My Soapbox
I am incredibly fond of animals and the natural environment of our planet and frequently saddened and appalled by the way in which humans treat both. Please educate yourself about how our food and everyday products are produced and be mindful of your impact on our planet as well as on our fellow living creatures. And do not litter!
The above picture is one I took in 2011 while scuba diving around the Rock Islands of Palau (officially the Republic of Palau), which is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. This area offers some of the best and most diverse dive sites on the planet. Palau was the first nation to create a shark sanctuary, an area that forbids commercial fishing operations from catching any shark. Why? Keep reading...
What is shark finning:
Shark Finning is the inhumane practice of hacking off the shark’s fins and throwing its still living body back into the sea. The sharks either starve to death, are eaten alive by other fish, or drown (if they are not in constant movement their gills cannot extract oxygen from the water). Shark fins are being “harvested” in ever greater numbers to feed the growing demand for shark fin soup, an Asian “delicacy."
If you search "shark finning" on the internet, there is plenty of information to read and videos to watch. These are just a few websites where you can learn more:
ARTICLE: Does beeswax-coated food storage really work?, January 12, 2019, By Robin Shreeves
ARTICLE: Synthetic Fabrics and Microfiber Pollution, January 5, 2018, By Alicia Silverstone
ANIMALS
Animal Care & Control of New York City (ACC)
ACC is a New York City animal rescue and shelter with locations in each borough. It is a kill shelter and there are
controversial members on the executive staff. However, the organization strives to find loving homes for homeless and
abandoned cats, dogs, and rabbits, by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200
dedicated animal placement organizations. Please consider adopting your pet here when you are ready to make the
commitment to a loving animal.
Animal Rescue Site
Your click onto this website provides vital food and care for animals in need.
Care For Cows Vrindavan
Care for Cows in Vrindavan, India maintains abandoned cows, bulls, retired oxen, and orphaned calves.
In 2009, while in India, I met the founder of Care for Cows, Kurma Rupa, in Vrindavan and I spent some time with the rescued cows. The sacred cows were beautiful, healthy, loved, and taken care of as best as possible within the existing conditions.
According to a new version of the website, "Kurma Rupa left this material world in June 2015, but we are trying our very best to continue his legacy…."
There is still a lot of information on the old website: CareForCows.org
This is the new website: CareForCowsVrindavan.com
Elephant Family
Protecting Asian elephants and their habitat
Hope for Paws
Hope for Paws is a 501 C-3 non-profit animal rescue organization, based in Los Angeles, California. They rescue dogs,
cats and other types of animals suffering on the streets or neglected in the wild, and they work to raise awareness of
abandoned animals.
The Humane Society of the United States
Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty. The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will
also benefit people.
Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation
Their mission is to alleviate suffering, while rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming abused, neglected, and abandoned animals.
Main Line Animal Rescue
Located in Pennsylvania, Main Line Animal Rescue specializes in the rescue and placement of companion animals
and works to raise the public's awareness about animal welfare issues.
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Punta Gorda, Florida, U.S.A. Their mission is to provide a healthy recovery and living environment for
abandoned and abused exotic wildlife. Octagon is not affiliated with any other organization in the state of Flordia or otherwise.
The board of directors are unpaid volunteers as are all the people who care for the animals, the sanctuary grounds, and
maintain the website.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust exists to protect Africa’s wildlife and to preserve habitats for the future of all wild species.
They have a wonderful Twitter account, too, which I enjoy following.
Stop Rhino Poaching.com
StopRhinoPoaching.com is totally committed to helping protect and conserve rhinos in South Africa. They are issue-neutral when it
comes to the proposed trade in rhino horn. Their focus is on rhino SECURITY.
Takis Shelter
Takis gave up everything he owned to save hundreds of stray dogs (and now cats and even a hedgehog) on the Greek
Island of Crete. I follow him online. He does amazing, and heartbreaking, work rescuing animals and giving
them happy and safe shelter until they are adopted into a loving forever home. Please donate if you can.
Waggytail Rescue
Waggytail Rescue is a NYC based animal rescue charity dedicated to the rehabilitation and rehoming of small breed dogs.
Do you have a flight scheduled from Los Angeles, Dallas, or San Diego to NYC? Transporters are needed!
Whenever I fly from Los Angeles to New York City, I take a Waggy West rescue dog with Me. See this page to get details
and fill out an application for your next trip:
FLY A DOG TO FREEDOM!
Traveling with a dog takes almost no extra time! It's a small act that can make a BIG difference in the life of a rescue dog!
These are two of the Waggytail Rescue dogs I transported from Los Angeles to New York City:
ENVIRONMENT
American Forest Foundation
The American Forest Foundation works on-the-ground with families, teachers, and elected officials to promote stewardship
and protect our nation's forest heritage.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium
Seafood Watch
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans. Their
recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices," "Good Alternatives," and which ones you should "Avoid."
Oceana
Protecting the World's Oceans.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices,
business practices and consumer behavior.
Scenic Hudson
Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure
and a vital resource for residents and visitors.
WWF (World Wildlife Fund / World Wide Fund for Nature)
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the
conservation, research and restoration of the environment. It was formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its
official name in Canada and the United States. It is the world's largest independent conservation organization.
RECYCLE
Earth911
Ideas for recycling more and wasting less. Earth911.com is your best resource to live a lower-waste lifestyle.
FOOD & WATER
Food and Water Watch
Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainable.
The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT)
The Institute for Responsible Technology is a world leader in educating policy makers and the public about genetically
modified (GM) foods and crops.
Local Harvest
Use this website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you
can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.
Organic Consumers Association
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning
for health, justice, and sustainability.
Seed Savers Exchange
A non-profit organization of gardeners dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds.
Other
EcoWatch
EcoWatch is a leading news website reporting on environmental news, green living and sustainable business.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG)
The Environmental Working Group is an environmental health research and advocacy organization. Their mission is to serve as a
watchdog to see that Americans get straight facts, unfiltered and unspun, so they can make healthier choices and enjoy a cleaner
environment.
Tree Hugger
TreeHugger is the leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream.
Judge for Yourselves
Your premier resource for information on the Sackler family and the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy.
This is a serious, disturbing, and infuriating subject presented by John Oliver, a comedian, writer,
producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. It offers extensive information and
facts in a humorous way. Take a look.
.jpg "Mistress Troy commands: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE")
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