researching clothes made with sustainable practices and socially responsible consideration

After re-awakening to the issues of sweatshops:http://questionsthoughtsoneducation.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-new-topic-of-exploration-who-makes.html
I have started an investigation of my own into what companies can i buy clothes from who have some sort of ecological and socially responsible consciousness:
I wrote letters and received responses. http://questionsthoughtsoneducation.blogspot.com/2013/10/continuing-my-research-on-sustainable.html
 I have been posting this to my other blog and so I want to link those to here.http://questionsthoughtsoneducation.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-wrote-letter-and-they-wrote-me-back.html
Thanks!  I might copy the posts over, but please take a look at the blog and the content.
http://questionsthoughtsoneducation.blogspot.com/

read this post for farming information

http://edu309.blogspot.com/2012/08/fall-2012-our-class-and-our-focus.html

and look at side bar for info!

Keystone pipeline and rallying and Ojibwe Natives (from Birchbark house)

ON Feb 17 I went to DC with my daughter and participated in the rally for forward thinking on climate change. It was organized by the Sierra Club http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageServer#.UToV99bvvoI and 350.org http://350.org/

The main focus of this rally was to ask the congress and president to BLOCK Keystone pipeline, which is an environmentally dangerous project.

I always think of it as an ecological issue. However, it is also a human rights issue, which I was made aware of by  the first set of speakers we heard.  They were the chief of the Cree and the Ojibwe chiefs were there too, speaking about their human rights...the fact that their life is on the land of tar sands and the land where the pipeline goes through.  They spoke of how since tarsands started to be extracted, the cancer rates are through the roof for the people who live in the area.
This article in daily kos speaks to the human right issues of climate change "why people of color should care about Keystone Pipeline"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/15/1187348/-Why-People-of-Color-Should-Care-about-the-Keystone-Pipeline?fb_action_ids=10200704629036676&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582  and of course many minorities live right among the places where they extract and refine oil:
"And it gets worse. Mining tar sands oil wipes out huge swaths of forest, destroying the planet’s natural ability to fight global warming. The extraction process kills wildlife and leaves behind pools of poisoned water and sludge. High levels of arsenic, mercury, and lead have been found at Canadian tar sands sites. It’s not surprising then, that the indigenous tribes who live near these operations have spoken out about staggeringly high rates of cancer and illness in their communities.  "

The ecological issue of course is that every single oil pipeline has spills. see map."Two Decades of Spills: Since 1990, over 110 MILLION GALLONS of mostly crude and petroleum products have spilled from the nation’s mainland pipeline network. More than half of it occurred in three states — Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana — where more pipelines exist."

and that this one goes right through a massive aquifer...which provides CLEAN WATER for many US citizens:  Ogallala aquifer...and Sand hills.  Which just last year the environmental impact statement turned down Keystone omn the science that it would damage this BIGGEST MOST INTRICATE WETLAND IN THE UNITED STATES!!!
"In a report (2011-11-10) on the Keystone Pipeline Project Presidential Permit Review Process, the U. S. State Department rejected TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline (Hardisty-Baker-Steele City) proposal. "[G]iven the concentration of concerns regarding the environmental sensitivities of the current proposed route through the Sand Hills area of Nebraska, the Department has determined it needs to undertake an in-depth assessment of potential alternative routes in Nebraska [...] The comments were consistent with the information in the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) about the unique combination of characteristics in the Sand Hills (which includes a high concentration of wetlands of special concern, a sensitive ecosystem, and extensive areas of very shallow groundwater) and provided additional context and information about those characteristics. The concern about the proposed route’s impact on the Sand Hills of Nebraska has increased significantly over time, and has resulted in the Nebraska legislature convening a special session to consider the issue." ^[8]"U.S.State Department (November 10, 2011). Media Notes on Keystone XL Pipeline Project Review Process: Decision to Seek Additional Information (Report). Retrieved March 22, 2012.

Then I read Birchbark House , which led me to become enamored with the old Ojibwe lifestyle, how intricately they were woven with and throughout nature...and how the decimation of their tribes happened through small pox , which originated by European culture and caused anhilation.
But the people exist and persist.
I found on website on information of Ojibwe for children...they had a picture of babies then and babies now in their nation...showing how they maintain some of their culture but are current too:

And this got me wondering, where do they live? where is the Ojibwe nation, and why were the native americans at the Keystone rally?

