Nature is Speaking!!

I am so happy to see this Environmentalist movement that Hollywood celebrities have been embracing and drawing attention to. Not to mention calling out to the greed of the powers that be. The Conservation International (CI) know that the power of celebrity is exactly what it takes to get this important message heard. The majority of people are blinded by what main stream media exposes them to. People become so obsessed with keeping up with the Jone's that they forget to look at the bigger picture; the rapidly declining state of the planet that we are temporarily living on. I am grateful to the people who are successfully reaching out to the masses, right here, right now, because although the Earth will continue to exist, we will not. Our future generations will be the less fortunate by being the victims to what the greed of man has been doing to the Earth and Oceans. Educating our future generations and spreading awareness NOW is the only way for our future to survive. Nature is Speaking! It is time to wake up and listen!

::CLICK HERE:: to learn more about CI and Take Action.

::CLICK HERE:: to watch all the films.

Thank you for taking the time!* 425 344

Please Help Stop the Dolphin Massacres In Taiji

I recently watched the documentary that uncovered the reality of what has been going on in Taiji, Japan, concerning the capture and slaughter of thousands of dolphins and whales for many years now. The Cove opened my eyes in a way that I could not ignore. It broke my heart into a million pieces to see such inhumane cruelty. Whaling has been going on for a long time, but we are in the 21st Century. These highly intelligent marine mammals are a very important part of the eco-system that need to be protected! The slaughter has to STOP!! The issue has come into light for almost a decade now, but it is sadly still going on. There is more that has to be done about it, be it by signing a petition, donating to the people fighting for the cause, boycotting all Marine Mammal Parks &/or just spreading the word.

"Each year from September to May over 20,000 dolphins are slaughtered in Japan. Fishermen round them up by the hundreds using sound barriers to disorient and herd the frantic pods out of their normal migrations into hidden lagoons like the one featured in The Cove. Bottlenose dolphins, especially ones that look like Flipper, are pre-selected by trainers and sold off for upwards of $200,000 to marine mammal parks around the world, where they will remain in captivity performing as circus acts. After the trainers and spectators have left, the rest of the dolphins are inhumanely killed in what can only be described as a massacre." via The Oceanic Preservation Society

::CLICK HERE:: to sign the petition to help stop the slaughter.

::CLICK HERE:: to learn about the Oceanic Preservation Society and to Donate

::CLICK HERE:: to learn about the Facts about the Dolphin slaughter in Taiji via The Sea Shepard Society.

::CLICK HERE:: for further information regarding the slaughter that recently resumed this past month, Sept 2014.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Mother Ocean is Bleeding

I have not posted anything here in a while because there are so many issues on our Planet Earth that I have been overwhelmed by all the information, not to mention being busy by obligations and life. Monsanto is a monster that I have been researching and wanting to blog about for some time, but I can't wrap my hands around it's horns… Yet! So I will focus on something I have always been in love with since the first time that I set my eyes on her many different shades of blue, our Mother Ocean and the Seven Seas.

The Oceans and Seas have been taken for everything that they provide for thousands of years, but just in the past decades, the oceans have been and are continuing to be raped; overfished, over whaled, drilled for oil, and treated as a dumpster. Reefs are dying at an alarming rate, dead zones are growing faster than ever, many sea creatures are becoming endangered more rapidly than any other time in history, etc, etc.. There are so many other issues with what man is doing to the Oceans, but you get the point. It's an ancient story about greed, taking, taking some more, with no thoughts to replenish.

I recently watched and was inspired by the renowned Oceanographer, Explorer, Pioneer and Joan of Arc of the Oceans, Dr. Sylvia Earle's documentary, ~>Mission Blue<~. I was deeply affected by this documentary, especially because I don't live far from the Gulf of Mexico and Dr. Earle was raised diving in the Gulf of Mexico back in the years when it was pristine. I also felt extremely moved by it because I had just moved here less than a month before the worst environmental disaster in American history, which she discusses, the BP Gulf Oil Spill. The image above is a satellite picture of Louisiana's coast dead zone as of 2014, which happens to be 5,052 square miles of dead organisms which used to feed the thousands of species that live in the Gulf. 5,052 square miles…, that is the second largest man caused dead zone in the world.

