The Value of Trees

The Redwood National and State Parks are some of the most magical places I have ever visited. The peace and tranquility I experienced there were indescribable. After each hike, I felt like I was floating to our car. However, I would get a dose of reality when driving along Highway 101; we encountered logging trucks nearly every 10 minutes. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces as I watched these trucks roll by one after another.  According to Our World in Data, the world loses approximately six million hectares of forest each year, which confirms the sinking feeling I felt watching the trucks drive by with timber.   

One of the photos shows the barren side of the mountains where logging has taken place.   

I know we rely heavily on trees for construction, wood floors, furniture, toilet paper, and paper towels.

However, we also rely heavily on trees for oxygen, shade, cooling the planet, contributing to rainfall, providing moisture for soil, storing carbon dioxide, filtering our water, and helping to prevent flooding. 

Next time you go to purchase paper towels or toilet paper, opt for brands that offer recycled paper.  A lot of our paper towels and toilet paper come from virgin forests where trees are felled solely for this purpose. 

When purchasing paper, look for recycled paper options.  

If you are shopping for furniture, check for the Forest Stewardship Council logo, which serves to certify that the wood was harvested from forests that are responsibly managed. 

We need trees for a myriad of reasons, so let’s be conscious consumers of all wood and paper products. 

The elephant totem symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity, loyalty, wisdom, patience, and strong family bonds. An elephant matriarch guides her herd to water, food, and safety. She protects her herd and tends to them when they are unwell. The matriarch teaches her family about life and how to live it. These qualities are common to all living beings. They are traits that you and I share with our own family and friends.

We are quite similar to elephants, but because we have different skin and languages, we often struggle to recognize these similarities. This prevents us from truly connecting. However, if we began to see the similarities between ourselves and other beings, like elephants, we could grow in awareness and realize they deserve a place in this world just as much as we do. That is why I stand up for the voiceless. I see their capacity for love and pain, and I recognize our shared traits. Yet, elephants need many more of us to create momentum and foster positive change. 

Thank you in advance for speaking out for elephants on World Elephant Day and signing this petition to ban trophy hunting of elephants and other endangered and threatened species.

My heartfelt thanks to the following organizations helping to give elephants support, protection, a voice, and the love they need and deserve:

Amboseli Trust for Elephants

Elephant Havens Wildlife Foundation

Elephant Nature Park

Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

Elephants Without Borders

Global Sanctuary for Elephants

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Wildlife SOS

Today is International Tiger Day!  It was established in 2010 to raise awareness about tigers, following the discovery that 97% of the wild tiger population had vanished.  Approximately 3,000 tigers are found in the wild and their numbers continue to diminish due to habitat loss from human encroachment, loss of their prey base, and poaching.  The tiger is the only big cat species listed as endangered on the IUCN’s redlist. 

I usually post about wildlife to raise awareness of their plight because many species are highly vulnerable right now. This might feel overwhelming to read. I understand. Completely. However, I take the time to write these posts because I believe all beings, not just humans, have a right and a purpose for being here. Wildlife deserves a place in this world.  Unfortunately, the species we share this planet with cannot protect themselves from the many threats we've imposed on them. Yet, we are the ones who can make their lives better and become their stewards. 

I hope you let what I just said sink in.  Let your heart open and even feel sad for what is happening to the wildlife.  Then, when you have felt the sadness, go and support the species that call to you.  Whether you donate to an organization, support legislation to protect wildlife, share posts, or tell friends and family, it all counts because the love you put out to the world travels, and when it does, more wildlife can thrive. 

Listed below are organizations dedicated to helping tigers in the wild:

International Fund for Animal Welfare

TRAFFIC

Panthera’s Cats

Wildlife Conservation Society

References:

1. “International Tiger Day – July 29th, 2025”.  www.nationaltoday.com.  https://nationaltoday.com/international-tiger-day/

2. IUCN Redlist - Tiger.  www.IUCNredlist.org. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15955/214862019#threats

July 14th was Shark Awareness Day and I want to celebrate these ancient keystone species!

Sharks have existed for millions of years.  They are even older than trees.  Sharks emerged around 450,000 million years ago, whereas trees emerged approximately 350 million years ago.  Human existence pales in comparison to sharks, as modern humans appeared about 300,000 years ago. 

Throughout their existence, sharks have played a crucial role in supporting and maintaining the ecosystem in which they live.  Sharks are apex predators, which means they prey on sick and weak fish to maintain a healthy overall marine life population.  Without them, the food chain and the health of the ocean are thrown off balance. 

Sharks also help to mitigate climate change.  By consuming dead matter on the ocean floor, sharks play a vital role in maintaining the ocean's carbon cycle.  Sharks and other large marine life, such as whales, sequester large amounts of carbon.  But when sharks and other large marine life are hunted, this disrupts the ocean’s carbon cycle.

However, despite their importance to the ocean ecosystem and the health of the planet, nearly 77% of shark species are threatened with extinction due to climate change, overfishing, poaching, and habitat loss.  According to Marine Megafauna Foundation, each year, approximately 1.5 million tons of sharks are caught by humans and often they are caught in fishing nets meant to catch fish like tuna.  If sharks are caught in fishing nets, they usually cannot survive long as they need to swim continously to get oxygen. 

According to National Geographic, if the world increased its marine protected areas by just 3%, it could save 99 of the most imperiled shark species, which help to keep the ocean ecosystem in balance. 

To take direct action to protect sharks, do not buy or eat products containing shark and avoid eating tuna or only buy sustainably caught tuna, since sharks can often become bycatch of fishing nets. 

