GREEN, NATURAL, ORGANIC

Organic Food

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Organic farming and food is a collective name for methods of farming and foods that meet certain requirements in terms of environment, nature and landscape, animal welfare and production. In the Netherlands is also the word used ecological and English word organic. These terms refer to the same agricultural methods, the minimum requirements for internationally agreed and recorded.

There are different requirements for organic farming and nutrition. These are the areas of:

certification and supervision

vegetable farming

livestock

prepared foods

import

restrictions in the use of plant protection products

Basic technical requirements in organic farming are made, are listed in European Regulations 834/2007 and 889/2008. In the European Member States may still occur due to differences in interpretations of this basic law. For the technical requirements stated in the Netherlands, see the website of Skal foundation [2]. For Flanders may be made to the websites of Department of Sustainable Agricultural Development of the Flemish government [3]. For general information on organic agriculture and food, see the website of the foundation Bionext [4] for the Netherlands and the websites of Veltman [5] and Bioforum [6] for Flanders.

There are several variations on organic farming, all of which in practice are practiced. More or less in order of seniority:

Biodynamic agriculture - based on the ideas of Rudolf Steiner (1923), the first founder of organic farming.

Nature Farming - the dominant form of Japanese organic farming, founder Mokichi Okada (1935): similar to biodynamic agriculture by focusing on soil preparations.

Permaculture - developed in Australia in the 70's, aimed at precisely engineered ecosystems.

Fukuoka farming - based on the ideas of the Japanese Masanobu Fukuoka (1975), which aims to minimal intervention in natural processes.

Organic farming - ecological agriculture as in European and Dutch legislation (SKAL, 1985) is recorded.

Forest agriculture - based on the book "The Forest Garden" of the Englishman Robert Hart in 1987, closely related to Permaculture.

Synergistic Agriculture - developed by Emilia harelip in the U.S., building on the ideas of Fukuoka - not published in book form.

Anastasia agriculture - recently originated in Russia, following the books of Vladimir Megre, with a strong "spiritual" character.

All these varieties have the common characteristic that they are based on ecological principles and reject the chemical-industrial approach. Although they sometimes differed, they all strive for as much "cooperate" with nature. Only organic agriculture is enshrined in international laws and regulations. For other forms exist only private labels - and often not.

In some cases one can say that organic farming as much as possible using techniques and methods from before 1900 when fertilizers and chemical pesticides were in the ascendant. In other cases, however, organic farming is very very modern and innovative. Examples are the use of parasitic wasps for combating pests in greenhouses, and the use of burners for weed control in place of chemical herbicides.

Characterized in that agricultural practices is that attempts are made to work with as little as possible polluting agents and methods. Here, the central soil, which, at least disturbed, if not destroyed by fertilizer (or manure) and pesticides, hence the ban on its use. The organic matter plays an important role, and must (in most cases) be increased. An estimated biological or ecological farming up to the 'sustainable agriculture' because although the ecological efficiency is increased, it seeks synergies with the (stimulus) soil maximized so that agriculture can be maintained long. When properly applied, improves soil fertility, and hence the yield, year after year, after the conversion (and soil recovery) period. In the vegetable farming are the following major differences from conventional agriculture:

There are no chemical-synthetic pesticides. Permitted materials are:

soap

mineral oil

Iron (III) phosphate

bacterial preparations

sulphate (forbidden in the Netherlands, but in other countries allowed)

pyrethrin

plant pesticides

Fifteen pesticides (insecticides, antifungals) allowed, usually natural toxins from plants or bacteria. [7] Thus, by EU Regulation No 404/2008 the insecticide (of bacterial origin) spinosad allowed. Furthermore, the regulation also legitimizes the use of potassium bicarbonate and copper octanoate in the fight against various fungal diseases.

There are a number of maturation promoters allowed. Thus, by this regulation, the use of ethylene in some cases permitted, including the citrus ripen.

About half of the 2,900 organic farmers in the Netherlands occasionally uses pesticides. [7].

The use of genetically modified crops under the (non statutory) criteria of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the (statutory) European regulation on organic farming is not allowed.

Methods used in organic farming and horticulture to the use of pesticides to avoid include a choice of resistant varieties and crop rotation with crops less frequently on the same plot are grown. A rotation schedule of five to seven years is used. The occurrence of crop diseases or pests are sometimes used. It is important to work on the resistance of plants by avoiding excessive fertilization. Sometimes organic growers apply biological methods.

With the exception of fertilizer kieserite should not be used, manure from livestock other systems, such as a conventional free-range zootechnics as little as possible. Weeds are to a large extent by hand or mechanically controlled.

Many organic farmers are also in other ways other than conventional farmers with agricultural progress. They have often a mixed farm (both crops and livestock) and spend more time and labor to nature conservation on the farm.

The number of square meters that an animal has at his disposal is greater, there are restrictions on the stable and pigs, cows and chickens have daylight and head out. Routine burning of beaks in chickens and tail docking in pigs is not allowed. The castration of pigs is also prohibited.

Animals should, wherever possible, be fed with organically produced foods. Only if there is not enough organic feed is available, the farmer other vehicle be purchased, this is rare. Herbivores must always be fed 100% organic.

As well as in non-organic farming is the use of growth hormones during the production process is prohibited. Also preventive antibiotics should not be administered only when an animal is sick. A pig may during his life but once treated with medication, pregnant sows for two different conditions each year. For cows that also applies for two different conditions may be treated per year. Homeopathic medicines in organic livestock enjoy priority over the regular funds and may be used without restrictions even if their effect is not proven.

Companies that wish to prepare organic foods must be in possession of proper certificates. A clear records are kept of organic raw materials that come in, and organic products delivered to such shops or other businesses. Organic foods must be stored separately from non-organic food, and the production must be thoroughly cleaned so that no contamination occurs in the organic food with conventional food.

Organic food may no chemical or synthetic fragrances colorings and flavorings and no preservatives. There are also strict requirements regarding the labeling. As an exception to the general rule, organic wine is also sulphites. In fact, there is no organic wine but the wine from organically grown grapes. The vinification is this use of sulphite. [8]

Organic farming is the world's fastest growing sector within the food industry. Worldwide sales for organic products has doubled since 2001. The group of consumers who buy organically produced food is increasing. Besides health food stores, supermarkets also offer an expanding range of organic products.

The former Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) strove to consumer spending on organic food to grow to 5% of total expenditure on food in 2007 and the organic farming area to 10% of the total agricultural area in 2010.

In 2004 the market share of 1.8% organic food and farming area 2.5% (48,155 hectares) of the total. [9] Since 2004, organic acreage gradually decreased to 47,019 ha by the end of 2007 to in 2008 to grow to 50,435 acres. [10] In 2010, the market share of organic products rose to 2.5 percent. [11]

Dairy: Netherlands had in 2010 about 325 organic dairy farmers. The increasing demand for organic dairy shortage is created. There is organic milk imported from Germany and Denmark. [11]

Research on whether or not healthier organic products versus products from conventional agriculture is still in its infancy. In part this is because the science of nutrition is still in its infancy, research into long-term effects has necessarily takes many decades. That means for example that a survey showing that a biological crop grown more antioxidants have not proven that this crop is therefore healthier, because the role of antioxidants on health is in itself controversial.

Here, indeed any scientific results. In 2005, research conducted by the Louis Bolk Institute, obvious that organic milk contains more health-promoting substances than milk from conventional agriculture. A long-term research at the University of California found that organic tomatoes contain almost twice as many flavonoids as conventionally grown tomatoes (average 97% more 79% more quercetin and kaempferol). [12] Organically fed chickens differ in immunoreactivity, metabolism and gene expression with conventional feed animals. [13] This does not necessarily mean that the meat of this chicken is healthier for humans.

On the other hand, eg the consumers after comparison of 15 vegetables to the conclusion that organically grown crops hardly any benefit to health. [14] The British Food Standards Agency in 2009 did an extensive literature review of all scientific research in this area and concluded that there is currently no scientific basis for organic foods as healthier than non-organic to criticize. [15]

Moreover, not all consumers of organic products to do to improve the quality of the products or possible positive health effects, some of them buy organic because of the sustainable production or because of the animal husbandry practice. The guarantee that the products do not contain genetically modified crops or organisms are used for many plays a role.

After the great epidemics among cattle, pigs and goats in the past decade and the associated massive 'culling', there are many consumers who buy organic "on the assumption that organic livestock production is less sensitive to such epidemics. Scientifically this is difficult to demonstrate directly because there is not (yet) major areas where organic farming / livestock is applied, while organic operating companies as well 'cleared' are. However, it is much indirect evidence. For example, it is generally the monitoring of the quality of the feed as one of the crucial prevention. Also limit the number of animals per hectare. plays an important role. [16] The rules with regard to animal feed in organic livestock sharper and better defined and the number of animals per hectare. is significantly lower. Therefore it is likely that organic livestock indeed less susceptible to epidemics. It goes without saying that these averages, there are non-organic farms, which in this respect to the same conditions, one can here not an inherent advantage of the organic livestock speak. Against this, however, about that because animals in organic livestock production get out more and more opportunities to scavenge certain animal diseases that have long been gone may come back. Some worm infections in pigs, for example. In addition, in place of fertilizer animal manure on the land in which there are more germs are located.

The balance between supply and demand is difficult: farmers who wish to sell their organic products are sometimes on a waiting list or to sell their organic products as common at lower prices. At other times, threatened by a growing demand and lagging production shortages occur.

Various studies have shown that people often have a natural and animal friendly farming needs, which they declare that one is willing to pay a premium here. Consumer behavior is often behind it: how often wants a product at the lowest possible price and we therefore prefer to choose cheaper products from conventional agriculture. Nevertheless, a growing market for organic products significantly, especially when these sales growth against the climate in supermarkets where the strong focus on price has shifted. Current figures on the market of organic products can be found on the website of Biologica.

Often simply assumed that organic farming is the only way for an environmentally friendly way to obtain food. Organic farming is in some ways be less stressful for animals and the environment than conventional agriculture. Critics are comments on organic farming.

Critics of organic farming set:

Fertilizer should not be used, and the farmer is only manure and compost available. In order to obtain manure is much additional land is needed. Agriculturalist, even organic farmland is much less rich in species, for example, tropical rainforests or swampy Holland.

By using natural fertilizers, it is difficult to tune the dosage to what the crop needs. At times when the crop needs lots of nutrients leads to a deficiency which the yield is lower. On the other hand, there is a surplus of fertilizer at the moment when the crop is growing more slowly. These fertilizers wash off the soil and end up in groundwater and surface water, where it has a polluting effect.

Organic farming is not efficient enough to the whole world of food.

The above elements by proponents countered with facts like:

The common agricultural biodiversity breaks more sharply than the organic agriculture, because soil, wild plants and insects are slain. The sharp decline in biodiversity in the Netherlands since the beginning of the 20th century (still 15% of what it was, according to Monitor Sustainable Netherlands [17]) is attributed to the intensive, chemical-industrial agriculture.

In organic farming is not the approach to the plant to feed, but the ground. By living processes in the soil the nutrients are gradually released to the plant. Fertilizer washes faster than organic manure, and impoverishes the soil. Furthermore, farmers do not take risks: they use, especially in the U.S., often twice as much fertilizer as necessary: farmers are talking about "crop insurance".

For the production of compost is not more than land required for the production of fertilizer. There is only a fraction of the energy needed for fertilizer production, and transportation is required.

A report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) from 2008 reports that in 114 projects in 24 African countries crop yields more than doubled by the use of organic production [18]. Fertilizers and pesticides are often priceless for small farmers in developing countries, while labor - literally - enough is available.

The problem of hunger in the world is not a question of deficits, but a problem of distribution and distribution. According to UN figures, as expressed by rapporteur Jean Ziegler, in 2006 in principle to produce enough food to feed 12 billion people.

The conventional agriculture have recognized more and more the so-called 'nursery function of organic farming (ie a method in which new techniques and methods can be tried) and observes now techniques and methods on to achieve a more environmentally friendly conventional agriculture to come. [19]

In the Netherlands there are two courses for organic farmers, the Warmonderhof in Dronten and Kraaybekerhof in Driebergen. There is also at Wageningen University, an MSc Organic Agriculture (Organic Production Sciences MSc) course that focuses on organic products. In Flanders, a 2-year course biological and bio-dynamic farming given by Country Guide from Antwerp. It also provides also a 1-year course "care in organic farming" to.

