Welcome to the ParadiseNow.net Links Page!
Here is a small selection of many excellent sites one could link to, ordered by subject (some/many of these overlap, such as by planting trees, people and local economies can benefit, etc.).
Peace
(poem)
www.menofthetrees.org.au
A non-profit society dedicated to the planting and protection of trees, founded by
Dr. Richard St. Barbe Baker (1889 - 1982), a remarkable conservationist
and author of some thirty books.
www.ecologyfund.com
Preserve wilderness land for free by clicking-to-help daily
www.cifor.org/publications/pdf_files/media/amazon.pdf
Cattle Farming Biggest Threat to Rainforest: "Hamburger connection Fuels Amazon
Destruction" shows the connection beetween beef production and progressive Amazon rainforest destruction.
A study released April 2004 by one of the world's leading forestry research organizations
(the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)) demonstrates a strong link between the dramatic deforestation rates leading to the recent spike in the destruction of
the rainforest... and the growth in exports that have caused a massive surge in the Brazilian Amazon's cattle population-from 26 million head in 1990 to 57 million in 2002.
"This research provides the first substantial data to support recent speculation about the role international demand for Brazilian beef is playing in Brazil's skyrocketing
deforestation rate," says David Kaimowitz, Director General of CIFOR and one of the report's authors. "In a nutshell, cattle ranchers are making mincemeat out of Brazil's
Amazon rainforests." The Brazilian government's Space Research Institute (INPE) is expected to shortly issue satellite images that show the Amazon rainforest disappearing at
an alarming rate. This will continue the trend reported in 2003, when INPE released figures showing a 40 percent increase over the 2002 figure. Preliminary indications
suggest the soon-to-be-released figures will be equal to or greater than the extremely high figure of 2.5 million hectares reported last year. In just ten years, the region lost an area
of forest twice the size of Portugal. ...logging contributes indirectly to deforestation, but is "much less important than the growth of cattle ranching." "The international and domestic
market forces currently promoting the cattle-driven deforestation described in CIFOR's report are much stronger than ever. Even with the most determined policy response, it
might be hard to decisively curb deforestation. To limit the negative impact on Brazilian rainforests will require a massive effort."
Hamburger Consumption Spurs Amazon Deforestation
One of the world's largest environmental organizations is calling for urgent action to halt
the rapid rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, following a government report...that nearly 10,000 square miles of rainforest was chopped down in the 12-month
period that ended last August. The amount of rainforest lost during 2002-2003--roughly equivalent to the territory of the Massachusetts--was close to the record year of 1995-96,
when 11,600 square miles of forest were cut down, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), which based its conclusions on satellite studies. But the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) called the most recent loss "shocking," and called on the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva...to slow the destruction of the Amazon
rainforests. "It is extremely alarming that the rate of deforestation shows no sign of slowing for the second year running," said Denise Hamu, who heads WWF in Brazil. "The
government of Brazil needs to urgently respond to this crisis by fulfilling its commitment to triple the area of rainforest under legal protection." The new figures also prompted
expressions of concern by the government in Brasilia. ... Environmentalists are concerned about deforestation rates in the Amazon not only because they threaten one of the world's
great treasures of biodiversity, but also because of the rainforests' function as the Earth's "lungs" and as a ‘carbon sink’ that helps slow global warming. Two new studies on global
warming ... found that the Greenland ice sheet was likely to disappear, causing a 23-foot rise in sea level, within several hundred years unless carbon emissions were sharply
reduced. Climate change caused by those emissions will reduce annual rainfall along the West Coast of the United States by as much as 30 percent by the year 2050, causing
severe water shortages throughout the region... Research shows that protected areas, buffered by other zones of sustainable land use are the most effective means of controlling
deforestation." More at http://us.oneworld.net/
www.vegforlife.org/earth.htm
"Did you know factory farms produce 350 tons of manure each year? Load up with facts and figures about why our meat-based diet is killing our planet, and how a veg diet can
make our mother happy, healthy and green."
www.nikereuseashoe.com/
One ecological example of many: Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program, where worn-out athletic shoes of any brand are collected, processed and recycled into material used in sports
surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for youth around the world. Please help turn your old sneakers into places to
play. Drop-Off Locations are available in the USA, Europe, Japan, Australia.
