No wonder the Environment has had such a hard time defending itself.  For what ever reason it has been caught into the crossed-fire of the two strongest issues and dilemmas of human existence.  Which in many ways are connected with each other as well.  What is it about Politics and Religion that makes our actions so insane, inhuman, and selfish? At the end of the day, these two are the reason for almost every war known to man.  Let’s see religion for example.  How can something so sacred, spiritual, beautiful, destined to make mankind just, compassionate, fair, closer to God(s), better people, etc, etc, etc, be the reason for the most incredible massacres in history?  Once again, I think there is nothing wrong with religion, the real problem here is the intolerance and pursuit of power of the human race, twisting every teaching and spiritual word taught to them to suit their own agenda and interpretation of their holy book (which ever this may be).  Now let’s see politics for a second.  Our leaders and public service man a women are there to serve “the people”, their fellow brothers and sisters.  However, many only serve themselves.  Twisting and turning every table possible, including their own constitutions and laws to serve their own agendas and interpretation of the law.  Others simply have no constitutions and the only law in the land is their own.  Now, why all this matters? Because for what ever reason, spiritual and political leaders/followers alike, have managed to make the Environment either a religious issue or a political one.  Even worse, there are some that have managed to make it both.  In the sidelines of all these you have the people that have made it into their life purpose to defend it, make sure it is fairly treated and preserved, have been placed at the bottom of everyone’s food chain.  Why does the environment is less important than politics and religion?  Why the source that supplies our food, shelter, air, and simply makes our existence possible, is at the bottom of the list?  From Corporate CEOs to public figures, from political leaders to average citizens like myself, thankfully we have plenty of people today that do care and would love to be able to make more of a difference, and see more of a difference being made.

It is encouraging to see more and more people today trying to make a difference in matters related to the environment.  It is the hope we need and the encouragement we so desperately seek.  The amazing work by many organizations out there is truly making a remarkable difference.  Many new environmental laws are coming into place, judgements against environmental crimes, a renewed consciousness worldwide, new generations are more in tuned with what is at stake if we do not change our ways, providing resources to research companies with renewable energy ideas, world leaders have become more engage and caring on environmental issues, recycling has become more common than the opposite choice, the GREEN era has really taken an important place in our history, the unjust killing of animals has no room for excuses anymore, etc.  The use of technology and the internet has made the fight for fairness possible.  But, there is much left to do still.  We all count and we all need to put our grain of sand in order to make it.  Yes, it is true that the ones in charge, at least the majority, are still skeptical and/or oblivious of the severity of the situation.  However, this is no excuse for the rest of us not to make a difference on our own.  Don’t know how or where to start?  There is more than enough information out there for us to choose from.  It can be overwhelming, I agree.  So I suggest to start with an issue that interest you or you feel is most important (the rainforest, marine life, overfishing, recycling, organic cultivation, endangered spices, environmental education, your neighborhood’s garbage handling, etc).  Start by creating habits into your every day life that promote or help the topic you choose.  Eating more sustainable foods, recycling a bit more, maybe getting your neighbor to recycle, teach your kids or others about an endangered animal, donate on a friend’s name to an important cause close to their heart as a gift,…From there, just keep adding issues to your  list and at the end of the day you will be making a tremendous difference without even breaking a sweat.  Or even more importantly, without feeling you are sacrificing your way of life because of it.

I may be opening Pandora’s box here by talking religion and politics, but it seems that until the Environment manages to detach itself from these two, or it is allowed to go free, it simply doesn’t stand a good chance.  What we do and how much we want to save it, preserve it, treasure it, will not make the difference it can and needs.  These massive roadblocks are a waste of time for the human race and every species in this planet.  Believe in Global Warming, Climate Change, or not, there is one reality that no one can scape: we are trashing this planet to extinction.  All my respect goes out to spiritual and politicians alike.  However, I have NO respect whatsoever for their wrong actions and non-actions towards the preservation of our planet.

Since when a dying species has anything to do with religion?  Since when trying to avoid a massive extinction has become unreligious? Who has given the right to politicians and religious politicians specially, to decide on any living organism in this planet?  Who are them to decide alone over the life and wellbeing of ANY species in this planet, including my own?  There are  legal rights and human rights, as much as there are political issues and humankind issues.  The only reason why they refuse to separate them is because of money, votes, contributors, followers, or all of the above and more.  It is simply crazy and shameful. And when I said I may be opening pandora’s box here, I really meant it.  And this is from a person that has spiritual believes; I was just not taught that “I” was more important than anyone and anything else in this universe. Furthermore, from a person that believes in the need of public service and politics completely.  But what I believe is completely irrelevant.  At the end of the day what matters is what the majority believes or it is said they “have” to believe…plus what the “reality” of the situation really is.

