we wish you all a merry christmas :D
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
What is Christmas today all about
Today Christmas is all about shopping, shopping, shopping!
Our society has been losing the Christmas spirit with all this frenzy consumerism. The religion values, that were the original bases of this holiday, had almost disappeared. We just care about the presents, what came to be the only purpose of Christmas. We spend this season full of stress, worried about getting the right gift (or sometimes just some gift) to our friend and family. The tradicion that used to happen just among the closer family, started to open to people that sometimes we don't really care about, we just give them gifts to look nice - it's a fake happiness: everybody pretends to be happy when at the end we are just stressed.
Christmas as also a bad influence in the environment: all those gift-boxes, wrapping paper and wast of food accumulate on the streets, and as a consequence, in our world, that is already poluted enough.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Our poor rich people
POBRES DOS NOSSOS RICOS - Mia Couto
A maior desgraça de uma nação pobre
é que em vez de produzir riqueza,
produz ricos.
Mas ricos sem riqueza.
Na realidade, melhor seria chamá-los não de ricos mas de endinheirados.
Rico é quem possui meios de produção.
Rico é quem gera dinheiro e dá emprego.
Endinheirado é quem simplesmente tem dinheiro, ou que pensa que tem.
Porque, na realidade, o dinheiro é que o tem a ele.
A verdade é esta: são demasiados pobres os nossos "ricos".
Aquilo que têm, não detêm.
Pior: aquilo que exibem como seu, é propriedade de outros.
É produto de roubo e de negociatas.
Não podem, porém, estes nossos endinheirados usufruir em tranquilidade de tudo quanto roubaram.
Vivem na obsessão de poderem ser roubados.
Necessitavam de forças policiais à altura.
Mas forças policiais à altura acabariam por lançá-los a eles próprios na cadeia.
Necessitavam de uma ordem social em que houvesse poucas razões para a criminalidade.
Mas se eles enriqueceram foi graças a essa mesma desordem ...
...
Wonderful, wonderful poem from Mia Couto that says all about the economy's major problem: nowadays the rich are no more than people with money. And is truly sad to live in a world like that.
By: Lu*
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sixth sense technology
This is the future! Goodbye computers :O
Just incredible. Check out more if you want to. It's really worthy.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
My sister’s keeper – One possible end
I already know how the film ends, because I had seen it; so, I just tried to imagine one possible ending that I would have gave it if I were the director.
First of all, I would like to highlight that it was simply impossible to imagine one better ending, in my opinion. There are films which have cruel and really sad endings, and there are others that have those so famous “happy endings”; “my sister’s keeps” neither have one or the other! And that isn’t the most extraordinary thing about it! In fact, is the surprise that we have with the ending that makes the whole film even more astonishing.
So, if I were the director (as I certainly wouldn’t have that fabulous idea) I would have made Anna loose the cause on the court, because the judge knew that Alexander Campbell had defended one drunk driver that had hit one girl with the same age of her daughter when she was murdered.
Anna is forced by her mother to do the surgery. Unfortunately, it goes wrong, and Anna ends up dying. And Kate dies at the exact same time.
First of all, I would like to highlight that it was simply impossible to imagine one better ending, in my opinion. There are films which have cruel and really sad endings, and there are others that have those so famous “happy endings”; “my sister’s keeps” neither have one or the other! And that isn’t the most extraordinary thing about it! In fact, is the surprise that we have with the ending that makes the whole film even more astonishing.
So, if I were the director (as I certainly wouldn’t have that fabulous idea) I would have made Anna loose the cause on the court, because the judge knew that Alexander Campbell had defended one drunk driver that had hit one girl with the same age of her daughter when she was murdered.
Anna is forced by her mother to do the surgery. Unfortunately, it goes wrong, and Anna ends up dying. And Kate dies at the exact same time.
I love this film ♥
Lu*
Monday, November 15, 2010
GMF - consequences
Scientists can choose which genes to manipulate, but they don't yet know where in the DNA to precisely insert these genes and they have no way of controlling gene expression. Genes don't work in isolation, changing a few could change the whole picture, with unpredictable and different effects under different circumstances, and GM crops could cross-pollinate with nearby non-GM plants and create ecological problems. And, above all of that, we all know that "we are what we eat", so thin can be one of the major problems: to change the human nature itself.
