Globally Green Living

It’s been a bit of a busy weekend but productive since the bills are paid and the kids have some new clothes. I bought yet another reusable bag because it was too cute and colorful not to grab. I have a bunch of Presidents Choice bags and they’re alright but they’re black and not exactly summery.

I may have mentioned the website Reusable Bags before but it’s worth mentioning again since they have a large selection of totes. They also have some interesting facts about how plastic bags are polluting the earth.

Today’s song is by Chicane and called No Ordinary Morning. The video features scenes from Planet Earth.

I need a new bed so doing a little online window shopping for beds made out of bamboo.

There’s something about canopy beds and I have always wanted one. I found this gorgeous bamboo canopy queen bed at Things of Bamboo.

Hopefully you’re not in a hurry though because it takes three months to deliver.

If you want to snooze outside in the summer, how about a bamboo lounge from BambooHardwoods.com? They also do custom cabinetry so they can build just about anything you can think of out of bamboo.

I love the look and feel of bamboo and it seems exotic and rustic at the same time. It’s also a renewable resource so grows very quickly as opposed to lumber that can take up to fifty years to grow back.

To see several more selections and styles of bamboo beds, check out Export Bali. Shown here is a double bed with a rounded headboard but there are a few bamboo canopy beds there as well.

Looking for a bed for a baby? The only bamboo cribs I could find were at Celery Furniture and Elemental Baby but I’m sure there are more out there. A couple I went to because they said bamboo but they were only referring to the color and they said things like “oiled hue of bamboo”. They cost just as much so watch the wording.

If you’re looking for a bamboo bassinet, Ali from Inhabitat posted about the YiAhn convertible bassinet. You can use it for years because it converts later to a table, book shelf, chair or toy bin. Bassinets are usually only good for a couple months so this is a wonderful practical idea.

Survivalists are apparently secretly scheming by stashing wood, guns and growing their own grub, convinced it’s too late to save anyone so preparing to defend their stash.

There are many jumping on the homestead wagon but motives are different with Energy Survivalists and there is a much more pessimistic attitude.

Living off the land and becoming self-sufficient is admirable but being in a panicked state with no hope of making a difference can’t be pleasant. What do you think?

“Convinced the planet’s oil supply is dwindling and the world’s economies are heading for a crash, some people around the country are moving onto homesteads, learning to live off their land, conserving fuel and, in some cases, stocking up on guns they expect to use to defend themselves and their supplies from desperate crowds of people who didn’t prepare.” (Energy fears looming, new survivalists prepare, Associated Press, May 24, 2008)

Today’s tune is If a tree falls, by Bruce Cockburn. Too many trees are falling and every minute we lose another 100 acres of Rainforest. This means not only do we lose people and animals but plants used for medicine are disappearing as well. Bulldozing trees down is not profitable long term.
The Rainforest offers many sustainable materials that are valuable. Unfortunately, many companies just think about the short term and go for the lumber.

As a strange aside, Harrison Ford had his chest waxed for the environment. He said: “Few people realise that burning and clearing tropical forests emits at least 20 per cent of total greenhouse gases that cause climate change - more than all the world’s cars, trucks and airplanes combined.” (Harrison Ford had chest waxed for rain forests, Stephen Adams)
If a tree falls lyrics:

Rain forest
Mist and mystery
Teeming green
Green brain facing labotomy
Climate control centre for the world
Ancient cord of coexistence
Hacked by parasitic greedhead scam -
From Sarawak to Amazonas
Costa Rica to mangy B.C. hills -
Cortege rhythm of falling timber.

What kind of currency grows in these new deserts,
These brand new flood plains?

If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear?
If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear?
Anybody hear the forest fall?

Cut and move on
Cut and move on
Take out trees
Take out wildlife at a rate of species every single day
Take out people who’ve lived with this for 100,000 years -
Inject a billion burgers worth of beef -
Grain eaters - methane dispensers.

Through thinning ozone,
Waves fall on wrinkled earth -
Gravity, light, ancient refuse of stars,
Speak of a drowning -
But this, this is something other.
Busy monster eats dark holes in the spirit world
Where wild things have to go
To disappear
Forever

If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear?
If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear?
Anybody hear the forest fall?

Bruce Cockburn, CockburnProject.net

Because Burma is ruled by Than Shwe’s dictatorship, the military is arresting reporters and journalists, forbidding them from finding out who needs help and how many are dead.