Learn more about how to help sharks visit Shark Guardian, Save Our Seas, and Shark Stewards.

References:

1. Hoseck, Nicky.  2022, April 21st. “Are Sharks Older than Trees?”  Dutch Shark Society.  https://www.dutchsharksociety.org/are-sharks-older-than-trees/.  www.dutchsharksociety. 

2. University of Cambridge. 2025, March 18th.  “Genetic study reveals hidden chapter in human evolution.”  https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/genetic-study-reveals-hidden-chapter-in-human-evolution.  www.cam.ac.uk. 

3. McKeever, Amy.  2021, July 27th.  “The surprising ways sharks keep the ocean healthy.”  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/surprising-ways-sharks-keep-the-ocean-healthy?loggedin=true.  www.nationalgeographic.com

4. Shark Stewards.  www.sharkstewards.org

5. Marine Megafauna Foundation.  “Human Threats to Sharks and Rays.”  https://marinemegafauna.org/human-threats-sharks-rays.  www.marinemegafauna.org

6.  Gibbens, Sarah.  2019, September 25th.  “Less Than 3% of the Ocean is ‘Highly Protected’.”  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/paper-parks-undermine-marine-protected-areas.  www.nationalgeographic.com

According to Cornell Lab, scientists have documented the loss of 3 billion breeding birds in North America since 1974. 

With a bit of help from us, bird populations can recover. 

Here are 7 simple actions to help birds:

1. Make windows safer day and night. 

It’s estimated up to 1 billion birds die each year from colliding into windows.  Birds mistake the glare from windows as habitat or when frightened crash into windows.  To break up reflection, install screens, film, or place window decals on your windows.  You can find the decals just about anywhere.  I found a good deal on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1jbeM6K

2. Keep cats indoors.

Cats are estimated to kill more than 2.4 billion birds annually across the U.S. and Canada.  Aside from habitat loss, this is the #1 human-related reason for the loss of birds.  Keep cats indoors or create an outdoor “catio” for them.   

3. Reduce lawn, plant native plants.

Birds have fewer places to rest safely during migration and to nest their young. From 1982-1997, more than 10 million acres of land was converted to lawns. This means fewer trees and bushes are used by birds as shelter. Planting native plants provides shelter and nesting areas for birds and also gives birds berries and seeds to sustain them.    

4. Avoid pesticides!

More than 1 billion pounds of insecticides are applied in the U.S. each year.  The more commonly used insecticides, neonicotinoids are lethal to birds and the insects birds consume.  Consider purchasing organic foods for nearly 70% of produce sold in the U.S. contains pesticides.  Reduce the use of pesticides around your home and garden. 

5. Drink coffee that’s good for birds. 

¾ of the world’s coffee farms grow coffee plants in the sun, destroying forests, birds, and other wildlife need for food and shelter.  Enjoy shade-grown coffee that is bird-friendly and doesn’t destroy their habitat. 

Here is where you can find bird-friendly coffee:

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/where-buy-bird-friendly-coffee

6. Help protect our planet from plastic. 

It’s estimated 4,900 million metric tons of plastic are sitting in landfills and polluting our oceans, and harming wildlife like seabirds, turtles, and whales that mistake plastic for food.  Plastic takes 400 years to degrade and more than 91% of plastic is not recycled.  Avoid single-use plastic and recycle plastic. 

7. Watch birds, share what you see.

It is an immense challenge to track 10,000 species of birds and scientists need our help.  Join a project such as eBird, Project FeederWatch, Christmas Bird Count, Breeding Bird Survey, or the International Shorebird Survey to record your bird observations. Your contributions will provide valuable information to show where birds are thriving—and where they need our help.

Reference:

1. Cornell Lab.  “Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds.” www.birds.cornell.edu.  https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/seven-simple-actions-to-help-birds/

I was driving home last week when I noticed a McDonald’s half-eaten burger on the side of the road.  Unfortunately, I see this often and picked it up because tossing an innocent being’s life onto the side of the road and risking the life of another innocent animal trying to eat it and getting struck by a car is just not how I want to show up in this world. 

But let’s look deeper into what that half-eaten burger means on a bigger scale. 

First, about 900,000 cows are killed every day for meat.  Please read that line again and let it sink in.  Now, for that one cow’s remains to end up on the side of the road demonstrates a complete disconnect from the life around us.  Not only are cows sentient beings, but the way they are raised for meat production is cruel and contributes to our diminishing resources.  According to tastingtable it takes approximately 2000 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.  As climate change is already affecting us, cattle are a top source of methane gas being released into the atmosphere, which is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the Earth. 

Now let’s look at food waste. According to One5c, as much as 40% of food in the U.S. is thrown away each day! Our landfills are nearly filled to capacity, and the amount of food going to landfills is a big problem. According to the NRDC, a head of lettuce can take up to ten years to decompose!  When food waste breaks down in a landfill, it gets trapped between other garbage with little exposure to oxygen. That, in turn, also creates methane gas, which is also released into the atmosphere. 

As food breaks down in a landfill, it combines with inorganic compounds like electronics, batteries, and paints, creating “liquid garbage” known as leachate. Leachate is a contaminant that enters our soils and water sources, putting our drinking water at risk. It can also enter lakes and rivers via water runoff or groundwater that discharges into them.

That half-eaten burger is a reminder of something much bigger than just trash on the side of the road; it highlights our need for empathy towards life, our environment, and the future we all share. 

Resources:

1. Redden, Claire.  2022, April 13th.  “The Surprising Amount of Water it Takes to Produce One Pound of Beef.”  www.tastingtable.com.  https://www.tastingtable.com/830861/the-surprising-amount-of-water-it-takes-to-produce-a-pound-of-beef/

 2. Erin Jones, Ariane Datil, Alanna Delfino.  2021, December 4th.  “Yes, cattle are the top source of methane emissions in the US.”  www.verifythis.com  https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/environment-verify/cattle-cows-the-top-source-of-methane-emissions-in-united-states/536-8d5bf326-6955-4a9c-8ea5-761d73ba464c

3. Hana Seo.  2024, March 14th.  “Food Waste in Landfills: What You Need to Know.” www.one5c.com.  https://one5c.com/food-waste-landfills-136944213/

4. BiologyInsights Team.  2025, June 15th.  “Landfill Leachate: What It Is and Why It Matters.”  www.biologyinsights.com https://biologyinsights.com/landfill-leachate-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/

There are approximately 200 million working animals worldwide, ranging from dogs to donkeys, mules, camels, and horses.  Their silent efforts are indispensable, and their tireless work should be recognized.  Working animals are vital in vulnerable communities.  One working animal can support an extended family of up to 30 members. 

Working Animals Day was created in 2016 by the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) to raise awareness of the plight of working animals and to inspire others to treat working animals with respect, provide access to veterinary care, improve welfare standards and educate future generations to treat animals with kindness and compassion.  SPANA’s work helps improve working animals’ lives while supporting the community. 

I remember hiking to Machu Picchu and passing by many families with donkeys carrying heavy loads that looked like potato sacks on their backs, traversing on very steep inclines and rocky terrain.  I imagined how tired their bodies must have felt going for miles through the Andes expanse.  Life is not easy for working animals.  Some animals are not able to receive veterinary care.  Some animals never experience retirement.  But all working animals have the ability to feel and know if they are treated well or not. 

To learn more how to help working animals worldwide, visit www.SPANA.org.

Photo courtesy of SPANA

Today is World Ocean Day. Our oceans are crucial for our survival. It provides 50% of our oxygen, influences the Earth’s weather systems, and is large carbon sink. However, the ocean can only offer these services when its ecosystem is in balance. The more life present in an ecosystem, the more resilient it becomes, which includes food chains and biological systems, such as the interactions among marine life, plant life, and coral reefs (1).

But marine life suffers in a big way. 

According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Office (FAO), approximately 85% of global fish stocks are currently overexploited, depleted, or recovering from exploitation (2).

Jason Hickel, author of the book; Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World states; “most of this is due to aggressive overfishing: just as with agriculture, corporations have turned fishing into an act of warfare, using industrial megatrawlers to scrape the seafloor in their hunt for increasingly scarce fish, hauling up to hundreds of species in order to catch a few that have market value, turning coral gardens and colourful ecosystems into lifeless plains in the process.  Whole ocean landscapes have been decimated in the scamble for profit(3).

Within this system of unsustainable fishing, an estimated 300,000 whales and dolphins fall victim to fisheries bycatch each year. This comes at a time when six out of 13 great whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable (4).

As marine life continues to be overexploited, the ocean’s ecosystem becomes increasingly degraded, affecting all of us. The ocean and the life that dwells within it are significant parts of our support system. We are not apart from nature; we are A PART of nature. Choosing to look the other way doesn’t make this problem disappear. Consciously choosing to eat less fish, picking up garbage, participating in beach clean-ups, refusing single-use plastic, and even opting not to go on a cruise brings us one step closer to helping the planet heal. This is our north star guiding us back home. 

On a positive note, Indigenous leaders from the Pacific Islands are now working with governments to pass a law to grant personhood to whales to ensure their freedom of movement without enduring “mental suffering caused by human activities,” and the entitlement to inhabit a healthy environment “free from pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, ship strikes and climate change.”

If you want to advocate for whales to live freely, you can sign this petition created by avaaz.org. 

References:

1. GenV.  2021, November 30th.  “What Is Marine Life and Its Importance? Facts and Statistics.” www.genv.org. https://genv.org/marine-life/

2. Oceaneos.  “Collapsing Fisheries – Have We Reached The End Of The Line?” www.oceaneos.org.  https://oceaneos.org/state-of-our-oceans/collapsing-fisheries-examples-of-different-species/

3. Hickel, Jason. Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World.  United Kingdom.  Penguin Random House UK.  2020.

4.  World Wildlife Fund.  “Mitigating Bycatch: Policy Innovation to fight growing fisheries bycatch in the Indian Ocean.” www.wwf.org. https://wwfwhales.org/news-stories/mitigating-bycatch-policy-innovation-to-fight-growing-fisheries-bycatch-in-the-indian-ocean

5. Depenbrock, Julie.  2024, April 3rd. “Indigenous leaders want to protect whales by granting them legal personhood.” www.npr.org. https://www.npr.org/2024/04/03/1242451885/whale-personhood-climate-change-polynesia-maori-new-zealand

You may have heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an extensive collection of plastic and debris floating in the Pacific Ocean. The patch is approximately 1.6 million square kilometers and comprises two garbage patches: the Western Garbage Patch near Japan and the Eastern Garbage Patch between Hawaii and California.  Despite this massive collection floating on the ocean surface, about 70% of the debris sinks to the ocean floor. 

These patches are linked by the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone, where warm water from the South Pacific meets cool Arctic water. This convergence acts as a highway that keeps moving debris from one patch to another.

While visiting a friend in Corpus Christi, Texas, I witnessed the effects of currents moving debris through our ocean. A raft that originated from West Africa, designed to attract Tuna, washed up on the shore, all due to the Gulf Stream! 

