Shifting baseline syndrome is the gradual change in accepted norms and expectations of nature across generations. For example, a forest that once covered thousands of acres is now fragmented by roads and urban sprawl. Younger generations may not realize this forest was once untouched by human development. Other examples include bison, which are now absent from 98% of their historic range, and our oceans, which were once teeming with marine life; 85% of fishing stocks are depleted or on the verge of collapse. Does anyone remember when there were so many insects splattered on the grill of your car? It is unusual to see cars’ grills covered with insects now. 

Younger generations accept this shifting baseline as the new normal, but on a deeper level, it reflects our lowered expectations of the natural world and has significant consequences for preserving wildlife, nature, and the future of our planet. According to a study by Soga and Gaston, shifting baseline syndrome is a global phenomenon occurring across socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental settings. This presents a global challenge regarding how we address environmental decline, because we have to realize there have been significant changes occurring in nature, understand that this decline is and will have an impact on us, and know this decline is largely due to human-related activities.

There has been a global initiative to protect 30% of the earth by 2030. Inherently, if we cannot truly fathom just how much nature has declined over the decades, including the loss of much of the wildlife and biodiversity, protecting only 30% of the earth by 2030 may not be enough to keep the planet humming.

E.O. Wilson, biologist, ecologist, and author of the book Half-Earth, suggested we need to save half of the earth’s land and oceans to preserve the bulk of biodiversity. Perhaps Wilson had the foresight to see what our future would be like with the earth’s biodiversity flourishing or floundering. In the end, nature is our ultimate caregiver. The natural world is the stronghold that influences our lives and how we live. It is so essential; it is literally the air we breathe. Yet, we must recognize and acknowledge its decline to influence and create lasting changes that will have a net-positive effect on all life. 

*Photo courtesy of Surrey Wildlife Trust.

Resources:

1. Hamilton, Bryan, Integrated Resource Program Manager.  2022, Winter.  Shifting Baseline.  National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/shifting-baseline.htm#:~:text=Shifting%20baseline%20describes%20a%20gradual,98%25%20of%20their%20historic%20range

2. Ecology Training UK. 2023, May 25th.  Shifting Baseline Syndrome: The Alarming Consequences for Conservation. https://ecologytraining.co.uk/shifting-baseline-syndrome-the-alarming-consequence-for-wildlife-conservation/

3. Masashi Soga, Kevin J Gaston, Global synthesis indicates widespread occurrence of shifting baseline syndrome, BioScience, Volume 74, Issue 10, October 2024, Pages 686–694, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae068

Farm Animal Awareness Week

In honor of Farm Animal Awareness Week, I want to share a story of my opportunity to meet Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn at the St. Louis Gentle Barn location.  We spoke about her new book Cow Hug Therapy and I received cow hug therapy with the St. Louis Six, a group of cows who broke free from a slaughterhouse.  I felt nervous excitement to have the opportunity to hug cows!  I was in awe of their sheer size and at the same time their extreme gentleness and patience with me. 

As I laid on their bodies, I spoke from my heart and expressed how proud I was of their courage to fight for their lives and break free. I told them that they are wonderful, wise, and deeply loved. During my time with the St. Louis Six, I witnessed firsthand what true resilience looks like in the face of overwhelming challenges. I learned from them how to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, how to carry oneself with dignity and grace, and how to rebuild trust in life.

When we recognize the sentience of other beings, acknowledging their capacity to love and persevere through life just like us, we take a step towards building a more loving and compassionate world. 

Do you give a crap where your toilet paper comes from?

Major toilet paper brands like Charmin, Cottonelle, Angel Soft, Quilted Northern, and Kirkland make their toilet paper from virgin forest fiber.  This means that their toilet paper comes entirely from pristine forests and not even partly from post-consumer recycled paper.  But why should we give a crap about it?

These manufacturers get their paper product from boreal forests of Canada.  Boreal forests make up 77% of Canada’s forests and are found in the boreal zone just below the arctic tundra to southern Canada. These forests emerged after the last Ice Age, 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.  To boot, threatened and endangered species like caribou and grizzly bear live in these woodlands and nearly three million birds migrate to this area every year.  But nearly one million acres of Canadian boreal are cut away each year for logging which means the size of a small city block are roughly clearcut from this area every MINUTE. 

