Forest & Land

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK9Xj7eY0UU 

Check out this article posted by the BBC. It's sad but another side affect of our negligence at preserving our planet.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-1096...

We are finishing our film, Urban Roots, about the urban farming revolution in Detroit, and we are discussing the role that small, individually-owned urban farms have in "saving a city." We've run into some opinions that say that the thought that urban farms could save a city is somewhat naive, that, in fact what is needed are large-scale efforts to turn a city around.  "Scale" is needed, and "big profits."  The problem with this thinking I think is that it is stuck in the same mindset as the thinking that created the problem in the first place.  And the problem of saving a city is found in diagnosing the problem correctly. 

The problem of cities like Detroit is that the effort to preserve and grow big entities like corporations requires actions like what we witnessed - moving manufacturing overseas because labor was cheaper, cutting costs where-ever possible to bolster the bottom line and profits. Cutting costs and making profits, growing companies fast and big are what is heralded to be the goal and these things are rewarded by the stock market and by our culture in general.  Now, we are not against profits, but what is not helpful is to run a company, city or country with the bottom line/profits only in mind.  What is left out is the human element, the vitality of a company and a city and a country is the well-being of the people, the humans that live and work in it.  The mindset of our companies and country has so shifted to devalue the human element and value profit and size that we have run the very thing that makes the whole thing work - people - away. Look at Detroit, half the population has left, neighborhoods are empty, weeds grow in the playgrounds, schools have collapsed.  The mindset has killed off the community, has driven the people away. 

Now, out of this situation the remaining people have a choice and some of them have said they want to empower themselves by growing their own food and in some cases selling it to others. These farms are an acre or under, not thousands of acres.  How they benefit the city is that the empower a community, they give people ownership in their lives and each other, it gives them an income stream that cannot be taken away.  Some say scale is needed, but that brings in the same old mindset, put thousands of acres under cultivation under one group and the individual is yet again at the mercy of decisions beyond their control. And if the scale is too large, then yet again, the only way to sustain the size will be to minimize the human element and increase through non-human efficiencies like chemicals, and low wages.  How can small farms save a city?  They can do it one neighborhood at a time, slowly and hopefully with the help of city regulators who so often seek a quick fix and so often end up right where they started or oftentimes they end of worse off. Small farms bring in a new mindset, one of cooperation, barter, community, well-being, slowness but happiness perhaps.  It remains to be seen, we will be watching and we are open to the discussion!

Welcome to the Urban Roots blog. The film is almost done and we will keep you all posted here. IN the meantime, we've launched the Urban Roots action community where you can post pictures of your urban gardens/farms. Tell us and show us what you are growing!

 

Good news and bad news and GREAT NEWS...

Bad news first - we can't count on anyone to bail us out of climate change. 
Good news - we can help mitigate and adapt to it locally. 
GREAT NEWS is that Model Forest Policy Program is training communities in climate change adaptation through Climate Solutions University. 
To apply to the 2011 Climate Solutions University program, please follow the link below - and please pass this on to other entities who may benefit from our program!  Qualified applicants receive $10,000 to cover the time and input of the people they involve in the project, as well as consulting and educational services valued at $50,000.  The outcome - a locally-tailored climate adaptation plan as well as the education and training necessary to make it last.

 

 

Follow this link to download the application, and pass it on to others who are interested in helping their communities take action to adapt to climate change.

http://www.mfpp.org/Climate_Solutions_University/2011.html

hanks to a big push from Avaaz yesterday, there are now over 150,000 people who have signed a petition telling Chevron’s new CEO John Watson to clean up the oil giant’s toxic legacy in Ecuador, and around the globe.

It is undeniable that the world wants to change Chevron. People from all over the globe are signing this petition, people young and old, from so many backgrounds. We’ve had celebrities, musicians, investors, and Chevron employees standing up and demanding change from one of the largest corporations on the planet.

As the new leader of the 3rd largest oil company in the world, CEO John Watson can right the wrongs of his predecessors and transform his company into one that cares.

150,000+ are saying “Enough is enough. Energy shouldn’t cost lives.”

