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Loading ...Mandatory PSAs at the Movies?
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009The Governor of Brazil’s Federal District (DF) just signed a law that would require all the cinemas in the DF to exhibit “educative campaigns on the preservation, conservation, restoration and improvement of the environment” before showing films. The campaigns are to be produced and supplied by the DF’s agencies responsible for the preservation, conservation, restoration […]
Mexico’s Federal District Seeks to Avoid Water Crisis
Friday, July 31st, 2009[Temas Note: Yes, yes, I know, I’m supposed to be ignoring the computer while on vacation in the DR. But it’s raining cats and dogs today in Santo Domingo, which severely limits the fun and relaxation options, and I have access to a friend’s computer and internet connection, so I thought I’d do a few […]
Update on Mexico’s Appliance Exchange Program
Monday, July 27th, 2009In January I posted about how Mexico has joined Brazil and Colombia in launching programs to get citizens to hand in their old refrigerators and/or air conditioners for newer, more efficient models. Now the Energy Secretariat (SENER) reports that as of 23 July nearly 71,000 appliances had been replaced under the program. The states with […]
IMSP Finds Health Benefits of Mexico City’s Anti-Smoking Law
Thursday, June 11th, 2009Mexico’s National Public Health Institute (INSP) has released a study of health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS, sometimes also referred to as “passive smoking” or secondhand smoke”) in bars and restaurants. The study checked 633 workers at 219 establishments in the the Federal District (DF, which comprises Mexico City and its environs) […]
Brazil Steps Up Funding for Women’s Cancer Exams
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009Brazil’s Health Ministry (MS) announced today two measures to improve access to breast and cervix cancer screening within the country’s Unified Health System (SUS). R$ 94.5 million will be invested over the next three years to increase Pap tests and mammograms (see table below). In addition, in June 2009 the Information System for Breast Cancer Control (SISMAMA) will be brought […]
Pesticide Residue Levels in Brazilian Food
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009Which fresh food sold in Brazil has been found most likely to present “irregular” pesticide residues — levels higher than those permitted by regulation, or even residues of pesticides banned or not authorized for use on the foodstuff it is found on? Peppers. In 2008 more than 64% of the pepper samples analyzed by the […]
Making Mexico City Bicycle-Friendly
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009The Government of Mexico’s Federal District — essentially Mexico City and its environs — is pushing to make bicycling a viable, desirable and desired alternative form of transport (and healthy exercise) in the country’s capital city. Among other things, the GDF has: constructed some bike paths (ciclovias); installed bike parking racks in popular places like […]
Mexico’s Superama Chain to Recycle Plastic Bags
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009Mexico’s Superama supermarket chain, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart de Mexico, has launched a campaign to collect and recycle plastic shopping bags. The chain hopes to recycle at least one million bags annually, and notes that if they only meet (but not excede, as they hope to do) this goal, they will save 59.6 metric tons […]
Brazil Creates 22 New National Research Institutes
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009Brazil’s National Council for the Development of Science and Technology (CNPq) just announced the creation of 22 new National Institutes of Science and Technology (INCTs), bringing the number of such national institutes to 123, with total financial resources for R&D of R$581 million. Nine of the new INCTs will go to São Paulo (SP), four […]
Justice Ministry to Service Firms: Improve Customer Service, or Else
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009Regulated service sectors are not complying with Brazil’s new rules on customer service, despite being given a (brief) grace period in order to bring their operations into line. So declared the Justice Ministry’s (MJ) Department of Protection of Consumer Rights (DPDC), which is now handing out fines, naming names, scrutinizing practices and issuing warnings. The […]