ECOCLUB Blogs™

  While (and perhaps because) geopolitics are getting messier each year in the post cold war era, it is the grassroots, empowered and emancipated by information and communications improvements that may take humanity a long way forward during this century. Here are two random, seemingly unrelated, developments, we spotted today:  The reopening as worker-run of an, abandoned by its owners, metal factory, "Viomihaniki Metaleftiki" factory is taking place today 12 February, in Thessaloniki, Greece. In a country where unemployment has already climbed at 30% following the austerity, neoliberal policies imposed by IMF and the EU., such are obvious and necessary solutions.   And the discovery of a simple-to-use method for diagnosing cancer, which costs just 3 cents (and may continue to do so unless/until big pharma get their hands on it), by 15 year Jack Andraka old who following the sudden death of a close family friend decided to search for answers online. As Andraka says: "through the Internet anything is possible...but instead of posting photos you can change the world!" So true, so how about supporting the Vio.Me workers with an online donation at www.viome.org ?    Related film by Brandon Jourdan of globaluprisings.org

Hello,   I am looking information about GIS & Ecotourism.   If someone has papers, articles, or knows a book, let me know.   Regards,   Jean - Philippe Le Moigne

    The dry summer/autumn season still has 4 months to run, and most of Australia is facing the highest ever-recorded temperatures, so danger still lurks. We have slashed all the grass around our house to make a firebreak and our gutters are covered so that sparks cannot get into the roof cavity - here in Australia that is how most buildings go up in flames during a bushfire.   Despite the enormous damage in contemporary-built Australia, in a sense fires are 'natural' in our landscapes because for 40,000 years Aborigines practiced 'firestick management' - burning forests and grasslands to improve conditions for their hunting and gathering. Over the centuries, the environment adapted to regular burning, and much of our native flora, from delicate ground orchids to huge eucalyptus trees, can only regenerate after fire since the seed casings need the heat of fire to crack open and release the seeds. No fire, no re-seeding.   With our changing use of the land we have new issues of fire management. We have created farms with fences and non-native livestock for which fire is often calamitous. But at the same time, many farmers also light 'controlled' cool fires in the winter -...

    Earth Sea and Sky 2013 - PRESERVE, RESCUE and INFORM - With the help of the Sea Life Centres in England we have taken many steps to save the Loggerhead Turtles and Marine Life of Zakynthos. We want to preserve this very special and rare animal so our children’s children will learn and cherish them in their time.   The Caretta, caretta (Loggerhead) Turtle has existed since the dinosaurs, gets older than humans, as heavy as 100 kilos and even grow to 1 metre in diameter. A fully grown turtle has almost no natural predator, only we humans are the biggest problem to them.   So before coming on holiday get some information from our website how you can spend a ‘turtle friendly’ holiday in Zakynthos and, once on the Island, make sure you find time to come and visit our Information and Rescue Centre at Gerakas. Also take a look at our new DVD on the following link: http://youtu.be/z8Z86zbIZuA   Since our last newsletter we have come on leaps and bounds and are very happy with where we stand today. We would like to thank everybody who has contributed to all this either by donations or sponsorship or those of you just sharing your holiday time with us at the Information Centre.  ...

Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries 2013 Seminar Update:   Our Study Away Program for Missouri State University is full. Registration is now closed.   There are a few spaces left for our accredited study tour for the University of Missouri and our fantastic open program covering Historic Food & Wine Routes of Crete from June 22-29, 2013. A rare and fantastic opportunity to explore Crete's magnificent countryside and historic sites with resident specialists; enjoy botanical hikes, visits to organic wineries and tranquil villages. http://www.cookingincrete.com/Schedule.html     All the best, Nikki  

  At the end of the month and of the year 2012 we may not see the end of the world, to the disappointment of mayan calenderists, survivalists, and assorted ufologists, yet, the situation is rather apocalyptic. During 2012 the climate crisis brought extreme weather phenomena, while the economic crisis became a permanent fixture in parts of the global north. The global south, with a few exceptions, did not really catch up as it also suffers from the repercussions of the global economic slow-down. Inequality within most countries grew as well. So were tensions, violence, unemployment, bigotry and fascism.. The system’s holy pillars – supposedly too big to fail/fall on our heads, the banks, have been re-erected with public, tax payers money – money now missing from Health and Education – and essentially unreformed, they are back to business as usual. A few dictators were replaced by new ones, while regional wars, declared and undeclared, provided excellent export and field-testing opportunities for the military-industrial complex(es) new toys. The melting ice opened wonderful business opportunities for oil industry drilling and shipping lanes, while ungrateful mining workers asking for a meager rise were summarily shot. The world is overflowing with consumer goods covering...

  Google Hangout on responsible tourism and ecotourism today.   "Responsible tourism", "sustainable tourism", "green travel" - What does it all mean, who is doing it, how & why should consumers get involved?   Travel Coffee Break (Wed 19 Dec 2012, 1700 GMT / 1200 EST / 0900 PST) see here http://www.travelcoffeebreak.com/2012/12/responsible-tourism-hangout.html

Food for Thought Symposia: Cretan food and wine event December 10, 6:30 pm, Baltimore, MD The Inn At The Black Olive, The Institute for Integrative Health and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, introduce the Food for Thought Symposia: A return to the ancient Greek ritual of gathering to partake in good food, fine wine, and communal discourse which, when shared together, provide sustenance for intellectual and cultural growth. Internationally known advocate of Cretan food and lifestyle, Nikki Rose, will be autographing her book Crete: The Roots of the Mediterranean Diet. http://www.examiner.com/article/food-for-thought-symposia-cretan-food-and-wine-event

Please join us for a lecture and discussion on "CULTURAL CHANGES IN ISAAN AND LAOS" Led by Professor William Klausner Wednesday, 21 November 2012  - 4:00 - 5:00pm   Join us at TAEC on Wednesday, November 21 for a talk by Prof. William Klausner, President emeritus of the James HW Thompson Foundation and adjunct professor at Chulalongkorn University. Prof. Klausner has lived in Thailand for over fifty years. His talk will explore the dramatic cultural transformation of Isaan village life during the past few decades and be followed by a discussion session with the audience. Come by Le Patio Cafe on Wednesday if you’re interested in learning about how Lao culture has changed over the years. Light refreshments will be served, and desserts in the café are also half-priced after 3pm so enjoy a treat while you listen and participate. This activity is FREE with a museum entry ticket. Light refreshments will be served   Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre House 355 Ban Khamyong Luang Prabang LAOS - http://www.taeclaos.org    

Dear all,   I am sorry for posting same message to Forum https://ecoclub.com/forums/viewdiscussion/10-best-practice-in-e-learning-?groupid=6   and here.... fact is I am not sure which way is best to do it, and hopefuly get some of you talking to me...   I need your advice! My company is involved in EU financed project ECOTOUR, see more at http://www.ecotour4jobs.org/ Next week we meet and discuss (and decide for the project) the ways how to develop the Ecotourism training program & e-learning platform. I do have some own ideas, but would be very happy to learn from you. Happy to skype ('aivarruukel') or chat on facebook or exchange emails... Links to good examples and answers that might be interesting to all our community are of course welcomed here. Aitähh! Aivar Ruukel