All Life Depends on the Oceans

~ David Suzuki and Faisal Moola, of the David Suzki Foundation



It's often said that we know as much about Mars and the moon as we do about our oceans. Considering that Earth is 71 per cent ocean, this should be cause for concern. At the very least, we should be doing more to protect our oceans from the negative effects of human activities, even if we don't fully understand all that is happening under the seas.

One thing we do know is that oceans are changing - and the changes aren't for the best. For centuries, we've thought of our oceans as stable. But ocean currents, upwellings, oxygen levels, acidity, and temperature are changing in ways we haven't seen before. Assumptions we once held about the seas are no longer valid.

We've always assumed that oceans would provide us with an endless bounty of food. We rely on our oceans for transportation,.... recreation, and numerous resources. And oceans provide almost half the oxygen we breathe.

The collapse of Canada's Atlantic cod stocks was just one of many warnings we should have heeded. Many West Coast salmon stocks have also disappeared and many are returning in increasingly lower numbers. Even the survival of the very base of the marine food chain, plankton, is being threatened.

Some threats to our oceans are easier to pinpoint than others. Swirling masses of plastic garbage in the oceans - one of them in the North Pacific estimated to be bigger than Quebec - are obvious artifacts of our disposable societies. "Dead zones" are showing up in our oceans around the globe. These are areas where oceans are starved of oxygen because of a nitrogen overdose from agricultural runoff.

Many fish stocks are dwindling, in part because of our appetite for seafood. This is spurring more development in aquaculture - but most fish-farming practices are putting added pressure on oceans and wild fish.

On top of the many direct threats to ocean health we also have climate change to contend with. We know that global warming is causing the oceans to become more acidic. This is a worrisome trend.

As with our atmosphere, too much carbon is resulting in dangerous effects. Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis,.... which is how plants grow and develop. But when we burn fossil fuels or clear-cut forests, we release too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, upsetting the balance. This creates a heat-trapping blanket around the Earth, which contributes to global warming.

The oceans absorb carbon dioxide, keeping some of it from the atmosphere. But while oceans help slow the pace of global warming, they too are absorbing too much carbon dioxide, resulting in disruption of the ocean's pH balance. This increasing acidity causes calcium carbonate to dissolve, affecting life forms including corals, shellfish, and several species of plankton that rely on calcium for their very structure.

Science is confirming that our old assumptions are no longer valid, and we find ourselves in a situation of escalating risk. As a result, we need to look at our oceans in an entirely new way. We can't continue to exploit ocean resources on false assumptions. We need to know more about what's going on. That means investing in science that will help explain the interactions between changing ocean conditions and the species that depend on the seas.

We need a new way to manage our oceans in the face of uncertainty and elevated risk facing marine life. A comprehensive marine-....planning initiative that considers new and evolving science and the evidence of what is actually happening to marine ecosystems would be a good start. This process must be based on a precautionary approach that recognizes increased uncertainty and the fact that our oceans will continue to change as global warming and other human-induced factors continue to affect them.

We can't rely on governments alone to protect the health of our oceans. Industry, nongovernmental.... organizations, First Nations, coastal communities, and governments at all levels must come together to plan and monitor conservation efforts based on science and local community knowledge.

After all, one thing we've learned about Mars and the moon is that we can't move there if we destroy our home on this beautiful and generous planet - in part because they don't have oceans. Neglecting the health of our oceans, where all known life began, is a risk we cannot afford to take.





David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author, and chair of the David Suzuki Foundation.
Faisal Moola is the director of science at the foundation.
(www.........davidsuzuki.org)


Published by the CBC News, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 | 12:47 PM ET

Earthship Biotecture

Earthships can be built in any climate,
anywhere in the world.
Earthships will keep you comfortable in any climate in the world with little to no utility bills / fossil fuels.

The following can help youunderstand the Earthship concept and how to proceed with it...

Make sure you understand what makes an Earthship an Earthship.

An Earthship is defined by the following 6 principles:

* Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling
* Solar & Wind Electricity
* Contained Sewage Treatment
* Building with Natural & Recycled Materials
* Water Harvesting
* Food Production

Comfort in Any Climate
The concept of thermal mass buildings works both to cool and to heat a home. Earthships keepyou comfortable in any climate, anywhere in the world.

Earthship Biotecture design principle: 'Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling' details how earthships maintain comfortable temperatures in any climate.


http://www.earthship.net/home.html

Earthship Biotecture on CBS. 10/9/08 www.earthship.net

Check the Toxic Level of your Products

Skin Deep Database

Refrigeration Without Electricity

Mohammed Bah Abba made a really cool invention, which won a Rolex Award of $100,000 –a refrigerator than runs without electricity. Here's how it works. You take a smaller pot and put it inside a larger pot. Fill the space in between them with wet sand, and cover the top with a wet cloth. When the water evaporates, it pulls the heat out with it, making the inside cold. It's a natural, cheap, easy-to-make refrigerator.

Evaporative fridges are a relatively well-tested, proven, low-tech approach to cooling. They can cool produce, food and beverages at about 15-20 C below ambient temperatures. They are most appropriate in hot, dry (not humid) climates
http://www.off-grid.net/2008/05/24/low-energy-refrigeration/

Filter the air in your house with these 3 plants

16 Year Old Discovers Microb That Eats Plastic

http://www.mnn.com/technology/research-innovations/blogs/boy-discovers-microbe-that-eats-plastic

Fri, Jun 12 2009 at 2:26 AM EST

It's not your average science fair when the 16-year-old winner manages to solve a global waste crisis. But such was the case at last month's May's Canadian Science Fair in Waterloo, Ontario, where Daniel Burd, a high school student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute, presented his research on microorganisms that can rapidly biodegrade plastic.

