Groundswell News Journal A project of the 501(c)(3) Grassroots Coalition for Environmental and Economic Justice We are a Global Family. News by and about Climate and Social Justice Activists. Our Motto: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Our Slogan: The way forward: cycle back to basics. A Celebration of Youth. www.groundswellnews.org. Issue No. 74: April 17, 2021

Photo Courtesy TIYEPAD Thuchila Youth Empowerment Programme and Development Network (TIYEPAD) sponsored football (soccer) matches to engage young people in creating more awareness of their environment. Author Jonas is in the foreground. The sign says, “Protect children & youth globally with positive primary prevention by using an evidence-based method; the contract concept.” Youth for a Sustainable Environement

By Jonas Chabroka Fadweck,Through Malawi through Sports Sports. in MalawiContact Jonas: at C/O, TIYEPAD Net- April 4, 2021, from the field Today, I am here at Mbande ground work, P.O.Box 17 (seen in front). After the match, there will Thuchila, Mulanje, Malawi After the church service, we are here! be lots of prizes, gifts, as well as refresh- Email: [email protected] Scouting ever! The game started 10 min- ments. We may be live in our YouTube Phone: +265882035971/+265998480555 utes ago. It’s SMART CLUB MALAWI Channel and later follow us in our blog Blog site: thuchilayouth.wordpress.com Bonanza Football Match finals. sites for more. The main agenda is young Last week, Thuchila Youths launched people in sustaining environment. Source: https://www.face- SMART CLUB MALAWI with the Posi- [Read more about this organization on book.com/100003137835756/ tive Youth Behavior Change Campaign page 17.] posts/4490623934385490/ Contents Climate earth ENDING HUMAN messages from EMERGENCY rEGENERATIon inequality INTEREST readers Pages 1 - 8 pages 9 - 11 pages 12 - 14 PAGEs 15 - 26 pages 28 - 30 Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page2 What is the Grassroots Coalition for Environmental and Economic Justice?

Coalition Founders: John and Iona Conner Mission of Our Journal What are we trying to achieve? Editor/Publisher: Iona Conner The mission of Groundswell News is to be We want to rapidly increase the number Wire Editor: Allen Hengst a beautiful, inspiring, uplifting journal which of serious climate activists in the world and Established: September 2013 educates and enlightens people about climate inspire them though stories from other ac- Web site: www.groundswellnews.org change through scientific articles and stories tivisrs. Our goal is to keep their spirits up, Board of Directors: Ngo Banfogha, Jean- by and about activists who are working to their energy strong, their hearts open, and nette Bartelt, David Hunter Bishop, Bill protect life on Earth and preserve natural their eyes bright and alive. Boteler, Iona Conner, Eric Kifampa, Jussa resources. We are a global family. Our Values Nhari Kudherezera, Rituraj Phukan This journal is based on love for Earth, Advisory Board: Dan Adams, Robert Bur- What is the Grassroots Coalition? all people, all forms of life – plus air, clouds, rowes, Fr. Ted Cassidy, Michael Mann, Mar- John and Iona Conner started this non- rain, snow, weather, oceans, forests, etc. We iam Nabukeera profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1990. The love Nature. We respect everyone and are Contact: Grassroots Coalition, c/o Iona mission was and remains “dedicated to willing to share our experiences, both good Conner, P.O. Box 542, Point Pleasant Boro, creating the critical mass of active partici- and bad, with others who may profit from NJ 08742-9996; [email protected] pants needed to being ecological justice to them. Contributors: Marium Ainebyona, David this Earth by providing information and re- Guidelines for Submissions Hunter Bishop, Maryann Daurio, Anders sources to individuals which encourage and I do not get directly involved in fundrais- Eklof, Jonas Bauleni Fadweck, Barrett Hnatt, assist them to make lifestyle changes ben- ing. To submit a story, you need to write a Derrick Jensen, Pariphat Promduangsri, eficial to the environment and to effectively regular article about your work and submit it Rituraj Phukan grapple with local and global environmen- in a Word document with 2 or 3 photos, in- tal concerns.” cluding captions and photo credits and then Our Motto: email it to me at [email protected]. If Use it up, wear it out, make it Who are we trying to attract? you need funding, mention that in your last do, or do without. We hope to reach people who are con- paragraph and be sure to give your contact cerned about global warming and realize information. that they are part of the problem but don’t Please email Iona at groundswellnews@ Our Slogan: know what to do. We invite them to sign up pa.net for the full Guidelinds. I’ll be eager to The way forward: for our newspaper. Please tell your family see what you submit. Thanks so much. cycle back to basics. and friends about us.

Fair Use Law: https://copyright. gov/fair-use/more-info.html Iona’s Column: Welcoming New Members Dearest Global Family, Fair use is a legal doctrine that promotes freedom I have been gradually building up the membership of the Grassroots Coalition for of expression by permitting the unlicensed use of Environmental and Economic Justice as my confidence in running Zoom meetings copyright-protected works in certain circumstances. increases. A snapshot of our meetings is on page 10. It doesn’t cost anything to be- Section 107 of the Copyright Act provides the statu- come a member but we ask that you be working seriously on environmental or social tory framework for determining whether something is justice issues and are a compassionate person. English is our main language. Having a fair use and identifies certain types of uses – such as a robust Internet connection is extremely helpful but we do our best when people’s criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholar- connections are spotty. Please try to set yourself up where the connection is good. I came up with another requirement. I want you to watch Rituraj Phukan’s TED ship, and research – as examples of activities that may talk at https://youtu.be/SBy4irpWRr8 (see page 29) and once you let me know you qualify as fair use. Section 107 calls for consideration want to be a member, I will send you some basic information. of the following four factors in evaluating a question of We are having our most important meeting of the year May Day (May 1) at 11:00 fair use: a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (New York time). Our meetings are wonderful and (1) Purpose and character of the use, including we’re developing a special project with a core group, which we will describe during whether the use is of a commercial nature or is for that meeting. nonprofit educational purposes. My break is coming to an end and I’m finding it difficult to keep up my monthly (2) Nature of the copyrighted work. publishing schedule so you may receive these a little less often. My Mary Kay busi- ness has not gotten off to a very strong start so I must work harder on it to establish (3) Amount and substantiality of the portion used financial security here on the home front. in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole. I’ll be looking forward to greeting new members. The ones we have already are (4) Effect of the use upon the potential amazing! You will enjoy being part of our Global Family. market for or value of the copyrighted With love and hope for all the places and people we cherish, work. Fair Use Logo Iona Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page3 Climate Emergency

Highlights from the UNEP

By RiturajAdaptation Phukan, India measures wouldGap bring a return ofReport USD 7.1 has seen adaptation 2020fall down the political trillion in avoided costs and other ben- agenda, at the same time, pandemic recovery The United Nations Environment efits. Achieving the 2°C target of the Paris and stimulus packages could lead to a more Programme (UNEP) Adaptation Gap Agreement could limit losses in global climate resilient and low-emission recovery Report 2020* finds that, while nations have annual growth to up to 1.6 per cent, com- if implemented well. The Adaptation Gap advanced in planning, huge gaps remain in pared to 2.2 per cent for 3°C. Report 2020 celebrates the global progress finance for developing countries and bring- 2020 was not only the year of the that has been made on adaptation over the ing adaptation projects to the stage where Covid-19 pandemic. It was also the year of last decade. But further ambition and action, they bring real protection against climate intensifying climate change: high tempera- backed by finance, is urgently needed. impacts such as droughts, floods, and sea- tures, floods, droughts, storms, wildfires, level rise. The fifth edition of the UNEP and even locust plagues. Even more wor- *United Nations Environment Pro- Adaptation Gap Report (launched in a ryingly, the world is heading for at least a gramme (2021). Adaptation Gap Report high-level online press event on January 3°C temperature rise this century. Nations 2020 – Executive summary. Nairobi. 14, 2021) looks at progress in planning for, must urgently step up action to adapt to Source: https://climateawarenessreport. financing, and implementing adaptation the new climate reality or face serious with a focus on nature-based solutions. wordpress.com/2021/02/07/unep-adapta- costs, damages, and losses. tion-gap-report-2020/ The Paris Agreement requires all its Urgent global action is required to signatories to plan and implement adapta- reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet tion measures through national adapta- the Paris Agreement goals of limiting tion plans, studies, monitoring of climate warming to “well below 2°C and striving change effects, and investment in a green for 1.5°C above preindustrial levels to limit future. The Adaptation Gap Report finds the impacts of climate change on vulner- that such action is lagging far behind. It able communities and ecosystems.” The finds that while nations have advanced in report emphasizes the role of nature-based planning and implementation, huge gaps solutions and locally-appropriate actions remain, particularly in finance for devel- that address societal challenges, such as oping countries and bringing adaptation climate change, and provide human well- projects to the stage where they bring real being and biodiversity benefits by protect- reductions in climate risks. ing, sustainably managing and restoring Adaptation means reducing countries’ natural or modified ecosystems. and communities’ vulnerability to climate The report looks at where the world change by increasing their ability to absorb stands in planning, financing, and imple- impacts and remain resilient, and it is a menting adaptation actions. It finds that vital component of the Paris Agreement. while nations have advanced in plan- The agreement requires all signatories to ning, more financing is needed to scale plan and implement adaptation measures up adaptation projects so they can help through national adaptation plans, studies, protect against climate impacts such as monitoring climate change effects, and droughts, floods, and sea-level rise. Public investment in a green future. and private finance for adaptation must There is no doubt that adaptation makes be stepped up urgently, along with faster economic sense. The Global Commission implementation. https://www.unep.org/resources/adap- on Adaptation in 2019 estimated that a While Covid-19 and its economic fallout tation-gap-report-2020 USD 1.8 trillion investment in adaptation Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page4 Climate Emergency Atlantic Ocean Circulation at Weakest in Millennium

Graphic: Potsdam INstitute for Climate Impact Research Rahmstorf: “The Gulf Stream System works like a giant conveyor belt, carrying warm surface water from the Equator up north, and sending cold, low-salinity deep water back down south; it moves nearly 20 million cubic meters of water per second, almost a hundred times the Amazon flow.” (Levke Caesar) The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is one of the world’s biggest ocean circulation systems, carrying warm surface water from the Gulf of Mexico towards the north Atlantic, where it cools and becomes saltier until it sinks north of Iceland, which in turn pulls more warm water from the Caribbean. This circulation is accompanied by winds that also help to bring mild and wet weather to Ireland, the UK, and other parts of western Europe. Submitted by Allen Hengst, Wire Editor across Europe. Scientists predict that the would increase the number and severity AMOC will weaken further if global heat- of storms hitting Britain and bring more By Fiona Harvey, excerpt ing continues, and could reduce by about heatwaves to Europe. He said the circula- The Guardian: February 26, 2021 34% to 45% by the end of this century, tion had already slowed by about 15%, The Atlantic Ocean circulation that which could bring us close to a “tipping and the impacts were being seen. “In 20 to underpins the Gulf Stream (the weather point” at which the system could become 30 years it is likely to weaken further, and system that brings warm and mild weather irrevocably unstable. A weakened Gulf that will inevitably influence our weather, to Europe) is at its weakest in more than Stream would also raise sea levels on the so we would see an increase in storms and a millennium, and climate breakdown is Atlantic coast of the U.S., with potentially heatwaves in Europe, and sea level rises on the probable cause, according to new data. disastrous consequences. the east coast of the U.S,.” he said. . . . Further weakening of the Atlantic Meridi- Stefan Rahmstorf, of the Potsdam Source: https://www.theguardian.com/ onal Overturning Circulation (AMOC) Institute for Climate Impact Research, environment/2021/feb/25/atlantic-ocean- could result in more storms battering the who co-authored the study published circulation-at-weakest-in-a-millennium- UK, more intense winters, and an increase on Thursday in Nature Geoscience, told say-scientists in damaging heatwaves and droughts The Guardian that a weakening AMOC Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page5 Climate Emergency ‘We Have to Act’: Atmospheric CO2

