Posted by: kellyofthepattersons | October 15, 2009

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change, a letter to Obama

Targeting: The President of the United States

Sponsored by: Alliance for Climate Protection

More than any other country, action taken by the United States to limit greenhouse gases and build a clean energy economy is needed to achieve a sustainable solution to our global climate crisis.

This December world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to negotiate a global response to climate change. As a world leader in greenhouse gas pollution as well as clean energy technology, the United States needs to take bold action by implementing comprehensive clean energy policies to curb emissions.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner and President Barack Obama has said that climate change is an urgent threat, and now is the time for him to lead the United States in confronting the climate crisis.

This is a chance for people around the world and in the United States to join together in telling President Obama that we want him to lead the United States in taking bold and significant action to reduce greenhouse gasses.

Time is running out, and our planet can’t afford to wait.

It’s Time to Act on Climate Change, so here is my letter to President Obama–you are welcome to copy and send yourself or send to your local or state representative:

Dear President Obama,

This December world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to negotiate a global response to climate change. As a world leader in greenhouse gas pollution as well as clean energy technology, the United States needs to take bold action by implementing comprehensive clean energy policies to curb emissions.

We join others around the world in calling on you to lead the United States in taking bold and significant action to reduce greenhouse gasses.

Minutes from the Wellness Meeting of Oct. 6, 2009 at Vista del Valle (Naranjo, Costa Rica)

Note: I am just sharing this information, if you have any questions please contact Herb Jamieson at herbjamie1@yahoo.com

Introduction from Herb:

“We had 20 people at the formation meeting of the Wellness Association of Costa Rica in which Wellness Retreat and Spa owners participated. There were also about 40 others who could not attend the meeting. I felt that the participants personally inspired me. We have decided as concensus to start a yahoogroup for discussion, appointed a Secretary to put documents on google docs and generate a roster and a discussion was made to meet every quarter travelling from Wellness Retreat to Wellness Retreat within Costa Rica. There were discussions to improve joint marketing efforts and complying with the new credentially being set up by PROMED. Two representatives were there from Tobacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort. I told you I would be over at 10 am to fill any more details you may be interested in. I think all participants were inspired and participated with great interest. “

Pura Vida

Herbert Morehouse Jamieson, II
Walden University PhD Program in Public Health-Community Health
210-422-6249 Always on the Cutting Edge of Innovation
SKYPE herbjamie

The Actual Minutes from the Meeting

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 10:49 PM
Hello Herb,

It was lovely to meet you in person today, and I thank you again for being the brave, bold soul that you are (boldly going where no man has gone before???) and bringing us all together.

Here are some sketchy notes from our gathering today. I may not remember all the names, but I’ll do my best here. Feel free to fill in blanks & edit my information

In attendance:
Herb Jamieson
Michael & Johanna of Vista del Valle B&B, Naranjo, our hosts
David Culver of Next Steps, Assisted Living Facility in Florida, creating 90 day recovery plan for seniors
Jane Merchant, Physical therapist, massage & yoga instructor from Nosara Wellness in Nosara, CR
Genita Petralli, of Shangri La BioSpa & Clinic, specializing in addiction, neuro-endocrine disorders, “Green mental Health Care”
Daniel representing alkaline water
Bob & Jill Ruttenberg from AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center in Turrubares, Jill a reg. clinical herbalist, massage therapist & yoga instructor
Peter, who promotes and markets wellness centers and does crisis intervention to get people the help they need
Kati, from Escazu and Montezuma who is following her heart and working with Hospice Rises, clowning for ill children at hospice
Suzen, a rebirther, spiritual counselor who leads silent retreats and detox weeks WITH John
John is creating a holistic “bio-dental” model for people to come to CR and have mercury fillings removed, dental work done & vacation for less $, also using QXCI program for assessment and treatment.
Steven Farrell, Robin Jones & Mimi from Luna Nueva Lodge and organic farm near San Carlos, La Fortuna area, with a new spa which includes Reiki, Hypnosis, EFT & massage
______________________, the woman who came from the Osa, with Genita (forgive me, no name recorded here!) who teaches people how to use natural substances for detox & skin care, spa use.
2 Women from Tabacon Hot Springs Resort in Arenal.

