Page 184 – Green Prophet

Flooring Options for Ecological Weirdos

Design

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December 4, 2019

recycled materials, WE MAKE CARPETS, Taragalte Festival, Morocco, eco design, plastic carpet, bottle carpet — *Flooring means different things to different people. From grounding dirt floors to upcycled linoleum. Here are some ideas. This carpet (a magic flying one? ) is made from bottles.*

You might be able to buy a strawbale house or build a cob house on a budget of $4,000 like the woman from the UK did in Turkey but if your walls and roof manages to last the winter, you have to know how your floor will stand up. There are plenty of ways that earth-minded people build flooring to stand the test of time. Choosing your best options for the most part might really depend on where you live. Think about the weather that might creep in or creatures that you want to keep out. Laminate or upcycled wood? certified sustainably harvested wood?

Grounding out your floor

A new-old trend among seasoned earth lovers is grounding. Meaning they build their homes and flooring with as few layers to the earth as possible. If you live in a temperate climate that doesn’t get too damp or too cold you might be able to get away with a rammed earth or even a simple dirt floor. The benefits is that feel-good earthy vibe when you are making your coffee in the morning, keeping your toes touching the earth. Another benefit is that it doesn’t and will never look like black polished marble. So keeping it clean isn’t really that important.

If you can’t go all out with an earth floor another option for moderate climates is wooden floorboards like a deck above the earth. Depending on the width of the slats, you can let air or the outside in. I built a low cost studio in my backyard with this option and because it was for a pottery studio that I have to keep dust free, I needed a solution that could take a lot of water. So on one hand I have a simple wooden “deck” floor for my studio which sits on cement stilts (no foundation, leave no trace behind), I needed to go for a low cost solution to keep the floor dust- free, so we chose a roll of linoleum.

Clearance or end of line flooring

There are all finds of low cost solutions if you are like the No Money Man from the UK (keeping it simple and real), but for those with more means you might be able to afford plastic tiling made from ocean waste or other upcycled materials. A floor with a story, imagine that? One company we came across with endless ideas and pictures (like looking at Houzz for hours!) is this one selling all sorts of clearance flooring. Companies that sell end of line materials or upcycle raw materials that get left behind at the end of a production run get big points in our books. Think Reformation but for floors!

Another flooring solution made famous by artisans in the Middle East is carpeting. No matter how old and ugly or worn down your floor might look a few good carpets can save the day. Carpets woven in the Middle East like in places like Turkey or Uzbekistan not only last forever and look better with use, you actually help women (most of the weavers) earn a decent and stable income and you keep an ancient craft alive. Make sure you buy your carpet from a reputable seller. I have met people in Turkey as carpet tourists — just around those parts to buy carpets.

A more affordable option if you can’t buy a lifetime-use wool carpet is to buy an upcycled carpet. Sewn together and then redyed, they look like a million dollars and are still in fashion.

This totally weird carpet by designers in Israel looks like stones and it also gives you a massage when you walk over it.

American irrigation research finds watering sweet spot for agriculture and earth

Food
Tech

Karin Kloosterman

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December 4, 2019

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A healthy lifestyle consists of a mixture of habits. Diet, exercise, sleep and other factors all must be in balance. Similarly, a sustainable farm operates on a balanced plan of soil, crop, and water management techniques.

The western United States is a region with scarce water resources (that’s why tools like Eddy were invented, using hydroponics and AI instead of soil). In this case, water management techniques make up a larger piece of a sustainability plan. There is mounting concern around the globe about water scarcity. This is due to urban sprawl, depleting water supplies in some areas, and predicted water shortages in the future with less snowpack.

Water management techniques that lead to the optimal use of limited resources are not well-identified. Yet. Matt Yost, a researcher at Utah State University, is working to find the best combination of practices to maximize yield, profit, and water efficiency. He has some new results that might be applied to the overly water stressed Middle East.

“Most cropland in Utah and the western United States is irrigated,” explains Yost. “There are areas where groundwater from aquifers is being used faster than it can be replaced. Some of these areas are under intense pressure to conserve water.”

Water for irrigation comes from aquifers far below the farm’s surface. Aquifers are naturally refilled by water from the surface by precipitation. Increased water use can lower the water table. Eventually wells can go dry. These factors make water optimization crucial for food security.

African farmer women — *Women in Africa with the back breaking work of watering their farm*

Yost researches many water management techniques. These include using irrigation scheduling and advanced pivot irrigation technology. In addition, his team researches crop and soil management practices. They look at rotating in drought-tolerant crops, cover crops, and reduced tillage.

Yost’s team works together with many farmers across Utah to do farm-scale trials.

“Irrigation research is tough and costly on farmer’s fields,” says Yost. “It’s especially true when it comes to irrigation scheduling. Though difficult, this on-farm research and collaboration is crucial for the understanding and adoption of new water optimization techniques.”

So, what is the best combination of management techniques to maximize yield, profit, and water efficiency? The answer isn’t clear, yet. Results and analyses are still pending, but Yost offers some initial recommendations:

Advanced pivot irrigation technologies, such as mobile drip and low-energy precision application or spray application, are beneficial. They can usually maintain crop yields with about 20% less applied water.
Most farmers may be able to reduce irrigation rates by 10% without affecting crop yields.
Biochar applications are showing few short-term crop yield or water saving benefits.

“We are beginning to answer questions about new irrigation techniques and scheduling approaches,” says Yost. “But many still exist for discovery.”

Next, Yost and his team hope to secure funding for long-term irrigation research sites. Water is a limited and vital resource. Strategies to optimize water use will be crucial to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture.

“In irrigated agriculture, agronomy and irrigation go hand-in-hand,” explains Yost. “Nearly everything about one influences the other. Most irrigation programs focus more on engineering than on irrigation science. With my original training in agronomy, I’ve noticed knowledge gaps and have identified opportunities to unite irrigation science and agronomy.” Yost’s unique perspective offers a holistic approach to integrated water, soil, and crop management.

Yost presented his work at the November International Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America in San Antonio.

Funding for this research came from an Innovator Award from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture, Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and the Utah State University Water Initiative and Extension Service.

Water purifier company takes on plastic polluters at UN climate conference

Technology

Karin Kloosterman

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December 3, 2019

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Water purifier company takes on plastic polluters at UN climate conference

plastiki, UNEP, David de Rothschild, interview, plastic, oceans, adventure, myoo, ecology — *Wild eco-preneurs like David de Rothschild and Graham Hill from Treehugger set out to catalogue micro-plastics at sea in this bottle boat.*

Bluewater, a world leading water purification technology and solutions leader, today called on global energy, finance and environment ministers attending the UN’s Climate Conference in Madrid to take a powerful approach to tackling water quality issues that are spurring sales of polluting single-use plastic bottles of water.

“We urgently need a ‘can do’ approach by the world’s governments to address the issues of water quality that are driving people in rich and poorer countries alike to distrust municipal water and instead purchase bottled water, which often is packaged in single-use plastic containers,” said Bengt Rittri, founder and chief executive of Bluewater.

A Swedish environmental entrepreneur, Mr. Rittri noted how a report by the Center for International Law (CIEL) estimating the cradle-to-grave impact of plastic concluded that plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the climate emergency at every stage of its lifecycle, from production to refining, its use and how it is managed as a waste product.

UN Environment says one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute around the world with most, according to a recent study from the Veolia Group, ending up in landfill or environments like the oceans where they pose a grave threat to the marine life.

The UN has warned that the planet is on course for more than a three-degree spike in global temperature over pre-industrial levels even if countries meet commitments made under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Ahead of the Madrid gathering, the UN said the global warming would lead to even wider-ranging and more destructive climate impacts that would bring mass extinctions and make large parts of the planet uninhabitable.

“Governments must supercharge their efforts across the board to adopt cleaner technologies at an ever faster pace that can deal with issues such as poor water quality and help turn the tide on single-use plastics and other non-sustainable products that threaten the world’s health and economy,” said Mr Rittri.

A recent study by a team of researchers at Bangor University, UK, found plastic outnumbers baby fish by seven to one in waters off Hawaii. The study also discovered microplastic particles in the stomachs of commercially fished species such as swordfish.

Bluewater has won global acclaim for its compact water purifiers for residential, business and public dispensing that remove chemicals, toxic metals, pharmaceutical residues, and micro-plastics from tap water. Bluewater hydration stations today are used at global sporting, musical and other events taking a stand against single use plastic bottles, from the UK’s The Open golf tournament to the Cape Town Marathon. Fashion brands are also leading with marketing eco-awareness.

Luffa Sponges, Nature’s Bath Scrub

Miriam Kresh

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December 2, 2019

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Liffa, luffa, louffa is a kind of gourd great for increasing blood flow, Middle East — *Loofah grows like a gourd. Find them at corner stores in Middle East countries like Israel. For some people they don’t travel without them!*

Loofah, luffa, loof sponge. However you call it, the scratchy, fibrous plant has been used to scrub the body – and the dishes – for centuries. Its appeal hasn’t diminished in all that time. Today loofah is considered the most sustainable, greenest scrubber you can find.

The scrubby feeling of a soapy loofah sponge massaging your limbs means that you’re stimulating blood circulation and exfoliating dead skin cells. You come out of the shower feeling super-clean and stimulated. While the loofah is too rough to use on the face or genitals, it’s great for controlling teenage acne on the back, as the fibrous sponge loosens oils and bacteria from the skin while the soap cleans up.

Here in the Middle East you can amble down to the local open-air market and choose a nice sturdy loofah from a bunch casually displayed in front of a shop.

Bring it home and either chop it up into convenient sizes, or leave it long if you prefer. Either way, the sponge needs to be soaked in warm, soapy water and rinsed before using it the first time, to free it of field and street dust.

Being a fibrous material with lots of openings, a loofah collects plenty of dirt. A damp environment like the shower stall will turn it into a bacteria breeding ground, so don’t leave it hanging from a string in the shower. Rinse it through and hang it up in a dry, airy place until the next time. You can also throw it in the washing machine every week, on the delicate cycle, but don’t put it in the dryer, as the heat will destroy it.

In any case, dermatologists say that you don’t need to scrub yourself with a loofah every day: twice a week is plenty.

Keep in mind that like all organic matter, loofah sponges eventually gather bacteria and decompose. A loofah that’s gone moldy or smells musty should be thrown out or composted. But don’t wait to that to happen to replace it. Start using a new one every 3-4 weeks. That goes for loofah pieces that you use for scrubbing dishes too.

Did you know that loofah sponges are the skeletons of an edible gourd? Luffa is a species from a tropical and subtropical vine from the cucumber family. The luffa, also spelled loofah, usually refers to the fruit of the two species Luffa aegyptiaca and Luffa acutangula. The fruit of these species is also cultivated and eaten as a vegetable.

The fresh green gourd resembles a cucumber and is actually of the cucumber family. Loofah must be harvested while young and small if you want to eat it. It’s a popular vegetable around the globe, from South America to the Near and Far East. India has many curry recipes calling for fresh green loofah. In Japan, people grow it in building lots to create shady screens.

The scratchy beige object we know as loofah is the vegetable grown to maturity and left on the vine to dry. The fleshy part withers and falls off and the skeleton remains. Shake the seeds out and you’re good to go.

If you have the right climate (hot summers, cool winters), you can grow loofah yourself. It’s easy to grow in well-drained, sandy loam. No seeds available locally? You can order luffa seeds online.

Fashion brands that are leading the sustainable movement

Cities

Ivan Ibbotson

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December 1, 2019

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reformation swimsuit — *Ecologically spot-on and dead sexy. Reformation hit a sweet spot with customers and the environment by fashioning deadstock fabric into new clothes.*

The topic of sustainability has become very popular in recent years. Despite the obvious effect of unsustainable fast fashion brands on the environment, people are also concerned about the human rights violations that happen in these factories. So now that the public has become more aware of the problems through documentaries like True Cost and River Blue, the problems with the fast fashion brands are now becoming more public. Throughout the last two or three years, a lot of sustainable fashion brands have gained popularity, offering their clients not only good quality clothes from ethical sources but also a much more transparent look into the production process starting from the factories and their workers, to the materials they use for goods. The industry will probably grow even bigger in the following years, considering that more and more new sustainable brands keep popping up almost every month.

We have recently witnessed a resurgence of male fashion, with people finally questioning why men’s fashion has to be so boring, an article by the Guardian talked about how men are taught to dress in dull fashion, and nowadays men are investing in their style. Fashion, in general, is one of the most widespread topics that has affected almost all realms of life. Everyone in some way engages with fashion and it is becoming more and more mainstream to consider fashion and its impact on our daily lives. There is hardly an industry left where fashion isn’t prevalent: you’ve got blackjack games available at many operators that are specifically targeted towards fashion, we have movies made about the fashion industry and everywhere we see the ads for stylish stores. So Fashion whether we want to admit or not has a huge impact on our everyday lives.

When we think about sustainable brands in the context of today’s worldwide discussion on climate change it seems more than appropriate that these brands are just gaining attention. It’s about time the customers started to ask questions about where their clothes actually come from

The fashion brand that has taken over the fashion world as well as Instagram, is Reformation. The brand has registered its very own material that is sustainable-Tencel. The owner of the brand is Yael Aflalo. She has the first attempts at forming a clothing brand in 1999. She was quickly discouraged after she learned about fashion’s negative environmental impacts one of them being just how chemically charged the process of creating said clothes are. She abandoned the project in hopes of creating a brand that wouldn’t be so wasteful.

She succeeded in 2009 when Aflalo started Reformation, which has since built an impressive following not only because of its remarkable selection of clothing but because of its green footprint. All of the reformation’s clothes are made from sustainable materials, whether that be carefully selected fabric, repurposed vintage or produced deadstock. Alfaro manages her whole business within LA so it’s quick efficient and sustainable.

Next on our list is Everlane. An American sustainable brand that focuses on the timeless pieces, clothing shoes and bags alike and offers full transparency of their product making process. It is unique because of its transparent pricing policy. If you visit Everlane’s website you will see that they give you a starting price point, but then you can chose to pay extra to sustain their green production process. Everlane has headquarters in San Francisco, California, plus offices in New york. It was founded almost 10 years ago by Michael Preysman and Jesse Farmer as an online menswear retailer. By 2015 the company receiver $1.1 million in seed funding. The company started a referral invite list that gained 60,000 subscribers in 5 days, even though the company only had 1500 t-shirts in stock at that time. Now Everlane uses its platform to educate its customers and inform them of its supply chain, factories, and the price breakdown of each product. The company has now vowed that it will stop using virgin plastic by 2021. In 2018 Everlane started a new campaign called ReNew where they create outwear crafted from the materials that were created out of 3 million recycled plastic bottles.

And the last brand we’re going to discuss is Veja. Veja was founded in 2003 by Sebastien Kopp and Francois- Ghislain Morillion. The founder met with organic cotton farmers in North Brazil and wild rubber tappers in the Amazon to establish the production chain behind Veja. In 2006 Veja started using is vegetable tanned leather to produce it’s now world-famous sneakers. The Veja trainers are made of organic cotton, wild rubber, and vegetable-tanned leather and recycled plastic bottles. Veja has established itself as one of the few sustainable sneaker productions. The company started in Paris, France and has offices in London U.K as well

Organic Business Ideas that will Help You Earn More

Lifestyle

Bhok Thompson

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December 1, 2019

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Before Ecover was my favorite ecological cleaning brand, it was just someone’s little idea to change the world one sink of dishes at a time. Now look at them!

Setting up a business is now more effortless, especially with the emergence of the internet paving the way for a digital world. Even traditional brick and mortar shops are also easier to put up these days because of the wide variety of information online that can guide those novice in the business world. If you are keen on setting up your own business, but don’t really have an idea on which venture will probably bring forth more revenue, here are some ideas that can get you started.

Be a green app developer

If you are considering setting up an organic business, but you are geared towards technological innovations such as web or mobile app development, then it is best to infuse these two sectors together. Try out being a green app developer and create a web or mobile app that will aid people on how to grow their own food. Make the app both educational and engaging for your target market. You have the option of charging a certain fee for the app you created or selling it to bigger companies. You can also make your app downloadable for free, and earn revenue through the ads of companies who want to be associated with your app.

Sell organic plants online

The online world truly revolutionized the retail industry, with more and more products now being available online. This goes true even for organic products such as dairy or poultry goods, as well as plant-based merchandise, including CBD merchandise at www.relaxation.co, along with other exclusive retail websites, offer organic products such as CBD oils and tinctures. With the popularity of several products nowadays from the likes of CBD, you will definitely be able to make a decent profit selling online, without the need to put up a physical brick and mortar shop. Apart from your own website, there are already several channels where you can sell products such as eCommerce or social media platforms.

Create an educational blog

Another profitable business is creating innovative and educational blogs that have a fair reach of audience. If you are like many others who refer to blogs in search for answers to various queries, then it may be a good idea to start your own educational blog about anything organic. If your blog appeals to more people, then you can gain revenue through advertisements and sponsorships from companies willing to explore a partnership with you, or looking into investing into your advocacy. Thereby, it will help if your blog gains a significant number of followers. Thus, it is important to create relevant content perhaps about organic farming, or a lifestyle transformation in going green.

Trying your luck in setting up a business venture may or may not prove to be successful. Nevertheless, with a failed business comes several learnings that can help you on your next business adventure. On the other hand, a successful one will definitely encourage you to grow your business more and serve a wider range of market. Consider one of the business ideas above, which are proven to rake in more profit and revenue, especially in the long run.

Get to Know the Variety of Deck Railings

Design

Bhok Thompson

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November 28, 2019

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Get to Know the Variety of Deck Railings

Deck railings are highly visible, so you need to carefully consider the patterns, materials, and style. Railings on elevated decks are essential for safety purpose. Several railing designs are available that can transform your deck appearance.

Common materials applied for deck balustrade

Wood – Offers classic look and style.
Steel – Can be chosen in a variety of forms including nickel and copper.
Aluminum – It is light-weight yet adds strength to the railing.
Stone – Stones can be used to create a solid design or used as posts to keep railing together.

Types of deck railings

The cost of every deck railing will depend on the material chosen and the length needed.

Chippendale

There are several lines, which meet in the center and create an X-shape with a series of small lines. It fits compatibly on horizontal rails. It gives an elaborate and beautiful look. Staining and painting is a little challenging as the design is intricate.

Rustic

Treated wood material with few spots and rough edges offers a rustic look. The material looks wild and natural. You can choose any kind of railing design. However, painting and staining can be hard as the design will be irregular.

Turned baluster

A cylindrical shape with a series of curves gives a traditional look. Each turned balustrade post can differ. Pair it with a large base at the bottom and top to support general railing design. This design does not work great with dark colors.

Rod railing

Horizontal rod rails on an elevated deck offer a contemporary outdoor-style approach. The look is casual yet classy, and the lines are clean and consistent all across.

Wrought iron

Wrought iron is not just limited to commercial settings but can be used in residential projects. It offers classy designs that add a warm look. You can get wrought iron designs painted in different colors. Wrought iron needs to be sealed and coated to avoid rusting.

Cable railings

Series of cables are organized horizontally and paired with metal posts. It is a slim yet beautiful option. The only drawback is excess pressure can potentially break the cables.

Glass panels

Glass panels are designed from straight sheets with few slots supported with wood or steel materials. The deck gets a modern look. Glass offers transparency features and can be easily customized. Unfortunately, the surface is scratchable and you need to clean the surface often.

Rope

For a nautical look use carefully woven fibers and string it on a metal or wooden base. Ropes are available in different thickness level. Weather can wear ropes and they can come apart.

Sunburst

Sunburst or fan is a remarkable and attractive style. The design is simple yet elaborate. You can have it wide or narrow. Cleaning the balustrade is a challenge.

Curved railing

For a rounded deck, gently curved aluminum railing offers a great compliment. If the deck has wood-looks, then choose a rich brown curved aluminum railing to provide a contrast to the natural tan. Moreover, match the aluminum railing with white posts.

Make sure to look for a quality railing that gives a relaxed and formal look. Even check how appealing the structure is!

The Best Ways for Eco-Traveling

Travel

Bhok Thompson

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November 28, 2019

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The Best Ways for Eco-Traveling

Adult tricycles have never looked so sexy. Especially if you are peddling one for the environment. Parents use them to take their kids to school. Emissions counters use them for moving stuff safely and greenly around the city. Would you ride a trike?

Traveling has become a very trendy activity for several reasons. It lets the person broaden the horizon, see other cultures, and meet new people. Moreover, people of the 21st century are aiming for maximum awareness, that is why the new way of traveling appeared: eco-tourism. The fashion for everything “green” and “environmentally friendly” is slowly taking over the world. There are many approaches to defining eco-traveling. Usually, people consider eco-traveling as a responsible trip to natural areas, which helps to protect nature and improves the welfare of the local population.

When it comes to eco-traveling, there are several most popular and comfortable ways:

Bicycle or Adult Tricycle

One of the most popular ways of eco-tourism is bicycles. There are many kinds of them. The most comfortable by far is an adult tricycle. Traveling on a bicycle has many advantages. First of all, it is cheap. You do not need to buy any fuel as you would with a car. Moreover, you can enjoy the views and create great memories while traveling. It is also a great way of staying fit: you burn a lot of calories while riding a bicycle. As for an adult tricycle, it is a perfect option for those who do not keep comfortable on a regular bike. It is easier to balance on an adult tricycle.

Hitch-Hiking

If you are traveling long distances, the bicycle is not always a suitable option. That is why we would recommend hitch-hiking instead of riding your own car. It is not entirely eco-friendly, but it is definitely the next best thing. Moreover, you will be able to save money on gas. People also often use hitch-hiking as a way of meeting new people and cultures. It’s safe in countries like Europe, but still, always keep your intuition open.

Camping

If you enjoy long walks and uniting with nature, then camping is the perfect eco-traveling option for you. It does require some gear, but the equipment can last for years.

https://www.greenprophet.com/2014/10/tentsile-tent-for-trees/

People usually camp with their friends as a way of sharing an adventure and observing nature. It is also a great way of staying fit. You will have to walk for hours a day, and it will definitely be a great work-out. Nevertheless, we do recommend starting with easier routes if you are a beginner.

Tentsile is a hanging treehouse like tent — *Camping in the city with Tentsile tents*

Living in the 21st century makes people consider such things as ecology. We recommend always going for eco-traveling if possible. You will have incredible memories of the time shared with your friends and nature.

Tips for giving the ultimate kind of charity

Karin Kloosterman

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November 28, 2019

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hydroponics jordan, USAID — Hydroponics farming is a good solution for growing food in countries where water is scarce. A USAID program gives training to local farmers so they can grow their own food and livelihood. This couple is from Jordan.

The holiday season of Christmas in North America and Europe is packed with spending and gift-giving, especially with emphasis from major consumer holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Although this time of year has a large focus on consumption, many people also use it as an opportunity to give their time and money to the charities that speak most to them.

Jordan hydroponics supported by USAID

Giving Tuesday has become a powerful movement for this. It was created to harness the power of collective generosity. Each year, the international holiday falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Impact businesses and organizations have benefited greatly from the increasing public awareness of the day. Last year, over four hundred million dollars were donated this way.

A common category of giving is hunger and poverty relief in developing countries. There are hundreds of thousands of organizations focused on the issue in regions all around the world.

Although many charities are indeed making real, sustainable change for those they are serving – a lot of them are not. People have heard of organizations misusing public donations but one could argue that there is something even worse: an organization aiming to do good but unknowingly making circumstances worse for those they are trying to help.

The problem happens when an organization or business creates a model for a problem that they do not fully understand. For example, if a school were to raise money to bring an impoverished community free bread, this seems like it will genuinely help the people served, but it actually adds to the perpetual state of poverty this community is in.

Hypothetically, a baker in that community was making and selling bread. But when the donated bread was distributed, no one saw a reason to purchase bread any longer. This put the baker out of business, suppressed the local economy, and contributed to the free-aid mentality of the larger community, making them unmotivated to start businesses and therefore contributing to the cycle of poverty.

10 refugee shelters we hate to love

“Poverty in developing countries is a complex issue and the public must do their due diligence by researching the charities they are giving to,” says John Leary, Peace Corps Veteran and Executive Director of international development nonprofit Trees for the Future. “Time and time again, our organization has entered communities where other nonprofits have offered a short-term, short-sighted solution, but provided nothing that will allow them to escape hunger and poverty for good.”

Trees for the Future is working to end hunger and poverty for smallholder farmers through revitalizing degraded lands. They are not giving the fish but the hook so farmers can learn how to take care of themselves. A video below about Trees for the Future and their work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKvMIDrGE7Y

Tips for doing the right kind of good

On Giving Tuesday or whenever you are giving, go beyond looking up a charity’s place on nonprofit ranking sites. Take a deeper, more intentional look, read about the organization and make sure that they understand the core of the problem they are solving.

Read about the staff and confirm that the organization is run by experts on the subject matter. Ensure that one of the organization’s key principles is training and education. This shows that the beneficiaries are being informed, are encouraged to be entrepreneurs, and can eventually live independent of aid.

When you give, you feel good. When you contribute to a special cause, you feel a greater sense of contribution. When you take the time to research an organization and its work, you can have full confidence that you are part of the solution.

Fisker gives Musk fans a better electric SUV lease deal

Transportation

Karin Kloosterman

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November 28, 2019

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Fisker gives Musk fans a better electric SUV lease deal

fisker vegan car ocean — *Available in 2021 and to lease less than $40,000 USD, how can anyone (even vegans) resist this all electric option Ocean invented by Fisker.*

Fisker, designer and manufacturer of eco-friendly electric vehicles (and the best gardening knives and non electric lawn mowers!) – has opened reservations for the world’s easy to lease electric luxury SUV, arriving in 2022. It’s called the The Fisker Ocean all-electric luxury SUV. Reservations are set at $250 (U.S.) per vehicle and are fully refundable and Fisker’s are expected to sell the car for less than $40,000 when it debuts in 2021, with all vegan leather interior.

Multiple industry firsts have arrived with the Fisker app, says the company, featuring an innovative customer experience – from a flexible lease program, maintenance and repair on demand, insurance purchase to easy finance options. Fisker’s mobile app platform will include mobility options like green ride-hailing, carpooling and vehicle sharing.

“Our mission is to become the No. 1 e-mobility service provider on Earth, featuring the world’s most desirable and sustainable vehicles while shaking up the old automotive industry model – from the way a customer attains a vehicle, chooses affordable insurance, services a vehicle to the overall mobility experience,” said Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc.

Fisker will also offer a “$0 drive off” option through a fully financed $2,999 down payment for credit approved customers. When a reservation is placed, exclusive new teaser images of the Fisker Ocean are revealed in advance of the vehicle’s public unveiling in January.
Experience centers and test drives: Customers will be able to see the vehicles and option packages at select Fisker experience centers in 2020 – as well as schedule test drives through their mobile app in 2021.
Liberating flexibility: Drivers get to decide how long to keep their Fisker Ocean. As an industry first, a customer can return the vehicle in one month, eight months, 22 months or several years. No long-term contracts, with 30,000 miles per year included.
Affordable insurance: Even attaining quotes for vehicle insurance will be made easy and hassle-free via the Fisker mobile app. Insurance quotes for drivers attaining the Fisker Ocean are projected to be significantly lower than other vehicles on the road today due to a unique and proprietary low cost of service and maintenance model.
A radical new service and maintenance experience: Fisker customers will never have to take their vehicles to service on their own, as Fisker will pick up and return vehicles when maintenance is required, or service is requested – signaled by the onboard system or through the mobile app.

Or you can always count on Elon Musk for the Tesla

Ancient farm in Spain gets UN recognition

Karin Kloosterman

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November 27, 2019

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horta valencia spain — *The UN recognizes the importance of ancient Spanish farming techniques. With climates similar to the Levant and influenced by North Africa, there is so much the Middle East can learn from Spain.*

A 1,200-year-old farming and fishing site known as the “Horta” (garden) of Valencia has been recognized on the register of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), managed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Irrigated by the Turia river – thanks to a complex, gravity irrigation network designed in the 8^th century and spreading over a dozen of municipalities around the city of Valencia – the site is home to Spain’s largest lake (Albufera).

“The Horta of Valencia is invaluable. Half of the crops grown here are at risk of disappearing in the region. It provides for both farmers and fishers. Its citrus fruits have a Geographical Indication (GI) label due to their high quality and variety. The site is also home to a wide range of birds, fish and plants, many classified as rare, endemic or endangered,” said FAO’s Yoshihide Endo who coordinates the GIAHS programme.

The abundance of the Horta

The Horta is made up of 6,000 small agricultural holdings (up to one hectare each), and thousands of farmland plots. About 80 percent of the area is used to grow fruits and some 50 vegetable crops.

Around 4,000 hectares are used to grow vegetables, especially onions, artichokes, pumpkins and lettuce. Oranges, mandarins and tiger nuts are significant in the northern part of the site whilst 2,000 hectares of centuries-old local rice varieties are cultivated in the southern area, which extends into the Albufera Natural Park.

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The 2,800-hectare park is home to Spain’s largest lake and one of the most important wetland areas on the Iberian Peninsula. It brings food and other benefits to both fishers and rice farmers.

With ample access to water and fertile soils, farmers are able to harvest up to three times per year.

Crop diversification, with a number of local varieties and the division of the land into small plots have been key to making the site resilient.

Farmers use sustainable agricultural techniques that preserve water and soil resources. The irrigation systems built by the Islamic communities who set up the first Andalusian ditches and hydraulic spaces have been carefully conserved over centuries and are functional to this day.

The water management system is unique as farmers are part of Water Users’ Associations (WUA) and refer to their own rules and regulations to solve any issues. There is also a Water Court (Tribunal de las Aguas) – the oldest institution of justice in Spain to solve disputes over water use.

With its dunes, beaches, forest, lake and rice fields, the site is home to birds, fish, and over 800 species of plants, many classified as rare, endemic or endangered both in Europe and Spain.

The other GIAHS sites in Spain are: the salt producing Valle Salado of Añana, olive groves in Sénia, Tarragona, and raisins production in Axarquía, Málaga.

Invest in “climate nice” rice bonds

Economy
Food

Karin Kloosterman

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November 27, 2019

1

You might invest in coffee or gold. But if you invest in climate-nice rice production, the cornerstone of global food security you will be doing a better thing for this planet.

New reports suggest climate change is worse than we thought (we’ve made Greta real mad). Other new reports say that Americans care more about the planet than economic growth. If so, let them eat rice. Invest in rice bonds!

3 global reports on climate change we can’t ignore

Leveraging climate finance to scale climate-smart rice production is the cornerstone of global food security and urgently needed to avert civil unrest, a new report by Earth Security Group (ESG) has found.

Proposing three innovative finance solutions to support sustainable rice production in line with the Paris Agreement climate targets, Financing Sustainable Rice for a Secure Future is published today by ESG, with support of the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), the leading food and agribusiness company Phoenix, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

“Sustainable rice has the potential to improve lives and livelihoods in many of the world’s poorest countries, where we work,” says Esther Pan Sloane, Head of Partnerships, Policy and Communication, UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

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“ESG has shown their unparalleled ability to combine rigorous, well-researched insights with pragmatic action items, as well as the convening power to bring the right partners to the table to move from talking to doing. We are proud to be pioneering new financing vehicles that will help attract private sector capital to support SDG- and climate-positive investments, particularly for those countries most in need.”

A ‘rice bond’ to finance sustainable rice value chains taking advantage of 2020 being a key year for the growth of green bonds in the agriculture sector, as highlighted by the Climate Bonds Initiative.

A rice bond would enable a global rice processor, trader, or retailer to provide farmers with capital to transition to sustainable production, improve farming practices, increase yields and revenue, and become more resilient to climate risks.

Coming ahead of the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25) in Madrid, ESG recommends leveraging international climate finance to attract private sector investment for climate-smart rice production.

I (holding hand on heart) pledge to support rice, in bonds!

Country pledges that include rice in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) would be the first place to start. At present, forty-eight countries include in their NDCs the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies but have not yet outlined how they plan to incentivise the private sector to achieve these targets.

“The failure of global food systems due to climate change is one of the biggest security challenges we face,” says Alejandro Litovsky, CEO of Earth Security Group.

“A radical overhaul of existing rice production systems is needed in Asia – the epicentre of global rice production and consumption – as well as Africa, which is now also increasingly depend on rice imports to ensure food security.

A rice overhaul

“Our report is a call to action for global impact investors to put ‘climate-smart’ rice farming practices at the centre of their impact investment strategies and for governments to use climate finance to attract private investment towards more resilient agriculture systems.”

Rice is vital to the food security of over half the world’s population (3.5 billion), with Asia accounting for 90% of global rice consumption. In lower-income countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia and Vietnam, up to 70% of people’s dietary energy comes from rice. The commodity is the source of 10% of global anthropogenic methane emissions.In Southeast Asia – the world’s rice bowl – rice cultivation accounts for up to 25-33% of the region’s methane emissions, and between 10-20% of its overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Under a business-as-usual scenario, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) anticipates that rice production will fall across the world. Asia will be particularly hard hit due to a convergence of land degradation, climate change, and water scarcity.

Larger rice-producing countries such as India and China, with extensive territories that cover a range of climatic zones, will have more space to shift rice cultivation to cooler areas that will become suitable for growing rice. However, smaller producers and importers in the tropical belt, such as countries in Southeast Asia and West Africa, lack such flexibility to adapt.

“Rice is critical to global food security; however, it has been largely overlooked as an investment opportunity,” says Wyn Ellis, Executive Director, Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP). SRP’s tools, metrics and guidance can help governments and supply chain actors drive adoption of proven climate-smart best practices.

“Through our partnership with Earth Security Group, we are developing innovative financial mechanisms that will catalyze wide-scale adoption among the world’s 144 million rice smallholders and achieve sector transformation contributing to the SDGs and climate targets.”

New chemo protocol zaps only liver cancer cells

Health

Karin Kloosterman

-

November 27, 2019

0

A liver cancer diagnosis is a terrible one, because you can’t use chemo to treat it. There is not a lot of treatments to help you. My dad died from liver cancer a year ago. I am crossing my fingers that a new selective chemo drug may be on the way.

It is a feeling that many who receive a cancer diagnosis can identify with: heartbreak and fear, followed by hopes that chemotherapy will save the day. Unfortunately, for many patients, chemo’s painful side effects cause them to stop treatment prematurely.

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Now, a research team headed by Professor Alexander Binshtok, head of the Pain Plasticity Research Group at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Medicine and Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, has developed a method that delivers chemotherapy drugs directly to malignant cells and bypasses healthy ones. This discovery could allow doctors to reduce chemo doses for patients, thereby reducing the unpleasant side-effects associated with the treatment, and improve treatment compliance and overall prognosis.

“Most anti-cancer treatments are not sufficiently specific, meaning they attack healthy cells together with the malignant ones they’re trying to get rid of,” explained Binshtok. “This leads to the many serious side-effects associated with chemotherapy. Eliminating cancerous cells while leaving healthy ones alone is an important step towards reduce patients’ suffering.”

The new findings were published in a recent issue of Frontiers in Pharmacology. The study focuses on the selective expression of the TRPV2 protein by cancer cells. When activated, TRPV2 protein opens a canal inside cell membranes.

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Binshtok and his team studied liver cancer cells and were able to successfully insert a low dose of doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent, through the canal and directly into cancer cells. Not only did the new method target cancer cells without harming healthy ones. In the future, the precision of this delivery method may allow doctors to prescribe lower chemo doses and to relieve patients from some of the harsher effects of chemo.

“It’s too early to make concrete predictions but we are hopeful this discovery will lead the way towards a new, more targeted delivery method for chemotherapy treatment, one that will drastically reduce patients’ pain,” Binshtok concluded.

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The treatment is much needed because current treatments mostly only prolong life by a few months after the tumors have grown to a certain size and can no longer be ablated. This new research might help improve the outcomes of chemotherapy given directly into the liver (chemoembolization) to reduce tumors to a size that may make surgery possible.

3 global reports on climate change we can’t ignore

Karin Kloosterman

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November 26, 2019

0

greta thunberg global walkout protest — *Greta is not going to be happy.*

Three stark reports on the rising carbon emissions and impacts on global temperatures have been released in the last week. The reports lay bare the horrific state of climate breakdown and its impacts across the globe whilst indicating the solutions are available to make possible meeting the goals set out under the Paris agreement.

The Production Gap Report released November 20th shows that the world is on track to produce about 50% more fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 2°C and 120% more than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C.

World Meteorological Report released 25th November shows the concentration of climate-heating greenhouse gases has hit a record high with no sign of a slowdown, let alone a decline, despite all the commitments under the Paris agreement on climate change.

The Emissions Gap Report released November 26th shows that with current country pledges, the world is heading for a 3.2°C temperature rise with G20 nations account for 78 per cent of all emissions.

“This is no longer a warning, we are now experiencing the impacts of climate breakdown on a daily basis, from the wildfires in The Congo, California and Australia to the devastating floods in Europe,” says May Boeve, Chief Executive of 350.org said.

These 3 reports are scientifically peer reviewed and robustly researched, the science is screaming. To world leaders we say: it is time to stop the expansion of the fossil fuel industry immediately. Not a single new mine can be dug, not another pipeline built, not one more well dropped into the ocean. And we have to get to work immediately transitioning to sustainable renewable energy powered energy systems.

Across the globe, resistance to fossil fuels is rising, the climate strikes have shown the world that we are prepared to take action. Going forward people will keep up a steady drumbeat of actions, strikes and protests that get louder and louder throughout 2020.

To governments attending Cop25 in Madrid, the eyes of all future generations are upon you. The world has woken up to the reality of climate breakdown. To those that stand in the way of action on climate change we say How Dare You!”

Self medicate with CBD for relieving stress, menstrual cramps and aid sleep

Health

Bhok Thompson

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November 26, 2019

0

sleep with CBD — *CBD helps with sleep. Gummies are one way to self-medicate.*

It’s known by the medical world that cannabis in all its forms can ail a spectrum of health problems and in some cases even help some disappear forever. When we talk about cannabis it’s as wide as a shelf of vitamin supplements at Trader Joes.

Cannabis otherwise known as marijuana or medical marijuana is a complicated plant that may have co-evolved with us humans. Those who have started the journey into cannabis for pain relief, as an anti-PTSD drug and for helping sleep, menstrual cramps and even menopause, find that there are two main compounds in the cannabis plant — CBD and THC.

THC is the chemical that offers therapeutic benefits but it also comes with a “high” which can cause or increase anxiety in some and which may interfere with work and interacting with everyday human beings.

CBD on the other hand is becoming a relatively popular food supplement, where companies like Coca Cola even are exploring novel ways to add CBD to its line of beverages. Before I let companies like PepsiCo mess with my CBD, I’d be more inclined to go to a smaller producer. Like vitamin companies that produce gummy candies for delivering a multi-vitamin does, you can find an endless variety of companies producing CBD gummies. But some taste disgusting. For the best tasting CBD gummies try this source.

If you look for CBD gummies on the internet you will see they are easy to find and because they lack the psychoactive THC component they are not problematic for flights, crossing state borders etc. However, when we interviewed cannabis specialized Alan Shackelford he suggests that some small amount of THC is also needed to get the therapeutic effect of cannabidiol, or CBD. So dose according to your own discretion –– which is one of the biggest questions out there today. How and which products?

If you are going straight to CBD you will find all sorts of candy. If you are vegan or diabetic look for vegan gelatin and sugar free options as well. You can find them all over the United States, Canada and now Europe and look for the all-natural ones that contain no THC.

CBD gummies are non psychoactive and contain other beneficial cannabis compounds such as terpenes, which help boost the effects of the CBD oil itself. Some products even contain vitamins such as D3 and B12.

It’s important to remember that CBD gummies don’t look different from regular candy, so still make sure you keep them far out of reach of children and also other adults you might share your home with. I once by accident self-medicated by eating THC brownies and was high for 12 hours in a situation that I had to work, interact with my parents and babysit my kids. It was not fun or expected. So take this caution seriously even if CBD doesn’t get you high it’s a medical supplement that should be taken with care.

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