Saturday, January 17, 2004
Environment / Sustainable Future Views
Welcome to EcoNews !
Jan. 16, 2004 (EcoNews) - We publish at the start of every month, except August, supporting the vision of a peaceful, sustainable Vancouver Island, and points beyond. If you have events or news that you'd like to share, please send them to me by the 24th of the month. Please feel free to copy, forward or reprint anything you read in EcoNews - that's why we're here. We reach around 7,000 people, including every MLA in British Columbia, every councillor in Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley, and most environmental activists, by print, email, and via the website, http://www.earthfuture.com/econews , where the current issue - and all the back issues - are posted.
The newsletter is financed almost entirely by donations -it costs $1,100 to produce, print and mail each month. Donations made out to EcoNews, 395 Conway Road, Victoria V9E 2B9, Canada are always most welcome. (Send a stamped envelope, if you'd like a non-charitable receipt.)
If you quit your email account or change your address, please let me know, as it saves having to deal with the "bounce-back" messages. To remove yourself from the EcoNews list, send a note to guydauncey@earthfuture.com.
We always have a potluck dessert mailout party in Victoria at the end of the month, which is a great way to meet like-minded people. The next party is on Friday, January 30th, at 7pm at 395 Conway Road. (Off Interurban Road, first left after Camosun College. Bus #21, #8). We're out in the
country, but remarkably close to town.
With best wishes,
Guy Dauncey (Author of Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions)
http://www.earthfuture.com
PS If your server is using SPAM ASSASSIN, you may need to issue an instruction to "Keep if it contains EcoNews". If you use PepWizard, you can add EcoNews to your "friends" list.
Welcome to EcoNews !
Jan. 16, 2004 (EcoNews) - We publish at the start of every month, except August, supporting the vision of a peaceful, sustainable Vancouver Island, and points beyond. If you have events or news that you'd like to share, please send them to me by the 24th of the month. Please feel free to copy, forward or reprint anything you read in EcoNews - that's why we're here. We reach around 7,000 people, including every MLA in British Columbia, every councillor in Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley, and most environmental activists, by print, email, and via the website, http://www.earthfuture.com/econews , where the current issue - and all the back issues - are posted.
The newsletter is financed almost entirely by donations -it costs $1,100 to produce, print and mail each month. Donations made out to EcoNews, 395 Conway Road, Victoria V9E 2B9, Canada are always most welcome. (Send a stamped envelope, if you'd like a non-charitable receipt.)
If you quit your email account or change your address, please let me know, as it saves having to deal with the "bounce-back" messages. To remove yourself from the EcoNews list, send a note to guydauncey@earthfuture.com.
We always have a potluck dessert mailout party in Victoria at the end of the month, which is a great way to meet like-minded people. The next party is on Friday, January 30th, at 7pm at 395 Conway Road. (Off Interurban Road, first left after Camosun College. Bus #21, #8). We're out in the
country, but remarkably close to town.
With best wishes,
Guy Dauncey (Author of Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions)
http://www.earthfuture.com
PS If your server is using SPAM ASSASSIN, you may need to issue an instruction to "Keep if it contains EcoNews". If you use PepWizard, you can add EcoNews to your "friends" list.
Participatory Democracy
Participatory Budgeting in Porto Alegre
NORTH SHUSWAP, Jan.17, 2004 (Vera Gottleib) - The text that I am copying is from a book called "One No, Many Yeses" by English journalist Paul Kingsnorth. He travelled to various parts of the world, trying to find out what motivates the "anti globalization" forces and how the various groups are doing. The book starts in Chiapas, Mexico, and the Zapatista movement under sub-comandante Marcos. But back to Porto Alegre, Brazil and quoting from this book: "Porto Alegre's "participatory budget" (bold italics are mine) is trumpeted by the PT (Brazil's Workers' Party) as a future for urban democracy, and "people's economics", and they may be on to something. A woman from the Porto Alegre government is explaining how it works. {People's participation in the city used to be confined to the act of voting every few years. Now they decide on how their money is spent in their city, through a democratic process.] The people of Porto Alegre control the way their money is spent on their city to a degree that I have not come across anywhere else. Read more...
Participatory Budgeting in Porto Alegre
NORTH SHUSWAP, Jan.17, 2004 (Vera Gottleib) - The text that I am copying is from a book called "One No, Many Yeses" by English journalist Paul Kingsnorth. He travelled to various parts of the world, trying to find out what motivates the "anti globalization" forces and how the various groups are doing. The book starts in Chiapas, Mexico, and the Zapatista movement under sub-comandante Marcos. But back to Porto Alegre, Brazil and quoting from this book: "Porto Alegre's "participatory budget" (bold italics are mine) is trumpeted by the PT (Brazil's Workers' Party) as a future for urban democracy, and "people's economics", and they may be on to something. A woman from the Porto Alegre government is explaining how it works. {People's participation in the city used to be confined to the act of voting every few years. Now they decide on how their money is spent in their city, through a democratic process.] The people of Porto Alegre control the way their money is spent on their city to a degree that I have not come across anywhere else. Read more...
Our Shifting Focus
Getting Business on the way to Sustainable
PUGET SOUND, WA, Jan. 2, 2004 (by Jennifer Hunting, CIP-SHF) - “Top Down” approaches to sustainability prove inefficient. While an argument may claim that locals do not have the power to address large corporate sustainability issues, organizations such as Natural Step are working to help a number of industries take a voluntary step towards sustainable production. Local support of those businesses provides incentive for competing industries to move towards sustainability as well. Read more.
Getting Business on the way to Sustainable
PUGET SOUND, WA, Jan. 2, 2004 (by Jennifer Hunting, CIP-SHF) - “Top Down” approaches to sustainability prove inefficient. While an argument may claim that locals do not have the power to address large corporate sustainability issues, organizations such as Natural Step are working to help a number of industries take a voluntary step towards sustainable production. Local support of those businesses provides incentive for competing industries to move towards sustainability as well. Read more.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Global Village Overview / Our Shifting Focus
Landscapes of the Heart, Expanded Edition - Call For Papers
Scholars, writers and environmentalists are invited to submit manuscripts for consideration in an expanded edition of the book Landscapes of the Heart – one that will cross the boundaries of ecology, economics, law, culture, health, the social sciences and the humanities. Individuals already involved in this project include E.O. Wilson (Biology, Harvard; winner of two Pulitzers), Noam Chomsky (MIT), David Cash (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard), Maurice Strong... Read more...
Landscapes of the Heart, Expanded Edition - Call For Papers
Scholars, writers and environmentalists are invited to submit manuscripts for consideration in an expanded edition of the book Landscapes of the Heart – one that will cross the boundaries of ecology, economics, law, culture, health, the social sciences and the humanities. Individuals already involved in this project include E.O. Wilson (Biology, Harvard; winner of two Pulitzers), Noam Chomsky (MIT), David Cash (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard), Maurice Strong... Read more...
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Science & Technology
The Veggie Van
NANAIMO, BC, Jan.13, 2004 (CIP News) - Changes Radio hosts the Veggie Van Guy. The interview, with Josh Tickell, who rigged up a van on biodiesel and drove it around the US for two years to raise awareness, is scheduled for Thursday, February 19th, 11 am -12 noon on CHLY 101.7, heard live in Nanaimo, along the Sunshine Coast, sometimes in the Valley and always webcast!
The Veggie Van
NANAIMO, BC, Jan.13, 2004 (CIP News) - Changes Radio hosts the Veggie Van Guy. The interview, with Josh Tickell, who rigged up a van on biodiesel and drove it around the US for two years to raise awareness, is scheduled for Thursday, February 19th, 11 am -12 noon on CHLY 101.7, heard live in Nanaimo, along the Sunshine Coast, sometimes in the Valley and always webcast!
Leadership Training / Our Shifting Focus
Al Raby School for Community and Environment Approved
CHICAGO, IL, Jan, 13, 2004 (CNT Update) - CNT is a strategic partner to a new small high school that will open at Lucy Flower High School on the West Side next fall. The curriculum will focus on the East and West Garfield Park communities. Students will use computer mapping to analyze the community's human and natural systems. Then, in the spirit of its namesake, civil rights leaders Al Raby, students will be encouraged to provide leadership for positive changes. The school will begin with a 9th grade class of 125 students and add one grade each year until it is a full four-year school. Bethel New Life is the school's fiscal agent. The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (which is across the street) is also a strategic partner. The school is looking for a principal and additional teachers to join the initial planning group. For more information, contact Steve Perkins at 773-278-4800 ext. 155 or steve@cnt.org.
Al Raby School for Community and Environment Approved
CHICAGO, IL, Jan, 13, 2004 (CNT Update) - CNT is a strategic partner to a new small high school that will open at Lucy Flower High School on the West Side next fall. The curriculum will focus on the East and West Garfield Park communities. Students will use computer mapping to analyze the community's human and natural systems. Then, in the spirit of its namesake, civil rights leaders Al Raby, students will be encouraged to provide leadership for positive changes. The school will begin with a 9th grade class of 125 students and add one grade each year until it is a full four-year school. Bethel New Life is the school's fiscal agent. The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (which is across the street) is also a strategic partner. The school is looking for a principal and additional teachers to join the initial planning group. For more information, contact Steve Perkins at 773-278-4800 ext. 155 or steve@cnt.org.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Our Shifting Focus / Global Village Overview
Wind and a Prayer
NEW YORK, NY, January 7 - 13, 2004 (Village Voice, by Erik Baard) - Freedom Tower Engineer Wants Turbines To Double as Prayer Wheels - The shining tower planned for the gawked-upon gap of the World Trade Center may be the first skyscraper to pray for its city. The designer of the wind turbines that will occupy the top of the "Freedom Tower" wants the rotors to serve as prayer wheels, cycling through mantras of peace. http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0401/ebaard.php
Wind and a Prayer
NEW YORK, NY, January 7 - 13, 2004 (Village Voice, by Erik Baard) - Freedom Tower Engineer Wants Turbines To Double as Prayer Wheels - The shining tower planned for the gawked-upon gap of the World Trade Center may be the first skyscraper to pray for its city. The designer of the wind turbines that will occupy the top of the "Freedom Tower" wants the rotors to serve as prayer wheels, cycling through mantras of peace. http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0401/ebaard.php
Global Village Overview / Co-operatives
The Big Idea & The Corporation
Jan. 12, 2004, (CWCF, Winter Newsletter) - The “Big Idea” initiative to promote co-op culture and revitalize the co-op movement was introduced by Greg O’Neill and Hazel Corcoran. Initiated by
one of CWCF’s newest worker co-op members, Squeegeemedia in Vancouver, the Conference also screened The Corporation, a new film by Mark Achbar (who co-directed/produced Manufacturing Consent with Peter Wintonick). Several local Bowen Island residents joined the delegates for this viewing as well as the presentation on the Big Idea and discussion of the film the following morning. For more information on the Big Idea, contact Michelle Kowalski at mahashoo@earthlink.net and for information on The Corporation, see www.thecorporation.tv. This eye-opening and provocative film will premiere in Vancouver and Toronto theatres January 2004.
The Big Idea & The Corporation
Jan. 12, 2004, (CWCF, Winter Newsletter) - The “Big Idea” initiative to promote co-op culture and revitalize the co-op movement was introduced by Greg O’Neill and Hazel Corcoran. Initiated by
one of CWCF’s newest worker co-op members, Squeegeemedia in Vancouver, the Conference also screened The Corporation, a new film by Mark Achbar (who co-directed/produced Manufacturing Consent with Peter Wintonick). Several local Bowen Island residents joined the delegates for this viewing as well as the presentation on the Big Idea and discussion of the film the following morning. For more information on the Big Idea, contact Michelle Kowalski at mahashoo@earthlink.net and for information on The Corporation, see www.thecorporation.tv. This eye-opening and provocative film will premiere in Vancouver and Toronto theatres January 2004.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Environment
Global Resource Bank
Dear Editor: In order to support a prosperous global society that lives in harmony with nature the Global Resource Bank defines economics as the production, distribution and recycling of Earth's ecoproduct wealth such as air, water, soil, rainforests and biological diversity. The Global Resource Bank "ensures the well-being of everyone and every thing, for all time". Its shareholders, who are all the people in the world, support life on Earth by taking care of it and their investments in ecosystems capitalize Local Living Communities around the world. I cordially invited you to review the Global Resource Bank story at www.grb.net Sincerely, John Pozzi, acting manager
Global Resource Bank
Dear Editor: In order to support a prosperous global society that lives in harmony with nature the Global Resource Bank defines economics as the production, distribution and recycling of Earth's ecoproduct wealth such as air, water, soil, rainforests and biological diversity. The Global Resource Bank "ensures the well-being of everyone and every thing, for all time". Its shareholders, who are all the people in the world, support life on Earth by taking care of it and their investments in ecosystems capitalize Local Living Communities around the world. I cordially invited you to review the Global Resource Bank story at www.grb.net Sincerely, John Pozzi, acting manager
