“Our oceans have been the victims of a giant Ponzi scheme, waged with Bernie Madoff–like callousness by the world’s fisheries. Beginning in the 1950s, as their operations became increasingly industrialized–with onboard refrigeration, acoustic fish-finders, and, later, GPS–they first depleted stocks of cod, hake, flounder, sole, and halibut in the Northern Hemisphere. As those stocks disappeared, the fleets moved southward, to the coasts of developing nations and, ultimately, all the way to the shores of Antarctica, searching for icefishes and rockcods, and, more recently, for small, shrimplike krill. As the bounty of coastal waters dropped, fisheries moved further offshore, to deeper waters. And, finally, as the larger fish began to disappear, boats began to catch fish that were smaller and uglier–fish never before considered fit for human consumption.” Link@tnr.com

“Bialowieza Primeval Forest is the last lowland forest in Europe. The diversity of species and old trees characterize this region. The abundance of flora and fauna allows the accumulation of genetic information that can help in the future to restore balance in the damaged environment. The most precious section of the Polish forest is separated as a Bialowieza National Park and is under strict protection. There is over one thousand species of vascular plants in the primeval forest of Bialowieza. A total number of animal species inhabiting the primeval forest of Bialowieza amounts to 12000. The greatest influence on the composition and number of plant species is exerted by fertility and humidity of the soil. European Bison Breeding Centre has been also established inside the park.” Link@nature.poland.pl

“George Monbiot, Guardian columnist and author of the 2006 bestseller Heat: How to Stop the Planet from Burning, wants a forced landing — immediately. Jet travel, he states, is “the greatest future cause of global warming.” And people who fly are “killers.” At present, aviation accounts for only about 2 percent of total human carbon emissions, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. But because jets fly so high, their effect on global warming is near-tripled. Monbiot calculates that the industry is growing so fast that within decades jet travel will erase most potential climate-friendly gains in other sectors.” Link@thewalrusmagazine.com

“As a young child (or perhaps even an adult) who hasn’t dreamed of living in a tree house? Some structures are built on trees or hung from trees, but some unusual tree houses are even grown from trees or built right into a tree. Some people live in trees as a luxury, some to help save the environment and others out of tradition or necessity. Here are ten incredible tree house designs that range from functional to fanciful, sustainable to strange and affordable to incredibly expensive.”

Amazing Tree Houses@weburbanist.com

“The vast majority of food lovers will, of course, find the idea of going completely veggie, whatever the motive, untenable, if not downright hilarious. Gordon Ramsay, a man who has never knowingly let an opportunity to insult a vegetarian pass, sums up the attitude of most urbane gourmets to our vegetable eating friends. However, perhaps Ramsay – and all of us who’ve laughed along at the jokes about joyless, pious vegetarians and their pasty complexions – are behind the curve on this.” Tony Taylor@guardian.co.uk

“When you think of growing your own food, you probably think of endless rows of corn, the middle of nowhere, people in overalls and dial-up internet. You’re also probably thinking about hours spent planting seeds, mulching leaves and plowing soil. But there’s a better way to harvest your own crops that works especially well for those of use living in urban areas (with high-speed internet and no room to drive a tractor). It’s known as square foot gardening.”

Square Foot Gardening Wiki@wired.com

“Naturism began as a self-help reform movement in reaction to the debilitating aspects of industrialization and urbanization during the nineteenth century. At a time when medicine could neither explain nor cure disease, many people believed that crowded and unsanitary cities, tenement housing, restrictive victorian clothing, and oppressive working conditions all led to poor health and rampant illness. Some observers concluded that what people needed was exposure to the natural world.”

Brief History Of Naturism@Federation Of Canadian Naturists
What Is Naturism?@British Naturism