ByPasses Kenny Stancil, excerpt 420 PPM for First Timeheat much more Ever effectively, Common Dreams: April 6, 2021 which means that it greatly exacerbates the climate crisis. “It is truly groundbreaking,” According to the Environmen- Greta Thunberg said of the tal Defense Fund, methane growing concentration of is 84 times more potent than the heat-trapping gas. “And CO2 in the first two decades I don’t mean that in a good after its release. way.” Here’s The Post on sulfur The concentration of hexafluoride, a GHG that atmospheric carbon dioxide “results from the production surged past 420 parts per of insulators used on electri- million for the first time in cal grids [and] also reached recorded history this past all-time records of 10 parts per weekend, according to a mea- trillion”: surement taken at the Mauna Loa Observatory on the Big While its concentration re- Island of Hawaii. mains orders of magnitude more When the National Ocean- dilute than that of most other Graphic: https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/ major greenhouse gases, its rate ic and Atmospheric Admin- The graph shows monthly mean carbon dioxide measured at Mauna Loa Observatory, istration (NOAA) research of increase in the atmosphere Hawaii. The carbon dioxide data on Mauna Loa constitute the longest record of direct has doubled since 2003. station “began collecting measurements of CO2 in the atmosphere. CO2 measurements in the late 1950s, atmospheric CO2 Sulfur hexafluoride is also concentration sat at around 315 PPM,” the While the growing concentration of thousands of times more potent—a single Washington Post reported. “On Saturday, atmospheric CO2 – which increases the molecule can cause 23,900 times more the daily average was pegged at 421.21 global average temperature and the num- warming than a molecule of CO2. And a PPM – the first time in human history that ber and severity of extreme weather events single molecule of sulfur hexafluoride can number has been so high.” – is a long-term trend that corresponds stick around in the atmosphere for more Climate activist Greta Thunberg took with the rise of fossil fuel-powered capital- than three millennia. notice of NOAA’s most recent data on CO2 ism, it has accelerated particularly rapidly levels. She described the first-ever docu- since the 1970s. While the Paris climate agreement seeks mented eclipse of 420 PPM of CO2 in Earth’s The doubling of atmospheric CO2 is to limit the rise in annual mean global atmosphere as “truly groundbreaking.” expected to increase Earth’s tempera- temperature to 1.5°C above preindustrial Exceeding 420 PPM of the heat-trapping ture by 2.6 to 4.1ºC above preindustrial averages by the end of the 21st century, gas “is a disconcerting milestone in the averages, a level of planetary heating that the World Meteorological Organization human-induced warming of the planet, would “rul[e] out more modest warming warned last year that there is a 20% chance around the halfway point on our path scenarios,” as the Post noted. the world will hit or surpass that level of toward doubling preindustrial CO2 levels,” “Even if greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- warming in at least one year by 2024. the Post noted, adding: sions were to plummet overnight, the “The science is clear,” United Nations planet would continue warming for years Secretary-General António Guterres said There is special significance in reaching to come,” the Post added. That’s because, as in December. “Unless the world cuts fossil and surpassing a concentration of 416 Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at the fuel production by 6% every year between PPM. It means we’ve passed the midpoint Breakthrough Institute in California, told now and 2030, things will get worse. Much between preindustrial CO2 levels, around the newspaper, “The amount of warming worse.” 278 PPM, and a doubling of that figure, that the world is experiencing is a result As forest ecologist Giorgio Matteucci or 556 PPM. of all of our emissions since the industrial tweeted Monday, “We have to act!” revolution – not just our emissions in the The record of 421 PPM reached Satur- last year.” Our work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 day is just a single point and occurred as As The Post reported, CO2 isn’t the only GHG with “worrying trends.” Emissions License. Feel free to republish and share CO2 levels are nearing their yearly peak. widely. But the levels over the past two months, of of methane and sulfur hexafluoride have more than 417 PPM, signal that the annual spiked, too. Source: https://www.commondreams. average concentration is likely to exceed 416 “Although methane doesn’t remain in org/news/2021/04/06/we-have-act-atmo- PPM. the atmosphere as long as CO2, it absorbs spheric-co2-passes-420-ppm-first-time-ever Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page6 Climate Emergency

SubmittedFracking by Allen Hengst, WireBanned Editor in Delaware River Basin! By Marisa Guerrero & Kimberly Ong, excerpt Natural Resources Defense Council: February 25, 2021 In an historic move, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) – the body re- sponsible for safeguarding the water quality of the Delaware River Basin – voted to out- law fracking in the region. Four of the five Commissioners, including the governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, voted for the ban, taking a strong stance that fracking “poses signifi- cant, immediate, and long-term risks to the development, conservation, utilization, management, and preservation of the water resources of the Delaware River Basin.” The Delaware River Basin is the water- shed at the base of the majestic Delaware River, the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. The Delaware stretches from the Catskills in New York State Photo Courtesy NRDC through parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, View of the Delaware River east of Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania. (Unsplash) Delaware, and Maryland, providing drink- ing water to 17 million people. It is one of aquatic life and ecosystems. Basin is an historic event. It marks a com- the most important fisheries in the coun- If the Delaware River Basin were to be mitment to protecting human and envi- try, a critical habitat for countless species used for fracking, around 45,000 people ronmental health – not just for those who of flora and fauna, including native trout, would find themselves living within one depend on the Delaware River, but for an American eels, and bald eagles. mile of the planned fracking well pad entire planet threatened by climate change... The pristine Delaware River Basin has locations, now at high risk of those health Following nearly 10 years of efforts forged long been at risk of being used for hydrau- threats. What’s more, fracking contributes by the Natural Resources Defense Council lic fracturing (fracking). Fracking is the to the intensifying global climate crisis. At (NRDC) and our partner environmen- process of extracting fossil fuels, like oil all stages of extraction, transmission, and tal groups to protect the watershed, the and gas, by injecting a mixture of water, combustion, fracking releases methane, an Delaware River Basin Commission first salt, and thousands of toxic chemicals extremely potent greenhouse gas. Concern- proposed today’s fracking ban in 2017. Since into the earth. It is an incredibly danger- ingly, building fracking infrastructure in then, NRDC and our partners have waged ous activity; the chemicals used are toxic the Basin would signal support for the de- a comprehensive campaign to support a full pollutants that have been linked to cancer, velopment, transmission, and use of fossil ban on fracking – central to our campaign mutations, and other adverse impacts fuels, the leading driver of climate change. has been the push for a ban on additional on human health, and are destructive to Banning fracking in the Delaware River fracking-related activities, like the disposal of toxic fracking waste into the Basin... Additionally, our staff have spoken at Commission meetings, offered written comments, and submitted an amicus brief for consideration in a lawsuit challenging the Commission’s authority to regulate fracking in the basin… The decision about whether or not to permit fracking in the Delaware River Basin is one of the most important decisions the Commission has made in recent years – if not of all time. The Basin now joins New York, which recently banned fracking across the state, as a leader in the move away from fossil fuel infrastructure and toward a cleaner and greener future. Source: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/ marisa-guerrero/fracking-banned-dela- Press event before DRBC Hearing, Photo: Jhena Vigrass, NRDC ware-river-basin Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page7 Climate Emergency

Photo: Hg marigny, via Wikimedia Commons Bringing in the hemp harvest in France, Europe’s largest producer. How Hemp Can Help Moderate the Climate Crisis By Alex Kirby Industrial hemp remains useful for etary ecological boundaries and to limit Climate News Network: January 22, 2021 many purposes, including construction, global warming to below 1.5°C” (the more Hemp, a plant grown centuries ago and not least as a substitute for concrete, stringent limit set by the Paris Agreement the enormously carbon-intensive sub- on climate change). It believes the world’s in England as a national duty, could stance which is often the builders’ first profligate use of cement means it needs to help to restrict climate heating. choice. rediscover the virtues of hemp. LONDON, UK − There are high hopes “Hemp can be a lifesaver: it is naturally The plant, it argues, could help to build that new technology and novel materials resistant to fire, providing greater protec- low-carbon homes which would benefit may save the world from the worst of the tion against blazes overwhelming residen- the construction industry, employment, climate crisis. Fine. But don’t forget some tial high-rise blocks.” peoples’ health − and the environment. of the old remedies − like hemp. The cement industry is one of the largest Hemp is also suitable not just for new In the UK, hemp used to be a com- contributors to global warming, account- buildings but for renovating and improv- mon crop which it was a patriotic duty ing for 5% of all carbon dioxide emissions. ing existing ones, something which will to grow. In 1535 the English king, Henry The reason it is so energy- and carbon- become increasingly important as coun- the Eighth, required all farmers to sow a hungry is because of the extreme heat tries seek to upgrade their housing stock quarter of an acre (1,000 square meters) of required to produce it. Turning out a ton enough to cut the need for heating and the hemp for every 60 acres they owned. of cement requires about 400 pounds of carbon emissions it causes. That was because hemp, one of the coal and generates nearly a ton of carbon. Hemp has already proved its worth to fastest-growing plants in the world, was Global production is growing, and is a large British industry. In 2006 Adnams’ recognized then for its value as a build- expected to rise to 3.7 to 4.4 billion tons brewery in eastern England built a huge ing material. Its reputation is now often annually by mid-century. carbon-neutral distribution center. One tarnished by its relationship to cannabis, The UK-based Rapid Transition Alli- visually striking feature is its arched roof and it is usually called industrial hemp ance (RTA) argues that humankind must covered in greenery, home to over half a to distinguish it from its recreational and undertake “widespread behavior change to million bees, with its own beekeeper. medicinal cousin. sustainable lifestyles … to live within plan- Hemp continued on next page Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page8 Climate Emergency

To Fight Climate Change With Trees,

Submitted by C.B.,America Pennsylvania USA tivesNeeds such as the World More Economic Forum’s Seedlings is the amount the authors estimated would one trillion tree campaign. fit on the lower 48 states’ natural and By Alex Fox, excerpt In the United States, the “Trillion Trees agricultural lands, reports Kyla Mandel for Smithsonainmag.com: April 8, 2021 Act” proposed planting 24 billion trees over National Geographic. Many government commitments to the next 30 years. A 2020 analysis from the “You can’t plant a tree until you grow it. fight climate change hinge on planting World Resources Institute stated that there And you can’t grow it in the nursery until huge numbers of trees in hopes that the was ample space to achieve 60 billion new you have the seed,” Joe Fargione, science plants will remove carbon dioxide from trees by 2040, if all suitable land across the director for The Nature Conservancy’s the atmosphere and store it in their trunks. country was reforested without reducing North America Region and the study’s lead Scientists have criticized the suggestion food production. The new study was pub- author, tells National Geographic… that mass tree planting could be a climate lished last month in the journal Frontiers in Source: https://www.smithsonianmag. change panacea, but a new study suggests Forest and Global Change. com/smart-news/seedling-shortage-could- there may not even be enough seeds to The U.S. would need to double its cur- hamper-bids-fight-climate-change-trees- reach the lofty reforestation goals of initia- rent seedling production – and then some – to plant roughly 30 billion trees, which 180977446/