Subjects covered:
• The importance of creating good, holistic after-care for people recovering from medical surgeries or illnesses, putting an emphasis on education, detox and staying well.
• Recognizing that Costa Rica is a “gathering place” and many of us are coming together at the right time to shift to a greater paradigm in cooperation with one another and in health care.
• Michael & Johanna shared and asked for input about setting basic, broad standards for facilities who want to be listed by ICT and CIMA, Clinica Biblica and Catolica for referrals in the Class 3 (or 3*) retreat centers being listed as Integrative Wellness centers & spas. The hospitals and CR government are looking to us to set these guidelines for certification to ensure cleanliness and safety for the patients. Our inclusion/input is seen as an opportunity to be self-regulating and inclusive, and to exercise our freedom in creating such standards. It was mentioned that care should be taken to see that these standards do not alienate or dictate types of therapies or who may perform them.
• The idea of creating a cooperative that could sell health insurance for integrative therapies, marketed to CR residents as well as those in NorthAmerica, covering clients for a variety of wellness-oriented therapies.
• John is seeking residential facilities (B&B’s with an emphasis on wellness) willing to put a holistic-trained dentist in place, with equipment, and house clients for dental care.
• Dave is seeking more input about what to do with the patients for the 90 day period he wants to bring people in to Costa Rica.
• NEXT STEPS: Dave will send all contact info to Suzen on an EXCEL file, and Suzen will set up a Yahoo group so that we can all communicate with one another, and invite others to join in. We spoke about having weekly conference calls, but instead decided to discuss via email and meet in person, perhaps once per month, and rotate meeting places to familiarize ourselves with each other’s locations. “Webinars” were also mentioned as an option, though some of us who have been out of the techno-loop didn’t really understand this term. Johanna/Michael will send the ideas already discussed for the standards to us for review and more input.
• HOMEWORK: Think about 1) for standards level 3 care centers: “What should a good wellness center have in place?” 2) What can your facility or practice offer to people who are recovering from a medical procedure or illness? The answers can help all of us to market ourselves collectively, and also help each of us know one another better, to be able to support and recommend each other. The idea is, if we know who EACH of us is, we can know who WE are as a group.
• In general, the mood of this meeting was very upbeat and many concepts of working together for the greater good, supporting one another made the gathering feel quite rich and fulfilling.
Please feel free to add your comments/corrections to these minutes, and if I left out anyone or anything important, forgive me.

Namaste, till next time,

Jill

Again, Note: I am just sharing this information, if you have any questions please contact Herb Jamieson at herbjamie1@yahoo.com

2010 Grant Competition: Latin America & Caribbean Development Marketplace
Filed Under:

* Caribbean
* social entrepreneurs
* youth
* social enterprise
* Latin America

Call for proposals July 31st to September 30th. Focus on “Youth Developing Opportunity: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Sustainability”.

Development Marketplace (DM) is a competitive grant program administered by the World Bank and supported by various partners that identifies and funds innovative, early-stage projects with high potential for development impact. Since its inception in 1998, DM has awarded roughly US$40 million to more than 1,000 projects through global, regional and country-level Marketplaces. Using DM funding as a launching pad, many projects go on to scale up or replicate elsewhere, winning prestigious awards for social entrepreneurship.

This year the 2010 Latin America & Caribbean Development Marketplace is focused on Youth Developing Opportunity: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Sustainability.

July 31st to September 30th: Call for Proposals

The call for proposals provided on this website is open to participants from the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. The open, transparent and competitive selection process aims to attract ideas from a range of innovators: civil society groups, private firms, foundations, academia, and government.

There are an estimated 1.5 billion youth worldwide – 50% of them live in developing countries and 60% of them living below the poverty line. An estimated 140 million young people live in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Young people can be a source of growth and development, yet a subset of young people – often referred to as “youth at risk” – are prone to becoming victims or perpetrators of conflict, violence, poverty, and/or exclusion, which in turn threatens the economic, social and political wellbeing of their countries.

Youth entrepreneurship, the theme of this year’s LAC DM, exists in many forms, ranging from productive enterprises, operating in the private sector and focused on profit generation to social entrepreneurs, associated with the activities of Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations (NGO/CSOs). Both have a key role to play in the economic and social development of Latin America and the Caribbean.

This competition recognizes innovation across this spectrum, and will reward projects that focus on reducing poverty, enriching lives and generating productive, healthy citizens. A central focus of this competition will therefore be on ideas that have the potential to create employment for young people and bring associated benefits to communities and society at large.

The LAC DM sponsors have identified three themes for this year’s competition. We seek ideas that are youth-led and/or youth-focused in the following areas:

* The commercialization of locally produced biodiversity and agricultural products without degrading source habitats.
* Innovative approaches to income generating opportunities for young people living in poor urban areas that are “hot spots” of crime and violence
* Social and economic initiatives that contribute to the well-being of vulnerable groups

The LAC Development Marketplace 2010 is using a two-step process. Step 1 is to register your organization. The Submission form will then be automatically sent to registered participants who will be required to submit their proposals electronically (by email).

The Registration process requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader v9.
This can be downloaded for free here” http://get.adobe.com/reader

*

STEP 1 – REGISTRATION
Please click here to access the Registration Form | Spanish. When prompted, select “Download”

*

STEP 2- SUBMISSION FORM
The Submission Form will be sent to organizations who register under STEP 1. Registered participants can fill out the submission form using the guidelines and the step-by-step guide:
o Competition Guidelines – English | Spanish
o Step-by-Step Guide to Submission Form – English | Spanish

Contact us at DEVELOPMENTMARKETPLACE@WORLDBANK.ORG

Yoga instructor for sustainable rural community (Rancho Margot (Arenal Volcano))
Date: 2009-09-10, 11:29AM CT
Reply to: info@ranchomargot.org

Rancho Margot is searching for a yogi as a full time community member who is on a quest for a different lifestyle. In our ‘Garden of Eden’, brilliant minds and creative souls are gathering from around the world to live in peace and in harmony with nature. The first step comes from within as the real journey is inward, and this is where you come in. Through your profound experience and knowledge it is our hope to attract more yoga, shamanism, ayurvedic and alternative energy healing retreats as we share our paradise and guide as many people as possible on their journey towards their soul.

For more information on our project, we invite you to Google ‘Rancho Margot’ or read the three pages write up in the new edition of the Lonely Planet.

Please, send me your background information, and tell me about yourself.
I hope this email reaches you in a peaceful state of mind, good health and much love.

Que Dios te bendiga,
Namaste y Pura Vida,

Frederick Sostheim,
Rancho Margot

* Location: Rancho Margot (Arenal Volcano)
* Compensation: Depending on how much value you add on to Rancho Margot
* This is a part-time job.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL GUANACASTE INAUGURATES CUTTING-EDGE GREENHOUSE SYSTEM DEVELOPED IN COSTA RICA

At 11:00 A.M. September 11, 2009 Brasilito, Guanacaste

Country Day School Guanacaste will inaugurate a cutting edge vertical-stacking hydroponic greenhouse system developed in Costa Rica by Four Quarters, S.A.

The school plans to both supply its own cafeteria with fresh, organic, pesticide-free vegetables and use the growing system and the concepts behind it to enrich its curriculum at all grade levels.

Jeff Haun, Director of Country Day School, explains: “Guanacaste depends entirely too much on other parts of the country for fresh vegetables, and by the time they get here, they are usually far from fresh. We wanted to be able to grow our own food, we wanted to do it without pesticides, and we wanted to do it in a way that would be fun, interesting and educational for our students. This technology accomplishes all those things.”

The system is based upon vertical stacking hydroponics developed in Florida for the production of strawberries. The technology was brought to Costa Rica by Mr. Glenn Ekblom of Four Quarters, S.A., and modified to the Costa Rican climate. The major modifications include a special cooling system run on misters, and the application of a beneficial fungus originally developed by the University of Costa Rica.

“The beneficial fungus is our pesticide substitute. It’s already used in traditional farming in Costa Rica and elsewhere, but in a greenhouse, it is much easier to apply and control”, explains Mr. Ekblom.

Mr. Ekblom’s company, Four Quarters, developed the first such greenhouse in the country in a partnership with Michael and Joanna Bresnan of Vista del Valle, in Rosario de Naranjo.

The Bresnan’s donated the property, Glenn had the technical knowledge and FUCAD (Costa Rica Foundation for Relief & Development) donated the money for the greenhouse and hydroponics growing system. Together they built and developed the pre-cursor to what is at Country Day School today: A system to grow vegetables organically with no pesticides.

For more information on this growing system contact: Glenn Ekblom at (506)8372-1437 Email: xtremelandscapes@netzero.net or Kenneth Marder (506)8812-3265 Email goldrushers49@yahoo.com

For contacting Mike & Jo about their vision for eliminating hunger in a Sustainable World you can email them at mikejo@vistadelvalle.com or call them at Vista Del Valle 8829-8016.

Posted by: kellyofthepattersons | September 6, 2009

JOB: Sustainability & Renewable Energy – Organic Sales Rep (San Jose)

Sustainability & Renewable Energy – Organic Sales Rep (San Jose)
Date: 2009-09-05, 9:38AM CT
Reply to: job-bv6mb-1359702302@craigslist.org

Looking for bilingual sales rep with a organic mind and passion for w/experience in Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Environment or Nature. Must be serious. Must have vehicle. The position requires travel to all regions of Costa Rica. Serious Inquires only with CV Resume.

