It's not just panda food.
Did you know that this versatile grass, alleged
to have 1,000 uses, is beneficial to cultures
around the globe?
From chopsticks to bridges
We're accustomed to seeing it in gardens and
enjoying it as a tasty shoot in stir-fries,
but bamboo is also used to build homes, furniture,
and bridges and can be made into a vast range
of products—from chopsticks, paper, floors,
and fuel to musical instruments and art. In
fact, Thomas Edison used bamboo as the filament
for his first electric light bulb.
Ecological sustainability
With its vast number of applications, bamboo
is a boon to our global village, and its growth
rate (one variety can grow a shocking three
feet in one day) ensures a renewable supply.
Because bamboo is used as an alternative to
wood, it helps prevent deforestation and the
devastation of rain forests. This regenerative
plant enables rural communities in Asia to maintain
their local economies in an ecologically sustainable
way—a true living wage.
As luck would have it
Not only good for the environment, bamboo
may also benefit you personally. Bamboo is a
sacred plant in Asia, symbolizing good luck.
It's used in spiritual festivals and celebrations
and is displayed in temples, in shrines, and
on family altars. |