Addressing Climate Change

Without having done too much research into Allan Savory before, I found myself mesmerized recently by a DVD that outlines his history and the development of holistic management. Then I was forwarded this recent paper entitled 'A Global Strategy for Addressing Global Climate Change' - and its fabulous. It pleads for the need for healthy living landscapes and outlines the real role of livestock in the landscape.   A Global Strategy for Addressing Climate Change 05/03/2009,22:07 133.50 Kb

10 Principles to Sustainable Soil Management

Rattan Lal, soil scientist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, suggests that soil and its resources are the answer to food security, availability of water, climate change, energy demand, waste disposal, extinction of biodiversity, soil degradation and desertification, political and ethnic instability, poverty and rapid population increase, and that sustainability can be achieved through the realization of 10 basic management principles.

Biochar and Climate Change

Charcoal is a form of carbon, the burnt remains of plant and animal material. If it can stay intact in the earth for so long, without being released as carbon dioxide gas, why not lock up more carbon in the earth in this manner? Unfortunately this story misses the idea that living plants are active carbon pumps too and suggests that regular soil carbon sequestration is unstable - shame!

Carbon Myth Busters Still Running

I am not sure if the information in these seminars has altered since last year, where the overall conclusions stated that soil carbon could not be built cost-effectively (it was estimated to cost $200 per hectare)...while the information is correct, it missed whole segments of the carbon cycle by only focusing on biomass decomposition and admitting to very little knowledge on the biology bridge to stable carbon. It would be interesting to hear what the message is now. The next show is in Armidale 11th March.

Freeze-Dried Bodies

Bodies could be freeze-dried and shattered into dust to save space and help the environment, under plans being considered by a Scottish local authority. The process, known as promession, is considered more environmentally friendly than cremation, largely because it avoids the mercury pollution created by burning fillings in teeth and other metal objects in the body, such as replacement joints or surgical implants. The burial itself takes place in a shallow grave, in the upper mulch-forming layers of the soil.

Pig City

Its a 40-storey tower with its sides open and you can see through it. There are trees growing from floors that extend plank-like beyond the walls..its a high-rise pig sty. By stacking pigs in sties in the skies, the land below remains free and transportation and distribution costs can be cut. Each tower could feed 500,000 people annually. The pigs would also get to enjoy well-ventilated spaces with great views!

Garbage to Compost

A company in Bangladesh is turning organic garbage into compost in some of the poorest areas. Residents put their food scraps into big composting barrels. Specially drilled holes encourage aerobic decomposition. The barrels are shared among three to seven families, and each family is held accountable for the barrel's contents. They also share in the profits: 7 taka per kilogram (about 5 cents per pound).

The Sandbox Syndrome

Professor Stuart B. Hill retells the parable of the "sandbox syndrome" and how real progress will be made when we "find commonality with others, form alliances and develop new measures of success." By keeping ourselves separate and competitive we limit what we are trying to do. A wonderful history of how environmental issues can be defused.

You can join Stuart in Carlton Vic 7th May as part of a workshop for understanding and
working with key factors that enable Sustainability, Leadership and Change: from general frameworks to YOUR specific goals and actions.

GM Contamination

Genes from genetically-engineered corn have been found in traditional crop strains in Mexico. A 2001 study that had the same conclusions was blasted for technical inaccuracy and choice of samples. But this new research now says the original study was right.

Rigged GM Trials

I queried the weed issue of these trials in a past newsletter about Low Yielding GM Canola, but it appears that the details have since been chased up - and it certainly points to extraordinarily poor science! The non-GM varieties in the GM trial could not perform to their full potential because standard weed control was avoided, though herbicides where applied to the GM crop....and surprisingly that did not work well anyway, with many second generation weeds making it through the trial.

GM Crop Forums

Hear first hand experiences from Canada and the USA about the possible benefits and risks of GM crops and answer your questions on corporate influence, segregation failures, legal issues and the effect on markets. Sydney 13th March, Cootamundra 14th March, Wagga Wagga 16th March, Orange 17th March.

GM Politics Hotting Up

European Union governments delivered a blow Monday to the biotechnology industry, allowing Austria and Hungary to maintain national bans on growing genetically modified crops from Monsanto, despite support from the European Commission and likelihood that the United States still could impose punitive duties on the Europeans for continuing to block trade.

GM Corn for Ethanol?

A new debate looms over whether the U.S. should allow genetically altered corn to be grown for use as biofuel. The Union of Concerned Scientists says no, arguing that genetically modified corn will inevitably mix with and contaminate corn grown for food products.

Fluffy Toilet Paper is Unenvironmental

Although toilet tissue can be made at similar cost from recycled material, it is the fiber taken from standing trees that help give it that plush feel, and most large manufacturers rely on them. In the United States, which is the largest market worldwide for toilet paper, tissue from 100 percent recycled fibers makes up less than 2 percent of sales.

New Technology or Revamped Old Technology?

It won't be hydrogen fuel cells or plug-in hybrids, but rather refinements to the internal combustion engine, aerodynamics, drivetrains, and tires that reduce emissions and kick up mileage. Modifications, that could double carbon emission reductions, include stop-start (idle-off) systems in which the engine shuts down when the car is stopped during driving; low rolling-resistance tires (which are harder and thus less flat, reducing friction); variable valve timing for engines, which increases gas consumption efficiency; and fuel economy computers or displays to encourage eco-driving.

Soil Carbon Awareness Seminars

Being held in Narrabri 12th March and Inverell 13th March, these seminars aim to answer the following: Do you know what soil carbon is? Do you know what your soil carbon levels are? Do you know what will influence your soil carbon into the future? What is the effect of cropping rotations, and what are the trends under grazing? What are the biological benefits of carbon farming and grazing? Do you know the indirect costs of a carbon pollution scheme for farmers? What are the sizes of ruminant methane emissions? What are the options for agriculture under emissions reduction limits and carbon trading scheme guidelines?

Pathways to Perfect Health

Nutri-Tech Solutions are holding a 1/2-day seminar on magnesium and inflammation 25th March in Yandina - FOR FREE!  If you read Nutrition Matters linked to in the last newsletter, you will understand the vital importance of magnesium for health. Graeme Sait will also speak about foods that should be included in every diet, as well as other tips and strategies to maintain wellness and avoid the scourge of inflammation.  Pathways to Perfect Health 26/02/2009,19:04 177.90 Kb

The final in the Pathways to Perfect Health seminar series is a 3-day seminar in Yandina 20-22 May, that covers Graeme Sait's all time top 14 health presentations.

Honour/Dishonour Taster

I mentioned in a previous newsletter that Mark Pytellek would be speaking about the Honour/Dishonour system at The Inverell Forum this month. I have just confirmed that he will be speaking from 2-5pm 20th March. A good 3-hours which should give a great introduction to what it is all about. Absolutely mind-opening. You really can take control.

Permaculture Design Course

Being held in Tropical Far North Queensland with Darren Doherty of Free Range Permaculture at Walkamin 15-28th March. This is a certified curriculum from The Permaculture Institute of Australia. It is a course focused on design and thinking, rather than about technique. Darren's repertoire includes GIS, Consulting Processes, Keyline Design, Holistic Management and Carbon Farming plus a lot more...

What's New...

I would like to introduce Bill and Rhonda Daly of YLAD Living Soils. I was one of their points of contact during their initial foray into biological farming in 2002 and their involvement in the biological arena has been nothing short of phenomenal - stretching their expertise into a flourishing successful business.

Bill witnessed the decline of his soils during 25 years of conventional farming, then in 2001 Rhonda was guided to heal the soils during a serious illness with meningitis when she realised that the quality of our food is directly related to the health and nutritional balance of the soil. Toxic chemical poisoning was the cause of her illness so Rhonda certainly advocates reducing toxins in agriculture.

Bill's farm has become living proof that biological farming works and Rhonda provides educational opportunities to empowered farmers to return to a more sustainable method of farming, reducing chemical usage while increasing production and profitability. 

I highly recommend you make contact with the Dalys - whether it be to access biological solutions or simply come along to their many educational events.

Health

Rejuvenator

I did not have these clinical trial results to hand when I first wrote about Rejuvenator (see under What's New...). They were collated back last year, but I thought it may interest many of you. There certainly seems to be some wonderful improvements happening to people already with compromised health. I know I can feel the difference when taking it too.

Miscellaneous

While Australia is certainly entering the economic collapse slower than other countries, it  will not be immune. Gerald Celente, U.S. trend forecaster, believes that in 2009 we're going to see the worst economic collapse ever - the Greatest Depression. He believes it could get very violent in the U.S., including a possible tax revolt. In the 3rd video you go inside the Bear Stears meltdown and beyond - really really fascinating.

By the way, to those that are now following Graham Dyer's daily forecasts - he's wonderfully spot on, isn't he?

Events

For all March events

For all April events

* Soil Carbon Awareness Seminar - Narrabri NSW 12th March 2009.

* GM Crop Forum - Sydney NSW 13th March 2009.

* Soil Carbon Awareness Seminar - Inverell NSW 13th March 2009.

* GM Crop Forum - Cootamundra NSW 14th March 2009.

* Permaculture Design Course - Walkamin Qld 15th - 28th March 2009.

* GM Crop Forum - Wagga Wagga NSW 16th March 2009.

* GM Crop Forum - Orange NSW 17th March 2009.

* Pathways to Perfect Health - Yandina Qld 25th March 2009.

* Sustainability, Leadership and Change - Carlton Vic 7th May 2009.

* Pathways to Perfect Health - Yandina Qld 20th - 22nd May 2009.

Postscript

This short film has won a variety of awards including Best Narrative Short at the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Hawaii International Film Festival. It's guaranteed to give you a smile and perhaps help validate you too!