops, and creating early warning systems that save the lives and livelihoods of women who don't have access to traditional media.' ADVERTISEMENT If the evidence so starkly shows the need for women leading on climate change, then why are women still underrepresented as climate change leaders in politics? 'There's definitely a gender bias,' says Pitt. 'It's real and strong.' Perhaps there is a lurking, unconscious gender bias that distrusts women leaders or thinks they don't display the authority or assertiveness of men, as explored by the BBC when Kamala Harris became the first woman vice president of the United States. And according to Pitt, lack of female representation about climate on the national level is in part due to lack of representation. ADVERTISEMENT 'If you don't have women leading, you don't set the example for younger women to take that career,' she says. 'If you don't see women leading these conferences, young girls won't be inspired - they'll think it is just men in grey suits.' How can more women reach climate leadership positions? Public bodies, businesses, and governments are starting to realise the unconscious biases toward women in the climate change sector, but there isn't time to wait around for a slow, organic change, the experts argue. 'Organic growth [of women leading on climate change] is not delivering the results,' Pitt says. '50 per cent of delegations of climate negotiations have to be women as per the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan.' Pitt also urges that women be 'skilled up' to join negotiations, and be given ample amount of speaking time. ADVERTISEMENT 'If a woman chairs something, the remaining women in the room are more likely to speak up,' she says. By 'shining a light' on the women already leading in this space, younger girls will be inspired to follow - they will see it's possible to lead.' Likewise, Pankhurst - who, yes, is the great-granddaughter of British suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst - wants to see 'more room made at the table for women and girls to speak into this crisis.' 'We need to fund women-led organisations working in this space; supporting them to thrive and make a real difference at a political level locally, nationally and globally,' she says. ADVERTISEMENT And, this International Women's Day (8 March), there's no time to maintain the status quo. 'We don't have time to waste - climate change is here, now. It's not some far off threat,' she adds. 'We don't have the luxury of time.'
Euronews
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
‘Sex-for-fish': Rural Zambian women forced into coercive deals as drought and aid cuts bite
By Lauren Crosby Medlicott Only eight out of 78 world leaders at the last climate summit were women. How can we fix that? ADVERTISEMENT The climate crisis doesn't affect everyone equally - women and girls bear the brunt of the suffering, largely because they make up the majority of the world's poor. In rural areas, it is women and girls often responsible for securing water, food, and firewood for their families. During drought and floods, women are forced to work harder and walk further. As climate change exacerbates conflicts, inequalities and vulnerabilities, women also face increased risks of gender-based violence. When extreme weather hits, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men, and an estimated four out of five people displaced by the impacts of climate change are women and girls. 'Put simply: climate change is sexist,' Helen Pankhurst, senior advisor on gender equality at CARE International UK tells Euronews Green. 'It's a feminist issue which threatens the fundamental rights of women and girls.' Helen Pankhurst speaks at a march and rally in London in 2018 to celebrate International Women's Day and 100 years since the first women in the UK gained the right to vote. Guy Bell Despite the labour burden climate changes places on women, they are on the ground 'leading the charge when it comes to grassroots campaigning and inspiring change,' according to Pankhurst. 'They're pulling together their communities and showing leadership in coming up with solutions, demonstrating resilience and delivering hope for a better future,' she says. 'They are also leading in civil society, fighting back against policies which are doing irreparable harm. There is a groundswell of women standing up and saying things must change; they're just not in seats of political power.' Only eight out of 78 world leaders at the last climate summit were women 'It is deeply frustrating that the women and girls whose lives are so disproportionately affected are not being heard on the global stage,' says Pankhurst. 'Climate and gender justice go hand in hand; you can't have one without the other.' Only eight out of 78 world leaders who participated in the most recent COP29 were women. Although delegations at the UN climate conference are consistently increasing in numbers, women's representation has stagnated and even decreased. Bianca Pitt, co-founder of SHE Changes Climate, a campaign to get women equally represented at international climate negotiations and beyond, tells Euronews why it is vital women be included in climate talks and negotiations. 