The Good Connection - Gem #2

These economic links have a spiritual dimension. I can only conclude that if a problem is eroding the spirits of my friends and/or neighbours, it must be doing the same to mine. If my action harms others - even if I'm not aware of it - then it also harms my soul.

Slightly reworded from Will Braun - editor of Geez magazine.

The Living Fountain

A "Living Machine" wastewater treatment water feature. Photo: Worrell Water Technologies.

What a relaxing spot to eat your lunch on a park bench! It’s got everything: plants, grass, running water, pathways, ambience, there might even be a small koi pond…

This tiny place of tranquility is in Florida, a state in the middle of a critical water shortage. Florida is suffering its third driest season on record since 1932 (rainfall has dropped 30%) which combined with salty estuaries and the Everglades’ marshes evaporating has created the desperate water situation that exists today.

So, why is Florida allowing this type of landscape feature that appears to using valuable water resources with little or no return for the sacrifice? Let’s look a little closer. All is not as it appears.

It’s hard to recognize this as the tiny little wetland-based wastewater treatment system that it really is. But, the Living Machine (as they have been named) is fashioned after the best filtration system in the world – Mother Nature’s.

The water-conserving fountain was created by Worrell Water Technologies. The system provides quality freshwater to be re-used without chemicals or by-products. While this water is not treated enough to be used as drinking water, the grey water it has treated can be used for landscape irrigation; toilet flushing; washing equipment and/or buildings; and, even that small koi pond I mentioned earlier.

It replicates a tidal wetland system by collecting wastewater through a series of basins, with oxygen, vegetation and natural microorganisms naturally cleansing it.

Derived from the innovative eco-design of Dr. John Todd, the system was re-engineered in 1999 by his partner Tom Worrell to eliminate large amounts of biowaste that required disposal. The second generation Living Machine was developed without chemicals, industrial processes, high energy costs, or expensive investments in public infrastructure.

In the EcoCentre, home to the Romano Law Group, the “aquatecture” uses environmental features to save the building 200,000 gallons of water annually. The Romano Law Group has managed to incorporate an 8,000 gallon cistern on the green roof to collect rainwater and a 150 sq.ft. fountain in the lobby as well as other innovative touches to make the building a living building.

With his vision for "Vive Verde," (Live Green) John F. Romano was inspired to do more than give green lip-service:

Water is not an infinite resource. We're especially seeing that in South Florida. It is essential that we do our part to try to preserve the water we do have by re-using it…As leaders in our communities, we believe that we also have the responsibility to effect change for the good of society. I realized it's not enough to just recycle, not litter, and love the outdoors. Businesses and community leaders need to enhance the environment.

So far Living Machines have been installed in over 24 locations including:
Treasure Island, Esalen Institute, Guilford Schools in North Carolina, a YMCA camp, El Monte Sagrado Resort in Taos, Norder Zoo in the Netherlands, and a Vermont rest stop mentioned here back in 2005.

Here’s hoping this an idea that will catch on and spread! If a reststop in Vermont can see the wisdom; surely we can!

Food and Other Products Recall

May 8---Genentech updates safety information on Tarceva (erlotinib) MEDICATION
May 8---DH recalls a Tuen Mun Tea Shop's HERBAL TEA---China
May 8---ReDriven Power Inc. recall Wind Turbine BLADES
May 8---Johnson-Rose Inc. recalls Methanol Gel Solid CHAFING FUEL---Canada
May 8---Sani-Marc Inc. expands earlier POOL CHEMICAL recall---Canada
May 8---Dyson recalls DC22 Motorhead VACUUM CLEANERS---U.K.
May 8---Sarah Zanka recalls Black/Grey Ladie's SHOES---France
May 8---Reino & Aino recall Gift Set Baby's Long Sleeve BODYSUITS---Poland
May 8---Baby Plaything recalls J's 2 RATTLE SETS---Poland
May 8---Wing Crown recalls Plastic TOY RHINOCEROS---Poland
May 8---Jumbo recalls Girl's Pink SWEATSHIRT---Greece
May 8---Tdr San He/ Shuai Te Er recall 3 Seperate FLASHLIGHTS---Hungary
May 8---Zuan Shibao recalls Children's Lined Hooded WAISTCOATS---Hungary
May 8---Kemz recalls Portable Immersion WATER HEATERS---Bulgaria
May 8---Sapir recalls Electric FAN HEATERS---Bulgaria
May 8---WR/ Mini Light/ Microlampadas recall LIGHTING CHAINS---Bulgaria
May 8---Alexander recalls Children's Black Imitation COATS---Bulgaria
May 8---Vikideia recalls Children's SPORT SUITS---Bulgaria
May 8---Hua Fei recalls Children's Yellow Zippered JACKETS---Bulgaria
May 8---Happytree recalls Children's Pink SPORTS OUTFITS---Bulgaria
May 8---Disney Pixar recalls "Cars" Children's Folding TABLE/ CHAIR---Bulgaria
May 8---FSB Comers recalls Baby's Long Sleeve CAMISOLES---Bulgaria
May 8---GEL CANDLE w/Four Easter Eggs recalled---Austria
May 8---Disney recalls Child's "Tinkerbell" FAIRY COSTUMES---Spain
May 8---Luciano Barachini recalls Ladie's BLACK SHOES---Spain
May 8---Early Learning Centre recalls My First TAMBOURINE/ DRUM---Spain
May 8---Guirma recalls 50 Micro-Light LIGHTING CHAINS---Spain
May 8---Unifirst recalls High-Pressure WATER CLEANERS---Spain
May 8---Terex recalls Several 2009 TRAILERS
May 8---Oshkosh recalls Several 2008 Heavy VEHICLES
May 8---Iovate Health Sciences updates Hydroxycut-Branded Product CODES
May 8---Hitpharm Pharmaceutical recalls 46 Pharmaceutical PRODUCTS---China

Stay safe, friends!

Carteret Islanders - First Climate Refugees Begin Move

The trees you see on the beach used to be a source of food for the Islanders; but, the encroaching saltwater has destroyed the roots of these trees causing them to just fall over and die. As the salt water encroaches more and more, more food-bearing trees are lost to the Islanders.
Rising sea levels have eroded much of the coastlines of the low-lying Carteret Islands situated 50 miles from Bougainville Island, in the South Pacific. Photograph: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert /Greenpeace.

The Yup’ik Eskimos of Newtok, Alaska are still in the planning stages of moving their village 9 miles upriver; so, the coveted title of “World’s First Climate Refugees” has been given to the residents of the Carteret Islands off the coast of Bougainville off the coast of Papua, New Guinea. One more “off the coast of” and we would have been in the middle of the ocean which is exactly where the islanders have found themselves.

Two weeks ago, an event that will forever change the way we view manmade global occurred with the world’s first evacuation of an entire peoples. The islands are small coral atolls which support 2,600 inhabitants or used to until two weeks ago.

This is certain to be the first of many such evacuations with other such communities being forced into the same or similar actions. The combination of sea levels continuing their steady rise and a distinct lack of meaningful action from governments of rich, polluting nations will mean more helpless communities will be forced to leave their homes or sink slowly in the sea and possible oblivion. The islands are estimated to be completely underwater by 2015. Not surprising since highest point in the islands is a mere 170 cm (5.5 ft) above sea level.

Photo via the Daily Mail.

The first five families have moved to Bougainville in preparation for the final stage of the evacuation. The islanders consist of approximately 40 extended families comprising the total of 2,600 evacuees.

Over the past few years the islanders have been repeatedly inundated by spring tides which have wiped out the islanders' vegetable and fruit gardens leaving the land salty. This destroys their subsistence and makes supporting and feeding the families increasingly difficult with each tide.

An earlier picture of water flowing onto Han Island during January 2007 high tide.
(Source: Pip Starr Pictures).

Dan Box from the Ecologist, one of only a handful of media outlets to cover the story, and the only one to have a reporter on hand to witness the evacuation. In Dan's words:

The men climbed silently from the boat and into the shallows. They splashed towards us, carrying almost nothing. From beside me, others who had come to meet them walked out quietly in welcome. The air was still, both sad and happy, which seemed to suit the moment. That single boat carrying these five men is the first wave in what is, as far as I can tell, the world’s first official evacuation of an entire people because of climate change.

The sea level has risen enough to effectively cut Huene Island into two pieces. Photo by Pip Starr.

For those who still don't believe in global warming - there's a small coral atoll off the coast of Bougainville off the coast of Papua, New Guinea that can be bought at a rock-bottom (or is that ocean-bottom) price!

The following videos are incredible and describe the problem well.

Disappearing Sea Plant

Apparently, there is quite a debate as to whether the plant featured in the video is a plant at all. It is thought that from its reaction to touch, it may be a lower form of animal. Does anyone know what this sea plant/animal is exactly?

A Good Connection

I support two children through World Vision; so, I get their magazine "child view". I always read it because it can contain such gems of insight and illumination that I am sent in directions of thinking I have never been before.

In many ways I have always thought that these "third-world residents" have more than we, the so-called privileged few, have. Their sense of community, respect for the earth, common-sense approach to life is certainly desirable in my mind.

In one of the magazine's columns, I found several diamonds worth repeating. This one is taken from the "child view" magazine, written by Will Braun (editor of Geez magazine). He is discussing living faithfully in the global village:

A link exists between my wealth and the poverty of others. Sometimes wealth and poverty are opposites, but sometimes they are two sides of the same equation. The link between economic neighbours is not always as tangible as a pipeline, but the same dynamic applies to countless other products. A system that works well for me doesn't work as well for others.

I'll share the rest of these jewels over the next couple blogs.

Food and Other Products Recall

May 7---First Place Foods recalls Hunn's Private Stock Kosher Dill/ Goldin Chicago Style SPEARS
May 7---European Food & Feed Recalls---Week 18
May 7---European Food & Feed Recalls---Week 17
May 7---Salton Inc. updates ongoing Russell Hobbs Mona Cordless Jug KETTLE recall
May 7---Jason Evans Associates recalls Children’s Hooded JACKETS
May 7---KTM North America recalls Several Off-Road MOTORCYCLES
May 7---Unilever/ Good Humor recall Fricon Upright Commercial FREEZERS
May 7---E-Solex recalls 1st Generation BATTERIES---France
May 7---GAIQ recalls Mapa/ NUK BABY POWDER---China
May 7---GM recalls 2009 Traverse VEHICLES
May 7---Ford recalls 2009 F-150 VEHICLES
May 7---GM recalls Several 2009 GMC/Chevrolet/Cadillac VEHICLES
May 7---Testosterone Gel (ANDROGEL/ TESTIM) Safety Concerns Prompt FDA to Require Label Changes
May 7---Beckman Coulter recalls Access Immunoassay System Hybritech PSA CALIBRATORS
May 7---Sybaritic recalls a Lumi LED Light Facial SYSTEM
May 7---Tri-State Hospital Supply Corp. recalls Laceration/Incision/Drainage/Endoscopy TRAYS
May 7---Siemens Medical updates Syngo IMAGERS recall
May 7---IMB warns consumers not to purchase Anti-Viral MEDICATION Online---U.K.
May 7---Luen Cheong Hong Ltd. recalls Povidone-Iodine PREP PADS---Hong Kong
May 7---Hill-Rom recalls TotalCare BEDS---Int.
May 7---Wright Medical recalls Darco System Orthopedic SCREWDRIVERS---Int.
May 7---Cardinal Health recalls Alaris Patient-Controlled Analgesia MODULES---Int.
May 7---Dentsply recalls Cytco-K Titanium Post System DENTAL IMPLANTS---Int.

Stay safe, friends!

Food and Other Products Recall

May 6---Sears Canada Inc. recalls P Jammers Girls NIGHT SHIRTS---Canada
May 6---GM recalls 2010 Chevrolet Camaro VEHICLES
May 6---Mayfield Dairy Farms recalls Homemade Vanilla Select ICE CREAM
May 6---LeClerc Foods issues allergy alert on Market Pantry Chocolate Chip Chewy GRANOLA BARS
May 6---King Henry's recalls ALL PISTACHIO Products
May 6---Viva/ Grandlit SKIMMED MILK Product recalled---France
May 6---Action Products International recalls Abalone/ Venetian Carnevale Necklace CRAFT KITS---U.S./Canada
May 6---Richard Abraham Herder recalls Torcofix/Torcoflex and Mountz TORQUE WRENCHES
May 6---Quantum recalls Whirlpool BUBBLE SPAS---Netherlands
May 6---Biosite Inc. recalls Triage Cardiac Panel MARKER TESTS
May 6---Marlborough Pharm. recalls Sinepin/Doxepin CAPSULES---U.K.
May 6---M.C. Sturgis recalls Trident LP GAS HOSE PIGTAILS
May 6---HC updates safety information on Prefilled Saline/Heparin SYRINGES---Canada

Stay safe, friends!

The Rich Biodiversity That Is Madagascar

Photo: Frank Wouters.

Madagascar, an area rich in biodiversity, much of it undiscovered has just yielded up between 129 and 221 new species of frog. This effectively doubles the known amphibian species on the island proving that Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot that should be studied not plundered.

The political instability that allows Madagascar’s natural resources to be plundered is described by Treehugger:

National Geographic is reporting that Marojejy National Park is not only closed to tourists, but that according to the park's website "gangs of armed men (led primarily by foreign profiteers in conjunction with the rich local mafia) are plundering the rainforests of Marojejy for the extremely valuable rosewood that grows there."

Mother Jones has this to say:

In the 15 years prior to these findings, researchers had discovered and described over 100 new frog species from Madagascar and believed their species inventory to be nearly complete.

But the new surveys show far more species than suspected. The results come from DNA sequencing of 2,850 specimens of amphibians at 170 sites. The data don't show suggest more individual amphibians living in Madagascar—only more species diversity. Which means the new species are likely fragile and less populous.

What sets scientists to thinking about the possible flora and/or fauna losses they will never know about is that of these newly discovered frog species, about 25% of them were discovered in areas not protected as reserve or national park. The frightening part is that Madagascar has lost about 80% of its rainforests. We may never know what we have lost; but, its effects will be felt whether we recognize them as such or not.

"People think we know which plant and animal species live on this planet," says Miguel Vences of the Technical University of Braunschweig, one of the authors. "But the century of discoveries has only just begun—the majority of life forms on Earth is still awaiting scientific recognition."

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Meet Pig - Responsible for Fear and Terror in Afghanistan

Photo: The pig in question, from a photo taken in 2002 (Reuters/Radu Sigheti).

Afghanistan has only one pig in the entire country. The little porker is a resident of Kabul Zoo and has been locked up in his winter residence since Sunday. The problem being that visitors to the zoo have voiced concerns about a possible swine flu infection risk.

Unfortunately, the spectre of death and destruction as it relates to the swine flu has reared its ugly head in countries where misinformation and overreaction are the order of the day. Egypt is planning to slaughter over 300,000 pigs to prevent the disease from entering the country. However, there is absolutely no sign that any of their pigs are infected and there have been no reported cases of swine flu in Egypt.

The loveable little porcine causing such widespread fear throughout the country was a gift from China in 2002. Kabul Zoo originally received two pigs; but, a bear killed and ate the other adult and all of the offspring. “Pig”, as he was creatively named, is the sole survivor and has never shown any signs of having contracted the H1N1 virus.

Pork and pig products are forbidden in Afghanistan due to religious beliefs so it’s not surprising that they only have one pig in the entire country. In addition, they have absolutely no wild pigs, no pig farms or even any direct flights from Mexico City to Kabul; but, zoo officials still felt the need to quarantine Pig.

The zoo, which houses two lions, local leopards, 42 species of birds and 36 types of fish, attracts up to 10,000 visitors on weekends.

"For now the pig is under quarantine, we built it a room because of swine influenza," said zoo director Aziz Gul Saqib. "We've done this because people are worried about getting the flu."

"We understand that [the risk of infection is nil]; but, most people don't have enough knowledge,” Saqib said. “When they see the pig in the cage they get worried and think that they could get ill.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) is no longer using the term “swine flu”. Instead, they are referring to it by its official name “influenza A (H1N1)” in an effort to dispel any misinformation that it can be caught from eating pork products or coming into contact with swine.