Happy New Year

By: Joana*

They make us happy!!

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies."
Gene Hill

Xmas

we live in the age of consumerism

Typical work week

By: Tânia

Xmas time = shopping

Xmas season or shopping season?

Today xmas is not a season of religious values but a excuse to shopping!
People buy things to give to others just because is a ritual, in most of cases they don´t need the things that receive!
Only the very religious persons know the real meannig of Christmas, that is the Jesus birth the others celebrate just because they are used to.
We think that in some families the Xmas time is a little fake, because they seams to be happy but only in those few days in the rest of year they even talk eachother!--'

So we must think of what is Christmas about! It used to be about Love, friendship and Union and now? Xmas = Presents ! people don´t give a kiss or a hug for present anymore...

Rain

As coisas vulgares que há na vida
Não deixam saudades
Só as lembranças que doem
Ou fazem sorrir

Há gente que fica na história
da história da gente
e outras de quem nem o nome
lembramos ouvir
(...)
A chuva molhava-me o rosto
Gelado e cansado
As ruas que a cidade tinha
Já eu percorrera

Meu choro de moça perdida
gritava à cidade
que o fogo do amor sob chuva
há instantes morrera

A chuva ouviu e calou
meu segredo à cidade
E eis que ela bate no vidro
Trazendo a saudade.

Jorge Fernando

BY: Tânia

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life!!

By: Tânia

And the cold has arrived ...

If you give up, they give up!!

WWF

Children see... Children do.

BY: Tânia

When you fell it, it´s already to late.

BY: Tânia

Roadrunner United - The End

By: Tina

What are the main issues of concern for human health?

.

Different GM organisms include different genes inserted in different ways. This means that individual GM foods and their safety should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and that it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods.

GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring, should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods.

The safety assessment of GM foods generally investigates:

• direct health effects (toxicity);


• tendencies to provoke allergic reaction (allergenicity);


• specific components thought to have nutritional or toxic properties;


• the stability of the inserted gene;


• nutritional effects associated with genetic modification;


• any unintended effects which could result from the gene insertion.
  

GM food

For at least the last decade,human beings have been eating foods created in laboratories. This is a completely new phenomenon, with no long-term studies having been conducted as to the effects of such food.Today, about two-thirds of all food available in supermarkets has been genetically engineered. Government agencies have long assured the public that these new “biotech” foods present no threat to human health or the environment. Only now are many realizing the extent to which they have been misled and the ominous consequences of this genetic intrusion. The advantages are:





• Pest resistance




• Herbicide tolerance




• Disease resistance




• Cold tolerance




• Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance




• Nutrition




• Pharmaceuticals

What are some of the criticisms against GM foods?

Environmental activists, religious organizations, public interest groups, professional associations and other scientists and government officials have all raised concerns about GM foods, and criticized agribusiness for pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards, and the government for failing to exercise adequate regulatory oversight. It seems that everyone has a strong opinion about GM foods. Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories: environmental hazards, human health risks, and economic concerns.

Tourism vs. Ecotourism

Eco-Tourism

The Definition:

Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

Principles of Ecotourism:

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
• Minimize impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.


Ecotourism Facts & Statistics:

Size of Global Tourism:
• As the largest business sector in the world economy, the Travel & Tourism industry is responsible for over 230 million jobs and over 10% of the gross domestic product worldwide.
• In 2006, Travel & Tourism (consumption, investment, government spending and exports) is expected to grow 4.6% and total US$6.5 trillion.

Importance to Tourism in Developing Countries:
• Tourism is a principle "export" (foreign exchange earner) for 83% of developing countries, and the leading export for 1/3 of poorest countries.
• For the world's 40 poorest countries, tourism is the second most important source of foreign exchange, after oil .

RAISE YOUR VOICE !

Renewable energy

The Power of Sun

We think that in Portugal should be more used the Solar power, like in schools, shoppings and judicial buildings.

