new earth news

Aluna means "conscience ". Enter the last theocratic chiefdom in America, hidden for centuries on a mountain in Colombia. The Kogi have made this amazing documentary to help us understand how to avoid the destruction of the world that they are trying to protect, and of ourselves.

Proud to be Blaan: Two women show the way
The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet
New Tesla battery could take your home off the grid
Citing Health Risks, Cuomo Bans Fracking in New York State
Weaves of life: Preserving B’laan and T’boli Traditional Practices by Alphonsus Luigi E. Alfonso, June 3, 2013 Philippine Daily Inquirer
28 Incredibly Beautiful Places You Won’t Believe Actually Exist
Buddha Boy Dharma Sangha, documentary 2014
Monarch butterflies drop ominously in Mexico
Stop Poisoning Your Body With 'Food'
"The Future of Food" by Deborah Koons Garcia
Ethos, a powerful new documentary
SAMSARA by Ron Fricke
The Mayan Calendar - The World Has Not Ended...(Carlos Barrios)
See the documentary "INSIDE JOB" on the Global financial crisis of 2008
Reality Sandwich: "Evolving Consciousness, Bite by Bite."

"The Children of Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Philippines"
Planet Alert Sept. 2012 - by Admin on behalf of Mahala
Little Grandmother Kiesha Crowther speaks on 2012
World Ecology Report: Nuclear Energy: a Panacea for Renewable Energy?
First Nations LAKOTA People
Chemical Poisoning -A First Hand Experience
What Does It Take To Change A Habit?-Live Earth TV Spot
Practical counter measures to energy needs in your personal life
10 simple things you can do to change our food system
Iran lawyer haunted by young man's execution
Can We Save Our Civilization?
Should poor countries do more to exploit their poverty in the media?
Kofi Annan launches ‘Beds Are Burning’ Global Musical Petition
Live Earth implements largest worldwide water initiative on record
Silence of the Bees
The Future of Food
Music Review - Makyo's Shringara
Dr. Noel Brown - Political Influence on Health and Environmental Policies (WIT)

Archived new Earth News 2003-2005
Archived new Earth News 2000-2003

New Tesla battery could take your home off the grid
by Cat DiStasio, 02/17/15 Inhabitat - design that will save your world

Ever wish you could ditch your electric bill? Tesla is working on a house battery that could help you break up with your expensive utility company, essentially turning any home into an off-grid abode. Before you know it, a home in the suburbs could even generate enough energy to turn a profit by selling the excess back to a traditional electric company.

Like many of Tesla’s projects, this one is coming up fast. Mastermind electric power guy Elon Musk announced in an investor call that the designs for the home battery are complete. The public could get a glimpse of the design within the next month or two, with production beginning in as little as six months.

Related: Amazing pop-up solar power station delivers energy anywhere it’s needed

This new Tesla battery will power your home, and maybe the electric grid too, by Brian Fung, Washington Post, 2/12/15

Tesla’s new stationary battery could be the gateway that finally links renewable energy to everyday consumers in a way that makes sense.
The challenge of storing clean energy from solar or wind is one of the reasons people are sticking with grid power. Although Musk hasn’t commented on the cost of Tesla’s newest energy offering, chances are good that it will still represent a savings versus grid electricity over the course of its lifetime.

An innovation in energy like this isn’t just for the chic eco-friendly homeowner. These batteries could be a huge benefit for those living in areas where grid power is unreliable due to power outages. Some people respond to that situation by installing a gas- or propane-powered generator, which isn’t always practical or affordable. The battery, which Musk promises will come packaged in an attractive-looking casing to fit in with any home’s decor, will also work for commercial properties.

Curious green-minded energy buyers can listen to the investor call here.

Divine Powers Ram Bahadur Bomjon Full Documentary 2014

The Future of Food by Deborah Koons Garcia

The Future of Food has been a key tool in the American and international anti-GMO grassroots activist
movements and played widely in the environmental and activist circuits since its release in 2004.

Stop Poisoning Your Body With 'Food'- Ten Most Common Food Additives (Toxic, Deadly)
Jennifer Harrington ABC News 7-12-9 Source: rense.com http://www.rense.com/general86/ppos.htm

Want to look better and feel better? What if you could avoid just 10 food ingredients and make a huge improvement in your health.
Paula Owens (PaulaOwens.com) the author of "The Power Of 4" says avoiding these 10 things will change your body dramatically.
Owens has a master's degree in holistic nutrition and a bachelors degree in kinesiology. She explains what ingredients to avoid and
how your body will benefit if you avoid them.


1. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS)

HFCS is the number one source of calories for most Americans and causes obesity. You'll find high-fructose corn syrup in processed food, fast food, sodas, syrup that goes into your Latte, etc. HFCS is extremely toxic to your liver, increases inflammation, causes obesity, oxidative stress and creates an aggressive insulin response.


2. ALL PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS (TRANS FATS)

Partially hydrogenated oils are found in thousands of processed foods (breakfast cereals, cookies, chips). Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease and contribute to obesity. Restaurant food, especially from fast food chains, often serve food loaded with trans fats.

Consequences of a diet high in trans fats include:
* increased inflammation
* decreased immune function
* decreased testosterone
* Arthritis
* Cancer
* Decrease IQ ­ learning disabilities. American IQ has dropped 20 points in the past 20 years.
* Diabetes
* Elevated blood pressure
* Free radical production
* Heart Disease
* Interferes with neurological & visual development of fetus
* Liver damage
* Obesity
* Osteoporosis
* Type II diabetes


3. MSG

Monosodium glutamate is a chemical that has been associated with reproductive disorders, migraine headaches, permanent damage to the endocrine system leading to obesity and other serious disorders. MSG is used in many foods as a taste enhancer. It is linked to reduced fertility.


4. SODIUM NITRATE

This is a preservative, coloring, and flavoring commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish and corned beef. Studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer.


5. REFINED SOY

When it comes to soy, much of what we read and hear about comes from the people who market it.

Before you mix up a soy shake, snack on a soy protein bar or pour yourself a glass of soy milk consider this: unfermented, processed soy inhibits the thyroid, is deficient in amino acids, is toxic to infants and shrinks the brain.

