Photo Credit: Austin Parker

Wagwan everybody, it’s Austin checking in from Jamaica.  It’s been almost three months since I left home for Kingston, and my time here has been both incredible and difficult. So what I’m doing here in Jamaica, if you’re wondering, is the United States Peace Corps. So far the process has taken me from the struggles of being a trainee to being a full fledged volunteer in the southern Parish of Clarendon. I have been an official Peace Corps Volunteer for about a month now and I have been placed with an environmental NGO called the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Fund (CCAM). This non-profit manages the largest protected area in Jamaica called the Portland Bight Protected Area, which contains critical habitat such as dry limestone forests, coral reefs, the ever important mangrove forests, seagrass beds, as well as some of the nation’s most endangered species. The area is also very rich in history and culture.

So what’s life like in Jamaica? Well, from saying good morning to literally everyone you see to fitting 25 people in a mini bus made for 12, this place has a different feel to it that is hard to describe. Where I live is truly hot. The hottest part of my day is walking the mile from my house to the road to get a route taxi into the town where I work. The mornings are hottest because the clouds and wind haven’t come yet, but the sun, of course, has. When it comes to food, I am ever grateful for the endless supply of mangoes from my backyard. The Jamaican people in my community near Lionel Town, Clarendon are friendly but apprehensive about my intentions, but I see that changing over time. Jamaican patois was so hard to understand at first, but after many language courses and plenty of roadside conversations, I can proudly say that I understand about three quarters of the people I talk to.  From being stuck in my house for a week because of the potential violence caused by the search for the gang leader called “Dudus” to jumping out the window of a burning minibus, I can say my experience has been memorable so far.

Although I will continue to post updates about my experience, feel free to contact me if you have questions or just want to chat.

Jamaica is an incredibly beautiful country and I am proud to do what I can to keep it that way.

Lyata,

Austin

Have you ever dreamed of getting in a van and driving south until who knows when? I know I have, and in 1968 Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins lived this dream.  This 10,000 mile trip started in Southern California and “ended” in Patagonia, South America.  This trip changed the lives of the explorers and now, because of these two men and their work, over two million acres are under permanent protection.   Their epic adventure was recently recreated and made into a documentary/ travel/ surf film called 180 Degrees South. Produced by Woodshed Films, the film depicts a group of surfers/ explorers making their way from Southern California in a sailboat. The destination was Patagonia but where they ended up along the way could never have been predicted. The film is set to release this spring and from watching this trailer one word comes to mind: Epic.   Enjoy…

Photo Credit: Austin Parker

The non-profit group Conservacion Patagonica has been dedicated to conservation in Patagonia since 2000. They have protected over 450,000 acres of land through the implementation of national parks in Argentine Patagonia and have started the process of implementing another national park in Chilean Patagonia. The future Patagonia National Park will be in a place called Valle Chacabuco in southern Chile and will be about 500,000 acres in size when completed.

The foundation bought the land, which previously was private land used for livestock, and agreed to restore, conserve, and preserve the land and return the land to the Chilean government with the condition that it be turned into a national park. Currently, the conservation effort is underway and construction of the visitor’s center, future restaurant and lodging facilities are also underway.  The model for the future National Park is Yosemite National Park in California.

I recently participated in Conservacion Patagonica’s volunteer program in Valle Chacabuco. During the two weeks I was in the park we spent three days removing invasive plants,  five days fixing a road, and another five days removing a few miles of old livestock fences. The park is a few years from being ready, but as a volunteer I could tell that the organization knew what they were doing and why. They were all dedicated to the conservation of the land and the protection of the wildlife and although the South American way isn’t always the most efficient, the work is getting done and the land is on its way to becoming the Patagonia National Park.

They’re always looking for volunteers and donations, so check out the foundation’s website by clicking here…

Photo Credit: Etienne Boucher

The American people are becoming increasingly aware of what goes into the food we eat. Not just pesticides and other chemicals but also the truth about why our food is so cheap and the repercussions of the current system, both environmental and social. Industrial agriculture has delivered cheap groceries and a greater variety in what we choose to eat; but it has also brought us contaminated meat, carcinogenic hormone-filled milk, and environmental disaster. The cheap prices we see at the market are a farce. The costs that we are averting is being dumped on something or someone else. The article in Time Magazine by Bryan Walsh titled “Getting Real about the High Price of Cheap Food” displays what is wrong with the food we eat and shows how some companies are choosing to do it the right way.

“Unless Americans radically rethink the way they grow and consume food, they face a future of eroded farmland, hollowed-out countryside, scarier germs, higher health costs and bland taste.” Our system is based on cheap grains, like corn and wheat. These crops are staples for our beef, pork and poultry production but these crops are also heavily fertilized which has lead to nutrient loading in our rivers, lakes and oceans. The environmental devastation created by these methods has been piling up around the world and we are seeing the effects everyday.

