Biofuels competing with food crops
Posted:
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
The Philippine government wants farmers to plant crops for biofuels on a vast scale. But could the quest for green energy create food shortages?
By Imelda V Abano
Growing world energy demand, the insecurity of long-term supply and the consequences of fossil fuel use for climate change are driving governments to look for alternatives. To meet rising energy needs, many countries are promoting the production and use of biofuels - energy extracted as a gas, liquid or oil from plants.
Derived from food crops such as corn, sugarcane, soybean, oil palm and sugarbeet, biofuel production has been on the rise in recent years. It is seen by many as a clean form of energy in an era of soaring oil prices and concerns over carbon emissions.
Jatropha, a plant originating in Central America that grows wild in many developing countries, including South Africa, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines, has suddenly found itself at the centre of a new phase in the world's alternative energy boom.
In the Philippines, there is currently much hype surrounding its production as a source of renewable fuel. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law the Biofuels Act which mandates a minimum one per cent biodiesel blend and five per cent bioethanol blend in all diesel and gasoline fuels. To meet demand, the government is aggressively pushing for the cultivation of jatropha, believing it to be one of the best candidates for future biofuel production.
The government, through the Philippine National Oil Co.-Alternative Fuels Corp, is now looking at some 1.2 million hectares for jatropha production in the southern island of Mindanao. It is also busy identifying more than 400,000 hectares of land for private sector investments.
Jatropha curcas is a drought-tolerant non-edible shrub. It produces fruits the size of golf balls which contain oil that can be converted into biodiesel, a substitute for fossil fuel.
According to Rhandy Tubal, research specialist at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Cordillera, farmers who have received training to grow jatropha are enthusiastic about the crop. He says the cultivation of the plant could provide the first step out of poverty for Filipino farmers and claims that, depending on the density of the plants, each hectare can yield jatropha oil worth nearly US$2,000 a year.
"We are in the initial stage of planting jatropha and we are very optimistic that it is indeed one of the best candidates for biofuel. Farmers are very excited about its production," Tubal says, adding that only idle land would be used for jatropha planting to avoid competition with other crops.
However, research from Australia suggests the plant will need more intensive inputs to produce the oil used for biofuels and it can take several years to develop optimum yields. Furthermore, some experts warn the move may use up precious land that could be used to grow food and may eventually hurt subsistence farmers. Concerns over possible future food shortages have generated a ‘food versus fuel’ debate in the country.
Rachel Smolker, a biofuels specialist and research biologist for the US-based environmental group the Global Justice Ecology Project, fears the global rush to switch from oil to energy derived from plants will drive deforestation, push small farmers off the land and lead to serious food shortages and increased poverty unless carefully managed.
"If food sources become biofuels, that may lead to shortages and raise prices. The promotion of biofuels will have an impact on local food security as some fuel crops are also food crops," Smolker says.
Her view is echoed by Philippine Senator Miriam Santiago, author of the 2007 Biofuels Act, who has sought more governmental oversight of biofuels development, saying that backing biofuels could adversely affect the country's ability to produce its own food.
"Biofuel is land-based and will eventually compete with food. Because the Philippines has a small land area, biofuel production will tend to encroach on food production. Corporations are already searching for millions of hectares for jatropha alone. We have to step on the brakes and decelerate," she says.
Santiago thinks the Philippines "will not prosper by betting only on the biofuels option". She says the government should explore other alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biomass.
But the Philippines' Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has defended the government's massive jatropha cultivation for the biofuels programme, saying it will not imperil the country's food supply.
"Jatropha is a non-food crop. So the issue over food versus fuel is not a debate about this crop. Jatropha grows on idle lands, particularly denuded mountains and forests, unfit for food crop cultivation, so it will not compete with land used for the production of food," Atienza says.
Widespread jatropha cultivation is fairly new in the Philippines. It is only recently, with the news that jatropha can be a source of biodiesel, that people have started planting larger areas of the crop.
All the more reason, according to Dr Emil Javier, president of the National Academy of Science and Technology, to check out its credentials. "The Philippines should do its homework and conduct thorough research on jatropha and see its viability compared with other alternative crops," he says.
The challenge, believes Achim Dobermann, a scientist from the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute, is to ensure a balance between food and biofuel production. "There is an urgent need to strengthen policy research in order to avoid decisions that may lead to competition between food and bioenergy."
******
Imelda V Abano is a freelance reporter based in Bagio, in the northern Philippines. She wrote this article as a result of a fellowship awarded by the Climate Change Media Partnership – a collaboration of Panos, Internews and IIED which supports journalists to investigate climate change issues.
This feature is published by Panos Features and can be reproduced free of charge. Please credit the author and Panos Features and send a copy to External Relations, Panos London, 9 White Lion St, London N1 9PD, UK. Email: media@panos.org.uk
Growing world energy demand, the insecurity of long-term supply and the consequences of fossil fuel use for climate change are driving governments to look for alternatives. To meet rising energy needs, many countries are promoting the production and use of biofuels - energy extracted as a gas, liquid or oil from plants.
Derived from food crops such as corn, sugarcane, soybean, oil palm and sugarbeet, biofuel production has been on the rise in recent years. It is seen by many as a clean form of energy in an era of soaring oil prices and concerns over carbon emissions.
Jatropha, a plant originating in Central America that grows wild in many developing countries, including South Africa, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines, has suddenly found itself at the centre of a new phase in the world's alternative energy boom.
In the Philippines, there is currently much hype surrounding its production as a source of renewable fuel. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law the Biofuels Act which mandates a minimum one per cent biodiesel blend and five per cent bioethanol blend in all diesel and gasoline fuels. To meet demand, the government is aggressively pushing for the cultivation of jatropha, believing it to be one of the best candidates for future biofuel production.
The government, through the Philippine National Oil Co.-Alternative Fuels Corp, is now looking at some 1.2 million hectares for jatropha production in the southern island of Mindanao. It is also busy identifying more than 400,000 hectares of land for private sector investments.
Jatropha curcas is a drought-tolerant non-edible shrub. It produces fruits the size of golf balls which contain oil that can be converted into biodiesel, a substitute for fossil fuel.
According to Rhandy Tubal, research specialist at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Cordillera, farmers who have received training to grow jatropha are enthusiastic about the crop. He says the cultivation of the plant could provide the first step out of poverty for Filipino farmers and claims that, depending on the density of the plants, each hectare can yield jatropha oil worth nearly US$2,000 a year.
"We are in the initial stage of planting jatropha and we are very optimistic that it is indeed one of the best candidates for biofuel. Farmers are very excited about its production," Tubal says, adding that only idle land would be used for jatropha planting to avoid competition with other crops.
However, research from Australia suggests the plant will need more intensive inputs to produce the oil used for biofuels and it can take several years to develop optimum yields. Furthermore, some experts warn the move may use up precious land that could be used to grow food and may eventually hurt subsistence farmers. Concerns over possible future food shortages have generated a ‘food versus fuel’ debate in the country.
Rachel Smolker, a biofuels specialist and research biologist for the US-based environmental group the Global Justice Ecology Project, fears the global rush to switch from oil to energy derived from plants will drive deforestation, push small farmers off the land and lead to serious food shortages and increased poverty unless carefully managed.
"If food sources become biofuels, that may lead to shortages and raise prices. The promotion of biofuels will have an impact on local food security as some fuel crops are also food crops," Smolker says.
Her view is echoed by Philippine Senator Miriam Santiago, author of the 2007 Biofuels Act, who has sought more governmental oversight of biofuels development, saying that backing biofuels could adversely affect the country's ability to produce its own food.
"Biofuel is land-based and will eventually compete with food. Because the Philippines has a small land area, biofuel production will tend to encroach on food production. Corporations are already searching for millions of hectares for jatropha alone. We have to step on the brakes and decelerate," she says.
Santiago thinks the Philippines "will not prosper by betting only on the biofuels option". She says the government should explore other alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biomass.
But the Philippines' Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has defended the government's massive jatropha cultivation for the biofuels programme, saying it will not imperil the country's food supply.
