But the overwhelming challenges facing our only inhabitable planet will not. Those will still be here tomorrow. So let’s get louder. Today, tomorrow and the next… until we are heard:
Tag Archives: eco-friendly
I Pledge Allegiance to the Earth. Nuff said.
Do you remember having to pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all every freaking morning back in elementary school?
I do, though I didn’t really get what I was saying at the time.
I mean, what the heck was a republic?
And why was it invisible?
I understand it all now okay but I’m happily trading it in for this updated and far more relevant version.
I pledge allegiance to the Earth (standing tall, hand on heart).
Nuff said.
Image by SolPurpose and lamblionstudio.com
Let’s (not) take the kids for a day on the (US industrial beef) farm.
Tascosa Feedyard, Texas (detail) source: Mishka Henner
Those little black and whitish specks that look like ants on the left? Cows. That enormous acid green pool of slime to the right? No idea. But I know this: there is something terrible going on with our food production in this country. It’s poisoning us and it’s poisoning the environment. I can’t imagine any of those poor cows are too psyched about it either.
But wait, there are many more horrifyingly fascinating aerial views of America’s heartland shot by photographer Mishka Henner at his website. Take a look here. I dare you. When you’re done please join me at the paragraph below.
Done? Ok. I’m sure we can all agree that no kid (or cow) should ever have to spend the day on any of those farms. And I consider myself a kind of casual, quasi-expert on this farm thing after having lived on a beautiful New Zealand farm where happy cows grazed in wide open pastures with no slime in sight.
So me, myself and everybody else, let’s choose to rethink our purchases. Let’s choose to rethink our family’s diet. Let’s choose to buy grass fed beef, locally farmed if at all possible. It’s usually less convenient and definitely more expensive so let’s just buy less of it. Or none at all. If ever we could collectively be inspired to become organic farmers, vegetarians or vegans it should be right now… as we sit here staring at all those little American cow-ants imprisoned on the shores of Lake Slime.
Spring, anyone?
Over the years I have had some very good neighbors and, like most of us, some not so good ones. Where I live now I have only trees for neighbors. Simultaneously quiet and entertaining they are, I think, the best variety. I took this photo of them while standing at my bedroom window this morning. Stoic and unadorned, it’s hard to imagine that in just a few short months they’ll be covered in tiny chartruese explosions.
Is there anything more wondrous than spring?
The World We Made… it’s enough to make you throw your recycling bin in the trash can. Or is it? A must read by Jonathon Porritt.
While scientists and environmentalists are well intentioned with their daily projections of our not so distant future dystopian world order and subsequent extinction it can put a real damper on the day. The struggles of our grandparents can seem downright quaint in today’s post climate change world… the age old mantra “life goes on” a phrase twenty somethings of today might wear ironically on their t-shirts.
Can you blame them? The daily challenge of survival is no longer limited to ourselves as individuals, our individual communities or even entire populations but now encompasses every last one of us, including all future generations and/or the lack thereof. It’s enough to make you throw your recycling bin in the trash can.
The answer? I have no idea. But I am inclined to think that a very good start would be for all of us to run to the bookstore or the internet and grab a copy of The World We Made, an imaginary memoir written in the year 2050 by history teacher Alex McKay. The author, Jonathon Porritt, who just returned from the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi is a founding member of The Forum for The Future, an environmentalist and no lightweight in the scientific and technology community. This green futurist believes that we already have the technology to create a sustainable, progressive world in which environmental, economic and social advances are shared, maintained and enjoyed by all. The catch? We must also believe that this is doable. It’s fundamental. If we don’t collectively believe that it is doable it simply won’t get done.
I’m in. I’m gonna get the book. And I’m gonna believe. How about you?
Buy the book here. Read an interview with the author here.
“The World We Made presents a credible vision of the world in 2050 – a world that is connected, collaborative and genuinely sustainable. This is the biggest thing I’m working on at the moment. We simply have to change the ‘mood music’ in terms of the way people feel about sustainability, and that means that everything we do in Forum for the Future is about positive solutions to today’s converging sustainability challenges.” Jonathon Porritt, Author of The World We Made
“In a world where doom and gloom surrounds us everywhere, Jonathon Porritt shows us that another future is possible. . . Jonathon is arguably more responsible for helping to create that positive future than anyone I know.” Jeffrey Hollender, Co-founder of Seventh Generation and Co-chair of Greenpeace US
Long Live Earth as featured on Reduce Footprints… many thanks.
Treading lightly on this planet should be the of goal of every one of us. Look no further than Reduce Footprints for all kinds of info and inspiration. And thank you Reduce Footprints for your generous and thoughtful review of Long Live Earth!
Here is an excerpt:
“Let me give you my impressions of this book. The illustrations are beautiful. Each one is a photo of a quilt square handmade by Ms. Morrison. They are enchanting and whimsical. The text is done in rhyme; the cadence is very appealing and, I believe, will become like a song which stays in the heads (and hearts) of readers. Some of the words may need a bit of explanation for younger children but most kids will have no problem understanding the meaning. The book is appropriate for all age levels, for reading alone or together, and would make a terrific gift. Adults will enjoy it, as well!
Here’s another fact which, as “greenies”, you’re sure to appreciate: the book is printed on recycled paper by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified suppliers using certified environmentally-friendly ink. Yay!
I highly recommend this book … for your kids, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, schools, etc. You can purchase a copy by clicking HERE.”
Read complete post here.
Spend more – it’ll cost less. Watch this groovy little animated short. Say goodbye to Walmart, Costco and Target…
“Go Local” from EcologyAction
THANK YOU GIVE-AWAY ENTRANTS, ONE AND ALL
Thank you so much to all of you who entered the Long Live Earth give-away. I so appreciate your interest!
I have received the names of the winners and can’t wait to get the book out to all 20 of you. I am currently waiting to receive the books by snail mail from the printer (hot off the press). I will sign them and pop them back into the snail mail trail en route to you as soon as I get them.
So thank you, winners, in advance for your patience. And a big thank you to everyone who entered. If you would like to pre-order a copy of your own from Amazon (and help support 350.org) just click the big heart.
And thank you all, from the bottom of mine…
PRE-ORDER NOW FOR A GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING…
The Anniversary Edition of LONG LIVE EARTH is available for pre-order now through December 1st at Amazon.
Here’s the best part:
10% of pre-order proceeds will be donated to 350.org (the amazing global grassroots movements co-founded by author/activist Bill McKibben) which is working it’s tail off to solve the climate crisis.
Be a part of the solution. Give a gift to your child and their Earth. Click here to pre-order your copy.
Reviews and new Author Preface at http://www.meighanmorrison.com
Oh, the people you’ll meet…
Just wanted to say thank you to Randi, the lovely (and patient) lady of Beautifully Bohemian. Her musings are inspirational….
Meighan Morrison 