The David Suzuki Foundation distributes an excellent and regular eNews from its Canadian base. In the past, the Ethos Foundation has included some of these articles in our own newsletter and we do so again in this edition. To subscribe to the David Suzuki's free eNews go to: www.davidsuzuki.org Here's the article from their latest edition:

The most powerful force shaping our lives is science, especially when it’s applied by medicine, the military and corporations. All too often, new technologies become part of our lives without much forethought as to their full impacts on our society, let alone that of the non-human environment. Just think of nuclear power, genetic engineering, and the development of new toxic chemicals to keep our lawns greener or vegetables blemish-free, for example.

Okay, so we all know that it’s wet in Queensland now. I simply refuse to talk about flooding rains, landslides, mould and stinky mud! Sitting on the front doorstep this morning I noticed some of the small things…the way the native violets are absolutely thriving and beginning to create delightful pathways through the kikuyu grass with their heart-shaped leaves and tiny purple and white flowers. How the rose bush in the front garden, which I relentlessly pruned back before Christmas, is covered in medallions of maroon-red leaves and has two small buds preparing to burst into soft, fragrant petals over the coming weeks. And how our resident chickens enjoy their free-ranging forays beyond the chook tractor – how peaceful and contented they are to potter and scratch in the grass. As Beech Mountain’s forests teem with free-flowing waterfalls over rockfaces and cliffs, I must say, I am enjoying the small things of life from the steps of my cosy home.

‘What’s happening with Ethos?’ is a question that’s been asked a lot over the past few months as news of the sale of the Ridge on Binna Burra and Ethos Centre has informally circulated through a variety of sustainability grapevines.

I’d like to simply and concisely explain what’s happening from the Ethos Foundation’s perspective.

The Ridge on Binna Burra property at Binna Burra in South East Queensland was sold in late January 2008 to a Brisbane company called Live International. I understand that the Ridge’s original vision about the creation of a sustainable ecovillage, educational centre and restorative retreat like proposed Ethos Centre is likely to continue to be a key part of Live International’s development and that the new owner is very interested in sustainability and community.