"Jatropha is a non-food crop. So the issue over food versus fuel is not a debate about this crop. Jatropha grows on idle lands, particularly denuded mountains and forests, unfit for food crop cultivation, so it will not compete with land used for the production of food," Atienza says.
Widespread jatropha cultivation is fairly new in the Philippines. It is only recently, with the news that jatropha can be a source of biodiesel, that people have started planting larger areas of the crop.
All the more reason, according to Dr Emil Javier, president of the National Academy of Science and Technology, to check out its credentials. "The Philippines should do its homework and conduct thorough research on jatropha and see its viability compared with other alternative crops," he says.
The challenge, believes Achim Dobermann, a scientist from the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute, is to ensure a balance between food and biofuel production. "There is an urgent need to strengthen policy research in order to avoid decisions that may lead to competition between food and bioenergy."
******
Imelda V Abano is a freelance reporter based in Bagio, in the northern Philippines. She wrote this article as a result of a fellowship awarded by the Climate Change Media Partnership – a collaboration of Panos, Internews and IIED which supports journalists to investigate climate change issues.
This feature is published by Panos Features and can be reproduced free of charge. Please credit the author and Panos Features and send a copy to External Relations, Panos London, 9 White Lion St, London N1 9PD, UK. Email: media@panos.org.uk
Earth Hour Campaign
Posted:
Friday, March 14, 2008
On 29 March 2008 the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for Earth Hour - an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.
Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this mail to your friends, workmates and family.
Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.
YOUR participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively - can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at: www.earthhour.org.
If you want to learn more about how else you can help make Earth Hour in the Philippines a success, reply to this email or drop us a line at (632) 920-7931, (632)920-7923, or (632)920-7926
Teena G. Santiago
Marketing Services Manager
WWF-Philippines/
Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas
JBD Plaza, 56 Mindanao Avenue
Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Philippines
Phone: + 63 2 920-7923 or 26
Fax: +63 2 454-3533
Mobile: +63 920 923-6998
email: tsantiago@wwf.org.ph
Website: http://wwf.org.ph
Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this mail to your friends, workmates and family.
Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.
YOUR participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively - can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at: www.earthhour.org.
If you want to learn more about how else you can help make Earth Hour in the Philippines a success, reply to this email or drop us a line at (632) 920-7931, (632)920-7923, or (632)920-7926
Teena G. Santiago
Marketing Services Manager
WWF-Philippines/
Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas
JBD Plaza, 56 Mindanao Avenue
Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Philippines
Phone: + 63 2 920-7923 or 26
Fax: +63 2 454-3533
Mobile: +63 920 923-6998
email: tsantiago@wwf.org.ph
Website: http://wwf.org.ph
Women's Rights
Posted:
Saturday, March 08, 2008
We, men and women, are the progeny of the same Supreme Consciousness. Women and men are equally divine and inherit similar and equal rights to life, liberty and expression. The significance of life does not lie only in living. Animals also live. But life to us means something more -- rather something much more.
To us life means living for a great cause. Life implies the endeavour to have the freedom to express one's potentialities in the physical, economic, psychic and spiritual realms. It means real liberty and not license to commit anything good or bad.
In the annals of human history we do find women whose memory glorifies not only womanhood, but the entire human world. In philosophy and spirituality, social reform and educational pursuits, science and technology, they stand second to none. Women are found discussing the riddles of philosophy, solving problems of social and educational reform, and are inspiring men in times of struggle. They have their potentiality no less than men. The difference in natural and biological characteristics between men and women speaks only of coordinated cooperation, not of subordinated cooperation.
Yet the annals of history depict the sad and painful episodes of women's exploitation throughout the world. To fulfil this sinister design, dogmas were created which led to psycho-economic exploitation. Dogmas were cunningly popularized and women were degenerated to slavery. Psychic exploitation has been infused into the minds of women and many symbols which are religiously observed are nothing but symbols of slavery. In many religions of the world today women are not allowed to become priests in the religious hierarchy.
Women's exploitation is more or less the same everywhere. Is it not a fact that in many countries even franchise rights were not given equally to men and women?
