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WHAT KIND OF NEWS YOU’LL FIND HERE

 

Successes – court victories, legislation passed, green jobs created . . .

 

Steps towards Success – new people recruited; donations received; petitions signed; demonstrations held . . .

 

Factual Examples of Accomplishments – green buildings, working farms, ecovillages . . .

 

Profiles of Effective People – Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben and others . . .

 

Positive Trends  – increases in organic farms, solar panels, nature education . . .

 

Positive Earth Facts – increases of endangered species populations, new species . . .

~~~~~~~~~

—  good news that comes from action alerts, not the alerts themselves;
—  good news that comes from the actions of groups, not requests to participate or donate to them;
—  good news that comes from the application of information, not the info itself;
—  good news about help for the Earth directly, rather than helping people (although, of course, since we are all cells in Earth’s body, any good news for humans is good news for the Earth).

 

GOOD NEWS – AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

FOR THE EARTH

Thanks for all the work that you do!


ECJ rules against Monsanto over inactive DNA in soymeal

July 9, 2010, www.foodnavigator.com | “The European Court of Justice this week ruled that Monsanto cannot claim patent protection in Europe for inactive DNA sequences in imported GM soymeal, a judgement that lawyers believe could stimulate more imports of produce with inactive DNA.”

~ A MONSANTO DEFEAT IN EUROPE
European Court of Justice rules against Monsanto over inactive DNA in soymeal
www.foodnavigator.com
The European Court of Justice this week ruled that Monsanto cannot claim patent protection in Europe for inactive DNA sequences in imported GM soymeal, a judgement that lawyers believe could stimulate more imports of produce with inactive DNA.
Jeremy Dion, and Good Vibrations like this.
Jul 9, 2010 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: GMO Labelling, GMO Lawsuits, GMOs

~~~ Healing Hymn for Mother Earth ~~~

(to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic)

My eyes have seen the glory of the healing of the Earth,

the calming of the climate that protects our place of birth.

We’ll do it for our children and we’ll fight for all we’re worth,

Let’s heal the Earth today!

Chorus:

What do we say?!

Glory, glory hallelujah,

Joy of Earth is given to us!

Glory, glory hallelujah,

Let’s heal the Earth today!

Finale:

What do we say?!

(arm raised high, fingers spread like a tree’s branches)

GAIA!

(spoken)

May the Tree of Life be born from our hearts.

ADDITIONAL VERSES

My eyes have seen the glory of the healing of the Sea,

the stopping of the drilling, that makes our Mother bleed,

the cleaning of pollution so the fish can all swim free,

Let’s heal the Sea!

Chorus

My eyes have seen the glory of the healing of the Air.

Those coal-fired power plants are more than we can bear,

when kids have trouble breathing then we know it isn’t fair.

Let’s heal the Air!

Chorus

My eyes have seen the glory of the healing of the Land

No need to spray out poisons to put food into our hands.

Taking care of gardens, we all can understand

Let’s heal the Land!

Chorus

My eyes have seen the glory of the saving of the Wild

The balance our planet needs places not made to be mild

Where every animal can be Mother Nature’s child,

Let’s protect the wildlands today!

Chorus

My eyes have seen the glory of the healing of the Hurt,

where people and the landscape have been cut down to the dirt.

What we can do is plant a tree and heal a wounded heart.

Restore people and planet today!

What do we say?!

Glory, glory hallelujah,

Joy of Earth is given to us!

Glory, glory hallelujah,

Let’s heal the Earth today!

What do we say?!

(arm raised high, fingers spread like a tree’s branches)

GAIA!

(spoken)

May the Tree of Life be born from our hearts.

— Written by Robert “Bobcat” Brothers, March 1, 2010.

Mar 1, 2010 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Songs of Praise, z Images & Songs

In 1999, 35 million small family plots produced 90% of Russia’s potatoes, 77% of vegetables, 87% of fruits, 59% of meat, 49% of milk — way to go, people!

August 9, 2009, www.thebovine.wordpress.com | “In 2003 the Russian President signed into law a further “Private Garden Plot Act” enabling Russian citizens to receive free of charge from the state, plots of land in private inheritable ownership. Sizes of the plots differ by region but are between one and three hectares each [1 hectare = 2.2 acres]. Produce grown on these plots is not subject to taxation.”

