Better Living Through Well Being

Mr. Seed is kicking ag and taking names. So says Seed Matters, the creator of the hero of this provocative short animated film. Mr. Seed emphasizes the benefits of organic seed compared with the chemical-dependent alternatives.

Consumers are more aware than ever of where their food comes from, and according to a new study, 65 percent also think it is important to know how their food is produced. Yet, few are asking what it comes from and who controls production of those seeds. In the U.S., the same six chemical companies that make pesticides (aka “The Big Six”) also supply 63 percent of the seed market. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) seeds are designed to keep farmers dependent on agrichemicals at the expense of organic farming, public health and the environment.

This film calls for an intervention on chemically-dependent seed and crops that these companies are producing. Mr. Seed is giving organic seed a voice and sharing the good news that farming can be done in a way that’s healthy for people and the planet, starting with organically bred seeds.

Seed Matters advocates for the improvement and protection of organic seed to ensure healthy, nutritious, and productive crops to feed people now and in the future. It’s mission is to conserve crop genetic diversity, promote farmer’s roles and rights as seed innovators, and reinvigorate public seed research and education. Mr. Seed invites viewers to get involved by signing a petition it will send to the USDA and Department of Justice. In it, Seed Matters expressed concern over the seed industry consolidation trend among agricultural chemical companies and asks the DOJ to examine antitrust implications of such mergers. For more information and to view the full video, visit seedmatters.org.

Other articles of interest in this Summer 2016 TMIS eNewsletter:

* The U.S.-China Smart/Low Carbon Cities Summit convened to discuss optimized energy usage, air quality and accelerating the development of low-carbon cities in China and the U.S.

* The global green cement market grows as demand for affordable housing and interest in use of alternative fuels for use in world wide cement production increases.

* Hemp History Week highlights progress that has been made in the effort to legalize hemp farming and restore rights of farmers and Native American tribes to cultivate hemp as a renewable resource that will reduce market dependency on agricultural chemicals, synthetic fibers and plastics, cotton, and other non-sustainable industrial materials.

* A new report provides education regarding clothing and textile reuse and recycling and how changing our wasteful habits can greatly benefit the environment.

* Research indicates compensating for certain vitamin deficiencies plays a role in preventing migraines.

* The government of Canada proposes new standards to reduce air pollution from equipment and tools used by millions of Canadians, in keeping with stringent emission standards already in place in the U.S.

* A European citizen’s movement calls for ban on the toxic chemical glyphosate from the European Union.

* A company with critical greenhouse gas reduction technology applauds India’s intent to ratify Paris Climate Accord.

I am grateful to be in a collaborative business with many talented and skilled professionals. Additional feedback and recommendations for our products and services at TM Information Services are always welcome.

- Mary Michele McLaughlin

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Seed Matters Campaign Launches Provocative Animated Short Film that Challenges Big Ag's Chemical Addiction
Emeryville, California

Seed Matters, a five-year-long initiative of the Clif Bar Family Foundation, has launched "Mr. Seed," a provocative, animated short film with a clear message: our food production system has been hijacked by the big agrichemical companies and organic farming is a key to taking it back. The film makes the case for organic seed and challenges the myth of chemical companies that only they can feed the world without negative impacts. It was produced for Seed Matters by The Butler Bros, a brand design studio in Austin, Texas, and brought to life by renowned Los Angeles-based animation company, Buck.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7836751-seed-matters-organic-farming-film/

The film opens on an animated commercial for a fictional company called Pharm Foods. The shot pans across idyllic farmland and a family at the dinner table, except ominous cues - including dead birds - hint that something isn't right in the Pharm Foods world. Enter the hero: Mr. Seed, a clean-living (but dirty-mouthed) organic seed with human characteristics voiced by celebrity and comedian Pete Holmes. While concocting manure-based smoothies, and emasculating "GMO seed bros" ingesting "performance-enhancing" chemicals at the gym, Mr. Seed emphasizes the benefits of organic seed compared with the chemical-dependent alternative.
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Guiding Stars Updates Nutrition Guidance to Reflect Evolution In Nutrition Science and Changes in US Dietary Guidelines
Portland, Maine

Guiding Stars, North America's leading nutrition guidance program, has announced that the organization has updated its approach to factoring dietary cholesterol into its ratings system in response to evolving scientific evidence and changes reflected in the latest 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Guiding Stars' patented nutrition rating algorithm no longer imposes debits on foods that contain dietary cholesterol. Under the new algorithm, only foods with the very highest amounts of dietary cholesterol, 300 mg or more per 100 calories, will not earn stars.

