CO2, Global Warming, and Pollen-AllergiesWritten by Thomas Ogren
CO2, Global Warming, and Pollen-AllergiesThomas Ogren The benefits of added organic matter to soil have long been known and are usually attributed to increased nitrogen, greater water-holding capacity and an increase in activity of soil earthworms and microbes. But experiments have shown that increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) release that accompanies added organic matter is certainly one of main reasons why adding organic matter to soil increases plant growth. Greenhouse owners have long understood that plants consume CO2 and release oxygen. In a greenhouse packed full of plants, through process of photosynthesis, plants can quickly use up most of available CO2 and then their growth slows down or stops. To compensate for this, old time growers used to place boxes or flats of fresh manure underneath their greenhouse benches. As manure decomposed it released CO2 into greenhouse air and plants grew faster as a result. In today’s modern greenhouses, especially those with concrete floors, lack of CO2 is always a concern. Most of newer greenhouse ranges are now equipped with automatic CO2 regulators that monitor amount of CO2 in air inside greenhouse and then release more as needed. In these greenhouses with their gas growth CO2 generators plants don’t just grow bigger-- they also mature earlier. So, what has all this to do with global warming and allergies? As we become more and more reliant on burning petroleum products and as our global temperatures continue to rise, carbon dioxide levels in our air are rising. Before last election we in US had assumed, incorrectly, that no matter which candidate won election, new controls were going to be placed on CO2 emissions. We know better now. The US with its huge consumption of fossil fuels, (the U.S. produces nearly 25 percent of man-made carbon dioxide emissions worldwide). also is experiencing greatest increase in CO2. Actually, CO2 accounts for 80-85 percent of heat trapping (greenhouse) gases contributing to global warming. The idea that is now called “Greening Theory” holds that all this extra CO2 is good. It will result in increased plant growth and thus in resulting increases in food supplies. There is some merit to this theory but there are numerous downsides too. Pollen-Allergies There are many negative effects from global warming but let’s just consider one here, pollen production and it’s affect on allergies. Since 1959 allergies have dramatically increased in US from 2 to 5 percent of population affected, to a whopping 38 percent now. Largely because of huge horticultural “success” of much over-simplified theory of “litter-free” landscaping we already have vast urban landscapes that are heavily loaded with wind-pollinated dioecious male cultivars (clones) of trees and shrubs. These modern landscape trees result in surrounding air with unnaturally large amounts of allergenic pollen. Because “messy” urban female trees are now so rare, almost none of this pollen is now trapped, removed from air and turned into seed. (Female trees produce no pollen, ever, but they do make seeds, pods, and fruit.) We have tidy sidewalks but pollen-filled air. Under normal carbon dioxide levels these male cloned trees will always produce abundant amounts of pollen. Under increased levels of carbon dioxide, they produce considerably more. The increase in temperature itself also results in increased pollen production, and in pollen production that starts earlier in spring and lasts further into fall. There is research that shows that under stress conditions male plants are able to take up more water than are females. Under stress conditions, such as drought, male trees are also able to hold onto water they already have better than are female plants. Where there are abundant water and soil nutrient sources increases in carbon dioxide levels in our air will result in larger urban trees, which if they’re allergy trees, will be capable of producing ever more pollen. Increases in carbon dioxide increase plant growth but only if there is enough available extra water and nitrogen in soil to support this additional growth. When supplies of water and nutrients are not adequate to support this added CO2-induced growth interesting physiological things happen in plants. Foremost, it is an added stress on plants and stress often results in an increase in unusual reproduction factors.
| | The Top 10 Benefits of Spiritual Environmental DesignWritten by Bea Fields
What would your life be like if you were surrounded by "feel good" people, places, and things so that your spirit really gets chance to soar? This top ten, taken from CoachVille's Personal Environments Community at http://cid384.cvcommunity.com/?tabInx=webpage , explores benefits of using art of environmental design in realm of spirituality.1. Assess and Create Sacred Space We all have spaces that we declare as being sacred...those places and in our homes, hearts, offices, communities, network, in families, and in nature that we can call our own and that represent that which is spiritual in our lives. Whether it is a grand cathedral, an intimate corner in a shared room or a park bench by water, sacred spaces are a vital part of our expression of our inner selves. The things we surround ourselves with are a direct reflection of our inner spiritual being. What do your surroundings reflect about your level of spirituality? 2. Increase Energy Vibrations of Your Surroundings The energy of your surroundings, known as "chi" can be free flowing (high energy) or it can be stagnant (low energy). Nothing affects chi energy of your spaces more than clutter or unfinished business. "Chi" is similar to blood of body. If blood of body becomes clotted or "cluttered," major health complications can occur (heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure.) Imagine that piles of clutter, books, and "stuff" in your attic are clogging arteries or flow of your home. Is it time to raise energy vibrations where you live and work? 3. Work Effectively With Color Our reactions to colors are led by a combination of biological, physiological, psychological, social and cultural factors, and yes...color has an affect on way we operate and our ability to connect to our spiritual being. Certain color effects seem more universal, such as that of "warm" and "cool" colors. Warm colors include magenta, red, orange, yellow, and yellow-green. They speed up our perception of time and produce feelings that are warm and cozy. These colors are associated with excitement, happiness, boldness, and comfort. Cool Colors generally include violet, blue, light blue, cyan and sea green. Emotions associated with these colors include peacefulness and can also represent sadness, withdrawal and repression. Are colors you wear and have around you working for you or against you? 4. Resonate with Harmony and Joy When vibration is timed to be in synchronism and it is noted that less and less energy is required to then excite system, resonance is said to occur. Pure resonance occurring in a system will allow a system when started vibrating to continue indefinitely. Resonance is a basic principle that affects everyone and everything. This same principle applies for a person in need of physical healing, and/or mental and emotional transformation. The correct frequency reminds body's energy field of its original design, and brings it into harmony. When we are in presence of a person who is expressing joy, energy field of their joy brings our own joy to surface, so we resonate together. There will be certain people, sounds, ways of being, music, foods, and objects that create resonance in your environment. Who or what are these? Find ways to include more of them as a way to enhance your spiritual well being. 5. Eliminate Emotional and Spiritual Blind Spots Emotional and spiritual blind spots can create energy which is draining. For example: You are judging someone for their religious beliefs, which is actually a judgment against yourself (maybe you are struggling with what you believe.) Your cultural background tells you that a certain "belief is wrong," so you project your feelings about belief systems onto others. Education and a great deal of understanding of others can go a long way with overcoming emotional and spiritual blind spots. What are some of your blind spots and how might they be robbing you of energy, spirituality and joy?
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