México Intercultural Magazine Vol. X May - August 2018

EDITOR’S

LETTER

The impact human beings have on their environment: this is basically what sustainability means; but is this its only significance? Each one of us may have our own understanding of this word depending on how we have lived it thus far. Honestly, many of us have heard the word, but few of us have actually analyzed what the concept truly means and what carrying it out implies.

Perhaps it is unfair to bring up such a complex issue out of nowhere, but the same occurs with another word commonly used now-a-days: ecology. The vast majority of us know and have assimilated the meaning of being ecological, the word itself even sounds harmonious to our ears, right? So then, why is it so hard to join in the world of ecology and sustainability?

The answer is easy, yet full of complexities and sometimes hard to explain, but let’s try! Human beings have always had the marvelous skill of adapting to their surroundings in order to survive, but objectively, how much time will pass before we are able to colonize a whole other planet?

We are capable, skilled and intelligent enough. The other side of the coin, our comfort zone, is difficult to modify after many long years of stability, happiness and even peace. This is why it is so difficult to establish an open-minded society able to evolve at the cost of this comfort, which itself may have been won.

Nevertheless, we have been advancing, out of need, social awareness, love or even snobbery, step by little step, which ultimately count. Many people are now using renewable natural resources and fewer fossil fuels. The mentality of recycling is a clear example of how consistent messages, sometimes brutal and sometimes kind, can be assimilated into daily life.

For this reason, we have decided to dedicate our 10th edition to encouraging ecological thinking. Our magazine always makes an effort to add something to the fields of art, culture and environment, and with this edition in particular, to the fields of sustainability and ecology. There are big, beautiful projects and ideologies developing in Mexico to help us grow, change and evolve. To this end, we have gathered a series of articles that show the side of Mexico willing to change its way of thinking and aim for an extraordinary future.

Founder

Elizabeth del Castillo Zavala Editor in chief

Elizabeth del Castillo Zavala Editorial coordinator

Carlos Reyes Arroyo Editorial care and copyediting

Berenice Ramos Romero English translator

Lenya Caldarera Bloom Art Director and Graphic designer

Agencia de Publicidad Sanvayú Radio Zona Libre

Elizabeth del Castillo Zavala Carlos Alberto Reyes Arroyo Eduardo Barragán Reyes José Luis García Valdés Alicia Yañez Mendoza Market editor and General Inquires

Elizabeth Rivero lizrivero@hotmail.com

Contact

Phone number:

Local: 01 222 78 30 346 Cellphone: 22 22 39 50 50

E-mail:

contacto@mexicointercultural.org direccion.editorial@mexicointercultural.org

Address:

Camino Cuayantla N°. 1804, Interior B, San Bernardino, Tlaxcalancingo, Puebla, C.P. 72821.

MÉXICO INTERCULTURAL, Year 4 #10 MAy - August 2018 is a quarterly publishing, edited by María del Consuelo Elizabeth del Castillo Zavala; Address: Camino Cuayantla #1804-B, San Bernardino, Tlaxcalancingo, San Andrés Cholula Puebla, Zip Code 72821, Phone number 783-03-46, www.mexicointercultural.org/revista-digital, direccion@mexicointercultural.org. Editor in Charge: María del Consuelo Elizabeth del Castillo Zavala. Number rights reservations 04-2017-031508512400- 203, ISSN number 2448-9174. Title Legality and Content both granted by Instituto Nacional del Derecho de Autor. Responsible for the latest update: María del Consuelo Elizabeth del Castillo Zavala, Camino Cuayantla # 1804-B, San Bernardino, Tlaxcalanzingo, San Andrés Cholula Puebla, Zip Code 72 821, last up May 2018. The opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the posture of the publishing editor. The partial or total reproduction of contents and pictures of the publishing is strictly forbidden without a previous authorization of the national institute of author rights.

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Economic impact of the increase in fuel prices

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Pets and their final resting place

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Care to continue: the importance of making informed decisions

Sustainable ethics and solidarity

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Infrastructure through creative reuse and recycling

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Sustainable buildings (comfortable and thrifty)

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Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: Benefits and rediscovery

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The clichĂŠs of TRAVEL

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MarĂ­a Eugenia IbarrarĂĄn, Alejandra Elizondo, Roy Boyd

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R

ecent rumors about probable increases in fuel pricing come from announcements made about freeing the costs of gasoline and diesel beginning November 30th, a m o n t h before originally agreed. Whether or not these price increases become a reality remains to be seen, and the repercussions would be similar

to those perceived after increases implemented in January of 2017. Within this context, we would like to present our analyses of the possible effects of increased fuel prices.

