Recent photographs

Children Walk To Support The Children in Haiti

Images Without Borders: Fine Art Photography to benefit Medecins Sans Frontieres

"Images without Borders provides stunning images from world class photographers working around the globe offered to the public at a special price for this project. All profits go directly to Doctors without Borders, less only the cost of printing"

This project emerged because of the crisis in Haiti, but has taken on a larger life. Because of our affiliation with Doctors without Borders, we plan to continue our support as future crises emerge and daily work continues for those who suffer around the world. Buyers receive a stunning art print from a premier world photographer and their contribution goes directly to the places that need it most. Each print is offered from Images without Borders at a limit of ten before being pulled from the collection and returned to the artist. This long-term project aids Doctors without Borders in their efforts on the ground in Haiti and the world

b r e a t h e

Thirsty Ant

from Wikipedia The word ant is derived from ante of Middle English which is derived from æmette and emmett of Old English and is related to the Old High German āmeiza from which comes Ameise, the German word for ant.^[19] The family name Formicidae is derived from the Latin formīca ("ant")^[20] from which derived Portuguese formiga, Spanish hormiga, Romanian furnică, French fourmi, etc image
©Ana Elisa Fuentes/Aefpix - From in the garden series.

Fragrance

Positively Green Education

Absolutely! What about green education? How do we encourage the inquisitiveness and focus captured in this photograph? How do we SUSTAIN this? In addition to the emerging sustainable and renewable energies we need an educational curriculum for children to match it.

The earlier the introduction the better. It is only fair. It is the children who are the heirs to our global catastrophe.

The earlier the better. These children appear focused while having fun. Listening to the Coyote medicine songs and stories. The photographs were taken on assignment some years ago at the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, California. An Earth Day school field trip brought 400 students to learn about the emerging green technologies while having fun. Above, children look at a Hydrogen technology exhibit, which points out that water vapor is the only emission. As you know the German car manufacturer BMW has created a water fueled vehicle, called the Hydrogen 7. You can go for a test drive here. (the video is ten minutes long). Keep reading please, because children are important. In some cultures it is the health of the children that measures the success of that tribe, culture, or village. Listen/see another video on what Native American youth have to say. Please go here.

A one day field trip like this can leave a life-long, lasting impression. Can you imagine what a child friendly math/science/green/school textbook would look like? If you can then perhaps you might consider writing one. Above, Adam Locker a teacher and Photovoltaic energy installer encourages children to pedal a stationary bicycle to generate electricity. The screens display the kilowatts generated through their cycling efforts. Wow! This stationary cycling teaches children the correlation between exercise, healthy living, and energy generation. Energy generation rather than consumption.

Below Doug Livingston, a power and systems design consultant explains hydrogen technology, to third and fourth graders. How Positive!

All my relations. Images ©Ana Elisa Fuentes/aefpix

Positively Green: All That Glitters Is Green

"The chief function of the body is to carry the brain around," wrote inventor Thomas Alva Edison. He went on to add, "great ideas originate in the muscles." Interesting notions. Well, if you add fashion to this equation you might find yourself at the Environmental Media Awards, where all that glitters is green. Not your normal red carpet event, the website boasts a quote from former Vice President Al Gore, “I greatly admire the work of this organization. No group has had a larger impact on the thinking Americans bring to the environment, on the way we, as a nation, converse with the problems that beset the environment.” - Vice President Al Gore. Not a bad recommendation. It is in the Hollywood d.n.a. to champion the causes of the less fortunate, often bringing their stellar off screen presence to spotlight the afflictions and illnesses within our humanity with the aspiration to empower us as individuals to take action rather than succumb to or fall victim to apathy. Yet, falling into the rabbit hole of apathy could prove to be our own very worse downfall. Indeed in this scenario, we all could be, every single one of us, one of the less fortunate. We as every day people of our planet could be virtually displaced. Homeless, hungry, thirsty. Eco-refugees. Never has a call to action been so loud. An imperative. Never has the figure of speech "walk your talk" been so literal. Indeed, all of these figures, these very embodiments of brains, muscle, and fashion do walk their talk, positively. Words + photos © Ana Elisa Fuentes/Aefpix. Photographed for Fashion Wire Daily. If you like what you have read please vote here. Positively Green is a visual project in development dedicated to documenting stories like this one. Stories of the innovators, communities, individuals and organizations living Global Greening a life choice committed to the reversing global warming.

