The Effectiveness of Economic and Legal Approaches in Addressing Environmental Issues

Faculty of Ecology and Law
First-Year Law Student
Adaboyev Maqsad

Abstract:

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of economic and legal approaches in addressing environmental issues. It examines the causes of environmental problems and their negative impacts on society and the economy. The discussion includes economic measures such as environmental taxes, financial incentives, and the implementation of “green” technologies. Additionally, it analyzes the expansion of environmental legislation, the development of new legal documents, and mechanisms aligned with international standards. To effectively tackle environmental challenges, coordination among the government, scientific communities, and civil society is essential. Therefore, addressing environmental problems requires the development of legislation suited to the modern world, paving the way for sustainable progress.

Keywords: environmental issues, economic and legal approaches, green energy, legal documents, international standards.

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Introduction

In today’s global economic and social development, environmental problems have become one of the most pressing challenges that require urgent solutions. Increasing pollution, the rapid depletion of energy resources, and climate change are among the most significant threats to humanity’s future. This article aims to highlight the causes and consequences of environmental issues and assess the effectiveness of economic and legal approaches in solving these problems.

Currently, environmental threats have become critical concerns for many countries, directly linking the stability and competitiveness of economies to their ecological characteristics. The planet is facing an ecological crisis caused by rapid scientific and technological advancements. While these developments meet various human needs, they also deteriorate the conditions necessary for human existence. The continuous growth of civilization has led to biodiversity loss, depletion of energy resources, and increased pollution.

For instance, in 1950, the world produced around 2 million tons of plastic annually, which has now risen to 419 million tons. Research indicates that plastic decomposition can take up to 400 years, and unfortunately, 95% of plastic products are not recycled, posing a severe threat to both marine and terrestrial wildlife. Approximately 100 million animals suffer from plastic pollution, mistaking it for food and ingesting it unintentionally. Additionally, around 4 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the oceans annually, breaking down into microplastics that harm aquatic life.

Another critical issue is air pollution, which results from the emission of harmful substances due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles are the primary sources of these emissions.

Air pollution can lead to severe health problems, including respiratory infections, strokes, and lung cancer. In 2019, air pollution caused an estimated 6.7 million premature deaths worldwide. In Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, air pollution results in approximately 3,042 premature deaths annually, with economic damages estimated at $488.4 million. About 83% of the city’s population lives in areas with high levels of air pollution.

Furthermore, the global demand for energy resources has surged dramatically. The world consumes around 100 million barrels of oil daily, with the United States, China, and India being the largest consumers. In 2023, global natural gas consumption reached 3.9 trillion cubic meters, while coal accounted for 27% of global energy production. This trend threatens resource depletion and severe environmental, economic, and social crises if left unchecked.

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Economic Approaches to Environmental Issues

Economic strategies play a vital role in addressing environmental challenges. For example, to tackle plastic pollution, I propose introducing financial incentives based on the volume of plastic waste collected or recycled. This approach not only reduces plastic waste but also encourages recycling. Countries like Germany and Scandinavian nations offer deposit schemes for plastic and glass containers, encouraging people to return them for refunds.

Additionally, providing subsidies and tax breaks to companies that adopt eco-friendly alternatives to plastic can significantly reduce environmental damage. Supporting innovations in sustainable materials and technologies can create new opportunities for environmental conservation.

In terms of air pollution, promoting renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower is essential. Renewable energy not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also creates job opportunities in green industries. Investing in clean technologies, such as filtration systems for industrial emissions, can further mitigate environmental damage.

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Legal Approaches to Environmental Issues

Legal frameworks are critical in regulating activities that impact the environment. Governments should implement strict laws to limit the production and use of single-use plastics and establish penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, designating specific days as “Environmental Protection Days” can raise public awareness and encourage community involvement in conservation efforts.

On an international level, agreements like the Paris Agreement hold countries accountable for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. The “Polluter Pays Principle” requires companies responsible for environmental damage to bear the financial costs of mitigation and restoration. This principle promotes corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability.

Legal mechanisms should also focus on protecting biodiversity, preserving natural habitats, and regulating waste management practices. Strengthening environmental governance and ensuring public participation in decision-making processes are vital for effective environmental protection.

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Conclusion

Environmental problems are complex, resulting from both natural and human activities such as industrialization, deforestation, urbanization, and unsustainable agricultural practices. These issues pose serious threats to biodiversity, climate stability, and human well-being. Therefore, addressing environmental challenges requires a comprehensive approach that combines economic, legal, and social strategies.