I don't know if anyone will ever read my blog, but that doesn't matter. Even if only a few people read this, my only wish is that perhaps the reader will learn something that they didn't already know and spread the awareness, because in a country that promotes corporate capitalism and consumerism, with minimal funding to sustainable living, the thing that is the most important is to learn, become proactive, share and spread awareness.

Thank you for taking the time to read.* Please take the time to Click On the links below.

::CLICK HERE:: to learn more about Dr Sylvia Earle's Mission Blue.

::CLICK HERE:: to learn about Restoring the Gulf beyond the Shore.

::CLICK HERE:: for tips on how to find sustainable seafood sources.

::CLICK HERE:: for a list of fish that Women should AVOID.

On Tuesday September 4th, I finally had my electricity restored by Entergy LA after not having it since last Tuesday, August 28th. I am relieved to not have to use my candles and flashlights anymore and I am over joyed to be able to turn on the aircon and refill my fridge after having to throw everything besides my supplements out, but I am still upset by the lack of timely response by Entergy, who happens to have the monopoly on power energy in New Orleans. This power outage was the result of Hurricane Isaac, but the amount of time it took Entergy to restore power was not!

Hurricane Isaac hit New Orleans on the same exact day of the anniversary of Katrina 7 years ago, but thankfully as a category 1 hurricane unlike Katrina which was a category 3. Isaac had dissipated by Friday, August 31st. Isaac's winds howled for two days and knocked down trees and power lines, but from what the locals told me, it wasn't as bad as Hurricane Gustav in 2008, which was a category 2, and power was restored much faster after Gustav than Isaac. For some reason Entergy could not precisely explain exactly why it took so long to restore power in New Orleans. There was a small percentage of people who did not lose their electricity at all, but 85% of the city was in the dark for days.

Many people were told to call Entergy and report their power outages, but that proved to be completely useless. Businesses could not open, restaurants lost their food supplies and remained closed. People could not get back to their normal lives even though Isaac had come and gone. Some restaurants and grocery stores gassed up their generators and were able to open for business, but there was still no air conditioning and in this hot and humid subtropical weather, a battery operated fan just doesn't cut it. Businesses lost thousands upon thousands of dollars the days spent without electricity. And with the heat and humidity without aircon, many New Orleanians were going a bit crazy. Tensions were high, people were stressed out and desperate because they had been unable to work because of their jobs not having electricity. Some elderly folks even died due to heatstrokes.

Over 500,000 people were without electricity throughout Louisiana and in New Orleans alone there was almost 70,000 without power while Entergy trucks were lined up and down streets throughout the city, not doing a thing. What really infuriated me more was the fact that Entergy workers that were brought in from surrounding states were partying late in the French Quarter, knowing that they had a huge job to do the next day. This whole situation made me think.. Why does Entergy have the monopoly on power here? And why aren't more people looking to utilize solar power here where we get so much sunshine? Especially since Louisiana has the highest consumer incentives for solar in the nation. Solar energy panels are expensive, but with 80% state and federal tax credits, it really pays off in the long run to not depend on an unreliable energy company that leaves it's customers in the dark for so long without a proper explanation. Experiencing hurricanes is a part of life here in the south, but tolerating an unreliable energy company should not be. Do I sound like a Solar Energy salesperson? Probably, but I'm not.

This past April during a small Earth Day festival, I discovered The Alliance for Affordable Energy, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable clean energy in New Orleans. I feel that now more than ever is the perfect time to support and promote their mission in New Orleans.

AAE's statement: "The Alliance for Affordable Energy is a non-profit organization which works to create fair, affordale, environmentally responsible energy policy for Louisiana and the nation. The Alliance also works to promote the sustainable rebuilding of our city, promoting energy efficiency, environmentally responsible building techniques and residential solar power. Since 1985, the Alliance has been working as a watchdog agency to help work toward solutions to our energy problems and ensure that information about these problems is accessible to the public."

::CLICK HERE:: to find out more about Alliance for Affordable Energy.

::CLICK HERE:: to learn more about a New Orleans solar power provider.

Thank you for taking the time to read my rant*

Curbside Recycling is BACK New Orleans!

Unfortunately, my birthday was the day after the BP oil rig explosion. Even though I was soon to be devastated by the news of the worst environmental disaster in American history, especially since I had just moved to Louisiana from one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the United States, I was elated that day because I received a recycle bin. It felt like a birthday gift from the city! Curbside recycling had finally come back to New Orleans! It had been since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that Curbside Recycling had been taken away from NOLA residents. Five years is too long for any city to be without proper recycling abilities. Yes, there was another local business that offered recycling while Curbside was on the city's budget and priority list hiatus, but only for an inconvenient price which did not include recycle bins or a weekly pickup schedule. Twice a month and no bins for the same price as my monthly electrical bill?? Being that I had recently given up my San Francisco status to become a New Orleanian, I could not understand why such a highly touristed American city would go so long without bringing free recycling back.., but I would rather not go on and on with my personal opinion and rant about why it took so long and how necessary it was to be able to recycle for free after this city had been so severely devastated by Mother Nature, so I will focus on the present solution and provide references and links so that New Orleans residents can easily sign up to receive their free bins and get back to making this beautiful gem of a city environmentally conscious. Philanthropy Now!! Not tomorrow!

CLICK HERE => TO SIGN UP FOR RECYCLE BINS IN NEW ORLEANS

CLICK HERE => FOR RECYCLING PICKUP SCHEDULE

CLICK HERE => FOR COLLECTION SCHEDULE MAP

To learn about Waste and Recycling Facts ::CLICK HERE::

Thank you for your time & Please help spread the word*

BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Environmental Disaster!!

On April 20, 2010 a catastrophic environmental disaster occurred. An oil rig that was drilling off the coast of Louisiana exploded, sadly killing 11 men working on it, but the harm done goes much further and deeper than the unfortunate loss of 11 men. Everyday the oil well is leaking nearly 210,000 gallons of crude oil into Gulf Coast waters. The disaster eclipses the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, which killed over 250,000 Alaskan marine & land animals. Not only is it affecting marine wildlife, it is affecting thousands of people who's livelihoods depend on fishing and shrimping in the Gulf.

"The recent oil spill off the coast of Louisiana has an oil slick circumference estimated at more than 600 square miles, which could take several months and millions of dollars to clean up. It is dangerously close to reaching shore. Countless wildlife species are threatened.

Yet White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said there is no reason to abandon plans to expand offshore drilling.

The spill is an all-around environmental catastrophe, and even Gibbs himself admits that similar incidents are very likely to happen again. All this to tap a source we know is unsustainable.

America cannot succeed with offshore drilling. Besides continuing to deplete a finite resource, drilling is a dangerous and destructive process -- for people, animals, and the environment. Encourage President Obama to reconsider his plans for offshore drilling expansion, and to instead enforce stronger fuel efficiency standards and invest in clean energy sources -- reducing our need for oil in the first place." -Care2.com

To help prevent future offshore drilling ::PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION::

To Support Audubon Society's Funding for Coastal Louisiana Restoration ::PLEASE CLICK HERE::

To Donate & Help Aid Oil Spill Clean Up ::PLEASE CLICK HERE::

To see a list of the animals endangered by the disaster ::CLICK HERE::

To Volunteer ::PLEASE CLICK HERE::

To read about alternative energy sources other than oil ::CLICK HERE::

As of now, 2013, a few of these links are now inactive, but you can check out some Oil Spill stats here ~> The Top 10 Largest Oil Spill List CLICK HERE

*~Life is a Precious & Fragile Gift~*

Yesterday, April 1, 2010, a very sweet friend of mine, Breanna Levine, made a serious and grave decision to take her own life. I have never experienced the emotions of losing a dear friend to suicide before. It was similar to experiencing a strong earthquake, completely unpredictable and extremely traumatizing. But when I think about it, was it that unpredictable? How exactly does anyone know when their loved ones are crying for help? How can you identify a friend's deep depression? If you or anyone you know is extremely depressed please go to this Suicide Prevention Link to find out information on how you can help someone who is in need of a friend. Many times no one even suspects their friend's secret sorrow. Many times no one hears their cries for help. It is soooo important to be available to our loved ones, and to listen to each others' spoken and unspoken words.

