So, I'm going to eschew my usual 'the world is ending but by all means keep doing what you're doing' lecture his week. Believe me, I'd love to lecture everyone, but I'm tired and wouldn't be able to set my dial to full rage--so it wouldn't be worth it. Instead, I'll give everyone some nice challenges. Challenges are good. We're all going to need life skills, we're all going to need to be able to take care of ourselves and each other. And, we're all going to need one another, whether we like it or not.
Challenge 40: Learn to cook. The more we are able to grow/cook our own food, the more local we can be, the more we can resist total corporate power by simply never going into a Wal Mart or a grocery store for food. So, for this weeks challenge, get a recipe book (don't buy it-that's what libraries are for) and cook a recipe. From food that's IN SEASON. Okay? Done.
The reason for my local fervor this will is this article: (Galen Weston is a dink ) where Galen Weston, a billionaire who owns a 9 billion dollar food chain/bank and a man who essentially entirely controls Canada's corporate food supply, said that he is worried that a farmer's market poses health risks. This world needs about a zillion more small farmers, and for industrial agriculture to essentially cease. So, basically the total opposite of what this douche things. He'll pay. MARK ME.
Challenge 41: Become more involved in your community. I have been fortunate to meet some super cool people these past couple of weeks. People who share similar views to me, and people who are also working towards acquiring self sufficiency skills. Needless to say, meeting like minded people has been wonderful, and I wish that wonder on all of you. Go out and find people who are helping the green cause, not people on TV who daily seek to destroy it.
Okay, well that's all. Once again, perhaps I will be more chipper next week.
<3 games
ManicPanic
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Apathy is unacceptable
Apathy: (also called impassivity or perfunctoriness) is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation and passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical or physical life.
This post is a lecture. So, you know, you've been warned.
I think a huge reason that we don't see any change on the environmental front is because, as a culture, us North Americans are highly apathetic. We just... don't care. We don't. We are more concerned with our own lives, our stuff, our successes, failures, debts, surpluses, etc.
The problem is that our choices have world ending, people killing consequences in other parts of the world. They do, there isn't really any way around it. The decadence of the first world is paid for directly by the destruction of the third world--that's just kinda how it is.
Now, I don't want to say this to make people feel bad. When people feel like they are being attacked they tend to just go 900% in the opposite direction just to spite you--and if you think people aren't that self destructive and childish--you're wrong, they totally are (I do stuff like that too, but mainly with personal advice). So, understanding our limits should help to spread the message. Not of doom, but of a need to change hastily and effectively.
You don't have to change 100% overnight. Just start small. Plant a garden, get informed, sign a petition here, eat a higher percentage of local food there, and you'll be surprised how fast it all adds up.
However, the one thing that is not acceptable is apathy. The one thing that isn't acceptable is sitting there, shrugging your shoulders, and saying, "well, it didn't directly happen to me, so I don't care". This is wrong for 2 reasons:
1. Indifference makes everything 900 times worse.
2. It is affecting you, you just don't think it is. Let's say you pay federal taxes (as most of us lowly 99% do). Well, a startlingly high percentage of your taxes are being used to subsidize soy/corn production for feedlot animals, and also being used to subsidize fossil fuels. These companies, then take your money, invest it in offshore accounts so they don't pay taxes, remove American jobs to other places, and poison the water, air, & land.
I understand most people aren't as angry as I am. I'm a pretty angry person, in general. But not being upset that this stuff is happening, being apathetic, is simply unacceptable.
That's all for me this week. I'll probably post later in the week with some more challenges, so stay tuned.
And, just to get you in the proper spirit, I leave you with the end of Percy B. Shelley's "Masque of Anarchy":
"Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you-
Ye are many — they are few"
<3 ManicPanic
This post is a lecture. So, you know, you've been warned.
I think a huge reason that we don't see any change on the environmental front is because, as a culture, us North Americans are highly apathetic. We just... don't care. We don't. We are more concerned with our own lives, our stuff, our successes, failures, debts, surpluses, etc.
The problem is that our choices have world ending, people killing consequences in other parts of the world. They do, there isn't really any way around it. The decadence of the first world is paid for directly by the destruction of the third world--that's just kinda how it is.
Now, I don't want to say this to make people feel bad. When people feel like they are being attacked they tend to just go 900% in the opposite direction just to spite you--and if you think people aren't that self destructive and childish--you're wrong, they totally are (I do stuff like that too, but mainly with personal advice). So, understanding our limits should help to spread the message. Not of doom, but of a need to change hastily and effectively.
You don't have to change 100% overnight. Just start small. Plant a garden, get informed, sign a petition here, eat a higher percentage of local food there, and you'll be surprised how fast it all adds up.
However, the one thing that is not acceptable is apathy. The one thing that isn't acceptable is sitting there, shrugging your shoulders, and saying, "well, it didn't directly happen to me, so I don't care". This is wrong for 2 reasons:
1. Indifference makes everything 900 times worse.
2. It is affecting you, you just don't think it is. Let's say you pay federal taxes (as most of us lowly 99% do). Well, a startlingly high percentage of your taxes are being used to subsidize soy/corn production for feedlot animals, and also being used to subsidize fossil fuels. These companies, then take your money, invest it in offshore accounts so they don't pay taxes, remove American jobs to other places, and poison the water, air, & land.
I understand most people aren't as angry as I am. I'm a pretty angry person, in general. But not being upset that this stuff is happening, being apathetic, is simply unacceptable.
That's all for me this week. I'll probably post later in the week with some more challenges, so stay tuned.
And, just to get you in the proper spirit, I leave you with the end of Percy B. Shelley's "Masque of Anarchy":
"Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you-
Ye are many — they are few"
<3 ManicPanic
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Bitch is Back
Hello all my lovelies,
I felt like posting today so here goes! I'm just going to do some updates on important projects & events, and then give you some green challenges. That's it! Easy peasy!
Updates:
Keystone XL: Obama, in a rare form of possessing testicles, rejected the Keystone XL pipeline about a week ago. And then, in his State of the Union address, stressed the importance of ending fossil fuel subsidies and pushing forward towards a cleaner energy future. Greens reacted with mixed reviews to the SOTU address (due to his Ode to Fracking section) but in general were pretty impressed. Which is good. Now, after the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline, the GOP and House Republicans literally pissed themselves with rage and threatened to cockblock (typo and it stays) any and all legislation that Obama puts forward from now on forever. He could want to pass a "Feed the adorable babies with our love" bill, and the Republicans will oppose it. Because they are whiny, 3 year old children who have no intention of doing their job ever and are only angered by the rejection of the pipeline because everyone who opposed it is PERSONALLY RECEIVING ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF FUNDING from Big Oil. They don't want their toys taken away. I suppose I'd piss myself too--if I was 2 years old.
The lowdown: Basically it's all bullshit. Big Oil receives a %5800 investment return on every dollar they spend in congress in lobbying money. That isn't a typo--it's %5800 return on their money. So, essentially, they own Congress. And they REALLY own all the Republican representatives. They don't vote based on what constituents want--they vote based on what the money says to do. And the money is all oil money. The good news? People are becoming aware that this is happening. People are starting to realize that Chevron dictates their health care policies, and BP dictates their school funding. And they don't like it--whatsoever. Which is good, for the planet, for it's inhabitants, and for a justice system that is sorely, sorely broken in many many places.
What to do? Go to http://www.tarsandsaction.org/ and sign up for their emails--they update regularly (more regularly than this blog, *sigh*), and they are always on the move with new action!
Now, a little closer to home.
The Gatineau River: Despite overwhelming protests to the contrary, the septic sludge plant (using technology from the 50's. Once again, not a typo) is still on target. The outrage, however, continues to grow--approaching riots and arrests. If this ever makes the mainstream Canadian news (unlikely, as most of it is--just like everywhere else--corporate influenced) I think people will be even more outraged. There is a great outrage stirring in this province, especially in rural areas. Quite bluntly, they've been dicked around too long by everyone, and pretty soon they are going to start fighting back. This province doesn't need more development. At all. Whatsoever. Ever. We already have way too many people. What it needs is to start SERIOUSLY protecting agricultural and natural land. The first step in building this plant and destroying the river is having the land re-zoned from agricultural to industrial. This needs to not be happening anywhere ever. Especially not in an area as beautiful and as untouched as this. Additionally, the morons who want this septic sludge tank are also petitioning to have SEVEN active and industrial gravel pits open up in the same area. This are was voted the cleanest water and most beautiful water way IN CANADA. WHY THE EVER LOVING FUCK ARE WE PUMPING SEPTIC SLUDGE AND GRAVEL PITS THROUGH IT. It's, once again, a disgusting display of the lax nature of Canadian mining/natural resource & environmental laws that MUST change.
What to do? Visit http://savethegatineau.com/ and sign the petition. Want to do more? Get in contact with the people who run the site (the rule) or get a call list and start pestering the morons who are proposing this thing.
Okay, I'll do more updates next time as all this updating has made me so rageful.
Challenge 39: Fight the corporate machine. Don't worry, this one is easy. Just don't buy anything from a corporation 1 day a week. Next month, make it 2 days. Etc. Obviously, sometimes, even if we really don't want to, we have necessities that can only be bought from corporations. These clearly don't count. But in general, just avoid them. Now, I warn you right now, you probably won't. Not that you won't WANT to, it's just really damn hard. Our whole lives are determined by marketing departments. But, what you CAN do is: buy local whenever you can, buy seasonal, support local businesses for services, and spread awareness of the total corporate takeover of our lives. Okay, challenge issued. Oh, and corporations are the most un green things who have ever lived, so that's why this is a challenge.
Challenge 40: Start planning the garden. Now, I don't care if you are doing a huge home lawn to garden renovation (*cough* I am *cough*) or you live in a tiny house/apartment and just want to grow tomatoes in a container. Either is cool! Just start planning: what space do I have? What can I grow in that space? What would go best in my location? etc. Get on it!
Okay, that's all for now. Hopefully I'll update Monday!
<3 Manic Panic
(Ps. I am starting my own blog, with more personal, more local things in it. Stay tuned. And obvi I will continue to write for Lorax, but my posts here tend to be very angry and activism focused lol.)
I felt like posting today so here goes! I'm just going to do some updates on important projects & events, and then give you some green challenges. That's it! Easy peasy!
Updates:
Keystone XL: Obama, in a rare form of possessing testicles, rejected the Keystone XL pipeline about a week ago. And then, in his State of the Union address, stressed the importance of ending fossil fuel subsidies and pushing forward towards a cleaner energy future. Greens reacted with mixed reviews to the SOTU address (due to his Ode to Fracking section) but in general were pretty impressed. Which is good. Now, after the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline, the GOP and House Republicans literally pissed themselves with rage and threatened to cockblock (typo and it stays) any and all legislation that Obama puts forward from now on forever. He could want to pass a "Feed the adorable babies with our love" bill, and the Republicans will oppose it. Because they are whiny, 3 year old children who have no intention of doing their job ever and are only angered by the rejection of the pipeline because everyone who opposed it is PERSONALLY RECEIVING ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF FUNDING from Big Oil. They don't want their toys taken away. I suppose I'd piss myself too--if I was 2 years old.
The lowdown: Basically it's all bullshit. Big Oil receives a %5800 investment return on every dollar they spend in congress in lobbying money. That isn't a typo--it's %5800 return on their money. So, essentially, they own Congress. And they REALLY own all the Republican representatives. They don't vote based on what constituents want--they vote based on what the money says to do. And the money is all oil money. The good news? People are becoming aware that this is happening. People are starting to realize that Chevron dictates their health care policies, and BP dictates their school funding. And they don't like it--whatsoever. Which is good, for the planet, for it's inhabitants, and for a justice system that is sorely, sorely broken in many many places.
What to do? Go to http://www.tarsandsaction.org/ and sign up for their emails--they update regularly (more regularly than this blog, *sigh*), and they are always on the move with new action!
Now, a little closer to home.
The Gatineau River: Despite overwhelming protests to the contrary, the septic sludge plant (using technology from the 50's. Once again, not a typo) is still on target. The outrage, however, continues to grow--approaching riots and arrests. If this ever makes the mainstream Canadian news (unlikely, as most of it is--just like everywhere else--corporate influenced) I think people will be even more outraged. There is a great outrage stirring in this province, especially in rural areas. Quite bluntly, they've been dicked around too long by everyone, and pretty soon they are going to start fighting back. This province doesn't need more development. At all. Whatsoever. Ever. We already have way too many people. What it needs is to start SERIOUSLY protecting agricultural and natural land. The first step in building this plant and destroying the river is having the land re-zoned from agricultural to industrial. This needs to not be happening anywhere ever. Especially not in an area as beautiful and as untouched as this. Additionally, the morons who want this septic sludge tank are also petitioning to have SEVEN active and industrial gravel pits open up in the same area. This are was voted the cleanest water and most beautiful water way IN CANADA. WHY THE EVER LOVING FUCK ARE WE PUMPING SEPTIC SLUDGE AND GRAVEL PITS THROUGH IT. It's, once again, a disgusting display of the lax nature of Canadian mining/natural resource & environmental laws that MUST change.
What to do? Visit http://savethegatineau.com/ and sign the petition. Want to do more? Get in contact with the people who run the site (the rule) or get a call list and start pestering the morons who are proposing this thing.
Okay, I'll do more updates next time as all this updating has made me so rageful.
Challenge 39: Fight the corporate machine. Don't worry, this one is easy. Just don't buy anything from a corporation 1 day a week. Next month, make it 2 days. Etc. Obviously, sometimes, even if we really don't want to, we have necessities that can only be bought from corporations. These clearly don't count. But in general, just avoid them. Now, I warn you right now, you probably won't. Not that you won't WANT to, it's just really damn hard. Our whole lives are determined by marketing departments. But, what you CAN do is: buy local whenever you can, buy seasonal, support local businesses for services, and spread awareness of the total corporate takeover of our lives. Okay, challenge issued. Oh, and corporations are the most un green things who have ever lived, so that's why this is a challenge.
