The InnerSelf Uptake
July 9, 2025
This week's Socially-Conscious and Unconscious News
Greetings, friends. Each week, I scan the noise and nonsense to bring you stories that matter — the ones that shape our world, our choices, and our future. — Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com
Let’s get right to it:
Countries must protect human right to a stable climate, court rules
The Guardian
"The Inter‑American Court just said climate stability is a human right—surprise, it only took global upheaval to get there."
A major ruling from the IACHR says countries across the Americas are now legally required to protect basic human rights by tackling climate change—from slashing emissions to fighting disinformation. This landmark opinion may not be binding, but it's expected to shape laws, court cases, and policy at COP30 and beyond.
Read More on The Guardian
Are Donald Trump's NOAA Cuts to Blame for Texas Flood Tragedy? What To Know
Newsweek
"U.S. wild weather planning comes under scrutiny after flood fatalities—Blame the cuts or cosmic irony?"
In light of the Texas flood disaster, experts are examining whether staffing cuts at NOAA and the National Weather Service hindered timely alerts. Though some officials defended response efforts, public confidence in preparedness has been rattled.
Read More on Newsweek
Inside the Collapse of the F.D.A.: How RFK Jr. Is Dismantling the Agency
New York Times
"Turns out rebuilding trust in public health means starting by firing the people who actually, you know, ensure public health."
Over the past six months, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has overseen sweeping changes at the FDA—laying off thousands of employees, forcing out key vaccine officials, dismantling long-standing committees, and consolidating FDA functions under sweeping HHS reorganization. Internal critics say these moves have weakened independent scientific review, delayed vital vaccine approvals, and sown chaos within the agency. Staff were reportedly blindsided by layoffs, and many viewed the purge of experts as part of a broader agenda to shift FDA’s mission away from evidence-based regulation toward political oversight.
Read More on New York Times
TSA to End Shoe Removal Requirement at Airports After Two Decades
CBC
"It only took 20 years, millions of bare feet, and one failed shoe bomber to realize this might’ve been overkill."
According to internal memos and media reports, the TSA will soon stop requiring air travelers to remove their shoes during standard security screenings across U.S. airports. The rule, put in place after Richard Reid’s failed shoe bombing attempt in 2001, has long been criticized as more theatrical than effective. While PreCheck users have already enjoyed shoe-on screenings, the new policy will apply broadly starting this week at select airports, expanding nationwide shortly thereafter. The TSA has yet to formally confirm the change, but its quiet rollout appears underway.
Read More on CBC
Underwater Turbine Off Scotland Spins for 6 Years, Breakthrough for Tidal Energy
Associated Press
Imagine if fossil fuels worked this long without breaking down—oh wait, they just break the planet instead.
An underwater turbine off the coast of Scotland has quietly generated electricity for over six years straight, setting a new durability record and proving tidal energy’s commercial potential. Operating in the treacherous waters of the Pentland Firth, the MeyGen turbine’s long-term resilience reduces maintenance costs and boosts investor confidence in marine renewables. Advocates say tidal and marine energy could unlock the world’s largest untapped clean energy resource—if governments and industry step up.
Read More on AP News
InnerSelf Social Consciousness Articles
Antarctic Summer Sea Ice Hits Record Lows
Author: Edward Doddridge, University of Tasmania
Antarctic summer sea ice is vanishing fast—threatening wildlife, warming oceans, and pushing our climate system to the brink. Here’s what scientists just uncovered. Continue reading
How Close Are We to Artificial General Intelligence and Beyond?
Author: Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com
What if humanity’s smartest invention turns out to be its last? That’s the question AI experts, ethicists, and a growing chorus of tech whistleblowers are asking as artificial intelligence barrels forward—unchecked, unregulated, and largely misunderstood. Most people still think… Continue reading
How Capitalism Can Actually Feed the People
Author: Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com
Imagine living in a city where you can see luxury condos from your window but can’t buy a head of lettuce within walking distance. That’s not a dystopian joke — it’s daily life in parts of New York. And while politicians bicker over slogans, communities are quietly building a… Continue reading
Spiritual Activism: How It Might Save the World
Author: Tami Coyne
What if the path to peace and spiritual clarity begins with asking why? This story of rebellion, reflection, and truth-telling dares you to question everything. Continue reading
How Free Apps Quietly Sell You Out to the Highest Bidder
Author: Kassem Fawaz and Jack West, University of Wisconsin-Madison
That free weather app may be forecasting more than rain—it's tracking your every move. Here's how your data is being used, sold, and surveilled. Continue reading
That’s this week’s Uptake — the things we can’t afford to ignore. Feel free to share this with someone who cares. As always, stay aware, stay engaged, and stay kind. — Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com
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May we all experience, each day,
New Attitudes - New Possibilities
