Global Sustainability News
Entrepreneurs of cooperation
by Jonathan Rowe, Yes! Magazine
Before Social Security and the WPA, the Unemployed Exchange Association rebuilt a collapsed economy. It operated a large warehouse, a distribution center, a gas and service station, a refrigeration facility, a sewing shop, a shoe shop, even medical services, all on cooperative principles. Members were expected to work two days a week, and benefits were allocated according to need. A member with a wife and two kids got four times as much food as someone living alone. The organization was run democratically, and social support was as important as material support. Members helped one another resist evictions; sometimes they moved a family back in after a landlord had put them out. Unemployed utility workers turned on gas and electricity for families that had been cut off. Read more...
UN Warns Oceans at Risk
Pollution, destructive overfishing and increasing commercial exploitation are threatening the planet’s cradle of life, warns the UN. Overfishing and pollution Pollution and overfishing are damaging the oceans, especially the deep oceans, the United Nations warns in a new report. Time is running out to save them, and urgent legislation is required to halt this wanton destruction of the planet’s "cradle of life".
More than 90 percent of the earth’s living biomass (weight of living matter) is found in the oceans, and 90 percent of that is made up of single cell and microbial species. With 90 percent of the oceans yet to be explored, the scale of devastation already happening has become all too obvious.
In 2005, 84.5 million tonnes of fish were taken from the world’s oceans, 100 million sharks and related species were butchered for their fins, 250,000 turtles got tangled up in fishing gear and 300,000 seabirds including 100,000 albatrosses were killed by illegal long-line fishing. Nineteen out of 21 albatross species are now threatened with extinction.
Financing Organic Growing through Tax Relief
by Jason Mark
Woodbury County, Iowa became the first local government in the U.S. to financially support organics when the board of supervisors voted last year to give a property tax rebate to farmers transitioning to organic. Since then, Woodbury officials have also passed a law that requires the county’s food service contractor to purchase organic food grown and processed within 100 miles of the county courthouse whenever available.
The Tiller talks fava beans, locavores and honey
The Tonawanda News, NY — During the winter and early spring the Tiller gets primed for another growing season by reading organic gardening newsletters, online info and magazine articles.
One organic article told of gardening in Italy, of interest to the Tiller growing “Silence of the Lamb” beans. Yep, Fava Beans are still table fare for the folks living in the country shaped like a boot.
Several weeks after reading the article the Tiller stopped at the Agway at Wright’s Corner. As I waited at the counter to pay for my purchases, a bargain was spied on a “reduced for quick sale” table: A $4 bag of fava bean seeds for fifty cents.
The Tiller now has a twenty-foot row of fava beans. The article also mentioned all the organic qualities of the green plant material.
The Tiller still has time to remember a bottle of Chianti for the new dining experience, hopefully Duke will surrender the secret family recipe.
An e-mail newsletter from an organic gardening supplier also caught the Tiller’s eye. A new lifestyle has started in the land of Arney, California.
The free-living, left-leaning people of Silicon Valley are upset over fossil fuels hovering around three dollars a gallon. Knowing that most food travels 1,600 miles before reaching local supermarkets, they are making a pledge to only eat food grown within 100 miles of their home. They call themselves “locavores.”
To kick it up a notch, residents of a subdivision in Washington State will all grow vegetables sharing within the subdivision. What a great concept; visit your neighbor and pick your supper.
The movement is heading east. Become a locavore, support local growers, save fossil fuel!
Finishing this column on the land of milk and honey, earlier this spring the Tiller got an invite to visit the new Clarence Hollow Farmer’s Market.
A couple of Saturdays ago I ventured the upgraded market venue. A bit more contemporary than NT’s traditional market, they were also in the transitional period between bedding and landscaping plants and farmers’ produce. I decided when I make my millions writing the Tiller column, I’m moving to Spaulding Lake to enjoy this great farmers market ... fat chance!
While at the market I spoke with Geri Hen. Geri lives in Pendleton and produces organic wildflower honey. At the time the area was in a dry spell.
“Honey bees need moisture to produce honey,” she noted. “When the area has these dry spells, make sure a shallow water feature is included in your garden. It’s very stressful for bees to travel miles for moisture.”
Don’t forget what Uncle Tiller used to say! “No bees, no honey. No honey, no money.”
Contact Dale Rogers, a.k.a. the Towpath Tiller, at 435 River Road, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
'Price threat' to food security
A recent joint United Nations-OECD report, concludes that “Food security cannot be taken for granted. The world's poorest countries will become more dependent on global markets for their food security, a study of farming trends has argued.”
The reason: Food output is not growing fast enough in many developing countries to supply their growing populations. As a result, countries importing large amounts of cereals and meat will be vulnerable to market fluctuations.
Not enough Fish in the Sea
George Monbiot: "The more it is tested, the more compelling the hypothesis becomes. Dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia and other neurological problems seem to be associated with a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids, especially in the womb. The evidence of a link with depression, chronic fatigue syndrome and dementia is less clear, but still suggestive. None of these conditions are caused exclusively by a lack of these chemicals, or can be entirely remedied by their application, but it's becoming pretty obvious that some of our most persistent modern diseases are, at least in part, diseases of deficiency." read more; FAO Videos: World Fisheries-English or French; Cambodia.
Small is beautiful…and profitable
June 8, 2006 — Urban farmers in Philadelphia demonstrate that you don’t need a whole lot of land—or fancy equipment—to see black. The goal was to see if the 1/2-acre farm could produce $25,000 in gross revenue, an initial benchmark met the first growing season. Last year, in its third season of operation, the farm surpassed $50,000 in sales ($52,200, to be exact). Read more
Amaranth and Quinoa
Grains go beyond the run of the mill
CANDICE CHOI, Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. - Cereals and breads made with mysterious-sounding grains like amaranth and quinoa are sprouting up at major supermarkets. "People are realizing there's a benefit to eating a diversity of grains — and these grains have some incredible nutritional properties," said Carole Fenster, an author of numerous cookbooks that incorporate wheat-free grains. read more
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional profiles of whole grains per 100 grams:
| GRAIN | FIBER | PROTEIN | IRON |
| WHEAT | 12.2 g | 13.7 g | 3.8 mg |
| AMARANTH | 15.2 g | 14.5 g | 7.6 mg |
| QUINOA | 15.5 g | 14.2 g | 4 mg |
SOURCES: Bob's Red Mill.
Further Reading on the Net
A National Symbol for Renewable Energy
In the coming month, Manchester, England will have a major landmark. The 400-ft Cooperative Insurance tower will display the largest array of solar panels anywhere in the country. As one commentator put it, the building will generate enough energy to make 9 million cups of tea a year. But its significance will be as a symbol not as the solution.
Thinking man's brew
New study confirms that coffee drinkers are more open-minded.
June 13, 2006 — Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have released a study showing that caffeine makes people more open toward logical argument, even when it runs counter to their previously held opinions. The researchers first questioned volunteers on their feelings about voluntary euthanasia, then gave some of the subjects regular orange juice, while others got O.J. laced with enough caffeine to fuel two cups of coffee.
FILL 'ER UP -- WITH FOOD
Stephen Pizzo, News for Real
Is turning food into fuel as millions starve to death really the ethical answer to our oil addiction? Read more
AIR CONDITIONING: OUR CROSS TO BEAR
Stan Cox, AlterNet
Those air conditioners that keep things cool and comfortable inside are helping make the outside world even nastier. Read more
PEAK OIL = URBAN RUIN
George Orwel, AlterNet
Our economy depends so much on fossil fuel that a lack of oil without any alternative fuel sources would lead to
total chaos. Read more
BARACK OBAMA: THE END OF SMALL POLITICS
Barack Obama, AlterNet
In an impassioned speech, the Illinois senator explains Bush's ongoing failures, why the 'ownership society' doesn't work, and why we must — somehow — hold on to hope. Read more
Capitol Hill Funding Slotted for Renewable Energy
Peterborough, NH USA
Earlier this week, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture funded the valuable and popular Renewable Energy Systems. Read more
Agencies join to promote renewable energy
Brownfield - Jefferson City, MO USA
by Tom Steever. Two cabinet level agencies are joining forces to underscore the importance of renewable energy development. US farms...Read more
Crop sharing
Floyd Press - Floyd, VA USA
Seven Springs Farm is in the midst of its 16th season of organic farming for the community. Two separately-owned aspects of the farm allow customers to purchase their own food and also the products necessary to grow their own organic produce... grown using organic fertilizers, compost and natural pest management techniques and strategies. Read more
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