Hemp continued from previous page Ideal for Beer beer and other drinks. and the School of Global Studies at the Uni- The building relies on a construction ma- Air locks and active airflow management versity of Sussex, UK. terial that could help future house-builders are all that’s needed to keep the beer at the trying to provide for growing populations right temperature, without any artificial The Climate News Network is partnering with and supported by the Rapid Transition Alli- while also reducing carbon emissions. Its cooling or heating. “By no means the least of the virtues of ance, and will be reporting regularly on its walls are built entirely from more than work. If you would like to see more stories 90,000 lime and hemp blocks made of hemp is the fact that it can be a lifesaver: it of evidence-based hope for rapid transition, “hempcrete,” a lightweight mixture of lime is naturally resistant to mould and fire, re- please sign up at https://www.rapidtransi- and hemp stalks, making it the biggest ducing reliance on chemical fire retardants tion.org/. building in the UK to use the material. that have been linked to health problems Hemp is light, good at regulating mois- and also providing greater protection Alex Kirby is a former BBC journalist and ture and heat, and a good insulator. It’s also against blazes overwhelming residential environment correspondent. He now works with universities, charities, and international cheap, easy and fast to grow, and non-toxic high-rise blocks.” When a fire broke out in Grenfell Tower, a 23-storey tower block in agencies to improve their media skills, and to handle. The hemp construction lets with journalists in the developing world keen Adnams save 50% on electricity and gas London in 2017, it killed 72 people. to specialize in environmental reporting. through its strong insulation qualities; it has a natural ability to maintain a constant The Rapid Transition Alliance is coordinated Source: https://climatenewsnetwork. cool temperature which is ideal for storing by the New Weather Institute, the STEPS Cen- net/how-hemp-can-help-to-moderate-the- tre at the Institute of Development Studies, climate-crisis/ Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page9 Earth Regeneration

Image: NASA via Wikimedia Commons Seen from space: The Sahara desert, with the Great Green Wall cutting across Africa beneath it. How to Rebuild a Forest in a Growing Climate Crisis By Alex Kirby Report, that if the world wants to limit the Horn of Africa. Climate News Network: February 19, 2021 temperature rise to 1.5°C by 2050, an extra In 2019 the Food and Agriculture one billion hectares (2.4 billion acres) of Organization launched a similar reforesta- A global energy company’s trees will be needed. But what types of tion plan targeting cities – the Great Green trees, and where? Many different initia- Wall for Cities initiative. This is expected mistake renewed debate on tives across the world have tried to restore to remove from 0.5 to 5 Gigatons of CO2 how to slow the climate crisis. woodland, but what works best for people from the atmosphere every year. and the biosphere? In 2017, Pakistan met its target of plant- Trees can help − but where, The UK-based Rapid Transition Alli- ing a billion trees and made a commitment and how? ance (RTA) argues that humankind must to reach 10 billion trees within five years. undertake “widespread behavior change to In its neighbor India, 66 million trees LONDON, UK – The oil company Shell sustainable lifestyles … to live within plan- were planted in a 12-hour record-breaking recently miscalculated the extent of its etary ecological boundaries and to limit campaign involving 1.5 million volunteers. reserves on a pretty massive scale. The mis- global warming to below 1.5°C” (the more Some countries have relied on equally take meant its new scenario for meeting stringent limit set by the Paris Agreement). novel methods; Myanmar used drones to the internationally-agreed 1.5°C climate It has several suggestions for understand- plant trees. target would need a new forest about the ing how trees might best help to cool the Ambitious projects like these can sound size of Brazil. And that renewed a debate climate crisis, not least relying on natural attractive. But their ability to achieve their about just what trees can do to ease the forest regeneration rather than commercial goals sometimes proves controversial. climate crisis. plantations. Several climate and forest scientists favor Tree-planting to tackle possibly irrevers- Over the last decade, several reforesta- what they call “natural forest regeneration” ible climate change is one hopeful route. tion and afforestation schemes have sprung – essentially letting the forest grow back Trees not only breathe carbon dioxide in; up under the programme of the UN Con- naturally – which often proves to be the they also breathe out oxygen. But tree- vention to Combat Desertification. most efficient and cheapest approach in planting is more complex than it may National and regional reforestation ini- achieving natural carbon sequestration. seem. tiatives include China’s forest rehabilitation The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate program and Africa’s Great Green Wall Regeneration Neglected Change (IPCC) says in its 2018 Special scheme linking North Africa, the Sahel Rebuild Forest continued on next page (the area south of the Sahara desert), and Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page10 Earth Regeneration

Many thanks to Eric Kifampa for post- ing the screen- shots of our meeting on his Face- book page.

Rebuild Forest continued from previous page However, only 34% of the total area mixed results. Many failures occurred perhaps by giving title rights to indigenous dedicated to forest restoration plans cov- because the trees planted were not suitable peoples who protect forested land, chang- ered by the Bonn Challenge is earmarked for local climate conditions, and others ing the legal definition of land-use so that for this approach. depleted groundwater reserves, leaving it cannot be converted to agriculture, and A further 21% of land is reserved for nearby soils dried out and damaging local ensuring that commodities companies agroforestry, a method promoting the agricultural production. cannot clear restored forests. production of multiple plants and crops Natural forest restoration is the most ef- Restoring natural forests, the Alliance side by side. The remaining 45% of the fective way to store carbon from the atmo- concludes, is the most efficient, fastest, land area is given up to the monoculture sphere, the RTA argues. These forests are safest, and under-valued carbon sequestra- production of trees. 40 times more effective than plantations tion tool. Better ways of doing things are exempli- and six times better than agroforestry at fied by Ghana and Malaysia, for example, retaining carbon. Their complex ecological The Rapid Transition Alliance is coordinated where people restored their local forests systems are also better for biodiversity. by the New Weather Institute, the STEPS after being granted ownership of the land. The RTA says there are four main ways Centre at the Institute of Development Stud- In Ghana, the forest restoration projects for countries to encourage the successful ies, and the School of Global Studies at the found to be most successful were those restoration of natural forests so as to tem- University of Sussex, UK. The Climate News which included a “rights-based approach.” per the effects of the climate crisis: Network is partnering with and supported by the Rapid Transition Alliance, and will be re- Strengthening community rights contrib- 1 They should increase the proportion porting regularly on its work. If you would like uted to the protection of forests from ap- of their land allocated for regeneration to to see more stories of evidence-based hope propriation and privatization and ensured natural forest. for rapid transition, please sign up at https:// greater accountability, the right to speak 2 Priority should be given to humid www.rapidtransition.org/. out, and provided safeguards against illegal tropical areas, such as Amazonia, Borneo, practices. and the Congo Basin, which support high Alex Kirby is a former BBC journalist and In Malaysia, an NGO supported Penan biomass forest. International climate ad- environment correspondent. He now works indigenous communities in fighting for aptation and conservation funds could be with universities, charities, and international their legitimate entitlement to land rights used to support such action. agencies to improve their media skills, and in court. The Penan have strong ties with 3 Countries should focus on naturally with journalists in the developing world keen the land and forests, which play a strong regenerating existing carbon stocks such as to specialize in environmental reporting. role in maintaining local biodiversity. degraded forests and partly wooded areas, using treeless regions for plantations or Source: https://climatenewsnetwork. Four Pathways agroforestry. net/how-to-rebuild-a-forest-in-a-growing- Tree planting programs have had very 4 Restored forests must be protected, climate-crisis/ Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page11 Earth Regeneration Nature Left Alone Offers More Than If We Exploit It By Tim Radford Climate News Network: March 19, 2021

Save nature, save money. It’s a simple argument. Wilderness cleared and ploughed offers us less than nature left alone. LONDON, UK − British scientists have once again made the commer- cial case for conserving wilderness. They have demonstrated that in its pristine state − mangrove swamps, wetlands, savannahs, forests, and so on − nature left alone is of more value to humankind than as ex- ploited real estate. This argument has been made al- ready, and more than once. But this time the researchers can provide the detail for their argument: they report Image: Maxwell Ridgeway on Unsplash in the journal Nature Sustainability Mangrove swamps are one type of natural asset that’s more use if we don’t try to exploit it. that they had devised an accounting methodology to test such arguments, goal in itself, but nature also fundamen- carbon storage would be 60%, and the and then applied this in 24 selected sites tally underpins human wellbeing,” said damage to water quality would be 88%, around the planet. Richard Bradbury, of the University of and Nepal would be $11,000,000 worse off. Some of the value would be in intan- Cambridge. “We need nature-related Even a saltmarsh near Preston in the gibles such as providing a shelter for the financial disclosure and incentives for United Kingdom proved to be worth wild things and wild plants; some of it nature-focused land management, whether $2,000 a hectare in terms of its value in would be measurable. For instance, if the through taxes and regulation or subsidies mitigating carbon emissions: no income damage inherent in carbon spilled into the for ecosystem services.” from crops or forage grazing could match atmosphere through habitat destruction or And his Cambridge co-author Andrew that. fossil fuel combustion presents an overall Balmford said, “Current rates of habitat That left 38 sites for which the economic cost to society of $31 a ton − and this is a conversion are driving a species extinction data was less certain: even in these cases, conservative estimate − then almost three crisis unlike anything in human history. the “goods and services” delivered by the quarters of the sample sites have greater Even if you are only interested in dollars site in its natural state was, for two thirds value simply as natural habitats. and cents, we can see that conserving and of them, of more value to humankind as And that includes 100% of all forests. If restoring nature is now very often the best a whole than calculated exploitation by a that greenhouse gas carbon was valued at bet for human prosperity.” few. a paltry $5 a ton, almost two thirds of the In fact the researchers made their con- “Our findings indicate that, at current sites would still be, over a 50-year period, a clusions based on 62 sites, but concentrat- levels of habitat conversion, conserving better investment left untouched. ed on 24 simply because in these cases they and restoring sites typically benefits hu- But what climate scientists now call had the most reliable information about man prosperity,” the authors say. “natural capital” − the invisible services the potential commercial value of their provided by nature in crop pollination, wa- sample against which to measure the value Tim Radford, a founding editor of Climate ter filtration, and planetary air condition- of restoring it, or protecting it, or both. News Network, worked for The Guardian for 32 years, for most of that time as science ing − is of measurable commercial value Valuable Saltmarsh editor. He has been covering climate change even without the vital role of carbon sink. since 1988. Of the 24 sites, 42% would still be worth If Nepal’s Shivapuri-Nagarjun National more in their natural form than converted Park was turned from forest to farmland, investors would gain immediate capital Source: https://climatenewsnetwork.net/ to cropland. nature-left-alone-offers-more-than-if-we- “Stemming biodiversity loss is a vital from the value of the timber, and a longer- term income from crops. But the loss of exploit-it/ Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page12 Ending Inequality

Photos by Prudence Amanya Hands on skills training College Grad Helps Community in Uganda Note from the Editor: John and I met for them after a long time of misery Marium electronically about two years ago without a roof on their heads. when she was struggling to get her Bach- After a long period of closure of elor’s degree in Ethics and Human Rights. schools due to the pandemic, they were Now she’s going gung-ho to help others opened in October and we managed and I’m so proud of her. to support 18 girls who dropped out of school and get them back to school. By Marium Ainebyona, Uganda (Nurturing for During December (Christmas sea- Future Development Organization) son), we reached out to hungry fami- The year 2020 was a year of great lies, orphans, and vulnerable girls achievements for Nurturing for Future De- and women; we gave them food and velopment Organization (NFDO), Uganda. clothes. In the same year we managed During the month of March, we managed to get 18 girls individual sponsors for to register the organization after a couple their Education. of months functioning without official registration. And in the same month we Challenges Being a grassroots organization, managed to establish offices. it was not easy for us to get fund- The Organization registered a success in ing from funding organizations and its fundraiser during the month of June; hence none of them funded us. the funds were used for Covid-19 relief Having no Organization vehicle, in the form of food and other basic needs we used public transport means or to starving women and girls. With the even walked, which has made our same fundraiser in the month of August work so hard. we raised more money and carried out the Contact information. “Reach Out to Vulnerable Families” project Email: ainebyonamarium@gmail. and gave them basic needs com/[email protected] Teenage girls were given scholastic materials. In the month of September, we fund- Website: www.nfdo- ug.org raised for Olivia (a widow) and her five Phone: +256706363720 children and managed to construct a house Helping Others continued on next page Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page13 Ending Inequality

Helping Others continued from previous page

(above) Olivia’s house before reconstruction. (right) Olivia’s house after reconstruction. (below) Teenage girls being sponsored under NFDO Uganda.