Their nation in canada is right where tar sands is...
horrifying!

The attack on indigenous people continues.  I keep thinking of Omokayas and their tribes ways and the two bears and the birchbark houses and it just breaks my heart.
WE HAVE TO STOP attacking nature and native people and sacred land and so forth.
we need more green energy.  we need alternative energy. 

spring 2013 what is hot out there?

HI everyone,
If you are in a quandry of what to study as your current event, let me help you with what I notice in  the field.
OF COURSE, it is not limited to this. Note: I notice what I tend to notice, so there is some subjectivity in  this list, but here goes:

1.  climate change.  

What is it? Why do people say there is a connection between the massive storms, the flooding and climate change.  What does this mean?  How can govt take action? How can I take action?

GOOGLE ALL THESE

See rally in DC sunday Feb 17, 2013
see alternative energy: wind and sun.

See keystone pipeline XL (The Keystone XL pipeline is proposed to run from the tar sands oil fields in Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Various organizations have spoken out against the Keystone XL pipeline, voicing health, safety, and environmental concerns.)  good explanation: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-anderson/keystone-xl-explained_b_2664071.html?utm_hp_ref=keystone-pipeline
 (some websites that came up: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/keystone-pipeline/)The Keystone XL pipeline is proposed to run from the tar sands oil fields in Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Various organizations have spoken out against the Keystone XL pipeline, voicing health, safety, and environmental concerns.
See TARSANDS

See: 350.org This website is good for not only info but if this is a topic of interest, they have action associated with it http://350.org/  http://350.org/

2. FOOD GENETIC MODIFIED ORGANISMS

see all links on the side...
check out the food industrialization and organics?

3.  debt ceiling-BUDGET talks!

under this comes everything from cuttin g budgets for NPR or Planned parenthood or Head start.

4. FEDERAL REGULATORS OF BANKS

Biggest corrupt move of the govt. to date: senate banking committee.
 Do you know why these settlements were so corrupt? What is the whole scandal behind wall street? Here is a movie of your senator calling the federal regulators out.  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/14/172045516/watch-sen-elizabeth-warren-grills-regulators-on-taking-banks-to-trial  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/14/172045516/watch-sen-elizabeth-warren-grills-regulators-on-taking-banks-to-trial

FALL 2012: OUR CLASS AND OUR FOCUS

This semester we will be working with the guiding question:
How does what I eat affect my own health and the sustainab

ility of the planet? and how do we deal with FOOD ACCESS? where to start?

For the first half, I want you all to get learn more about the food industry, where your food comes from, what is in your food, how do we make healthy food accessible to everyone, local farms and why do they cost more, is organic worth it, what are GMO's?  Food and water are the basis of life, let's get involved!

Therefore, we will as a class, THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION, focus on citizenhip through the current event topic of food...the life topic of food.  Food bridges social issues, science and citizenship perfectly.

(the pigs in the picture way back there are where our "half" pig lived.  We pick up our half pig order today.  If you have a chance, watch FOOD INC on the pig industry section (smithfield, which is where almost all supermarket pig comes from), on  how they treat the immigrants and the pigs, it is horrifying and wrong. Finding a local farm and being able to buy a share in meat is a great way to avoid the major industries and the way they treat humans and animals...

IN social studies, the main focus is (according to NCSS):

Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. 
NCSS defines social studies as "the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." 

My friend who lives in Brooklyn wrote this to me when I asked for some information that could increase access for you guys to understand the whole issue, which is HUGE


There is the debate over organic certification, GMOs, etc. but also, for me, more importantly is food access (esp for poor and (often poor) rural areas) and how that relates to class, race, etc. Not only is "good food" important, but really, to me, the main indicator of WHY it's important is not just environmental (as a lot of people hook into), it's health outcomes. There is a statistic that I like to use where in the Upper East Side, median income is over $80K. More of those residents eat fruits/veggies per day than in my nabe (med income $29K) and they have a lower incident of diet-related diseases. Then when you factor other data (race, for example) it just gets weirder. There's no hiding the fact that low-income nabes get more fast food restos than the higher income ones... This is awesome that you're getting the students interested in this topic b/c it's very hot right now and it really encompasses every thing. Food bridges people--across cultures, families, etc. and so it's really a great way to experience issues facing our society IMO.


