The Green Pearl Activists!

[J Marcus]

So--this thread is to address concerns that pearl people have re: Global Warming and other environmental concerns. A huge problem that is facing us that I have come to see as even more of a concern than the "Warming" part of Global Warming is the increasing acidification of the oceans as they absorb CO2. CO2, when dissolved in water, forms carbolic acid--thus the problem. It has been reported that there have been pulses of acidic seawater in parts of the Pacific that have been strong enough to begin to degrade the shells of mulloscs and other shelly organisms. This process threatens all those of us who have a stake in salt water pearls. It is also most likely a threat to much, if not most, of the life in the seas in general and possibly as well to the health of every living organism on the planet. As I have stated elsewhere, this is not a histrionic statement. The evidence is irrefutable. The "Global Warming" problem caused by the increase in CO2 and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is occurring at a rate that greatly surpasses any of the worst case scenarios that have been posited in the last few years. There are many proven and workable technologies right now that, if implemented, could start us in the direction of halting and even reversing these threats to our environment and livelihoods. There is much research that remains to be done as well. What has been lacking so far is the political and economic will to take meaningful action. What are the things that you cherish worth to you?

For the sake of our children, our children's children, for our own self-interest, for the planet that gives us life and all it's wonders, we must do something to bring this travesty to a halt.

To quote Amrita from the "Raising CO2 Levels in the Ocean" thread:
How about us PGers forming an activist group of our own to take action on this issue, how so ever we can and where ever we are......?

To quote myself from the Green Pearl Brands thread:
"I can make one suggestion for making one's pearl products more green--a label attatched to them that states that a certain percentage of the sale price of these items is donated to combat Global Warming."

[Amrita]

This is great, Marcus! Thanks for starting this. I guess we'll need to give this some kind of structure in terms of goals, methods, strategies etc. Let's see how many more PGers are interested in joining in. This will also need some research in terms of groups that are already associated in this kind of activism.....:)

[J Marcus]

I'm hoping for members to weigh in on the subject with their thoughts, their ideas, brainstorming to see what there may be in the way of a general consensus.

[Valeria101]

What are the things that you cherish worth to you?



More or less what I paid for them (usually less).

The big thing that bothers me in the green story if the involvement - and therefore justification, of 'political will'. There are others, but not nearly so serious. It would be nice o have the whole humanity gardening a perfect planet, but so far, the story doesn't sound nearly as good as the title to me.

Too bad, in fact. It would be nice to have a simple glitzy ideal to believe in. Maybe I do, even... but it ain't green and has nothing to do with any future generations: taking one at a time has proven to be hard enough.

Too bad that of a pearl forum, it is this stuff that makes the most read threads. It doesn't feel right to keep spoiling the party down here. Too bad...

[J Marcus]

More or less what I paid for them (usually less).

The big thing that bothers me in the green story if the involvement - and therefore justification, of 'political will'. There are others, but not nearly so serious. It would be nice o have the whole humanity gardening a perfect planet, but so far, the story doesn't sound nearly as good as the title to me.

Too bad, in fact. It would be nice to have a simple glitzy ideal to believe in. Maybe I do, even... but it ain't green and has nothing to do with any future generations: taking one at a time has proven to be hard enough.

Too bad that of a pearl forum, it is this stuff that makes the most read threads. It doesn't feel right to keep spoiling the party down here. Too bad...

Valeria, I have to say that I am puzzled and disappointed by your response. To take your statements in order:

Are the only things that you cherish the things that you buy? What about the climate that shapes the weather and therefore the environment where you live? What about the health of yourself and those you care about? Tropical and subtropical illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever are steadily moving into higher latitudes. What about the ability to have enough food for you and all the others of the earth to live? The rate at which drought and desertification of great areas of the earth is increasing is frightening. These are verified facts, not speculation. These facts can be found in the public record. They are not obscure and unverified thoughts. If you disagree with them, then I challenge you to do the work, the research of the media to show them to be wrong. I'm always willing to read, listen to and consider opinions that disagree with mine.

