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

Restoring nature is as simple as planting native plants.

We often think of nature as something distant and separate from us, as if we must travel to reach it. However, in reality, we are a part of nature, not apart from it. Long ago, we distanced ourselves from nature and viewed it as external to us, but it is the life force that sustains us, all other living beings, and the planet as a whole. 

Nature’s resources that support all life on earth are under pressure by our continuous growth, building, and sprawling.  According to Douglas Tallamy in his book Nature’s Best Hope, “We already intensively farm or graze nearly half of the earth’s land surfaces.  The remaining 50 percent is divided between cities, suburbs, vast complexes of infrastructure, the patchwork of fragmented second-growth habitat scattered here and there, uninhabitable areas, and the areas already preserved, which total only 17 percent of the earth’s land surface.”

Despite human growth and sprawl, we have the power to restore nature right where we live, giving back to what has continuously supported us all. It’s as simple as reimagining the landscapes of our gardens, lawns, empty lots, and any other areas where we can plant native species that have long been absent from our surroundings. Native plants support local wildlife, including pollinators, which play a crucial role in revitalizing our damaged ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems contribute to our wellbeing by providing oxygen, carbon dioxide storage, and cleaner water, all beginning with the simple act of planting native plants and flowers. 

To learn more of how you can plant native species, visit homegrownnationalpark.org.

Image courtesy of www.thamestalbotlandandtrust.ca

Trashie Talk

I just came across a company called Trashie. They have an innovative approach to recycling and donating used clothes, textiles, and shoes. Many donation organizations and online resale platforms are overwhelmed by the volume of clothing they receive, leading to around 85% of clothes ending up in landfills.

Trashie aims to recycle and repurpose post-consumer waste. They process and sort about 100,000 pounds of textiles each week. Through their sorting process, 70% can be reused, and 20-25% of the textiles can be recycled.

This method enables clothing to be purposefully sent to areas around the globe that need specific items. For example, coats are sent to Eastern Europe during winter, while durable t-shirts go to field workers in Southeast Asia.

For items that cannot be recycled, the textiles are downcycled and repurposed into industrial rags, carpet padding, or pet bed filling. Their innovative sorting system ensures that 95% of clothes and textiles reach the right destination, keeping unwanted items out of landfills.

Now that’s some Trashie talk. To learn more, visit trashie.io.

The impact of leather goods.

The first thing that may come to mind when people hear the word "leather" is its association with shoes, clothes, handbags, and furniture. For some, leather represents a luxury upgrade, particularly in cars. However, what often goes unconsidered is the life lost to create those shoes, bags, or car seats. 

Each year, over a billion animals are killed for the global leather trade. Most leather purchased in the U.S. and U.K. comes from China, India and other countries with insufficient animal welfare laws. These animals suffer immensely throughout their lives, and their lives often end brutally, sometimes with parts of their bodies hacked away while they are still conscious. 

Leather is not a sustainable product and is made solely for profit. Its production contributes to climate change and significantly impacts our planet’s biodiversity. According to calculations from CIRUMFAUNA, verified by Faunalytics, a cowhide leather tote bag produces 100.5 kg (221 pounds) of CO2e, while a synthetic alternative emits only 14.4 kg (31.7 pounds) of CO2e. These leather calculations do not account for the entire life cycle of the animal; if they did, the CO2e figures would be higher. 

Concerning biodiversity, raising cattle significantly impacts our planet’s resources. According to Collective Fashion Justice, 80% of Amazonian deforestation in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia is driven by cattle ranching.  The loss of this much wild space to raise cattle diminishes oxygen produced by plant life, CO2 sequestration, habitat for wildlife, and the capacity of our natural areas to filter our water. 

Raising cattle for leather also affects our freshwater sources. According to calculations from CIRCUMFAUNA, producing a standard cowhide leather tote bag requires 17,127.8 liters (or 4,524 gallons) of water, equivalent to the amount a human is recommended to drink daily for over 23 years.

The good news is that more leather alternatives are being offered to us. These alternatives, such as apple skin leather or mycelium, possess the same qualities as leather while being more sustainable and not harming living beings. Many shoe and bag brands are emerging with vegan products, and car companies provide synthetic leather for seats. Watch for these products because their quality will likely surprise you. If you're looking for shoes, bags, or clothing that are cruelty-free, click here. 

Resources:

1. Are Cows Killed For Leather? www.PETA.org. https://www.peta.org/features/cows-killed-leather/

2. Labarbera, Natalie.  (2022, December, 1) Leather is not a natural or sustainable by-product, it’s a profitable material produced at the expense of the planet. www.collectivefashionjustice.org. https://www.collectivefashionjustice.org/articles/leather-is-not-a-natural-or-sustainable-byproduct

Photos courtesy of Pixels and AradBranding.