Jennifer Skene, attorney with NRDC’s Canada Project stated: “With every roll of their unsustainable toilet paper, companies are pushing the world closer to climate catastrophe. That’s because climate change isn’t just about smokestacks and tail pipes, or oil wells and coal mines. It’s also driven by cutting down irreplaceable climate-critical forests like the Canadian boreal for something as short-lived as a flush.”

Fortunately, some companies do give a crap about sustainability and where they source their toilet paper.  These companies get an “A” for making the most sustainable toilet paper:

·      Who Gives a Crap

·      365 Bath Tissue

·      Ever Spring

·      Seventh Generation

·      Trader Joes Bath Tissue (TJ’s Super Soft brand got a C grade)

Even though I don’t live near the Canadian boreal forests, it doesn’t mean my consumer choices do not affect this region, and despite the distance between myself and those forests, I still receive the benefits of their presence: cleaner air and a healthier planet.  If you give a crap about the trees, please don’t squeeze or buy the Charmin.   

References:

1.    https://www.nrdc.org/media/2020/200618-20

2.   https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/sustainable-forest-management/boreal-forest/8-facts-about-canadas-boreal-forest/17394

3.   https://www.treehugger.com/fascinating-facts-about-the-boreal-forest-4858782

*******CALL TO ACTION FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS – HELP BAN WILDLIFE KILLING CONTESTS!!!!!********

If you live in Illinois or know someone who does, I am asking for your help in putting an end to the cruel practice of wildlife-killing contests in our state that happen every year from January through March. These events encourage participants to compete in killing the most, largest, or smallest animals for prizes, leaving the bodies of these creatures discarded like trash. It's inhumane and unnecessary.

You can make a real difference by urging your Illinois state senator to support HB 2900, a bill that aims to ban these brutal practices. Taking action is quick and easy—just complete this form to make your voice heard.

Let's stand together to protect the wildlife of Illinois and put an end to these senseless contests. Feel free to share this message with your fellow Illinoisians and encourage them to join us in defending the innocent lives of countless wildlife.

Thank you for your support.

With gratitude,

Nicole

Photo courtesy of Marc Ayers, Illinois State Director for the Humane Society of the United States.

It's crucial to remember that our food choices have a significant impact on the planet. Every year, more than 70 billion farm animals are raised and slaughtered in inhumane conditions. The treatment these animals endure is not only cruel, but it also takes a toll on the Earth's resources and biodiversity.

Wild spaces are needed to maintain biodiversity to keep the planet healthy but as you can see from the graph most of the land used for food production is for farmed animals and the food needed to feed them. 

The more these wild spaces are desecrated to raise farmed animals and their food means less biodiversity, less habitat for wildlife, less freshwater availability, more greenhouse gas emissions, and less oxygen that we all rely on from the plant life of these wild spaces. 

Transitioning to a plant-based diet can help mitigate these environmental challenges. It not only reduces cruelty to animals but also helps restore habitats for wildlife and improves the health and stability of our planet. By embracing plant-based foods, we can promote sustainability, protect the environment, and support our health and well-being.

Graph: Samyui-Adams, Julia. 2023, February 7th.  “The Shift to Plant-based Eating: Land Use”. https://greenerhenley.org.uk/the-shift-to-plant-based-eating-land-use/.

What’s the difference?

I was driving down the expressway the other day and my heart sank as I drove past a trailer transporting pigs to their fate.  These trailers have openings big enough to see the pigs and how they are positioned.  The pigs were lying on metal with some stacked at the top of the trailer and they had been marked in blue on their behinds.  As I passed the trailer, I locked eyes with one of the pigs and as I did, I sent it love, knowing full well our connection may have been the only time that pig might have known what kindness meant in its very short life, as pigs are generally slaughtered around six months.   

Right after I had passed the trailer, I came upon another trailer transporting horses, they were protected all around but had windows to look out of. Those horses were probably going to a stable. 

I was in shock looking at the dichotomy of how our world treats different animals based on the way our society has taught us to view them. 

