FOREST FRIENDS IRELAND NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2018 Issue 28

Forest Friends Ireland

WE PLANT TREES … IN THIS ISSUE Summer’s gone ….

Well, we’ve left Lughnasa behind and we Some elements of the Cross Border are moving through the Autumnal Equinox Project are already in place. The Centre for towards the great festival of Samháin, Forest Biodiversity is a project at the initial marking the end of the harvest and the stages. This issue summarises our progress beginning of Winter. The leaves are this season. changing colour and the days are beginning Saving Mother Earth to look just a little bit shorter but we still Carbon Offsets For Urban In this article John Haughton examines the have a lot of work to do so let’s jump right Bolivian model for the conservation of Mother Trees – Page 10 Earth as a desirable starting point based on a in to this season’s newsletter. We have a lot Urban trees improve air and water quality, of ground to cover. deep ecological perspective at the bedrock of reduce energy costs and improve human environmental conservation. health, and offer the benefit of storing Saving Mother Earth - Page 2 carbon. But in cities across the world, they Bolivia is further advanced than most with are disappearing. regard to adopting a model for saving Mother Earth and has now established laws You probably noticed the felling of trees in pertaining to the 'Law of Mother Earth'. your own locality and U.S. Forest Service scientists report that metropolitan areas in The Wake and Death of the U.S. are losing about 36 million trees Capitalism - Page 7 each year. A team of researchers from various academic institutions throughout Finland LYCS Zero Waste - Page 11 published a Global Sustainable We have a hard working Zero Waste team Development Report which is a sobering here in Dublin working hard on events in assessment of the planet’s future. 2018 who are part of the Zero Waste International Alliance. All rich Western countries have based their societies on an abundance of cheap energy, Draft constitutional Farenheit 11/9 page 12 which the scientists say, is no longer a guidelines for Forest Friends “ .. I have spent the better part of this year reality. constructing a film that will not only explain how Ireland branches - Page 17 the @#&% we ended up with Trump but also Projects Update - Page 8 help show us a way out …“ Forest Friends Ireland/Cáirde na Coille have prioritised three main projects. The " Neart " project is well underway. FOREST FRIENDS IRELAND | Issue 28 2

them may be commercialized, nor Article 6. (EXERCISE OF THE RIGHTS serve anyone's private property. OF THE MOTHER EARTH) . All Bolivians, to join the community of 6. Multiculturalism . The exercise of beings comprising Mother Earth, Saving the rights of Mother Earth requires the exercise rights under this Act, in a way recognition, recovery, respect, that is consistent with their individual Mother Earth protection, and dialogue of the and collective rights. diversity of feelings, values, by John Haughton knowledge, skills, practices, skills, The exercise of individual rights is

transcendence, transformation, limited by the exercise of collective

science, technology and standards, of rights in the living systems of Mother OBJECT AND PRINCIPLES all the cultures of the world who seek Earth. Any conflict of rights must be to live in harmony with nature. resolved in ways that do not Article 1. (SCOPE) . This Act is irreversibly affect the functionality of

intended to recognize the rights of living system s. Mother Earth, and the obligations and MOTHER EARTH, DEFINITION duties of the Multinational State and RIGHTS OF MOTHER EARTH AND CHARACTER society to ensure respect for these Article 7. (RIGHTS OF MOTHER EARTH) rights. Article 3. (Mother Earth) . Mother I. Mother Earth has the following rights: Article 2. (PRINCIPLES) . The binding Earth is a dynamic living system principles that govern this law are: comprising an indivisible community of 1. To life: The right to maintain the all living systems and living organisms, integrity of living systems and natural 1. Harmony . Human activities, within interrelated, interdependent and processes that sustain them, and capacities the framework of plurality and complementary, which share a and conditions for regeneration. diversity, should achieve a dynamic common destiny. 2. To the diversity of life: It is the right to balance with the cycles and processes preservation of differentiation and variety inherent in Mother Earth. Mother Earth is considered sacred, from the worldviews of nations and of beings that make up Mother Earth, without being genetically altered or peasant indigenous peoples. 2. Collective Good . The interests of structurally modified in an artificial way, so society, within the framework of the Article 4. (LIVING SYSTEMS) . Living that their existence, functioning or future rights of Mother Earth, prevail in all potential would be threatened. human activities and any acquired systems are complex and dynamic right. communities of plants, animals, 3. To water: The right to preserve the microorganisms and other beings and functionality of the water cycle, its 3. Guarantee of the regeneration of their environment, where human existence in the quantity and quality Mother Earth . The state, at its various communities and the rest of nature needed to sustain living systems, and its levels, and society, in harmony with the interact as a functional unit under the protection from pollution for the reproduction of the life of Mother Earth and common interest, must ensure the influence of climatic, physiographic, all its components. and geological factors, as well as necessary conditions in order that the diverse living systems of Mother Earth production practices, Bolivian cultural may absorb damage, adapt to shocks, diversity, and the worldviews of 4. To clean air: The right to preserve the and regenerate without significantly nations, original indigenous peoples, quality and composition of air for sustaining altering their structural and functional and intercultural and Afro-Bolivian living systems and its protection from characteristics, recognizing that living communities. pollution, for the reproduction of the life of systems are limited in their ability to Mother Earth and all its components. regenerate, and that humans are Article 5. (LEGAL STATUS OF MOTHER EARTH) . For the purpose of 5. To equilibrium: The right to limited in their ability to undo their maintenance or restoration of the protecting and enforcing its rights, actions. interrelationship, interdependence, Mother Earth takes on the character of complementarities and functionality of the 4. Respect and defend the rights of collective public interest. Mother Earth components of Mother Earth in a balanced Mother Earth . The State and any and all its components, including way for the continuation of their cycles and individual or collective person must human communities, are entitled to all reproduction of their vital processes. respect, protect and guarantee the the inherent rights recognized in this 6. To restoration: The right to timely and rights of Mother Earth for the well- Law. The exercise of the rights of effective restoration of living systems Mother Earth will take into account the being of current and future affected by human activities directly or generations. specificities and particularities of its indirectly. various components. The rights under 5. No commercialism . Neither living this Act shall not limit the existence of 7. To pollution-free living: The right to the systems nor processes that sustain other rights of Mother Earth. preservation of any of Mother Earth's components from contamination, as well as

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toxic and radioactive waste generated by DUTIES OF THE PEOPLE human activities. Article 9. (DUTIES OF THE PEOPLE) Bill Ottman has summarised the Bolivian 'Law of Mother Earth' as follows: The duties of natural persons and public or private legal entities: "The Law of Mother Earth (“Ley de STATE OBLIGATIONS AND Derechos de La Madre Tierra”) holds the SOCIETAL DUTIES 1. Uphold and respect the rights of Mother land as sacred and holds it as a living Earth. system with rights to be protected from exploitation, and creates 11 distinguished 2. Promote harmony with Mother Earth in rights for the environment. It was passed by Article 8. (OBLIGATIONS OF THE all areas of its relationship with other Bolivia’s Plurinational Legislative Assembly. PLURINATIONAL STATE). human communities and the rest of nature in living systems. This 10 article law is derived from the first The Plurinational State, at all levels and part of a longer draft bill, drafted and geographical areas and across all 3. Participate actively , individually or released by the Pact of Unity by November authorities and institutions, has the collectively, in generating proposals 2010. Can we please spread this law? following duties: designed to respect and defend the rights of Mother Earth. There has to be a way for the free market to 1. Develop public policies and systematic interoperate with reverence for this planet. actions of prevention, early warning, 4. Assume production practices and Period. protection, and precaution in order to consumer behaviour in harmony with the prevent human activities causing the rights of Mother Earth. In accordance with the philosophy of extinction of living populations, the Pachamama, it states, “She is sacred, fertile alteration of the cycles and processes that 5. Ensure the sustainable use of Mother and the source of life that feeds and cares ensure life, or the destruction of livelihoods, Earth's components. for all living beings in her womb. including cultural systems that are part of Mother Earth. 6. Report any act that violates the rights She is in permanent balance, harmony and of Mother Earth , living systems, and/or communication with the cosmos. She is 2. Develop balanced forms of production their components. comprised of all ecosystems and living and patterns of consumption to satisfy the beings, and their self-organisation.” needs of the Bolivian people to live well, 7. Attend the convention of competent while safeguarding the regenerative authorities or organized civil society to “It makes world history. Earth is the capacity and integrity of the cycles, implement measures aimed at preserving mother of all,” said Vice-President Alvaro processes and vital balance of Mother and/or protecting Mother Earth. García Linera. “It establishes a new Earth. relationship between man and nature, the DEFENSE OF MOTHER EARTH harmony of which must be preserved as a 3. Develop policies to protect Mother guarantee of its regeneration.” Earth from the multinational and Article 10. (DEFENSE OF MOTHER international scope of the exploitation of its EARTH). components, from the commoditisation of living systems or the processes that support Establishing the Office of Mother Earth, SEVEN SPECIFIC RIGHTS them, and from the structural causes and whose mission is to ensure the validity, effects of global climate change. promotion, distribution and compliance of The law enumerates seven specific rights to the rights of Mother Earth established in which Mother Earth and her constituent life 4. Develop policies to ensure long-term this Act. A special law will establish its systems, including human communities, energy sovereignty , increased efficiency structure, functions, and attributes. are entitled to: and the gradual incorporation of clean and renewable alternative sources into the Refer to the Executive Branch for To life: It is the right to the maintenance of energy matrix. constitutional ends. the integrity of life systems and natural processes which sustain them, as well as 5. Demand international recognition of It is given in the Assembly Hall of the the capacities and conditions for their environmental debt through the financing Plurinational Legislative Assembly, on the renewal and transfer of clean technologies that are seventh day of the month of December two effective and compatible with the rights of thousand and ten. To the Diversity of Life: It is the right to Mother Earth, among other mechanisms. the preservation of the differentiation and Sen. René Oscar Martinez Callahuanca variety of the beings that comprise Mother 6. Promote peace and the elimination of all Earth, without being genetically altered, PRESIDENT CHAMBER OF SENATORS nuclear, chemical, and biological arms and nor artificially modified in their structure, in (ENDS) weapons of mass destruction. such a manner that threatens their existence, functioning and future potential