Beginning on January 1st, 2017, the Representatives Council from the National Minimum Wage

Commission (CONSAMI) ratified an increase to the general minimum wage from $70.04 to $80.04 pesos per day (Federal Diary 19/12/2016). The impact was a 3.9% average increase to salaries and wages. On the other hand, INEGI reported in December 2016 that annual inflation, measured through the Index of Consumer Prices, was 3.36%.

On January 1st, 2017 the increase in fuel prices took effect. The Treasury and Public Credit Bureau announced that Magna gasoline prices would be raised by 14.2%, Premium gasoline by 20.1% and diesel by 16.5% with further adjustments throughout the year. These increases aim at freeing market prices such that, according to the Energy Reform policy, Mexican gasoline prices can then be set by international market standards as of 2018. In addition to gasoline and diesel prices, there have been increases in the cost of electricity and natural gas.

Researchers from the Xavier Gorostiaga SJ Environmental Research Institute at the Iberoamericana University in Puebla, in conjunction with the Center for Economic Research and Teaching at the University of Ohio, have analyzed the effect of two important increases on the public imagination, salaries, gasoline and diesel. Through their work they determined both separately and jointly the short-term effects of these increases in Mexico. Their analyses were carried out using the general statistics equilibrium model.

The analysis demonstrates that the real increase in salary (0.4%) on its own would have a limited negative effect on the Gross Domestic Product in the short term (-0.1%), reducing savings by approximately 0.25%. The reduction in various sectors of production and consumption of good and services is less than 0.5%. When adding the policy of increasing fuel prices (gasoline, diesel, LP gas) to the increase in salaries, the decrease to the GDP is 0.6% and in savings (and likely later in investment) is almost 1%.

Effects on wellbeing In order to analyze the effect on wellbeing, consumers were divided into four income groups.

Agent 1 corresponded to the 20% with the lowest income; agent 2 to the following 30%; agent 3 to the next 30% and agent 4 to the 20% with the highest income. Likewise, there is a report on government wellbeing proportional to the resources it captures, and a total wellbeing that includes the wellbeing of the four agents and the government together.

Results of this analysis can be seen in Figure 1. The first block of results shows the percent change in increased minimum wages and salaries with respect to trend scenarios (excluding additional policies).

In this case, the increase in work income barely improves the wellbeing of agents 1 and 2 while marginally harming income for agents 3 and 4. This occurs because the agents with higher incomes feel the effect of paying higher wages to agents 1 and 2.

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Source: Prepared by the authors

Source: Prepared by the authors

The second block explains the increases to fuel prices. There is a clear positive change for the government as it captures more resources.

Nevertheless, it progressively affects the different income groups, especially those with higher incomes since they tend to spend relatively more on gasoline than those with lower incomes. There is a small, negative effect on the total wellbeing.

When both policies are combined, as shown in the third block, the government’s wellbeing is further improved, as it captures even for resources. The dips in wellbeing for the four agents now that salary and fuel increases are included occur because the prices of other goods and services also increase when the price of labor increases. Nevertheless, progressivity is maintained and the lowest income groups lose fewer homes.

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Effect on production and savings In the scenario of raised minimum wages, the reduction in the GDP is 0.1% and the saving is reduces by more than 0.2%. This is due to the rising costs of production and diminishing profits for investors, which also lead to reduced savings. When analyzing the scenario of increased fuel prices, these changes are still more pronounced. The GDP decreases 0.45% and savings 0.69%. Finally, when simulating real increases in salary and fuel prices,

the GDP drops 0.56% and the saving value by 1%.

These are short-term effects, reflecting individuals’ inabilities to modify their consumption patterns.

CONCLUSION In effect, this analysis demonstrates how increased fuel prices have a substantially greater impact then the increase in salary, which was nearly imperceptible due to inflation. Increased fuel prices can have negative effects on production and saving in the short term, especially if public spending is not channeled towards economic growth.

Free market fuel pricing should be better informed, by way of a communication campaign, so that people can prepare with foresight to integrate this new pricing reality into their consumer decisions.

• María Eugenia Ibarrarán Viniegra The Xavier Gorostiaga sj Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Institute, Iberoamericana University Puebla.

• Alejandra Elizondo Public Policy, concentration in Political Economy, Economic Research and Teaching Center.

• Roy Boyd Professor of Economics, Natural Resources Economy, Microeconomics, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Applied General Equilibrium Model, University of Ohio.

Guadalupe Martínez González

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t is increasingly common to find people who consider their pets as part of their families (dogs, cats, or other animals); this is because we have brought them ever closer to us, including them in our daily lives and activities rather than viewing them exclusively as pets. There are families who do not mind spending money on clothing, toys and other items to see their companions happy.

We think that loyalty can only be earned through the life we offer them, and it is true that a pet or “pet-child”—as they are sometimes called—requires deep responsibility as they require more than love.

According to research, the biggest part of a dog is its solar plexus and heart, creating a large energetic system within them. For this reason, dogs are energy receptors. They are among us to protect their human companions’ energy. This is why dogs are able to sense when their human companions are in danger, or will suddenly get sick, or even let themselves die when their human companions pass away. Dogs come to us with a mission, and though we believe we find our pets, it is really the other way around; they come to us at the right time.

They may appear in the street and stick by us, or

simply through synchronization they arrive in our lives. Humans believe that they “choose” their dogs, but dogs recognize us with their eyes, activating our empathy and encouraging us to keep them. There are people who grow up with dogs, forging a strong tie to them, and when they leave there is a strong impact for everyone involved around them.

Some years ago, my family lived through the difficult experience of losing my cousin Julian, who was only 19 years old. His sudden death transformed our family in an instant. Julian had a dog named Zeus, who had been with him since he was 10.

When Julian died, the family came to see Zeus as a child, since he was what most kept Julian’s memory alive. When Zeus realized that Julian was not coming back, his health began to deteriorate.

Many of us thought that Zeus was preparing to meet Julian. A couple months later, Zeus closed his eyes and passed on. This greatly impacted our family; and we understood the strong connection between Julian and Zeus was bigger than life.

During this experience, we came across a pet crematorium. My family was going through the difficult moment of losing their only son and searching for the best resting place for Zeus. Our experience at the crematorium was difficult and cruel; the room where we were was unsanitary and sad. They allowed us into the crematorium to see the dog’s body through the process, verifying that it was truly him. But Zeus was not just an animal to us, he represented an important part of our family and was our last to tie to my aunt, uncle and Julian.

It is easy to understand our worry about our “pet-children” when they are alive and difficult when it comes time to say goodbye to them.

Nobody warns us about what we will face at the “businesses” that have neither ethics nor values.

I am convinced that my family is not the only one in Mexico with a horrible story about their experiences at animal crematoriums.

While it was one of the cruelest moments we have lived through, we realized that we could make a difference in the process-- loving animals of any type, respecting them and concerning ourselves with their families as they say their dignified last goodbye to their best friends.

Of this inspiration, PAW PARADISE was born. Its project headquarters are in Puebla where animal funerary experts who are animal lovers and protectors, help families to say goodbye with dignity and respect. We understand they are not only saying goodbye to a lifeless body, but also honoring a life experience full of love, joy and unforgettable moments with a being who gave its life and left and eternal footprint on the family’s heart.

The PAW PARADISE initiative offers the opportunity for a humane and ethical farewell, which guides the mourning process because truly people do mourn the passing of their pets. The process we offer is not over-the-top, we just value the feeling of pain and loss related to losing a pet. The general belief in society is that pets are replaceable objects, but the truth is that they are not. For some families the mourning process is prolonged and very painful, as in my family’s case.

We faithfully believe that there is a paradise where all our pets await us. At PAW PARADISE we recreate this paradise so that when it is time to say goodbye, the moment is filled with empathy, sensitivity and connection with every one of the families going through this sad experience. Each family member is treated specially. For example, we have a special room for children that help them guide them in facing and assimilating their mourning for their pets.

If you would like to learn more about this project, you can find us on social media: /PAW PARADISE pawParadise https://www.pawparadise.com.mx/inicio#servicios

Guadalupe Martínez González TSU. Histopathological Embalming General Director at Paw Paradise

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Aura Elena Moreno Guzmán

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ne of a mother’s greatest worries is providing the necessary resources and care for her children’s when difficulties or threats arise around them. In our society, all of this care made vulnerable by the ever-increasing factors children face each day. We could discuss the insecurity, unforeseeable events like car crashes, or the increased incidence of cancer and diabetes in our country. Nevertheless, I will focus on a factor we quietly face each day as it affects all of us: the climate.