The government doesn’t seem to trust anyone so say they prefer to distribute the aid themselves. So far, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of food making its way to the people who need it.

Had the Burmese people been warned in time there would have been less suffering. Now instead of allowing aid to get through they’re blocking that along with censoring, arresting and interrogating journalists. There has been an estimated 2.5 million people affected by the cyclone but only a small portion have received any aid.

30% of farmers have lost their rice fields and animals to Cyclone Nargis. Some of the farmers have also died so there’s confusion on what to do with the land. Aid that does get through has been sporadic.

“Farmers in the areas most affected by Cyclone Nargis need rice seed by the end of June, or Burma’s rice harvest will fail, the United Nations says. The UN has warned that the harvest could fail this year and next, making the country - currently a net rice exporter - a net importer of rice.” (BBC News, Burma’s rice harvest under threat, Chris Hogg)

Today the European Parliament will be voting on whether to charge Than Shwe’s government with crimes against humanity. It’s a horrible situation and it’s hard to fathom how anyone could refuse help to people in need, leaving them to starve.

Here’s Felicity Huffman with her take on the situation in Burma. To take action or to find out more see US Campaign for Burma and How to Help (International Aid to Burma)

Food Not Bombs is an anti-poverty group dedicated to providing vegetarian food to anyone who is hungry. They do this voluntarily and because it is done publicly have drawn a lot of attention.

“For over 25 years the movement has worked to end hunger and has supported actions to stop the globalization of the economy, restrictions to the movements of people, end exploitation and the destruction of the earth.” (Story of Food Not Bombs)

• Every Saturday Food Not Bombs was handing out food in front of City Hall in Kitchener, Ontario with no major issues. More recently, complaints have been reported from neighboring businesses, which resulted in a cease and desist letter from the city telling the group to stop feeding hungry people at City Hall.

Assaults, drug deals and panhandling have all been claimed to come about because of Food Not Bombs existence, although I suspect such things existed before. Volunteers include professors and other professionals who insist there have been no problems with violence in the nine years they have been serving food there.

But Kelly Anthony, a member of the group who is also a health sciences professor at the university, said the group hasn’t decided if the other locations are acceptable.

To be off the main street “would completely fly in the face of our mandate, to bring visibility to issues of hunger and poverty,” she said.

In the nine years the group has been distributing food, there hasn’t been any fighting or other intimidating behaviour, she said. “We just don’t see it, or we would call the police.” (The Fight for King, Luisa D’Amato, The Record, May 5, 2008)

A compromise has since been reached and a new location has been agreed upon that is still visible from King Street. There has been a lot of stress on the fact that it’s not feeding the hungry that people have a problem with but that they’re visible and scaring away customers. So it seems some are aware of their existence but they just don’t want to see them out in the open or in public places such as City Hall.

This is not the first time Food Not Bombs has had this issue. Some members have even been arrested for feeding homeless people because of a law that makes it illegal to feed more than 25 people without a permit. The law is supported by many business owners who feel the homeless are an eyesore and not good for business. (Feed Homeless Face Arrest)

Like Mike Farwell said, ignoring the problem does not make it go away.

Since I skipped last Saturday’s songs, today I found a couple for you. I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I puttered around catching up on housework, made some candles, gardened and went for a hike in the sun.

First up is North American Wildlife with Vanessa Williams singing Colors of the Wind. It includes photos of bears, moose, deer, horses, birds, wolves and more.

Colors of the Wind Lyrics:

You think I’m an ignorant savage,
and you’ve been so many places,
I guess it must be so, but still I cannot see,
How the savage one is me,
How can there be so much that you don’t know,
You don’t know,

You think you own whatever land you land on,
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim,
But I know every rock, and tree and creature,
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name,

You think the only people who are people,
Are the people who look and think like you,
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger,
You learn things you never knew, you never knew,

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain?
Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest,
Come taste the sun-sweet berries of the earth,
Come roll in all the riches all around you,
And for once, never wonder what they’re worth,

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers,
The heron and the otter are my friends,
And we are all connected to each other,
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends,

How high does the sycamore grow?
If you cut it down, then you’ll never know,
And you’ll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon,
whether we are white or copper-skinned,
Can you can sing with all the voices of the mountain?
Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?

