Victory Gardens were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences, rooftops and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada during WWI & WWII to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort.
In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort, these gardens were also considered a civil "Morale Booster" where gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown.
This made Victory Gardens become a part of daily life on the home front. Posters were created, printed and distributed to help promote the concept.
The result was astonishing...
In the United States, from 1940-1945 over 10 Million Victory Gardens were grown to collectively produce 40% of the U.S.A's domestic consumption of fruits and vegetables.
In Canada over 200,000 Victory Gardens were planted, each one producing over 500 lbs of fruits and vegetables each season.
This stands as a great achievement, as it proved that even inexperienced gardeners and farmers could grow food and help feed their families, friends and local communities throughout the year. Without the Millions of volunteer farmers, gardeners and harvesters that collectively produced the food needed to survive, the food shortages would have led to the starvation of Millions of women, children, elderly and disabled people.
They are the unsung hero's of wartime, they are the ones that held the fort at home and looked out for one another to overcome tough times.
This Top 10 List is a Tribute to these remarkable people.
It seems almost unbelievable that tens of millions of aboriginal people, around the globe, managed to live their lives in a sustainable manner for thousands of years. Although you may not have learned that in history class, it is true! But their core values were significantly different from ours today, and that's what made it possible. The foundation of these values started with "Respect"; Respect of the self, others and Nature.
It is this basic concept of "Respect" that was lost in the last 300 years and this "Respect" desperately needs to be restored now, and in our daily lives, if we are to turn things around.
300 years isn't that long ago! Yet, today's civilization, with all our accomplishments, forgot about the importance of "Respect" and in the process, managed to: Strip the majority our planets valuable resources, pollute our oceans, destroy our atmosphere, drive countless species into extinction, negatively affect our climate, and destroy the health of millions of people world wide!
But, what caused such a monumental shift in our thinking?
To many in both business and government, the triumph of the self is the ultimate expression of democracy, where power is truly moved into the hands of the people. Certainly the masses may feel they are in charge, but are they are not!
This four part BBC documentary series titled "The Century of the Self" by Adam Curtis; tells the untold and extremely controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society and the birth of Consumptionism.
The documentary tells us how the all-consuming self was created, by whom, and in whose interest?
The Freud dynasty is at the heart of this compelling social history. Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis; Edward Bernays, who invented public relations; Anna Freud; Sigmund's devoted daughter; and present-day PR guru and Sigmund's great grandson, Matthew Freud. Sigmund Freud's work into the bubbling and murky world of the subconscious changed the world. By introducing a technique to probe the unconscious mind, Freud provided useful tools for understanding the secret desires of the masses. Unwittingly, his work served as the precursor to a world full of political spin doctors, marketing moguls, and society's belief that the pursuit of satisfaction and happiness is man's ultimate goal.
Part 1-Happiness Machines: Part one documents the story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays who invented 'Public Relations' in the 1920s, being the first person to take Freud's ideas to manipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how they could make people want things they didn't need by systematically linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires.
Part 2: The Engineering of Consent: Part two explores how those in power in post-war America used Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind to try and control the masses. Politicians and planners came to believe Freud's underlying premise that deep within all human beings were dangerous and irrational desires. They were convinced that it was the unleashing of these instincts that had led to the barbarism of Nazi Germany, and in response to this, they set out to find ways to control the masses so as to manage the 'hidden enemy' within the human mind.
Part 3: There is a Policeman Inside All Our Heads, He Must Be Destroyed: In the 1960s, a radical group of psychotherapists challenged the influence of Freudian ideas, which lead to the creation of a new political movement that sought to create 'new people', free of the psychological conformity that had been implanted in people's minds by business and politics. This episode shows how this idea rapidly developed in America through "self-help movements", into the irresistible rise of the expressive self: the Me Generation.
