The RP’s Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of the Planet

In New Zealand, rats wiped out some native species. Instead of wreaking havoc on the ecosystem though the rats began to do the job of those species that they wiped out. [bbc.co.uk]

As the world population rises and the idea of a nuclear family changes, architecture and laws about zoning and construction should also adapt. [nytimes.com]

The Senate votes down a measure that would cut funding for walking and bike paths. For good reason too, as a bike path can add $9,000 in value to a nearby home. [theatlanticcities.com]

In lighter news, instead of trying to solve actual problems PETA once again goes for a cheap publicity stunt where they lose more credibility. [latimes.com]