In most of cases people don´t use this type of energy because there is very expensive and the Government don´t give insentives.

We also think that instead of do the biggest Solar park they should think about making small ones in all cities (for example).

Solar energy : Is the energy that provines from the sun. The radiations are collected on the PV painels and used to produce electrical energy.

Biomass: a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms, such as wood, waste, (hydrogen) gas, and alcohol fuels. Biomass is commonly plant matter grown to generate electricity or produce heat.

Geothermal energy: Is power extracted from heat stored in the earth. This geothermal energy originates from the original formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals, from volcanic activity and from solar energy absorbed at the surface.

Wind power: is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships.

Hidroelectricity : electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy.

Good VS Bad

Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat.
While many renewable energy projects are large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development. Globally, an estimated 3 million households get power from small solar PV systems.
Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization.


A non-renewable resource is a natural resource which cannot be produced, grown, generated, or used on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. These resources often exist in a fixed amount, or are consumed much faster than nature can create them. Fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum and natural gas) and nuclear power (uranium) are examples.

animal lovers

The companies that DO NOT test on animals:

Makeup

100% pure
Alima pure
Alva
Annemarie Borlind
Aubrey Organics
Barry M
Avon
Bellapiere
Bourjois
Coastalscents
Cosnova (Essence, Catrice)
DM - Drogerie Markt (S-he stylezone, Alverde)

Yves Rocher
Miss Sporty

Skin Care


100% pure
Afrodita
Aloe pura
Akamuti
Alva
Amazene
Annemarie Borlind
Anne Lind
Argandia
Arstrade
Atlantic grupa (Rosal)
Aubrey Organics
Avon
Baby boo
Balm, balm
Baylis & Harding
Bentley Organics

Tooth Care

Australian Tea Tree Organics
Bioemsan
Cattier
Curaden (Curaprox)
DM - Drogerie Markt (Dontodent)
Dr. Hauschka (Wala)
Doetsch Grether AG (Pearl Drops)
Green people
KingFisher
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Logona)
Mueller (Sensident)
Nutrigea
Oriflame
Sarakan
Urtekram
Weleda

Hair Care

Afrodita
Aloe pura
Alva
Akamuti
Annemarie Borlind
Argandia
Aubrey Organics
Avon
Bentley Organics
Cattier
Cioccolatina
DM - Drogerie Markt (Balea, Réell'e)
Freeman Beauty
Frenchtop Natural Care (Henna plus, Avalon, Hairwonder)
Green people
Krka kozmetika
Mann & Schroeder (Happy hair, Dulgon, Diplona)
Helan
Ikove
Isadora
John Masters Organics
Just
Lavera
Lisap
L'Occitane
LOGOCOS Naturkosmetik AG (Logona, Neobio)
Lovlis

Perfumes and Deodorants

Alva
Aubrey Organics
Avon
Balm, balm
Crystal
DM - Drogerie Markt (Balea, Alverde)
Doetsch Grether AG (Fenjal, Mum)
Florame
Green people
Helan
Isadora
Lavera

Green, green, green!!!!

New Technologies as Alternatives to Animal Testing

Animal testing alternatives play a vital role in reducing the numbers of animals used as well as the level of their suffering during experimentation. New technologies are crucial to ensuring that we find effective ways to deepen our knowledge of medicine and to develop better preventative screening measures and drugs for disease while improving animal use and treatment.Here are some alternatives to animals currently used:

• Synthetic Membranes


• Newer Scanning Techniques


• Computer Models

Another resource that exists to prove the viability and relevance of using non-animal testing methods is Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME). Located in England , FRAME seeks to promote a moderate, but nonetheless determined, approach, by encouraging a realistic consideration of the ethical and scientific issues involved and the widest possible adoption of the Three Rs.

R efinement: minimize suffering and distress

R eduction: minimize number of animals used

R eplacement: avoid the use of living animals

Animal Testing or Animal Torture?