Compassion is an action word with no boundaries. ~ Prince ~

https://line.17qq.com/articles/ijedghbhdz.html

(left to right) Board members of the organization. Komujuni Annah, Mashemererwa Alexander, Mbabazi Gabriel, Sserwadda Fahadi, Ainebyona Marium, Turyatunga Bob Maahe, and Mucunguzi Prossy. Not shown, Sonia Stoneman from Australia. Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page14 Ending Inequality

Photo: World Trade Organization Director General of the World Trade Organizatoin, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, hits the ground running. She started this job on March 1, 2021. Black Woman Is World’s Top

TradeSubmitted by C.B., Pennsylvania Official USA more affordable andfor accessible, and thein for theirFirst efforts to help the wider Time member- driving a global recovery in living stan- ship find workable compromises on issues World Trade Organization: March 5, 2021 dards. “We are here to make life in LDCs that have long been at an impasse. better,” she added. “If we don’t succeed Since taking office, DG Okonjo-Iweala On March 5, the new Director-General with LDCs, we will not have succeeded.” has met bilaterally with a large number of (DG), Nigerian Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Speaking to the Structured Discussions ambassadors in Geneva and has spoken to met with the Group of Least Developed on Trade and Environmental Sustain- heads of government, ministers, and her Countries (LDC) as well as the Friends ability, the Director-General expressed counterparts at other international organi- of the System, an alliance of small and agreement with the group on the “need to zations. She has also started meeting with mid-sized members from different regions harness the power of trade for the envi- regional and issue-based groups, including and development levels that are committed ronment,” drawing particular attention to the Group of Latin American and Carib- to a well-functioning multilateral trading climate change and the potential to create bean members earlier in the week. system. jobs in sectors such as renewable energy. In all of these discussions, the Director- DG Okonjo-Iweala also addressed the She suggested the group could look at General has urged members to engage first meeting of the Structured Discussions issues including trade in environmental with each other, show flexibility, and on Trade and Environmental Sustain- goods and services, how trade could help work towards concrete deliverables at the ability, at the invitation of the 53-member meet net-zero carbon targets, ways WTO Twelfth Ministerial Conference to be held group that is exploring ways trade and the rules could foster circular economies, and in Geneva in the week of November 29. WTO can better contribute to achieving options for addressing environmentally A top priority for her will be to continue environmental goals. harmful subsidies. At the same time, DG her meetings with individual ambassadors In her discussions with the LDC Group, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that, “The and groups, including the African Group, the Director-General noted that the Covid- green transition must be just and fair,” with the Group of African, Caribbean and Pa- 19 pandemic had reversed one or even two support for countries that need it, and care cific states, and the Association of South- decades of development progress for many to ensure that environmental measures are east Asian Nations next week. LDCs, and that it continued to disrupt key not misused to discriminate against the LDC exports, whether of tourism services, exports of developing and least-developed Source: https://www.wto.org/english/ commodities, or manufactures. Trade and countries. news_e/news21_e/dgno_05mar21_e.htm the WTO had a critical role to play, she She thanked the Friends of the System said, both in making Covid-19 vaccines Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page15 Human Interest

ByGiving David Hunter Bishop More Than Jeff Bezos Nomad living in Mexico for a while: March 19, 2021 I feel like I’m living the life of a wealthy philanthropist this week. I received my stimulus check from Uncle Joe Biden on Wednesday, and since it’s such a nice windfall, I’m setting aside more than half of it for the charitable organiza- tions that I like to support when I can. Normally I’m just a budget solo traveler on a modest, fixed retirement income. But the lack of travel this past year has allowed me to save some money, especially since I’ve been riding out the pandemic mostly in an affordable, low-income country, not the U.S. With an extra USD1400 this month, on top of the USD1800 I received in the first two stimulus checks, I’m doing alright. So I’m celebrating by helping the good people I know who do good work for oth- ers, which is a deeply satisfying use of my money. And by doing so, I gain the distinc- tion of contributing a significantly larger portion of my net worth to good causes than that skinflint multi-billionaire, aka, the richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos! Which is really cool. Here’s who I’m giv- Photo: Courtesy FLYTE ing money to, if you want to know: Students from B.E.S.T Academy of Bankhead, Georgia (USA) pose in front of the Chichen Itza pyra- FLYTE (Foundation for Learning and mids on a visit to Yucutan, Mexico, in 2016 on a trip sponsored by the Foundation for Learning and Youth Youth Travel Education), sponsored by Travel Education (FLYTE). The Nomadic Network, provides op- portunities for high school students in Aniquem, in Lima, Peru, is the only to prevent the extinction of orangutans underserved communities to experience long-term care facility for children with and other wildlife, and to protect their the transformative powers of international severe burns in Peru. Co-founded by a native habitats from deforestation, through travel by sending them on trips abroad. friend I met while traveling, I was intro- the application of scientific research, https://thenomadicnetwork.com/flyte duced to the critically important work that conservation, and education. https://saveg- The Zimbabwe Umuntu Permacul- Aniquem provides to burn victims and porangutans.org/ ture Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, which is their families through sustained care and I invite all my American friends to join building a prototype permaculture garden rehabilitation. https://www.aniquem.org/ me if you can by putting a portion of your for healthier, more sustainable communi- The Grassroots Coalition for Environ- own stimulus check toward people and ties that will be a model for future projects mental and Economic Justice, based in organizations that are trying to make this throughout Zimbabwe. https://www.face- Brick Township, NJ, USA, is an interna- a better world. Contribute to any of one of book.com/Zimbabwe-Umuntu-Permacul- tional organization of activists striving to my favorites or choose one of your own. ture-Projects-100743338294089/ save the planet and make it a better place Or, you could even just drop a few bucks The Bail Project (USA), which raises to live. The Groundswell News Journal, a on a neighbor or friend that you know funds to release pretrial detainees who climate emergency newspaper, is a project could use a little help. are unable to afford bail. The Project of the Grassroots Coalition. https:// There is no end to the need, and the keeps families together and addresses an groundswellnewsorg.wordpress.com/ satisfaction you receive is priceless. unheralded problem in the U.S. that dis- The American Cancer Society (USA) David Hunter Bishop is a retired journalist proportionately affects poor and minority is a national organization dedicated to the from Hawaii who quickly grew tired of retire- communities. https://bailproject.org/ elimination of this terrible disease through ment and took to the road in 2016 as a full- The Pegasus Education Foundation, research, public policy, education, and time senior solo traveler. He’s been to four Paulsboro, NJ, USA, provides funds for service. I’m sure we all know someone who continents and more than 20 countries, while has succumbed to cancer. In my case, both experiencing a life-changing fulfillment of his educational enrichment programs in the dreams. His journey continues. local public schools that are not funded by my parents and my only sibling. https:// the school district. Paulsboro is where I www.cancer.org/ Source: https://davidhunterbishop. grew up and attended public school. https:// The Indonesian-based Gunung Palung medium.com/giving-more-than-jeff-bezos- www.paulsboroeducationfoundation.org/ Orangutan Conservation Project works f35c208b10e4 Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page16 Human Interest

Photos: savegporangutans.org GPOCP’s mission is to protect orangutan populations and forest biodiversity in and around Gunung Palung National Park. Recognizing that most threats to orang- utan survival are human induced, we take a multi-faceted community-based approach to orangutan conservation. We have developed a variety of initiatives that enable us to respond to both immediate threats to orangutan habitat (e.g., illegal land clearance) as well as longer-term ones (e.g., attitudes of villagers towards the forest). Gunung Palung Orangutan Project Scientific Research • Conservation • Education Since 1994, Dr. Cheryl Knott has been to great ape and human evolution. The the conservation of this habitat, Cabang leading scientific research on the orangutan project has relevance for understanding Panti is an important site for both inter- population in the Gunung Palung National the limits on the reproductive potential of national orangutan research and rainfor- Park under the Gunung Palung Orangutan orangutan populations and is important est conservation. In fact, the Gunung Project, one of the longest running studies for conserving this endangered species. Palung Orangutan Conservation Program of wild orangutans in existence. The Cabang Panti research site in Gu- (GPOCP) grew out of the original Gunung Scientific research plays a critical role nung Palung National Park is one of just Palung Orangutan Project, with the goal of in the conservation of Gunung Palung’s a handful of long-term research sites for building support for orangutan conserva- orangutans because it is essential to orangutan biology and behavior. We moni- tion with local officials and communities monitor the population’s size, health, and tor a study population of over 80 individu- around the park. habitat use in order to a) understand what als living in this rich rainforest habitat. Donations can be made at https://saveg- conservation approaches will be most Because the continued survival of the porangutans.org/how-to-help/donate/. useful and b) assess the impact of these approximately 2,500 orangutans living conservation actions. within the National Park depends on Source: https://savegporangutans.org/ Our research program research/ uses cutting edge scientific techniques to investigate orangutan reproduction, be- havior, social organization, and physiology within an ecological context. Detailed behavioral data are collected in addition to urine samples from which hormones can be measured. All orangutan foods are collected and pro- cessed to analyze the caloric and nutrient composition of the orangutan diet. The project is also investi- gating broader issues related Dr. Knott and field assistants observe female orangutan Kristen in the peat swamp forest of GPNP Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page17 Human Interest Our Global Family Lost a Wonderful Man

Independent Publishing Center-Malawi

By Jonas Bauleni Fadweck, Thuchila Youth Empowerment Programme and Development Network (TIYEPAD)

Tribute and in Loving Memory of Michael Josefowicz (1946-2021) Founder and Consultant of Printernet Project-New York

You were like my father regardless of my race, tribe, age, color, and background. I still remember when we met on social network you said to me, “Don’t wait to be rich to help someone, truly rich are those possess a rich heart rather than lots of money.” Your kindness has turned me to most beautiful and important person in the world. You closed your eyes on Earth but shall shine upon us. I will remember you with, “Make things (happen) suck a little less; HPT/PM, onward ever forward.” Missed by Malawian family and community. R.I.P

