This short poem is a companion art entry following the Nov 15, 2008 post “Trees mean more than paper.”
Of all the things this world decrees,
and all the pains’ and sorrows’ plea,
“Why trees?” she asked of thee.
“Prithee share your care for tree.”
Behold, beauty stretched ‘ward sky,
and majesty draped where would I
meet no verde lovelier to eye
than that for which a tree supply.
And purposed its life, filled will be.
Weathering storms for you and me,
Sequestering carbon in the free,
and providing justice in economy.
Tree. Thou need not hug one to agree
“elegance” and “mission” names be.
Threatened. “Action!” is this day’s decree,
lest our world without a tree.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Trees mean more than paper
Interest Reignited
Yesterday, my concern for trees and forests was renewed after learning about the fires burning in Santa Barbara and other parts of southern California.[1-2] If you’ve spent any time in Santa Barbara, perhaps you’ll sympathize with the destruction of such a beautiful place and the awful image of fires pouring like lava over the mountains in the horizon. I read an emails with disbelieving eyes about terrible fires that have ravaged lands, destroyed homes and offices, and forced the evacuation of families. Those who were lucky had a few minutes to collect a few irreplacables before fleeing. Many have already lost their entire homes. Let’s hope for the residents of Santa Barbara and other southern California residents impacted by recent fires.
Global Green Loss
A destructive event like this leaves a devastating and complex impact on the environment. Sadly, the disappearance of forests has been ongoing and worldwide. Last month, a BBC article citing an EU-commissioned study made the bold statement that the “global economy is losing more money from the disappearance of forests than through the current banking crisis.”[3] Experts estimate the annual loss at $2-$5 trillion per year, more than double the losses of the financial sector by the date the article was written.
What can be more saddening is that the poor are disproportionally affected. The rural poor who fight starvation, unproductive land and lack of water, resort to slash and burn tactics clearing forests for agriculture. But this very act further degrades the land. Deforestation and poverty are inextricably linked.
Feature: Plant with Purpose (formerly Floresta)
I have recent enthusiasm for a charity whose mission is to break this cycle of deforestation and poverty, through “healing the land and its people.” Floresta reforests, educates and trains, and develops local communities in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Mexico, and America.[4] Last month, I received a picture of a Haitian village of 37 about 40 miles south of Port au Prince that I helped to support. Since 2002, Plant with Purpose has been training these residents in new agricultural methods and providing microfinance loans. I was further reassured of their commitment to the cause when I read the thank you letter in my hands was made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.
[1] General information can be found at: “Montecito Tea Fire.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montecito_Tea_Fire and also[2] Chawkins, Steve; Sahagun, Louis; Weiss, Kenneth R. (2008-11-14). "Montecito fire consumes 111 homes", Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 15 November 2008. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sbfire15-2008nov15,0,3157160.story
[3] Black, Richard. “Nature loss 'dwarfs bank crisis’”. Oct 10, 2008. BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7662565.stm
[4] Floresta. http://www.floresta.org/
Yesterday, my concern for trees and forests was renewed after learning about the fires burning in Santa Barbara and other parts of southern California.[1-2] If you’ve spent any time in Santa Barbara, perhaps you’ll sympathize with the destruction of such a beautiful place and the awful image of fires pouring like lava over the mountains in the horizon. I read an emails with disbelieving eyes about terrible fires that have ravaged lands, destroyed homes and offices, and forced the evacuation of families. Those who were lucky had a few minutes to collect a few irreplacables before fleeing. Many have already lost their entire homes. Let’s hope for the residents of Santa Barbara and other southern California residents impacted by recent fires.
Global Green Loss
A destructive event like this leaves a devastating and complex impact on the environment. Sadly, the disappearance of forests has been ongoing and worldwide. Last month, a BBC article citing an EU-commissioned study made the bold statement that the “global economy is losing more money from the disappearance of forests than through the current banking crisis.”[3] Experts estimate the annual loss at $2-$5 trillion per year, more than double the losses of the financial sector by the date the article was written.
What can be more saddening is that the poor are disproportionally affected. The rural poor who fight starvation, unproductive land and lack of water, resort to slash and burn tactics clearing forests for agriculture. But this very act further degrades the land. Deforestation and poverty are inextricably linked.
Feature: Plant with Purpose (formerly Floresta)
I have recent enthusiasm for a charity whose mission is to break this cycle of deforestation and poverty, through “healing the land and its people.” Floresta reforests, educates and trains, and develops local communities in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Mexico, and America.[4] Last month, I received a picture of a Haitian village of 37 about 40 miles south of Port au Prince that I helped to support. Since 2002, Plant with Purpose has been training these residents in new agricultural methods and providing microfinance loans. I was further reassured of their commitment to the cause when I read the thank you letter in my hands was made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.
[1] General information can be found at: “Montecito Tea Fire.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montecito_Tea_Fire and also[2] Chawkins, Steve; Sahagun, Louis; Weiss, Kenneth R. (2008-11-14). "Montecito fire consumes 111 homes", Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 15 November 2008. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sbfire15-2008nov15,0,3157160.story
[3] Black, Richard. “Nature loss 'dwarfs bank crisis’”. Oct 10, 2008. BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7662565.stm
[4] Floresta. http://www.floresta.org/
Friday, November 14, 2008
Inauguration
Welcome reader! Timeless kindergarten memories fondly include classic stories of show and tell, whereby we shared about something that really excited us or something of special value to a roomful of peers. Decades later, fueled with a developing interest in philanthropy, the authors of this blog present “give and tell: love, live, give” – a blog sharing our philanthropic interests, how we’ve responded to needs and causes we care about, charities we’ve supported, experiences we’ve had, and philanthropic news to an audience of like-minded peers.
What can I expect to read?
Our hope is that everything you read will be worthwhile and never dry. All topics will be related to philanthropy, which besides financial giving also includes giving of time, skills, and other resources. All anecdotes are first-hand experiences of the authors, so readers can expect writing with integrity. While we make no claim to be experts in the areas we are philanthropically connected, all our articles will be evidence-based and sources referenced when appropriate. There will be a diversity of article types including feature articles, news, discussion, and occasionally art.
Who are the authors?
Two authors hereby known as Devoted to Giving and yGive will be your companions. Devoted to Giving has a special heart for health and healthcare, with other interests including the environment, international relief and social justice. yGive has been growing passionate about issues concerning social justice, the environment, and education since investigating more deeply the profound impacts on these topics by world affairs today.
What can I expect to read?
Our hope is that everything you read will be worthwhile and never dry. All topics will be related to philanthropy, which besides financial giving also includes giving of time, skills, and other resources. All anecdotes are first-hand experiences of the authors, so readers can expect writing with integrity. While we make no claim to be experts in the areas we are philanthropically connected, all our articles will be evidence-based and sources referenced when appropriate. There will be a diversity of article types including feature articles, news, discussion, and occasionally art.
Who are the authors?
Two authors hereby known as Devoted to Giving and yGive will be your companions. Devoted to Giving has a special heart for health and healthcare, with other interests including the environment, international relief and social justice. yGive has been growing passionate about issues concerning social justice, the environment, and education since investigating more deeply the profound impacts on these topics by world affairs today.
The time is now
Therefore, we invite you to join us in this journey of learning more about the world around us, exploring how we can partner with each other and with worthwhile institutions in making this a better place for us, for the less fortunate, and for those who are yet to be.
Givingly yours,
Editor
Givingly yours,
Editor
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