“Conservationists welcomed an Indian government plan to create eight new reserves to protect the country’s dwindling tiger population, the government’s Tiger Project announced Tuesday.”
India to Create 8 New Tiger Sanctuaries
Kite-Fueled Cargo Ship Completes Maiden Voyage, Saves 20% on Energy (Video)
The world’s first commerical ship partially powered by a giant kite successfully crossed the Atlantic producing energy savings of between 15 and 20 percent during the 14-day voyage from Germany to Venezuela, while cutting down on CO2 emissions.
Australia Formally Apologizes to its Aboriginal Stolen Generations
Today, the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, apologized to the ‘Stolen Generations’ of Aboriginal people — a truly historic moment in our country’s history, and a positive step towards reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people. (Sydney Morning Herald) Thanks to Liz U. and Tom R. for submitting the link. Sonja recommends reading the text of the apology, calling “truly amazing.”
Five-Seat Concept Car Runs on Air
An engineer has promised that within a year he will start selling a car for in-town driving that runs on compressed air and produces no emissions at all. The tanks on the OneCAT can be filled with air from a compressor in just three minutes. (BBC report)
If You Expect the Worst From Strangers this Story is for You
My faith in human nature has never been so inflated as it was last weekend after our family get-together in Vail. Here’s the story…
On Saturday, we all went to the farmers market right in the middle of Vail. Near the end, we all met at the fountain near the covered bridge, and the kids waded around in the fountain until we left. This is easily one of the busiest pedestrian thoroughfares in Vail.
Afterwards, we went back to the condos and went swimming for the afternoon. Late in the afternoon, my son Ponder (age 7 at the time), realized that he could not find his backpack, which contained his Gameboy [with all the game cartridges] and his watch. After a thorough search, we determined that he must have left it at the fountain in Vail.
Ponder has never lost anything. He even has every pair of sunglasses we have ever bought him. He is so good about this that we just take for granted that he needs no supervision concerning his stuff.
He was inconsolable, not about the Gameboy, but about the watch. He said to me, through massive tears, “But Dad, they (Burger King) don’t make that watch anymore.” We were all very sad. Our dinner reservations were at a restaurant just on the other side of the covered bridge, so I promised him that we would not only search the area around the fountain when we went back for dinner, but we would also find the police and ask them if the backpack had been turned in.
As we exited the parking garage, we could see the fountain as we descended the long staircase. I saw something black sitting there, but it was right next to a woman sitting by the fountain, so I could not tell what it was or if it seemed to be hers. I said, “Do you see it, Ponder?” He said, “I see it, Dad.” I said, “Don’t get too excited cuz that may not be it.” But that was it. It had been five or six hours since we left the fountain, and it was still there. There was no I.D. in it, and it looked like someone had looked through it and then set it right out where all could see it.
I literally cried when we got to it and were sure that it was his. Everyone in our party was blown away by this “miracle.” In my wildest dreams, I never would have dreamed that this would/could happen nowadays.
What a charmed life, eh? Later, I said to Lori and Lorrie (my wife and my girlfriend… another long story for another time) that this was the perfect lesson for a child in losing something important… to lose it and feel the full weight of that loss, and then to miraculously get it back. It was amazing… I still get goose bumps when I think about it.
My faith in human nature has never been so inflated.
Mark Stine is a master stained glass artist living near Denver. He calls his son Ponder, his primary source of inspiration. See his art at Transparent Dreams Glass Studio
HP Recycles Plastic Bottles Into Printer Cartridges
Hewlett-Packard has manufactured some 200 million printer ink cartridges using a new process that utilizes 100% post-consumer content, like recycled plastic water bottles.
Robot Offers Hip Surgery Success
“A surgical robot developed by UK scientists makes hip operations so simple even students get good results.” (BBC Health)
World Bank Plans Clean Technology Fund for Poor
REUTERS – “Poor countries will soon receive billions of dollars from a new World Bank fund to help them cut pollution, save energy and fight global warming.”
