I woke up from normal deep slumber this morning and poof! An image of this farmer came to mind. Taking a rest in the shade, he is a member of the Kopa Koton Collective, Central Plateau, Haiti. Why him? Who knows? But I am of the school of:

“Think often of the bond that unites all things in the universe and their dependence upon one another.”

I started thinking of him wondering how is doing? What is he doing? Is he surviving the current food crisis in Haiti? So many convergent views came to my mind at this wee hour of the morning. Questions of sustainability. Corporate genetic farming? Food crisis? How is this possible? How is it possible, in this day and age that people do not have food to eat? My colleagues and friends say, “Oh Biofuels” Biofuels are to blame.Okay, but as far as I know, people here are not eating Raps, which is the primary source of biofuels here. The Raps here is utilized for biofuels, cooking oil, soaps and as an alternative to plastics.
Scientists at Friends of the Earth created this magnificent Biofuel data bank and you can learn about biofuels – which bio resources are used and upside and downside of each. The table is pretty straightforward. Please go here.
As you will read there are many sources for biofuels including Castor Beans, Algae, Sunflower Seeds etc.. Unfortunately Biofules is becoming equated with Palm Oil, which, mind you , is just one of many biofuel options. Slash and burn policies don’t help either. This is just poor land management. I think there is a place for biofuels in the Green/or Environmental toolbox, it is not the solution, it’s one of many tools necessary.
IMHO.
But somehow the fossil fuel prices continue to rise and so does the confusion.
Despite global warming.
And
Biofuels are to blame.
And
people are starving.
Hmm…
Maybe it’s my confusion, maybe its just a dream. But I saw this farmers face today..But maybe it was somewhere in the waters of my subconscious mind reminding me that today the cherished Goldman Environmental Awards were announced today..and just three short years ago this man and his collective were given the same honor – accepted by it’s founder Agronomist Chavannes Jean-Baptiste.
What a dream!
Words/Photo: Ana Elisa Fuentes/AefPix

Mural at the MPP educational center.

These inquisitive playful creatures, called Humboldt Penguins, originate from South America. Like other animals on our planet they are a threatened species, due to habitat destruction and over-fishing.
You can learn more about Humboldt Penguins here.
An update – A Penguin has been Knighted. Read here

The Hands of Sustainability is something I put together and thought appropriate to post on this first day of Spring, Good Friday March 21, 2008.
What is sustainability? Here is a definition I refer to.
Added is a quote from the 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, during an interview on Democracy Now!
” …. this is the biggest message of the Greenbelt Movement: empowering local communities so that they do not wait for local authorities, wait for government, wait for development agencies, but to encourage people to take action, no matter how small that action may be.”
Happy Spring!

A quiet moment between two accomplished/creative story tellers, film writers/directors, (L-R) Jim Sheridan and Anthony Minghella. Today hearts around the globe gasp at the loss of Anthony Minghella, who died today March 18th, 2008 of a brain hemorrhage. Assuming, my fly on the wall posture, I photographed these two talented, respectful gentlemen, doing what they do best, storytelling. Personally, I am at a loss and in disbelief of his passing. I, like so many others, eager for his next masterpiece. My respects and condolences to his family. Photo: Ana Elisa Fuentes

Photographed before a backdrop of the Potala Palace, in Mountain View, California, the XIV Dalai Lama stated that if violence persists the Spiritual Leader of Tibet, in exile will resign.
Photo: Ana Elisa Fuentes/AefPix
Today, Good Friday March 21, 2008 the New York Times published a story on the U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Dharmsala, India.

Today seemed like a good day to post a photo light a candle for peace.

Today’s photo per day goes to my virtual colleague Lisa Hogben, a photojournalist based in Sydney Australia. Lisa’s historic account and published images in Time Magazine
“Australia Say’s Sorry,”
If you haven’t seen the images or article, here is your chance.
Congratulations Lisa!