While the ecological concerns of today are palpable, its still impressive to see changes on all fronts, when it comes to making a green difference. Take this story from The My Hero Project:

The 2,700 pigs on the farm that John Horrevorts manages yield more than ham and bacon. A biogas plant makes enough electricity from their waste to run the farm and feeds extra wattage into the Dutch national grid.He even gets bonus payments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As the world struggles to reduce pollution causing climate change, attention has focused on the burning of fossil fuels in factories, power stations, and vehicles.

But U.N. scientists says farming and forestry account for more than 30 percent of the greenhouse gases that are gradually heating the earth. Much of that pollution comes from cattle, sheep and pigs that belch or excrete methane, a heat-trapping gas more than 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide, the most common global warming gas.

Negotiators from 190 countries have been working to reach a new climate change agreement in December on ways to reduce emissions and help countries adapt to changes in climate. They will reconvene June 1 in Bonn, Germany, for another two-week session.

Yet it is uncertain whether cutting agricultural emissions will be part of the agreement expected to emerge at the final meetings in Copenhagen, Denmark. The subject is complex, emissions are difficult to measure, and the whole question is politically sensitive, touching on the distrust between the world’s rich and poor countries.

Scientists say it is too important to be left out.

“It would be absolutely nuts to ignore agriculture and forestry in any future climate deal,” said Pete Smith, professor of soils and global change at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

We all inherently know that our diet is connected to our moods and general outlook on life. Yet many of continue to indulge in foods that continue to make us feel depleted. Why? Often foods are a source of comfort, at least temporarily. Sure a hot fudge sundae lifts the spirits at that moment.

But what about food that makes you feel good for more than a half hour?

According to CBS, here’s a few food items that can produce relaxation:

Oatmeal: The carbs in oatmeal trigger the release of serotonin, a hormone that relaxes you.

Avocado: The monosaturated fats in avocados help keep the receptors in your brain sensitive to serotonin. As a bonus, these same fats will help lower blood pressure over time, another key to feeling relaxed!

Milk: Whey protein has been shown to decrease anxiety and frustration. Although all dairy products have whey protein, milk will give you the biggest shot of it right away.

And here’s some food that energizes:

GET ENERGIZED

Water: This is probably the most important thing you can consume to give you energy. Water is essential to all body functions, especially the conversion of food into energy.

Pineapple: This fruit is rich in manganese and thiamin, which help metabolize carbs, and as we know, carbs are used for energy.

Almonds: These little guys are like energy pellets, rich in magnesium, which again helps make the conversion of energy in your body more efficient.

Sliced Pineapple for Energy

Christopher Swain is a busy man, making a big difference.

When he’s not logging swim hours in the Atlantic Ocean, Earthkeeper Hero Christopher Swain takes to dry land to educate the public about pollution and the need for cleaner waterways.

In Philadelphia last week, Christopher staged an Ethical Electronics Recycling Event where more than 11,000 pounds of discarded and outdated consumer electronics (commonly known as “e-waste”) were collected for recycling and, when possible, reuse.

What’s the link between your old computer and the clean ocean Christopher Swain is advocating for?  In his own words:

If these devices get tipped into a landfill or dumped on the ground in Asia or Africa, they vomit their toxic contents–mercury, lead, arsenic, barium, hexavalent chromium, and other nasty compounds–into the environment.  This pollutes nearby lands and waterways, and eventually, the ocean.

Dead dolphins and porpoises have been found with high levels of manmade toxics like brominated fire retardants in their blubber.  Have dolphins been fighting fires?  Maybe.  But a more likely explanation is that they have eaten fish from oceans contaminated with the same chemical powders that grace the insides of our cell phones and laptops.

It’s time we think about electronics and what we do with them when they’ve become quickly outdated. Do you really need a new cell phone or laptop or iPod? What do you do with your old e-gadgets? How big does your television really need to be? Wake up and smell the gadgetry…and what its doing to the world around you.

Source: Earthkeepers (great site - please check!)