Economic approaches, such as environmental taxes, financial incentives, and green investments, encourage sustainable practices by influencing market behavior. Legal measures, including strict environmental laws, international agreements, and enforcement mechanisms, ensure accountability and promote environmental justice. The integration of these approaches can create a strong foundation for sustainable development and effective environmental protection.

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Recommendations

To effectively address environmental issues, the following recommendations are proposed:

1. Strengthen Environmental Laws:
   Governments should continuously update and enforce environmental legislation to reflect current challenges and ensure strict compliance by industries and individuals.
2. Promote Sustainable Economic Policies:
   Implementing green taxes, subsidies for renewable energy, and supporting eco-friendly businesses will help reduce environmental degradation while fostering economic growth.
3. Enhance International Cooperation:
   Since environmental issues often transcend national borders, countries should actively participate in international agreements and collaborate on global sustainability initiatives.
4. Invest in Environmental Education:
   Raising public awareness about environmental protection and sustainability through education programs can inspire responsible behavior and community involvement.
5. Encourage Research and Innovation:
   Supporting scientific research and technological innovation in environmental conservation can lead to new solutions for mitigating climate change, reducing pollution, and preserving natural resources.
6. Improve Waste Management Systems:
   Developing efficient waste management infrastructure, including recycling programs and sustainable waste disposal methods, will minimize environmental pollution.

By implementing these recommendations, it is possible to create a sustainable future that balances economic growth with environmental preservation.

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References:

1. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5722678
2. https://earth.org/the-biggest-environmental-problems-of-our-lifetime/
3. https://www.iloencyclopaedia.org/environmental-health-hazards/item/499-air-pollution
4. https://www.who.int/news/item/25-06-2024-health-consequences-of-air-pollution
5. https://www.gazeta.uz/oz/2024/10/10/air-pollution-tashkent/
6. https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics.html
7. https://www.oecd.org/

Dedicated to Dear
Eva Petropoulou Lianou 


In the Realm of Wonders
By
Adnan Ali Gujjar


Wandering through realms of splendor,  
I met grace—your glow, so tender.  
Majestic presence, pure and ecstatic,  
Your simplicity, humbling yet magnetic.  

In awe of your boundless generosity,  
A reflection of the Creator's rarity.  
Thinking and rethinking your purity,  
An emblem of divinity, your beauty.  

Across the ocean, I found devotion,  
Sacred waves in endless motion.  
A mystery unfolds in silent commotion,  
Depths divine—an eternal potion.  

From afar, you shine, enchanting and bright,  
A beacon of wisdom, a guiding light.  
Mentoring like Athena, you bring clarity,  
A symbol of grace and serenity.

I dedicate this poem to you.
May you live long with dignity and honor.

———————————————————————–

hitting harder tonight

four hundred emails

at two in the morning

tracy chapman is

singing about shooting

me down

perhaps the alcohol

is hitting harder tonight

maybe this is the liver

saying goodbye

i have avoided a mirror

for five days in a row

now

i’m shooting for

a personal record

ten degrees below zero

and i’m outside in shorts

wondering where the mail

is

we should have new

neighbors by the spring

back at the farm

i would paint away

my frustrations on

nights like these

especially when

i lived alone

now, i scribble in a

notebook and then

struggle a few hours

later to read what the

fuck i wrote

apparently, i was

supposed to be

a doctor

———————————————————————–

another wide open three

they want a war

and i just want

to watch the game

they are worried

the country is

going to hell

i’m bummed that

this fucker just

missed another

wide open three

life is a series

of disappointments

living is how you

react to them

do they kill you

or are they simply

bumps in the road

that kind of positive

bullshit left my life

years ago

i know i am simply

moving the deck

chairs on the titanic

eventually though

the iceberg will

come

and that sweet

release will be

my final moment

of joy

the only way

out is death

no point in being

afraid of the only

exit in the room

——————————————————————-

from twenty feet

right cross at recess

on the basketball court

thankfully, i saw it coming

he yelled a white boy

isn’t supposed to be able

to play basketball like that

that made me laugh

i drained another shot

in his face from twenty

feet and told him to fuck off

he swung again, missed again

apparently, a teacher saw it all

and told us to go to the office

i got a warning for language

it wouldn’t be my last

he got expelled for trying

to punch me

apparently, he wasn’t satisfied

with just trying

upon getting the news, he

sprinted to the class i was in,

saw me at my desk and clocked

me in the head

the teacher got him before he

could land another one

later told me i should have

seen it coming

i told her i’m a lover, not a fighter

of course, she was a lesbian

———————————————————————-

a cold winter day

hardened eyes squinting

in the soft sunshine of

a cold winter day

once in love with a world

of fresh tomorrows

passion has lost its way

we are nothing but a

series of moments

up, down, lost, forgotten

prescribed to death

there is no point to

any of it anymore

find your hole

stock your bunker

brace for impact

this is what they wanted

so let them have it

let them discover the bliss

that comes with ignorance

most of us have already

seen this movie

know the ending

know the pain, the suffering

being robbed of any joy

that is left to embrace

——————————————————————-

one night in boston

may all of our deaths

be as instant as an

overtime loss in

hockey

sudden

over with before you

can even think about

what just happened

i think i would prefer

that to this long, drawn

out slow drip

as death is like

watching paint

dry

An Unforgettable Day for Art Enthusiasts…
On February 24, 2025, under the initiative of our esteemed mentor, Abduvahob Qodirov, we, young enthusiasts of art, had the opportunity to visit the Botir Zokirov National Institute of Estrada Art. This visit was not only a chance to gain new knowledge but also an opportunity to meet and converse with living legends.

From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by a unique creative atmosphere. At the entrance, we met the renowned artist and devoted figure of national estrada art, Mansur Toshmatov. He welcomed us with sincere wishes and shared valuable guidance to deepen our love for art even further.

During the visit, we attended master classes conducted by great artists. In the hallway, we encountered the famous artist Yunus To‘rayev and were fortunate enough to have a long conversation with him. He shared his journey into the world of art, the challenges he faced, and his invaluable experiences. Every word he spoke inspired us, reinforcing the importance of perseverance in achieving our dreams.

We also had the privilege of participating in lessons at the institute. The kindness and sincerity of the instructors deeply impressed us. Each of them generously shared their knowledge with warmth. Particularly, the performance of talented young singers alongside Sevinch left a lasting impression on our hearts. Their soft and enchanting voices resonated deeply within us, sending shivers down our spines. Witnessing such extraordinary talent for the first time was truly astonishing. Gulyora Majidullayeva also captivated us with her melodious and mesmerizing voice, leaving us with unforgettable emotions.
The master class concluded with a magnificent performance by Abdumalikova Madina Alisherovna. In reality, we did not want to leave the institute.

At the end of our visit, the institute’s Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Akbarjon Mirzayev, shared warm and sincere thoughts with us. His humility and kindness amazed us. Without any arrogance or pride, he told us about the history and activities of the institute.
This visit turned into a true celebration of art for us. The creative atmosphere, sincere individuals, and incredibly talented performers made a profound impact on us—words cannot fully express the emotions we experienced. Once again, we felt that this institute is not only a center for estrada art but also a true school of mastery.
With heartfelt gratitude, we hope to be welcomed again as guests in the future!

Nozima G‘ofurova, a 2nd-year student of the Travel
Journalism program at the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan.

Clashing Tempos

BALLET DANCER sits on a wheelchair, her leg clearly wounded. Enter MODERN DANCER.

Modern Dancer: Hey. I thought I’d dance for you.

Ballet Dancer: Why?

MD: To cheer you up. To distract you.

BD: That’s awfully arrogant.

MD: Fine then, maybe I just feel like dancing.

BD: Oh, here we go. The spirit of dance moves you, the Holy Ghost possesses your bones, and now you have to show it off in front of a captive audience. Where’s my aspirin?

MD: You’re so contemptuous and condescending. God, Don’t you ever just dance for fun?

BD: You’re one to talk about condescension, treating ambition and focus as a mental illness. Go ask a medical student if he ever stays up three days in a row for fun. Ask a law student why she can’t just take a month off. Ask astronauts why they look so stressed. See what they tell you.

MD: I see your point. But you’re not an astronaut, you’re a wounded ballerina. And I feel like dancing, so I will.

BD: Suit yourself. And I’m a ballet dancer with an injury, please don’t make it sound more ridiculous than it is. “Wounded ballerina,” it sounds like a book of bad poetry. Speaking of mediocre art, keep your leg straight.