7. Promote the growth and recognition of To water: It is the right of the preservation rights of Mother Earth in multilateral, regional and bilateral international of the quality and composition of water to relations. sustain life systems and their protection with regards to contamination, for renewal of the life of Mother Earth and all its components

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To clean air: It is the right of the nations (as of 2015) are State Parties to the stop activities that cause significant harm) preservation of the quality and composition Rome Statute. International Crime (which is ensures that all subsequent decisions are of air to sustain life systems and their codified in the Rome Statute) applies not made whereby people and planet are put protection with regards to contamination, only to the signatory States. If and when a first. for renewal of the life of Mother Earth and person commits a Crime Against Peace, the all its components International Criminal Court has powers to By criminalising Ecocide at an international intervene in certain circumstances, even if level, a global duty of care is created. To equilibrium: It is the right to the person or State involved is a non maintenance or restoration of the inter- signatory. Ecocide, the extensive destruction of relation, interdependence, ability to ecosystems, is occurring today. For complement and functionality of the The Rome Statute is one of the most example: components of Mother Earth, in a balanced powerful documents in the world, assigning manner for the continuation of its cycles ‘the most serious crimes of concern to the Large-scale land use that causes the direct and the renewal of its vital processes international community as a whole’ [2] destruction of habitats – as is the case with over and above all other laws. Crimes that deforestation in most tropical rainforests; To restoration: It is the right to the already exist within the jurisdiction of the Significant pollution – for example, excess effective and opportune restoration of life International Criminal Court under Article 5 greenhouse gases from the industrial systems affected by direct or indirect of the Rome Statute are known collectively activities of the top Carbon Majors; human activities as Crime Against Peace. They are: Dangerous industrial activity where entire To live free of contamination: It is the Article 5(1) The jurisdiction of the Court landscapes are destroyed – such as right for preservation of Mother Earth and shall be limited to the most serious crimes unconventional oil extraction. any of its components with regards to toxic of concern to the international community and radioactive waste generated by human as a whole. All of the above examples are human activities" caused Ecocides. There are also naturally The Court has jurisdiction in accordance occurring Ecocides, such as rising sea levels. with this Statute with respect to the THE CRIME OF ECOCIDE: The legal duty of care that is created here is following crimes: to give assistance to such territories. Running parallel with the establishment of 1. The Crime of Genocide the Bolivian model for saving planet Earth Evidence of the cumulative impact has lead has been the important process identified 2. Crimes Against Humanity to researchers proposing critical planetary by Polly Higgins . boundaries; transgressing them could be catastrophic: see the Stockholm Resilience She has been working strenuously in order 3. War Crimes Centre: 9 Planetary Boundaries Research. to have the crime of ecocide recognised as 4. The Crime of Aggression such with appropriate sanctions to follow Look also to evidence here: UNEPs Global its identification: To be added: Environmental Outlook, Healthy People Healthy Planet reports, which examine the THE CRIME OF ECOCIDE- 5. The Crime of Ecocide . severe anthropogenic impacts on the Earth PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO system. The inclusion of Ecocide law as THE ROME STATUTE international law prohibits mass damage Ecocide Law and destruction of the Earth and, as defined Ecocide is the extensive damage to, above, creates a legal duty of care for all destruction of or loss of ecosystem(s) of a Ecocide law has ‘legal teeth.’ Whilst we inhabitants that have been or are at risk of have many international agreements – given territory, whether by human agency being significantly harmed due to Ecocide. or by other causes, to such an extent that voluntary codes of conduct, UN Resolutions, Treaties, Conventions, and peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of The duty of care applies to prevent, prohibit Protocols etc – the harm escalates. Not one that territory has been or will be severely and pre-empt both human-caused Ecocide of these international agreements prohibits diminished. and natural catastrophes. Where Ecocide Ecocide. occurs as a crime, remedy can be sought In 2010, the proposal to amend the Rome through national courts and the Statute to include an international crime of The power of the Law of Ecocide is that it International Criminal Court (ICC) or a creates a legal duty of care that holds Ecocide was submitted by Polly Higgins similar body. into the International Law Commission persons of ‘superior responsibility’ to account in a court of law (both criminal and (ILC). Currently there is no overriding mandatory civil). duty of care (sometimes called a fiduciary The ILC is the UN body ‘mandated to duty) to prohibit, prevent significant promote the progressive development of WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF hazards or harm, or to pre-empt by SUSTAINABLY SAVING PLANET EARTH international law and its codification’. The assisting to those who are facing Ecocide. submission was published as Chapters 5 GIVEN THE PRESENT STATE OF PLAY: SEARCHING FOR A SUSTAINABILITY and 6 in her first book, Eradicating Governments, business and finance are not PARADIGM Ecocide . [1] legally bound to be accountable for some of the biggest Ecocides, despite the risk to Environmentally it is true to say that we are The purpose for creating the offence of both humans and nature. Ecocide as the 5th international Crime in a bad, in fact very bad place. Firstly we have a species, Homo sapiens who are out Against Peace is to put in place an By creating a crime of Ecocide, the of control. international law at the very top level. 122 enforcement of a global primary duty (to