Pigs love and care for their young, like to play, form bonds, and express emotions just like a horse can.  Both are considered animals that would be preyed upon in the wild, but in our society, we generally protect horses and treat them with love and respect while pigs are seen as a commodity and food on one’s plate.  To some, pigs may not be even regarded as having emotions such as fear and love. 

I have a request for everyone who reads this post; please attempt to look at all animals with fresh eyes. Try to disregard what society has taught us to see one animal to be loved and another as food.  Each creature on this planet is a sovereign being in its own right, with its own purpose, story, and life. They should be free to express themselves and live the life they are meant to live.

Maxwell the pig was recently rescued by Chicagoland Pig Rescue and is at his forever home at No Swine Left Behind. 

Helping Hummingbirds

I LOVE hummingbirds. They represent one of my totem animals. Their curiosity never fails to fascinate me. Countless times, I've experienced a hummingbird flutter right up to my face as I put out their feeder, only to marvel at their magical backward flight, allowing them to take in a broader view. For over a decade, I've had the privilege of nourishing these remarkable creatures. Each May, I am filled with anticipation as I eagerly await my first glimpse of a hummingbird perched nearby. Conversely, when October arrives, and I bid farewell to the last hummingbird departing my deck, I'm overwhelmed with sadness, knowing that they are embarking on a journey of over 1,000 miles back to Mexico or Central America. Despite their diminutive size, weighing between 2-20 grams, they are powerhouses, with the extraordinary ability to cover up to 500 miles in a single day, sometimes flying for an impressive 22 hours non-stop!

I've noticed a significant decrease in the number of hummingbirds visiting my feeder over the past few years. Previously, I would have up to 12 hummingbirds competing for a spot at the feeder, but now I'm lucky to see 3 or 4 at a time. Their declining populations can be attributed to various factors, including the effects of climate change on the blooming times of their preferred plants during migration, as well as the loss of their natural habitats due to human activity.

However, there are ways to support their populations, even in urban areas as I've observed them feeding from flowers in Chicago. For those residing in North America, supporting hummingbird populations can be achieved by planting native flowers and providing them with sugar water – avoiding the use of the artificial red dye sold in stores that is filled with chemicals.

Another significant way to aid hummingbirds is by using the Audubon app to log sightings of hummingbirds. This data helps scientists understand how climate change, flower blooms, and human efforts to feed hummingbirds are impacting their populations.  To learn more go to https://www.audubon.org/content/hummingbirds-home.

Update on injured baby raccoon

Baby raccoon update;

The baby is safe and recovering!!!

After waiting anxiously for two nights, the baby animal returned with its mother and siblings and briefly hid behind my patio chair. I immediately contacted the trapper, and he came to the rescue within ten minutes, effortlessly trapped the baby, and brought it to Kane Area Rehabilitation & Education for Wildlife,

Vicki Fogel of Kane Area Rehabilitation & Education for Wildlife, removed the trap from the baby and discovered that it had lost two toes due to the trap.  Despite the trauma, the baby is doing well, eating heartily, and receiving the care it needs until it is fully healed and ready to be released back into the wild. While speaking with Vicki, she raised a crucial concern about the harm caused by these traps. Not only do they pose a threat to mice and rats, but in this case, it led to a baby raccoon experiencing broken bones and losing toes. She emphasized that these traps should never be used outdoors or even indoors, as they can pose a threat to children and pets.

I want to reiterate that if you ever come across injured or distressed wildlife, please use the Animal Help Now app to find a local wildlife expert who can provide assistance.

I also want to express my gratitude to Vicki Fogel and Ty Holden, the local expert trapper, for giving the baby raccoon a second chance at life.

Injured baby raccoon

Yesterday, I had a heartfelt encounter with a baby raccoon on my deck. The poor thing had its paw caught in a rat trap, a stark reminder of the impact of human actions on wildlife. It was truly heartbreaking to witness the suffering of this innocent creature. I have reached out to a wildlife rehabber and trapper to help capture this baby to provide the necessary medical attention and hopefully reunite the baby raccoon with its mother.