In our class we are going to get involved with one issue (food) for the first few weeks, and then you will engage in a topic of your own interest and get involved.  If you love the food topic, you can continue, or you can choose your own, it might be a topic that is being discussed in the election debates that you want to learn more about etc...

Please view links on the side bar and check out videos...

On September 18, we will be doing a service learning trip over to Green Meadows Farm, about 30 minutes away from SSU.   We will learn about what they are doing and help them out for a morning.

if anyone wonders if indigenous people are still being compromised in favor of "progress"

If you are teaching columbus OR pilgrims and native americans, etc) you might be good to know that native american culture and genocide continues...Here in Brazil, they have voted to build the biggest dam at the demise of this indigenous tribe.  I tried to find out more and interestingly I could not find any US news covering it per se, only al jazeera...
But here is the quote that clued me into this issue, followed by  a news article..which has some videos etc.

"I have more respect for a Warrior that protects life—for us, for our children and grandchildren and future generations –than for a false civilization and their interests!
While newspapers and television talk about the lives of celebrities, ...the chief of the Kayapo tribe received the worst news of his life: Dilma, 'The new president of Brazil, has given approval to build a huge hydroelectric plant (the third largest in the world).
It is the death sentence for all the people near the river because the dam will flood 400,000 hectares of forest. More than 40,000 Indians will have to find another place to live. The natural habitat destruction, deforestation and the disappearance of many species is a fact. '
What moves me in my very bowels , making me ashamed of being part of Western culture, is the reaction of the chief of the Kayapo community when he learned of the decision—his gesture of dignity and helplessness before the advance of capitalist progress, modern predatory civilization that does not respect the differences ...

But we know that a picture is worth a thousand words, showing the reality of the true price of our bourgeois "quality of life". (posted by Gonzalo Cesar, my translation from Spanish)
to read more on the whole dam and it happening, here is an article from aljazeera:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/01/201212015366764400.html

fish and mercury, caused by coal powered plants etc

I find this chart super helpful when considering what type of fish to eat.  I know that when one is pregnant, they need to NOT eat tuna or any fish higher on the food chain.  But this goes for kids too, and since we eat quite a bit of sushi, this is an issue!
This article is helpful as far as where mercury comes from etc: http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/201111/mercury.aspx
for taking action on some coal bills right now in October 2011:
PROTECT
Toxic Coal Ash
We need strong protections against toxic coal ash. Some in Congress would rather protect polluters. Tell your representative to support the EPA and oppose the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act (H.R. 2273).https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=7161&autologin=true&s_src=111JZZNI02&s_subsrc=nonmember&JServSessionIdr004=eavk3yqdw2.app224a

getting active and writing letters to places for blog 3 assignment

Hi all:
I do not have places for every group, but I get a lot of mail regarding writing letters etc, and so I thought I would share these I just got today:

1.  writing the FDA and asking that they label foods if they are genetically modified.  This seems like it would apply to the food groups, if this is what you believe:
http://justlabelit.org/takeaction

(it came from an email from stonyfield yogurt of all places, an organization who actually does take action in what they believe..."We think you have a right to know what's in your food.
Genetic engineering—also known as genetic modification—isn't allowed in organic production. But genetically engineered (GE) ingredients are in 60-70% of non-organic processed foods. Most people don't know this, and food companies aren't required to tell you.

What's the danger?
All the health and environmental impacts of genetic engineering are not yet known. We do know that GE crops have increased the use of herbicides and may have introduced new toxins and allergens into our food and environment. Many other countries, including all of the EU, Japan, Australia and even China already require GE labeling on all foods produced with GE ingredients. "

here is a website they posted on what is in your food.http://www.stonyfield.com/blog/2011/10/05/an-urgent-and-groundbreaking-campaign-to-help-us-all-know-what%E2%80%99s-in-our-food/

2.  what is in your food or where your food comes from:  above...seems to link to that too.