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He has departed the web of life the very See the very fine book, “ The Growth include construction, clothes, medicinal, yeast and leaven that kept it all together. Illusion: How Economic Growth Has paper, etc. It grows much faster than trees. He has created a world that arguably is fast Enriched the Few, Impoverished the Many, Its growth is blocked by vested interests. becoming a hell on earth for all species and Endangered the Planet ” by including his own. Douthwaite, Richard. Biodiversity of species has an economic value of trillions. No species is safe from his predation. So Douthwaite points out that the idea that the species, Homo sapiens needs to be growth is beneficial underlies the economic MONOPOLIES reeled in. The question is how and by strategies of capitalism. whom. It would have to be by himself. A small number of corporations control He argues on the contrary that the reality of seed sources, provide most of animal feed, The male human being has become a recent years is that the negative effects of manufacture pesticides and fungicides, symbol of destruction. The female of the growth have far outweighed the positive spend trillions worldwide in lobbying species has traditionally been and still is the ones, engendering unemployment, governments and paying off politicians. life giver and the carer. significant increases in crime, and the breakdown of family life networks. With international trade agreements they The role of healer was dented when the are playing greater parts in determining male of the species decided to inflict the For example, the idea that growth is outcomes and influencing operational greatest wound at the times of the 'witch beneficial underlies the economic standards. As these companies, small in hunt' burning the healers at the stake in a strategies of all major political parties in number merge they obtain a greater blunt effort to assume the power that was Great Britain the growth illusion has led to stranglehold legally internally and in in the healing but which the male could not an eightfold increase in crime, the effecting changes in standards, with new countenance or understand. It is only in the breakdown of family life and a legal procedures affording them a role in eventuality of an age of enlightenment that deterioration in general levels of health and determining the outcomes of disputes. the earth could be saved and the education. 'destroyers' healed. It is possible but in The nation state is becoming less powerful present trends arguably unlikely. Richard Dowthwaite’s “ The Growth in establishing and maintaining acceptable Illusion ” exposes the real nature of standards for and protecting its citizens. The great Native American Chief put it very undirected economic growth, driving Examples of trade agreements which will well when he said " All things are connected people from the land into urban slums. He give large corporations increasing power like the blood that unites one family. All exposes the real nature of undirected are the TTIP and CETA . things are connected. Whatever befalls economic growth. in the context of the free the Earth befalls the sons of the earth. market. There are some legal cases in existence Man did not weave the web of life. He is where some of these corporations are merely a strand in it. This we know " ENERGY AND POWER taking states to court on the basis that decisions taken by governments can affect So mankind has, as it were, stepped outside The fossil fuel industry the main source of their economical expectations. the’ web of life’. What is needed is a re- energy on the planet is a source of conflict examination of the fundamentals of worldwide and environmental pollution. Bees the important pollinators are being mankind’s role Vis a Vis all other forms of Vested interests block the development of detrimentally affected by the use of life. renewable energy. Wars are conducted in dangerous herbicides and fungicides. Poor order to secure or acquire new energy standards in control of these are proving BLOCKAGES TO ACHIEVING A resources. Renewable energy is clean on detrimental to pollinators and humans. SUSTAINABLE MOTHER the other hand and does not do serious Roundup, with active ingredient glyphosate damage to the Mother earth. has been shown to be carcinogenic by a EARTH: WHO research project. OUR OXYGEN SUPPLY There are many blockages and factors Yet the EU has extended its licence and this militating against the development of Our main source of oxygen is despite the fact that 1.3 million people successful program for saving Mother phytoplankton which exists in the oceans across the EU have signed a petition to ban Earth: and is managed by whales. these account the use of glyphosate. for 70% plus of our oxygen. Forests account The first blockage arguably, is in the way The big corporation Monsanto , who for 30% and are being depleted at an power is attained, by who, and how it is manufactured Agent Orange with alarming rate. .A mature tree supplies exercised. Also power over what and over devastating effects in its use as a defoliant sufficient oxygen for up to ten people. whom? Here is a resume of where power in the Vietnam War, was the manufacturer lies and is exercised from: A mature tree stores about a ton of carbon of Roundup. Monsanto is also the leading one of the main causes of climate change producer of genetically modified seeds. The 1% controls all major resources, including merging of big corporations, including land finance, media and the warming of the earth. The economic value of a single mature tree is in Monsanto and Bayer give cause for greater concern and increasing threats to the 4% do the bidding of the 1% the region of $200,000 when all its functions are valued. The rate of forest environment. 5% see and know what is wrong in the destruction is devastating. Cargill is the leading producer of animal system but can't effect change Hemp is a plant which has multiple uses, feed in the US. Other major US based 90% don't know what is happening and/or can play a major role in preserving forests. agribusiness companies are Dow don't care. Hemp should be planted universally. Uses Chemicals, and DuPont. Another major corporation is Syngenta. Syngenta AG is a

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global Swiss agribusiness that produces lobbying the European Commission. In the international trade agreements and in the agrochemicals and seeds. As a preparation of EU legislation big making of EU and other legislation, there is biotechnology company, it conducts corporations are playing increasing roles in little hope that sustainability is the criteria genomic research. It was formed in 2000 by formulating new legislation. determining outcomes. the merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals. HOW CORPORATIONS AND Saving Mother Earth it would appear is not a main factor in the process. Instead As of 2014 Syngenta was the world’s largest BANKS ENSLAVE NATIONS exploiting the Earth and the species that crop chemical producer, strongest in dwell therein, in one way or another, The World Bank and the IMF have been Europe. As of 2009 it ranked third in seeds appears to be' par for the course'. known to offer big loans to relatively poor and biotechnology sales. Sales in 2015 were countries with resources such as oil. approximately US$13.4 billion, over half of The Bolivian model " Law of Mother Earth " if universally rolled out would save planet which were in emerging markets. They put the country into debt that they earth. But it is unlikely to be so done and International regulators have approved the cannot pay back except by making their oil Bolivia itself could easily fall to the firm's acquisition by ChemChina, a Chinese or other resources available to them. The pressures of Western Ideology from within state-owned enterprise (Wikipedia). banks set up infrastructure which results in or without. additional and insurmountable debt. MILITARISATION The establishment of the crime Ecocide The loans cannot be paid back as the appears to be the way forward. However Militarisation results in the increasing country is too poor. Only the rich gain and some countries have traditionally opted out manufacture, promotion and use of military the country is forced to sell off its public when it comes to safeguarding self interest. equipment, bombs, guns etc. and their use, services and privatize them including even with the main people suffering the education and prison service. A good example of this is the US pulling out consequences of their use, civilians rather of the Paris Agreement, the Iran nuclear than war combatants. Jeremy Bentham agreement and Human Rights agreements generally. People are becoming desensitised with There have been important analysts who regard to the proliferation and use of have come up with solutions which could There are forces of self interest which weapons of mass destruction. The mass with benefit be revisited today. The ignore the needs of Mother Earth This murder of almost a quarter million civilians greatest happiness of the greatest number quote of Pete Seeger is very opportune in in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the dropping was the principle promoted by Jeremy identifying the context within which we of two atomic bombs by the US when the Bentham (15 February 1748 – 6 June 1832). could begin to understand some of the war was in effect over indicates what may underlying problems when he wrote: be in store for the citizens of North Korea He was a British jurist, philosopher, and with President Donald Trump recent legal and social reformer. He is best known "Oh sacred world now wounded, we dictate, stating that, the military might of as an early advocate of utilitarianism and pledge to make you free/ Of hate and war the US is 'locked and ready' animal rights. This appears to be an and hunger and selfish cruelty/ And here in excellent starting point. However at this our small corner we plant a tiny seed/ And LOBBYING point in time the interest of a minority is it will grow to beauty to shame the face of the determining factor as they, the 1% is in greed". Lobbying is a fundamental problem the driving seat. resulting often and inevitably unless Planting a tiny seed is the genesis the properly controlled in decision makers The greatest happiness of the greatest beginning of what must turn out to be a being ‘bought off’ in one way or another. In number is a long way off. great revolution of the Earth’s the case of Capitol Hill it is contended that conservation. the elected representatives generally are Theoretically philanthropy could save linked in one way or another with the fossil planet Earth but there are very few The lack of coherence in conservation fuel industry and the gun lobby. philanthropists insufficient to make the strategies make the control systems that major changes needed to save planet earth would guarantee the sustainability of It appears that in Ireland also a small and her species from the human caused mother earth look not un-like an aircraft, number of large lobbyists including the extinction catastrophe, now looming, the pilotless and out of control agribusiness and the motor industry have sixth mass extinction, but the first cause the inside track when it comes to access to entirely by man's actions. The extensive and very diverse and decision makers. wonderful actions of the many just don’t CONCLUDING REMARKS add up to the sustainability of saving In the case of the US where statistics are mother earth. There are too many forces available agriculture companies and trade Based on the situations that pertain with undermining the perfectly good activities groups spent $32.7 million lobbying regard to the issues outlined in this and projects. Congress in recent years. Of this Monsanto presentation one cannot be optimistic with spent $4.6 million and American Farm regard to outcomes under virtually any and The well worn mantras of capitalism are Bureau $3.8 million. all of the subject matter of the expose. starting to wear thin however as the millennial, cultural creatives and indigo Related to the negotiations between the If as it would appear decision makers are generations begin to make their presence US and the EU with regard to the effectively controlled or subject to undue felt. Transatlantic Trade and Investment influence in lobbying by big corporations Partnership (TTIP) the agribusiness who are gaining more and more power, as The definition of ‘Progress’ that ‘Greed is industries have played the key role in evidenced in negotiations with regard to Good ’the‘ Profit Motive as a main

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motivation The emphasis on competition and the relegation of cooperation as a main The Wake and driving force. We should be long past the use of the terms right and left as the defining characterising of politics. We need Death of new concepts and new languages to

express values aspirations and policies, Capitalism based on multiculturalism rather than race.

