PHYTOCHEMICALS: can sprays be safe?

Since the discovery of chemical compounds which can be employed in agriculture, spraying, fumigating and dusting have been the most widely used methods in pest and disease control. The development of more and more effective phytochemicals and their increasingly widespread use are causing concern among biologists and environmentalists because they state that man is altering nature's balance and endangering health and the food supply. 

Organic agriculture does not use artificial fertilizers or pesticides as they are compounds with high biological activity, which tend to have harmful consequences on physiological processes. Moreover, they may stimulate the growth of new pathogens and pests as they kill antagonistic organisms. However, sometimes chemicals must be used in organic production when there is a persistent and recurrent problem, which cannot be solved with completely organic products; so they can be used along with biological control techniques, when proved that they do not harm the rest of the system. 

Whatever their nature is, all sprays must be applied to crops correctly. This is essential both to ensure that they are effective and to minimize the harm to the environment. 

(Thanks to Lorenzo S. for helping me writing this post)

RAINBOW WARRIOR III, Italian Tour.

This post is written both in English and in Italian to well promote the Italian Tour of the Rainbow Warrior III. 

In occasione della campagna "Non è un Paese per fossili" l'ammiraglia di Greenpeace, la Rainbow Warrior III, farà un tour attraccando in diversi porti italiani. In particolare, il 28 e 29 giugno sarà ormeggiata al Molo vecchio crociere di Genova. La nave sarà aperta ai visitatori sabato dalle 11 alle 20 e domenica dalle 10 alle 18. 

Avrete la fantastica possibilità di conoscere l'equipaggio e i volontari, che vi faranno fare un giro della nave, raccontandovi la sua storia e parlandovi delle campagne di Greenpeace, in particolare la campagna "Non fossilizziamoci". 

Eccovi dei brevi cenni sulla storia della nave dei Guerrieri dell'Arcobaleno. 

La prima Rainbow fu varata nel 1977 (acquistata da Greenpeace con l'aiuto del WWF), ma il 10 luglio 1985 questa venne affondata dai servizi segreti francesi in Nuova Zelanda. Il fotografo Fernando Pereira vi rimase ucciso e ciò provocò una grande indignazione in tutto il mondo. 

Il 10 luglio 1989, ad Amburgo, venne varata la seconda Rainbow. Nel corso degli anni ha ospitato numerosi personaggi di spicco (tra i quali il Dalai Lama). Essa ha aiutato le popolazioni colpite dallo tsunami del 2004, oltre ad aver combattuto contro numerosi crimini ambientali in svariate parti del globo. Dopo 22 anni la nave è stata donata a una ONG del Bangladesh, Friendship, la quale la utilizza come come nave ospedale. 

Per quanto riguarda la terza Rainbow, è stata varata il 14 ottobre 2011 ed è la prima nave costruita appositamente da Greenpeace per portare avanti le sue campagne. La nave è dotata di un sistema di alberatura che sorregge 1260 mq di vele, tutto ciò per ridurre al minimo i consumi di carburante e farne un mezzo di trasporto verde e sostenibile. 

Per saperne di più...venite numerosi sabato 28 e domenica 29 giugno a Genova!!!! 

On the occasion of Greenpeace campaign  "Non è un paese per fossili" ("This is not a country for fossils"), the flagship Rainbow Warrior III is taking a tour in some Italian ports. In particular, on June 28 and 29 the ship is being moored at the old pier cruises in Genova. The ship is being open to visitors on Saturday from 11 to 20 and on Sunday from 10 to 18. 

You'll have the wonderful possibility to know the crew and the volunteers, who are making you take a tour on the ship and are talking you about its story and about Greenpeace campaigns, especially "Non fossilizziamoci" ("Let's not get fossilized"). 

Here are some brief notes on the story of the Rainbow Warrior. 

The first Rainbow was launched in 1977 (bought by Greenpeace with the help of WWF), but on July 10, 1985 it was sunk by French intelligence in New Zealand. The photographer Fernando Pereira was killed during the attack and this provoked a great outrage all over the world. 

On July 10, 1989, in Hamburg the second Rainbow was launched. During the years it hosted lots of prominent personalities (also the Dalai Lama). It helped the populations who had been affected by the tsunami in 2004, as well as having fought against several environmental crimes in various parts of the globe. After 22 years the ship was donated to a Bangladeshi NGO, Friendship, which uses it as a hospital ship. 

With regard to the third Rainbow, it was launched on October 14, 2011 and it is the first ship built by Greenpeace specifically to carry out its campaigns. The ship is equipped with a system of masting which supports 1260 square meters of sails, everything to minimize fuel consumption and make it a green and sustainable mean of transport. 

To find out more about it...come numerous to Genova on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 of June! 

Superpotato: bigger and stronger but...POISONED!

