Fourth 'r' for earth day
Since winning that prize, i have traveled to many parts of the world sharing the groundbreaking message of the nobel committee.Friday, the 35th celebration of earth day provides us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to doing all we can in our daily lives to protect and nurture the earth.
There can be no better time.The recently released millennium ecosystem assessment report shows that nature provides so many"Services"That the decline of ecosystems worldwide has measurable deleterious effects on human wellbeing.The 1, 300 scientists compiling the report found that 60 percent of nature's vital services that make all life possible including fresh water and the flood protection and climatestabilizing capacities of forests are already degraded or in danger.
Nature is not an amenity to be drawn upon.It is a fundamental component of our ability to survive and a central pillar in expanding the possibilities for peace.
Nearly 30 years ago, i planted seven trees that led to the creation of the green belt movement.Since then, women(And some men)Have planted more than 30 million trees across kenya, and we have shared our approach with many other countries in africa.
Through the green belt movement, thousands of communities, largely poor and rural, have been able to transcend ignorance and fear and take positive action for the earth.In the process, they have also secured their own livelihoods, as the trees provide them with fuel, fodder, protection against soil erosion, and even a small income.
One of the most important lessons we learned is that citizens need to be empowered.They need to feel that the life they want for themselves and their children can be achieved only when they participate in protecting and restoring their environment and expanding what i like to call"Democratic space. "They can't wait for others to do it for them;They need to take action themselves.Otherwise, the bestTheories about how to preserve ecosystems for use by humans and other species will remain just that:Theories.
On a Recent visit to japan, i leaRned the concept of mottainai.One meaning in japanese is"What a waste. "But it also captuRes in one teRm the"ThRee Rs"That enviRonmentalists have been campaigning on foR a numbeR of yeaRs:Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.I am seeking to make mottainai a global campaign, adding one moRe"R"Suggested by klaus tpfer, the head of the un environment program: "Repair"Resources where necessary.
We can practice mottainai in rich countries where overconsumption is rampant, and we can do it in regions where environmental devastation is causing the poor to get poorer and the ecosystems on which they depend to be degraded, some beyond repair.
In my case, mottainai means continuing to plant trees, particularly now that the long rains have come to kenya.I have also called on my parliamentary colleagues to ensure that government offices use both sides of each sheet so we can halve the amount of paper we consume.
I am urging the public(And manufacturers)Not to use plastic bags that are so thin they tear almost immediately, or are used once and then thrown away.These bags clog waste dumps and blight the landscape in kenya and other countries.They also provide good breeding grounds for malariacarrying mosquitoes.
If
Ralph Lauren Outlet we did not use these bags, and instead carried our shopping in more longlasting and environmentally friendly containers, we could revitalize traditional industries like basket and cloth weaving.
This could become a global trend.If kenya began exporting millions of baskets woven by women from sustainably harvested sisal plants to developed countries at a fair price, that would be an important contribution to the protection of the earth, to rural livelihoods, and to fair trade.This is just one example.I am sure you can think of others relevant to your life, your community, and your country.
Also in japan, i heard the story of a hummingbird from a professor i met.When the forest where the hummingbird lived went up in flames, the other animals ran out to save themselves.But the hummingbird stayed, flying to and from a nearby river with drops of water in its beak to pour on the fire.
From a distance, the other animals laughed and mocked it. "What do you think you are doing? "They shouted. "This fire is overwhelming.You can't do anything. "
Finally, the hummingbird
Pandora Charms UK turned to them and said,"I'm doing what i can. "
So this earth day, and every day, let us dedicate ourselves to making mottainai a reality, not just a slogan.We can all be like the hummingbird, doing whatever we can.
Wangari maathai, the 2004 nobel peace prize laureate, is kenya's deputy minister for environment, a member of parliament for the tetu constituency, and founder of the green belt movement.
