Can you dig it?

http://www.cleanairgardening.com/plantingtrees.html

Its springtime, and everything is being reborn and very soon everything will be lush green and awesome! The article I read, as well as the upcoming election and what my political values are, got me thinking about about the environment more than ever, and how i've felt like i have really been slacking in making an effort to do my part. Something I've gotten in the habbit of doing is getting seedlings at the begginning of spring, and celebrating the season in a way by planting some in a neighbourhood park or along the highway when i go up north. Its easy, non expensive, and kinda fun, and it feels great! : )

There's a link at the top to get you started, and with some great info on the benefits of tree planting!

We're all doomed..

http://www.adbusters.org/magazine/93/metameme-zero-growth.html

The article I chose to review is called "Ecological Realism", in this article a french philosopher and journalist named Andre Gorz disects the idea of ecological growth and the perpetuation of capitalism and its effects on the world and communities around us today, and in the future. In this article Gorz explains the nature of capitalist societies, and sheds light on the overwhelming issues of economic growth and the extreme overconsumption of precious and now scarce natural and ecological resources. The overall tone of this article is very real, it takes a serious look at the global ecological crisis we are looking at, and doesn't sugar coat the facts and the distrstressing urgency of this issue. The article also breaks down the idea of ecological realism, which simply put means looking at the ecological crisis and the depletion of the earths resources realistically; taking a completely new and different look at a solution, no longer making socialism an extention of capitalist values(bringing socialism back to its true form), and to put into people heads not to stop consuming more; but to begin consuming less. All of these ideas presented basically to try to ensure a future for this generation and the ones to come, the article blatantly states, without change we will not prevail and prospure, we will not only snuff out the abilty for humanity to move forward and evolve, we will also bleed the world we live in dry of precious and increasingly dwindilling resources. Gorz emplores ecologists and  regular people alike to look at the world around us, the capitalists society we continue to perpetuate, and our constant over consumption without renewing, and to re evaluate our roles and how we can make change.

My question to readers is this, what are some effects of capitalism and over consumption you've noticed over the last five years, why do you think these issues are occuring, and what do you as an individual think about societies efforts( if any ) to make a postive change?

Thoughts on the Canadian Federal Election

I personally think it's exrtremely important as a young person to participate in the voting process. I want my opinions and needs going into adulthood to be heard, and the first step is to vote, make a choice, and know what you want or need from a government by participating and seeking out information.  As far as my knowledge of this federal election goes, I haven't been following as much as I would like to. This is my third year voting and I am not changing the party I have voted for, I will vote NDP again.I think that the parties overall platform and goals for the country and the government are what best fit my individual needs, and the things I would like to see change in the government. I also really like the parties leader, Jack Layton is a really kind and intelligent man and I think he displays that most of the time in interviews and candidate speeches. I like his political point of view, and the integrity he maintains throughout his campaigns. The issues I think I would like to see addressed by the Federal Party Leaders in this election are more family doctors trained and available, a look into tuition costs and how to make it more manageable for lower income families, welfare and unemployement regulations reviewed and possibly a raise in the amount given, and finally some drastic changes in this countries effort to preserve our environemtal well being.