You can own the Earth and still,
All you’ll own is earth until,
You can paint ,with all the colours of the wind…

(Thanks to Lyrics Mode)

This next one is a beautiful slide show of mountains and other scenery with music by Kenny G.

Six people from northern Ontario, Canada were jailed from the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation over their opposition to exploring and mining for uranium on their land.

The courts have made it clear that any concerns were to be addressed and identified with Indigenous people but they were not consulted.

The Ontario Mining Act has been in place since 1873 but it needs to be reformed. The present act gives everyone free range over the land if seeking minerals regardless of who it affects.

If people want to blast, build, dig or tear down trees they can without consulting anyone. The Ontario Mining Act not only violates Aboriginal rights but the laws protecting the environment are also not applicable.

Also, consider signing the online petition, which is an open letter to Ontario Premier McGuinty urging the government to reform the Ontario Mining Act and protect Indigenous rights. Although the courts have recognized Indigenous rights are being violated, the Ontario Mining Act has still not been changed.

“Last month, more than 30 environmental organizations, faith groups and social justice movements sent an open letter to Ontario Premier McGuinty. The letter called for a just resolution of the causes of the KI and Ardoch disputes so that the imprisoned leadership can be freed.”For more information see, Indigenous leaders jailed so mining operations can proceed.

Supporting the petition will help free Chief Donny Morris, Deputy Chief Jack MacKay, Samuel McKay, Cecilia Begg, Darryl Sainnawap and Bruce Sakakeep. Indigenous people’s rights have been violated for too long and something needs to be done before more land is destroyed. This is not the first time this has happened and jailing people , violating their rights and ignoring their peaceful protests is obviously not working.

Polar bears have been declared a threatened species and the Bush administration has acknowledged global warming is affecting their survival. The ice is expected to continue to melt but it was also made clear that there was no plan to reduce greenhouse gases.

Conservation groups, environmentalists and activists are understandably upset because even though the decision acknowledges Polar bears are in danger, they’re not offered much protection.

Canada so far has not announced that the bears are threatened even though two thirds of all Polar bears are in Canada. See U.S. Lists Polar Bear as Threatened Species for more.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there! I have been hanging out at Mother Earth News and they have a fantastic list of DIY projects. I’m so big on DIY projects that sometimes my husband gets upset with me because I often don’t ask him for help.

There are times though that you find things that you have to act immediately on or they will be gone so sometimes I drag home treasures I find on the street. Sometimes I’m just too impatient to wait until he has time.

Make your own paint

I love to paint and adding a little color helps brighten up and personalize your home. When you do it yourself there’s a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that you don’t get if you hire someone else to do it either.

At Mother Earth News, they show us how we can make our own paint. Bill Steen breaks it down for us with three different recipes for paint using flour, oil or casein (milk). I realize this is not what many of you want to do on Mother’s Day but its still fun to read about and plan. See the article Make Safe Natural Paint for more.

Build your own food dehydrator

My mom and dad did this years ago and mom was on quite the kick and dehydrated just about everything. I love dried fruit though and it does make sense to have some food that you’re not depending on electricity to store. Of course, you could can things as well but canning everything gets kind of old. See Build a Solar Food Dehydrator.

Today the only DIY project I’m working on is my little vegetable garden but I am looking forward to giving the flour paint a go. First I’ll test the paint in my office since it’s a small space and it needs brightened up and cleaned anyway. Then I’m probably going to read one of the many books I have been putting off for no good reason. I have a couple new beautiful coffee cups from the kids that I’m also going to put to good use. Whatever you do this Mother’s Day, enjoy it because you deserve it.

Things are finally warming up here which means I can plant some vegetables soon. So far I have some chives and basil that bounced back from last year.

The basil is particularly tough and I saw the healthy green sprouts trying to burst through the snow several times. Here’s a pic of it growing all sideways.

Herbs and spices can turn almost any bland food into something more exciting and tasty. Shelly has an interesting post up on Earthly Eating about the medicinal properties of some herbs and includes a yummy recipe.

This year I plan to expand my garden but need to recruit a couple guys to dig it up for me since the last time I gave that a go on my own, I almost snapped my back. Last year the tomatoes and zucchinis were successful but some of my jalapeño peppers shriveled up.