This experience has deepened my belief in the importance of coexisting with other species and living in harmony with nature. It's crucial that we recognize the value of every living being and strive to co-create a world where all creatures can thrive in love and freedom. After all, every soul on this earth deserves a chance to live a peaceful and fulfilling life.

I wanted to share some important information with everyone. If you ever come across distressed or injured wildlife, you can be a lifeline for them by downloading the “Animal Help Now” app. This incredible app will show you local wildlife rehabbers or trappers in your area to help safely get wildlife the care they need. When I noticed the baby raccoon had its paw caught in a rat trap, I used the app and within minutes, there were multiple responses from wildlife experts providing me with information on what to do. One amazing woman who is a wildlife rehabber even drove to my house to bring me a crate! This level of support was truly exceptional and made a big difference.

I've spent the last three years volunteering at my local forest preserve, working to remove invasive plants that were introduced by early settlers. Our ultimate goal is to restore the forest to its original state, filled with native plants. Through this work, I've gained a deeper understanding of the importance of native plants for our local habitats. Native plants play a crucial role in supporting native wildlife, as they provide essential food and habitat. In return, wildlife helps native plants thrive through processes like pollination and seed dispersal, creating a beautifully balanced relationship.

It's worth noting that native plants and wildlife work together to produce oxygen, purify water, sequester carbon, and prevent flooding. These vital services sustain not only us, but all living beings on this planet.

Inspired by this cause, I've shifted my focus to my own garden, incorporating more native plants to support the local wildlife. I've also been reading Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home, which emphasizes how native plants sustain wildlife. With rampant human development encroaching on wild spaces, it's essential to reevaluate how we approach gardening. By reducing the size of our lawns and introducing more native plants, we can help wildlife coexist with human development.

Tallamy's book also challenges the notion of mass extinctions by suggesting that many local species can thrive alongside humans if their basic ecological needs are met. One aspect I love about the book is its practicality. Tallamy guides on what to plant based on your region, what birds need to eat to survive, and the importance of insects for our survival.

For more information on planting native species and supporting your local ecosystem, check out the resources Tallamy has created at www.homegrownnationalpark.com.

P.S. I love the bee popping in for the photo opp. So apropos.

On January 1st, 2024 California’s Proposition 12 went into full effect, where certain farm owners, operators and distributors who raise veal calves, commercial breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens need to allow for specific freedom of movement for the animals, cage-free designs, and specified floor space.  These regulations prohibit farm owners and distributors from knowingly cruelly confining these sentient beings and apply to both in-state entities and out-of-state entities that intend to sell goods in the state of California.

In response to California's Proposition 12, 15 states have enacted laws addressing the cruel intensive confinement of farm animals and the associated public health risks. Furthermore, more than 40% of pork producers have expressed their willingness to meet the demand for crate-free pork production. Additionally, 80% of American voters support similar measures in their own states.

However, some members of Congress aligned with certain entities of the pork industry are seeking to “fix” Proposition 12 and nullify these regulations for farm animals.

If you wish to support farm animal protection laws, you can contact your federal representative and express your opposition to the proposed changes to Proposition 12. The call will take two minutes of your time and your voice makes a difference for farm animals that do not have one. You can find your federal representative at www.pluralpolicy.com.

Images courtesy of Civil Eats and Crate Free USA

Bringing Nature Home

While I was in Utah last week, I went hiking daily in the mountains and saw numerous bumble bees buzzing around the native plants. I could hear them buzzing by me as if they were on their morning commute to work.  This sight was particularly special to me as there aren't as many bumble bees in my area.

During my time in Utah, I also began reading a book by Douglas Tallamy called Bringing Nature Home. In the book, Tallamy discusses how in the U.S., we have developed and modified between 95-97% of all land, leaving only 3-5% as undisturbed habitat for plants and animals. He mentions a study estimating that 32-40 million acres of wild land in the U.S. have been converted to suburban lawns, replacing native plants with non-native ones that cannot support insects and wildlife. Tallamy emphasizes the importance of planting native species around our homes to provide food and habitat for the local species we live with. He points out that non-native plants, like the lilac bushes I planted, do not offer the necessary support for insects and wildlife. Bringing Nature Home offers practical solutions for supporting pollinators and wildlife in our environment. It's a great read for anyone looking to help preserve the planet and its wildlife.

