Decline of World economies providing "breathing space"
In the world of Industrial Consumerism just the mention of the word "recession" is enough to spark fear and trepidation amongst consumers, retailers and bankers alike - but is the looming prospect of a global slowdown a blessing rather than a curse? I came across this article today in the UK's Financial Times...Fall in funding hits UK mall plans. Its about how the global credit crunch is dramatically retarding the building of American style shopping malls across the UK. Sad? Quite the contrary, I'm positively dancing across our cobble stoned streets!...

A world of Blank Cheques
The UK government has just announced a £50 Billion rescue package for our country's ailing banks as the global credit crunch widens. But will it be enough to prevent economic melt down? If you contemplate the route cause, it can't be enough. In fact if every government in every country invested to support the banks, it still wouldn't be enough. Why not?...

Is it time to start growing your own food?
Food prices are beginning to rise across the globe; the cause is rising energy prices as the world's industrialised and industrialising nations compete for ever dwindling supplies of carbon based fuel. The staple diet of millions is already being effected. Those with a vision for the future are becoming more self sustaining and beginning to grow their own food just as our grandparents did. So is it time you started growing your own? Not only will it save you money, but it's highly likely to raise your vibration too; being spiritual is being at-one with mother earth. Here's a simple to follow ten step guide to growing your own food...

What happens when we run out of oil?
The term "Peak Oil" is used to define the point where the planet's oil reserves go into inexorable decline. I've felt personally in recent times that we have reached this point. This would not be a problem for us except that global demand for oil continues to rise. We use it for practically everything from the clothes we wear, our energy for heating lighting and transport and not to mention the fertiliser for growing most food. So what happens when it starts running out? Here is a stark warning in a powerful video not from global activists but from experts within the industry. It really is time to become more self sustaining. See for yourself....

Is the environmental message at last getting through?
Whilst scanning the web today I came across a piece of news which I found quite heart warming. It's about how "eco-towns" are being established in the UK with very strict guidelines on such things as carbon emissions and transport. I have to say the announcement does come from a government that is at the same time increasing its investment in coal fired and nuclear power stations but at least it seems the message may be getting through that we do indeed need a wholesale review of the way we live our lives if we are to combat global warming and our dwindling energy supply...

Underlying energy shifts
In a recent Openhand Journal entry we asked if a powerful energetic "Tsunami" had begun relating to the growing global bank credit crisis. In previous articles we've invited readers to make the synchronistic connection between the ailing dinosaur of Industrial Consumerism and Mother Earth's insistent warnings. We've also spoken of our views that nothing short of a total restructuring of the way we live is going to stem the ensuing tide. Energy efficient light bulbs and bio diesel are only likely to paper over the cracks of a system that is looking increasingly unsustainable...

1 Billion fewer plastic bags - but is it enough?
It was announced today that in the UK we are using 1 billion fewer plastic bags a year; this is in response to government, media and pressure group campaigning. Personally I find it absolutely wonderful news as I'm sure many readers do. It seems we are beginning to build a collective conscience about our environment. I believe it's really important to share such successes and at the same time, it's also important that we continue to realise that such achievements are but a small drop in a rapidly filling ocean...

BP signals intention for carbon intensive future
The Corporate fuel giant BP has signaled its intention to ditch a shift to renewable fuels. Its huge investment in Canada's tar sand oil has been labeled by Greenpeace as "a climate crime" because three times as much carbon is produced extracting the crude compared with ordinary oil. It seems just another sign that there is currently insufficient corporate will to turn back our disastrous exploitation of Mother Earth. We believe it's another indication to all lightworkers that building and holding light within ourselves is the best solution...

"The Venus Express" was launched 2yrs ago; its a probe sent to Venus to study its climatic history. Why is Venus so important for us to take note? Well it is the closest planet to Earth in terms of its distance from the Sun, its mass, radius, density and chemical composition. Higher Consciousness compelled me to take note when images and results started to be processed from the probe. Venus, once teeming with life, underwent a dramatic shift in its climate leading to an atmosphere clogged with carbon dioxide resulting in the loss of its oceans and a runaway greenhouse effect that gave rise to severe global warming. Perhaps then, Venus is providing us a vision of a possible future?...

The problem of Industrial Consumerism
At Openhand we've long spoken of that the key problem we face on the planet is not global warming - that global warming is an effect of a much more dangerous and invasive cause: that of Industrial Consumerism. That we've built an unsustainable society that is raping our planet of natural resources and dumping the toxic waste without care or consideration for our future. Well those problems are now coming home to roost as this article in the Independent clearly shows. The future of mankind depends on us relinquishing our attachment to the external drama, going inwards and finding our at-one-ment with all life. Only then will we find true peace of heart and contentment and learn to live in a way that is sustainable...