MD: That’s not the way this dance goes.

BD: Oh I see. You’re out of tune, but you meant to sound flat, so it’s OK.

MD: Oh we’re going for a musical metaphor? It’s more like, there are a few discordant notes, but it’s part of the symphony’s larger harmonic structure.

BD: Did you just compare yourself to a whole symphony? You’re a dancer who can’t be bothered to stretch a muscle!

MD: Everyone’s a critic.

BD: So you’ve taken it one step further. You’ve dismissed the concept of criticism completely.

MD: Aren’t you an artist? Don’t you know it’s subjective?

BD: No, good art is subjective. Crappy art is recognizable as such.

MD: Jesus, if it means that much to you I’ll straighten my leg. Happy now?

BD: It’s nothing to be proud of.

MD: I’d like to see you do better from where you’re sitting.

Don’t cry. I’m just kidding. Of course you can. As I said, it’s all subjective. I’m just doing my thing, I’m enjoying myself.

BD: You’re a hedonist. You have no sense of discipline and resent those of us who do. It takes no practice to be wild.

MD: And you’re enjoying yourself too, I think. You can’t dance at the moment so you kick. You don’t like my music so you bang the pot louder. It DOES take practice to be that rude.

BD: Look down on my manners all you want. Meanwhile, thrust your chest forward, throw your head back, weave around the stage and call it art. A drunken robot could do that.

MD: You just basically described the routine of a wind-up toy.

BD: Did I? How embarrassing for you and the drunken robots.

MD: Ha ha. Your clever insult makes YOU look petty. Reducing what we do to mere tricks and jumps shows you have no imagination, that you’re not paying attention to real art, truth and subtlety, because you’ve decided the form is beneath you. That’s so…bland.

BD: Go watch people do a “let’s pretend we’re kernels of popcorn” exercise and tell me who’s bland.

MD: First of all, that sounds fun.

BD: Uh huh. If you’re five.

MD: Secondly, so what? If you don’t like one teacher, one choreographer, do you discount the medium?

BD: Don’t be silly. There are other reasons to dismiss the genre. It’s… generic. Modern dance, what does that even mean? If I do jumping jacks to catchy music, I could probably convince you it’s a sophisticated yet minimalist routine.

MD: That’s not modern dance, that’s post-modern dance! It’s…you…I’m making up a dance based on your argument! I’m calling it “The Strawman!”

BD: I see. Ballet dancers aren’t as concerned at winning arguments through reason. We’re too busy DANCING WELL.

MD: Bull. You just love how restricted and repressed you are. You’re comforted by the weight of your costumes, the tight lacing of your shoes, and not breathing feels as natural to you as breathing feels to us. The dancing itself? Well, that’s just a side effect. The real joy comes from your sense of burden. We danced our way out of that tiny box and onto a larger stage.

BD: You’re not more evolved than I am just because you forgot your fundamentals, or ignore them.

MD: But discipline isn’t beautiful. It doesn’t look graceful, your artificial grace. The more spectacular the pirouette, the more the audience cringes in pain. Do you think we’re stupid? That we don’t know your feet hurt?

BD:  Why are you so soft, that you no longer tolerate pain? There’s no way to be a part time ballerina, and yes, that requires….You can’t “wing it” and stumble into your footing, then say, ha, I meant to do that.

MD: So you resent that our lives our easier, that our talent comes more naturally?

BD: We resent that you have a loose measurement for what constitutes talent.

MD: Do you really think so little of us? That anyone can do what we do? Wrong! Some of us are gifted, even though we didn’t have our backs broken into ugly straight angles by the time we were ten. You’re like those snobs who deny that a Shakespeare level genius can emerge without elite education.

BD: If geniuses emerge in middle age and later, from amateur night classes, then maybe the term gets thrown around too much.

MD: Fine then, who cares whether or not we’re anointed bright and shiny? You’re jealous because we dance out of love. You stopped loving it so long ago you’ve forgotten the beauty of dance.

BD: Don’t question my love. I sacrificed a literal leg for love. You just put on some comfortable pants and rocked out to fun music. Oh, maybe you memorized a few specific moves, some beats. But you’re self-indulgent. The audience is just watching you play with yourself. I’d rather watch a child color, or a teenager masturbate.

