SUBSCRIBE: WWW.EARTHREPAIRRADIO.COM This episode is a deep exploration into the intersection of land use, religion, and the fragmenting of societies. Rhamis has worked and travelled throughout North Africa, The Middle East, Central Asia and Southern Europe, teaching Permaculture and working on projects throughout the region. In this episode we explore the role that land degradation plays in the destabilization of societies, and how it has been a component in the rise of religious fundamentalism and terrorism. Specifically addressed is the situation in Syria with ISIS and the civil war there. Rhamis also goes into his view of Islamic religious zealotry and where it has gone astray from the faith. He talks a lot about his views of Islam and it's connection to his Permaculture work. It's a deep episode. Enjoy the ride! Rhamis's Links: permacultureglobal.org/users/51 permaculturenews.org/author/rhamiskent/ www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mur0Nz9W3Q SEE RELATED EPISODE 001: Rhamis Kent: Permaculture's Solution to the Refugee Crises https://soundcloud.com/user-193856180/earth-repair-radio-001-rhamis-kent Rhamis's full biography: Rhamis Kent is a consultant with formal training in mechanical engineering (University of Delaware, B.S.M.E. ’95) and permaculture-based regenerative whole systems design. He has previously worked for the renowned American inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen at DEKA Research & Development, with subsequent engineering work ranging from medical device research and development to aerospace oriented mechanical design. After taking an interest in the design science of Permaculture, he sought extended training with permaculture expert and educator Geoff Lawton at the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia. This led to his involvement with design work connected to the development of Masdar City in UAE after Mr. Lawton and his consulting company (Permaculture Sustainable Consultancy Pty. Ltd.) were contracted by AECOM/EDAW to identify solutions which fit the challenging zero emissions/carbon neutral design constraint of the project. EDITORIAL NOTE FROM RHAMIS: I went back to look at that data I quoted about gun violence and needed to correct some of the number I cited (incorrectly): https://www.sciencedaily.com/rel.../2014/12/141217090810.htm Firearm violence facts from 2003 -- 2012 - 300,659 deaths from firearm violence -- more than U.S. combat fatalities in WWII An average of 82.3 deaths every day. - $165 billion in costs to society in 2010 - In 2012, 96.2 percent of all firearm deaths were from homicide and suicide, and 64 percent of deaths from firearm violence were suicides. - Compared to other industrialized nations, the U.S. has a low predisposition to violence but the highest firearm mortality. "The overall death rate from firearm violence in young black males is very high, and there has been little net change since 1999," Wintemute said. Firearm homicides among black males aged 20 to 29 are five times higher than those among Hispanic males and at least 20 times higher than for white males. Homicide rates for black females are also higher than rates for Hispanics and whites. In 2012, firearm homicides were the leading cause of death for black men ages 15 to 24. Among white men, Hispanic men, and black women in that age range, firearm violence ranked second after unintentional injuries. Firearm suicide: White males and females at higher risk The data show that suicides are concentrated among whites, with the risk among white men steadily increasing throughout their lifespans and steeply rising from ages 70 to 74. By 85 and older, suicide for white males was 3.2 times that of Hispanic males and five times that of black males. "With additional research, we can identify other interventions that can reduce firearm violence, which is responsible for more than 30,000 deaths each year," Wintemute said.