‘The Free’. 462pp. free download

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‘The Free’, an adventure/thriller about teenage runaways, during climate chaos and capitalist collapse. The E-book has been a Free Download since May 1st.

tags: Social Revolution, anarchist, anti-fascist, climate chaos, collapse of capitalism, adventure, coops, coppice, credit union, deschooling, feminist, gay, lesbian, permaculture, magic,money free, online democracy, rape, riot, revolution, squatters,

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Roundup Ready for your front lawn

In press release titled “ USDA Responds to Regulation Requests Regarding Kentucky Bluegrass,” agency officials announced their decision not to regulate a “Roundup Ready” strain of Kentucky bluegrass—that is, a strain genetically engineered to withstand glyphosate, Monsanto’s widely used herbicide, which we know as Roundup. The maker of the novel grass seed, Scotts Miracle Gro, is now free to sell it far and wide. So you’ll no doubt be seeing Roundup Ready bluegrass blanketing lawns and golf courses near you—and watching anal neighbors and groundskeepers literally dousing the grass in weed killer without fear of harming a single precious blade.

According to Doug Gurian-Sherman, senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Food and Environment Program, the documents released by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) along with the announcement portend a major change in how the feds will deal with genetically modified crops.

Notably, given the already-lax regulatory regime governing GMOs (genetically modified organisms, click here for a primer), APHIS seems to be ramping down oversight to the point where it is essentially meaningless. The new regime corresponding with the bluegrass announcement would “drastically weaken USDA’s regulation.” This is perhaps the most serious change in US regs for [genetically modified] crops for many years….

…In its July 1 response, the USDA agreed: “[N]one of the organisms used in generating this genetically engineered (GE) glyophosphate tolerant Kentucky bluegrass…are considered to be plant pests,” so Roundup Ready bluegrass “does not meet the definition of a ‘regulated article’ and is not subject” to the Plant Protection Act. In other words, go forth and multiply.

The agency also retracted its only other hook for regulating GM crops—the noxious-weeds provision. The Center for Food Safety had petitioned the USDA to classify genetically modified bluegrass as a noxious weed. The case for this is strong: bluegrass has light pollen that can be carried for miles on the wind, meaning that genetically modified bluegrass can easily transfer its genes to established conventional bluegrass.

Read lots more + photos HERE http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2011/07/10/did-the-usda-deregulate-all-new-genetically-modified-crops/

Seed-Mothers take on bio-pirates.

Seed-Mothers’ Confront Climate Insecurity By Manipadma Jena

BHUBANESWAR, India, Jul 1, 2011 (IPS) – In eastern Orissa state’s tribal hinterlands about 200 ‘seed-mothers’ are on mission mode – identifying, collecting and conserving traditional seed varieties and motivating farming families to use them.–

As they spread their message through the hinterland, targeting another 140 villages, the women also promote zero dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides….

The struggles of Malkangiri farmers with climate change is visible in the Gudumpadar village where seed-mothers are passionately reviving agricultural heritage and convincing the community to stay with local seeds and bio-fertilisers and pesticides….

Well-known environmental activist and founder of Navdanya, Vandana Shiva, told IPS that “climate resilient seeds in women’s hands are vital to climate security and corporations that have taken out some 1,600 patents on climate resilient seeds are biopirates”.

“Allowing corporations to hijack and monopolise seed supply is a recipe for food insecurity and climate insecurity,” Shiva averred.

Read mlore here

FEVER: Climate chaos and the Indigenous.

FREE DOWNLOAD all 4 films

Fever – A Video Guide, consists of four short films which have been designed as resource for Indigenous communities, to help share information about climate change as well as the struggles and the strategies that communities employ to defend their rights and determine their own futures. In the films we hear the stories from communities in Ecuador, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Indonesia.

All four films are available in Spanish, English and Bahasa Indonesia (Other languages soon). They can be freely viewed or downloaded by anyone. DVD copies may also be requested by visiting LifeMosaic’s website and clicking on “Request a DVD”.

The first film, Fever , explains the essential points of climate change and why it is so important to Indigenous Peoples. Watch/Download Fever (21 minutes).

The second film, Impacts, shows how large-scale industrial projects like plantations, coal mining and oil extraction impacts indigenous peoples livelihoods and rights as well as contributes to global climate change. Watch/Download Impacts (20 minutes).

The third film, Organization, provides examples of organizational tools and strategies used by indigenous peoples to protect their cultures, territories and rights. Watch/Download Organization (23 minutes).

The fourth and final film, Resilience, examines indigenous peoples’ increasing resilience to climate change by strengthening their customary systems and developing new approaches for adaptation. Watch/Download Resilience (22 minutes)

Permaculture in Zimbabwe

Harvesting Water for Food Security By Busani Bafana

Caroline Ndlovu is one of over 100 smallholder farmers practising the water harvesting technique of using earth dams.GWANDA, Zimbabwe, Jun 28, 2011 (IPS) –

Earth mounds running across her field hold back the water that Caroline Ndlovu uses to grow maize, pumpkins, beans and watermelons long after the short rainy season in this arid part of Zimbabwe. Ndlovu, a mother of three who trains other farmers, is one of over 100 smallholder farmers practising the water harvesting technique of using earth dams. The water collected in the field allows farmers to increase their crop yields, which ordinarily are poor in this region.

The secret to water harvesting is hard work and a passion for farming, Ndlovu revealed. “I work hard and put to practise the skills I have learnt on pegging and digging the contours in the most suitable location to ensure that they hold the water after the rains,” said Ndlovu.

Farmers have faced the challenge of not having the tools to dig the contours as well as not having the labour involved in making the contours. So communities in Sizhulube village work together to dig the contours. While older or disabled members look after the children and help prepare food.

READ ON here

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about the book

Adventure/Thriller.. Maxie rebels and runs away, with anarcha feminists, squatters and gays.. Capitalism goes bottoms up. The climate is revolting.. our heroes live the social and permaculture revolution, and the dawn of a money-free world….The E Book will come out on Mayday…. as a FREE download