GM food will end food diversity if everyone starts growing the same standardized crops. Herbicide-resistant and pesticide-resistant crops could give rise to super-weeds and super-pests that would need newer, stronger chemicals to destroy them, and which will seriously harm the food chain.
The GM technology companies patent their crops and also engineer crops so that harvested grain germs are incapable of developing. This is not empowering to impoverished Third World farmers, who cannot save seeds for replanting and have to buy expensive seeds from the companies every time. The new technology also interferes with their traditional agricultural ways which may be more suited to their conditions. The claim of ending world hunger with GM food is a false claim. World hunger is not caused by shortage of food production, but by sheer mismanagement, and lack of access to food brought about by various social, financial and political causes.
It's about time to ask to the scientists:
What were you thinking?!
GMF - Genetically Modified Food
Genetically modified (GM) food includes crops, vegetables and fruit that have been created using genetic engineering methods. The principle aim with GM food is to combine desirable genes from various species to create new genetically-altered crosses with enhanced nutritional, productive and ecological value. GMF’s are known for some people as the solution for the hunger problems in the world.
In other hand, this process of combining inter-species genes, which is called recombinant DNA technology, does not have the checks and balances that are imposed by nature in traditional breeding. Without these, there is a risk of genetic instability. This means that no one can make any accurate predictions about the long term effects of GM foodstuffs on human beings and the environment .
So, that leads us to some questions: would GMF’s solve world hunger problems? If it does, would it be the best way of solve it? Aren’t the major hunger problems caused by problems in food distribution and politics, instead of production?
It’s true that GM crops are more productive, resistance to pests, weeds, disease and stay ripe for longer periods and might offer more nutritional value and better flavor or eliminate allergy-causing properties in some foods; they are also more environment friendly as they require less herbicides and pesticides!
In other hand, this process of combining inter-species genes, which is called recombinant DNA technology, does not have the checks and balances that are imposed by nature in traditional breeding. Without these, there is a risk of genetic instability. This means that no one can make any accurate predictions about the long term effects of GM foodstuffs on human beings and the environment .
So, that leads us to some questions: would GMF’s solve world hunger problems? If it does, would it be the best way of solve it? Aren’t the major hunger problems caused by problems in food distribution and politics, instead of production?
It’s true that GM crops are more productive, resistance to pests, weeds, disease and stay ripe for longer periods and might offer more nutritional value and better flavor or eliminate allergy-causing properties in some foods; they are also more environment friendly as they require less herbicides and pesticides!
But every rose has a thorn...
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tourism as a source of environmental degradation
The major consequences of Tourism are:
- the change of land cover and land use,
- the use of energy and its associated impacts,
- the exchange of biota over geographical barriers and the extinction of wild species,
- the exchange and dispersion of diseases,
- a psychological consequence of travel, the changes in the perception and the understanding of the environment initiated by travel.
So as we have alternatives that are more ecological friendly, we should choose it instead of those other "types of tourism" that don't help us on the defense of our planet!
Act green, choose ecological tourism!
Eco-Tourism
- Sado River in Setubal
- Serra do Gerês
- Alentejo
In our opinion we should invest more in Eco-Tourism and if possible in Portugal to atract more tourists and help our economy without hurting the environment.
Eco-Tourism
Ecotourism is: Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Ecotourism may appeal to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally it focuses on volunteering, personal growth and environmental responsibility. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
Principles of Ecotourism:
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
• Minimize impact
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
Mainly goal of ecotourism: offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.
Fernando de Noronha in Brazil
Masai Mara park reserve in Kenya
Tapantí National Park in Costa Rica
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Playing for Change
The Playing For Change Foundation (PFCF) is dedicated to the fundamental idea that peace and change are possible through the universal language of music.
By: Margarida *
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The challenge of the future regarding energy sources
Renewable energies wiil be our hope for the future, because the resources consumed to produce non-renewable energies are disappearing.
While the oil lobby exists, it's too hard to extinguish the non-renewable energies, because it envolves a lot of money and many people who are very very rich, and who almost "control" our lifes.
Non-renewable energies will prevail while the powerful mans don't take the first step!
While the oil lobby exists, it's too hard to extinguish the non-renewable energies, because it envolves a lot of money and many people who are very very rich, and who almost "control" our lifes.