MD: Did you ever find to time for either activity? You were born so old, so cynical. You don’t have dance partners. You have adversaries. You’re on stage with them, trying to out-dance them, trying to prove you’re the best. Even when we don’t touch, we lift each other up. True collaboration makes for better art, even if it’s less symmetrical.

BD: Symmetry is beauty. It’s hard to achieve, but magnificent.

MD: Well, I’m sure your feet are equally calloused. They’re bumpy and beaten by your mistreatment of the part of your body you’re supposed to love, without which you can’t do art, but at least they’re symmetrical.

BD: That’s my business. My feet stay in my ballet slippers. That’s another thing. I’m so sick of looking at your feet. It’s as if you think you’re farmers or priestesses, so holy, so in touch with heaven and earth. But it’s a well-lit floor in an indoor theater.  Why are you showing us your ugly, dirty feet?

MD: Come on, they’re not so bad. (Removes her shoes and socks)

BD: What are you doing? Put them away! I don’t want to see them!

MD: This is how your feet look now. Your calluses are barely there anymore, but your feet still know how to dance. The break in your leg? You can barely see the scar.

BD: I’m a ballet dancer. Any flaw is visible.

MD: Well, I’m not a ballet dancer, not anymore. And so I forget, sometimes, how hard it was. You’re right: I’m arrogant. It comes with being a dancer.

BD: I know ballet is as ballet does, but…You really don’t feel like a ballerina, on the inside?

MD: No. But I was. And it helped me. I’m a better modern dancer because of it, better than the people who didn’t first learn the structure before they played with it. I know I pretend I never compete with my fellow dancers..,I try, but I’m still human.

BD: We’re dancers.

MD: Besides being the same person and having the same DNA, dancing is what we have in common. It’s what binds us, foot to foot.

BD: Then do you think, for old times sake, you could do a few tour jetes? Give them a modern spin if you must.

MD: You taught me well. I’ll do my best.

BD: (Clapping) Yay! I’ve still got it!

MD: Yes and with a few new moves!

BD: Show off!

MD: …Sorry!

BD: I didn’t say stop!

Alaina Hammond is a poet, playwright, fiction writer, and visual artist. Her poems, short stories, paintings, drawings and photographs have been published both online and in print. @alainaheidelberger on Instagram. Playwright’s note: Clashing Tempos was originally produced at Manhattan Repertory Theatre, in February 2015. It starred Sarah Ann Masse as Ballet Dancer, and Arianna Taxman as Modern Dancer.

Synchronized Chaos Magazine expresses our sorrow for the lives and property lost in the Los Angeles wildfires. We invite people to visit here to learn about how to send cards of encouragement to fire crews and to donate books to replace school library collections that have burned.

Contributor Patricia Doyne shares news that the Ina Coolbrith Society welcomes entries for its annual spring poetry contest.

Finally, contributor Chimezie Ihekuna seeks a publisher for his children’s story collection Family Time. Family Time! Is a series that is aimed at educating, entertaining and inspiring children between the ages of two and seven years of age. It is intended to engage parents, teachers and children with stories that bring a healthy learning relationship among them.

In March we will have a presence at the Association of Writing Programs conference in L.A. which will include an offsite reading at Chevalier’s Books on Friday, March 28th at 6 pm. All are welcome to attend!

So far the lineup for our reading includes Asha Dore, Douglas Cole, Linda Michel-Cassidy, Aimee Suzara, Reverie Fey, Sumiko Saulson, Ava Homa, Michelle Gonzalez, Terry Tierney, Anisa Rahim, Katrina Byrd, Cindy Rinne, Norma Smith, and Kellianne Parker.

Author Justin Hamm is hosting a FREE online literary event the weekend of AWP, known as StayWP. This will include author talks, informative panels, book launches and networking!

To register, please click here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSe0jqgxfQn…/viewform…

Now, for the second February issue, Character Arcs.

This issue focuses on the journeys each of us, as individuals and cultural groups, take throughout life. We follow characters as seasons change and time passes, through different aspects of our shared humanity.

Sayani Mukherjee conveys the feel of the shifting landscape as night gives way to daytime.

Shukurillayeva Lazzatoy Shamsodovna translates a poem by Alexander Feinberg, which offers advice for new beginnings: start in silence and quietly observe the world before speaking. Sometimes we need to consider and learn before we can act.

As in life, we begin with childhood. Daniel De Culla writes of a kind and gracious angelic intervention on a pair of children’s first communion day. Isabel Gomez de Diego’s photos celebrate the whimsy and raw joy of a child’s dinosaur themed birthday party.