I have to say that I am puzzled by what you mean in your statement concerning political will. Perhaps you could explain further. What I am referring to is that politicians rarely seem to do things because they are the right thing to do, but rather because of the pressures upon them from people and organizations they are beholden to. As one wag stated: "If the people will lead, the politicians will follow." Ideally, elected officials are ultimately subject to the vote and this can, in theory at least, trump the pressure of coorporations, lobbyists and other money interests.

The issues being discussed here are not "glitzy ideals." Neither I nor, I think, most others working on these issues think in terms of how "It would be nice o have the whole humanity gardening a perfect planet..." as you state. This is a matter of having a planet on which we can survive, live tolerable and sustainable lives and don't loose many, many of the things that we value in life. Somehow, I think that a proper characterization of these ideals might be described more as reasonable, practical, adequate and appropriate.

I'm afraid that I find your statement that "...it ain't green and has nothing to do with any future generations..." to be simply absurd. The things that we do now will certainly affect those who come after us, just as those our predecessors affect how we live today. A clear example of this is illustrated by considering the the men and women who fought, died, were disabled and even lived through the fight to defeat the fascists of Japan and Germany in World War II. These people didn't usually go into that war thinking just about themselves. They were trying to save the right for the lives of future generations to be determined by something other than inhumane fascist ideals. Can you imagine what your life might be like if these persons hadn't been fighting for future generations?

Your statement that "...it ain't green..." puzzles me greatly. What I mean by using the term "green" in this context refers to stopping the drastic changes occurring to our environment, the ecology of living things that we depend on to live and hopefully prosper. What do you mean by this statement? If you disagree, then why?


Spoiling the party?!? For Pete's sake, if you don't want to confront these issues there is a simple solution. Stop reading these threads. No one is forcing you to do so. As for your worry that these threads dealing with the environment are the most read threads in the forum, with the exception of "Pollution in China" thread, you are simply wrong. There are many threads that have many, many times the number of hits that these posts have received. Spoiling the party? No one reads these threads that doesn't care to. Like I stated before, if you don't like these, then don't read them. Nobody is making you read them.

If you want to talk of spoiling the party, then it makes sense to confront these issues. The rise in oceanic acidity is a direct threat to the pearl "party." If this is not halted than reality will spoil this party with no assistance from the statements of those concerned. Some examples of this are addressed by Jerin in the "Pollution in China" thread:

"Here in Sweden we hav many lakes and some years we experience Algae blomming that is catastrophic on life in the lakes. This blue Algae is quite poisonous and chokes the life out of our poor fish and every other living animal in the lakes.

Also we experience the first consequences of the higher temperature in form of floodings and extreme weather storms in Germany, hot weather in Rumania and other countries here in Europe and bad summer weather here in Sweden. Probably the list goes on and on...

It is an easily tested and verifiable fact that oceanic acidity is rising. It is an easily verified fact that sea levels are rising. It is a verified fact that glaciers all over the earth are receding. It is a verified fact that the sheet ice that covers the arctic is getting much, much thinner with astonishing rapidity. It is a verified fact that creatures and plants that require warmer climates are moving into higher latitudes at an astounding rate. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera........ Without our doing something, reality, nature, climate change, acidification will spoil the "party."

[waimeamomi]

Politics are tricky, but responsibility should transcend the political. Consumers control everything, and being willing to put your monetary foot can have the biggest impact. As much as I'm enjoying the cheaper gas prices, I think they should have stayed high, as I watched people ditch their recreational 8 cylinder SUVs and trucks and start thinking about where and why they were driving. I support whatever we can do to help and green pearls, and I love the idea of letting people know how something was produced. I have a catch phrase already - I use it when I sell Josh's pearls -
Pearls You Can Be Proud Of - although as a teacher the grammar isn't quite up to snuff, maybe Pearls You Can Be Proud to Wear (?).
Anyway, for those that are interested - stay with the thread. I know this isn't as simple as it sounds, but you can't climb the mountain if you don't take the first step.

[Slraep]

Too bad that of a pearl forum, it is this stuff that makes the most read threads. It doesn't feel right to keep spoiling the party down here. Too bad...

What party? There's a party somewhere on P-G? Oh well if there is, too bad, I am going to continue to spoil it with some compassion and worry for our planet and all the living things that make it cool. More power to J Marcus too!