We are currently facing an incessant visual, auditory and emotional onslaught of communication media, and we have become accustomed to spending a fortune on devices promoting their own brands. We feed industries without questioning. For example, we don’t ask if water was contaminated in the process of fabricating these devices, or if they were made in sweatshop conditions.

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We have permitted a disconnection between asking where our products, like food, are made, and this puts us at risk. Consuming without thinking has become the norm. For example, each pair of jeans requires almost seven thousand liters of water to produce, all of which washes into water sources that support entire ecosystems. The impact this has on ecosystems is barely perceptible in our daily lives. Massive extinction of species is produced, especially in contrast to the prehistoric times.

Issues of consumption and the problem of waste are not present when we make our daily decisions. Because of this, I began in 2002 to share information in many ways with students, young NGOs, businesses etc...Yet there is much more work to do to ensure that decisions are informed.

But who should make these decisions? Who should begin caring for the balance of purifying water, air and biogeochemical cycles that took 4,600 million years to establish? Three thousand eight hundred years ago human beings appeared on earth, joining the 8.7 million eukaryote species. According to Nature (2011) we have yet to discover 80% of these species on earth and 91% in the ocean.

The climate system has been modified by the large quantity of greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere (406ppm CO2) raising global temperatures that then increase the intensity of hurricanes and other major destructive storms.

This is only a little bit of the information we need to share across Latin America. In Mexico, it is of utmost importance that we make decisions informed by knowledge of consequences, in knowing how our purchases impact the climate.

Every fifteen days, I participate in an environmental capsule program on T.V., I also give daily classes motivating students to stay informed.

Sierra de Tacotalpa Tabasco Aura Moreno 2014, image taken during field work for the Food Security Program PESA FAO. Efficiently functioning ecosystems provide regulatory, cultural, supply and maintenance services; our intervention in their development has complicated their regeneration.

But there is much left to do. I mentioned in a publication on education in Mexico that only about 1% of professional majors address environmental issues, how does the other percentage address the managements and regeneration of resources?

Can we leave issues that our subsistence depends upon to formal education?

We need to prepare to adapt ourselves, mitigate circumstances and be resilient with regards to the changes that are now permanent. We must substantially reduce CO2 emissions, as mentioned in the report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. By these means we might avoid bequeathing future generations catastrophic scenarios to which not even movies can do justice.

It is urgently time to care for mother earth, who provides us life and sustenance. We must care for the earth not only for humans, but for other species as well. Surely, without our presence, the earth would find a new balance in future centuries.

What impact would you like to generate in the blink of time we are permitted to live on this unique and marvelous planet? I prefer to act today to affect the future. You? What influence would you like to replicate? There is still time.

References: • C. G., & B. O. (2017). Climate Governance in Mexico: Contributions for Structural Consolidation and Citizen Participation in National Climate Politics(CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS ed., Vol. II) (C. R., Ed.) [EBook]. doi:978-607-02-9769-4 http://www.pincc.unam. mx/slider/pdf/vol2.pdf • CONABIO Evolution of the Planet. (Retrieved March 16, 2018), from http://www.biodiversidad.gob.mx/planeta/evolucion.html CONABIO 2016 • El Universal (2017, October 10). 7 thousand liters of water used to manufacture denim pants. Retrieved March 16, 2018, from http:// www.eluniversal.com.mx/ciencia-y-salud/ciencia/se-usan-7mil-litros-de-agua-para-fabricar-un-pantalon-de-mezclilla • IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (n.d.).

Retrieved March 16, 2018, from http://www.ipcc.ch/ • GFDL Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Global Warming and Hurricanes. Retrieved March 16, 2018, from https://www. gfdl.noaa.gov/global-warming-and-hurricanes/l • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2018, from http://www.iucnredlist.org/ • Sweetlove, L. (2011, August 23). Nature Number of species on Earth tagged at 8.7 million. Retrieved March 16, 2018, from https:// www.nature.com/news/2011/110823/full/news.2011.498.html

Aura Elena Moreno Guzmán Climate change and resilience communication specialist, lecturing professor at the Technological Institute of Monterrey, Puebla.

