GreenplanetFM Podcast

Hine Ransfield from Occupy Auckland, social networker and Lisa Er, an ASB Auckland business woman of the year and Founder of the Awareness Party, have a conversation on Occupy Wall St to Occupy Auckland.Is it a revolt, an uprising, an insurrection, a rebellion, or a revolution?YES! all of these, by the 99% who see global control firmly in the hands of the 1%. Yet we trust the outcome will be conscious, peaceful and by a dynamic successful process.Touch typing is mightier than the truncheon! And it can be.Americans presently occupying Wall St and countrywide financial centers need our principled support. As New Zealand is the first major country to see tomorrow first, can we be a moral template for a peaceful resolve towards cleansing a global economic system based on debt, exclusiveness and adversity.

Here in NZ, many say that mainstream media is in the camp of the status quo, as it's a media that keeps us content, distracted, compliant and titillated. But in reality it is also a media of censorship by omission. For though Wall St has been occupied for a month, you will notice mainstream NZ media by not covering this, are either very conservative or compliant.Yet, NZ can be the seedbed for a new consciousness. We are a stable country, with no war or starving, fairly well educated and connected by the web.We also come from a deep knowingness of welfare and social safety nets, as well as once being a country based on numerous nationwide co-operatives, especially in the rural sector, trust banks, mutual insurance societies, building societies and liquor trusts. This being prior to private capital, in the mid 1980s early 90's mostly from offshore, cleverly circumventing these altruistic models, and today very little cash flows out to the community, but instead disappears overseas as profits.Occupy Wall St is a great awakening of the West that if we are to thrive as a cohesive cooperative and awakened humanity, we have to do away with the banking system that has taken us to the abyss of uncertainty.What is our next strategic move that will shift the balance back into the hands of the 99% that can for the first time evolve a planet of peace and security? A system that is holistic, inclusive, follows the precautionary principle and has a duty of care?We are paying governments to find solutions, but they are not coming up with any, hence this disciplined global protest, because the Governments are at the behest of the money that continuously flows on upwards to banking interests. So much so, that we will never be told who we in NZ get our overseas loans from and what the conditions are?Listen to two aware and active women share with me there concerns and aspirations about the Occupation that is presently continuing at Aotea Square here in Auckland today.WEB LINKS."Occupy Auckland" Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/OccupyAuck"Occupy Auckland" Website: http://www.occupyauckland.org"Occupy Queen Street" Website: http://www.occupyqueenstreet.org.nzI have witnessed some very profound things live on this website direct from New York;http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

Nobody in NZ is as eloquent and as clear in explaining ecological concerns as Jeanette Fitzsimons. I challenge any person in this country to explain off the cuff what is happening environmentally here in NZ … anyone! And to do it in such a way that you can feel her humanity in the timbre of her voice.New Zealand's natural environment and resources are under assault from all quarters!Jeanette gives an overview of what is happening, as more coal mines are planned with the long term view of every car to be diesel driven - from the extraction of coal.Covering the increasing new methods of coal extraction to hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking' in Taranaki, we realize we are dealing with in Jeanettes words, a 'hydra' that continues to come up somewhere else.

Instead of phasing out coal mining the National lead Govt here is driving the hectic onslaught to extract more coal, see Denniston in the South Island, when we need to extricate ourselves out of the dinosaur age.

The conversation and planning needs us to invest in smart technologies and innovation (even retrofitting new 21st century synergistic turbines at the bottom of all the nearly 50 dams we have up and down our country) and keep the subject of 'energy' at the forefront of public awareness.As for the ETS, the Emissions Trading Scheme, that it is basically a scam and that it has to be thought through. Who are the ones who benefit from all this money going offshore?What about giant public forestry plantations that are superannuation funds for New Zealanders? There is one here at Kaingaroa, it's owned by Harvard University's endowment fund. So what about the NZ public, why are 'we' out of the loop?So many issues … To not to be seen as too radical, Jeanette goes on to offer a strategic plan that allows us to continue mining the coal mines we have already open BUT over 20 years phase them out as they end their productive life, at the same time people in the industry keep their jobs but you don't employ any more new workers as you retire them off through natural attrition. Strategic thinking at its best as it puts the dinosaur fossil fuel industry to bed in an appropriate manner.This is a superb clarification of the state of all the fossil fuel challenges in NZ that needs to be anchored and debated in the public consciousness.http://coalactionnetworkaotearoa.wordpress.com

Bryan Innes and his partner Joanna Pearsall were the initiators of NZ's first EcoShow, and to this day continue their interests in the ecological and sustainability realm.Now based in Turangi at the base of lake Taupo, they work the land at 'Awhi' Farm - the Maori word for embrace, which they are turning into a living example of sustainability and earth systems.From working with soil, compost and mulch to tasting the sweetness of eating their own home grown organic food, they are truly living in harmony with the land.