Slraep
PS. Thank goodness Stalin(click me please) (http://www.pearl-professor.com/2008/10/so-my-french-is-little-rusty-but-i.html) wasn't mentioned again!

[Amrita]

I agree Marc.....we need to take whatever steps (big, small or miniscule) we can in this direction. This transcends governments, politics, and human-made boundaries both mental and physical. These are no "glitzy ideals" and this is no "party". I think it is time to sanely and reasonably look at the big picture, and do something to correct it. :)

[Slraep]

Has this article been mentioned?

"Man-made pollution is raising ocean acidity at least 10 times faster than previously thought, a study says.

Researchers say carbon dioxide levels are having a marked effect on the health of shellfish such as mussels."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7745714.stm

The extended version:

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44836

[GemGeek]

Has this article been mentioned?

"Man-made pollution is raising ocean acidity at least 10 times faster than previously thought, a study says.

Researchers say carbon dioxide levels are having a marked effect on the health of shellfish such as mussels."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7745714.stm

That is shocking. It makes you wonder, even if we stopped pumping out CO2, would the effects ever stop, or even be mitigated? It might take decades just to hold the line on damage. It's like an environmental steamroller that's gone out of control. :(

[waimeamomi]

I grew up on the North Carolina coast. My dad caught fish, blue crabs and shrimp, and we ate oysters right out of the water walking distance from our cottage. When I was in college on the coast, I would ride my bike to the docks and buy shrimp for 1.50 a pound as it was poured off of the shrimp boat. Last time I was there (about 10 years ago), the shrimp industry was gone, as were the fresh oysters and scallops. That was pollution from over-building and it took less than 15 years to do the job. We have to place a priority on cleaning up our acts personally and globally in any big or little way we can.

[Pearlgully]

Beautifully written J Marcus.

Hi Slraep,
I think it's time to call on g.rasputin for another exorcism. :p


Gail

[Slraep]

Hi Pearlgully,

I'll immediately send out an urgent appeal for the starets' help.

Slraep

[judimcc6]

I mentioned in a previous thread that there is a conference that I am attending Dec. 4-6 in NYC, "Green:Sustainability, Significance, and Style". The main theme will direct the question of how does fashion meet its planetary obligations. Coining a new term, Green Fashion. Almost half of the seminars are on jewelry. The expected concerns about coral, dirty gold, diamond mining. I hope to raise the questions that were just positioned by J Marcus about CO2 and the global warming of our oceans concerning all life, but more specifically, mollusks and pearl farming. It seems most of you in this thread are on the west coast and probably can't make it to the conference. It could be a nice start to our Pearl Activist Group. The website is...

http://www.artinitiatives.com/public/

Maybe I will see you there.

[J Marcus]

Just a little gem I uncovered in my researches in "Science Daily.":

I have erred--the source of this quote was an article in "Science Daily," not "Science Digest." My apology."

Previous NOAA studies have shown that a quarter of the carbon dioxide that humans place in the atmosphere each year ends up being dissolved into the ocean. The result is the ocean becomes more acidic, making it harder for corals, clams, oysters, and other marine life to build their skeletons or shells."

[Slraep]

I didn't realize groundwater was also affected! And a lot of creatures depend on hard-shelled plankton for food...

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/environmentandenergy/archive/2008/11/27/there-will-be-acid.aspx

"Shockingly, oceans aren't the only bodies of water growing more acidic. Researchers in Kansas recently discovered that even groundwater is absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and becoming more acidic as a result. Groundwater that's more acidic dissolves rocks more quickly and picks up naturally-occurring heavy metal contaminants in the process. So rising atmospheric CO2 levels could make some people's well water unsafe to drink. If there were a prize for the least-expected unpleasant consequence of climate change, this is a discovery that would surely be a contender."

[judimcc6]

Is there more ammunition that I can use at this conference??? I have absorbed the thread to this point...


Just a little gem I uncovered in my researches in "Science Digest.":

"Previous NOAA studies have shown that a quarter of the carbon dioxide that humans place in the atmosphere each year ends up being dissolved into the ocean. The result is the ocean becomes more acidic, making it harder for corals, clams, oysters, and other marine life to build their skeletons or shells."