Even today women are slaves to the male-dominated social order. This is not only bad but deplorable. We should decry such domination of women and their psycho-economic exploitation through the evil design of dogmas. To abolish dogma and liberate women from psychic exploitation, there should be:
We stand to create a powerful, dynamic and upsurging social consciousness, especially among women, so that they are inspired to rise, abolish dogma and annihilate all symbols of slavery, and usher in a new era of coordinated cooperation and glorious achievement. Let women be the vanguard of a new revolution which humanity must achieve for a glorious tomorrow.
by: Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar
20 April 1981, Calcutta
A Few Problems Solved Part 9
In the annals of human history we do find women whose memory glorifies not only womanhood, but the entire human world. In philosophy and spirituality, social reform and educational pursuits, science and technology, they stand second to none. Women are found discussing the riddles of philosophy, solving problems of social and educational reform, and are inspiring men in times of struggle. They have their potentiality no less than men. The difference in natural and biological characteristics between men and women speaks only of coordinated cooperation, not of subordinated cooperation.
Yet the annals of history depict the sad and painful episodes of women's exploitation throughout the world. To fulfil this sinister design, dogmas were created which led to psycho-economic exploitation. Dogmas were cunningly popularized and women were degenerated to slavery. Psychic exploitation has been infused into the minds of women and many symbols which are religiously observed are nothing but symbols of slavery. In many religions of the world today women are not allowed to become priests in the religious hierarchy.
Women's exploitation is more or less the same everywhere. Is it not a fact that in many countries even franchise rights were not given equally to men and women?
Even today women are slaves to the male-dominated social order. This is not only bad but deplorable. We should decry such domination of women and their psycho-economic exploitation through the evil design of dogmas. To abolish dogma and liberate women from psychic exploitation, there should be:
- Free education for all women in all countries of the world.
- No discrimination in the social, educational and religious realms.
- The provision of economic and social security to all women.
We stand to create a powerful, dynamic and upsurging social consciousness, especially among women, so that they are inspired to rise, abolish dogma and annihilate all symbols of slavery, and usher in a new era of coordinated cooperation and glorious achievement. Let women be the vanguard of a new revolution which humanity must achieve for a glorious tomorrow.
by: Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar
20 April 1981, Calcutta
A Few Problems Solved Part 9
Hatag Kalinaw 2008 project grant
Posted:
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Hatag Kalinaw 2008 is a youth-led project grant competition for school and community-based youth organisations in Mindanao on how the ideals of peace can be achieved through mutual understanding and entrepreneurship. Winning organisations will receive up to PHP 100,000 each to implement its project within a 6-month period.
What should the proposal be about?
* Project proposals should address issues on the ideals of peace, mutual understanding, and development among young people in Mindanao
* It should espouse entrepreneurship in the form of savings, economic, or livelihood activities
* It should utilise the concept of “self-help” as opposed to “dole-out
* It should be a consultative and participatory process to ensure ownership and enhanced sustainability to promote community-based entrepreneurial activities
For further information and to download application form, please visit: web site
What should the proposal be about?
* Project proposals should address issues on the ideals of peace, mutual understanding, and development among young people in Mindanao
* It should espouse entrepreneurship in the form of savings, economic, or livelihood activities
* It should utilise the concept of “self-help” as opposed to “dole-out
* It should be a consultative and participatory process to ensure ownership and enhanced sustainability to promote community-based entrepreneurial activities
For further information and to download application form, please visit: web site
Blog seminar on cultural indulgent
Posted:
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Open to all with limited slots. This event is organized by Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) Department Student Council of Notre Dame of Marbel University, headed by Mark Aethen G. Agana. Contact Aethen for more information at +639063722737
Date: Feb.2.2008
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Venue: SMC Hall, NDMU, City of Koronadal
Registration Fee: Php70.00 (inclusive of two snacks and certificate)
The seminar will be like a re-echo of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit. It is called Blog, dubbed with theme "Understanding, Culture and Identity" and has the following objectives:
1. To introduce blogging as new media
2. To explore blogging as a means for monetizing, Internet marketing, and advocacy.
3. To enable the participants to recognize the need to continually communicate with one another to know and understand Mindanao and its people through the available technology.
