Life is an extremely complex subject, like a river delta there are many tributaries that feed and lead off into many different directions. Some are calm, some are violent rapids, some pass through beautiful views and others contain dangers lurking beneath. There are also many tools that people use to filter or make sense of the pictures, sounds, images, feelings and experiences they encounter whilst travelling these many paths through life.
I am in no way planning to explore the many facets of these intriguing routes Continue reading →
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 →
I wanted to bring your attention to a friends blog. Paul is an internet geek, no….. nerd….. actually, I don’t even know if he fits into either of those? Perhaps, boffin, would be best suited! Either way, he has also earn himself the title of vegan and despite writing a wonderful book entitled eat awesome, he occasionally blogs useful musings…..
TIPS FOR VEGAN TRAVELLERS
I spend a couple of months a year on the road, going from city to city (either with my band on tour or just travelling for fun), and typically I need to eat. So I figured I’d put together a handy list of things I’ve learned about the best, easiest, and most filling way to travel if you’re vegan.
Today, my spirits have been lifted. I was fortunate enough to locate ‘Earth Blog 21‘ directing me to the video below of Prince Charles addressing those in attendance at the Rio PLus 20 summit. He has quite undeniably stated that the global population needs to take our climate and sustainability more seriously and not ignore scientific evidence that our planet is heading to catastrophe if we do not change out ways.
It is amazing that a public figure such as this, has stepped up to the plate and laid it out how it is. For the first time in my life I have developed a true love of this man. In previous weeks, I have been nonchalant in regards to Britain’s monarchy, but this piece from Prince Charles has garnered some support from me.
Better than any Queens Speech
I encourage you to watch the Speech in its entirety, but to capture a few quotes that really struck me:
“We continue to ignore the painful lessons of the so called green revolution in India, by intensifying our food production methods in such blinkered, chemically and technologically based ways, that the land and the oceans are both beginning to fail.”
I admire that he too believes that the use of chemicals in food production is causing our natural environment to fail.
”Tragically we can not even plead ignorance of the consequences of our actions as the scientific evidence is overwhelming, the impacts are well understood. There is wide spread consensus within each discipline, which when put together with all the rest, forms a powerful aggregated picture, that we can il afford to ignore!”
Prince Charles is clearly saying, that we should not be ignoring the science on these matters and that it is time to do something.
“It is perhaps a trait of human nature; to act only when the worst happens, but that is not a trait we can afford to rely on here. Once the worst does happen, Im afraid, this time around, it will be too late to act at all.”
Very dramatically at the end of the video Prince Charles enforces his message, that now is the time!
This piece has opened my eyes to how the Monarchy is detached from politics and therefore has nothing to fear regards any repercussions of what is said. This allows Prince Charles to state what he truly believes which takes some courage in todays society.
I know we are no longer in the days where Kings & Queens rule by fear, death and beheading people, which is a good thing, but I can only hope that the new peaceful process of encouragement from Prince Charles can spark recognition of these huge chalenges the world faces and spurs some influential people into action.
We don’t need to wait until governments change the rules, you can change today by choosing where you spend your money and how you live your life.
International Sustainability Unit
During the speech Prince Charles makes mention of the Hake fisheries of South Africa. I decided to look this up as I was concerned about fish farming and whether or not he supported this in anyway. The declaration for the Marine Program does not mention any support of fish farming, it does mention that the program wishes to reverse the decline of wild fisheries and:
Sustainable fisheries are profitable fisheries in which good management is rewarded by good livelihoods, dignified employment and strong communities. That is why sound economics must underpin sustainable fishing. Sound economics must create positive incentives for robust management so as to achieve long-term sustainability while at the same time making short-term unsustainable practices less attractive.
Thank you for reading – I hope you too found some encouragement in this and want to make relevant changes to enhance our future and the future of other generations to come.
I recently read an article that highlighted to me the wonders of nature that we tend to over look or take for granted.