NOTE: there are TWO high school students who discovered plastic-consuming microorganisms. The first was Daniel Burd (last year). The second was Tseng I-Ching (last month), a high school student in Taiwan.

Daniel had a thought it seems even the most esteemed PhDs hadn't considered. Plastic, one of the most indestructible of manufactured materials, does in fact eventually decompose. It takes 1,000 years but decompose it does, which means there must be microorganisms out there to do the decomposing.

Could those microorganisms be bred to do the job faster?

That was Daniel's question which he put to the test by a very simple and clever process of immersing ground plastic in a yeast solution that encourages microbial growth, and then isolating the most productive organisms.

The preliminary results were encouraging, so he kept at it, selecting out the most effective strains and interbreeding them. After several weeks of tweaking and optimizing temperatures Burd was achieved a 43 % degradation of plastic in six weeks, an almost inconceivable accomplishment.

With 500 billion plastic bags manufactured each year and a Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch that grows more expansive by the day, a low cost and nontoxic method for degrading plastic is the stuff of environmentalists' dreams and, I would hazard a guess, a pretty good start-up company as well.

NOTE: to the comment below. Yes there are certainly methods for decomposing plastic, but most are chemical in nature not organic, requiring high temperatures and chemical additives to cause the plasticizers to vaporize, for instance this patent on PVC extraction. There have been several successful bacteria based solutions developed at the Dept. of Biotechnology in Tottori, Japan as well as the Dept. of Microbiology at the National University of Ireland, but both apply only to styrene compounds.

It goes without saying that these discoveries need to be tested to ensure, for instance, that the bi-products of organic decomposition are not carcinogenic (as in the case with mammalian metabolism of styrene and benzene). The processing of plastics by these methods would also have to be contained in highly controlled environments. So, no, we're not talking about a magic panacea or a plastic-free paradise, but the innovative application of microorganisms to break down our most troublesome waste products is nevertheless a major scientific breakthrough.

ANOTHER NOTE: one of our readers pointed out a very interesting study in 2004 at the University of Wisconsin that isolated a fungus capable of biodegrading phenol-formaldehyde polymers previously thought to be non-biodegradable. Phenol polymers are produced at an annual rate of 2.2 million metric tons per year in the United States for many industrial and commercial applications including durable plastics.

Tree Magic

By Don McLeod

The Curative Properties of Trees
Taking a walk through nature is not only refreshing and energising, it can also be a healing experience thanks to the energy of trees. In the early years of mankind, trees were regarded as special beings, no doubt because of their size and majesty. Apart from being the home of animals and birds, trees were also thought to embody a spirit, and people would leave offerings to the spiritual presence that resided in the tree. In India, most local shrines are constructed under trees. Shamans of Native American and Europe believed that trees also possess curative powers. Different trees are said to have particular medicinal properties. The following is a brief list of trees and the healing qualities they are said to contain...

Ash: Brings peace of mind. Warts rubbed on the bark will be absorbed into the tree.
Beech: Reduces swellings and skin inflammations. Helps to balance mental health.
Birch: The bark helps to heal wounds and burns.
Cedar: Cleanses negative atmospheres.
Oak: Brings vitality and long life.
Sassafras: Eases problems with the digestive system. Burying money near the roots of a Sassafras tree brings prosperity.
Pine: A renewal of energy can be obtained by sitting under a pine.
Willow: Adds vital energy to the elderly and the sick. Smoke created from burning the wood of a willow tree can soothe and guide the souls of the dead.

How to Find Your Own Healing Tree
Here is a small ritual for finding your own personal healing tree. Enter a quiet park or forest that has a variety of trees. Stand quietly amongst the trees and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and release all thoughts from your mind. Then allow your consciousness to drop through your body, and to settle within your heart chakra. Now, with your eyes open, but unfocused, start walking through the trees. You should be able to feel the energy of each tree as you enter its aura. When you find an energy that feels right for you, mentally ask the tree for permission to physically make contact. If you then feel that it is all right to do so, approach the tree and place your back against it. Feel the energy of the tree resonating within you. Which one of your chakras does this tree seem to affect the most?

How to See a Tree's View of the World
You can also enhance your psychic perceptions of the world around you, by merging your consciousness with that of your healing tree. Allow your aura to merge with the tree's energy field, and with your eyes open, see the surroundings as if through the consciousness of the tree. A silvery glow will surround the area, and you will see the auras of other trees and plants. When you have finished this experiment, thank the tree for its participation, and move away from its energy field. Bring your consciousness up through your body and into your head, then take a few more deep breaths. Stamp your feet on the ground to bring yourself back to full conscious awareness.

Clearing Negativity with Trees
It is said that trees can also absorb negative energy from our bodies, without it doing the tree any harm. To clear yourself of negativity, find another tree that you are intuitively drawn to, and ask permission to give it the negative energy that you have unwittingly stored in your body. Trees can transform and use this energy for their own enhancement. To gather and release negativity from your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self, run the palm of your left hand from the top of your head, and down the right side of your body, visualising the collection of negativity into your hands. Do the same with your right hand on the left side of your body. Then rub your hands on the trunk of the tree, thereby releasing all the toxins that you have gathered. Also run your hands down the front and back of your body and pass this onto the tree as well. Do this three times, and when you are finished, thank the tree for taking the negative energy from you.

Trees are more than lumps of wood with leaves attached. Make the effort to walk through a national park or forest soon, and take visual notes of the variety that exists even within the same species of tree. By making the conscious effort to look closely at a tree trunk, you will be surprised at the myriad of patterns and colours that normally go unnoticed. Each tree has its own characteristics and personality. And by taking the time to attune to a few trees, you will be amazed at the different styles of energy that emanate from them. For your health's sake, hug a tree today!

We Are All One

Speech by Chief Seattle of the Dwamish Tribe in 1854

A Speech by Chief Seattle of the Dwamish Tribe in 1854

The Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. The Great Chief also sends us words of friendship and good will. This is kind of him, since we know he has little need of our friendship in return. But we will consider your offer, for we know if we do not so the white man may come with guns and take our land. What Chief Seattle says you can count on as truly as our white brothers can count on the return of the seasons. My words are like the stars - they do not set.

How can you buy or sell the sky - the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water. How can you buy them from us? We will decide in our time. Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing, and every humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people.

We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The earth is not his brother, but his enemy, and when he has conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his father's graves and his children's birthright is forgotten. The sight of your cities pains the eyes of the redman. But perhaps it is because the redman is a savage and does not understand.

There is no quiet place in the white man's cities. No place to listen to the leaves of spring or the rustle of insect wings. But perhaps because I am a savage and do not understand - the clatter only seems to insult the ears. And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lovely cry of the whippoorwill or the arguments of the frogs around a pond at night? The Indian prefers the soft sound of the wind itself cleansed by a mid-day rain, or scented by a pinõn pine: The air is precious to the redman. For all things share the same breath - the beasts, the trees, and the man. The white man does not seem to notice the air he breathes. Like a man dying for many days, he is numb to the stench.

If I decide to accept, I will make one condition. The white man must treat the beasts of this land as his brothers. I am a savage and I do not understand any other way. I have seen thousands of rotting buffaloes on the prairie left by the white man who shot them from a passing train. I am a savage and do not understand how the smoking iron horse can be more important than the buffalo that we kill only to stay alive. What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beast also happens to the man.

All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.

Our children have seen their fathers humbled in defeat. Our warriors have felt shame. And after defeat they turn their days in idleness and contaminate their bodies with sweet food and strong drink. It matters little where we pass the rest of our days - they are not many. A few more hours, a few more winters, and none of the children of the great tribes that once lived on this earth, or that roamed in small bands in the woods will remain to mourn the graves of the people once as powerful and hopeful as yours.

One thing we know that the white man may one day discover. Our God is the same God. You may think that you own him as you wish to own our land, but you cannot. He is the Body of man, and his compassion is equal for the redman and the white. This earth is precious to him, and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its Creator. The whites, too, shall pass - perhaps sooner than other tribes. Continue to contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste. When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by the talking wires, where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. And what is it to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.

We might understand if we knew what it was the white man dreams, what hopes he describes to his children on long winter nights, what visions he burns into their minds, so they will wish for tomorrow. But we are savages. The white man's dreams are hidden from us. And because they are hidden, we will go our own way. If we agree, it will be to secure your reservation you have promised.

There perhaps we may live out our brief days as we wish. When the last redman has vanished from the earth, and the memory is only the shadow of a cloud passing over the prairie, these shores and forests will still hold the spirits of my people, for they love this earth as the newborn loves its mother's heartbeat. If we sell you our land, love it as we have loved it. Care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your memory the way the land is as you take it. And with all your strength, with all your might, and with all your heart - preserve it for your children, and love it as God loves us all. One thing we know - our God is the same. This earth is precious to him. Even the white man cannot escape the common destiny.

Permaculture Principles at Work

Permaculture is about reducing waste: energy and materials, human and environmental. It is about thinking and observation. It aims to design and create systems that imitate nature, contain and digest any by products and turn the problems into solutions. No two systems will look the same as each is harmony with its natural surrounds, different climates and aspects and people needs.

The Meaning of Life according to Anthony marr

Jamais Cascio: Tools for building a better world

Jamais Cascio of www. worldchanging. com/ looks at some specific tools and techniques that can make a difference in the world.

Eco Friendly Laundry?

The Green Wash Ball

How to Tell if You are Eating GENETICLLY MODIFED FOOD

The little stickers on fruits and veggies have digits that let you know whether they’re conventionally grown or organic, and if they’re genetically modified (GM).




GM foods have been in stores only since the 1990s, so we don’t know the long-term health risks, and in a 1998 EPA sampling, 29% of the foods tested contained detectable pesticides.


Scientists are concerned that GMOs will reduce biodiversity.


People all over the world agree that the range of possible flavors is greater when we just let Mother Nature do her thing.


Here’s what to look for.
Look for the labels stuck on your fruits and veggies:



A five-digit number beginning with 9 means it’s organic.


A five-digit number beginning with 8 means it’s GM.





Dr.
Wegmann's Thoughts:

Genetically modified (GM) foods are food items that have had their DNA changed through genetic engineering. What this does is creates a food that is better suited to withstand environmental forces such as drought and bugs. The fact is if you've had a loaf of store bought bread or cereal, the likelihood that you've consume GM food is great. Unlike conventional genetic modification that is carried out through conventional breeding and that have been consumed for thousands of years, GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. Here is how some of these foods become GM. Let's take soybeans, my father-in-law is a large scale farmer in Iowa. The corn and beans he purchases have been soaked in RoundUp. RoundUp is a commercial weed killer. Now as the weeds grow they spray the entire field with RoundUp and the crop does not die only the weeds. The farmers know this is a problem. But here's the catch, you cannot buy any other kind of beans or corn. You have to plant GM crops. The issue lies in a problem called Gene Transfer. This happens when genetic material from the crop can be found in the human. Human's Risk Currently there are only a few dozen peer reviewed studies completed on the health effects of genetically modified foods. The results of many of these studies strongly challenges the industry and government standard of substantial equivalence. Gene Transfer: As of January 2009 there has only been one human feeding study conducted on genetically modified foods. The study involved seven human volunteers who had their small intestines removed. These volunteers were to eat GM Soy to see if the DNA of the GM soy transferred to the human gut bacteria. Researchers identified that three of the seven volunteers had transgenes from GM soy transferred into their gut bacteria. "This transgene was stable inside the bacteria and appeared to produce herbicide-tolerant protein... In the only human feeding study ever conducted on GM crops, long standing assumptions that genes would not transfer to human gut bacteria were overturned. The findings should prompt immediate comprehensive follow-up tests to determine the implications for health among both the general population and at-risk groups. GM food cannot be a smart sustainable way to handle our food supply. Food cannot altered and expected to not cause side effects. Be smart, read labels, and eat and buy local.

Vegetarians Make Better Lovers

Facts for Men: Meat-Eating Causes Impotence


Medical evidence indicates that meat-eating does indeed cause impotence, because meat clogs up the arteries going to all organs, not just to the heart. Meat-eating is also linked to numerous other health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.


Many healthy vegan foods are loaded with natural aphrodisiacs—nutrients and chemicals that boost your and your partner's sexual arousal and performance. Research has shown that vegetarians enjoy greater amounts of the nutrients that help boost sexual health and performance—such as vitamins A, C, and E and potassium—than meat-eaters do.

*On a side note; a beautiful source brought to my attention that eating pineapple and eliminating meat will leave men tasting better to their lover, which is a win win situation if you get my drift.


Want A Healthy Prostate?


A vegan diet can lower the risk of developing prostate cancer, say researchers. They have found that men who eat a vegan diet have lower levels of a growth factor that is associated with prostate cancer than either meat-eaters or vegetarians.


Men who ate four daily servings of vegetables were 35 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ate only two servings a day. But the guys who included veggies from the cabbage family like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale just three times per week had an even greater benefit: They were 41 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who only ate one serving a week. Researchers speculate that to digest these vegetables the body needs to produce an enzyme that also happens to fight cancer-causing compounds.





Vegan Aphrodisiacs


Try serving your lover these scrumptious vegan aphrodisiacs to help put both of you in the mood:

* Asparagus:Asparagus is high in vitamin E, which increases blood and oxygen flow to the genitals, and potassium, which is important for healthy sex hormone production, making this veggie a well-known aphrodisiac. Its suggestive phallic shape makes it as enticing to the eye as it is to the mouth. To get the best effect, eat this delicious and healthy vegetable at least three days in a row.


* Bananas: A fruit with a sexy shape, bananas are said to contain chemicals that can lift your mood and make you more confident. Bananas are also famously high in potassium, a nutrient that aids in sex hormone production and boosts energy.


* Berries: The perfect foods to feed your lover, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are high in vitamin C, which is important for making sex hormones and neurotransmitters

* Carrots: Carrots are bursting with vitamin A, a nutrient needed for producing sex hormones. For guys, vitamin A is vital for sperm production.


* Chili Peppers: These sizzling veggies will spice up your meal and your evening! Adding chili peppers to your dishes gets your heart pumping and produces neurochemicals known as endorphins, which make you happier.


* Chocolate: Nothing shows your love—or your compassion—better than a box of vegan chocolates for your sweetheart. Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, which is believed to stimulate romantic feelings by making you happy and excited. Its natural caffeine provides an added boost by giving you more energy.


* Ginger: Seasoning your meals with ginger will enhance blood flow to all parts of your body as long as your arteries aren't clogged up from eating the cholesterol and saturated fat in meat, eggs, and dairy products.


* Licorice: A fun food to hand-feed your lover, researchers have found that the smell of licorice mixed with cucumber is the most sexually stimulating scent for women. Licorice is widely believed to produce feelings of love and lust—particularly in women.


* Nuts: Men should eat cashews, pecans, almonds, walnuts, and other nuts to take in a healthy amount of zinc, which keeps men potent and prevents prostate problems. Nuts are also high in protein, which gives you the energy to keep you going throughout the day—and night.


* Pumpkin: Neurological research has shown that the scent of pumpkin pie is a sexual stimulant for both men and women, increasing male penile blood flow by 40 percent. Pumpkin seeds are one of the best vegan sources of zinc, which for men is crucial for potency and in preventing prostate problems.


