Category Archives: Animals

Animals, Kindness, Leadership, Orangutans

Orangutan Hero

6 Young Orangutans

As many of you know, I recently went to a conference sponsored by The Climate Reality Project.  The conference topics included climate change, communication, social justice, sustainability, and alternative energy solutions.  All areas are of interest to me but I found myself keenly focused on how to create the right conditions to speak with someone, especially when that person has a different mindset and an opposing point of view.  Atmosphere is important, and so is understanding that certain people will be more open to facts than others.  A well-known professor said we need to focus on the positives, rather than telling the other person she or he is wrong.  With that in mind, let me tell you about a hero.

Daniel Stiles is a detective, researcher and well-known author who has traveled across the world to save many animals who are about to become extinct.  He focuses on gorillas, chimps and orangutans, and rescues them from ape traffickers.  Sadly, ape trafficking is part of the illegal wildlife trade, a far-reaching business that is worth billions of dollars.  Unlike rhinoceros horns, tiger furs and elephant ivory, ape smuggling involves live animals –some of whom are only a month old.  Of those animals that are found, and that is usually one out of ten, they are discovered hidden in plastic bags in hand baggage, or beaten so badly and drugged that they need serious rehabilitation.  Gorilla babies cost as much as $250,000 and are in high demand.  Like orangutans, they are prized for their intelligence, sensitivity, empathy, and understanding.

Most recently, Daniel did work in Bangkok, Thailand.  He set up, with Freeland (a nonprofit group which combats human and wildlife trafficking) and Thai police, a sting operation to save some orangutans with the infamous “Tom”, a well-known smuggler.  Luckily, he was able to rescue two tiny baby orangutans that were found in the backseat of a taxi cab.  Sadly, Tom was nowhere to be seen.  I know there are other heroes out there working to improve the plight of animals, and hope you are one of them too.

Animals, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Children, Leadership

Good news

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As you know, I am a big fan of reducing carbon footprints and moving towards 100% use of solar and wind energy.  Since President Barack Obama left office, there has been a lot of change at the presidential level, and a lot of news has been downright depressing, to put it mildly.  That said, there is good news. 

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor to be a mentor and work with Vice President Al Gore and the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.  More than 1,300 people came together in Pittsburgh to learn the truth about the climate crisis and how to spread solutions.  It was amazing to meet fellow mentors and individuals (young and old) from all walks of life and hear what inspires them to make a positive difference in this world.

We have a moral obligation and duty, to speak up for what is right and secure the future.  There is no time to waste and there has never been a more urgent time for action than now.  Please join so many of us who are pushing towns and cities to go 100 percent renewable, protecting key environmental policies, and helping businesses be more sustainable.

The future lies in maintaining a livable planet.  As I have said before, your children are counting on you, and so are the animals.  Thank you for taking action and for your courage.

http://www.climaterealityproject.com

Animals, Kindness, Leadership

Wildlife Trade

Tiger and its cub

I was catching up on my emails and received this beautiful photo from a fellow environmentalist.  I thank her and am so grateful she sent it.  It reminded me, again, that we all wish to be safe, to love and protect our offspring, and to be free.  With that in mind, I urge you to do whatever you can to protect wildlife.  Sadly, we are in the midst of the sixth greatest extinction of all time.  Species are disappearing due to climate change and the human appetite for wild goods such as leopard coats, tiger skins and cobra boots.  The illegal wildlife trade is worth millions, and only 10% of global trade in banned wildlife is intercepted.  Please make sure to support activities which protect our animals, not kill them.  Thank you.

Animals, Kindness, Leadership

Some Good News

Geese

One day I was walking home from work and was feeling the heat, it was 96 degrees Fahrenheit.  As I continued on my path past the park I was carefully looking for the geese and their goslings.  Based on my previous sightings, I knew there were at least two pairs of parents and six goslings.  I was concerned about them becoming dehydrated or burning their webbed feet on the black asphalt.  After a few minutes I was relieved to see four goslings sitting right next to the lower basin of the park water fountain with their parents protectively watching them.  I made sure the basin was filled with some fresh water and then turned around to discover someone had left a container filled with water in the middle of the walkway.  There were the other two goslings and their parents.  What a relief.  I felt so happy that I was not the only one thinking of the animals.  And I even had a renewed sense of humanity’s goodness.

I took a photo of the goslings next to the fountain while one of them was staring up at me.  Hopefully, you like it.  Animals are so much like us; they need water and food, and a safe place to live.  With that in mind, I thank you for making the world a better place by your actions, and for taking care of the animal kingdom.  Our actions, be they little or big, make such a difference.  And I am betting you feel really good when you do something for someone or something outside of yourself.

Animals, Children, Leadership

President Donald Trump versus President John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy

Today President Trump decided to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord.  He did so because he believes that the accord imposes “draconian financial” and other burdens on the country and because he believes it would “kill jobs” and cause lost revenues.  When I heard him speak I was greatly saddened.  He said he is fulfilling his “solemn duty to protect America and its citizens”.  He is not protecting us; in fact, his decision puts all of us at great risk!  Proven scientific evidence is clear, climate change is real and climate related disasters are occurring at every turn.

Trump’s decision has caused angst among Republicans, Democrats, members of his own staff, global leaders, corporate heads, and families.  So I shall repeat the words of President John F. Kennedy, ”ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”  Each one of us must stand up and do what is right for children and animals.  We must reduce our carbon footprints.  We must call our elected officials and urge them to support wind and solar energy.  We must be leaders in our own way and help protect the very planet we call home.  As I have said before, I urge you to make a positive difference in the world.  Time is of the essence.

Animals, Children, Climate Change, Leadership

Don’t Miss Your Chance

Child being examined by juvenile kangaroo

Hello Everyone.  Please don’t miss your chance to stand up in support of science and the environment.

This year there are two important marches.  The “March for Science” will be held on April 22nd which is Earth Day, and the “People’s Climate March” will be held on April 29th.  The marches will be in Washington, DC and there will be sister marches across the United States and in the rest of the world.

Remember, children and animals are counting on you!

For more information please click on the links below or get in touch with your local community organizers.  Thank you.

https://www.marchforscience.com/

https://peoplesclimate.org/

Animals, Leadership

Blue Feet and Coming Together?

Booty Birds

As many of you know, we live in interesting times.  In the United States, and in Europe, there are deep divisions in society and people are either strongly against or strongly for certain politicians.  Nationalism, anger, fear, and distrust are evident and so is great despair.  Yet there is also courage being shown by numerous women and men, and a sense of faith that we can heal the rifts which divide us.

Let us come together.  Let us not be torn apart by hated.  We need to protect and harbor one another.  We also need to protect our air, our land, our water and our wildlife.  Let us not be distracted by illusion and destruction.  Let us hold steadfast in this critical time.  Let us stand up for justice and peace.  Let us protect this beautiful Earth and all of its inhabitants.

May you be reminded of each person’s and each animal’s uniqueness as you look at the photo of these two booty birds with their blue feet.  Let your voice be heard today.  There is courage and consequence even in the smallest positive action.  I believe in a livable future for our children and the animals of this world.  I believe in positive change.  And I believe in you.

Animals, Forests, Orangutans

I Bet You Did Not Know You Can Help Save This

Please watch this video and see what you can save.  Simply by looking at a product label and choosing not to buy snack foods (cookies, chips, peanut butter, etc.) or beauty products made with palm oil, you can help save orangutans and many other precious forest creatures.  Thank you!

Animals, Children, Life, Nature

This New Year

As we enter this new year may we enter it with grace and courage.  And may we enter it in good health and with hearts full of compassion.  So much has changed and happened in these last months and years.  I see it in myself, I see it in others, I see it in the world, and I see it in nature.  This much is obvious, change spares no one or no thing.

My vision is that we come together to mend our differences and see things through another person’s eyes.  My vision is that we treat each other with kindness and without cruelty.  My vision is that we all live in peace and without violence.  Greater it is to uplift one another rather than tear one another apart.  Climate change and the destruction of nature and its precious habitat is one of our supreme challenges.  We can mitigate climate change, preserve nature and protect the amazing animal kingdom.  Yet we must come to terms with our own selfishness and greed.

Let us be better than we were.  Let us be lights for all of the children and animals of the world.  Let us go forth together, and in goodness.