Bryan is also experimenting with building homes with local earth materials that are cheap and affordable. Building one's own earth house is far cheaper than the mainstream models; these houses are insulated and warm, plus wooden cordwood housing actually breathes, and is ideal for asthmatics and those with certain allergies. Bryan is also importing sustainable tools, such as scythes that are as easy and efficient as a petrol or electric weed eater, and better for you ergonomically, plus other tools made of bronze, with quality as good as steel, as bronze does not rust.Also, following the Precautionary Principle, he is readying their lifestyle for energy decline as the global economic collapse continues to unravel.Bryan is currently engaging Bernard Lietaer, the Belgian who was the architect of the Euro, who has shifted his allegiance to localized currencies, recognizing that the small micro-monetary systems have far more merit if we are to find a way forward. One example of this is the JAK interest free bank in Sweden.Bryan is a gentle steadfast soul who is deeply confident about facing the future with our untapped potential for innovation and harmonious community.www.ecoshow.co.nz

David Ford is a New Zealander who has spent much of his life overseas has decided to stand for Parliament as an independent as he feels that there is still no party who has a manifestos that fulfills his needs.So why would a male in his late fifties want to drop everything and spend time canvassing his electorate with a message on conservation based community issues, simplicity, local, personal, organic and living healthy holistic lifestyle at optimal performance.TURNING OUR ECONOMY AROUND and Eliminating Debt.He believes the “blind spot” in our current Government & industry leadership thinking lies in a irrational adherence to the Northern Hemispheres “gospel of BIG”, & that this now dysfunctional hallucination has lead us into the current global economic/ecological crisis. A Crisis we will NOT emerge from by playing out the same old tired formulas & prescriptions.

It is time we all let go of this “collective hallucination” & boldly embrace a new paradigm which insures & secures an intact future for all.Covering education, health, environment and justice, this is now a time for the conversation to extend beyond party politics to our kitchen tables and living rooms.Expanding our health and wellbeing into the local community and eventually the biosphere as a whole. When we look at the microcosm us, in relation to the macrocosm of our planet, the only difference in many ways is a matter of scale. We can not afford to abuse our ecology, be it internal or external.And that it is intergenerational injustice to future generations if we are not conserving all resources. What are we leaving our children and grand children?What are the drivers that compel this man?

www.fordfuturenow.org

Neonicotinoids are often used as seed-dressing for maize, sunflower, canola and now many other seeds. However, as well as spreading throughout the entire plant and into the nectar and pollen, they also have a high leaching potential and seep into soils and groundwater.Even low concentrations of the pesticide may be more deadly then previously thought due to their high persistence in soil and water.Any insect that feeds on the crop dies. Any bee or butterfly that collects pollen or nectar from the crop is poisoned. Neonicotinoids behave like carcinogens, and easily contaminate ground and surface water.There could be dire long-term consequences of environmental pollution with these insecticides, and these fears are now being confirmed by extensive research.Even minute traces of these pesticides could be fatal to insects, as continued use affects food availability for birds, a lack of weeds resulting in a loss of insects, as well as seeds. This decline is also linked to a lack of larger insects upon which chicks depend for their survival, which in turn affects breeding.

‘An ecological collapse is already taking place before our eyes,’ says *Dutch toxicologist Dr Henk Tennekes told the British Ecologist publication. ‘Numerous bird species do not find enough food for their chicks as insects are being exterminated by pesticides. Insects are vital in ecosystems. In fact, we need them for human survival.’‘In the UK alone, beekeepers [have in the recent past] reported a loss of one in three bee colonies,’ said a spokesperson. ‘This has serious consequences for worldwide food security, because bees are our most important pollinators and play a vital role in the food chain – it is estimated that one-third of human food supplies depend on bee pollination.

Bees are therefore like the "canary in the coal mine" – their deaths are a warning to us all that the health of the planet is under threat.Karen Wealleans of www.changingspaces.co.nz and Pat Baskett: patbaskett(at)xtra.co.nzIn New Zealand, the Green Party via Sue Kedgely on Thursday, 08 Sep 2011 have taken an urgent submission to Parliament. To SAVE THE BEES.It's a Report to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee.Save the Bees Petition1. An urgent reassessment by the ERMA [now EPA] of Neonicotinoid insecticides, and the use of other pesticides that are highly toxic to bees.Read more about this excellent work that Sue Kedgely is doing.http://www.greens.org.nz/submissions/save-bees-submissionMore resources;www.beesource.comwww.greenhealthwatch.com urbanbeeprojectseattle.com/pesticidestorywww.gaia-health.comwww.pierreterre.com

When you have youth, are passionate, vital, believe in duty of care, how do your express it?What generation is taking the lead in innovation in NZ? Who is articulating the conversation into a ecological framework?Will our education and learning establishments create a new tomorrow, that is holistic in intent and puts us as a small country at the forefront of positive change?Listen to a young, dedicated and enthusiastic voice raise the bar in languaging what it is to having New Zealand be a creative force as the emerging microcosm for the planetary macrocosm and use media technology to drive the message of connectivity inclusive of solutions.