There are some redeeming qualities to soy, however these are found primarily in fermented soy products like tempeh, miso, natto and soybean sprouts.

If you want to get some health benefits from soy, stick to these four forms and pass on ALL processed soy milks, tofu, soy burgers, soy ice cream, soy cheese and other soy junk foods that are disguised as health foods.


6. WHITE SUGAR

Sugar is more addictive than cocaine! Sugar has a profound influence on your brain function and your psychological function. When you consume excess amounts of sugar, your body releases excess amounts of insulin, which in turn causes a drop in your blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. In addition, sugar is pro-flammatory damages skin collagen and promotes wrinkles, increases your appetite, depletes your body of B vitamins, causes joint degeneration, ADHD and other behavior disorders, stimulates cholesterol synthesis and weight gain.


7. SODIUM CHLORIDE

Commercial table salt is highly processed and full of aluminum, chemicals and additives which are toxic. Opt for a healthier version such as Bragg's amino acids or Celtic sea salt (light pink, grey or beige color).


8. ASPARTAME, SPLENDA, SWEET N LOW, EQUAL

Aspartame is an artificial, chemical sweetener found in many foods and beverages including desserts, gelatins, protein powder, low calorie foods, drink mixes and sodas. It may cause cancer or neurological problems, such as dizziness, migraine headaches, weight gain, increased appetite, bloating, rashes or hallucinations. Aspartame poisoning mimics symptoms of MS. NutraSweet is in over 7,000 foods!

Side effects:
* Increased heart disease
* Bloating and edema
* Brain seizures
* Cancer
* Cravings
* Headaches
* Predispose you to Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease
* Rashes and hives
* Weight gain ­ results in obesity


9. FOOD COLORINGS (Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; Yellow 5, 6)

Six food colorings still on the market are linked with cancer in animal testing. There is evidence that food coloring and food additives contribute to behavioral problems in children, lead to lower IQ, hyperactivity, ADHD, depression, hormonal dysfunction and cancer. Red 3, used to dye cherries, fruit cocktail, ice cream candy and baked goods have been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats. This harmful artificial color causes cancer and changes in brain chemistry. Read the list of ingredients in your child's cough syrup (artificial color). Green 3 is a potential allergen and has been linked to bladder cancer. Green 3 is added to candy, mint jelly, cereals and beverages. Blue 1 and 2, found in beverages, candy, baked goods, cereals and pet food have been linked to allergies and cancer. Yellow 5 is the most notable artificial color because it causes the most immediate allergic reaction in people sensitive to salicylates such as aspirin. Yellow 6 has been linked to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. Yellow 6 is added to beverages, sausage, gelatin, baked goods and candy. Take home message ­ Stay away from any product listing an ingredient with a color plus a number.

10. PROCESSED/REFINED WHEAT AND GLUTEN

Refined grains are devoid of nutrients, disrupt insulin levels and are highly allergenic for many individuals.
Wheat and gluten have adverse health affects for approximately 80 percent of the population. Gluten is a protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of grains, notably wheat, rye and barley. Gluten intolerance/sensitivity is severely misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed ­ one estimate says that 97 percent of all sufferers don't know they have the disease due to unfamiliarity with it among U.S. physicians.

Signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance: The ultimate effect of this hidden wear and tear is the slow destruction of the healthy mucosa, or lining tissue of the small intestine causing an autoimmune response that's similar to an allergic reaction. In some cases there may be symptoms in childhood such as allergies, asthma, anemia, reoccurring infections, a constant upset stomach or milk intolerance. Other symptoms are nasal and throat mucous, feeling of food sitting in stomach, bloating, gas, diarrhea with periodic constipation, mental fogginess and skin rashes. In severe cases, as with Celiac disease, there can be seizures, psychosis, violent behavior and withdrawal from self.

"Samsara" Trailer, directed by Rob Fricke - out now!

 

From Academy Award® nominated filmmaker, Charles Ferguson ("No End In Sight"), comes INSIDE JOB, the first film to expose the shocking truth behind the economic crisis of 2008. The global financial meltdown, at a cost of over $20 trillion, resulted in millions of people losing their homes and jobs. Through extensive research and interviews with major financial insiders, politicians and journalists, INSIDE JOB traces the rise of a rogue industry and unveils the corrosive relationships which have corrupted politics, regulation and academia. Narrated by Academy Award® winner Matt Damon, INSIDE JOB was made on location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China.

"INSIDE JOB" DOCUMENTARY TRAILER 2010 Dir. Charles H. Ferguson for Sony Pictures Classics

"The Children of Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Philippines"
Videotaped & Edited by Alan C. Geoghegan

Little Grandmother Kiesha Crowther speaks on 2012 November 2010

 

SPECIAL FOCUS: Nuclear Energy: A Panacea for Renewable Energy? by Barnett Koven World Ecology Report, 2011 Spring Vol XXIII No 1 World Information Transfer, Inc., (WIT)

Amidst concerns over the deleterious effects of anthropogenic climate change, nuclear energy has been heralded as an ideal technology for climate mitigation.
According to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), a nuclear energy industry association, nuclear energy in the U.S. “avoids almost 650 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year (…nearly as much carbon dioxide as is released from passenger cars) [and]…about 2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide [worldwide].”

NEI further claims that “without the emission avoidances from nuclear generation, required reductions in the U.S. would increase by more than 50 percent to achieve targets under the Kyoto Protocol.” These are extremely impressive claims which appear to indicate that nuclear energy is a panacea solution for combating climate change. However, these claims are in fact a result of‘creative carbon
accounting.’

Technology Overview

Before analyzing the environmental (as well as health, safety and cost) implications of nuclear energy, a basic understanding of how nuclear power plants operate is instructive.

