Patricia February 22nd, 2008
photograph by Stu Worrall
© All rights reserved.
DO YOU KNOW?
This is one of the best newsletters on the environment, global economics and change!
Check out these statistics and sign up to stay informed.
Need data? Sometimes numbers can tell a story. Here are some of the
figures from the behind-the-scenes research for the latest book from Earth
Policy Institute, Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, by
Lester R. Brown. Complete data sets and charts are now available on-line at
www.earthpolicy.org/Books/PB3/data.htm.
Did you know?:
The eight warmest years on record have all occurred in the last decade.
For seven of the last eight years, the world has consumed more grain
than it produced; grain stocks are now at a historic low.
One fifth of the U.S. grain harvest is now being turned into fuel
ethanol.
One third of reptile, amphibian, and fish species examined by the World
Conservation Union are considered to be threatened with extinction.
Grain yields increased half as fast in the 1990s as they did in the
1960s.
Life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa today is lower than it was in the
late 1980s.
Today’s economically recoverable reserves of lead, tin, and copper
could be depleted within the next 25 years if their extraction expands at
current rates.
Nearly half of the annual global military budget of $1.2 trillion is
spent by one country — the United States.
But not all the news is bad:
South Korea leads the world in paper recycling, recovering an estimated
77 percent of its paper products.
Conservation agriculture is practiced on more than 100 million hectares
around the world
Four years after London introduced a fee on motor vehicles entering the
city center, average car traffic had fallen by 36 percent while
bicycle trips had increased by 49 percent.
The world produces 110 million bicycles a year, more than twice the
annual production of 49 million cars.
Fish farming, largely of herbivorous species, is the fastest growing
source of animal protein worldwide, increasing by an average of 7 percent
each year since 1995.
World soybean production has quadrupled since 1977.
Coal use in Germany has dropped 37 percent since 1990; in the United
Kingdom it has fallen by 43 percent.
Solar cell production is doubling every two years, making it the
world’s fastest growing energy source.
Electricity used for lighting around the world can be cut by 65 percent
through efficiency improvements like switching from incandescent bulbs
to compact fluorescents.
** Find out more in Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization,
on-line at www.earthpolicy.org/Books/PB3/index.htm, and explore the complete
datasets at www.earthpolicy.org/Books/PB3/data.htm.
For information contact:
Earth Policy Institute
1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 403
Washington, DC 20036
Web: www.earthpolicy.org
Technorati Tags: Community, Earth Policy Institute, Lester R. Brown, Peace, Spiritual, Uncategorized
Patricia February 18th, 2008
Capitalism 3.0: A Guide to Reclaiming the Commons
by Peter Barnes
Society is indeed a contract…between those who are living , those who are dead, and those who are to be born.” Edmund Burke 1792, Introduction Chapter One
“Barnes has opened the dialog of the 21st century. He takes the traditional concept of the commons and marries it to the institutions of modern capitalism. In so doing he exposes those who take fromthe commons without paying, then make the rest of us buy back what we already own.”
I heard Barnes speak at the SF 2006 Green Business Conference in SF sponsored by Co-op America.
The Real Wealth of Nations by Rianne Eisler
“The Caring Revolution–A New Economics that Works for Businesses, Families and the Planet”
“The greatest problems of our time–poverty, inequality, war, terrorism, and environmental degradation–can be traced to flawed economic systems that fail to value and support the most essential human work: caring for people and the planet. Renowned social scientist Eisler introduces a bold reformulation: a “caring econonics” that transcends traditional categories like “capitalist” and “socialist” and offers enormous economic and social benefits. She provide a blueprint for putting this more humane and effective economic system to work. (Back Cover)
I heard Riane speak the beginning of December at the Praxis Peace Institute annual benefit. I feel Riane offers solutions based on solid research that are sustainable, compassionate, and practical.
Communities around the world would do well to adopt the economics recommended by Barnes and Eisler.
Technorati Tags: Community, Peace, Peter Barnes, Rianne Eisler, Spiritual
Patricia February 6th, 2008
Photo: Roberto Zingales (Flickr Creative Commons)
URI: United Religions Initiative
I recently met with Sally Mahe who is the organizational and regional development director of the United Religions Initiative. Sally tells me since 2000 URI Cooperation Circles have grown at a dizzying pace expanding to over 60 countries around the world. However, home office in San Francisco’s Presidio is staffed with a team of 10 individuals who work for a very low stipend. URI is non-denominational and embraces all beliefs. It was started by Reverend Bill Swing, the Episcopal Bishop of California. Check out this supportive organization.
Have an impact in your own community by starting a Cooperation Circle
URI’s Purpose
Our purpose is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
I am impressed with URI’s Charter, Preamble and Principles and the work they are doing with cooperation circles around the world.
Do you know of other organizations doing grassroots work that exemplifies cooperation, tolerance and peace?
Please let me know.
Technorati Tags: Peace
Patricia February 1st, 2008
108 Bead Mala
Linking Peace, the Planet Earth and the Mystery of the Cosmos
The number 108 is associated with a wide range of sacred as well as mathematical properties. It is confirmed by astronomers that the diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth; the distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun. The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon.
My mala has 108 prayer beads and a master bead and was blessed by my guru who transmits perfect peace and stillness to my heart. Many traditions consider the number 108 to be spiritually auspicious.
Technorati Tags: Peace