As a grouping of 50 trillion cells we find that they all work in unison for the benefit of our body, especially when we live a healthy lifestyle. The heart as an organ freely distributes blood to all the other cells and organs of the body, just like the lungs supply oxy haemoglobin to the heart freely.The need to perceive community and countries as cells in the global body that in the coming new perspective of mutual survival will have us all work towards everyone consciously benefitting the whole.www.cellsofearth.com

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is a watch dog on the NZ Environment, outside of Government (like an Ombudsmen but with a small O), making sure that Government are following environmental protocols that are going to benefit the long term goals of the country. In this interview Morgan clarifies what is green, sustainable and prosperous and that the Parliamentary political term is too short, as nothing really gets done. That there is only one educational institution in NZ that has integrated sustainability through everyone of its courses. Why? The increasing costs of food, water and energy that will cause social unrest, and can we meet the social demand without having huge unrest.And the many challenges that need to be addressed at a causal level, with an extra 2 billion population in the next 30 years.

Discusses the immediate and long view of NZ within the context of a deteriorating globalized economic, environmental and societal scenario.John Robinson, who gained his Doctorate at MIT in the USA is highly skilled in global contexts, having worked for the DSIR, OECD, UNESCO, UNEP and UNU. Plus other wide-ranging interdisciplinary work.His focus is to open up the inquiry to NZ's future, at a national level to debates and to argue pros and cons at conventions, and events to enable the discussion to connect both town and country and for engaged NZers to discuss and shape our common future in these increasingly precarious times.When the people lead the politicians follow, and this is how it should be, especially when the populace have accessed the knowledge, are informed and are clear about consequences. Do we want to rise to this level of personal responsibility?

Topics Covered:His research shows that we are a controlled society and are brainwashed, like no other peoples before us. Advertising and media control all the programs, so how do we break out? How do we the people reorganize the media? John unambiguously states that capitalism and unbridled growth has had its day especially on our finite planet. As it is trashing the earth's ecosystems, habitats, oceans and forested areas. There is a limit to growth and we can only expand so far.Science also has to be freed up totally, as there is a great deal of information that has been covered up and closed down and the need for open and free discussion, including policy analysts within Govt to express their views and concerns, including having jobs for all. There is a need for the bringing down of our population and the debate of having fewer children, stop the overuse of the car and stop the roads of national significance. Advocating controlling our currency and restructuring or closing down the stock market . This includes tax changes.Defaulting on our overseas debt, could be a possibility. What could be the outcome? We need to get serious and organize our country and think about having a very highly refined wide-ranging interdisciplinary research system that is linked country wide, that dispenses information, ideas, and possibilities. johnrob [at] paradise.net.nz www.ibws.blogspot.com

NZ can definitely model an organic society and be the planet's ark for heirloom seed, free of genetic manipulation and compared with all countries, we stand apart as having the communication system to bring about an urgent shift in awareness.This being especially now, as food, energy and societal / cultural challenges face us down, when we can take a more simplified strategy to become intimately closer and connected to the land. This is where the value set of this renewing paradigm is based on simplicity, reciprocity and organics - offering one means to that pathway with a very physical hands on approach, around community, the seeking of truth and the many virtues around being human, such as beauty, forgiveness and co-operation.This change needs to be an individual and collective decision making process and not from a top down mechanism, for example, what type of society sprays chemical poisons on its food and then eats it?There is a need, for us as modelers for a revitalised tomorrow to be far more conscious than this!

What is cultural intelligence? What is relationship? How do we align to the web of life? Brendan lucidly covers these topics and asks the question, can NZ provide leadership and not 'followship' in the months and years to come?www.organicsystems.co.nzwww.organic-systems.orgwww.ifoam.org

Under this initiative 39 Community gardens and an increasing number of schools are putting in gardens across the Auckland isthmus.Are you a community based organisation, group, Marae, Church, or school wanting to set up an edible garden? You may be eligible for help.The aim of this program is to make growing your own fruit and veggies the normal thing to do.We are starting with community gardens in places like the Marae, schools, churches, public open spaces etc., so people can re-learn how to grow fresh veggies - and enjoy eating cheap organic veggies.

From that we hope they will go home and plant a few in their own back-yard. This is where it really has to start, out of our own back yards.People working and sharing alongside each other, find kinship and camaraderie and deepen ones understanding of what it is like to be human and embedded in nature. Community is a solution to global economic problems.When we find ourselves outside our house or the building we work in - away from overhead lights, phones, computers and air conditioning and spending time in the garden, or grounds surrounded by trees and shrubs, we enter another realm. This realm is one that we basically disconnected from when the industrial revolution drew us into cities of brick, concrete and steel.Now a grass roots revolution is again happening in the garden.Richard Main Project Manager Community Gardens across Auckland's Isthmus.http://www.dpt.org.nz/Grdn4health/grdn4health.html