Internet and Computer Technological Challenge in he used HPT as High Performance Team whereby everyone is a Malawi and How Printernet Was Born leader to make the non-doable become doable. Those who think they can not lead the society should have to lead. In every con- By Amos Magareta, TIYEPAD Monitoring and Evaluation Officer,excerpt versation he had to any folk, he usually closed with PM meaning Printernet Project become an informal global network of Productive Meeting because he honoured every minute he spent independent publishing centres which use the power of print and with anyone. Since the demise of Michael we are surviving hand Internet in the services of social justice based on social investing. to mouth. Every Printernet Project was named according to the country/ Contact Jonas: at C/O, TIYEPAD Network, P.O.Box 17 partner leaders. Other Printernet Malawi activities were about Thuchila, Mulanje, Malawi 10 posters concerning HIV/AIDS written in Malawi, edited, and Email: [email protected] designed in Portugal and distributed in the Malawian community. Phone: +265882035971/+265998480555 The next step was the design and printing of a wonderful News- Blog site: thuchilayouth.wordpress.com letter which was distributed over the community, the micro SMART Goal projects. The last but not least is the current project of installed WIFI to the village which also shocked community leaders. “It’s so grateful to see my young people doing wonderful, unbelievable, and recommendable work in my community and I promise to give these youths a land and labor effort support to build their Printernet Telecenter Office,” said Group Village Head Nkando. Today the Printernet Project Site is under construction in the village for the first time ever (photo at right). However construction materials are still needed for completion of the building and 50% contribution is from community efforts. Email from Jonas April 2: The late Michael’s dreams were to build local villagers to become Photo: Jonas Bauleni Fadweck leaders for the next generation. In his teachings, Printernet Project building under construction. Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page18 Human Interest

aside and watch as the laws protecting our drinking water are hollowed out.” The legal filing can be found at https:// cleanair.org/petition-for-allowance-of- appeal-pdf/ Melissa Marshall, Esq. Community Advocate Mountain Watershed Association T: 724-455-4200x7 www.mtwatershed.org Clean Air Council is a member-supported, non-profit environmental organization dedi- cated to protecting everyone’s right to a healthy environment. The Council is head- By Melissa Marshall, Esq. natural resource – all goals that are in the quartered in Philadelphia and works through Mountain Watershed Association: March 18, 2021 public interest but that may not result in public education, community advocacy, and government oversight to ensure enforcement Clean Air Council, Mountain Watershed a financial award. Legal experts, fees, and other costs necessary for these cases can of environmental laws. For more information, Association, and the Delaware Riverkeeper please visit www.cleanair.org. Network petitioned the Pennsylvania easily reach tens or hundreds of thousands Supreme Court to take up an appeal with of dollars, and the cases can go on for years Mountain Watershed Association, home of big implications for the public’s abil- or even decades, making appeals like this the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper, is a commu- out of reach for most absent the ability to nity-based non-profit organization concerned ity to access the courts to protect their with the protection, preservation, and resto- environmental rights. If successful, the recoup costs. Melissa Marshall, Community Advocate ration of the Indian Creek and greater Yough- appeal will overturn a split decision by iogheny River watersheds. For more informa- the Commonwealth Court which makes it with the Mountain Watershed Association, commented that, “Without fee shifting tion, please visit https://www.mtwatershed. nearly impossible for someone successfully com/ appealing a permit issued under the Clean provisions, attorneys would only be able Streams Law to get reimbursed by the to take ultra-wealthy clients. Removing fee Delaware Riverkeeper Network is a not-for- permittee for their legal expenses. shifting provisions – or severely restricting profit membership organization with over The Commonwealth Court affirmed the them as the court has done here – quickly 25,000 members who live, work, and rec- leads to a scenario where everyone but reate within the Delaware River Watershed. Environmental Hearing Board’s decision Delaware Riverkeeper Network was estab- that denied the groups’ request for attor- the uber-rich is de facto stripped of their rights. The communities who are the most lished in 1988 to protect and restore the ney’s fees and costs stemming from a legal Delaware River, its tributaries and habitats. appeal of Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 pipeline impacted by polluting activity are left without any way to gain representation, For more information, please visit www.dela- permits. In its decision, the Board raised wareriverkeeper.org. the bar for having permit recipients, also and hence, without a way to enforce the known as permittees, pay legal fees after a laws when they are violated by the acts of Source: https://cleanair.org/nonprofits- successful challenge to an environmental private industry or government during seek-to-overturn-ruling-that-could-threat- permit. In addition to the normal stan- permitting.” en-the-publics-ability-to-invoke-environ- dard for showing that an appellant should “Having clean water to drink in Penn- mental-protections/ be awarded fees from another party, the sylvania is not appellant must also show that a permittee a given,” said acted in “a dilatory, obdurate, or vexatious Joseph Otis way” – a high bar that would be extremely Minott, Execu- difficult to prove. tive Director and This essentially limits permittees from Chief Counsel of ever having to pay legal fees, leaving Clean Air Coun- only the state-funded Department of Envi- cil. “The Clean ronmental Protection (DEP) to cover costs Streams Law only when permit challenges are successful. The works if the pub- Board has acknowledged that its practice lic can enforce places a burden on the taxpayer and has it, and the public even cited this burden as justification for can’t enforce it continuing its trend of awarding very small if they’re driven amounts of legal costs, if any. into bankruptcy “Fee shifting” provisions such as the one appealing permits under the Clean Streams Law exist in or- for industrial der to incentivize individuals or groups to projects that pol- bring cases that stop discriminatory behav- lute our streams ior, achieve improved access, or protect a and rivers. We’re not going to sit Photo: commons. wikimedia.org Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page19 Human Interest Is Technology Running Away With Your Life, Your Brain? TAKE CONTROL Submitted by Bill Boteler, Maryland Eliminate Outrage from Your Diet USA with this note: Fighting back We vote with our clicks. Don’t support against too much tech in our lives. sites that pollute our cultural environment with vitriol via clickbait and outrage. Center for Humane Technology (CHT) February 14, 2021 TAKE CONTROL • Unfollow outrage-chasing voices on Here are a few important steps you can Twitter → Use iUnfollow (https://iunfollow. take right now to increase your well being com/) to clean up your Following. Start and regain control. Start with your own fresh and intentionally choose the voices devices and invite friends or family to join you expose yourself to you. Our collective individual actions are • Unfollow outrage driven Facebook creating a powerful growing movement. Groups → Check your Groups > Settings Together, we can change the system. > Following (https://www.facebook.com/ Note: The resources linked here will groups/) direct you to organizations who we think • Remove sharply polarized media out- are doing great work. These third-party lets from your news feed → Both MSNBC sites are not formally affiliated with CHT • Remove Snapchat → Get creative in & FOXNews and their content may change without Text instead notice. Please review with care and discre- • Remove Instagram → Use VSCO for tion. photography (https://vsco.co/)

Download Helpful Tools While we can’t solve tech with more tech, there are some tools out there that can help. Here’s our short list (see our lon- ger list at the bottom of this page). TAKE CONTROL • Get more sleep and remove blue light → Flux (justgetflux.com) • Track your screen time & change hab- its → Moment (https://inthemoment.io) • Reduce distractions → News Feed Eradicator (https://chrome.google.com/ webstore/detail/news-feed-eradicator-for/f jcldmjmjhkklehbacihaiopjklihlgg?hl=en) Follow Voices You Disagree With Social media serves us content we al- ready agree with to keep us online longer, Turn Off Notifications Red is a trigger color that instantly eroding our ability to engage with people draws our attention. Reclaim your time by who don’t share our views. To solve prob- turning off notifications. lems from poverty to racism to climate TAKE CONTROL change, we have to come together and • Go to Settings > Notifications, or swipe expose ourselves to different perspectives. left on any incoming notification and hit TAKE CONTROL Manage > Turn Off • Check news sites whose perspectives you disagree with → AllSides (https://www. allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news) Remove Toxic Apps Remove apps that profit off of addic- gives readers a cross-partisan view of tion, distraction, outrage, polarization, and world events covered by the media, and misinformation. sustains itself on a consciously created TAKE CONTROL hybrid revenue model to avoid bias and • Remove Facebook → Message friends clickbait incentives with Signal (https://signal.org/en/) • Stay focused on your goals → Flipd • Remove TikTok → Send video mes- (https://www.flipdapp.co/) Be Compassionate sages by direct text or with Marco Polo • Practice mindfulness → Insight Timer Social media profits off hate and anger (https://www.marcopolo.me/) (https://insighttimer.com/) Take Control continued on next page Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page20 Human Interest

Take Control continued from previous page because it generates more engagement. tend to focus on the negative, even after we Let’s fight back with compassion. turn away from our tech. TAKE CONTROL TAKE CONTROL • Pause → Remember there’s a real per- • Take screenshots of the positive mes- son behind the screen: Don’t be so quick to sages you receive to store in a folder on unfollow or publicly argue with someone your phone → Let the rest go. Tech warps who posts something you disagree with how our brains receive feedback, and we • Be compassionate → Try a private mes- can fight back by remembering the positive sage to ask why they feel that way, with • Practice cultivating gratitude for others genuine curiosity and a desire to understand and using technology to share your love → Send a special video to a friend with Trib- ute (https://www.tribute.co/) or Montage (https://getmontage.co/)

Support Local Journalism Don’t force your local newspaper to play social media’s clickbait game. Support Fully Disconnect 1 Day Per Week Disconnecting can be a powerful way your local newspaper directly by paying to reconnect with yourself and your loved for a subscription so that we can remain ones. It’s not only good for you — collec- the customer, not the product. Democracy tively we can reduce time spent on social doesn’t work without healthy journalism. media platforms by 15%, impacting bot- TAKE CONTROL tom lines. • Find your local newspapers and sup- TAKE CONTROL port them → USNPL directory (https:// • Pick a date and let your friends and www.usnpl.com/) family know you’ll be offline → Or better • Upgrade your membership on plat- yet, invite them to join you forms that provide meaningful content Ready to join us and help change the Set Boundaries We use our phones and news feeds from system? the moment we wake up, to falling asleep, and even in the bathroom. Additional Resources TAKE CONTROL Get More Sleep • Clear your morning & evenings → • Turn on NightShift (iOS): Blue light Set clear bounded blocks of time without from screens late at night tricks our body technology into believing it’s still daytime, which • Device-free dinners → Play a game disrupts our natural ability to sleep. Go where the first person to check their device to your Settings > Display & Brightness > does the dishes turn on Night Shift. • Create a shared charging station at • Flux (Mac, Windows): Reclaim 15 home → Charge your family’s phones away mins of quality sleep by cutting the blue from bedrooms overnight light from your screen. • Buy a separate alarm clock → Wake up Understand Your Screen Time without getting sucked into your phone Remember the Positive • Moment (iOS): See how much time first thing in the morning If you receive 99 positive comments on you spend on your phone and learn how to a post and 1 negative comment, which do change your habits with daily coaching. you focus on? Our survival-biased brains Source: https://www.humanetech.com/take-control

Let the sound of heart-filled stillness ring throughout the world, cut through the confusion and call us to our highest!

~ Joe Weston ~

https://blessyourhearts.blogspot.com/2021/01/let-sound-of-heart-filled-stillness.html Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page21 Human Interest

Photo: Helen H. Richardson/Denver Post Media films water protectors at the Oceti Sakowin camp at Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 4, 2016 Pipeline Company Issues Broad Subpoena to News Site Submitted by Allen Hengst, Wire Editor subpoena also sought information about cials at times viewed the group’s journalists the nonprofit’s organizational structure, as members of the movement, subjecting By Alleen Brown & Sam Richards social media accounts, and names of em- them to repeated arrests as well as “less The Intercept: April 3, 2021 ployees, volunteers, and supporters. than lethal” weapons. Unicorn Riot has Niko Georgiades, who was among the fewer than a dozen members and is en- Last week, members of the nonprofit Unicorn Riot reporters covering Standing tirely supported by private donations from news organization Unicorn Riot received Rock, was separately subpoenaed ... individuals who seek out their coverage of a subpoena from the pipeline giant Energy Said Trevor Timm, executive director social movements and protests ... Transfer seeking a wide range of docu- of the Freedom of the Press Foundation: Energy Transfer, meanwhile, reported ments, including newsgathering materials “The breadth of the subpoena is striking: nearly $5 billion in revenue in 2019 and that would identify sources. The subpoena not only encompassing things like story has somewhere in the neighborhood of is part of an aggressive, years-long legal drafts and internal communications, but 13,000 employees. Fighting back will be an effort launched by Energy Transfer in the also the personal information of Unicorn immense financial burden for a tiny orga- wake of the Standing Rock movement, Riot’s donors. The judge should see this for nization like Unicorn Riot. The group has when thousands of opponents of the what it is: a menacing attempt to intimi- launched a fundraiser at https://donorbox. corporation’s Dakota Access pipeline came date a news outlet whose only ‘crime’ is org/unicorn-riot-nodapl-legal-defense to to camps at the border of the Standing being critical of the company. It should be pay for a First Amendment lawyer. Rock Sioux reservation in an attempt to thrown out immediately” ... Critics say the toll exacted by fighting stop pipeline construction and protect the Over the course of months of protests at legal attacks is exactly the point of what tribe’s drinking water from contamination. Standing Rock, Unicorn Riot developed a Energy Transfer is doing. The Unicorn Through a series of expensive conspiracy reputation for its immersive livestreams, Riot notice was just one of a slew of sub- lawsuits against a disparate range of ac- video news reports, and public informa- poenas related to Energy Transfer’s case tors, the pipeline company has sought to tion requests, which provided powerful over the last month to a wide range of paint the Standing Rock movement as the evidence of the aggressive tactics used individuals and groups who were involved product of a vast misinformation-driven by law enforcement agencies and Energy in the Standing Rock movement. Among conspiracy to damage Energy Transfer. Transfer. The organization’s work leans to them were legal collectives, groups that Now, as part of that effort, Energy Trans- the left politically and tends to be critical provide nonviolent direct-action trainings, fer is demanding Unicorn Riot turn over of law enforcement agencies, with journal- and Standing Rock tribal officials. virtually any documents, video footage, ists often reporting from within movement The Water Protector Legal Collective, audio, article drafts, and communications spaces. which also received an Energy Transfer related to the firm and its pipeline. The At Standing Rock, law enforcement offi- Pipeline continued on next page Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page22 Human Interest

Pipeline continued from previous page subpoena, described the subpoenas as part The SLAPP designation refers to efforts tribe, and Tim Mentz, the tribe’s former of a set of tactics “designed to bury orga- designed to silence a powerful plaintiff’s tribal historic preservation officer, who nizations in litigation and force organiza- critics by using the legal system to drain submitted key testimony in a case arguing tions to spend precious resources, time, them of resources. The goal is not solely to that the pipeline would harm culturally and energy defending against corpora- win the lawsuit but to force a corporation’s significant sites. tions.” Energy Transfer “is on a fishing political adversaries to hemorrhage money, In an objection to its subpoena, the expedition for information that could time, and morale through relentless legal Water Protector Legal Collective (WPCL) lend credence to their ill-founded notion filings... noted that it has provided legal support in that nonprofit organizations and Water In February 2019, a judge summarily more than 800 criminal cases and argued Protectors seeking to protect human rights dismissed Energy Transfer’s initial federal that the subpoena is “seeking the records and the Earth for future generations were RICO case. “Donating to people whose of a legal organization akin to a law office, allegedly engaged in illicit activity,” said cause you support does not create a RICO including communications by, between, staff attorney Natali Segovia in a statement. enterprise,” he said [pg. 8]. “Posting ar- and among WPLC-associated attorneys, “In reality, it is ETP and large corporations ticles written by people with similar beliefs WPLC staff and its clients” [pg. 3]. The that break the law with impunity.” does not create a RICO enterprise.” group said the subpoena was “an assault by The subpoenas are part of a follow-up Exactly a week after the dismissal, En- Energy Transfer and Dakota Access upon effort to a sprawling federal racketeer- ergy Transfer filed a new complaint against the attorney client-privilege itself” and “a ing lawsuit Energy Transfer filed in 2017 Greenpeace in a local North Dakota dis- fishing expedition.” against a range of defendants, including trict court. The new case basically repack- The Water Protector Legal Collective the environmental group Greenpeace; ages the old complaint without the federal subpoena even requested communica- BankTrack, which is a nonprofit that RICO claims, adding instead allegations tions with members of the press. “This is pressures banks to stop financing harmful of trespassing and other property-based a clear attempt to inhibit communications activity; and several individual pipeline claims ... “The suit was brought to chill by an advocacy organization with the press opponents. The federal complaint alleged Greenpeace’s speech, drain our resources, in violation of WPLC’s first amendment that thousands of people came to camps at and intimidate anyone who speaks out rights under the U.S. Constitution,” the the border of the Standing Rock reserva- against pipeline projects,” said Greenpeace collective said in its objection [pg. 4] ... tion because of a Greenpeace misinforma- deputy general counsel Deepa Padmanab- Unicorn Riot has been forced to dedicate tion campaign. ha ... a sizable portion of its limited resources Widespread evidence, including a robust In the latest iteration of Energy Trans- to deciding how to handle the sweeping public record, show that water protectors fer’s legal attack, the corporation issued subpoena, even as the group maintains instead were galvanized by calls for help several subpoenas in recent weeks to round-the-clock coverage of the murder made by tribal members and the publica- individuals who are not defendants in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer tion of shocking footage showing Dakota case. Among those subpoenaed are groups Derek Chauvin, who killed George Floyd Access pipeline security contractors sic- that provided legal services to people last summer and sparked a nationwide cing dogs on pipeline opponents. facing criminal charges during Standing protest movement. “We are committed to Energy Transfer claimed it sustained Rock, including the Water Protector Legal bringing you hard hitting journalism and $300 million in damages, a total that Collective and the Freshet Collective. The will not bow to attempts to intimidate or could translate into triple the penalties — Ruckus Society and Indigenous Peoples interfere with our reporting,” the organiza- nearly $1 billion — under the federal law Power Project, which both promote non- tion stated on its new legal defense fund called the Racketeer Influenced & Cor- violent direct action, were also subpoe- page. rupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. naed. And so were officials involved in The legal effort has been labeled a SLAPP inspecting the pipeline route on behalf of Source: https://theintercept. suit by Greenpeace, short for “Strategic the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, including com/2021/04/03/unicorn-riot-dakota- Lawsuits Against Public Participation.” Dr. Kelly Morgan, an archeologist for the pipeline-energy-transfer-subpoena/

There comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other.​ ~ Wangari Maathai ~

https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/208080445260236031/ Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page23 Human Interest

TheInvitation Trilogy of Ocean, Climateto Online and Coast: TheOcean Urgency & UniversityExigency of Literacy Submitted by Iran, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Pariphat Promduangsri UK. • Qualifications: high school The International Ocean-Cli- leaving diploma, Bachelor’s in mate School will be an interna- business administration, BSc, tional (IOCS) interdisciplinary, hotel school diploma, Master, intercultural exploratorium.* It MBA, MSc, Engineering and is open to all stakeholders with PhD, and post docs. an interest in the intersection • Occupations: environ- among the state of our climate, mental association volunteer, the well-being of our oceans, and university, researcher, meteo- the health of our coasts (where rology researcher, environmen- about half of the world’s popula- tal studies students, researcher tion live). The theme is: on reefs, CEO of a company, The Trilogy of Ocean, Cli- web developer, project officer, mate, and Coast: The Urgency activist in climate NGOs, re- and Exigency of Literacy. searcher in agent-based model- The School will bring together ing, business person, founder four content areas: oceans, coast- and director of a climate NGO, al processes, climate change, and freelance specialist in climate geoethics, as well as their interre- interest in the well-being of our ocean finance, international diplomat lations. Several learning methodologies are is invited to apply. The School will be of and university president. used, including: participatory simulation, interest to people who, and organizations • Gender balance: Our goal. educational gaming, foresight & debrief- that, have a stake in planning and acting • Age range: 18 and up. ing, in a spirit & context of international, for the future of the oceans, especially • Inter: The above is a wonderful mix intercultural, interdisciplinary sharing. the future of the oceans as they are being – international, intercultural, intergenera- The School takes place on three Fridays, shaped by accelerating global warming and tional, interdisciplinary, interconnected- May 21 and 28 and June 4, 2021. The num- climate change. We will work at the inter- ness. Also the activities are interactive, ber of places is limited to 20, so you should section or nexus of oceans and climate. the participants active, and we use the apply early. For more information, please Internet. visit https://oceansclimate.wixsite.com/ *An exploratorium may be thought of Please note that our website is currently oceansclimate. as a participant-oriented forum for the being modified and that information may The International Ocean-Climate School hands-on, collaborative exploration of change without notice. of the Ocean Open University will work known issues through a new lens with the In the meanwhile, stay safe. for Ocean, coast, and climate literacy purpose of opening up pragmatic, action- Ocean Open University exploring the interrelations and influences oriented pathways to progress. Université Internationale de la Mer among oceans, coastal processes, climate Stakeholders may include: Research- Now: Online change, human activity, and sustainability ers, decision makers, citizens, scientists, Previously: Cagnes-sur-Mer & Sophia and drawing on active- and experiential- students, activists, environmental organi- Antipolis, French Riviera, France learning methodologies. The October 2020 zations, NGOs, scientific institutions, local Contact Ocean-Climate Literacy session of the IOCS was a success. Please and central government agencies and their https://oceansclimate.wixsite.com/ see: https://oceansclimate.wixsite.com/ representatives, business and industry, oceansclimate oceansclimate/oct-2020. local politicians, health, tourism, utilities, International Ocean-Climate School We will run a new session in May/June military, and transport. (IOCS) 2021. To be kept informed, please apply Previous Schools have welcomed par- https://twitter.com/IOCS_climate here: https://oceansclimate.wixsite.com/ ticipants from a wide range of walks of life, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ oceansclimate/admin. skills, interests, experiences and qualifica- iocs-ocean-climate/ The International Ocean-Climate School tions: https://www.facebook.com/Oceans. is an exploratorium. Everyone with an • Countries: Brazil, France, India, Italy, Climate/

