Time to get our hands dirty and grow with change

 

 Follow The Couch  on Friday evenings at 4 and 9pm WST, or 6 and 11pm EST on the Aurora community channel available to Foxtel and Austar subscribers. You will find all information from Faerie Cara's environmental segment Talking Green. The Couch is a locally produced program, delivering community news, music and movie reviews, entertainment, cooking, gossip and charity promotions. Filmed at the Ballajura Community College of Performing Arts, this is a program built by community spirit. http://www.westcotv.com.au/

Genetically Modified Organisms...
do you really know what you are eating?
 
What is it?
Genetic engineering is a radical new technology that allows scientists to move genes between different species. Using labratory techniques scientists can create life-forms that could not occur in nature. Genes are small lengths of DNA, they are a blue print found in cells of all living organisms. Genetic Engineers use viruses, bacteria and device called a gene gun to randomly move genes from one organism to another to make the species develop differently. This is different from traditional cross breeding methods where you would cross a labradore with a poodle to make a labradoodle for example. Genetic Engineers are doing things such as putting genes from an arctic flounder fish into a tomato plant to make it more resistant to the cold. This would obviously not happen through evolution. They have mixed genes in species such as putting a toads genes into potatoes, scorpian genes into corn and human genes have been places into pigs and rice.
 
How does this effect us?
The outcome of genetic engineering is random and often unpredictable. There have been no long term studies on the effects of genetic engineered food stuff to our health, or environmental wellbeing. Most studies that have been done, are controlled by the chemical companies that make and sell the products, making them unsubstantial. Once plants are released into the environment and the food chain we then find out the effects of their existance, however they can not be recalled once they are part of the system. There are plants that have been grown with their own self-built pesticide system, they have become a weed and are difficult to kill because they have intergraded with the environment and are incredibly defensive. The farmers then turn to heavy chemicals to kill them off which, ironically enough, can be bought by the chemical companies that engineered the plant in the first place.
 
Multinationals- who is doing this?
Monsanto is a USA company who were responsible for Agent Orange, a harsh chemical used in warfare during Vietnam. They have also created Nutrasweet that has been linked to brain seizures, Round-up, and Brovine which is a growth hormone for cows banned in countries for animal wellfare and cancer concerns.
Aventis is a European based company best known for providing chemicals for Hitlers gas chambers and chemical weapons. So far they have failed to comply with  rules for Australian experimental crops.
 
Farmers view
To grow a genetic modified crop you must buy seeds from the multinationals and pay royalties from your yield. This must be repeated every year, the tradition of seed saving is a breech of contract and you will be sued if caught. However, plants have spread into neighbouring farms and after they were found by Monsanto in Canada, the neighbouring farmer was forced to pay royalties. The chemical companies are creating a monopoly on farming. Because of the cross contamination of GM crops and non-genetic engineered crops it has become necessary to label all stock as GMO. Many famers in Canada are now no longer able to sell their stock to many European and Asian countries. They have been calling on Australia to not allow GM crops as they have witnessed the economic downfall of their farming.
 
Labelling
Genetic Engineered foods may be hidden in processed foods. Only foods where GE protein can be detected need to be labelled. Anything that is highly refined such as sugar, starch and cooking oils do not need to be labelled. Neither do meat products that have come from animals fed on GE feed, or food prepared in bakeries, restaurants or fast food outlets.
 
 
 
Chocolate obsession
 
Ok I'm not afraid to admit it, I have a chocolate addiction and I'm not prepared to stop. However after some much needed research and taste testing (I thought that part was the most important) I have come to a new ground for my love of chocolate. I no longer want to grab any old bar within my reach. Cacao was once more valuable than gold, and I can see why. Now it is available to everyone but to what cost? Cacao farmers have changed their growing traditions and now use farming techniques that are not eco or social friendly.
 
Traditionally cacao is grown in the shade among other crops, with the high demand farmers have stripped the land and now grow crops in full sun-light. This technique has made the crops more suseptable to disease and insects, leading to heavy sprays. It is now one of the most intensively sprayed foods in the world. One of the chemicals they use is Lindane which is banned in most developing countries, however it can be found in all of our non-organic chocolate. Lindane is a carcinogen and hormone disrupter.
 
Eco-impact
The Clearance of Shade trees greatly reduces biodiversty and has caused increased nitrogen based fertilisers made necessary by the full sun system. This system has also lead to severe land erosion, decreased soil fertility, pollution of drinking water and damage to aquatic habitats.
 
Social Cost
Most cacao is grown on the ivory Coast where children as young as nine are found working for no money. There are over 282,000 children in West Africa working in hazardous conditions on cacao plantations.
 
Chocolate celebration
There are chocolate makers who value every part of the process towards making quality, eco and social conscious chocolate. Organic chocolate is made from cacao beans free from synthetic fertilisers, and have no artificial colours, flavours or emulsifiers- plus it tastes amazing. Dark chocolate is best as it has a high level of anti oxidants, plus you don't need as much to get that chocolate buzz.
 
http://www.greenandblacks.com/ you can find this chocolate in your local supermarket. The Maya Gold range is also Fair Trade
 
http://cocolo.com.au/ another organic/ fairtrade goodie
 
http://www.coolhealth.com.au/ Melbourne based chocolate makers who know what they are doing
 
http://www.chocolatebar.com/ these chocos not only make fine chocolate, they also donate 10% of sales towards the protection of endangered species
 
http://www.theochocolate.com/ my personal favourite, if you are ever in Seattle you must do the chocolate tour. These happy chocolate coated hippies take flavour to a whole new level. Using only organic and fair trade beans, they have their magic fingers in every stage of the production.
 

