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The Alliance for Climate Protection and Current TV are proud to announce that the grand prize winner of our “60 Seconds to Save the Earth” Ecospot Contest is Dave Schlafman for his video entitled Sky is Falling.

Driving back from dropping my son at school, I heard an excellent report on the state of greenhouse emissions in good ole Texas. This NPR report is available with a great more detail on their site. Additionally, President Bush is about to congratulate Nobel Prize winner too, which means he’ll be congratulating Al Gore. Here’s a teaser from NPR:

“Texas emits more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other state. And if Texas were a country, it would be the seventh-largest carbon dioxide polluter in the world. Texas’s high carbon dioxide output and large energy consumption is primarily a result of large coal-burning power plants and gas-guzzling vehicles, both of which contribute to the pollution problem. But while many Texans think bigger is better, there are signs of an attitude change on energy consumption.”

NY Times article link, available even after it becomes archived

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL

Published: November 18, 2007

In releasing a report on climate change, the U.N. secretary general called on the U.S. and China to play “a more constructive role.”

Today presidential candidates will gather in Los Angeles for the first ever Presidential Forum on Global Warming and America’s Energy Future. The event will be a critical opportunity to hear from the candidates on their positions and to spotlight the climate crisis as one of the most important leadership challenges facing the next president.The live webcast is at 2 p.m. PST; 5 p.m. EST. I’m sure it will be available for viewing after the event as well. The organizer’s website is also a great resource on the candidates’ position on climate and energy issues with details of past involvement, etc.

Today I’m grateful for children’s books and how enriching they have been to my son and I. I had stopped reading fiction fifteen years ago as my spiritual path grew (just didn’t have time for it). Having majored in English Literature, this was a departure for me. With the birth of my son that changed. And we’ve discovered some gems. We’ve read many really good, really amazing ones, books that make you think and fill your heart, and some forgotten but cherished anyway. These books are so well written, enjoyable for adults too and go beyond being fiction alone. Here’s a partial list you may enjoy especially if there are kids in your life (don’t have to be your own).

THE GREAT KAPOK TREE by Lynne Cherry. This one teaches about how nature’s balance is interdependent by using the Kapok tree as home to the many creatures who depend on it, and each other. It emphasizes preservation.

HOLES by Louis Sachar. A very unusual and original story about a kid wrongly accused, sent to a corrupt boys’ camp, with past generations in his own and other characters’ families adding to the richness. The movie is equally good, one of the best from page to screen.

HOOT by Carl Hiaasen. Don’t bother with the movie unless you’ve got nothing better to do. Superb, fast-paced writing, great humor, environmental preservation theme and empowering to kids.

A SINGLE SHARD by Linda Sue park. A new author we discovered. Story of the historically accurate fame of 12th century Korean pottery, involving an orphan boy living under a bridge and how he bests the odds, losses his best friend and finds a new family. Many cultural textures too.

THE FIRE WITHIN by Chris D’Lacey. Another author who’s new to us. It’s the first in a trilogy, with a fourth book now coming out. It is about Dragons with lots of fantasy, but it’s really about people, relationships, personal quests and integrity. The writing is top-notch, thrilling to read, humorous, and a very original voice.

Please visit the authors’ websites. I linked directly to the book page, but the sites have a lot of content, are educational, there are activities and other empowering information.

This is part of Nneka at Balanced Life Center’s 2007’s Season of Gratitude.

My posts in the series:
Grateful despite the news
Gifts of acknowledgment