Green News - Neighborhood, COP20, Global Emotional Warming

28 January 2015

Dear BK Green Network, om shanti and many greetings.

1. This newsletter will start with a blog from br. Arnold in Holland:

Sustainability begins at home - Many times, we have heard it in the Murli 'Charity begins at home'. It is about being kind and loving towards yourself and your family. It is also about being an example yourself  in order to do service. This is very powerful. We could say that the same applies to 'Sustainability begins at home'. We can only be a trustworthy source of service, if we practice what we preach in our green initiatives. This means that we apply these principles in our own homes and centers: 

· Living with Simplicity · Buying compassionately ·  Using Economically· Learning Continuously · Sharing Generously

If we take this approach one step further, we could even say that our street, our neighborhood (maybe even our city) is also a part of our family. Then our centers could become the shining examples of a sustainable and spiritual lifestyle. At the same time we can help our neighbors to become more resilient, both internally and externally. Charity means then being loving for ourselves, our family, our neighborhood and nature. Please let us know (via environmentblog@brahmakumaris.org) whether you are interested in this 'green neighborhood' service. 

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Arnold also reports on the increasing number of members in our Facebook Green Group -especially from the Philippines and India. Currently our group has 406 members. If you want to join, then request to join on the Green Group's page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreenBK/).

2. New article from Mike George - Global Emotional Warming

3. The Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru was a fantastic experience. Our large BK delegation was mainly noticed by our calm, hopeful and positive presence. Our hosts - the BK family in Lima - did a fantastic job, and by the end of the 2 week long stay we came over 25 programs total. It was indeed a great INCA-trail of service and happiness. If you want inspiration, lots of photos, please have a look at the 8 colorful reports we did.

4. The Green Service tour of South America happened before and after the COP conference in Lima. Big thanks to all countries involved. A separate service story will come in next mail. The Spanish version is online.

5. A global Hindu response to climate change - The Bhumi Project have created the first ever united global Hindu voice to address environmental concerns. They aim to Apply traditional wisdom to modern concerns through making traditional Hindu culture and wisdom relevant to address environmental concerns. They celebrate the Hindu Environment Week 15th-21st February. if you like to dedicate a green program to you or contact local temples, please send a mail to us at environment@brahmakumaris.org

Anything you would like to share? Please send news and thoughts.

TED Talk: From the Danish Green Think Tank we got following TED talk recommendation:

the Buddhist Monk Ricard Matthieu putting altruism into a environmental context, on how Altruism can guide not only individual change, but also collective change in our society.

Quote: Everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to John C. Maxwell to Antoine de Saint-Exupery has been attributed with coining the phrase:

Best of all, from all to all

Sonja & Arnold 

Greetings from URI:

 

 

Green News - Neighborhood, COP20, Global Emotional Warming

28 January 2015

Dear BK Green Network, om shanti and many greetings.

1. This newsletter will start with a blog from br. Arnold in Holland:

Sustainability begins at home - Many times, we have heard it in the Murli 'Charity begins at home'. It is about being kind and loving towards yourself and your family. It is also about being an example yourself  in order to do service. This is very powerful. We could say that the same applies to 'Sustainability begins at home'. We can only be a trustworthy source of service, if we practice what we preach in our green initiatives. This means that we apply these principles in our own homes and centers: 

· Living with Simplicity · Buying compassionately ·  Using Economically· Learning Continuously · Sharing Generously

If we take this approach one step further, we could even say that our street, our neighborhood (maybe even our city) is also a part of our family. Then our centers could become the shining examples of a sustainable and spiritual lifestyle. At the same time we can help our neighbors to become more resilient, both internally and externally. Charity means then being loving for ourselves, our family, our neighborhood and nature. Please let us know (via environmentblog@brahmakumaris.org) whether you are interested in this 'green neighborhood' service. 

----------------------------------------------------------

Arnold also reports on the increasing number of members in our Facebook Green Group -especially from the Philippines and India. Currently our group has 406 members. If you want to join, then request to join on the Green Group's page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreenBK/).

2. New article from Mike George - Global Emotional Warming

3. The Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru was a fantastic experience. Our large BK delegation was mainly noticed by our calm, hopeful and positive presence. Our hosts - the BK family in Lima - did a fantastic job, and by the end of the 2 week long stay we came over 25 programs total. It was indeed a great INCA-trail of service and happiness. If you want inspiration, lots of photos, please have a look at the 8 colorful reports we did.

4. The Green Service tour of South America happened before and after the COP conference in Lima. Big thanks to all countries involved. A separate service story will come in next mail. The Spanish version is online.

5. A global Hindu response to climate change - The Bhumi Project have created the first ever united global Hindu voice to address environmental concerns. They aim to Apply traditional wisdom to modern concerns through making traditional Hindu culture and wisdom relevant to address environmental concerns. They celebrate the Hindu Environment Week 15th-21st February. if you like to dedicate a green program to you or contact local temples, please send a mail to us at environment@brahmakumaris.org

Anything you would like to share? Please send news and thoughts.

TED Talk: From the Danish Green Think Tank we got following TED talk recommendation:

the Buddhist Monk Ricard Matthieu putting altruism into a environmental context, on how Altruism can guide not only individual change, but also collective change in our society.

Quote: Everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to John C. Maxwell to Antoine de Saint-Exupery has been attributed with coining the phrase:

Best of all, from all to all

Sonja & Arnold 

Greetings from URI:

 

 

Greetings from the Sustainability Initiative Team

1 January 2015

Let us together build a sustainable environment with innovative solutions in this New Year 2015