www.neemfoundation.org
Neem Foundation is a voluntary, independent, non-profit organization and people’s movement centred around the “miracle” Neem tree, described as a tree of 1000 uses. It is
a platform for people who would like to see the world return to nature for answers; who would like to lend their might to fight poisoning of our soil, pollution of air and ground
water and desertification. The Neem Foundation strives to popularize simple, natural solutions and help people raise their voices till the authorities respond to stop the
exploitation of the earth by commercial interests. Neem tree products have been used in many areas including agriculture (natural pest control formulas and fertilizers for crops),
medicine: numerous therapeutic properties (anti-malarial, anti-tuberculosis, detoxifier, antiviral, analgesic etc.) and applications (ulcers, gas, intestinal parasites, candida, urinary
tract and other infections, malaria and even birth control), veterinary medicine, a number of dental applications (gingivitis, inflamed gums...) and more.
www.41Pounds.org
"100 million trees are chopped down every year for junk mail sent to American homes. Stop your junk mail now at 41Pounds.org."
www.plant-trees.org
... has already planted 50 million trees! And counting... "helping people in developing countries improve their rural livelihoods through the introduction of environmentally
sustainable land management projects focused on beneficial tree planting."
Pig Business: factory pig farming
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5KNGBm1LeA
A system which pollutes the environment, threatens human health through massive antibiotics use, wrecks rural communities and puts local farmers out of business while greatly abusing animals (with pork often produced below legal animal welfare standards). And to top it all - did you know that roughly one third of all pig meat produced is actually never eaten but lands as surplus in the bin?? See the German pork documentary at www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9XgEJWo5-w .
www.hfa.org
US Humane Farming Association which campaigns against factory farming and slaughterhouse abuse (the cruelty inflicted upon these animals is just beyond belief, with
insufficient protection legislation ”assisting”, but concerted action does help prevent some of it), "the nation's largest and most effective organization dedicated to the protection of
farm animals... HFA's programs and activities represent the greatest hopes of those seeking to create a better world for all of earth's creatures".
www.farmsanctuary.org
also offers many actions to help farm animals one can participate in. Farm Sanctuary has some particularly good news: ”Farm Sanctuary has received a generous donation enabling
us to offer FREE copies of Life Behind Bars to libraries across the country. Please help us make the most of this incredible opportunity to educate thousands of people through this
powerful video on factory farming. We’ll provide you the materials you need and how-to tips to help you contact your library, and once your library agrees to add the video to their
permanent collection, we'll send the video directly to them. It's a simple, easy way to reach and teach thousands of people in your community. Please, get the Life Behind Bars video
in your library and be a voice for farm animals!.” As they write in their "veal campaign", many or most people, once informed about the cruelty involved in veal production, don't
want to have part in it, but most do not even know about it. So the above action sounds like an excellent step forward.
www.stopanimaltests.com
Animal experiments are as useless and dangerous to humans as they are cruel to animals
(e.g. thalidomide was tested safe on rats while penicillin would have never been allowed for human consumption had it initially been tested on guinea pigs or hamsters, since it kills
those species). For extensive coverage and good summaries regarding the question “Does animal testing help human medicine?”, see for instance here.
www.peta.com
People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals
Activist network, recipes, non-leather shopping guide and many other things to protect our younger “brothers and sisters”
www.theanimalrescuesite.com
One mouse click provides food for an animal in a shelter or sanctuary
www.idausa.org
Learn about IDA's work and what you can do to help animals at the “In Defense of Animals” website, ”an international animal protection organization dedicated to ending the
exploitation and abuse of animals by raising the status of animals beyond that of mere property, and by defending their rights, welfare and habitat. IDA’s efforts include
educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and
hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi and Cameroon, Africa.”
www.ifaw.org
“Recognized as one of the world's most effective animal protection groups”, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) works to improve the welfare of wild and
domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the
public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people.
www.vegforlife.org/earth.htm
"Did you know factory farms produce 350 tons of manure each year? Load up with facts and figures about why our meat-based diet is killing our planet, and how a veg diet can
make our mother happy, healthy and green."
“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them wherever they require it.”
St. Francis of Assisi
Humans
In the light of current events, allow me to begin with...
A coalition of over forty organisations incl. and spearheaded by some 2000 Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth will begin a world-first international awareness-raising campaign in September 2013 to enable a factual, evidence-based account of 9/11 to be reached.