There is so much pollution in our oceans, and scientists estimate that about 8 million tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010. Unfortunately, marine life mistakes the plastic for food, which can lacerate their organs and cause them to become entangled in the garbage. These large swaths of garbage also accelerate climate change because heat can cause the plastics to burn off carbon emissions.  

No matter where we are on this planet, we can profoundly affect nature.  We are all interconnected, and our actions can positively or negatively impact the world. 

Things we can do:

·     If you live near an ocean, volunteer to help clean up coastlines through Ocean Conservancy or Oceana.

·     Download Ocean Conservancy’s CleanSwell App to log the garbage you pick up on a beach or around your neighborhood.  The data helps scientists find solutions to our plastic pollution crisis.

·     Support organizations like Ocean Conservancy, 4Ocean, Oceana, or The Ocean Cleanup.

·     Ditch single-use plastic water bottles and bags for reusable water bottles and bags. 

·     Spread the word about the plastic pollution crisis. 

References:

1. Teague, Katie. 2024, April 22nd. “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: The Floating Islands of Trash Three Times the Size of France.” www.cnet.com.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-is-getting-worse-heres-whats-happening/

2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “A Guide to Plastic in the Ocean.”  www.noaa.com.  https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/marinedebris/plastics-in-the-ocean.html

**Graph courtesy of www.alamy.com

Let’s BEE kind to our bee populations for World Bee Day. 

According to E.O. Wilson, an American biologist, ecologist, and entomologist, who has authored many books, including Half-Earth, stated that insects are “the little things that run the world” because they are more critical in maintaining ecosystems than other species (1). Wilson proposed that humans would survive only a few months if insects were to disappear. Why? Because insects pollinate 87.5% of all plants and 90% of all flowering plants, which convert energy from the sun into food that we and other animals rely on for survival (2). Therefore, we cannot lose our bees. 

The insect population has declined by 45% since 1974, and half of the Midwest’s native bee species have vanished from their historic ranges in the last century (2). With the use of pesticides, urban development, and the loss of native plant life for insects to feed on, we continue to reduce their population.

However, there are actions we can take in our gardens and yards to support bee populations. According to "Nature’s Best Hope" by Douglas Tallamy, many bee species have evolved over eons to feed on specific plants native to each region. Thus, one of the most effective ways to support our bees is to plant native plants in our gardens. Additionally, you can install several “bee hotels” in your garden to enhance their nesting capacity, as many bees nest in plant stems and wood. By positioning several in and around your garden, you reduce the risk of bee predators and diseases wiping out the bees. 

To learn more about planting native plants, go to https://homegrownnationalpark.org.

A little love for our pollinators can make a significant difference, as we and all other animals rely on these tiny species for our survival.

References:

1. Wilson, E.O., 1987. “The Little Things That Run the World (The Importance and Conservation of Invertebrates.)” Conservation Biology, Volume 1, No. 4 (pgs 344-346).  https://faculty.washington.edu/timbillo/Readings%20and%20documents/ABRIDGED%20READINGS%20for%20PERU/Wilson_1987_Little_things_that_run.pdf

2. Tallamy, Douglas W. Nature’s Best Hope. New York City. Timber Press. 2019.

Endangered Species Day

Today is World Endangered Species Day, and I want to share the gravity of what is happening to wildlife and the important role they play on our planet.  As many scientists agree, we have crossed the threshold and are currently in Earth’s sixth mass extinction crisis, whereby 2050, 30-50% of Earth’s species will be extinct (1).  

Looking at the mammal distribution chart, you will notice that wildlife constitutes only 4% of the Earth’s total biomass, and we are continuing to lose wildlife rapidly (2).  In the United States alone, approximately 100,000 carnivores are hunted and killed each year (3).  From 2012-2022, 1.7 million animals killed including elephants, lions, and rhinos, which are part of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) protected species (4).

Endangered species not only face the threat of trophy hunting, but they are also threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation (one main reason is animal agriculture, which requires a massive amount of space to raise livestock), climate change, and pollution. We impose all these threats on wildlife, yet we need endangered species in the wild. 

The future of wildlife matters to us and the planet because wildlife play essential roles in maintaining the cohesive functioning of ecosystems. The more biodiversity in an ecosystem, the more resilient it becomes. The more resilient an ecosystem is, the greater the services it can provide for our well-being, such as oxygen, water filtration, carbon storage, pollution control, and climate regulation.  We rely on ecosystem services as our life support. 

We cannot exist in isolation from other species. What affects one affects the many. We do not have the luxury of time to wait, nor should the heavy burden of fixing this problem be left solely to conservationists to protect and preserve wildlife.

Our future, the future of wildlife, and of our planet, is our responsibility.

 “There are no passengers on spaceship Earth, we are all crew.” Marshall McLuhan

Some ways you can help wildlife:

1. Sign the Wild For Change petition to ban trophy hunting of endangered and threatened wildlife. Our responsibility should be to protect endangered wildlife, not to be the reason for their demise.

2. Email or call your federal representative and state you would like him/her to sponsor and support the ProTECT Act, H.R. 1934 to prohibit trophy hunting of endangered and threatened species. 

3. Plant native plants in your yard, garden, or in pots to support wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Wildlife rely on native plants as their primary food source and for feeding their young.

4. Consider eating plant-based for a day, week, year, or lifetime. The amount of land required to raise farmed animals for the entire planet is immense and destroys precious habitats for critical wildlife and ecosystems.  In the U.S. alone, only 5% of the land is considered pristine.  The rest of the landscape is used for agriculture and urban development. 

