Something you can do about the oil spill and preventing some of the environmental damage that can result from oil spills:

So many times I've seen students who have been discouraged about environmental issues. They haven't realized that each of them can do many things to improve the environment. People are very resourceful in solving problems. I believe that is the message to convey to students. Using the HOT Skills Wheel TM brings students through several levels of critical thinking (Contact me to arrange training for faculty and students on the HOT Skills Wheel TM.) Problem solving results from using higher order thinking skills and then taking action. Here are some links to get you started in solving one global crisis: the current oil spill. Having such deep-thinking skills, the HOT Skills, and knowing that each of us can take action in solving global problems gives hope for achieving both sustainability and a peaceful World.

Here's a video about using human hair to prevent damage from oil spills:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7425820


Here's a link to the organization that you can contact for more information:
http://www.matteroftrust.org/

Use Reach Reading TM (Workshop Inquiries) and come up with research to back up other decisions about what you can do to help the environment. You might also want to look at the book Mycelium Running for ideas on not only cleaning up oil, but, also cleaning water before it is returned to the environment.

The current oil spill gives students the opportunity to understand the relevancy of their science education. It helps them understand why Reach Reading TM, science literacy, and science education are so important to their abilities to solve and prevent global problems. I challenge you to empower your students. Show them they can use their skills to take positive action to solve problems, even those of a global nature. We can show them the resiliency of the human spirit and give them pathways to solve and prevent future global problems. We can help them achieve sustainability and peace if we give them the science literacy and higher order thinking skills (HOT Skills)

Genetically Modified Food---Information Sent in to Read=about-it.blogspot.com readers; posted here (from Dr. Gabriel Cousens) Provide your comments.

Science literacy encourages us to read technical topics and make informed decisions. A well-educated, concerned reader, sent this urgent request and asked me to post it. It is an opportunity to use critical thinking skills to solve a global problem. Use your best judgment. Dr.J. Here's the post from Dr. Cousens:

Organic Food Supply Threatened

By Gene Manipulated Organisms From Monsanto

Dear Friends,

In 2006, the Center for Food Safety sued the USDA for illegally approving genetically modified ("GM") alfalfa. Federal courts agreed and banned GM alfalfa until the USDA could provide an Environmental Impact Statement. The USDA submitted a draft in December of 2009 admitting that GM contamination of non-GM and organic alfalfa crops is certain to occur; that GM contamination will economically impact small and family farmers; that foreign export markets will be at risk due to rejection of GM-contaminated products; and that farmers will be forced to use more toxic herbicides on the crops. In spite of all this, the USDA intends to approve GM alfalfa anyway, stating that neither consumers nor organic farmers care if their organic food is GM contaminated. This of course is complete nonsense, as GM crops ruin the business of organic farmers and the health and wellbeing of the public.

Furthermore the USDA asserts that all methods of agricultural production can and should coexist. This fantastic coexistence has already been proven false. GM alfalfa cross-pollinates with non-GMO alfalfa causing irreversible genetic pollution. GMOs will spread into the environment and a total recall is impossible. This self-propagating genetic pollution will outlast the effects of global warming and nuclear waste. Examples of genetic pollution include an unapproved GM rice that was grown for only one year in field trials was found to have extensively contaminated the US rice supply and seed stocks. In Canada, the organic rapeseed oil industry has been destroyed by contamination from GM rapeseed. In Spain, a study found that GM maize has caused a drastic reduction in organic cultivations of this grain and is making their coexistence practically impossible.