To learn about Suicide Prevention and the Statistics in the U.S.
::CLICK HERE::

To donate to Breanna LeVine's Memorial Services ::PLEASE CLICK HERE::

Help Raise The Awareness To "Rise Above Plastics"

as found on RiseAbovePlastics.org

"Each year over 500 billion plastic bags are consumed worldwide - only a tiny fraction of which are ever recycled.

What makes these bags such an environmental nightmare?

For starters these bags are made of thin sheets of high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. This material makes the bags exceptionally light and exceptionally strong. While these attributes are ideal in terms of this being a distributable product, it also means that these bags can easily be carried off in the wind or flushed down storm drains - in some cases for hundreds of miles. It also means that the bags do not biodegrade - or breakdown into organic compounds within the environment. Instead, these bags go through a process called photodegradation; which means that they break down under the sun's ultraviolet light into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic. These small pieces of plastic remain in the environment, where they pose a threat to animals and birds that often mistake them for food.

While the majority of these bags are given out for free, they are not without their costs."....

"The best way to reduce your plastic footprint is to practice the three 'R's' -Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

When and wherever possible, people should work to reduce the amount of plastic - especially single use of plastic - that they use. This can be as simple as bringing out own re-usable grocery bag with you to the market instead of using those milky white plastic bags that most markets typically use."

Here are 6 easy ways to help reduce your "Plastic Footprint and help keep Plastics out of our Marine Environment":

brought to me and you by RiseAbovePlastic.org

1. Stop using bottled water. I mean really.. in most cases it is not safer or healthier than the water coming out of you tap.. and costs 3 times as much as gasoline and about 1000 times as much as tap water.

2. End the "paper or plastic?" debate once and for all by bringing your own re-usable grocery bags with you whenever you go to the store.

3. Use a refillable dispenser for your hand soap and dishwashing liquid - then buy your soap or detergent in bulk.

4. Stop using plastic sandwich bags. Buy a re-usable sandwich box instead.

5. Bring your own "to-go" mug with you to the coffee shop- it's a great way to reduce the number of paper cups and plastic lids given out.

6. Go digital! No need for plastic CD's and jewel cases when you buy your music and videos online." (also go Paperless online when paying bills)

TO READ MORE about the detrimental effect of PLASTIC !!CLICK HERE!!

TO TAKE ACTION and take a Pledge against Plastic !!::CLICK HERE::!!

THANK YOU! ~*

HAITI NEEDS HELP & HOPE

Today, January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the richter scale. The epicenter was located just 15 km away from Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. Less than one hour later another earthquake measuring 5.9 hit the same fault line. Four hours later another earthquake measuring 5.7 further devastated the island. Haiti was still recovering from Hurricane Ike that hit in late 2008. Now Haiti is utterly and completely devastated!! Tens of thousands are left homeless and thousands of people are either missing or believed to be dead.

Many third world countries that are hit by natural disasters are left in peril, but being that Haiti is an extremely poor island that has minimal tourism, it is extremely important to aid the Haitians with any monetary help. Every little bit counts, and those little bits add up and can help save a life, rebuild a school for orphaned children or help rebuild a fallen hospital.

To DONATE to LEGITIMATE SOURCES that will make sure your money is sent to AID Haiti ::CLICK HERE for MERCY CORPS::
and ::CLICK HERE:: to help Father Bien-Aime's orphanage, Children of the House of Lack, that was completely destroyed.

To read more about the earthquake in Haiti ::CLICK HERE::

To learn how to be prepared for an Earthquake ::CLICK HERE::

Thank You for caring about Humanity*

Obama gets Called Out

An Open Letter To President Obama On Afghanistan / Michael Moore Via The Huffington Post

"What would Martin Luther King, Jr. do? What would your grandmother do? Not send more poor people to kill other poor people who pose no threat to them, that's what they'd do. Not spend billions and trillions to wage war while American children are sleeping on the streets and standing in bread lines.

