Bloggin' bout a revolution

As this summer comes close to an end, I'm feeling finally set into a very productive routine. Working the Sunset, full-time working on MAPS, and an internship with Equal Exchange have left me intellectually stimulated and content. Here's what's up:

The youth movement for change. Right now people are scared and lonely, unsure of what the future will bring. We hear so much about the war, the economy, the climate, injustice, and food that is designed to make us feel bad. People know the problems.

And there are solutions. Very logical ones whose time has come. In alternative energy, sustainable agriculture, electric cars and energy efficient buildings. Clean energy is the future--

it can't not be.

Every movement has risen in the youth: Civil rights, anti-war, apartheid.
And right now the incentives are there, the technology is there, and millions of young leaders are rallying around the cause. Power Vote, We Can Solve It, Congressional Energy Plans, the Campus Climate Challenge. If there's ever a time to call a movement about to tip, it's right now.

Get in to a meeting with people who care about something.

Let's stop distracting ourselves and see what human potential is all about.

-Eddie

Founding a Business

I have been thinking a lot lately about the plan of what I want to do after college. And things may be coming together quite interestingly. There are big changes happening in agriculture, especially toward sustainable farming. Some ideas I have:

Found a non-loss, non-dividend Social Business.
Goal: Get organic into the lives of all rural families living below the poverty line for self-sufficiency and empowerment.
2. Market and sell organic produce in the US to ensure that small producers always have an outlet for excess production.
3. Research and disseminate best techniques for high-yield organic small farms.

Dealing in: high yield, direct trade, commercial organic fruits, vegetables, commodities, and herbs: banana, pineapple, cotton, corn, coffee, sugar cane, plantain, cocoa, dairy, livestock, name (root), noni (experimental), oregano, basil, etc.

Direct Trade: Microsupply/Microdemand.
Imagine buying a pack of bananas (organic and directly benefitting farmers and the environment, etc), from 4 different farms (individual farmer here could== coop region) in different regions/countries/local varieties. Say that bananas are not a uniform taste, as the clone seeds are—designed to be big and yellow on the outside and distributed by a single company. But organic actually taste better. How much better? You decide. Vote thumbs up or thumbs down on our website to let us know for each one, and look for your favorite in singles next time you go to the supermarket.
--> Some types sell out quicker and are higher rated… stores notice and request more from that farmer. Farmer can produce more funded by higher price. Exceptional examples could hit a “genetic jackpot” and maintain exclusive or sell seed.
--> Range of sticker prices based on ratings, with the best taste costing more and the low-range still a few cents higher than standard quality plantation banana.
--> Would give local farmers incentive to experiment, they may strike it rich! Would lend itself to organic non-gm farming, which already represents a large benefit to family ownership/livelihoods. With many small plots, could even find out what your farm is best at producing by rating against other small farmers.
--> New market for seeds can be grassroots-based in constant evolution and locally variant. Microsupply, microdemand for seed market as well driven by the larger research farms.

How? The internet can manage this quantity of data!


Local Campaign:
-With organic farms can do Community Shared Agriculture shares to benefit from added diversity of production, for any size farm even those that can’t make it international.
-Uncertified organic “gardens” can be grown in backyard for family or market, if seed is made available that doesn’t need fertilizers or pesticides. Reduce dependence on (costly, external) food and boost family income.
-“Preserve your environment and stand up for your livelihood because their economics is not working.” Support local farmers. Support organic. Organize and lobby for fair laws (while using the existing ones)
-Once you’re big enough, join your local coop for shared investments and shipments. Coops can work with us for finding buyers, brokering deals, farmer education, flyers etc.


Scattered, and still some things to work out, but well on the way to becoming the material and flesh of venture capital. Just need a team of impassioned individuals-- consider this an invitation to ask more.

-Eddie

GWSA Passes in Massachusetts!

This week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to pass the Global Warming Solutions Act and historic “Green Jobs” legislation. Together, these bills will cut global warming pollution while creating an inclusive, clean energy economy in our state. Our legislators were emboldened by a coalition of citizens, organizations (including Environment Massachusetts, Clean Water Action, the Mass Green Jobs Coalition, and the Massachusetts Climate Coalition), and by our state’s youth in unprecedented numbers.

As an organizer who has spent hours on making this happen, I want to point to the unique efforts of Massachusetts Power Shift (MAPS – www.masspowershift.org), my statewide network of campus and community activists. In April, MAPS gathered a conference of hundreds of students and adults from around the state in Boston. Empowered from a weekend of high profile speakers including Sen. John Kerry and Rep. Ed Markey, they showed at the State House to lobby almost every single state legislator or their staff for climate solutions. Without these efforts, this week’s legislative session might have ended differently.

There is still much to do, but this is a fantastic beginning. Real people working together really can change the world. Let’s thank our State Legislature, the non-profit community, and my co-coordinators of MAPS for their audacious vision and actions!'

Woot!

Music of the Revolution

Help me, but I'm still skeptical in the power of music to lead a revolution of thought. It's certainly very good at complaining about the way things are (hip hop sometimes never gets past here), but where do you see music people can get behind in today's culture? Do you see any one genre or artist coming that can define what we stand for (sustainability, social justice, awareness) the way the Beatles and birth of Rock united people in the 60s?

I've heard good things from riot folk (check out riotfolk.org), hip hop, classic revolutionaries like Bob Marley or Hendrix, or some alternative (the White Stripes?). I really don't know enough about music to lead the discussion, but am serious about change. I'd be eager to hear what everyone thinks. Have you heard anything that really inspires you to action recently?