Nuclear power plants rely on nuclear fission to generate power. Fission is the process whereby a heavy and unstable atom (typically uranium or plutonium) is split into lighter, more stable atoms. The combined atomic weight of the lighter atoms which resulted from the fission process is slightly less (by about .7%) than that of the original heavy atom. As we know, mass can neither be created
nor destroyed. Instead, this tiny fraction of ‘missing’ mass was converted into energy as is predicted by Albert Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity (E = MC2; where E is energy, M is mass and C is a constant). Nuclear power plants rely on the fission of billions of atoms to overcome the incredibly low efficiency (.7%)

Read More

 

First Nations LAKOTA people From the movie trailer
" First Nations " by Wind Cave Productions": www.firstnationsdoc.com
accounting.’

Earth Day Message

Natasha Whitling a USC Mass Journalism major blogs about interning at the UN in New York
One with Nature, Kiesha Crowther "Little Grandmother" - 4.23.10 4/8

KEISHA TEACHINGS: A TRIBE OF MANY COLORS

Chemical Poisoning -A First Hand Experience by Dorene A. Carrel, posted Dec 13. 2010 by Admin on behalf of Mahala Gayle posted with permission from Mahala Gayle

I decided to write this article because there are so many people who are becoming chemical sensitive from living on a chemically polluted earth. Chemicals are used in our air, water, houses, cars, crops, on our bodies. and even in what we eat. How many of you know the effects of aspartame in your body? Did you know that it can cause diseases like MS, Parkinson’s and other illnesses, and when it interacts with MSG it can even cause death? Aspartame converts to formaldehyde in your body. I was poisoned by the formaldehyde in my new carpeting, which caused me to become chemical sensitive, which is different than allergies. If I had shampooed my carpeting the poisoning might not have happened. It is also a good idea to wash your new clothes before you wear them because they are sprayed with formaldehyde.

How many of you use the perfumed dryer sheets that can smell up your whole neighborhood? Then you wear that chemical on your body. How many of you use soaps, shampoos, aftershave lotions, or any kind of lotions, or makeup that has chemicals in it. These chemicals can be very difficult to handle for anyone who is chemical sensitive and they can also be harmful to your own body. How many of you have gone to a movie and sat down next to someone who smells like a perfume factory?  Don’t you wonder how they can handle that chemical?

I decided to share my story with you because of my experiences with this disease. How many of you are familiar with chemical poisoning? When I came down with chemical poisoning in the early seventies hardly anyone was aware of what it was. No one knew what to do about it and what the long range effects would be. I found out how it affects people from first hand experience.  First I became very sensitive to any chemical smell, especially shampoo. My eyes would burn, my brain would turn off and I would space out. I would get headaches, lose my energy and generally feel awful. I am also an empath who picks up other peoples pain.

The first thing I did on my way to health was to stop using shampoo. I found a good unscented soap and have been using soap to wash my hair for years. It apparently works well for me because I get comments all the time on how nice my hair looks. They now have unscented shampoo which I use occasionally, but I still prefer using just plain soap. You might want to check the label on the shampoo and make up that you use because a lot of them have chemicals in them that might be detrimental to your body.

I found out how chemicals affected my brain. First the smell went to the Limbic part of my brain and then to the left hemisphere where it damaged my left brain. I was born intelligent with a photographic memory. I could see anything and remember it. After getting poisoned I could no longer take pictures with my brain and remember what I saw. I became dyslexic and started turning my words and letters around. I didn’t like that but it was just the way it was and I had to deal with it. I guess I needed to learn how to use my right brain.

It was many years ago when I first became sick from formaldehyde poisoning from the house I was living in. This later became known as Sick Building Syndrome. I became poisoned in the early seventies and I became deathly sick. My doctor didn’t think I would survive. That was 38 years ago and I am still alive and kicking. At that time they didn’t know what to do for chemical poisoning. I had young children to raise and didn’t want anyone else to raise them so my will power kicked in. I said to myself  “I can cure this problem.” I had no idea what I would have to overcome. Because my body programming automatically responded to chemicals, it was hard to get well. It was a long hard battle but I made it. All is well in my world!

One thing I had a hard time with was the idea that people became uneasy around me when they found out I was chemically sensitive. I learned to keep my mouth shut and just deal with it. It was also very difficult that people had no idea what I was going through. I have always looked very healthy and no one knew I could be fine one moment and in total pain the next. I called it the silent disease because no one understood. If you have a broken arm or something like that people can see that something is wrong with you but if it is chemical sensitivity there are no outward signs. People thought it was all in my head just like they used to think that allergy was all in your head. This was very hard for me to deal with, although, when you get right down to it they are right because all disease starts with your thoughts. Either you decided to experience that disease before you were born, or you created it for other reasons. First there are thoughts, then emotions and then the physical manifestation.

I chose to experience chemical poisoning because I was born with Neptune (chemicals) in exact opposition to Saturn (the karmic lord). At least that is what Saturn used to be considered. Now Saturn is one of the most beautiful planets in our solar system. I hear that the rings around it shimmer like beautiful colored crystals in the glow of the sun. My Saturn is also on the degree of digestive problems, and that has also been a big problem for me. The smells from the chemicals go into my body and make my intestines hurt. There are also chemical additives in food, and cigarette smoke has formaldehyde in it. What a challenge living in an everyday world.

The first thing I did when I became sick was to make my home chemical free. Then I could live in it and start to become well. I still could not stay at anyone else’s house unless there was a lot of fresh air around. One time I went down to Oregon with a group of people and the house we were all staying in had a very strong smell and I had to sleep on the floor with my head sticking out their sliding glass door in order to breath. Asthma was also part of the equation.
My search for health has been long and hard but I have learned a lot from my experiences. In my search for health I tried everything. I think the most important thing is good nutrition and to keep your thoughts positive and laugh at life. There were a lot of funny things that happened to me during my search for health, especially when my brain turned off. I had a fear of talking in public because of that but I did it anyway. When the woman governor of Arizona went blank at a press conference I thought, is she chemical sensitive? How embarrassing!

One of the most important things for my healing was to be outside with nature. I love to go on walks because it is very relaxing for me. Being one with nature is very healing and grounding. It also gives me a different perspective on life. A nice sunny day is very beautiful but so is the rain. Lots of negative ions come from water and they are very good for you.