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María del Pilar Cordero César

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limate change has significant and, in many cases, irreversible consequences for economic activity, the population and ecosystems. It is clear that our misuse of the planet is coming back to haunt us, and we should be more conscientious of this as the future of thousands of living beings and our own human survival depend on it. The governments of all nations should be involved in this work, but as individuals we should also all be involved as citizens of the planet; the work should be done by all of us and there is still time (Frers, 2010). The greatest dangers, according to Frers, is, paradoxically, as risky as climate change, comparable to the greatest draughts, the worst floods, extreme cold or hot weather; it is the profound decadence that effects provisions of these basic resources (2010).

Corruption, impunity, apathy, and indifference are the true climactic and humanitarian catastrophes that threat humankind’s presence on earth.

Confronting an unequal and unsustainable world requires transitioning to somewhere new, where a transformation process can take place making another world possible (Elizalde, 2006). From there, a proposal for new life ethics and the practice of solidarity can arise. In an era of globalization and exclusion arise political and pedagogical proposal can arise (Elizalde, 2006).

Trellez says, “we need a new understanding of the world to face the challenges to humanity, one that promotes a new alliance between culture and nature, founds a new economy and reorients the potentials

of science and technology, it builds a new political culture founded on the ethics of sustainability— in values, beliefs, feelings and knowledge—that renews our existential feelings, the worlds of life and how we inhabit the planet earth (2006).”

An ethical model founded on knowledge of our close ties to biosphere, that, far from overwhelming us with its moral weight, allows us to feel a perplexing, marvelous, innocent happiness (Trellez E. 2000).

The ethics that accompany sustainable development are based on shared beliefs and interest rather than on knowledge-based agreements, evidence and life values. When reason is stripped of ethics, and knowledge separated from feeling, they turn on life itself and the meaning of existence (Leff, 2000).

The term sustainable implies a balance among human beings and with their planet (and, moreover, with the universe). Sustainability refers to the meaning of what we are, where we come from and where we are heading as sentient beings capable of giving meaning to everything around us (Gadotti, 2002). And, according to the same author, those working for “sustainable solidarity” can be recognized as upholding a new conception of reality (humans in unity with the world, unity/diversity in peace with all creation). It is a new concept of oneself (as homo sapiens, but also as demes, faver and ludens, empiricus and imaginarius, prosaicus and poeticus, religious, faithful and loving); a new conception of goods (consumption, equitable distributions, common goods and nature) and finally a new conception of values: commitment, participation and transformative action.

In this way, sustainable development supports the wellbeing and justness of humanity in the present and the future, within and across generations that coexist with the natural environment and make all activities and ways of life possible on this planet (Bucio-Galindo, 2004). Sustainability understood in this way, implies a process of understanding interrelations between all dimensions of humanity and its environs.

Once sustainability is understood as “being with” the planet, the world, mother earth (not just being on), the most important condition for developing the process towards sustainability primarily requires self-knowledge and selfgovernance (as freedom) of human potential, connection of our intelligence to our hearts, culture, context, spirituality and transcendence; the cognitive part of humanity: critical thinking, historic memory and problems we face (climate change, corruption, impunity, war, migration and displacement, security, equality, exclusion), and the creativity to solve them through imagination and understanding, assuming and contrasting reality. When humanity also has the ability to be political and participate ethically for the common good, creating a new paradigm the drives our cooperative, caring and loving citizenship, the economic, scientific and technological dimensions are not left aside. Human beings inspire their own objectives.

References: • Bucio-Galindo A. “The four steps of sustainable development.”

In Cuadernos de fe y cultura. No. 19, Mexico: Universidad Iberoamericana, 2004.

• Elizalde, H. Educating for sustainability and solidarity ¿a task for 21st century educators? V Interamerican Congress on Environmental Education, Brazil, 2006.

• Frers C. “How climate changes affect people”. Online https://w w w.ecopor tal.net /temas- especiales/cambio climatico/el_cambio_climatico_y_como_afectara_a_los_seres_ humanos/ • Gadotti, M. Pedagogy of the earth. Mexico: Siglo veintiuno, 2002.

• Leff, E. “Ethics for life”. In Ethics, life and sustainability. Latin American Environmental Thought. PNUMA, CEPAL, 2000 (259288).

• Tréllez, E. “Environmental Ethics and environmental education: two converging constructions” In Ethics, life, sustainability. Latin American Environmental Thought: PNUMA, CEPAL, 2002. (217222).