* Soy: Soy isn't just protein-packed and amazingly versatile—it's also great for the sex lives of both guys and gals. For women, soy's natural nutrients have been linked to less PMS and better lubrication . The benefits for guys are even better—soy has been found to lower men's chances for developing cancer of the prostate (a vital gland for keeping everything pumping in the bedroom). Researchers at Kansas State University found that soy protein was just as good as beef for guys trying to gain muscle mass. But quite unlike cow flesh, tofu and veggie burgers have zero cholesterol and almost no saturated fat, substances that lead to heart disease, impotence, and other not-so-sexy stuff, like bad breath and body odor.

Dalton McGuinty announces the largest forest conservation deal in Canadian history

Looking for a little good news? Try this: earlier this month, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the largest forest conservation deal in Canadian history, and set a historic precedent for the rights of Indigenous people at the same time.


On July 14th, the Ontario government agreed to prohibit development on at least half of the remaining wilderness areas in the region's northern boreal forest – protecting about 56 million acres.


To put this in perspective, 56 million acres is about half the size of California, or 80 times the size of Yosemite National Park. It's about equal to nearly all of the remaining roadless areas in the entire United States. If the government keeps its promise, we'll have protected the largest untouched forest in Canada and the 3rd largest wetland in the world.


Not too bad, eh?

As much as this is encouraging news for critters and the climate (northern boreal ecosystems store about 97 billion tons of CO2), it's also an important milestone for human rights in Canada, and maybe even the future of environmentalism. Here's why. In addition to committing to protect important wilderness areas, the Ontario government also acknowledged its responsibility to seek the consent of its indigenous people, stating: "because any decision on development has the greatest affect on communities, local planning will only be done in agreement with First Nations.
"

That might seem like a simple statement, but it has huge ramifications. As we learned in grade school, the last several centuries of human history is filled with ugly, tragic stories of Indigenous people being decimated or forced off their land by settlers and, more recently, industrial development.
From the Amazon to Alberta, Indigenous communities continue to be threatened by oil, logging, mining, and other industries. But if the Ontario Government keeps its word, the 36 First Nations communities living in this region would have the right to refuse destructive projects on their territory.







That's a huge victory, and it was won by a unique coalition that realized that environmental and human rights are one and the same. Indigenous communities such as Grassy Narrows, KI, Ardoch, Six Nations and others have been on the front lines of battles to assert their sovereign rights.
In coordination with an international alliance of environmental, labor, and immigrant rights organizations, students, faith-based communities, and human rights groups, they've blockaded logging roads, lobbied the provincial government, and have created the political space for change. "It is critical that any development of natural resources in the Far North must respect Aboriginal and treaty rights while supporting an environmentally sustainable economic future for our people," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy.


What's next? First, we need to follow through to make sure this victory is fully realized.
Visit here for the latest update. Meanwhile, a similar coalition of diverse interests can encourage other provinces in Canada to follow Ontario's lead.
On the heels of the boreal victory, last week the Mikisew Cree and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations filed a suit against the Alberta and federal government, asking the court to rule invalid the government authorization for thousands of oil projects on the band's core territory.


It is clear that we are witnessing a transformation of the values and voices that determine resource extraction in Canada. The boreal is "unspoiled and undisturbed," Ontario Premier McGuinty says. "And if there's one thing we know for sure, it's not going to stay that way forever unless we do something…It's our responsibility as global citizens to get this right and to act now.
" Amen! Care to join us to make sure he keeps his word?

[From RAN/Posted by Brune in RAN General on July 29th, 2008]

Prophecies to be Fulfilled -- Dan Evehema, Hopi Elder

[From various sources -- chiefly The Hopi Survival Kit by Thomas E. Mails & Chief Dan Evehema]

"The time will come when from the earth will arise a mystic fog which will dilute the minds and hearts of all people. Their guidelines of wisdom and knowledge will falter, the Great Laws of our Creator will dissolve in the minds of people. Children will be out of control and will no longer obey the leaders, immorality and the competitive war of greed will flourish.

"When the end is near, we will see a halo of mist around the heavenly bodies. Four times it will appear around the sun as a warning that we must reform, telling us that people of all color must unite and arise for survival, and that we must uncover the causes of our dilemmas. Unless man-made weapons are used to strike first, peace will then come.

"So the time will come when we will experience late springs and early frosts, this will be the sign of the returning Ice Age.

"We believe militarism is born out of injustice, poverty and ignorance where absolute governments refuse to hear the grievances of minorities. So the people resort to violence, demonstrations and even terrorism when they see no other way to be heard. What can we do when our world leaders and the people are acting like fools in attempts to solve the problems confronting us? Once again we will quote the prophecy of our Elders. We hope it will interest you so that you will be more aware of it because it has been happening for some time.

"According to prophecy, the day will come when people in high places will be hunted. This will get out of control. The hunting will gather strength and spread. This situation might even erupt on our land. Finally, this will lead us to the Biblical version of Armageddon (the Hopi version is closely related). A final decisive battle between good and evil. This will occur under one God or Chief. The prophets say we will speak one language and that this will happen in Hopiland, in the village of Oraibi , where the new life plan will be drawn, in the pattern and cycle of religion. Here also a final decision will be made for the wicked. They will be beheaded and speak no more. If this does not materialize there will be a total destruction through the acts of man or nature. Then new life will begin from a girl and a boy. This is a frightening prophecy and will not be supported by many.

"It is in the prophecies of the Hopi that in a case like this the Navajo may help our cause. Also the Bahannas or the Paiute Tribe may help. We doubt that the U.S. Government will easily concede our sovereignty.

