The Climate Change Deal

While the Doha Conference and its climate change agreement promises to help those developing countries for "loss and damage to climate change" one can't help but wonder about the proactive steps these poor and vulnerable countries are doing.

Living in a country that is visited by over 20 storms a year, I see the changing pattern of our typhoons.  It seems to be moving towards agricultural areas where the infrastructure is not as sturdy.  And the local governments not as efficient or prepared.  Thousands have died this year alone and up until now are still suffering from the effect of typhoon Bopha.  We have seen the harmful effects of illegal logging and the lack of long-term urban planning.  Much work in educating and executing clear disaster risk and reduction plans is yet to be done.

While conferences like these have clear and laudable goals, the government of these developing countries still need to act on reducing carbon emissions, illegal logging, and waste management.

We have miles to go to develop real earth-friendly citizens all over the world.

And speaking of conferences, conventions and celebrations, here's another one:

This event is sponsored by Earth Day Network. May it add to the growing consciousness about preserving our planet.

Here's the deal, if you're in the area or have the means to participate, do so.  While here on our end of the world, we'll try to do our small part by once in a while updating E2N.  We have been asleep for so long!  :)

So Large a Hope

It's getting pretty hot in our side of the planet and we're not even near a desert. It got me thinking and googling about solar energy and developments about it. Development of solar technology has been going on for over 50 years yet not much of it is being applied over the world. Now two organizations are working in light speed compared to others in harnessing the power of the sun.

Desertec, an EU foundation, aims to develop sustainable energy to supply Europe and the Middle East by 2050. It's possible according to scientists and researchers to establish a grid that cuts across the region transporting energy produced from solar cells in the Sahara.

Another group is also helping Africa to reduce its dependence on kerosene by developing a solar kit powerful enough to light homes and run a few basic appliances. Now households don't have to cough up cash and smoke just to light a room. SolarAid is now funding projects all over Africa; not only is it supplying the continent with access to renewable, clean, and safe energy it is also infusing employment.

Such clear visions and positive actions give a new ray of hope to avert the global crisis on energy and environment. The sun can really brighten our days in many ways.

With the advent and coolness of renewable and clean energy production, several countries are following suit in developing energy accessible to all citizens. These two groups show that dreams and plans can be fulfilled with the right political will. It's time to check the accomplishments of our own local leaders on developing clean and renewable energy.

Wooden Toys for Kids

This holiday season, parents will flock to stores to buy all types of gifts for their children. We’ve all seen the videos of parents fighting over the hottest new figurine or doll. This year, shirk the plastic type toys and instead invest in some wooden toys.

Wooden toys were the first type of toys kids knew. Dads would whittle a piece of wood to create toys in the shapes of animals, wooden dolls, puppets on strings, and toy cars. Kids would play for hours with these toys. Once the kids outgrew them, they could be passed on to younger kids.

Wooden toys have not lost their luster or durability but they have been passed over for the more colorful plastic types that talk and move. When kids are young, the one thing they have is their imagination. Wooden toys inspire the use of the imagination during play.

Wooden toys are also environmentally friendly. Many are used in their natural wooden state. Paints used on eco friendly toys are non-toxic and safe for kids.

When other toys are broken or the kids get tired of them, they are thrown away. Each year something new will replace the old favorite and they will no longer like it as much. In a landfill, those toys just sit and take up space.

Lots of toys that are thrown away still have their batteries inside. Toys that are filled with substances still contain them when they are disposed of. These chemicals can be released into the ground as the housings break down. This poses a potential hazard.

When wooden toys are broken, they can be fixed. If you know someone good with their hands, they can fix it for you. The point is that you don’t have to throw them away. Wooden toys can be passed down from generation to generation.

They maintain their shape and if scratched, the imperfection can be sanded out. Wooden toys hold together better than modern toys created on an assembly line. Small parts that break off of new toys can choke a young child.

If wooden toys are old and no longer usable, they can be disposed of. Because they are made of natural wood, they can be chopped up and used in compost. Colored wooden toys can’t be used for that, but maybe they can be refurbished and donated to local charitable organizations.

Introduce kids to wooden toys when they are young. Puzzles come in wooden and paper shapes instead of plastic. Most wooden toys have rounded edges so they are safer to play with and handle. Even if they gnaw on wood it won’t hurt them.

Choose wooden toys for the young’uns. They are environmentally friendly, safe for young children, durable, and repairable if they are d

Shop Responsibly this Holiday

For many, Christmas has become a commercial holiday. Instead of being a season of giving, we have bought into the media circus and it has become a season of greed and excess. This year tailor your shopping to be a bit more responsible in the items that you purchase.

Shopping responsibly doesn’t stop at spending frugally for what we need or want. It is also a matter of global implication. By that, we mean that we look at the people behind the products that we invest our monies into.

For example, let’s say that you wanted to buy a diamond ring for the wife this year. There are several jewelry stores in your area but which is the best one to use? One jewelry store may get their diamonds from a mine in South Africa that employs unsafe practices for workers or pays less than fair wages. By patronizing that store, you are condoning the practices by which they received their merchandise.

Who would have ever thought that buying and selling would come to such a level, but it has. People who do not value human rights are counting on us to let our wants overshadow any responsibility we have to our enslaved brothers or the environment. Eco friendly groups work to inform us about what is going on in the world and how we can make a positive difference.

The biggest way that can happen is through our shopping. We spend billions of dollars during the holiday season for gifts, decorations, and other things. Make the purchases mean something to someone besides just the recipient.

Shopping responsibly leads to helping the environment. Purchase recycled wrapping paper, low energy lighting for Christmas trees, organic cotton for creating clothing, and recycled ornaments and decorations. This supports the recycling industry. All paper that is recycled may not be suitable for paper bags in grocery stores, but it will make Christmas cards, gift tags, and wrapping paper.

Visiting fair trade merchants supports cooperatives and groups working in favor of oppressed and impoverished peoples in countries all over the world. These artisans use recycled goods and natural products like stone and coal to create ornaments, decorations, baskets, utensils, and more to be sold on the open market.

Fair trade merchandise can be purchased at a variety of stores including Wal-Mart, Target, Harris Teeter grocery stores, Whole Foods Market, and Costco. For a longer list of stores, go to www.transfairusa.org. Put in city and state or zip code to find merchants in your area who are fair trade certified.

Along those same lines, local merchants need your help and your patronage. Consider their wares when looking for unique gifts and decorations this year. Visit local farmers markets, flea markets, and trade shows to see who the local artisans are.

Save the planet and prevent waste but making informed choices this holiday season. In the process you will discover a world of new products you never knew existed.