The Carbon Manna(SM) System -- Two Novel Cell-phone-based microfinance Mechanisms -- inter alia (among others)

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Update re the original "micro" economic/finance inventions of The Micro Revolutions Institute(SM) in San Diego

Improved cooking methods Revolutionize Life for "The Bottom 2 Billion" in the Developing World


Here is the updated introductory email for the Carbon Manna(SM) System:


We at Carbon Manna Unlimited in San Diego (a non-profit corporation) have established the "Micro" Revolutions Institute(SM) as a think-tank charged with continually creating novel & SUSTAINABLE micro-economic and micro-financial mechanisms to materially elevate "The Bottom Two Billion" in the Developing World.  Reference:

     http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3908584.htm

Most notably, beginning 2 years ago in April 2008, we developed two novel, universally-applicable, cell-phone- and NON-debt-based, highly-scalable forms of microfinance that we call the Carbon Manna(sm) System.  They are:

-->> (1) the Carbon Micro-PROFIT-Sharing System -- comprising monetization of 1,000s of aggregated carbon-micro-offsets via the European GS-VER market (Gold Standard - Voluntary Emission Reduction market); and

-->> (2) the Reduced-fuel-expense Micro-SAVINGS Program -- an SMS-based  behavior-modification program that trains families to bank their daily cash savings on fuel of 15 - 40 U.S. cents/day (based on field studies in Kenya, July 2009).

Both mechanisms are based on reduced combustion of non-renewable biomass fuel and employ a highly efficient, low-cost (< US$ 10) cook-stove that we designed ourselves in Kenya, although any efficient cookstove may be used.  Almost all efficient stoves reduce fuel use by 40 - 50 % -- and deforestation by a similar percentage. 

The stoves are serialized and matched uniquely with each family's cell phone number. 

Broadcast SMS messages (short message service) and customized content regarding public health, women & children's rights, nutrition, personal finance, etc., will also be sent to participating families. 

Monetized carbon offsets and cash fuel savings may be banked and converted back to cash as needed using existing MMT (Mobile Money Transfer) systems such as Safaricom's M-Pesa or Zain's ZAP systems in the case of East Africa.  In the absence of an MMT system, families may be paid with cell-phone minutes, either credited to their accounts or in the form of distributed pre-paid calling cards.

The two mechanisms can be implemented sequentially (and then run in tandem) -- the Micro-Savings Program immediately, and the Carbon Micro-PROFIT-Sharing System later as paperwork is completed for the carbon-offset market. 

The Carbon Manna(SM) System is "freeware" and fully open-source. 

Thus, currently, independent for-profit carbon project managers, NGOs and charities are attempting to incorporate Carbon Manna(SM) principles into carbon-offset projects in The Philippines, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Kenya and Indonesia, as well as, most likely, in other countries not known to us.

Most notably, we believe these two novel microfinance mechanisms have a number of advantages over, and will scale much faster than, micro-debt, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

Finally, in the case of corporate sponsors in the wireless or consumer products industries, Carbon Manna(sm) offers an auditable "ROI on CSR" investments, a rare result in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) field.

In the case of individuals, donations to Carbon Manna Unlimited in San Diego (a California-incorporated public charity) are 100% tax-deductible through our umbrella 501c3 status with The GlobalGiving Foundation in Washington, DC.

We hope you will support our efforts in Africa and/or some other part of the Developing World of interest to you.  Being cell-phone- and markets-based, Carbon Manna(sm) is universally applicable.

More background about Carbon Manna(sm) may be found by visiting the links below and viewing my Amsterdam presentation (May 2010) available on:

-->> http://www.slideshare.net/dpalella/carbon-manna-amsterdam201005

-->> http://tinyurl.com/23jzrh2


We look forward to hearing from you.