Each moment is a chance for us to make peace with the world. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/16639-each-moment-is-a-chance-for-us-to-make-peace Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page24 Human Interest Faiths Institute Asks Gates Foundation to Change Tactics in Africa Submitted by Linda L., Idaho USA of the single crop, the projects use heavy He cited recent border disruptions in machinery, large amounts of fossil fuels, East Africa where Kenya, Uganda, and By Fredrick Nzwili commercial fertilizers and pesticides in the Tanzania demanded Covid-19 testing or Catholic News Service: February 22, 2021 approaches deemed to destroy the envi- certificates of tests from drivers and crews, ronment. At the same time, large tracts resulting in delaying delivery of food com- NAIROBI, KENYA – An African faiths of land are acquired for the crop, leaving modities. This led to an increase in the environmental institute is calling on the many ordinary farmers without farming prices of certain foods, such as fresh fruits Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to stop lands. The actions disrupt the people’s and vegetables. funding green revolution technologies and ability to cope with food-related challenges The Southern Africa Faith Commu- genetically modified seeds for the conti- and withstand climatic changes. nities’ Environment Institute – which nent, but instead support natural methods “We urge the Gates Foundation to stop includes Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, to help Africa achieve food sufficiency and pushing a green ‘revolution’ that imposes Baha’I, and African traditional faiths – said protect its environments. technologies and seeds that are controlled widespread hunger in the region during In an open online letter that is also by companies with vested interests. Rather, the Covid-19 crisis has highlighted a sys- asking for signatures, the Southern Africa it should be looking at and learning from tematic failure of the current profit-driven Faith Communities’ Environment Institute small-scale farmers from around the world system. said the Foundation is fueling hunger and who are working to build alternative food In a response to the Institute’s let- poverty by funding farming methods that systems that are socially just and ecologi- ter, which was to be published officially fail to protect small-scale farmers and the cally sustainable,” said the faith commu- February 23, the Gates Foundation said environment. nities institute, which includes some that, through its agricultural development The Gates Foundation said it is working Catholic organizations. initiative, it works to ensure smallholder to ensure that small-scale African farmers Prince Papa, program coordinator of farmers have access to a wide range of can lift themselves out of poverty. the Global Catholic Climate Movement resources and innovations they need to The Southern Africa Faith Communi- in Africa, said ventures in agriculture, improve their livelihoods and lift them- ties’ Environment Institute concerns come technology, or the entire economy should selves and their families out of poverty. as humanitarian agencies continue to warn have Creation at the center of their desired “We do this by working with partners to that millions of people in Africa increas- outcomes. help make smallholder crops and livestock ingly face hunger and poverty, partly due “Resources should also be concentrated more productive, to improve nutrition, to climate change, conflict, and more in the hands of small-scale holders and and to empower women farmers,” said a recently the Covid-19 pandemic. the least in the community. This does not short statement from the Foundation sent “This is a bold and strong call that is in mean that profits alone are ‘bad,’ but that a to Catholic News Service. “Our work is line with Catholic social teaching prin- reassessment should be made where new guided by what smallholder farmers and ciples of solidarity, preferential option for information comes in, to reevaluate the local agriculture businesses say they need the poor, and care for our common home,” driving force behind the development,” to succeed and by the priorities their gov- Allen Ottaro, founder and executive direc- Papa said in a response to the letter. ernments have embraced in their national tor of the Catholic Youth Network for At the same time, Ottaro said Africa is agriculture investment plans.” Environmental Sustainability in Africa, one of the continents most vulnerable to The Foundation said it believed there are told Catholic News Service in a reaction the climate crisis. He said while its rich many paths to achieving sustainable food to the petition. “It is in solidarity with the biodiversity can help absorb climate-relat- production. African smallholder farmers who are at ed shocks, industrial-scale agriculture was “African farmers, like farmers every- risk of losing sovereignty over their food chipping away this cushion. This weakens where, should be empowered to choose production in the long term, as well as the the resilience of local economies and food from a range of innovations that can help loss of a variety of food crops that are rich supply chains, as seen from the pandemic. them adapt to stressful conditions like high in nutrition.” “The threats to biodiversity and land temperatures, droughts, floods, pests, and The faith communities’ institute said the degradation” as a result of large-scale diseases, which continue to intensify due Gates Foundation has been funding proj- farming are concerning, “not just for the to climate change,” the Foundation said. ects that promote growing of one specific present but also future generations,” said type of crop in large fields at the expense of Ottaro, while stressing that highly central- Source: https://www.ncronline.org/ mixed cropping, a practice used by small- ized food-supply systems can be vulner- news/earthbeat/faiths-institute-asks-gates- scale farmers in Africa for many years. able to disruptions, and price increases, foundation-change-tactics-africa Also, the institute said, in the growing which often impact the poor most.

Our Motto: use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without! Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page25 Human Interest Our Readers Help Find Important News Hi Iona, reach zero by 2045. Zero. Let that sink in. Middle East is now represented in the I saw a troubling article about the That would mean no babies. No repro- top 25 for the first time. EDGE was formed direct risks to human survival as a species duction. No more humans. by the merger of 25 smaller companies presented by chemical pollution in our Forgive me for asking: Why isn’t the UN in the United Arab Emirates and it came environment. See the attachment “Envi- calling an emergency meeting on this in at number 22, and it accounted for 1.3 ronmental Pollution Causing Low Sperm right now? . . . percent of the list’s total arms sales. There are three Chinese companies in the top Count.” Source: https://www.theguardian.com/ See also the graph “The World’s largest 10 and a total of four in the top 25. They commentisfree/2021/mar/18/toxic-chemi- grew their sales by 4.8 percent between arms producers.” Just think of the trillions cals-health-humanity-erin-brokovich of dollars America spends on developing 2018 and 2019, mainly due to moderniza- tools of death and destruction. That money The World’s Largest Arms- tion programs being carried out by the needs to go instead to developing means to Producing Companies People’s Liberation Army... By Niall McCarthy, excerpt support the health of the planet and creat- Source: https://www.statista.com/ Statista: December 7, 2020 ing a healthy, equitable society at home. chart/12221/the-worlds-biggest-arms- Best regards, Last year, sales by the companies/ Anders Eklof, Sweden world’s 25 biggest arms Plummeting Sperm Counts, companies were 8.5 Shrinking Penises: Toxic percent higher than in Chemicals Threaten Humanity 2018, totaling $361 billion, according to new data By Erin Brockovich, excerpt released by the Stock- The Guardian: March 18, 2021 holm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The end of humankind? It may be The 12 American compa- coming sooner than we think, thanks to nies in the top 25 ac- hormone-disrupting chemicals that are counted for 61 percent of decimating fertility at an alarming rate that total. Lockheed Martin around the globe. retained its place at the A new book called Countdown, by top of the biggest arms- Shanna Swan, an environmental and producing companies with reproductive epidemiologist at Icahn $53.23 billion in sales. School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Boeing’s arms sales came New York, finds that sperm counts have to $33.15 billion last year, dropped almost 60% since 1973. Fol- while Northrop Grumman lowing the trajectory we are on, Swan’s came third with $29.22 research suggests sperm counts could billion. SIPRI noted that the

By BarrettCellphones: Hnatt, New Jersey USA (Age 14) phone. Pros anddevices have alsoCons benefited our lives as it The question is: Are these things es- opens a new net of jobs in computer sci- Cellphones. One of the most commonly sential and needed to go on a daily life? ence and marketing and advertising and used items – most everyone uses one on a The answer is “No” because we’ve lived things of that nature. daily basis, right? without them before, but how much of an Along with that, social media also brings Yes, that’s quite correct. According to effect would that have on your daily life? jobs but also things like GoFundMe.com global tech company Asurion, the average For many, the effect would be drastic as the bring awareness to people with unfortu- American checks their phone 96 times a average American spends 5.4 hours a day nate situations. People sharing their story, day. That’s once every 15 minutes! or 5 hours and 24 minutes a day on their giving them hope and perseverance to I think that Smartphones are in fact use- phones, according to ‘sdnet.com.’ keep going is really a great thing. ful, especially for things like GPS, music, If we were just to use our phones for Overall, I don’t think the production of texting. Face Time is great if you are an stuff like the essentials and disregarding new devices is all too necessary. As people iPhone user, especially for talking to family social media and games, then I think that will find ways to keep doing what they do and friends during times like Covid-19. would be good, as the numbers show that on their phones regardless and it won’t These are some of the good, helpful most people are avid users of the Internet change that. resources given to you by way of a Smart- and social media. I think our electronic Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page26 Human Interest Bright Green Lies: How the Environmental Movement Lost Its Way and What We Can Do About It By Derrick Jensen, Lierre Keith, and Max Wilbert From Bright Green Lies cover: Advanced Praise for Bright Green Lies “Bright Green Lies is a much needed wakeup call if we “Bright Green Lies exposes are to avoid sleepwalking to extinction – joining 200 of our the hypocrisy and bankruptcy fellow creatures and relatives that are being driven to extinc- of leading environmental tion per day by an extractivist, colonizing money machine groups and their most promi- that is lubricated by limitless greed, and guided by the nent cheerleaders. The best mechanical mind of industrialism. This destructive machine known environmentalists, is labelled ‘civilization,’ and its violent and brutal imposition he illustrates, are not in the on indigenous cultures and communities is legitimized as business of speaking truth, or the ‘civilizing mission’ for which exterminations of the rich even holding up rational so- cultural and biological diversity of the Earth is necessary for lutions to blunt the impend- the linear, blind rush to progress. Religions change, extermi- ing ecocide, but a menda- nation continues. cious and self-serving illusion “But there are other ways: the ways of indigenous cultures that provides comfort at to whom we must turn to learn how to walk lightly on the the expense of reality. They Earth.” fail to state the obvious. We cannot continue to wallow ~ Dr. Vandana Shiva ~ in hedonistic consumption Founder of Navdanya and the Research Foundation for Sci- and industrial expansion ence, Technology, and Econogy; author of Earth Democracy and survive as a species. and Making Peace with the Earth The environmental debate, Jensen argues, is, because of them, distorted by hubris and the childish A note from the authors on Language desire by those in industrialized nations to sustain the unsustainable. It’s customary when writing about nonhumans to use the All debates about environmental policy need to begin with honoring relative pronoun that rather than who: “We cut down the and protecting, not the desires of the human species, but the sanctity tree that used to grow by the pond,” not “We cut down the of the Earth itself. We refuse to ask the right questions because these tree who used to grow by the pond.” questions expose a stark truth – we cannot continue to live as we are The authors of this book use ‘who’ when speaking of living. To do so is suicidal folly. nonhumans because we believe that how we speak of the world profoundly affects how we perceive and experience “Tell me how you seek and I will tell you what you are seeking,’”the the world, which in turn profoundly affects how we act in German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said. This is the power of Bright the world. If we perceive the life around us as a collection Green Lies. It asks the questions most refuse to ask and in that questioning, of resources to exploit, then exploit them we will – and ulti- that seeking, uncovers profound truths we ignore at our peril.” mately, we will destroy the world in our attempts to control ~ Chris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist it. As we see happening now. and author of America: The Farewell Tour~ If, on the other hand, we perceive the world as consist- ing of other beings with whom we share our home, then Purchase: $26.95 via PayPal or $25.95 check or money order at share our home with them we will – with all of the richness, https://derrickjensen.org/purchase/#bright-green-lies, email Der- beauty, and wisdom that this entails. rick at [email protected]. Changing language is no substitute for organized resis- tance to the ongoing destruction of this once-fecund and if we wish to stop the now-wounded planet, and it’s no substitute for the protec- tion and restoration of wild places and wild beings, but it’s atrocities, we need mere- an important step toward changing our values, priorities, ly to step away from and actions. the isolation. there is a * * * * * whole world waiting for us, ready to welcome us No technology is neutral. home. That sentence carries our only hope. ~ Derrick Jensen~ Page 12, Bright Green Lies (Read more about this in our next issue of Groundswell News Journal.) Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page27

Iona Starting Mary Kay Business I have been using many Mary Kay prod- ucts and am very happy with them. I espe- cially like the face, feet, and hand creams. I hope you’ll give them a try. The e-cat- alogue is at https://www.marykay.com/ en-us/tips-and-trends/makeover-and- beauty-tools/ecatalog. Any purchases you make will help sustain this newspaper. My personal website is www.marykay.com/ IonaConner. Thank you for your support. Consumer Liberation Our Motto: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Our Slogan: The way forward: cycle back to basics. Email Iona at [email protected] and she will put you on our email list. “Every new one makes us stronger,” sings Pete Seeger.

