RENEWABLE ENERGY REVOLUTION NOW!

The oceans are getting warmer, there are many more droughts and ‘super’ storms happening around the world.  Water and food shortages are becoming realities in many parts of the world.  Brazil is considering cancelling their Carnival celebrations due to the worst drought conditions that country has ever seen.  What is happening?  Could 95% of environmental scientists be right?  Could the Pentagon be right, when they indicated that climate change is the current biggest threat to humanity?  

The Pentagon released a report in October of 2014 indicating that climate change poses an immediate threat to national security, with increased risks from terrorism, infectious disease, global poverty and food shortages. It also predicted rising demand for military disaster responses as extreme weather creates more global humanitarian crises. 

Chuck Hagel, US Defense Secretary, addressed key issues from their report, here are some of his quotes:

“The loss of glaciers will strain water supplies in several areas of our hemisphere.” 

“Destruction and devastation from hurricanes can sow the seeds for instability. Droughts and crop failures can leave millions of people without any lifeline, and trigger waves of mass migration.”

“We should worry about climate change like we worry about ISIS.”

You can read more about the report here:  http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123393

The climate change deniers feel there is not enough proof in order for governments to act on this initiative.  Here are some of the things people are saying:

“This very expensive GLOBAL WARMING bullshit has got to stop.  Our planet is freezing, record low temps,and our GW scientists are stuck in ice” – Donald Trump (tweet) @realDonaldTrump January 2, 2014.

“Every cow in the world, you know, when they do what they do, you’ve got more carbon dioxide.” – Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH)

“The ice caps are melting, which we see over and over again.  Yeah, they’re melting on Mars, too!” – Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)

“The government can’t change the weather.” – Senator, Marco Rubio (R-FL) 

“All voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax.” – Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

If this is how our politicians are treating climate change – what hope do we have?  Here are what some authorities on climate change are saying and doing:

GREENPEACE

Greenpeace has listed some very interesting and positive statistics and facts surrounding renewable energies, here is that list:

• Europe decommissioned more coal, fuel oil and nuclear capacity than it installed in 2009.
• Solar energy is now working at night on a commercial-scale.  A plant in Spain has seven hours of heat storage.
• In the space of just 5 years, Portugal’s electric grid leapt from 15% to 45% renewables.
• Price Waterhouse Cooper says Europe and North Africa could now run on 100% renewable energy by 2050.
• Subsidies to fossil fuels worldwide outweigh renewable energy support by a ratio of 12:1.
• West Virginia could replace all its electrical capacity with just 2% of its geothermal power potential.
• Solar photovoltaic could account for 5% of global power demand by 2020, and up to 9% by 2030.
• Iceland’s power supply went from 75% imported coal to more than 80% local geothermal and hydro in 30 years.
• China built (roughly) one windmill an hour in 2009.
• Our energy needs can be met by 95% renewable energy by 2050

*The above can be found on the following:  www.greenpeace.org

350.org

350.org is a group of individuals that have come together to demand environmental action.  What is the significance of the number 350?

“If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from [current levels] to at most 350 ppm.” – Dr. James Hansen

Our current levels are at 400 ppm.

Here is a paragraph from 350.org:

Independent studies show that in the United States a sustained investment of public and private dollars in clean energy would generate 1.7 million new jobs in industries like construction for making homes and office buildings more efficient with new windows, lighting and cooling systems – and in manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.

Some of 350.org’s projects and campaigns include; Global Divestment Day, Start a Climate Petition and Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline.

For more information, receive updates, donate, or get involved – please visit www.350.org – Get the facts!

The David Suzuki Foundation

David Suzuki has been a defender of the planet, our environment and world reknowned scientist.  Here are a few points from their Energy Overview blog post regarding renewable energy and the potential Canada has in becoming a world leader in renewable and sustainable energies:

Wind and solar are the fastest growing sources of energy in the world.  These low-polluting energy industries are creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs in countries as diverse as Germany and China.  In fact, the renewable-energy sector generates more jobs per megawatt of power installed, per unit of energy produced, and per dollar of investment than the fossil fuel-based sector.

Canada, the second largest country in the world by area, is richly endowed with renewable energy, including wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal and marine (e.g. tidal, wave energy) sources.  With the right policies, Canada can use renewable energy to satisfy its energy needs and become a world leader in sustainable technologies.

Some of the current projects of the David Suzuki Foundation include; Race to the Top and Trottier Energy Futures Project.

