Miomarmo

NJ - Going, going, going...Gone Green!

In a recent article in the US 1 paper by Karen Hodges Miller, I read an article that I found astounding.  NJ has become #2 in the nation (only to California) as the leader in the production of solar energy! 

Be it recognition of climate change or the increased activity by government to open up doors to businesses via benefits being given to companies who embrace green energy, the actions are clear; NJ is on the move.  Not only has NJ become 2nd in the nation for solar energy production, it is now also entering into the development of wind energy.  Twenty miles offshore, facilities are in development from data obtained for areas from Seaside Park to Sea Isle City.

Perhaps this will bring the cost of living down in NJ?  This remains to be seen.  But the most important thing to recognize is that we finally seem to be a nation that is taking notice not only in the potential economic growth that can be sustained from solar/wind/water energy, jobs that can be created, but also the positive effects it will have on future generations to come.  

Kudos to NJ for stepping up to the plate and advancing in the pro-active and positive change that we all need!  Here's to hoping that many other states take notice and vamp up their own efforts to make a change for the well-being of this planet and all its inhabitants.

Simple Statement of the Day

What nature delivers to us is never stale. Because what nature creates has eternity in it.
~ Isaac Bashevis Singer

April Brings Earth Day Into Focus

With the upcoming month of April approaching quickly, so does Earth Day and the HSUS's promotion of Animal Cruelty Prevention Month.  These two concepts heavily coincided for me as I was reading the most current issue (March/April) of the HSUS magazine, 'All Animals'.  As I flipped through the pages, it became inherently apparent to me the connection with us, the world we live, and the delicate balance by which our environment survives every day.

Via a multitude of articles based upon that same delicate balance, it was shown time and time again how we have not and if we do not preserve this wonderful world of ours, the landscape will forever change never to return.  For anyone who believes that extinction is not a form of animal cruelty (i.e. - starvation due to climate changes, senseless hunting to brink of extinction, and oceanic changes diminishing food supply) think again.  Going to the grocery store is a simple task but foraging for food has become dire for many creatures.  The HSUS issue touched upon the extinction of dozens of creatures, ocean habitats, and climate changes threatening our very existence.  We may not worry now with the adage, "I'll be dead before I seen things like that" but guess what...your children won't...and their children won't.    What would it be like to grow up in a world without natural ocean habitats abundant? 

Two decades ago, people bristled at the audacious thought of living in a world without polar bears, with melting icecaps, and coral reefs becoming extinct.  And surprisingly enough, in this day and era of people living longer, you may just get to see these horrific events occur.  The face of climate change threatens to diminish such animals as polar bear, walruses, monk seals, and certain shark species just to name a few ocean creatures.  With respect to land lovers, koala's, the arctic fox, wolverines, and bison all stand to perish or diminish into such drastically small numbers that any effort to save them would be difficult at best.  Just one look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is the size of Texas one realizes that it is definitely not one of the 7 great wonders of the world to behold.  The site of it would make almost any human being blanch at its imposing expansiveness. 

Yet with all this real information at our fingertips, we continue to support factory farming, the purchase of plastic bottles for water, dismiss massive food recalls as an inconvenience, and not once do we scream at the top of our lungs to the government to "Take a Stand" and "Make It Stop".  People think the government won't do anything.  Perhaps not yet they won't.  But when millions upon millions of people stop buying plastic water bottles, spend an extra $1.00 a week on non-factory/organic farm raised meat, and buy more local fruits and vegetables, industries would come to a crashing halt and suddenly say, "What is happening here?”

It may sound crazy, but one small change every 6 months has an enormous impact locally, globally, and spherically. 

A new take on the school lunch line

The New York Times posted an interesting take on school lunches - not in changing what foods are being offered, but how to offer them so that kids will be better able to make healthier choices. An interactive graphic posts some impressive stats and strategies:

Experiments that we and other researchers have done in cafeterias at high schools, middle schools and summer camp programs, as well as in laboratories, have revealed many ways to use behavioral psychology to coax children to eat better. Here are a dozen such strategies that work without requiring drastic or expensive changes in school menus.

Now if we could just get Jamie Oliver behind this....

