ECOCLUB Blogs™

Experience the legendary Transiberian, complete with rumbling wheel sound, from the comfort of your screenby clicking hereEr, do we qualify for any carbon emmissions credits for doing so? ;-)Of course there is room for improvement - forum for virtual passengers, webcam streaming and remote control cameras mounted on different parts of the train. The income/donations could be used for community projects along the (long 9,000 km) way. A (not so busy?) friend who travelled 5 virtual hours on the transgooglian said it was a bit of a dissapointment, having had from childhood so many expectations about the legendary route.  Surely, it must be the fixed, grainy camera.

One of Canada’s leading anthropologists and public speakers is scheduled to take part in a conference titled “TEDXWhistler: Tourism’s Place in a Sustainable World” during the height of the 2010 Winter Olympics.Wade Davis is author, anthropologist, ethnobotanist and “one of the most articulate and influential advocates for the world’s indigenous cultures,” organizers said in a statement. He is scheduled to take part in the conference that takes place Feb. 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Whistler Canada Olympic House at the Whistler Public Library.The conference will be webcast to a worldwide audience at www.tedxwhistler.com, and will feature sustainability experts engaging in dialogue with the live and online audience through Twitter.

A great article about a Washington DC chef that does much more than cooking.At Martha's Table, cooking for a causeBy Candy Sagon, Special to The Washington PostWednesday, February 17, 2010; E01You think the Energizer Bunny has unflagging energy? He's a lazy snail compared with Demetrios Recachinas. In fact, next to the hyperkinetic food program manager at Martha's Table, just about everyone else seems to be moving in slo-mo.Recachinas is a former restaurant chef who, two years ago, went from cooking lobster at one of the city's top eateries to chopping donated vegetables at the downtown charity that helps feed and educate hungry people.The full story: The Washington Post

We are all aware of the many countries where freedom of the press, freedom of expression and various other freedoms are still unknown. But can you be imprisoned for taking images of ordinary people (with their consent) performing every day tasks in your own country? Apparently yes, at least according to the Uzbek special commission set up to 'analyse' big brother style, the everyday pictures of photographer Umida Akhmedova. Have a look for yourself at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8473285.stmAnd this is the website of the Uzbek National Tourism Authority in case you would like to share your thoughts with them as a prospective picture-taking tourist and explain what really makes you want to visit a country (and what puts you off!)

People find my story of how I went from accountant to tourism destination planner interesting, usually over a drink. The Society of Management Accountants has taken it to another level and tells my story in their latest issue (I even made the cover). To read more, check outhttp://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/CMA/december09/2009121501/Carol

National Public Radio report on ecotourism in Egypt. This is the catch 22 of striving for a balance in tourism. This is the same story everywhere; Crete is no exception. What's troubling is that local communities strive to build great alternatives to mass tourism and then have to fight to keep mass tourism from bulldozing over their projects...and their cultural and natural heritage. We need to work hard to keep that from happening.Part 1: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...122222340&ps=rsPart 2: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=122252258Happy New Year!Nikki

The Year Food Was Totally Schizoid: Growing Local Takes Off, As Giant Agribiz Becomes More Dominant.By Ari LeVaux, AlterNet. Posted December 27, 2009."In the battle between Big Ag and Small Food there were notable victories on either side...As 2009 closes out, the dominant issues in the world of food could be lumped into two competing paradigms that have framed much of the decade. In one corner we have Big Food: factory farms, fast food restaurants, mystery meat, biotechnology and other examples of when the economics of scale are applied to how we feed ourselves. In the other corner is Small Food, whose players include farmers' markets, ecology-based agriculture and seasonal diets of minimally processed food."The Full Story

Article by Ben Block on December 29, 2009Worldwatch looks back at this year in environmental news, picking the most notable stories posted to Eye on Earth over the past 12 months.http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6356

An interesting article, "The US virtual economy is set to make billions"which runs contrary to gloomy current wisdom,reveals how ingrained consumerism (and capitalism?)is in the minds of many ordinary citizens...Of course, that new bubble will also burst, but some will laughall the way to their secret treasure chest under the old garden shed next to the pond(banks are now 'unsafe')Many of those who generally argue for progressive change, and like to speakin the name of "the people", sometimes forget that "the people" apart from thetruly destitute (chronically unemployed, immigrants, minorities and others)also includes a relatively well-off crowd (think lower-middle class)a fair chunk of which is largely ignorant, easily-scared & manipulated but otherwise selfish, prejudiced and disinterested in anything beyond law+order...Aka "the consumer".Virtual games, and day-dreaming communities such as 2nd life (get a life?),seem to be the modern equivalent (and competitor?) of religious satisfaction in the afterlife.In that sense they may be slightly more realistic, instant and reciprocal (not to mentiontailor-made).FAQ:Q. So, can I upload and virtually offset my virtual carbon emissions in your virtual community?A. Yes, virtually.Hopelesshagen. Oh bummer!Enough said in 2009. Best wishes to you dear reader (ok. to both of you for a 2010 with ecological & social progress,...

As we are approaching the holy feast of consumerism, Xmas, there are the endless arguments of whether a real xmas tree is better than a plastic one. The latest wisdom is that a plastic one requires 20 times more CO2 to arrive at your house than a real one. Eco-entrepreneurial people are now also offering a rent a real xmas tree option, whereby at the end of xmas they take back your tree and replant it (hopefully). The obvious, real eco choice: no tree at all. Just decorate your home or garden plants and use the funds to support a worthy cause of your choice.