What do a flock of pigeons and squirrels have in common? Love and connection.

I was driving past an area where there was a flock of pigeons. As I was approaching this area, I saw the whole flock making a tight circle around one of the pigeons who had died. Despite cars driving by, the pigeons would not move away from the body. They were focusing all their energy on their lost member. There, on the side of the road for all the passing cars to notice, was an expression of love.

On another occasion, while driving, I saw a dead squirrel on the road and its mate was trying to pull it back up onto the sidewalk. The mate was so scared every time a car drove by, it ran back up on the curb as if to acknowledge that its partner was hit by a car. Seeing this whole scenario play out broke my heart. No one could console that squirrel that just lost its partner. It was all alone trying desperately to bring its lost mate over the curb so it could be with the body somewhere safe.

In each of these instances, my heart was heavy feeling the grief they were experiencing.

Grief is an expression of love and these displays of grief are no different than the displays we show when we experience a loss.  These animals are conscious beings with families and traditions, who can love and be loved.

We are not the only species capable of love. Beings much smaller than us have a similar ability to experience and feel the magnitude and depth of love. When we can deeply understand this, we will be living in a world where all beings are respected, honored, and shown compassion.

Photos courtesy of Richard Sagredo and Miha Rekar

Cow Hug Therapy at the Gentle Barn

I had the opportunity to do a podcast in person with Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn, to discuss her new book “Cow Hug Therapy” and experience cow hug therapy with the St. Louis Six. The story of the St. Louis Six is incredible.  I have been captivated by their strength, courage, and determination to live a life of freedom.  They were about to be slaughtered when Chico, the leader of the group, broke through three barriers to escape. The sheer strength and determination Chico, Roo, Houdini, Johnny Cash, Eddie, and Spirit (Spirit passed due to injuries from the roundup) had to fight for their lives is inspiring and demonstrates to society that they have deep wisdom, rich inner lives, and cultures that we do not know or understand because they are never given the chance to express their true authentic selves.

The St. Louis Six are massive, powerful beings. As big as they are, they couldn’t have been more gentle. For that hour I was with them, I felt I was in the presence of Zen masters. I learned so much from them in that short time. I was able to connect with them and connect with myself. I matched their breath and sensed their calm. I was very much in the present moment, allowing myself to be enveloped by their ability to be centered and grounded. I was feeling every part of my body against their massive frames. Sensing the difference in our sizes gave me a glimpse of how I am just one small expression of the billions of ways the Universe expresses itself. But also knowing I have a reason for being here, just like the amazing St. Louis Six and all the other beings who call Earth their home.

Experiencing cow hug therapy is ineffable.  It is a form of healing on a different level.  Animals have this gift that allows us to be just as we are around them without wearing a mask or putting up a front.  Around animals, you don’t have to cover up who you truly are.  If you ever get the chance to receive cow hug therapy at the Gentle Barn, please do it.  You will walk away with a deep sense of peace and the freedom to allow yourself to be unmasked. 

Today, we honor World Endangered Species Day.  A report by the IPBES found approximately one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction.  This is mostly due to human actions.  As wildlife populations continue to diminish, the loss of key individuals causes a cascade effect throughout the entire ecosystem. 

A prime example of this is when wolves were killed off in Yellowstone National Park from 1914-1926 and what transpired for 70 years after the wolves were no longer an apex predator. 

Elk overpopulated the area and overgrazed the land and trees.  Without the trees, songbirds were in decline.  The beavers didn’t have trees to build dams which led to stream degradation and without the shade from trees, the water temperatures were too warm for cold-water fish. 

Then in 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed and wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park.  Their reintroduction balanced the elk populations, allowing the trees to grow.  The end of overgrazing helped to stabilize the rivers.  Eagles, songbirds, foxes, and beavers came back.

This is the essence of interconnection and is fundamental to life on Earth.   