Challenge 40: Start planning the garden. Now, I don't care if you are doing a huge home lawn to garden renovation (*cough* I am *cough*) or you live in a tiny house/apartment and just want to grow tomatoes in a container. Either is cool! Just start planning: what space do I have? What can I grow in that space? What would go best in my location? etc. Get on it!
Okay, that's all for now. Hopefully I'll update Monday!
<3 Manic Panic
(Ps. I am starting my own blog, with more personal, more local things in it. Stay tuned. And obvi I will continue to write for Lorax, but my posts here tend to be very angry and activism focused lol.)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
It continues
Sorry, in no mood to post again this week. If you have any posts send them my way and I'll put them up, but I'm in 0 mood to write anything but depressing, rageful rants right now and those help no one.
<3
<3
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
19th Nervous Breakdown
Hello my darlings,
I am afraid I don't have any challenges for you all this week. I'm having a mini crisis and I'm taking the week off the blog for health reasons. No worries, I'll be fine. The holidays just take their toll :D
I'll be back (hopefully) next week with more about Riot for Austerity, Green Challenges, New Years Resolutions, Peak Oil Realities, Off Grid living, and many, many other wonderful things. I've (once again, hopefully) got some good stuff lined up for our 2012 year--and don't worry I'm still as pissed off and enraged as ever *wink*.
Hope you had a wonderful New Year! (I did not, at all, see above lol)
Love
<3ManicPanic
Ps. Fun fact of the day: Where I live used to be a 100% forest (we are the bottom of what was once an enormous lake). What remains of the forest today? 15%. Where did all that land go? Well, before it went to small farms, which I have much less issue with. Especially since many of them were orchards which take on a lot of carbon sequestering of their own. However, now the trees (that had been replaced with food) have been placed with designed yuppie homes and wineries. If I was Oprah rich, I'd tear down the lot of it, replant the forests (at least up to 75%), and leave the rest to small farmers with permaculture establishments so that the people who live here don't need strawberries from fucking California. But I digress. You can't argue with stupid. And by stupid I mean economists.
I am afraid I don't have any challenges for you all this week. I'm having a mini crisis and I'm taking the week off the blog for health reasons. No worries, I'll be fine. The holidays just take their toll :D
I'll be back (hopefully) next week with more about Riot for Austerity, Green Challenges, New Years Resolutions, Peak Oil Realities, Off Grid living, and many, many other wonderful things. I've (once again, hopefully) got some good stuff lined up for our 2012 year--and don't worry I'm still as pissed off and enraged as ever *wink*.
Hope you had a wonderful New Year! (I did not, at all, see above lol)
Love
<3ManicPanic
Ps. Fun fact of the day: Where I live used to be a 100% forest (we are the bottom of what was once an enormous lake). What remains of the forest today? 15%. Where did all that land go? Well, before it went to small farms, which I have much less issue with. Especially since many of them were orchards which take on a lot of carbon sequestering of their own. However, now the trees (that had been replaced with food) have been placed with designed yuppie homes and wineries. If I was Oprah rich, I'd tear down the lot of it, replant the forests (at least up to 75%), and leave the rest to small farmers with permaculture establishments so that the people who live here don't need strawberries from fucking California. But I digress. You can't argue with stupid. And by stupid I mean economists.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Happy Holidays
Presented without comment:
http://www.peakoilblues.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_qgVn-Op7Q
Our Future
Until next week, maybe.
ManicPanic
http://www.peakoilblues.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_qgVn-Op7Q
Our Future
Until next week, maybe.
ManicPanic
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, Tuesday: Updates and Calls to Action
Greetings earthlings,
I'm 78.5% rage-full today so this shall be a short one. Full of rage.
Challenge 37: Shut shit off. The amount of wasted electricity that we use in North America is kind of gross. Some people live without lights, but we seem to need every light, the T.V., the D.V.D., the lamp, the computer and our cell phones all plugged in at once. So, this week, the challenge is TURN THAT SHIT OFF. Sorry to be crude, but a lot of the time this stuff is so unnecessary. However, for those of us this far north, it's dark as fuck. So, I understand the need for light to, you know, see things. So, if lights must be on--make sure they are L.E.D. of CFL lights. No offense to Thomas Edison, but we're SO over incandescent lamps. They were great, but the technology has moved on--and I think he'd pee himself with glee that we've come so far.
Let's examine the numbers: An incandescent bulb uses 60watts--a CFL/L.E.D. uses 4-12watts. Yeah, that's WAY WAY less. So, change your bulbs, cut back on the amount of light you need, and see electricity costs go down. Keep in mind that most electricity comes from coal/fossil fuels--which, you know, actively poisons you in every way. So, use less, use green, and for goodness sake, vote and push for green energy. Don't be as retarded as Virginia:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/virginia-residents-oppose-preparations-for-climate-related-sea-level-rise/2011/12/05/gIQAVRw40O_story.html
Straight up dumbest mother fuckers alive.*said in Kurt Lazarus voice*
Challenge is--don't be this stupid.
Challenge 38: Take action. Once again, I'm not saying get arrested (although I'm going to a protest soon where I very well might be arrested, but still)--I'm just saying go on line, be informed, and if there is an online petition or a letter you can write--fucking DO it. It takes *nothing* out of your day to fill out an online form and it can make all the difference in the world. Look at something like the Arab Spring--something that would never have happened if it wasn't for Twitter/Facebook/Youtube. This stuff is powerful, especially with today's youth. The youth who are being royally butt fucked every day by corporations, big oil, and the governments that have been bought by them. We are being screwed by older generations--and it has to end. We didn't start this war, but we'll sure as hell finish it--one way or another (i.e. we get our shit together or we all die. Not kidding. Just stating).
So, so you don't have to go looking for them, here's some petitions/letters that need you, today.
After promising to turn it into National Park Land, the premier of Ontario turned around and opened Wolf Lake/Temagami to mining interests. This would be the largest old growth red pine forest ON EARTH. It needs saving. And Canada needs to shape the fuck up when it comes to the environment. The letter is already written, you just have to read (if you want) and then type in your information.
http://www.earthroots.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=172
Keystone Pipeline. So, after congress acted like a bunch of 3 year olds (it's literally too long to explain, but look it up if you don't believe me), the pipeline is back up in limbo. This will not stand. Quite frankly, I'm sick of it being unacceptable to push pro left ideas but it's perfectly okay to spew crazy, homophobic, nonsensical, pro right nonsense. This is totally politically biased. I am aware. But quite frankly, today I don't care. Mitt Romney shouldn't gain votes when is says that LGBT is some sort of brainwashing organization that needs to be examined. Michele Bachmann shouldn't gain votes when she says that the EPA needs to be shut down with the doors locked. The EPA is the reason you have clean water. It creates jobs. It creates healthy citizens. And I swear to God if one more person attacks it's I'll really fly off the handle. If you say pro left things, like there should be strict emissions reductions and environmental laws, you're labeled as a communist monster. But if you say you hate gay people--that's cool. It makes me so angry I can't even see. Anyway, rant aside, Keystone really needs to be stopped. If it isn't--we're done. As like, a planet.
So I highly suggest you check out the following site and sign up for their updates:
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2133/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6812
Alright,
That was full of rage and leftist craziness, and I'm sorry. But I'm belligerent at the conservative right currently. I want to poop in a bag and put it on all of their lawns :D
As an aside, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a seasons greetings.
Until next week!
<3 ManicPanic
Ps. Look out for a further breakdown of both the Riot and the 30 percent challenge coming up this week. We want to make sure everyone is all set to go for February 15th! (Think dimmer switches, etc). I am serious about doing this thing, and I'd really like it if y'all joined me.
I'm 78.5% rage-full today so this shall be a short one. Full of rage.
Challenge 37: Shut shit off. The amount of wasted electricity that we use in North America is kind of gross. Some people live without lights, but we seem to need every light, the T.V., the D.V.D., the lamp, the computer and our cell phones all plugged in at once. So, this week, the challenge is TURN THAT SHIT OFF. Sorry to be crude, but a lot of the time this stuff is so unnecessary. However, for those of us this far north, it's dark as fuck. So, I understand the need for light to, you know, see things. So, if lights must be on--make sure they are L.E.D. of CFL lights. No offense to Thomas Edison, but we're SO over incandescent lamps. They were great, but the technology has moved on--and I think he'd pee himself with glee that we've come so far.
Let's examine the numbers: An incandescent bulb uses 60watts--a CFL/L.E.D. uses 4-12watts. Yeah, that's WAY WAY less. So, change your bulbs, cut back on the amount of light you need, and see electricity costs go down. Keep in mind that most electricity comes from coal/fossil fuels--which, you know, actively poisons you in every way. So, use less, use green, and for goodness sake, vote and push for green energy. Don't be as retarded as Virginia:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/virginia-residents-oppose-preparations-for-climate-related-sea-level-rise/2011/12/05/gIQAVRw40O_story.html
Straight up dumbest mother fuckers alive.*said in Kurt Lazarus voice*
Challenge is--don't be this stupid.
Challenge 38: Take action. Once again, I'm not saying get arrested (although I'm going to a protest soon where I very well might be arrested, but still)--I'm just saying go on line, be informed, and if there is an online petition or a letter you can write--fucking DO it. It takes *nothing* out of your day to fill out an online form and it can make all the difference in the world. Look at something like the Arab Spring--something that would never have happened if it wasn't for Twitter/Facebook/Youtube. This stuff is powerful, especially with today's youth. The youth who are being royally butt fucked every day by corporations, big oil, and the governments that have been bought by them. We are being screwed by older generations--and it has to end. We didn't start this war, but we'll sure as hell finish it--one way or another (i.e. we get our shit together or we all die. Not kidding. Just stating).
So, so you don't have to go looking for them, here's some petitions/letters that need you, today.
After promising to turn it into National Park Land, the premier of Ontario turned around and opened Wolf Lake/Temagami to mining interests. This would be the largest old growth red pine forest ON EARTH. It needs saving. And Canada needs to shape the fuck up when it comes to the environment. The letter is already written, you just have to read (if you want) and then type in your information.
http://www.earthroots.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=172
Keystone Pipeline. So, after congress acted like a bunch of 3 year olds (it's literally too long to explain, but look it up if you don't believe me), the pipeline is back up in limbo. This will not stand. Quite frankly, I'm sick of it being unacceptable to push pro left ideas but it's perfectly okay to spew crazy, homophobic, nonsensical, pro right nonsense. This is totally politically biased. I am aware. But quite frankly, today I don't care. Mitt Romney shouldn't gain votes when is says that LGBT is some sort of brainwashing organization that needs to be examined. Michele Bachmann shouldn't gain votes when she says that the EPA needs to be shut down with the doors locked. The EPA is the reason you have clean water. It creates jobs. It creates healthy citizens. And I swear to God if one more person attacks it's I'll really fly off the handle. If you say pro left things, like there should be strict emissions reductions and environmental laws, you're labeled as a communist monster. But if you say you hate gay people--that's cool. It makes me so angry I can't even see. Anyway, rant aside, Keystone really needs to be stopped. If it isn't--we're done. As like, a planet.
So I highly suggest you check out the following site and sign up for their updates:
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2133/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6812
Alright,
That was full of rage and leftist craziness, and I'm sorry. But I'm belligerent at the conservative right currently. I want to poop in a bag and put it on all of their lawns :D
As an aside, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a seasons greetings.
Until next week!
<3 ManicPanic
Ps. Look out for a further breakdown of both the Riot and the 30 percent challenge coming up this week. We want to make sure everyone is all set to go for February 15th! (Think dimmer switches, etc). I am serious about doing this thing, and I'd really like it if y'all joined me.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Dragon Awakens: Rioting for Austerity
Alright, so this isn't a green challenges post. I'm going rogue here.
And I'm about to propose something crazy. The green challenges will continue. But, I'm about to propose something more. Something that will go the extra mile.
But if you guys are on board, I guarantee this will be one of the greatest things you ever do.
Ever.
Okay, here goes.
Mark your calendars for February 15th because I'm proposing:
The Riot for Austerity: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/90PercentReduction/
The principle behind the riot for austerity is that first world nations must reduce emissions 90-95% as quickly as possibly in order of us to avoid deathly climate change in the future. And not just 'life is inconvenient' climate change but 'there is no more life at all on this planet' climate change. Seriously. I'm not exaggerating or making this up--climate change is a really serious threat and if we don't act right now the entire 7 billion population of the earth, and all other significant life, will be dead by 2200. We have the technology to fix it. We *can* fix it in the long term. But it will take necessary sacrifice and effort.
For evidence that speaks to this, please check out David Roberts' 3 latest posts for Grist
1. http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-12-05-the-brutal-logic-of-climate-change
2. http://www.grist.org/climate-policy/2011-12-08-the-brutal-logic-of-climate-change-mitigation
3. http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-12-16-brutal-logic-and-climate-communications
So, what does one do for the Riot for Austerity? Well, it breaks down into 7 different categories:
1. Gasoline
2. Electricity
3. Heating and Cooking Energy
4. Garbage
5. Water
6. Consumer Goods
7. Food
So, the idea is to limit your consumption by 90%. Now, if you are already a way less consumer, it isn't 90% of that, it is 90% of the Average American Household. So, to break it down, in a nutshell you should be aiming for the following:
1. Gasoline: Average household is 500 gallons per person/ per year. So, the target would be 50 gallons per person/per year. For all of us Canadians, that would be down to 190 liters per year. If you take transit, that counts too. Please keep in mind that public transit works at 100 miles per gallon.
2. Electricity: Average kilowatts are 11,000 kilowatts per household, or 900 kilowatts per household per month. So this should go down to 90 kilowatts per household, per month.