Ninety-four percent of animal testing is done to determine the safety of cosmetics and household products leaving only 6% for medical research! Cosmetic testing is banned in Belgium, Netherlands and the U.K.. Unfortunately the U.S. is still home to many companies who continue to legally perform horrible test on animals.


We think that is acceptable when this kind of tests are done to medical pruposes because that can save people´s lifes and help find some cures to bad diseases.


We also think that this testes should be made only in animals that can reproduce Themselves quickly like: Mice and NEVER on Pets!!!


We know it is hard and horrible to even think of what is happening behind closed doors. But right now there are millions of animals who are caged, tortured, and can't speak for themselves!

Open your eyes...and give your Heart!

Every Year there are changes in climate in different parts of the world. Some of these changes are due to natural causes. However we have the conscience that in majority Mankind is guilty !
People are so focus on their needs and obsessed by money that they completly forget about what they are doing wrong in Nature!
These indifference can cost the life of many Beings and compromise the Future Generations.

Eco - Friendly

Until we all decide to change the way that we live day-to-day, the Environment will become progressively worse.
A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world. As globalization continues and the earth's natural processes transform local problems into international issues.
Day after day we do little things that are bad to the Environment, even when isn´t our intention.
We need to be more concerned!!

"ACT NOW!"

End of holidays

By: Joana*

From Where You Are

So far away from where you are
These miles have torn us worlds apart
And I miss you, yeah I miss you

So far away from where you are
I'm standing underneath the stars
And I wish you were here

I miss the years that were erased
I miss the way the sunshine would light up your face
I miss all the little things
I never thought that they'd mean everything to me
Yeah I miss you
And I wish you were here

I feel the beating of your heart
I see the shadows of your face
Just know that wherever you are
Yeah, I miss you
And I wish you were here

I miss the years that were erased
I miss the way the sunshine would light up your face
I miss all the little things
I never thought that they'd mean everything to me
Yeah I miss you
And I wish you were here

So far away from where you are
These miles have torn us worlds apart
And I miss you, yeah I miss you
And I wish you were here

BY:Tânia :D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA!!!!!! =D

Cyndi Lauper - True colors*

By: Joana (:

Stone Sour - Through The Glass

By: Tinaa*

Scissor Sisters - Fire With Fire

BY: Tânia =)

the history of ICE CREAM :P

A must for the Italian summertime (but also during the whole year), Ice cream is well known all over the world, used in funny recipes and eaten by children as well as adults. Everyone likes it, because of its freshness and its many flavours; it can be done, in fact, with all kinds of cremes, fruits, and everything comes up to the ice-cream makers fantasy!

But when and how was it discovered?

The inventor of this delicious dessert is considered Bernardo Buontalenti,who – besides being an architect of wide fame – was also employed by the Medicis as a master of ceremony. Tradition has it that in the summer of 1565 there was a huge banquet for a delegation of Spanish diplomats. Buontalenti not only took care of the usual arrangements for the dining room, but he also created a new dessert that left the Spanish guests astonsished: icecream !

Nowadays, you can still find his original ice cream recipe in the ice cream shops of Florence; the name its the same as the inventor’s one: Buontalenti Cream. Don’t miss it!

By: Tina*

Muse - Undisclosed desires

By: Tina*

Holidays!!!!!

we on youtube without knowing

Find us...

BY: Joana, Tina and Tânia

Sarau- fashion show

The work gave results :)

By: Joana

Psycho spirits

Unforgettable experiences *.*


By: Joana

=D

BY: Tânia

BY: Tânia

by; Tânia

By: Tinaa*

By: Tinaa*

good publicity!!!

By: Tânia

In recordings

I believe in angels,
The kind that heaven sends,
I am surrounded by angels,
But I call them friends.

(Aizabel Parinas)

By: Tinaa*

Soil - Halo (kiko & Tina)