The Blood Red Moon: Are You Dressing Up?

As many of you may already know, a lunar eclipse is occurring tonight so I thought I'd dress up for the occasion. I really didn't feel like doing my makeup, so I definitely went for a much more natural, organic, and unaffected ensemble to parallel the tonal effect of my own mellow mood.

Here's what I'm wearing...

I decided to wear a navy maxi skirt with a light blue lace bandeaux to parallel the hues of the moon. And as for accessories? I just opted for a red-beaded necklace to match the red of the moon when the sun's glare from the Earth hits it.

A close up of the beading and bandeaux.

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The 17 Global Goals Pt. 1: Wanna Study With Me?

The 17 Global Goals

Today, the UN gathered to adopt the 17 global goals presented in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The actual document in which these objectives are iterated provides supplementary initiatives to ensure that the economic, social, and political intentions of these goals are executed in a precise and ethical manner, securing prosperity, peace, partnership, the welfare of our planet, and the dignity of the people who inhabit its atmosphere. 

The global vision declared by the United Nations through these goals will only become a reality through international cooperation and unity - Through a worldly consensus on the crucial necessity to free the world of hunger, poverty, disease, and violence in all its forms and elemental, toxic constructs, and, without question, a comprehensive awareness of each and every sustainable development goal and the principal bases on which these particular series of goals were assembled and inspired.

Goal 1. End Poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Extreme poverty is currently assessed by those living on less than $1.25 a day. By 2030, the UN aims to halve the number of men, women, and children forced to rely on such menial resources and funding through governmental, environmental, and economic policy frameworks. I cannot claim to know what this experience is like, to live on less than two dollars a day, in realms that are very likely so personally costing and horrifically exhausting, as indicated by the measure of these provisions and limited assets, but I do know what it is like to survive on a severely restricted, rationed amount of money. From that perspective, as I cannot do much for these goals while I am stuck in NoVa, I am able to provide solace and a fractional form of compensation through experience. Though my own trials of ‘poverty’ surviving in New York pale in comparison, I know that my attention and voice can shed light on any extreme matter of deprivation and unrelieved destitution. At least for now. Until I can actually take direct action.

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Sustainable agriculture is key to ending global hunger. The UN calls for greater investment in rural infrastructure and a correctional focus on trade restrictions and sanctions in international markets and trade systems.

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

By 2030, the UN aims to abolish the AIDS epidemic, tuberculosis, malaria, and other communicable diseases. The research and development of vaccinations and medical care for these particular diseases is also highly supported, in addition to the education for developing countries of global health risks. Also, the goal aims to reduce the global maternal mortality rate to 70 per 100,000 live births.

Goal 4. Ensure Inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

This particular goal calls for global education through high school and emphasizes the need for teacher training in developing countries and regions lacking quality schooling. 

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

The central aims of this goal are to end female genital mutilation, violence against women, and child marriage. 

Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and productive patterns.

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

The Sunshine and Some Blue :-)

I am truly fascinated by the colors found in nature, outer space, and, especially, our beautiful solar system. There is such a palette of reds, yellows, blues, oranges, browns, and light purples that I cannot help but include some of these hues from space into my own wardrobe. So, today, I took it upon myself to play dress up with these shades, mainly from the sun and the earth with hopefully more to come in the next few days - kept it simple, short, and sweet :-)

Just a bare shot. 

Sunshine :-)

The detailing on the dress is beautiful so I had to offer a close up!

Earth blue for only $17 :-) The necklace is constructed of white and orange beading representing the glorious contrast of the sun.

I chose clear earrings for a cloudy effect :-)

And yellow shoes to complement the sunny necklace.

Alternate sunny earrings. (My nose is not that big in real life, hahah I swear!)

And again!

"We Are a Voice"

We are the voice of freedom,

We are the voice of light.

Humanity is what leads us,

And we sing the freedom right.

We cried not once today,

For the brother,

sister or friend.

We cried but twice today,

For the lost lover, The sweet son,

And those who condescend.

For we are not lost forever,

In the heart we do remain,

And we are here forever -

In this land, in this domain.

The light, the air, the bustling trees -

An angel ray through a gentle cloud,

In every word said in our name,

We cannot help but feel diamond proud.

We are the voice of freedom,

We are the voice of light.

Humanity is what leads us,

And we sing the freedom right.

My Top 3 Solutions For Environmental Preservation

Solution 1 - Individual Waste Management.

1. Composting

Composting is the organic process of recycling decomposed, natural materials into rich soil. Ever since I was little, my family taught me the value of composting dying plants, egg shells, and even banana peels -- the list goes on!! As long as the material is organic, throwing it into the compost pile is the best way to generate the best soil to help your garden grow. In addition, this process is extremely beneficial to our environment, mitigating methane gas release and other toxic elements into our dear planet Earth. 