Some American scientists have recently produced potatoes which contain the gene of a bacterium called Bacillus Thuringiensis which is a natural killer of potato beetles. 
If a beetle grub ingests a Bacillus T. cell, that cell will multiply and produce a poison that would kill the grub. 
It goes without saying that in these scientists' opinion this superpotato is an incredible progress, as it avoids organic farmers the trouble of spraying Bacillus T. so these scientists can't understand why organic farmers aren't welcoming it. However, the reasons are obvious! The superpotato develops poison in every cell, so all of the tubers we eat contain toxin...and we can't wash it out!  

(Thanks to Lorenzo S. for helping me writing this post) 

Did you know...? The story of the prinsesstårta.

The prinsesstårta (princess cake) is a traditional Swedish layer cake consisting of alternating layers of sponge cake, raspberry/strawberry jam, pasty cream and a thick domed layer of whipped cream. 
This is topped by marzipan, usually green sprinkled with powdered sugar and sometimes decorated with an extra pink marzipan rose. 
The receipt was invented by Jenny Åkerström in the 1930s in honor of three princesses: Margaretha, Märtha  and Astrid of Sweden. 

Tree bombs against deforestation.

Reforest large areas of the planet by dropping trees from the sky...?

Yes, it is possible! 
Moshe Alamaro, an engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been carrying out a project which consists in dropping from airplanes or balloons small packed trees with water and fertilizers. 
When they reach the ground (at a speed of 140 miles per hour!) they penetrate the soil. 
The break of the biodegradable containers allows the plants to root easily and freely. 

(Thanks to Lorenzo S. for helping me writing this post)

Finally salvation and justice for seals!

Canada and Norway LOST their appeal against the embargo imposed by the EU countries on the import of seal derivatives! 

The two countries had tried to appeal against the decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which during the last Novermber had confirmed the validity of the European embargo. 
The world public opinion is no longer willing to endure the despicable massacres on the Canadian ice and this is proven by the fact that, after the EU, also other countries decided to put an embargo on those products. These states are Taiwan, Russia (which alone took almost 90% of the slaughtered Canadian seals) and China, shattering Canadian hopes to dampen the western loss of revenue selling in the Chinese emerging market. 

(Thanks to Lorenzo S. for helping me writing this post) 

Green cities, Sweden: Malmö and Stockholm.

Malmö

It is the biggest town in Skane and at the end of the '80s it was in desperate decline after the dismissal of thousand Kockums shipyards workers. 

Today it is a completely new coastal city, which has worked hard and has been staking everything on sustainability and the environment. 

The first neighborhood to be converted was Västra Hamnen: this former industrial area has become a residential and commercial zone, powered by 100% 0 km renewable energy. It's the symbol of Malmö's transformation into a sustainable city. 

Another green neighborhood is Augustenborg: it is home to the largest concentration of green roofs in the world! 

In 2000 it was decaying and abandoned; the city administration adopted a sustainable approach to the problem, posing 10,000 square meters of green roofs to avoid floodings, extending the green areas and improving energy efficiency and the access to recycling facilities. 

Furthermore, Malmö was the first Swedish fair and equitable city. 

Stockholm 

It is one of the greenest capital cities in the world and its inhabitants pay much attention to the sustainability and the environment to better preserve their city. 

There are lots of cycle paths and the public transport in environmentally friendly and clean.

The city is full of parks and natural reserves and in and around the town nature is the undisputed protagonist. 

Hammarby Sjöstad is a known in the world ecological neighborhood. It is located on the shores of the lake which bathes the city and the water is its main source of energy. All domestic waste is used to produce energy and the hydroelectric plant and the solar panels produce electricity. 

The aim is to create a sustainable resources based residential system and a new way of life, compatible with the environment and nature. 

These two Swedish cities are fantastic examples of urban sustainability and respect of nature. 

Swedish Big 5: the Golden Eagle.

In Sweden, there are around 5,000 adult Golden Eagles, declining in the North but increasing in the southern parts of the country. 
The Golden Eagle is the second largest bird of prey in Sweden. They are shy and prefer to live in unpopulated areas, although sometimes they may come closer to inhabited areas to take advantage of carrion found on roads or in gardens. 

The Golden Eagle, also known as "the King's Eagle", preys different animals, from rodents to birds and in winter, when the food is scarce, may also eat carrion. It can also hunt bigger animals, such as young deers and raindeers or foxes. Golden Eagles may live up to 50 years. 

The females normally lay two eggs, with an average success rate of 0.5%, although in the southern part of the country the rate of success is higher due to the abundance of prey. 

