What Is 350?

Does the number 350 sound familiar ?Does it make you sad or create tension within you? Or does it sound normal?Chances are many individuals and you do not know the significance of this number. 350 is the number for parts per million of CO2 that our planet needs to be at to create atmospheric balance. This is the safe number that our earth should be at, but it is much higher than that. Currently, the amount of CO2 that we produce is 392.04. We ( the humans) are risking everything because we increase arctic warming which risks that our planet will reach the "tipping point" and all climates and weather patterns will change.

Until 200 years ago, the planet stayed at 275 parts per million.Ever since we have been in a industrial era things like coal, gas, oil and other chemicals have changed the chemistry of carbon dioxide on our planet. This created a lot of energy and goods but released lots of greenhouse gasses ( which are gasses in the atmosphere that absorb radiation within a thermal range) and the amount of carbon. 350 is the safe number that our planet needs to be at. A lot of activism help is needed to spread this message and educate others about a very important issue. There are lots of things you, as an individual can do to help 350.0rg

This is a link to the website's " people" section. Please copy/ paste it.

http://www.350.org/people

Bill McKibben is the founder of 350.0rg and an environmental and philosophy writer. I had the pleasure of hearing him speak in Boulder this spring. It is amazing to see such passion, realness and the greatness of a writer talk about an issue that is so dear to his spirit. I really enjoyed listening to him and I suggest that everyone reads " The End Of Nature" and "The Age of Missing Information" and "eaarth".

Here is the homepage of the website, 350.org, for more information,education and details on how to become involved and take action!

Thanks for reading!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Interested in Volunteering In Community Gardens? Want to Buy Local, Seasonal and Fresh Foods?

The Digital Garden on Leetsdale is a community-permaculture garden hybrid that is infused with digital media. The goal is to empower gardeners and visitors through community gardening, great programming, and digital media to learn more about sustainable living and to stimulate a diverse range of discourse

A new gardening trend in the making is digital gardens. These are community permaculture gardens that come together with digital media to create and learn about sustainability and build community. Located on Leetsdale, their goal is to have their garden as well as workshops and events to help promote eating locally and discuss our local environment. On July 17th, the Digital Garden hosted a salon talking about urban permaculture and where humans take place in the environment that we like to claim our own.

To learn more or to help out, visit their webpage:http://www.digitalgardenleetsdale.com

Another really awesome place that educates individuals about horticulture, beekeeping and does Yoga is the 63rd Street Farm located in Boulder. Every Thursday night they have their Community Supported Agriculture Night, where they sell their crops, like squash and organic cage free eggs or teas that are locally made in Colorado. Their website is : http://www.63rdstfarm.com

There are so many options now when it comes to finding local foods and fresh foods to eliminate greenhouse gasses and the dependency of oil and to support where you live! If you are interested in buying or volunteering for a farm or feel like gardening but do not have the space, there are many options. All one could do is to search which ones are closest to you and when a good time is to pick up or volunteer to help them with various services. I hope this helps you in your search or interest of keeping your mind, body and spirit healthy and educating friends and yourself about different types of ways to help our earth.

Thanks for reading!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

The Fight for Hunger

Soup kitchens and food pantries have become popular outlets to find food in this recession period. When food becomes limited it is the non-profits and other organizations that provide these essential need for individuals. Families are no longer getting all of their food needs met but they are okay with it. They saying make do with what you have,certainly applies. Our national government has been ceceptible and everyday America has spoken to make programs related to food easy to access. This article from NPR, is a national call telling all readers and listeners that food is going to be available.There are a lot of food banks and non for profit organizations that can help those who are in need of food. I feel better, as a student of Metro to know that there is a food bank on our campus, and no questions will be asked if I can't afford on my own to eat. Awareness of any issue that might relate to you, family members, and friends is key to learning to become independent and get what you ( as the individual) want in life. Non- Profits are great resources to find free or almost free help and services for you. Volunteering helps everyone in many ways, one of those is by helping to feed the soul and another one is to help others for all around interconnectedness with everyone. Go out and help this world as well as take care of yourself! Please copy/ paste these two links to find out more information about the article about food on NPR and our school food bank.

( npr story)http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128618224

( mscd food bank) http://www.mscd.edu/studlife/foodbank/

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Does Honey Heal Wounds and What is Going on With Honeybees These Days?

Hi folks!

I found an article/video blog on NPR about honey bee extinction, beekeeping and how every individual on this earth needs honey bees to survive. A couple years ago, I wrote a paper for my ENG 1020 class about bees. No one is my class or even me knew about the power that bees play in our environment. I did this paper to help me understand honey bees and tell friends, family and co-workers so that everyone could be informed, to take action. I came across this article and was happy to see that this issue was on the NPR website. I know this has been in the news and such, but I am always interested on the latest news about these bees. When reading this article, please keep an open mind. A lot of people believe that bees only want to sting you when really it is much more than that. Bees can heal wounds, pollenate vegetables and fruits, how farmers need honey bees, as well as honey can be substituted sugar for baking purposes ( I learned this about an hour ago, cool!). To learn more about this article and watch neat videos about bees, please copy paste this link.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128574280

Have a great, cloudy day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Hi everyone!