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13 María del Pilar Cordero César Ph.D. Pedagogy and M.A. in Social Education Environmental Education Researcher Training leader and teacher at the Puebla State Popular University

Karendy Contreras PAGE

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urrently, one of the greatest concerns our planet’s inhabitants have is climate change, generated by the waste we produce. efecto invernadero, destruction of the capa de ozono, and melting polar ice caps.

In Xiloxochico de Rafael Ă vila Camacho, a large quantity of plastic, aluminum and cardboard waste is deposited in the landfill, contaminating the ground and soil. In the face of this situation a project was born: a project that would reutilize this

that help improve quality of life.” It is important to underline that the majority of the students are low-income and conserve their original customs and traditions, among them the Náhuatl language, cuisine and clothing. By bringing this project to the tele-junior high, students are given the opportunity to create and produce new material from the unusable waste residue.

There are new ways for people and organizations to interact, characterized by the incredible velocity with which knowledge, communication and technological innovations are generated and their impact on the economy, society and nature. Because of this, it is important to have new knowledge and skills for adapting to and working with these changes, with the possibility of improving personal and social standing. During the first blocks of the 2017-2018 school year, the students worked with cardboard, aluminum, plastic and fabric, guiding their final projects in jewelry making and embroidering sandals--creating useful objects to be sold. The proceeds from sales would cover the cost of material and provide funding for continued activity, allowing students to become artists and creators of beauty.

waste, while also raising awareness and educating young students about their responsibility to their immediate environment through waste reduction.

This is where the importance of the Infrastructure through creative reuse and recycling project makes a difference. In addition to integración and in conjunction withfamilia and docentes, the young people who are part of the project will develop important skills.

This project is being developed at the State TeleJunior High Leonardo Bravo C.C.T.21ETV0418C in school zone 020, located in Xiloxochico de Rafael Ávila Camacho, in the county of Cuetzalan del Progreso Puebla, Puebla.

One of the primary purposes of the project is to: “encourage students to create micro-businesses

It is incredible to watch how a student community contributes and is satisfied by their transformational work turning waste into something new and attractive. They were also pleased to care for the environment. It is embarrassing, painful and sad to realize that if we do not modify how we think and consume, we will destroy our beautiful planet. We reduce our quality of life and future generations pay the price of our actions. Each little bit of help adds up to making a difference. What is learned today through positivity can be transmitted to others tomorrow, with the gratifying result of turning new people in to creative recyclers.

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15 Karendy Contreras Hernández Teacher at the State Leonardo Bravo Tele-Junior High located in Xiloxochico de Rafael Ávila Camacho, in the county of Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla.

JosĂŠ Luis GarcĂ­a ValdĂŠs.

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Including fungi in our diet is an ancient practice. Their benefits to our health have been recognized for many years. However, only in the last decades have scientific studies on the topic found evidence to promote their consumption for therapeutic, preventative and nutritional effects (Suarez & Nieto, 2013).

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rom a biological point of view, fungi are a kingdom unto themselves; they do not belong to any vegetable or plant kingdom, but rather to the kingdom Fungi. Thus their physical, physiological, reproductive and evolutionary characteristics distinguish them from the rest of living things. Without getting into details, these differences make them a special food for therapeutic and preventative use.

There are microscopic fungi that, associated with certain bacteria, decompose dead organic material so that it can be returned to the food chain, thereby guaranteeing life of this planet for all types of living species. There are also macroscopic fungi, that we call mushrooms in general that include edible, toxic, hallucinogenic and mortally poisonous types.

Within the group of edible mushrooms, there are some that have functional and nutraceutical properties. Functional fungi are those that not only contribute nutritional value but also directly or indirectly benefit a variety of biological processes in humans. Nutraceutical fungi contain scientifically proven components with preventative and therapeutic effects when consumed fresh or processed into property concentrates (Smith, et al., 2005).

In Japan, there is a group of fresh and processed foods called FOSHU (Food with Specific Health Uses) that includes all ingredients with direct health benefits for humans. This category was created by the Ministry of Public Health in Japan after detailed supervised studies were conducted. A significant number of FOSHU products are fungi derivatives (Duran C. & Valenzuela B., 2010).

In Mexico, we have a long ancestral tradition of fungi consumption and use for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Currently, a number of biotechnological and productive projects are being developed at diverse levels and locations around the country.

