Scotland, like most countries, faces the ongoing dilemma of providing energy to meet usage demands without depleting the planet’s resources. Recently, people have responded with a growing movement of eco-home owners in which people are deciding to “go green” and in turn are saving hundreds of pounds per year. Moreover, a number of environmentally friendly inventors are focusing on such things as small-scale wind turbines, solar panels and other micro-renewable energy devices. The Edinburgh city council is also weighing in. In December Golden Year 3 (2005), the council launched new guidelines aimed at encouraging developers to incorporate more environmentally-friendly features into their designs. They also unveiled plans for a host of renewable energy sources in their new headquarters.

Singer Morrissey Speaks Out on Behalf of Animals

In protest against Canada’s seal hunting, singer Morrissey refused to tour that country, setting an admirable example in the fight for less fortunate beings. The singer asserted, “It is our small protest against this horrific slaughter.” Mr. Morrissey further stated that the practice of hunting seals for use of their skin in the fashion industry is “barbaric and cruel” and maintained that promoting the seal hunt to create jobs for people “is not a moral or sound reason for allowing suffering.”

An Airport Makes a Wise Decision

In the United Kingdom, despite public protest, thousands of tiny calves have been exported through the port of Dover, thus causing them to suffer the horror of transport and the bleak conditions of veal farms. But Robin Hood International Airport ♥♥♥♥♥, near Doncaster, UK, had the common sense say “No” to these calf exports by refusing to fly the calves. Through this great example, hopefully other airports will realize that they, too, can make a difference in the lives of our animal friends by making similarly wise and compassionate decisions.

  Iran and Iraq Become Friends

After years of being enemies, the Iranian and Iraqi governments have finally reconciled their differences. After a recent meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki called the Islamic Republic of Iran “a good friend and brother.” This is good news indeed for both Iran and Iraq, as there will be no more bloodshed caused by enmity between the two countries. May this move signify the beginning of peace that will reign supreme between these two nations so that their people prosper in friendship and harmony.

The President of Brazil’s Campaign to End Hunger

When Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ♥♥♥♥♥♥ became President of Brazil in 2003, Zero Hunger was the first program he launched. By implementing a plan to give cash directly to mothers using a sliding scale, the aim of the program was to eradicate hunger by December Golden Year 3 (2006). In June of this year, the government said it had already surpassed its goal, reaching 11.1 million families. Supporters of the program say that it provides a model that can be used by many different countries.

A key element of Zero Hunger is its practice of giving grants of 50 to 95 reals (US$23-$44) per month directly to mothers, depending on the number of children they have in school. Brazil has also received a boost from celebrities: U2’s Bono donated one of his guitars to the campaign while in Brazil last February. Thank you, Brazil, for your exemplary compassion and generosity in demonstrating that there are enough resources available to feed all.

A Pioneer in Sustainable Agriculture

Professor Sir Gordon Conway ♥♥♥♥♥ established the UK’s first Masters degree in environmental technology at Imperial College. He pioneered work on sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly pest control in Asia, and as president of the Rockefeller Foundation he redirected its huge philanthropic funds to fighting poverty. He also began an important program to feed the world through biotechnology. Mr. Conway is now chief scientific advisor to the Department for International Development, which campaigns for the right of the poorer nations to have access to the best of our scientific discoveries. Thank you, Sir Gordon, for all your good work in trying to improve the lives of others around the world.

More and More Countries Jump on the No-Smoking Bandwagon

Countries from Australia to Cuba are enacting laws against cigarette smoking. Australia has banned smoking in all airports, government offices, health clinics and workplaces. Restaurants and shopping centers in most states and territories are also smoke-free zones. Cuba ♥♥♥♥♥ has banned smoking on public transportation, in shops and other closed spaces. Europe is also acting with wisdom. In Ireland, all pubs, restaurants and other enclosed workplaces are now smoke-free. The Netherlands has banned smoking from many public places including railway stations, trains, toilets and offices. Spain no longer allows smoking in offices, shops, schools, hospitals, cultural centers and on public transportation. Here’s to a healthy, smoke-free world for all!

European Union Moves to Ban Seal Trade ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

The European Parliament has recently issued a Declaration signed by 425 EU lawmakers, stating that the European Union must ban all trade in two types of seals, the harp and hooded. Millions of seals perish every year in Canada’s Arctic and Atlantic regions from humans whose purpose is selling their fur to the European fashion industry. Already the countries of Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands have in place or are currently working on the ban of any seal products being sold in their own countries. This ban, for seals of any age, would put a virtual end to the Canadian seal hunt, which indeed would be a step in the positive direction.

True Progress in Science

Animal rights in scientific experimentation has become a major topic of discussion across Europe. A new EU animal law requires nations to pursue alternatives to animal testing, based on what is called the “3Rs” principle: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of the use of animals in experiments.

The US Congress has recently founded a similar initiative. In 2005, the New Jersey legislature voted unanimously to prohibit animal testing if such federal alternatives exist. Computer models and videos can now replace dissections in science classes, and in 2005 the Toronto school board announced a “dissection choice” policy, which required that all students be informed of their right not to perform dissections along with the provision of other options.

Wise Laws from Rome

In October 2005, the city of Rome, Italy, enacted the most comprehensive pet laws ever passed in any country in the world. The city now requires pet owners to walk their dogs once a day or risk a US$625 fine; it outlaws many insensitive practices and even bans construction in 800 areas containing wild cat colonies. Also, all Roman animal shelters are no-kill. The city counselor ♥♥♥♥♥ who sponsored the law said, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals, who in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention. The civilization of a city can also be measured by this.”