I went through many detox programs and one day I took a Bentonite clay bath with four pounds of clay. I soaked for twenty minutes and when I got out I was so weak I could hardly move. All those chemicals coming out of my body was a shock to my system but it did the job and released lots of toxins. The foot pads are also good for releasing toxins, and so is taking Chlorella.

It was also important for me to release all the trauma I had been carrying from this life and other lives. It was time to let go and let God. There are also all kinds of healing techniques out there that work. I would like to thank my friend Pat who helped me tremendously in my release work, and Mona who also did lots of healing work on me and so did Brian. Then Katy came along with her Young Living Oils and they work for me. Sandra also did healing on me when she came to visit. Thank you earth angels!  I can now say that I am very healthy. I eat a lot of rice, potatoes, fruit, and vegetables, preferably raw. I also bless my food before I eat it. Love conquers all. I now choose to live on a higher frequency earth in perfect health. So Be It!

Love and Blessings to you!

*****Mahala Gayle*****

Mahala can be reached at planetalert"at"hotmail.com please visit Mahala's Astrology, Planet Alert
& other resources such as "Aspartame - You know what’s in your Diet Soda?

Earth Day MessageApril, 2010

Many people are unaware of marine conservation and preservation issues. But once they are made aware, we believe that most people are reasonable and will do what they can to help. Please send this message to as many people as possible because the Earth is our only home. Why should we preserve our marine resources?

If you eat fish..

At least a billion people in Asia alone rely on fish for protein. People can't continue to enjoy their seafood with careless consumption and irresponsible fishing practices. You don't want seafood to ever be a luxury item that only the rich can afford. The health of the coral reefs around the world is a major concern since the reefs are home to marine life. Many fish will die should these marine ecosystems continue to suffer.

The economic losses and impact will be mind-boggling. Whether we live close to water or not, we can help prevent further damage to the reefs by making responsible choices since many things that harm coral reefs can be traced to human activity. Our by-products do not belong in the sea. Industrial chemicals can be toxic, contaminate fish, and destroy the balance needed in the water to sustain life. Contaminated fish can harm humans who eat them.

If you dive, snorkel, or go to the beach...

You already know how the sea and its beauty can uplift your spirit. Help others see the marine treasures you already recognize so that we can work together towards a solution. Tourism is a major industry in several parts of the world that rely on the beauty of its waters.
Our garbage does not belong in the sea. Researchers have already identified "a swirl of confetti-like plastic debris stretching over thousands of square miles in a remote expanse of the Atlantic Ocean."

The Pacific Ocean has a counterpart in the form of the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," the world's largest dump, which is estimated to be twice the size of France and consists primarily of plastics. You want to see clear and clean water and not a soup of plastic and debris. The Earth's waters now contain an estimated 100 million tons of plastic. We are unable to clean up the oceans, but we can make
efforts to keep more garbage from entering the water. It is far from being too late.

Original Sender: Coral Hope (hopeforthecoralreefs@yahoo.com)

Release Date: April 22, 2010, Resent by the columbia Internationa Festival organizers - Earth Day - Message Origin: Columbia, SC, USA

PRACTICAL COUNTER MEASURES TO ENERGY NEEDS IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE Prepared by The Academy for Future Science

1. Cycle or walk for shorter journeys. If you have to drive, do it ecologically--look ahead to avoid sudden breaking and accelerating. Buy green–hybrid or "flex fuel" cars.

2. Plant a tree. One tree of average size absorbs about 6 kg of CO2 per year, so over 40 years it soaks up about 250 kg.

3. Turn your thermostat down by 2 deg. F and install a programmable thermostat to automatically change thermostat settings at certain times of the day. This saves about 10% of your heating bill.

4. During winter when airing your house, open the windows a few minutes only, instead of letting the heat escape over a long period. If you leave a small opening all the day long, the energy needed to keep it warm during six cold months (10 deg. C less outside temperature) would result in almost 1 ton of CO2 emissions.

5. Heat only as much water as you need for your tea or coffee. Heating a whole kettle of water uses about as much energy as lighting your living room for the night. Use instant "tankless" heaters for your showers. You can save 16,000 gallons of water per household and it uses less energy than a 25 watt light bulb.

6. Use weather stripping for your home around windows and doors. Make sure your home is well insulated, since 50% of the heat escapes via the walls. Insulation is good for the environment and makes financial sense in the long run. In building a home use double walls with installation (R-38) between them (Cf. See specs for example, for the Award-winning Colorado Dream Homes, Pagosa Springs, CO, which are energy efficient and low-maintenance). Also consider electro-chromic windows which remain darker in sunlight and transparent in winter.

7. Recycle all you can. Better yet, reduce your consumption where possible. Buy goods with less packaging and switch from disposable to reusable goods.

8. Clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters regularly. Keep refrigerators and freezers clean and away from ovens and cookers. They work more efficiently that way.

9. Switch off lights and appliances you are not using. Do not leave anything on stand-by mode.

10. Switch to energy-saving light bulbs but please recycle them. They last ten times longer than ordinary light bulbs while generating up to 400 kg fewer emissions and cutting up to $60 (USD) off your electricity bill during their lifetime.

11. Install shades or awnings on windows facing south and/or west to block sunlight. In winter, open shades on sunny days to help warm rooms. Then at night, close the drapes to retain the heat.

12. Fix defective plumbing or facets. A single defective facet can waste over 200 gallons of water per month.

+

10 SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO CHANGE OUR FOOD SYSTEM

Learn more about these issues and how you can take action on Takepart.com

Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages.
You can lose 25 lbs in a year by replacing one 20 oz soda a day with a no calorie beverage (preferably water).

Eat at home instead of eating out.
Children consume almost twice (1.8 times) as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home.

Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.
Half of the leading chain restaurants provide no nutritional information to their customers.

Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.
Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have tripled in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years.

Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week.
An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals.

Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.
According to the EPA, over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the U.S.

Protect family farms; visit your local farmer's market.
Farmer's markets allow farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer.

Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.
The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to your dinner plate.

Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.
Each year, contaminated food causes millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths in the U.S.

Demand job protections for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and other protections.

