NETWORKING THE
COMMONWEALTH
FOR FAIR TRADE
The Gaia Foundation, an Environmental NGO based
in the Coastal Area of Ghajn Tuffieha, aims to
build a bridge between other Environmental NGOs
and Fair Trade Organisations within the
Commonwealth. CHOGM 2005, The Commonwealth Heads
of Government Meeting, is seen as a suitable
occasion for opening the doors to such
networking, and setting the scenario for
increased fair trade throughout the
Commonwealth.
As most of us are aware of, this coming week,
Queen Elizabeth II, along with Presidents and
Prime Ministers from 53 Commonwealth countries
from around the world, will be attending the
2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
Summit in Malta. Being the host government, it
was up to Malta to select a particular theme of
special concern to developing countries, as are
the majority of the Commonwealth member states.
The bridging of the digital divide was
considered an appropriate subject - a necessity
if such countries are to develop and prosper,
and to reflect this thrust, the theme chosen for
the Malta CHOGM 2005 is: “Networking the
Commonwealth for Development.”
According to Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon:
“The theme of 'Networking the Commonwealth for
Development' will enable leaders not only to
discuss the important issue of bridging the
digital divide, but also to identify ways of
enhancing co-operation for prosperity,
development and democracy, using Commonwealth
networks to achieve these goals. The summit will
give Commonwealth leaders an opportunity to take
action on important global issues including the
fight against poverty, and international trade.
The event, which is due to take place from
Monday the 21st until Friday 25th November 2005,
is a chance for the leaders of these countries
to meet and discuss issues relevant to them all,
and the resulting schemes are designed to
benefit the people who live in the diverse
member countries of the Commonwealth, made up of
a great number of developing countries.”
Meanwhile the 147-member World Trade Organization (WTO) reached a
framework agreement to reinvigorate the Doha
Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations on July
31, 2004. The DDA is meant to be a
once-in-a-generation opportunity to dramatically
reform the rules of world trade, open new
markets for goods and services, and supposedly
spur economic and political progress throughout
the developing world. At the September 2003 WTO
ministerial in Cancun, Mexico, WTO Members
failed to reach agreement on how to move forward
with the Doha round of negotiations. It is said
that the Cancun setback was overcome with the
conclusion of the framework agreement in Geneva
in July 2004, leaving the doors open to trade
liberalization negotiations in the lead-up to
the next WTO ministerial in Hong Kong, set for
December 2005.
"The issue how trade can support sustainable development is the
idea at the heart of Fair Trade," Carol Wills,
Executive Director of the International
Federation for Alternative Trade has recently
said: "Now, at last it is on the international
agenda. But as the 5th WTO Ministerial draws
near, policy makers persist with a programme of
full-scale trade liberalisation despite the harm
this has done to poorer countries.”
So what’s wrong with the world
trade market as it is?
From every LM 1 you spend on a
jar of coffee, the exploited farmer in the
developing world gets 8c. The big multinationals
sweep up the rest, making millions at the
expense of the hard-working producer. With this
kind of trade, the rich countries get richer,
and the poor who do all the backbreaking work to
support their families remain poor. Coffee is
just one of the tonnes of products that are
traded in this absurd way. Other foodstuffs,
paper products, gifts, machinery, and furniture
are some of the others. It’s all very nice to
talk about injustice in world trade, but of
course it’s not enough. Some immediate action is
highly needed.
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s report on the Doha Trade Round
recommends the promotion of fair trade for
developing countries, and highlights the
importance of including proposals to prioritise
free trade in commodities and services that
facilitate the movement of unskilled labour to
enable workers in poor countries to provide
services to markets in rich countries. At the
launch of the report, Prof. Stiglitz said that
developing countries should receive special and
differential treatment because they have been
disadvantaged by unfair trade negotiations in
the past, and because of the differences in
their current circumstances. The main message is
that it is important to provide developing
countries with real opportunities to trade their
way out of poverty. Trade opportunities
supported by greater aid flows and market access
especially in those products in which developing
countries have a distinct advantage; were
pinpointed as key elements for improving fair
trade between developing nations and other
countries.
EU Commissioner Poul Nielson has also urged developed countries to
reaffirm and honour the commitments agreed to in
Doha. "Over the past year, we have agreed to a
framework for increasing aid and market access.
The developed countries must now deliver on
these commitments. The EU, as the world's
leading trade and aid partner for developing
countries, is fully determined to deliver on its
commitments.”
Such initiatives need to be taken primarily on a World Trade level,
by creating fair and transparent negotiating
rules, which give concrete advantages to
developing countries. On a national and
grass-roots level however, increased market
access for Fair Trade Organisations and their
goods, can also be supported by improving
communication and cooperation between
Environmental NGOs set on promoting fair trade
practices such as The Gaia Foundation, and Fair
Trade Organisations throughout the Commonwealth.
Since the Commonwealth today operates most effectively as a network
of multi- level communication among 53 states,
The Gaia Foundation believes that the upcoming
CHOGM 2005, is a suitable avenue for the
completion of a detailed and functional database
containing contact addresses of all the NGOs
promoting fair trade practices, existent within
the Commonwealth today, and ensuring that there
is positive, smooth and cooperative
communication between them, in order to promote,
facilitate and encourage the exportation of fair
trade goods from developing countries to richer
nations within the Commonwealth and worldwide.
Meanwhile, The Gaia Foundation actively promotes fair trade by
supporting fair trade practices and industries,
creating awareness about fair trade, as well as
providing information and possibilities for
networking with other Environmental NGOs and
Fair Trade Organisations within the
Commonwealth. Fair trade products currently on
display at The Gaia Foundation include
Cafédirect medium roast instant coffee from
Costa Rica and Cafédirect 100% organic
decafinated coffee from Peru’, ground coffee
from Africa and Central America, a selection of
teas from Kenya and Sri Lanka and 60%
fruit-content mango jam from Kenya, as well as
delicious chocolate and sugar. Such fair trade
products are available at The Gaia Foundation’s
Elysium Centre in Ghajn Tuffieha. If you would
like to find out more about the fair trade
products available at Gaia, you are welcome to
visit the Elysium Centre at The Gaia Foundation
in Ghajn Tuffieha (round the corner from Apple’s
Eye Restaurant near Golden Sands) from Tuesdays
to Saturdays, between 10.00 am and 16.00 pm. For
further information you may call on Tel.
21584473, visit their website on
www.projectgaia.org,
or send them an email on
admin@projectgaia.org.
Erika Brincat LL.D M.jur is writing on behalf of
The Gaia Foundation, November 2005 Word count:
1,119
Back to Top
CREATING A
COMMONWEALTH ECOVILLAGE NETWORK
A relatively recent venture, which has taken off
successfully throughout the Commonwealth and
beyond, is the creation of the Ecovillage. No
longer just experiments in sustainable living,
Ecovillages have become living and workable
realities around the world. What exactly is an
Ecovillage you may ask?
“Ecovillages are intentional communities
dedicated to creating and demonstrating
ecological, social, economic and spiritual
sustainability.” Communities Magazine
It is a sustainable community, committed to
living in an ecologically, economically,
culturally and spiritually sound way. A
full-featured settlement in which human
activities are harmlessly integrated into the
natural world in a way that is supportive of
healthy human development, and which can be
successfully continued into the indefinite
future. Eco-villages are communities with
well-knit social structures, united by common
ecological, social and/or spiritual values.
Working with the simple principle of not taking
more away from the Earth than one gives back,
ecovillages are consciously diminishing their
ecological footprint. Ecovillages move toward
sustainability by putting a high priority on:
-
Renewable energy
-
Sustainable land use and local organic food
production
-
Eco-friendly goods
-
Promoting fair trade products
-
Integrated waste management system
-
Democratic and transparent decision-making
governance.
-
Encouraging diversity in human interaction
-
Ecological architecture and building
-
Integrated holistic health care
-
Global networking
-
And holistic, ‘whole person’ education
Current examples of fully-fledged Ecovillages in
the Commonwealth, are The "Whole Village" which
took formation in spring 2002, just northwest of
Toronto, Canada, at least seven different
Eco-villages in the U.K. alone, about eight in
New Zealand, as well as one of the pioneering
and most renowned and well-established
eco-villages worldwide, situated in Findhorn,
Scotland. The physical and living arrangements
vary widely, from relatively conservative -
involving co-housing, to the more communal. Many
offer fascinating opportunities for visitors,
volunteers and apprentices.
