Miscellaneous Filtered Information Fragments
Old Computer disposal
We have had several calls lately about what to do with old computers--good question. Don't have any clear answer yet, but it seems some people are working on it. "Please Dispose of Properly--Entrepreneurs look for ways to put old computers to good use", an article in Scientific American, February 2000 discusses the problem and looks at some proposed solutions. Check it out at your library.
Great Lakes Wood Stove Changeout
Do you heat your home with a wood stove that is more than eight years old? Beginning February 3, you can help protect the air and water quality of the Great Lakes region by replacing your old wood stove for a new, cleaner-burning wood, gas or pellet stove during the Great Lakes Wood Stove Changeout program. The program offers financial incentives to Northern Michigan residents who trade in old stoves before March 31, 2000.
Virtual Advertising
As new technology for filtering all those annoying commercials on TV is maturing, the ad industry is using technology to create "virtual advertising"&emdash;you may even have seen it and don't know it. Virtual advertising is the insertion of a banner or any recognizable product into a TV show or live sports broadcast. It is added digitally to the broadcast and different products and banners can be added and subtracted at anytime. This will be really, not virtually, annoying. --The Economist, January 15th-21st, 2000
http://www.economist.com
Princeton Video Image, Inc.
The Ten Worst Corporations of 1999
From the Multinational Monitor, December, 1999, here is their list:Avondale
Citigroup
Del Monte
Guardian Postacute
Hoffman La Roche
Tosco
Tyson
U.S. Bank
Whirlpool
W.R. GraceAlso mentioned in this article are the five most egregious corporate actions of the century.
--Multinational Monitor, December 1999
1530 P St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 387-8030
monitor@essential.org
http://www.essential.org/monitor
Books of Note
Genetically Engineered Food: Changing the Nature of Nature
By Martin Teitel, Ph.D., and Kimberly A. Wilson
Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont
1999, pages 175
except from: http://www.2think.org/changingnature.shtml
"This is the first book to take a comprehensive look at the many ramifications of this disturbing trend. Authors Martin Teitel and Kimberly Wilson explain what genetic engineering is and how it works, then explore the health risks involved with eating organisms never before seen in nature. They address the ecological catastrophe that could result from these modified plants crossing with wild species and escaping human control altogether, as well as the economic devastation that may befall small farmers who find themselves at the mercy of mega-corporations for their livelihood. Taking the discussion a step further, they consider the ethical and spiritual implications of this radical change in our relationship to the naturalworld, showing what the future holds and giving you the information you need to act on your own or to join others in preserving the independence and integrity of our food supply."Related Internet links
Dangers of Genetically Engineered Food
http://www.purefood.org/gelink.html
BioEngineering Action Network of North America. A link on the web site of: The BioDemocracy Campaign, http://www.purefood.org/, is a public interest organization dedicated to building a healthy, safe, and sustainable system of food production and consumption. We are a global clearinghouse for information and grassroots technical assistance.
The Biotech Century
The Foundation on Economic Trends' website addresses the many environmental, social, economic, and ethical issues raised by the biotech revolution. You will find up-to-the-moment information on all biotech-related topics, as well as a global calendar of events, a breaking issues hotline, and links to other organizations engaged in the biotech debate.
Beyond Globalization Shaping a Sustainable Global Economy
by Hazel Henderson
Kumarian Press, West Hartford, CT
1999, pages 88
http://www.hazelhenderson.com
Dr. Hazel Henderson is an independent futurist and lecturer, the author of six books, a worldwide syndicated columnist, and a consultant on sustainable development. This is her latest book written for the New Economics Foundation in association with Focus on the Global South.State of the World 2000
by Lester Brown, et al.
2000, pages 276
The Worldwatch Institute has been publishing the State of the World since 1984. A key book for reading about the defining issue of what it will take to transition to a sustainable economy. Available from your local bookstore or contact:
Worldwatch Institute
1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-296-7365
wwpub@worldwatch.org
www.worldwatch.org
Sustainable Communities
an education resource
http://www.nrec.org/sustain/cd/cdindex.htmlLast spring, 1999, we completed our work on a sustainability project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. We produced a CD ROM that is now available in local area libraries. It contains information on local retail ownership patterns, references for further study of sustainability issues, our 4-part radio program on different aspects of sustainability, a connection to Internet resources and other relevant information. If you do not live in the Grand Traverse region and would like a copy of the CD ROM for your own use or to place in your local library, please let us know and we'll be happy to send you one. We are pleased with the outcome, and are considering a follow-up project.
Our web site contains much of the information that is on the CD. The searchable database is currently not on our web site, but we are hoping to have it their soon.