I work from a pro-active angle. Here in Negros an island in the Philippines we can help prevent disasters by taking reforestation and green living to heart. Initially I thought that it begins and ends with planting a tree on balding mountain tops. Fact is, that is the easy part. We've found out that for a project to succeed we should be stewards of the whole ecosystem which includes the very community within the project area.

We are starting with humble projects with simple goals : develop watershed areas, prevent erosion, prevent forest fires and seed sustainable development programs. This community belongs to the poorest of the poor. I even had to get them health insurance. The first acres were planted to hardwood trees. Our next phase (planting scheduled on Nov. 21) will consist of planting high value fruit trees (langka, rambotan and santol) as well as plants targeted for essential oils production like ylang-ylang and citronella. We will also promote planting of moringa since this is now considered a powerful food supplement high in protein and vitamins.

We have several projects you might want to sink your teeth into. The first is the Dollar Angel where every dollar donated is used to purchase and nurture a tree. We are also keen on providing the small community a water system for domestic and small-scale agricultural use. It is not a start-up because we plan to tap into an existing water source.

Our website is at:
http://www.ubermanproject.com

If a picture paints a thousand words, this video will tell its own story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMlbs2uumhk

I hope and pray that you can help us. We are reeling from the tragedies and need to help people start-over.
Gloabally yours,
Mary
(Mary Tolentino, Project Director)

Whether or not the dispute over global warming is ever proven, is irrelevant at this point. What we should concentrate on is what we know, and that is that we humans have and continue to harm mother earth. To every deed there is a consequence, and sooner or later it will catch up with us in one way or another.

So my belief is that every little bit helps, we just have to start off somewhere. No matter what green project we chose, it WILL make a difference.

My personal favorite is to find a new use for something that would have ended up in the garbage. For example: Use old chipped plates and cups and turn them into a mosaic. Or an old tire can be put out into some corner of the garden, filled with potting soil and plants and turned into beautiful planter or cut up and used as edging.

I have a green site that I host at g2bgreen.com and would love it if you guys visited for more tips and please tell me what you think.

P.S. Hat's off to Obama for his courage in pushing the Green Issues. I can tell that no matter what the criticism is, he will persist because he understands the basic principle that you have to start somewhere.

Namaste

Hello,
I have not read all the emails..so sorry if that book has already been mentionned.
But there is a beautiful woman who takes actions for the planet. She had struggle lot but she finally got to where she wanted. She is amazing
Look on: www.greenbeltmovement.org
She wrote books.
Her name is Wangari Maathai
Kindest regards
Ghislaine

Hi laurelea,

Thank you for the tip about the book!


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My children and I try to do everything we can to go green. We use the canvas bags every time we grocery shop - no more plastic. We recycle all school assignments, flyers, etc. through our church, we recycle plastic bottles through my children's school. In order to completely go green at home, we shop at a wholesale online wellness store and we have been shopping there for almost 5 years. Everything is concentrated so less waste, everything is safe for my family, pets and doesn't hurt the environment. I know I can trust these products because they have been around for over 20 years. They use the highest quality ingredients so I never have to worry about whether a product is safe for my children. I love shopping from this store because it not only protects my family and the environment, but it saves me alot of money and time every month. As a single mom of 4 both of those things are really important to me. Pretty much anything I can get from the grocery store or drug store for my home, I can get at my favorite wholesale online wellness store. It gives me peace of mind and I know I am also helping the environment at the same time.

www.livetotalwellness.com/Evansfamily
Helping Families Live Longer, Healthier Lives!!

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Edited by paradise09 at 01/26/2009 2:15 PM EST

Hi Neighbour,

I am down south in Miami.I love gardening and recently I decided to look into native plants,There are so many positive aspects in doing that.I am also considering to start a vegetable garden in containers,our soil is very rocky..Growing my own herbs is also on my list.I want to find herbs real organic ones.
Isn't this exciting!We can exchange ideas and information and learn alot from each other.

When you garden, consider native plants as the best choice over exotics. Native plants, in tune with weather patterns in your area, will be less demanding in terms of care. Additionally, they provide the benefit of bringing native wildlife to your garden, a big plus for those who enjoy watching birds, butterflies and four-legged creatures.

Many regions have cooperative extensions or websites you can use for research on native plants in your area.

A great way to become more eco-friendly is with our pets.
When it comes to picking up after our dog, we can choose a biodegradable bag instead of a regular plastic bag. Otherwise we are wrapping one of nature's fastest degrading substances in something that takes up to 100 years to decompose.

The corn-based BioBags, for example are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute to break down in a matter of days.

Let's educate our children to be conscientious and responsible dog owners so we can show them the many ways they can live as lightly on this planet as possible. Why not let our dogs have light carbon pawprint as well.

Audie


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Strengthening the future generation