Part 4: Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering: This episode explains how politicians turned to the same techniques used by business in order to read and manipulate the inner desires of the masses. Both New Labor with Tony Blair and the Democrats led by Bill Clinton, used the focus group which had been invented by psychoanalysts in order to regain power. Both set out to mold their policies to manipulate people's innermost desires and feelings, just as capitalism had learned to do with products.
My Conclusion:
This 4 part documentary series done by the BBC is probably one of the most important documentaries ever produced! Although it was created in the 1990's "The Century of the Self" is even more important today, because history it seems, is repeating itself! The series truthfully reveals how self sufficient, independent people, and sustainable communities were taught to be consumers.
The documentary also explains that this consumer way of life was intentionally created and reveals how mass production and consumption of goods has led mankind down a very dark path. Not because we are all consuming, but because we were taught that our sense of worth is connected to a high level of consumption. It's this false concept that has led to the poor management of our resources, and this lack of respect that is responsible for a great deal of the problems we face today.
But is it too late to change our ways? Can we free ourselves from this consumer based lifestyle, and learn to act more responsible and implement a new system of business that is responsible, ethical and sustainable?
We must remember that we, as human beings have the capacity to adapt and create positive change; we have in the past, and we can now... through necessity! Currently, we are ruled by a system that promotes massive consumerism, but it wasn't always this way! This hyper consumptionism started in the 1920's and now in 2011 this way of life is coming to a crashing halt! The limit to growth isn't about our current population being 8 Billion or even 9 Billion, it has to do with doing away with the Greedy ways of doing business and the false concept of endless oceans, oil, fish, water, land, soil and oil. I believe that humanity is inherently Good, but we must learn to curb our Greed, and "Respect" must be part of our daily lives.
It may take another 5 generations to completely relearn accountable, responsible, ethical and sustainable ways of living. It may also take this long to undo the damage we have done to our planet, but it can be done!
We can do it by combining the knowledge of our ancestors with innovative new technology that works along side nature and not against nature. We can do it, by creating sustainable manufacturing, housing, agriculture and utilizing natural, renewable energy sources and means of anti-gravity and maglev transportation.
Change starts from each of us making a choice.
For instance, I do my best to live in a sustainable manner that is within my means, and respectful of nature and others, and I continue to improve. I am not alone, it's just not as prominent today, and with good reason!
Humanity as a whole had to adapt to survive, and we have, by conforming to a system, earn $$$$ and over-consume.
Luckily, over-consumption can be unlearned, and people are! Government and multinational corporations must do their part as well by acting responsibly, morally and with accountability. This is the trickiest part, But! If big business want to continue to do business, they will have to embrace change, or they will go out of business! In the meantime, a good way to help promote change, is to continue to "Vote with your Dollar" & buy from ethical, sustainable businesses, buy local, support local businesses and farmers! This will cut into the profits of Big Businesses that are behaving badly, and drive home the message.
I'm forever an optimist, but I am not apathetic, blind or complacent to what ails the world. I see what goes on and I look for solutions to problems that exist, I do so because there is to much negativity in the world.
One thing I believe must occur, is that all War's must end and a World War must be avoided at all costs. We must work towards ending war in a peaceful manner, and I believe we can start solving this mess associated with the global economy, by cutting military spending.
We return the troops home to help build a renewable energy future, and phase out America's dependence on nuclear energy and foreign Oil.
Doing this would save Hundreds of Thousands of Human Lives and create Millions of Jobs. The money that would be saved by bringing the troops home, would save the United States taxpayers over a Trillion Dollars a year.
This one solution is also beneficial to protecting our environment and would reduce the amount of environmental damage and resources we use. Some of these resources, that would have been used to create war, could then be used more wisely by employing more people to upgrade the United States infrastructure, and would include a revitalization of local manufacturing.
By manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, wave and tidal generators in the United States, would also spur on a Renewable Energy Industry that would create more Good Paying Jobs for Americans.
These jobs would then provide the American people with the money they need to survive and thrive. People would start spending more and people can be reminded that they can "Vote with their Dollar" by supporting local businesses throughout the United States.