Interestingly, one of the ways you can make a difference for wildlife is by reducing the amount of animal products you consume.  80% of the world’s land is used for animal agriculture.  This translates into massively reduced wildlife habitat and food sources.  As biodiversity decreases, less carbon is sequestered, less oxygen is provided, and soil degradation occurs, impacting our environment.

If you live in the U.S., you can also make a difference for wildlife by calling your federal legislators and stating you want to ban trophy hunting of endangered and threatened species.  As we are experiencing the Earth’s sixth mass extinction process in real-time, how are we allowing endangered wildlife to be hunted for sport?  Change occurs when we, as a collective, take action.  Let’s change the narrative for wildlife and ourselves because what affects them also affects us.

You can find your federal legislators at www.pluralpolicy.com.

Garden for Wildlife

As the weather warms up, it's a great time to start gardening again. However, it's important to also consider the impact our gardening choices have on local wildlife pollinators such as birds, bees, and butterflies. Did you know that some big-box stores sell plants that are invasive and not native to your area, which can harm the local ecosystem? To support the local wildlife, it's best to plant native plants that are specific to your region.

I recently purchased plants from Garden For Wildlife for the pollinators in my region.  Understanding that we can do so much to restore local wildlife habitat just by planting native plants is a very impactful way to support nature.  Last year, I planted native milkweed for the butterflies and I could not believe to see five monarch caterpillars make their cocoons on the milkweed.  It was an absolute miracle and joy to see them ALL become butterflies!!!!  

Even if you have limited space, you can still make a difference by planting native plants and flowers in pots. Don't underestimate the power of small actions to make a big impact on the environment!

“The Earth is our environment to protect and the garden to tend to.” Pope Francis

Celebrating six months of life for a little piglet named Maple.

I recently had the honor of celebrating a very special milestone - the six-month birthday of Maple, a piglet that was rescued from a slaughterhouse by a group of kind-hearted individuals led by Chicagoland Pig Rescue. It was a joyous occasion because pigs generally do not live past six months. As we celebrated Maple's life, we also remembered her siblings who were not as fortunate and did not survive the inhumane conditions of factory farming.

Sadly, pigs and other farm animals are often born into a life of confinement and cruelty, where they are also subjected to viruses and dis-ease and die before becoming adults. The demand for pork is so high that these animals are treated as nothing more than commodities.

That's why it's so wonderful that Maple was rescued by Chicagoland Pig Rescue and the team of volunteers who cared for her until she was strong enough to be transported to the Odd Man Inn vegan farm sanctuary in Tennessee. Maple's journey to freedom was not an easy one. She had to overcome a serious virus called PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome), before going to her forever home. But thanks to the love and dedication of her rescuers, she was able to make a full recovery and start living her best life.

Maple and other pigs who are so very fortunate enough to be rescued from the terror of factory farms and slaughterhouses are small in number in comparison to 9.2 billion animals who die each year for the global food trade (1).  So many animals like Maple, never get to grow up with their mom and siblings and have no idea what love is or means. 

Maple's story is a reminder that there is hope for farm animals and that we can all make a difference by supporting organizations like Chicagoland Pig Rescue who are working tirelessly to end animal cruelty. 

Thank you to everyone at Chicagoland Pig Rescue, the Odd Man Inn and everyone else involved in Maple's rescue for showing us what it means to truly care for animals and for making the world a better place, one piglet at a time.

Resources:

Block, Kitty.  “More animals than ever before—92.2 billion—are used and killed each year for food.”  A Humane World Blog.  2023, June 6th. 

Every single part of nature is like a cog in the wheel.

My dear friend April Noga of Chicagoland Pig Rescue and I picked up trash on Earth Day.  We hit a stretch of road that makes my skin crawl every time I drive by it because it’s strewn with garbage.

What we both found heartbreaking were beetles burrowed underground with plastic molded over their tunnels. The beetles even tried to burrow in styrofoam.  For me, it was an in-your-face moment of just how much our actions affect the rest of the species we inhabit this earth with.  Much of nature is trying to adapt to our footprint everywhere but these beetles including other species are necessary and have a specialized purpose for being on Earth, otherwise, they wouldn’t be here.  These particular beetles help to keep our soil healthy just like earthworms. 