Former US President Clinton Calls on the Wealthiest
to Address Global Issues

Former US president Bill Clinton recently called on some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential people to participate in the noble fight for good causes. He hoped that together they could come up with over US$2.5 billion along with innovative ideas for ending wars, dealing with health issues, poverty and climate change. Attended by many powerhouses in society such as billionaires Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Richard Branson, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and 50 past and current heads of state, the 2006 second annual Clinton Global Initiative, or CGI, was opened by Mr. Clinton and US first lady Laura Bush. A discussion between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana also took place. Among one of the projects for global improvement is the plan to provide clean drinking water to 10 million Sub-Saharan Africans within the next four years.

Hollywood Stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Give Money to Charities

Actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, through the Jolie/Pitt Foundation, are giving a US$1million gift to each of two very worthy organizations: Global Action for Children and MSF, or Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders). Jolie said, “In the most troubled parts of the world — places that much of the world has abandoned — MSF is always there.”

Jennifer Delaney, the US director for Global Action for Children, thanked Jolie, who is also a goodwill ambassador for refugees for the United Nations. She said that not only do Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt care, but they are doing some very positive work to help the children that are orphaned or have very ill parents.

  Dame Anita Roddick Contributes Her Wealth to Good Causes
 
♥♥♥♥♥♥  

Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, a cosmetics company dedicated to producing and retailing ethical beauty products and one of Britain’s best-known businesswomen, has decided to leave the business world and give away most of her money, around 130 million pounds. She has already given substantial amounts to Amnesty International and Greenpeace.

“I don’t want to die rich. Money does not mean anything to me. The worst thing is greed - the accumulation of money,” she said.

One thing that she is very happy about is that she traded directly with developing countries. Some 15,000 families in places like Peru and Brazil are supported by the Body Shop. She wishes that she had been able to convince other big cosmetic companies to do the same.

New Coalition Government Heralds the Way to Peace in the Middle East

A very positive development has occurred in the age-old conflict between Israel and Palestine. A new coalition government between the Islamic group Hamas and the Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas is being formed. Hamas has agreed to let President Abbas, who is insistent on resuming peace talks with Israel, handle any matters involving Israel. The news that Hamas is ready to compromise and to establish an independent Palestinian state side-by-side with Israel has been welcomed in both Israel and Europe, with the Spanish foreign minister and EU officials in Brussels expressing happiness about this positive development.

Smart Vegetarians Win a National IQ Test

A 40-member team of vegetarians won the very popular National IQ Contest show on BBC in the United Kingdom. The individual in the contest rated with the highest IQ was also a vegetarian.

The winners are decided by the audience (over 80,000) who rate the seven competing teams, which include real estate agents, public school pupils, state school pupils, footballers’ wives and celebrities. The top scoring contestant Marie Bidmead, 68, also a mother of five, said the contest was a lot of fun, with the vegetarian team being very cooperative and happy, regardless of whether they won or not.”

  A Festival without Sacrifice

According to the September 24, 2006, issue of Himalayan Times, groups dedicated to spiritual upliftment have expressed compassionate views about the recent upcoming festival of Dashain. Previous custom has dictated that on the eighth day of this festival, people sacrifice animals to offer at the Goddess Durga temples. However, Jaya Prakash of the Nepal Anubrata Samiti, a group devoted to spiritual awakening believes that we humans should stop the slaughter of innocent animals. About this event, Swami Satyabrata, who promotes vegetarianism and spirituality, also said: “Just as there is no place for hatred in love, there is no place for violence in peace… ” Many hope that this will be a step in the positive direction. The animals will surely thank us!

A Peaceful Exchange

Cité Soleil, Haiti, has been considered one of the most violent cities in the western hemisphere. However, this is changing quickly. A city-wide effort has been put into effect to replace guns and gangs with books and school buildings. President René Préval’s ♥♥♥♥♥♥ election in February 2006 led to a truce between the feuding gangs that had overwhelmed the city for so long. Humanitarian workers were then able to enter the area without fear and were able to help many of the children there. UNICEF posted requirements stating that every child in the city was to be brought to school for education, along with being given water, food and other such supplies. True to the meaning of its name, the city of Cité Soleil is becoming the Sun City, where light illuminates and removes the shadows of anything that is not peace and love.

Gandhi on the Big Screen

 

The movie “Lage Raho Munnabhai”

A new movie released in India recently introduces the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi to a new generation. The movie’s name is “Lage Raho Munnabhai” and is immensely popular, especially with young Indians. It clearly depicts the Gandhian ideals of vegetarianism, nature therapy, and considering any work to be holy.

Interestingly, the governments of Maharastra, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh have decided not to charge the usual movie taxes so that as many people as possible can see this movie to learn more about the noble ideals of the great Mahatma. When the announcement of the tax-free movie was made in Mumbai, the government official commented, “The younger generation is now waking up to Gandhian values because of the movie.”

In Varanasi, this movie has already made an impact on political activism. When Shiv Sena activists wanted to protest what they considered to be a lack of action by police officials in stopping harmful activities in that city, instead of using conventional strategies, they presented the police with flowers! The police were very happy about building a relationship conducive to working together for problem solving. So, a gesture of love can go a long way!

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