-Eddie

Revamping Masspowershift.org

It's an interesting time to be involved with Massachusetts Power Shift.

After a successful conference this April, the planning team is expanding and opening to become the youth climate movement of Massachusetts. We hope to be helpful to everyone interested in activism, or even those who have never been involved before. It's really not that hard to get started, and once you do it feels fantastic to be involved in a democratic process.

As my role in the organization, I'm going to be PUBLISHING THE NEWSLETTER once a month to inform, direct, and inspire ya'll to action. Anyone reading this should subscribe on our homepage, www.masspowershift.org. It won't be spammy, while being very informative about what's going on.

The newsletter is part of our effort to revamp and recreate the organization's website. We now will be offering a calendar of events, blog, and resources page for your own actions. I'm working on the web design of this baby, seeing what that's all about. The site is designed to be as user-friendly and simply informative as possible... check it out and tell your friends!

http://www.masspowershift.org

If you're around Boston for the 2nd, there's a huge rally at the State House that MAPS is taking part in around the GWSA, a cap-and-trade bill for Massachusetts. This is a perfect way to get involved, real action and make a difference. Make a sign, get some friends, and head over to the State House (near the Boston Common, Park St. T) :::


*July 2nd event: Energy Independence!
**Date:* Wednesday, July 2nd
*Time: *12 - 2 p.m.
*Location:* Boston Commons, next to the State House
*Description: *A gathering of concerned citizens to call on their
leaders to take a stance on dirty fossil-fuels and make a commitment to
reducing our carbon emissions by passing a Global Warming bill that has
a robust short term cap to bring us to 80% reductions in Green House Gas
emissions by 2050. Event begins with faith leader, speakers, and call
to action. Info tables connect participants with materials and info to
lobby at the state house.

It takes all of us to make a future,
-Eddie

Boston Updates!

BOSTON SUMMER 08::::

Avast,
It appears Boston is definitely much more chill come summertime. Summer classes are both casual and a blast (even SMG: summer non-major classes are definitely the way to go!). There are still enough people are around to make socializing worthwhile; can always meet someone on Comm. Ave or at a party. As one friend put to me: "College is so much more fun without the school". Climate-wise, we always get a nice breeze to keep things cool (and sailboating!) and nights are mellow and usually just about right. I'm diggin' it. For all ye of BU not around for the summer, an update on the latest goings-on at the Charles River Campus:

The Commonwealth Ave beautification process is nearly complete, and it shows. Our campus of rubble and orange cones now takes the form of a green tunnel of tranquility, with new planters and trees lining the sidewalk. Only thing is, it will be much more narrow when tons of students are walking by. They're now in the process of removing a lane of traffic to expand the T platforms, and it shows. It's harder to dash across the street now!



West Campus seems to be getting a huge facelift. As Student Village Two nears completion, I'm realizing HOW F*ING BIG IT IS. It towers 16 stories over the previous, and has a really corporate and almost cold look to it. Apparently because of an uncalculated design flaw it can cause 80 MPH winds on I90 capable of flipping cars... fuck yeah.



In other news, the entire track and field is torn up as well and redone for next year. It will be bigger (and without that silly bandstand) in order to host track events there. Seems to make sense.




Speaking of torn up in west campus, how about West dining hall getting a major renovation as well. All the carpet is torn up, tables gone, and heavy construction going on. Hope they don't change it too much...

As expected, The GSU is basically worthless, offering lunch at very limited shops for only 2-3 hours a day. Th ey don't even keep Starbucks and Jamba Juice open. Maybe it's not profitable enough... fuckers. BU facilities in general have proven pretty bottled up, with no dining hall accessibility or campus food options. (They took out the Warren Taco Bell for a Starbucks...)

And guess what? The West Campus Wendy's Project? the one that BU has been working on for more than a year at the most high-demand place? It still looks like the same rubble, but now has a "coming soon" sign! I'll believe it when I see it. The West Campus Goodwill is definitely clutch though!




And the Charles River-Esplanade... Really the reason to stay here. So nice in the summer to see families and couples and runners out and about. I've been keeping busy reading outside, sailing, climbing trees, and biking around her lovely Charles riverbanks. Always cheers you up to see 12 people chillin on the dock watching the sun set over the Charles. (and the StuVi 2 Monstrosity, but...)




Hope you enjoyed the tour! With a month and a half of summer already done, definitely still pining for more. Stay tuned, dear reader.

-Eddie

If You're Reading this Right Now...

You were right. Filling personality gaps is not the same as not having them. It is only through time spent alone reading, enjoying solitude, comfort or simply thought that we can dispel the traces of depression and incompleteness within us. It's a journey, but true inspiration comes from within. It is the quality of our passion that defines who we can be. And who any one person can be... is not limited by anything or anyone. (Just do it!)

The "in-place" Zen and self-affirmation one gets through belonging is truly something. Through life awareness and sheer determination I find more energy morning to night for the things I need to do and the those I want to pursue. By organizing priorities and time while dropping unnecessary social events, a balance can finally be reached. But it's the plan that keeps me going. A purpose in life, a goal to be achieved, a passion for something in this world... it's what makes college worth the thousands of dollars, our only purpose and privilege these four short years.

Awaken. Find yourself, find your passion. Let Your Life Speak: "Is the life you are living the life that wants to be living in you?"

Happy searching! The destination is well worth the journey.

Alone, sober and happy::
-Eddie