After intensely studying this subject, I have come to the personal conclusion that unravelling the truth about 9/11 will be a linchpin in starting the process of rectifying
many/most things going wrong in the world at a fundamental level. I have donated to the fundraising campaign collecting funds for the worldwide awareness-raising campaign in
September 2013 where ads will be placed in eleven major (strategically most important) cities such as New York where a million people a day will see the 50-foot billboard on Times Square throughout the month of September.
If you know others who once informed of the important issues at hand might be willing to contribute in one way or another, please forward this information to them.
Thank you!
quietly-into-disaster.com
Quietly into Disaster – A Plea for Survival is a film by one of the foremost experts on
nuclear power and author of the "bible of the anti-nuclear movement", Dr. Holger Strohm.
Well-researched facts and interviews with leading experts from science, politics and
activist groups shedding light onto the consequences of nuclear energy such as damage to health and environment, nuclear waste, reactor safety, and the serious implications of a
nuclear accident. After watching this movie (which surprisingly has been boycotted by several environmental organisations due to its coverage of taboo subjects) you simply can’t support nuclear energy any longer.
www.basicincome.org
Basic Income Earth Network
This will completely change the face of the earth in a positive way: a basic income
unconditionally granted to everyone. The concept and its viability has already been endorsed by two Nobel laureates in Economics.
www.thrivemovement.com/
A worldwide movement to change things for the better including a film showing how it could be done.
www.themoneymasters.com http://moneyasdebt.net
One of the major reasons why most of humanity's problems (health, poverty, starvation,
war, etc.) have not been solved, even though the problems are not intractable, is because the prevailing economic paradigm is not a naturally balanced system. This has to do with
the creation of money and financial interest. As Bonaparte observed "Interest leads to war." This is because it demands infinite growth. And yet, it cannot be denied that "There
is enough for everyone's need but not everyone's greed." The majority of the economic systems on the face of the earth currently are not balanced enough to support peace,
dignity, or even goodwill to one's fellow human. (description sent in by K.P.)
www.Lietaer.com and www.reinventingmoney.com
Two websites (of many) offering possible paradigm solutions that would support peace and
life over the imaginary concept of currency incl. informtion on the successful Wörgl experiment (Austria, 1932-1933). In the midst of the Great Depression, the small town of
Wörgl successfully experimented with its own local (complementary) currency based on the thinking of economist Silvio Gesell. In spite of other towns wanting to adopt the same
system, the experiment was shut down by the Austrian Central Bank and Supreme Court.
lietaer.com is run by Bernard Lietaer, the man who devised the Euro and author of "The Future of Money" (downloadable).
www.thevenusproject.com
A major, sweeping project to save the world using technology.
www.tristramstuart.co.uk and freegan.info
The world produces enough food to more than adequately feed every person in existence.
But our profligacy (from the plough to the plate, approximately half of all food produced lands in the waste bins) is one of the main reasons why every few seconds, someone dies from starvation or a related disease.
www.skylib.org
One of several websites dedicated to reducing waste by encouraging people to lend or share instead. You can enter your own items to share as well as search for items you are
looking for in your location. Currently available in English, German and Norwegian.
freegan.info
The “ultimate” lifestyle helping to reduce the burden on the environment created by industrialism and wastefulness of resources.
www.givewater.org
Help provide safe drinking water to those in need: “WaterAid is an international NGO dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene
education to the world’s poorest people.”
www.sightsavers.org
“A child goes blind every minute.”
You can help prevent and heal blindness for as little as £3 a month (or the equivalent in US$).
“It is estimated that 500,000 children go blind every year. Of these, 60-80% die within two years. This is either as a consequence of the diseases which have contributed to their
blindness or because of the neglect that they subsequently experience. Nearly half of child blindness is unnecessary – it could be prevented or treated. ...In developing countries, the
main cause of childhood blindness is corneal scarring. This is primarily the result of Vitamin A deficiency, from which it is estimated that 350,000 children go blind every year (many of whom will die as a consequence).“
www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty
For some reason the issue of capital punishment is very important to me. I can't think of a
more irrevocable and sacrilegious thing to do (can you??) than depriving someone of their unique body, an even more horrible crime to commit when they are innocent (as has often
turned out to be the case when it was too late!). This is Amnesty International’s site against the death penalty, “the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. It
violates the right to life. It is irrevocable and can be inflicted on the innocent and has never been shown to deter crime more effectively than other punishments.” A living
witness is Juan Melendez, who spent 18 years on death row in Florida for a crime he did not commit as well as...