Muxarram Murrodulayeva urges readers to become worthy of their parents’ trust. Maftuna Rustamova reminds us to live out the best of our parents’ teachings.

Mahmudova Sohibakhon presents methods of teaching and learning spoken and written English. Abigail George speaks to her friendship and mentoring relationship with aspiring South African playwright Dillon Israel. Sharipova Gulhayo Nasimovna outlines and details her educational dreams.

Lazizbek Raximov’s essay highlights the purposes and power of literature. Mehran Hashemi shares some of his poetry and outlines how his writing journey has changed his life. Federico Wardal interviews filmmaker Michael Poryes in a wide-ranging conversation about both of their artistic visions and goals and about the perils of fame and the necessity of real friendship for artists.

Anna Keiko expresses how small beginnings can grow into larger scenes of beauty. Safarova Charos’ watercolors capture and highlight simple domestic comforts: tea, flowers, bluebirds.

Mickey Corrigan shares the stories of authors’ and creatives’ homes, which took on a historical cachet after the creatives left their legacies. Nozima Raximova discusses the Jadidist national cultural revival movement in 19th century Crimea, highlighting its importance in modernizing the area.

Sean Meggeson experiments with words, sounds, and arrangements of text on the screen. Mark Young splashes swathes of color and delicate text and lines across the page.

Eva Petropoulou Lianou reflects on the beauty of our diverse world full of many people with different creative gifts. For something different, Duane Vorhees contributes Mother Goose-esque pieces that address grace, mortality and human equality and diversity with gentle humor.

Nate Mancuso’s short story presents a couple who meet for a date and finally find themselves able to connect when they let go of their expectations and categories.

Grace Olatinwo recollects her mother’s steady love and draws strength from it as she navigates adult relationships. A rich poem by Kareem Abdullah, translated by John Henry Smith, celebrates sensuality and surrendering to love. Tajalla Qureshi speaks to the fragrant and silken ecstasy of sensual and spiritual love.

Mesfakus Salahin encourages readers to understand and wait for true and non-materialistic love as Maftuna Rustamova reminds us of the importance of money to have a stable life.

Sobirjonova Rayhona takes joy in her sister’s beautiful wedding. Dilbar Koldoshova Nuraliyevna reflects on the wonder and responsibility of motherhood. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa shares how she’s doing what she can to show compassion to the world, even as a person of limited means. Michael Robinson speaks to the spiritual love and sense of belonging he has found in his later years through knowing Jesus Christ.

Kelly Sauvage Moyer and Heidi McIver’s collaborative haiku speaks to the intensity of the human heart and its hidden passions.

John Grey’s work explores agency: moments when we feel like active protagonists and when we get subsumed by life. Pamela Zero offers her admiration for bold women with confidence who walk by as she quietly weeds her garden. Jumanazarov Zohidjon reflects on the winding road of life and its ups and downs.

Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ photography explores the dislocation of travel: window views, sculpted renditions of international flights, objects balanced at strange angles.

Eleanor Vincent’s memoir Disconnected, reviewed by Cristina Deptula, charts the journey of a romance between two people with different neurotypes, ending in a different kind of dislocation.

Jacques Fleury’s story relates the tale of a man finding a glimmer of love again after the death of a spouse. Graciela Noemi Villaverde memorializes her deceased husband and the many ways he complemented her and illuminated her life. Taylor Dibbert reflects on how one takes one’s departed loved ones with us in our minds long after their passing. Tursunov Abdulla Bakhrom O’g’li poetically mourns a lost love. Kristy Raines’ evocative poetry illustrates how people can communicate the depth of love and grief with or without words.

J.J. Campbell’s poetry evokes longing, loss, and ennui. Kassandra Aguilera conveys the anguish of unrequited love. John Dorsey’s poetry captures moments of isolation and waiting, characters who feel out of place.

Khomidjonova Odina shares a scary story of a boy and his pet deer being threatened by robbers. Mahbub Alam evokes the vast power of the Los Angeles wildfires as Don Bormon speaks to both the destruction and the city’s power to rebuild. Naila Abdunosirova’s poignant piece describes a homeless, landless rabbit devoured by a fox. Ahmed Miqdad grasps the enormity of all he and many other civilians have lost due to the war in Gaza.