4. To utilize blogging to appreciate the beauty of Mindanao 's people, culture, places, creativity as their contribution to fostering understanding and peace on the island.
The invited Mindanao bloggers to introduce blogging to non-bloggers. There will talk on Blogging 101 (Basics), Blogging as new medium, for earning, Internet Marketing, and Advocacy.
Hector Miñoza, Bro. Vince Celeste, FMS, Rolly Jude Ortega, Ariel Lalisan, Ria Jose, and Avel Manansala are the invited Mindanao bloggers to introduce blogging to non-bloggers and they would also share their knowledge and experiences with blogging. There will talk on Blogging 101 (Basics), Blogging as new medium, for earning, Internet Marketing, and Advocacy.
Date: Feb.2.2008
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Venue: SMC Hall, NDMU, City of Koronadal
Registration Fee: Php70.00 (inclusive of two snacks and certificate)
The seminar will be like a re-echo of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit. It is called Blog, dubbed with theme "Understanding, Culture and Identity" and has the following objectives:
1. To introduce blogging as new media
2. To explore blogging as a means for monetizing, Internet marketing, and advocacy.
3. To enable the participants to recognize the need to continually communicate with one another to know and understand Mindanao and its people through the available technology.
4. To utilize blogging to appreciate the beauty of Mindanao 's people, culture, places, creativity as their contribution to fostering understanding and peace on the island.
The invited Mindanao bloggers to introduce blogging to non-bloggers. There will talk on Blogging 101 (Basics), Blogging as new medium, for earning, Internet Marketing, and Advocacy.
Hector Miñoza, Bro. Vince Celeste, FMS, Rolly Jude Ortega, Ariel Lalisan, Ria Jose, and Avel Manansala are the invited Mindanao bloggers to introduce blogging to non-bloggers and they would also share their knowledge and experiences with blogging. There will talk on Blogging 101 (Basics), Blogging as new medium, for earning, Internet Marketing, and Advocacy.
Dr. Ravi Batra talks on PROUT and World Poverty
Posted:
Monday, December 24, 2007
After Capitalism
Posted:
Saturday, December 15, 2007
After Capitalism: Prout’s Vision for a New World sheds light on the Progressive Utilization Theory, or Prout, a socio-economic model based on decentralized economic democracy, cooperative enterprise and the ethics of inclusion. Noam Chomsky, Frei Betto, Johan Galtung, Leonardo Boff, Sohail Inayatullah, Ravi Batra, Mark Friedman and Marcos Arruda – have contributed to this revolutionary new book that presents comprehensive and practical answers.
The book asserts that capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction, based as it is on greed, intense competition and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. In contrast, Prout provides a model of economic development grounded in universal values. It seeks to balance regional self-reliant economic development with ecological protection, and encourages creativity and innovation.
In his preface to the book, Noam Chomsky stated, “Alternative visions are crucial at this moment in history. Prout’s cooperative model of economic democracy, based on cardinal human values and sharing the resources of the planet for the welfare of everyone, deserves our serious consideration.” Historian Howard Zinn, author of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, wrote: “After Capitalism is refreshingly original. It is spiritual and utopian while remaining grounded in reality. Its analysis is intelligent and its vision inspiring.”
Theologian Leonardo Boff, in his contribution to the book, wrote that Prout “is very important to all who yearn for a liberation which starts from economics and opens to a totality of personal and social human existence.” Frei Betto, said, “The constitutional proposals of Prout are the ethical summary of everything that humanity needs to accomplish universal fraternity.”
After Capitalism offers refreshing new hope for a world without poverty, war and injustice. It is a practical, sustainable vision for future generations. It is a comprehensive approach to eradicate poverty, improve the quality of life and make every region of the world self-reliant.
The book shows:
· Why, unlike capitalism and communism, the concepts of Prout are in harmony with human psychology;
· How Prout’s vision can restore ecological balance and nurture the soul;
· Where model projects and political movements based on Prout are located;
· How to implement Prout’s economic democracy and self-determination in your region.