The new age should be one inspired by empaths and respect rather than (EDITOR’S NOTE, 8/28/18, 3:34 PM ET: This ideologies. headline was amended from “UN Scientific Paper Says Capitalism Has to Die in Order for The age whereby countries can arbitrarily the Planet to Be Saved” to “UN Scientific opt out of international agreements, for Paper Suggests Capitalism Has to Die in

example the US opting out of the Paris Order for the Planet to Be Saved.”) Agreement and the Iran nuclear weapons

agreement should fast become a thing of Capitalism and global sustainability are the past. incongruous with one another, according to a recent paper for the UN’s 2019 Global Climate interference as witnessed by many Sustainable Development Report. facets of geo-engineering and chem./trailing are disturbing the balances The team of researchers from various which nature had established and are academic institutions throughout Finland having serious consequences creating more who wrote the report gave a sobering extreme weather patterns. assessment of the planet’s future if the current economic order continues John Haughton unabated. Namely, that all rich Western Chairman, Acting CEO countries have based their societies on an Manager of Forest Friends Internship abundance of cheap energy, which the

Program scientists say, is no longer a reality. September 2018

“Economies have used up the capacity of planetary ecosystems to handle the waste generated by energy and material use,” the paper reads. “Dominant economic theories as well as policy-related economic modelling rely on the presupposition of continued energetic and material growth. The theories and models anticipate only incremental changes in the existing

economic order.

Hence, they are inadequate for explaining the current turmoil.”

Scientists argued that worsening climate change is having a drastic impact on ecosystems and biodiversity, and that

symptoms of unchecked capitalism like rising inequality, unemployment, and debt are also contributing to the destabilization of society.

In order to guarantee that humanity is able to have a good quality of life on earth for future generations, the paper’s authors argued that new economic systems will

have to be created, rather than the standard band-aid approach governments have taken in the recent past.

“Central banks in the US and the Euro zone have resorted to unconventional

measures such as negative interest rates and buying up significant amounts of public debt, ” researchers wrote. “ This has

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relieved some economic pressure, but … Researchers’ ideas for how to phase out It can be safely said that no widely capitalism will likely be included in the UN’s FOREST FRIENDS applicable economic models have been Global Sustainable Development Report, developed specifically for the upcoming which will come out in 2019. IRELAND - era. ” Scott Alden is a freelance contributor While the paper didn’t endorse any specific covering national politics, education, and PROJECTS economic system to be used in lieu of environmental issues. He is a proud Toledo capitalism, scientists said it would University graduate, and lives in the UPDATE necessary to “transform the ways in which suburbs of Detroit. energy, transport, food, and housing are John Haughton produced and consumed” with the goal of By: Scott Alden attaining “production and consumption CHAIR 18A- Menu of Projects and Tasks . that provides decent opportunities for a Land-Water-Air | August 28, 2018 good life while dramatically reducing the The following is an update on projects and

burden on natural ecosystems.” tasks that need attention, in preparation for the Annual General Meeting of Forest Early in the paper, researchers said it would Friends Ireland. be necessary to implement a global Marshall plan, as Harvard University Examples of seasonal projects are tree atmospheric chemistry professor James plantings during the dormant season Anderson proposed earlier this year. November to March, seed collections in the Ideally, such a plan would mean late autumn/October, the National Tree cooperation between countries around the Week tree planting/March and the National globe to collectively restructure society biodiversity week program preparation for with the end goal of eliminating carbon implementation in May. Also Heritage

dioxide emissions entirely. Week in August and Culture night in September.

Researchers gave a deadline for the United Forest Friends flagship projects include: States and Europe to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2040, and for the rest A) The Peace Forest Ireland project - a of the world to be at zero emissions by unique project whereby peace trees are 2050. planted in the border counties on an In order to meet this goal, however, ongoing basis. scientists cast doubt on the ability of The border separates the Republic of renewable energy sources to be able to Ireland from Northern Ireland, two separate sustain humanity’s current energy jurisdictions. (The latter is British consumption rate. controlled) The only viable solution to attain a goal of B) A world Peace Centre - to be located zero emissions is, according to the paper, along the border between north and south for humanity to use substantially less of Ireland. It can be based on the model of energy. the world peace centre Auroville in Tamil

Scientists are calling on state governments Nadu Eastern India with forward-thinking leaders to test C) The setting up of a trust to manage the radical solutions at the macro level, like a Peace Forest and World Peace Centre job guarantee — similar to what Senator projects. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has proposed in

the past. D) Plan design and establish a main centre of forest biodiversity with a full range of “The most suitable jobs for the program activities associated with continuous would be those that almost anyone can do canopy sustainable forestry based on with limited training. The jobs could be principles of sylvac2ulture, agroforestry and modelled to serve the transition to permaculture. sustainability and to build capacities to adapt to climate change: for example, This centre can be incorporated into the installing decentralized energy solutions World Peace Centre and preparing for floods,” scientists wrote. “In addition to triggering the transition, the E) Examination of the possible role of job guarantee would ensure full environmental philanthropists in the employment. It would lessen insecurity and sponsoring and financing of specific Forest

the need to compete for environmentally Friends’ projects. destructive jobs on the individual and the

collective level.”

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-Posters- we have a range of posters for gifting them to householders and FF taking FFI Purpose marketing designed by one of our interns. part in their planting with the householder. -Pens and pencils- We have invested in - Preparing for and taking part in radio and A primary function of Forest Friends Ireland pens in the past. So let’s commission TV programs, local national and is to lobby governmental agencies for the National Pen Company for new designs. international replacement of monoculture forestry with one based on the biodiversity of our native Our medium term goals are : - Prepare programmes or events: broadleaf hardwood trees and resulting in continuous canopy over time, with selective - Membership and volunteer recruitment A) for the National Biodiversity Week wood extraction while keeping the canopy programs. (May); intact, using only organic methods. - To leverage ethical advertising in our web B) National Heritage Week (August) and C) We make submissions in response to public site as a source of finance. Culture Night. consultations and planning processes. - Plan promote and manage a major public - Organise seed collections in October We plan, design and establish partnerships event showcasing the work of Forest to achieve specific objectives. We have an Friends - Assist with Forest Friends Irish established partnership with the Rotary Environmental Network (IEN) work. organisation. - Identify a range of possible fundraising projects. Utilise Pay Pal and Go Fund Me. - Assisting in the development of emerging We establishing co-operatives and other Forest Friends branches, throughout appropriate organisational structures in - Developing and managing Forest Friends Ireland and internationally, with successes order to achieve specific objectives. organic, biodiversity, and herb and healing already in Africa, including Kenya, Ghana, gardens Nigeria and Cameroon. Reorganising Forest We carry out seed collections in October Friends Ghana and Rainforestfriends Ghana each year - Schools, colleges and communities on a sustainable basis. Consult with Felix outreach environmental educational Our Tree Planting programmes are carried programs. - Tree Watch|: suggestion to set up a out November to March. facebook project into which people can - Preparing and updating our public post details of problems they are having in We source land as required for Forest information packs trying to preserve trees in their Friends initiatives communities and elsewhere with a view to - Set up and maintain new membership getting support for their endeavours. The Forest Friends Ireland Young Ecologist scheme and records, based on the needs project is one which challenges students to and aspirations of junior, youth, adult and - Monitoring planning applications and develop their ideas to promote ecologically senior cohorts. Recruiting recording and making representations where there are based initiatives in schools and servicing the aspirations of existing and proposals to fell trees. This would involve communities. See the first phase of this new members. members examining planning applications project which was piloted in Dublin North each week in their areas. East secondary schools - Set up Young Forest Friends initiative for third level students. Promote idea by Finally the following management aspects We manage the Forest Friends Ireland preparing an information pack and present needing attention: Facebook, Twitter, Instiagram social media to students of Dublin City University, Trinity channels and preparing inputs for our College Dublin Institute of Technology and 1. Set out spending program website. the Teacher Training College Drumcondra. Set up appropriate structures for students 2. Get a Forest Friends new phone We also develop marketing strategies as at every level. Forest Friends former number required for all aspects of Forest Friends interns should be offered the opportunity of work. becoming life members of Forest Friends 3. Suggestions welcome for new for free. structures for Forest Friends. Merchandise: - Composing and circulating press releases 4. Meeting with Woodland Trust -T-shirts- providing for a range of different to the media on a regular basis. and Conservation Volunteers Northern designs. Use our logos and other designs Ireland-suggested location Dundalk or - Designing posters leaflets flyers and Newry-Sean/Samantha to arrange. -Carrier bags using same designs as for t- publicity information. Disseminating shirts information with regard to the value of and 5. Press subcommittee- Donna, developing a culture of trees forests and Sean, Holly, Samantha -Poetry book-forest friends has its own environmental conservation. poetry book ‘Seeing the Wood and the 6. Finance subcommittee: Charlie, Trees’ - Research and surveys including studies of Peadar, Samantha, Sean, Holly deficiencies in the biodiversity in the local 7. AGM agenda to include approving -CD Emmanuel Nsor of Forest Friends areas and making recommendations with new directors, committee members in Ghana and Rainforest Friends Ghana regard to improving these. House to house accordance with FF Articles of Association. composed a very fine song ‘ Forest Friends biodiversity survey of the local area. Rise up ’ it is one track only. We aim to