[J Marcus]

Here's an article in Science Digest concerning ocean acidification complete with an illustration of mussels with eroded shells.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081124141053.htm

[J Marcus]

Is there more ammunition that I can use at this conference??? I have absorbed the thread to this point...

Hi Judy,

I'm compiling a long list of articles on the subject that I am finding in scientific sources on the internet. I'm hoping to make this accessable ASAP. I'll post notice here when I have it together.

[J Marcus]

ANNOUNCEMENT


I've started a blog that will serve as a resource of links to web pages with good information on the subject of Global Warming/Ocean Acidification. I have named it "Fixing Air" and it can be found at:
http://fixingair.blogspot.com/2008/11/purpose-for-fixing-air-blog.html
It is to be an ongoing project and, though I have put up a small list of categorized links, it is far from complete at this point. Keep checking back to see what's new. I hope that the Pearl Guide members who are concerned about this rapidly developing and serious crisis find it useful.

[judimcc6]

J Marcus,
That is a very informative article from Science Digest. I am putting together a file of information to HOPEFULLY present at this conference. There are 2 days full of formal sessions on various topics and I will have to find a forum to present this information. I am thinking of writing a short piece and including links to various articles, including the ones you have mentioned, your blog, and Pearl-Guide threads. So, if anybody has relevant articles, please send them to me. Knowledge is power!

[Slraep]

Hi Marcus,

A wonderful blog! A wealth of information and personal thought. Just beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to write that!


Hi Judi,

You bet knowledge is power!

Here is a link to a cool website that has many great articles on all things related to the environment. They have a section on Oceans. Julia Whitty wrote a 12 page article on the state of the oceans which I put up in the "Pollution in China" thread. It is a great read. You can also hear her on YouTube.

http://www.motherjones.com/science/index.html



The fate of the Ocean: Julia Whitty

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2006/03/the_fate_of_the_ocean.html


Julia Whitty speaks on YouTube

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CoTqMKM-rhg


Another reason our oceans are in trouble: Over-harvesting of sealife
(as an update, almost all the tuna available in Japanese commercial markets is now farmed. There is hardly any wild tuna left. And the ones caught are very high in mercury)

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=h1s1VmZX9yU&feature=related

Slraep

[judimcc6]

Thanks Slraep for the links to the Mother Jones articles and in particular, the article by Julia Whitty. It was spell-binding. She is a page-turner. I am exhausted by the immensity of the devastation of our oceans.

I am gathering my pack of dogs and going for a long walk in the woods...

[Slraep]

...... I am exhausted by the immensity of the devastation of our oceans.



It's gotten to a point where we(as a whole) have almost no compassion left. Not towards the natural world around us, nor our fellow man or even ourselves.

Slraep

[J Marcus]

It's gotten to a point where we(as a whole) have almost no compassion left. Not towards the natural world around us, nor our fellow man or even ourselves.

Slraep

I empathize deeply with your statement. I have often thought about this subject when pondering such things as the inhumanity of human-kind. I have come to the conclusion that much if not most of this problem is based in fear. When something becomes so hugely fearful that it is hard to see that we may have the means to overcome the problem, then it becomes a "monster creeping towards us in the dark." Our terror combined with our sense of vulnerability and inadequacy to protect ourselves can become so great that it seems too terrible to perceive and contemplate. Not conceiving of how we might deal with our fears, we refuse to see, to face that which we fear. So often then we withdraw into our own little territories and, seeking solace, we grasp for whatever feels like security, taking, without great thought for others or the future, whatever we can for solace and reacting to others as threats to our own security, feeling that any competition threatens to take from us what we need to survive and live well. In an age where the threats to our future security have become global, these previously unimaginable dangers I think, manifest themselves in anger, greed, an inhumane, sometimes homicidal violence towards others and our environment.

