Smart Meters – the Dangers

smart-meterMany seem to just accept their new meters, without question, sure, great idea. This is true about many things, we always believe the label, or the advert, or we just take the companies word for it that it’s gonna be fine. We very rarely stop and ask questions, often people that ask questions are ridiculed or made out to look paranoid and distrusting!

I say it is only wise to research what you expose yourself to. Whilst it is true that you can not protect yourself from everything, it is certainly worth minimising certain risks to remain healthy. Not only is it a matter of remaining healthy but it is a matter of telling large corporations that they should not be making profits off making people sick!

Let’s take a look at the common phrase I have heard all too often, ‘Well everything gives you cancer, I can’t avoid everything!”

Yes, almost everything CAN give you cancer. Shouldnt we then be asking, “WHY do most things give me cancer!!?”

If we asked this question, then maybe we can deal with the issue at the route of the problem. As a human race, we are causing cancer, we are producing chemicals, refining things, outputting toxins into the atmosphere and spraying our food with all sorts of crap. Is it any wonder almost EVERYTHING gives us cancer?!

So lets start asking WHY…… I wanted to make you aware of a recent article regarding the introduction of Smart Meters. Marketed as the ‘eco friendly’ way to run your electricity. Not only is it putting people out of jobs, it is allowing corporations to monitor your electricity use to gather marketing data and also it is effecting many peoples health. PLease read the article below to make yourself aware!

The Waking Times – Correcting the Gross Misinformation

The Honest Coca Cola Add

I have definitely drank a lot of coke in my time and yes, it does go so well with Rum! However, I am not a big coke drinker and very rarely touch it these days. It’s such a large company that causes so much destruction and pollution that it is difficult for me to support them. I cam across this fantastic video the other day – I hope you get chance to see it before someone takes it down!

Some horrible news about coca cola!

While I’ve got you – When a state government in Australia considered creating a 10-cent refund on recycling plastic bottles, Coca-Cola poured money into a misleading campaign to oppose the plan. Then, when common sense won out and the plan passed, Coke immediately sued the government to stop the program.
Check this petition to tell coca cola to stop paying money in an attempt to stop recycling in Australia!

Eating Out – Friday Fun

I decided to post a funny video this morning just for a bit of fun. The Video is from a show called Portlandia and humorously addresses our desires to watch what we eat and the trials of eating ethically. I’d almost say it would be better to be vegetarian than to have to ask all these questions…..

But whatever, watch the clip – it made me laugh…..

Redirecting Weaponry to Livingry

The picture below cleverly depicts an explosion transformed into a huge tree. A beautiful image that may just spark an urgency to change the way our planet operates. The excerpt below is taken from Anxiety Culture website

It could never have been done before. Only ten years ago the more-with-less technology reached the point where it could be done. Since then the invisible technological-capability revolution has made it ever easier so to do. It is a matter of converting the high technology from weaponry to livingry. The essence of livingry is human-life advantaging and environment controlling. With the highest aeronautical and engineering facilities of the world redirected from weaponry to livingry production, all humanity would have the option of becoming enduringly successful.” – R. Buckminster Fuller, Critical Path, Introduction.

tree bomb

Greener Swiffer

green mop ideaI have in the past been successfully marketed to by the manufacturers of the swiffer mop and have enjoyed the benefits of such convenience.  As I become more aware of my environment and develop a deeper interest in the needs of the planet along with the incessant attempt at corporations attempts to make money, I begin to ask questions of these ‘convenience’ products. Continue reading

Levellers and the Exxon Valdez

This song from my teens, randomly came into my head by the levellers – on closer inspection I saw the following Lyrics:

“Your Walkman generation
In search of sweet sedation
While forests choke under a ‘lever sky
And the Exxon birds will never fly”

These lyrics refer to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill – Quite appropriate as we fight the Enbridge Pipeline in Canada.

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Just a part of the massive cleanup operation of the Exxon Valdez

Defend Our Coast | Victoria BC

Defend our coast Victoria

Last Monday, October 22 2012, I was fortunate enough to be in a position to attend a very important rally in Victoria, BC, called Defend Our Coast.  I live about a 5 hour drive from Victoria, but circumstances were such that I was in Vancouver at the time, making my attendance much more achievable.

My day began at 5am on a couch in Vancouver, followed by a short train and bus journey. It first came apparent as to the size of this event whilst sat on the number 620 bus to Tsawwassen ferry terminal.  Overhearing conversations about political directions and Stephen Harper and the “state of things”, made me realise that the majority of people on this bus were heading to to the rally.  It was comforting to know that so many people actually cared. Continue reading

Surviving Progress – Reducing Consumption

Last night I watched a great documentary; “Surviving Progress“. It was inspired by a best-selling book by Ronald Wright and includes Martic Scorsese as one of the executive directors.

The message is amazing and very true to my own beliefs.  It really tries to address the current issue with our global over consumption.   Continue reading

Building a Vegetable Garden Planter

Two days ago I set about doing something I have never done before; build something from scratch.  Well, I guess a number of years ago back at school I did build a wall mountable bike rack and tool tray for a project, but that doesn’t count as it was designed and thought out, plus I had a teacher to guide me. Building something from nothing is very satisfying and upon completion of this little project I was very proud of my efforts.  So as you can tell from the title of the post, I built a Garden Planter, in which to grow vegetables. Continue reading

Urban farming at its best – Vancouver

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A UK company is turning an unused car park in Downtown Vancouver into an urban farm. This space will not use any GMO seeds or pesticides and instead will rely on an internal system of insects to control various pests. This is a fantastic idea, so happy to see something positive being done with disused and dormant space. Read the full article on news1130.