Dreambank

One of the readers of this blog passed along this great website and I thought I would share it. It is called Dreambank and it is exactly what it sounds like. Dreamers post their dreams and Supporters help them realize these dreams. It has a bunch of other interesting tid bits and this is the run down according to the website.

What We Do
Dreams are inspiring! Just imagine how much happier the world would be if more of our dreams could come true. That’s why we created DreamBank. We want to help you fulfil dreams in a way that also cares for the planet and contributes to important social causes.

Here’s How We Do It.
First, we provide a fun, easy way for you to fund your dreams. By posting a dream on www.dreambank.org, friends, family and fans can contribute to your dream fund. Each contribution brings your dream closer to reality. Funding dreams is important, but so is support. DreamBank is also built as a community so you can connect and communicate with fellow Dreamers to: follow their progress, share ideas and resources, or just cheer them on.

Second, DreamBank is about helping the planet. By contributing to a dream, you spare the planet some of the nasty side effects of manufacturing, packaging and shipping gifts that, although we appreciate, we often don’t really need or want. Did you know that 83% of Americans[1] received unwanted gifts during the 2006 holiday season? All that ‘stuff’ puts a strain on the environment.

Last but not least, every time a contributor supports a dream, life gets a little better for someone else on the planet. That’s because DreamBank contributions are pooled into one big fund and the interest it generates is distributed to international charities and non profit organizations. Dreamers are given a choice of organizations to associate with their dream. This acts as a vote and tells us how to divvy up the charity pot according to our Dreamers' wishes.

At DreamBank everyone wins. Dreamers get a chance to fulfil their dreams; friends and family get to play a role in making dreams come true for the people they care about; the planet is spared needless environmental damage; and people in need get more help.

Give Dreams. Not Stuff.

A great idea that might be handy come holidays or birthdays instead of receiving gifts from a bevy of people you could post your dream (in some cases a gift you could never afford) and your friends and family can put a little towards the dream to help you realize it. Not only that but a not-for-profit will see something from it as well!

More On The Need For A New Paradigm

I wasn't the first and certainly will not be the last person to call for the need for a new paradigm of thinking and living. I was going through some old magazines the last couple of days and found an interview with Brad Pitt in the October 2006 Esquire magazine. In the interview he says this:

"Nature consumes and then reuses; there is a cycle to things. But humans just consume. It's obviously time for a new paradigm. And the question is, Do we adopt it now, or do we wait until we're really in trouble? We're going to have to make the tough choices. Some people are going to have to lose money, but new people will begin making money. Industry and environment don't have to be at odds with each other; they can work harmoniously."

This is just one part of the new paradigm that must be considered. What else should be included?

The 11th Hour

I watched a great documentary today called the 11th Hour. Leonardo DiCaprio produced and narrated the film about the environment and the role of humans in both its degradation and how we can fix what has gone wrong. It is a compelling film with a far broader look at the relationship we have with the planet than just global warming. It is both informative and moving and certainly worth either the rental or purchase. I attached the trailer if you have not yet watched it. There is also two accompanying websites, one for the film and one for people looking to take action. The film website can be viewed at 11thhourfilm.com, and the action website can be seen at 11thhouraction.com

Spilled Paint

I received this picture from a friend. The world is such a beautiful place, so colorful and extraordinary. This picture comes with the caption "The day God spilled the paint"

Al Gores New Presentation

Al Gore recently updated his climate change presentation on TED.com. It lasts about a half hour and is viewable through this link. New Thinking on Climate Crisis or you can view it in its entirety below.

Carbon Footprint

There was a great article in the New Yorker online magazine (not sure if it was also in print) about the complications of reducing our carbon footprint. It lays out the most basic parts of our reliance on carbon, and some of what businesses are doing (or at least saying) to reduce their carbon footprint and make it easier for individuals to do the same. Check out the the article: Big Foot

Sunset on the North Pole

I got this picture awhile back from a friend, and then yesterday another friend had this amazing quote to share: "Dream Big Dreams. Small Ones Have No Magic." There was no known author but I thought that the picture and the quote reminded me of one another. Have any ideas why?

International Development Week

I wanted to just briefly mention that this coming week is International Development Week all around the world. Check it out online and see what events are being held in your area to commemorate the occasion. At Humber we are holding a different event every day of the week to highlight different areas of need. Monday is Feast for Famine, Tuesday is refugee awareness day which includes the screening of a movie, Wednesday is HIV/AIDS day which includes a guest speaker, Thursday is Fair Trade Day where Ten Thousand Villages will be on hand to sell some of their products, and Friday will be Environment/Conservation day which includes some carbon footprint games and activities. Now would be the perfect time to learn more about an issue around the world that you have an interest in.