The Author: Dada Maheshvarananda is unusual: an American who chose to become an orange-clad monk of the Yoga tradition. He is a highly respected monk, social service worker, social activist and organizer, and a teacher of meditation and Yoga. Dada has worked with exceptional commitment in these capacities for over thirty years. He has served and benefited many people and communities throughout the world -- Southeast Asia, South Asia, South America and North America. Dada Maheshvarananda has studied and continues to study the theory and application of the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT).
Dada also studied under the personal guidance of the visionary and founder of PROUT, the late Mr. Prabhat R. Sarkar (1920-1990). He has dedicated his life to not only conveying what PROUT is, but more so to serving "all living beings" through PROUT's application. Mr. Maheshvarananda is affectionately referred to as Dada, which simply means "brother." His complete name is Acharya Maheshvarananda Avadhuta, a Sanskrit name. Acharya is a title meaning "spiritual teacher" and "one who teaches by example." The name Maheshvarananda signifies "one who experiences the bliss of the Lord." Avadhuta means "renunciate monk dedicated to service."
After Capitalism: Prout's Vision for a New World is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese editions.
Dada Maheshvarananda
Instituto Venezolano de Investigación de Prout
Prout Research Institute of Venezuela
www.aftercapitalism.org
Tel. (58)-212-578-4587, cel. (58)-412-601-6572
Skype: dadamaheshvarananda
The book asserts that capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction, based as it is on greed, intense competition and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. In contrast, Prout provides a model of economic development grounded in universal values. It seeks to balance regional self-reliant economic development with ecological protection, and encourages creativity and innovation.
In his preface to the book, Noam Chomsky stated, “Alternative visions are crucial at this moment in history. Prout’s cooperative model of economic democracy, based on cardinal human values and sharing the resources of the planet for the welfare of everyone, deserves our serious consideration.” Historian Howard Zinn, author of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, wrote: “After Capitalism is refreshingly original. It is spiritual and utopian while remaining grounded in reality. Its analysis is intelligent and its vision inspiring.”
Theologian Leonardo Boff, in his contribution to the book, wrote that Prout “is very important to all who yearn for a liberation which starts from economics and opens to a totality of personal and social human existence.” Frei Betto, said, “The constitutional proposals of Prout are the ethical summary of everything that humanity needs to accomplish universal fraternity.”
After Capitalism offers refreshing new hope for a world without poverty, war and injustice. It is a practical, sustainable vision for future generations. It is a comprehensive approach to eradicate poverty, improve the quality of life and make every region of the world self-reliant.
The book shows:
· Why, unlike capitalism and communism, the concepts of Prout are in harmony with human psychology;
· How Prout’s vision can restore ecological balance and nurture the soul;
· Where model projects and political movements based on Prout are located;
· How to implement Prout’s economic democracy and self-determination in your region.
The Author: Dada Maheshvarananda is unusual: an American who chose to become an orange-clad monk of the Yoga tradition. He is a highly respected monk, social service worker, social activist and organizer, and a teacher of meditation and Yoga. Dada has worked with exceptional commitment in these capacities for over thirty years. He has served and benefited many people and communities throughout the world -- Southeast Asia, South Asia, South America and North America. Dada Maheshvarananda has studied and continues to study the theory and application of the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT).
Dada also studied under the personal guidance of the visionary and founder of PROUT, the late Mr. Prabhat R. Sarkar (1920-1990). He has dedicated his life to not only conveying what PROUT is, but more so to serving "all living beings" through PROUT's application. Mr. Maheshvarananda is affectionately referred to as Dada, which simply means "brother." His complete name is Acharya Maheshvarananda Avadhuta, a Sanskrit name. Acharya is a title meaning "spiritual teacher" and "one who teaches by example." The name Maheshvarananda signifies "one who experiences the bliss of the Lord." Avadhuta means "renunciate monk dedicated to service."
After Capitalism: Prout's Vision for a New World is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese editions.