2. Recycling

When there isn't a material that is permitted in a compost pile, like glass, paper, or cardboard, these products must go in their respective recycling compartments and not simply in the trash. Recycling lessens the percentage of carbon emissions and other gases that are harmful to our environment, and ones that it cannot consume organically. Even with carbon, the Earth naturally clears that up on its own, and an over-release of this gas due to human activity or personal negligence is not tolerated by our planet.

3. Water/Electric Preservation

Okay, I know we've all heard this one before, but it is so important to leave the lights off in your house if you are not present *in addition** to being mindful of turning the faucet off, preserving one's own use of water, and refraining from the release of any toxic chemical or gas into one's own, or anyone else's, water supply. Conserving these resources starts with the individual, and will naturally grow into a communal effort once this personal endeavor is regarded seriously and positively. Light the spark!

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Solution 2 - Know the Laws.

I have a few solutions for the actions one may take in addition to individual resolutions, like: displaying support for national/international laws revolving around mitigating the damage of climate change and global warming, adhering to the most effective, ethical laws declared in these valuable pieces of governmental documentation, and making an effort to spread the word of climate mitigation among friends, family, and peers. Make it a priority to make it a priority among them as well!!

Here are a few of my favorite agencies and the laws or solutions they champion revolving around environmental interests in VA:

- The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) began regulatory action of the VA Water Protection Permit Regulations, approved by the State Water Control Board, whose website states: 

"[This initiative] will protect public health, safety and welfare of citizens as they are designed to clarify, update and streamline the regulation to protect the Commonwealth's wetland and surface water resources, which are important for maintaining water quality, flood control and providing fish and wildlife habitat."

- Environment Virginia is another agency dedicated to the preservation and welfare of our atmosphere and Earth. The association promotes the fair, economic, and safe use of our natural resources, in addition to the duties the individual owes to the sustentation of our planet, he guardianship of our bee species, the initiatives against Keystone and fracking, as well as the push towards a greater reliance on solar power in the state of Virginia. Here are a few excerpts from EV's website that stood out to me revolving around the Clean Power Plan and the safe-keeping of our national and state water supply:

 "..the Clean Power Plan would cut this pollution at least 30 percent by the end of the next decade. [9] By giving the states the option to replace dirty coal plants with wind, solar and energy efficiency, it also has the potential to speed the shift to clean power. And the plan is an essential building block to the success of the president’s climate deal with China — which is itself the cornerstone to a broader global agreement."

"..despite the ongoing threats to our water, the U.S. House voted to stop the EPA from closing the clean water loopholes -- with lawmakers repeating the polluters' talking points. [10] Now the polluters are pushing for a vote in the U.S. Senate to keep the EPA from ever being able to close these loopholes. It’s this simple: If enough senators choose clean water, we’ll win. If too many side with the polluters, we could lose."

- The Virginia Department of Forestry is another association dedicated to the national and state conservation of our planet, especially through its dual stance on a diminishment of wildfires and protection of our forests. The VDOF's site states a focus on "prevent[ing] injury or loss of human life, minimiz[ing] property damage, [and] protecting the forest resources" through its detailed forest protection program and educational initiatives. The website also endorses The Code of Virginia Title 10.1 - 1105 which

"mandates the State Forester... shall have charge of all forest wardens... shall take such action as is authorized by law to prevent and extinguish forest fires; enforce all laws pertaining to forest and woodland; prosecute any violation of such laws; collect information relative to forest destruction and conditions; direct the protection and improvement of all forest reservations; shall cooperate with counties, municipalities, corporations and individuals in preparing plans and providing technical assistance for the protection, management and replacement of trees, wood lots and timber contracts."

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Solution 3 - Understand How Food Consumption Affects the Economy and Environment.

Food plays a major role in all of our lives. Too often, however, the consumption of any such nutritional material incurs a level of waste so astronomical, that its maintenance and  management becomes too much of a burden to the individual, leaving the planet and our atmosphere to deal with the waste. And I'm not strictly speaking about recycling, composting, or waste management here, but the necessity for Americans and Virginians alike to remain aware of  how the rising costs and detrimental effects of such pollution effects the economy. So, I'm using food as one particular example, because I believe it is the most essential, but specifically, I'm speaking about the urgency for our local and neighborly residents to remain educated about the economic impact of any type of pollution, namely edible sustenance. 

The association Virginia Farm to Table offers a multitude of solutions, statistics, and education revolving around the direct correlation between food consumption/agriculture and the economic welfare of our state. The Virginia Farm to Table Plan which can be read here in pdf format states that the annual purchase of food in VA exceeds $19 billion. This is a staggering statistic and a simultaneously enormous incentive for potential agriculturalists and food merchandisers to pursue this type of business. The plan states:

"The overall objective of the Plan is to educate and communicate to the public, the food system stakeholders, and to key decision-makers a sustainable food system’s impact on economic development, health, natural resources and social well-being; and how Virginia’s food system can be strengthened to address key issues facing farmers, food entrepreneurs, and communities." 

