The Role of Trees

This is an great snapshot of the benefits of the agrosilvopastoral system in southern Spain and Portugal. The role of the oak trees in these systems is perhaps obvious, but put together with sustainable grazing and the additional by-products it produces (including cork, wildlife diversity and CO2 sequestration) it all makes sense and initiates a layering of the landscape. Remembering that this system is working in harsh Mediterranean conditions - these principles could no doubt work in many of our environments - I wonder if Kurrajong trees can perform a similar role? Note the comment here that Eucalyptus species require more water and is less fire resistant than oaks!

New Zealand Carbon Neutral?

New Zealand could become carbon neutral if farmers act now to increase the levels of carbon in their soils. "New Zealand has the perfect climate to continue to grow soils...This is an easy, low cost way to buy time before other technologies take effect and there are no losers in this solution because as you store more carbon in the soil, the water holding capacity increases, as does the structure - improving its productivity."

Biochar Funding

The federal government today announced $1.4 million for the biggest biochar research project in Australia's history - and one of the biggest in the world. Experts in biochar, soil science and emissions management from across Australia will join the national research project.

Climate Change the Culprit?

Why do all problems led back to climate change? Apparently the oldest and largest trees within California's world famous Yosemite National Park are disappearing - and even though they admittedly don't really know why - climate change has been put up front as the likely candidate - before other more likely candidates like wildfire protection and plant competition, and I would throw in air and water pollution.

At least the melting snows in the Rocky mountains are being blamed on more mundane causes - dust storms leaving a film of dark colour on the snow. Though climate change is raised as instigating the dust storms - no mention of possible dehydration of the whole landscape by man over time.

What comes first climate change then the on-the-ground problems? Or was it on-the-ground problems (that have been documented as declining for a century or more) that brought on climate change?

Mysterious Ecological Disasters

Chilean scientists are investigating three mysterious ecological disasters that have caused the deaths of hundreds of penguins, millions of sardines and about 2,000 baby flamingos in the past few months. Its fascinating though - global warming has been blamed, seemingly before overfishing, pollution and bacterial disease. Why global warming - aren't the other culprits more likely and more obvious?

The Climate Skeptics

I thought that this new political party might interest some. It certainly puts forward a lot of science and opinions (much like the other side). I should point out that I take no particular sides per se. I accept that the climate seems to be changing (more erratic, and not necessarily just warming), but cannot the accept that CO2 is THE problem. I see the breakdown of natural systems, cycles and biofeedback loops, by man, as more likely causes.

Birds Instead of Pesticides

Owls and kestrels are being employed as agricultural pest controllers in the Middle East. Many farmers are installing nest boxes to encourage the birds, which hunt the crop-damaging rodents.

Glyphosate is Toxic

While glyphosate has been marketed as relatively safe, the evidence is much different with a range of problems showing up in humans, animals and obviously plants. Even the 'inert' ingredients are far from inert. And its persistence in the soil is often quite long. This is a well referenced factsheet.  Glyphosate 25/05/2009,00:16 107.54 Kb

But the story gets better, with a really simple to read explanation of how glyphosate works in plants and how it competes for phosphorus sites in the soil, you learn how incredibly stable it is, and how it substitutes for phosphorus in the plant. But possibly the most intriguing - the suggestion that we handing plants a glyphosate blueprint via mycorrhizae every time we spray, giving plants lots of time to build up their resistance.

GM Farmers Put on Notice

A public letter has been written to Western Australian GM farmers explaining very clearly their legal responsibility for any burden of damage or loss caused to neighboring non-GM growers by the planting of GM seeds. Because GM patenting companies effectively have legal immunity from such actions, the responsibility now rests with the GM grower under common law.

GM Propaganda

Gosh, same old same old...this is a supposedly authoritative report on the real benefits of GM crops, but if you check out the so-called independent authors of the report....yep - all linked financially to all the biotech companies.

Failure to Yield

For years the biotechnology industry has trumpeted that it will feed the world, promising that its genetically engineered crops will produce higher yields. That promise has proven to be empty, according to Failure to Yield, a report by UCS expert Doug Gurian-Sherman released in March 2009. Despite 20 years of research and 13 years of commercialization, genetic engineering has failed to significantly increase U.S. crop yields.

Doctors Warn Against GM Food

On May 19th, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) called on "Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks." And they conclude that "There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation." 

Floating Islands Clean Water

Mimicked from natural versions, man-made floating islands are being designed to scrub water clean and provided forage to grow big fish. They're constructed of layers of mesh and insulating foam. The mesh feels like the rough side of a sponge. The islands act like magnets for microbes, and seeds sprout into vegetation that pulls out nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients from the water.

Great Southern Fiasco

Just love this overview of the recent collapse of 2 major MIS schemes, which are lined up with the other recent financial scandals like ABC Learning Centres, Allco Finance Group, Elderslie Finance, Lift Capital, MFS, Opes Prime and Storm Financial. "The bodies keep piling up - when is the Government going to start cleaning it up?"

Bacteria Eating Viruses

"Bacteria eating" viruses, known as bacteriophages, could be an effective way of eliminating specific food pathogens. The US Food and Drug Administration first approved the use of bacteria eating viruses as food additives in ready-to-eat meat and poultry to protect against Listeria three years ago.

Using the Renewable Label

With billions of dollars at stake, everyone is trying to call anything renewable - e.g. nuclear power plants, the burning of garbage and even the waste from coal mines. US Federal tax breaks for renewable energy have been reauthorized, while the benefits that go with the designation include renewable energy credits, which promise to be a valuable commodity if a national renewable energy standard becomes law and utilities with high levels of renewable sources can sell credits to those with less.

Twisted Logic

A new study shows that West Virginians consume less fish than the national average, and state officials are using the results to say mercury levels in the state's waterways can be higher than the federal EPA recommends!! Bizarre. Part of their argument also states that mercury is a naturally-occurring element that's found in air, water and soil...gee, obviously nothing to worry about!

Real Milk Continued

As nature intended! After last week's article on Real Milk a subscriber sent through this personal story. "I was reading the "Real Milk" article in this newsletter and was reminded of my last visit to the family doctor after she had insisted on a cholesterol test. Last test, I had been told I would need to go on to medication which I had refused and asked if I could have another test in a few months time.  As you know, we bought the Jersey milking cow and we have been consuming her milk, cream, yogurt made from the milk and ice-cream made from the cream.  We eat butter and do not eat reduced fat anything (as I had been advised to do).  Not only was my cholesterol reading down to a safe level, but the 'bad fats' were low and the good ones where they should be! Can't be too much wrong with 'real milk'."

Honey Fraud

The high price and limited supply of honey has tempted some beekeepers and food processors to sell impure honey containing inexpensive sweeteners, such as corn syrup, inverted syrups and high fructose corn syrup which are very hard to test for. French researchers have come up with a test that should be able to foil people like three men recently accused of faking the origin of imported Chinese honey to avoid paying millions of dollars in anti dumping tariffs.

Aracaria Guides

These 8-page laminated fold out guides are absolutely stunning and cover planting and biodynamic information, all designed and produced here in Australia. I have updated my personal reference library with the new Aracaria vegetable, flower, bulbs as well as herbs and medicinal growing guides - but I also discovered some beautiful esoteric guides on Goethe, biodymamic composting, the Buddhist wheel of existence etc.

Organic Friends E-zine

May's edition of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada's E-zine is online which links to a range of presentations given at the Organic Cereals Research Symposium, many with a focus on weed management. There are lots of other goodies as well.

Going Green Expo

Going Green Expo, Melbourne Exhibition Centre 14th - 16th August, then Brisbane RNA Showground 18th - 20th September is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest products, services and new technologies available for every Australian industry and household to reduce environmental impact, greenhouse emissions, climate change and contribute to a healthier planet.

Sustainable Soil Improvement Workshop

Yours truly (me!) is presenting a free full day workshop on interpreting soil tests and building soil fertility from a biological perspective at Bulahdelah 5th June.  Sustainble Soil Improvement 21/05/2009,22:25 129.71 Kb

Health

Modified Icecream

Obviously the real thing is too expensive...The European Commission has granted novel foods approval for the ingredient Ice Structuring Protein (ISP) used in ice cream to reduce fat content and improve stability. The genes for the protein are found in fish (and carrots) and yeasts are genetically modified to make them. Its already in Australian ice creams.

Scented Packaging

Scented packaging may have a role in helping consumers to ensure weight management because aroma may be a major contributor to promoting satiety.

The One Minute Cure

Yet to read this book through, but I have certainly heard bits and pieces of this information over time and thought many of you would find it very worthwhile. I googled it, and was expecting to see lots of negative reports as well, but on a cursory skim down, it is seemingly supported by lots of people. Attached is the whole book.  The One Minute Cure 2009 20/05/2009,01:42 826.58 Kb

Depression Testing

Its happening in the US, which is likely to eventually be enforced here too. Mandatory depression screening for all children from age 0 - 18 - with the obvious consequence of more drugged children. A ridiculous proposition based on seriously subjective analysis. 

High Selenium and Diabetes

I guess its everything in balance. Americans with diabetes have high levels of selenium in their bodies, prompting some health experts to suspect that it could contribute to development of the disease. In response to their new findings, a research team has recommended that U.S. residents stop taking supplements that contain selenium. Note that this relates to the US - in Australia selenium levels are very low in our soils.

Plastic and Baby Health

Our sickest newborns are exposed to unusually high levels of phthalates - chemicals in plastics that can mimic hormones - because they often spend days or weeks connected to feeding tubes, breathing tubes and intravenous lines made of plastic. Phthalate levels can be more than 100 times the levels found in healthy adults.

Man Gives Birth to Twin

Wow, how weird is this? A 30 year old plumber reeled in agony as his stomach ruptured and the embryonic remains of his twin spilled out. There are just a handful of cases worldwide - with the majority reported in Asia.

Weston Price and Wholefoods

Dr. Weston A. Price was a dentist and dental researcher who went on an investigation that spanned the globe to determine why native populations, who ate traditional foods, exhibited perfect physical health well into old age. He looked at the mouth as a window to the rest of the body.

Forced Chemotherapy

A Minnesota judge has ruled that a 13-year-old boy with a highly treatable form of cancer must seek conventional medical treatment over his parents' objections. The mother and son are now on the run - but this is an interesting commentary on what this means to civil rights and the denial that there are alternative cancer treatments.

Unalienable Rights of Humans to Treatment

And as a perfect follow on - forced vaccinations occurred back in the 1920s, and actually caused more deaths than they supposedly prevented - but the lead in to this story, written in 1920, starts from the legal and constitutional side of the argument. As relevant today as it was then. It is about our inherent human right to medical liberty and choice, and to sanctity of body - an unalienable right that no government can or should override. What an interesting read into history, which seems to keep repeating itself.  

The Wonder of Adult Stem Cells

Dr. Nadia Rosenthal, discusses the role of stem cells in the regeneration and repair of tissues, and their possible medical and anti-aging applications. Some very tantalising research into regenerating cells - the fountain of youth.

Heavy Metal Detoxification

I have just been forwarded on this research paper on using natural heavy metal chelators for detoxing the body of heavy metals. It appears that one combination, referred to as HDM (Heavy Metal Detox) does an excellent job on all measured heavy metal excretions. Case studies are starting to emerge with symptoms of autism, chronic fatigue and other conditions subsiding.

Unscrupulous Infant Formulas

It started as an investigation into an explosion, and ended up uncovering the unsavory truth about ingredients of a major brand infant formula. As well as using hexane, the process and source of some of the oils are not exactly what you could call natural - and when that product is known in maternity wards as the 'diarrhea formula' - you must start to suspect something is not quite right.

When is a Food a Drug?

The popular US breakfast cereal - Cheerios - has been warned by the FDA that they will need an approved new drug application. Cheerios packaging claims that they have been: "clinically proven to lower cholesterol" and "you can Lower Your Cholesterol 4% in 6 weeks". What an interesting debate about can or can't be said about anything.

Red Bull Drink Contains Cocaine

Six German states have banned Red Bull Cola after the newest offering from the world's leading energy drink maker was found to contain cocaine.

Cartoon

Eskil sees his balancing acts as expressions of art and not stunts. 'What I do, is draw a picture with vulnerable human beings and their bodies, in the surrounding of mother earth. That's the balance between life and death, and that is where life is.' Check out his balancing acts - it defies belief!

Miscellaneous

If you have never failed you have never lived...if you don't believe that check this 1 minute video out...convinced now????

But the corporate world is vastly different - they are faceless non-human entities that are influencing every facet of our lives and have written themselves into law as 'humans'. Corporations have no built-in limits on what, who, or how much they can exploit for profit. Today, every molecule on the planet is up for grabs - corporations are patenting plants, animals, and human DNA. Governments are inviting corporations into areas from which they were previously barred. When will it stop?

Events

* Sustainable Soil Improvement Workshop - Bulahdelah NSW 5th June 2009.

* Going Green Expo - Melbourne Vic 14th - 16th August 2009.

* Going Green Expo - Brisbane Qld 18th - 20th September 2009.

Postscript

Wow, she's 88, and has been mayor of a major debt-free city in Canada (the 6th largest city) for 31 years - and she is still going!

And you might enjoy this...