We begin with a focus on the GMO issue, and then we jump around from there, so get comfortable and let’s get started!
Are American’s too stupid to understand GMO’s?
The US House Agricultural Committee met this week, to discuss GMO food labeling. A number of years ago, there was a debate about labeling trans fats on products, and there was much resistance. Fast forward to recent history, and trans fats are now banned from food production in the US. The debate on trans fats was started by concerned and informed consumers, and the same is true for GMO products, but congress basically stated, in recent hearings on the subject, that Americans are too ignorant of what genetically modified food products are, and will be scared away from GMO products simply by the hype. They went as far as saying that governments in Europe have been cowed by activists, even though government cited research shows that GMO’s are safe. The logic of this just blows my mind. The only way to begin education on ingredients is to actually point out to consumers that they are in there!
In a related article, Monsanto, the GMO giant, posted a 156 Million dollar loss in the third quarter. They recorded a 249 Million dollar loss for the same time period in 2013. Part of this loss was due to settling an “environmental case.” Their GMO corn has been rejected by China repeatedly, and they now face three state class action suits in excess of 1 Billion dollars. I guess it is true, that you can’t fool with mother nature and get away with it.
Internationally, Monsanto continues to struggle with future development. A Judge in Mexico understood that Roundup resistant soy beans do indeed kill honey bees, and so revoked a Monsanto planting permit in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. He stated that bee keeping and genetically modified soy production could not co-exist, which is a tremendous victory for the bee keepers, and the bees who have been declining due to environmental issues and pesticide use.
Moving on…
Seems like a moot point, but wouldn’t you buy stock for a company that was good to the environment?
Regardless of your beliefs on climate change, doing anything that promotes a healthy environment is a good thing. Most companies focus on carbon footprints, but when they start going in that direction, there are many small steps that create a cleaner industry and a better world for us all. Now a report by CDP, a UK based non-profit, shows the stock of companies that are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. They’re sharing that information with the world that these companies have out performed the wider market by 10 percent over the last 5 years. This indicates two shifts. First, investors are looking at the environmental record of companies, and not just their performance data, when making investment choices. Second, companies realize that investors are evaluating their track record, and seek to improve it to attract more consciously green investors. It sounds like a good cause and effect relationship to me!
From Apple to Wal-Mart, Companies Make Bets on Climate Change by Eric Roston of Bloomberg News
Instead of taking “selfies,” now your smartphone can contribute to space science!
A dear reader sent in this link. When I was first getting onto the internet, way back in the late ’90’s, a group of rock-music enthusiast friends were also into ETs, and they all had their computers running SETI@home, which used the extra processing power of home computers to analyze space data, looking for signals from galactics. Now, a new smart phone APP can detect cosmic rays, which they are already sensitive to, and will send the data to researchers so they can better study this deep space energy phenomenon. Users spread all over the world can participate, and this adds a much broader scope to the research than having a single focused detector. Sounds like a great way to soak up the rays!
Turn Your Phone Into A Cosmic Ray Detector by Janet Fang on IFL Science
The solution revolution is set to change the world.
What if everyone stopped the blame game, identified the most important issues and found practical solutions to the worlds problems? The authors of the book, The Solution Revolution: How Business, Government, and Social Enterprises are Teaming up to Solve Society’s Toughest Problems, believe it would change the world. Here, they provide 6 strategies that could get things started. The thought of many sectors of society, including business and government, coming together to really focus on a world that works for everyone is exciting!
A Quick Guide to Changing the World – Seriously by William D. Eggers and Paul Macmillan on Dowser
Big Kiss-In in Brighton, UK to protest homophobia.
Another wonderful reader send in this link. After a lesbian couple were asked to leave a store in the UK for kissing, local university students and other couples protested by staging a Big Kiss-in, some dressing in costume and kissing in public. The message they were trying to convey, was that all have equal rights to show affection and homophobia needs to be eradicated. Promoting an atmosphere of loving acceptance for all lifestyles is always a good thing.
Dr. Masaru Emoto, world renowned scientist and water healer passes away.
It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Dr. Emoto, who’s book Messages in Water brought me such excitement as a biology student and energy reader, he who could feel the loving energy of the water elementals, has passed away. He passed quietly with his beloved wife at his side and his last word was “Arigado,” which means Thank You in Japanese. His work with water healing has taken him all over the world, and I was lucky enough to have a correspondence with him a number of years ago, when he lovingly assisted my daughter and I to create a science fair project based on his work. He will be greatly missed, but I am sure he has great plans for the afterlife!
The passing of a legend: Dr. Emoto by Jordan on The Spirit Science
That’s the news for today! I hope you have a day filled with wonder, and can join me tomorrow for some Feel Good News!
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex