Category Archives: Leadership

Animals, Children, Kindness, Leadership, Nature

Jane Goodall

A great human being, scientist, and conservationist; Jane Goodall, died yesterday. She was 91 years old. She inspired millions, including me, and I will miss her greatly. She gave us all hope and made a wonderful difference in this world. Jane reminded us to take action, big or small, because in doing so it would help us feel better. As she said, we can all save water, behave respectfully with others, treat animals with kindness, help in soup kitchens or animal shelters, etc. Each one of us has an impact on this precious planet. It is up to us to decide what kind of impact we will have.

Here is a short video about her.

https://youtu.be/HdYfhPPBt0E

Animals, Kindness, Leadership

We Must and Can Do Better

As I sit down to write this blog I feel moved to say something about the children and animals who are currently starving and dying. In a world with so many riches and wealth I ask myself how can we let this happen? We must and can do better. Please help them. You can donate money to food banks, animal welfare organizations, or to zoos; you can volunteer your time at an animal shelter or you can call your elected officials and voice your opinions. Now is not the time to be silent. You may think that a small act does not make a difference. It does. All acts add up. Even if we can change one life for the better, we have made a choice, and taken a positive step forward. Thank you.

Animals, Leadership, Trees

Pinelands Fire

Sadly, there has been a wildfire raging in southern New Jersey, in an area that is called the Pinelands or Pine Barrens. It has burned over 15,000 acres and has been only 65% contained as I write this blog. The Pinelands is the biggest surviving forest on the eastern seaboard south of Maine’s North Woods. It has over 800,000 acres of forest, of which only about half is permanently preserved.


It is a very special place and has a unique biological diversity – a kind of Noah’s Ark for species adapted to the area.

The fire was started by a nineteen year old who decided to build a bonfire. He did not extinguish it properly and the result is devastating for the people and animals who live in the area, and for the forest itself. Adults must protect our natural habitats and teach our children to do the same! Nature is not to be taken for granted.

Bees, Butterflies, Kindness, Leadership

Gratitude

We are about to enter into one of my favorite times of the year –the holiday season which encompasses Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas.  I realize that life is far from perfect and there are so many humans and animals that are suffering.  With that said, may we try to treat one another with kindness.  May we have gratitude for all of our blessings, and may we protect this world with all of its beauty.

Here is a photo of a monarch butterfly and a honeybee which unexpectedly came before me while I was walking in a nature preserve.  I was and am in such admiration of their magnificence and strength.  Most butterflies only live 2-6 weeks, and the ones which migrate from Mexico to North America can live from August or September to April.  Bees live 5- 7 weeks and are incredibly valuable to the planet.  One out of every three bites you put in your mouth was pollinated by honeybees. 

Remember, life is short and precious.  Live it mindfully and share your love with others.

Animals, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Children, Climate Change, Kindness, Leadership, Life, Uncategorized

Hope

I hope you all had a nice summer and enjoyed some time with your loved ones. There is so much hard news out there and devastating forest fires in Canada, the United States, Greece, Spain, Croatia and Vietnam. People and animals have lost their homes, and many died from smoke inhalation. And yet, I remain hopeful that we can turn this situation around. There are so many people working to mitigate climate change and make sure that the Earth’s temperatures stop rising and start to decline. So, this is message which is meant to be encouraging in its nature. In the words of so many, we can do this. We each, individually, and collectively, can make a difference to help our fellow humans, and the precious animals of the world. Please reduce your carbon footprints, eat less meat, consume less, and take a walk in a forest or swim in the ocean. I have said it previously, each minute counts. Each one of us matters, and we can positively impact the future.

Animals, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Leadership, Life, Nature

Canada’s Wildfires

I write this blog while scorching wildfires race through eastern and western Canada.  Honestly, my heart is quite heavy and I fear greatly for our precious, livable planet.  The fires are out of control and over 9.4 million acres have already burned.  The fires affect countless people, pets, and wild animals.  The smoke from the fires is so bad it has reached down to New York, NJ, and Washington DC.  Air quality levels have been frightening and New York City ranked among the worst cities in the world.  People have been told to stay at home and schools are conducting remote classes.  As I think about all of the animals inhaling smoke who can’t shut themselves in an enclosed space with air purifiers, I shudder.  I wonder about the animals in Canada literally fleeing the fires and dying.  I had to bury two dead birds that I found lying on my lawn.  When will we end this chaos?  When will we all wake up and drastically cut our carbon footprints and change our ways of life?  This matter is so urgent and time is of the essence.  Please, we must WAKE UP!!!  We must make different choices.  It is truly a matter of life and death.

@climatereality
@gretathunberg

Animals, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Climate Change, Leadership

The Motivation of Hope

I recently watched this moving video (below) where David Attenborough, a British biologist and broadcaster known for his natural history television series, talks about reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and hope. He said, “Nature is a key ally. Whenever we restore the wild it will recapture carbon and help us bring back balance to our planet.” He went on to state that “we must use this opportunity to create a more equal world. Our motivation must not be fear but hope.” I urge you to continue to make a positive difference in this world.

Climate Change, Kindness, Leadership

Helping Hands

As the death toll climbs from Hurricane Ian we are reminded, yet again, of the increasing severity of climate change. We must continue to reduce our carbon footprints, and positively impact our world. I am heartened by all of the people volunteering to help those who have lost their homes and rebuild communities in Florida and Puerto Rico.

I am also buoyed by friends, colleagues, and others who are planting trees and working to increase biodiversity across the world. We know that we must continue to join together so that we have a livable planet.