I find that the most reasonable response to this fear, the one that offers hope for all of us who feel we must face the immensity of fearful uncertainty that we often feel confronts us is the one attributed to Margaret Mead:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." (From the Institute for Intercultural Studies, to be found at: http://womenshistory.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=womenshistory&cdn=education&tm=89&gps=438_264_1276_624&f=00&su=p897.3.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.interculturalstudies.org/faq.html)

During the last half of the 1980's I and others that I knew despaired over the collapsing stocks of salmon, steelhead and other anadromous fish of the northwest coastal waters of North America. We found an example of what might show promise in starting to recover these stocks and their crucial habitat in two rather recently started organizations, California Trout and Oregon Trout. We were inspired to attempt to start Washington Trout. Much to our surprize, every single organization we approached--fishing clubs, the two state Trout organizations, as well as many individuals--donated money, time and other resources both asked for and unrequested and we were soon up and running. When we incorporated as a non-profit in 1988 we had less than a double handful of members. However, the people needed with the skills, knowledge and expertise to make this work came to us in surprizing numbers and the organization has continued to grow and have a substantial positive impact on the health of the fisheries. A little over a year ago it's name changed to the Wild Fish Conservancy and is beginning to work on an international and bio-regional basis. When we started this I could never have imagined the eventual impact of what we were doing and often questioned whether I was nuts trying to do something to correct such large and pervasive problems. Here is a link to the organization:
http://www.wildfishconservancy.org/
I write about this here to illustrate how even a few people with limited resources can make a tremendous difference. Global Warming/Ocean Acidification is an immense problem. However, I am very heartened that there are so very many people developing so many solutions both proven and potential that show promise to solve this problem if only they can be implemented--soon! If I may say so, there is the potential for a great impact among the people who frequent the PearlGuide.com. These pearl afficionados are made up of people all over this fragile globe, many of them having significant resources that could be put to this possibly-most-important work that there is. I urge those who read this to get involved and be a part of the solution, here or any other place that can make a difference. It is in the self and unselfish interest of all.

[J Marcus]

Slraep--thanks for the great links. I will post them to my blog.

[Amrita]

Marcus, that's a great blog! Thanks for taking the time to search for and place all that information out there. Your sincere passion for "Healing the Atmosphere, Healing the Seas" shines through. Thank you so much!

Slaerp, thanks for those wonderful links, especially the article by Julia Whitty.... I don't think most of us understand the scale and speed at which we're ruining our environment...:(

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13326-map-reveals-extent-of-human-damage-to-oceans.html

[Slraep]

Florida's $5.5 Billion Reef Economy at Risk From Climate Change, Report Finds Tens of Thousands of Florida Jobs Threatened by Environmental Damage to Coral

"New research by Florida scientists is providing surprising new insights into how CO2 and other greenhouse gases hurt coral reefs. First, global warming leads to warmer oceans – which cause harmful coral "bleaching" and make corals more vulnerable to diseases – as is now visible on many of Florida's coral reefs. As the report describes, innovative research by Dr. Kimberly Ritchie of the MOTE Marine Lab in Sarasota helps explain why: during times of warmer ocean water, corals lose their ability to use natural antibiotics to protect themselves from disease."

http://www.edf.org/pressrelease.cfm?contentid=8867&redirect=floridacorals

[J Marcus]

I have one suggestion for an organization that might be donated to for the purpose of fighting GW/OA, thanks to Blaire: It is Oceania. Read about it at: http://oceana.org/north-america/home/
There are two specific reasons, among others. that I like this group: 1) They are a science-based organization, and 2} Their stated purpose is to affect needed change in policies affecting the oceans--That is, they attempt to have put into law the protections needed to save our oceans. Oh yeah--and their main focus is on the health of the worlds oceans, even though this issue will not stand any attempts to disentangle it from Global Warming.

Open for suggestions. Step up to the mark, folks. As worthy organizations come to my attention they well be posted to Fixing Air, my blog. http://fixingair.blogspot.com/

[GemGeek]

I have one suggestion for an organization that might be donated to for the purpose of fighting GW/OA, thanks to Blaire: It is Oceania. Read about it at: http://oceana.org/north-america/home/
There are two specific reasons, among others. that I like this group: 1) They are a science-based organization, and 2} Their stated purpose is to affect needed change in policies affecting the oceans--That is, they attempt to have put into law the protections needed to save our oceans. Oh yeah--and their main focus is on the health of the worlds oceans, even though this issue will not stand any attempts to disentangle it from Global Warming.

