Water Shortage

Water scarcity will be a problem well before global warming, oil, energy, will be. Water and our food system go hand in hand. Right now in California, they are in the 3rd year of drought. Bad enough that farmer's are cutting down orchards and letting the land go baron. On average a farmer in the central valley is receiving 30% less water than they were 5 years ago. With the lower of water tables all over the west, pumping it yourself is now not becoming an option.

Treehugger.com recently published a article titled: Water Shortages Rising Across the Globe, But Especially India showing how and why Water shortages are occurring all over the globe. Aside from our western states, China, India, and Africa are being hit really hard. "By 2025, India, China and select countries in Europe and Africa will face water scarcity if adequate and sustainable water management initiatives are not implemented, and an estimated 3 Billion people will be living below the water stress threshold".

There is an inevitable wall about to be hit. Population growth & pollution are growing so fast, that I believe sooner than later we will be having serious water issues. In the article, they say "By 2050, per capita water availability in India is expected to drop by about 44% due to growing populations and higher demand, as well as higher pollution levels". This is scary.

Pick up the movie or book titled: Blue Gold. Both a great source of information concerning water issues.

A great resource to avoid using plastic disposable water bottles is getting a reusable water bottle at ECOBAGS.COM. There are many styles to choose from.

Top 50 Green Energy Purchasers

I am as shocked as you probably are. The E.P.A. announced it Top 50 green energy purchasers HERE. Of the top 5 companies I owned 4 of their stocks and didn't even realize it. It obviously makes me feel better with new realization of the information. I think the most shocking must be that Whole Foods(#5) purchases 100% of energy from renewable resources and Wal-Mart(#15)purchases 8%. That sheer volume of difference is exacerbating the 'Wal-Mart' effect. Whole Foods, while they are progressive only throw a drop in the bucket of what Wal-Mart has the capability to complete. Next most shocking, City of Oil (I mean Houston) right up there as the largest city purchaser of renewable energy. As I continue to read I have to retract my previous statements because Kohl's Department Store is # 3. Kohl's. I connect Kohl's with cheesy 30-60 year old woman's clothing. And now this. Wow.

This was as shocking as is was enlightening. I suggest for all to amuse and educate yourselves.

Earth Day 2009

A few days late, but the meaning is the same.  The day is meant for people to be more aware and celebrate environmentalism and the plant's health.  This is something I am concerned about everyday.  I heard a report stating that 'Corporate ad's concerning greening their brand occur on average 4% of total ads played, and on Earth Day they account for 10%'.  What does this say to you?  For me it means that 'greening' has no real meaning at all.  Brands who push popular ideas as they come week to week are just trying to jump on the tips of the tongues on customers.  Brands that push sustainability in their business and not just their Earth Day message are exactly the brands we should be buying from.

Monsanto to try and outlaw Organic Farming

I couldn't even make this one up. H.R. 875 PLEASE Read.

Main backer and lobbyist is Monsanto – chemical and genetic engineering giant corporation (and Cargill, ADM, and about 35 other related agri-giants). This bill will require organic farms to use specific fertilizers and poisonous insect sprays dictated by the newly formed agency to "make sure there is no danger to the public food supply". This will include backyard gardens that grow food only for a family and not for sales.

The Purpose of this bill is to

• (1) the safety of the food supply of the United States is vital to the public health, to public confidence in the food supply, and to the success of the food sector of the Nation’s economy;
• (2) lapses in the protection of the food supply and loss of public confidence in food safety are damaging to consumers and the food industry, and place a burden on interstate commerce and international trade;
• (3) recent ongoing events demonstrate that the food safety program at the Food and Drug Administration is not effective in controlling hazards in food coming from farms and factories in the United States and food and food ingredients coming from foreign countries, and these events have adversely affected consumer confidence;
• (4) the safety and security of the food supply require a systemwide approach to prevent food-borne illness involving the integrated efforts of Federal, State and local agencies; a thorough, broad-based, and coordinated approach to basic and applied science; and intensive, effective, and efficient management of the Nation’s food safety program;

There are in total 12 purposes. This seems to be right out of the documentary: The Future of Food. To all that have not watched this movie, please put it on your netflix queue. It will change the way you think about food, inherently we are what we eat. Monsanto is estimated to own 11,000 patents on different seeds; 11,000

How can we as a society mess with the genetic diversity of the very foundation on civilization, food? I hope that this entry, movie and bill will motivate you to go to you farmer's market and support local farming. If not, you didn't watch the movie. This is the same fear marketing that the Bush Administration 'patented' so well. If the USA passes this bill, we will have regressed in the advancement of human civilization. I fear that these large seed bank pockets are too large to divert our politicians.

ECOBAGS For Good

Instead of fundraising with obesity ridden candies, or wasteful & moronic magazines, why not try using a company like ECOBAGS.COM reusable products as options for fundraising. They are both socially and environmentally responsible products, something all products should be in this world. If you or anyone has a need for something like this check out ECOBAGS for Good. ECOBAGS.COM is doing a lot to change our Collective Thought Process and will be beginning to shape the world we live in by incorporating cradle to cradle ideas in our everyday products. Check out the website: ECOBAGS.COM - Enjoy.