We stop all corporate bailouts and demand that they pay appropriate taxes on their profits.
This would rejuvenate the economy, restore faith back in the American Dollar and end the social, economic and environmental crisis.
Think Possible! Together, the people of the United States can solve the problems they face, get things back on track, achieve Renewable Energy Independence and take action to avoid the collapse of the Global Economy.
People cant afford to stand by and do nothing while our elected representatives make decisions that benefit the few and hurt the many.
If you believe in peace, and my message of Hope! Please forward this post to everyone you know. Contact your elected government representatives and demand real change.
( This post was brought to you by Y-Green's desire to be a Leader of Positive Thought and Intention )
Aquaponics UK is a not for profit social enterprise that provides support for the development of Aquaponics.
What is Aquaponics?Aquaponics integrates the best qualities of Aquaculture and Hydroponics to grow healthy organic food in a local, sustainable manner.
The fish and plants are grown in symbiotic unison to achieve a balanced, closed loop system of agriculture, where the system feeds and waters itself. Waste from the fish provide nutrients for the plants, and the plants filter the water for the fish. Crops are constantly harvested and plant trimmings are composted in a wormery to provide food for the fish. The system is then surrounded with a greenhouse, where lady bugs and other beneficial insects are added to create a sustainable Aquaponics Cycle.
In this TED Talks presentation, Charlie Price from Aquaponics UK, explains the role aquaponics can play in the future of our collective food supply. He also provides insightful information about the applications for aquaponics. But more specifically, he acknowledges aquaponics as a new approach to creating sustainable urban agriculture within any community.
My conclusion, is that aquaponics will empower thousands of people worldwide to become more self-sufficient, and grow their own food for their household, and community. I also agree with Mr. Prince that aquaponics has the potential to create more resilient communities.
Aquaponics can be utilized as a great educational tool for schools to teach their students about sustainable food production.
Aquaponics UK, proves that we can turn waste into resources, by transforming misused urban spaces into a commercially viable, sustainable way to produce healthy, nutritious food. The examples Mr. Price shows in his presentation also proves; that by growing food with a sustainable Aquaponics system. We can protect the environment, conserve valuable resources and grow healthy abundant food locally, 365 days a year.
The future looks bright for AquaponicsUK, and I'm convinced that aquaponics is a very timely and much needed sustainable method of farming that will help End World Hunger.
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
- Chinese Proverb
For more information aboutAquaponics UK, be sure to visit their website and learn how you can implement Aquaponics in your own community.
A team of researchers at MIT's Gleason Laboratory created a revolutionary new way to print Solar Cells. The five layer printing process, uses vapors and temperatures less than 120 degrees Celsius to produce simple, inexpensive solar cell's on paper, cloth or plastic.
It might look like a regular sheet of paper with an intricate pattern printed on it. But, as seen in this video that MIT posted: after the paper is attached to the multimeter via two wires and a light is flashed on the paper, the multimeter instantly starts to display the voltage produced by the paper cell!
If you're wondering how this is possible! The Secret is in the Special Ink they use to create the printed photovoltaic cell, or Polymer Solar Cell. But this specific technology that MIT researchers are working on is new and MIT calls their Solar Cell "Organic".
"Organic" is a term with many meanings. Despite this, most people associate the word "Organic" with "Natural"and this confusion raises two Very Important Questions:
What exactly, is in this Solar Ink?
Is it Safe?
The Ink is said to consist of a special blend of conjugated polymers and organic solvents, but the rest is unclear.
In their Conclusion section; Wikipedia mentions that the process involves "Nanostructures".
"Still, organic PV devices show great promise for decreasing the cost of solar energy to the point where it may become widespread in the decades ahead. While great progress has been made in the last ten years with respect to understanding the chemistry, physics, and materials science of organic photovoltaics, work remains to be done to further improve their performance. Specifically, novel nanostructures must be optimized to promote charge carrier diffusion; transport must be enhanced through control of order and morphology; and interface engineering must be applied to the problem of charge transfer across interfaces."