commission Emmanuel to compose a full - Orchard project: This involves FF buying range of tracks for the CD. hundreds of apple and other fruit trees,

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A study released last year of the forest The City of Austin is purchasing the credits offsets in California’s cap-and-trade for both projects from the nonprofit Carbon offsets program found that they are effective at TreeFolks , via CFC. reducing emissions. for urban trees The fact that credits can cover both stream- The new credits aim to quantify not only side plantings and trees on school property the carbon benefits of urban trees, but also illustrates the complex task of developing a are on the rainfall interception, energy savings from city credit — the protocols and cooling and heating effects, and air-quality quantification methods must work for the benefits. disparate tree species and stewardship horizon strategies of an urban forest, in contrast to CFC has no role in marketing or selling the more controlled setting of an industrial This story was originally published by credits for specific projects, but maintains plantation. CityLab (https://www.citylab.com/) the standards (protocols) and credentialing for other organizations that sell them. CFC is eager to road-test the protocols in A recent paper by two U.S. Forest Service Austin, said its founder and executive scientists reported that metropolitan areas A third-party firm, Ecofor, verifies director, Mark McPherson, a Seattle lawyer in the U.S. are losing about 36 million trees compliance for tree-preservation projects. and businessperson who has dedicated pro each year. Tree-planting projects are either third-party bono hours throughout his career to city verified, or, for smaller projects that cannot tree issues. The paper afford that, verified by CFC with peer (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 review, using Google Earth and geocoded “Even though you have a national drafting 18/04/180418141323.htm), by David Nowak photos. group that put the protocols together, that and Eric Greenfield, was an expansion of brings together lots of expertise, they’re the same researchers’ 2012 study that To be eligible for the credits, city tree still cooked in the lab, if you will,” he said. found significant tree loss in 17 out of the projects must follow protocols created “They have to be tested in the real world.” 20 U.S. cities studied. specifically for urban forests rules governing such specifics as the location and The effort is being helped by McPherson’s This arboreal decline is happening even in duration of a project and how the carbon older brother, E. Greg McPherson, a some areas that promote “million-tree” will be quantified. prominent scientist in the field of urban campaigns, Arbor Day plantings, and forestry who helped develop the protocols. street-tree giveaways. The new credits “are specifically catered to the urban environment and the unique King County Cash-strapped municipalities just can’t find challenges and possibilities there, so they enough green to maintain the green. differ from traditional carbon credits,” said Another piece of the puzzle is a pilot project Additionally, many cities are adjusting to Ian Leahy, director of urban forestry in King County, where a new land population booms, and to temperature programs at the nonprofit conservation conservation initiative (LCI) targets increases and drought due to climate group American Forests, and a member of protection of 65,000 acres, spanning urban change — both conditions that can be hard the CFC protocol board. “I think the work is areas to farmland. on trees (while increasing their value as innovative and potentially game- sources of cooling and cleaner air). changing,” said Zach Baumer, climate “We really want to maintain this intact program manager for the City of Austin. landscape — what I’d call our natural There’s also a growing recognition of the (Baumer also serves on the protocol board infrastructure — that is the foundation of inequity of treecanopy distribution in many for CFC.) “To harness the market to create the quality of life we have here,” said cities with lush cover in wealthy environmental benefits in cities is a great Charlie Governali, the land conservation neighborhoods and far fewer trees in thing.” projects manager at King County’s disadvantaged areas. Department of Natural Resources & Parks. To find more funding for urban trees, some Austin King County has been working with CFC local governments, including Austin, Texas, over the last year, piloting a carbon and King County, Washington (where The City of Austin aims to be carbon neutral program to help protect about 1,500 acres Seattle is located), are running pilot in government operations by 2020 . To get of currently unprotected and threatened projects with a Seattle-based nonprofit there, it has been reducing emissions tree canopy in and around urban called City Forest Credits (CFC) through energy efficiency, renewable communities energy, alternative fuels, and hybrid and (https://www.cityforestcredits.org/). electric vehicles. (https://registry.cityforestcredits.org/project/ king-county-urbanforest-preservation- The nonprofit is developing a new But the city will still need offsets to claim program/) approach: generating funding for city tree neutrality. If governments and businesses canopies from private companies (and choose to purchase these credits, they The county will consider expansion to a full- individuals) that wish to offset their carbon could help fill that gap, and they can keep blown program by the end of 2018. emissions by buying credits for tree their dollars local. Governali said there are already businesses planting or preservation. interested in buying credits. Austin is running two pilot projects this year The vast majority of forest carbon credits with CFC: a riparian reforestation project One of the first commitments made worldwide have been issued for trees in near a creek and a tree-planting project on through CFC is a planting project on a rare tropical rainforests and other forests far school-district land. parcel of open space in the City of from urban areas. Shoreline, just north of Seattle, funded by Bank of America through American Forests.

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According to a study by the nonprofit Forest Trends (https://www.foresttrends.org), in 2016, $662 million globally went toward the purchase of carbon offsets for the protection or restoration of forests and

other natural landscapes.

The usual model is that for-profit carbon What is Zero project developers work with landowners to qualify large forests for credits. Waste? Doubters have questioned whether city trees offer enough scale to be worthwhile, In the words of the Zero Waste McPherson noted. “Carbon developers are International Alliance: thinking they want to lock up 10,000 acres of forest land, so they don’t see the scale or Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, the volume in what we’re doing.” economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles But Governali said that for King County, the and practices to emulate sustainable carbon protocol offers something different natural cycles, where all discarded

— a way to protect a lot of urban green materials are designed to become resources for others to use. space cumulatively by selling credits over time, and for many small green spaces. We have a hard working Zero Waste team Urban credits will be expensive — many times what a commodity credit for carbon here in Dublin and they contacted us to give might cost. an update on events in 2018.

Urban land is not cheap, and urban trees are costly to plant and maintain compared Hi everyone, to those on forest land. Hope you are all well and are still active in However, urban trees offer more public the area of Zero Waste and waste benefits. reduction. It is great to see so much more “Compared to one additional tree left momentum in Ireland on these issues, but standing in a far-off industrial forest, each what with the aftermath of the Electric additional urban tree we protect has an Picnic where tonnes of tents were left outsized human impact,” argued Governali, behind and will end up in landfill, the need because these trees bring cooling on hot for this work is still very present. days, better air quality, and even improved LYCS has a few more Zero Waste Educator mental health. Trainings lined up in Dublin, Greystones and Tipperary so if you haven’t done one Finally, he noted, the sale of carbon credits from urban trees can help a municipality already, now may be the opportunity! If you buy the underlying land and make it a have, we would be very grateful if you could public park, “a place for families to gather, spread the word on the upcoming trainings. relieve stress, get some exercise, relax, and for children to play and learn.” • DUBLIN SEPTEMBER 2018 MIDWEEK At the outset, the work adds to already full WORKSHOP: 10am-4.30pm, Tues 18th &

urban-forest workloads and stretches Wed 19th September 2018, Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin budgets, at least until credit revenue from buyers can support the programs. “We’re 2. This is a two day training, but

good at planting trees, but documenting participants can opt to do the first day only the work to create an official carbon credit if preferred. is new for us,” said Austin’s Baumer. • DUBLIN DECEMBER 2018 WEEKEND However, generating credits is one more WORKSHOP: 10am-4.30pm, Sat 1st & Sun way to stall or reverse tree loss at a time 2nd December 2018. This is a two day when people are just starting to understand training, but participants can opt to do the how critical trees — whether elms, oaks, first day only if preferred.