www.sunnyandpeter.com
Peter Pringle from Ireland & Sunny Jacobs from the USA share a similar fate. Both were sentenced to death for a crime they didn't commit, and both were later acquitted after
spending some 15 years in prison. Years later while tirelessly campaigning against the horrors of the death penalty they met for the first time in their life, and in late 2011, they
got married. Their story is both heart-warming and deeply disturbing, and they ask for any help they can get.
www.deathrow-usa.com
The United States is the only Western democracy that still uses the death penalty. It is one of only two nations in the world (Iran is the other) to execute juveniles. This is a
German-English site supporting death-row inmates (often even innocent of the crime they are accused of!) by establishing personal contacts and collecting money (even the smallest
contribution helps) for them to be able to get lawyers who properly defend inmates. One of them is Donald L. Aldrich, please help him save his life by spreading the word. Also please sign the appeal against the death penalty "I Dream a World... End the Death Penalty".
www.humanrightsfirst.org
Addresses torture, internet freedom, crimes against humanity, discrimination and many other abuses. Among other things, you can subscribe to their email action alerts which are
very quick & easy to participate in.
www.oxfam.org www.oxfamamerica.org
Committed to creating lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice, including a
call to all nations to eradicate the illicit worldwide trade in small arms. Features an interactive online game that illustrates the root causes of poverty and hunger in the world.
www.controlarms.org
The Control Arms campaign aims to reduce arms proliferation and misuse, and to convince governments to introduce a binding arms trade treaty. Learn more and take action at the
campaign website.
www.projectcensored.org
Sonoma State University publishes the “News that didn’t make the news”
Healing
Negative Energy and Entity Clearing, Cancer and Physical & Emotional imbalances
Len Walker is a full-time "astral travelling" healer who concentrates mainly on the above issues. He is also the author of A simple but powerful self-healing technique involving visualization, intention and - saliva and Two simple but powerful meditations/visualizations for clearing your energy field of unhelpful energy and balancing and revitalizing your aura.
His website gives background information on his healing work incl. contact information.
www.unitedforpeace.org
lists current US peace movement events & statements, offers activist toolkits, songs etc.
www.whatsonmyfood.org
Find out what pesticide residues are on your food (according to the USDA Pesticide Data Program).
www.thechildhealthsite.com
A free-click-to-help site which helps save young lives and children to stay healthy, such as by providing Vit. A to prevent blindness and other preventable disease.
www.maketradefair.com
Oxfam site about Fair Trade, the system that offers farmers and others decent pay for their hard work.
www.abolition2000.org
Network of over 2000 organizations in more than 90 countries world-wide working for a global treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons
www.motherearth.org/nuke/inspection.php
“The Citizens Inspections Working Group (CIWG) is a working group of Abolition 2000 -
a global network calling for a treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons as required by Article VI of the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty]. The CIWG seeks to expose the hypocrisy and
the use of double standards by some NPT member states who condemn countries for possessing or trying to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) while they develop
new lethal WMD and do nothing to honor their treaty obligations for disarmament. The CIWG aims to hold Governments accountable, to educate and alert citizens of the
presence of nuclear weapons, and to support the goal of abolishing all weapons of mass destruction. The CIWG aims to support citizen groups who inspect sites and report their
findings to the public, United Nations, national governments and other interested parties. Add your name to the Authorisation for Citizens Inspections: SIGN UP HERE.”
www.socialworkdegree.net/social-justice-organizations (mostly US-related)
A listing of 100 websites and organizations dedicated to social justice - civil rights &
community organizations, women's rights groups, disabled advocacy, etc. I have not checked the sites listed in any detail (so am not explicitly endorsing any of them) but I am
simply publishing this reference upon request of the maker in hopes it will be helpful to some people.
www.openheart.com/peace/peace.html
“We are seeking 80,000 people who are willing to be part of an experiment to see if we
can shift the world's perception of "good and evil" to a perception of love. We believe we are all one mind and that if enough people (critical mass) could shift their own personal
perception-change their minds-about the existence of evil, then the whole planet could shift into a perception of love.”
www.pacifica.org www.wbai.org www.democracynow.org
Trustworthy, independent news and information providing access to people and
perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media, including
independent and international journalists and ordinary people from around
the world who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots
leaders and peace activists, artists, academics and independent analysts.