Iran lawyer haunted by young man's execution (link, full story)

February 08, 2010 - By Ramin Mostaghim & Borzou Daragahi Los Angeles Times

"We, as defense lawyers of human rights, are under so much pressure and restrictions,
and the noose around us is tightening and we are insulted and threatened so much
and verbally abused. What makes me feel helpless, desperate and bitter is that our
attempt to help our clients is doomed and in vain."

Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, 46 explains after her case defending 20-year-old Arash Rahmanipour,
who was executed before dawn in Tehran, Iran on Jan. 28. Tried during mass court proceedings against
opposition supporters last fall in Iran, Arash was sentenced to death on charges of being a mohareb,
someone who takes arms against God. Lawyer Nasrin was they threatened with arrest attempting to
enter the courtroom and her cell phone was cut off for 2 months.

Read the compelling full story - comment: daragahi@latimes.com

Can We Save Our Civilization? (Mother Earth News)

To mark The 40th anniversary of Mother Earth News,
we asked our longtime contributing editor and sustainable
development expert, Lester Brown (Earth Policy Institute),
to look ahead and share his assessment of the most significant
trends that are affecting our world today (link)

Should poor countries do more to exploit their poverty in the media?
A film by artist Renzo Martens asks thorny questions about photojournalists and aid agencies.

 

Kofi Annan launches ‘Beds Are Burning’ Global Musical Petition

Added: 01.10.2009 The Global Alliance for Climate Justice/ Facebook site

PARIS (1 October 2009) – Kofi A. Annan, President of the Global Humanitarian Forum, was today joined by Melanie Laurent (star of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Inglourious Basterds’) and David Jones (Global CEO, Havas Worldwide) for the launch of a specially re-recorded version of Midnight Oil’s ‘Beds are Burning’ as a global musical petition to demand climate justice at the UN’s Copenhagen Climate Change Summit in December. The song is also set to become the soundtrack of the Climate Justice movement.

‘Beds Are Burning’ was produced by The Hours and has been supported by over 60 international music stars and celebrities including Duran Duran, Mark Ronson, Jamie Cullum, Melanie Laurent, Marion Cotillard, Milla Jovovich, Fergie, Lily Allen, Manu Katché, Bob Geldof, Youssou N’Dour, Yannick Noah and many more.

Every download will count as a unique digital petition with people adding their names to demand world leaders reach an ambitious, fair and global deal at the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen.

Mr Annan said: “This is, I believe, a critical moment in the campaign to mobilise people around the world to demand climate justice. By downloading ‘Beds Are Burning’ people from around the world will be adding their names to a growing global petition – joining the campaign for climate justice and becoming a climate ally.

“This will be the first time ever that a musical petition has been created to demand decisive action from our world leaders. I believe it can become the Band Aid for the internet generation. Together, we can create such a noise that our leaders will not be able to ignore it when they meet in Copenhagen this December to agree a new post-Kyoto climate agreement. Good leaders are also good followers.”

Melanie Laurent, star of Quentin Tarantino’s latest blockbuster, ‘Inglourious Basterds’ added:

"The next Kyoto agreement is hugely important to get right because the last one got it so wrong.

“The single greatest contribution to the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is not the burning of fossil fuels by the transport sector, nor is it industrial pollution, it is deforestation. The one provision of the original Kyoto proposal that may have helped this situation that wealthy countries would be able to offset their carbon footprint by paying poorer countries to maintain their forests, was derailed, and the forests have been burning since.

“I'm supporting Kofi Annan's initiative and hope this song will be heard by as many people as possible in the world before Copenhagen. This campaign will help secure a better future for our planet and upcoming generations. The time has come."

Alexandre Sap, CEO of The Hours, who assembled the artists and produced the soundtrack said:

“Music is the universal language, capable of transcending cultures, generations, religions and races. A song or an artist truly has the power to translate a message or a movement more than any politician or world leader can on a global scale."

“This is why we believe that by producing a song for Mr. Kofi Annan and the ‘Tck Tck Tck: Time for Climate Justice’ campaign, we will be creating a voice for all of us who deserve to have a say leading up to Copenhagen in December. The goal is to draw enough attention to an event that will affect everyone’s lives on the planet.”

JESSICA BIEL, ALEXANDRA COUSTEAU, PETE WENTZ, ANGELIQUE KIDJO AND JENNY FLETCHER JOIN LIVE EARTH, GLOBAL WATER CHALLENGE TO LAUNCH THE LIVE EARTH RUN FOR WATER – THE LARGEST GLOBAL WATER INITIATIVE IN HISTORY TO HELP SOLVE THE WORLD WATER CRISIS From:http://liveearth.org

Cities Hosting the Event Include Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Chicago, Hong Kong, Jimbaran, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Minneapolis, New York, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Singapore City, Stockholm, Toronto and Washington, D.C. Coalition of 20 Global Water Non-Governmental Organization Partners Unveiled

New York – (October 13, 2009) – Today, Live Earth announced plans to implement the largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water – to take place April 18, 2010 – will consist of a series of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to secure water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities aimed at igniting a tipping point to help solve the water crisis. Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, Pete Wentz, Angelique Kidjo and Jenny Fletcher will lend their names and their time in support of this important cause.

"The Dow Live Earth Run for Water will bring people together around the world, raising awareness about the sources and consequences of the water crisis, locally and globally," said Alexandra Cousteau, global water advocate and founder of Blue Legacy International. "It captures perfectly the interconnectedness of life on our water planet and drives home the message that the water crisis is a global issue that isn’t going to be fixed by scientists or policymakers alone. It’s up to each of us."

Water scarcity is an issue affecting countries, communities and families all over the world. One in eight people don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Eighty-eight percent of diarrheal cases worldwide are linked to inadequate and unsafe water. These cases result in 1.5 million deaths each year, mostly among children under five. In these areas, women and children are forced to walk 6 km (3.7 miles) each day to secure water that is likely unsuitable for drinking.

Everybody counts in helping to solve the water crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a global movement focused on the actions individuals can take to effectively address the issue. People are encouraged to START solving the problem today, RUN in a Dow Live Earth Run for Water run/walk in their community or organize their own run/walk through the Friends of Live Earth program, SAVE water in their home and local community through conservation efforts, GIVE money to support clean, safe water projects and SPEAK UP by signing the Live Earth petition to add water as a basic human right to the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights.