Why Putting Kids on The Biggest Loser Is a Bad Idea
For the first time in its 14 seasons, the hit weight loss reality show the biggest loser is featuring obese children.If you've seen the show, you know that the producers have made some changes to the show's formula for these kids.
The three teens, who are clinically obese, live at home while participating in the weightloss interventions, rather than on the ranch.They are not exposed to the same demanding treatments as the adults, they cannot be kicked off the show, and they are each given the title of"Ambassador. "Their role is to bring attention to our country's childhood obesity crisis and empower others to make better food choices, move more, and work toward a healthier body weight.
One in three children in the united states is overweight or obese.A child is considered overweight if his or her body mass index is at the 85th to 95th percentile for age.If his or her bmi is above the 95th percentile, the child is considered obese.To determine if your child falls in either of these categories, talk to your child's pediatrician or chart it yourself using the centers for disease control growth charts.
When faced with startling statistics like those, it is easy to see why drawing more attention to this epidemic is important. (And in my last post, i emphasized that downplaying the obesity crisis, even in one story, can seriously affect public health. )Despite the gravity of the situation, i am not convinced that the task of informing our society about our childhood obesity crisis should be placed on the shoulders of two 13yearolds and a 16yearold, especially with millions watching their personal weightloss experiences each week.
As a registered dietitian involved in the treatment of overweight children, i am aware of the need for compassion and privacy when working with overweight children and teens.It worries me when the primary focus becomes the number reported on the scale and the weight issue is viewed as something that children or teens can fix on their own.Overweight and obese children are at nearly twice the risk of having other medical, mental, and development conditions when compared with a child in the normal weight range.In addition to issues such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated lipid levels, the concerns run much deeper.The list includes emotional and behavioral problems, depression, learning disabilities, developmental delays, bonejoint problems, muscle weakness, asthma, allergies, headaches, and ear infections.Bullying of overweight children is common, as are harsh comments from peers, coaches, teachers and parents.Because of the multitude of issues that can occur alongside obesity, you can see why recommended treatment usually includes a team of health professionals.Treatment must not only include the child but also the parents or guardians.Though parents should never be blamed for a child's weight, without their involvement, support and encouragement, a child's weightrelated problems will not improve.
So what can parents do to improve the health of an overweight child?While parents might assume that they should enforce different sets of rules and offer different foods to the heavy children in their family, this is wrong.Any steps toward weight loss and healthy living should be taken by the entire family, not just those who are overweight or obese.No matter their body size, everyone needs a healthy diet and daily exercise.No one should be able to eat out of bags and boxes 24/7.The following tips are not punishment for being overweight but instead are a lifelong plan for wellness for the whole family.
1.Go, team, go!Do not single out any one child.Everyone in the family needs a healthy eating plan and daily exercise not just those struggling with weight.Enlist the extended family if possible.That includes parents, stepparents, grandparents, and even childcare providers.Every adult who prepares food and spends time each week with the child needs to be on board and understand the importance of the lifestyle changes.
Clean out the pantry, refrigerator and freezer.Pitch unhealthy foods and fill the kitchen with lowfat dairy products, lean meat and
Louis Vuitton Bags uk protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks for the entire family.No parent should be a shortorder cook, preparing different foods for different family members whenever they ask for it.Set times for meals and snacks.Involve children in the planning process, as well as the preparation of the food.And set the rule that the kitchen is not open 24/7 for continual snacking.Meal planning tips are available at choose my plate.
Eat meals and snacks as a family, at the dining table with no other distractions.That means no tv, video games, or phone for parents as well as kids.This is the time to communicate with one another and find out how the day went, plan a family outing, or discuss the latest movie release.
Work in 45 to 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.Don't assume that gym and recess time at school is fitting the bill.It's not.
2.Good food, bad food.All foods can fit into a healthy eating plan.None should be banned or forbidden.On occasion, pack chips in your child's lunch, offer a cookie and milk for a snack, or go out for an ice cream cone.These foods can fit, but they don't need to be readily available, in unlimited amounts.Keep portions in check.