3. Heating and Cooking Energy: This one is tricky, and I'll have a separate post expanding on this later. Needless to say where you get your energy will dictate this one. If it's all electric, it goes to the electric average. If it's natural gas/wood, there are different measurements. More to follow on this one.
4. Garbage: Average is 4.5lbs of garbage per person per day. (Which as an aside is fucking DISGUSTING on every, every level). So the aim is 0.45lbs of garbage per day.
5. Water: Average is 100 gallons of water per person per day (Read: VOMIT). So the aim is 10 gallons per person, per day.
6. Consumer Goods: This one is also tricky. The average American household spends 10,000 on 'stuff' every year (yes, you read that correctly. Also read: vomit). So, in a household of 4 (which is the average), that's 2500 dollars a year. So, the new aim is 250 dollars a year. Now, this one also has a bunch of stipulations (if you get it used, you only count 10% of the price. So a 100 dollar used couch only counts for 10% of your budget. Donated goods i.e. Goodwill are also free).
7. Food: This essentially comes to eating organically and locally. Reducing your emissions means having 70% of your diet be locally made (less than 100miles) food. 25% should be bulk goods shipped in huge containers to maximize efficiency. 5% can be conventionally grown foods, processed foods, etc. Right now this last category makes up 65% of a person's diet.
Wow. So, that's the pledge. I plan on doing it as best as I can, aiming for 95%. I will be posting separate pieces on each of these categories so I can go into further detail about it.
Now, for those of you who think that is too radical, I propose the 30% solution. So, most of the climate scenarios would suggest that we have until 2015 to hit peak emissions. So, I say we hit them earlier rather than later. I say we make 2011 our peak emissions year. If you want to still make a difference, and not go the full 90% right away, may I purpose the 30% solution? Reduce your emissions 30% every year, for 3 years. It's a longer timeline, more manageable, and still has your emissions down by the time we need them down.
Now, for a quick list on how to reduce your emissions, I propose the following (please note that the numbers of amounts of carbon that you'll save going into the air):
GAS
Major improvement in your home's insulation 0.4
New boiler if yours is more than 10 years old 0.3
Cavity wall insulation 0.3
Double glazing if you don't have it 0.2
Solar hot water 0.2
Increase loft insulation, seal doors
and skirting boards, etc 0.2
Better controls for boiler, hot water tank
and radiators 0.2
Buy a wood-burning stove 0.2
Reduce your thermostat temp by 1 degree 0.2
Heat one less room 0.1
Slow-flow showers, not baths 0.1
ELECTRICITY
Install 2 kilowatt solar PV panels 0.4
Buy a new A++ refrigerator if yours is more than 4 years old, and only use a small-screen TV 0.1
Use LED or fluorescent lights where you currently have halogen lights installed 0.1
Buy an automated system to turn off appliances when not in use; get a meter that shows actual energy use and use it to monitor your household 0.1
Only use your washing machine and dishwasher
when full to capacity and at lowest temperature 0.1
Never use the tumble dryer 0.1
Get rid of the freezer if you can, and replace your small appliances with "eco" varieties 0.1
CAR
Cut your annual mileage in half 0.7
Sell the second car 0.7
Buy a new car with emissions in car tax bands A or B, then scrap the old one 0.5
Join a car club or set up an effective local car-sharing scheme 0.4
Share car to work 0.3
Go on a day's eco-driving course, fit low-resistance tyres and check air pressure every month 0.2
Don't ever use a car for shopping. Buy online 0.1
Work from home one day a week rather than commuting by car 0.1
AIR TRAVEL
Never fly 1.2
Restrict yourself to one short-haul return flight a year on a carrier with a fuel-efficient fleet 0.3
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Buy secondhand mobile phones and ensure that three of your electronic devices are recycled 0.3
Keep your electronic devices (eg phones, TVs, computers, DVD players, games machines) one year longer than you would have 0.2
Switch from a desktop computer to a laptop at home, and recycle the desktop 0.1
FOOD
Go vegan three days a week 0.5
Change to an almost entirely vegetarian diet, using mostly unprocessed wholefoods such as grains, seeds and nuts 0.5
Never buy processed food or ready meals 0.2
Buy more carefully and never throw food away 0.2
Grow all your own fruit and vegetables for July, August, September 0.1
CLOTHING
Buy 50% secondhand clothes 0.3
Reduce purchases by a more than a quarter compared to last year (eg buy four new T-shirts not the UK average of seven) 0.2
Buy only manmade fibres 0.2
Focus on new fabrics made from bamboo, hemp or other cotton substitutes 0.1
WATER, SEWAGE AND WASTE DISPOSAL
Install a 'grey water' recycling system to take water from your washing machine into your lavatory 0.1
Use showers, not baths. Install a flow-reducing aerator for the shower head 0.1
Regularly use soap, a basin of water and a sponge instead of a shower 0.1
Buy ultra-low water use cisterns, new water-saving dishwasher, washing machine. Recycle old ones 0.1
Install – and carefully monitor – a water meter. Put bricks in all the loos to reduce water. Carefully recycle all waste, compost all organic matter 0.1
Install a composting toilet 0.1
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Cycle everywhere 0.3
Always use coaches instead of the train 0.1
Work from home two days a week instead of taking public transport to work 0.1
PAPER
Only buy newspapers, magazines, books, toilet paper and copier paper made from recycled materials 0.1
Block direct mail, choose electronic bills and statements, buy secondhand books and share papers 0.1
So, that's the 30% challenge in a nutshell. 30% in 2012. 30% in 2013. 30% in 2014. Down 90% emissions by 2015. Work on where you can work on, and everything else you can focus on next year. The transit thing is HUGE. You never realize how much gas we really use until it's all spelled out like that.
Now, I need (well, would like) to know who is on board for this. I'm talking feedback, ideas, tips, etc. The only way we can stop this thing is with extreme personal + political action. If we can get as many people as possible to reduce emissions, then it makes it socially acceptable to reduce emissions. Stop cutting people who are bad to the environment slack--they don't deserve it.
And as an aside, the green challenges will continue on a weekly basis, and I'll do a austerity update every week as well. And if anyone wants to blog about their experience... feel free!
We are in this together. We are about to face a serious tragedy of the commons if everyone doesn't start the steps now to reduce emissions. The situation is dire, because we let it get that way. We're still going to face a really difficult coming century, but with some clear and fast action now--hopefully we can still be around in the centuries after that.
As an aside, none of this comes without it's share of political activism. Want better transit? DEMAND IT. You pay taxes, you are a citizen of this world, and you have to right to demand it. Now, you have to do your share too. But we need to fight for family planning access to control population, we need to fight for clean, renewable energy, and we need to be willing to pay for it all too. So you spend more money going off grid and can't buy a new TV for Christmas? Who cares. Corporations exist for you to buy stuff, and they don't care wtf happens to anyone as long as they have money. So, I guess the point is, you can't really be a 'green' person at all unless you walk the walk AND push politically. I'm not saying get arrested. I'm saying get informed, vote, and make your voice heard in a non screaming, eloquent way. The powers that be would love it if we kept being entirely dependent on oil. Both the American and Canadian governments are 100% in the pocket of big oil. They don't care, whatsoever, about you. They really don't. Take back your democratic right and stop being a fucking pussy, is my point (sorry, the rage slipped out).
I will be posting on how to prepare for this in the coming weeks. Launch date for the riot is February 15th, 2012. This gives everyone lots of notice so they can start getting ready.
I hope you join me on this journey. I really do. Please, please, please, email with any questions/comments/concerns.
Endless <3
ManicPanic
'You gotta give em hope'
And I'm about to propose something crazy. The green challenges will continue. But, I'm about to propose something more. Something that will go the extra mile.
But if you guys are on board, I guarantee this will be one of the greatest things you ever do.
Ever.
Okay, here goes.
Mark your calendars for February 15th because I'm proposing:
The Riot for Austerity: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/90PercentReduction/
The principle behind the riot for austerity is that first world nations must reduce emissions 90-95% as quickly as possibly in order of us to avoid deathly climate change in the future. And not just 'life is inconvenient' climate change but 'there is no more life at all on this planet' climate change. Seriously. I'm not exaggerating or making this up--climate change is a really serious threat and if we don't act right now the entire 7 billion population of the earth, and all other significant life, will be dead by 2200. We have the technology to fix it. We *can* fix it in the long term. But it will take necessary sacrifice and effort.
For evidence that speaks to this, please check out David Roberts' 3 latest posts for Grist
1. http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-12-05-the-brutal-logic-of-climate-change
2. http://www.grist.org/climate-policy/2011-12-08-the-brutal-logic-of-climate-change-mitigation
3. http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-12-16-brutal-logic-and-climate-communications
So, what does one do for the Riot for Austerity? Well, it breaks down into 7 different categories:
1. Gasoline
2. Electricity
3. Heating and Cooking Energy
4. Garbage
5. Water
6. Consumer Goods
7. Food
So, the idea is to limit your consumption by 90%. Now, if you are already a way less consumer, it isn't 90% of that, it is 90% of the Average American Household. So, to break it down, in a nutshell you should be aiming for the following:
1. Gasoline: Average household is 500 gallons per person/ per year. So, the target would be 50 gallons per person/per year. For all of us Canadians, that would be down to 190 liters per year. If you take transit, that counts too. Please keep in mind that public transit works at 100 miles per gallon.
2. Electricity: Average kilowatts are 11,000 kilowatts per household, or 900 kilowatts per household per month. So this should go down to 90 kilowatts per household, per month.
3. Heating and Cooking Energy: This one is tricky, and I'll have a separate post expanding on this later. Needless to say where you get your energy will dictate this one. If it's all electric, it goes to the electric average. If it's natural gas/wood, there are different measurements. More to follow on this one.
4. Garbage: Average is 4.5lbs of garbage per person per day. (Which as an aside is fucking DISGUSTING on every, every level). So the aim is 0.45lbs of garbage per day.
5. Water: Average is 100 gallons of water per person per day (Read: VOMIT). So the aim is 10 gallons per person, per day.
6. Consumer Goods: This one is also tricky. The average American household spends 10,000 on 'stuff' every year (yes, you read that correctly. Also read: vomit). So, in a household of 4 (which is the average), that's 2500 dollars a year. So, the new aim is 250 dollars a year. Now, this one also has a bunch of stipulations (if you get it used, you only count 10% of the price. So a 100 dollar used couch only counts for 10% of your budget. Donated goods i.e. Goodwill are also free).
7. Food: This essentially comes to eating organically and locally. Reducing your emissions means having 70% of your diet be locally made (less than 100miles) food. 25% should be bulk goods shipped in huge containers to maximize efficiency. 5% can be conventionally grown foods, processed foods, etc. Right now this last category makes up 65% of a person's diet.
Wow. So, that's the pledge. I plan on doing it as best as I can, aiming for 95%. I will be posting separate pieces on each of these categories so I can go into further detail about it.
Now, for those of you who think that is too radical, I propose the 30% solution. So, most of the climate scenarios would suggest that we have until 2015 to hit peak emissions. So, I say we hit them earlier rather than later. I say we make 2011 our peak emissions year. If you want to still make a difference, and not go the full 90% right away, may I purpose the 30% solution? Reduce your emissions 30% every year, for 3 years. It's a longer timeline, more manageable, and still has your emissions down by the time we need them down.
Now, for a quick list on how to reduce your emissions, I propose the following (please note that the numbers of amounts of carbon that you'll save going into the air):
GAS
Major improvement in your home's insulation 0.4
New boiler if yours is more than 10 years old 0.3
Cavity wall insulation 0.3
Double glazing if you don't have it 0.2
Solar hot water 0.2
Increase loft insulation, seal doors
and skirting boards, etc 0.2
Better controls for boiler, hot water tank
and radiators 0.2
Buy a wood-burning stove 0.2
Reduce your thermostat temp by 1 degree 0.2
Heat one less room 0.1
Slow-flow showers, not baths 0.1
ELECTRICITY
Install 2 kilowatt solar PV panels 0.4
Buy a new A++ refrigerator if yours is more than 4 years old, and only use a small-screen TV 0.1
Use LED or fluorescent lights where you currently have halogen lights installed 0.1
Buy an automated system to turn off appliances when not in use; get a meter that shows actual energy use and use it to monitor your household 0.1
Only use your washing machine and dishwasher
when full to capacity and at lowest temperature 0.1
Never use the tumble dryer 0.1
Get rid of the freezer if you can, and replace your small appliances with "eco" varieties 0.1
CAR
Cut your annual mileage in half 0.7
Sell the second car 0.7
Buy a new car with emissions in car tax bands A or B, then scrap the old one 0.5
Join a car club or set up an effective local car-sharing scheme 0.4
Share car to work 0.3
Go on a day's eco-driving course, fit low-resistance tyres and check air pressure every month 0.2
Don't ever use a car for shopping. Buy online 0.1
Work from home one day a week rather than commuting by car 0.1
AIR TRAVEL
Never fly 1.2
Restrict yourself to one short-haul return flight a year on a carrier with a fuel-efficient fleet 0.3
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Buy secondhand mobile phones and ensure that three of your electronic devices are recycled 0.3
Keep your electronic devices (eg phones, TVs, computers, DVD players, games machines) one year longer than you would have 0.2
Switch from a desktop computer to a laptop at home, and recycle the desktop 0.1
FOOD
Go vegan three days a week 0.5
Change to an almost entirely vegetarian diet, using mostly unprocessed wholefoods such as grains, seeds and nuts 0.5
Never buy processed food or ready meals 0.2
Buy more carefully and never throw food away 0.2
Grow all your own fruit and vegetables for July, August, September 0.1
CLOTHING
Buy 50% secondhand clothes 0.3
Reduce purchases by a more than a quarter compared to last year (eg buy four new T-shirts not the UK average of seven) 0.2
Buy only manmade fibres 0.2
Focus on new fabrics made from bamboo, hemp or other cotton substitutes 0.1
WATER, SEWAGE AND WASTE DISPOSAL
Install a 'grey water' recycling system to take water from your washing machine into your lavatory 0.1
Use showers, not baths. Install a flow-reducing aerator for the shower head 0.1
Regularly use soap, a basin of water and a sponge instead of a shower 0.1
Buy ultra-low water use cisterns, new water-saving dishwasher, washing machine. Recycle old ones 0.1
Install – and carefully monitor – a water meter. Put bricks in all the loos to reduce water. Carefully recycle all waste, compost all organic matter 0.1
Install a composting toilet 0.1
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Cycle everywhere 0.3
Always use coaches instead of the train 0.1
Work from home two days a week instead of taking public transport to work 0.1
PAPER
Only buy newspapers, magazines, books, toilet paper and copier paper made from recycled materials 0.1
Block direct mail, choose electronic bills and statements, buy secondhand books and share papers 0.1
So, that's the 30% challenge in a nutshell. 30% in 2012. 30% in 2013. 30% in 2014. Down 90% emissions by 2015. Work on where you can work on, and everything else you can focus on next year. The transit thing is HUGE. You never realize how much gas we really use until it's all spelled out like that.