Resources:

1. Enviroliteracy Team.  2025, March 4th.   “What percent of Earth’s species could be gone by 2050?” https://enviroliteracy.org/what-percent-of-earths-total-species-could-be-gone-by-2050/#google_vignette

2. Ritchie, Hannah. 2018. “Distribution of mammals on Earth.” www.ourworldindata.org. https://ourworldindata.org/wild-mammals-birds-biomass

3. Enviroliteracy Team.  2025, March 9th.  “How Many Animals Are Killed by Trophy Hunters?”  https://enviroliteracy.org/how-many-animals-are-killed-by-trophy-hunters/

4. Eduardo, Goncalves. One Animal Killed Every Three Minutes: Trophy Hunting is out of Control!. Bantrophyhunting.org. June 6, 2022. https://bantrophyhunting.org/one-animal-killed-every-three-minutes-trophy-hunting-is-out-of-control/

Today is World Day for Lab Animals.  I wanted to bring to light the unnecessary experimentation done on animals against their will and share how we can help. 

Estimates show that approximately 10 million to 100 million animals are subjected to lab research annually. Most of the animals used in research are mice, rats, fish, and birds.  But other animals, such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and nonhuman primates, are also subjected to testing. 

In 2023, 775,000 animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) in the United States were used in USDA-regulated facilities.  The AWA was enacted in 1966 in the U.S., but it only offers minimal animal protection in laboratories.   Mice, rats, and birds bred for experimentation are excluded from protection under the AWA and account for 95% of the animals tested.  The law sets minimal standards for housing, feeding, handling, and vet care for the approximately 5% of animals covered under the AWA.  Additionally, these animals are not protected from any experiment that can cause pain or distress, and most animals are euthanized after being used in experimentation.  

Animals are subjected to testing for cosmetics, household products, and medications.  All things that only humans use.  An animal's physiology is much different from a human's and will respond differently to cosmetics or medicines.  Therefore, animals used in labs do not provide adequate results for us.  According to Enviroliteracy, medications tested on animals fail spectacularly in human trials.  This scheme of testing on animals is unethical, unreliable, and ineffective.  Advanced methods of testing that provide accurate and reliable data can be used that do not involve torturing an innocent sentient being. 

How to Help:

1. Animals are held prisoner in labs and need our voice to advocate for their freedom.  To learn how you can advocate for lab animals, go to www.riseforanimals.org or www.aavs.org.

2. When you are out shopping and you want to determine if a product has been tested on animals:

·      Look at the back of the product.  Does it say “This Product Has Not Been Tested On Animals.”?  It could also show the bunny logo and state that it is cruelty-free.  

·      If the product states “Do Not Put In Eyes” or “Do Not Swallow” it could mean it did not pass animal safety tests.

·      Do your own research! Check out www.ethicalelephant.org or www.crueltyfree.peta.org for brands and companies that do not test on animals. 

Resources:

1. American Anti-Vivisection Society. “Animals in Science page.”  www.aavs.org.https://aavs.org/animals-science/animals-used/

2. The Rise for Animals Team.  December 5th, 2022.  “The Animal Welfare Act Protects Just 5% of Animals in Labs.”  www.riseforanimals.org. https://riseforanimals.org/news/animal-welfare-act/

3. Enviroliteracy Team.  February 28th, 2025.  “Why is it unnecessary to test on animals?” www.enviroliteracy.org. https://enviroliteracy.org/why-is-it-unnecessary-to-test-on-animals/

 *Photo courtesy of www.roadsanimal.blogspot.com

This week is Be Kind to Spiders Week. Since all life on Earth depends on one another, I wanted to share the important role that spiders play in our ecosystem and our interdependence with them. 

E.O. Wilson, the late American biologist, naturalist, ecologist, entomologist, and author of many books, including Half-Earth, described insects as "the little things that run the world." Through his years of research, he concluded that humans would survive only a few months if insects were to disappear from Earth. 

Spiders help control pest populations, such as flies and mosquitoes, which, in turn, helps control the spread of diseases carried by these pests. They also play a significant role in agricultural settings by keeping pests at bay without the use of pesticides. As much as spiders are predators, they are also considered prey for mammals and are an integral part of the food web. 

Did you know that spiders are also pollinators? As they feed on plant nectar, they transfer pollen while moving to the next flower, which supports plant diversity. The more plants we have, the better the food webs are for wildlife and the more ecosystem services we all benefit from, including carbon storage and oxygen production. 

The next time you encounter a spider, remember that it has important roles to fulfill while it is on Earth. 

Today is Beaver Day! Despite their small size, beavers are significant contributors to supporting biodiversity and combating climate change. How do they accomplish this? By building dams. 

Beavers construct dams using only small or unhealthy trees, which serve as shelter for themselves. These dams hold back water, creating wetlands that provide critical habitats for other species. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil for extended periods, and wildlife depend on them for food, water, and shelter. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nearly 60% of threatened species rely on wetlands for survival. 

Wetlands also play an essential role in carbon storage, helping to regulate the planet's climate. They prevent flooding by absorbing large amounts of water, allowing for the replenishment of groundwater and filtering water to remove contaminants. And we can thank beavers for their contributions to mitigating climate change. 

As ecosystem engineers, beavers transform the landscape by building dams and wetlands that create clearings in dense forests. This permits sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging various plant life to flourish, thus enhancing biodiversity. 

Another vital role that beavers fulfill is providing a complex food web for other species. The submerged wood in a beaver dam decomposes, subsequently becoming food for insects. These insects, in turn, become food for fish, birds, amphibians, and other mammals. 

These benefits for wildlife, humans, and the planet stem from one small creature working to provide shelter and protection for its family. To learn more about how to help beavers, visit www.projectbeaver.org.

Resources:

1. “Why Do Beavers Build the Most Amazing Dams?” Champions for Wildlife.  https://championsforwildlife.org/why-do-beavers-build-dams/

2. Enviroliteracy Team.  2025, February 23rd.  “Why are Beavers Important to the Ecosystem?”  Enviroliteracy.  https://enviroliteracy.org/why-are-beavers-important-to-the-ecosystem/

World Manatee Day 2025

All animals are precious to me, and the Florida manatee is no exception; it holds a special place in my heart. As it is World Manatee Day, I want to discuss their challenges, recent positive news for them, and how we can help ensure a brighter tomorrow for manatees.

The Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. In captivity, a manatee can live up to 65 years, but in the wild, their life expectancy ranges from 3 to 7 years, with only half surviving into their 20s.  West Indian Manatees are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. 

Manatees are often compared to giant sea cows due to their immense size. Some can grow 9 to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. Because of their size, they are voracious eaters and can spend up to eight hours a day searching for food.

Many Florida manatees inhabit the Indian River Lagoon, which stretches 156 miles along Florida’s east-central coast. The primary food source for the manatees in the lagoon is seagrass, a flowering plant that grows entirely underwater. However, improperly treated sewage, leaking septic systems, fertilizers, and stormwater runoff have led to increasingly frequent harmful algal blooms that obstruct the light necessary for seagrass photosynthesis. This has resulted in the devastating loss of more than 90% of the seagrass biomass.

Besides seagrass serving as a necessary food source for the manatee, it hosts a wide range of ecosystem functions: provides a haven for endangered species like seahorses and jellyfish, absorbs carbon, and can produce up to 10 liters of oxygen per day, as well as it prevents erosion of coastlines. 

But here’s some good news for a change. After years of seagrass restoration in the Indian River Lagoon, this plant is beginning to take hold, providing food for the manatees and enhancing water quality. Although seagrass has not yet returned to its abundant state, this is a positive win for both marine life and humanity. 

Whether you live in Florida or elsewhere, there are many ways we can help protect the manatee. To find out how to assist the Florida manatee, visit Save the Manatee.

References:

1. “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Florida Manatees and Where To See Them.”  The Everglades Foundation. https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-florida-manatees-and-where-to-see-them

2. “Algae Blooms and Sea Grass Loss.” June 19th, 2024.  Save The Manatee.  https://savethemanatee.org/manatees/algae-blooms/

3. “Why is Seagrass Important?”  Ocean Conservation Trust.  https://oceanconservationtrust.org/ocean-habitats/why-seagrass/

Many of us may not see wildlife every day, but wildlife is integral to our lives.

An article published in the Nature Climate Change journal suggests that protecting and rewilding the African forest elephants, American bison, fish, gray wolves, musk oxen, sea otters, sharks, whales, and wildebeest would help extract 500 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2100 (1).  Not too shabby, considering that these species’ value comes from their mere presence on Earth.  They don’t have to be anything but themselves to help keep the Earth balanced. 

However, we are losing animal species at an alarming rate, and the sound of the alarm continues to grow louder as time passes.  A report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found approximately 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction, and the extinction rate is accelerating.  This is largely due to human actions. 

As wildlife populations continue to diminish, the loss of key individuals causes a cascade effect throughout the ecosystem.  After all, the ecosystem services that wildlife helps to maintain, such as clean air, carbon extraction, and water filtration, are what support us.  This is the essence of interconnection and is fundamental to life on Earth.  The question then becomes how can we prioritize wildlife the same way we prioritize ourselves?

Wildlife constitutes only 4% of all biomass on Earth.  Farmed animals account for 62% of the Earth’s biomass. (2) 50% of all land on Earth is used for agriculture.  80% of the land used for agriculture is dedicated to raising farmed animals (3). The large area required to raise farmed animals means that most of the world’s endangered and threatened species are experiencing habitat loss, leading to the degradation of ecosystems that support life on Earth (4).

Interestingly, one way to help wildlife is by reducing the consumption of animal products. Not only will you create a positive impact on the future of wildlife, but you will also support farmed animals and contribute to the well-being of our planet.

References:

1. Oppenlander, Richard, A.  Comfortably Unaware.  New York City.  Beaufort Books.  2012.

2. Ritchie, Hannah. 2018. “Distribution of mammals on Earth.” www.ourworldindata.org. https://ourworldindata.org/wild-mammals-birds-biomass

3. Ritchie, Hannah.  Roser, Max. 2019, September.  “Land Use.” Our World In Data.  https://ourworldindata.org/land-use#:~:text=If%20we%20combine%20global%20grazing,livestock%20for%20meat%20and%20dairy

4. Schmitz, O.J., Sylvén, M., Atwood, T.B. et al. 2023. “Trophic rewilding can expand natural climate solutions.” Nat. Clim. Chang. 13, 324–333. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01631-6

World Polar Bear Day 2025

Today is World Polar Bear Day! 

Many threats jeopardize the survival of polar bears. One significant threat is the reduction of Arctic sea ice, which serves as a prime habitat for them. Since 1979, Arctic sea ice has decreased by two million square kilometers. Polar bears rely on sea ice for hunting, mating, traveling, and even denning. They follow the sea ice in pursuit of prey. When polar bears find themselves in regions with less ice, they must travel farther to locate seals for food, leading to extended fasting periods.

This habitat loss not only poses a threat to polar bears but to us as well. Why? Because what affects one impacts many.

Arctic sea ice reflects sunlight back into the atmosphere, helping the planet stay cooler. As this ice continues to diminish, the sea absorbs more sunlight, causing a warming effect on our planet. Unfortunately, the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world. Some studies indicate that it is warming possibly three times faster than any other region on Earth. Unlike elsewhere, the Arctic has experienced above-average January temperatures.