Pesach Rotem draws on Dr. Strangelove to try to make sense of the current bewildering state of the U.S. federal government. Pat Doyne laments the national American chaos caused in part by people who believed they were voting for lower consumer prices.

Z.I. Mahmud discusses the mixture of pathos and moral critique of war profiteering and opportunism in Bertolt Brecht’s play Mother Courage, ultimately concluding that Brecht “hated the sin while loving the sinner” and approached all his characters with empathy.

Each poignant in its own way, Bill Tope’s poems cover anti-LGBT violence, a tender moment between mother and son, and a reflection on what matters at different points in life.

Joseph Ogbonna revels in Texas’ adventurous and wild countryside and culture. Brian Barbeito reflects on the various ways different people cope with the harsh, primal energies of winter. Harry Lowery’s poetry explores love and loss through metaphors of travel and the nature of light.

David Sapp addresses the human spiritual quest, how searching for transcendence and meaning is natural for us, sometimes to the point where we fight each other over faith. Mykyta Ryzhykh’s poetry conveys longing and acceptance in the face of life’s challenges.

Yucheng Tao’s poetry explores freedom, rebellion and individuality, death, wildness, and loss. Su Yun writes of the interplay of light and shadow, beauty and decay, and humans’ relationship to the vibrant and resilient natural world.

Finally, Stephen Jarrell Williams waxes poetic in his truck at night, overcome with joy and nostalgia.

MOTHER

      Mother is the greatest creature in the world.  Our mothers carry us in their wombs for nine months and nine days.  Then they wash us white, comb us white, and give us white milk.  Mother cannot be described in words, because Mother and Motherland stand side by side.  The definition of mother is that, “Heaven is under the feet of mothers.”

      If heaven is in the sky,

                Underneath is my mother.

If heaven is on earth

                On top of my mother.

If there is only one heaven

                Dear mother.

If there is heaven in this world,

                My heavenly mother.

     Mother cannot be described in one word.  Mother is only three letters, but one life is missing to describe her.

      When I look at your eyes, it’s wet.

      He clenched his teeth and asked for my heart.

      Your white milk is white, mother,

      One life is not enough.

      We talk about our mothers, we can’t get enough of them, but there are very few of us who actually do it.  No mother will ever do bad things to her children, instead they encourage good and show the right path.  Some people envy their companions to their mothers, “I wish my mother was like that”, and feed them with envy. But “Kaltafahm” people consider Chuchvara raw

      But I lived for six years and did not envy anyone’s parents.  Because my parents are heavenly people.  If a mother does what she does before the birth of her unborn child, the child will be like her mother.   If a mother misbehaves during pregnancy and harms people, she can expect the same from her child.   On the other hand, if a mother reads religious books and prays during pregnancy, her unborn child will grow up to be a Muslim like our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and a Muslim like our mother Aisha. 

      O my nightingale, sing it many times

      A smile from his lips.

      Laugh and see my happiness

      My prayers are with you, my mother.

        Mother and Motherland cannot be chosen in the world.  What I write is not a fairy tale.  The truth of my life.  Before I was born, my mother prayed, thank God, I bow down like my mother.

      May our mothers survive.  As long as they exist, life goes on.  After all, respected parents rock the cradle with one hand and the world with the other.

      Kashkadarya region.  Qoldoshova Dilbar Nuraliyevna, a student of the 10th grade of the 10th grade of the 43rd school of Karshi district.

Dilbar Koldoshova Nuraliyevna was born on March 5, 2007 in the Karshi district of the Kashkadarya region.

She is currently the 10th “B” student of the 43rd school. 

Dilbarhan is the queen of poetry, the owner of creativity, a singer with a beautiful voice, and a ghazal girl.

She came first in the “Leader of the Year” competition.

1st prize in the regional stage of the “Hundred Gazelles and Hundred Gems” competition.

She took part in the “Children’s Forum” category and won first place in many competitions.

She is currently the coordinator of the training department of Tallikuron MFY in Karshi district.

Kamalak captain of the opposite district.

Head captain of the “Girls There” club at school 43. 

The articles titled “Memory is immortal and precious”, “Our School” and “Mother” were published three times in Kenya Times International magazine in 2024.

In 2023, the first poems were published in the poetry collection “Yulduzlar Yogdusi” of the creative youth of the Kashkadarya region.

In 2024, ghazals of the creative youth of the Republic were published in the poetry collection “Youth of Uzbekistan”.