"Water scarcity is an issue that affects all of us and we all have a responsibility to do our part to help solve this global crisis," said actor and Dow Live Earth Run for Water supporter Jessica Biel. "The beauty of the Dow Live Earth Run for Water is that it gives us a platform to encourage others to be part of the solution to help everyone have access to clean, safe drinking water."
Dow Live Earth Run for Water cities unveiled today, include Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; Chicago, IL, USA; Hong Kong, China; Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia; London, UK; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Manchester, UK; Melbourne, Australia; Mexico City, Mexico; Milan, Italy; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York, NY, USA; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; São Paulo, Brazil; Singapore City, Singapore; Stockholm, Sweden; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., USA. For a full list of Dow Live Earth Run for Water cities, visit http://liveearth.org/run.
The Dow Live Earth Run for Water run/walk registration opens today via The Active Network at http://liveearth.org/run. All participants will receive a free online ActiveTrainer plan to help them prepare for the event. Ten percent of all registration fees go directly to the NGO selected for their country.

"Dow is proud to be the title sponsor for this groundbreaking event," said Ian Barbour, general manager at Dow Water & Process Solutions, a business unit of Dow. "As part of our 2015 Sustainability Goals, we are committed to leveraging science and technology to help solve some of the world’s greatest challenges – like the water crisis. Our partnership with Live Earth is just one of the many ongoing efforts Dow is making to address water scarcity and help millions of people around the world gain access to safe, clean drinking water."

Through a cross-platform global fundraising effort, all donations raised by the Dow Live Earth Run for Water will be disseminated to fund sustainable and scalable water programs. A growing global network of NGO partners including Global Water Challenge, A Child’s Right, Akvo, Fondo Para La Paz, Indonesia Water Partnership, Lien Ad, Pump Aid, Wildlands Conservation Trust and many others who will successfully implement water and conservation projects around the world. For the comprehensive list of Live Earth’s NGO partners around the world, please visit http://liveearth.org/runforwater/partners.

"The world water crisis is the single greatest avoidable health challenge of our time," said Paul Faeth, president of Global Water Challenge, the lead beneficiary and non-profit partner for the Dow Live Earth Run for Water in the United States. "There is a solution. With appropriate funding and scaling simple technology, we believe we have the ability to ensure universal access to clean and safe drinking water. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water will serve as a catalyst to rally the world community around the critical issue of water scarcity and empower citizens to be part of the solution."

The water crisis is not only limited to developing nations. In cities such as Los Angeles and Singapore City, growing demand on limited water supplies has led to enforced water rationing and increased costs to the public. Adding to these existing issues, the affects of climate change are increasingly impacting both supply and quality of available fresh water throughout the world – shifting traditional rainfall patterns, altering water-shaping ecosystems and magnifying the effects of pollution.

"Building on the massive success of the Live Earth: Concerts for a Climate in Crisis in 2007, the Dow Live Earth Run for Water will mobilize the global community to once again come together on one day and take action on one of the most serious environmental issues today, the global water crisis," said Kevin Wall, founder and CEO of Live Earth. "Water scarcity affects everyone whether they are aware of it or not, and the goal of the Dow Live Earth Run for Water is to raise the profile of this issue, educate the world’s citizens about its challenges and offer opportunities to be part of the solution."

Those interested in organizing their own run/walks in their communities to support the Dow Live Earth Run for Water can register their run/walk as a "Friends of Live Earth" event at http://liveearth.org/friends. Additional strategic partners are listed at http://liveearth.org/runforwater/partners

For more information about the Dow Live Earth Run for Water, visit http://liveearth.org.

About Live Earth

Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action. A for-profit company, Live Earth seeks to leverage the power of entertainment through integrated events, media and the live experience to ignite a global movement aimed at solving the most critical environmental issues of our time. More information about Live Earth can be found at http://liveearth.org.

Third world nations are those countries that are struggling to maintain a favorable balance between imports and exports, to ensure profitability for the nation’s economy. The science of economics explains that it is only when a nation’s exports are more than its imports, can a nation truly fit into the category of developing or developed nations.

This equilibrium can be bought about if the existing faults within the infrastructure of a third world nation is identified and corrected with the help of additional funds. World debt is majorly impacted by debt in Third World nations.

The developed nations such as the United States of America fund resources for other developing or under developed or third world nations to dip into. World debt is largely influenced by world events like World War I and World War II and feuds such as the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. The recent acts of terrorism also take a toll on the well being of a number of economies.

Debt in the third world nations is mainly observed in regions of Asia and Africa. There are many countries that have embarked on the endeavor to take the nation’s economy from point to upward point on the incline that is not only steep, but a major challenge in the face of its people. World debt or most debt in Third World nations is the result of cause and effect and there are certain components of every infrastructure that affect the debt. It is important for the lay man to understand that components like oil and natural gas and iron and steel affect the nation’s economy to a large extent.  

World debt or debt in Third World nations is mostly considered to get over the holes within the economy to meet the nation’s demand for the resources such as petroleum and iron. Industrialization is the key factor towards building an economy. It is industrialization that makes a country efficient to increase the volume of exports and tap new markets. And, it is no hidden factor that industrialization does cost a lot. This is where world debt or debt in Third World nations steps in and makes the required funds available.

Irrespective of what the resultant deal might be, it is commendable that the funding nations or the World Bank functions as trustees. The funds may be available at a particular pay back rate, but the overall endeavor is to ensure that the infrastructure is impacted to increase profitability.  The incurred world debt or debt in Third World nations is usually put to optimum use, to address major undertakings like increase in fuel and electricity and mining for essential resources such as iron ore.

The pay back is calculated by the financial advisory boards of both nations and the important considerations include the time frame for pay back and the rate of interest. However, it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to understand the financial standing of the motherland, with regards to world economy.
Today’s mixed economies and advanced democracies have widened their economies to accommodate the nations that are still struggling to cope.    

