It is a new year and time for a new commitment to solving the climate crisis. Become a climate leader by joining the Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps. The next training will be from March 14-16 in Atlanta, Georgia. We need everyone to pull together now. Time is of the essence, and our future is at stake. Thank you.
https://www.climaterealityproject.org/training?segment=web_homepage_tile
As forest fires spread across the state of California I cringe because so many people in the United States do not understand climate change and do not seem to care about its consequences. California is the bread basket of the country, we rely on it for our fruits and vegetables, wine, movies and so many other things. What will we do without them? More importantly, how will we help all of the people who are losing their homes and livelihoods? How will we help all of the wild animals that are losing their homes? I am deeply grieved and saddened by the current situation. And I am tired of lairs, cheats, and those who abuse their offices because of their own greed and ignorance. Climate change is real. It is not going away. We lose dozens of animal species every day. And we are losing people too.
I urge you to plant trees, to go meatless, to use refillable water bottles, to donate money to a conservation organization. I urge you to make a difference. If we don’t change now there will be no future and nothing left to save.
VOTE because you care about your children’s future.
Vote because you care about your grandchildren’s future.
Vote to protect wild animals and endangered species.
Vote to keep families together.
Vote because women are human beings and not sex objects.
Vote to stand for a unified country.
Vote to bring people together and not tear them apart.
Vote because you care.
Please vote, your voice matters!
Thank you.
Yes, you can vote for Earth! She is a penguin and is running for office! Yes, a penguin is running for office. She moved to the United States because the ice is melting in Antarctica. Since she cares deeply about the environment, and all of us, she decided to take action. Please visit her website and learn about work and health matters. She is a really cool penguin. I am certainly going to vote in November. Join us, and her! Thank you.
More than ever, animals need us. In honor of them, I share a beautiful photo here. It was taken by Premal Patel in Namibia. May all of us remember to help protect the natural world. It is precious and worth conserving. Please do your part and help make a positive difference.
I sometimes feature a nonprofit organization which is doing important work to save some of the precious wildlife on our planet. So, today, I am sharing some news from Marine Mammals of Maine. As you know, I love seals. I am happy to report the group has admitted 48 animals into its facility. Some seals needed critical care and others had been stranded because their mother could not care for them.
Here are two highlights – the organization responded to 100 stranded marine mammals in southern and mid Maine and it admitted 48 seals into its triage facility, including gray, harp and harbor seals. In the past, it admitted an average of 40 seals over the entire year.
I am very happy to know many people are working to make a positive difference for these precious animals and I applaud them for their efforts. Please consider making a donation of your money or time to your favorite animal shelter or animal welfare organization. I also include a link below for Marine Mammals of Maine. Thank you.
New work, led by Professor Ron Milo, and published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” stated that the world’s population of 7.6 billion people represents just .01% of all living things. Plants, on the other hand, make up 82% of all living matter and bacteria makes up 13% of all living matter.
Part of the problem lies with the way we eat. Of all the mammals on Earth, 96% are livestock and humans, only 4% are wild mammals. That means that tropical forests and wild spaces are disappearing, at great cost to everyone.
Despite these numbers, we have had a huge impact on the natural world and have been expert at exploiting the natural resources of the planet. Since the rise of human civilization, 83% of wild mammals have been lost, 80% of marine mammals have been lost, 50% of plants have been lost and 15% of fish have been lost. One way you can make a difference is by eating differently. Your dietary choices have a tremendous effect on the habitats of plants and animals. So, choose a tofu burger instead of that hamburger. Or try a vegan hotdog instead of a regular one. They are better for the planet, and your health.
Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans.
Sadly, much of the fish we eat has consumed plastic.
The mass of plastic dumped in the ocean is so large that is hard to picture. It covers areas that are bigger than some large countries, such as Mexico, or states like Texas. This pollution has an enormous effect on marine life. Can you imagine if someone dumped tons and tons of garbage inside your house –in your dining room, living room and bedroom?
If nothing changes, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish (by weight).
Fish and other marine creatures like sea turtles often can’t distinguish plastic items from food; the plastic they consume blocks their digestive systems and can often result in starvation. Marine wildlife like dolphins face other harmful consequences of plastic pollution since they get ensnared in bags and other items such as abandoned fishing lines and nets.
When you throw away a piece of plastic, you might think that you are just getting rid of a simple piece of garbage and someone else will take care of it. What if it ends up in the ocean? Have you ever thought about that?
One way you can help is to reduce the amount of items you buy which are wrapped or made of plastic. You can also make sure your garbage ends up in a waste bin and not in the ocean. Lastly, you call your senators and congress members and tell them efficient waste management structures must be put into place. Trash thrown into improperly managed landfills is not what anyone wants, especially when that trash ends up in the water where you swim or in the belly of a fish you will eat.
Whether we know it or not, we all affect one another and are responsible for one another. Yet we often close our eyes and go about our own daily business. In this time, and in this world, we must realize we are responsible for the well-being of a complete stranger and of the smallest animal. Once we recognize how inter-connected we are only will this world become a better place.
Take a moment and ask yourself, ‘How can I make a difference? When you have your answer, go out and do it.
Please watch and share this heartfelt video from a young ballerina.
Thank you.
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.