 

Leila Bee shared a link.
“In 1999, 35 million small family plots produced 90% of Russia’s potatoes, 77% of vegetables, 87% of.
thebovine.wordpress.com
And since 1999, it seems things have only gotten better when it comes to small-scale agriculture in Russia. In 2003 the Russian President signed into law a further “Private Garden Plot Act…”
  • Comments:
    • Leila Bee‎”in Russia, we can already see the evidence that they are thinking small. How else can you explain that in 1997 small households in Russia independently grew 97% of Russia’s potatoes, 77% of its berries and fruit, and 73% of its vegetables, and those percentages have risen in the decade since then.” Vladmir Megré not quite the same percentages but close…I’ll see if I can find more.
    • Leila Bee finding lots of interesting russian gardening sites..http://www.the-village.ru/village/people/people/96403-moskovskie-ogorodnikithe movement is everywhere, I love it!
    • Leila Bee http://www.freshcongress.com/resources/documents/1271673375andriyyarmak.pdfSeems to pretty much agree with the previous statements, although production of domestic veg% is not as high. However this data may not be taking into account fruit and veg that never hits the market but goes from garden to table (dasha produce.)
    • GoodNews FortheEarth‎~ Thanks for the other sources! Now we all have some reading to do : ) It makes a lot of sense that people faced with economic hardship will start growing more of their own food, and wonderful that they are able to do so.
    • Leila Bee The dacha system in Russia is not a new one, it’s been in and out of vogue since Peter the Great. Growing one’s own food is part of Russian tradition:-) It just tricky finding solid facts when I don’t speak Russian, I’m working with translator programs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dacha
    • Caron von Zeil likes this.
Aug 9, 2009 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Animals & Plants, Buy Local, Community Gardens, Economics, Farms & Gardens, Local Food, Organic Farming, Plants, Urban Agriculture

B.C. First Nation unveils solar power project

Photo: If you do not like pipe lines and the dirty tar sands mess, I am thinking that there is a great lesson to be learned from the T'Sou-ke First Nation on the south tip of Vancouver Island. The 40 home Reserve is now energy independent by making use of solar panel arrays. Chief Gordon Plances and the entire Souk community should be commended. They are not only energy indepependent but are also producing the hot water needed for residents. The 75 kilowats produced on the Reserve are sufficient to export electricity to the British Columbia power grid

July 17, 2009, www.cbc.ca | “A native community on Vancouver Island has become the largest solar energy producing community in B.C.  The T’Sou-ke First Nation has unveiled its solar power project that will see solar energy power the band office, fisheries building, canoe shed and 25 homes on the reserve. Nine band members have also been certified as solar panel installers.”

If you do not like pipe lines and the dirty tar sands mess, I am thinking that there is a great lesson to be learned from the T’Sou-ke First Nation on the south tip of Vancouver Island. The 40 home Reserve is now energy independent by making use of solar panel arrays. Chief Gordon Plances and the entire Souk community should be commended. They are not only energy indepependent but are also producing the hot water needed for residents. The 75 kilowats produced on the Reserve are sufficient to export electricity to the British Columbia power grid
  • Robert Brothers and Good Vibrations like this.
Jul 17, 2009 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Buildings, Energy - Renewable, Native Peoples, Native Peoples, Land, Retrofitting, Solar

Boy discovers microbe that eats plastic

June 12, 2009, www.mnn.com | “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 May’s Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa, Ontario, where Daniel Burd, a high school student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute, presented his research on microorganisms that can rapidly biodegrade plastic.”

Lindy Rose shared a link.
“I’ve heard about this microbe before, but I had no idea it was discovered by a 16 year old boy! http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/boy-discovers-microbe-that-eats-plastic”
COMEMNTS:
GoodNews FortheEarth ~ “Lots of people are working on this! The article mentions several, but not this Amazon research posted here last March: https://goodnewsfortheearth.org/plastic-eating-fungi-found-in-the-amazon-may-solve-worlds-waste-problem/”
GoodNews FortheEarth ~ “I found this by searching our website. Please check it out for other topics too. We have links to articles going back to October, 2010 — but there’s lots of good news for the Earth that we have surely missed. If you know of some that we don’t, please post it to this Wall. Old good news is still good news : ) https://goodnewsfortheearth.org/”
Jun 12, 2009 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Children & Youth, Climate, Plastic Bags, Recycling, Recycling & Plastics, Trash cleanups

Headwaters Forest protest

April 14, 2009, www.youtube.com | “The showing of this film in Ashland was a great family reunion for lots of people who worked together to protect the ancient forests of southwest Oregon in the 1980s and 90s — very emotional and powerful!  Thanks Darryl Cherney for reminding us, helping inspire us to extend our activism for the forests to activism for the whole planet.”

