Day 1, page 1, Linda. 25/02/10 (- will also post onto Newsvine and other sites)

Over the last couple of weeks we have seen: 
Earthquake in Haiti with tsunami http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/haiti
Flooding in Madera http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/feb/21/madeira-floods-funchal
Snowfall in Scotland and the US worse than seen for many years http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/reports?ARCHIV=0&LANG=en&MENU=207&FILE=b1.txt&DAY=20100207
'Antarctica Spits Out Iceberg the Size of Small Country' - http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/02/27/antarctic-spits-iceberg-size-small-country/?test=latestnews

And now an earthquake in Chile - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/27/chile-earthquake-tsunami_n_479393.html

As we watch beekeepers in tears, and millions dying without enough money to live through climate change, we KNOW we have to change our lifestyles, although making minor cuts in our car journeys now, is hardly likely to readdress the imbalance shown above - nor will it bring back to life, all the little children who have already lost their opportunity to live.

Far too many people in rural areas - the WHOLE world over, are unable to afford to live, work, or even manage their own natural surroundings. 

We can either sit back and watch all the children die as Earth's climate changes, or we can ask what might be done to change the predictions.  

Questions equal equations – is it possible to find equilibrium in our lives (and our conscience), or do we have no more intellect than the dinosaurs, who gave birth until they had no land left to live on, and neither the tools, plants or education to replant, tend and water their environment:

Q1 
Can we control the climate?
Would increased cloud cover help block the ravages of our sun's most damaging rays?

• If Y - How much increased cloud cover would be needed?
• How much of Earth's 41% dry-land would need to be replanted & managed?
• (how much would it cost to instal wave + solar powered desalination plants)
• the refined minerals = valuable resources & sustainable local industry

Q2
Would algae farming at 'Dead Zones' both provide the algae with more agriculturally spread fertilising nutrients to increase the volume and density of the algae, as it simultaneously consumes carbon dioxide, and provides humanity with a clean oil while also utilising the condensed fertiliser spill, currently creating the zones? (Dead Zones which are quite clearly shown via NASA satellite photographic studies of Earth)

• What is the area of ocean needed to provide enough algae farming
• (how much would it cost to farm it & what self-sustainable equipment is required)
• the refined minerals = valuable resources & sustainable local industry

Q3
How much unmanaged rural land needs managing and/or regenerating, and how many land owners would be interested in accommodating an eco-community – which offers affordable rural housing (in perpetuity) for those willing to work on projects which manage, nurture, and encourage the wealth of natural biodiversity capable of supporting the dwindling numbers of companion species?

• Can eco structures gain a 'green design status' - having 'proven the need'?
• (negating years of planning disputes is key to speeding up our sustainable lifestyles)
• living showcase lifestyles = valuable marketing via broadcasting
• living showroom communities = valuable marketing via networking

Q4
If plans for new nuclear power stations can fast track planning when the pollution they cause takes thousands of years to diminish in toxicity, why can't eco houses which will provide the affordable housing which is needed by millions – and which dissolves back into the ground without damaging the natural surroundings?

• Eco structures both meet the 'affordable housing in perpetuity' guideline, 
• (AND the 'temporary structure' guideline which negates planning approval)
• providing - social inclusion, shelter, water, food & educational facilities, employment, income generation, business incubation - and the consensual support of your own community 
• providing - children with opportunity - for today AND tomorrow