Live listening to video/audio broadcasts, peace and justice activities etc. “For true
democracy to work, people need easy access to independent media providing diverse sources of news and information. But the last two decades have seen unprecedented
corporate media consolidation... In the year 2000, just six corporations dominated the U.S. media. In addition, corporate media outlets in the U.S. are legally responsible to their
shareholders to maximize profits. And U.S. “public” media outlets accept funding from major corporations... Democracy Now! is funded entirely through contributions from
listeners, viewers, and foundations. We do not accept advertisers, donations from corporations, or donations from governments.”
www.hiddenfromhistory.org
”Oral [native eyewitnesses’] testimonies of genocide in Canada are now on the internet... featuring witnesses to murder and torture, and survivors of involuntary sterilizations and
electric shock treatments at United Church hospitals. It's imperative that the media, politicans, and the academic world, in particular, be exposed to this evidence, since they
have been the most resistant to examining the evidence we've been gathering since 1995.... Read Kevin [Annett]'s personal story of uncovering Genocide in Canada, and the
price he has paid for doing so” in his book ‘Love and Death in the Valley’”. Canadian residents can sign a petititon too...
www.wagingpeace.org
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation: ”Our Vision is a world at peace, free of the threat of war and free of weapons of mass destruction.”
www.freehugscampaign.org
“Sometimes, a hug is all we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, a man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their
lives. In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal. As this symbol of human hope spread accross
the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring.” ...
www.kucinich.us/
U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich was “the most progressive candidate ... running for President. His positions: National Health for all, anti-Nafta and Gatt, ending the war,
de-militarizing space. There is virtually no difference between his positions and the Green Party platform, but as a Democratic Congressman, he is not a symbolic candidate. He is a
tried and tested politician who has stayed true to his principles:.”
”Kucinich for President” - maybe next time!
www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm
Prof. Noam Chomsky: outstanding political analyst & voice of social conscience of the US
Hushed up and ignored by the mainstream media of his home country, this brilliant linguist’s and humanitarian’s work is a must-read if you want to understand the
background to what is really happening in US politics. www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm features some of his books, articles, audio interviews and other links.
michaelmoore.com
A very lucid observer of US-American history past and present, particularly recommended: his film “Bowling for Colombine” and his activist suggestions on how to
create an America that is truly just, humane and peace-loving... “If you are a soldier currently serving in Iraq and would like a free copy of either Dude, Where's My Country
or a Bowling for Columbine DVD, please send us an email including your full name, your address in Iraq and all other information we need in order to get it to you. Please check out why Mike Moore has decided to vote for
Wesley Clark...
www.ae911truth.org
A non–partisan association of architects and engineers for 9/11 truth "dedicated to the victims, families and all others throughout the world affected by the tragic events of
September 11, 2001 and its aftermath... Our mission is to research, compile, and disseminate scientific evidence relative to the destruction of the 3 WTC skyscrapers, calling for a truly open and independent investigation and supporting others in the pursuit of justice." For more see www.rethink911.org above.
www.tenmillionclicksforpeace.org
endorsed by Arun Gandhi, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jack Canfield and others
www.edgemediarescue.co.uk
“Controversial TV is a unique platform for presenting news, views and information not normally found within the mainstream media. If you would like to contribute to the survival
and further development of this channel please consider offering a donation. If you are unable to offer a financial donation, please consider helping us to promote awareness of the Edge Media Rescue appeal.”
www.davidicke.com
A very alternative but very interesting worldview highlighting unknown influences determining the state of our world and focussing on love as the remedy...
Then the great Peace descended on Mother Earth from the immeasurable heavens.
And light and love tore down the veil of darkness and hatred.
From the north justice and solidarity radiated,
from the south compassion and tenderness,
from the east wisdom and truth,
from the west power and glory.
The Vine and the living Law were replanted in the garden of men
to bring happiness and peace to all creatures.
And the tired shores of the tormented earth were flooded by waves of joy.
In the fields of suffering and sadness furrows of love were ploughed
to receive the seed of truth and bring it to prosperity thousandfold.
And the divine fire was lighted in the hearts of all people,
and it grew into a sea of flames of love and happiness.
The children of the earth took leave of their weapons,
restored the forests, cleaned air and water, cured the earth from her pain.
The great Peace spreaded her hands full of mercy above the whole earth,
swept away the entire past with one finger and wrote with tender words of love:
Peace peace peace.
Marcel Messing