Blue Angels

 Imagine a world where miracles happen every day. It is happening here and now, and I am so happy to spread the 'good news'. Since we moved to Willamette Valley 2 years ago I have been thinking all the time about native species and wondering about conservation. I was even more surprised to learn that prisons are involved in the program, and not surprised that tribes are spearheading these efforts. The success of these efforts builds momentum for more miracles. 

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/efforts-to-save-endangered-blue-butterfly-quadruples-its-population-but-also-saves-a-lupine-from-extinction/

New species

 I recently read a book about new species being found on earth. Around 18,000 new species are found every year around the world. And here's a great article.

https://news.mongabay.com/2022/09/tiny-new-tree-frog-species-found-in-rewilded-costa-rican-nature-reserve/

Direct Action Everywhere

 

I've always been put off from finding out about the abuses of factory farming and other animal abuse industries, because of the terrible suffering and feeling of being powerless to stop it. Then I learned about Direct Action Everywhere. They are positive. They are encouraging. They are provoking a change. What prompted me to find out more was the actions of pink smoke bombers at the 2022 NFL football game.  People may laugh it off, but they did get the viewer's attention. I'm not put off anymore, now I'm hopeful.

https://www.directactioneverywhere.com/about-us

Netflix for Earth

 These 5 Netflix documentaries fit together perfectly as a guide for everyone on the planet, individuals and groups, to understand climate change, how it affects all life, and the possibility for climate renewal. 

The most exciting aspect of this 'series' of films is the hope and prospect of ecological evolution expressed by people who understand better than most the ecological disaster well on it's way.

The absolute beauty of the planet, it's mystery and vast wonder, which human beings have only barely begun to understand, is the common backdrop for these films. Because of this common backdrop, all of the films uplift and inspire, much more than depress. At the end of the tunnel of dark human history is a bright new sense of purpose to live in harmony with the planet. 

 

Our Planet

Breaking Boundaries: The Science Of Our Planet

David Attenborough's, A Life on Our Planet

Life In Color With David Attenborough

Fantastic Fungi

Akashinga Elephant Rangers

 

Women park rangers, in a prototype conservation program in Zimbabwe known as Akashinga, vow to protect elephants and rhinos with their lives.  The 'Brave Ones' are an all-women, vegetarian, anti-poaching group recruited locally in an effort to engage the community to live in harmony with wildlife. The founder, Damien Mender, says he started focusing on the women's training after seeing they were more successful at de-escalating violence and community engagement.  As the women achieve autonomy and empowerment, the wildlife and lands are getting that 'fighting chance'.

https://www.iapf.org/akashinga

Amazing Agriculture

My stellar Grammi sent me this article recently, knowing how much I love good news.  This article reports on a pioneering regenerative agriculture method  for farmers in rainforest habitats, replacing slash and burn with alley cropping, using a very special tree, the Inga.  Fifteen countries have some farmers using this method, all have been able to grow food, cash crops, and even started reforestation.

 https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/inga-tree-creating-organic-farming-climate-resistance-carbon-sequestration-honduras/

Need to Grow, and Project Drawdown

In the documentary, Need to Grow, a renewable energy project, known as a green powerhouse, makes a potent  byproduct to sustain regenerative agriculture, biochar.  I wondered though that the powerhouse was reliant on waste from logging operation-  if in an age where deforestation must be halted, was there an alternative? Then, when looking through the Project Drawdown website, noted a connection by following the 'Engineered Sinks' tab, to 'Biochar', and seeing a claim that this byproduct has been made using all kinds of natural waste, intriguing.

Project Drawdown also deserves a good study by all of the people on the planet, immense carbon solution database.

https://grow.foodrevolution.org/

https://drawdown.org/