The Global Ecovillage Network
The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) is a
grassroots non-profit organisation that links
together a highly diverse worldwide movement of
autonomous eco-villages and related projects.
GEN’s purpose is to
aid the exchange of information among the
thousands of projects around the world that are
building and living in small intentional and
traditional communities in harmony with nature.
Their
main aim is to support and encourage the
evolution of sustainable settlements across the
world, through internal and external
communications services; and networking and
project coordination in fields related to
sustainable settlements. (See gen.ecovillage.org)
The Gaia Foundation is an associate member of G.E.N. Europe,
part of the Global Ecovillage Network, and the
closest we can find to a successful Ecovillage
model in Malta today. Associate members include
NGOs that are not fully-fledged Ecovillages but
Centres that work on the same principles.
‘The Elysium Centre’ is the first of such
centers in Malta. It incorporates:
-
Mediterranean garden
-
Nursery for indigenous plants
-
Organic and Fair Trade shop
-
Reading room for Maltese natural and
cultural heritage, and
-
Conference facilities for courses,
workshops, seminars,
exhibitions and festivals
Gaia also manifests its concept of the eco-village through:
-
A holistic approach to environmental
management of ecosystems in Malta and Gozo
incorporating the eco-village principles.
-
Networking amongst eco-villages worldwide
and participation in setting up visitor
centres in protected sites based upon
eco-village principles.
Community interaction is by large one of the most
important elements and experiences shared at an
ecovillage.
The day-to-day practical running of The Gaia
Foundation is without doubt based upon
ecovillage principles. One simple visit is
enough to get a sense of how The Gaia Foundation
is following and practicing such eco-village
principles and how these are working well for
it. With sustainable practices and organic
farming put into action by its small but
diligent working force, and a number of
well-educated, enthusiastic volunteers visiting
from Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, and other
European countries it is a joy to see such a
culturally diverse group working together for
the improvement of Malta’s environment.
Ecovillages are also ideally suited to serve as
educational centres for the wider society. For
years ecovillages throughout the Commonwealth
have been developing educational initiatives
open to all interested people. They are creating
a process, which gives practical and theoretical
knowledge to build sustainable settlements and
implement Earth restoration everywhere on this
planet. Findhorn in Scotland, for example,
provides Ecovillage Training, designed for those
who wish to be involved in shifting humankind
towards a more sustainable existence.
The Global Ecovillage Network of Europe also
encourages and promotes the circulation of the
"eco-village concept" to the wider public of
ecologically and culturally sensitive
travellers. Thus the Ecovillage Concept, its
principles and practices are intimately linked
with the promotion of Ecotourism, and can serve
as a source for attracting more Ecotourism to
the Maltese Islands. One can generally find
three different approaches to participation in
the world of Ecovillages: whether visiting,
volunteering or participating in any of the
events, which regularly take place. The complete
creation of an Eco-village in Malta following
such principles, as well as workshops, seminars,
internships, guided tours and other
opportunities such as those already implemented
by The Gaia Foundation, can act as an incentive
for attracting more Eco-tourism to our islands.
On a global level there is an increasing and
urgent need for positive models of viable,
sustainable human settlements. Sustainable
communities address this need, providing
sustainability not only on environmental terms,
but also socially, economically and spiritually.
Ecovillage principles can be applied equally to
urban and to rural settings, to both developing
and over-developed countries, and provide
solutions to human and social needs, while at
the same time protecting the environment and
offering an enhanced quality of life for all.
Why not put our money where our mouth is and
invest in transforming a currently abandoned and
unused space, such as Fort Campbell, or a number
of abandoned buildings close to the Manikata
area, into Malta’s first complete Ecovillage,
encouraging eco-friendly principles and
practices and education, and providing
accommodation as well as a community atmosphere
for the eco-tourist who wishes to learn from,
participate in and enjoy such a positive
venture. This is a feasible project, which would
require a small but responsible and committed
management team with a solid background in
Environmental Planning willing to create an
Ecovillage following the principles already put
into practice by The Gaia Foundation, and
expanding on the model created in The Elysium
Centre, with the aim of promoting further
Eco-tourism in the Maltese Islands, whilst
networking with other Ecovillages throughout
Europe, the Commonwealth, and worldwide thanks
to the services provided by G.E.N.
Since The Commonwealth today
operates most effectively as a network of multi- level
communication among 53 states,
according to The Gaia Foundation
the upcoming CHOGM 2005, due to take place from
tomorrow Monday the 21st until Friday the 25th
of November 2005, provides a suitable avenue for
the completion of a detailed and functional
database containing contact addresses of all the
Ecovillages and sustainable community projects,
existent within the Commonwealth today, and
ensuring that there is no digital divide between
them, but positive, effective, supportive,
smooth and cooperative communication on a
day-to-day working basis.
In support of these Ecovillage initiatives,
perhaps the Maltese government could consider
sponsoring a small group of local
environmentalists from a diverse selection of
Environmental NGOs, or other interested
individuals and private parties, to complete the
Ecovillage Training course, taking place yearly
in Findhorn, Scotland, with the aim of returning
to Malta to work on the creation of a
fully-fledged Ecovillage Project in
collaboration with The Gaia Foundation, and any
other Eco-villages within the Commonwealth, or
members and associate members of G.E.N who wish
to be involved.
Dr. Erika Brincat LL.D M.jur is writing on
behalf of The Gaia Foundation, November 2005
Back to Top
ZERO CARBON CITY
CAMPAIGN Launched
During CHOGM at St.
James Cavalier’s Centre for Creativity on
Thursday 24 November
The recent floods in
India, devastating Tsunami affecting large parts
of Asia, and huge whirlwinds hitting the USA,
have shaken us all up to a certain extent and we
may begin to wonder: “Is God still on our side?
And after having made such a big mess of things,
can the human race survive?” My motto may be
slightly idealist, but I believe it is never too
late - with a little bit more awareness on
behalf of each and every one of us, the earth’s
ecosystem can regain its balance. These are
interesting times for us as a human family, and
if we wish to open our eyes to the global
situation, the ZeroCarbonCity Campaign offers us
just the right opportunity!
© Donovan
Wylie/Magnum
Photos
A
BRIDGE BECOMES JUST ANOTHER WATERWAY AS THE
MONSOON FLOODS TURN BASIRHAT ON THE
INDIA-BANGLADESH BORDER INTO A VAST LAKE. THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE VULNERABLE TO FLOODS IS
EXPECTED TO DOUBLE TO TWO BILLION WORLDWIDE BY
2050.
ZeroCarbonCity is
The British Council’s global campaign to raise
awareness and stimulate debate about climate
change and the energy challenges facing the
world’s cities over the next two years.
An increasing
majority of the world’s population is living in
cities and a significant part of climate change
is affected by the actions of people in these
cities. That is why the campaign concentrates on
the relationship between climate change and
cities. As major energy consumers of energy,
cities occupy an important position in the
climate change debate. They are centres of
innovation, where action is most likely to
happen, and they have great potential to make a
difference on the global situation.
The
Earth's climate is changing. Here's some
evidence, taken from historical records of the
past 142 years:
|
 |
 |
|
The global
temperature has risen by about 0.6ºC
since the beginning of the 20th century. |
|
|
|
 |
About 0.4ºC of
this warming has occurred since the
1970s. |
|
 |
 |
|
The 1990s was the
warmest decade of the last 100 years. |
Some other pertinent
facts: World energy use between 1800 and 1900
went up from 250 to 10,000 millions of metric
tons of oil equivalents, and humans in the 20th
Century used ten times more energy than their
forebears over the entire thousand years
preceding 1900. Carbon Dioxide levels in the
atmosphere went up by 31% between 1750 and 2001.
Fossile fuel combustion accounted for ¾ of the
C02 increase, and land use change, particularly
deforestation, for the other 1/4th.
The consequences of warming in the 20th
Century were that species shifted their
habitats, glaciers and ice caps shrank, sea
levels rose by 10-25 cm, the malaria mosquito
extended its range and by far the most
noticeable - the number of extreme weather
events has increased.
Computer simulation models show that the global
temperature is likely to rise anywhere between
1.5ºC and 5.9ºC by 2100. This estimate has a
wide range because scientists are uncertain
about how the climate will respond to increased
concentrations of greenhouse gases. Also, we
don't know how emissions of greenhouse gases
will change in the coming decades, and how much
we emit will depend on our choices as a global
society.