Douglas firs, or cedars — are to a city’s • GREYSTONES MIDWEEK 1 DAY health and economy. WORKSHOP OCT 2018: Details to follow

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shortly. Contact [email protected] with expressions of interest.

• TIPPERARY MIDWEEK 1 DAY WORKSHOP NOV 2018: 10am-4.30pm, Thursday 22 November, Knockanrawley

Resource Centre (KRC), Tipperary Town. Application details to follow soon.

Please do also let us know if you go on to Fahrenheit 11/9

do anything with the

training/ideas/inspiration you got in the LYCS workshops. Michael Moore Plays His Trump Card: A

I would also like to let you know that we New Movie, Modern Fascism and a 2020 Prediction are running a low cost Fetac Level 6 course in Global Development in October and by Gregg Kilday November. This creative and dynamic

training will give you a broader perspective September 05, 2018

on the issues that relate to sustainability such as trade, power, inequality, He's America's most successful

globalisation, food, waste and ultimately documentarian and one of the few on the aims to empower participants to become left who predicted the 2016 election upset. more actively engaged in combatting Now, as Moore readies his anticipated inequality, injustice and environmental polemic 'Fahrenheit 11/9' for its Toronto degradation. film festival debut, he takes aim at Trump (and Nancy Pelosi … and Harvey Weinstein There is an amazing event coming up next …) and those actually responsible for the year. It is the CLIMATE CHANGE & president's rapid rise to power (hint: Gwen CONSCIOUSNESS: OUR LEGACY FOR THE Stefani). EARTH, at the Findhorn Foundation, North Scotland, April 20-26, 2019, will be a unique The first time Michael Moore encountered

conference about surviving and thriving in a Donald Trump, the filmmaker climate changing world and post-carbon uncharacteristically held his tongue. The economy. two had been booked as guests in 1998 on Roseanne Barr's afternoon talk show, The The event will feature some of the clearest Roseanne Show, taping at New York's and most passionate voices for the Earth Tavern on the Green. ever gathered together in one place. There will be a group of us going and we will be Trump's The Art of the Deal had been running related events before and after the published in 1987 while Moore had already event. earned a reputation as a cheeky provocateur out to puncture capitalism's There will also be hubs contributing to the balloon with his 1989 doc Roger & Me, and event from Ireland, so whether you can so when Trump spotted Moore, he

make it over to Scotland or not, this is a threatened to walk. great opportunity to start getting involved

with the conference and to start linking the One of the show's producers pulled Moore issue of healing ourselves and raising our aside: Could he convince the skittish real consciousness to that of climate change. estate developer to stay? Agreeing to help, Email me if you’re interested. Moore introduced himself to Trump and promised he'd keep the chatter light. Lastly, Zero Waste week has begun and if you’re in Dublin here are some fabulous "We did the show. I did not bring up events organised by Zero Waste Festival anything political, financial, anything that Ireland, check them out here would have upset him," Moore recalls, https://www.zerowastefestival.ie/ settling into a chair in the conference room of his Manhattan production offices on a

Many thanks, keep in touch and hope to see recent late-August night. "It wasn't until I some of you soon at various events, saw him running for president that I realized I'd been played. Rachel Dempsey

Development Education Officer That he got his way. And I thought, 'Wow, LYCS, Sean McDermott St, D1 he manipulated that whole situation. This https://devedlycs.wordpress.com/ guy is not stupid.' Lesson learned." [email protected] This time out, as Moore, 64, readies his newest documentary, Fahrenheit 11/9 ,

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which will kick off the Toronto International sorry but I'm not going to give you a speech for his anti-gun doc Bowling for Film Festival on Sept. 6, he's not holding simplistic film like that," Moore says. "Yes, I Columbine, when he excoriated George W. back. "Trump is our Frankenstein and we will show you some stuff about Trump that Bush for launching the Iraq War. are Dr. Frankenstein," he declares. you haven't seen, but if you're coming to see the pee tape, you're going to the wrong Moore had been in England in the weeks "We have helped to create a situation that movie." before Brexit passed and saw how the polls has allowed us to end up with Trump. The and media misread the anger behind that dumbing down of our society through the Thom Powers, Toronto's documentary vote, and he'd also seen how lawn signs for media, the lack of education through poor programmer, who saw a first cut in July and Trump vastly outnumbered those for Hillary schools, allows for a dumbed-down immediately booked it as the festival's Clinton in his home state of Michigan. electorate, and for him to be able to opening-night doc, says, "Michael has a real actually get 63 million votes." In the skill for subverting audiences' "Michael is one of the few liberals who truly opening moments of his new film, as the expectations," promising them laughs and understands the Trump voter," Maher says. comedy curdles into horror, Moore asks then delivering a thoughtful, impassioned "Having been with Michael in lots of places bluntly, "How the fuck did this happen?" analysis. Onscreen, Moore's persona as a and seen how people react to him, there is shambling, quixotic everyman ("I don't play literally no one more beloved by working a character, that's who I am," he insists) men and women. may make him an easy target for the right- The movie comes at a key moment for both wing outrage machine led by Fox News As his Trump prediction shows, it would be Moore and the republic. His 2004 anti-Bush ("Bring it on," he dares them), and he still great if for once people listened to him diatribe, Fahrenheit 9/11, remains the top- occasionally resorts to stunts like spraying before it was too late." grossing documentary of all time the mansion of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Still, Moore wasn't quite prepared for his domestically (with $222.4 million with contaminated Flint water, but, Powers election-night predictions coming true. "I worldwide), but his last major film, 2016's continues, "Michael's work has grown to be just felt, 'What is wrong with me that I Where to Invade Next, got only a less about confrontational stunts and more could not communicate to people that he perfunctory release. He's looking to ride the the work of someone who has thought long was going to win these three or four states current boom in documentary film and a and hard about American politics." crescendo of anti-Trump fervor to turn his and that we had to get out en masse?' It new movie into a come-to-Jesus moment In effect, Moore has become a public really bothered me." Afterward, he for depressed progressives and a rallying intellectual for the modern media age — returned to his home in Traverse City, cry for insurgent politicians lining up for the where literary lions like Norman Mailer and Michigan, where he spends half his time. midterms. Gore Vidal once worked the talk show Over the next few months, he took long circuit while mixing it up in the political walks, mulling over recent events. Now Moore's not prepared to say a Democratic arena, Moore, though he has eight books to single — he and his wife of 22 years, Kathy takeback of the House, let alone the his credit, primarily uses film and social Glynn, divorced in 2014 — he counts the Senate, is a fait accompli, but he predicts, media (he has 6 million Twitter followers) buddies he grew up with as among his best "There's going to be a tsunami of voters — to inject himself into the national debate. especially women, young people and friends. people of color. If there are candidates It's midnight as Moore, sipping on a Burger With whatever free time he has, he hits one worth voting for, there will be a shellacking King soda, holds forth during a break in the of the two movie theaters he owns and the likes of which the Republicans have film's final editing. never seen." helps program in Traverse City, where each The later the hour grows, the more August he hosts a film festival, which this As for 2020, Moore adds, "As things stand energized he seems to become. With the year attracted the likes of Dick Cavett and right now, everybody should operate as if movie's debut just two weeks away, the Jane Fonda. it's a two-term Trump," but if the Dems are offices are buzzing with activity. to unseat him, "we need beloved figures The son of a Flint, Michigan, assembly-line running. Say what you want about Trump, Other staffers are gearing up for the return worker and a secretary, Moore has long but tens of millions watched his show. We of TV Nation, his satirical news show, which family ties to the labor movement, and, need Tom Hanks, Oprah, Michelle Obama. originally ran for two seasons (first on NBC, after dropping out of the University of Who would not vote for Michelle Obama?" then Fox) in the mid-'90s and is coming to Michigan - Flint and working briefly in the the airwaves on TBS later this year. alternative press, he found his voice with Fahrenheit 11/9 — its title reworks that of his first documentary, 1989's Roger & Me. his biggest hit by referencing the actual While Moore frequently bursts into date when the 2016 election was called, in incredulous laughter at the absurdities in In his very personal look at the plight of the the early morning hours — may start with which America finds itself, he is also deadly autoworkers, Moore, dressed in what would Trump, but it then ranges across a larger serious about the dire state of the nation. become his trademark cap and rumpled panorama, from the Flint, Michigan, water jacket, set out to confront Roger Smith, crisis to the growing resistance movement He was one of the few who warned of a then the CEO of General Motors. as exemplified by the striking West Virginia possible Trump victory, accurately After its rousing Toronto Film Festival school teachers and the Parkland, Florida, predicting in July 2016 during one of his debut, Warner Bros. offered $3 million for students who organized the March for Our many visits to Bill Maher's Real Time that the film, and Moore, who'd been struggling Lives in Washington. the upstart candidate could take Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The on unemployment, embarked on a career "If people think this is Michael Moore's audience booed, but Moore shook it off — as a cinematic polemist, bringing his Trump film and that they're going to get after all, he'd been jeered before, most buoyantly acerbic take to hot-button issues two hours of Trump, Trump, Trump, I'm famously during his 2003 Oscar victory like gun control (2002's Columbine), the Iraq War (2004's Fahrenheit 9/11), health