I try to be a positivist at heart, always looking for what is good and trying to grow the good to dissipate the bad.  So in reality I see a large community of people that care and are doing there best to make a difference, and succeeding slowly but surely.  But, there is much more that needs fixing here and we need to try to target the biggest obstacles with smart and innovative ideas.  Not only we have to convince leaders and corporations to try to do more, but also many people out there that do not believe they have to do anything at all.  This is the time to throw ideas in the air, the internet, on paper, and put into action anything that works.  Take advantage of the internet, social media, and your voice.  There is a huge community out here ready to listen to what you have to offer.  We need your help and any good ideas you may have are absolutely welcome.  Always respecting that others disagree and that there is always room for every point of view in this world.  Agree to disagree and respect for begin respectful.

Isn’t that true? What a perfect analogy. To not travel is the same as to be mediocrely educated. We can read about anything and everything, online or in paper, but it will never be the same as living it in the flesh. “Traveling is the best education life can give you and you can give yourself”, my father used to tell me. “It builds character, knowledge, and educates you about who you are”. I remember while growing up every extra penny we could spend, we would spend on a travel agency. Never fully understood as a very young teenager why on every vacation break, as short as it may be, we would never get to stay home, and most times in the country. I used to hate it, complaining and cursing the world for not being able to stay to hang out with my “friends”. Which most I lost touch for the past 20-30 years (before Facebook that is). Oh do I so thank today my parents (in heaven today or where ever they may be) for being such a pain and never giving-in to my rants.  It is incredible the perspective you gain by getting out of your comfort zone. Our level of understanding for everything that is different grows, our interest for what we do not understand and know multiplies, and our knowledge of the world in a vast general way simply solidifies into wisdom. Even when you do not like or agree with the cultures/places you visit, you can learn to understand at least why and where we are different. From this foundation is where my passion for photography began and I continue to embrace every day of my life.

Some have not been so lucky and simply had no choice but to stay home; mainly because of a lack of resources. Regardless of this, I believe it is never too late, or a trip too small to travel. While in college, and like many my budget was nonexistent. Instant Chinese soups and 3-pack for $1 Macaroni & Cheese where my nutritional building blocks. Two jobs and full time classes do not leave time for much either. And even so, every penny I could save would go to my “travel fund” (as I call it). I would rather have one meal a day for a month but able to get out of town and see new things once in a while. Do I think everyone should be like that? Not at all. I am just telling my story here. However, I do think everyone should make the effort to try to go out and see the world outside his or her four blocks. Lack of knowledge and understanding brings fear. Fear brings anger and distrust for what we don’t know and comprehend. And that is a volcano waiting to erupt.

In college I had this crazy thesis idea, which surprisingly did not get rejected. It was basically a 30-40 year relocation project for the world cultures and population. Once again, this was a theory where the concept was what would the results be, in terms of collective culture and human understanding worldwide. Would we be able to get along better? Or would we hate each other even more?  I will not get into details but technically it was based on a simple theory (my crazy theory), which you are more than welcome to reject 100%. That the more we learn and understand about each other, the more respect and improved relations we’ll have. Basically, we could learn to agree that we disagree without killing each other. The idea was to relocate a percentage of the population of each country to another for a period of 2-3 years. During this time, the visiting population would have to adapt the best possible way to the home country’s customs, without leaving their own. After these 2-3 years, the population that stayed behind would proceed to do the same to another country and so on. Of course, you have countries like China and India that presented a significantly logistic problem. But, for the sake of the theory and speculation of the results we simply left it out to our imagination. This was a stupid sociology assignment, which I probably should have failed miserably. But surprisingly it created a huge debate and it earn me a nice solid “A”. Some said it would create a massive civil war worldwide. Others gave ideas on how to make it friendlier for the visiting population and thought it could work in the long run. Either way and regardless of the outcome of this silly theory, it was a fun debate. It got people talking for an hour about the importance of traveling and getting to know the world.

I strongly believe real knowledge of other cultures is the key to understanding and respecting our fellow human beings. You don’t have to like them, but at least give them a chance to show you what they are all about. Saying you don’t like your neighbor just because really does not count. Have a reason and know why by experience. Agree to disagree. And yes, until today, every extra penny I earn goes to my traveling fund. Go out and see the world…it is simply amazing. You’ll be surprise of what you are capable of when you are outside your comfort zone, on a strange land or culture. You’ll also be surprise on how kind “estrange” people can be by you simply being respectful.

The sacrifices needed to put some travel money aside will never disappoint you or your children. In a sentence, it is worth every penny.

Photo above: Maipo Volcano at the Laguna del Diamante – Mendoza, Argentina   |   Photographer: Gabriela Lechin

(By Daily News of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC)

Commended, “Natural Elements”

Photograph courtesy Philip Lee Harvey, www.tpoty.com

Morning fog obscures Venezuela’s Angel Falls—the world’s highest single drop waterfall—in this photograph taken by Philip Lee Harvey, who was commended in the “Natural Elements” category.