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Please consider placing your ad with us. Send me your material at groundswell- [email protected] and pay what you feel is rea- sonable, depending on how much space your ad needs. If your ad requires some of my time to create it for you, there will Groundswell News be an extra charge. If you can afford $50 Our beautiful journal will inspire and encourage you. for half a page and $100 for a full page, Learn more at www.groundswellnews.org. Email ground- that will be wonderful. [email protected] to be put on our e-list. It’s free but donations are gladly accepted. A project of the 501(c)(3) Grassroots Coalition for Environmental and Economic Thank you. Justice. Photo https://www.google.com/search Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page28

Remember your dreams. Messages from Our Friends (For many, English is not their native language.)

(first email) (second email) (email generously sprinkled with emojis) Dear Lona. Dear Reader, Good morning Aunt Iona ma. On behalf of the organization and myself, I work directly with the children that you I remember when we just started talking I would like to express my appreciation to- support through your donations and was on Facebook you told me about your other wards this wonderful project you are doing. asked to write a short piece. names, right now I don’t remember but I I take this chance to request you and your In my role as Founder, I grew up with will check it up again. team to consider partnering with Friends hardships and I believe no children should I want to thank you for publishing my of Peace and Hope Foundation, a non- suffer. These vulnerable boys and girls are Artwork, it meant a lot to me. It did Aunt. profit organization based in Southwestern suffering through no fault of their own and (See page 14, GNJ #73) I do get commission Uganda. For more information about us desperately need our help. Please donate Aunt, and any commission from anywhere please visit our website www.pfohf.org. today to our orphans through our PayPal in the world is welcomed too. We believe together we can make change account [email protected] I realized that I have a reputation to keep and also we can do many projects. We can For more information please visit our now seeing that several people in the world work together such as volunteering ex- website www.pfohf.org or official Facebook can see my artworks in different countries. change programs where you will be sending Friends of Peace and Hope Foundation. I must do my best to maintain that level of volunteers to come to Uganda to explore As a Macklin, Christina lived in a house detailing and improve. new things in their life. that was filthy and dangerous. She wasn’t Any commission is welcomed Aunt. Also, we shall be providing some stories given enough food to eat and was often left Thank you for the opportunity of putting to publish in your newsletter. to fend for herself. Sometimes she even ate my art up on stage. I said this year, many Currently, the organization is struggling from the rubbish bin. The thing that struck years ago that I’d be a world known artist to keep its work through harder times me most about Christina was how dirty her (WKA) and I see that happening already, especially when there are no donations, hands were. But Christina was too young to thank you Aunt. only my small financial support towards its know any better. Commissions are very welcome. implementation. At Friends of Peace and Hope Founda- I have been sharing the newspaper with Thank you very much and hoping you tion we believe that no child should have to all of my friends and friends of friends, it’s might help us to raise some funds and rais- suffer neglect like this. As well as the suffer- been incredible. I want to do more. ing awareness of our organization. If pos- ing they have to endure, neglect can cause How can I contribute more to the work... sible, you might contact me with a univer- problems in later life such as self-harm, Reading the newspaper I saw so much sity to partner with us through volunteering substance misuse, and difficulty in forming work done. The designs to the story(ies)... exchange programs. relationships. Fabulous. Also, we are looking for a professional Your donation can help the most needy You need the break, if I was the one do- volunteer willing to travel to Uganda to do orphans and neglected children and young ing this u definitely would be like going on a documentary for the organization. We are people to grow up with the love, care, and breaks. updating our site every month with testi- protection they so desperately need. Keep enjoying your work, Aunt (with monies from our sponsored children. A $30 donation could buy emergency Mary Kay). Anything you need, lemme Once again thanks for everything you are supplies like food and personal care kits for know. doing. I wish you a wonderful week ahead. a street family. Take care of you, I’ll be writing to you Yours sincerely, A $50 donation could provide a life- from time to time on checking up on you. Uwineza Mark, Founder & Director changing counseling session and busi- Take care aunt, muuaaah!!! Address: Friends of Peace and Hope ness training at our incubation center for Prince Timmy, Nigeria Foundation orphans and vulnerable children P.O.Box 182 Kisoro, Plot 10 Mutanda I’ve seen first-hand the damage that liv- Thank you for the wonderful Rotary Road,Kisoro Municipality, Uganda ing on the streets can cause. Please – help work/service that you are doing. Greetings Mobile phone: +256 (0) 772 192 550 or us to change the lives of these children from Rotarian Herbert in Uganda. Uganda +256 (0) 782682508 before it’s too late. Your kindness really will is your real destination in regard to your Skype: uwineza.mark make such a difference. future travel. Maybe you have not thought Website: www.pfohf.org Thank you, about it or visited Uganda or even fall in Email: [email protected], Uwineza Mark love with Uganda, the pearl of Africa, or [email protected] maybe never got a genuine partner like me to share with about this most world’s Messages continued on next page Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page29

Messages continued from previous page travel destination in the world or join me great to have our fine networks aligned. in developing this love and relationship As for Groundwell: All one can say is Hi Iona, for Uganda travel. I motivate you to think that it contains the usual combination of I should be grateful if you would send me about Uganda and what it offers under the sobering material and uplifting news, as your postal address so I can send you an ar- planet Earth. www.onevillagetours.com many ‘ordinary’ people who are not really ticle from The New York Times on the Span- Herbert Bagyenyi, Uganda ordinary at all put their heart and soul into ish coop John so admired [Mondragon]. efforts to improve the state of our world. Sylvia wrote me that you were going to The Mentor (No Die No Rest) “YOUR We also hope that your ‘break’ from Co- take a break from your Grassroots work WORTH IS ONLY DETERMINED BY alition activities as you endeavor to make to focus on “bread and butter” for a few YOU” It’s not about the outside voices that your personal financial situation more months. When you resume environmental question your values. It seldom doesn’t mat- secure goes well. reporting, please reinstate me on your email ter whether you are loved or liked by any- It says a great deal about our world that list. I somehow slipped off. Thanks. one. And it certainly does not matter how those of us who struggle so relentlessly are God bless you, and all that you do for our much you have been down, wrong, frustrat- denied the economic security that less hon- Earth! May it flourish. ed. What should be your greatest concern is orable employment offers. Still, we would Pat Miller, Colorado USA YOU. You determine your worth and value. not have it any other way for our own lives, You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. hey? Hi Iona. Stop seeking for outside validation. You In appreciation, Iona, of you and the Sorry I haven’t been able to participate have everything in you. All you need is to Grassroots Coalition. but I have been following along with won- believe in yourself and try to build yourself. Love, der at how the Grassroots Coalition has Even if you don’t have the needed financial Robert Burrowes, Australia been revived! Congrats! means right now, but never cease to work Marney Bruce, Maryland USA on yourself. Make maximum use of any op- (second email) portunity that comes by. Don’t worry about Hello everyone. Thank you very much for the update. You what people will say. They are just another Thoroughly enjoyed reading what you all are doing great work and its pleasure to be distraction. Be humble and generous to all do. a member in the inspiring network. It’s a and stay away from toxic people. If you feel Great stuff! wonderful job you are doing. lost and confused, just pray to God and the Look forward to hearing Raj’s TED talk. I am here to connect with you in this light shall be shown. Keep on walking as In sincerest appreciation; pandemic era and in the midst of several long there’s a road to walk. In the end voices Robert Burrowes, Australia challenges as I believe that “nothing comes of the Naysayers will be like a dust on roof in silver platter. “ that is washed away by the rain and storms. Here is the link to a TED talk the future For the time being I would like to send If you need anyone to walk you through Vice President of our Grassroots Coalition you my latest April newsletter and hope I the storms, am available if you need one. for Environmental and Economic Justice can send you both copies of February and Let’s build the minds together. (Let’s chat.) (Rituraj Phukan) gave and a photo he sent. March unconverted pdf copies for you to Am Your Mind Doctor (Leadership and https://youtu.be/SBy4irpWRr8 easily edit and copy as well as paste. Personal Development Jonas Bauleni Fadweck, Coach) #GATEAFRI- Malawi (Thuchila Youth CA_INSPIRATION. Empowerment Pro- #YOU_HAVE_THE_ gramme and Development RIGHT_2BE_MOTI- Network, Printernet) VATED. Mohammed D. Kon- You can always check neh, Liberia our website for stories about our work. www. (first email) ruralwatchafrica.org. I had Hi Iona. published many stories Finally, a much- so I will try get you links delayed response to your to these stories for you to most recent Ground- read. swell. I would love to know the First, I must start by procedure for becoming thanking you for pub- a member. My organiza- lishing my recent article tion is presently run by my (“Destroying the Web of single effort, so I would Life: The Destruction of love to be sure it’s what I the World’s Biodiversity could carry. is Accelerating” in GNJ Uche Isieke, Nigeria #73) and also the emails (Rural Watch Africa Initia- we sent to the Coalition tive, see his story in the welcoming its member- next issue of Groundswell; ship in the Non- Superlative environmental activist and educator Raj Phukan, who is also a Board member of the also to become a member violence Charter. It is Grassroots Coalition, giving a powerful, eloquent, passionate TED talk earlier this year. Messages continued on next Groundswell News Journal #74, April 17, 2021: Page30

Messages continued from previous page all one needs to do is email me at ground- I put Groundswell on our webpage feedback from participants here: https:// [email protected]. Donations are treasured “support.” You will find it here in section oceansclimate.wixsite.com/oceansclimate/ but not necessary.) D: https://oceansclimate.wixsite.com/ oct-2020 oceansclimate/support. If you would like to Warm wishes, Pariphat Dear Iona, change or modify anything, please let me Ocean-Climate Literacy Thank you so much for your lovely email. know. https://oceansclimate.wixsite.com/ocean- My team and I are really grateful for your I am not sure of how I heard about you. sclimate help. I think that I was looking through newslet- International Ocean-Climate School Thanks for pointing out the age thing. ters related to the environment. (IOCS) We expressed it wrongly. We accept people Thank you for the last edition – I read https://twitter.com/IOCS_climate of all ages. 65 was for the oldest participant through it quickly, and it looks absolutely https://www.linkedin.com/company/ in our previous session. We have now cor- wonderful and enriching! We will also iocs-ocean-climate/ rected it on the webpage. And we will be mention your Journal on our social media! https://www.facebook.com/Oceans. very happy if you wish to participate: but Is there anything that you need to be able Climate/ the problem is time zone, not age. to write your article. You will find some

Springtime in the USA Artwork by Maryann Daurio, New Jersey USA