- Wikipedia
In this case; MIT is using Genetically Modified Carbon Nano tube particles. This is the part that I found concerning! I love technology... But, when people start playing around with DNA, Nanotechnology and Viruses, it makes me very uneasy to say the least!
I looked into this further and found that MIT Researchers have in fact, Genetically Modified the M13 Virus, altering its DNA and attached it to a Carbon Nanotube.
MIT did so, with the intention of incorporating this Virus/Nanostructure into their "Solar Ink" because they believe it will significantly improve the efficiency of solar cells.
Sounds like science fiction, but its reality! My source comes directly from the April 25th 2011 MIT News article titled "Solar Power Goes Viral".
This Genetically Modified M13 Virus/Carbon Nano Tube, looks pretty ominous.
What do you think?
Is this genetically manipulated mutation really Good for Humanity?
Or could it Contaminate our Biosphere?
These are relevant questions to ask, but also questions that MIT should answer! Tampering with Nature has serious consequences, and to call it Organic is misleading to say the least.
In the future!If, this technology is deemed safe! People could print these solar cells in a manner that is similar to the one used to make the metallic lining found in potato chip bags; which can be created inexpensively, and on a large commercial scale.
It sounds optimistic! but, before it gets to that stage! I think its important to know how this special "Solar Ink" reacts in nature, how it decomposes, and if there's any risk of contaminating nature in any way.
Another Question to ask, is regarding the viability and functionality of the technology itself,for instance:
How long could one of these solar cells last, and how resilient would it be?
To help answer this question; MIT researchers printed a solar cell on a sheet of PET plastic and claim to have folded and unfolded it 1,000 times, with no significant loss of performance. By contrast, a commercially produced solar cell on the same material is said to have failed after a single folding.
"We have demonstrated quite thoroughly the robustness of this technology. We think we can fabricate scalable solar that can reach record-high watts-per-kilogram performance. For solar cells with such properties, a number of technological applications open up."
- MIT Professor of Electrical Engineering; Vladimir Bulovic
Presently the paper printed solar cells only have an efficiency of 1% and Professor Bulovic admits the process requires more fine-tuning. Bulovic also suggested that; despite the low rate of efficiency, at this point, it should be good enough to power small electronic devices.
My Conclusion:
Printing solar cells with MIT's "Oxidative Chemical Vapor Deposition"method; appears to have the potential to overcome the shortfalls of the expensive, heavy, glass photovoltaic solar cellsthat are on the market today.
Applications would include everything from: portable solar power-plants, swim suits, jackets, bags, tents, umbrellas, wallpaper, window-blinds and roof-tiles.
The Possibilities are Endless... But!
Is the "Modified Nano-Virus" aspect in the "Solar Ink" Safe?
Before we tout this as a safe, viable solution to produce cheap, Solar Electricity. We should ask MIT the Difficult Questions, and proceed with extreme Caution.
Its true that the results the researchers have shown thus far, are Amazing! But, as optimistic as it may seem, my doubts are regarding the "Solar Ink" itself!
The potential of widespread negative implications regarding the use of, and manipulation of, viruses and nanotechnology could severely out-weigh the positive aspects and shouldn't be overlooked.
At this point, I'm not convinced of the safety of MIT's, Solar Ink! Are you?
Photo by Patrick Gillooly via MIT News
(This article was made possible by a Generous Coffee Fund Donation from an Anonymous Donor!)
SPACE Canada(Solar Power Alternative for Clean Energy) is a not for profit organization dedicated to the promotion of solar energy from space. Their mission is to be a leader in the promotion of space based solar power, significantly reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and envisions:
A world that is free from the harmful effects of climate change/global warming
A world that is secure; providing global access to an endless supply of safe, clean energy
A world that is just; ensuring affordable energy to developing nations
Along with these noble aspirations,SPACE Canada maintains a strong set of values that are:
Grounded in scientific principles
Dedicated to social justice
Open to creativity, innovation and imagination
To accomplish these goals; their mandate is to promote, support and encourage space based solar power through research, education and commercialization. They also facilitate international dialogue to enable individuals, organizations and governments to engage in dialogue regarding the benefits, safety and feasibility of space based solar energy.
