Dear Envirocare Coordinators and Go Green champions,

We hope you all had a safe Earth day! As we celebrate the landmark 50th Anniversary, take time to quietly reflect on the environmental gains made and other ways we can reduce our own carbon footprint to make the next 50 more effective. Read more below: 

·      Educational resources: from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

·      Learn more about Earth Day: info from the US EPA

·      See how our planet has changed in 50 years: Watch the video from CNN

·      50 Years of Earth Day: What’s Better Today, and What’s Worse: NYT article

·      Earth day: 50 years on, there is impressive progress to cheer: City AM article

This month we feature an unsung hero in the fungus world. It is a gift of Nature, it is healthy to eat, it fuels our forests and, incredibly, it’s a sustainable alternative to animal leather – introducing the Mushroom.

Mushrooms play a vital role in our ecosystems, as fungi they transform vegetation and dead animals into nutrients (minerals, vitamins and trace elements) that can be absorbed by plants and trees around them.

They are also a valuable food source for a host of animals, including birds, badgers, mice, deer and squirrels.

A study led by the National University of Singapore found that consuming two portions (150g) of common fungi weekly reduces chances of having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by 50%. The study also found even eating one small portion of mushrooms a week may still be beneficial to reduce chances of MCI. Also, read: “6 Mushrooms That Act as Turbo-Shots For Your Immune System.”

Ayurveda and Chinese medicine both speak of the use of medicinal mushrooms. Read more.

Mushrooms are a sustainable option as a leather alternative, it doesn’t require raising livestock and it’s not made from plastic like other leather alternatives. Read more.

The answer may lie in their DNA. Sandra Carter of Om Mushrooms highlighted that mushroom DNA is more similar to mammals than plants.  “It’s that similarity in DNA that really helps to activate a lot of the health wellness properties beneficial to us.”

The life of Fungi provides a loving reminder that Nature is the vesture of God. ‘Every cell, every atom every moment in the universe is permeated by divinity, which is love itself’.  Read more in 'Nature: the Vesture of God'.

With Sai Love,

ESC team

Sathya Sai International Organisation