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.

Power of the Pooch

With so many military returning from active duty, both have seemed to acquire a need for each other.  In All Animals, the bi-monthly HSUS publication, a recent article moved me almost to tears while at the same time provided much awareness for our hapless pets here in the U.S. and admiration for our troops abroad.

The article focused on our military personnel returned from duty, many times multiple tours, suffering from PTSD, harsh physical ailments from IED's, witnessing deaths of friend and foe first hand, as well as so many other atrocities.  This has left many a soldier broken and bewildered as to how to acclimate back into society. 

Enter side stage, the hapless pooch.  Therapy dogs, some rescue / some bred for this very act, to assist in the re-engagement of these brave men and women back into the throws of daily living.  The article went into extreme detail of how these dogs pull these soldiers out of the depths of despair and back into the circle of society, family and friends.  One particular example was that of a soldier who returned from multiple tours, with permanent physical ailments and substantial mental/emotional issues to deal with.  In group therapy sessions the man was a shell of his former self; not willing to talk or listen...until a therapy dog entered the scene.  Time after time, during the session, the pooch would insist upon attention from this particular soldier.  The dog would nudge him on the right, the man would turn away.  The dog would nudge him on the left, the man would turn away.  Finally, the dog had enough, and put his face directly in the face of the soldier.  The soldier looked into the face of this pooch and finally broke through with a smile.

This is just one of the many amazing stories that can be told of animals and their ability to not judge and just be there as a companion, friend, and sometimes, life-saver.  Albeit a pharmaceutical company’s nightmare, no drugs, just compassion...it's a wonder that more programs like this aren't avidly running around the country.

I found it fascinating that these men and women, who have served and were helped by these incredible creatures, are now also perpetuating the string of assistance by enlisting themselves as trainers for shelter dogs to find forever homes.  This is a prime example of courageous people returning from active duty to active everyday life back home.  It is almost one hand helping the other.  It is putting together wounded soldiers/veterans with shelter dogs in an effort to expand this fantastic program and help thousands of others in need; two-legged and four-legged alike. 

Amazing how the power of the pooch prevails!

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. 

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

U.S. vs. France and Germany

I was catching up on old (not too old) issues of Newsweek over the weekend and found some information that I found very interesting. As we all know, Earth Day was April 22. What I didn't know was that Earth Day has been around since 1970 (the same year as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency). Newsweek (April 26, 2010, issue) made some comparisons between 1970 and 2010 as far as progress, and came up with quite a few statistics, these were the three that stood out for me. The last one here I plan on looking into for a future post (very soon):

Good News

The Ozone Layer
Between the 1970s and 1980s, ozone-depleting gases in the atmosphere more than doubled. Thanks to a global treaty, levels have since been declining and the ozone layer is recovering—although it won't return to its pre-1980 state until midcentury.

Bad News

Solid Waste
Americans generated 250 million tons of trash in 2008, or about 38 percent more per person than in 1970. Our recycling rate has increased five-fold, yet 47 percent more trash ended up in landfills or incinerated in 2008 than in 1970.

Good/Bad News?

Energy Use
Energy use per person in the U.S. has hardly changed since 1970, despite substantial increases in the energy efficiency of homes and appliances. U.S. energy use per person is twice that of France and Germany. [emphasis added]

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.

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?

Simple Statement of the Day

We won't have a society if we destroy the environment.
~ Margaret Mead