We often forget that positive news is all around us, from the moment we woke up in the morning (heck - waking up in the morning is your first piece of Positive News, right?)

10 Things (Come on Get Thankful) is a great site that showcases the positivity that surrounds you on a daily basis, helping you tap into the simplicity and beauty that is your world.

Blogger Stephanie hasn’t forgotten: from her new pair of sneakers to the subway arriving on time, she notes the beauty in the ordinary and everyday.

She suggests the following locales for inspiration:

We suggest looking in the following places for inspiration:

“Your refrigerator, your daily routine, your small achievements, your big achievements, your family, (and if that’s too ugly for some) your friends, your pets, your treasure chest, your CD player, your pantry, your bathtub, your city streets, the weather, the roof over your head, the stuff hanging on your walls, your closet, your bookshelf, your local pub, your passport, your local cinema, your best friend’s closet, your cubicle, your farmstand, your calendar or your mailbox.”

There are great things all around you. Sometimes you just have to look.

Take a look at her blog for a moment and come up with your Ten Things!

Stephanie’s New Sneakers

At Only Positive News, we proudly celebrate the average person who goes above and beyond his or her civic duties. Well, some people have decided to not only become local heroes…but local superheroes!

Mr. Ravenblade, Mr. Xtreme, Dark Guardian are just a few of the names. Some with elaborate costumes, others with haphazardly stitched outfits are appearing on city streets worldwide watching over the populace like Superman watched over Metropolis and Batman over Gotham City.

Superhero "Geist" patrols the Rochester, Minnesota
area, with a group of like-minded and similarly
dressed colleagues.

As people become disillusioned from financial woes and a downtrodden economy and look to put new purpose in their lives, everyday folks are taking on new personas to perform community service, help the homeless and even fight crime.

“The movement is growing,” said Ben Goldman, a real-life superhero historian. Goldman, along with Chaim “Life” Lazaros and David “Civitron” Civitarese, runs the New York-based Web site Superheroes Anonymous as part of an initiative dedicated to organizing and making alliances with superhero groups.

According to Goldman, who goes by the moniker Cameraman because of his prowess in documenting the movement, economic troubles are spawning real life superheroes.

“A lot of them have gone through a sort of existential crisis and have had to discover who they are,” Goldman said. People are starting to put value in what they can do rather than what they have, he said. “They realize that money is fleeting, it’s in fact imaginary.”

Estimates from the few groups that keep tabs put the worldwide total of real-life superheroes between 250 and 300. Goldman said the numbers were around 200 just last summer.

“If you’re a real-life superhero you follow the law. If you catch somebody you can’t just tie them up and leave them for the cops, that’s for the comics. You have to wait for the cops and give them a statement,” Mr. Ravenblade said.

Source: CNN

Did you know that bad moods create an actual “tunnel vision”? It’s true. Bad moods limit what you see.

A University of Toronto study shows the first direct evidence that our state of mind literally changes the way our visual system filters our perceptual experience.

“Good and bad moods literally change the way our visual cortex operates and how we see,” says Adam Anderson, a University of Toronto professor of psychology. “Specifically our study shows that when in a positive mood, our visual cortex takes in more information, while negative moods result in tunnel vision. The study appears tomorrow in the Journal of Neuroscience.

On some levels, this isn’t surprising news. We all know when we’re in a bad mood, accidents tend to happen more frequently (only exacerbating that bad mood, of course!) We’re certainly not looking at the world around us. The focus is inward and narrowed.

Today, open your eyes and look up at the sky. I haven’t done any research regarding this technique, but believe that this simple act can open your horizons and snap you out of a negative state of mind. There’s a big world around you. Sometimes you just need to open your eyes!

Now, I’m not giving two thumbs up to all the songs on the list (Number One makes me cringe a little, I must confess) but here’s a list from The Goal Setting College of Inspirational Songs by By Ellesse Chow. Maybe there’s a few you could borrow! (Plus, a great link at the bottom of Paul Potts.):

Upon the request of one of the Goal Setting College reader Chris, I’ve taken the liberty to compile this list of popular top motivational songs for your enjoyment. I’ve even added some of my personal favourites! But remember, even though inspirational music has the power to drive and motivate you, nothing beats the sound of your inner voice.

