Tag Archives: environment

Honored to be receiving such kind reviews…

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Jan GreeneNov 18, 2013 Jan Greene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommends it for: Parents and teachers of kids K-5.

A great book to remind kids about caring for the environment. The quilted artwork is pretty incredible too! I will read this to each of my grandchildren.

I thought this book was very cute and helps raise good points on what we can do to help our environment and world. It is easy for a child to understand how they can help. I cannot imagine how long it took to make each quilt square. The amount of detail is unbelievable. I am very honored to have received this since it was out of print for so many years. I am glad that it is back in print because this is a topic that we should be teaching our children today.

GIVE YOUR KID A STICK FOR CHRISTMAS.

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project wild thing

Or maybe a rock.

Whether in our heart of hearts or the deepest darkest Peru of our subconscious we all know that the omnipresent ambush of technology is not doing our kids any favors.  Sure they can Tweet at 6 and Vine at 9 and do god knows what at 12 but the more important question is what are are they not doing… getting dirty? Mucking around?  Taking direction from no one and nobody while spontaneously connecting with the planet on which they live?

This Christmas take a cue from Project Wild Thing created by David Bond, self-appointed Marketing Director for Nature. Unplug  your kids and throw throw them out the door.  You’ll be glad you did.  And so will they.

Check out at the Kickstarter video (below) to get the gist though happily their documentary was fully funded on December 6.  Now all we have to do is get our lazy butts in front of the film.

Charles Darwin’s BFF – A Paper Puppet Animation of A.R. Wallace

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Speaking of evolution (see yesterday’s post “Evolution as Historical Fiction?” ) I think we’re all familiar with the term Darwinism.  But have you heard of Wallacism?  Nah, me neither. Probably because I just made it up.

Most of us automatically equate evolution with Charles Darwin, or Darwinism.  We do not equate it with his determined, humble, largely forgotten and charmingly generous friend A.R. Wallace.  In fact, most of us have never even heard of A.R. Wallace.  Or Wallacism.  Again, probably because I just made it up.

All the more reason to watch this quirky paper puppet animation celebrating Wallacism and the life and adventures of the other father of evolution.  That was the third reference to the term Wallacism which now makes it an officially coined phrase.  Maybe.  I don’t know if it actually works like that.  I just made that up. Sometimes it’s just easier to make things up than to go to the trouble of proving every little thing. Thankfully, Darwin and Wallace went to the trouble.  They did not deal in fiction or make things up.

Speaking of fiction and making things up, let’s hope Amazon has not lumped Darwin (and Wallace’s) The Origin of the Species into their prehistoric fiction category alongside Long Live Earth.  But if they did I hope it also made it into the top 100.  I think.  :-/

BY FLORA LICHTMAN AND SHARON SHATTUCKNovember 4th, 2013 from the New York Times.

1018 Thanks. And counting.

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When I started the relaunch of Long Live Earth 6 weeks ago I didn’t know what to expect.  Yesterday the website broke a thousand views – many, many thanks to all that have taken the time in their busy days in this busy world to take a peak.  Only 5 days left to pre-order  – 10% of proceeds from all pre-orders to be donated to 350.0rg (working tirelessly to solve the climate crisis).  A happy and safe Thanksgiving to all.

Earth home stanz pic

AIRPOD – THE ADORABLE AIR POWERED CAR.

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Less that $10,000, zero emissions, runs practically for free using compressed air and cute as a button.

Seriously?  WHERE DO I SIGN UP?

Why have I not heard about this amazing vehicle until now?  It has been in production for years but apparently several fits and starts have prevented it from getting to the US market thus far (though it is already in use in France and India).  I have a sneaky suspicion some of those big car corporations are none too happy to see this baby take off.  Well, tough beans because word is that the Airpod will be available stateside by the summer of 2014.

“Airpods for Everyone!” I say.  Get ready to drive the new People’s  Car.

All that’s left to do is pick your model and your color.

See all options here.

UN climate talks near end with money at issue. And so it goes.

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 “We could have saved the Earth but we were too damned cheap.” – Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut LA Times

Kurt Vonnegut survived the WWII Allied firebombing of Dresden, Germany, when he was a prisoner of war. (Caption and photo Los Angeles Times)

U.N. Climate Talks Near End, With Money at Issue

By David Jolly

Published: November 22, 2013

WARSAW — The United Nations climate conference ambled toward a conclusion on Friday, with delegates

saying that the meeting would produce no more than a modest set of measures toward a new international

agreement two years from now. As usual, the biggest dispute was over money.  (Entire article here.)

Can’t See The Forest For the Trees…

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In this case the trees are dollars and the forest is the future of our children.

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I live in town where Helen Keller once lived.  The middle school is named for her and there are reminders of her peppered throughout the school and the town.  I think of her often.  It’s difficult to imagine the challenges she faced.  We all know her story.  She was both deaf and blind but that did not stop her from being able to see or from being able to hear.  Or from being able to speak her wisdom.

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”  –  Helen Keller

All of you folks at the UN climate talks (that includes you, Australia, and you, America and Japan and Canada and the list goes on)… listen up.  Here is the latest report card on your progress (or lack thereof).

It’s not good enough. Not even close.

From the Voice of America
FINANCIAL DISPUTES HAMPER UN CLIMATE TALKS
Pamela Dockins

November 21, 2013

WASHINGTON — Disputes over finances have hampered progress at U.N. climate talks in Poland as delegates debate how to best provide aid to help developing countries fight global warming.
 
Meanwhile, a small group of protesters outside the talks expressed displeasure over how financial issues have bogged down efforts to prevent climate change.
 
Developing countries are challenging wealthy nations to follow through on a pledge to allocate $100 billion a year to help them deal with climate change. The commitment is supposed to be in place by 2020, yet there is concern that industrialized nations are not living up to that promise, according to Simon Bradshaw, a climate change spokesman at Oxfam.
 
“The worry is that developed countries just have not delivered fast enough on the finance commitments that were made right back in 2009. We have seen very little new money on the table this year and we have not seen strong, credible plans from any country on how they are going to scale up their contributions,” said Bradshaw.
 
The talks on climate change are taking place as the Philippines continues to reel after being devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.
 
The World Bank estimated that global economic losses causes by extreme weather — such as this storm — have risen to nearly $200 billion annually and could continue to rise as climate change worsens.
 
However, the talks have come at a time when many industrialized nations are trying to spur growth in their stagnant economies.
 
“We cannot have a system where there will be automatic compensation whenever severe weather events are happening in one place or other around the planet.  You can understand why this is not feasible,” said Connie Hedegaard, the European Commissioner for Climate Action.
 
Mary Sering, the Philippine representative at the talks, criticized the lack of an agreement on greenhouse gas emissions.
 
“If we are to review our progress, would it be right for me to conclude that we failed miserably?  Looking at science and how it manifested itself, not only at Typhoon Haiyan but also other events, like Katrina in the United States, the heat wave in France, the wildfires in Australia, and other extreme events occurring after observed increased warming, should we not be all ashamed being here?” asked Sering.
 
The conference continues through Friday. The group hopes to lay the groundwork for a 2015 climate agreement.

 

21st CENTURY HIPPIES

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When my daughter was little we happened upon a documentary about hippies.  She was  4 or 5 at the time.  She was glued to this thing which was a painless and fascinating history lesson in 1960’s counter culture.  Some of the hippies did bad things (drugs), but most of them were really nice and did good things (made daisy chains). Right, mom? Right, sweetie.  Mom?  Yes?  I’m going to be a hippie.

