My 5 years old nephew is fascinated with wolfs - likes to be called a wolf and told me he would like to be one. At one point he told me there must be wolfs everywhere and that he is certain he will meet one soon. When I told him that because of people the wolfs aren't as many as they used to he told me that I should have said something to the people so that this wasn't happening.
I couldn't argue with that.
And the truth is we each can do something to help our ailing world. And some of the actions don't even require anything else but a couple of clicks. But we do need to keep informed and aware.
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”
Mahatma Gandhi
"The Earth we share is not just a rock tossed through space, but a living, nurturing being.
She cares for us, she deserves our care in return"
Michael Jackson
The tree is a symbols that appears in most cultures (if not all). Life, love, family, growth, wisdom, protection, beauty, redemption, abundance, strength, God's grace, knowledge, regeneration, immortality are all meanings we associate with the tree. It's even considered as a symbol of true self and its image converted into a psychological test. Forests are part of our childhood stories and always a source of magic and wonder. Forests have been home for people and animals alike.
Forests have been given us shelter, nurture, nourish, energy, they clean up about 30 % of the CO2 emissions.
Yet, we seam to be unable to see the destruction we are bringing to our forests. We are quick to look away, to justify our actions and non-actions with our "right" to survive and use whatever is in our way, we are slow in understanding that there are sustainable solutions and alternatives.
We don't see that we cutting the branch right from under our feet.
We need forests to survive.
Forests cover about 1/3of Earth's land mass. We need that to keep being true.
1.6 billion people's livelihoods depend on forests.
50% of terrestrial biodiversity is found within our forests.
Forests are essential in supplying water for 50% of our biggest cities.
13 million hectares are destroyed every year.
Deforestation and forest degradation account for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions
“What we are doing to the forests of the world
is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.”
Mahatma Gandhi
"I respect the secrets and magic of nature. That's why it makes me so angry when I see these things that are happening, that every second, I hear, the size of a football field is torn down in the Amazon. I mean, that kind of stuff really bothers me. That's why I write these kinds of songs, you know. It gives some sense of awareness and awakening and hope to people. I love the Planet, I love the trees. I have this thing for trees - the colors and changing of leaves. I love it. I respect those kind of things. I really feel that nature is trying so hard to compensate for man's mismanagement of the planet. Because the planet is sick, like a fever. If we don't fix it now, it's at the point of no return. This is our last chance to fix this problem that we have, where it's like a runway train. And the times has come, This Is It. People are always saying,'They'll take care of it. The government will--Don't worry, they'll--' 'They' who? It starts with us. It's us. Or else it'll never be done... We have four years to get it right. After that it would be irreversible. Let's take care of the planet."
Michael Jackson
At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour.
With Earth Hour almost upon us, our thoughts are with the people of Japan during this incredibly challenging and sad time for their country.
Make sure your engagement goes beyond the hour. Go and get inspired and inspire others: http://www.beyondthehour.org/
Prepare yourself for Earth Hour 2011 with the "Lights Off" Twitter-application. http://eh2011.com #earthhour
Michael Jackson - Planet Earth
Planet Earth, my home, my place
A capricious anomaly in the sea of space
Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid
Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn't true
You are my sweetheart soft and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.
In my veins I've felt the mystery
Of corridors of time, books of history
Life songs of ages throbbing in my blood
Have danced the rhythm of the tide and flood
Your misty clouds, your electric storm
Were turbulent tempests in my own form
I've licked the salt, the bitter, the sweet
Of every encounter, of passion, of heat
Your riotous color, your fragrance, your taste
Have thrilled my senses beyond all haste
In your beauty, I've known the how
Of timeless bliss, this moment of now
Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid
Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn't true
You are my sweetheart gentle and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.
Planet Earth, gentle and blue
With all my heart, I love you.
----
Addition March 27, 2011:
Thank you everyone who participated in this global movement!!!
Every second, 3 sharks die at human hands. Many are "finned" so that their fins can be used for shark fin soup. Sharks are becoming extinct and it is affecting all ocean life.
Executive Producer/Director Gary Rose and fledgling group KISS (Kids Involved in Saving Sharks) have teamed up to create a PSA campaign aimed at halting the slaughter of sharks and preserving the ocean's ecosystem.
MJ Fam, please help those kids and spread their message to help the endangered species of sharks that are essential to our eco system!
Why?
Sharks have been around for nearly 400 million years: that makes them older than dinosaurs! There are about 375 different types of shark in the world.
The sea monster myth
Sharks rarely attack people. In fact, the chance of being attacked by a shark is less than the chance of being struck by lightning. The real dangers for people in the ocean are drowning, exposure and being struck by a boat. So no, sharks are not the sea monsters we hear about in stories.