Globally & warmly yours,

David A. Palella
Founder
CARBON MANNA UNLIMITED
SAN DIEGO, California

cell: 619-787-5767
skype: dpalella17
email:  dpalella@san.rr.com
email (backup): carbonmanna@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpalella


http://www.carbonmanna.org

http://carbonmanna.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/CarbonManna

http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/1794312/


The "Micro" Revolutions Institute(SM) Established by Carbon Manna
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3908584.htm

Carbon Manna announces The Micro Sustainability Prizes(SM)
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/01/prweb3459274.htm

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Carbon-Manna-Unlimited-1065919.html

Carbon Manna Unlimited to Present at Kenyan Business Conference
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Carbon-Manna-Unlimited-1033328.html

"One Cell Phone per Child" Grand Challenge Announced by CarbonManna(C) Unlimited
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Carbon-Manna-Unlimited-1007638.html

Carbon Manna(C) Unlimited Announces Solar Manna(C) & Forest Manna(C),
and Filing of a U.S. Patent Application for the Cell Phone-Based
Carbon Micro-Profit-Sharing System
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Carbon-Manna-Unlimited-991442.html

World's First Cell-Phone-Based Carbon-Micro-Credits Implementation
Progressing in Kenya
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Carbon-Manna-Unlimited-953397.html

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I will be/was a speaker at:
---------------------------------

    2nd Kenya Diaspora Int'l Conference & Investment Forum

               20-22 August 2009, Atlanta, GA

             http://www.kenyaopen4business.com

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            "Microfinance for Institutional Investors"

                 21-23 Sept. 2009, Washington, DC

http://www.hansonwade.com/events/microfinance-for-institutional-investors/index.shtml

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              "Micro Financial Services World"

   10-12 May 2010, Amsterdam City Centre, The Netherlands

                  http://www.mfs-world.com

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             4th Microfinance Investment Summit

            06-07 October 2010, Central London

             http://www.microfinancesummit.com


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CARBON MANNA

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Carbon Micro Credits -- the Daily Bread of the Developing World


Some people have asked why is the URL for this blog CarbonManna ?

"Manna is the name of a food which, according to the Bible, was eaten by the Israelites during their travels in the desert until they reached Canaan" [Wikipedia]. Manna fell from the sky every evening or night and was deposited on the the rocks and vegetation. It was scrapped off every morning for 40 years while the Israelites wandered in the desert seeking the Promised Land.

Likewise, daily Carbon Micro Credits (CMCs) will be the manna that helps feed the Poor while wandering in the Desert of the Developing World. And even so, their ascension from living in Poverty on less than US$ 2 per day will most likely also take 40 years, sadly.

Some biblical scholars have speculated that manna was a carbo-hydrate that formed each evening due to special atmospheric conditions in the Sinai Desert during the time of Moses, just as rice, bread, potatoes or corn are carbon-based foods or carbohydrates. If so, it is ironic then that the non-emission of other carbon-based compounds -- the green house gases CO2 and CH4 (methane) -- may now once again be the daily gift that will feed the world's Poor.

Carbon Micro Credits -- the Daily Bread of the Developing World.

Globally & warmly yours,

David A. Palella
Caped Carbon Crusader
CARBON MANNA UNLIMITED

San Diego, CA
tel: 858-793-0741
email: dpalella@san.rr.com


P.S.: You can read more about manna here:

---------- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manna

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The Coming Carbon-Credits Cambrian Explosion

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The Imminent Carbon Offsets Bubble

"Would you like a carbon credit with your fries?"


With the incoming Obama administration, with an impoverished Wall Street desperately seeking bonuses in the Dust Bowl of The Great Credit Crunch, and with a global-warming tipping point looming in the offing, we will soon experience a Carbon-Credits Cambrian Explosion of unimaginable scale.

How BIG will the Carbon Credit Bubble become ?

So BIG that Hollywood stars living in Santa Barbara will agree to CO2 sequestration projects in their backyards and claim carbon credits. So BIG that mid-west farmers will tape vibration-activated ignition devices to the butts of their cows to flare methane emissions and then claim carbon credits. So BIG, restaurant chains will stop serving baked beans and file claims for green-house-gas emission reductions.

So BIG, crematorium owners will shut down, become total deadbeats and live off their claimed carbon offsets. So BIG, Detroit auto execs will fly first-class instead of using private corporate jets and then claim carbon credits. So BIG, fast-food chains will offer you uncooked fries and the opportunity to buy a matching nano carbon offset.

So BIG your stockbroker, who by definition makes you broker, and your insurance agent will be calling to sell you:

-- (1) Carbon-backed Securities

-- (2) Carbon Default Swaps

-- (3) Collateralized Carbon Obligations

-- (4) Carbon Sequestration Annuities

-- (5) Individual Carbon Retirement Accounts

-- (6) Carbon Cancer Insurance

-- (7) Carbon Burial Insurance

-- (8) Catastrophic Global Warming Insurance

-- (9) Methane Explosion Liability Insurance

-- (10) Carbon offset hedge funds, and, it follows logically:

-- (11) Carbon offset hedge funds of funds.


So BIG.......well, you get the picture.

And in the face of this menagerie of beastly offsets from the Rich Countries of the World, how will Carbon Micro Credits from Africa and Asia fare ? Will they find a market at a living wage ? Is there indeed a Carbon Santa Claus for the deserving Poor in the Developing World ? Or will the Rich in the Developed World game the system to make the lease payments on their Jaguars and Escalades ?

The answer really depends on YOU. Spread the Word today about cell-phone-based Carbon Micro Credits and the superior merit of carbon offsets produced by poor INDIVIDUALS and FAMILIES in the Developing World living on less that US$ 1 - 2 per day. Carbon Micro Credits are daily manna from Heaven for the Poor. Make sure they stand at the front of the line wherever carbon offsets are sold.

Globally & warmly yours,

David A. Palella
Caped Carbon Crusader
CARBON MANNA UNLIMITED

San Diego, CA
tel: 858-793-0741
email: dpalella@san.rr.com

http://community.keithferrazzi.com/profile/DavidPalella

http://carbonmanna.blogspot.com

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The Carbon Euro of the Developing World

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Standard International Carbon Micro Credit (SICMC) = 2 kilograms of CO2

SICMC = MicroCO2 = mCO2 = myCO2 = myCO

The Carbon Euro of the Developing World


International NGOs should agree to an international standard for Carbon Micro Credits (CMCs) and promulgate it for uniform worldwide use. A SICMC could be defined as follows, for example:

For normal sustenance in the Developing World the average human being requires 1,100 food calories, which requires XYZ BTUs (British Thermal Units) to cook with biomass, which if offset by cooking with solar means NM kilograms of CO2 are not emitted into the atmosphere because XY kilograms of biomass were not burnt.

NM kilograms of CO2 would then be the unit of measurement used to quantify produced CMCs worldwide. I guesstimate a SICMC would be around 1,800 - 2,000 grams/day of CO2 -- so let's say exactly 2 kilograms.

A recent article in WIRED magazine said producing a Big Mac (540 calories) results in the emission of 4.7 lbs of green house gases (GHG), or very close to 2 kilograms again. Diets in the Developing World are obviously not so energy intensive as beefy Big Macs, but the SICMC rule of thumb above is probably close to the true figure.

Once a SICMC was defined and agreed to worldwide by accreditation and auditing agencies/companies and NGOs, then auditing of solar cooking-based or Uganda stove-based CMC projects would be greatly streamlined. It would be highly ridiculous to try to quantify and audit the CMCs produced person by person, or family by family, or project by project in the Developing World.

Depending on the market price of a ton of carbon, a CMC is worth only about 3 - 5 cents. For a family of 5 in the Developing World it adds up to 15 - 25 cents/day. Us rich folks in the Developed World should let the Poor living on a dollar a day make an extra 15 - 25 cents per day without auditing them excessively. People have to eat and have to cook. They won't not cook and not eat to scam the system.

Moreover, in many parts of the Developing World the landscape has been denuded of natural biomass, leading to cooking with dried cow dung, among other highly-polluting carbon sources. The scarcity of naturally-occurring and easily available carbon/fuel sources means the average family spends 20 - 50 % of their daily income on imported manufactured fuel such as charcoal or propane. Hence, again, participants in a CMC program are highly financially incentivized to follow the rules and cook with solar or their Uganda stove.

In sum, I call here for NGOs worldwide to take action to define, standardize, promulgate and support the SICMC. Such NGOs would include the:

United Nations / UNICEF
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
OECD
World Bank
European Commission / European Union
ASEAN
Asian Development Bank
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
National Wildlife Federation
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and
many others.

Once a Standard International Carbon Micro-Credit (SICMC) is defined as 2 kgs (for example), then it is simple to calculate the market value of 2 kgs of CO2 (3-5 cents), and then convert this to equivalent cell phone minutes (1 - 5 minutes..?).

