SUSTAINABILITY … At the first Global Footprint Forum, held in Siena, Italy, last month, the Global Footprint Network introduced a new scientific standard for calculating the Global Footprint. The standard will be used by the partner organizations of the Global Footprint Network, that apply the method to calculate footprints for specific use, like carbon dioxide, food or products, communities or production facilities. … Wouldn't it be neat if our regional sustainability effort, all ramped up to go with its shiny new report, could start actually doing something, like calculating our community's global footprint? … The Global Footprint calculates a numeric value that represents an average productive space needed to support consumption, expressed in global hectares. According to the calculation, if the entire global community would adopt the lifestyle of the average inhabitant of the USA, it would take more than three planets to support it … Finland is the first nation to announce that it is adopting the Global Footprint as an official standard for measuring sustainability. Switzerland and Britain are on track for using the Global Footprint as well, as a part of the 10-in-10 program of the Global Footprint Network. The program aims at ten countries within ten years using the footprint as an official standard for measuring sustainability.
WORLD SPENDING PRIORITIES: According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 2004 global military spending reached one trillion dollars, or $162 for every man, woman and child on the planet. According to the Institute, 19 conflicts causing more than 1,000 deaths were fought in 2004; of these, 16 had already been raging for ten or more years … Everyone who thinks that a trillion dollars would be better spent on ecological restoration, installing organic agriculture and renewable energy systems throughout the world, please raise their hand – and then go badger politicians about actually doing it.
WEEKLY QUOTA … "Republicans prevented more than 350,000 voters in Ohio from casting ballots or having their votes counted – enough to have put John Kerry in the White House." -Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen.
SOUR GRAPES …My good friend Lance Christie of Moab has learned that Wal-Mart is about to begin offering its own wine labels, as it continues to try to consolidate all shopping needs under one mass-produced corporate roof. So, he's come up with some name suggestions … Here's his top ten starting from the bottom … 10. Chateau Traileur Parc, 9. White Trashfindel, 8. Big Red Gulp, 7. World Championship Riesling, 6. NASCARbernet, 5. Chef Boyardeaux, 4. Peanut Noir, 3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar!, 2. Grape Expectations … And the number one name for Wal-Mart Wine: 1. Nasti Spumante … And adds Lance, "The beauty of Wal-Mart wine is that it can be served with white meat (possum) or red meat (squirrel)."
MEXICO … To see the violence inflicted on peasant activists in our neighboring country, and why some of these good people prefer to face our Border Patrol rather than their own police, go to http://salonchingon.com/cinema/otra_canal6atenco.php?city=ny … Thanks to John Metcalf of www.independence.net for this tip.
SPEAKING OF METCALF … John had a party at his Pleasant Valley digs recently, and it was a most impressive venue – a view of the Sneffels Range to die for. Folks mostly talked politics, which in Republican-dominated Ouray County, have an almost embattled tinge, given the liberal outlook of most folks at Metcalf's shindig … It sure makes me appreciate the progressive quality of politics in San Miguel County.
BIODIESEL MEET … Local Biodiesel, a national network of biodiesel cooperatives, is hosting its annual conference in Golden this year, July 14-16. The conference is primarily an opportunity for discussion, networking, and story-sharing … For more info, go to http://b100.org/.
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