* Location: San Jose
* Compensation: Negociable

Hello to all good-doers

I am working for a non–profit organization in Denmark that had received support from the Danish state to a project regarding increased information to the people. A free I-Phone application has been developed (will be expanded to all kinds of cell phones futher on and can also be done online) which focuses on what each individual can do to reduce use of CO2 as one example. For more information check out the beta version of the future website at www.footprintdiary.com. To increase the amount of information the user has available we would very much appreciate your help in getting quotes, making short articles and video comments. This will create a more diversified information source. All contributions are welcome and in regards to videos, which we are looking very much forward to, there is no need for a professional camera – it can be done on an average digital camera as well.

We are looking for the opinion of two categories of people on two matters.

People categories;
a) High end decision makers such as the UN, embassies, multinational corporations etc.
b) Average people on the street from all ends of society and areas

So please draw on you contacts and make an effort to knowledge educate people in Europe.

Matters;
a) Climate changes and the consequences
b) Extractive industries

a. Climate changes
In regards to this matter it would be interesting to hear people’s opinions on the consequences of the climate changes, what should be done to turn this negative development around, who should make an effort (e.g. the state, the multinationals or is this responsibility one that each individual should be concerned with etc.), what do you as an individual do to reduce CO2 and decrease the rapid downward sloping development
E.g. Honduras and Nicaragua have been victims of hurricane related activities

b. Extractive indutries
Focus on the rights of the people living in the areas where e.g. oil is encountered. This refers to their rights in terms of co-decision making of the resources encountered in “their” areas, opinions on total protecionism, state intervention, who should the money benefit? e.g. the extracting corporations, the state or for beneficial reestablishing causes in the local (and naitonal) area? Indegenous peoples’ rights to territories and resources
E.g. oil in Peruvian and Colombian Amazone, oil in Ghana.

TIME LIMIT IS FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER AT MIDNIGHT. Please send your contributions to: ullaibis@hotmail.com
I will make sure to edit and review all information before sending it to the project coordinator and presenting it at our next meeting. This is a chance to get your message or the message fo those who cannot connect to the western world on their own out to a broader audience.

Best Regards,

Ulla Rebbe Jerslund
IBIS volunteer

Hola a todos

Estoy trabajando por una organizacion sin fines de lucro en Dinamarca que acabamos de recibir ayuda del estado Danes para un proyecto sobre un aumento de informacion para la gente. Se trata de una applicacion de I-Phone que se ha desarrollado (se ampliará a todo tipo de teléfonos celulares más allá y también se puede hacer en línea) que pone enphasis en lo que cada individuo pueda hacer para reducir el uso de CO2 como un ejemplo. Para saber mas por favor entren a la pagina web www.footprintdiary.com. Para aumentar la cantidad de información que el usuario tiene disponible le agradecería mucho que contribuir a conseguir citas, haciendo breves artículos y comentarios de vídeo. Esto creará una fuente de información más diversificada. Todas las contribuciones son bienvenidas y en cuanto a los vídeos, que esperamos con mucho interés, no hay necesidad de una cámara profesional – se puede hacer en una cámara digital también.

Estamos buscando la opinión de dos categorías de personas en dos cuestiones

Categorías de personas;
a) Los encargados de alto decisión como las Naciones Unidas, las embajadas, empresas multinacionales, etc
b) Promedio de personas en la calle de todos los extremos de la sociedad y las zonas

Así que por favor ponganse en contacto con sus contactos y hacer un esfuerzo para aumentar el conocimiento de la gente en Europa.

Cuestiones;
a) Los cambios climáticos y la consequencias
b) Las industrias extractivas

a. Los cambios climáticos
En relación con este asunto sería interesante escuchar las opiniones del pueblo sobre la consequencias de los cambios climáticos, lo que se debe hacer para cambiar esta evolución negativa, quien o que entidades debe hacer un esfuerzo (por ejemplo, el estado, las multinacionales o se trata de una responsabilidad que cada individuo debe preocuparse, etc), que debe usted como individuo hacer para reducir el CO2 y reducir el rápido desarrollo de pendiente negativa
Por ejemplo, Honduras y Nicaragua han sido víctimas de huracanes en las actividades relacionadas con

b. Indutrias extractivas (por ej. petroleo)
Se centra en los derechos de las personas que viven en las zonas donde por ejemplo petroleo se encuentra. Esto se refiere a sus derechos en materia de cooperación, la toma de decisiones de los recursos se encuentran en “sus” regiones. Que piensan sobre protecionismo total delos territorios de recuros naturales, la intervención del Estado? Quien debe recibir el dinero que genera estos recuros naturales? Por ejemplo; las empresas de extracción, el Estado o se deberia utilizar este dinero para el restablecimiento de las causas en la zona local o nacional? Otro asunto se trata de los derechos de la gente indegena sobre los territories y los recursos que se encuentran alli.
Por ejemplo, del petróleo en Perú y Amazonas colombiano, en Ghana etc.