Another serious threat to polar bears is drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, a key area for polar bear denning. Drilling not only disrupts female polar bears in their efforts to raise young but also disturbs the ecological balance of the region. Additionally, drilling impacts the world at large as it results in air and water pollution and emits greenhouse gases into an already warm atmosphere.

Polar bears are classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act because they need our protection. However, in the broader context of life, our entire planet requires safeguarding, as what affects one impacts many. Considering the future of polar bears means considering what is at stake for our future. 

One of the biggest impacts we can take to reduce our carbon footprint and its effect on global temperature rise is to eat more plant-based meals.  One study proposed if there was a collective shift towards plant-based eating, we could reduce annual agriculture emissions by 61%.  How we live our lives and the choices we make have a huge impact on other beings and the rest of the planet. 

Polar Bears International, the only conservation organization that studies wild polar bears, is a great resource to learn more ways to help protect polar bear populations.  Go to https://polarbearsinternational.org/what-we-do/our-mission-history/ to learn more. 

Resources:

1. Polar Bears International.  Polar Bears Changing Arctic.   https://polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears-changing-arctic/polar-bear-facts/habitat/

2. Ask MIT Climate.  2023, April 10th.  How much has Arctic ice declined, and how does that compare to past periods in the Earth's history? https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/how-much-has-arctic-ice-declined-and-how-does-compare-past-periods-earths-history

3. National Snow and Ice Data Center.  2025, February 3rd.  Sea Ice Climbs to Second Lowest In January.  https://nsidc.org/sea-ice-today/analyses/sea-ice-climbs-second-lowest-january

4. Rantanen, M., Karpechko, A.Y., Lipponen, A. et al. The Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the globe since 1979. Commun Earth Environ 3, 168 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00498-3.

5. National Ocean Service. How does sea ice affect global climate?https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sea-ice-climate.html

 6. Leiden University.  2022, January 10th.  How plant-based diets not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also increase carbon capture.  https://phys.org/news/2022-01-plant-based-diets-carbon-footprint-capture.html.

Insects are "the little things that run the world."

Did you know without insects, we could not exist?  Yes, you read correctly.  But how, you might ask?  I encourage you to read on. 

E.O. Wilson, an American biologist, naturalist, ecologist, entomologist, and author of Half-Earth, referred to insects as "the little things that run the world.” So, how can these tiny creatures be responsible for supporting all life? 

In his book, Nature’s Best Hope, Douglas Tallamy notes that insects play essential ecological roles every day. Insects are responsible for pollinating 87.5% of all plants and 90% of all flowering plants. Plants convert energy from the sun into food, which is necessary for our survival, as well as for birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Insects also serve as the primary means by which food produced by plants is delivered to animals. Most animals do not consume plants directly; instead, they often eat the insects that have converted plant sugars and carbohydrates into vital proteins and fats that sustain complex food webs. 

In Nature’s Best Hope, Tallamy references that the powerhouses of our food webs are insects, specifically caterpillars and bees. Caterpillars are a crucial part of most bird diets, especially during the raising of their young, because they are soft, easy to digest, high in protein and fats, and the best sources of carotenoids, which help stimulate immune systems. One source of carotenoids is plants.  Carotenoids are an essential part of a balanced diet. 

Bees are equally important as they are the primary agents in pollinating a wide array of plants that make up our food web. Bees pollinate roughly a third of our crops. But remember when I mentioned earlier that pollinators, specifically bees, are responsible for pollinating 87.5% of all plants and 90% of all flowering plants? Well, if pollinators were to disappear, 87.5-90% of the plants would also vanish. This would be a devastating blow to our food web, impacting everyone from humans to mammals to birds.

So, how can we assist the insect kingdom in continuing its vital role in supporting life? We can ditch planting ornamental plants not native to our region and instead plant native plants in our yards and gardens.   If you don’t have either, consider planting native plants in an outdoor pot. Native plants play a crucial role in maintaining insect populations and supporting the overall function of ecosystems. Insects have an evolutionary history with these plants and have learned to consume and digest them. This is why you often read that the most significant action you can take to help monarch butterflies is to plant milkweed. Monarchs have formed a relationship with the milkweed plant over millions of years. Changing how we approach what we plant in our gardens and yards can help advance conservation and shape our future, one native plant at a time. 

To learn more about planting native plants, go to:

·      Homegrown National Park;

https://homegrownnationalpark.org

·      National Wildlife Federation;

https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native

References:

1. Wilson, Edward O. Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life.   Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2016.

2. Tallamy, Douglas, W. Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. Timber Press, 2019.

World Whale Day

February 16th was World Whale Day.  This day is dedicated to raising awareness of whales, their importance, and the threats they face so that we can help greatly reduce our impact on their lives. 

The significance and remarkable essence of their existence are more profound than we may realize. Whales share similarities with human culture, and our connections with them are valuable and sustainable for our planet.

First, whales exhibit an incredible resemblance of language to our own.  Researchers have discovered that humpback whales produce songs in a manner similar to how humans structure language and can create new phrases within the songs they sing, passing them to one another.  Recognizing that whales have similar language patterns to humans indicates that they are intelligent and capable of forming complex relationships with one another, just as we do. This understanding fosters compassion and connection with other species.

Second, the presence of whales in the oceans greatly contributes to regulating our climate, which supports our daily lives. They are often referred to as the gardeners of the seas. Whale feces help fertilize the phytoplankton on the ocean’s surface. Phytoplankton are vital because they function like plants, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, producing oxygen, and serving as the foundation of the aquatic food web. Thus, by nature, whales play a crucial role in maintaining the planet's balance.