For more information about the David Suzuki Foundation – please visit, www.davidsuzuki.org

Canada will have a federal election in October of 2015.  Canada must elect a government and Prime Minister who speaks to a new generation of individuals who are concerned about our land, lakes, rivers, parks, forests and the environment in general.  We need to elect a leader who wants to show that world that Canada can be a leader in renewable and sustainable energies, growing the economy with green jobs and building a better and cleaner Canada.  We must vote for new priorities and government policies that create a better Canada and a better world.

The fossil fuel sector/industry realizes that a revolution for a better and sustainable future is gaining momentum and will do anything to ensure their profits remain intact.  Governments shouldn’t answer to big conglomerates that only want to maximize their profits.  Government officials should not be bought in order to pass legislation that would only be in the best interests of the fossil fuel conglomerates.

It is time for a new world order – but not a world order that is driven by profits and instilling fear into their citizens.  It’s time for the grass roots movement to grow into a revolution – and it will, with organizations like Greenpeace, the David Suzuki Foundation and 350.org.

Resources:

1. www.greenpeace.org
2. www.davidsuzuki.org
3. www.350.org
4. www.skepticalscience.com
5. www.defense.gov

Together, we can make the world a more positive one! 

THE BEST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS IN MY LIFETIME!

Many believe that President Barack Obama hasn’t been that effective as president of the free world.  Some people believe it’s because he lacks experience, is afraid to ‘rock the boat’, can’t enforce policies because he wants to be bi-partisan or just can’t complete his work because Republicans don’t want him to…..whatever the reason, we can’t deny what his administration has accomplish in the last six years, here are some:

• Nearly 300 million acres of land and water preserved for future generations
• 11.2 million private-sector jobs over 58 straight months of growth
• 165,000 fewer troops in harms way in Afghanistan and Iraq
• 645,000+ young people protected from the threat of deportation
• Gay and lesbian service members no longer forced to hide who they are to serve
• 10 million Americans have gained health coverage
• 7 million minimum wage earners will get a raise
• In 36 states, gay marriage is or will soon be legal

**These facts can be found via http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu

Whatever you think of this president or the party he represents, you can’t deny that when he was elected he really had some hard work and rebuilding to accomplish.  Here are some of my favorite moments from the State of the Union address on January 20, 2015 from President Barack Obama:

“And to everyone in this Congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, I say this:  if you truly believe you could work full-time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, go try it.”

“I intend to protect a free and open internet, extend its reach to every classroom and every community and help folks build the fastest networks, so that the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world.”

“2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record.  Now, one year doesn’t make a trend, but this does – 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century.”

“I’ve heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they’re not scientists; that we don’t have enough information to act.  Well, I’m not a scientist, either.  But you know what – I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and NOAA, and at our major universities.  The best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, we’ll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heatwaves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration, conflict, and hunger around the globe.  The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security.  We should act like it.”

“As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained.  It’s why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world.  It’s why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims – the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace.  That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoner’s, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.  We do these things not only because they’re right, but because they make us all safer.”

“We may go at it in campaign season, but surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred; that it’s being denied to too many; and that , on this 50th anniversary of the great march from Selma to Montgomery and the passage of the Voting Rights Act, we can come together, Democrats and Republicans, to make voting easier for every single American.”

“To every CEO in America…if you want somebody who’s going to get the job done, and get it done right, hire a veteran.”

“I still believe that we are one people.  I still believe that together, we can do great things, even when the odds are long.”

It is sometimes difficult for people to have faith restored in their members of parliament and governments especially when they only show us greed, corruption and scandal.  This State of the Union gives me hope that our governments – not only in the United States of America but around the world, can actually restore that lost faith and hope.

I don’t believe I have ever heard a living president say the words ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender’ in one sentence.  If the purpose of the State of the Union address is to lift the spirits of the people of the world and give them hope for a brighter tomorrow…than President Obama has accomplished that for me and for many people around the world.  This State of the Union really encompasses the idea of creating positivity right across the globe. 

To view the complete State of the Union address – please visit:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

WHERE ARE ALL THE GOOD STATISTICS?

http://www.worldometers.info/

What can you find on this site?  Here are some examples (numbers reflected are real-time and will have changed by the time you finish reading this):

SOCIAL MEDIA

• 75 billion emails have been sent
• 1.4 billion blogs have been written
• 251 million tweets have been sent
• 1.4 billion Google searches have been made

WORLD POPULATION

• 7.2 billion is the current world population (and growing – SCARY)
• 130 million births have occurred this year
• 138,000+ births have occurred today

ENERGY

• 14, 239 days left to the end of oil (under 39 years)
• 27 million MWh used from renewable energy sources
• 116 million MWh used from non-renewable energy sources

The statistics from this site paint a portrait of a world in dire need of help.  We only have one planet and we are depleting its resources at an alarming rate.  There is only 39 years left before the earth is depleted of oil….so why are oil companies still searching for new areas to drill in?  If we know that ‘dirty oil’ is a contributing factor in climate change, why risk drilling in areas of the world that would ensure a much more serious future in terms of devastating climate.   The Arctic should be off-limits to big oil corporations and should be protected as the Antarctica is.  (Thanks Greenpeace).

We need to make changes in our lives, in our homes, in our towns, cities and countries that will ensure we create positive change for our environment and our planet.  Really think about what you buy, who you buy and where you buy your products from.  Is your food locally grown and supporting local farmers?  Are the companies you are supporting giving back to the environment – and are environmentally safe?  Are the companies you buy from supporting deforestation, killing/displacing endangered species?  If we don’t start changing our habits and our need to consume anything and everything – our future will be much different from it is today.  

Let’s help create a future where our children will have clean water and clean air.  Let’s ask governments and corporations to make the environment the number one priority – tax corporations for polluting.  Let’s protect forests and lakes and highly sensitive eco-systems from corporation greed.  

Is it possible to curb these statistics to ensure a positive future for humanity?  Yes we can, however, we can’t change things without action and without a major shift in how we live our daily lives.  What are you willing to do to ensure a brighter future?

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

SOLDIER OF LOVE

What is a soldier of love?  When we think of soldiers we think of men and women going off to fight for freedom, democracy and to stand up and liberate those who can’t stand up for themselves.  Mostly, we think of soldiers in an almost negative way – death, dying, fighting, conflict and blood.  That is not the soldier I want to talk about.

The soldier that I want to talk about is one that is passionate and committed to creating positive change into our world.  An advocate for love, for compassion – someone who acts with kindness and without judgment.  This type of soldier will do anything for their significant other, they love life, the environment and fight for a cause that does not create conflict but rather diffuse it.  A soldier who will resolve to protect the living  – whether that is man or animal, without raising a gun.

I believe that most countries engage in conflicts that are in the best interests of corporations who are bought and paid for by our governments.  I don’t want to see more soldiers dying for wars that have no positive resolution for the country they are trying to liberate or for our world.  Maybe it is time to let countries fight their own battles?  Needless to say – I do have the out most respect for those men and women who offer their lives to insure we have the freedoms we do today but I am in no way and advocate for violence and war.

I am a soldier of love – and I want to recruit more soldiers.  Soldiers who will not engage in violence and only promote wellness, peace, love and positivity throughout the world.  I want a REVOLUTION OF LOVE – a revolution that will not think in the mindset of yesterday and deal with issues that matter for today’s generation and the generations to come.  We need a new world community that will not wait for governments to act to create positive change but will evoke that change themselves.  We will peacefully demonstrate and advocate for policies and change that will make our world a better place – for the people and not for greedy corporations.  This revolution will fight for the protection of our planet – clean water, clean air, natural and nutritional foods that are not genetically modified or coated with pesticides.  We will fight to free animals in distress that only know a life of cruelty and violence.  We will protect environmentally fragile spaces – the Amazon, the Arctic, the Great Barrier Reef and so many other places around the world that are almost at the point of no return.

The REVOLUTION OF LOVE will not raise a gun but we shall raise our voices for the only thing that matters – THE PLANET because without it, there is nothing else.

How can you become a soldier of love and join this revolution?  Here are several suggestions:

• Join or donate to Greenpeace – defenders of our planet against corporate and government greed.  www.greenpeace.org
• Join or donate to the protectors of our environment such as the World Wildlife Fund or the David Suzuki Foundation.  www.wwf.ca (Canada) or www.wwf.org (international) www.davidsuzuki.org
• Ask companies, churches, financial institutions to divest from ‘dirty oil’ – Get more information at:  www.350.org
• Contact your member of parliament and ask them how they have advocated and instilled policies to protect our environment.  How are they promoting renewable and sustainable energy?  Are they on the side of companies that continue to deplete the earth’s natural resources or are they promoting solar, wind and other cleaner resources?  If not – DON’T GIVE THEM YOUR VOTE!
• Educate yourself on climate change – get the facts from reliable sources not corporate media (Greenpeace, WWF, 350.org, PETA and the David Suzuki foundation)
• Get real news and not the corporate sponsored (and censored) news from Fox, NBC, CBC, ABC and CNN – check out www.projectcensored.org or www.jessieventura.com or check out the YouTube channel – Breaking The Set.
• Understand how raising cattle and eating meat impacts global change by getting the facts via www.peta.org
• Educate, educate, education yourself about climate change:  http://know.climateofconcern.org/index.php

Are you ready to become a soldier of love? 

Together we can make the world a more positive one!