Mind Space – Page 105 – Things Are Good

The Best form of Aid

People are going to buy things they don’t need, and now there are ways for people to buy those objects in a good way. Many consumer goods are made in questionable ways and stores around the world are starting to commit to fair trade practices.

Fair trade is arguably the best form of “aid” an individual can give to developing regions. By buying fair trade people support small, local businesses that treat employees well and encourage local economic growth. The best example of this is fair trade coffee growers.

So this Saturday May 13th is World Fair Trade Day. One company has a list of their fair trade stores in Canada.

Go out and support people, not corporations!

eTUKTUK

The eTUKTUK project is a small vehicle that is a mobile telecentre that operates in rural Sri Lanka. It is equipped with a battery powered computer, printer, camera, telephone and scanner.

From the India Times:

“It is a project of the Kothmale FM Community Radio Station, located in Mawathura, which is about 25 km southwest of Kandy. Mawathura is primarily a rural region with tea and rice being the dominant plantation crops.

Since 1999, Kothmale Community Radio has been serving as an interface between rural communities in the central hill region of Sri Lanka and new communication technologies.”

Oil Pipeline Route Changed

Sure, the exploration, extraction, exploitation, transportation, and many other blank-tion realated to oil have done a lot of damage to the world, so it is nice to see that a little less damge will be done.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that an oil pipeline be re-routed around an environemtnally sensitive area. The pipeline is still underconstruction.

“Greenpeace Russia, which has led demonstrations against Transneft’s proposed route, has welcomed Mr Putin’s decision.

Spokesman Andrey Petrov said: “It is victory for the whole of civil society in Russia, not just the ecological movement.”

He said environmental considerations would still have to be taken into account when the new route was planned, but moving it from the shore of Lake Baikal had been a key issue.”

Look at Art Not Ads

Austin writes

“Hi. I’ve started a pledge on PledgeBank.com that aims to raise enough money to replace one intrusive advert with a though-provoking message or work of art. Rather than gawk at the same old advertising every morning, we hope at least some commuters will enjoy a little mental stimulation other than their morning coffee.”

That’s right Austin wants you to pledge money that you want something to that makes you think, opposed to obnoxious advertising. For more information on this groovy idea check out Art Not Ads

Make a Difference, but only if you join me

Pledgebank.comis a place for people who want to make a difference in the world, but want to do it with someone else. The site’s motto is “Tell the world ‘Iâ€™ll do it, but only if youâ€™ll help me do it.'”

Go check it out and make the world a better place! Or just do something funny, but only if other do it too.