Recently, I noticed a squirrel with a bad case of mange. Winter was approaching, bringing below-freezing nights, and I needed to find him help quickly. I used the Animal Help Now App to connect with a local wildlife rehabilitator who provided me medicated nuts to eliminate the mites burrowing into his skin, causing significant hair loss and potential skin infection.

These photos were taken within two weeks of each other, and as you can see, the squirrel was regrowing his fur nicely. This was the second time I used the app to find help for local wildlife, and each time, I got the help the animal needed with the support of a wildlife rehabilitator.

If you ever encounter injured or ill wildlife, download the Animal Help Now App to find someone who can assist in rehabilitating the animal back to health.

A tiny creature with a mega purpose for the earth needs protecting. 

In a podcast with Sara Newton, Head of Content and Creative Strategist for Sea Shepherd, I learned there is a massive decline of krill in the Antarctic and what that means for marine life and our planet. 

Krill are tiny crustaceans that are a primary food source for whales, seals, penguins, and Antarctic birds.  They are considered keystone species because they keep the ecosystem in balance by consuming phytoplankton on the water’s surface in the summer and algae that gather under sheet ice in the winter that are rich in carbon dioxide.  Once they consume the phytoplankton and algae, they excrete the carbon they have eaten in the colder waters below, resulting in a carbon sink.  This in turn helps to mitigate climate change.  According to Sea Shepherd, krill can remove 23 million metric tons of carbon each year in the Antarctic, the same amount of carbon produced by approximately 35 million gas-powered cars.  Krill are critical as a food source for marine life and the health of the planet.

But krill are also wanted for human consumption, either prepared in dishes or used for their oil, as western consumers are looking for pure sources of Omega 3’s.  Krill is also used for fishmeal to feed farmed fish, and have become increasingly found in popular pet food. 

Krill populations have declined by 80% since the 1970’s.  Sea Shepherd even encountered krill trawlers in the Antarctic while they were there for an anti-whaling campaign against Japan.  Another method of catching krill is through the use of underwater vacuums which results in bycatch of marine life like whales.  Not only are whales losing their primary source of food, but some are also losing their lives because of krill consumption by humans. 

Unfortunately, greenwashing the public about certified sustainable krill has caused the scientific community and NGO’s to raise awareness of these false claims flooding the market. 

Proactively, society can stop buying krill-based products such as omega-3 oils that contain krill, pet food, or eating farmed fish to protect krill and marine life that consume it and to protect our greatest resource, planet Earth.  Click here to learn more.

Albert Einstein once said:

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances of survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

I would like to add that eating more plant-based helps to take the strain off of the earth’s resources and provides a more peaceful way of living to all inhabitants of the planet.    

Let’s look at the effects that eating plant-based would have on the planet and all living beings:

·      Without meat or dairy consumption, global farmland could be reduced by 75% which is the size of the United States, China, Europe, and Australia combined and still be able to feed the world because growing vegetables does not take up much space (1).

·      If we were to rewild global farmland, it would remove 8.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year (2).  We would have more space for rewilding, supporting a healthier planet.  This would also aid in a decrease in the rise of global temperatures and cleaner air to breathe. 

·      To produce just one pound of meat takes about 1800 gallons of water, while it takes 10-20 gallons of water to produce one pound of veggies, fruits, or grains (1).

·      Wildlife constitutes only 4% of all biomass on Earth.  Farmed animals account for 62% of the Earth’s biomass (3). Because of the mass amount of space needed to raise farmed animals, means that most of the world’s endangered and threatened species are suffering habitat loss (4).  

·      Farmed animals emit greenhouse gases:

10% of all carbon dioxide

40% of all methane gas, which is 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide

65% of all nitrous oxide, which is 310% more powerful than carbon dioxide (4). 

 Zoonotic Diseases

Did you know our DNA makeup is similar to pigs?  Humans are highly susceptible to zoonotic viruses carried by farmed animals. Because they are forced to live in cruel and confined conditions, farmed animals have suppressed immune systems that cause disease and are easily transferred to humans (4).

Eating more of a plant-based diet provides a peaceful, healing respite for the earth and its inhabitants, improves the well-being of all who call the earth home, and paves a path to a brighter future. 

References:

1. “The Water Footprint of Food.”  Footprint. https://foodprint.org/issues/the-water-footprint-of-food/

2. Winters, Ed.  How to Argue with a Meat Eater (and win every time).  London.  Penguin Random House UK.  2023. 

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

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

Fabio and Fiona's rescue

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Chicagoland Pig Rescue to transport two babies, Fabio and Fiona, for a vet check and take them to their foster home. Ironically, they both fell off the same transport truck that was bringing them to a facility to grow bigger before heading to a slaughterhouse.