3.  pollution:  clean air act, for the energy group from the sierra club i got this email today...and here is the link to write your rep about keeping the clean air act clean:
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=12331&autologin=true  (they will tell you once you put your zip code in, how your representative voted on the bill...so if they voted NAY then they voted against the weakening of the clean air act and if they voted YAY then they voted to make the clean air act weaker.  then they have a "take action" button which makes it easy to thank your rep if they said nay or ask them to change their mind of they voted yay...(IF YOU  believe in the clean air act)

here is the letter:  I AM NOT SAYING THIS IS WHERE I STAND but just to share with you what i got in the mail if this is of interest to you...if you want to know where I stand, I am happy to talk...but this is just information...
"Dear Anneliese,
The other week, the U.S. House approved the corporate polluter agenda when passing the TRAIN Act, a heinous piece of legislation that would gut the Clean Air Act and the EPA!¹ Shame on them.
Many legislators stood up against this dangerous bill, showing the political strength of our clean air movement. The Senate took notice of the strong voices for clean air and have not moved the legislation.
Whether your Congressperson, Rep. Bass , voted yay or nay, there is another critical opportunity to let Charles 'Charlie' F. Bass know where we stand. Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) is moving two more pieces of junk legislation² that would pump more toxic chemicals -- like the dangerous neurotoxin mercury -- into our air.³ To make sure our legislators stand up to this newest threat to our health, they'll need to hear from all of us!

The worst thing about Cantor's newest bills: they wouldn't create a single job. A recent report by the Congressional Budget Office found that these bills would in fact cost an additional $1 million each.⁴

You might be asking yourself how such terrible policy is even up for a vote. The answer is as simple as it is disappointing -- corporate greed. Let's take the cement industry as an example -- if one of Cantor's bills succeeds, cement boilers would be allowed to keep pushing mercury and other toxics into our air and water. Cement companies would make more profits while putting the health costs on our backs.

Charles 'Charlie' F. Bass is under pressure by corporate lobbyists to support Cantor's heinous bills. The cement trade-industry has donated over $1.1 million to federal candidates since January 1, 2009 and hired lobbyists in D.C. to roll back the EPA's authority.⁵

When you zero in on an affected community, the corruption gets even worse. Titan Cement, based in Greece, wants to build a new cement factory in Wilmington, North Carolina that will burn 230,000 tons of coal a year! They have pledged to stand by the new EPA cement boiler rules to reduce their potential pollution, but have actively lobbied in Congress to stop the rules.

Not only that, but Titan is suing two Wilmington residents, one a doctor, for expressing concerns about Titan's impact on community health at a public hearing!⁶ Whether corrupting the political process with donations or threats, these companies are fighting every day to move their agenda to the top.

If Titan wins in Congress, Wilmington's families and families around the country will lose.

The stakes are high and your representative is deciding which side to stand on for the next vote. Thank you for all you do, "

4.  OCCUPY WALL STREET: 
photostream of 99%http://www.flickr.com/photos/moveon/ If you are a group focused on unemployment, this might be of interest.  (actually it might be of interest to many of you...unions have now endorsed this whole movement.)  If you are interested google "the 99%"  or Occupy wall street.  Forbes did an article today:  (but so did wash post and all sorts of news stations
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/10/05/general-us-wall-street-protest_8719617.htmlBut if you support the protesters, you can sign here..http://civic.moveon.org/support_occupy_wall_street/?id=31745-15466831-PpXcX1x&t=2You can also share your story if you have one about your hopes for your future etc: (many of the people here are teachers and licensed teachers who cannot find jobs etc) http://www.civic.moveon.org/occupy/?id=31745-15466831-PpXcX1x&t=3

Welcome Fall 2011 Block students!

Hey there!  This is our class blog.
Eventually, your blog address and link will be off to the side, so that you and other students can easily link to the blogs.
In the meantime, take time to view other students' blogs from the past.
As usual, some are exemplary and some are proficient, and some are developing.  STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE:)


This semester the topics we will explore are the following,  Please familiarize yourself with these and explore them and decide which are of interest to you:


CLEAN AIR/ ENERGY, WHERE DOES OUR ELECTRIVCITY COME FROM?  IS IT CLEAN?
Organizations to explore on this would be:

http://www.healthlink.org/ 

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY dealing with many various environmental issues, but this group does action to change policy and if this is of interest, please take a look:  Conservati0on Law foundation: http://www.clf.org/

http://www.clf.org/our-work/

CLEAN BOSTON HARBOR and OCEANS:

Clean harbor The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA) is the leading harbor advocacy group working to promote a clean, alive, and accessible Boston Harbor…connected to clean oceans clean beaches, clean working harbors.  Sustainable development.

http://www.tbha.org/

please contact us by email at mail@tbha.org or by phone at 617-482-1722.