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care (2007's Sicko) and the social safety net "He hates Wall Street because they hate "I was so excited," Moore says. And when, a (2015's Where to Invade Next). him," Moore says. "He has never been let few months later, Franken called to ask him into the billionaires' club. He is treated like to serve as a fundraiser, Moore readily Fahrenheit 11/9 is his attempt to fully a mook from Queens." Moore contends agreed. "There's just one problem," understand the forces that fueled Trump's that Trump's positions, which the president Franken said, according to Moore. Instead rise. Moore, being a humorist at heart, can't abandoned once he got into office, helped of sending any checks directly to his resist starting with a mordant joke or two. suppress the vote for the Democratic campaign, could Moore send them to the candidate. Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Yes, he acknowledges factors like Russian party, because — here Moore imitates President Vladimir Putin and former FBI Fahrenheit 11/9 is at its most provocative Franken — "it won't look good when it head James Comey, but asserts that the when it veers away from Trump's ascension comes out that Michael Moore and his lefty person most responsible for the Trump to recount Adolf Hitler's rise, with an friends are contributing to my election." presidency is … Gwen Stefani. "You hadn't emphasis on how the media in the 1930s, Moore says his heart sank, he didn't send a heard that before, have you?" Moore asks, from The New York Times to the Jewish check, and it was nearly a decade before delighted with the audacity of the claim. press, normalized the Fuhrer. the two talked, when they bumped into each other at the Academy's 2012 Moore posits that when Trump realized Moore insists he isn't making a direct Governors Awards honoring Stefani's performance fees as a coach on comparison between Trump and Hitler but documentarian D.A. Pennebaker. (Franken The Voice were larger than his own on The rather making "a serious point about did not respond to a req-uest for Apprentice, he staged his now-infamous fascism," he explains. "It comes from a comment.) Trump Tower campaign announcement to book, Friendly Fascism, by a philosopher prove his popularity to NBC, which aired named Bertram Gross. By contrast, the renegade filmmaker has both shows. been embraced by the newer generation of He talks about how the fascism of the 21st insurgent politicos, like Bronx, New York, Says Moore, "He'd been talking about century would not be like the fascism of the congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio- running for president since 1988, but he 20th century. It would not come with Cortez and Detroit congressional candidate didn't really want to be president. There's concentration camps and swastikas, but Rashida Tlaib, who are featured in his film. no penthouse in the White House. with a TV show and a smiley face. Without any support from her local political establishment in her successful primary bid, And he doesn't want to live in a black city. The fascists of the 21st century will Tlaib had no reservations about welcoming He was trying to pit NBC against another convince the people to go against their own Moore's support, saying, "You get a sense network, but it just went off the rails." After interests by using television and branding. I of strength from him as someone who Trump's accusation that Mexico was don't think we should be afraid to call this hasn't sold out and who still believes in sending rapists across the border, NBC cut out for what it is." ties with him. But Trump, suddenly finding change." himself cheered on by massive crowds and Moore doesn't spare Trump's Democratic And, during the course of filming, he joined an indulgent media, figured why not make opposition, either. He faults Bill Clinton for her in door-to-door canvassing. "Though it a serious run for the highest office in the realigning the party with corporate wasn't as productive as we'd hoped," she land? interests, and the congressional leadership says. "We planned to hit 15 to 20 doors, but of Charles Schumer and Nancy Pelosi for we did about three since the first door we Moore does offer some begrudging respect failing to get their act together. for Trump's skills as a showman. In knocked on, the whole family came out to American Dharma, one of several political Moore stumped for Hillary in 2016 but he meet Michael." documentaries also debuting in Toronto, still sees himself as an outsider whom the Moore's first attempt to make a Trump doc Moore's fellow documentarian Errol Morris establishment Dems view warily. "They hit a wall. positions alt-right firebrand Steve Bannon come to me when they can use me, as the architect of Trump's victory. because the people who follow me are just In May 2017, Harvey Weinstein and his the number of votes that they need to get brother Bob announced in Cannes that, Moore doesn't dispute that — although he put over the top," he complains. "But having backed the first Fahrenheit, they notes that Bannon didn't join the Trump otherwise — Nancy Pelosi and the party were reteaming with Moore on a new film. train until August 2016 — but likens it to infrastructure, they see me as a huge Colonel Tom Parker coming aboard to steer threat." Their relationship was complicated: In the the career of Elvis Presley. wake of the success of Fahrenheit 9/11, Asked to cite an example, Moore pauses, Moore sued the Weinsteins in 2011 for $2.7 "Trump knew how to play Elvis, and almost censors himself, and then begins to million in profits he claimed he was owed. Bannon knew how to play the Colonel," he recount one particularly nagging slight. (The suit was settled out of court.) says. "One can't work without the other. Back after the 2004 election, as he tells it, Nobody is ever going to vote for Steve he organized a dinner in New York with But then, as Moore was gearing up to begin Bannon, but Trump can't do this on his then-comedian Al Franken and his wife, filming that August, the Weinsteins' own." Susan Sarandon and her then-partner, Tim commitment — a reported $2 million — Robbins, Bob Balaban and a few other failed to materialize. "Of course, now we Moore also credits Trump for outflanking Hollywood leftists. know what the problem was," says Moore. rival Clinton on the left by trumpeting his opposition to the Iraq War — even if he The purpose was to convince Franken to Five weeks later, The New York Times exaggerated how early he'd actually voiced return to his home state of Minnesota and published its first story with allegations of it — while also threatening to tax hedge- run for the Senate. Franken heard Moore Harvey Weinstein's long history of fund guys. out, and a few days afterward called back predatory sexual abuse. "We laid off to say he'd decided to do it.

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everybody and had to bury the film." Moore time — if you opposed the war and you says he was unaware himself of Weinstein's opposed Bush, one way to vote was to buy behavior: "Harvey being the evil genius that a ticket. he is, found a way so that people did not know, but eventually people like him don't And Fahrenheit 11/9 also comes at a get away with it. specific moment in time. If you oppose Trump and you oppose the Trump agenda, And that's going to be true of Trump, too." one way to express that is to buy a ticket."