Beyond the inescapable certainty that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) will infiltrate conventional, organic, and wild vegetation, is the irrefutable fact, that GMOs are dangerous to the health of animals and humans. Lab animals tested with GM foods had stunted growth, impaired immune systems, bleeding stomachs, abnormal and potentially pre-cancerous cell growth in the intestines, impaired blood cell development, misshapen cell structures in the liver, pancreas, and testicles, altered gene expression and cell metabolism, liver and kidney lesions, partially atrophied livers, inflamed kidneys, less developed brains and testicles, enlarged livers, pancreases, and intestines, reduced digestive enzymes, higher blood sugar, inflamed lung tissue, increased death rates and higher offspring mortality. As for examples of GMO crops at work in the world, about twenty-four farmers report that GM corn varieties caused their pigs or cows to become sterile. Seventy-one shepherds say that 25% of their sheep died from grazing on Bt cotton plants. Filipinos in at least five villages fell sick when nearby Bt corn was pollinating, and hundreds of Indian laborers reported allergic reactions from handling Bt cotton. Soy allergies skyrocketed by 50% in the UK, soon after genetically engineered soy was introduced. There is evidence to suggest that GMOs might cause infertility or hurt newborns. When GM soy flour was added to the diets of female rats, most of their babies died within three weeks. GMOs are regularly approved without adequate safety studies. In 1992, the FDA claimed they had no information showing that GM foods were substantially different from conventionally grown foods. No safety studies were required. However, secret internal memos made public by a lawsuit showed that the actual consensus among FDA scientists was that GMOs can create unpredictable, hard-to-detect side effects, including allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged long-term safety studies.

The above evidence is clear. GMOs have an explicitly devastating effect on the environment and the health of the U.S. and global population. In summary, GM technology and GM crops offer no advantages on any level, but rather great disadvantages on every level.

Consider the following 6 points:

1. GM and non-GM cannot coexist as GM crops contaminate the organic crops
2. GM foods are dangerous to human and animal health to eat
3. Products from animals fed GM crops, have been show to be contaminated with GM materials. This is all done without consumers’ consent.
4. GM crops are a long-term economic disaster for farmers.
5. GM crops decrease yield potential and increase toxic pesticide use.
6. GM companies have dealt duplicitously with the public. GM gives them patents that allow them a monopoly over the global food supply.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Gabriel Cousens, M.D., M.D.(H), D.D.

PS: As the foundation of U.S. constitutional law was, and is based on Torah law (which is the foundation of the judeo-christian cultures), I would like to draw attention to Deuteronomy 23:13 which says in essence that no one, including corporations, now afforded the rights of citizens, has the right to pollute the public domain!

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Action Step #1:

The Supreme Court will rule tomorrow on March 3rd. The immediate course of action is to post your comment on this Supreme Court decision at http://ga3.org/campaign/alfalfaEISalfalfaEIS prior to March 3rd. This only takes a minute of your time.

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Action Step #2:

Write a letter/fax/email to your congress person. A sample letter is below for you to copy and paste. The following is a link to find out how to contact your congress person: http://www.contactingthecongress.org

Dear Senator/Congress(wo)man,

I am writing to express my concern about the upcoming Supreme Court decision regarding Monsanto’s genetically modified alfalfa. The USDA admits that GM contamination of non-GM and organic alfalfa crops is certain to occur; that GM contamination will economically impact small and family farmers; that foreign export markets will be at risk due to rejection of GM-contaminated products; and that farmers will be forced to use more toxic herbicides on the crops. In spite of all this, the USDA intends to approve GM alfalfa anyway, stating that neither consumers nor organic farmers care if their organic food is GM contaminated. GM and non-GM cannot coexist.

This is simply not accurate. The little research on GMO foods that has been released shows that it is extremely dangerous to human health. GM foods will exacerbate, instead of solve, the world food crises. GM crops decrease yield potential, rather than increasing it. GM crops increase toxic pesticide use. Better alternatives are available to feed the world, and Integrated Pest Management and other low-input, organic methods of pest control and robust yield are more successful. Products from animals fed GM crops, have been show to be contaminated with GM materials. This is all done without consumers’ consent. GM crops are a long-term economic disaster for farmers. GM companies have dealt duplicitously with the public. GM gives them patents that allow them a monopoly over the global food supply.

I am writing to request that you contact Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and urge him to deny Monsanto’s GM alfalfa, for the safety of our world and future generations.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

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Action Step #3

Call the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack directly at: (202) 720.3631

For more information, contact Dr. Gabriel Cousens or his staff members.

Contact Dr. Cousens by Phone or Email

866-394-2520

Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center PO Box 778, Patagonia AZ 85624 Phone (866) 394.2520 Toll Free Fax (415) 598.2409

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