“WHO BOMBED JUDI BARI?” http://whobombedjudibari.com/
“~ A MUST-SEE TO INSPIRE ACTIVISM! The showing of this film in Ashland was a great family reunion for lots of people who worked together to protect the ancient forests of southwest Oregon in the 1980s and 90s — very emotional and powerful!
Thanks Darryl Cherney for reminding us, helping inspire us to extend our activism for the forests to activism for the whole planet.
It was great to see signs at protests in 1990 linking the clearcutting of ancient forests to global warming/climate catastprophe.
1000 people were arrested at a huge rally in Carlotta in 1996 against the deforestation of ancient redwoods.
Now, 17 years later, thousands of people are preparing to get arrested at the White House on February 17 in a huge rally for action against climate change.
By showing what we could do then, this movie shows that we can do even more now!
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nat_signup_feb17
http://act.350.org/signup/presidentsday/
Headwaters Forest protest, a thousand arrested in 1996
News Story from Humboldt County, 1996. Shot by Kenneth Thomas.”
  • Kat Karnes, Jim Dancingtrout, Ron Gilbert,  Maryska Azzena, Kat Karnes, Brad Rivers, and Richard K. Nawa like this.
Apr 14, 2009 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Protests, Strategy, Uncategorized

Willie Smits: How we re-grew a rainforest

March 3, 2009, www.youtube.com | “By piecing together a complex ecological puzzle, biologist Willie Smits has found a way to re-grow clearcut rainforest in Borneo, saving local orangutans — and creating a thrilling blueprint for restoring fragile ecosystems.”

Willie Smits: How we re-grew a rainforest
http://www.ted.com By piecing together a complex ecological puzzle, biologist Willie Smits has found a way to re-grow clearcut rainforest in Borneo, saving l…
  • Robert Brothers Shalahnia Riversong, Veronica Smith, and Good Vibrations like this.
Mar 3, 2009 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Education, Forests, Organic Farming, People, Profiles, Protection, Restoration, Sustainable Forestry, Tree-plantings

Man saves 375 lbs black bear from drowning

July 1, 2008, www.treehugger.com | “Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist Adam Warwick just couldn’t let the bear drown, so he took off his shirt and dove after it. The 375 lbs black bear had been spotted in a residential area, obviously looking for food, and was shot with a tranquilizer dart. Unfortunately, before it went under, it jumped in the water of the Gulf of Mexico. More photos and a video below.”

GreenEnergy Empathy shared a link.
Would you do that??
Man saves 375 lbs black bear from drowning (with photos and video)
www.treehugger.com
Rescuing a 375 lbs Male Black BearFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist Adam Warwick just couldn’t let the bear drown, so he took off his shirt and dive after it. The 375 lbs black bear had…
Jul 1, 2008 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Animals, Animals & Plants, Compassionate Actions

Greening the Desert

March 1, 2007, www.permaculture.org | “The Permaculture Institute of Australia has created a system to transform 10 acres of dead African desert into a food forest.  The 10 acre landscape had been poisoned with pesticides and naturally occurring salt and was considered a dead, barren wasteland.  The Institute created a system which catches rainwater and filters it into the earth.  The filtering flushed the soil of salt and pesticides and allowed trees, shrubs, and grasses to grow.”

“Here’s an incredibly upbeat story from a permaculture practitioner: Geoff Lawton established a garden in a dry salty desert in Jordan. Permaculture techniques offer us so much, and one real cause for optimism is that you can grow food even on quite degraded land that industrial monoculture will leave behind. Geoff’s story is extreme, but it really happened! 🙂
Permaculture Research Institute of Australia » Greening the Desert
permaculture.org.au
This is just one example of how permaculture can transform the environment, and, in so doing, dramatically change lives. By evidencing the dramatic transformation possible in the world’s worst agricultural scenarios, we hope to make people stand up and listen.”
Comments:
Robert Brothers “A wonderful video that gives us hope! It very clearly shows how the miracle was accomplished — capturing all of the minimal rainfall in raised ditches,heavily mulched . . . etc. Please watch this and pass it on!”
Mar 1, 2007 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Climate, Education, Farms & Gardens, Food Forests, Forests, Organic Farming, Permaculture

China Tackles Environmental Pollution

news.xinhuanet.com, 07/09/2006, Special report: China tackles environmental pollution HOHHOT, July 9 (Xinhua) — The Sanbei (north, northeast and northwest China) Forest Shelter project, dubbed the country’s “green Great Wall”, has contributed greatly to the improvement and conservation of ecological environment in the project areas since it was launched 28 years ago. Submitted by Jeavonna Chapman   October 30, 2011

GoodNews FortheEarth “~ 97,000 SQUARE MILES OF FOREST REPLANTED IN A 2,500 MILE-LONG FOREST BELT … beginning in 1983, to stop desertification and protect farmland. October 30, 2011
Jul 9, 2006 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Forests, Restoration