AGC Studios' Stuart Ford, who plans to In retrospect, Moore says, he's glad that launch foreign sales once the movie debuts, first effort was abandoned because it would says, "Awareness among foreign have focused on the early, chaotic days of distributors is already sky-high. Michael is the administration. definitely a brand as a filmmaker and as a philosopher." "Ha-ha, we got a doofus in the White House and don't worry because he's not going to But is Moore prepared for the inevitable 6 be able to get anything done. Well, that a.m. Trump tweetstorm once the movie film should have been buried," Moore opens? Curiously, he notes, he hasn't been admits. on the receiving end of many of the

president's attacks. Last summer, Moore "Because now we know what Trump really took his anti-Trump campaign to is and all the promises he's kept to his Broadway, appearing in a one-man show, class." But doesn't Moore, a self-made man The Terms of My Surrender , in which he whose wealth has been estimated at as held forth on the issues of the day. Trump, much as $50 million, belong to the same taking notice, lobbed a tweet: "While not at one percent who've benefited from Trump's all presidential I must point out that the tax cuts? Sloppy Michael Moore Show on Broadway was a TOTAL BOMB and was forced to "It depends on what year you ask me," he close. Sad!" says with a laugh. "Last year, no. This year, I probably will." But he adds, "My class is the The show had actually played its scheduled class I was raised in. I have trespassed into 100 performances, and Moore tweeted,

the one percent, and I'm here to do "You must have my smash hit of a damage." Broadway show confused with your presidency — which IS a total bomb and When Fahrenheit 11/9 started up again, on WILL indeed close early. NOT SAD." a $4 million to $5 million budget with private financing, it had a new focus: the But Moore also has a theory. While rising resistance, presented as evidence of shooting the film, he made a clandestine Moore's belief that the vast majority of trip to Mar-a-Lago and, as a hidden camera Americans support a progressive agenda, followed him, planned to ask to meet with even if Democrats have been ineffective at Don Jr. and Trump himself, if he was there. translating that into electoral wins. But as he approached the club's dining Faced with what Carl Deal, one of the film's room, a number of guests recognized and

producers, calls "a fucking carnival of surrounded him, eager to say hello to a scandals with Donald Trump," the biggest visiting celebrity. He actually lasted about challenge Moore and his team faced was 15 minutes before security escorted him not losing focus. Explains Deal, "We wanted out. to cover what was happening week to week and respond to it, day to day, tweet to "But even until the very end, I was not given tweet, but you also didn't want that to the bum's rush. The Trump Organization control the conversation that we are trying had made a decision to tread lightly," he to have with this film. We didn't want to says. He notes that Trump has claimed, respond to what Donald Trump was saying falsely, on Fox News that the two have had day to day but to understand why he was dinner together in the past. "I'll tell you why saying it and what it really means for the I think that is," Moore says. rest of us. I have never seen Michael on such a clear mission to wake people up." "He knows that his base and my base have a lot of crossover in Middle America. And to

For the movie's release, Moore is partnering go after me in any way that would upset with Tom Ortenberg, the former CEO of people who might vote for him in the so- Open Road Films, who is launching a new called white working class, a lot of those company, Briarcliff Entertainment. During guys might go, 'Why are you fucking with an earlier stint at Lionsgate, Ortenberg him? He's also on our side, fighting for us.'" worked with Moore on the release of the first Fahrenheit, and he says, "Fahrenheit 9/11 certainly benefited from a moment in

15 FOREST FRIENDS IRELAND | Issue 28 16

• Manage its financial affairs in such a way as to avoid The Branch shall: going into debt itself or Draft • Establish a membership placing Forest Friends base with an agreed Ireland in a debt situation. • Constitution process of application and Agree the number that will joining fee constitute a quorum for guidelines for meetings. • Adopt the Forest Friends Forest Friends Articles of Association as the guidelines in Branches shall Ireland determining the ethos of the branch. It shall adopt also do the Branches the main objectives set out following: 27/8/18 in the articles of association • Take steps to protect trees and have them written into under threat in the branch’s Name of their constitution. branch...... area from whatever sources . • Write up the branch’s and lending support to constitution and have it Address of local communities in their branch...... formally adopted by the efforts to protect trees branch. The following shall be • Examine the planning • Organise the branch’s own application register of the incorporated into the affairs in an autonomous local council on a regular constitution of Forest manner in such a way as basis in order to identify Friends Ireland Branches: not to involve Forest friends trees and woodland s and Ireland in the day to day • The officers shall be other ecologically activities of the branch. recruited from the local important habitats under • Take out a comprehensive area of the branch threat and to work with insurance policy in order to • The officers can be initially local communities to provide full cover for the a group of interested protect trees and habitats branch’s operations. people who decide to form under threat in planning • Hold an annual general the branch, to be named proposals. meeting AGM each year the ...... • Source adequate funding notifying the membership branch and shall agree a for specified branch of the date, time, and strategy and aim to fill the activities, identifying location of the meeting posts mentioned above. environmental philanthropy with adequate advance • The branch’s primary sources. notice. consideration shall be to • Carry out research • Provide for the holding of operate in its own area but depending on the branch’s special general meetings can become involved in resources as follows: a) when requested by a forest issues national and establish the percentage representative number of international. tree cover in the area b) the membership. • Promote a culture of trees identify the woodland areas • Nominate a representative and forests. with the most significant to go forward as a director • The branch shall meet biodiversity c) study and of Forest Friends Ireland. regularly and ideally at least record the biodiversity once per month. existing in different parts of

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the area: d) carry out purposes, with a range of

attitude surveys of people facilities for members and in the area towards trees citizens. The branch shall and the environment promote the conservation Branches may also do the generally. of the rainforests and old following: • Identify local people with growth forests as they are • Select which aspects of expertise and enthusiasm the areas richest in tree Forest Friends Ireland’s who are prepared to work biodiversity and forest and remit it will concentrate on. with the branch in ecological sustainability. For example the healing developing appropriate • Maximise the use of social medicinal or spiritual projects media in order to achieve aspects of trees. It may • agreed objectives .Develop a range of schools decide to specialise in the • and community outreach Provide for a volunteering Celtic origins and value projects in the local area. corps and establish a clearly systems which included the • Establish a better defined role for both Ogham alphabet, place understanding of the members and volunteers. names, sacred trees and • importance of and roles of Provide for a conflict their location and trees resolution process, with importance in the spiritual • Collect tree seeds and provision for initial and folklore value systems plant and grow them on. determination and appeal that underpinned Celtic • Educate the community and process with provision for civilisation. independent third party schools on all aspects of • Organise fundraising events involvement in the environmental conservation • Acquire or rent land in resolution of conflict. applicable to the area, and order to achieve the • involving them in the Organise such branches objectives. activities of the branch. partnerships as will enable • Provide for, where • it to achieve its defined Promote and plant native possible, internships and or objectives. Such Irish hardwood trees based summer schools either partnerships shall only be in the principles of organised by the branch or with individuals or biodiversity, Sylva-culture operated in partnership organisations with sound continuous canopy and with other branches and ecological and perma-culture. Forest Friends Ireland. • humanitarian principles. Lobby national forest • Provide for educational • Celebrate the Celtic agencies to move from the courses and projects seasonal festivals of Imbolg, present system of utilising sustainable Bealtaine, Lughnasa and monoculture forestry to a methods sustainable one based on Samhan as well as the • Promote a culture of Solstice festivals. biodiversity and sound gardening based on • Promote as far as possible ecological principles biodiversity, the planting of • the transition to a vegan Use only organic methods plants for pollinators, the way of life as an alternative without the use of provision of nesting sites to using animals as food herbicides and insecticides. for a variety of wildlife, • sources. Participate in the Forest providing them with food • Friends Peace Forest Ireland Promote initiatives to sources, establishing Project protect endangered habitats for wildlife. • Establish where possible a species. centre for educational

17 FOREST FRIENDS IRELAND | Issue 28 18

• Establish where possible demonstration projects in food production, food

sovereignty, organising where practicable gardening, tree production and herb courses.

The branch shall aim to establish and fill the

following posts for the proper functioning of the

branch:

Signatories:

Chairperson......

Secretary......

Treasures......

PRO......

This draft has been prepared by John Haughton- Chairman Forest Friends Ireland

For consideration of the Forest Friends Directors with a view to their at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting due to be held in November 2018

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Forest Friends Ireland were founded in May 2000 to provide an alternativ e to a rampant monoculture forestry policy. We value forests Forest because of their essential role in maintaining the fragile ecosystems Friends which preserve the earth's rich biological and cultural diversity. We are guided by our Strategic Objectives to plant our native trees, insist on the preservation of our native woodlands, and see to it that Ireland our native trees are planted in preference to the present Government 40 Drumcondra Road Lr. policy of planting monocultures of non-native exotic species. Dublin 9, Ireland www.forestfriends.ie www.facebook.com/ForestFriendsIreland

twitter.com/ForestFriendsEi

( © 2018 Forest Friends Ireland.

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