The food crisis hasn’t hit us with higher prices but it’s predicted that it will. We can’t grow wheat or rice to supply our family with but potatoes, onions, carrots and cabbage are some things that grow well here. We have raspberries coming but animals kept jumping on my strawberry plants last year. I’m hesitant to try them again because it was discouraging. Does anyone have any hints on keeping critters away from strawberries? If so, do share.

I bought a book on gardening in small spaces and it was a little disappointing because it mostly focused on making it look pretty.

Thankfully we do have the internet and there are plenty of people offering their practical advice, experience and encouragement to help us grow our own harvest.

Anais from Path to Freedom has started a Back to Basics Challenge encouraging us to preserve our harvest by canning, freezing, drying and more.

Back in January Anais started the 100 Foot Diet Challenge. I wasn’t aware of it back then but I’m on it now. The challenge is simply to create a meal at least once a week with homegrown food. It’s a great way to improve your nutrition, become more self sufficient and decrease your carbon foot print.

The featured videos today are Elton John’s Believe and Blessed. They got me thinking about future generations who we will never meet but care enough about to want to protect.

Elton John started the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 after getting frustrated at the lack of help many people with AIDS were getting. So far, they have helped fund over 100 million dollars towards the fight against AIDS in 55 different countries.

Prevention programs are helping thousands including poor people, drug users, gay men and some who have just been released from prison. Without access to proper health care, condoms, clean needles and safe water, many are left vulnerable and risk passing down AIDS to another generation.

There is still a lot of discrimination and ignorance when it comes to AIDS but when people like Elton John step up to the plate more people might feel better about and/or be able to reach out for help. Anyone can get AIDS including women and children but it’s been so stigmatized some are still ashamed to come forward since they might be ostracized.

Believe Lyrics:

I believe in love, it’s all we got
Love has no boundaries, costs nothing to touch
War makes money, cancer sleeps
Curled up in my father and that means something to me
Churches and dictators, politics and papers
Everything crumbles sooner or later
But love, I believe in love

I believe in love, it’s all we got
Love has no boundaries, no borders to cross
Love is simple, hate breeds
Those who think difference is the child of disease
Father and son make love and guns
Families together kill someone
Without love, I believe in love

Without love I wouldn’t believe
In anything that lives and breathes
Without love I’d have no anger
I wouldn’t believe in the right to stand here
Without love I wouldn’t believe
I couldn’t believe in you
And I wouldn’t believe in me
Without love

I believe in love
I believe in love
I believe in love

Blessed Lyrics:

Hey you, you’re a child in my head
You haven’t walked yet
Your first words have yet to be said
But I swear you’ll be blessed

I know you’re still just a dream
your eyes might be green
Or the bluest that I’ve ever seen
Anyway you’ll be blessed

And you, you’ll be blessed
You’ll have the best
I promise you that
I’ll pick a star from the sky
Pull your name from a hat
I promise you that, promise you that, promise you that
You’ll be blessed

I need you before I’m too old
To have and to hold
To walk with you and watch you grow
And know that you’re blessed

Sarah Ratty designs the earthy, ethical and environmentally conscious line of clothing Ciel. It’s so hip it has been a hit with celebrities such as Cate Blanchett and Sienna Miller.

I love their sexy yet comfy lingerie such as boy shorts and camisole vest combo. They would be perfect for lounging around in on a hot day.

The Natural Collection has some pretty pieces too such as their organic cotton cherub underwear set.

They’re fairly traded as well so you can respect and help people, take better care of the earth and still look good.

The wackiest, yet one of the more innovative bras I came across is this Japanese bra and bag combo by Triumph International Japan.

It’s called the “No shopping bag bra” or the “No reji-jukuro bra”. Triumph has designed quite a few eco-themed bras so check out their website when you get a chance. There are a couple guys on there modeling underwear as well. They look good but not sure how friendly they are.

The excess fabric acts as padding for the bra. It could be tricky undressing and shopping at the same time but it would make for a good back up bag in a pinch anyway.

It’s meant to cut down on plastic bags and is made out of polyester fiber from recycled plastic bottles, which is surprisingly soft.

“Each year, Japanese shoppers receive an estimated 30 billion plastic shopping bags, which, in terms of the oil resources needed to produce them, amounts to two giant tankers full of oil (millions of barrels).” See Eco-friendly bra doubles as shopping bag on Pink Tentacle’s blog for more.