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Ecological Internet, the group responsible for ClimateArk.org and Forests.org announced today their intention to publish a new ezine called New Earth Rising. They’re currently seeking submissions from established and new environmental writers, scholars and activists. Given the length of time Dr Glen Barry and his team has been involved in scholarly discussion on all matter relating to ecological sustainability this is sure to be a well-researched, thoughtful and timely publication. So, what exactly are Ecological Internet looking for in submissions? The following should assist… New Earth Rising’s editorial tone will strongly favor truthful ecological writings regarding global eco-crises, identifying necessary and sufficient...

Agriculture is not only affected by climate change, but also contributes significantly to it. Greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors related to agriculture are estimated to contribute up to 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions. According to Dr. Timothy J. LaSalle, CEO The Rodale Institute, “…agriculture is an undervalued and underestimated climate change tool that could be one of the most powerful strategies in the fight against global warming”. Unfortunately, conventional agricultural practices exacerbate rather than alleviate the effects of climate change. Organic agriculture on the other hand - with its emphasis on closed nutrient cycles, biodiversity, and effective soil management - appears to have the capacity to mitigate and even...

How about this for a great idea - GROFUN. What does it stand for? Growing Real Organic Food in Urban Neighborhoods. This grass-roots project, which started in Bristol, brings together neighbors and locals with the aim of growing organic produce for everyone to consume and enjoy. It’s a simple idea, but it’s the sort of community involvement and shared sense of responsibility that really makes a place livable. It’s nice to see so many people come together for a common goal. And the range of skills brought to bear certainly makes projects such as this entirely more manageable. One of the things that strikes me in this video is the capacity for projects such as this to bring together all manner of people. Great stuff GROFUN!

The main threat to black pepper crops is the fungus Phytophthora capsici. This particular fungus causes root and crown rot in black pepper crops. In this video, Jose Elanjhimattam, an organic farmer from Kerala, India explains how, by applying the liquid captured from his compost heap, he is able to effectively eliminate the impact of the fungus on his organically grown black pepper crops. He also explains how the worm castings from the compost heap provide a rich source of soil nutrients.

Like many organic farmers, Jose Elanjhimattam is both a practical and abundantly resourceful man. Starting with cow dung, Jose has created an ingenious system that simultaneously captures and separates nitrogen-rich organic manure and methane gas. Unlike dried cow dung, which tends to lose nitrogen throughout the drying process, the liquefied organic manure produced through Jose’s slurry provides soil with far higher levels of nitrogen. Additionally, the methane gas removed is used as a form of fuel. Jose estimates that the dung from two cows is sufficient to provide enough biogas to support the cooking requirements of a family of four. Resourceful, intelligent, simple – great stuff!