The Center for Urban Connections always wants to give, you the students ways to help out in our local community. Here is another website that you can check if you are interested in volunteering this month or in August. Anything from driving a bus for the elderly ( long term commitments) to volunteering for a day to help at a music event. Please take advantage of our prospering opportunities that we are very appreciative to have in the local Denver Metro area. Here is the link for volunteer opportunities!

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001p0G3IzaXxpxzD5oY4538mLmjZ4pTBgF20bmdq0f6Z8XVyK

Have a great weekend and rest of your summer semester!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Want to Be More Sustainable? Buy A Goat!

Hello Students!

I found a article that helps individuals be environment friendly and cleans your yard. Buy A Goat! When a person buys a goat they eat weeds. You save money by not having a lawnmower. According to NPR, goats save the city of Los Angeles 3,000 dollars. It might seem funny, which it is but this is starting to become a popular alternative method to save our environment! Listen and read this awesome article to find out more information.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128411947&ps=cprs

Thanks and have a great day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

BP Oil Spill articles

Hi folks!

I found a couple of articles and new pictures about the BP oil spill. I went to npr.org which is an amazing, trusted source to receive information about news all around the world and interesting topics. They have a tab specifically for the Oil Spill and a live stream looking at 5 areas of the spill as well as a estimation on the right side, about how many gallons of oil has leaked.

Social media is a great tool to find out information about global or national issues. Facebook provides users with fan pages to follow people/places/things/interests and see what they are up to. On the Planet Green Facebook Page I found some very sad, documented photos for the Oil Spill. Please check these two links out and learn about community, local and global issues around the world! Knowledge is Power. Copy/ Paste the links below!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126475680

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/slideshows/travel-outdoors/gulf-oil-spill.html

Have a splendid day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Musician Opens Up Her Lyrics for Others to Understand Co-Existence

Subterranean Homesick Blues. The answer my friends is blowing in the wind? Do these songs and lyrics ring a bell? These songs inspired change. Musical activist, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez were inspired through lyrics to reach out to other activists, the government and the "common" man. I am certain that a lot of social action creative expression is going on as we write. Such events the BP oil spill and conflicts in the Middle East, make citizens of the world act and say something. I happened to notice on NPR music that an artist by the name of Laura Hoffman is singing and creating lyrics hoping for coexistence between races and religious backgrounds. Her goal is to break the isolation between culture and politics. In her song "Pictures From America", she calls for peace and to share this world.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128188770

I encourage you guys, as Metro Students to create lyrics, poetry, art and any forms of expression that can cause questioning and evaluating things that you think are unjust. Whatever it may be, when you use your expression you make your voice be known.

Have a Happy Express Social Action in Creative Ways Day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128188770

Thinking about a Summer Vacation? Choose A Volunteer Vacation or Volunteer Abroad!

Hi Folks-

Here is a interesting npr story about vacations that are based on volunteering. Volunteer based vacations can be anything from teaching English to helping preserve an environment. You could do an all inclusive volunteer based program or contact a local non-profit organization in the area ahead of time. Here is the link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87892532

Another option to travel for long term. This is a great experience being exposed to new cultures, learn the language and visit places that you have wanted to go. There are many options if you are interested in any where from two weeks to a semester, depending on the program. Costs vary but there are a lot of blogs and reviews out there. Here are some web sites that you can go to if you are interested in volunteering abroad:

http://www.gviusa.com/

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/programs/volunteer-abroad.aspx

http://www.bunac.org/

http://www.mscd.edu/internationalstudies/programs/

http://ciee.org/

Have a great day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Bands for Lands Volunteer Opportunities

Hi Folks!

One of my co-workers found out about a non-profit needed volunteers called Bands for Lands. This non-profit is committed to spreading the message of sustainability, awareness and conservation through music, creative arts, education, speakers and advocates. An event called 'Bands for Lands' Showcase is hosted by the Denver Post. The Official Charity Sponsor will be the official charity partner for the event on July 22nd-25th. All of the profits from this event are going towards Colorado Open Lands, Prairie Preservation Alliance and the Woodbine Ecological Center. Bands for Lands is looking for volunteers to help them serve drinks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of their event. Each event is a different time so please follow the link on Metro Volunteers page to find out more information!

http://tinyurl.com/2frnjtp

Listed below are links to Bands For Lands, Colorado Open Lands, Prairie Preservation Alliance and Woodbine Ecological Center.

http://www.bandsforlands.org/

http://www.coloradoopenlands.org/

http://www.prairiepreservationalliance.org/

http://www.woodbinecenter.org/

Thanks for reading & hope you check out this cool volunteer opportunity!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections