Be An Urban Mountaineer.
September 3, 2010 – 8:48 am | No Comment

By Sarah Ferry
In 2010 mountaineers removed two tons of rubbish from Everest, rubbish that we see in our everyday lives. But what was it doing up there in the first place, and what can New …

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Environment, Sustainability »

Ekodo: Compassionate Environmentalism
September 3, 2010 – 6:00 pm | No Comment

By Sean Weaver

Over the last twenty-five years of environmental practice, I have had countless opportunities to experience and reflect on how to enhance my effectiveness. I have had my fair share of failures and successes over these years, and the lessons learned have been invaluable. I have tried manipulation, bending the truth, back stabbing, anger, hatred, arrogance, self-righteousness, knowing everything, defensiveness, paranoia, rejection, and they all left me dissatisfied for several reasons, and among them was the fact that they were not as effective nor as satisfying as a more powerful force of nature: compassion.

The reason so many of us got into this whole business of environmentalism and social justice was because we felt (and feel) violated when we witness needless suffering. This compassion can then sometimes get lost beneath a set of strategies we employ to put things right. But these strategies can commonly embody the very same emotional drivers as the problems we seek to overcome – greed, hatred, ignorance.

Einstein once said that we cannot solve problems using the [heart]-mindset that created them.   I tend to agree, not just because I think it is wholesome to act compassionately, but because I have tried selfish and compassionate modalities of environmental practice, and have seen how compassionate action has delivered bigger, better and more enduring outcomes than the selfish ones.

Think for a moment of the contest between advocates for biodiversity on one hand, and the jobs of local people on the other, in a classic environmental dispute over a forest. A selfish and ignorant environmental practice might ignore the legitimate needs of local people, and put its entire effort into winning at all costs.

This is sometimes justified on the basis that “nature always loses, so now its time for nature to win for a change”. Fine. But first show me the line that divides nature from people in this interconnected ecological world. Then show me why it is impossible to deliver both social justice and environmental protection in the same solution.

There is no necessity to alleviate environmental destruction by means of social injustice, any more than it is necessary to alleviate human suffering through environmental destruction.

I have tried out this approach and seen it work on numerous occasions. An example of compassionate environmental policy: In 1998 I prepared a regional economic development policy framework as my contribution to help resolve the impasse between environmentalists and local logging supporters over the protection of the West Coast indigenous forests, back in the late 1990s. People told me I was mad “It will never happen.” The outcome: 130,000ha of forest protected because $120 million in regional development funding was provided by the government for the West Coast community – a community that thrived after the forests were protected.

This is quite unlike the outcome for Minginui – a small town in the central North Island that still suffers intense social hardship after the indigenous logging was stopped in Whirinaki forest in the 1980s. Think of tropical rainforests and how much we want them protected. Then think of the local people in these developing countries…

When environmental protection causes unnecessary social hardship is hardly sustainable (i.e. enduring), because it creates powerful political enemies of conservation, and rightly so.   But eco-political leadership from the heart is built of sterner stuff and can out-perform selfish modes in 84,000 ways. There are more angles on the West Coast indigenous forest story to share but this will have to wait till another time…

See Ekodo Facebook Group for details and workshops.

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#136 – One Way to Inspire People to Shine: Via Invitation
September 3, 2010 – 5:49 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#136 – One Way to Inspire People to Shine: Via Invitation

Today I would like to introduce you to Sarah Ferry.  Sarah was a graduate from the first ever Happyzine Positive Writing Course and her debut piece is up in the headline position right now.  It’s …

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One Night by Candlelight
September 2, 2010 – 6:24 pm | No Comment
One Night by Candlelight

There’s nothing like changing a newborn nappy by candlelight to remind me of the perils of Peak Oil. Romantic it wasn’t.
For a few months there my bedtime reading was Rob Hopkins’ Transition Town …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#135 – For the Love of Family
September 2, 2010 – 6:00 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#135 – For the Love of Family

I write this blog scrunched forward, squinting at the screen in my contact-lenseless state.  It’s been a chaotic day of family and animals, kind of exhausting, and heart-filling, all at once.  So first – here’s …

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Hannah’s (Pre) Spring Clean: Blog One
September 1, 2010 – 10:25 pm | 2 Comments
Hannah’s (Pre) Spring Clean: Blog One

Greetings and welcome to the first of my twice-weekly blogs for the month of September. I recently approached Charlotte about blogging for a month about my journey back to living healthily, in part because you …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#135 – The People in Our Lives Who Believe in Us: Matter.
September 1, 2010 – 5:10 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#135 – The People in Our Lives Who Believe in Us: Matter.

Along the way, I also began to hold out for more in my relationships.  For more joy.  For more safety.  For more trust.  I slowly learnt to say ‘I love you, but I don’t love …

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Yealands Estate Wines Looking for ‘Art on a Bottle’
August 31, 2010 – 8:35 pm | No Comment
Yealands Estate Wines Looking for ‘Art on a Bottle’

Media Release
31 August 2010
Yealands Estate Wines looking for ‘Art on a Bottle’
Sponsors of the Yealands Estate Marlborough Art Gallery – Yealands Estate Wines and The Marlborough Art Society would like to announce the first year …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#134 – Check out Yealands, Greenist Vineyard in NZ?
August 31, 2010 – 8:30 pm | 2 Comments
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#134 – Check out Yealands, Greenist Vineyard in NZ?

I heard the story of these guys a few weeks ago on the National Programme and thought they sounded pretty cool.  They’re very busy ‘going green’ and are even hoping they’re the most sustainable vineyard …

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Seeing the Trees for the Wood
August 31, 2010 – 9:18 am | No Comment
Seeing the Trees for the Wood

I find something inherently comforting about being surrounded by wood. As I look around our little 1940’s cottage I realise how much of nature’s cloak we’ve drawn around us; our wood framed weatherboard house has …

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Walking on the Wild Side Does Have its Benefits
August 31, 2010 – 9:16 am | No Comment
Walking on the Wild Side Does Have its Benefits

Your eyes are feasting on an array of delicate blooms with their own artists palette of shades and immeasurable incalculable infinity of geometric designs.
How does this make you feel?
Relaxed, senses sated?
This is the powerful effect …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#133 – Life is Sweet and Precious
August 30, 2010 – 9:20 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#133 – Life is Sweet and Precious

Ok, so today’s great moment was: standing in the kitchen making really bad, highly immature jokes with my flatmate and laughing uncontrollably.  There were many more sweet moments today, such as completing another Positive Writing …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#132 – Bioneers – Revolution from the Heart of Nature
August 29, 2010 – 11:01 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#132 – Bioneers – Revolution from the Heart of Nature

I listen in each week to Bioneers – which is an ass-kickingly brilliant positive radio show that’s broad-casted regularly on  Fresh FM.   Yes indeed, it truly rocks.  Here’s the link to their radio shows.  They …

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Calling All Passionate Business Owners – Feeling the Need to Take Control of Your Accounts?
August 29, 2010 – 11:00 pm | No Comment
Calling All Passionate Business Owners – Feeling the Need to Take Control of Your Accounts?

Gaibrielle Syben of www.myva.co.nz is offering an exclusive 20% discount this month only, to Happyzine subscribers only, who would like some help to smooth out their accounts.
It can be a challenge to …

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An Excerpt from the Wholefoods Handbook – ‘Chickpeas’
August 29, 2010 – 8:27 pm | One Comment
An Excerpt from the Wholefoods Handbook – ‘Chickpeas’

Chickpeas (Garbanzos)
Chickpeas, native to Asia, are a key ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cookery.  They’re tan and shaped like a small hazelnut.  Chickpeas contain more iron than other legumes and are a good source of unsaturated fats.  …

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Planting the Seed
August 29, 2010 – 12:38 pm | No Comment
Planting the Seed

by Claire Chateau
“And after we get the Gold Award…what do we do?”
This was one of the burning questions asked by Alex, eight, last week, as he was reflecting upon the eco-journey of his school, together …

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Five Good Reasons to Get Out of Bed in the Week-End to go to the Growers Market
August 28, 2010 – 7:19 pm | 3 Comments
Five Good Reasons to Get Out of Bed in the Week-End to go to the Growers Market

by Claire Chateau
Like me, you are probably an expert at finding reasons why you are not going to make it to the early local growers market at the week-end. Busy week at work (“all the …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#131 – Grand Landscape Design
August 28, 2010 – 7:00 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#131 – Grand Landscape Design

I’m just dashing off to watch Grand Landscape Designs on a friend’s TV.  Yes! Having sworn off TV for a year (at our house) I’m finding myself lusting after it’s many luscious programmes  elsewhere!  There’s …

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From Water Capture to Birthing into Water
August 27, 2010 – 3:59 pm | No Comment
From Water Capture to Birthing into Water

Last week I chatted merrily about water conservation, about my dreams to capture more and how to put it to use. A very keen part of the permaculture process. Another principle of permaculture …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#130 – She Sleeps So That the Good Can Continue
August 27, 2010 – 3:30 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#130 – She Sleeps So That the Good Can Continue

While some days it doesn’t seem as if I achieve anything (as the mother of this good news website, plus one gorgeous three year old and one Golden Retriever), actually I do.  Even today, as …

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Eco Labels and the Right Information Have Mass Market Appeal
August 26, 2010 – 6:54 pm | No Comment
Eco Labels and the Right Information Have Mass Market Appeal

Media Release
Eco labels and the right information have mass market appeal
Sellers using eco-labels backed with the right information could make as many as 85% of New Zealanders more likely to buy a product.
Huge numbers …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#130 – E-book progress
August 26, 2010 – 6:50 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#130 – E-book progress

The good news is that last night, late last night, I finished the second draft of my e-book.  The title of my e-book is ‘Ten ways to chillax and have fun as you contribute to …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#129 – Ro and Joanna – Two Grandparents of Permaculture
August 25, 2010 – 7:59 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#129 – Ro and Joanna – Two Grandparents of Permaculture

Come away with me, today we’re going to visit Ro and Joanna Piekarski, of Pohara Valley, Golden Bay.  Wear your gumboots, because come the end of our time there it will rain.  And you can …

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Audio to Visual – NZ Musicians Help Kiwi Youth
August 25, 2010 – 2:46 pm | 3 Comments
Audio to Visual – NZ Musicians Help Kiwi Youth

Youthline Press Release
From audio to visual – NZ musicians help Kiwi youth

Hollie Smith, Julia Deans and Riki Gooch have more than just Kiwi music in common.
Along with 13 other local musicians, they’re switching mediums to …

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Introducing Ekodo – Eko (ecological) do (way).
August 24, 2010 – 6:11 pm | 2 Comments
Introducing Ekodo – Eko (ecological) do (way).

By Sean Weaver, 23 August, 2010.
This is the first of a series of blogs that Sean Weaver will write about Ekodo.
Eko (ecological) do (way) is the way of the eco-warrior. Ekodo turns environmentalism into a …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#128 – My Day of Rest, thanks to Gandhi.
August 24, 2010 – 6:08 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#128 – My Day of Rest, thanks to Gandhi.

“Over a half-century ago, British negotiators learned the power of silence from a negotiator who single-handedly brought the British Empire to its knees. Gandhi also took breaks at regular intervals, during which he remained silent …

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Grey Lynn Farmer’s Market – Notices
August 23, 2010 – 7:00 pm | No Comment
Grey Lynn Farmer’s Market – Notices

“Dear friends of the Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market,
We’re very excited to announce that the next street market will take place on Sunday, 26th September from 9am – 12.30pm in the West Lynn shopping district on …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#127 – Positive Word-Smiths Unite
August 23, 2010 – 6:16 pm | One Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#127 – Positive Word-Smiths Unite

I’m currently cradling my three year old son in my arms.  He came home from his Dad’s yesterday with a fever and has had a temperature ever since.  He’s doing well, it’s funny how kids …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#126 – Generosity and Toilets – Hand in Hand.
August 22, 2010 – 6:36 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#126 – Generosity and Toilets – Hand in Hand.

Remember the day, oh such a sweet, sweet day, when you could use the toilets out the back of shops if you were in serious need?  I fondly recall a time when you just took …

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My Four Favorite Edible Flowers
August 21, 2010 – 10:42 pm | No Comment
My Four Favorite Edible Flowers

By Suzi Franks
Last week I told you about the wonderful world of edible flowers and Charlotte has asked if I could pick some of my favorites and tell you about them.. I said ‘Of course …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#125 – Fancy A Little Power Smoothie to Pep Things Up?
August 21, 2010 – 10:40 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#125 – Fancy A Little Power Smoothie to Pep Things Up?