The number of cell phone minutes will vary by carrier and depend on local economics, but this is fine. Most people in the developing world transact business or call locally. But the SICMC could become the financial lingua franca or the Carbon Euro of of the Developing World, especially in Africa where most mobile carriers transact business in multiple countries.

Globally & warmly yours,

David Palella
Caped Carbon Crusader
CARBON MANNA UNLIMITED

San Diego, CA
tel: 858-793-0741
email: dpalella@san.rr.com

http://community.keithferrazzi.com/profile/DavidPalella

http://carbonmanna.blogspot.com

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ONE CELL PHONE per CHILD / The Cell Phone is the School

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ONE CELL PHONE per CHILD / 1 Cell Phone per Child

ONE CELL PHONE per WOMAN / 1 Cell Phone per Woman

The Cell Phone is the School

It takes a cell phone to raise a child


Back in August or September 2007 I registered these domain names:

http://www.onecellphoneperchild.com

http://www.1cellphoneperchild.com


Why? -- because the slow adoption rate of the "One Laptop per Child" program made it clear that a lower cost structure was needed to wire the Children of the Developing World. The direct manufacturing cost of a cell phone is only US$ 5 - 10. But the "One Laptop per Child" laptop still has a manufacturing cost of at least US$ 50++.

Until silicon and intellectual property become free, which will take another 10 - 15 years, the One Laptop per Child program will be severely cost constrained.

Moreover, a cell phone is the ultimate personal "pull" device, and a radio the ultimate push device. In the latter case, think of Voice of America or Radio Free Europe, which helped catalyze the rot and fall of the Soviet Union.

Nokia now produces many cell phones with built-in FM radios. The broadcast networks and the telecom networks are now accessible in the same low-cost personal device. Once a person in the Developing World has bought a cell phone by redeeming their Carbon Micro Credits (CMCs), they not only have a portable ATM, but the same device can also immediately serve other value-added functions in the Developing World such as:

(1) tele-education of children -- a very attainable “One Cell Phone per Child” goal, versus the now unrealistic “one laptop per child program”

(2) dissemination of public-health messages to parents and patients; and

(3) timely notification of national emergencies such as typhoons or tsunamis.

In the case of tele-education, a child can use a cell phone to learn how to type, spell, text-message, do mathematics & calculations, and download information from the internet (if accessible). All for only a US$ 5 - 10 investment. With a built-in FM radio as well, the entire world bows at the child's feet -- the child can hear and learn foreign languages, stay current with national & international news, and learn the meaning of Freedom and Free Will.

In the case of public health, both text and FM radio messages can be pushed/broadcast to remote populations advising them of:

* Infectious disease outbreaks (e.g. Ebola, Marburg, Malaria, Dengue) and precautionary counter-measures

* Upcoming vaccine campaigns and incentives to participate -- "Get your child vaccinated for polio and receive 60 free cell phone minutes!"

* Reminders to individual patients to take medications such as for drug-resistant tuberculosis -- already done in Central America via an MIT-sponsored project; and

* Repetitive public health announcements regarding family planning and avoidance of sexually-transmitted diseases such as HIV, HCV, herpes, syphilis, and others.

Regarding the concept of "One Cell Phone per Woman", in the Carbon Micro Credit (CMC) system outlined in the other posts below, the cell phone is already in the woman's hands, as the woman of the house does the cooking and has the greatest control over the family's carbon footprint. Of course, mother and child can share the same handset. But a separate, low-cost cell phone with computing functions, combined with a built-in FM radio will save the children faster.

In these Dark Times, radicals in many countries of the Developing World burn down school buildings to prevent children, especially female children, from being exposed to Western Knowledge, and to prevent the children from learning the meaning and feeling of Free Will and Freedom. However, if the cell phone becomes the school and the library, and if Education & Knowledge can be accessed in any small corner of the home or village, who could silence the Voice of Freedom ? Who could imprison Knowledge then ?

Globally & warmly yours,

David Palella
Caped Carbon Crusader
CARBON MANNA UNLIMITED

San Diego, CA
tel: 858-793-0741
email: dpalella@san.rr.com

http://community.keithferrazzi.com/profile/DavidPalella

http://carbonmanna.blogspot.com

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