 Love your soil

Being a land guardian is a privilege and every step should be taken to make the soil rich in nutrients. Land can never really be owned by anyone, it is its own being, it has its own consciousness and identity. The land beneath your feet makes up the clay of your body. It is our human duty to nurture soil as we would nurture anything that we love. By caring for our land we will benefit our gardens, and the generations that follow.

It is unfortunate that soil is often abused by commercial farming, by housing infrastructure, poor watering, chemical abuse, pollution or from salinity levels rising. The quality of your soil will depend on the location, the history of its use and how much care has been taken.

Soil consists of two main substances, weathered and decaying parent matter (rocks), and organic matter. This is made up of decaying leaves, twigs, trees, animals and manure. It is the organic matter that makes a humous that will create a healthy garden. This forms naturally in the bushland but in our gardens we need to provide the organic matter to make the soil balanced and happy.

Healthy soil smells sweet. It's loose, well drained and rich in organic matter. Air and water move freely through the soil because air space exists around soil. Here are some soil happy tips...

  • add mulch to your garden to keep moisture in, cool the soil in summer and provide the yummy organic matter we love
  • have a compost heap to recycle your house-hold waste. This will make amazing nutrient filled soil for your garden
  • worms are your friends. They will munch away at your house-hold waste, make delicious soil  and worm juice for your plants. Worm juice will give your plants a natural boost, replacing yukky chemical ones.
  • make sure your soil has enough water. If your soil is sandy, moisture will not lock in and your plants will die of dehydration
  • make sure you have enough drainage, if your soil is high in clay, your plants will drown.
  • chickens are great for your home. They also eat your house hold waste, provide nutrient happy manure and eggs for breakfast, eat slugs and not to mention, they are wonderful pets.

For further land care information head to

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/

http://www.cityfarmperth.org.au/

 Eco-Parenting

Environmentally friendly nappies

The Figures

  • There are 1.375 billion disposable nappies used annually in Australia and New Zealand
  • That means there are 3.75 million used every day
  • every standard disposable nappy ever made still exists because they take centuries to break down.
  • In the last 50 years disposable nappy usage has increased by 90%. Nappy rash has also increased by 70%
  • There are 2 tonnes of landfill per child using disposable nappies
  • 3 million trees are felled every year to produce disposable nappies
  • It takes 3.5 litres of water and one cup of crude oil to make one disposable nappy

The Modern Cloth Nappies

The new generation in cloth nappies are here. No longer are mums and dads spending hours washing, ironing and pinning a nappy together. Cloth nappies come in many styles and textures to make nature happy nappies not only time and money efficient, they are also healthier for the baby by reducing skin irritations often caused by chemically produced nappy products.

These eco-conscious nappies come in a variety of fibres such as hemp, wool and new kid on the block is bamboo! They are super absorbent, soft to touch and are a highly renewable source. The natural fibres are porous and therefore allow the skin to breathe. Hemp products have natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties

Bio-degradable nappies

Families are often hard pressed for time and feel cloth nappies are too hard to integrate into their lifestyle. Luckily there are 100% biodegradable nappies creeping into our local supermarkets. These nappies are around the same price as standard disposable, if not cheaper. Bio-degradable nappies are made from natural fibres with no chemicals or pesticides and can be thrown straight onto the compost. They have good absorbency, fit just as well as other commercial nappies and come in  packaging made from corn! Check out your local supermarket to see what is in store.

For more information

http://www.modernclothnappies.com/    resource hot spot for cloth nappy seekers

http://www.ozclothnappies.org/    great source of information for frequently asked questions

http://www.sustainablehempproducts.com.au/    amazing range of hemp, wool and bamboo nappies

 

Trees, trees, trees...

National tree day is July 27th. Circle it on your calender and book a day of tree appreciation before then. There are many reasons to appreciate trees...

  • Trees absorb carbon dioxide when they grow so when you plant a tree, especially a tree that will grow tall, you’re offsetting carbon dioxide emissions and you’re helping stabilize the Earth’s climate.
  • Trees stop erosion, remove toxins from the soil and water and provide food and habitats for many people and animals.
  • Trees block wind, provide shade and can improve the value of your house
  • Trees make great tree forts and they're fun to plant, read a book under and climb!
  • Every tree has a faerie that lives inside... have you seen the faerie in your local tree??
  • "One tree can absorb more than a ton of carbon over its lifetime." --Via: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • "Trees reduce storm water runoff and erosion, and they remove harmful chemicals from the soil to prevent them from running into streams and rivers." --Via: USDA Forest Service
  • Soil: "Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can control $31,500 of soil erosion"
  • Air Pollution: "Once acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of Carbon Dioxide each year"
  • Water: "Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds"
  • Oxygen: "Two mature trees can provide enough oxygen for a family of four. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen a year"

How to show your tree love

  • With the much welcomed rain, it is busy planting season for Men of the Trees. Gather your friends, book a day and head out to get your hands dirty. There are thousands of trees to plant over the next three months. To see whats happening head to http://www.menofthetrees.com.au/
  • Turn your car emissions into trees. Calculate your annual carbon footprint online and see how many trees to plant to offset your usage  http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/
  • Get involved with the Wilderness Society. Their dedication to protecting old growth forests in Western Australia has had many wins http://www.wilderness.org.au/
  • Recycle your waste, buy recycled household goods and support companies that wave a green flag of environmental awareness