Globally Green Living

Well what better day than Inauguration Day to talk about how our new President feels about environmental issues..

In his inauguration speech this afternoon he mentioned:

* Not depending on energy sources that make our enemies stronger
* Utilizing natural energy sources like solar energy

Here are more specific issues he says he supports… (more…)

Riots are breaking out because of rising food prices and shortages on common staples such as rice, wheat, soy and corn. Millions are left vulnerable to be plunged further into poverty.

Countries that are dependent on imported food are in a worse position and likely to be hit harder.

“Haiti is the latest country to experience unrest related to soaring food and fuel prices (others include: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Mozambique and Senegal).” (WFP calls for funds to curb more unrest in Haiti)

Experts researched and released a report for the UN calling for major changes in agriculture.

Unesco recommendations included using more organic, local and sustainable farming methods worldwide. See UN Calls for Farming Revolution, BBC News for more information and to see an executive summary of the report.

Although some land has already been stripped, if combinations of plants are grown or more crops are rotated, it will help prevent further environmental damage.

The food crisis has understandably panicked many people but it has also led to restrictions on exporting and hoarding which is making the situation worse.

Other Causes of increased prices and food shortages

• The world’s population growth has led to more people eating meat, which also requires growing more crops to feed these animals.

• There has been a bigger demand for ethanol as well so more corn is being diverted for that purpose. Unfortunately, this has contributed to the food shortage as many predicted it would.

• Climate change and water shortages affect crops as well. When the rain doesn’t come or starts late and ends early, there is less food and/or ruined crops. Too much rain and melting snow leads to flooding which is just as devastating as drought for farmers.

All of this can leave many of us feeling helpless. If you’re looking for a way to help hungry people and haven’t tried the free rice vocabulary game, check it out and learn some new words at the same time. For each word that you get right, 20 grains of rice are donated through the UN World Food Program.

The video featured today is Live Let Live performed by Brian Wilson with gorgeous clips of Arctic animals from the movie Arctic Tale. Narrated by Queen Latifah, it includes the characters Nanu the polar bear, Seela the walrus and the struggle to survive in their melting world.

The walrus is an endangered mammal that can live up to 40 years old and weigh up to 1.5 tons (1.4 metric tons). They’re built to live in the cold and their blubber helps insulate them, while their tusks help them either latch onto or break the ice. (National Geographic’s Walrus Profile)

Polar bears are mammals that are insulated with a layer of fat that helps them withstand extremely cold weather.

Their webbed feet help make them strong swimmers. They can live up to 30 years old and weigh up to 1,600 lbs (720 kg). See National Geographic’s polar bear profile for more.

Ice disappearing is a definite problem for both of these animals. Polar bears can’t hunt seals or rest if there’s no ice. The walrus and seal have nowhere to rest or eat so their survival is at stake. Whether the polar bear would be able to adapt on land is not clear but they have already clashed with humans when in close proximity so coming to land more will only increase conflicts.

Live Let Live Lyrics

Are the we enemy living the memory
Grandly gambling
With our hand on the lifeline
Ghost of coastlines
You are hanging on time

Every last breath that you have left
Touched by the hand of the man
Brave riding the wave
Those we can save

Live let live
Not die

You think our tears are the only ones here
And its plain you see through
All my self expectation
Most like Moses when he parted the sea

There is a roar coming from shore
Cracking a glacier no more
When there was life
They would implore

Live let live
Not die

My heart beats so fast
(Heart beat, heart beat, heart beat)
My heart beats so fast
(Heart beat, heart beat, heart beat)
Makes one wonder all right
Breaking of ice at such a price
Time for some kindly advice

Polarization the talk of the nation
Explain to me why
Hearts are turning to warming
Painful games with thunder raining a warning

There is a roar coming from shore
Fussing and fighting and war
We have so much peace we should explore

Live let live let
Love is what living is for

Your heart beats with mine
(Heart beat, heart beat, heart beat)
Our hearts beat in time
(Heart beat, heart beat, heart beat)
Be true creatures of grace
Need over ice their paradise
Let them survive our embrace
(Brian Wilson Tracks)

What were you doing during earth hour? My mom said there would likely be a baby boom on March 29 at 8:00pm and she is probably right. (I’m not sure how good that will be for the environment.)

Without televisions and computers running, a lot of people probably did spend some quality time with each other.

We attempted a game of monopoly by candle light. It didn’t go smoothly but we had fun trying. I love how the picture turned out but have no clue how I achieved it.

Here is a crazy conversation that happened with the kids. “Ok, turn off the lights.” “But I can’t see my toys!” Trying for dramatic effect, “Don’t you get it? The world is going to blow up!” Reply, “Oh, alright then.”

After that, they decided it would be fun to see which neighbors did not turn off their lights and started hollering their names and describing what they were doing. The ones next to us who were watching their television must have heard them.

Reduce Your Impact Throughout the Year

Earth hour is a great way to get everyone together, save energy, brings awareness and creates conversations about how to conserve long term.

Recycling, adjusting your thermostat, turning off lights when not in use and switching to florescent bulbs are some ways we can continue to save energy. I think it’s great that millions of people all over the world are making a difference together.

• Check out Earth Hour and World Wildlife Fund’s website for more information on earth hour in your city, pictures and more ideas on reducing your impact on the environment.

Don’t forget tomorrow at 8:00pm is Earth Hour. Millions will be turning their lights off for one hour to show they care by reducing their impact on the earth and helping to fight climate change.

This Nature Photo Slideshow With Music is brought to you by Jonathan Jessup, who takes breathtaking pictures of nature.