My Pura Vida

Fly your own Peace Dove

The International Day of Peace is approaching on September 21.  I just received an email alert from Roots and Shoots about a creative way to celebrate the event. 

Roots & Shoots Day of Peace is celebrated in support of the United Nations International Day of Peace. The Roots and Shoots celebrations are taking place on Sunday September 23rd representing a global effort to spread the spirit of peace. Dr. Jane Goodall and Roots & Shoots members all over the world will take action to show that peace is possible. You can take action too! Fly a Giant Peace Dove , get involved in a peace event or create your own peace-oriented project. Don’t forget, your actions matter—so let the doves fly!

Dr. Jane Goodall was recently re-appointed as a U.N. Messenger of Peace, and along with other Messengers Michael Douglas and Elie Wiesel, she will ring the peace bell at the U.N. headquarters in New York City on the U.N. International Day of Peace.

The Eye of the Sun

The past several days there has been a wildfire South of the San Francisco Bay area.  Even though it is about 50 miles from where I live, I could smell the smoke on the first day, but don't really notice it now.  The skies have been filled with a thick haze.  Air quality is not good.  But the images of the sun in the sky have been fantastic.  I am sure that I will not ever have the opportunity to get another photo like this one.  It was taken about 6:15 this evening.  The background has been darkened to optimize the colors.  Even a local news article mentioned the red color of the sun. 

Live Earth Activities

The Live Earth event is Saturday 7/7/07.  If you aren't attending one of the concerts live, there are a number of additional ways to participate:

Broadcast Options

In the US, Bravo is broadcasting events beginning at 9 am EST.  See the list of additional broadcast options. 

Attend a Local Party

As of today there are thousands of Live Earth parties taking place in 129 countries. Sign up to attend a Live Earth party near you.

Sign the Live Earth Pledge

Most importantly you can still sign the Live Earth pledge.  EVERYONE can do this. 

San Francisco First U.S. City to Ban Plastic Bags

In an effort to reduce non-biodegradable waste in landfills, the City of San Francisco, CA today approved a ban on the use of plastic bags by the large grocery retailers.  Smaller retailers are not included in the legislation.  Perhaps if this measure is successful, an addendum will follow.  The local news channels are reporting that other U.S. cities are considering similar measures.  This NY Times article mentions similar legislation has been passed in other countries such as South Africa and Taiwan. Bhutan is another country that has banned plastic bags for environmental purposes as highlighted in this BBC article.

Join the Campaign to Establish a Department for Peace

Mother Teresa said that she would never join the fight against war, but she would support the campaign for peace.  We need to shift the direction of our national focus from the war on terrorism, to instead leverage the law of attraction to build a nation and global community that stands for peace.  Join Michael Bernard Beckwith, Denise Brown, Deepak Chopra, Jan Hartke, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Marianne Williamson and more to Wage for Peace.  Connect with hundreds of U.S. citizens from across the country to lobby for a U.S. Department of Peace. 

"The Brightest Future We Could Dream Of"

This was the title of Costa Rican President, Dr. Ocsar Arias Sanchez's speech at the 61st session of the United Nation's General Assembly last week.  In President Arias's speach, he explains how, "the struggle for human development is connected to the struggle for disarmamant and demilitarization... Since 2001, $200 billion has been added to global military spending.  Yet, there isn't a single indicator that suggests this colossal increase is making the world more secure and human rights more widely enjoyed... Maybe it is time to think of other ways to deploy these resources...  Much less than this amount would guarantee access to potable water and primary education for every person in the world."  He reminds people that, "children in Costa Rica have never seen war tanks, attack helicopters or warships in their country... If we don't confront the rise in military spending and the arms trade; if we don't stimulate the economies of the poorest countries who invest their resources in LIFE, and not death... then we condemn ourselves to walk on the edge of a cliff." 

My year in Costa Rica at the University for Peace provided me with a lot of information related to global resources being put towards war vs. peace.  Costa Rica remains one of very few countries that has eliminated their military.  Now I am back in the United States, and the majority of what is covered in the media is about why more military spending is needed to make this country "safe."  Television programs this into the minds of the population over and over again each day.  After living in Costa Rica where there is no military and completing masters studies on the causes of conflict around the world, I know that there is the possibilty of another reality.

Download oscar_arias_statement_at_the_general_assembly1.pdf

Costa Rican School Children Protest

This morning as I was headed to the University, I encountered a protest/march through the middle of town.  I wondered what the occasion might be.  Then it was announced on the radio that streets were being blocked all throughout the country by school children who were protesting so that they can get proper supplies for their schools.  An example was given of a school that didn't even have desks.  That is a definite barrier to learning.  They are going to march once a week until they get the supplies they need.  Way to go kids!