A nice example of how to empower people – in this case by simply giving a camera to local farmers and explaning them how to use it… The photos are still being exhibited – even 5 years after the project was carried out. The resulting images (some of them of astonishing quality) naturally show the benefits & purity of traditional farming in Southern China – an area that is more and more becoming industrialized.
Open Source Ecology takes an open source approach to technology development with the aim to empower individuals to develop their own self-sufficient ecovillages without depending on supply chains, trademarks & corporations.
‘Factor E Farm’ provides a tool set that makes it possible for individuals to become self-sufficient. Tool set’s include instructions on how to create construction machines, tractors, solarpanels etc. at a quality level that comes close to commercial machines. All tool sets for open source technology are being published on the open source ecology wiki so others can use and further develop the material. Watch this video to see some of their machines in practise.
I’m quite impressed by this approach since I do personally believe that the open source culture can be transferred to many different value-driven fields. Ecological living is an area where concrete solutions and expertise could easily create benefit by being spread more openly via the Internet.
In the area of sustainable development there seems to be a big disconnect between corporate sustainability communication and actual solutions that are being applied. Maybe there is something even bigger corporations could learn from this simple concept & collaborative approach.
I’m speaking to more and more people that are trying to make sense of what they do and how it can benefit society & the environment as a whole.
It always starts with a dream, a broad idea of how it could look like in practise and lots of passion that gives people the drive to make things happen. More and more people do dare to make the step and create a business around these ambitions. Dreamers transform into entrepreneurs and suddenly become part of a genre that is accepted and increasingly admired by society.
What people seem to lack and look for is very human support:
- A person that gives feedback like a mirror
- Some guidance in creating a good sales pitch
- Some ideas to complete the story
- Help with finance and getting the right people on board
- A well thought through and tangible Marketing plan
…and last but not least: Confidence
I find it personally very inspiring to listen to people’s ideas, help them develop their business model and help them to market their concept. I’ve now decided to help members at The Hub develop their ideas and explore the world of online Marketing. I look forward to exciting new ideas, people with big dreams and enough courage to make them happen.
Ok, now seriously:
“The oceans and seas are a source of life on our planet. They cover almost three quarters of the Earth’s surface and contain some 90% of the biosphere. Their protection is essential to the future of our planet. Pollution of our seas and destructive fishing practices are anathema to that. Our oceans and seas also play a strategic role in sustaining climate and weather patterns, distributing solar energy, and absorbing carbons.” (Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas)
Three quarters of fishing grounds are almost depleted. Rising water levels inflicted by global warming are threatening sensitive corals and low lands. Now I won’t blog more about it as others can do this better. Here a good overview by a member of the Ocean Project and here more on the topic by the following organisations UN, the European Commission or GreenPeace. You can sign a petition with GreenPeace on protecting 40% of the world’s oceans as marine reserves.
The Ocean Project has a list of events around the globe, nothing though for Belgium. However, Sunday June 7th is la Fête de l’Environnement 2009 organised at Parc Cinquantenaire by Bruxelles Environnement, where you can meet actors of the environmental field. The Brussels Aquarium will also have a stand there. In the evening there will be a free concert.
I just found out this morning: tomorrow is World Environment Day and lots of things are happening worldwide! Events range from conferences (for example the environmental day conference in Brussels) to a release of the movie HOME.
HOME is a film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the sky perspective photographer. I have his book at home and it’s the best photography book I know, it has been opened many times by me and friends of mine. The special thing about this release is, that it will be in over 50 countries on the same day and in different formats: movie theatres, TV and DVD.
Brussels DG Environment is planning a special screening of the film at the RESIDENCE PALACE – 155 Rue de la Loi at 5pm. I will definitely go. Let me know if you want to join as well. You will need to register in advance with an e-mail to basha@unric.org
When I arrived at the end of rush-hour all the Foe-members in the station-hall were in conversation with people passing by, mainly explaining the aims of the campaign. Above the general stairs you could see a big screen showing the Big Ask Film .