The new algorithm allows nutritious yet cholesterol-containing foods like eggs and shrimp to earn stars. The inclusion of eggs in particular is a positive development for consumers who are looking for affordable, nutrient-dense sources of high quality protein. Classified by many as a "nutritional powerhouse," eggs are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. In the past, the scientific consensus among many nutrition and medical experts was that people should limit their intake of eggs due to the food's high cholesterol levels, but current research finds no significant link between dietary cholesterol and heart disease or stroke.
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Acting Together, We Can Preserve Our Natural Heritage for Benefit of All, Secretary-General Says at Wildlife Conservation Society Event
New York, New York

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Gala, in New York in June:

I thank the Wildlife Conservation Society for inviting me to speak tonight. Over its proud 120-year history, the WCS has significantly helped to advance wildlife conservation around the globe in partnership with Governments and local communities.

New York would not be New York without the Bronx Zoo, and the cause of wildlife conservation would not be what it is without your efforts. I might add that I have been trying to do my part personally.

During a visit to Mongolia, the Government gave me a horse. In Kenya, I adopted a lion, named Tumani. And in South Sudan, I was given a bull. They named it Ban Ki-moo.

As I have seen again and again in my travels around the world, people from all walks of life derive pleasure and meaning from our planet's natural treasures. Some are privileged to experience them first-hand. But, immeasurably more are exposed to wildlife through documentaries and films.

So, tonight, I am delighted to be with you to celebrate the lifetime achievement of Sir David Attenborough. He has brought the incomparable magic of wildlife into the homes of millions of people through his mesmerizing documentaries.

I am also honored to pay tribute to the outstanding contribution of the Walt Disney Company towards wildlife conservation through its stunning movies and its conservation fund. The work of Sir David and the Walt Disney Company highlights two fundamental truths. First, wildlife is a fascinating, immensely valuable and indispensable part of our natural and cultural heritage. Second, it is increasingly under threat.

Essential habitats are being degraded and lost. Many species, both charismatic and lesser known, are being driven towards extinction by poaching and illegal trafficking.
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Company Demonstrates Commitment to Climate Action by Participating in 2016 U.S.-China Climate Smart/Low Carbon Cities Summit in Beijing
Beijing, China

Johnson Controls, a global leader in building and energy management solutions today joined in the 2016 U.S.-China Climate Smart/Low Carbon Cities Summit highlighting solutions to reduce energy consumption in new and retrofit buildings. The Summit was established in November 2014 by President Xi Jinping and President Barack Obama to bring together public and private sector leaders to share best practices in building low carbon, climate-resilient communities. This year's Summit brought State Counselor Yang Jiechi and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry together with U.S. and Chinese state and local governments and private sector and civil society leaders to discuss optimized energy usage, air quality and accelerating the development of low- carbon cities in China and the U.S. Multiple memorandums of understanding to address low-carbon solutions and best practice sharing were signed by U.S. and China leaders, including an MOU signed by Trent Nevill, president, Asia Pacific, Johnson Controls on behalf of the U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program (ECP).

"Buildings are responsible for up to a third of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and Chinese cities are expected to contribute nearly 40 percent of global growth in residential and commercial floor space demand by 2025," said Trent Nevill. "If systems and products that reduce energy are integrated into a building's design, it can result in up to 50 percent energy savings. Energy efficiency remains the lowest cost and cleanest energy resource."