One such project is Micológica 360º, which includes families from the Sierra Benito Juárez region of cooperative towns in Oaxaca, Mexico. Its goal is to promote an income source and alternative employment in semi urban and rural zones through farming Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulminarious (Oyster mushrooms), Lentinula edodes (Shitake mushrooms), Flammulina velutipes (Enokitake mushrooms and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushrooms). They aim to employ rustic, sustainable growing techniques for shared benefit and as an alternative income source through sales. The project is led by Joan Matieu, a French mycologist who fell in love with Mexico and its people. (http://micologica.mex.tl)

I would like to use this medium to invite anyone interested to the 1st Workshop on Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Cultivation in Puebla. It will be held on May 26th and 27th, 2018 and will be led by Johann Matieu and his team. The event will be held at Sembrarte, urban garden.

Information and registration: Sembrarte Dalias 6103.

Colonia Bugambilias. Puebla, Pue. CP 72580. Telephone numbers: 01 800 830 4640, (222) 244 6390, WhatsApp (222)114 3045 www.huertosembrarte.com - info@sembrarte.com.mx - https://www.facebook.com/yosiembro/

Bibliography: • Suárez A., C. Nieto, I.J. “Biotechnological cultivation of edible macrofungi: and alternative source for nutraceutical properties” in Revista Iberoamericana de Micología, 12(1). 2013. pp. 1-8.

• Smith, J. E., Sullivan, R. & roman, N., “Mushrooms and cancer therapy”. Biologist, December, 52(6). 2005. pp. 328-336.

• Duran C., R. & Valenzuela B., A. “The Japanese experience of FOSHU foods, the true functional foods?” in Revista chilena de nutrición. June, 3782. 2010. pp. 224-233.

José Luis García Valdés Doctor, Pediatrician, Pediatric Surgeon Psycho-spiritual Therapy

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Iván Oropeza Pérez

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n average, human beings spend 80% of their time inside constructed spaces. In extreme hot or cold climates, this figure may reach up to 90%. Additionally, if we consider that across the world almost 40% of energy and 25% of potable water or directly or indirectly consumed by buildings, the issue of sustainable architecture grows more important each day.

Sustainable architecture is understood to be economically, socially and environmentally committed throughout its construction, operation and completion processes. In the social arena, buildings should provide security, privacy and comfort. A recent study by the World Health Organization indicated the 12.6 million people died in 2012 as a consequence of living and working in unhealthy spaces, the majority of which were constructed. Because of this, architecture must commit to providing environments that are thermally and acoustically comfortable, with sufficient interior light and air quality.

On the other hand, in environmental terms, achieving a healthy internal environmental has been wrongfully driven by the consumption of natural resources like water, thermal and electrical energies. For example, thermal comfort in hot climates like the beaches in Mexico is almost exclusively provided through the use of airconditioning systems. Another example is offices whose only option for good lighting is placing giant lamps on the ceiling.

Fortunately, sustainable architecture demonstrates new methods, like eco-techniques, renewable

energy system and passive climate control systems among other previous existing techniques like vernacular architecture; all of which can be used to build healthy, livable spaces without wasting natural resources.

Moreover, if techniques and methods are properly applied, the benefit of resource saving kicks in for building material, electricity, gas and water while the environment itself is more conducive to productive work thereby answering to the three basic precepts of sustainability.

This is particularly important in Mexico, where approximately 80% of electricity is generated through use of fossil fuels; there are water pollution issues and many other issues that negatively impact the natural environment.

Therefore, the responsibility for constructing sustainable buildings should not fall on the government and decision maker’s shoulders, but rather on the shoulders of those who used the buildings and are directly benefitted with regards to their wellbeing and careful use of resources; they may even have the chance to produce resources like renewable energy and food through urban gardening.

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19 Iván Oropeza Pérez Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Aalborg; M.A. in Energy Engineering, UNAM; B.A. in Energy Engineering, Autonomous Metropolitan University. Tenured professor in the Architecture Department at the UDLAP.

“Life is a journey” -Public domain

Cristina Parissi Casillas

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W

hen you travel, your life changes, you break from routines and learn something new, sensations are awakened in many ways, when seeing new landscapes, smells and flavors—so common to many yet so new to the traveler. The cities, the communities, the people, the flora and fauna are all so different, even if they are in your own region, state or country.

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how thing may be, to see them as they are.”

-Samuel Jhonson

Human beings are curious by nature, we all desire to travel, some more than others, yet we all want to know something knew, it’s in our spirit.

“Travels illustrate life” It does not matter where you are going or where you are headed, there will be something new to surprise you and teach you a lesson. But for this to happen, you have to join in the idiosyncrasies of the place; if you don’t you may as well not have gone.

Trips are not just about shopping, they are about knowing the shapes, smells, sizes, colors of things so that you take with you a part of what you are being allowed to experience.

our food, our smells and especially the warmth of our people. Without the money to return to Mexico, he presented himself for deportation; but because of his appearance the border police did not believe him. When he spoke to them in Spanish the congratulated him on his perfect accent (of course, it was his mother tongue!). Finally, a countryman gave him the money he needed to come back, and thus ended his one adventure outside of Mexico.

I got my taste for travel from him. I have had the opportunity to see many different places in this beautiful country, but I have also been to many places around the world.

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he come home and lays his head on his old, familiar pillow.”

“The adventure, the great adventure, is contemplating how something unknown appears each day before your eyes.”

-Lin Yutang

Henrri Cartier-Bresson.

Traveling teaches you to appreciate what you have, to value your daily existence and return to it once again satisfied and amazed with your origins.

The world does not belong solely to human beings.

So many different creatures inhabit the earth that we have to be aware how important and necessary each one is for our equilibrium in order to enjoy the beautiful universe in which we live. Our actions should be reasonable, respectful of our planet. We should not permit exemplary creatures like Sudan, the last white rhinoceros to die.

Since I was little I had the “travel bug.” I think I inherited it from by father’s father’s father’s father’s father. I loved hearing his travel stories, they were all set within South and Southwest Mexico. The only time he left the country was to go to the United States of America, illegally. My father was the son of Italian immigrants. They came from the Northern region of Veneto, Italy and they settled in the state of Veracruz. So my father looked different from the majority of Mexicans, which is not meant to offend; I am proudly Mexican. He was tall, strong, hairy, pale-skinned and blue-eyed. When he was in “gringolandia” he suddenly began to miss

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21 María Cristina Parissi Casillas M.A: in Economics and Finances, Hispano Mexican University Center; B.A. in Tour Business Administration; University Veracruzana Director at Viajes Sears Nuevo Veracruz

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the following professionals for their contributions to the magazine:

•María Eugenia Ibarrarán Viniegra Director, The Xavier Gorostiaga sj Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Institute, Iberoamericana University Puebla.

Email: mariaeugenia.ibarraran@iberopuebla.mx • Alejandra Elizondo Public Policy, concentration in Political Economy, Economic Research and Teaching Center.

Email: alejandra.elizondo@cide.edu • Roy Boyd Professor of Economics, Natural Resources Economy, Microeconomics, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Applied General Equilibrium Model, University of Ohio.

Email: boydr1@ohio.edu • Aura Elena Moreno Guzmán Professor of Climate Change and Energy, Ecosystems and Biodiversity at the Technological Institute of Monterrey, Puebla Email: auraelenamg@gmail.com • María del Pilar Cordero César Ph.D. Pedagogy and M.A. in Social Education Environmental Education Researcher Training leader and teacher at the Puebla State Popular University Email: pilarcorderov@gmail.com

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• Karendy Contreras Hernández Teacher at the State Leonardo Bravo Tele-Junior High located in Xiloxochico de Rafael Ávila Camacho, in the county of Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla.

Email: karendy.contreras@gmail.com

• José Luis García Valdés Doctor, Pediatrician, Pediatric Surgeon Psycho-spiritual Therapy Email: pedgarval@gmail.com • Guadalupe Martínez González TSU. Histopathological Embalming General Director at Paw Paradise Email: gmartinez@pawparadise.com.mx • Iván Oropeza Pérez Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Aalborg; M.A. in Energy Engineering, UNAM; B.A. in Energy Engineering, Autonomous Metropolitan University.

Tenured professor in the Architecture Department at the UDLAP. Email: ivan.oropeza@udlap.mx • María Cristina Parissi Casillas M.A: in Economics and Finances, Hispano Mexican University Center; B.A. in Tour Business Administration; University Veracruzana Director at Viajes Sears Nuevo Veracruz Email: gerentepuebla@viajessears.com.mx