Some passengers took time to see the film. Afterwards they asked the Foe-members what The Big Ask stands for. A lot of people filled in the Big Ask postcards (more than I expected!), which FOE will send to the decision making Belgian politicians concerning climate issues.
Politicians from right and left-wing parties came especially to this event in order to talk about the aims of the campaign. On the picture below you’ll see the co-chairman from Ecolo Isabelle Durant, together with members from mother Earth, the Flemish FOE-movement. Another Ecolo politician who took time to talk about the aims and strategies of The Big Ask campaign was Evelyne Huytebroeck, the environment minister in Bxl we met on the ecoloj meeting in march. Other parties present were the flemish socialists (SP-A) and the Flemish Liberals (VLD).
It takes my interest as the campaign is focussing on a clear legal pressure towards politicians on national and EU level.
The sun is out, it’s getting warmer and lots of things are happening around bikes. Not just that I’m getting in the hot phase with planning a 7-day cycling adventure in France… all Brussels seems in cycle mood these days. Here a short overview of what is going on:
1. Velo-city 2009 May 12th – 15th
Velo-city is one of the world largest conferences on cycling taking place at tour & taxi. It includes a number of conferences, exhibitions and lots of entertainment activities around cycling.
2. DringDring 2009 May 11th – 17th
Simultaneously, DringDring is organizing breakfasts for cyclists and bike excoursions for schoolkids this week.
This weekend there will also be a second hand bike fair and several other activities worthwhile joining.
3. Bike to work
Have you ever thought about taking your bike to work? Bike to work is a project that supports and encourages employees and businesses to take the bike to work. This initiative is part of the European project LifeCycle. Besides the simple committment it offers also a number of contests that will be carried out throughout the year. Companies that support their employees, can also gain financial advantages.
4. Dynamobile 2009 July 17th -26th
If you haven’t got any summer holiday plans for July yet, you should definitely consider this one. Dynamobile is a bike tour for families and individuals. During one week you get to see some of the Belgian nicest spots, you eat organic food and get to know like-minded people. Here some details on this year’s programme in French.
Savoir-Fair is a platform (in form of a fair) for people to exchange know-how on how to create & make things that are not just beautiful but help us diminish our impact on the environment (by using natural or recycled material). Topics can be anything from nutrition, mobility, gardening to well-being and games. This year’s event will be on the 20th of June.
…if you find all this inspiring and have some tips & tricks to share yourself: The team is still looking for people that would like to participate at the fair. Proposals will be accepted until May 15th. To find out more visit the Ideaplants discussion forum here (info in French).
Yesterday, a friend of mine and I went to visit the Lappersfortbos in Brugge, where activists have been occupying a forest for seven months already so that won’t be turned into office buildings or a car park.
The people living there were very friendly, one of them gave us a tour of the area, while another one let us climb up to her tree house. It was very interesting to wander the area with all its tree houses, to see the kitchen and the bicicly repair store. We were glad to learn that they were supported by local stores and people.
Every first and third Sunday they have a “Boscafe” or Forest cafe in English, where they offer drinks and snacks. Its for free, but you are invited to leave a donation. Click here for a video about it on a Flemish news channel.
A few weeks ago I went on a night walk with the local group of Friends of the Earth in Brussels. The activity was organized in the spirit of Earth Hour 2009 – an action initiated by WWF on March 28th 2009.
This was the core message of the campaign:
Our walk in Brussels went on for 3 hours through the local forest area Forêt de Soignes. 3 hours in the dark in the middle of a forest; looking at star signs with a group of like minded environmentalists – What’s a better way of spending the ‘earth hour 2009′?
The walk in any case was a success and it would be a surprise if Friends of the Earth Brussels would not continue organizing enjoyable walks and awareness raising events here in Brussels. Thank you for the nice evening. › Continue reading
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