'When women suffer, everyone suffers,' she says. 'It has a knock-on effect.' Bianca Pitt, co-founder of SHE Changes Climate, a campaign to get women equally represented at international climate negotiations. Bianca Bitt If women - ideally from economically marginalised backgrounds - aren't included in decision making about climate change, then women's lived experiences and perspectives aren't being heard. 'If we only have a select group of people making decisions, the decisions will be incomplete - they won't have the desired outcome,' she adds. 'The majority of decisions are made by men for men and women. That creates a blind spot because we can only make decisions based on our own lived experience in the peer group we are in.' Women in power leads to stronger climate policies, studies show Pitt said it isn't 'fair' that women aren't included in the most important discussions being had about our planet, but it isn't just about fairness – it's about what is going to produce the best outcomes. When decision-making processes incorporate the perspectives of men and women, solutions are more comprehensive and robust. ADVERTISEMENT One study on gender and climate change found that female representation in national parliaments across 91 countries correlated with more stringent climate change policies and lower carbon emissions. Another Italian study found that women leaders prioritise proper waste management, decreasing the misuse of water, energy and resources. In the private sector, research shows that companies with a bigger share of women on their boards are more likely to improve energy efficiency, reduce firms' overall environmental impact and invest in renewable energy. Women-led firms make more efforts to curb emissions and have better results for environmental, social and governance indicators. ADVERTISEMENT 'Research shows the economies in which women participate are more resilient – they're stronger, more productive, and have better outcomes for everyone,' Pitt says. It's the same for nations and businesses for whom women lead on climate change, she says. When women are involved in making decisions on climate change, policies are more likely to succeed. Why aren't more women leading on climate change? 'We know that women are leading on climate change at a grassroots level and within civil society; we see it at CARE International through our programmes all over the world,' Pankhurst says. 'Women are leading the climate response in their homes and communities, coming up with innovative and sustainable solutions like leading agriculture cooperatives, encouraging their communities to plant drought-resistant crops, and creating early warning systems that save the lives and livelihoods of women who don't have access to traditional media.' ADVERTISEMENT If the evidence so starkly shows the need for women leading on climate change, then why are women still underrepresented as climate change leaders in politics? 'There's definitely a gender bias,' says Pitt. 'It's real and strong.' Perhaps there is a lurking, unconscious gender bias that distrusts women leaders or thinks they don't display the authority or assertiveness of men, as explored by the BBC when Kamala Harris became the first woman vice president of the United States. And according to Pitt, lack of female representation about climate on the national level is in part due to lack of representation. ADVERTISEMENT 'If you don't have women leading, you don't set the example for younger women to take that career,' she says. 'If you don't see women leading these conferences, young girls won't be inspired - they'll think it is just men in grey suits.' How can more women reach climate leadership positions? Public bodies, businesses, and governments are starting to realise the unconscious biases toward women in the climate change sector, but there isn't time to wait around for a slow, organic change, the experts argue. 'Organic growth [of women leading on climate change] is not delivering the results,' Pitt says. '50 per cent of delegations of climate negotiations have to be women as per the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan.' Pitt also urges that women be 'skilled up' to join negotiations, and be given ample amount of speaking time. ADVERTISEMENT 'If a woman chairs something, the remaining women in the room are more likely to speak up,' she says. By 'shining a light' on the women already leading in this space, younger girls will be inspired to follow - they will see it's possible to lead.' Likewise, Pankhurst - who, yes, is the great-granddaughter of British suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst - wants to see 'more room made at the table for women and girls to speak into this crisis.' 'We need to fund women-led organisations working in this space; supporting them to thrive and make a real difference at a political level locally, nationally and globally,' she says. ADVERTISEMENT And, this International Women's Day (8 March), there's no time to maintain the status quo. 'We don't have time to waste - climate change is here, now. It's not some far off threat,' she adds. 'We don't have the luxury of time.'