FECHA DE LIMITE ES VIERNES 11 SEPTIEMBRE A MEDIA NOCHE. Por favor envíe sus contribuciones a: ullaibis@hotmail.com
Me aseguraré de editar y revisar toda la información antes de enviarlo al coordinador del proyecto y hare una presentación en nuestra próxima reunión. Este es chance de pasar su mensaje o el mensaje de aquellos que no pueden conectarse con el mundo occidental a un público más amplio.

Saludos cordiales,

Ulla Rebe Jerslund
Voluntario IBIS

Posted by: kellyofthepattersons | September 3, 2009

TakingITGlobal Sprout e-course: designed for environmental entrepreneurs

TakingITGlobal Sprout e-course

Sprout e-course, applications are now open! Comments
TakingITGlobal is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Sprout e-course, Fall 2009. We would really appreciate your support and assistance in spreading the word through your networks. The text below explains the e-course in more detail.

Are you interested in changing the world? Do you have an idea for a project in your community?

Sprout is an e-course designed for aspiring social innovators and environmental entrepreneurs who want to grow their project ideas and learn to create lasting changes in their communities.

Sprout provides innovative young people (ages 16-30) all over the world with a unique way to learn, grow and connect with like-minded leaders in a supportive online environment that encourages your hard work to create a better world. The Sprout journey offers a chance to learn more about community-focused project management, apply your knowledge and skills, interact with an international learning community of youth and an opportunity to turn your idea into reality. Sprout also pairs participants with experienced e-mentors of all ages who provide inter-generational support, encouragement and insight through the Sprout journey. What are you waiting for? Sprout your project and change the world.

Applications for participants and e-mentors are due September 27, 2009. Feel free to contact our team by email at sprout@takingitglobal.org. For more information please visit www.sproutecourse.org.

Sprout e-course is a program of TakingITGlobal, the social network that connects you to the global issues that affect us all. Visit us at www.tigweb.org.

Posted by: kellyofthepattersons | September 3, 2009

A World of Solutions: IADB Innovation Lab Competition (Latin America)

A World of Solutions: IADB Innovation Lab Competition
Filed Under:

* Caribbean
* disability
* competition
* innovation
* Latin America

Financing of up to US$ 20,000 will be provided for an innovation to improve the quality of life and the economic and social inclusion of People with Disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Deadline: October 15, 2009.

In the Science and Technology Division of the Inter-American Development Bank we are looking to support the implementation of pilot projects that use innovation to improve the quality of life and the economic and social inclusion of People with Disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The initiative is made up of two competitions:

We wanted to know more about what problems people with disabilities (PWD) face in the region.
Our blog

is an interactive tool where PWD, Disabled People’s Organizations, and anyone interested in the topic shared, voted, and prioritized the most important barriers to social and economic inclusion. The voting process was active open until July 10, 2009, and the most voted problems were:
Problem: Vote
Software for employment of people with visual disabilities 61,160
Toys for All 43,480
Access to Transport 42181
Education support for Deaf children 2587
How can people with physical disabilities work from home? 1068
And now, we are opening the Competition of Solutions!

The competition is open until October 15, 2009, and we are looking for solutions to these most voted problems. Scientists, innovators and creative people from all areas are invited to participate and the IDB will finance the piloting of the five most appropriate and innovative ideas. Financing of up to US$ 20,000 will be provided.

* Who can participate: Entities and individuals from IDB member countries.
* The solution should be an innovative and direct answer to the problem.
* To apply: Please download the guidelines and the application form.

On the interactive webpage you can learn more about the dialogue and discussing related to the problems.

Emplear Bambu Expert-Compra Bambu-Hiring Bamboo construction Engineer (Quepos/Manuel Antonio)
Date: 2009-09-02, 10:31AM CT
Reply to: job-2mmrd-1354946856@craigslist.org

El Masaje TherapistHiring que emplea alguien que ha trabajado haciendo constrution con bambú, en cualquier aplicación.
Yo también miro para comprar diez o más ramas gigantes de bambú.

Hiring someone who has worked doing constrution with bamboo, in any application.
I am also looking to buy ten or more giant bamboo branches.

* Location: Quepos/Manuel Antonio
* Compensation: $10000

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