Now, I need (well, would like) to know who is on board for this. I'm talking feedback, ideas, tips, etc. The only way we can stop this thing is with extreme personal + political action. If we can get as many people as possible to reduce emissions, then it makes it socially acceptable to reduce emissions. Stop cutting people who are bad to the environment slack--they don't deserve it.
And as an aside, the green challenges will continue on a weekly basis, and I'll do a austerity update every week as well. And if anyone wants to blog about their experience... feel free!
We are in this together. We are about to face a serious tragedy of the commons if everyone doesn't start the steps now to reduce emissions. The situation is dire, because we let it get that way. We're still going to face a really difficult coming century, but with some clear and fast action now--hopefully we can still be around in the centuries after that.
As an aside, none of this comes without it's share of political activism. Want better transit? DEMAND IT. You pay taxes, you are a citizen of this world, and you have to right to demand it. Now, you have to do your share too. But we need to fight for family planning access to control population, we need to fight for clean, renewable energy, and we need to be willing to pay for it all too. So you spend more money going off grid and can't buy a new TV for Christmas? Who cares. Corporations exist for you to buy stuff, and they don't care wtf happens to anyone as long as they have money. So, I guess the point is, you can't really be a 'green' person at all unless you walk the walk AND push politically. I'm not saying get arrested. I'm saying get informed, vote, and make your voice heard in a non screaming, eloquent way. The powers that be would love it if we kept being entirely dependent on oil. Both the American and Canadian governments are 100% in the pocket of big oil. They don't care, whatsoever, about you. They really don't. Take back your democratic right and stop being a fucking pussy, is my point (sorry, the rage slipped out).
I will be posting on how to prepare for this in the coming weeks. Launch date for the riot is February 15th, 2012. This gives everyone lots of notice so they can start getting ready.
I hope you join me on this journey. I really do. Please, please, please, email with any questions/comments/concerns.
Endless <3
ManicPanic
'You gotta give em hope'
Monday, December 12, 2011
Canada--the World's Asshat
Now, this post is going to be as rage filled as last week's post, but hopefully far more articulate than last week's post. I've calmed down about 34%, so this will be 34% more coherent than last time. And as we just passed 800 page views, I assume someone is still reading this--out there, in the ether.
Alright, here we go.
Now, as for the title of this post. I've always loved being Canadian. I have--truly. I've always been proud of our diversity, health care, etc etc. You know, all the good stuff. But lately, I've been so full of #Canadashame I've wanted to vomit. Why, you ask? Well, because when it comes to the environment, Canada is fucking retarded--that's why.
Exhibit A. We keep trying to unload our epically lame, deadly, cancerous, tar sands bullshit oil on everyone. Keystone XL has major proponents in the states as well, but it's the Canadian federal government that is doing a large majority of the pushing here. Why? Because our whole federal cabinet is bought and paid for by big oil. I suppose that makes it the same as the states--but I feel exceptionally betrayed by this nonetheless. No one wants that fucking oil. If that pipeline goes through--it's game over for the climate, for the midwest, for the Canadian west, and for pretty much everyone. It's a really fucking stupid idea, is what I'm getting at here. #thanksalotCanada reason number 1.
Exhibit B. In my province, we are also having extreme difficulty with habitat destruction. Northern Ontario is environmentally rich, and for some reason the government has taken this to mean it should destroy all of that richness as quickly as possible. They want to put an outdated, inefficient septic sludge tank on the Gatineau River (voted the most beautiful waterway in Canada) [to help, visit: http://savethegatineau.com/], they want to build a quarry 3x the size of Niagara Falls in Northern Ontario so they can ship limestone to China and effectively destroy the drinking water of over 2 million people [to help, visit: https://www.facebook.com/no.mega.quarry] AND they want to tear down an old growth forest in the Wolf Lake Region named Temagami (it was SUPPOSED to become national park land) and open it all up to mining interests [stay tuned for where to help, I'm working on it]. So, needless to say, Ontario sucks really gross hairy balls right now when it comes to the environment. Ontario contains 25% of the WORLD'S freshwater, and it's like we're seeing how fast we can destroy it all. It's disgusting, is what it is. #thanksalotCanada reason number 2.
Oh, and then there's this:
http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111212/ap_on_bi_ge/cn_canada_climate_change
Now, was the Kyoto agreement perfect? Nope, not by a long shot. BUT, the countries who did follow it saw a drastic decrease in emissions over the last 14 years. Canada, who has way few people but still manages to pollute the fuck out of everything, never tried to follow it in the first place, and now they are pulling out of it entirely. Sure, they have their bullshit reasons, but the real reason is that Peter Kent is an asshole. Mr. Kent, our beloved national environmental minister, is in the back pocket of Big Oil and would like nothing more than to have us dependent on fossil fuels forever--it puts more money in his pocket, you see. So, now that we've established that this guy is a total douche, we begin to see some of the reasons for the above environmental missteps (not the Ontario stuff though--that's a combination of the provincial government lacking a backbone and the mining laws being so outdated it's ridiculous). So, now the whole world hates Canada. Especially the island nations, that, you know, won't be here in 15 years due to sea level rise. Or, you know, Africa, which will experience droughts so severe that most of the people there will also die. But I mean, it's cool, as long as you have gas in your car it doesn't matter right? *epic facepalm* #thanksalotCanada reason number 3.
So, now that I'm seriously considering becoming an ex-pat and fleeing to countries who care about climate change (I'm looking at you, Australia, Germany, the UK and Norway), let's get us to some challenges!
Challenge 35: If you happen to be Canadian, stop letting this shit happen. I know some people don't vote because they feel uninformed--but you should get yourself informed and then vote. Idiots vote all the time--how do you think we get stuck with some of these politicians *cough Rick Perry cough* ? And if you are Canadian and do want to help, may I suggest 2 main things.
1. Spread the word. Tell 10 people about all of these atrocities, and then get them to tell 10 people. Some of this stuff hits real close to home. For instance, live in the GTA? Well then ALL OF this northern Ontario epically fucking with the water table stuff DIRECTLY affects you. Hear that? Get on it.
2. Contact these people who are making these asshat decisions and let them know that this isn't acceptable and that you won't stand for it. Here is some contact information, to guide you:
Canadian Minister of the Environment (he kind of looks evil, just sayin):
http://www.parl.gc.ca/membersofparliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170520&Language=E
Ontario Environment Minister:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/main/contacts/feedback/index.htm
Ontario Natural Resource Minister:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ContactUs/index.html?CSB_ic-name=topMenu&CSB_ic-info=contact-us_Eng
Ontario Minister of Northern Development & Mines:
http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/contact_e.asp
Premier Dalton McGuinty:
https://correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca/en/feedback/default.aspx
Challenge 36: If you are not Canadian, don't let this shit happen in your country either. Call your senators, congressman, whoever and demand that it stop. They want power, and they want to stay elected, and if they think that might not happen, they'll change their mind.
Stop letting it happen. I know that some people don't like this stuff. And I'm sorry, but it's just too bad. We get walked on every day by massive conglomerates who want us to be poor, sick, and nature deprived. Enough is enough. Living by example is also of the utmost importance--but none of that matters if you die of poisoned drinking water because they deregulated cleaning it so a corporation could get more money. And I didn't make that up. It happens every day.
The line must be drawn here. This far. No further.
<3 times
Manicpanic
Alright, here we go.
Now, as for the title of this post. I've always loved being Canadian. I have--truly. I've always been proud of our diversity, health care, etc etc. You know, all the good stuff. But lately, I've been so full of #Canadashame I've wanted to vomit. Why, you ask? Well, because when it comes to the environment, Canada is fucking retarded--that's why.
Exhibit A. We keep trying to unload our epically lame, deadly, cancerous, tar sands bullshit oil on everyone. Keystone XL has major proponents in the states as well, but it's the Canadian federal government that is doing a large majority of the pushing here. Why? Because our whole federal cabinet is bought and paid for by big oil. I suppose that makes it the same as the states--but I feel exceptionally betrayed by this nonetheless. No one wants that fucking oil. If that pipeline goes through--it's game over for the climate, for the midwest, for the Canadian west, and for pretty much everyone. It's a really fucking stupid idea, is what I'm getting at here. #thanksalotCanada reason number 1.
Exhibit B. In my province, we are also having extreme difficulty with habitat destruction. Northern Ontario is environmentally rich, and for some reason the government has taken this to mean it should destroy all of that richness as quickly as possible. They want to put an outdated, inefficient septic sludge tank on the Gatineau River (voted the most beautiful waterway in Canada) [to help, visit: http://savethegatineau.com/], they want to build a quarry 3x the size of Niagara Falls in Northern Ontario so they can ship limestone to China and effectively destroy the drinking water of over 2 million people [to help, visit: https://www.facebook.com/no.mega.quarry] AND they want to tear down an old growth forest in the Wolf Lake Region named Temagami (it was SUPPOSED to become national park land) and open it all up to mining interests [stay tuned for where to help, I'm working on it]. So, needless to say, Ontario sucks really gross hairy balls right now when it comes to the environment. Ontario contains 25% of the WORLD'S freshwater, and it's like we're seeing how fast we can destroy it all. It's disgusting, is what it is. #thanksalotCanada reason number 2.
Oh, and then there's this:
http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111212/ap_on_bi_ge/cn_canada_climate_change
Now, was the Kyoto agreement perfect? Nope, not by a long shot. BUT, the countries who did follow it saw a drastic decrease in emissions over the last 14 years. Canada, who has way few people but still manages to pollute the fuck out of everything, never tried to follow it in the first place, and now they are pulling out of it entirely. Sure, they have their bullshit reasons, but the real reason is that Peter Kent is an asshole. Mr. Kent, our beloved national environmental minister, is in the back pocket of Big Oil and would like nothing more than to have us dependent on fossil fuels forever--it puts more money in his pocket, you see. So, now that we've established that this guy is a total douche, we begin to see some of the reasons for the above environmental missteps (not the Ontario stuff though--that's a combination of the provincial government lacking a backbone and the mining laws being so outdated it's ridiculous). So, now the whole world hates Canada. Especially the island nations, that, you know, won't be here in 15 years due to sea level rise. Or, you know, Africa, which will experience droughts so severe that most of the people there will also die. But I mean, it's cool, as long as you have gas in your car it doesn't matter right? *epic facepalm* #thanksalotCanada reason number 3.
So, now that I'm seriously considering becoming an ex-pat and fleeing to countries who care about climate change (I'm looking at you, Australia, Germany, the UK and Norway), let's get us to some challenges!
Challenge 35: If you happen to be Canadian, stop letting this shit happen. I know some people don't vote because they feel uninformed--but you should get yourself informed and then vote. Idiots vote all the time--how do you think we get stuck with some of these politicians *cough Rick Perry cough* ? And if you are Canadian and do want to help, may I suggest 2 main things.
1. Spread the word. Tell 10 people about all of these atrocities, and then get them to tell 10 people. Some of this stuff hits real close to home. For instance, live in the GTA? Well then ALL OF this northern Ontario epically fucking with the water table stuff DIRECTLY affects you. Hear that? Get on it.
2. Contact these people who are making these asshat decisions and let them know that this isn't acceptable and that you won't stand for it. Here is some contact information, to guide you:
Canadian Minister of the Environment (he kind of looks evil, just sayin):
http://www.parl.gc.ca/membersofparliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170520&Language=E
Ontario Environment Minister:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/main/contacts/feedback/index.htm
Ontario Natural Resource Minister:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ContactUs/index.html?CSB_ic-name=topMenu&CSB_ic-info=contact-us_Eng
Ontario Minister of Northern Development & Mines:
http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/contact_e.asp
Premier Dalton McGuinty:
https://correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca/en/feedback/default.aspx
Challenge 36: If you are not Canadian, don't let this shit happen in your country either. Call your senators, congressman, whoever and demand that it stop. They want power, and they want to stay elected, and if they think that might not happen, they'll change their mind.
Stop letting it happen. I know that some people don't like this stuff. And I'm sorry, but it's just too bad. We get walked on every day by massive conglomerates who want us to be poor, sick, and nature deprived. Enough is enough. Living by example is also of the utmost importance--but none of that matters if you die of poisoned drinking water because they deregulated cleaning it so a corporation could get more money. And I didn't make that up. It happens every day.
The line must be drawn here. This far. No further.
<3 times
Manicpanic
Monday, December 5, 2011
Rage Blackout: Part II
Hey,
Get ready for another really short post. I'm on a winter spiral of sad panda right now, so the challenges will totally respect that. This post is also full of homicidal rage. Actually. So, don't be too offended--I'm just belligerent. You have been forewarned.
Challenge 33: Please for the love of Christ wake the fuck up. You heard me--behold the following links:
Trees are dying:
http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/trees-arent-adapting-climate-change-predicted.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+treehuggersite+%28Treehugger%29
We can't stop the damage we've done:
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-11-09-study-we-have-five-years-to-stop-climate-change-or-it-will-be-to
Goodbye Adirondak Region (I'm looking at you, all of upstate/central New York)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/nyregion/fearing-climate-changes-effects-on-the-adirondacks.html?_r=1
We're screwed, prepare thy suicide capsules:
http://www.treehugger.com/climate-change/record-breaking-rise-greenhouse-gases-observed.html
Oh, and there is no more arctic, fyi:
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-12-05-this-is-what-antarctica-looks-like-naked
We are incapable of listening to reason/science (this is not really news, but still)
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-12-05-what-record-emissions-growth-really-shows-us
There isn't going to be any 'adapting' to future climate degree rises. There's only going to be 'dying' and 'no more humans on earth-ing' and 'say goodbye to every species but cockroaches-ing'
http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-12-05-the-brutal-logic-of-climate-change
Now, loyal blog readers, it's not really you guys who need to wake the fuck up--but I bet you know someone who does. Spread the word.
Challenge 34 : Be the Lorax, speak for the trees/fish/sustainable food/whatever
It won't change unless we change it. It won't. And if any of those links are any indication, it is clear that most of us are just sitting around waiting for other people to change things. We're the generation that's getting fucked over. And we're watching it happen. Speak for the trees. Be a Lorax. Stop accepting it.
End. Scene.
Sorry this post was full of doom and gloom--if you feel a little sad, welcome to every minute of my life because I spend my whole day looking at this stuff. If you feel an overwhelming sense of dread--don't worry, it's totally normal.
Hopefully next week I can bring myself to write something a little more chipper.
Oh and this, apparently Muppets are communists:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-business-news-calls-muppets-269706
If you fuck with the Muppets--you fuck with me. And I don't think anything designed to get people to needlessly spend money is starting the anti capitalist revolution, as much a I love the Muppets.
FML
ManicPanic
Get ready for another really short post. I'm on a winter spiral of sad panda right now, so the challenges will totally respect that. This post is also full of homicidal rage. Actually. So, don't be too offended--I'm just belligerent. You have been forewarned.
Challenge 33: Please for the love of Christ wake the fuck up. You heard me--behold the following links:
Trees are dying:
http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/trees-arent-adapting-climate-change-predicted.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+treehuggersite+%28Treehugger%29
We can't stop the damage we've done:
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-11-09-study-we-have-five-years-to-stop-climate-change-or-it-will-be-to
Goodbye Adirondak Region (I'm looking at you, all of upstate/central New York)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/nyregion/fearing-climate-changes-effects-on-the-adirondacks.html?_r=1
We're screwed, prepare thy suicide capsules:
http://www.treehugger.com/climate-change/record-breaking-rise-greenhouse-gases-observed.html
Oh, and there is no more arctic, fyi:
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-12-05-this-is-what-antarctica-looks-like-naked
We are incapable of listening to reason/science (this is not really news, but still)
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-12-05-what-record-emissions-growth-really-shows-us
There isn't going to be any 'adapting' to future climate degree rises. There's only going to be 'dying' and 'no more humans on earth-ing' and 'say goodbye to every species but cockroaches-ing'
http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-12-05-the-brutal-logic-of-climate-change
Now, loyal blog readers, it's not really you guys who need to wake the fuck up--but I bet you know someone who does. Spread the word.
Challenge 34 : Be the Lorax, speak for the trees/fish/sustainable food/whatever
It won't change unless we change it. It won't. And if any of those links are any indication, it is clear that most of us are just sitting around waiting for other people to change things. We're the generation that's getting fucked over. And we're watching it happen. Speak for the trees. Be a Lorax. Stop accepting it.
End. Scene.
Sorry this post was full of doom and gloom--if you feel a little sad, welcome to every minute of my life because I spend my whole day looking at this stuff. If you feel an overwhelming sense of dread--don't worry, it's totally normal.
Hopefully next week I can bring myself to write something a little more chipper.
Oh and this, apparently Muppets are communists:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-business-news-calls-muppets-269706
If you fuck with the Muppets--you fuck with me. And I don't think anything designed to get people to needlessly spend money is starting the anti capitalist revolution, as much a I love the Muppets.
FML
ManicPanic
Monday, November 28, 2011
A Wrinkle In Time
Alright,
Just a tiny tiny post today as I'm still 'on location'... kinda of. Long story. On to challenges!
Challenge 31. Think eco friendly Christmas. In honor of the insanity that is Black Friday, I offer you non earth destroying gift options!
- a perfect gift that is cute and helps the earth. I'm looking at you, Neptunes Nachos:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Dolphin.aspx?gid=8
- yay green! yay pretty!
http://www.lush.ca/shop/english?sc=1
Challenge 32. Eat a new vegetable. Through my CSA box this week, I had Bok Choy, which was delicious. So, the challenge this week is to go out and try something healthy that you're like 'dude what is that' ! Eat it. And then BASK IN ITS DELICIOUSNESS!
Alright, that's all. I'm on no sleep haven't slept in my own bed in 3 weeks crack right now, so I apologize for the brevity of this post.
LOVE
<3 Manic Panic
Just a tiny tiny post today as I'm still 'on location'... kinda of. Long story. On to challenges!
Challenge 31. Think eco friendly Christmas. In honor of the insanity that is Black Friday, I offer you non earth destroying gift options!
- a perfect gift that is cute and helps the earth. I'm looking at you, Neptunes Nachos:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Dolphin.aspx?gid=8
- yay green! yay pretty!
http://www.lush.ca/shop/english?sc=1
Challenge 32. Eat a new vegetable. Through my CSA box this week, I had Bok Choy, which was delicious. So, the challenge this week is to go out and try something healthy that you're like 'dude what is that' ! Eat it. And then BASK IN ITS DELICIOUSNESS!
Alright, that's all. I'm on no sleep haven't slept in my own bed in 3 weeks crack right now, so I apologize for the brevity of this post.
LOVE
<3 Manic Panic
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Cross Country Green Adventures!
Alright, so there won't be any challenges this week--because I was traveling all across country this week with my bestest friend on this earth--and so I'm going to just blog about all the green things we saw along the way! I'll break this down state by state--so much green, so little time!
Oceanside, California: One of the things I loved immediately about California was that there are farmer's markets everywhere---literally everywhere. For someone whose farmer's market season ended in October--this was amazing to me. Even though I have a CSA box for the winter--still not the same. It was amazing, vibrant, and full of stalls that had endless wonders. I felt like I was Alaadin, in Agraba--except I didn't steal anything.
My favorites?
Petrou Food L.L.C.
https://www.petroufoods.com/
This man was the sweetest thing imaginable. He was a famous fashion stylist and now he is a producer of delicious foods instead! Really, really incredible stuff. He also told me I looked like Sofia Loren. That had a lot to do with my love for him.
Conscious Coconuts: http://consciouscoconuts.com/
A wonderful company, trying to make a real difference and improve access to clean water--all through the deliciousness of coconuts!
Sari Lady: http://sarilady.com/
I fell in *love* with these things. They are up-cycled saris that can be worn about a million different ways. Such impressive stuff--it's amazing what beautiful stuff you can make from old clothes!
Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah:
Now, I didn't have the greatest expectations of Utah--however, by the end it was hands down my favorite state. Hands down. Beautiful, polite people, and lots and lots of rocks. It was amazing. And--much to my surprise, we ended up staying at one of the 'greenest' cities in Utah.
http://www.springdaletown.com/green_springdale.html
It was awesome. Solar panels, recycling programs, these are all the things that I love the most! It was a wonderful place full of wonderful things. I was so excited about it. I'm totally team Utah now.
Alright--besides that, there were other green things we did whilst we were driving. We also went through: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. However, the midwest actively tried to murder us because it was so rainy--so we sort of drove straight through those states without stopping. Yet, we tried to stay as green as we could: buying minimal tourist junk, using cruise control to save on gas, stuff like that.
All in all a magical journey full of beautiful, beautiful scenery. It's a gorgeous country, and I'm so glad I got to experience it.
Ps.
Behold, the beauty of Utah:
Alright, that's all for now. I'll post again on Monday with some more wonderful challenges.
Love
Manicpanic
Oceanside, California: One of the things I loved immediately about California was that there are farmer's markets everywhere---literally everywhere. For someone whose farmer's market season ended in October--this was amazing to me. Even though I have a CSA box for the winter--still not the same. It was amazing, vibrant, and full of stalls that had endless wonders. I felt like I was Alaadin, in Agraba--except I didn't steal anything.
My favorites?
Petrou Food L.L.C.
https://www.petroufoods.com/
This man was the sweetest thing imaginable. He was a famous fashion stylist and now he is a producer of delicious foods instead! Really, really incredible stuff. He also told me I looked like Sofia Loren. That had a lot to do with my love for him.
Conscious Coconuts: http://consciouscoconuts.com/
A wonderful company, trying to make a real difference and improve access to clean water--all through the deliciousness of coconuts!
Sari Lady: http://sarilady.com/
I fell in *love* with these things. They are up-cycled saris that can be worn about a million different ways. Such impressive stuff--it's amazing what beautiful stuff you can make from old clothes!
Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah:
Now, I didn't have the greatest expectations of Utah--however, by the end it was hands down my favorite state. Hands down. Beautiful, polite people, and lots and lots of rocks. It was amazing. And--much to my surprise, we ended up staying at one of the 'greenest' cities in Utah.
http://www.springdaletown.com/green_springdale.html
It was awesome. Solar panels, recycling programs, these are all the things that I love the most! It was a wonderful place full of wonderful things. I was so excited about it. I'm totally team Utah now.
Alright--besides that, there were other green things we did whilst we were driving. We also went through: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. However, the midwest actively tried to murder us because it was so rainy--so we sort of drove straight through those states without stopping. Yet, we tried to stay as green as we could: buying minimal tourist junk, using cruise control to save on gas, stuff like that.
All in all a magical journey full of beautiful, beautiful scenery. It's a gorgeous country, and I'm so glad I got to experience it.
Ps.
Behold, the beauty of Utah:
Alright, that's all for now. I'll post again on Monday with some more wonderful challenges.
Love
Manicpanic
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sad Panda
Hello all! This week I will hopefully be brief and be gone, as I'm off to California on Wednesday to visit fellow blogger for the Lorax (she hasn't posted yet, but don't worry, she will)! Next week I'll be blogging live from California--or wherever we are by then. We will be road-tripping across the country, so who knows where I'll be posting from!
Theme of the week is..... there is no theme! I found two really neat links for this week, and I designed the challenge around them.
Enjoy!
Challenge 29: Be aware of sad panda problems. So, I came across this article this week:
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-11-09-study-we-have-five-years-to-stop-climate-change-or-it-will-be-to
Now, that fucking sucks. But, what can we as individuals do?
1. Invest in clean energy. Buy it. Vote for it. Realize that--despite what conservatives who work for oil companies/natural gas companies/coal companies say-- we only have so much oil. And that when it runs out--well, we're going to be really fucking screwed. So, it is in our best interest to invest in green energy NOW, so that when the oil runs out, we are able to still, you know, exist.
2. Support for urban/rural forests and vote for regulations to keep them safe. Now, there's a ton (well, billions of tons) of carbon in the air. And we need this carbon to be gobbled up by trees. Now, the problem is that a lot of forest land is now farmland. However, there is still hope. Trees om nom nom carbon, so it would be in our best interest to plant as many of them as possible. Trees also create cleaner air, cleaner water, and an all around better living environment for us human folk-- so let's get on that.
3. Support things that are going to control the population. Now, this is a delicate subject. In fact, even the most green of green leaders will barely even speak about this issue. Al Gore made a statement a little while ago that said something along the lines of, 'we need more people living better lives, not more people living. We need small, strong families'. And--of course *liberal bias face*-- right wing conservatives flipped out and essentially called him a socialist Satan who would personally wonder around performing abortions on everyone. But--despite the crazy of ignorant people--we do need more people living better lives, and not just more people living. Quality of life > number of people alive. Sorry, but that's just this girls opinion. So, how can you control the human population (without having everyone you know sprayed or neutered?)
a. Support/vote for access to birth control. This means free access to birth control, and laws that allow access to birth control. Condoms cost less than babies. And it's in everyone's best interest if people have as many babies as they want-- see keyword want.
b. Don't pressure anyone ever in your life to have kids. We are in a situation where we have the technology to make a very high percentage of pregnancies planned. Which is great. Desired children are generally much more well adjusted. This is not saying that unplanned children aren't loved etc. There is a huge difference between a child that wasn't planned and a child that isn't wanted. I know this is pretty unpopular thinking with most people--but I think that a child knows if it's unwanted, or if a child is born because that's just, 'what you do'. If someone wants 5 kids, and has the means/desire to raise them right--then they should 100% be allowed to have that many kids. When people are educated, and have opportunities/support, they generally choose to have fewer children on average. This means babies for people that want babies and no social pressure for people who don't want them. Everyone wins. There's more resources for the children who are born--and no social pressure on people who would rather co-parent their nieces/nephews/friends' kids than have their own.
c. Support teaching sex education. Once again, I'm going to go out on a huge limb and be really unpopular here and say the following--schools need to teach kids about sex. The United States has many states that teach abstinence only education--and they also have an ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH unplanned pregnancy rate. Over 50% of pregnancies in America are unplanned--that's higher than some sub-Saharan African third world countries. The unplanned pregnancy rate in other first world countries is less than 10% on average. I understand the principles behind not teaching kids about their own bodies and only teaching abstinence only education--I just think it's fucking stupid. You're assuming that parents are teaching these kids these facts of life--clearly this isn't happening. Let's face it--teenagers are going to have sex. They just are. If you think otherwise--you're even dumber than I thought. So, since this is happening, it's probably a good idea for kids to have an idea of how their bodies work-- so that they a. can't be taken advantage of b. don't have a child at 16. Plus, silence breeds guilt about their bodies and can warp kids sexually for the rest of their lives. Just saying.
d. Stop treating babies like puppies. The media loves to make having a baby look easy--case in point, everyone one of those 'Teen Moms' is now a millionaire--but it's not. At all. Not even remotely. Having a baby isn't for sissies--and raising a normal, productive, solid kid is fucking HARD work. People who do it should get medals, seriously. Because that this ain't easy--at all. We need to look at shows like '19/A bazillion Kids & Counting' or 'A Baby Story' or '16 and pregnant' and see that there is massive production manipulation behind these shows. Having a family that is stable and loving takes work--a lot of it. And it doesn't wrap up nicely every 30 minutes. And another thing (as I'm pretty much in full rage blackout right now), let's not have '16 & pregnant' saying it shows the 'real truth' of teen pregnancy when it splices in adorable Huggies commercials at every interval. Those shows are about buying stuff. They want you to have babies so you buy more stuff--not so you find emotional fulfillment through having a child.