“I think this is gorgeous. I’d put it on my wall,” Rossow said.

“Fog always makes a more interesting photograph. I also love the way the dark forest in the foreground anchors it … It’s just a very well-composed, beautiful landscape, and it was the perfect time to take this picture.”

Published December 23, 2011

View the complete article and complete winning/finalist photographs at:
Best Travel Pictures of 2011 Named

(By Daily News of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC)

Overall Winner: “Homeless”

Photograph by Chan Kwok Hung, EPOTY.org/Fame/Barcroft

Children comfort each other in a scrapyard in Kathmandu, Nepal, in a 2011 image by photographer Chan Kwok Hung of  Hong Kong. The picture, an entry in the “Quality of Life” category, won top honors in the 2011 Environmental Photographer of the Year awards, whose winners were announced last week.

The children live with their grandmother and search the scrapyard for things to sell, using the money to buy food, according to the photographer. “They had found nothing for a few days,” he said in a statement.

More than a third of Nepal’s 12.6 million children live below the poverty line, according to a 2010 report by UNICEF. An even higher number suffer from malnutrition and lack of access to education.

Organized by the London-based Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, the Environmental Photographer of the Year contest honors amateur and professional photographers who “raise awareness of environmental and social issues.”

Compared to 2010, submissions this year doubled to over 10,000 pictures, which came from photographers in 105 countries.

(See the best environmental photos of 2010.)

—Korena Di Roma

Published October 27, 2011

View the complete article and complete winning/finalist photographs at:
Pictures: Best Environmental Photos of 2011 Named

Even if you do not eat fish, the consequences of the lack of it in the oceans will affect everything. Surprised about the amount of algae on the beaches today, the extreme numbers of jellyfish? Well, don’t be. It is all connected. So, even if you care or not about eating fish in the near future, I am sure some of you care about your favorite beach and being able to go into the ocean. And even if you are that minority that simply care less about anything related to the oceans or nature, realize that unfortunately you are part of this mess we call planet earth as well. One day something you love and believe to be vital to the human existence will be endangered. If you want anyone else to care, I suggest you start caring about others as we are all sharing this big home without a cancellation notice on the contract. It is worth the try and rewarding to all at the end of the road.

Anyway, here is a list of fish to avoid and fish to eat freely. I hope it is useful and used by some of you out there:

(For more information related to sustainable fish, news, and more you can go to FISH2FORK.COM)

I believe part of the problem today is the sense of disconnect we have with each other. We look at ourselves further and further away, so different, so not like ourselves. Middle points and compromises are simply a whisper that goes away as fast as it came. Extreme is what’s in, moderation is out. My question today is not “why”, but “how”. How can we let this happen? How can we sit back and watch our world getting destroyed by everything we have fought centuries to abolish? We are all responsible and it is our responsibility. Every change in the universe starts with one particle, one cell, one atom. Why would this be different with us? Start with one person, yourself. The rest will come by itself.

You can get more accomplished with honey than with vinegar. An old saying that is as true today as it was yesterday. It is time to stop  being silent and angry. It is time to speak up and simply say more things like Thanks, Please, How can I help?,… It is time to remind ourselves and the world that kindness, gratefulness, compassion, happiness, creativity, honor, and hope are more powerful than greed, selfishness, manipulation, deceive, discrimination, and violence.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Super Creative & Successful New Year 2012!

You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.  ~Mark Twain

Born with optic atrophy, Royal’s current corrected vision is 20/400 and his central vision of both eyes is obscured with a white blind spot. He was also recently diagnosed with cataracts.

In his series “Reflection Abstracts,” he uses “the water as a canvas, reflections as pigment and wind as a brush.” All of the images are shot at the same location, under a four-lane bridge as a narrow gap in the bridge creates a band of light on the water below.

“Depending on the time of day and year, direct sunlight hits the water along with the reflection of the sky and reflections of the bridge structure,” Royal said.

Slowing the shutter speed to capture the movement of the water, he photographs this effect over and over until he fills up a memory card. When he edits the photos in Photoshop, he uses a 4x monocular, similar to what a surgeon would use to operate.

“Some images may suggest something beyond themselves and if need be I may manipulate the form of the reflection,” he said. “For example a profile of a face may be suggested and I’ll refine it to make it more obvious. My imagination follows nature’s lead.”

– Angie Walton, CNN

Follow this link to view Craig Roral’s work at the CNN Website:

http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/29/blind-photographer-creates-works-of-art/

With this change, we are restructuring our Photo Department to be one of our mayor especialities and one of our biggest fronts. Without putting behind our Web and Graphic Services, we are moving towards specializing in Photography and turn Seven-g into a leading image editing and photography service company. By networking and contributing with top photographers and companies worldwide, this change has been going on unintentionally for most of the past two years.

We are very exited and positively focus on this new chapter of Seven-g. The thought of our goals is driving our present towards the right direction…

The Seven-g Team
info@seven-g.net