April 22, 2017 by IdealisticRebel

Marching for Mother Earth

March for Science: Rallies worldwide to protest against political interference

Scientists and supporters participate in a March for Science in Washington DC, 22 April 2017 — People marched in Washington DC against President Trump, who is cutting funding for scientific research

Thousands of scientists have taken part in demonstrations around the world in protest against what they see as a global political assault on facts.

The first-ever March for Science, which was timed to coincide with Earth Day, was aimed at promoting action to protect the environment.

Organisers said it was a celebration of science and a call to support and safeguard the scientific community.

The main event was held in Washington DC.

The event’s promoters said the march in the US capital was not aimed against President Donald Trump, while adding that his administration had “catalysed” the movement.

Protesters carried placards that read “Science belongs to everyone” and “Science, not silence”

At the demonstration in Washington DC, Dr Jonathan Foley, the executive director of the California Academy of Sciences, said that research was being irrationally questioned, adding that attacks from politicians “amounted to oppression”.

“They’re specifically targeting science that protects our health, our safety and the environment. Science that protects the most vulnerable among us,” he said.

“Some people will suffer, some could even die,” Dr Foley added.

From climate change and pollution to medicine, men and women who support science were motivated on Saturday by the coverage of the recent Women’s March and are mobilising to make their concerns heard.

Supporters of science and research gather for the March for Science protest in Sydney, 22 April 2017

Protesters hold placards and banners as they participate in the March for Science rally on Earth Day, in Sydney, Australia, 22 April 2017 — Demonstrators are rallying against what they see as a global political assault on facts

Demonstrators hold banners before the March for Science in front of the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, 22 April 2017 — Protesters in Berlin, Germany, held placards in support of the scientific community

People gather in front of the Brandenburg Gate in support of scientific research during the March for Science in Berlin, Germany, 22 April 2017 — Thousands of protesters around the world have taken part in the first-ever March for Science

Organisers of the March for Science Vienna, in Austria, earlier said on the group’s Facebook page that it was encouraging people to turn out to join a movement that began shortly after Mr Trump entered the White House.

Mr Trump has previously called climate change a hoax and his views have raised concerns among the scientific community that the public are beginning to doubt the facts provided as scientific evidence.

A woman holds a sign as she participates in the March for Science in Vienna, Austria, 22 April 2017 — Large crowds in the Austrian capital Vienna joined the worldwide protest

People holding placards during the March for Science day at the Jardin Anglais in Geneva, Switzerland, 22 April 2017 — Marchers turned out in Geneva, Switzerland

In London, scientists and science enthusiasts marched from the Science Museum to Parliament Square.

Many were protesting against what they consider to be an “alarming trend” among politicians for discrediting their research.

Scientists and science enthusiasts gather for the March for Science outside the Science Museum in central London, 22 April 2017 — A large crowd of enthusiasts turned up at the Science Museum in central London

Scientists and science enthusiasts participate in the March for Science in central London, 22 April 2017 — Thousands marched in London, from the Science Museum to Parliament Square

The aim of the March for Science was to bring scientists and their research closer to the general public.

Organisers are of the view that it can be challenging for scientists to communicate with the public and are even actively encouraging scientists to become politicians so that their voices can be effectively heard.

It’s Earth Day and I always try to celebrate. I support the importance of Science, especially in a world where the EPA is being defunded and “Alternate Facts” (i.e. LIES) are in vogue.

As Neil DeGrasse Tyson says: “The good thing about Science is that it’s true whether you believe it or not.”

I couldn’t agree more. We must all encourage the next generation to not only embrace the truth in science, but to go into the sciences and study STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math). Science will lead us to a safe, prosperous future; lies will destroy us all.

Namaste,

Barbara

April 22, 2016 by IdealisticRebel

Earth Day

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Magnolia blooming in Black Mountain, NC. Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio, 2010

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The Atlantic Ocean at twilight. Photographed and copyrighted by Barbara Mattio 2009

This is a compilation of prayers about healing Mother Earth.

They are from many different spiritual paths. All prayers rise to heaven and all prayers are known to God. There is not just a certain religion whose members pray and receive answers or attention.

In this world, every prayer counts, and we are One Family living on One Mother Earth. Let us, all pray, whatever words come from your heart and soul. I hope you will see that the meaning of the different prayers is all the same.

“Let us be united,

Let us speak in harmony,

Let our minds apprehend alike.