The good news is I’m ninety percent of the way through the second draft of my e-book.  I read back over it today and enjoyed it, I hope I’m not the only one!  Now let’s …

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Solar panels for beginners
August 21, 2010 – 8:00 am | One Comment
Solar panels for beginners

It all started in early autumn.  I cycled past a garage sale, and spotted what looked like a solar panel on the lawn.  It couldn’t be – could it?
I’d always harboured a secret desire to …

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Residents Have Their Say on “Taxi-bus”
August 20, 2010 – 6:25 pm | No Comment
Residents Have Their Say on “Taxi-bus”

Hikurangi Foundation
Media statement
For release: 19 August 2010
Residents have their say on “Taxi-bus”
Warkworth residents are being surveyed on a Taxi-bus service to see if this could be a solution to the lack of public transport in …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#124 – Your Prescription: Take One Dose of Delicious Anticipation Per Day!
August 20, 2010 – 6:00 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#124 – Your Prescription: Take One Dose of Delicious Anticipation Per Day!

I’ve got the night off my main job tonight: that of being a Mama.  Tis the most important job ever!  And I try very hard to do a good job (don’t we all?).  So tonight …

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A Conversation About Water Conservation
August 20, 2010 – 1:23 pm | No Comment
A Conversation About Water Conservation

I check the weather online almost as often as I check my email. Not that it changes anything- we’ll still get weather. So it seems almost ironic, in a very long wet winter, …

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Frocktober 2010
August 19, 2010 – 9:20 pm | No Comment
Frocktober 2010

Hello Frocks on Bikes Flocks!
We are very excited about Frocktober 2010.  We are also aware that it is fast approaching!  Here in Wellington, we are in the process of planning a ride and event.  We …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#123 – Zumba: One Good Reason to Girate Merrily in Public
August 19, 2010 – 9:00 pm | One Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#123 – Zumba: One Good Reason to Girate Merrily in Public

It was the last thing I ever thought I’d do.  I’d seen the infomercials on TV and was not the least bit attracted to it (well, Ok, maybe a little).  But, you know how it …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#122 – Little House Big House – Why It Doesn’t Really Matter
August 18, 2010 – 6:00 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#122 – Little House Big House – Why It Doesn’t Really Matter

The house I live in, which I’m renting, brings me great pleasure.  It has everything I need and more.  It has an eager little heat-pump, which, at one press delivers me enough warmth to fill …

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The Search is on for New Zealand’s Senior Achievers
August 17, 2010 – 10:01 pm | No Comment
The Search is on for New Zealand’s Senior Achievers

Nominations are being sought from around the country for the Countdown Senior New Zealander of the Year 2011 as part of the New Zealander of the Year Awards.  This award is open to those aged …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#121 – Feeling Ten Out of Ten and (nearly) Proud of It!
August 17, 2010 – 10:00 pm | 3 Comments
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#121 – Feeling Ten Out of Ten and (nearly) Proud of It!

I don’t know if this makes for boring reading, but so many good moments happened today that it’s hard to know which one to tell you about.  Why on earth would this be boring? I …

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Positive Health News – Reiki on an Autistic Teenage Boy With Teretts Syndrome
August 16, 2010 – 10:45 pm | 2 Comments
Positive Health News – Reiki on an Autistic Teenage Boy With Teretts Syndrome

By Cress Spicer
One client of mine was a teenage boy of 11 years who had autism and severe teretts syndrome. He had recently been diagnosed at the B.C Childrens Hospital and had a particularly bad …

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365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#120 – How to Get All ‘Zen’ About Life In a Cheap Date Kind of Way
August 16, 2010 – 10:43 pm | No Comment
365 Days of Fun and Chillaxation – Blog#120 – How to Get All ‘Zen’ About Life In a Cheap Date Kind of Way

Yeah, when it comes to life and happiness I’m a cheap date.  I mean, it doesn’t take much to please me, lately.
Momentous moment number one for today was when I was driving along and two …

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