By Padmini Arhant
The blogpost on the “Aftermath of 9/11 including the global economy and international security’ rescheduled for publication. Meanwhile, the news media and press coverage with incendiary remarks and vitriolic comments by certain entities against the specific target as the ‘truthers’ and the ‘blogger in anonymity’ urgently required to be placed in true perspective.
It’s obvious from the news articles that the preachers do not necessarily practice their doctrine on morality, equality, civility and decency to say the least. While demanding decorum from the victim of gender, race, religion and ethnicity biased attacks, these oligarchs brandishing the swords not to slain the truth tellers but indeed the truth itself.
The remaining content @http://www.padminiarhant.com
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.
Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel.
Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question “CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?”
Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround. (Excerpt from main website)
Please visit the official website for more information: http://www.flowthefilm.com
Click the Fullscreen Button for a larger version.
http://politicalpete.com/forum/index.php
http://politicalpete.com/
I believe the President is wrong in his effort to increase fuel efficiency in cars. He's beating a dead horse. When we entered the 20th Century, cars began displacing horse and wagon, despite limited access to fuel supplies. The time has come for electric to replace the use of fuel.
The President needs to challenge the industry to design a bottom mounted universal battery that can be easily replaced at Battery Service Stations, similar to Gas Stations. In this manner, we will not be limited to specific distances. When you start to run low, you stop and and get a quick change out for a fully charged one.
The car companies compete to develop more efficient electric cars and the battery companies compete to developa higher capacity battery. They start with family and commuter cars. Large scale production should reduce costs, though one has to wonder whether to believe their claims of costs are to be believed. Perhaps a new car company needs to be started, run by scientists.
The electric companies can work on making their proction more efficient and less polluting, while work continues on alternatives.
OUR OCEANS OUR LIVES!OUR OCEANS ARE DYING.................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXVw19bP0tw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9oSikW3eUM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KuP6x0Ushc
<object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZXVw19bP0tw&hl=pt-br&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZXVw19bP0tw&hl=pt-br&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object>
I would suppose that all the people reading here have and awareness of the debate around global warming. There is so much more to the global warming story than what is talked about. Unfortunately people on both the right and left are using it politically and I fear that it has become something people are not taking seriously because it has become so partisan.
The reality of global warming is that most (if not all) of the conclusions that you may have heard have a small basis of truth, but not more than small. And I mean both the gloom and doom from the left and the “no problem” attitude from the right.
We are not destroying the earth, just a few species, potentially including humans.
Now that I have your attention, read with an open mind. I will draw no conclusions other than humans need to evolve. The two choices for evolving are genetically (as in survival of the fittest) or evolve to a more sustainable lifestyle. Remember that the lifestyle in most developed countries not only promotes conditions for some degree of global warming, but more importantly degrades the quality of air and water. Ever wonder why childhood asthma rates can be correlated with decreased air quality?
I’ll digress a bit for a second and explain a bit about chaos theory so I can make some points. Unlike the name, Chaos Theory is not about the study of chaos, but the study of order and mass interdependencies among competing forces. In a chaotic system a balance is achieved among these competing forces. On earth this balance has created the conditions for life as we know it to exist.
The essence of chaos theory as applied to an ecosystem is that the ecosystem adapts to changes so that a balance is achieved. The balance is an evolved form of the previous balance. That evolution always leads to change that is both destructive and constructive.
Most changes in an ecosystem are small. The evolved ecosystem has little to no impact on living things and these living things will evolve as well in reaction to the small changes in the ecosystem.
If the evolution is brought on too quickly the destructive part is great and swift, with potential extinction among slowly evolving life forms. However, a constructive part will follow and balance will yet again be achieved.
Over the last 400,000 years one can correlate rises in greenhouse gases to rises in Earth's average temperatures (ice core data from Antarctica confirms this), but of course we did not produce greenhouse gases back then.
In reality, the percentage greenhouse gas that we produce is very small in comparison to what occurs in nature.
Its also interesting that the rise and fall in temperatures is a leading indicator for the rise and fall of greenhouse gases (over the last 400,000 years).
400 years ago the earth hit its highest temperature in the past 400,000 years. Since that time greenhouse gases have been on a steady rise highly consistent with normal cycles.
In the past 50 years greenhouse gases have had a 15-20 percent increase over the normal curve (caused by us). Temperatures have followed their normal cycles.
So what does that mean? That's the problem no one really knows.
Given the rules of chaos theory here, in the past our ecosystem has evolved to react to the various cycles and achieved a balance where living things can exist. We have now disrupted that normal cycle and I would challenge any scientist to provide any theory that they would honestly feel more than 50% sure that it is right.
But the point is that dire predictions always cause rebuttal by non-believers. This causes a debate about who has the more accurate theory and not who has the answer to put earth back on its normal cycle.
What is needed here is a more rational dialogue among all sides. There is a significant lack of progress here due to the debate being dominated by people who are either on the extreme left or the extreme right. Both sides will agree that what we are doing is not natural; therefore we need to change our habits to make sure that the earth has a chance to rebalance itself.
This is one important topic that we all can contribute to, without the interference from politicians. Its easy, make conscience decisions to reduce consumption. I am not talking only about reducing driving or turning off lights, consume more locally produced goods, get an extra year out of your car, maintain your home, and reduce impulse buying.
And guess what, you will save yourself money as well.
Even though it may not look like it or feel like it, you are making progress.
Continue working towards progress instead of perfection.
Nothing or no no one is perfect.
Just keep taking steps.
Keep making those phone calls.
Continue following your plan.
Remain focused on your goal.
Do what you have to do right now to get to the next level.
Complete every task.
Keep every promise and commitment.
Don't look back.
Let no one weaken your walk of faith and determination.
Remain teachable.
Place yourself in a blessing position by associating with people on-the-grow.
Talk with teachers.
Walk with winners.
Climb with champions.
Study successful people.
Something great is about to happen for you!
Start giving thanks right now before you can even see the outward manisfestation of your prayers and desires.
Everything you do from this day forward will take you further away or closer to your potential for successful living.
-by Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Motivational Speaker & Author
George W. Bush, "DICK" Cheney, Karl Rove, Andy Card, and John McCain have pushed very hard to bankrupt the United States. Their reckless war is the equivelent of your parents going to Vegas and losing all their money. Their reckless disregard for environment has left us behind on energy efficiency. The top floating layer of ice in the arctic is expected to fully melt at some point this summer. Global warming is creating a growing sense of urgency, and dread for the future whereas once many believed the future would be superior to the past.
The future of our nation, and indeed Earth, does not have to be bleak. Luckily we have a shining ray of hope in Barack Obama. However, in my support for him, I look back to see if what he really wants to accomplish can be done. Although people have compared him to Former President Jimmy Carter for reasons of attitude and goals I will draw a different connection to him and portrait not only differences, but requirements to avoid failure.
Pending the election of senate seats to Alaska (Republican scandal removes alaskan senator!), the Democratic Party is very close to the golden 60. This refers to having a majority of senators, 60, in which voting along party lines presents a veto-immune environment. Coupled with a Democratic Congress, and a Democratic President one may begin to think everything is possible. The last time the senate had 61 democrats was in 1977. Coincidentally, this was when a man named Jimmy Carter took office with a fully capable senate.
During Carter's time he worked to create the Department of Energy to combat rising oil prices and to ensure the United State's independence from foreign oil. Although Carter shared some of the same energy goals Obama now aims at, as well as the goals all may hope for, they differ greatly in the enactment and action taken. As a side note, energy is really the only area where these two can be seen to overlap. Carter may have created the DoE, but he did not have the full support of his party to prompt any real change. Hefty 20 year goals were set.
First, the "Dependence Day" was never supposed to fall so early in the year. In 2008 I believe it landed on May 17th. According to Carter it should never have come before August to stay in line with a 40% target for importing foreign oil. Currently the amount of oil imported is roughly 57%.
The second, and in my opinion holy grail, goal was to increase solar power production to account for 20% of energy produced by 2000 (this goal being set in 1977). This was the major failure of not only Carter, but the entire country. 31 years later, THIRTY ONE YEARS LATER, our current solar power contribution is 0.1%. I have seen better results from third world countries in enacting national goals. However, to be fair I will shed some light on factors which hurt this process. We were in the middle of the Cold War, Carter inherited a very rough environment when taking office, the appointment of Volcker created a faltering financial market, and Soviets were beginning to be seen in Afganistan. Rough. All this meant solar got overlooked either in funding or in support.
Solar is the power of the future and it is the sole solution to our current situation. Solar has the power to unite the world. An interesting claim which I will offer support for.
Obama, much like Carter, has put a wide, unspecific goal of removing the influence of foreigh oil in 10 years. However, unlike Carter, Obama has the support of not only his party but a large amount of the opposing party as well. Obama's wide sweeping goal is hard to achieve. Not only must it ween us from foreign oil, but it must provide the hardest answer, an alternative. Luckily we here in the United States have the best researchers in the world. I love MIT. These guys are so great, they claim to have a viable solar solution which could produce 10 times the current amount of energy from PhotoVoltaic units. And yet, even if this solution existed in 1977, would it be feasible?