One major effect
of climate change will be the continuing rise in
sea levels. Global rainfall is likely to
increase by about two percent per degree of
warming, although some regions will become even
drier. Changing rainfall patterns are likely to
increase soil erosion and subsidence, and
profoundly affect water availability and
quality. Drier soils will change the type and
yield of crops, increasing the risk of famine in
some areas. Extreme storms and flooding will
also become a serious threat. Health is likely
to be affected directly (summer heat stress) and
indirectly (food poisoning).
Countries throughout the globe
are already committed to working with climate
change over the next 100 years. Society needs to
live with this change (adaptation), as well as
reducing the change (mitigation).
Campaigns such as
ZeroCarbonCity raise awareness of the issues and
help to ensure that adaptation and mitigation
continues.
“Radical changes in how the world generates and
uses energy will be needed to combat the global
challenge of climate change. An international
approach to combat climate change is vital as no
single country can solve the problem by acting
alone.” (Margaret Beckett, 2005).
ZeroCarbonCity is
visiting over 60 countries around the world with
a wide variety of interactive events, including
a touring photography exhibition, workshops,
school projects, and experiments. You can also
join the online debate, featuring opinions from
scientists, technologists, city planners and
policy makers.
VISIT THE EXHIBITION
This
touring exhibition is part of The British
Council’s work with The Climate Group and
involves photography from the Magnum
Photographic Agency. It will be visiting cities
across the globe through 2005 and 2006. The
exhibition pictures real examples of our
changing climate and the effects can be clearly
viewed in many countries with images of extreme
weather events; trends in arctic ice cap
thickness; observed glacier retreats; poor urban
air quality; environmental refugees; lack of
available water; and impacts on biodiversity.
The exhibition also looks at energy efficiency;
renewable energy; fuel cell technology; and at
people, the faces and voices that are making a
difference to our changing climate.
Ten of the world's
top photographers from Magnum Photographic
Agency were commissioned to capture images from
ten diverse countries around the world to
illustrate the impact of climate change. These
photographers were also asked to chronicle the
range of solutions to reduce carbon emissions in
communities from the north, south, east and west
of the globe. This has produced some inspiring
images, which detail the resourceful ways in
which these communities have adapted. The
exhibition, which opened in London March 2005,
has now begun its journey around the world,
visiting many countries simultaneously including
Malta, Italy, Bulgaria, Portugal, Germany,
Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Norway, Korea, and
South Africa over the next few months.
You can simply
venture down to St. James Cavalier Centre of
Creativity in Valletta to have a look, inform
yourself and perhaps also get involved in this
worldwide research. The exhibition will be
running until the 5th of December
2005.
“The Gaia Foundation
supports The British Council’s initiative
especially since it is working on two levels –
both on a ministerial policy level as well as at
a grass roots level, collaborating with
Environmental NGOs, whole cities and
individuals” – Dr. Rudolf Ragonesi, Director,
The Gaia Foundation.
Erika Brincat talks to Sir David Green, Director
General of The British Council
since July 1999.
A Fellow of
the Royal Geographical Society and of the Royal
Society of the Arts, Sir David was knighted in
2004. A keen supporter of the theatre, and the
arts he is also a Director of the Royal Court
Theatre.
Since his appointment, The
British Council has focused on working with
younger audiences in achieving its objectives of
building mutually beneficial relationships
between people in the UK and other countries,
and in increasing appreciation of the UK’s ideas
and achievements internationally.
What was The British Council’s
original intention at the outset of this
project?
“Toni Blair, the
British PM has rightly said: ‘Climate change is
the greatest threat currently facing
civilisation.’ (2004), and in fact it is on the
G8’s as well as the EU Presidency’s Agenda as it
is a very pressing issue for the world. So we
decided to see what we could do to raise
awareness and we are looking at what cities and
individuals can do to make a difference. For
this reason we mounted this Exhibition including
about 90 images with a selection of panels on
the impact of Global Warming. It is touring over
a 100 cities, within 60 countries and we
estimate that about 8 million people will see
the exhibition.”
What is the
common thread linking the promotion of artistic
and cultural events, and educating the public on
our precariously sensitive ecological situation?
“We chose St. James Centre for
Creativity as a location, which suitably covers
the arts and the sciences. Just this morning
British performance poet Zena Edwards was
working with school children on issues of
identity. The Arts are a powerful medium for
raising awareness and captivating young people.