Positively Green: Haiti

Yes Haiti. The Mouvman Peyizan Papay (MPP) or Peasant Movement of Papay is the oldest and largest cooperative movement in Haiti. With 60,000 members , the 35 year-old collective is situated in the central plateau. The mission of MPP is to educate and provide sound economic alternatives to the people of Haiti, while promoting environmental, sustainable, and renewable agriculture and gender equality. No individuals may join MPP only collectives. Here, Kopa Bwa Ferye is a 50 acre sugar cane cooperative formed by former Haitians who labored in the bateys in the Dominican Republic. Pooling their land resources, the cooperative model empowered the former farmers in servitude by offering them an economic model based on cooperation as means to self-reliance. Sugar cane is pressed for syrup while its by-products are used for heating and fuel for animals. Stiffer portions are used to stoke the cooking fire, while the animals eat the pulp as they provide the energy for the press. Agronomist Chavannes Jean-Baptiste is the founder of MPP. In 2005, he was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for his work in sustainable agriculture. Despite the changing political climate, deforestation and violence, Chavannes Jean-Baptiste and MPP have championed the cause in providing economic self reliance while promoting renewable and sustainable agriculture. Madame Frederic is one of three women who form the KOPA Mache Lakay, or the home market cooperative. Peanuts are double roasted, ground, then jarred and sold to markets in their region. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. The deforestation of this island nations has resulted in numerous hazardous environmental repercussions vital to the survival of it's inhabitants. It is the through the vision of individuals like Chavannes Jean-Baptiste that solutions to our global environmental crisis depends.

Words + photos © Ana Elisa Fuentes/Aefpix . If you like what you have read please consider voicing your opinion here.

Positively Green is a visual project in development dedicated to documenting stories like this one. Stories of the innovators, communities, individuals and organizations living Global Greening or reversing global warming.

Positively Green: A Friend In Deed

Extending like a dragons tail over the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, between the California shore and nowhere, is the rock bed known as Ennepah or Anacapa Island. Ennepah in the Chumash language translates to deceptive or mirage. The Coastal Chumash gave the arid landscape this name to describe the ever changing weather patterns and thus to describe it's appearance from the coast or upon approach as seen from the perspective of a Tomol. Ennepah is a chain of three islands, barren and uninviting. It is an island of stark beauty, jagged coastline, sweeping views and sustainable energy. Solar panels provide the electricity for park ranger and visitor housing needs. Tractors & generators are fueled by biodiesel. So is the Sea Ranger II, the 58-foot vessel operated by Channel Islands National Park. A diamond in the rough, Anacapa Island is a testimony to the commitment of environmental preservation, successful implementation of renewable and sustainable energies and the tireless commitment of it's steward Kent Bullard. Imbued with abundant energy, drive and commitment to the sustainability of our planet, Kent is walking encyclopedia of sustainability practices and his voracity is contagious. Seen here, Kent monitors the quality and levels of Biodiesel for the islands tractor. He is the founder of the Southern California Biodiesel Users Group, a co-founder of the Los Angeles Biodisel Users Coop, and serves on the U.S. National Biodiesel Quality Assurance Board. Last but not least, Kent is my mentor and colleague and a fine example of Positively Green .

Prince of Wales: Climate Change Must Be Tackled - London Telegraph

The Prince of Wales has delivered a fierce attack on those who doubt climate change and said it must be tackled before world poverty.  Published Today in the London Telegraph 

Climate Change Must Be Tackled Before Global Poverty 

By Andrew Alderson in Santiago
Last Updated: 8:02AM GMT 10 Mar 2009

The Prince spoke at a dinner in hosted by Michelle Bachelet, the President, for 300 guests from the world of politics, business and the arts.
“How can we begin to address poverty if we haven't first ensured our planet is habitable?” he said.