Here’s to all the hippies, the old kind and the new 21st century kind,  a few of which Steve Davis has chronicled so beautifully in his recent photographic work Back to the Garden.Steve-DavisI am a mother of two babies. I cloth diaper, breastfeed and we do attachment parenting. I try to be as environmentally cautious as I can be with the resources we have today. If only I had a garden available, I would love to live off the land, and grow my own produce, and raise poultry/eggs. In my free time I like to crochet. —Melony, 20, Mother/Student

Steve_Davis_PhotographyI have a psychedelic spirituality, tan bare feet, long dreadlocked hair, have hitchhiked thousands and thousands of miles, chased the Dead when Jerry was still alive, dance under the stars at electronic music festivals, soak sky-clad in natural hot springs, live in my jeep wandering up and down the West Coast, and currently am camping at a communal village in Santa Cruz with a tribe of beautiful open-minded Free Spirits in Love with Life. —John, 37, Tattoo Artist

Steve_Davis_PhotographyI believe that the earth is alive, full of true wisdom, deserving of respect and love, and that we are completely lost if we don’t get to know her. —Jorie, 25, Natural Builder/Pizza Cook

Steve_Davis_PhotographyI don’t usually claim to be a hippie, though I hope others see it in me, because claiming it seems presumptuous, like claiming to be intelligent or enlightened. People might see me as a 21st century hippie because I care about the earth, animals, plants, people and social justice. I make important decisions primarily from my conscience rather than from my wallet, for convenience or for other reasons, and I try not to let others’ opinions of me affect me too much. —John, 40, Professor

Steve_Davis_PhotographyI’m a 21st century hippie because I fully support counter culture and gypsy life. —Eleanor, 28, Student/Artist

 

Steve_Davis_PhotographyHumanity is shadowed by looming insecurity, and a distortion of ideals, this leaves us scared and perpetually alone. I try not to let fear stifle my opinion of this beautiful planet that has graciously hosted us (and in turn we infect her like a plague of locust). I try not to let fear mast my smile. Spread your love like butter and we’ll all be golden. —Alex, 19, Fry Cook

Steve_Davis_PhotographyAs cliché as it sounds, I believe in love and peace above all else. —Laura, 22, Student/Tattoo Artist

Steve_Davis_PhotographyI have taken from the hippie ethic what I have found to be meaningful, and have incorporated my own values, influenced, of course, by growing up in the 21st century. Community building is one ethic I am passionate about sustaining into the future. 21st century technology gives us a river of tools and information that can help our generation achieve our goals, particularly by learning about what other people are doing all over the world. It gives communities a way to network with each other, especially, as I have found in my own endeavors, with regards to music and to food. Technologies like the Internet also allow people a platform to share their experiences and beliefs which helps create opportunities for understanding across social divides. —Paul, 22, Student/Musician

Steve_Davis_PhotographyI am a 21st century hippie, because I do my best to live my life within my truth while humbly learning from others. —Jackie, 26, Artist/Student/Barista

“This work represents people who self-identify as 21st century hippies.  This was my sole criterion for selecting subjects.  Several people I met and photographed do not usually reveal themselves as counter culture hippies in a very noticeable way, but they are all able to articulate their connection to the lifestyle, philosophies, or actions of contemporary hippie culture.  A group that is a joke to many, an anachronism to even more, is continually finding new members, more that 45 years after the Summer of Love.”

– Steve Davis 2013 , stevedavisphotography.com

LONG LIVE EARTH as featured on YOUR ORGANIC CHILD

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Enter To Win A Signed Copy Of Long Live Earth by Meighan Morrison.

By KAT | Published: NOVEMBER 11, 2013

Enter to win a signed copy of LONG LIVE EARTH by Meigan Morrison. I was sent a advance copy of the book recently and my daughter loved the book. If your child loves nature he or she will love this book. Originally published 20 years ago by Scholastic, Long Live Earth’s brand new Anniversary edition is available for pre-order now through December 1st. Release date December 2nd. Here is your chance to win a signed copy. This book would also make a great gift and is available for preorder on Amazon.com and the authors website When you order from the authors website 10% of pre-order proceeds will be donated to 350.org, the global grassroots movement (co-founded by author/activist Bill McKibbon) working tirelessly to solve the climate crises.

This reflective tale is more timely, and more important, than ever…

Embark on a lyrical journey which begins at Earth’s very beginning, explores what people have done to our planet and charts a hopeful, united course towards the future. A must read now for budding environmentalists and anyone, young or old, who cares about the planet that we call home.

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A big thank you to  YOUR ORGANIC CHILD for sharing LONG LIVE EARTH with it’s wonderful following.