I instantly fell in love with them and got to know their personalities. Fabio was smaller and timid, while Fiona was bigger and sassy. Despite their differences, they bonded quickly as they felt safe being together.

Through the coordinated efforts of Chicagoland Pig Rescue and Peak Animal Sanctuary, Peak Animal Sanctuary is Fabio and Fiona’s forever home where they now have Annie, an eleven-year-old pig, as their surrogate mama.

This past weekend, I took a trip to Peak Animal Sanctuary to visit Fabio and Fiona. They have grown so big and have much room to roam and graze. I wondered if they would remember me, but my doubts were cast away as Fabio gave me kisses, and Fiona offered her belly to rub. They love their new mama, Annie, and she couldn’t be sweeter to these little ones. Somehow, the dynamic duo has learned to sit for treats! I didn’t want to leave them, and I got teary-eyed as they walked me to the gate and even gave a little pout as I went.

Hundreds of thousands of pigs get slaughtered every day in the U.S. Piglets are taken away from their mothers between two and four weeks of age and generally do not live past their six-month birthday. Fabio and Fiona are among the small group of fortunate ones rescued from the meat industry and can now live in their forever home, where they are loved, treated with respect, and safe.

Thank you, Chicagoland Pig Rescue and Peak Animal Sanctuary, for giving these babies a second chance at life! 

Ways we can help take care of the earth and others.

Climate change is not a hoax. It’s a reality. We all are seeing and experiencing the effects and consequences of the change. The ice caps are melting, affecting how wildlife like polar bears live and forage for food. It is also affecting sea level rise and resulting in warmer temperatures across the globe. This has been the hottest year globally. I even learned that wildfires are occurring in the tundra. 

The Conference of Parties (COP 29) is underway in Azerbaijan from November 11-22.  It is a climate conference where nearly 200 countries gather to help shape global climate policies and projects for our future. 

As countries are working to find solutions to the “hot” topic of climate change, I created a short list of how we can help take care of the earth and others:

1.    Choose more plant-based foods. 

• Without meat or dairy consumption, global farmland could be reduced by 75%, which is the size of the United States, China, Europe, and Australia combined, and still be able to feed the world because growing vegetables does not take up much space (1).

• If we were to rewild that land, it would remove 8.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year (2).

• To produce just one pound of meat takes about 1800 gallons of water, while it takes 10-20 gallons to produce one pound of veggies, fruits, or grains (1).

• Choosing more plant-based foods would also greatly reduce cruelty to farmed animals.

2.   Take care of the wildlife.

• Wildlife constitutes only 4% of all biomass on Earth. Livestock accounts for 62% of the Earth’s biomass (3). Because of the mass amount of space needed to raise livestock, most of the world’s endangered and threatened species are suffering habitat loss (4). 

• 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 (5).

3.    Plant native plants to restore natural habitat for native wildlife and pollinators.

• We know a lot of our wild spaces are becoming few and far between, which means we are losing the biodiversity in all areas of earth that support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators that in turn help feed us, and manage water. 

• When we plant native plants in our region, we support the biodiversity that is needed to help maintain the health of the planet, us, and other beings. 

• You can learn more about the why and the how to plant native plants by checking out Homegrown National Park. 

4.   Plant trees.

• Trees help to clean the air we breathe, filter our water and are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity.

• We can plant trees that are native to our local landscape or choose to plant trees as part of a gift or donation through One Tree Planted. For every dollar donated, One Tree Planted will plant a tree to support global reforestation. One can even choose where the tree or trees are planted around the globe.

5.    Pick up trash that could end up in our waterways and become ingested by marine life.

• Approximately 80% of our trash ends up in waterways that eventually flow into our ocean water, where marine life ingests it.  Even picking up one plastic bottle on a walk is one plastic bottle that can be recycled and not harm marine life.

• Pick up trash and track it with the Clean Swell App from Ocean Conservancy. Using the app helps scientists and advocates learn more about how to tackle ocean pollution.  Click here to learn more: Clean Swell App

6.   Be kind to others.

Additionally, you can learn more about the eight key topics that will be discussed at COP29 here.

*Image courtesy of South China Morning Post.

References:

1. “The Water Footprint of Food.”  Footprint. https://foodprint.org/issues/the-water-footprint-of-food/

2. Winters, Ed.  How to Argue with a Meat Eater (and win every time).  London.  Penguin Random House UK.  2023. 

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

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

5. 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