Threat to survival
While sharks are not a threat to people, people are a very real threat to sharks. Each year, over 100 million sharks are killed, most of them for their fins. In fact, there are now 20 types of sharks that are in danger of disappearing because of overfishing.
One of the reasons the shark population is decreasing rapidly is that it takes a long time for sharks to become adults. When a young shark is caught they do not have the chance to grow up and produce baby sharks (pups).
When it comes to reproducing, sharks are more similar to mammals such as whales, dolphins and humans than to other fish. While most fish reach maturity in only a few years and produce thousands or millions of eggs per year, sharks take many years to reach maturity, with some species not reproducing until they are over 15 years old. So when sharks are overfished it may take them many years to recover and in some cases they may never recover.
Why care?
Sharks are crucial parts to the ocean ecosystem. They are at the top of the ocean food chain. They control populations in a beneficial way by eliminating diseased and genetically defective animals. Sharks are an important part of the Earth’s biodiversity.
YOU can help endangered sharks!
1. Educate yourself and others about their importance to our world.
2. Send letters to politicians and other influential people. Let others know how you feel about endangered sharks and how crucial they are to the environment.
3. Sign a petition or start a petition against shark finning and send it to representatives of China.
4. Avoid purchasing products made from sharks.
5. Organise a fundraising activity at your school or in your community and donate to a shark conservation program or organisation.
Together we can make a difference! Tell us how you’ve helped the sharks and inspire other to do the same.
"A group of young Hollywood artists came together to recreate MJ's Earth Song and there is no denying... the Magic was in the studio. 50/50 music group's Dani Wright was inspired by MJ and found it necessary to bring her talented friends together to honor and pay tribute to the King of Pop with this 2010 video remake of "Earth Song". Not only is this a tribute to the King, but it is a call to action, and a recognition of the times we are living in. Don't simply watch this video,share it with your friends, family, and the world to help renew and live out the legacy created by the world's greatest entertainer, Michael Jackson.
Long Live the King."~Dani Wright
We are glad being able to share one more wonderful tribute to MJ on our blog.
Thank you so much Dani and all the contributing vocalists of the 50/50 Music Group. You are doing a great job.
Photo credit: Ólafur Eggertsson (icelandic farmer). Click to enlarge.
An Icelandic volcano, dormant for 200 years, has erupted, ripping a 1km-long fissure in a field of ice. The last volcanic eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area occurred in 1821.
This news remained a bit unnoticed at first because Iceland is "an island far away in the North"... So why should WE care?
Now, 2 days later the entire flight traffic in Northern Europe is stopped because the volcano ashes all over the continent are extremly dangerous for flight engines.
NOW, we do care! But what do we care about? We ask: Will I get returns for my ticket? How do I get to the place I wanted to travel? Who pays me for it?
Well, you will get returns because the flights got cancelled by MAJOR FORCE!
Ok, now start thinking. MAJOR FORCE? What is it? WHO is it?
We all know that air travel is a part of a major problem we have with global warming. But we "need to fly" around the world all the time. Because we're all so busy...
Now this MAJOR FORCE fights back and leaves us grounded without exceptions. Not for presidents, not for CEOs, no one.
Did you ever stop to notice?
What happens? Nothing. The earth doesn't stop because you can't fly. Because you don't have to.
I see this incident as a kind of "Earth Hour" forced by Planet Earth. She leaves us grounded with time to think... Think about our very own relationship we have with her. Think about the "importance" of our being. Think about our modern mobile life.
If we're not doing it by ourselves, she's doing it for us. Reminding us of our equality, belittling our constant rush.
We have got to slow down. We have got to listen.
Another interesting fact. Volcano eruptions are cooling down our global climate because the ashes absorb a bit of the sunlight. It's global and measurable.
Did you ever stop to notice?
I have been to Iceland and wanted to return this year because in my eyes it is the most beautiful country in the world that is so full of nature and contrast that it keeps leaving you speechless by the beauty of God's creation. This is the country where you can see the evolution of our planet like it was everywhere millions of years ago.
I remember the Icelandic people being very aware of that and living with the forces of nature totally different from us. They know from their daily experience that MAJOR FORCES rule their lives more than their own urgencies. After being strongly affected by the consequences of the financial crisis they have returned to their roots. MAJOR FORCE.
So I had to smile about Hjördis Gudmundsdóttir, the head of Iceland's flight authority ISAVIA when asked about duration of the eruption (hello?): „Maybe the weather gods can tell us? We don't know if it will stop tomorrow or after a year or what. Nobody can answer that question."
It lasted more than two years the last time it erupted...
Take your time, slow down. Join "Earth Year", feel the MAJOR FORCE.
Did you ever stop to notice? This crying earth, these weeping shores?
Dance rehearsals can go on past midnight, but this time I stopped at ten. "I hope you don't mind," I said, looking up into space, "but that's enough for today." A voice from the control room spoke. "You okay?"
"A little tired, I guess," I said.
I slipped on a windbreaker and headed down the hall. Running footsteps came up behind me. I was pretty sure who they belonged to. "I know you too well," she said, catching up with me. "What's really wrong?"
I hesitated. "Well, I don't know how this sounds, but I saw a picture today in the papers. A dolphin had drowned in a fishing net. From the way its body was tangled in the lines, you could read so much agony. Its eyes were vacant, yet there was still that smile, the one dolphins never lose, even when they die..." My voice trailed off.
She put her hand lightly in mine. "I know, I know."
"No, you don't know all of it yet. It's not just that I felt sad, or had to face the fact that an innocent being had died. Dolphins love to dance -- of all the creatures in the sea, that's their mark. Asking nothing from us, they cavort in the waves while we marvel. They race ahead of ships, not to get there first but to tell us, 'It's all meant to be play. Keep to your course, but dance while you do it.' "So there I was, in the middle of rehearsal, and I thought, 'They're killing a dance.' And then it seemed only right to stop. I can't keep the dance from being killed, but at least I can pause in memory, as one dancer to another. Does that make any sense?"
Her eyes were tender. "Sure, in its way. Probably we'll wait years before everyone agrees on how to solve this thing. So many interests are involved. But it's too frustrating waiting for improvements tomorrow. Your heart wanted to have its say now."
"Yes," I said, pushing the door open for her. "I just had this feeling, and that's enough for today."
As we all know Michael Jackson very much cared about the planet and all the animals that God created for it.
Be it coincidence or not this year when MJ was honored at the Oscar awards, a movie was winning "Best Feature Documentary" award that we all should acknowledge.
It is called "The Cove" and is about the killing of dolphins in a cove in Japan. I haven't yet seen the movie myself and it will take a lot of energy for me to do so as seeing pictures like these make me feel like watching someone killing a family member.
God blotted out the sun as if to let us know how black the deed which was being done, and out of that blackness Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?". His final words expressed his complete surrender to the will of God as He said, "It is finished; Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit". He then bowed His head and died.
Even the earth could not accept the death of its Creator and Master without showing grief. There was a great earthquake which shook the countryside and made all people afraid. The only fear which we need to have, however, is that of refusing the love He showed in dying for us. The theme of our lives ought to be, "I'll live for Him who died for me, how happy then my soul shall be. I'll live for Him who died for me, my Saviour and my God".
http://www.bible.ca/d-crucifixion-of-Jesus.htm
Please keep praying for everyone affected by God's grief!!!
Today we honor a great man of music, a true icon, a part of Motown and music HIStory and a great friend and supporter of Michael Jackson!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mr. Smokey Robinson!!!
Smokey Robinson turns 70 today. Unbelievable! He has blessed the world with so much soul and amazing music that this space is not enough to list his achievements as a singer and a songwriter.
So let's focus on the relationship he had with Michael Jackson...
Most of us have seen his heartfelt speech at the Memorial where he talked about 10 year old Michael singing his song "Who's Loving You" better than himself...
"I wrote that song. I thought I sang it. I wrote that song and 2 years later here comes this little kid and he’s 10 years old. [...] And I heard it. I thought to myself…now they have pulled a fast one on us because this boy cannot possibly be 10 years old. [...] I have young kids coming up to me now; when I do concerts I sing "Who's Loving You" at concerts and young kids who were at the concert come up to me and say hey you’re singing Michael Jackson’s song huh."
And nobody will ever forget his part in the Grammys Tribute to Michael Jackson where Smokey Robinson sang the "Earth Song" along with Michael and supported by Usher, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood. When Smokey entered the stage and started singing "I used to dream..." I felt a strong energy and the love he had for Michael over all of those years. To me it felt almost like a real duet of the two. I know Michael was smiling down that very moment!!!
Another fact of their relationship wasn't recognized by the public eye as much but deserves our attention.
Smokey Robinson recorded a fantastic interpretation of J5's "I Want You Back" for his outstanding album "Time Flies When You're Having Fun" that was released in late 2009. It was recorded before June.
So he decided to keep it on the album as a secret track because he didn't want to be accused of exploiting the death of Michael.
"It's the first record the Jackson 5 made when they came to Motown. I always loved that song and I always wanted to make an adult version. It was for Michael to hear. Then he died."
"I loved Michael very much, Michael was my brother. His death was a tremendous shock, an unbelievable thing to find out. I didn't want people to think I was exploiting the fact that he'd died so it became a hidden track."
I have so much respect for that decision but the song deserves to emerge to the light.
This is where the circle closes. Thank you Mr. Smokey Robinson. I love you.
Edit Febuary, 26 additional information:
The first record Michael Jackson purchased was 1963's MICKEY'S MONKEY by Smokey Robinson's group The Miracles.
