Skip to main content

Global marches draw attention to climate change

By WTOP Staff

NEW YORK (AP) — Activists are warning that climate change is destroying the Earth and tens of thousands of them took to the streets of Manhattan today.

They were among demonstrators around the world who are urging policymakers to take quick action.

Organizers say more than 100,000 marched in New York, including actors Mark Ruffalo and Evangeline Lilly. They were joined in midtown by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Vice President Al Gore and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

On Tuesday, more than 120 world leaders will convene for the United Nations Climate Summit aimed at galvanizing political will for a new global climate treaty by the end of 2015.

The New York march was one of a series of events held around the world to raise awareness about climate change.

In London, organizers said 40,000 marchers participated. Celebrities included actress Emma Thompson and musician Peter Gabriel.

%@AP Links

149-w-32-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with Mark Ruffalo, actor and climate change activist)–Thousands filled New York City’s streets for a climate march that coincides with other rallies in key cities around the world. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (21 Sep 2014)

<

147-a-11-(U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, at news conference)-“pay much more”-U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he was overwhelmed by the turnout for the climate change march and hopes world leaders hear the call to commit to making meaningful change (21 Sep 2014)

<

146-a-13-(Mark Ruffalo, actor and climate change activist, with reporters)-“to do it”-Actor Mark Ruffalo says he became a climate change activist because he wasn’t to create a better world for his children and for all children. (21 Sep 2014)

<

148-r-28-(Sound of marchers, at Peoples Climate Change march)–Sound of marchers, at Peoples Climate Change march. (21 Sep 2014)

<

131-s-28-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent)–Those participating in a march in New York City hope to draw attention to global warming. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (21 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO NYCR118: Elliot Crown of New York, dressed in costume called “Fossil Fool,” walks with passersby along 6th Ave. during the People’s Climate March in New York Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) (21 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO NYCR116: Marchers with a group called Backbonecampaign.org from Vashon, Washington, march along 6th Ave. during the People’s Climate March in New York Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) (21 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO NYJD118: Demonstrators make their way down Sixth Avenue in New York during the People’s Climate March Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. The march, along with similar gatherings scheduled in other cities worldwide, comes two days before the United Nations Climate Summit, where more than 120 world leaders will convene for a meeting aimed at galvanizing political will for a new global climate treaty by the end of 2015. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow) (21 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO NYME109: A large mother earth float is rolled along 42nd Street in New York during a climate change march Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Manhattan and other cities around the world on Sunday to urge policy makers to take action on climate change. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (21 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO NYME104: A woman holds a sign as she is wheeled along 42nd Street in New York during a climate change march Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Manhattan and other cities around the world on Sunday to urge policy makers to take action on climate change. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (21 Sep 2014)

<

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote