Thursday, December 25, 2008

Wealthy Nations Privatizing Farmland Abroad


Source: Chelsea Green /Christian Monitor

Chelsea NEWS reports, "The global race is on for farmland." Should we be concerned? I think so. There are 6.8 billion people on this planet. United Nations predicts another 2.5 billion are on their way over the next 40 years. Stop and think.... 2.5 billion people in 40 years. If you were going to feed that many people, wouldn't you need to start planning now? Billion, not million.
We (United States) have around 350,000,000 people in our country alone and you see how hard it is to feed just 350,000,000 people. Add another set of zeroes to the equation. 2.5 billion more people in 40 years. (250,000,000,000) If that doesn't send a chill down your spine then you aren't paying attention. And the race for farm land is on; the rich countries are starting to plan ahead to make sure they can feed their own citizens.
Perhaps it's time to plan more community gardens. Perhaps we'd better start teaching our children to read, write and learn something about the natural world so they can grow food just in case they have to help feed the 2.5 new people who are going to want to eat too.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Chinese Cargo Ships Will Have Solar Sails

Just found this on my goolge alerts:
Australian company Solar Sailor has signed a deal with the largest Chinese shipping line COSCO to fit their tankers with large solar-powered sails. This is great news, but what's inside those cargo ships? How can we make the cargo it's carrying green too?

Friday, December 19, 2008

Jeffrey Sachs - Love him or hate him - part 2


I posted in May about Jeffrey Sachs’ new book, "Common Wealth." Sachs is quite methodical and comprehensive in his explanation and presentation of how to solve the world’s slow growing environmental crisis. It has been very thought provoking.

In the beginning, it sounded like every other environmental book that I have read, but in greater detail along with statistics that make one shutter. At first, I was disappointed and thought, "This is Al Gore part 2." But after he reiterated all the problems that everyone else has, he begins to offer solid solution after solution that is new, unique and doeable. For me that is the key. We've talked enough, it's time for action! He calls for a "Demographic Transition" in dealing with climate issues, biodiversity issues, water issues, natural resources issues, the population explosion, etc. I had never heard of this before nor had I really considered his arguments. But each idea and argument is thoughtfully laid out and makes a very strong case for his each of proposals. The only question that I have after reading his book is whether or not mankind will be able to make the adjustments in our thinking, in time to deal with this slow moving train wreck he so skillfully describes at great length.

It really is an excellent book. I plan to read it again. There was so much information on a variety of topics. I find myself referring to it over and over again. I really get the poverty question now after reading this book. His book made me rethink my thoughts about Sachs and what he stands for too.