Johnson Controls is focused on efforts to improve energy efficiency and address China's climate problems. From a district level, Johnson Controls' expertise uses industrial energy, such as waste heat recovery, to increase capacity for low-carbon district energy systems. "Optimized district energy systems provide centralized heating and cooling to urban areas with efficiency gains of up to 40-60 percent over conventional solutions," said Wu Song, vice president and managing director of Johnson Controls China. "District heating solutions are one way to help China achieve its carbon emission reduction target of 40 to 45 percent during the 13th Five Year Plan period." Waste heat recovery was one of the solutions presented during the Summit's Expo, where Mayor of Beijing, Wang Anshun and NDRC Vice Chairman Zheng Young visited and commented on the solution's applicability in China.
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Global Green Cement Market Growth Forecast at 14.95% CAGR to 2020
Pune, India

Analysts forecast global green cement market to grow at a CAGR of 14.95% during the period 2016-2020 with increased use of waste as alternative fuels (AF) playing major role in this growth story. The use of wastes such as used tires, solid recovered fuels, used oils, animal meal, sewage sludge, foundry sands, fly ashes, and filter cakes as AF in cement kilns helps reduces CO2 emissions during the cement production process. Waste is burnt in an incinerator with energy recovery facilities. The power generated is passed to the national electricity grid system.

Complete report on green cement market spread across 76 pages, analyzing 5 major companies and providing 48 data exhibits is now available at http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/global-green-cement-market-2016-2020-market-report.html.

Developing innovative methods for use in the cement business could minimize the cement market waste and pollution to a large extent. Many options such as energy efficiency, AF, and clinker substitution are anticipated to reduce air pollutants emanating from cement plants. By investing in R&D and involving modeling techniques such as designing of processes, the cement market will minimize air pollution and comply with existing regulations for protection of the environment in the future.

According to the 2016 report, a key growth driver for green cement market is the rise in urbanization. A number of countries are observing the large-scale migration of the population from rural areas to urban areas. The present growth rate of the population of India (1.55% YoY basis) is more than double the growth rate of China's population (0.66% YoY basis). It is likely that the population in rural areas will be moving to urban areas rapidly during the forecast period. So, with an increase in urban population, problems such as traffic congestion, shortage of housing, and increasing passenger traffic will arise. To meet the needs of such a large scale migration, countries around the world are focusing on developing infrastructure.
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Advocates Work to Lift Federal Prohibition on Industrial Hemp for Super-foods, Bio-Plastics, Sustainable Fiber and Phytoremediation
Washington, DC

Hemp History Week launched nationwide June 6-12, 2016, with more than 2,000 events in all 50 states. Coordinated by the Hemp Industries Association (HIA), Vote Hemp, and hundreds of grassroots volunteers, advocates, farmers and businesses across the country, the grassroots advocacy campaign raises awareness about the benefits of industrial hemp and garners support for legislation to legalize industrial hemp farming in the U.S. This year's campaign theme was Grow our Future and focused on the role hemp plays as a sustainable crop in regenerative agriculture, green technology, public health and environmentally friendly products. To view the video for the 7th annual Hemp History Week, visit: http://bit.ly/1NAxtZY.

The Hemp Industries Association and allies have filed a petition with the Drug Enforcement Administration to remove industrial hemp plants from the schedules established under the Controlled Substances Act. The petition cites language from the Farm Bill of 2014, which defines hemp as distinct from marijuana by establishing the standard that hemp contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol or THC on a dry weight basis. To view the petition, visit: https://www.thehia.org/resources/Documents/Legal/HIA-Deschedule-Petition-DEA_6-1-2016.pdf.
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Rethinking Reuse: New report finds opportunity to educate people on clothing reuse and how it benefits the environment
Bellevue, Washington

Savers, a global purpose-driven thrift retailer, launched a new report examining perceptions of clothing consumption and reuse and identifying educational opportunities to change wasteful habits. With more clothing and textiles heading to the landfill than ever before, Savers wanted to better understand what is driving those behaviors and what would motivate people to change their behaviors.

"As an organization committed to reuse, Savers felt compelled to identify barriers and clarify misconceptions around donating clothing and purchasing pre-owned goods," said Ken Alterman, President and CEO of Savers. "The insights garnered from the Savers State of Reuse Report point to the growing opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together to educate people about reducing clothing's environmental footprint and drive the adoption of reuse."

Savers commissioned the State of Reuse Report after learning that the average U.S. citizen will throw away 81 pounds of clothing this year alone - 95 percent of which can be reused or recycled. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, reusing goods keeps them at their highest utility, thus reducing the need for additional resources to process new products.
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Many with Migraines Have Vitamin Deficiencies, Says Study
Cincinnati, Ohio

A high percentage of children, teens and young adults with migraines appear to have mild deficiencies in vitamin D, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 - a vitamin-like substance found in every cell of the body that is used to produce energy for cell growth and maintenance.

