- This book describes the importance and production of organic cotton. 
Image from mongabay.com
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), has opened its doors to public opinion on the subject of carbon dioxide emissions. Please take a minute to tell them it's absolutely necessary to regulate the emissions spewed from countless sources all over the U.S., which adversely affects the entire world.
77,725 people have already signed it, join in today and make a difference for tomorrow!
Image from Sierra Club.
The awfully persistent Bush Administration is still trying to delist wolves from The Endangered Species Act, allowing over two thirds of the population to become unprotected. "...the current proposal is the product of a flawed process and will likely result in the same types of policy conflicts and legal battles that have plagued wolf management in the past" says Defenders of Wildlife. You can voice your opinion until Nov. 28th, 2008; my email included: "...wolves are needed to balance the environment, encourage tree growth, and so much more. They are also a symbol of the American people's hope for conservation and preservation."
Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to leave the wolves on The Endangered Species Act! Send your letter today! (it takes 5 min. max).
More information:
StopExtinction.org
Natural Resources Defense Council
Image from Orcaweb.org.
The sonar emitted from Navy ships has been thought by many scientists to harm, and sometimes kill whales. "A species of whales called beaked whales is particularly susceptible to harm from sonar, which can cause them to strand themselves onshore." That is an excerpt from The Associated Press, the article of which can be found on NPR.org
To improve the situation for the whales without grossly interfering with the Navys' sonar exercises, write to Donald Winter and tell him to keep at least some restrictions on these Navy sonar experiments and tests. It is not one or another (whales or the safety of the Navy), but rather a thing that could feasibly work, if done correctly.
Image from National Geographic.
Ugh, the Bush/Cheney administration is making one last ditch attempt to push a severely flawed proposal through the federal courts. It's already been rejected once, and it's sad that they're trying it again. Please sign this petition to tell them not to allow the ruthless killing of wolves, an essential component of any healthy eco-system.
SustainabiliTee just announced plans for the next eco-chic fashion shoot. To be held from Dec. 11th-14th, 2008, it will feature earth-conscious apparel and accessories, from coats to bags, to earrings to mittens. No matter where you are in the world, hot or cold, this photo shoot will cater to your earth-friendly fashion whims.
Check it out today, and submit your earth-friendly product or become a model!
This is a wonderfully clever commercial by Epuron, enticing people to consider wind energy, found in the episode described below.
Frontline recently aired a segment called “Heat”, found on PBS.org. Woah.
If you’re interested at all about ethanol, wind energy, or the government and its’ involvement with renewable energy, you have to see this film.
"I have reported on the Cold War, the breakup of the Soviet Union, the rise of Al Qaeda, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," says Smith. "But nothing matches climate change in scope and severity."
My viewing pleasure of this feature began with watching a large pickup truck become dwarfed against massive dump trucks of the Tar Sands, they seemed to be many stories high. These trucks set the scale for the upset I was about to experience. Oil extracted from the Tar Sands, has much more dirt that needs to be processed out, hence a 2-3 time increase of horrible air pollution that is produced when the oil is processed.
And the report that ethanol “is one of the biggest follies in the history of energy solutions”, comes at a time when the government is receiving powerful lobbies from the corn industry. There are many reasons not to partake in the ethanol agenda, but one in particular is of great concern. When one cornfield here is exhausted, one on the other side of the world generally has to replace it, burning rainforest, limiting land use, and creating erosion, all while pumping massive amounts of Co2 into our atmosphere.
So, if you're in the mood for a good informative movie (120 min.) that will propel you into alternative energy action, check it out! "Heat".
Dateline on ABC (featuring the climate change skeptic John Stossel) won’t allow a WeCanSolveIt.org ad siting the appearance of the capitol building. This is very disturbing because it limits viewers opportunity to hear both sides of the climate story. WeCanSolveIt.orgs' mission to "build a movement that creates the political will to solve the climate crisis -- in part through repowering America with 100 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources within 10 years..." yet it will air opposing energy sources like oil etc.
Image from: WeCanSolveIt.org
Even if global warming isn’t true, (as John implies) we should respect the environments we live in as the mission of WeCanSolveIt.Org suggests.
Write to Dateline, tell them you want them to allow air time for Wecansolveit.org. What the heck?
Email: http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346&cat=20/20
To comment: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/comments?type=story&id=3061015
And/or, use WeCanSolveIts' site to send your message. I did all three and it took me less than 8 minutes.
Created by StartMotions.
Of all things precious in our world, animals and the environment are on the top of the list. Irreplaceable once gone, these lovely co-inhabitants of the earth are at great risk. With top scientists agreeing that over 25% of the worlds animals (except humans) are in serious danger of becoming extinct.
Because of over 5,000 letters written by people like you and me, the U.S. Department of the Interior has graciously extended it's deadline to allow the public to comment more on the issue of the modification (weakening) of the Endangered Species Act, a key component in the effort to preserve animals. Please sign the petition that will allow members of the Dept. to hear your opinion, and if you're feeling extra passionate, write to them directly at:
Mailing Address:
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240
Phone: 202-208-3100
E-Mail: webteam@ios.doi.gov
If you're not in the U.S., you can still write. International opinions count too, since we're all living in the same world. Thank you!
Image courtesy of: Ecollo
Hitting bottom isn't all that bad when you know where the bottom is. However, since many have no idea when this worldly recession is going to end, here's some solutions to get you through it until it's truly solved.