Less than 1% of the crops in the US are grown organically. Although many large corporations are “going green,” much more has to be done and accountability must be taken for following the regulations. Our government needs to rethink the subsidies for the large, unsustainable agriculture industries and invest our money in sustainable, small-scale, organic farms. Some companies that are doing their part to change our ways are Chipotle and a company called Bon Appetit Management Company. Chipotle has had the philosophy called “food with integrity,” they have “put a lot of energy into finding farmers who are committed to raising better food.” This is because of the reduced environmental cost but mostly because sustainable food usually tastes better. Bon Appetit has committed to purchasing as much of its food as possible from within 150 miles of its kitchens. Efforts like these by companies who can change consumer behavior are pivotal in the agricultural revolution of our lifetime. So… do your part by looking into where the majority of your food comes from buy local organic food as much as possible. Be a mindful consumer; know what costs you are averting when you choose to buy the conventional gallon of milk over the organic alternative. Realize that you can make a difference in this world just by what you choose to consume.

check out the article in Time Magazine…

Photo Credit: Dietmar Temps

Patagonia is one of the last wild places on earth. Thanks to some courageous and motivated people its probably going to stay that way for a while.

A group called “Conservacion Patagonica” is dedicated to creating the Patagonia National Park and has already placed 460,000 acres of Patagonian habitat into permanent protection. This group is a motivated NGO that has already created an Argentinean park and has been working on its Chilean sister for years now. This group was founded by Kristine Tompkins, the former CEO of the Patagonia clothing company and husband of Douglas Tompkins. Douglas Tompkins and Yvon Chounaird, the founder of the Patagonia clothing company, went on an adventure to Patagonia over thirty years ago and it made a lasting impact on both of them. Yvon named his company after this place and Doug and his wife dedicated their lives to protecting it. Yvon’s and Doug’s story has recently been made into a surf/travel documentary called ’180 degrees south’, which is due to release in the spring of 2010.

This movie and this philanthropic organization are doing great things by raising awareness about the need to protect and conserve this area. Please check out the Conervacion Patagonica website to learn more and see how you can help. Also, check out the trailer for the documentary by woodshed films at their website. Currently, at the time of this post, I am in Patagonia helping this organization for a few weeks. Stay tuned for an update on my experience with this group.

photo credit: Abhimanyu

Recently in Oregon a bipartisan agreement of epic proportions has taken place. The heavily contested battle over old growth forests in Eastern Oregon has finally ended.  The most recent saga of the argument has taken eight months and has produced a solution that both sides agree on. Environmental groups have argued for decades for the protection of old growth forests because of their ecological benefits. The timber industry, obviously, has been a thorn in the side of conservation.  This argument has lasted for over three decades and with the help of Senator Ron Wyden an agreement has been made to ban the cutting of trees with a diameter of more than 21 inches, which protects watershed areas in eastern Oregon.

Of course the timber industry did not agree to this conservation effort without their own benefits.  “Timber groups were promised steady, unimpeded access to younger trees as part of a broader program to assure the health of the forests and fire prevention.” With that said, this agreement is hopefully a sign of things to come. This has been a highly contested battle for thirty years and now both sides have agreed on a common ground.  Extremism on either side of an issue is almost never productive, and President Obama has preached bipartisan cooperation for his entire political career. This recent agreement can give us hope that in the future we can get past the petty arguments and agree on what is best for the future on our planet.

check out the full article at the New York Times…

Our current climate crisis is without borders. All nations, developed and developing, are in the same boat when dealing with the possible effects. Most leaders around the world have come to the realization that both ground work and international legislation are necessary to preserve our environment for the future.  Things are no different in Jamaica. Wendy A. Lee of the Northern Jamaica Conservation Association stresses that even small nations like Jamaica can have an impact, even if it is just to serve as an example. Jamaica has, in the past and currently, dealt with problems of deforestation. There are many non-governmental organizations and governmental organization working with both community based and faith based organizations in Jamaica to try and conserve the natural forests while also continuing sustainable economic growth. Some amazing work has been done, but much more will be needed in the future if Jamaica’s natural resources are going to be preserved. Jamaica will have a representative at the Climate Summit in Copenhagen this month.

This issue is personal to me because in the spring I will start my service in the Peace Corps in Jamaica. I will be helping to implement as well as continue community-based reforestation projects. I hope to do my part in mitigating the effects deforestation has had in Jamaica and as they say in the Peace Corps, “work myself out of a job,” meaning that when I leave, the community will have the attitude and means to continue preserving the natural resources of Jamaica. I urge everyone to do their part in preserving our natural world. If that means volunteering your time or investing your money in sustainable companies and causes, then by all means do it. We all need to do our part no matter where we live.

check out an article written in the Jamaica Observer…

Photo Credit: Di Sanders

For decades now, surfboards have been made out of hazardous materials such as high density foam and fiberglass. These materials have created hazardous waste for too long and ‘Green Foam Blanks’ has been working on creating less hazardous surfboard materials and shaping recycled polyurethane blanks. Based in San Clemente, California, the heart of the California surf world, Green Foam is on the right track. They are trying to change not only the materials but also the culture. Surfers have always been on the greener side of the spectrum, I mean, who really wants to surf in dirty water? But now more sustainable surfboards look to further decrease surfer’s footprint and offer a better alternative. “The surfboard industry does not produce the tens of millions of tons of waste annually as municipalities do, but it has significant impact with toxins,” said Gary Petersen of the California Integrated Waste Management Board. These new foam ideas could really reduce the amounts of toxins that are released through the manufacturing of surfboards.

I have never personally tried a “sustainable foam” surfboard, but from what I have heard in the past they have not been up to par with the normal foam boards. I’ve heard they feel soft and are not as responsive, but with more and more companies, like Green Foam, taking the challenge of creating a sustainable surfboard that works just as good as one with normal foam the product is only going to get better. Green Foam is at the forefront of this movement and they are marketing their product at the highest level to not only push a product but sell a movement. “I think sustainability represents a really perfect opportunity to tap that core rebellious tendency of surfers,” said Frank Scura, the executive director of the Action Sports Environmental Coalition. I agree Mr. Scura, making sustainability “cool” and convenient is the only way to pass it on.

Check out the full article here:  http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/sustainable-surfing-rides-the-waves/

photo credit: Carl Chapman

In 2007 the US Fish and Wildlife Service made the decision to remove the “threatened” label from the Yellowstone Population of Grizzly Bears. The Yellowstone Grizzlies had been designated as “threatened” in 1975 which granted them “special protections” as part of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The USFWS removed the Grizzlies from the list in 2007 after the population numbers “increased from an estimated population of 136 to 312 when they were listed as threatened in 1975, to more than 500 bears today.” But just recently, Judge Donald Molloy of the Montana District Court ruled that the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision would leave the bears under-protected. Judge Molloy ruled that the existing regulatory plans were inadequate and that they “depend on guidelines, monitoring, and promises or good intentions for future actions (which are) unenforceable and non-binding on state and federal agencies.”

Thus, with the initial push from a Bozeman, Montana based advocacy group “Greater Yellowstone Coalition,” Judge Molloy reversed the order giving the Yellowstone Grizzlies the Protection that is awarded under the Endangered Species Act.

The most interesting part of the decision is Judge Molloy’s supporting arguments. He pointed out that the USFWS did not adequately take into account the climate-change induced decline of the whitebark pines (Pinus albicaulis) of which the nuts are a crucial source of nutrition for the region’s Grizzlies and their steady decline is detrimental to the Grizzly’s survival. Judge Molloy’s ruling is especially important. He used climate change related arguments to protect an important and highly publicized endangered animal. This is what we need; binding decisions based on sound and up to date science and these kinds of decisions give me hope for our country and more importantly our planet.

Hey Boo Boo… Check out the article at NYtimes…

Photo Credit: Austin Parker

Here’s an idea…maybe nature is better at fighting climate change than we are. A new study out of Europe shows that governments may be able to better fight climate change by investing in the natural world. Certain natural resources like mangroves and forests have a huge potential to fight the effects of climate change. Preserving these resources could end up costing less than  investing in other global warming preventative measures and their mitigation effects could last much longer. According to the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, or TEEB, our “Natural systems represent one of the biggest untapped allies against the greatest challenge of this generation.”

So here are the numbers… According to Sigmar Gabriel, the German Environment Minister, “an investment of $45 billion in protected areas could save nature-based services worth $4.5 to $5.2 trillion a year, more than the value of the car, steel and information technology sectors.” This study focused on coral reefs and their abilities as natural carbon sinks, “they absorb an estimated 15 percent of global greenhouse emissions every year.” The study also shows that coral reefs are disappearing due to increased CO2 concentrations and the subsequent acidification of the oceans. Their disappearance would threaten millions of people who depend on them for their livelihood. Coral reefs are essential habitat for thousands of species of fish which could be worth up to $170 billion a year. “It is estimated half a billion people depend on them (corals) for livelihoods and more than a quarter of marine fish species are dependent on coral reefs,” said Pavan Sukhdev the study’s leader.

“To target the removal of carbon dioxide, the best mechanism we have is in nature. In tropical forests we have both an opportunity and a solution to the significant challenges we face,” Sukhdev said. By preserving our natural lands like forests, reefs, and wetlands we are reducing the amounts of CO2 being emitted and also increasing the amount of CO2 being absorbed naturally. The best weapon to fight climate change is the earth itself, and it seems we got ourselves into this problem by living out of sync with our world. So… why not get back to that and see what happens? Human ingenuity is great and necessary but natural mitigation is best.

Read more here…

Or check out a related article from our website