In This Issue
Editorial
Our Endangered European Carnivores "The Brown Bear" Part 3 of 5
West Nile Update
Save Our Artic
What Is A Vortex
Reduce Toxic Waste
Protect Pyramid Lake
Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
Suggested Readings
Editorial
Our behavior and our choices shape the world around us. We have to start dreaming and imagining a world where we can be safe, warm, well-fed, happy, and healthy-without destroying the very thing that sustains us---Nature! We have the information and the technology available; we just have to ask the questions that bring us the answers we need, to learn from our past mistakes and adopt the best practices.
"If people really understood the connection of environmental damage to their own lives, they would be much more motivated to preserve and protect the environment." --Dr. Eric Chivian
THE BROWN BEAR
The brown bear is the symbol of the wilderness in North America. Once abundant, and with no enemies other than humans, the population of these bears is declining. Due to human expansion and the bear's need for large spaces to forage and live, their natural habitat has reduced in size. The brown bears have also been sought as big game trophies and they also used to be killed for their meat and hides. In less than a hundred years, the numbers have gone from 100,000 to 10,000. As part of a global effort to protect the planet and the animals that inhabit it, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) administers one of the world's largest conservation agreements, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES ). CITES is an agreement between governments to ensure that international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The CITES protects Brown Bears from illegal poaching for paws, trophies and gallbladders. To date, 160 governments are bound to the Convention, which offers varying protection to more than 35,000 species of animals and plants. Not a single species protected by CITES has become extinct since the agreement began in force in 1975.
Source: The Un Works
WEST NILE UPDATE
This mosquito-borne illness has become a seasonal near epidemic in North America, erupting in the summer and continuing into autumn. Infected mosquitoes spread West Nile virus after contracting it from infected birds. The virus has spread to every state except Washington and is most prevalent in California, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. There were 88 human deaths from the West Nile virus in 2004. This is a decrease from the 264 deaths in 2003. We are still in danger and prevention is key to staying healthy. Here are just a few tips for keeping the bugs at bay....
*Screen Carefully-install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
*Scents-if you smell sweet, your chances of getting bit are higher. Scented anything attracts bugs. Use unscented products or peppermint soap (Dr. Bronner's PEPPERMINT Pure-Castile Soap is my favorite).
*Avoid Peak Hours-Mosquito peak times are dawn and twilight. Use extra repellent or stay inside during these times.
*Keep Dry-Mosquitoes LOVE water of any kind. The smell of sweat, moistness of perspiration or the puddles in your yard (especially standing water). Unclog roof gutters, change water in birdbaths, and remove old tires or anything that can hold water.
*Go Light-Lighter clothes not only keep you cool, but darker colors magnetize mosquitoes. Anything that reflects strong light will keep them away.
*Natural Repellents-Citronella, and extract of lemongrass, is one of the few repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for human application. Essential oils can also act as repellents....clove, thyme and peppermint work well as long as you dilute them with a carrier oil before applying to skin.
*Garlic-Eating a clove or two will work to ward off mosquitoes as well as any friends you don't want around. :)
SAVE OUR ARCTIC
Ways you can help....
*Buy a hybrid vehicle. This year alone, Ford, Toyota, and Lexus have come out with hybrid Suv's for those of us with big families.
*Add some elements of solar, wind, or geothermal heating and cooling to your home. Do it gradually, and remember: The cost will go down only when the demand goes up.
*Work closer to where you live, so you can walk or bike (I know easier said then done). If you don't like your job, get one that's nearer. If you don't like where you live, move closer to work. Better yet, let's work at home or not work at all! :)
*Educate yourself and support the education of others. It's the best, and only way to understand the changes we need to make.
*Dream! Imagine a world where nature is respected and people are living in harmony. Now!!!!! What can YOU do to make that dream come true????
Source: Maria Rodale, "Fresh Take"
WHAT IS A VORTEX
A vortex is an area in nature where energy is emitted in great abundance. You cannot see it and you may not even feel it, but it is there. The vortex centers have an aliveness and intensity of life-force energy that is amplified and concentrated. The energy of a vortex will intensify anything you bring to it. If you come to a vortex with emotional traumas, it will usually bring everything to the surface and help you release them quickly. The benefits of a vortex depends on the individual and their willingness to be open and receive the healing effects and magic of those powerful places
REDUCE TOXIC WASTE-KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE
Reduce, reuse, recycle -- children are taught this simple principle of earth-friendly living from a young age. And while many of us have embraced this maxim for a healthier planet, Corporate America clearly has a long way to go.
With many Americans driven to switch cellular plans to take advantage of lower prices, more than 100 million cell phones are being taken out of service each year in the U.S. Sadly, most of these discarded phones end up in landfills, leaking toxic chemicals into the ground.
The reason for this colossal waste is that many cell phone companies require consumers to buy a new phone when switching service providers. This practice is both financially unfair to the consumer and bad for our environment. Even worse, cell phone companies that use compatible technologies sometimes install "software locks" to prevent customers from using their phones on competitors' systems.
Let's cut back on the waste we leave for future generations. Tell the Federal Communications Commission that you want to protect the environment, save money and keep your cell phone when switching your service!
Take action: www.care2.com/go/z/24731
Thank you Vicky WAU Ireland for passing on this Important information..
Petition In Opposition to the Gerlach Granite Fox
Power Plant Construction
We, the undersigned, are opposed to the construction of the Granite
Fox Power Plant by Sempra Energy Corp. in an area west of Gerlach,
Nevada, that is surrounded by wilderness, conservation and wilderness study areas. The planned coal-fired plant would permanently mar the pristine desert environment, the nature and character of the region's historic and scenic values and land use, consume the State's natural
resources including its precious ground water and clean air, and pose
a health risk to the people of Nevada and surrounding states through
the emission of air and water pollutants. The plant would also halt
or slow the development of clean renewable energy (wind and
geothermal) in the region by taking all the available transmission
capacity, thus limiting the access of these renewable projects to
western energy markets.
We hereby petition the Washoe County Commission and all local, State,
and Federal governmental bodies to deny issuance of any permits
authorizing the construction of the Gerlach Granite Fox Power Plant
project.
http://www.nevadacleanenergy.org/takeaction.html
The Sempra Power Plant will burn 6-7 million tons of coal each year. Even with emission controls, over 50,000 pounds of dangerous pollutants will be released daily, including unsafe amounts of dioxins and lethal mercury. It would only take a tiny amount of mercury to severely harm the fishery at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation.
VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN RECIPES.
Hummus
This version has all the benefits of a more traditional recipe, but with less olive oil. The combination of garbanzo beans (also called chickpeas), tahini, lemon juice, cumin and garlic is a show-stopper. This is wonderful as a sandwich spread or as a dip with raw vegetables or pita triangles. Keep a batch in your refrigerator all the time and you’ll never be without a nutritious snack or lunch.
5 cups cooked chickpeas or garbanzos (from three 15-oz cans, drained or 2 cups dried chickpeas, cooked)
1/4 cup sesame tahini
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1. Drain and rinse chickpeas, if using canned.
2. Combine chickpeas with remaining ingredients -except olive oil - in a food processor or blender container. Blend to a rough purée texture adding a little more water if necessary. The mixture should not be totally smooth.
3. Scrape the mixture into a bowl. Stir in the olive oil.
Vegetable Spaghetti
1 (16 oz) package angel hair pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium carrots, sliced (1/4 cup)
1/2 pound green beans, sliced
1 medium onion, diced (1/2 cup)
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices (4 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 medium tomatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1. Cook and drain spaghetti as directed on package.
2. While spaghetti is cooking, heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook carrots, green beans, onion, zucchini and garlic in oil, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients except cheese; cook until hot.
4. Serve vegetable mixture over spaghetti. Sprinkle with cheese.
SUGGESTED READING
http://rawfood.com/
Dining in the Raw by Rita Romano- recommended by Matt Hale
Heal the Ocean: Solutions for Saving Our Seas by Rod Fujita
WAU Elements #6 is due out in April 08