Non-renewable energies will prevail while the powerful mans don't take the first step!
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished).
Mainstream forms of renewable energy
Wind power
Airflows can be used to run wind turbines.; the power output of a turbine is a function of the cube of the wind speed, so as wind speed increases, power output increases dramatically. Areas where winds are stronger and more constant, such as offshore and high altitude sites, are preferred locations for wind farms.
Hydropower
The Hoover Dam when completed in 1936 was both the world's largest electric-power generating station and the world's largest concrete structure. There are many forms of water energy:
Hydroelectric energy is a term usually reserved for large-scale hydroelectric dams.
Damless hydro systems derive kinetic energy from rivers and oceans without using a dam.
Ocean energy describes all the technologies to harness energy from the ocean and the sea. This includes marine current power, ocean thermal energy conversion, and tidal power.
Solar energy
Solar energy is the energy derived from the sun through the form of solar radiation. Solar powered electrical generation relies on photovoltaics and heat engines.
Biomass
Biomass (plant material) is a renewable energy source because the energy it contains comes from the sun. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants capture the sun's energy. When the plants are burned, they release the sun's energy they contain. In this way, biomass functions as a sort of natural battery for storing solar energy.
Biofuel
Liquid biofuel is usually either bioalcohol such as bioethanol or an oil such as biodiesel.
Biodiesel
Is made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases. Biodiesel can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a diesel additive to reduce levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from diesel-powered vehicles. Biodiesel is produced from oils or fats using transesterification and is the most common biofuel in Europe.
Geothermal energy
Krafla Geothermal Station in northeast IcelandGeothermal energy is energy obtained by tapping the heat of the earth itself, both from kilometers deep into the Earth's crust in some places of the globe or from some meters in geothermal heat pump in all the places of the planet. It is expensive to build a power station but operating costs are low resulting in low energy costs for suitable sites. Ultimately, this energy derives from heat in the Earth's core.
Mainstream forms of renewable energy
Wind power
Airflows can be used to run wind turbines.; the power output of a turbine is a function of the cube of the wind speed, so as wind speed increases, power output increases dramatically. Areas where winds are stronger and more constant, such as offshore and high altitude sites, are preferred locations for wind farms.
Hydropower
The Hoover Dam when completed in 1936 was both the world's largest electric-power generating station and the world's largest concrete structure. There are many forms of water energy:
Hydroelectric energy is a term usually reserved for large-scale hydroelectric dams.
Damless hydro systems derive kinetic energy from rivers and oceans without using a dam.
Ocean energy describes all the technologies to harness energy from the ocean and the sea. This includes marine current power, ocean thermal energy conversion, and tidal power.
Solar energy
Solar energy is the energy derived from the sun through the form of solar radiation. Solar powered electrical generation relies on photovoltaics and heat engines.
Biomass
Biomass (plant material) is a renewable energy source because the energy it contains comes from the sun. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants capture the sun's energy. When the plants are burned, they release the sun's energy they contain. In this way, biomass functions as a sort of natural battery for storing solar energy.
Biofuel
Liquid biofuel is usually either bioalcohol such as bioethanol or an oil such as biodiesel.
Biodiesel
Is made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases. Biodiesel can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a diesel additive to reduce levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from diesel-powered vehicles. Biodiesel is produced from oils or fats using transesterification and is the most common biofuel in Europe.
Geothermal energy
Krafla Geothermal Station in northeast IcelandGeothermal energy is energy obtained by tapping the heat of the earth itself, both from kilometers deep into the Earth's crust in some places of the globe or from some meters in geothermal heat pump in all the places of the planet. It is expensive to build a power station but operating costs are low resulting in low energy costs for suitable sites. Ultimately, this energy derives from heat in the Earth's core.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Laundry's other side
This AMAZING commercial was the winner of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.
I think it was 100% deserved!
By: Lu*
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Selfishness
Each one of us lives in an individual body.
We often do things for our own benefit that can be labeled selfish because we are doing them with ourselves in mind: We want to meet our needs and find satisfaction with our lives.
We don’t think in the others!
Our planet's resources are such that they will soon expire, as our selfish nature outstrips the very resources we need to survive.
We are abusing in the way that we treat our Planet!
And who will we have left to blame for that? No one but ourselves.