These deficiencies may be involved in patients who experience migraines, but that is unclear based on existing studies.

"Further studies are needed to elucidate whether vitamin supplementation is effective in migraine patients in general, and whether patients with mild deficiency are more likely to benefit from supplementation," says Suzanne Hagler, MD, a Headache Medicine fellow in the division of Neurology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and lead author of the study.

Dr. Hagler and colleagues at Cincinnati Children's conducted the study among patients at the Cincinnati Children's Headache Center. She presented her findings at the 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society in San Diego.

Dr. Hagler's study drew from a database that included patients with migraines who, according to Headache Center practice, had baseline blood levels checked for vitamin D, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10 and folate, all of which were implicated in migraines, to some degree, by previous and sometimes conflicting studies. Many were put on preventive migraine medications and received vitamin supplementation, if levels were low. Because few received vitamins alone, the researchers were unable to determine vitamin effectiveness in preventing migraines.
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Government of Canada proposes new standards to reduce air pollution from equipment and tools used by millions of Canadians
Ottawa, Canada

The Government of Canada wants to establish more stringent Canadian emissions standards to reduce smog-forming air pollutants from common household tools, such as lawn mowers, snow blowers and chainsaws, starting with 2018 model years.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced proposed amendments to the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations to improve air quality and protect Canadians' health.

The proposed amendments would only apply to the manufacture and import of new products into Canada. Canadians can continue to use equipment that they already own.

The proposed amendments would align Canada-United States engine and equipment emissions standards, helping to ensure that engines sold in Canada meet the same stringent air pollution emissions standards as those sold in the United States.

Industry stakeholders and interested Canadians are invited to provide input by August 25, 2016. The proposed amendments can be viewed on Environment and Climate Change Canada's web site.
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WeMove.EU Takes Action Against the Renewal of Glyphosate License in Europe
Brussels, Belgium

WeMove.EU supporters and partners stood in front of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed in Brussels with a giant 3 m high Round Up bottle and signs calling for a ban on the toxic chemical, glyphosate.

At the event Oliver Moldenhauer, WeMove.EU director explained: "The EU standing committee has no doubt about how Europeans feel towards the toxic chemical, glyphosate. They know Europeans do not want this poison anywhere near their food, their parks or their bodies."

Mr Moldenhauer added: "We are here right in front of where the standing committee will be meeting representing more than 230,000 European citizens calling for an outright ban on the toxic chemical. If the standing committee approves the licence, it would mean the continued spread of the probably carcinogenic chemical into our everyday environment."

Jorg Rohwedder, Senior Campaigner for Germany leading on this campaign weighed in: "Agro-companies such as Monsanto and Bayer have used underhanded methods to ensure glyphosate's permissions, as it is used in some of their most profitable products. The protest demonstrates the widespread support in European countries for an all-out ban on the chemical, and the anger towards companies manipulating 'scientific' studies - as well as EU officials."
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Cemtrex Comments on India's Intent to Ratify Paris Climate Agreement
Farmingdale, New York

Cemtrex Inc., a world leading industrial and manufacturing solutions company, has announced that India's willingness to ratify the Paris Climate Accord, as indicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to U.S. President Obama during his recent visit to the White House, further strengthens the Company's prospects of opening up worldwide markets for its VAMOX Greenhouse gas reduction technology. In April of this year the Chinese government strengthened its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the Chinese premier's visit to the White House. The Company believes that these concrete efforts by India and China are potential catalysts for increased global demand for its existing methane (greenhouse gas) reduction technology, VAMOX. Cemtrex is one of only two companies in the world with the technology to supply this market.

So far, at least three dozen countries have said they will ratify the deal, and India's participation will push the world over the threshold to ratification. "I think we are better-positioned than we ever have been to reach the goal of 55% of emissions and 55 countries by the end of this year, and I think this statement should provide significant additional momentum toward this global push," said Brian Deese, Obama's senior energy and climate adviser.
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