"There are two water serpents, one at each pole with a warrior sitting on his head and tail. These command nature to warn us by her activities that time is getting short, and we must correct ourselves. If we refuse to heed these warnings, the warriors will let go of the serpents; they will rise up, and all will perish.

"We are much concerned about the climate. No one seems to be able to predict the weather accurately from day to day. However, we know according to our time markers that it is past due for certain seeds to be planted at their proper time. In recent springs, we were reluctant to plant due to the late snow and cold weather. Once more maybe our ancient prophecy is right, that one day we will plant wearing finger sacks (gloves) clearing away snow with our feet before planting. The summers will become shorter for maturing the corn for harvest. The result is anybody's guess.

"The question is, will this occur the world over? This would depend on the geographical areas. In the regions with different climates, things will happen in different ways. For instance, tropical land could become a land of ice, and the Arctic region could become tropical. This need not happen if we, the people, get our leaders to do something about the harmful things being done to the environment.

"It is said that, if the future generations find out that we did nothing to preserve the good ways, they might throw us from our houses into the streets. This suffering will be of our own making. The lack of peace in our own spiritual being could trigger the revolution. Our True White Brother might come and find we have forsaken the sacred instructions. Then he will whip us without mercy.

"Let us take a look into the future through the eyes of our prophets. Hopi were instructed to tell of the Great Purification just ahead of a time when Humankind would once again become highly civilized, tending to become careless and leading us to self-destruction. They said that, along the way, the industrialized world will have certain problems. People will be uncomfortable because of the changing times, and they will have to make adjustments to find new life styles.

"Industrialized nations will become careless in getting more the resources out of the earth. Believing all these things will last forever, soon natural resources will be depleted. Fuel shortages will occur; industrial machinery will come to a standstill. The machinery used for planting, harvesting and transport will become useless. Supermarket shelves will become empty of farm produce. The farmers and those who grow their own food will not sell their produce. Money will become worthless. The white man with all his intelligence and technology will not be able to repair the damage. We will see extraordinary events in Nature and Earth, including humans.

"Modern man looks upon old wisdom and knowledge as dead, useless and no longer respected. Modern man depends on the money system and no longer on Mother Earth for food. According to prophecy when this happens Mother Earth will hide her nourishment because of the view that ancient food is poor man's food. When all food disappears, modern man will try to correct his mistake, the conditions he caused upon the earth through his inventions. He will try to achieve some kind of method to heal the wound, but this will not be possible when we reach the point of no return.

"The Hopi play a key role in the survival of the human race through their vital communion with the unseen forces that hold nature in balance. The pattern is simple: The whole world will shake and turn red and turn against those who are hindering the Hopi.

"This prophecy is related to the Biblical version of that which may yet come to pass. It goes on to say that common people will become concerned and frustrated because of their hectic world. They will be particularly against the bloodthirsty policies and the deceitfulness of the world leaders. The common people the world over will band together to fight for world peace. They will realize that their leaders have failed. People in high places will be hunted down like animals, perhaps through terrorism. In turn leaders will retaliate and begin hunting each other. This condition will gather strength and spread far and wide. It will get out of control the world over. Revolution could erupt on our land.

"The liberators will come in from the west with great force. They will drop down from the sky like rain. They will have no mercy. We must not get on the house tops to watch. They will shake us by our ears, like children who have been bad. This will be the final decisive battle between good and evil. This battle will cleanse the heart of people and restore our Mother Earth from illness, and the wicked will be gotten rid of.

"If this fails to materialize, our Great Creator through nature will do the task according to their [sic] plans. It could be total destruction in any form. Only brother and sister will survive to begin a new way of life. This prophecy is frightening and doubtful. Perhaps it is of no value to most people.

"Eventually a gourd full of ashes would be invented, which, if dropped from the sky, would boil the oceans and burn the land causing nothing to grow for many years. This would be the sign for a certain Hopi to bring out the teachings in order to warn the world that the third and final event would happen soon and could bring an end to all life unless people correct themselves and their leaders in time.

"The final stage, called The Great Day of Purification, has been described as a Mystery Egg in which the forces of the Swastika and the Sun plus a third force symbolized by the color red culminate either in total rebirth or total annihilation; we don't know which. But the choice is yours; war and natural catastrophe may be involved. The degree of violence will be determined by the degree of inequity caused among the peoples of the world and in the balance of nature. In this crisis rich and poor will be forced to struggle as equals in order to survive.

"The reality that it will be very violent is now almost taken for granted among Traditional Hopi, but man still may lessen the violence by correcting his treatment of nature and fellow man. Ancient, spiritually based communities, such as the Hopi, must especially be preserved and not forced to abandon their wise way of life and the natural resources they have vowed to protect.

"The man-made system now destroying the Hopi is deeply involved in similar violations throughout the world. The devastating reversal predicted in the prophecies is part of the natural order. If those who thrive from that system, its money and its laws, can manage to stop destroying the Hopi then many may be able to survive the Day of Purification and enter a new age of peace. But if no one is left to continue the Hopi way, the hope for such an age is in vain.

"Since mankind has lost peace with one another through conflict due to the new ways, the Great Spirit, the Great Creator, has punished the people in many ways. Through all of this there was always a small group who survived to keep the original ways of life alive. This small group is comprised of those who adhere to the laws of the Creator, who keep the spiritual path open, out from the circle of evil. According to our knowledge we are not quite out of the circle.