In newspapers and magazines are often the terms 'organic' and 'biodynamic' confused. Apart from the differences in definition, the biodynamic agriculture in terms of acreage very much smaller than organic farming.

Moreover, the ecological and biological concepts both also associated with scientific disciplines, which sometimes leads to misunderstandings.

The abbreviation 'bio' organic sometimes causes confusion with biofuels (fuels plant or other organic basis), bio-lubricants and even farming (intensive farming).

It is better to use the word 'organic' does not abbreviate. Optionally, the term 'EKO' (always capitalized) as an abbreviation used as the label in the Netherlands has a dominant market position.

Since July 1, 2010 European organic products carry a new label. [20]

The EKO label is issued by EKO Foundation. [21] This label indicates that a company works according to biological criteria, briefly said that no pesticides or fertilizers are used.

The Demeter label indicates that it operates according to biodynamic principles, based on anthroposophy of Rudolf Steiner.

Ecolabel is a label based on Dutch regulations less stringent than, say, organic farming.

The Belgian BIOGARANTIE label is controlled by TÜV NORD INTEGRA and CERTISYS.

The Better Life hallmark of the Dutch Animal Protection and fills the gap between meat products from the farming and organic farming [22]Berkeley organic food company Annie's opens up 64% in IPO

Here are Latest Top Organic Food News For You:

Organic food and drink sales slump

Ukraine to Increase Export of Organic Food Products

E.Coli Won’t Have ‘Significant Impact’ on Organic Food Industry

Testing solar-powered EVs :)

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:18:00 +0000

Hi:) Right now, electric cars may not emit greenhouse gases themselves, but the coal-fired power plants that provide the electricity that fuels those cars do. That may be the ugly reality now, but ideally in the not too far future, EVs will juice up with clean, renewable energy. One Japanese town is getting a jump on that beautiful future by serving as a testing ground for solar-powered electric vehicles.

Tsukuba City, Japan, which is near Tokyo, is playing host to a project brought together by various companies, including Mazda, Think Global, EnerDel and Itochu. As part of this project, Mazda2 vehicles have been outfitted with electric drivetrains built by Think, using EnerDel lithium ion batteries.

These cars will solely fuel-up at rapid-charging stations powered by solar-powered stationary grid storage units. The charging stations will use DC current to facilitate a quick charge. The cars will be tested by the Tsukuba City community in a ZipCar-type set up. The residents will have smart cards that grant them access to the cars and charging stations, track the charges and bill them for their use.

The Kerry-Lieberman Bill: Is it a 'disaster' or a 'jumpstart'?

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:15:00 +0000

Hi:) Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) will unveil their bipartisan climate and energy bill, the American Power Act, today without the support of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who helped craft the bill but dropped his support earlier this month, at least for now.
The bill would set the first nationwide limits on carbon pollution emitted from power plants and factories, through a cap-and-trade system that has worked to control other pollutants, like gases that cause acid rain and smog. But in the process it would override more aggressive state programs and some existing Clean Air Act efforts, and it would aim for a 17% nationwide reduction in carbon pollution by 2020–less than the reduction needed to avert the worst consequences of climate change, according to authorities on climate science. The bill would also restrict offshore oil drilling by allowing states to veto their neighbors' plans to expand offshore oil drilling, but it would not restrict exploration outright. The bill would also invest in new nuclear power plants.
These are among the issues that divide environmental advocates as they react to the bill.
The Center for Biological Diversity calls the bill 'a disaster for the climate,' that 'moves us one baby step forward and at least three giant steps back in any rational effort to address the climate crisis.' Friends of Earth calls the bill 'dangerous,' arguing that it would undercut existing efforts to reduce carbon pollution while handing 'billions in giveaways to corporate polluters, including the oil, coal, nuclear and agribusiness industries.'
But 21 prominent environmental groups from Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection and the National Audubon Society to the Union of Concerned Scientists World Wildlife Fund, welcomed the bill as a good step forward:
'Today's action by (Kerry and Lieberman) jumpstarts the Senate debate over America's energy future,' they said. 'Their unwavering leadership has been critical to the progress made thus far. It is time for America's leaders to get serious about a comprehensive clean energy and climate policy that will reduce our oil dependence, enhance our security, revitalize our economy and protect our environment.'
Individually, though, several groups echoed some of the same concerns voiced by the more outspoken organizations. The Sierra Club, for instance, said 'we regret that bitter opposition from the dirty energy sources of the past like coal, oil and nuclear has watered down this proposal in order to unduly subsidize energy technologies which already receive an unfair public bailout... Furthermore, this is no substitute for a moratorium on off-shore drilling–which is the only way that we can ensure that the kind of disaster we are experiencing in the Gulf does not happen again.'
What do you think?
And what's more, what can you do? We have a few ideas:
Arm yourself against climate skeptics:
Global Warming: Fact or Myth?
Learn the surprising ways U.S. residents as a whole contribute to global warming:
Everything You Know About Going Green Is Wrong.
See what you can do to really help with 15 actions that will really reduce your carbon footprint, including the
Two Chicken Global Warming Solution.
More from The Daily Green