“If we do nothing, the consequences for every person on this earth will be severe and unprecedented - with vast numbers of environmental refugees, social instability and decimated economies: far worse than anything which we are seeing today.”
The Prince said Chile was witnessing “the terrifying effects of global warming, including the shrinking of nearly 90 per cent of your glaciers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in the light of such evidence, and so much more from across the globe, I find it incomprehensible that there are those who doubt the science of climate change.”
The Prince is taking on an enhanced role as an international statesman because the British Government wants him to do more to promote its key interests abroad, particularly on climate change and the environment.

Later today the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit a vinyard producing organic wine.
He said he believed in action not words. “We must think and act across boundaries of nation, sector, language and culture, and to do so now and with resolve.”

Happy (green) International Womens Day

It's textbook, when you least expect it you'll find the most fortunate visual circumstance. She Wears A Garden On Her Head, the working title of this photograph, I literally walked into while on a Sunday garden Promenade. Today these photographs beckon for a few reasons - International Women's Day for one.

Immediately, upon seeing the walking, performance art I was reminded of painter Frida Kahlo who was often depicted with small bouquets of flowers in her hair. On a serious note the photographs remind me to walk my talk, or perhaps bicycle my talk, or maybe carpool my talk. You understand where I am going with this. It is art imitating life or better yet, art encouraging life. Positively Green, my visual project in development , which you may contribute to here. Lastly, a BIG THANK YOU to all my Women friends, who kept me standing tall this past year. Happy Happy Day. xo

Why the buzz around Kate Frey?

Kate Frey pictured at the Fetzer Valley Oaks sustainable and organic garden, in Hopland, California. In 2003 and 2005 Ms. Frey won first winning silver-gilt and the second gold respectively during the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show in London, England. I chose this photo today for a few reasons - Number one, the colorful sweet pea's behind her are a favorite among bees. They provide not only nourishment for the endangered bees, but they provide a rich scent that feeds the soul and nourishes the eyes. Secondly I heard and read two two pieces of news that caught my attention. While a garden like Freys is a sustainable and organic, using unmodified seeds an article in the German magazine Der Spiegel, writes about the decision to ban Genetically Modified seeds/food in Germany. This article in English may be read here.. While on the subject of a creature I love so well, bees, the BBC is reporting on the colony collapse of bees. Ladies and Gentleman many of the worlds bees are dying. We are dependent on these creatures we take so much for granted. No pollination no food. Here is your homework assignment for the weekend. Go to this website and learn about which plants or flowers you can grow to nurture, foster, encourage bee populations. After you have gone to the website, walk, ride your bicycle, or take public transportation to your local grocery store, nursery, plant and garden store, buy some seeds and plant them. Then write me and tell me of your success.

Anyone who does their homework successfully will be rewarded with one of my 8x10 digital photographs of a bee, suitable for framing. Send me a pix of you planting and I will send you a bee pix back. Sweet isn't it .. like honey! Offer good till Monday March 9, 2009, only. It's people like Kate Frey that feed the inspiration of Positively Green. There are people, like her working to sustain the planet. This project will identify who, why, and how. May I have your vote? my archive file images © Ana Elisa Fuentes/Aefpix

British Prime Minister Tony Brown speaks before Congress on the need for Green Technology. "Seize this moment." Good idea! Positively Green http://tinyurl.com/akamr9 photo wind turbines on the Baltic Sea.

Positively Green

Thank YOU 4 your vote. Please share Positively Green with friends/community. Please vote for this project here

From the In The Garden Series Sunflower from my garden image © Ana Elisa Fuentes/Aefpix

Biofuels From The Field To The Tank

Pages from Biodiesel From the Fields To The Tank, published on January 1, 2008. I rode from location to location froom 2007 to 2009 on my bicycle to complete this assignment and beyond. ©Ana Elisa Fuentes/aefpix

Tashi Delek/May All Be Auspicious

Dance in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, year of the Earth Ox. ©Ana Elisa Fuentes

22 February 2009 Editorial New York Times

Editorial

Justice for American Indians

The federal government has a long history of cheating American Indians, and not all of this dirty dealing is in the distant past. On Monday, the Supreme Court hears arguments in a suit by the Navajo, who lost millions of dollars’ worth of coal royalties because the government helped a coal company underpay for their coal. A lower court ruled for the Navajo Nation. The Supreme Court should affirm that well-reasoned decision. The Navajo’s huge reservation spreads across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The United States holds the lands in trust and manages their large coal deposits. Peabody Coal had a lease to mine on that land. The terms provided that in 1984, the interior secretary could make a reasonable adjustment in the royalty rates paid to the tribe. That year the department increased the royalty rate to 20 percent of gross proceeds. After Peabody protested, the Reagan administration’s interior secretary met with a Peabody lobbyist, without informing the Navajo. The secretary then signed a memo blocking the increase and called for the Navajo to negotiate with Peabody. The tribe, already under severe economic pressure, ended up agreeing to a rate of just 12.5 percent. The Navajo eventually sued, arguing that the government violated its duty to look out for their interests, and that it cost them as much as $600 million in royalties. They lost in the Supreme Court on one set of legal theories, but are now relying on other laws. The Washington-based United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled for the Navajo. In a unanimous ruling, the three-judge panel concluded that several federal laws impose the sort of fiduciary duty the Indians assert. The appeals court also made clear that the government did not live up to this duty. The ruling found that the Interior Department met “secretly with parties having interests adverse to” the Navajo, adopted those parties’ “desired course of action in lieu of action favorable to” the Navajo, and misled the Navajo about its actions. The government’s behavior was “indefensible,” according to four former interior secretaries, who submitted a friend-of-the-court brief to the Supreme Court. The Obama administration, which has inherited the Bush administration’s position in the case, should not continue to stand up for these misdeeds.

Next Article in Opinion (5 of 25) » A version of this article appeared in print on February 23, 2009, on page A26 of the New York edition.

Past Coverage

• National News Briefs; Navajo Coal Lawsuit Is Allowed to Proceed (March 20, 2001)
• Navajos' Suit Over Royalties Is Thrown Out (February 8, 2000)
• Navajo Lawsuits Contend U.S. Government Failed the Tribe in Mining Royalty Deals (July 18, 1999)
• Conflicting Orders on Mine Cleanup Sow Anger (April 15, 1995)

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Anasazi Corn Flower

From In the Garden series. image © Ana Elisa Fuentes/Aefpix My Garden.

My friend

The other day listening to the radio I heard about a project that is recording what lives beneath the ocean. A collaboration of 80 nations, the Census of Marine Life will expose the life, diversity and health of our world oceans. This ten-year research project is available on the internet, with a stunning gallery of images that is breath taking and life giving. Enjoy. It sure made me take a second look at my ocean file photograph.

Two Nobel Laureates

(l-r) Nobel Peace Laureates Tenzin Gyatso the XIV Dalai Lama and Linus Pauling during a reception for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Mr. Pauling was awarded a Nobel Prize twice - for Chemistry in 1954 and for Peace in 1962. ©Ana Elisa Fuentes

From the garden

Here is a photo from the garden with a sepia tone I created

Bee conservation

This photograph was an experiment recorded in my garden in Buxheim. We grew a garden to encourage bumblebees, birds, and butterflies. I rather like the black and white, high key image, it leaves the color to the imagination while preserving the texture of the bees and sunflowers. If you want to promote bee culture in your garden, I suggest sunflowers, they just love it. It is difficult to believe that these sweet creatures are threatened.

Martin Luther King Jr. I Have A Dream

The Summer of '64 was a project aimed to register people of color in the state of Mississippi. The project was a collaborative effort unifying community and civil rights leaders, students, and people of faith.