Open for suggestions. Step up to the mark, folks. As worthy organizations come to my attention they well be posted to Fixing Air, my blog. http://fixingair.blogspot.com/

I joined and made a donation. It really is a terrific organization. ;)

[Amrita]

That seems like a great organization.
I might have missed it, but has Greenpeace been mentioned on this thread before? They seem to be doing a lot of good work too.....
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/oceans

[Caitlin]

That blog is excellent. Since the context of the pearl trade is largely ocean-based at its foundation. I would like to move this thread to the Pearl Books and Resources section

[J Marcus]

Just a note to say that I'm having to go into high gear for the holidays, and since I'm a goldsmith, I'll have very little time to post here or on "Fixing Air" for a couple of weeks.

[judimcc6]

I am sitting in the Green Concerence on Style and Sustainability right now. Great presenters this morning, from Michael Kowalski from Tiffany to Tamsin Smith president of (Red). NOW Simon Doonan

[judimcc6]

I am just home from the conference on sustainability in style and fashion in NYC and I am very inspired by the passions that I experienced there. Not very much was specifically pearl oriented, but it was just 1 degree away. But, my thought is that for next year's conference, I might be able to convince Lisa Koenigsburg to have a panel on pearls and their relationship to preservation, style, and sustainability. It's all an open dialogue and the more the conversation is continued, the more educated we all will be. All of the materials that we use to make jewelry or when we buy jewelry ought to have been conscripted by sustainable means. Michael Kowalski the CEO from Tiffanys spoke about his successful campaign to be a thoughtful retailer of sustainable goods. I won't go too much further into all of this unless it would be interesting to anyone. But I would also carry on a private conversation if you are interested, but think it might not be right for this forum.

I was able to make a statement to SeaWeb in the conference, an organization that is promoting "Too Precious To Wear" campaign about coral jewelry, of the CO2 levels in the ocean and acidity that compromises both coral and pearls habitats(if we can call them that...) from the information that J Marcus and Slraep suggested. It was quite well received, not as new information, but supportive.

[GemGeek]

Judi, it sounds like it was an interesting conference that was well worth your time and coinage. Go ahead and tell us a little more. This is the right thread for it, surely. ;)

[Slraep]

I'd certainly like to hear more about it too.

Slraep

[Hanaleimom]

Thank you, all, for the links. Each of us can make a difference, now and for future generations.

Here is another site whose mission is to preserve the Earth: http://www.nature.org/

[Slraep]

A great article about the nature of CO2. Scarier than radioactive waste??

http://www.nature.com/climate/2008/0812/full/climate.2008.122.html

"After our fossil fuel blow-out, how long will the CO2 hangover last? And what about the global fever that comes along with it? These sound like simple questions, but the answers are complex — and not well understood or appreciated outside a small group of climate scientists. Popular books on climate change — even those written by scientists — if they mention the lifetime of CO2 at all, typically say it lasts "a century or more"1 or "more than a hundred years".

[J Marcus]

We're ba-ack!.....

Here's the 2008 report by NOAA:

Climate of 2008 - in Historical Perspective ~ Annual Report

See this report at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2008/ann/ann08.html

All the latest statistics and trends for your reading pleasure.

[J Marcus]

~Ocean Acidification Hits Great Barrier Reef~

In an article dated January 1, 2009, an article in the well known and respected magazine Scientific American, title above, it is noted that the growth of corals in the Great Barrier Reef has slowed significantly. As stated in this article, the most likely suspect is Ocean Acidification. I think that at this point the question must be asked--Has Ocean Acidification already begun to affect/damage the growth and production of saltwater pearls? I believe that this news points out the urgency of addressing this oncoming environmental train wreck. It is not something approaching in the uncertain future. The problems have already started to happen and, given the immensity of the problem, we have little time to turn things around. Read this article at:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=ocean-acidification-hits-great-barrier-reef&SID=mail&sc=emailfriend

[Caitlin]

Hi
The Climate of 2008 - in Historical Perspective ~ Annual Report link doesn't work for me.

[J Marcus]

Hi
The Climate of 2008 - in Historical Perspective ~ Annual Report link doesn't work for me.

How right you are, Caitlin. I'll have to see what the problem is. Thank you for letting me know.

[J Marcus]

OK. Try this for the NOAA report. If this works, then I'll replace the url in the earlier post.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2008/ann/ann08.html

(Later) OK. It works now. I added the url to the earlier post as well. Silly me--I posted the title but not the url.........

[J Marcus]

I thought that I would mention that, as a result of my internet research on ocean acidification (global warming), I have found that apparrently deforestation is causing the release of more CO2 into the atmosphere than all the cars and trucks combined--not that the transportation sector isn't extremely significant. From this I conclude that one of the best places to put one's charity money is into reforestation projects. This is an effective, low-tech, carbon-sequestration method that is workable right now. It is a long-term approach that takes effect over time--however, there is evidence from the last several centuries that reforestation in South and Central America, after disease brought in by Europeans had largely depopulated these areas, caused a significant lowering of global CO2 levels and a cooling of the earth for a good while. I will be putting a section together on this subject on my blog as soon as I can:
http://fixingair.blogspot.com/ There are many excellant reforestation/tree-planting projects that are either operating now or are just beginning--both in the USA and many other places all over the globe.

[Slraep]

I thought that I would mention that, as a result of my internet research on ocean acidification (global warming), I have found that apparrently deforestation is causing the release of more CO2 into the atmosphere than all the cars and trucks combined--not that the transportation sector isn't extremely significant. From this I conclude that one of the best places to put one's charity money is into reforestation projects.

I've come to the same conclusion.

There is another thing behind major CO2 release, though. It is animal farming. Animal farming is one of the biggest causes of deforestation, hence not only facilitating CO2 release into the atmosphere, but also generating another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide.

Another suggestion:

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
http://www.ftpf.org/

[pearlescence]

One of the major causes is the flatulence of bovines. If we all went veggie that would stop a huge amount of the problem (or transfer it to humans if we ate too many pulses)

I interviewed Jack Hargreaves http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hargreaves some years ago. He maintained that there were some places on the planet we were not supposed to live and trying to live there was usually futile over time.

Not sure if the dvd set of his tv series is available outside the uk but those interested in old country ways of living and farming, or in watching a master of television relaxing his way through 15 minutes should get a set. Unlike today he was content to let the pictures speak for themselves without wittering on continuously.

I got good marks from him for planting trees though

[J Marcus]

For some time now Americans and others (I think) have been buying up old Estancias--former, worn-out, cattle ranches that had been carved out of the jungle in Costa Rica and A) using them as tree plantations where reasonable to do so; and B) both helping and allowing parts of them that weren't suitable for arboriculture to go back to a wild state; therefore converting them to a sustainable function and thus allowing them to return to a more natural state in both cases and allowing for carbon capture and the restoration of wildlife habitat. It's amazing how fast those tropical species of trees grow. Teak grows about four or five times faster than fir and hemlock in the northern US and Southern Canada. Reforesting tropical forests is probably the fastest way to use trees for carbon capture. I've read of NGOs claiming to be planting trees for as little as ten cents each. I'll check into some and see which ones look legitimate.

By the way--I've added a section titled "Deforestation and CO2 Pollution" to my blog. So far it mostly refers to articles from Science Daily, but I'm working on it.......

http://fixingair.blogspot.com/

So go plant a tree or twenty!!!!!

[J Marcus]

There's a new wrinkle in the CO2 issue as you may read here in the 1/28/08 issue of the New York Times:

"The Greenhouse Effect and the Bathtub Effect"

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/the-greenhouse-effect-and-the-bathtub-effect/?emc=eta1

[J Marcus]

Here's an interesting NY Times report on the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the projected effects of global warming:

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/why-2007-ipcc-report-lacked-embers/?emc=eta1

[J Marcus]