(Environmental News Network)
Amputee, 9, Fufills His Dream to Run and Play
“A brave young boy decided to have his right leg amputated in November to avoid a lifetime in a wheelchair and so that he could run and jump like normal kids. On Friday, glowing with pride, Nick Nelson showed off his new prosthetic leg and the mobility and freedom it has given him. With the cameras rolling, 9-year-old Nick made a grand entrance, scampering across the TODAY Show’s New York studio.” (Video from MSNBC)
A Tax We Could All Benefit From
“In 2002, Ireland passed a tax on plastic bags; customers who want them must now pay 33 cents per bag at the register. Within weeks, plastic bag use dropped 94 percent. There was an advertising awareness campaign and within a year, nearly everyone had bought reusable cloth bags, keeping them in the backs of cars.” They became socially uncool. (New York Times)
7 Steps to Positive Thinking
I’m sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you know would be a success. But, for some reason, you’re just not doing it. Maybe your mindset is blocking your action. Remember that a correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable. Why not make 2008 the year you achieve your goal and bring that idea to life using these tips?
Diddy Pushes Youth to Vote Once Again
Hip-Hop legend Sean “P. Diddy” Combs campaigned across the country four years ago to get young people to vote using the bold slogan “Vote or Die.” Young people did turn out in record numbers thanks to his and other organizations, like Rock the Vote. He is at it again in 2008 trying to awaken “a sleeping giant” in an effort to make change.
(Associated Press)
Bishops Urge Cutting Back on Carbon for Lent
Bishops in London and Liverpool are championing a new kind of 40-day fast calling on Britons to cut back on carbon, rather than chocolate or alcohol, for the Christian period of Lent this year. (article continues below)
In Memorial: Maharishi Passes on in 91st Year
The founder and leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, 91, has passed on this week leaving behind some five million followers worldwide.
The one-time guru for the Beatles taught that meditating twice a day in half hour sessions could help people achieve inner peace. Practitioners of TM believe that meditating in large groups can generate positive energy to help end violence and war.
The Maharishi wrote in 1967, “Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is through happiness. Under all circumstances be happy … Just think of any negativity that comes at you as a raindrop falling into the ocean of your bliss.”
(story continued below)
Family to Adopt Dog Partner of Slain Marine Son
“A U.S. military dog whose handler and best friend was killed in Iraq got a new assignment for the New Year — retirement with honors in Mississippi to live with the young Marine’s family.” They had lobbied hard for months to adopt the dog, whose relationship with their son was so strong, it took several Marines to pull it away so that medics could attend the soldier’s body.
(CNN.com)
Fewer People Trashing U.S. Roads, Beaches
Americans are tossing less litter despite the fact that there are more people on the roads. “Experts estimate that deliberate trash-tossing has fallen about 2 percent a year since the mid-’70s in communities where it’s been measured.” (Frank Greve, McClatchy News Service)
30,000 in Barcelona Share Bikes
Barcelona has gone bike crazy, with 30,000 people signing up in the first 2 months to participate in a new public transportation system involving shared bikes.
With 1500 bicycles and 100 stations, connecting other public transport stations such as metro, train, buses and major car parks, the red and white bikes are to be seen all over town.
(READ the story in Treehugger)
Blind photographer to hold exhibition
A wildlife photographer is to hold an exhibition of her pictures – taken despite being blind.
Alison Bartlett’s hearing is so acute that she can pick up birds’ wings flapping or a squirrel nibbling a nut, reports The Sun.
“It hurts that I can’t see the pictures – but if it encourages other blind people to continue hobbies, it’s worth it.”
(READ the story from the Daily Mail)
Music Video by Black Eyed Peas Frontman Inspired by Obama Speech
A group of friends in the entertainment industry inspired by Sen. Barack Obama’s speech following the New Hampshire primary have produced a powerful music video urging Americans to vote. The filmmaker is Jesse Dylan, son of activist musician, Bob Dylan. The new song, written by Black Eyed Peas’ frontman and songwriter, will.i.am, was released Friday after being filmed and performed entirely in the two days prior.
Celebrity-filled music videos have been created to support many social movements, from famine relief to American farmers, from AIDS relief in Africa to the anti-apartheid fight, but this is possibly the first time celebrities and musicians have banded together to create new music in the midst of a presidential campaign.
Will.i.am says, “I’m not trying to convince people to see things how i do. I produced this song to share my new found inspiration and how I’ve been moved. I hope this song will make you feel…
love… and think… and be inspired just like the speech inspired me.”
Check out this inspiring MUST-SEE video:
Abortion Rate at 30-Year Low
The U.S. abortion rate has reached a 30-year-low. In 2005 a survey of abortion providers showed the rate was lower than the number of abortions in 1975, which was just two years after Roe v. Wade became the law of the land. The results revealed an eight percent drop in totals from 2000 to 2005. -Alan Guttmacher Institute