3.Walk the walk.Don't just talk about how to get healthier do it!Instead of just sending your child out to play, go outside and play together.Instead of talking about a healthy snack, prepare one together.When weather is bad, do a kickboxing or cardio dance dvd together.
4.Shift the focus.Take the emphasis off the weight and appearance.Focus on your child's healthy habits.Encourage with phrases such as: "Wow, you can really run fast,"Or"The fruit salad you made is delicious. "
5.Little steps.Simple, small changes can add up and keeps the momentum going.Go for a walk as a family, shoot hoops, take a swim at the local pool, try new recipes, or plant a small garden in your yard or in containers on your deck.
6.Dealing with boredom.Children report that the main reason they overeat is because they are bored and have nothing to do.Help your child discover activities they will enjoy for life.It may be a physical activity or something intellectual, creative or social.Consider:A community youth sport league, scrapbooking, reading, fishing, knitting, singing, playing a musical instrument, community theater, or joining a scouting program, 4h, or a religious youth group.
As you view the teens on the biggest loser show, count how many of the above tips are being implemented with the children and families.Perhaps we will see actions such as these as the season continues.Maybe i'm old school, or perhaps i'm just an overprotective mother.Either way, in my professional and personal opinions, television(With its millions of viewers)Is not the appropriate medium to assist the overweight child and the family.Yes, we will cheer for these teenagers.Yes, we will cry with them.Yes, we will thank them for being such great ambassadors.But in the end are these teens, their parents, and their family members really receiving the interventions to positively impact their life and improve their health for years to come?
For more by becky hand, click here.
For more on childhood obesity, click here.
Although i have to admit i haven't seen the series, from the snippets i've seen of the adult series, which i believe is harmful to adults and i believe there have been studies of contestants who struggle mightily with longterm healthy changes once the massive supports that were made available to them via the show are pulled.Even if the kid's version is"Kinder gentler"I don't think it is a healthy thing to promote.This doesn't mean we shouldn't take steps toward improvement, but take care to show your child how loved and special they are every step of the way.
The generation of today are stay at home kids with nothing to do except use their video games, watch tv etc.Obviously the schools lunch programs are a disaster and need to be revamped as do our parents of this generation.Parents and children have not had the education about health, calories and nutrition.Knowledge is power.What is wrong with bringing this issue to light?It's not a sex issue, it's not a drug issue but it is as important to understand.At the very least, the children on the biggest loser are being brought in to the 20th century with exercise and food knowledge as a basis for living their lives as happy, healthy individuals.Isn't that what being a parent is all about?You want the best for your children.But, as lincoln said,"You can make some of the people happy some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. "
Maybe i missed something, but it doesn't appear to me that the kids are being weighed and numbers have not really been an issue other than when they test their physical abilities(How fast they can run, etc. )The kids have been encouraged to eat right and stay active, and have had a lot of support in learning how to be selfmotivating and how to stand up against bullying, or how to have a productive discussion with parents about difficult issues.
These kids(So far anyway! )Seem really happy to be taking part and the show's been doing a good job of putting certain issues right in front of our eyes.I loved the episode where one team had to spend 4.5 hours every day, locked in a room with TVs, couches, and junk food because that's the life that so many kids face today.
I actually know kids whose parents do not let them out to play or to go to afterschool activities because 'it's dangerous' and literally force them into that prison day after day, and this was a nice way to try to illustrate how horrible that is to viewers.
I'm not even fond of children under 13 participating in the family competitions.Children know if they are overweight just by looking at classmates and playing at recess.If parents follow your 16 suggestions that will help a lot.I have 2 full brother grandsons 1)20 yrs, 6ft, 133 lbs computer person 2)14 yrs 5'8"190 lbs sports person.Who has the wt problem?1 under or 2 over Feed children appropriate portions of healthy food and save them the anxiety and peer bullying based on wt issues.
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