Unfortunately, 6 out of 13 whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable. It is estimated that 300,000 whales and dolphins die each year due to fishing bycatch. Other threats include being struck by vessels, habitat destruction, and the depletion of food sources such as krill. Krill are tiny crustaceans that serve as a primary food source for whales and other marine life.  Unfortunately, krill is sought after for human consumption, either used in dishes or desired for its oil, as Western consumers are seeking pure sources of Omega-3. Additionally, krill is used in fishmeal to feed farmed fish and has become increasingly common in popular pet food. 

There are many ways we can help protect whales.  This includes:

1. Reducing our consumption of fish products can prevent whales from becoming bycatch in large-scale fishing. Additionally, consuming fish leads to the depletion of food sources available for whales.

 2. Reject cruise vacations since they damage marine habitats and significantly pollute the oceans. Many cruise ships navigate into the most delicate marine environments, posing a risk to marine life. Moreover, the U.S. government permits cruise ships to discharge wastewater from sinks, showers, laundry, and toilets just three and a half miles off the coast. Friends of the Earth reports that over a billion tons of sewage are released into the ocean each year.

3.  Our global society can stop buying krill-based products such as omega-3 oils and pet food that contain krill. As well as not eating farmed fish that are fed krill to protect critical krill populations and the marine life like whales who consume it.

Once we grasp the vital roles that other species play on Earth and recognize that they, too, lead complex and rich lives, we can then turn the tide toward a more compassionate and sustainable future for all.   

References:

1. Graham, Wendy. 2024, December 9th. The Animal Awareness Days and Dates to Know in 2025. www.moralfibres.co.uk. https://moralfibres.co.uk/animal-awareness-days-dates/#h-march-endangered-animal-awareness-days

2. Joseph, Jordan.  2025, February 8th.  Whale Songs Share Very Similar Patterns with Human Language.  www.earth.com.  https://www.earth.com/news/whale-songs-share-very-similar-patterns-with-human-language/

3. Josep Lloret, Arnau Carreño, Hrvoje Carić, Joan San, Lora E. Fleming., (2021), Environmental and human health impacts of cruise tourism: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin. Volume 173, Part A.

4. Friends of the Earth. Cruise Ship Report Card. www.foe.org. https://foe.org/cruise-report-card/

5. Sea Shepherd.  2022, December 9th.  How a tiny crustacean in Antarctica may be the key to saving the planet. www.seashepherd.org.https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/latest-news/antarctic-krill/

Nature is relevant.

Nature is everywhere. It is the wind, the rain, the oxygen we breathe, the ground we walk on, the wood that makes our homes, the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear, the battery in our cell phones, and the rubber tires on our cars. It surrounds us and supports every aspect of our lives. It is essential for our existence. This is why nature is relevant to us.

Overall, our relationship with nature is reciprocal. We receive everything we need from nature to live each day. However, the reciprocity we extend to nature is equally important. If we continue to deplete nature and all its resources without giving back, it will have consequences for us. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment published in 2005, by the time the 20th century transitioned to the 21st century, we had already destroyed 60% of the earth’s ability to support us (1). 

Giving back to nature is not as difficult as one might think.  The reciprocity can be as simple as:

*Use a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing water in plastic bottles. There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans, affecting marine life and the overall health of our seas (2).

* Planting native plants in our yards can restore habitats that provide pollinators with more food sources, enabling them to pollinate additional plants that produce oxygen and sequester carbon. In the U.S. alone, 20 million acres of natural habitat have been converted into lawns (1).   

* Choosing more plant-based foods imposes less strain on the environment—resulting in less deforestation and reduced wildlife habitat loss, conserves water resources and saves the lives of farm animals. Animal agriculture is a leading driver of species extinction and habitat destruction (3).   

*Choosing recycled or bamboo paper towels and toilet paper prevents the cutting down of virgin forests like the Boreal Forest for single-use paper products.  Boreal forests make up 77% of Canada’s forests. They emerged approximately 12,000 years ago and are one of the most ecologically important forests in the world.  The Boreal forests lock away nearly twice as much carbon as is contained in the world’s recoverable oil reserves.  These woodlands are home to threatened and endangered species such as caribou and grizzly bears. Additionally, nearly three million birds migrate to this area every year.  However, nearly one million acres of Canadian boreal are cut away each year for logging, which means the size of a small city block is roughly clearcut from this area every MINUTE (4).

*Choosing more clothes from second-hand stores, in-person or online, reduces the strain on natural resources to create more textiles.  Globally, nearly 92 million tons of textiles end up in landfills yearly (5).   

We are and always will be a part of nature, not apart from nature. 

References:

1. Tallamy, Douglas W. Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard.  Timber Press, 2019.

2. “Ocean Trash: 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic and counting, but big questions remain.” National Geographic.  https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ocean-trash-525-trillion-pieces-and-counting-big-questions-remain/

3. “Animal Agriculture Causing Extinctions.” Earth and Animals. 2024, November 24th.  https://www.earthandanimals.com/advocate/farm-animals/params/post/1280000/animal-agriculture-causing-extinctions

4. “Toilet Paper and Climate Change: NRDC’s Updated “Issue With Tissue” Ranks Brands on Sustainability.” NRDC. 2020, June 24th.  https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/toilet-paper-and-climate-change-nrdcs-updated-issue-tissue-ranks-brands

5. Maceka, Maya. “Fast Fashion’s Environmental Impact.” Website Planet.  https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/fast-fashions-environmental-impact/?geo=us&device=desktop