Okay. Epic baby rant. Ended.
And yes, 5 years is doable--if we get our shit together POST HASTE. Keep in mind that the Republican party will essentially be running on a "FUCK THE EPA WITH A SHARP THING" ballot--so I really wouldn't be voting for them in 2012--you know, unless you hate clean air and clean water and animals and reaaaaally love cancer--then vote for them all you like!
Challenge 30: Make this Christmas/Holiday season a slow, green one.
On a much, much lighter note:
I won't lie-- I really love Christmas, and I always have. However, the reason I love Christmas is because there are so many events and get togethers to be with family and friends. I was kind of over the gift side of things by the time I was 14--it just feels empty to me. I rather have a 5$ really thoughtful card than an expensive gift any day of the week.
So this year--make it a slow holiday. No crazy. No anxiety. Just be with whomever you love, gather around, and have some fun.
And if you want to give a gift--give a green one.
Okay, where do I get a green gift, you ask?
BEHOLD!
http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/
Also consider thrift stores, craft shows, anything local. I got a local artisan craft for my birthday--and I effing loved it. Supporting local people, saving resources, and I got a super cute, meaningful gift!
Alright, well that's it for me.
Sorry, that ended up being long as hell.
<3 times
Manic Panic
Theme of the week is..... there is no theme! I found two really neat links for this week, and I designed the challenge around them.
Enjoy!
Challenge 29: Be aware of sad panda problems. So, I came across this article this week:
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-11-09-study-we-have-five-years-to-stop-climate-change-or-it-will-be-to
Now, that fucking sucks. But, what can we as individuals do?
1. Invest in clean energy. Buy it. Vote for it. Realize that--despite what conservatives who work for oil companies/natural gas companies/coal companies say-- we only have so much oil. And that when it runs out--well, we're going to be really fucking screwed. So, it is in our best interest to invest in green energy NOW, so that when the oil runs out, we are able to still, you know, exist.
2. Support for urban/rural forests and vote for regulations to keep them safe. Now, there's a ton (well, billions of tons) of carbon in the air. And we need this carbon to be gobbled up by trees. Now, the problem is that a lot of forest land is now farmland. However, there is still hope. Trees om nom nom carbon, so it would be in our best interest to plant as many of them as possible. Trees also create cleaner air, cleaner water, and an all around better living environment for us human folk-- so let's get on that.
3. Support things that are going to control the population. Now, this is a delicate subject. In fact, even the most green of green leaders will barely even speak about this issue. Al Gore made a statement a little while ago that said something along the lines of, 'we need more people living better lives, not more people living. We need small, strong families'. And--of course *liberal bias face*-- right wing conservatives flipped out and essentially called him a socialist Satan who would personally wonder around performing abortions on everyone. But--despite the crazy of ignorant people--we do need more people living better lives, and not just more people living. Quality of life > number of people alive. Sorry, but that's just this girls opinion. So, how can you control the human population (without having everyone you know sprayed or neutered?)
a. Support/vote for access to birth control. This means free access to birth control, and laws that allow access to birth control. Condoms cost less than babies. And it's in everyone's best interest if people have as many babies as they want-- see keyword want.
b. Don't pressure anyone ever in your life to have kids. We are in a situation where we have the technology to make a very high percentage of pregnancies planned. Which is great. Desired children are generally much more well adjusted. This is not saying that unplanned children aren't loved etc. There is a huge difference between a child that wasn't planned and a child that isn't wanted. I know this is pretty unpopular thinking with most people--but I think that a child knows if it's unwanted, or if a child is born because that's just, 'what you do'. If someone wants 5 kids, and has the means/desire to raise them right--then they should 100% be allowed to have that many kids. When people are educated, and have opportunities/support, they generally choose to have fewer children on average. This means babies for people that want babies and no social pressure for people who don't want them. Everyone wins. There's more resources for the children who are born--and no social pressure on people who would rather co-parent their nieces/nephews/friends' kids than have their own.
c. Support teaching sex education. Once again, I'm going to go out on a huge limb and be really unpopular here and say the following--schools need to teach kids about sex. The United States has many states that teach abstinence only education--and they also have an ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH unplanned pregnancy rate. Over 50% of pregnancies in America are unplanned--that's higher than some sub-Saharan African third world countries. The unplanned pregnancy rate in other first world countries is less than 10% on average. I understand the principles behind not teaching kids about their own bodies and only teaching abstinence only education--I just think it's fucking stupid. You're assuming that parents are teaching these kids these facts of life--clearly this isn't happening. Let's face it--teenagers are going to have sex. They just are. If you think otherwise--you're even dumber than I thought. So, since this is happening, it's probably a good idea for kids to have an idea of how their bodies work-- so that they a. can't be taken advantage of b. don't have a child at 16. Plus, silence breeds guilt about their bodies and can warp kids sexually for the rest of their lives. Just saying.
d. Stop treating babies like puppies. The media loves to make having a baby look easy--case in point, everyone one of those 'Teen Moms' is now a millionaire--but it's not. At all. Not even remotely. Having a baby isn't for sissies--and raising a normal, productive, solid kid is fucking HARD work. People who do it should get medals, seriously. Because that this ain't easy--at all. We need to look at shows like '19/A bazillion Kids & Counting' or 'A Baby Story' or '16 and pregnant' and see that there is massive production manipulation behind these shows. Having a family that is stable and loving takes work--a lot of it. And it doesn't wrap up nicely every 30 minutes. And another thing (as I'm pretty much in full rage blackout right now), let's not have '16 & pregnant' saying it shows the 'real truth' of teen pregnancy when it splices in adorable Huggies commercials at every interval. Those shows are about buying stuff. They want you to have babies so you buy more stuff--not so you find emotional fulfillment through having a child.
Okay. Epic baby rant. Ended.
And yes, 5 years is doable--if we get our shit together POST HASTE. Keep in mind that the Republican party will essentially be running on a "FUCK THE EPA WITH A SHARP THING" ballot--so I really wouldn't be voting for them in 2012--you know, unless you hate clean air and clean water and animals and reaaaaally love cancer--then vote for them all you like!
Challenge 30: Make this Christmas/Holiday season a slow, green one.
On a much, much lighter note:
I won't lie-- I really love Christmas, and I always have. However, the reason I love Christmas is because there are so many events and get togethers to be with family and friends. I was kind of over the gift side of things by the time I was 14--it just feels empty to me. I rather have a 5$ really thoughtful card than an expensive gift any day of the week.
So this year--make it a slow holiday. No crazy. No anxiety. Just be with whomever you love, gather around, and have some fun.
And if you want to give a gift--give a green one.
Okay, where do I get a green gift, you ask?
BEHOLD!
http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/
Also consider thrift stores, craft shows, anything local. I got a local artisan craft for my birthday--and I effing loved it. Supporting local people, saving resources, and I got a super cute, meaningful gift!
Alright, well that's it for me.
Sorry, that ended up being long as hell.
<3 times
Manic Panic
Monday, November 7, 2011
Revelations & Recognition
Alright, so I had some personal diet breakthroughs this past week (fascinating, I know) and I'd like to share what I learned--and incorporate some of that stuff into the challenges for this week as well!
Alright, so here we go!
Challenge 27: Dangers of Dairy: So easy a Caveman could do it? So, a little background before the foreground: A couple of weeks ago I decided I'd live forever and be impervious to harm by going Raw Vegan. Then, after doing that for 5 days and feeling like garbage--I decided that a. life doesn't work that way b. you can't be raw vegan when you live in Canada in the winter c. I value my teeth d. happiness is about mental health first, exercise second, and diet third (in that order).
So, after that happened--I began looking on the interwebs and discovered Paleolithic eating. Now, I will not lie--I'm hooked on this thing. However, I won't spend this post preaching -- not the point. The point of my discoveries was that I began reading about the potential dangers of eating too much dairy--and the havoc it can reek on the gastrointestinal tract.
Some food for thought, if you will:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030403_cancer_cure.html
http://freefromharm.org/food/health-nutrition/20-experts-on-the-dairy-%E2%80%94-breast-cancer-connection/
I'm almost convinced that dairy causes breast cancer at this point, but I am no doctor or scientist, so my opinions are merely food for thought and everyone should do their own research before changing anything in their diet. I'm also over soy almost completely, and blame it as well for the reason girls are getting menstruation at 8 years old. There's soy in EVERYTHING. If it's processed--it's probably got soy in it. A little soy I think is fine, but it's honestly in everything.
And if you'd like to read a fair, balanced, and informative series of articles about diet, nutrition, and the dangers of believing facts from lazy scientists, check out this woman's blog (Am I obsessed? Yes) and some other stuff...
http://rawfoodsos.com/
And also check out these guys:
http://www.beyondveg.com/index.shtml
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=2413&catId=8
So, take a look. I had a revelation this week, and maybe you will have one too.
Disclaimer: I have not eaten meat in a long long time. However, after reading all of this I am considering it. HOWEVER (bold, exclamation point), this does not mean that a.I think veganism isn't a valid way to eat b. everyone should eat meat all the time c. factory farms are okay d. I will let ANY meat that isn't organic, free range, grass fed, etc, come anywhere near me. After reading all of this stuff, I just decided that to me, eating vegan isn't necessarily healthier, or, the healthiest way to eat. It is LEAPS and BOUNDS better than eating SAD (standard American diet), but is it better HEALTH WISE than eating small amounts of meat now and then? I don't know. And yet, this does not discredit veganism AT ALL as an ideological choice. Some people choose to be vegan/vegetarian as an animal rights issue--and this is admirable and should be respected as such.
Challenge 28: Grains? Have you betrayed me too?
Okay, so this has the same back story. However, trying to face this was hard to face--as I love grains more than anything.
But, more food for thought:
http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/China-Study.html
http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/bread
http://rawfoodsos.com/category/wheat-2/
As someone who read the China Study as a college freshman and took it as bible, this was upsetting--but eye opening. It shows that, in the end, you need to get your hands on the raw data and examine it yourself and make your own decisions. Because scientists have an agenda just like everyone else, and the omission of the link between wheat/grains and heart disease/cancer was a BLATANT omission.
http://bradmarshall.blogspot.com/2005/12/is-wheat-killing-us-introduction-maybe.html
And I'm fully aware that all North America grows on mass is wheat and grain and corn, so, you know, expect Fox news to cover something like this in the same episode where they say Climate change is real.
Okay, so after all that--what's the moral of the story? Both challenges are to do some research and (once again) be aware of what you're putting in your body.
And remember--don't stress too much, because you should put your mental health first, exercise health second, and diet third. Is diet important? Frighteningly so. However, if missing a Starbucks run once a month with your friend will make you really upset emotionally--not worth it.
Okay, this post was also a little sporadic but I'm off to California next week so I'm all scatter brained!
<3 times
ManicPanic
Ps. This past Sunday, 6000 protestors marched on, and circled, the White House to protest the Keystone XL pipeline. Did this get ANY news coverage? Nope. But, as the mainstream news works for big oil--I don't even blame them anymore. They are paid in oil money. People need to educate themselves independent of the mainstream news. A pipeline that will create 50 jobs, and in doing so poison millions, not to mention the whole environment from Alberta to Texas. Actually. So, check out these modern day heroes and if you can lend a hand in any way--the future will thank you!
The official opposition website:
http://www.tarsandsaction.org/
Proof that the whole world will honestly hate Canada/America if this goes through
http://www.no-tar-sands.org/
Alright, so here we go!
Challenge 27: Dangers of Dairy: So easy a Caveman could do it? So, a little background before the foreground: A couple of weeks ago I decided I'd live forever and be impervious to harm by going Raw Vegan. Then, after doing that for 5 days and feeling like garbage--I decided that a. life doesn't work that way b. you can't be raw vegan when you live in Canada in the winter c. I value my teeth d. happiness is about mental health first, exercise second, and diet third (in that order).
So, after that happened--I began looking on the interwebs and discovered Paleolithic eating. Now, I will not lie--I'm hooked on this thing. However, I won't spend this post preaching -- not the point. The point of my discoveries was that I began reading about the potential dangers of eating too much dairy--and the havoc it can reek on the gastrointestinal tract.
Some food for thought, if you will:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030403_cancer_cure.html
http://freefromharm.org/food/health-nutrition/20-experts-on-the-dairy-%E2%80%94-breast-cancer-connection/
I'm almost convinced that dairy causes breast cancer at this point, but I am no doctor or scientist, so my opinions are merely food for thought and everyone should do their own research before changing anything in their diet. I'm also over soy almost completely, and blame it as well for the reason girls are getting menstruation at 8 years old. There's soy in EVERYTHING. If it's processed--it's probably got soy in it. A little soy I think is fine, but it's honestly in everything.