We are the causes for all that bad things that happen in the World and we will be affected by our acts!
Enough of wasting our time! We need to change NOW!
please,
Save Our Planet!
by: Margarida*
The Horrible Truth
It's usually to ear people saying, to defend themselves: "Oh it's better than testing in humans!", or "They don't feel the pain!", "It's not that many!", ...
Well, we are here to say to you the Horrible Truth because everyone should know:
- every year, a total of 115 million animals are tested and sometimes killed in the testing of products;
- in some testing facilities, animals are routinely cut open, poisoned and ou forced to live in steel cages, for years and years;
- in 2005: 66610 dogs, 57531 primates, 58598 pigs, 245786 rabbits, 22921 cats, 176988 hamsters, 64146 other farm animals, 32260 sheep, 221286 guinea pigs, 231440 other animals...
- during 2009 it was accurately estimated that around 20 million animals have been tested on, and almost 15 million lost their lives.
And only 6% of the products that are tested on animals actually make it to the consumers!
In the human world, we are blind to the Horrible Truth, that the only reason animals are still being tested on is, in fact, laziness. If one big ticket company switched its ways, and set an example, imagine how many animals would be saved every day.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Citarum River
Citarum is a river in West Java, Indonesia. It has an important role in the life of the people of West Java, as it is used to support agriculture, water supply, industry, sewerage, ...
This is one picture of that river some years ago; we can see a clean pure river, perfectly normal and far away from the human specie. ...
...
Nowadays, about five million people live in the basin of the river. Look what they did to it:
Yes, the river's surface is completely covered with garbage! People have to make room between the trash for the boats make it through.
We keep saying: that is not ok!
By: Lu*
Friday, October 8, 2010
We need to change
It's like we are all in a house with the central heating out of control, and everybody knows what's going on, everybody complains, but first, those two or three who are trying to do something don't have the strenght enough to change anything, and second, those one who have the ability to fix it, are just saying it's all ok or pretending to do something just to shut the complaining ones.
This is not working, we ALL have to do something. We need TO CHANGE.
By: Lu*
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Ecological Energy
Energy is in everything. We use energy to do everything we do, from baking our favourite cookies to sending astronauts into space – energy is there, making sure we have the power to do it all. If we need energy to have the power to do it all we need to save it!
Save the energy the most you can!
Although recently it was created alternatives of ecological energy, it isn’t enough because the whole world no yet use ecological energy in their homes. Instead of it they continued using the natural resources to have energy in their homes. What they forget is that resources will be end soon! So invest, try to use the ecological energy and contribute for a better World! 
by: Margarida*
Daily Changes
Until we all decide to change the way we live day-to-day, the environment will become progressively worse.
The smallest thing we do in our daily life as an impact in the environment, like letting the lights on or letting the water tap open. If we want to keep our planet clean and healthy we should, all as one take these steps:
• Save Water! When you aren’t in need of it, close the taps because it is a basic need for our life as also wild life;
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! It will improve in matter of pollution, because so many materials take more than 100 years to deteriorate;
• Use rationally the nature resources! Our future generation will need them!
We can’t take our planet and is resources as granted- if we do that we can get disappointed!
The smallest thing we do in our daily life as an impact in the environment, like letting the lights on or letting the water tap open. If we want to keep our planet clean and healthy we should, all as one take these steps:
• Save Water! When you aren’t in need of it, close the taps because it is a basic need for our life as also wild life;
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! It will improve in matter of pollution, because so many materials take more than 100 years to deteriorate;
• Use rationally the nature resources! Our future generation will need them!
We can’t take our planet and is resources as granted- if we do that we can get disappointed!
Make some daily changes and our planet will be better!
By: Cihh*
Our Mom doesn't like it
While many greenhouse gases occur naturally and needed to create the greenhouse effect that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, the raising of burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution has substantially increased the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and that modifies our planets’ natural balance, which has had a discernible influence on many physical and biological systems. Warming is projected to affect various issues such as freshwater resources, industry, food and health. Conclusion: as we hurt mother-Nature, she is punishing us but we, instead of pretend to be little angels and start to treat her well, we are just annoying our mom and make her even meaner. We shouldn’t forget that “Nature it’s like a woman: she doesn’t know how to defend herself, but she can take revenge like no one.”
By: Lu*
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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