If you sell a product or handmade items from your home, but cannot under these current conditions, consider asking local businesses (especially smaller ones who have the owner or manager in the front lines), online companies, and your local farmers if they'll take trades. Three companies affiliated with this blog will gladly accept trades of all sorts for things like recycled map envelopes, tee shirts (stay tuned for the tee shirt inspired by the latest economic crisis), and antique or vintage jewelry. Simply write to the company and show what you have to offer.
Other suggestions include:
I personally am taking a few tee shirts to the next farmers market to see if they'll take a tee for some good, home-grown, organic produce. Good luck!
Photo from Kyoto Twist .
Today, on BBC World News (radio), Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners in Health, described the recent disaster that has hit the financially poor island of Haiti: "I can honestly say that I have never seen anything as painful as what I just witnessed in Gonaïves—except in that very same city, four years ago."
Why such a similar incident? There are many contributing factors, but none more dangerous than the lack of forested lands. Over 98% of Haiti has been severely deforested. The clearing began in 1942, when Haiti became home to settlers using the island as a way to grow crops to trade; clearing acres and acres for crops such as sugarcane. Now, Haitis' agricultural trade makes up most of the income of working families, but the roots of crop plants can't hold soil like established forests. Compounding the problem is the remaining one percent of forest is dwindling down as people who need to cook their food use the charcoal to fuel their fires.
Paul said that short term problems such as supplying people with aid, food, and water are important now, but in the long term, reforestation is one of the most important projects to fix their next predicament.
How can we help? Solar Stoves! There's also many benefits, and although it isn't usable every day, the stove would vastly improve living conditions for the people in Haiti. It's hard to find a way to donate a solar stove, but Kyoto Twist is one site that has an incredible mission and helps issues imperative to the survival of the Haitian people, among others who are in need.
Yay! An important petition that you can sign in under a minute and make a huge difference in the ocean world! It will help ensure strict, but necessary regulations).
Visit the Ocean Conservancy to sign today!
Photo from National Geographic
A while ago, before Sarah Palin was McCains' running mate, she was allowing the slaughter of countless Alaskan wolves. Now, we have the chance to show the world her evil ways (including the insultingly out-of-date trophy of $150.00 for every left leg of a dead wolf).
As YourDailyBreeze readers, we know how incredibly important wolves, bears, and other predatory animals are to the eco-system. Without them (as seen when wolves were almost hunted to extinction) there are even certain trees that can't grow.
Aerial hunting is the laziest of all hunting, and is unethical (they do it in winter where the animal has no where to hide). If you want to see her record of animal killing, or if you want it published on TV, please go to Defenders of Wildlife today.
If you can't donate, please write or call her and tell her what you think about her evil ways.
Governor Palin
Alaska State Capitol Building
Third Floor
P.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001
or
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1700
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone (907) 269-7450
Photo by Ralph Maughan.
I feel better already. After signing a letter to Jim Caswell, the Director of the Beaureau of Land Management, my opinion about preserving over 2 million acres of western U.S. lands is now on it's way to his office. It took about four minutes total, but could take as little as one minute if you don't personalize it with some of your own factoids.
Apparently, the Bush Administration is ready to release this mass amount of pristine wildlands to create oil, which, we have alternatives for.
Here's a little excerpt from the National Resources Defense Councils' email: "Tar sands production, which involves extracting heavy oil mixed with sand and clay, generates three times the amount of global warming pollution as conventional fuel production. Tar sands and oil shale development are expected to leave behind giant toxic waste sites, and could drive mountain lions, black bears, mule deer and bald eagles from their habitat. These projects would also use enormous amounts of clean water -- a precious resource that is already scarce in the arid West -- and threaten air quality and human health."
So, please do your part (and feel better inside) by providing your opinion to those who can make a difference once they know what we think. Sign the letter today!
Due to the incredible amount of great fashion and accessories, YourDailyBreeze has branched off to involve "style by Thread Lightly". This new blog features unique, earth-friendly, and gorgeous finds from independent designers, companies, and vintage stores.
The best part is the directory, which is ever-growing. It showcases some of the best, most touchably pleasing, hand-selected, finds available.
With this new blog, you can stay up-to-date on hard-to-find fashions that help the earth and your wardrobe!
Image from Prospect Park Zoo.
Some zoos cater to the animals, some cater to the humans. The last zoo I went to housed a Jaguar in a cage about 15 x 4 feet. I was little, but it traumitized me and I left the zoo crying.
Here's a way to avoid a similar incident and also support good zoos. Find out beforehand if the zoo in your area is approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums: "a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things."
Yay!
Photo From Audubon.org
Next time you go to the beach, please consider the shorebirds who live there. Traffic, loose dogs, and other disturbances greatly decrease the birds' ability to raise their family and many shorebirds numbers have declined dramatically because of it.
In Maine, there are now only 19 pairs of breeding Plovers left. This is scary! Fortunately, we human folk can do a lot to increase their chances of survival. Simple and easy ways to help are keeping your dog on a leash at the beach, staying away from any birds who may be protecting a nest (dive bombing, acting injured, and urgent calling can all be warning signals), and spreading the word, can all make a big difference in the lives of these little gems.
YourDailyBreeze is a unique online source for earth- friendly information and your provider of a much needed breath of fresh air. This blog will commonly feature articles about how others are helping the earth, and how you can support them.
YourDailyBreeze is published in part by SustainabiliTee, a custom tee shirt printer dedicated to producing creative and ecologically responsible designs. Founded by Emily Dodge (RISD, 2003), this small online boutique hand-prints unique, nature-inspired messages on eco-conscious shirts.