The Golden Eagle is under threat for several reasons. Forestry activity, the construction of new forest roads and tracks, snowmobile traffic in breeding areas and the increase recreational use of previously indisturbed zones. Another threat is the recent increase in hunting pressure on the ptarmigan, one of the Golden Eagle's preys. Due to the strict EU regolations, it is not possible to leave out animal carcasses to support local eagle populations. 

Anyway, there is hope that is taken into account the need to protect and conserve these wonderful animals by this generation and the ones to come. 

WWF: save the African rhinos.

The two African rhino species are increasing in number but they remain threatened by poaching and some populations are at serious risk of extinction. 

Once upon a time, in Africa's savannahs...there were over a million black and white rhinos. After the Europeans' arrival, the rhino numbers and distribution quickly declined. An escalation in poaching happened between the 1970s and the 1980s, as a result of a high demand for rhino horn, used in traditional Asian medicines and valued for dagger handles in the Middle East. 

Today, thanks to conservation and anti-poaching efforts, some African rhino populations are stable or increasing, though poaching still occurs. Anyway, it is hard to find African rhinos outside of protected areas and sanctuaries. 

WWF is at the forefront of conservation of African rhinos. In 1997 they adopted a strategic and proactive approach to rhino conservation: the African Rhino Programme (ARP). This programme works in cooperation with many partners (government bodies, other conservation groups and NGOs, the private sector and local communities). 
Thank to WWF's anti-poaching projects rhinos are now recovering. When the ARP launched there were 8,466 white rhinos and 2,599 black rhinos in the wild: nowadays there are over 20,000 white rhinos and almost 5,000 black rhinos. 

However, there's still more to do. Expanding existing protected areas and establishing new ones, improving security monitoring against poaching and improving local and international law in this field, promoting well managed wildlife-based tourism experiences to provide additional funding for conservation efforts. 

To help WWF...
Don't buy rhino horn products, donate towards much-needed anti-poaching equipment and support for rangers across Africa and spread the word sharing this information with others!

For more information http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/rhinoceros/african_rhinos/

Corrida? No, gracias!

Esperanza Aguirre, president of the Spanish PP (Partido Popular) has begun a harsh critique against her environmentalist/animalist countrymen. 
She argues that the famous "corrida" (bullfight) represents the very essence of being Spanish. 
<< Being against bullfighting is equivalent to being anti-Spanish...>>. 
In Aguirre's opinion, bulls perfectly represent the Hispanic character and spirit. 

Unfortunately for her, recent polls show that 72% of her compatriots do not appreciate this traditional "show", with peaks of 82% amongst the young people and of 79% among the women. 
So, in the words of Aguirre in the whole Spain there would be a little less than 13 millions of "genuine Spanish" left...

Just to give you an idea of what "corrida" is...
Before the bull enters the arena he is kept in the dark, subjected to drugs and purges; he is beaten on the back with bags of sand; the turpentine is sprinkled on his paws, so that he cannot stand still; Vaseline is put in his eyes to cloud his view; his nostrils and throat are blocked; needles are pushed in his body. 

When the bull enters the arena "picas" are pushed into his body and they cause pain and hemorragies; "banderillas" (harpoons) are inserted in the bull's body: they lacerate even more his muscles, forcing him to lower the head; he is struck repeatedly by the sword causing increasingly severe pulmonary haemorrhage which suffocate the animal. 

When the bull comes out of the arena he is dragged away, often still dying and paralyzed, but conscious; when he is still alive, his ears and tail are cut, as trophies. 
At the end, he is slaughtered. 

CAN THIS HORROR BE CONSIDERED THE SYMBOL OF A NATION?

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

WWF is the biggest organization for the defence and the conservation of the environment and the species at risk. It was born on 29 April 1961 with a declaration called the Morges Manifesto and since 1985 it has been investing over US$ 1 billion in more than 12,000 conservation initiatives. 

WWF's mission is building a future in which humanity can live in harmony with nature. WWF focuses its efforts on two broad areas: biodiversity, to make sure that the earth's web of life remains healthy and vibrant for generations to come, focusing on critical places and critical species which are very important for the conservation of our earth's rich biodiversity; footprint, namely to reduce the negative impacts of human activity, to ensure that the natural resources required for life are managed sustainably and equitably. 

WWF is currently focusing on Amazon, Arctic, China for a Global Shift, Climate and Energy, Coastal East Africa, Coral Triangle, Forest and Climate, Green Heart of Africa, Heart of Borneo, Living Himalayas, Market Transformation, Smart Fishing and Tigers. 

WWF's core values are: 
- Be a global organization, independent, multicultural, political but not partisan
- Make use of the best scientific information available to identify and pursue its own goals 
- Search for dialogue and avoid unnecessary contrasts
- Create concrete solutions for conservation through the combination of field projects, policy initiatives, capacity building and education
- Involve local communities respecting their aspirations and needs
- Tighten appropriate collaborations with other environmental and political organizations and institutions, governments and public opinion to strengthen the effectiveness of WWF
- Critically evalue the adequacy and the efficacy of its efforts to reach the defined goals and to be a careful steward of funds

Swedish Big 5: the Wolf.