And if you'd like to read a fair, balanced, and informative series of articles about diet, nutrition, and the dangers of believing facts from lazy scientists, check out this woman's blog (Am I obsessed? Yes) and some other stuff...
http://rawfoodsos.com/
And also check out these guys:
http://www.beyondveg.com/index.shtml
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=2413&catId=8
So, take a look. I had a revelation this week, and maybe you will have one too.
Disclaimer: I have not eaten meat in a long long time. However, after reading all of this I am considering it. HOWEVER (bold, exclamation point), this does not mean that a.I think veganism isn't a valid way to eat b. everyone should eat meat all the time c. factory farms are okay d. I will let ANY meat that isn't organic, free range, grass fed, etc, come anywhere near me. After reading all of this stuff, I just decided that to me, eating vegan isn't necessarily healthier, or, the healthiest way to eat. It is LEAPS and BOUNDS better than eating SAD (standard American diet), but is it better HEALTH WISE than eating small amounts of meat now and then? I don't know. And yet, this does not discredit veganism AT ALL as an ideological choice. Some people choose to be vegan/vegetarian as an animal rights issue--and this is admirable and should be respected as such.
Challenge 28: Grains? Have you betrayed me too?
Okay, so this has the same back story. However, trying to face this was hard to face--as I love grains more than anything.
But, more food for thought:
http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/China-Study.html
http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/bread
http://rawfoodsos.com/category/wheat-2/
As someone who read the China Study as a college freshman and took it as bible, this was upsetting--but eye opening. It shows that, in the end, you need to get your hands on the raw data and examine it yourself and make your own decisions. Because scientists have an agenda just like everyone else, and the omission of the link between wheat/grains and heart disease/cancer was a BLATANT omission.
http://bradmarshall.blogspot.com/2005/12/is-wheat-killing-us-introduction-maybe.html
And I'm fully aware that all North America grows on mass is wheat and grain and corn, so, you know, expect Fox news to cover something like this in the same episode where they say Climate change is real.
Okay, so after all that--what's the moral of the story? Both challenges are to do some research and (once again) be aware of what you're putting in your body.
And remember--don't stress too much, because you should put your mental health first, exercise health second, and diet third. Is diet important? Frighteningly so. However, if missing a Starbucks run once a month with your friend will make you really upset emotionally--not worth it.
Okay, this post was also a little sporadic but I'm off to California next week so I'm all scatter brained!
<3 times
ManicPanic
Ps. This past Sunday, 6000 protestors marched on, and circled, the White House to protest the Keystone XL pipeline. Did this get ANY news coverage? Nope. But, as the mainstream news works for big oil--I don't even blame them anymore. They are paid in oil money. People need to educate themselves independent of the mainstream news. A pipeline that will create 50 jobs, and in doing so poison millions, not to mention the whole environment from Alberta to Texas. Actually. So, check out these modern day heroes and if you can lend a hand in any way--the future will thank you!
The official opposition website:
http://www.tarsandsaction.org/
Proof that the whole world will honestly hate Canada/America if this goes through
http://www.no-tar-sands.org/
Monday, October 31, 2011
I Get by With a Little Help from my Friends
Hello all,
I'm back from an exhausting yet awesome weekend in the city so this will I will be brief and be gone. The theme of this week is valuing social connections (I know, something different right?! *sarcasm face*)
Challenge 25: Spread a little love (not that kind of love. I mean, you can, but that's not the point of the challenge) to the people in your life who mean something to you, and think about what you'd be willing to do for those people. I love my family and friends, and this weekend made me truly appreciate the value of friends who are willing to listen to you and help you work stuff out. Now, since we all love our friends, we want them to have clean drinking water/food/air. So check out these links:
Fight for your water:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=7zCV2kAAgT4C&pg=PA143&lpg=PA143&dq=exxon+water+quality&source=bl&ots=5grqzc7Zun&sig=lv1UmeYS04nTqPbYXIXEgKjvNLM&hl=en&ei=cGKvTtulL-Pl0QGWuf3iAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=exxon%20water%20quality&f=false
Fight for your air quality:
http://energyandenvironmentblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/07/ap-exxon-refinery-violated-air.html
Fight for your food quality:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2003/agriculturehealthstudy
(I hate Exxon today, just in case you couldn't tell. As my bff Bill Mckibbon says, they don't own the sky)
Challenge 26: Embrace public transit and smart city spaces. I couldn't explain how wonderful it was to be able to get places without a car. Truly glorious. Trains, streetcars, buses, you name it. I find myself amazed as usual. So, this week, take public transit. People watch. Interact with other humanoids. Humans need other humans to be fully functioning. And suburbs have a terrible habit of socially isolating people. It's all the disadvantages of a city and all the disadvantages of the country combined. So, if you live in a city--embrace it. And if you don't -- visit it. Or if you live NOWHERE near one--do something extremely social so you get a similar experience.
Okay I'm done. This weeks challenges are a little short and sporadic--but I'm on caffeine OD over here--so forgive me.
<3 Manic Panic
I'm back from an exhausting yet awesome weekend in the city so this will I will be brief and be gone. The theme of this week is valuing social connections (I know, something different right?! *sarcasm face*)
Challenge 25: Spread a little love (not that kind of love. I mean, you can, but that's not the point of the challenge) to the people in your life who mean something to you, and think about what you'd be willing to do for those people. I love my family and friends, and this weekend made me truly appreciate the value of friends who are willing to listen to you and help you work stuff out. Now, since we all love our friends, we want them to have clean drinking water/food/air. So check out these links:
Fight for your water:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=7zCV2kAAgT4C&pg=PA143&lpg=PA143&dq=exxon+water+quality&source=bl&ots=5grqzc7Zun&sig=lv1UmeYS04nTqPbYXIXEgKjvNLM&hl=en&ei=cGKvTtulL-Pl0QGWuf3iAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=exxon%20water%20quality&f=false
Fight for your air quality:
http://energyandenvironmentblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/07/ap-exxon-refinery-violated-air.html
Fight for your food quality:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2003/agriculturehealthstudy
(I hate Exxon today, just in case you couldn't tell. As my bff Bill Mckibbon says, they don't own the sky)
Challenge 26: Embrace public transit and smart city spaces. I couldn't explain how wonderful it was to be able to get places without a car. Truly glorious. Trains, streetcars, buses, you name it. I find myself amazed as usual. So, this week, take public transit. People watch. Interact with other humanoids. Humans need other humans to be fully functioning. And suburbs have a terrible habit of socially isolating people. It's all the disadvantages of a city and all the disadvantages of the country combined. So, if you live in a city--embrace it. And if you don't -- visit it. Or if you live NOWHERE near one--do something extremely social so you get a similar experience.
Okay I'm done. This weeks challenges are a little short and sporadic--but I'm on caffeine OD over here--so forgive me.
<3 Manic Panic
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Perspective
'Make sure your words are sweet, just in case you have to eat them'.
Sound advice. And advice that I should definitely incorporate into my life. Why? Well in case you haven't noticed... I'm generally full of rage. And because I get so angry at... well... lots of things. However, what I have a really hard time realizing is that my rage often blinds me to the other side of things. I am a normally calm person... in person. However, over media communication-- my rage tends to spiral out of control until I resemble this:
So, this weeks challenges are going to be about perspective. Why the sudden change of heart? Well, I was ranting to my dear friend about #OWS stuff being totally ignorant of the fact that both of my friend's parents are bankers. I had pretty much gotten to the point where a banker = a monster in my mind--and of course this is ridiculous. My friend kindly explained while she agrees with the principles of #OWS (i.e. making billionaires pay taxes), she tends to dislike when the #OWS movement goes after all bankers as if they are all evil and responsible for the financial Hindenburg. She also patiently explained to me that her grandfather had started a small savings in loan in her state, and by the time her dad took over the company it had been one of the biggest banks in the state. She also explained how her father went without salary for years so that his employees would not suffer. Needless to say, I felt like a total asshat. Here I am comparing bankers to the actual antichrist and she patiently tells her side of the story-- a side that I'd never even considered.
Of course not all bankers are monsters. There are people everywhere who are in the corporate and financial system who are hard working, kind, generous people who are actively involved in their communities. There are even some green people in there. We can't all have organic rabbit farms-- as much as I'd love that to be the case. And I would argue that, just like the no taxes on the 1%, that 95% + of the people on the various levels of the financial and corporate system aren't making these earth shattering decisions. They aren't hiring lobbyists that deregulate safety and environmental standards. They are just people who want to live their lives. Aren't we all?
This doesn't mean I no longer believe in #OWS. On the contrary, I'm full of as much fire and brimstone as ever. However, what this made me realize is that our world is complex. We aren't just leftest hippies and corporate fat cats. In fact, I'd argue that the majority of us are somewhere in the middle. And we need to ALL come towards a slower, greener existence-- whatever that means. Because we'll get to that point anyway, and this way will have way fewer casualties.
Alright, so perspective...
Challenge 23: Take some time out to genuinely experience nature. Now, for some of us, it's about to get really cold in a couple of weeks. So, for this week's challenge I want you to spend 1 hour + completely submerged in nature. This means no cell phones, no ipods, no technology. Just you and the water and the trees. Connecting with nature is good exercise, reconnects us with the earth, and provides much needed relief for stress and anxiety. So, take a walk in a beautiful, natural spot--and appreciate the gorgeousness all around you--because not everyone has access to green spaces... And if you like it--make it a weekly thing. Make it a daily thing. The more time we spend in nature, the more we appreciate and realize the importance of nature, and the harder we'll fight for nature.
Challenge 24: Walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Now, there are some people in my life right now (don't worry-- she'd rather die than read something like this and would have no idea it's on here anyway) who drive me insane. Actually. Up the wall bananas. I never dealt well with the whole, "I'm a bitch. Deal with it" attitude, and that combined with insane unearned wealth drives me batshit. BUT. Since this week is about perspective, I decided to look at things from her point of view. I realized that I'm being too harsh. That, when I was 18, I thought some of the same things she thinks (I know--the HORROR), and that if I'd grown up with exceptionally wealthy, exceptionally protective parents who completely sheltered me from everything--I'd share those opinions as well. Raising kids is not a job for sissies. It takes a lot of work to have them come out as well rounded worldly people--especially by 18. Moral of the story is that I've dialed down my rage against this girl by about 1000 notches--and this only happened because of perspective. Because I took the time to understand things from her view. Does this mean I agree with her? Lmfao no chance in hell. But it means I understand her a lot better. Which is key. So the challenge, as it so often is on this blog, is to be an informed person and discover the varying viewpoints in a story. Take any issue, and be informed on both sides. See all the information, and then you are much more equipped to form an opinion--in addition to being able to prevent a rage blackout.
Okay! Sorry for another feelings heavy post! My best friend is probably loving this. She loves feelings.
<3 Manic Panic
PS. ENORMOUS shout out to Neptune's Nachos whose hometown had an AMAZING Climate Shift AND Tar Sands movement today. People always give Cleveland a bad rap (*cough* Lebron James *cough*) but today proved that the Midwest can be pretty effing awesome! WoOoOoOo!
Sound advice. And advice that I should definitely incorporate into my life. Why? Well in case you haven't noticed... I'm generally full of rage. And because I get so angry at... well... lots of things. However, what I have a really hard time realizing is that my rage often blinds me to the other side of things. I am a normally calm person... in person. However, over media communication-- my rage tends to spiral out of control until I resemble this:
So, this weeks challenges are going to be about perspective. Why the sudden change of heart? Well, I was ranting to my dear friend about #OWS stuff being totally ignorant of the fact that both of my friend's parents are bankers. I had pretty much gotten to the point where a banker = a monster in my mind--and of course this is ridiculous. My friend kindly explained while she agrees with the principles of #OWS (i.e. making billionaires pay taxes), she tends to dislike when the #OWS movement goes after all bankers as if they are all evil and responsible for the financial Hindenburg. She also patiently explained to me that her grandfather had started a small savings in loan in her state, and by the time her dad took over the company it had been one of the biggest banks in the state. She also explained how her father went without salary for years so that his employees would not suffer. Needless to say, I felt like a total asshat. Here I am comparing bankers to the actual antichrist and she patiently tells her side of the story-- a side that I'd never even considered.
Of course not all bankers are monsters. There are people everywhere who are in the corporate and financial system who are hard working, kind, generous people who are actively involved in their communities. There are even some green people in there. We can't all have organic rabbit farms-- as much as I'd love that to be the case. And I would argue that, just like the no taxes on the 1%, that 95% + of the people on the various levels of the financial and corporate system aren't making these earth shattering decisions. They aren't hiring lobbyists that deregulate safety and environmental standards. They are just people who want to live their lives. Aren't we all?
This doesn't mean I no longer believe in #OWS. On the contrary, I'm full of as much fire and brimstone as ever. However, what this made me realize is that our world is complex. We aren't just leftest hippies and corporate fat cats. In fact, I'd argue that the majority of us are somewhere in the middle. And we need to ALL come towards a slower, greener existence-- whatever that means. Because we'll get to that point anyway, and this way will have way fewer casualties.
Alright, so perspective...
Challenge 23: Take some time out to genuinely experience nature. Now, for some of us, it's about to get really cold in a couple of weeks. So, for this week's challenge I want you to spend 1 hour + completely submerged in nature. This means no cell phones, no ipods, no technology. Just you and the water and the trees. Connecting with nature is good exercise, reconnects us with the earth, and provides much needed relief for stress and anxiety. So, take a walk in a beautiful, natural spot--and appreciate the gorgeousness all around you--because not everyone has access to green spaces... And if you like it--make it a weekly thing. Make it a daily thing. The more time we spend in nature, the more we appreciate and realize the importance of nature, and the harder we'll fight for nature.
Challenge 24: Walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Now, there are some people in my life right now (don't worry-- she'd rather die than read something like this and would have no idea it's on here anyway) who drive me insane. Actually. Up the wall bananas. I never dealt well with the whole, "I'm a bitch. Deal with it" attitude, and that combined with insane unearned wealth drives me batshit. BUT. Since this week is about perspective, I decided to look at things from her point of view. I realized that I'm being too harsh. That, when I was 18, I thought some of the same things she thinks (I know--the HORROR), and that if I'd grown up with exceptionally wealthy, exceptionally protective parents who completely sheltered me from everything--I'd share those opinions as well. Raising kids is not a job for sissies. It takes a lot of work to have them come out as well rounded worldly people--especially by 18. Moral of the story is that I've dialed down my rage against this girl by about 1000 notches--and this only happened because of perspective. Because I took the time to understand things from her view. Does this mean I agree with her? Lmfao no chance in hell. But it means I understand her a lot better. Which is key. So the challenge, as it so often is on this blog, is to be an informed person and discover the varying viewpoints in a story. Take any issue, and be informed on both sides. See all the information, and then you are much more equipped to form an opinion--in addition to being able to prevent a rage blackout.
Okay! Sorry for another feelings heavy post! My best friend is probably loving this. She loves feelings.
<3 Manic Panic
PS. ENORMOUS shout out to Neptune's Nachos whose hometown had an AMAZING Climate Shift AND Tar Sands movement today. People always give Cleveland a bad rap (*cough* Lebron James *cough*) but today proved that the Midwest can be pretty effing awesome! WoOoOoOo!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Et in Arcadia Ego
You can't take it with you. You can't. The stuff, the money, the junk, even the treasures... none of it goes with us. Wherever we go--not the point. The point is we have to do the best we can in this life... because none of it comes with us in the next. What remains, however, is the impression we make on other people. In art history, when we purposefully remind ourselves that life is fleeting, we call it a momento mori, a reminder of death. By reminding ourselves of death--we come to realize the true value of life. Also, we realize that through things like art--life can never die.
For a visual reference to this, check out this painting by Poussin :
These are shepherds, in Arcadia (ancient Greek shepherd paradise--more or less), and they come upon a grave stone. The grave says, "Et in Arcadia ego", and it is a momento mori. The Latin means, "I too, am in paradise". The Greeks idealized Arcadia as a wonderful, idyllic, pastoral place. But the meaning here is that--even in Arcadia--death rules. However, by painting these shepherds--youth is preserved eternally through art. "I, death, am also in Arcadia".
The theme of this post comes from a conversation I had at work this week. When discussing a teacher I had had in high school who passed 2.5 years ago, I was overcome by tears. Not so much that he died--but that, in life, he did everything a person is supposed to do. Wonderful man, wonderful teacher, wonderful husband, wonderful father. Always willing to lend a hand. Always willing to help. Would give you the shirt off his back and then some. The kind of person we don't think really exists--the kind of person who is honestly just too good. But he was real alright, and I don't think I'll ever forget the various impressions he made on my life. When I was around 10, my two cousins (who were then ages 17 and 19) were in a terrible car accident. They were airlifted to a hospital about an hour away. The second this teacher (who also taught and coached my cousins) heard the news, he got in his car and drove the hospital. Pretending to be an uncle, he visited both my cousins and stayed at the hospital with them for 2 days. He was that kind of person.
So, the point? The point is that the stuff, the ipods and iphones and blenders and tvs and watches and shoes and golf clubs... at the end of the day none of it even remotely matters. It's almost comical how little it matters in the end. In the end, whenever that end may be, we are remembered by the human connections we make in this life. No one ever said, "Oh, that Joe, he had a really beautiful watch, shame he's dead". I can't express the shockwaves that this teachers death sent throughout the community--but in retrospect, it just shows what an impact he had on this community. His impact lives on with his children, his students, and all the athletes he coached. He may not have lived long--but there was endless live in his years--and that's another theme of this weeks challenges.
Challenge 21 : Make connections in your local community. This summer, I discovered the value and joy of a farmers market. I loved it so much I signed up for an organic CSA box for the winter. So, I urge you all to do the same. I'm not saying get a CSA share, I'm just saying get to know the people around you who feed you. Farmers, small farmers, feed cities. Massive agriculture conglomerates who run on slave illegal labor--they do not feed cities. They provide pesticide exposure--that's what they do. The rate of cancer, ADHD, lung problems, heart problems, pain problems, and endless other maladies have been linked to pesticide exposure. Not to mention the disgusting environmental destruction in the form of run-off and forest destruction that large scale commercial agriculture can cause. For information on the link between pesticides and... well death and disease, check out here http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=farm-pesticides-linked-to-skin-cancer and here http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/farm-pesticides-linked-to-deadly-skin-cancer. Or you can google 'cancer' and 'pesticides' and watch the million hits that show up. So the challenge this week is to locate your local, and preferably organic farmer. They don't have to be 'certified' organic--but the point is that when I can talk to the person growing my food--I get the straight story. The story that I am entitled too. Often the case is that farmers use no pesticides, herbicides or fungacides, but the price of being organic is simply too high for local farmers. So they are organically grown foods, but they aren't certified. Just get the straight story. To find out where there is local food near you, check out: http://www.localharvest.org/(for the US) and http://www.localharvest.ca/ (for Canadaland)
Challenge 22: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Now, now, I know you saw this coming, but the second challenge is about #OccupyWallstreet. People are rising up. As they fucking should. Now, I'm not asking you to go out there and join the protest in person (but if you did you'd be my hero forever). What I'm asking is that you get informed on the issue. Read and discover why people are pissed, why they are protesting, and why the #OccupyWallStreet movement is linked very closely with the climate movement. At one point during this week, Bill Mckibben (Climate Change GOD, seriously if I ever met him I'd fangirl scream and pass out) made a passionate speech that (when I watched it later) reduced me almost to tears. "Exxon doesn't own the sky"-- was probably my favorite line. So, the challenge is to check it out, to realize how the banking and financial system has been actually fucking us illegally for years and years. It has come to the point where it cannot stand anymore. Somebody is finally taking a stand. Somebody is finally saying--enough.
Why you should be pissed off:
www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/henry-blodget-explains-real-reasons-behind-occupations.php
Bill Mckibben's Words at #OWS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13S5uqPLJUk&noredirect=1
Proof that people all over the US are fucking pissed off: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-protest-map
And some #OWS lolz: http://www.someecards.com/columbus-day-cards/occupy-wall-street-america-columbus-day-funny-ecard
Be a memorable person. Be an informed person. Be a person who will be remembered for what they did for their family, community, and the planet. because in the end-- all people will have of us are memories of our actions.
Ps. Sorry for the history lesson/personal history in this one--but necessary is necessary.
<3 ManicPanic
For a visual reference to this, check out this painting by Poussin :
These are shepherds, in Arcadia (ancient Greek shepherd paradise--more or less), and they come upon a grave stone. The grave says, "Et in Arcadia ego", and it is a momento mori. The Latin means, "I too, am in paradise". The Greeks idealized Arcadia as a wonderful, idyllic, pastoral place. But the meaning here is that--even in Arcadia--death rules. However, by painting these shepherds--youth is preserved eternally through art. "I, death, am also in Arcadia".
The theme of this post comes from a conversation I had at work this week. When discussing a teacher I had had in high school who passed 2.5 years ago, I was overcome by tears. Not so much that he died--but that, in life, he did everything a person is supposed to do. Wonderful man, wonderful teacher, wonderful husband, wonderful father. Always willing to lend a hand. Always willing to help. Would give you the shirt off his back and then some. The kind of person we don't think really exists--the kind of person who is honestly just too good. But he was real alright, and I don't think I'll ever forget the various impressions he made on my life. When I was around 10, my two cousins (who were then ages 17 and 19) were in a terrible car accident. They were airlifted to a hospital about an hour away. The second this teacher (who also taught and coached my cousins) heard the news, he got in his car and drove the hospital. Pretending to be an uncle, he visited both my cousins and stayed at the hospital with them for 2 days. He was that kind of person.
So, the point? The point is that the stuff, the ipods and iphones and blenders and tvs and watches and shoes and golf clubs... at the end of the day none of it even remotely matters. It's almost comical how little it matters in the end. In the end, whenever that end may be, we are remembered by the human connections we make in this life. No one ever said, "Oh, that Joe, he had a really beautiful watch, shame he's dead". I can't express the shockwaves that this teachers death sent throughout the community--but in retrospect, it just shows what an impact he had on this community. His impact lives on with his children, his students, and all the athletes he coached. He may not have lived long--but there was endless live in his years--and that's another theme of this weeks challenges.
Challenge 21 : Make connections in your local community. This summer, I discovered the value and joy of a farmers market. I loved it so much I signed up for an organic CSA box for the winter. So, I urge you all to do the same. I'm not saying get a CSA share, I'm just saying get to know the people around you who feed you. Farmers, small farmers, feed cities. Massive agriculture conglomerates who run on slave illegal labor--they do not feed cities. They provide pesticide exposure--that's what they do. The rate of cancer, ADHD, lung problems, heart problems, pain problems, and endless other maladies have been linked to pesticide exposure. Not to mention the disgusting environmental destruction in the form of run-off and forest destruction that large scale commercial agriculture can cause. For information on the link between pesticides and... well death and disease, check out here http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=farm-pesticides-linked-to-skin-cancer and here http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/farm-pesticides-linked-to-deadly-skin-cancer. Or you can google 'cancer' and 'pesticides' and watch the million hits that show up. So the challenge this week is to locate your local, and preferably organic farmer. They don't have to be 'certified' organic--but the point is that when I can talk to the person growing my food--I get the straight story. The story that I am entitled too. Often the case is that farmers use no pesticides, herbicides or fungacides, but the price of being organic is simply too high for local farmers. So they are organically grown foods, but they aren't certified. Just get the straight story. To find out where there is local food near you, check out: http://www.localharvest.org/(for the US) and http://www.localharvest.ca/ (for Canadaland)
Challenge 22: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Now, now, I know you saw this coming, but the second challenge is about #OccupyWallstreet. People are rising up. As they fucking should. Now, I'm not asking you to go out there and join the protest in person (but if you did you'd be my hero forever). What I'm asking is that you get informed on the issue. Read and discover why people are pissed, why they are protesting, and why the #OccupyWallStreet movement is linked very closely with the climate movement. At one point during this week, Bill Mckibben (Climate Change GOD, seriously if I ever met him I'd fangirl scream and pass out) made a passionate speech that (when I watched it later) reduced me almost to tears. "Exxon doesn't own the sky"-- was probably my favorite line. So, the challenge is to check it out, to realize how the banking and financial system has been actually fucking us illegally for years and years. It has come to the point where it cannot stand anymore. Somebody is finally taking a stand. Somebody is finally saying--enough.
Why you should be pissed off:
www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/henry-blodget-explains-real-reasons-behind-occupations.php
Bill Mckibben's Words at #OWS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13S5uqPLJUk&noredirect=1
Proof that people all over the US are fucking pissed off: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-protest-map
And some #OWS lolz: http://www.someecards.com/columbus-day-cards/occupy-wall-street-america-columbus-day-funny-ecard
Be a memorable person. Be an informed person. Be a person who will be remembered for what they did for their family, community, and the planet. because in the end-- all people will have of us are memories of our actions.
Ps. Sorry for the history lesson/personal history in this one--but necessary is necessary.
<3 ManicPanic
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Be Thankful
Alright, so it's Thanksgiving up were I am today. And in honor of such a holiday--we have some 'being thankful' themed challenges for you this week! I can't believe it's been 10 weeks already! Holy green batman!
Challenge 19: Be thankful. So, this one is sort of self explanatory, and therefore it should be easy. Be thankful if you live in an area with clean water, clean air, access to food, & no extreme weather. Just as an FYI, if nothing is done about the current state of our planet, the number of people with access to those things will shrink every year until none of us have access to any of them anymore. Tragedy of the Commons, anyone?
Challenge 20: Enjoy the last of the harvest. So, up here the harvest season is wrapping up. As part of this week's challenge, I ask that you enjoy the harvest before we settle in to winter. Buy some local, fresh food. Then, take some of that food and find a way to preserve it for the winter. Make a stew and freeze half of it. Take some apples and make a pie.
I know a lot of this challenge has been food centered--but it's only because I feel so passionately about organic, local food. We need to support local farmers. We need to support the people who feed us. We need to support non GMO, non frankenfood. I personally don't want a tomato in February shipped from who knows where that's been cross bred with a frog. I'd rather have delicious, local tomatoes from August-October and then save them as best I can so I can enjoy them all winter. Be an ant.
Alright, that's all for this week!
Endless <3
ManicPanic
Challenge 19: Be thankful. So, this one is sort of self explanatory, and therefore it should be easy. Be thankful if you live in an area with clean water, clean air, access to food, & no extreme weather. Just as an FYI, if nothing is done about the current state of our planet, the number of people with access to those things will shrink every year until none of us have access to any of them anymore. Tragedy of the Commons, anyone?
Challenge 20: Enjoy the last of the harvest. So, up here the harvest season is wrapping up. As part of this week's challenge, I ask that you enjoy the harvest before we settle in to winter. Buy some local, fresh food. Then, take some of that food and find a way to preserve it for the winter. Make a stew and freeze half of it. Take some apples and make a pie.
I know a lot of this challenge has been food centered--but it's only because I feel so passionately about organic, local food. We need to support local farmers. We need to support the people who feed us. We need to support non GMO, non frankenfood. I personally don't want a tomato in February shipped from who knows where that's been cross bred with a frog. I'd rather have delicious, local tomatoes from August-October and then save them as best I can so I can enjoy them all winter. Be an ant.
Alright, that's all for this week!
Endless <3
ManicPanic
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