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc
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Depopulation may be harming the Amazon

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:10:00 +0000

Urbanization may be having unexpected impacts in the Amazon rainforest by leaving forest areas vulnerable to exploitation by outsiders, report researchers writing in Conservation Letters. Conducting field surveys during the course of 10,000-kilometers of travel along remote Amazon rivers, Luke Parry of Lancaster University found that a sharp decrease in rural habitation has not been accompanied by a decline in harvesting of wildlife and forest resources, indicating that urban populations exact a heavy toll on distant forests through hunting, fishing, logging, and harvesting of non-timber forest products."

Sumatran rhino loses pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:08:00 +0000

Hi:) Rhino conservationists' hopes were dampened today by news that Ratu, a female Sumatran rhino, had lost her pregnancy. Just months after the announcement of the pregnancy—the first at Indonesia’s Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park—Ratu lost the embryo. Still, say conservationists, the very fact that Ratu became pregnant at all should keep hope alive for the beleaguered species.

US gun, guitar, and furniture-manufactures must declare basic information about wood sources :)

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:07:00 +0000

Hi:) "In May of last year federal agents raided Gibson Guitar headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee after they received information that the guitar-giant was using illegally logged rosewood from Madagascar in the construction of their musical instruments. The scandal forced Gibson's CEO to take a leave of absence as a member of Rainforest Alliance."

First-ever photo of rare and spectacular hummingbird from Colombia :)

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:05:00 +0000

"A conservationist has taken the first-ever photos of a living Santa Marta Sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus) in the El Dorado Nature Reserve in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia, reports ProAves, a bird conservation group."

Rockhopper penguins benefit from new park in Argentina :)

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:03:00 +0000

Hi:) Southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) are easily distinguished by the spiked plumes on their head, their neon-yellow eyebrows, and red eyes. But these wild-looking penguins are also endangered: the IUCN Red List classifies them as Vulnerable to extinction due to pollution and drowning by fishing nets."

When it comes to Yellow Fever, conserving howler monkeys saves lives :)

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Hi:) Abundant and diverse wildlife help people in many ways: for example bees pollinate plants, birds and mammals disperse seeds, bats control pest populations, and both plants and animals have produced life-saving medicines and technological advances. But how could howler monkeys save people from a Yellow Fever outbreak? A new study in the open-access journal Tropical Conservation Science explores the link between howler monkeys, mosquitoes, and humans during a recent yellow fever outbreak in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil."

Top Nine Ways To Reduce Cancer Risk

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:30:00 +0000

Hi:) In its annual President's Report on Cancer, a high-level government panel said that exposure to common chemicals like Bisphenol A and formaldehyde, and to radiation from medical exams were causing cancers at a rate that was 'grossly underestimated.' The Environmental Working Group offers these nine ways to reduce cancer risk:

Four of every 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and two of every 10 will die of it. But there are some things you can do to reduce the risk. First, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that are known to make a difference – stopping smoking, reducing drinking, losing weight, exercising and eating right.

But according to a new report from the President’s Cancer Panel, environmental toxins also play a significant and under-recognized role in cancer, causing “grievous harm” to untold numbers of people. Environmental Working Group’s own research has found that children are born “pre-polluted” with up to 200 industrial chemicals, pesticides and contaminants that have been found to cause cancer in lab studies or in people.