Something that’s really true to your heart.

Classic Popular Hits

1. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
2. Chariots of Fire - Vangelis
3. The Final Countdown - Europe
4. We Are the Champions - Queen
5. We Will Rock You - Queen
6. I’ve Got the Power - Snap
7. It’s My Life - Bon Jovi
8. Affirmation - Savage Garden
9. Beautiful Day - U2
10. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
11. I Feel Good - James Brown
12. I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
13. Lovely Day - Bill Withers
14. Walking On Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves
15. Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw
16. I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
17. You Gotta Be - Des’ree
18. When You Believe - Mariah Carey/ Whitney Houston
19. Hero - Mariah Carey
20. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
21. Bad Day - Daniel Powter
22. Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
23. I’m Alive - Celine Dione
24. Tub Thumping - Chumba Wumba
25. Loose Yourself - Eminem
26. Remember The Name - Fort Minor
27. Till I Collapse - Eminem
28. Return to Innocence - Enigma
29. O Fortuna - Carmina Burana

My Personal Favourites

1. Orinoco Flow - Enya
2. Only Time - Enya
3. True to Your Heart - 98 degrees & Stevie Wonder
4. Fly - Celine Dione
5. Now We Are Free - Lisa Gerard
6. When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
7. New Day - Celine Dione
8. One Day More - Les Miserables
9. The Prayer - Celine Dione & Andrea Bocelli
10. Nessun Dorma - Pavarotti *
11. Time To Say Goodbye - Sarah Brightman & Andrea Boccelli *

* These 2 songs remind me of Paul Potts. And if you haven’t caught the story of this inspiring car phone salesman, check out here. Feel free to add any inspirational songs that you like to this list!

More builders and developers around the world are emphasizing ecofriendly techniques when creating new buildings. This isn’t just about ecological correctness. A sound, green building saves money and increases resale value. It truly is the way of the future.

Washington University in St. Louis has opened the doors to one of the greenest buildings in the U.S., and plans to meet one of the toughest green building standards, the Living Building Challenge. At the Tyson Research Center is the Living Learning Center, a building that will not only provides its own water and power but also be built from reclaimed wood.

The Living Learning Center will capture and store all of the water it needs and harness energy from wind turbines or solar panels. The Living Learning Center will have a roof that will catch rainwater, which will be filtered and stored in a 3,000-gallon tank underground.

The Learning Center will also monitor all building processes as well as displaying avoided emissions.

Buildings like this are a sign of the times. What changes can you make in your household, however small, that contribute to this trend. It’s a bandwagon we must all jump on, in order to have a clean, sustainable future.

Source: Global Good News

Most of don’t realize that even family pets have been hit by hard economic times. If you own a pet, you probably understand: animals cost money. Between vets bills, food, pet sitters, etc., our darling pets can cost a lot. Well, Kibble’s & Bits just kicked in a little.

Best Friends Animal Society distributed 1,215 bags of dog food and snacks to two Atlanta-area food banks. The generous donation was provided by Del Monte Foods Company’s Kibble n’ Bits®. The two food pantries that received the food are: Save Our Pets Food Bank in Atlanta and Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen in Lawrenceville.

“We are so appreciative to be able to work with Del Monte Foods on this project,” said Ellen Gilmore, Best Friends campaign coordinator. “We distributed 23 pallets of dog food — approximately 20,000-plus pounds of food to help people who are facing tough economic times keep their pets.

“This is a great event for Best Friends’ First Home Forever Home campaign. The campaign focuses on all aspects of helping people make and honor a lifetime commitment to their companion animals and their right to a loving forever home,” Gilmore said.

Take a second today to peruse Best Friends website. There are so many small and big ways you can help.

Source: Happy News