Common be our prayer,

Common be the end of our assembly,

Common be our deliberations.

Alike be our feelings,

Unified be our hearts;

Common be our intentions,

Perfect be our unity.”

— From the Rig Veda

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“It is up to us to receive and transmit our Torah.

It is up to us to see that the world still stands.

May the time be not distant

when nation will not lift up sword against nations,

neither shall they learn war any more.

They shall beat their swords into ploughshares,

for the earth will be filled with the wonder of life

Then shall we sit under our vine and our fig tree

and none shall be afraid.

—Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

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“Cattle browse peacefully

Trees and plants are verdant,

Birds fly from their nests

And lift up their wings in your praise.

All animals frisk upon their feet

All winged things fly and alight once more—

They come to life with your rising.

Boats sail upstream and boats sail downstream,

At your coming every highway is opened

Before your face the fish leap up from the river.

Your rays reach the green ocean.

You it is who place the male seed in woman,

Who create the semen in man;

You quicken the sun in his mother’s belly,

Soothing him so that he shall not cry

Even in the womb you are his nurse.

You give breath to all your creation,

Opening the mouth of the newborn

And giving him nourishment.

——-From the Pharaoh Akhenaten’s ” Hymn to the Sun”

“Water flows over these hands.

May I use them skillfully

to preserve our precious planet.”

—Thich Nhat Hanh

“Be praised my lord because our sister

Mother Earth sustains and rules

us and because she raises

food to feed us : colored flowers

grass.

Be praised my lord for those who pardon by your love

and suffer illness and grief

Bless those who undergo in silence

the poor for whom you hold a crown

Be praised my lord for Sister Death-of-Body

whom no man living will escape

And pity those who die in mortal sin

and everyone she who minds you

bless: no second death

to bring them hurt.

Oh praise my lord and bless my lord and thank

and serve my lord with humbleness

Triumphant.”

—Saint Francis of Assisi

“All living beings; all our relations.

We pray for ourselves and all persons;

for the ducks, loons, penguins, eagles and

sparrows:

for dogs, cats, monkeys, elk and earthworms;

fish, mussels, deep-diving whales;

eucalyptus and cactus, fir and roses; all our relations.

Guide us to true peace and security;

grant us protection and freedom from all

bondage;

help us to be free to be ourselves, with

respect for all.

Enfold us in the clear light of safety and

warmth and wholeness.”

—Hazrat Inayat Khan

Bahama water garden. Photograph taken and copyrighted by Barbara Mattio 2013

“The soul of the whole of creation is one, the life behind all those ever-moving phantoms is one. Meditation on this truth and the awakening to it will harmonize the condition of the world.”

—Hazrat Inayat Khan

We are all One Family in the eyes of the Beloved

April 22, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

Today We Thank Mother Earth

“Lord, the air smells good today, straight from the mysteries

within the inner courts of God.

A grace like new clothes thrown

across the garden, free medicine for everybody.

The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise,

the first blue violets kneeling.

Whatever came from Being is caught up in being,

drunkenly forgetting the way back.”

—Rumi

Zinnias grown, photographed and copyrighted by Barbara Mattio 2014

The beauty of the earth is everywhere, mankind has not destroyed what we have been given. Photographed and copyrighted by Barbara Mattio 2015

“too much industry

too much eats

too much beer

too many cigarettes

Too much philosophy

too many thought forms

not enough rooms—

not enough trees

Too much Police

too much computers

to much hi fi

too much Pork

Too much coffee

too much smoking

under slate grey roofs

Too much obedience

Too many bellies

Too many business suits

Too much paperwork

too many magazines

Too much industry

No fish in the Rhine

Lorelei poisoned

Too much embarrassment.

Too many fatigued

workers on the train

Ghost Jews scream

on the street corner

Too much old murder

too much white torture

Too much one Stammheim

too many happy Nazis.

Too many crazy students

Not enough farms

not enough Appletrees

Not enough nut trees

Too much money

Too many poor

turks without vote

“Guests” do the work

Too much metal

Too much fat

Too many jokes

not enough meditation.”

—Allen Ginsberg, twentieth century Beats poet

The skies are filled with the beauty of Mother Earth. Photographed and copyrighted by Barbara Mattio 2015

May we all remember to thank Mother Earth for what we have been given. May we ask forgiveness for what we have destroyed. May we do restitution to our planet to undo what we have destroyed. May our words, prayers and actions make a difference.