Forest & Paper facts

"The forest makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously of its life activity; it affords protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axeman who destroys it." 


"Between 50 and 100 acres of tropical rain forest - an area the size of ten city blocks - are destroyed every minute."


"If your office recycled 1 ton of the paper it uses, you'd be saving 17 trees and keeping 60 pounds of air pollution out of the sky."

"It takes 20 trees to keep one baby in disposable diapers for 2 years."

Chief Seattle's Speech

Chief Seattle, Chief of the Suquamish Indians wrote to the American Government in 1874 - In this letter he gave the most profound understanding of God in all Things. Here is his speech:




"How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If
we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy
them?
Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy
shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the
memory of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of
the red man.
The white man’s dead forget the country of their birth when they go to walk among the
stars. Our dead never forget this beautiful earth, for it is the mother of the red man. We
are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer,
the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the
meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man - all belong to the same family.
So, when the Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land, he
asks much of us. The Great Chief sends word he will reserve us a place so that we can
live comfortably to ourselves. He will be our father and we will be his children. So we
will consider your offer to buy our land. But it will not be easy. For this land is sacred to
us.
So, when the Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land, he
asks much of us. The Great Chief sends word he will reserve us a place so that we can
live comfortably to ourselves. He will be our father and we will be his children. So wewill consider your offer to buy our land. But it will not be easy. For this land is sacred to
us.
This shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water but the blood of
our ancestors. If we sell you land, you must remember that it is sacred and you must
teach your children that it is sacred and that each ghostly reflection in the clear water of
the lakes tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water’s murmur is
the voice of my father’s father. The rivers are our brothers, they quench our thirst. The
rivers carry our canoes, and feed our children. If we sell you our land, you must
remember and teach your children, that the rivers are our brothers, and yours; and you
must henceforth give the rivers the kindness you would give any brother.
We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the
same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the
land whatever he needs. The earth is not his brother, but his enemy, and when he has
conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his father’s graves behind and he does not care.
His father’s grave and his children’s birthright are forgotten. He treats his mother, the
earth, and his brother, the sky, as things to be brought, plundered, and sold like sheep or
bright beads. His appetite will devour the earth and leave behind only a desert.
I do not know. Our ways are different from your ways. The sight of your cities pains the
eyes of red man. But perhaps it is because the red man is a savage and he does not
understand.
There is no quiet place in the white man’s cities. No place to hear the unfurling of leaves
in spring, or the rustle of an insect’s wings. But perhaps it is because I am a savage and
do not understand. The clatter only seems to insult the ears. And what is there to life if a
man cannot hear the lonely cry of the whipporwhill or the arguments of frogs around apond at night? I am a red man and do not understand. The Indian prefers the soft sound
of the wind darting over the face of a pond, and the smell of the wind itself cleansed by
the midday rain, or scented with the pinion pine.
The air is precious to the red man, for all things share the same breath - the beast, the
tree, the man. they all share the same breath. The white man does not seem to notice the
air he breathes. Like a man dying for many days, he is numb to the stench. But if we sell
you our land, you must remember that the air is precious to us, that the air shares its
spirit with all the life it supports. The wind that gave our grandfather his first breath also
receives his last sigh. And if we sell you our land, you must keep it apart and sacred, as a
place where even the white man can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the
meadow’s flowers.
So we will consider your offer to buy our land. If we decide to accept, I will make one
condition: the white man must treat the beasts of the land as his brothers.
I am a savage and I do not understand any other way. I have seen a thousand rotting
buffaloes on the prairie, left by the white man who shot them from a passing train. I am
a savage and I do not understand how the smoking iron horse can be more important
than the buffalo that we kill only to stay alive.
What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great
loneliness of the spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All
things are connected.
You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our
grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the land is rich
with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that theearth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit
upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.
This we know: the earth does not belong to man: man belongs to the earth. This we
know, all things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are
connected. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave
the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to
himself.
Even the white man whose God walks and talks with him as friend to friend, cannot be
exempt from the common destiny....
We may be brothers after all. We shall see. One thing we know, which the white man
may one day discover, our God is the same God. You may think now that you own Him
as you wish to own our land; but you cannot. He is the God of man, and His compassion
is equal for the red man and the white. This earth is precious to Him, and to harm the
earth is to heap contempt on its Creator. The white too shall pass; perhaps sooner than
all other tribes. Contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own
waste. 
But in your perishing you will shine forth brightly, fired by the strength of God who
brought you to this land and for some special purpose gave you dominion over this land
and over the red man. That destiny is a mystery to us, for we do not understand when the
buffaloes are all slaughtered, and the wild horses tamed, the secret corners of the forest
heavy with the scent of many men and the view of the ripe hills blotted by talking wires.
Where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. The end of living and the
beginning of survival."

Screening of 'HOME' -a film by Yaan Arthus-Bertrand

A spectacular look at our planet and its magnificence ability to sustain us.
A recommended must-watch.

Home - a film by Yaan-Arthus Bertrand

Some facts:

* In the last 60 yrs alone, our world's population has tripled!!
* This is placing huge accelerating demands on resources but unfortunately only 20%of the world's popln is using 80% of the world's resources.
* The poor live is resource rich countries but do not have access to the resources.
Poverty trap.

Find your Tree :)

Find your birthday and then find your tree!

Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree        Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree

Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree            Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree        Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree

Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree     Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree

Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree      Mar 21 - Oak Tree

Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree   Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree

Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree    Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree

May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree  May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree

May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree     Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree

Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree        Jun 24 - Birch Tree

Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree    Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree

Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree        Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree

Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree   Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree

Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree      Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree

Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree      Sep 23 - Olive Tree

Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree   Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree

Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree    Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree

Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree   Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree

Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree  Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree

Dec 22 - Beech Tree

 

APPLE TREE (the Love)   - of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

  
 

ASH TREE (the Ambition)  - uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

  
 

BEECH TREE (the Creative)   - has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc)

  
 

BIRCH TREE (the inspiration)   - vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere

  
 

CEDAR TREE (the Confidence)   - of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

  
 

CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty)   - of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

  
 

CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness)  - strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

  
 

ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness)  - pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humour, practical.

  
 

FIG TREE (the Sensibility)   - very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humour, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

  
 

FIR TREE (the Mysterious)   - extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, uncontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

  
 

HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary)   - charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste)  - of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgement in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

 

LIME TREE (the Doubt)   - accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress, and labor, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.

  
 

MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind)   - no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

  
 

OAK TREE (the Brave)  - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting,independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

  
 

OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom)   - loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

  
 

PINE TREE (the Particular)  - loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

  
 

POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty)   - looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

 

ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity)   - full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

  
 

WALNUT TREE (the Passion)   - unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

  
 

WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy)   - beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.