Carbon Coalition to Help Save the World from CO2
June 30, 2009 by Caro · Leave a Comment
The Soil Carbon Manifesto
A group of concerned Australians have got together to form the Carbon Coalition to help save the world from Carbon Dioxide (CO2) overload.
They believe that our planet is facing a crisis of too much CO2 which is causing Global Warming. Their website claims that one of the most effective strategies for locking up carbon in our atmosphere is to be found in fostering deep-rooted plant species on land used for agriculture.
They are urging governments and businesses to take notice of the important role that soil can play in getting us out of this increasingly dire situation. How? By sequestering carbon in the deep-rooted plants that grow in the soil.
According to their research, these plants with good solid root systems have a natural attraction to carbon which sequesters (seizes or holds) it. The Carbon Coalition suggest that this soil biomass is a natural carbon sink and can be used to create carbon credits in the same way as trees are currently used.
The Carbon Coalition invites people to get involved through advocacy, learning centres and as a registered grower.
To find out more go to http://www.carboncoalition.com.au/#carbon_forums
Energy Saving Light Bulbs Reduce Carbon Emissions
How many light bulbs does it take to save eight million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions?
A project to hand out 30 million energy-saving light bulbs to the Mexican poor is expected to save eight million tones of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s equivalent to closing down Mexico City streets to traffic for a year, and it will cut electricity bills for low-income earners.
The pro-environment, anti-poverty initiative is the brain child of a start-up company with the hip name Cool nrg. In return for Cool’s generosity the company will earn up to eight million carbon credits to be sold on the European carbon market. Its backers hope the project will provide a new model for socially responsible carbon offset programs. They’re also hoping the United Nations will accept it into a scheme set up under the Kyoto Protocol.
The really great thing from a consumer’s viewpoint is that it cuts emissions for the householder, rather than big business, because it can be used to improve domestic energy efficiency and keep more money in the everyday person’s pocket.
Cool nrg executive chairman Nic Frances says the initiative, “..will save Mexican families a couple of weeks’ wages every year.” And he estimates it will save the Mexican government $US200 million a year in electricity subsidies.
Source:
Cool nrg http://www.coolnrg.com/index.html
Adam Morton,The Age, 20.6.09
Plants Communicate and Look Out For Each Other
June 23, 2009 by Caro · Leave a Comment
Did you know that plants talk to each other?
Well according to University of California scientist Professor Richard Karban, the inhabitants of the vegetable kingdom are, “capable of more sophisticated behaviour than we imagined.”
Professor Karban says his findings challenge the notion that plant behaviour is simpler than animals. He says his experiments show that plants communicate by sending chemical messages through the air, warning of predators. When another plant hears the message, it boosts its defences against the caterpillar, grasshopper or other invader. Read more
Moving Out and Stepping Up - Marilyn’s Journey
June 23, 2009 by Caro · Leave a Comment
I moved to Adelaide, South Australia from Ipswich in Queensland in 2008 - a few things prompted this. The main stimulus for me is and always has been ‘my body’. Being a Virgo, I guess that’s not surprising!
I had worked hard to create a business and centre - Magick Moments - in Ipswich. My partner and I had completely renovated this lovely old (over 100 yrs) Queenslander house. The poor house had seen better days and once we started pulling everything apart it looked a real mess. I pulled off walls (much to my partner’s frustration), revealing incredible cedar boards beneath. He was frustrated because he had to fix anything I pulled apart - we had some very ‘trying’ times.
Garbage Bag Clothing To Raise Money For Charity
June 21, 2009 by Caro · Leave a Comment
As Cheeky As You Can’t - Can or Can’t How Will They Fare?
Three young friends are travelling together in a van around Australia wearing nothing but garbage bags.
Anne Race, Phil Carr and Gareth Owen, dubbed ‘the bin bag poms’, left their jobs in Britain to do the trip to raise $40,000 for children’s literacy.
The three are finding work wherever they can - anything from scrubbing seagull droppings to digging trenches - but all the money they earn is going to their charity fund Bookaid.org.
They are being clothed, fed and accommodated thanks to the kindness of the people they meet during their travels.
The trio plan to write a book about the true culture of mateship towards strangers in Oz.
To find out more or make a donation go to http://www.ascheekyasyoucant.blogspot.com/
Winter Solstice - Insights with Marilyn
What’s Happening Above Affects Us Below.
Today is a big day in the ‘heavens’ - the massive system of space and life above us - the Sun is shifting direction!
Such a huge mass of living matter -so crucial for our existence here on earth has slowed, stopped and is just about (3.16pm exact Adelaide/Australia time) to begin his welcomed journey in a new direction.
For us down here in Oz it means ‘yahoo - summer’s on the way” - a little way ahead yet, but the focus is there!
Life is a lot about ‘focus’ isn’t it?
Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere - Time for Reflection
Take Some Me Time to Enjoy and Benefit from the Winter Solstice
In the southern hemisphere our Summer Solstice falls in the three days 20 - 23 June. This period is caused by the sun appearing to stand still for three days
During this time we welcome the shortest day and longest night. For those of us in the southern hemisphere, the sun has reached its northernmost rising and setting points - it seems a long way away.
But good news! Even though it may feel as if it’s mid winter, it’s actually all up from here. After the 23 June the days begin to get longer and the nights shorter. The earth is warming for new shoots to emerge.
How To Make A Positive Difference - Simple Ways to Help Others
June 17, 2009 by Caro · Leave a Comment
Wondering what you can do to help others and the world that you can fit into your life right now?
Well Heidi Hancock, 29, of Hahndorf, South Australia, had a brilliant idea that’s so simple it’s unbelievable. With two small children, Heidi and husband Nick decided to teach their children about the joys of self sufficiency. They bought three chooks - Harriett, Esmae and Winnie - and started a small vegetable patch. “Many people would stop while walking past our house and ask about our veggie garden and chook house and I realised there was an opportunity to do something for work which would excite people about the environment and their wellbeing,” says Heidi.
Triangles - Visualisation for Planetary Healing
What is Triangles?
Triangles is a type of meditation where three people link each day in thought for a few minutes of creative visualisation.
The visualisation is a way to help bring healing light and love into the planet using the collective power of positive, conscious thought.
The three in the triangle don’t have to do the visualisation at the same time, they can live anywhere and have never met. The just sit and visualise light and goodwill circulating through the three focal points (themselves and the other two in the triangle) of each triangle, and pouring out through the network of triangles surrounding the planet. Read more
Working For The Greater Good - Emma Bird’s Story
June 4, 2009 by Caro · Leave a Comment
Emma Bird certainly knows how to spread her wings. At 23 years-old after two-years managing three call centres for British Telecom, she was flying around Europe and Asia setting up new businesses for the corporate giant.
“I stumbled into working in the first ever call centre in Britain in the late 1980s,” says Emma. “From there it was just up and up until I hit my late 20s.”
Earning good money, enjoying a stable and happy relationship and a nice car, what more could a girl want?