Every single part of nature is like a cog in the wheel. No matter how small, each aspect of nature provides a building block to form a thriving and biodiverse ecosystem. According to E.O. Wilson, American biologist, ecologist, and author of the book Half-Earth, he states no species can survive on its own: “When we allow one species to die, we erase the web of relationships it maintained in life, with consequences that scientists seldom understand.”

We need nature for us to thrive.  All ecosystems support our lives by providing us with elements to use for our shelter, food, water, clothing, and other resources.  I ask you to look at any aspect of your life and see how nature influenced it.  From the toilet paper and plastic bags you use to the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the gas in your car, and the roof above your head.  It all originates from nature.  When you garden and your flowers grow, you can thank in part the earthworms and beetles for supporting healthy soil.  This is the intricate web of interconnection we share with all of life on earth.  So next time you see an insect, look deeper into their reason for being and you’ll catch a glimpse of the mystery of our life here on earth.

“Save your mother, save yourself.”

Wild(life) is more than a term used to describe animals in the wild.

Wild(life)

The word wildlife is symbolic and more than a term to describe animals in the wild.  Wild(life) contains the very word that denotes the capacity to reproduce, grow, change, and exist.  If we acknowledge that wildlife possesses the same ability as humans to reproduce, grow, and change, then we can assume that they also experience other aspects of life as we do. In other words, they may form families, create bonds, experience grief from losing a loved one, and have a sense of when they feel safe or are in danger.  All of these are experiences of being alive.  This change of perspective allows us to understand that life is a sacred gift for every species on earth. 

A bill called the Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creatures Trophies Act of 2024 (H.R. 7840) has recently been introduced in U.S. Congress to protect endangered species around the globe. To help get this bill passed, please take a moment to sign and share this petition.

Your voice matters more than you know.  Together we can make a huge impact on the future of our planet's most vulnerable species. So please, join us in this important cause and help spread the word far and wide! If you reside in the U.S., please take it one step further and contact your federal legislators, requesting their support for the Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creatures Trophies Act of 2024 (H.R. 7840). You can find your federal legislators by visiting https://pluralpolicy.com.

Wolf photo courtesy of  Yannick Menard

Human hug photo courtesy of Kenny Eliason

Paper towels come from old-growth forests.

I love trees.  No doubt I am the epitome of the classic tree hugger. Trees are amazing, they do so much for us and the planet.  Just one acre of trees can absorb the amount of carbon produced by a car driving up to 8700 miles and because trees “by nature” have a cooling effect, one tree is the equivalent of two air conditioners. 

This is the reason why paper products plague me.  While we need these products, it also means that trees get chopped down.  Every time I walk down an aisle in a store and see the shelves of paper towels and facial tissue, I cringe because most of these products come from old-growth forests, not recycled paper. 

Many manufacturers are clear-cutting and logging forests for these products. That means we lose all the benefits of trees like oxygen, water filtration, carbon absorption, cooling of the planet, and home for wildlife for a one-time use deal.  Not only are we losing the benefits of trees, but the process of creating paper products is intense on the environment. Creighton University reports it takes 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of water to make just 1 ton of paper towels. 

Norwex counter cloths are a great alternative to wiping countertops and they remove up to 99% of bacteria from the surface.  No need to use paper towels that came from an ancient forest along with having to buy a disinfectant to wipe my counters.  Even better, the cloth itself is made from 64% recycled yarn.  It’s a sustainable, eco-friendly, and reusable way to save some dough and save trees.

Photo courtesy of Maxim Hopman on Unsplash.

Resources:

1. Creighton University. “Forest or Paper Towels.” Volume 2, Issue 4. https://www.creighton.edu/fileadmin/user/sustainability/docs/creighton-9.pdf

2. Kamprad, Dennis. Impactful.Ninja. “Are Paper Towels Sustainable?”. 2024. https://impactful.ninja/are-paper-towels-sustainable/

3. Woodland Tree.  “Terrains’ Tips: Fun Facts about Trees.” https://www.woodlandtree.com/terrans-tips/posts/fun-facts-about-trees#:~:text=Trees%20keep%20our%20air%20supply,costs%20by%202.1%20billion%20dollars.