It's a Matter of Trust

It’s always amazing to me the amount of unconditional trust that is placed in our hands by animals; especially our pets.  Recently this summer it became inherently apparent to me just how much.  During the course of the summer, one of my four legged darlings, Pomeranian supreme, Abby Rhode, went swimming in a friend’s luxurious backyard, in-ground pool.  When in the pool without me she was, at best, panicky and not assured of herself (even though she has swam before and quite well) but when I was in the pool with her she swam around with glee, floated on the pool chaise, and meandered in the shallow end laying on one of the steps (partially submerged in the water enjoying the coolness and the warmth of the summer akin).  I began to realize how much they rely on us for everything with boundless surrender:  food, water, exercise, mental stimulation, health care, affection, cleanliness, education, protection from the elements, protection from harm, and last but not least the ability to relieve themselves when necessary.

The level of trust is immeasurable.  They become so in tune with us that they instinctively know that when in the car driving and you say, “Hold On,” that a sharp turn is coming or when at the vet they know to curl up next to you for safety from other animals or fear of the impending shot/vaccination.

This incident made me reflect on more deeper thoughts and realizations.  Someone I know once suggested that we as a human race need/require this type of adoration to sustain our own prominence.  I personally believe that statement to be utterly false.  I do feel that when we take this type of adulation for what it truly is, our own humanity looking right back at us, we then are able to honor ourselves and our ability to do the right thing, become more vulnerable, be more open to acceptance, and perhaps make more strides in society as a whole.

How we treat animals is a reflection of our humanity and is directly linked to how we treat others, ourselves, and take care of our environment.  Whether it be a pet or a porpoise in the wild, isn’t it our responsibility, as a society, to protect them and the environment in which they live. When we realize the respect, love and trust they give us how can we not reciprocate it back?

Sadly though, in looking at recent events, those of not so long ago, and everyday occurrences (the gulf oil spill, hurricane Katrina, Exxon Valdez, puppy mills, animal fighting, etc.) it becomes vividly apparent that we, as a society, have betrayed that trusts in spades.

In grand hopes of changing this perspective on animals and the environment, here’s to realizing that it’s all a matter of trust; us of them and them and the earth of us.

Simple Statement of the Day

I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?
~ Robert Redford

Simple Statement of the Day

I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contained, I stand and look at them long and long.
~ Walt Whitman

Simple Statement of the Day

TODAY: Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.
~ Mary Jean Iron

~ On a personal note...amidst the chaos of what goes on around us: our personal lives, the life of the earth, oil spills, wars, joys and triumphs...what a gift a normal, simple day can be. This is something I personally continue to strive to believe in.

I Hadn't Really Considered "Green" Pens Before

I try and consider all product purchases and hope to always make the best choice as far as its impact on our environment. But I hadn't considered my pens before. Today I learned:

• More than 100 billion disposable pens have been sold since 1950. That's 60 pens per second for the last 60 years.
• The ink from those 100 billion pens could fill 100 Olympic-sized pools. All that ink (aka, toxic chemicals) leaks into the ground.

This disposable pen by DBA is 98% biodegradable—I checked, and there are other 100% biodegradable pens but it's only for the case itself and doesn't include the ink and ink reservoir, not to mention packaging and manufacturing. The DBA pen claim rightfully considers its whole life-cycle from manufacturing to compost, it is awesome and here's why:

• 98% biodegradable.
• Produced at a wind-powered facility in the U.S.
• Made from bio-plastic made from potatoes with non-GMO content.
• Custom-formulated ink for safety to humans and the environment.
• Plant uses full fleet of hybrid and zero-emission vehicles and rain water-assisted cooling systems.
• Package is made from 100% recycled content and vegetable-based inks, and is recyclable.
• Made with real/safe ingredients: water, non-toxic pigments, glycerin (sugar), and sodium benzoate (food-grade preservative).
• Will biodegrade in a compost facility within 180 days with no trace left behind (the nib, which accounts for 2% of the pen, needs to be thrown away before composting).
• The purposely slim packaging effectively reduces carbon emissions from transportation.
• Price (in case you're interested): 3 pens for $8.00.

Saving the world with your wallet and your fork

Happy Earth Day, everyone! Hopefully, you already know that the little things you do each day can help make the world a better place. Today I'm asking you to extend that to your wallet and the choices you make at the supermarket. If you haven't already seen Food, Inc., I strongly urge you to watch it for free online and see how scary our food has become, and how overpowering are the handful of giant corporations who control almost the entire food industry.

The trailer:



PBS is streaming the entire movie for free here.

Have you already seen it? What changes have you made for you and your family since you've watched it?