Euronews
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
‘Climate change is sexist': We need more women leading the crisis response, experts say
By Lauren Crosby Medlicott Only eight out of 78 world leaders at the last climate summit were women. How can we fix that? ADVERTISEMENT The climate crisis doesn't affect everyone equally - women and girls bear the brunt of the suffering, largely because they make up the majority of the world's poor. In rural areas, it is women and girls often responsible for securing water, food, and firewood for their families. During drought and floods, women are forced to work harder and walk further. As climate change exacerbates conflicts, inequalities and vulnerabilities, women also face increased risks of gender-based violence. When extreme weather hits, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men, and an estimated four out of five people displaced by the impacts of climate change are women and girls. 'Put simply: climate change is sexist,' Helen Pankhurst, senior advisor on gender equality at CARE International UK tells Euronews Green. 'It's a feminist issue which threatens the fundamental rights of women and girls.' Helen Pankhurst speaks at a march and rally in London in 2018 to celebrate International Women's Day and 100 years since the first women in the UK gained the right to vote. Guy Bell Despite the labour burden climate changes places on women, they are on the ground 'leading the charge when it comes to grassroots campaigning and inspiring change,' according to Pankhurst. 'They're pulling together their communities and showing leadership in coming up with solutions, demonstrating resilience and delivering hope for a better future,' she says. 'They are also leading in civil society, fighting back against policies which are doing irreparable harm. There is a groundswell of women standing up and saying things must change; they're just not in seats of political power.' Only eight out of 78 world leaders at the last climate summit were women 'It is deeply frustrating that the women and girls whose lives are so disproportionately affected are not being heard on the global stage,' says Pankhurst. 'Climate and gender justice go hand in hand; you can't have one without the other.' Only eight out of 78 world leaders who participated in the most recent COP29 were women. Although delegations at the UN climate conference are consistently increasing in numbers, women's representation has stagnated and even decreased. Bianca Pitt, co-founder of SHE Changes Climate, a campaign to get women equally represented at international climate negotiations and beyond, tells Euronews why it is vital women be included in climate talks and negotiations. 'When women suffer, everyone suffers,' she says. 'It has a knock-on effect.' Bianca Pitt, co-founder of SHE Changes Climate, a campaign to get women equally represented at international climate negotiations. Bianca Bitt If women - ideally from economically marginalised backgrounds - aren't included in decision making about climate change, then women's lived experiences and perspectives aren't being heard. 'If we only have a select group of people making decisions, the decisions will be incomplete - they won't have the desired outcome,' she adds. 'The majority of decisions are made by men for men and women. That creates a blind spot because we can only make decisions based on our own lived experience in the peer group we are in.' Women in power leads to stronger climate policies, studies show Pitt said it isn't 'fair' that women aren't included in the most important discussions being had about our planet, but it isn't just about fairness – it's about what is going to produce the best outcomes. When decision-making processes incorporate the perspectives of men and women, solutions are more comprehensive and robust. ADVERTISEMENT One study on gender and climate change found that female representation in national parliaments across 91 countries correlated with more stringent climate change policies and lower carbon emissions. Another Italian study found that women leaders prioritise proper waste management, decreasing the misuse of water, energy and resources. In the private sector, research shows that companies with a bigger share of women on their boards are more likely to improve energy efficiency, reduce firms' overall environmental impact and invest in renewable energy. Women-led firms make more efforts to curb emissions and have better results for environmental, social and governance indicators. ADVERTISEMENT 'Research shows the economies in which women participate are more resilient – they're stronger, more productive, and have better outcomes for everyone,' Pitt says. It's the same for nations and businesses for whom women lead on climate change, she says. When women are involved in making decisions on climate change, policies are more likely to succeed. Why aren't more women leading on climate change? 'We know that women are leading on climate change at a grassroots level and within civil society; we see it at CARE International through our programmes all over the world,' Pankhurst says. 'Women are leading the climate response in their homes and communities, coming up with innovative and sustainable solutions like leading agriculture cooperatives, encouraging their communities to plant drought-resistant crops, and creating early warning systems that save the lives and livelihoods of women who don't have access to traditional media.' ADVERTISEMENT If the evidence so starkly shows the need for women leading on climate change, then why are women still underrepresented as climate change leaders in politics? 'There's definitely a gender bias,' says Pitt. 'It's real and strong.' Perhaps there is a lurking, unconscious gender bias that distrusts women leaders or thinks they don't display the authority or assertiveness of men, as explored by the BBC when Kamala Harris became the first woman vice president of the United States. And according to Pitt, lack of female representation about climate on the national level is in part due to lack of representation. ADVERTISEMENT 'If you don't have women leading, you don't set the example for younger women to take that career,' she says. 'If you don't see women leading these conferences, young girls won't be inspired - they'll think it is just men in grey suits.' How can more women reach climate leadership positions? Public bodies, businesses, and governments are starting to realise the unconscious biases toward women in the climate change sector, but there isn't time to wait around for a slow, organic change, the experts argue. 'Organic growth [of women leading on climate change] is not delivering the results,' Pitt says. '50 per cent of delegations of climate negotiations have to be women as per the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan.' Pitt also urges that women be 'skilled up' to join negotiations, and be given ample amount of speaking time. ADVERTISEMENT 'If a woman chairs something, the remaining women in the room are more likely to speak up,' she says. By 'shining a light' on the women already leading in this space, younger girls will be inspired to follow - they will see it's possible to lead.' Likewise, Pankhurst - who, yes, is the great-granddaughter of British suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst - wants to see 'more room made at the table for women and girls to speak into this crisis.' 'We need to fund women-led organisations working in this space; supporting them to thrive and make a real difference at a political level locally, nationally and globally,' she says. ADVERTISEMENT And, this International Women's Day (8 March), there's no time to maintain the status quo. 'We don't have time to waste - climate change is here, now. It's not some far off threat,' she adds. 'We don't have the luxury of time.'
The Guardian
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Annie Lennox and friends review – a euphoric celebration of female solidarity
When the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst stood up at the Albert Hall in 1912 and declared, 'I incite this meeting to rebellion', she probably didn't imagine her name would be hailed on the same stage by feminist performers more than a century later. Pankhurst was later banned from the hall but her rebellious spirit persists. Tonight's gathering, two days before International Women's Day, is a fundraiser for the Circle, a global feminist organisation co-founded by Annie Lennox which fights for the rights of women and girls facing violence and injustice across the world. For this seamlessly staged three-hour show, Lennox has gathered like-minded performers who include poets, activists and musicians plus ringmaster Clara Amfo, who notes that where Pankhurst was campaigning for equality for some women, the Circle wants to make life better for all. Lennox, who hasn't performed live since 2019, is the main event. But she is preceded by Irish singer and flautist Ríoghnach Connolly, an atmospheric purveyor of what she calls 'really miserable songs done with enthusiasm'; poet and spoken word performer Rakaya Fetuga; and a visibly nervous Celeste, who channels the spirit of Billie Holiday with Strange and Only Time Will Tell. Elsewhere, Tyneside's Nadine Shah notes her fortune as a Muslim woman who is free to let rip on stage, before delivering an electrifying version of Nirvana's All Apologies. And Beverley Knight brings the Radio 2 vibes with a suitably volcanic Shoulda Woulda Coulda, even if her attempt to generate a mass singalong falls flat. When Lennox, now 70, arrives in a glittering tuxedo, it is to an instant standing ovation. The long gaps between shows point to the former Eurythmics singer's career shift: after a storied music career, philanthropy and activism now fill her days. But her rare charisma and the thrill of live performance are evident as she delivers a string of mega-hits: Little Bird, Broken Glass, Love Is a Stranger, Why and Missionary Man. On There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart), she duets with her daughter Lola Lennox who, while not quite a match for her mother, tackles the swooping melody with aplomb. For the finale, more friends of Lennox's arrive in the shape of Paloma Faith and Hozier, and all the invited guests cram on to the stage for a raucous and triumphant group rendition of the aptly titled anthem Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves. It's a fittingly raucous finale to an evening of solidarity and infectious euphoria. The world is burning, but so are the passions of those determined to make it better.