A teacher in the article has been teaching his young students for many years as to the life cycle of salmon and the intricacies of nature. I can’t imagine that people ever stop to think about this process of natural creation and how we, on this planet, are exposed to such wondrous behaviour and the miracles of the universe.
Currently the human race is experiencing a shift in consciousness. But this shift is pulling in two different directions from two different schools of understanding. Those that truly connect with nature and the source of their being, and those that are connected with material wealth, performance and money. There is a superficiality with the latter that detaches one from the depths of truth and awe. It stops people bathing in the magic of everything around us and turns each action into a quantification or a bottom line; a hard number or fact. This is exactly what salmon farming and any other type of mass consumer farming does for that matter. It’s about numbers and power.
Instead of appreciating the intricacies of nature, nature is turned into business, a science project a mass production to serve a greedy hungry population and the magic is lost!
Take a moment today to understand the intricacies of nature on a deeper level, turning away from mass consumption and greed and pay attention to the wonders of nature.
Had to share this awesome video. The People of Haida Gwaii do not want to the northern gateway pipeline. It appears that Harper has been smoking something! Check it out and like the video to spread it far and wide!
Having just read the headline, “British soldier, shot dead in Afghanistan!” made me think a little bit.
Image courtesy of World at War Blogspot
First of all it makes me sad that people are being killed for the sake of war and the second thought it provokes is in regards to why the papers report this in this way?
By reporting it in this way it seems designed to spark enrage at the ‘opposing’ countries. It does not and should not matter whether this soldier is British, Australian, an Israeli or from Afghanistan, the point of the matter is, a person has been shot. It is no more important that he is British! Using headlines like this weights the article with an intention, an intention to harbor hatred or disgust for ‘the enemy’. It seems to belittle all other deaths of non-british soldiers! The same occurs in other countries’ headlines, they report how many soldiers of their nation have been killed. Why do we create this separation and detach the human element from these crimes of murder. Whatever nationality the person, they were still killed and it appears that government and media are trying to stir hatred in those countries in order to create support for these wars. Well here’s the news for you, your real enemy is the person sending these soldiers to war. It is time to realize this propaganda and to start seeing that innocent lives are being lost merely to appease governments insatiable greed for money, resources and world domination, all under the guise of ‘democracy’.
The next time you read about a soldier from your country being killed in a foreign country, think about all those other people being killed, ask yourself why and also spare a thought for the terrible state ones head must be in in order to kill someone. Why do our governments create this situation? Why do they treat human beings as fodder? And why belittle someone’s death in order to build ‘patriotism’ and support for a war that is always unnecessary?
What emotions are stirred inside you by this type of headline – are you supportive of wars, is there truly a need for war and what is your opinion of the true reasons countries are engaged in war?
This video is North Korean Propaganda, that actually seems to really hit some valid points! It truly makes you see how the Western cultures of consumerism have been used to exploit and enslave entire populations. I laughed out loud when it shows you the reactions of people “rejoicing” because they just won “consumer goods” or bought a phone!
A worthy watch, there are more parts to come, I suggest you subscribe to the YouTube channel to see what follows.
Are we ALL victims of psychological warfare, by our own leaders. I certainly think so. Even more so with recent actions by the Harper government in Canada. They are losing grip on society as methods are being uncovered and they are finding it ever harder to conceal their draconian, underhand procedures to dumb down the population. It’s time to stand up and ask questions that matter. It’s time for the people to pave the way, not for the seedy, greedy “elite” to destroy this planet for their own gain. Get involved in the dialogue, do something to make yourself heard and make a difference in the direction of Humanity. If you are not here to contribute, then what are you here for?
I would love to hear your views below in the comments section – thanks for contributing!
As you run the water into the sink for washing the dishes, instead of running the tap waiting for it to get hot before you put the plug in the sink, why not fill the kettle as the water warms? By the time the kettle is full, the water will be warm and then you can begin to fill the sink with hot water without wasting a drop!
Happy environment saving!
During the speech Prince Charles makes mention of the Hake fisheries of South Africa. I decided to look this up as I was concerned about fish farming and whether or not he supported this in anyway. The 