To engage their audiences curiosity and desire to learn about this innovative technology, SPACE Canada produced this video.
It explains thatspace based solar panels could:
Absorb 10 times more energy than ground based solar panels
Produce energy 24 hours a day
Provide us with more energy than we need
These are all exciting possibilities and all-though they are not yet a reality, they could be within our lifetime. I also find SPACE Canada's aspirations to be more than noble! This kind of technology could create a paradigm shift, pave the way for more innovation and revolutionize the way we think about energy.
To learn more about SPACE Canadaor to donate to their organization; be sure to check out their website for details.
"Because the pace of development has been so rapid, with our 2011 target already exceeded, we can now commit to generating the equivalent of 100% of Scotland's own electricity demand from renewable resources by 2020. By then, we intend to be generating twice as much electricity as Scotland needs - just over half of it from renewables, and just under half from other conventional sources. We will be exporting as much electricity as we consume. So we will continue to work with industry and governments at local, UK and European level to build on what we have achieved. We will now move still further and faster to secure our place as the green energy powerhouse of the continent of Europe."
- First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond
In this video Mr. Salmond describes this plan in detail: Scotland possesses 1/4 of Europe's Offshore Wind and Tidal Potential as well as 1/10 of Europe's Wave Energy Potential. They intend on developing these resources to their full potential and claim that utilizing 8 Offshore Wind Energy Sites around Scotland have the potential to Produce 10 GW of Electricity by 2020.
So far Scotland has consented to 42 renewable energy projects, at 25 offshore sites. In addition to creating enough renewable energy for their own needs, Scotland is developing a Grid, and plans on Exporting Energy to other Countries.
This sounds great, but one thing that really didn't belong in this announcement was Mr. Salmond's attempt to satisfy those in Oil Industry. In the middle of the video regarding renewable energy, he mentions that Scotland still has vast reserves of oil and gas, and is also setting firm goals to maintain and develop Aberdeen's position in the worlds oil and gas industry, especially the Subsea Industry.
Mr. Salmond also mentions that he worked closely with the (Energy Advisory Board & the Oil and Gas Adviser Group). He stated his concerns over the Coalition Government's decision to increase taxes on oil and gas projects, and how this decision has hurt business in the Oil and Gas sector. He then joked that he will kick down the chancellors doorto offer him constructive suggestions on how to repair this. I had to laugh, but some people could take that out of context, perhaps it's just bad humor? I'm sure he didn't mean it to be anything more than a joke.
Regardless, I hope Mr. Salmond takes the time to consult experts about the environmental consequences of Subsea Oil and Gas.A (BP) type incident could destroy their Fishing and Tourism sectors, not to mention the Health of the Citizens in the United Kingdom. Due to these factors, Mr. Salmond may want to cut the part about Subsea Oil and Gas, because it may taint his Renewable Energy Message.
Sandwiched in the middle of all this, Mr.Salmond explains Scotland's ability to store Carbon Emissions via Carbon Capture Storage. That research by the Scottish Enterprise claims (CCS) would add 3 Billion pounds in gross value to Scotland, and create 5000 new jobs.
This plan includes the European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) being the 1st Testing Facility to be Grid Connected, and in this announcement the First Minister noted: That a strategic agreement between the (EMEC) in Orkney and the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy in Nova Scotia, Canada was Signed. The agreement signifies a joint venture to Collaborate on the Development of Power Generation from the Sea.
It also has the potential to deliver 6 Billion pounds of investment to establish the Worlds only commercially leased Wave and Tidal projects in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters. The Venture is said to Generate 1.6 GW of Electricity, and help Increase New Apprenticeship Jobs from 20,000 to 25,000 in 2011, for the next 5 years.