Wolves were once extinct in Sweden but they are now recovering. The number of wolves living in Sweden is not precise, but it seems to be around 400-500 specimens. 
They are shy and well camouflaged animals and often move during the night so it is very hard to see them. They prefer to live in the forests, far from human beings. In Sweden there are no wolves in the northern part and also in the very southern part; they can be found in the central part of the country, where almost every forested area is part of the wolves territory. 

The wolf lives in a family where there are two parents, often called the alpha pair and the cubs. Most of the cubs leave the family before they become sexually mature. The ones who don't are seen by the parents as baby sits for the younger cubs. A wolf family is often called for a pack. 
The wolves defend their marked territory against trespassing wolves and fights between them are not uncommon. 
Wolves do not go in hibernation, they remain active all winter long. 
A home territory usually measures from 800 to 1000 km2 and the determining criterion in the choice of where to live is considered to be the access to food. 

Wolves' most common preys are roedeers, mooses and raindeers but they also prey on deers, badgers, hares, rodents and beavers. They can survive in all types of habitat as long as there is enough food and little risk of being hunted. 
If you are planning to go to Sweden and absolutely want to see a wolf, Wild Sweden could be right for you. Here you can find two links of the website:
http://www.wildsweden.com/short-tours/wolf-tour-in-summer/
http://www.wildsweden.com/short-tours/wolf-tracking-day/

17th ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL - CINEMAMBIENTE

From the 31st of May to today, the 5th of June takes place, in Turin, the 17th Environmental Film Festival. 
Its aim is to show the best international environmental films and contribute with other activities throughout the year to promote the environmental cinema and culture. 
It is the first festival "zero emission": CO2 emissions produced during the Festival are offset and its products are made with recycled and Ecolabel and FSC certified materials. 

Yesterday, the 4th of June in the evening I went to the Festival with other Greenpeace volunteers from the Turin local group (yes, now I am a volunteer!). We set up a banquet to promote Greenpeace campaigns, so we explained people who stopped there why the bees are in serious danger, why oil drilling in the Arctic must be stopped and so on. 

We were also invited to watch the Italian documentary film "Green Generation" by its director, Sergio Malatesta. It was very interesting and impressive from certain points of view. 
Here you can find the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGWh9u6tXVI .

To keep faith with my passion for bags and clothes, I bought the Festival eco-friendly bag! I find it very nice and practical to use. 

Greenpeace: let's Detox!

In 2011 Greenpeace launched a campaign called "Detox" whose aim was exposing the direct links between global clothing brands, their suppliers and toxic water pollution around the world. 
Since July 2011, this campaign has mobilised hundreds of thousands people to challenge major clothing brands to eliminate all releases of hazardous chemicals from their supply chains and products. 

19 international fashion companies have been involved: Nike, Adidas, Puma, H&M, M&S, C&A, Li-Ning, Zara, Mango, Esprit, Levi's, Uniqlo, Benetton, Victoria's Secret, G-Star Raw, Valentino, Coop, Canepa, Burberry and Primark. They have been asked to create concrete elimination plans for the most hazardous substances and to provide greater transparency around the chemicals that their suppliers currently release into our shared waterways. 

In October 2013 the Detox Catwalk, organized by Greenpeace, took place. It revealed that while leading names such as H&M, Mango and Uniqlo were matching their words with concrete actions, Nike, Adidas and Li-Ning had failed to walk the talk and follow through on their promises. 
Interational brands can eliminate the negative environmental impacts on their production by the choice of the suppliers to collaborate with, the design of their products and the control they can exert over the chemicals used throughout the production processes. 

What Greenpeace asks of clothing companies is: 
- Zero discharge of all hazardous chemicals 
- Prevention and Precaution 
- Transparency 
- Adopt clear and ambitious deadlines 
- Require their suppliers to disclose the quantities of hazardous chemicals released 
- Publicly demonstrate to others how they are making the transition to non-hazardous chemical use 

What Greenpeace asks of governments: 
Adopt a political commitment to zero discharge of all hazardous chemicals within one generation by...
- Intermidiating short term targets to ban the production and use of well-known hazardous chemicals 
- A dynamic list of priority hazardous substances requiring immediate action 
- A publicly available register of data on discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances

What WE can do (#PeoplePower): 
- Choose to buy more second-hand clothes, where possible
- Influence brands to act responsibly on behalf of the planet and its people
- Demand that governments act to restrict the sales and import of products containing hazardous chemicals 
- Click on this link to discover more about the help you can give http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/water/what-you-can-do/