 

Silence of the Bees	Impact of CCD on US Agriculture

 

In the winter of 2006/2007, more than a quarter of the country’s 2.4 million bee colonies — accounting for tens of billions of bees — were lost to CCD, Colony Collapse Disorder. This loss is projected have an $8 billion to $12 billion effect on America’s agricultural economy, but the consequences of CCD could be far more disastrous.

The role honeybees play in our diet goes beyond honey production. These seemingly tireless creatures pollinate about one-third of crop species in the U.S. Honeybees pollinate about 100 flowering food crops including apples, nuts, broccoli, avocados, soybeans, asparagus, celery, squash and cucumbers, citrus fruit, peaches, kiwi, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, cantaloupe, melons, as well as animal-feed crops, such as the clover that’s fed to dairy cows. Essentially all flowering plants need bees to survive.

A daunting question is: If honeybee colonies were so severely affected by CCD that pollination stopped, could we lose these crops from our markets and our diets forever?

Honeybees pollinate about 100 flowering crops.

“We’re not there yet,” says Jeff Pettis of the USDA. Pettis says there are steps researchers and beekeepers can take to ensure that the bee population doesn’t plummet to catastrophic levels. “One measure beekeepers have been taking is to keep bees as healthy as possible — improve nutrition and reduce stress,” says Pettis. Consumers have become more demanding and expect to have fruits and vegetables available to us all year round. In order to achieve this, commercial beekeepers haul colonies of honeybees across the country so their pollination services can serve all growing seasons. The season may start with almonds in California, then move on to apples in the Northwest, cranberries in New Jersey and Maine blueberries. The constant moving about places stress on the bees. In addition, certain crops that may be in the pollination circuit, like cranberries and cucumbers, are not very nutritious for bees. To keep the bees healthy, beekeepers may need to ease up on their schedules. It may be necessary for them to retire bees for a particular season or skip some less nutritious crops entirely.

Of course, nature has its own safeguards to keep crops pollinated. Honeybees aren’t our only pollinators. Other insects and birds pollinate fruits and vegetables as well. The problem with other natural pollinators picking up the bees’ slack is that today’s agricultural industry has simply grown too large for them to keep up. The leviathan that is U.S. agriculture creates a huge demand for pollination. Because honeybees are relatively mobile and can pollinate a generous number of crops, they have been the ideal recruits to meet our crop needs. But honeybees don’t perform such feats naturally without help — lots of it. Commercial beekeepers keep colonies nourished and healthy and move their hives from state to state in semis, selling their pollination services to farmers at a premium.

With the threat of CCD looming, researchers are starting to study how other pollinators like the larger bumble bees could step in for honeybees. “The Dutch have figured out how to use bumblebees,” says Pettis. Bumblebees share many similarities with honeybees. Both are social nesters, although the bumblebees’ society is not as highly ordered as that of honeybees. Also, bumblebees make a new nest each spring by solitary queens, who hibernate through the winter. Honeybees remain in the old nest.

Perhaps the biggest consideration is an economic one. Bumblebees last just 2 months and cost $200 per colony, whereas honeybees can last several months in the summer with colony rentals running only $100 to $140. As a result, the use of bumblebee pollination is usually confined to high-value crops like tomatoes. Clearly, the use of bumblebees is a step in the right direction, but not a final solution.

“There’s nothing waiting in the wings that can replace honeybees at this time,” says Pettis, “but we can solve the problem in honeybee health.” Pettis says that by focusing on reducing stress and improving nutrition, beekeepers can limit some of the factors that potentially lead to disastrous conditions like CCD, thereby keeping bees — and our diets — healthy. Watch a full Episode of Silence of the Bees here

 

The Future of Food: Photo from"The Future of Food"web site (Lily FIlms)

INTRODUCTION: THE FUTURE OF FOOD:

 

There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on the dinner tables of America -- a revolution that is transforming the very nature of the food we eat.
THE FUTURE OF FOOD offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade.

From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico, this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply.

Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, THE FUTURE OF FOOD examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world's food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.

Music Review - Makyo Shringara (Dakini Records)

According to Dakini Records (Japan), "MAKYO is a term used in Zen buddhism to refer to a world of confusing and seemingly mystical hallucinations that one can fall into during deep meditation. MAKYO formed in 1993 with the desire to incorporate Eastern philosophies of sound and spirituality into the whole spectrum of 90s electronica." It can also have a more holistic meaning: MA in Japanese Kototama (meaning of the vibration of words) is Truth and Kyomeans body of teachings (it also means today or secrets in Japanese, which translates as traditional knowledge or teaching s that can be used today).

Like Sheila Chandra did in the 90's Makyo brings an Indian influence to his music. Although Sheila Chandra's approach differed quite a lot in style going from the stripped-down approach for example in the album "Quiet" (multi-tracked voice and tabla with sparse musical arrangements) Makyo's approach brings it to the dance/trance floor.

Using repetitious and syncopated synthesisers, simple deep bass lines, with a catchy and deep rythyms, Makyo brings the music to a new level. It's ever-weaving blending of the different elements with an Indian influence make this enjoyable listening indeed. Lie down, close your eyes, take a bath, you will be transported to a sublime relaxing space, far in the East . The tracks are meditative, rythmic, repetitive and heartwarming. Take for example, the track "Chandan". A deep, singular meditative Indian voice carries you through space, with repetitive beats and shimmering keyboards on a consistent rythym/drum track.

You won't find Makyo's album's on I-Tunes. You will, however find him on a few compilations (both new and used). Better yet, visit Dakini Records, where you will find a full spectrum of Makyo releases, as well as some interesting collaborations and compilations. I am going to look for more Makyo Music. You should too.

From Discogs.com: Makyo's real name is Giovanni (or Gio) Fazio. Originally from the US, he has been living in Tokyo, Japan since the early 90's. He makes music as Makyo and with his band Padmasana. He is also running Dakini Records, which is famous for its ambient/dub/downbeat releases by artists from worldwide. I incorporated a portion of Makyo's CHANDAN in my recent documentary on the Parliament for the World's Religions.