Here are some simple things you can do to reduce your exposures:

1. Filter your tap water.
Common carcinogens in tap water include arsenic, chromium, and chemical byproducts that form when water is disinfected. A simple carbon filter or pitcher can help reduce the levels of these contaminants. If your water is polluted with arsenic or chromium, a reverse osmosis filter will help. Learn about your tap water and home water filters at EWG’s National Tap Water Database.

2. Seal outdoor wooden decks and play sets.
Those built before 2005 are coated with an arsenic pesticide that can stick to hands and clothing.

3. Cut down on stain- and grease-proofing chemicals.
'Fluorochemicals' related to Teflon and Scotchgard are used in stain repellants on carpets and couches and in greaseproof coatings for packaged and fast foods. To avoid them, avoid greasy packaged foods and say no to optional stain treatments in the home. Download EWG’s Guide to PFCs.

4. Stay safe in the sun.
More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. To protect your skin from the sun’s cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, seek shade, wear protective clothing and use a safe and effective sunscreen from EWG’s sunscreen database, or check out The Daily Green's list of 14 safe, natural sunscreens
.
5. Cut down on fatty meat and high-fat dairy products.
Long-lasting cancer-causing pollutants like dioxins and PCBs accumulate in the food chain and concentrate in animal fat. Try one of these vegetarian recipes even a meat-eater can love.

6. Eat EWG’s Clean 15. Many pesticides have been linked to cancer. Eating from EWG’s Clean 15 list of the least contaminated fruits and vegetables will help cut your pesticide exposures. (And for EWG’s Dirty Dozen, buy organic.) Learn more at EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, and check out the dirty dozen foods most likely to have high pesticide residue.

7. Cut your exposures to BPA.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen found in some hard plastic water bottles, canned infant formula, and canned foods. It may increase the risk of reproductive system cancers. To avoid it, eat fewer canned foods, breast feed your baby or use powdered formula, and choose water bottles free of BPA.

8. Avoid carcinogens in cosmetics.
Use EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetic database to find products free of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer. When you’re shopping, don’t buy products that list ingredients with “PEG” or “-eth” in their name. Check out more safe makeup tips, from Stacy Malkan, of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and see the 8 Commandments of Natural Beauty.

9. Read the warnings.
Some products list warnings of cancer risks – read the label before you buy. Californians will see a “Proposition 65” warning label on products that contain chemicals the state has identified as cancer-causing.

Brazil On Palm Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Sophia Miller) — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:26:00 +0000

Hi:) Palm oil production has long been a contentious issue and a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the oil's renewable source and application as biofuel make it an appealing alternative, but on the other, some of the most devastating deforestation has occurred to cultivate it. But in a policy move designed to both protect its remaining forests and replenish parts already lost, Brazil announced today a plan to expand its palm oil cultivation into previously deforested regions, promising a sustainable alternative to the destructive methods practiced in other parts of the world.

The Program for Sustainable Production of Palm Oil, announced by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, is novel in its approach to protecting standing forests while allowing cultivation in areas that have been deforested in the past, namely for use as short-lived sugarcane plantations or lumber operations. The program would allow palm oil to be produced without the net negative impact from its cultivation seen in Indonesia and Malaysia, where rainforests are cleared for palm plantations.

Emily Deschanel

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:03:00 +0000

Hi:) Actress Emily Deschanel's focus is slightly different in the real world. A vegan since her teen years, Deschanel is an outspoken advocate for a number of animal rights causes including working towards ending factory farming and speaking out about the Great Ape Protection Act.

Top Seven Disappearing Glaciers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:21:00 +0000

7. The Matterhorn
Many often wonder why Europeans get so hot and bothered about climate change. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they are in direct, daily contact with one very sobering reality — their ice is vanishing.

European glaciers have been some of the hardest hit by climate change. Since the first half of the 19th century, about two-thirds of the ice cover was lost in the Pyrenees with a marked acceleration after 1980 (Chueca et al. 2005 via: UNEP) and in the Alps, home to the world famous Matterhorn, nearly half the glaciers have disappeared since record keeping began.

Often called the "water tower" of Europe, the Alps contain 40 percent of Europe's fresh water supply. The dramatic disappearance of ice on the Matterhorn last year has prompted the need for the border between Switzerland and Italy to be redrawn.