From Ecuador to Richmond,CA to Burma and everywhere the oil giant operates in-between they leave a trail of environmental devastation, human rights abuses, and a legacy of health problems.

150,000+ say ENOUGH to Big Oil destroying our environment and the health of our communities.

Chevron, and their Big Oil cohorts, spend hundreds of millions of dollars on lobbyists and political contributions to buy off politicians and destroy policies that would be good for our climate and our future.

150,000+ people say ENOUGH to Chevron’s control of our government and our democracy.

To truly change Chevron and the oil industry, we are going to need to be 150,000 x stronger and louder and more powerful than we ever have been before. Our communities, our climate, our planet, and our future depend on it.

You in?

Learn more from our friends at Amazon Watch!

I am Richard ROBINSON an independent eco activist from Erode district a small town in the state of Tamil Nadu INDIA, since my infancy I found myself attached deeply towards nature and species this further led me to learn while I walked, without knowing those scientific facts and terminologies, I started from mimicking to the black bird’s ringing, which I lately studied as Asian Koel (Eudynamys Scolopacea) and the imitation I did was bird Ringing and birding, And along with my friends we started to plant trees, further after years in 2004 and likeminded naturalists we formed a non profit organization named JEEVAKARUNYA TRUST, with a motto to Train and implement youth In Sustainable Development work promoting environmental, ecological and humanitarian values and importance,

 

And now, still learning educating and training the younger generation’s to involve individually and collectively in all eco-development activities and decision makings  I have individually conducted hundreds of seminars and converted them to eco-actions,

24 hour x 7 days Snake Rescues along with a trained team,

Free seminars, slid shows and movie for the all local and surrounded educational institutions,

Conservation based weed removal action for Tribal livelihood development trainings

Clean renewable energy solar lamp implementation to rural and tribal those not accessed with power,

And many innovative initiatives like craft from the plant lantana camera which is considered as a weed destroying native forest and farm lands, GREEN CROSS eco action clubs, and more to bring a change in the un-mind full living of the most populace   even though we find very tuff and hard to move every step without any support, I believe that we can make it, I also swear that what ever happens I am not going to quit my duty towards nature, of conserving the only home at least in this 11 hour... 

 

This time of the year there is a single word that none of us want to hear – FLU. But there are three words that will help protect you and your family from the flu and other viruses – Strengthen Immune System. Avoid infection by building immunity, think preventive by using herbs for immune booster.

Arcozon features herbs from the Rainforest that are the most potent immune booster herbs. Arcozon supports the immune system, fights virus, fungus, bacteria, yeast, clears lungs and reduces mucus. Key ingredients are Pau d’arco, Una de Gato, (Cats Claw) Espinheira Santa, Suma, Muira Puama, Catuaba, Alfalfa.

Many are calling Una de Gato (Cats Claw) the Miracle Herb from the Rainforest of Peru, is probably the most powerful immune booster. Other healing properties of Una de Gato, (Cats Claw) reduces pain and inflammation, protects cells, fights free radicals, kills viruses and cleanses bowel.

Pau d’arco contains a chemical called lapachol, which may provide nutritional support to strengthen immune system. Pau d’arco is also used to treat a wide range of conditions, such as, kills bacteria, kills fungi, kills viruses, relieves pain, reduces inflammation, kills parasites and fights free radicals.

Jatoba has been used as a system energizer, helps with yeast infections, urinary tract infections and for treating respiratory problems.

Espinheira Santa supports the adrenal glands, which may help to improve energy levels and immune system.

Muira Puama is mainly used as herbal remedies that promotes healthy sexual function, other healing properties are calms nerves, relieves depression, protects brain cells, enhances memory, relieves pain and reduces fatigue.

Suma enhances energy and vitality and shows great promise to strengthen immune system, it is an adaptogenic herb.

Catuaba herb has been traditionally used to calms nerves, reduces anxiety, kills viruses and kills bacteria.

Alfalfa contains protein and vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. It also
contains calcium, potassium, carotene, iron, and zinc. Contains 8 essential enzymes that are great to aid the body with digestion.

Save The Rainforest with Herbal Relief