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heartbeat connections | issue #305 | 31 August 2010| Last Week

IN THIS ISSUE > China's green traffic | Yoga Retreats | Banks wake up to nightmares | Protect Eco-Sanctuaries | What's on? | What's new?

growing green

This week, we are excited about growth.

While the conventional world holds on to toxic old habits and pays the economic price of reduced demand and slow sales, the business of natural life is booming.

At the Organic Business Workshop in Hong Kong on Friday, international speakers presented double-digit growth figures around the world. I have been witness to this growing interest at The Natural Products Expo Asia since the first small show 7 years ago. The holistic business approach is attractive.

This is good news for consumers who already recognize the benefits of products grown and produced without the aid of synthetic chemicals. With 149 organic farms (73 certified) in a space famous for its concrete jungle, HK is doing well and local demand is strong.

It is refreshing to spend a day with business leaders and professionals who share the same core values of corporate responsibility, social justice and consumer protection. We all get to step down from our soap boxes and focus on solutions because we already agree on the business model promoting health and conservation.

We are especially fortunate in Asia.

While the rest of the world has their attention on our marketplace, our farmers are learning that their traditional methods of production are the way of the future. These practices were established long before chemicals entered our world. Small growers serving local markets revitalizes local communities. Export opportunities create new opportunities to keep kids closer to their families. Increased connectivity makes it easier for the next generation to bring fresh, whole products to international customers without having to go far from home.

China is paying the price for becoming the world's sweatshop. The government is turning around the environmental disaster quickly by setting world class standards. It takes no time at all for a leader to decide and set new rules in a system with no room for debate. While enforcement may take some time,  the direction has been chosen and the first steps have already been taken.

In a world where we often complain that everything happens too fast, this may be the exception.

Where will fast be good in your world today ?

Listen to your own heartbeat

LINKS : Business | Lifestyle | Community

Published by Connections Unlimited with photos by Kinzie

Natural Connections is published every Tuesday - Submission deadline is the previous Friday

"The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live."

Mortimer Adler

Community Calendars

Heal the Healer

Messages of Universal Wisdom

Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Summit

An Evening with Jane Goodall

Tarot and Creative Thinking

Sacred Sound Healing for Mother Gaia

What Price Hong Kong's Land Policy

Introduction to Aromatherapy

Sustainable and Responsible Investment

Green Office for Professionals

HK Peace Festival

World Peace Meditation

Low Carbon Cities for High Quality Living

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THREE

Yoga Retreats at The Farm

Enjoy a yoga break in the luxury of nature

Schedule some time for yourself with one of our upcoming yoga retreats. Follow Your Bliss with Roland Dela Cruz 21–24 October 2010; Sun and Moon Yoga Retreat and Adventure with Anna Carbonell 19–25 November 2010; Body Temple Yoga Retreat with Teresa Herrera 25–29 November 2010; Jivamukti Yoga Retreat with Cat 25–26 February 2011. Relax and enjoy the fresh air of our peaceful, green, lush, natural setting. Indulge in fresh, organic, gourmet food. Retreat packages include your your choice of accommodation with inspiration from the natural surroundings including a room, suite or a villa with your own private garden for provides a personal sanctuary and reflection after a your practise.

CONTACT : The Farm T +63 2 696 3795  E info at thefarm dot com dot ph

QUICK LINK : The Farm


TWO

China unveils plans to reduce roadside emissions

Initial EV pilot project includes 7 charging stations and new petrol will be pumping from 1 October in Shenzhen

China's State Grid plan to build 75 public EV charging stations in 27 cities in 2010; 4,000 by 2015; 10,000 by 2020. Last month, Shanghai municipality signed a Strategic Agreement on Smart Grid Construction with State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and will work closely with SGCC on its EV charging facility construction project and provide support on land use, infrastructure and operation management. China Southern Power Grid plan promises to build 250 public EV charging stations in Shenzhen before 2015 and with a new national emissions standard for petrol, 1.5 million motor vehicles registered in Shenzhen will be filling up on National IV standard gasoline by 1 October.

LINKS : China Economic Net | Shenzhen Daily


FOUR

Banks are backing off lucrative environmental disaster zones

Commercial lenders take a stand on industry practices risky to their reputations and bottom lines

Blasting off mountaintops to reach coal in Appalachia or churning out millions of tons of carbon dioxide to extract oil from sand in Alberta are among environmentalists’ biggest industrial irritants. But they are also legal and lucrative. For a growing number of banks, however, that does not seem to matter. HSBC has curtailed its relationships with some producers of palm oil, often linked to deforestation in developing countries. Increasing scrutiny by environmental groups of investments in many industries - like oil and gas development, nuclear power, coal-fired electricity generation, oil sands, fuel pipeline construction, dam building, forestry and even certain types of agriculture - are nudging lenders into new territory.

LINK : The New York Times (Free - registration)


ONE

Lantau Temples under threat from unethical developers

Developers posing as Buddhist monasteries gain permission to convert temples into grave sites

In contravention of land lease conditions, columbarium and graveyards of massive scale are being constructed and expanded rampantly on Lantau Island, causing disruptions to the peaceful practice of ordained Buddhists and lay practitioners and damage to the ecological environments. Some enterprises are deceptively posing with the names and appearance of a Buddhist monastery to gain access. Complaints have been lodged to Government authorities and a recent consultation paper will take 2 to 3 years to legislate. During this transitional period, developers are speeding up sales and construction works to build “De facto established” with attempts to pressure the Government into issuing provisional waiver exemptions to “legalize” their unlawful business and to establish a regularized status before legislation is implemented.

SIGN THIS PETITION : Protect Lantau Island sanctuaries


CALENDARS

Community Calendars

Happenings & Gatherings | click here for more details

August 30 > Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Asia Pacific Youth Summit

September 2 > An Evening with Jane Goodall

September 7 8-9:30am > What Price Hong Kong Government's Land Policy with Nicholas Brooke

September 9 & 16 7-9:30pm > Introduction to Aromatherapy

September 10 1:15-2:30pm > Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Briefing

September 15 2-5pm > Green Office for HR & Administrative Professionals

September 18-23 > HK Peace Festival

November 3-6 > Climate Dialogue: Low Carbon Cities for High Quality Living

Personal Awareness Activities | click here for more details

August 31 & 7 September 31 7-10pm > Heal the Healer with Susie Bowman

August 31 7:30-9:30pm > Messages of Universal Wisdom with Barbara Evans

September 4 10:30am-5:30pm > Tarot and Creative Thinking with James Lau

September 4 7:30–10pm > Sacred Sound Healing for Mother Gaia

September 19 10-11am > World Peace Meditation

QUICK LINK : Visit the website calendars


DIRECTORY

Natural Hong Kong

Everything natural in Hong Kong

New and Updated : HK Organic Resource Centre | Jane Goodall Institute | Karma Consultants

Natural Hong Kong is a selection of editorial, paid and sponsored content to raise awareness and promote natural options for everyday choices. Our natural contax database includes only pre-qualified contacts who offer natural lifestyle products and services. Our weekly newsletter updates readers with what's new and what's on in Hong Kong. Register today or use our natural concierge service when you want some help to find what you're looking for. Our editors select a wide range of listings in Natural Hong Kong on our website and in the print edition. We make it easy to make natural everyday choices.

CONTACT : T +852 8108 7850 E connections at heartbeat dot com dot hk

QUICK LINK : Visit the website directory

Listen to your own heartbeat

© 2001-2010 by Connections Unlimited - photos by Kinzie

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