6. Alaska

It's always struck me as a bit ironic that Alaska, home to several of the most famous gubernatorial climate skeptics (including Sarah Palin) is also home to some of the most dramatic examples of climate change.

The astonishing recession of the massive Muir glacier is just one example among dozens, causing many scientists to warn of earthquakes triggered by tectonic plates with suddenly lightened loads.

5. Himalayas

Home to the planet's largest body of ice outside the polar caps, the Himalayas feed several of the world's largest rivers, supporting close to a billion people. In the western region of Himachal Pradesh, new evidence tracks an annual ice loss of nearly 3 feet in thickness per year, doubling in the past decade from the decade prior (Berthier et al, 2007).

Will the Himalayan glaciers disappear this century? Not likely, but Chinese government officials are growing concerned that retreating ice may spell the end of reliable water supplies for China.

4. Greenland

Satellite images of Greenland’s Helheim Glacier dating back to the 50s shows that this massive glacier has remained in tact for decades. But In 2000 it suddenly began disappearing.

By 2005 the glacier had retreated a total of 4 1/2 miles — at an average rate of 110 feet per day. Ironically, retreating glaciers in Greenland have enabled dozens of new oil and gas exploration projects as vanishing ice makes room for heavy drilling equipment.

3. Mount Kilimanjaro

Last week a band of celebrities hiked up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for the African water crisis. The famous snow-cap formed 11,000 years ago but has diminished more than 85 percent since 1912, and nearby Mount Kenya has lost nearly ALL of its ice at an average of 1 meter per year, threatening water supplies for millions of people.

Scientists now predict that the last great African glaciers could be gone within 20 years.

2. The Andes

The Chacaltaya glacier, once the highest ski resorts on earth, has completely vanished in the relative blink of an eye. A study on Bolivian glaciers in 1998 predicted the glacier’s disappearance by the year 2015, a claim that at the time was dismissed as overly dramatic. But early last year, it was officially announced that the glacier "... no longer exists," an event which threatens both water and power supplies in the Andean region.

Melting has tripled in the last decade, and it is expected that several adjoining clusters could have less than 30 years to survive.

1. Glacier National Monument

Based on the latest reports, Montana may have to think of a new name for its famous Glacier National Monument. Of the 38 square-mile area once covered by glaciers, less than 25 percent remains.

Researchers believe that by the year 2030, the vast majority of ice in Glacier National Park will be gone unless current climate patterns are reversed.

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Recycle Your Old Phones And Help Haiti Quake Victims

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:13:00 +0000

Hi:) Like me, you've probably been watching the coverage of the earthquake in Haiti with a big knot in your stomach and maybe you've already donated $10 by texting HAITI to 90999, but if you want to do more (and help out the environment while you're at it), there's an easy way to do so.
ReCellular has launched a disaster relief program for the victims of the earthquake called "Phones for Haiti." All proceeds from donated phones will go straight to the American Red Cross for their work in the country.

If you're like most people you have an old cell phone lying around somewhere and this is a great way to donate to those in need and keep your electronic waste out of a landfill at the same time. ReCellular refurbishes the donated phones and then sells them to people in developing countries. Some phone models like Blackberries or iPhones could contribute up to $100 to the Red Cross.

ReCellular also accepts your old chargers, batteries and other accessories and the shipping is free. Click here to get started. Thanks:)

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Top 10 Reasons For Organic Food & Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:25:00 +0000

Here are the 10 Reasons to go consume organic food

1.Protect Water
2.Save Energy
3.Fewer Dangers To Health
4.Protect Farmers
5.Give Family Farms A Boost
6.Support A True Economy
7.Promote Biodiversity
8.Great Taste
9.Protect Your Children
10.Build Soil

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Green,Natural,Organic - AVATAR

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:01:00 +0000

I love the idea: A number of media outlets are reporting a new type of depression: you could call it the Avatar blues. Some people seeing the new blockbuster film report becoming depressed afterwards because the world of Avatar, sporting six-legged creatures, flying lizards, and glowing organisms, is not real. Yet, to director James Cameron's credit, the alien world of Pandora is based on our own biological paradise—Earth. The wonders of Avatar are all around us, you just have to know where to look.

Stay green, love :)

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