"Now we enter the time of testing that only the Great Creator can confirm. The alignment of the planets, we were so kindly informed of by the star watchers has been awaited by the Hopi. As the time nears, the predicted behavior of the people accurately describes the behavior of people in the 1990's. When the end is near, we will see a halo of mist around the heavenly bodies. Four times it will appear around the sun as a warning that we MUST reform.

"Ambitious minds will decrease, while the people of good hearts, who live in harmony with the earth, will increase until the earth is rid of evil. If the Hopi are right, this will be accomplished and the earth will bloom again. The spiritual door is open. Why not join the righteous people? The Horny Toad Woman gave Massau'u a promise that she would help him in time of need, saying she too had a metal helmet. After the Hopi have fulfilled their pattern of life, Massau'u will be the leader, but not before, for He is the First and He shall be the Last."

Info from Carlos Barrios - Mayan Elder

By Mitch Battros - ECTV
Feb 9, 2006, 15:15

(As translated to me from Carlos)

A lot has been said about this time, about the prophecies given by ancient wise visionary men. Some of these prophecies have been kept on secret books, some have been transmitted on a verbal way, others have rose in a series of books, documentaries and articles in magazines, newspapers and especially on the Internet. Some are extremely alarming, others have no basis and many are based on the PROPHECIES OF THE GREAT TRADITIONS. All of them point out the prophetical times, as the Wise Chi Mam Maya, Don Pascual liked to call them.



All this information has waken the interest of millions of people, but it has also created a lot of confusion and fear, since the date of December 21 of 2012 has been used as the date of the end of the World. However, this date points out the beginning of a new cycle, which is marked in the tradition of the Mayan Elders as a time of harmony and spiritual growing, this cycle is called the FIFTH SUN and each of the previous ones lasted 5,200 years.



The first cycle was of a feminine energy and fire was the element that ruled it.

The second cycle was of a masculine energy and earth was the element that ruled it.

The third cycle was of a feminine energy and air was the element that ruled it.

The fourth cycle was of a masculine energy and water was the element that ruled it.

The fifth cycle is a harmony between the masculine and feminine energy and the element that will rule it will be ether.



Each of this cycles last 5,200 years and they have been affected by the polarity of the masculine or feminine energy and of course they have also been affected by the elements. Today we are at the doors of the end of the fourth cycle, which ends on December 20 of 2012, six years from now. During this six years we will be witnesses of the confrontation of the Negative and Positive forces, the eternal fight amongst polarity, the fight between the Eternal Fire and the Eternal Ice, as the Great Masters have named it, rough and magical times, prophetical times, my Master, Don Pascual, would have said.



We do not have to close our eyes to be able to see who is dominating at this time, unlike of the Beings of Light, on the other side there is no doubt of who the boss is and no one argues about the grades of power, they work with an effectiveness so effective that some of them even manage to appear as Warriors of Light.



The opposite happens with the Warriors of Light, because unfortunately most of them are spellbound with their Ego, convinced that they are the best and the carriers of the Truth, they are only interested on their fight for power, fame and their excessive fondness for economical wealth.



Someone has to raise the Torch of Light and create consciousness; these leaders have to come back to their path. They have to find their path once again and assume the responsibility that was given to them at the time they received their grade of guide and the magical power that accompanies them, this is the calling of the Ancient Mayan Elders, the doors to build up our destiny are open… The Wise Elders are tired of waiting, they have sent this message previously and today, knowing the delicacy of this year, the violence, insanity, the tiredness of our Mother Earth, that regardless of the advise she has sent us (hurricanes, floods, droughts, The Tsunami, etc.) we are still impassive, destroying 10,000 acres of forest each day, letting 100,000 people, most of them children, die of starvation, and to us, this is just another news which does not affect us directly. A year ago the Tsunami stunned us, fear and panic grew, today this is just a vague memory. However, we have to be blind not to see we have to give a stop to this destruction, today we are alarmed with the cruel winter, with the torrential rains that are coming out of season, we also witnessed a tropical storm that was almost to become a hurricane, this without even speaking of the earthquakes in all the continents.



This was already predicted by the Prophets and visionary Mayans, as well as the attack to Iraq (with a precise date, two years before it happened), and the Terrorist Attacks (the one of the Twin Towers, the ones of France and Spain, and the ones to come).

The Mayan Elders are expecting that in the laps of the next two years there will be a great explosion of magma in the Yellowstone Park; this explosion would have the effect equivalent to the destruction that several atomic bombs would cause, giving as a result a great matter of contamination and pollution.



We are also expecting the imminent attack to Syria and the possibility of an attack to Iran, as well as the trying of overthrowing and putting a stop to the Socialist Democratic Movements that are rising in Latin America, specially the one of President Chavez in Venezuela. The last predictions, we can still put a stop to, but we have to use our powerful weapons, the inner magic in each of us, our fire ceremonies, meditations and any other techniques. It is URGENT to stop the madness of war.



The transcendence of the ending of this fourth cycle lies in the fact that we are once again in the doors of building up our destiny, the history of the actual humanity (the fourth).



The other humanities did not succeed with the purpose of taking our Mother Earth to the age of gold, the age of nobility, love, equality, peace, conscience, the Kingdom of Great Spirituality, in which every being has its space and value and where we can all grow in a simple word HARMONY, which is the premise of the Mayan World.



This marvelous opportunity is linked to Mother Earth, who as a living entity, has once again the chance of acceding to the Fifth Sky, this means to vibrate on a more subtle energy ruled by the element ETHER. This opportunity was wasted by the three previous humanities and it took Mother Earth millions of years to redo the proper conditions again.



The actual humanity, like the previous, has reached an extraordinary technological development, but it has forgotten the spiritual balance and the responsible relationship with Nature, which we are destroying and polluting more and more each time.



This was predicted by the visionary and wise Mayan Aj’Kijab (shamans), every event that is occurring, the plagues, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, thaws, weather changes, wars, uncontrollable viruses, the contamination and damage we are causing Nature, our own Mother, however, we remain passive as spectators, not doing or saying anything, we are accomplices who rather follow the routine that is imposed to us, the fake illusions that make us believe that we are people of success, of that success that is only the vision of a consumer materialist society and we sell our life in order to have this distractions and not confront reality, since we do not have the courage to go into our inner selves and get to know and accept us, the most important thing is to keep an image and the sterile competence of an uncontrollable urge to run, that rush to get nowhere…



We have the responsibility and possibility to change the destiny, we have our weapons, and what is most important WE ARE MORE… And we are not talking violence; our weapons are meditation, sacred ceremonies, the thought of millions of people, the amazing power of mind, creating the harmony of love, respect and spreading conscience. We can create conscience in others, we can speak, write and demonstrate that it is necessary to stop the destruction, the contamination, that we have to stop being accomplices and that our voice should be heard, that we should write to the media, to the people that run the governments, for we should remember that they are public servants and not owners of the countries, and if they receive millions of letters and e-mails, they will have to give us their attention, but lets just remember that violence is not the answer, do not look for the answer on the intellect and the strength, the answer is in the power of your heart…



We think we own the earth… Will you own it 200 years form now? Elders say the earth owns us, as a mother that nurtures us. Lets be consequent to her, lets not let the shadows fall again on her…




To Be Ready for this Moment in History

Mr. Barrios told his audiences in Santa Fe that we are at a critical moment of world history. "We are disturbed," he said. "We can’t play anymore. Our planet can be renewed or ravaged. Now is the time to awaken and take action."

"Everyone is needed. You are not here for no reason. Everyone who is here now has an important purpose. This is a hard, but a special time. We have the opportunity for growth, but we must be ready for this moment in history."

Mr. Barrios offered a number of suggestions to help people walk in balance through the years ahead. "The prophesized changes are going to happen," he said, "but our attitude and actions determine how harsh or mild they are."
· We need to act, to make changes, and to elect people to represent us who understand and who will take political action to respect the earth. Meditation and spiritual practice are good, but also action.
· It’s very important to be clear about who you are, and also about your relation to the Earth.
· Develop yourself according to your own tradition and the call of your heart. But remember to respect differences, and strive for unity.
· Eat wisely. A lot of food is corrupt in either subtle or gross ways. Pay attention to what you are taking into your body.
· Learn to preserve food, and to conserve energy.
· Learn some good breathing techniques, so you have mastery of your breath.
· Be clear. Follow a tradition with great roots. It is not important what tradition, your heart will tell you, but it must have great roots.
· We live in a world of energy. An important task at this time is to learn to sense or see the energy of everyone and everything: people, plants, animals. This becomes increasingly important as we draw close to the World of the Fifth Sun, for it is associated with the element ether – the realm where energy lives and weaves.
· Go to the sacred places of the earth to pray for peace, and respect for the Earth which gives us our food, clothing, and shelter. We need to reactivate the energy of these sacred places. That is our work.
· According to Mr. Barrios’ reading of the Mayan calendar, if war happens in November 2002 or after, then it’s bad, but not catastrophic. But if it happens between April and November 2003, it will be catastrophic. Really bad. It could eventually result in the death of two-thirds of humanity. "So stay active," he said. "If we are active, we can transform the planet. The elders watch to see what happens."
· Many Mayan elders and knowledge keepers may be eliminated in the next few years. For the first half of the current Katun (20-year period) the dark side has a lot of power. But that will pass 3 to 4 years from now. The tide can turn. Amazing things are going to happen.
· One simple but effective prayer technique is to light a white or baby-blue colored candle. Think a moment in peace. Speak your intention to the flame and send the light of it on to the leaders who have the power to make war or peace.

We Have Work to Do

According to Mr. Barrios this is a crucially important moment for humanity, and for earth. Each person is important. If you have incarnated into this era, you have spiritual work to do balancing the planet.

He said the elders have opened the doors so that other races can come to the Mayan world to receive the tradition. The Maya have long appreciated and respected that there are other colors, other races, and other spiritual systems. "They know," he said, "that the destiny of the Mayan world is related to the destiny of the whole world."

"The greatest wisdom is in simplicity," Mr. Barrios advised before leaving Santa Fe. "Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness. It’s not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It’s encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way."


- END -

Carlos Barrios is the author of Kam Wuj: El Libro del Destino, a book published in Spanish that explores Mayan teachings. His book is being translated into English for future publication.Mr. Barrios can be contacted via Saq’ Be’ -- Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies: P.O. Box 31111, Santa Fe, NM 87594 Ph: 505-466-4044. Email: saqbe@sacredroad.org