Climate Change - What can we do to help?

The impact of environmental disasters will affect us all in one way or another what can you personally do to aid the world in general and your family?

Climate Change and You

By now many people are starting to take climate change seriously (except perhaps for our Federal and State Governments). Farmer’s got all excited after one decent fall of rain in last few years and thought that the drought was over, and being climate optimists (or having large debts to service) they borrowed more money so that they could put in a crop, and hope for a bumper harvest. What we have witnessed since has been seedlings wilting and dying from lack of any follow up rain. The drought isn’t over, it also isn’t a drought that will suddenly end, and everything will be back as it was in the “good old days”, so that we can carry on with the behaviour patterns of the past. What we are witnessing is just the start of rapid climate shifts around the planet. Far worse is yet to come. World grain prices are going through the roof as crop yields in Australia and many other grain producing areas are either much lower that expected, or have largely failed due to erratic rainfall. Other areas are experiencing severe flooding, e.g. sub Saharan Africa, parts of Europe and South East Asia. In an ironic twist, while many crops are dying for lack of rain, other crops have been destroyed by floods and prolonged inundation.

Our food supply system is dependent on inputs of vast quantities of petroleum products (diesel, petrol, oil). Petroleum products are needed in the production and transportation of foods, and in the production of herbicides and pesticides that are used to protect the crops from insects, diseases and competition species (weeds). And as anyone with a car will know, fuel supplies are dwindling and prices rising. The petroleum is running out, the human population continues to grow exponentially, and our soils and ecosystems are being rapidly depleted. A triple whammy! What this means to you and me personally, is that we are entering a period where food supplies will become unpredictable, and many shortages with concurrent high prices will occur. It is therefore time to start making preparations to allow you to reduce the effect that food shortages will mean to you and your family. It is time to start learning how to be more self sufficient in many ways. So what can you do to prepare yourself for what is coming? Plant fruit and nut trees around your property. Get them in now, they take several years to grow large enough to give you a good yield, and get their root systems down deep. Those with larger properties are luckier in that they have room to plant more fruit and nut trees, while those with quarter acre blocks can still find room for a least half a dozen fruit trees. I found room on my ¼ acre block for an apricot tree, a plum tree, a mandarin tree, a mulberry tree, a macadamia tree, a fig, a Calimata olive, a pear tree, an apple tree, two passionfruit vines (growing on wires strung along the back fences), and a blueberry bush. There was already a good sized Mango tree, a grape vine, Lady Finger Banana trees and a peach tree growing in the yard when I purchased the property. I also found room for 3 Oak trees, 2 Deodar Cedars and a Lacebark tree. So don’t tell me you don’t have any room to plant anything. I have had a couple of failures, frost killed the paw paw tree and the lychee tree did nothing for a year and then died.
The next projects for me are a vegetable patch (in a raised garden bed since I have clay and not soil on my property), a large water tank, and at some stage if I have sufficient money, solar hot water and a few solar panels. Those of you who are renting can still do something. You can grow vegetables in those foam boxes that you can get from the green grocer. Just add potting mix, fertiliser and some seeds (or seedlings) and water. The rest is up to nature. You can also have some fruit trees growing in large pots that you can take with you when you move. There are grafted fruit trees that have 2 or 3 types of fruit on the one root stock. You can also grow fruit trees espaliered along walls of courtyards or fences. If you get motivated enough to grow your own, you eventually might want to make or buy fruit and vegetable drying racks so that you can store excesses from summer to tide you through the winter. Those with enough room, and who don’t mind the hassles can also entertain the idea of having egg laying chickens in a coop. You can trade your surpluses with someone else for what they have to offer.
In this brief treatise, I have given you some hints as to what you can do to prepare for the future. Remember all of these things take time to grow or bring into reality, and if you leave it till too late to start, then it is you (and your stomach) that will bear the consequences.

Michael

Earth Changes

dragonflySite AdminJoined: 01 Nov 2006Posts: 32
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 2:21 am Post subject: Earth Changes

We live in a world where changes are coming thick and fast, speeding up environmentally and energetically, and are major challengers to our comfort zones and safety. How can you help yourself and others, and contribute positive energy to aid humanity in lifting the mass consciousness past fear based thinking?


wingsforumadminJoined: 18 Oct 2006Posts: 13
Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:29 am Post subject:

Some time ago Lord Machiventa Melchizedek came to me and explained a part of my destiny was in service to humanity. He guided me, gave me visions of the potential future, ( one which can be changed), and he showed me, we, each one of us can influence the world we live in. The power one is a mighty thing. Look at Ghandi, Nelson Mandella, Martin Luther King Jn, Sister Theresa, they touched the lives and hearts of many millions of people. Look at those modern day movers and shakers, such as Al Gore, David Susuki, Bob Geldof, and Bono. There have been so many noble, mighty souls who have helped shape our future direction.

There have also been those who misused power like Hitler, but by and large the noble will always overpower the ignoble. Love is the key. But it isn't a powerless love, or always passive, change requires action, and we all have our part to play. Its our life and world, and we need to be active and aware about every aspect of our world, love and express joy everyday, but also speak out to help shape a new reality, if the one we are experiencing isn't all is can be. It may take time, but if enough of us through love and holding a better vision of the world pour enough energy into a dream, we can and will create a new mass consciousness. This will not only ease the wars and hatred the world is experiencing, but increase our chance of survival as the human race.

Part of this raising of mass consciousness also relates to the environment and having a sense of responsibility for our every thought, word, and deed. Living our lives as an example to other people of how to care for the environment and each other. And the power of one cannot be overlooked!