Alan Geoghegan 09/02/09

	Dr. Noel Brown - POLITICAL INFLUENCE ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT POLICIES UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, April 15-16, 2009 from World Information Transfer, NY
video capture by Alan C.Geoghegan		Noel Brown

When we speak of the environment, I am not sure that we fully appreciate the fact that we are talking about a life-support system, which is central to the maintenance of life on earth. As goes the environment, so goes the human future. Let me begin by offering a few perspectives from my experiences within the United Nations. Thirty years ago, governments requested UNEP to periodically take readings on Earth’s vital signs, and to present to them on a regular basis as the state of the environment. Then for three decades, UNEP compiled an impressive scientific database with one consistent theme, and that is – all is not well with planet Earth – a kind of self-evident scientific truth. Earth is showing progressive signs of stress, which some have termed as the “sick earth syndrome.”

When the Earth is sick, we humans cannot be well, and our children cannot enjoy a high quality of life. That is why it is important to appreciate the fact that these pose direct and indirect effects to human health and well-being. Let me just use a few of the examples I think which should be of interests: The first is air pollution and the increasing incidence of respiratory disorders. Years ago, when UNEP did a study on children’s health and the environment, we focused very intensely on the hazards of air pollution and what it did to bodies and natural systems in formation. At that time, we were able to look at what was happening on a variety of fronts, and what was causing these things to happen. Few of you will remember our concerns with radioactive rain. Because of atmospheric testing, there was radioactivity in the rainwater. The inclusion of strontium 90 caused very serious problems in mothers’ breast milk, a problem that would have direct implications for children. Then there were lead-based rains which also presented a new kind of hazard because lead is a neuro-toxin. Children are most directly affected. And then there was the problem of acid rains, caused by coal-fired plants and the emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxide. This directly affected aquatic life in lakes and rivers.

Now there is the problem of ozone depletion, triggered by the chlorofluorocarbons. This was perhaps the most personal of the environmental stresses because there were reports of skin cancer and cataracts. Suddenly, the public became aware of the fact that the abstraction we call environmental degradation could affect us personally and cause adjustments in our life-style. Physicians warned against sunburn, and especially young women were asked to practice “safe sun”. We’ve all heard the phrase, “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” In Australia they did one better. There, sheep wear polyethylene jackets to protect their wool. Those of you who have visited any Australian sheep farm will be impressed by the fact that these sheep are wearing little blue jackets because ultra-violet rays from the sun would destroy the lanolin in the wool and would lose a very important industrial feature. The final atmospheric threat is global warming.

For years, scientists have been warning us that if the present trends continue in the use of fossil fuels and other greenhouse gases, we are likely to change global temperature by one to four degrees sometime in the next century. Until recently, these predictions have been met by skepticism by large segment of our population, but there is support for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to remove any doubt as the state of the scientific consensus on the human factor in environmental degradation. This was supplemented in part by the very popular film ‘Inconvenient Truth’ by Senator Gore, which succeeded in giving the concept a new popular currency. There is a lesson to be learned here, that UN reports tend to cater to another specific audience. What the film did was to inject serious scientific conclusion in the popular culture. I have always advocated that many of the major UN documents and reports could be translated into popular versions, and even children’s versions.

When we came out of Rio in 1992, UNEP was the first UN entity to translate Agenda 21 into a children’s version. We invited young people to write their own editions.
It was a best seller at the UN and perhaps the most widely read. One of the good things about the United Nations, it is not alarmist and when it speaks it speaks with authority and confidence. We need to find ways of personalizing these issues, so that popular pressure might be generated to develop public policy. In 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol will be renewed, there may be a new push for sensible climate policy. I believe that our young people should be prepared, should be armed, to provide intensive care for planet Earth.

Let me cite just two examples which I think may be of relevance. The first one is the loss of biodiversity, what many people do not connect with human health. A colleague
of mine, Mark Deromorter, at the University of South Florida, did a rather interesting and readable study which I commend your attention. It is called Six Deadly Plagues. He explained how we are causing them and showed that some diseases like West Nile virus, mad-cow disease, HIV-AIDS, Lyme disease, new strands of salmonella, and SARS can be directly linked to the loss of biodiversity. Mark Deromorter put it in this way: “In the chain of life, there is an intricate system of actions and interactions that nature works in pairs, every predator has a prey. When we interrupt this connection, we tend to leave a gap, which we humans tend to fill, in effect we are becoming hosts to a number of new diseases.” What this is trying to suggest, is that we need to pay more attention to the chain of life, to the well being of life and the preservation of biodiversity, because there is a very strong connection there.

The second one concerns the status of the oceans in what might be called the impending crisis of the seas. The seas and oceans are often termed as the source of all life. Yet, despite its importance, we know more about the far side of the moon than we know about the ocean. Fortunately a few weeks ago, the United Nations has decided to put the question of oceans into a sharper focus by declaring June 8th as the International Oceans Day. We need a new oceans literacy, because hazards to the oceans are really extensive and intensive.

We also need to look at the extent to which maritime litter is now affecting the oceans and the habits of the sea. We know for example that plastics in an area in the Pacific Ocean called the Pacific Jar (The Great Pacific Garbage Patch?), in total is about 30 million tons in an eternal swirl. Plastics do not biodegrade, and as a result of that many life-forms in the oceans are threatened. And if this part of the food-chain is threatened, humans would not be far behind. We urge you to pay attention. The UN has reported on this dead zone which does not support life, is this metaphor for our future and our planet? Again we ask you to pay attention.

Let me just conclude by saying that we are fortunate in having the United Nations because this provides a framework for keeping issues in focus. It also provides an opportunity for governments to negotiate sustainable solutions. I would like to present to you the ‘ozone model’, which we would like to characterize as a kind of preemptive diplomacy. We identify the crisis, and we are able to come to a conclusion before the crisis becomes a catastrophe. It is hoped that governments have the same kind of foresight, fortitude and commitment to address the climate problem in the same way. We have a model that works and one of the reasons why it works is because of the popular pressure. Let’s hope we can continue this trend in the future, and let’s hope our young people would educate themselves on what they need to do.

For more info. visit World Information Transfer (WIT) and Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future