2011 ocean pollution it is a current issue:
http://www.clf.org/takeaction/
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20110723bacteria_prompts_warnings_at_beaches_in_revere_lynn_and_nahant/

TRANSPORTATION LIKE HIGH SPEED RAIL.
http://www.masspirg.org/issues/transportation-solutions

NUCLEAR POWER, PLANTS IN MA, AND WHAT CHANGES COULD HAPPEN?  IN LIGHT OF JAPAN'S CATASTROPHY AND WIND POWER AND ALTERNATE ENERGY:

http://www.masspirg.org/issues/safe-energy

http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/salem-ma-looks-to-the-future/  Salem Ma energy source, possible windpower/ clear the dirty existing plant.  (August 11)
windpower in salem MA: http://www.salemnews.com/opinion/x850298734/Brian-T-Watson-Winter-Island-wind-turbine-would-be-a-good-fit

FOOD INDUSTRIALIZATION
http://www.foodincmovie.com/spread-the-word.php

WHERE OUR STUFF COMES FROM:
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
lesson plan from the teaching social justice: http://socialjusticeteaching.tumblr.com/ (second lesson plan)

NEW TRASH POLICIES:  RECYLCLING INITIATIVES:

 http://www.masspirg.org/issues/reduce-reuse-recycle/update-the-bottle-bill2

LAND PRESERVATION AND NATURE EDUCATION.

http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/sanctuaries.php

JOBS UNEMPLOYMENT, CENSUS, HOMELESS SHELTERS

http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/city.cgi?city=Salem&state=MA

http://www.stfrancishouse.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SFH_homepage

http://www.stfrancishouse.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Help_Help

http://www.stfrancishouse.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Help_Volunteer

http://www.ebcrossroads.org/how-to-help/

NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS CURRENT ISSUES

http://www.naicob.org/   North American Indian Center of Boston looks like they have a head start.

http://www.mcnaa.org/

http://www.lisetteaustin.com/pdfs/CASA_ServingNativeChildren.pdf

IMMIGRATION

FEDERAL RESERVES AND US BUDGET AND ITS IMPACT ON US

VETERANS:
http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/  (I know this organization because my brother (Marine) and his wife are very involved with their events, etc.  If you have questions, I might be able to put you in touch with folks)
http://www.sofarusa.org/about_sofar.html
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/the-invisible-victims-iraqi-soldiers-and-ptsd
http://www.sofarusa.org/
http://iava.org/#
http://www.capveterans.com/americans_who_support_ptsd_veterans/id70.html
http://coalitionforveterans.org/ciav/home/

10/10/10 - We Got to Work!

WELCOME EDU 309 TO BLOGGER

Hi there, this might be a new introduction to you to electronic interface, but it is super fun, and super easy, and an excellent way to publish ideas. You may want to use this in the future for your classrooms, students, etc.


You can post pictures: POST PICTURES BY CLICKING THAT LITTLE "PICTURE" ICON ABOVE in the tool bar, and if you do not have that, then make sure you are in "compose" in upper right corner of this brown box. This pocture is myself with my daughter in 2008 mother's day.


You can post ideas:

Your group project, whatever the topic might be: Oil drilling, global warming, food industrialization, Iraq war veterans, etc, and ideas about this.

You can post links (Here you click on the little chainlink over the world icon next to the T with colors next to it uin the tool bar, and http://www.storyofstuff.com/ then copy band paste a link in the pop up windw and then hit ok and it comes here, HOT, so if you click on that, it will send you to that webpage.

explore this, create a profile for your group by hitting DASHBOARD or DESIGN in the upper right corner of this whole webpage, and it will allow you to edit your profile.  here you can take a picture with one of your cell phones of your group and post it here.  Give brief info about your group project.

You can play with designs by clicking on design.

TO ADD YOUR websites on your blog side bar, go to design, and then add a gadget for the sidebar, wherever you put it.  Then add websites pertinent to social studies, NCSS, and your topic.  You will need 4 websites of interest in your link list.

Enjoy!