This
Friday and Saturday Sounds Unlimited, including
the percussionist Renzo Spiteri and other
British and Portuguese musicians, performed
using many recycled objects. Therefore we are
exploring the issues of global warming, climate
change and sustainability through vehicles that
will engage the target audience, which spans
young people, educators and scientists.”
The exhibition
is based on communities in the North, South,
East and West. Were the photos indeed collected
from all four corners of the world and will the
images be used in any other way?
“Yes the images were taken from
right across the world – Africa to Asia. Our
information packages include articles by varied
celebrities such as Kofi Annan and Leonardo Di
Caprio. These powerful images have generated
tremendous interest by the international media,
and the images are available in printed from.
One can also view them online.”
For more information you
may visit:http://www.britishcouncil.org/zerocarboncity.htm
Back to Top
A Walk in the Wild
Ever feel like life is
getting to you rather than nurturing you?
Well then it is probably high
time for a walk in the wild!
With a growing sedentary
existence, mankind seems to be losing touch with
the simple act of walking. Are we aware of
therapeutic benefits we are missing out on when
we stop using our legs?
For some strange reason here on
the Maltese Islands, despite the small-scale
size of the place, we are more likely to nip
into our car for a five minute trip down to the
local bank or supermarket. I am also guilty as
charged of this environmental offence and sheer
sign of laziness!
We have become creatures of
comfort in many ways.
Too much reliance on technology
and consequent comfort may not be such a good
idea according to experts.
Exit walking - enter arthritis, heart attacks,
and sundry ailments that ensure a long and
painful life of bad health. As a result, doctors
from either side of the mainstream-alternative
divide are increasingly encouraging walking, and
emphasize on the therapeutic benefits of
walking. Almost every fitnasium has a swanky
treadmill for your legs. Urban professionals are
ironing out the creases of sedentary life with
early morning walks. Health resorts with
landscaped gardens for a one-with-nature stroll
are the in-thing. Walking is reentering our
lives - garbed in the quasi-medical jargon of
'therapy'.
Les Snowdon and Maggie Humphreys, authors of the
fitness book The Walking Diet say: "If
exercise is to be effective it must become as
natural to us as breathing, eating, or cleaning
our teeth. Otherwise most of our efforts are a
waste of time and energy." Ergo: the walk.
Walking, unlike jogging or aerobics, poses no
threat of pulling a leg muscle or spraining your
back because the whole mechanism is too deeply
ingrained in us.
And when you want to reach your self, there's
nothing better than a stroll through nature.
Imagine this: It is the end of the day and the
sun is just beginning to melt into the horizon.
Your bare feet press down on the green grass.
The sweet and soothing smell of dark rich earth
seeps into your lungs with each deep breath,
making you one with nature's creative force,
asking you to throw out your arms and embrace
creation. Intimacy could never be more profound.
Walking plays an equally
important role in the development of eastern
thought. France-based Vietnamese Zen monk Thich
Nhat Hanh has even developed a form of
meditation on these lines - the walking
meditation. Describing this, he says: "We
walk slowly, in a relaxed way, keeping a light
smile on our lips. When we practice this way, we
feel deeply at ease, and our steps are those of
the most secure person on Earth. All our sorrows
and anxieties drop away, and peace and joy fill
our hearts. Anyone can
do it. It takes only a little
time, a little mindfulness, and the wish to be
happy." Thich, or
Thay (teacher) as he is popularly known,
considers walking the best way to deal with
stress and anger.
"Practice walking, even with
your anger still within you,"
he says. "After a few minutes, your anger
will subside."
In A Dictionary of Symbols,
Tom Chetwynd states: "Walking restores a
sense of balance and brings an inner calm... the
left foot alternates with the right, the
conscious side with the unconscious, between
heart on the left and reason on the right.
Walking erect and balanced, like a vertical
line, the world axis, can unite conscious and
unconscious mind and matter, in a way that
thinking never can."
Like swimming, bicycling and
running- walking is an aerobic exercise, which
builds the capacity for energy output and
physical endurance by increasing the supply of
oxygen to skin and muscles. Such exercise may be
a primary factor in the prevention of heart and
circulatory disease. As probably the least
strenuous, safest aerobic activity, walking is
the most acceptable exercise for the greatest
number of people. Walking at comfortable speed
improves the efficiency of the
cardio-respiratory system by stimulating the
lungs and heart, but at a more gradual rate than
most other forms of exercise.
Dr Fred Stutman, who first took up walking as a
means of escape from a heavy daily schedule and
found he suddenly lost the tiredness and the
tension, now believes that it is possible to
walk your way to better health, a trimmer body
and a longer life-no matter what your age. In
one test, a group of men 40 to 57 years of age,
walking at a fast pace for 40 minutes, four days
a week, showed improvement equal to men the same
age on a 30-minute, three-days-a-week jogging
routine over the same period. Their resting
heart rate and body fat decreased significantly.
These changes suggest some of the important-even
vital-benefits walking can bring about.
Benefits from walking briskly
for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, are
evident after only about four weeks of walking.
Maintaining a regular walking schedule helps to
prevent symptoms from recurring. People who
suffer from anxiety also improve when they walk
or exercise regularly. Recent research suggests
that regular exercise may be an effective way to
lift depression symptoms, especially when
combined with conventional treatments. Walking
can be a natural cure for feelings of stress,
anxiety and hopelessness
Brain Chemicals and Walking
1 Research has found the
increase in physical fitness that results from
walking or other exercise actually alters
serotonin levels in the brain. This improves
both moods and feelings of well-being.
2 Walking is an activity that
releases large quantities of endorphins,
proteins that are released from the brain and
spinal cord. These endorphins act on the nervous
system to reduce pain and improve mood.
3. Other research indicates
that regular exercise boosts body temperature,
which may ease depression by influencing the
brain chemicals.
3
Key
Walking Tips
Bend your elbows
You wouldn’t run with
straight arms, don’t fitness walk with them
either.
Keep your eyes on the horizon
and your chin up
Spring off your toes.
Push off as though you were trying to show
someone behind you the sole of your shoe with
every step!
Taking time out to
re-energise and recharge our selves through a
walk in nature can make us by far more effective
in our work and creativity. But where can we do
this without being bombarded by traffic, noise,
hunters’ gunshots blasting through the air and
large-scale families picnicking fully equipped
with their living interiors, latest gadgets and
possibly their TVs?
A good place to start is an
environmentally protected zone such as The Gaia
Foundation’s land in the upper coastal area of
Ghajn Tuffieha. Tested and proven! The site is
ideal for a coastal walking trail if you wish to
get fresh sea air flowing through your lungs far
from the madding crowd, and the height and
panoramic beauty of the place does wonders in
lifting the spirits. The footpaths are clear and
quite easy to follow.
The sandy beaches so popular
in the summer are secondary to the cliffs and
clay hills that offer such sheer vistas and
opportunities for outdoor activity in the
winter. The Odysseus Project seeks to integrate
diverse eco-friendly activities including
trekking, with the conservation of the Ghajn
Tuffieha area in an effort to promote a
sustainable form of tourism in Malta. The
Foundation is collaborating with the Malta
Tourism Authority on the organisation of walking
trails, with appropriate maps and interpretation
points, through the conservation areas. Visitors
to the site will be made familiar with the
features of ecological, geological and
archeological importance without contributing to
their degradation.
If you want to feel connected
with the people in your surroundings while
taking your walk in the wild, you can simply
take a stroll through the Foundation’s main
gates, situated on the left side before heading
round the bend towards Golden Sands Bay. Once
inside you can have a look at the Foundation’s
nursery and herb garden, and either sponsor a
tree for the good of our society or why not be
more selfish and treat your self to some new
plants or herbs for your own garden or living
space? Nowadays The Gaia Foundation also has a
delightful little shop with fair-trade goodies
including coffee from Costa Rica and Peru’,
ground coffee from Africa and Central America, a
selection of teas from Kenya and Sri Lanka, 60%
fruit-content mango jam, delicious dark
chocolate (tried & tested once again!), sugar,
home-made marmalade, a satisfying selection of
herbs and spices, as well as hand-made natural
face products and soaps, and ecological cleaning
products for the home. All these things are
conveniently provided to add a little more juice
to your nature walk and some extra zest to your
step.
Erika Brincat © 2005 for The
Gaia Foundation
Published in Alive & Healthy
December 2005
Back to Top |