Here's the good news that frustrates the hell out of me!!!! :eek: My research into the CO2 problem has convinced me that effective solutions have already been found. The real problem is nothing more nor less than a lack of political and economic will to put these solutions into motion!!! Here's a site that I've found that details the problems and their solutions: http://www.wecansolveit.org/
Check them out--If you like what they are promoting, then join them, contribute and promote their program. This is an example of the actualization of our president's emphatic statement of hope: "YES WE CAN!" It's an affirmation that demands that we, as citizen-participants, roll up our sleeves and get to actual work and be an actual part of the solutions to our problems; to open our wallets and contribute, both individually and collectively through our tax dollars; and to voice our demands (write letters, speak out in public forums, etc.) that we the people insist that the politcal and business entities of our country get off their self-serving keesters and do the right thing! :D

[J Marcus]

Here is a recent report on the current state of ocean acidification. It's dire.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/03/10

[Slraep]

Has this link been posted already? This company seem quite green. They sell some Sea of Cortez pearls from Douglas McLaurin. They use recycled gold, non-conflict diamonds and sapphires, donate a percentage back to African communities and the blog is interesting.

http://www.brilliantearth.com/reflections_collection/

[Johanna]

Glad I found this thread. My Tender Beauty Foundation, inc., incorporated last year just received its letter of 501 c 3 and is officially is a public charity. Looking forward to receiving grant applications (deadline, Nov 1, 2009) for ocean-saving projects.

[J Marcus]

Congratulations on your 501-3C status, Johanna!:D ...and welcome, again, to the forum. We look forward to your contributions.

[Johanna]

Thanks, Marcus! The acidification of the world's oceans is of great concern to me, in that it threatens aquatic and human life, and the pearl industry.

My Board and I will meet in early June to discuss new programmatic directions for the Foundation, in addition to fundraising and various administrative matters. If you, or anyone else on this Forum, has suggestions about other organizations with whom the Foundation should work, programs we should consider funding, and folks we should contact, please let me know -- either here or at tenderbeautyfoundation@yahoo.com.

The Foundation is all-volunteer and has an interest in working globally as well as locally. My grant guidelines now are available, with a proposal deadline of 11/1/09.

Best wishes!

[Johanna]

Global warming seems to have picked up the pace. Have you heard about the runaway melt on Antarctica and Greenland?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32985250/ns/us_news-environment?wid=18298287

[Bigwellpearls]

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Please watch the movie and see the reality of how the world system of buying/selling capitalism/consumerism is/has ruined our earth...

[Bigwellpearls]

What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

[Caitlin]

Thanks BigWellPearls. Excellent Post!

[Josh]

With my Tahitian internet server it took a really long time to load up but was worth the wait. Excellent video that anyone and everyone where ever they may be should watch. Thanks Bigwell.

[Bigwellpearls]

Dear distinguished Caithlin,
You're welcome. Thank Jacob Aud from Western Quality Services for sharing it with us.

[Bigwellpearls]

Dear Josh,
We believe that you have been setting a good example of sustainable and friendly environmental aquaculture. May Jehovah God bless your great efforts.

[Josh]

Thanks Bigwell! We can use all the help we can get. :)

[Josh]

C'mon people! Has no one (other than Caitlin, Bigwell and I) watched the video?

[jerin]

I have and it is very well made and gets one to think about a lot of "stuff".

[Johanna]

Just watched the video. An excellent explanation of how we got into this mess - pun intended. We did such a good job of creating the consumer society envisioned after WWII that today 70% of US economic activity is based consumer spending. Huge. Unsustainable. As we all learned on September 29, 2008, the day we crashed into the Great Recession.

No jobs + no money + no credit = no economy

As a new pearl jewelry online retailer, I have seen my average sale drop from $100 in late August of 2008, to $20 in October of 2009, despite excellent media coverage of my company, in person and email outreach to qualified buyers, social networking, and website optimization. Consumers of all ages report to me job loss, cash loss, credit loss, all translating into no consumption, even on necessities.

As a purveyor of consumer goods, I have found that a few wealthy consumers now sustain my business, as there certainly are no bailout or other grants available for new small businesses.

It will take some real creativity to get out of this mess. Looking forward to New Economy jobs for folks who who are not engineers. Looks like it may be up to the concerned entrepreneurs of the world to create new ways of living. Much applause to Kamoka Pearls for demonstrating a sustainable business model.