Let me answer my own question with another question: When is collection of energy from a seemingly limitless source not top priority?
Rhetorical...back to the point. Solar cannot currently be implemented as a main source of energy! Yikes, that sucks. Allow me to explain why. Infrastructure. It would take a lot of infrastructure to implement a solar solution but it has to be done. It must be done, there is no longer an alternative. In this jar, our sand is running out. In this globe, our air is running out as pollutants threaten to make current living situations a mute point.
As Barack Obama so eloquently put it, we are all citizens of the world. And we must come together now and make sacrifices. However, these sacrifices should not be in vain! No longer can we afford the likes of puppets, liars, cheats, and theives to run the greatest country in the world. We must build infrastructure. Solar collection can be difficult in places like New York and Michigan during the winter. Currently, Coal energy is produced locally nationwide and is a good source of raw energy. Coal is polluting the world we love, and killing the nature which we hold awe struck from its sheer beauty.
To work towards providing energy from solar collection to places which have hard times producing it we must build infrastructure. The United States is not set up to share large amounts of energy over long distances and this must be changed. Solar collection can provide enough energy, clean green country running energy. But this energy cannot currently be distributed. Long distance energy transfers must be made available in order to allow solar to become a viable energy source.
Just think, your house running off of a solar system which would cost close to the amount of one months current energy bill. A car, running off of a clean 0% emission hydrogen fuel cell. A hydrogen fuel station, distributing hydrogen fuel created from solar powered electrolysis. Full power, 0 emissions.
Currently, automobiles account for roughly 25% of global warming, coal another 40%. Many other factors go in to what creates global warming, but one thing is certain from the mere word, it is global. 6 Billion plus people are affected by this. For america to present a clear, viable, working solution to curbing emissions, and then to distribute it would truly put many of the most powerful nations in allegiance. Thus giving relatively free sustainable energy to the entire world.
In times of strife seperate people come together to fight a common enemy, or to work towards a common goal. It is now time for the "citizens of the world" to come together and unite against the threat of an Earth with no human population. We must unite, as one world, to solve this problem. And upon the United States delivering such a solution the world will truly have a reason to unite.
John McCain offers none of this. John McCain offers lies, deception, and the Karl Rovian tactics which has tainted the past 8 years of our national image. Obama is truly a visionary. Vote Obama '08.
Unfortunately, I'm of the few that feel that the current price of gasoline is exactly what we need to get us out of the oil crisis. And although it is an enormous hardship (mostly because we put off fixing the problem so long, thanks to Bush/Cheney), there are some things we can do immediately to ease the pain.
* On the road:
- change cars
- use public transportation
- rehab the many oil wells previously shut down when oil prices were low.
- get your employer to allow a 4-day week
- carpool, or consolidate your errands
- ask your employer for a free bus/rail pass instead of a free parking space.
- "go local" and switch to locally-produced food, goods, and services.
- see if you can use a lower-octane gas (many people can, but don't know it); and remember that ALL GAS BRANDS ARE THE SAME AND COME FROM THE SAME REFINERY!
*and at home: Remember: saving electricity saves oil
- use solar water heating (one solar water heater is the equivalent of taking one car off the road!)
- Set major energy-using devics (like your TV) to energy-saving mode (it takes longer to turn on, but saves significant energy).
- Insulate your home better (in hot places, especially the attic)
- use energy efficient windows (double pane and some with special gases in the middle)
- use energy saving bulbs (bonus: they are cooler, too; and heat up the room less)
- paint your roof white (especially businesses with flat roofs) or use lighter colored building materials
- plant trees to shade your roof, and install attic exhaust fans (less Air Conditioning required)The long-term solution, of course, is the need to use altrnative fuels, especially solar and wind, and perhaps nuclear. I'm so thankful that Obama is planning to spend considerable funds on encouraging the development of these new resources.
I recently cut my electric bill at home from $300 to $120 with a solar water heater, better insulation, and new bulbs. This stuff works!NOTE: when California faced its huge energy cost crisis a few years back (a nasty gift from Enron) the state was able to cut it's electricity use by 15-20% within about 6 months by using simple techniques! This really works!
Clean transportation revolution may not be based in old engineering. BioFuels for transportation may compromise food needed around the world. Seeking fuel alternatives for the old combustion engine model is falling short from a revolution.
In places like PopularScience and EVWorld magazines we have seeing through the years how engine innovations for cars and airplanes have been discouraged by the oil-based dominion. I remember seeing few years ago on PBS a young group of engineers that were able to test successfully a magnetic based engine/transmission car here in America. It needed such a small fraction of fueling compared to the distance accomplished yet they were discouraged at how the industry wouldn't be ready for it somehow.
The Apollo/Manhattan vision needs to go beyond the engines that dominate our struggling world today. Make sure to turn this quest away from politically based staffing and create a nimbler scientist and engineer based type of NASA without disregarding the average Joe that has already being successfully testing their inventions. Not be afraid at looking at foreigners (Einstein: Manhattan) that are not been heard in their skeptic countries. Aim at finding a new engine for commercial planes. Then cars, boats, trains and perhaps new hybrid ways of transportation will automatically follow.
There are engineers testing solutions as we speak years ahead of government intentions. As our God and Creator brought you this far, may He grant you and those involved the needed wisdom.Thank you for caring and best wishes!
Native American Public Telecommunications Newsletter April 2008 www.nativetelecom.org/
NAPT-Funded DOCS Accepted into New NM Green Film Festival
Seven NAPT-funded documentaries have been accepted into the Inaugural Global Green Indigenous Film Festival in Santa Fe, NM April 18-20, 2008.
These films include:
In the Light of Reverence, Mauna Kea: Temple Under Seige, March Point, Standing Silent Nation, The Creek Runs Red, Waterbuster and Weaving Worlds.
The festival sponsor, National Tribal Environmental Council, created the event to bring global innovative ideas together to aid in protecting the environment. The organization will also host its 15th annual conference, One People, One Earth, One Environment during this time.
For more information on the festival go to www.globalgreenfilmfestival.com
This was a really great interview. Listen to it, and if anybody you know still thinks we can go on with business as usual and the environment will be just fine, MAKE them listen to it! I can't wait to read the book.
James Gustave Speth: "The Bridge at the Edge of the World" (Yale)on The Diane Rehm Show, WAMU 88.5 FM American University Radio (NPR) Mar. 27, 2008 11:00
http://wamu.org/programs/dr/08/03/27.php#19158
A leading environmentalist explains how American-style consumer capitalism harms the planet and what must be done to save the earth for future generations.
James Gustave Speth, dean of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University and co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
CD | Transcript
The demand for petroleum products and price of oil is tipping the scales for the toxic tar sands of Alberta, Canada, pulling even green-painted BP back into the dirty, ugly, poisonous work. Without "green energy alternatives" and controls in the US that would block use of this Bad Oil, the rate of environmental destruction and greenhouse gas pollution will continue to increase.
Liz Barrratt at the NRDC writes about "The Mordor of the North," with links to the Ottawa-based Environmental Defense report “The Most Destructive Project on Earth”, and mentions how legislation such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Section 526 of the Energy Security and Independence Act (EISA) would help to block the expansion of this destructive project, by controlling the use of this Bad Oil in this country. At least, once the EPA is brought back within the Rule of Law by the election of Sen. Obama.
Can we protect ourselves from uncontrolled greed and its lobby? Can we bring green jobs to America, putting our young people and returning vets to work building the green energy infrastructure?
Yes, we CAN!
Doug Simpson, Wethersfield, CT
PURPOSE: The "Green Matters" event is a grassroots, one-day mass-donation event with the purpose of bringing the ENVIRONMENT into the forefront of the 2008 Presidential race. HOW IT WORKS: A massive one-day donation event on a nationally celebrated day of environmental awareness (Earth Day), and on the same day as the Pennsylvania primary, will penetrate the national dialogue, once again moving the environment to the forefront of Presidential politics. Our idea is to combine concern for the environment with Barack Obama's wide appeal and extensive grassroots support by recruiting people to make an official campaign donation in support of Barack Obama and the environment, on Earth Day - April 22, 2008. The success of this endeavor will show that the environment is a strong viable issue in the 2008 campaign, that Barack Obama is the right candidate to tackle the issue, and that Green Matters to many Americans.
WHY?:
Why do we feel it is so important to send this message now, more than ever?
* The health of the environment is a health care issue
* Environmental insecurity is an issue of national security
* A poor environment disproportionately affects the poor
* The environment is an issue that affects everyone
WHAT TO DO: 1. Go to www.envirobama.com/greenmatters to sign up and be a part of making history this Earth Day. 2. Sign up for the MYBO Environmentalists for Obama group at my.barackobama.com/page/group/EnvironmentalistsforObama
3. RSVP for the Green Matters! event at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4r89v
4. Go to www.envirobama.com to learn more about Barack Obama's strong environmental positions. 5. Pass all of this info on to as many people as possible, spread word across the internet, and help us get word out to powerful people and media outlets. 6. JOIN US BY PARTICIPATING ON APRIL 22 IN A ONE-DAY, MASS-DONATION EVENT TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT GREEN MATTERS! Thank you,
Environmentalists for Obama
Envirobama.com