The initiative is very straightforward in its pursuits, while providing a wealth of statistical information. Here are my favorites (they're a mouthful, but important) :

"Although agricultural output was $2.9 billion in farm receipts in 2007; Virginia farmers spent over $2.7 billion on farm inputs (i.e., feed, labor, seed, equipment, fertilizer, fuel and oils). Animal feed purchased constituted 27% ($727 million) of total farm production costs, with hired labor ($294 million) and liquid fuels ($157 million) making up an additional 17% of costs. Liquid fuels and fertilizer costs increased 81% and 65%, respectively, in Virginia from 2002 to 2007. And this increase was prior to the major increase in the price of fuel in 2008."

"...the rapid growth and prevalence of chronic diet-related illnesses is costing Virginia...lives, as well as decreased quality of life and economic prosperity. In 2006, the total cost of diabetes for people in Virginia was estimated at $4.4 billion. This estimate includes medical costs in excess of $2.8 billion attributed to diabetes, and lost productivity valued at $1.6 billion (American Diabetes Association, 2008; 2011). Since these expenses are due to preventable diet-related illnesses, increasing access and consumption of fresh, healthy whole foods could help address the prevalence of these diseases and health care expenses." 

"...for every $1 of state and federal funding invested towards the implementation of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) would generate an additional $1.56 in economic activity for Virginia (Rephann, 2010). The state and federal cost-share programs through greater participation and implementation of best management practices could generate more than 11,700 new jobs for the local and state economy. The waste disposal pathways of food present various opportunities for alternative utilization technologies, job creation, business incubation and expansion, health promotion, improved food access, environmental stewardship and economic success."

Clearly, there is a colossal agricultural and personal effect on the economy, the self, and the environment in the realm of food consumption and growth.

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Syria, My Syria

There is no weakness in adjoining with the weak. There is no wrong in giving mercy to those who may have done wrong on a petty, fleeting whim. And there certainly is no inherent right that may be granted by a human to a human, so there is no inherent right that may be taken away by a human being from someone else - contained, maybe, but not wholly and horrifically stripped from another’s own ability, for example, to see, hear, smell, taste, touch. To speak. No individual being who resides as a member of humanity maintains those capacities, therefore such an individual does not have the power to rid a fellow person of any capability so innate and elemental. One may possibly help in the redemption of these aptitudes if lost or disabled, but it is the the power of the Universe which holds this ultimate authority to bestow these instinctive rights, so it is of that same authority that may take these rights away. People are mere vessels of life, not the true creators of it.

The human imagination is a wonderful little machine - it can take one to the happiest places as well as the most miserable - sometimes to a world so profound, so perplexing and then to one so simple and light, as though nothing can shake that sensibility. It has taken me to worlds I only dream about - to the Elizabethan courts when Shakespeare was the true king of England, to the world of the Ancient Greeks and Romans when mosaics were simply property just like women - a horrific notion to this day, but, for every negative comes a positive, and women knew how to manipulate their value better than men, even if men truly believed otherwise. I could continue with examples and stories, but that would take the fun out of your own imaginary visit. My imagination has even taken me to distant past/future realms only iterated in books, fan fiction, film, and literature - to countries I’ve never visited, and even to homes I’d love to see. 

It has also taken me to Syria.

The current Syrian crisis is, without question, the worst humanitarian catastrophe of our time. It began in March 2011 due to Syrian’s President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorial authority and his movement for violent, inhuman, and unspeakable action against peaceful protestors against his poor politics and personal atrocity. Over the years, the conflict between al-Assad’s government and those who reside within it has only grown, and currently upwards of 11 million people have either become a refugee or internally displaced person because of the turmoil. The number of these survivors was in the thousands in 2011, and has grown into a sum so incomprehensible, that Europe is scrambling for solutions to the incoming refugees at any cost. 

What we need to fix this problem is to really get to the, as I call it, kernel of devastation that provoked it. We will find this so-called catalyst within al-Assad’s rulership. He is not a president, he is not a diplomat, he is a dictator. Any person under his power who questions his will, his authority, or his politics will receive a fate so unbelievable, so humiliating, that this is not even a question through the millions he has displaced already. There are no limits or bounds to his inhumanity, and it is the obligation and duty of Europe and the United States of America to ultimately stop his continual, false reign.

It is also of Europe’s duty to welcome these displaced individuals. Many have travelled by foot, boat, or lodged into the undercarriages of trains and cars to reclaim their humanity. 

Can you imagine that though? Surrounded by a world defined by violence, bombs, shootings, and the fear for your own safety evokes a need to flee somewhere else, anywhere else, as your only option. And, for that matter, the horror in those moments of a sinking boat, for example, one meant to carry these families to a potential freedom, a sweet break from a life that has become an empty existence - and the only moments of meaning were in protecting oneself and loved ones. And this boat, this simple means of transport, was their only true object of faith?

Can you imagine that?