Why is Mary Magdalene feared?

dragonflySite AdminJoined: 01 Nov 2006Posts: 32
Posted: 26 Nov 2006 02:04 am Post subject: Gaia needs our support, & her defense is up to us.

How can we not only awaken other people to her plight, ( Gaia) but draw attention to politicians who may have personal agendas, and not make decisions based upon the good of the planet and humanity as a whole, but be anchored in old energies and ideas?_________________Bright Blessings



MB on EdgeJoined: 29 Oct 2006Posts: 17
Posted: 26 Nov 2006 07:55 am Post subject: Our World...

Our world is not a limitless resource. Sooner or later we have to realise the more we take, the more harm we do to her and ultimately to ourselves, for she will not be able to sustain herself or us. It?s time to take personal responsibility for your roll in keeping this planet a safe and healthy place to live. Yes, one person can make a difference. Time to act: everyday tips to help protect the environment http://www.deh.gov.au/education/publications/act/ As for the latest suggestion of a nuclear power plant? to me, that is another tragedy,and if it goes ahead, one we can all hope doesn?t end in another Chernobyl. Politicians ( ) are ?PUBLIC SERVANTS? but please, can anyone tell me when they actually serve the people who they are supposed to be protecting and not themselves?? Maybe it?s past time for us to take action and let them know what we want. I don?t mean violent protests like were recently seen with the G20 discussions. That has the opposite effect. _________________Peace be with you

MichaelJoined: 30 Nov 2006Posts: 14Location: Grafton
Posted: 01 Jun 2007 07:23 am Post subject: Aiding Mother Earth and Giving yourself a future [unapproved post]

There are a number of things that individuals can do to help their planet, and doing them has the added benefit of saving you money and giving you some protection from future economic uncertainties. Most of us buy all of our food at a supermarket. Most of this food is grown or produced hundreds or even thousands of miles from where it is finally consumed by us. I don't need to remind you of the fact that dwindling oil supplies and increased demand for it are rapidly driving up fuel costs. This can only lead to continually rising food prices (and even food shortages, due to the lack of fuel to transport it in the future). Therefore you can help reduce oil consumption (and CO2 emissions) and cut your food bill by growing some of your food yourself in the backyard. It is easy to plant fruit trees in your backyard. Pick the type of fruits that you like to eat and which will grow satisfactorily in your area (eg it's not much use planting mango trees in Melbourne unless you have a very large greenhouse). Fruit trees take a few years to grow to a size where they will start bearing a good crop, so get started A.S.A.P. If you lack space in your yard you can grow them espalliered along the fence or against a wall, or in large pots on a verandah or paved area. Similarly, you can start up a vegetable patch to grow your favourite veges. Everyone did this in the past. It appears that we just got too lazy to bother any more, but times are changing! You can also incorporate your green waste into your garden as compost (compost bins, worm farms). Home grown veges taste better than supermarket veges and you have the benefit of knowing whether they are organically grown or not. Vegetables and herbs can also be grown in styrofoam boxes filled with potting mix (and you can get these for free from most green grocers). If you are renting you can still grow some of your food in pots and containers, which you can take with you if you have to move. I am not saying that you can grow every type of food item in your backyard, but you can grow some of them. If you have a good crop of your own home grown fruit and veges you can trade some of your surplus with a neighbour who may have chickens (which lay eggs), thereby saving you from the hassle of having to have your own chook pen as well. Fruit and veges don't mind being left on their own for a week or two when you go on holidays, while animals need feeding daily. If you install a rainwater tank you are somewhat protected from water supply problems such as contamination of the supply, or shortages and restrictions due to the drought (climate change). This also reduces you water bill. If you throw in a solar hot water system if the finances allow, then you are becoming more self sufficient. Finally, if you are really financial then you can put solar panels on your roof and supply most of your daytime electricity (and sell the surplus back to the energy supplier). Government subsidies exist for installing rainwater tank and solar panels so now is a good time to take advantage of them. Michael
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wingsadminSite AdminJoined: 08 Oct 2006Posts: 6
Posted: 04 Jun 2007 02:40 am Post subject: Gaia needs our support, & her defense is up to us.

Hi Michael, Many thanks for your contribution. The thought of Japan and other countries killing whales using the excuse of scientific study almost brings me to tears. Such gentle creatures are part of a rich eco system, one which needs our support. I wonder did it ever occur to people that to take greedily, over exploiting the sea and earth to indulge in gluttonous wants, not needs, means incuring a karmic debt which at some time in history must be paid? I saw a program recently showing the two driest towns on earth, one in Africa and one in America, both in the desert areas. But what a difference in attitudes, in Africa the people honoured and valued water as sacred, and walked for miles to achieve their daily needs, whilst in America there was little respect for water consumption, and the attitude was gluttonous, diverting it from other states, only to waste it, with apparently no concern for their impact upon the earth. There appears to be a trend to selfishness with some countries, and I know generalizations should not be made about anyone, but the evidence is that greed and need to appease wants at any cost may just impact upon the whole. I am aware that many Japanese and American people would be, and possibly are horrified to think that they see such practices in their own Country, and feel powerless to change general attitudes, and this is true about many aspects of all countries. But a Nation is made up of individuals, who as a collective whole are responsible for what takes place at any time. The power of the individual should not be underestimated, change comes when individuals voice opinions. It is in united voices of disapproval that change can come, and these injustices to the environment can end. It seems to me that there is little accountability for our actions as humanity. Some countries appear to have an attitude that whatever they want or desire overrides the common good and the welfare of the planet we all need to survive. Looking at gluttony and selfishness starts with individuals and flows out from there. There is a powerful movement now for change, to create a better world, but we must all work together to remind our leaders and societies in general where change is needed.. BE THE VOICE OF POSITIVE CHANGE! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!