All of us that voted and prayed for you and cried the night of your victory have endured an Orwellian hell of eight years of crimes committed in our name: torture, rendition, suspension of the bill of rights, invading nations who had not attacked us, blowing up neighborhoods that Saddam "might" be in (but never was), slaughtering wedding parties in Afghanistan. We watched as hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians were slaughtered and tens of thousands of our brave young men and women were killed, maimed, or endured mental anguish -- the full terror of which we scarcely know.

When we elected you we didn't expect miracles. We didn't even expect much change. But we expected some. We thought you would stop the madness. Stop the killing. Stop the insane idea that men with guns can reorganize a nation that doesn't even function as a nation and never, ever has.

Stop, stop, stop! For the sake of the lives of young Americans and Afghan civilians, stop. For the sake of your presidency, hope, and the future of our nation, stop. For God's sake, stop."

To READ full Article by Michael Moore ::CLICK HERE::

Tisk Tisk Barrack Obama!! Not only is Obama sending more troups to Afganistan, he has also appointed another Monsato rep and pesticide lobbyist, Islam Siddiqui (Vice-President for Science and Regulatory Affairs with CropLife America), to represent U.S. agricultural trade interest. What happened to America's Hope for Change? Us Americans who where hoping for a change for the better are paying close attention, and are dismayed by Obama's actions. Our President's Yes We Can campaign, has become, "But no, we won't".

To Read Full Article and to Take ACTION against Monsato's Siddiqui ::CLICK HERE::

Climate Crisis : Will COP 15 'Be The Change'?

"Things that normally happen in geologic time are happening during the span of a human lifetime," says Fagre. "It's like watching the Statue of Liberty melt."

Scientists who assess the planet's health see indisputable evidence that Earth has been getting warmer, in some cases rapidly. Most believe that human activity, in particular the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, have influenced this warming trend. In the past decade scientists have documented record-high average annual surface temperatures and have been observing other signs of change all over the planet: in the distribution of ice, and in the salinity, levels, and temperatures of the oceans." ~Excerpt from the pages of National Geographic Magazine: Written by Daniel Glick

"Marking a watershed moment in history, the 15th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, popularly known as COP15, will convene on 7 December 2009, in Copenhagen, to respond to one of the greatest challenges facing humanity: climate change.

COP 15 offers an unprecedented opportunity to tackle the climate crisis while also catalyzing the lower-carbon, green growth that is the foundation of long-term economic prosperity.

Reaching a deal by the time the COP15 meeting ends on December 18 will depend not only on the political negotiations but also on the public pressure from around the globe. Public support must be galvanized. To do this, the United Nations has launched 'Seal the Deal'." ::Read More About 'Seal the Deal' By CLICKING HERE::

"The ultimate objective of the Convention is the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system."

Please sign the Petition for a Fair Climate Agreement at Copenhagen Conference ::!CLICK HERE!::

To Join The Call for Climate Action ::CLICK HERE::

::CLICK HERE:: TO LEARN ABOUT THE BEST WAYS YOU CAN HELP OUT'! (besides Calling your senators & signing the Petition:)

To Read a crucial article, "Climate change threatens life in Shishmaref, Alaska", ::CLICK HERE::

THANK YOU! :)

Lift the Total Ban on Abortion in Nicaragua

"Nicaragua’s total ban on abortions is endangering the lives of girls and women, denying them life-saving treatment, preventing health professionals from practicing effective medicine and contributing to an increase in maternal deaths across the country.

Amnesty International is urging the Nicaraguan authorities to: Immediately repeal the law that bans all forms of abortion.
Guarantee safe and accessible abortion services for rape victims and women whose lives or health would be at risk from the continuation of pregnancy.

Protect the freedom of speech of those who speak out against the law and offer comprehensive support to the women and girls affected by the law." -Amnesty International

Unfortunately many countries in this world do not recognize the rights of Women. We are extremely fortunate that the Supreme court case 'Roe vs. Wade' gave American women the choice to abort or not, but sadly, this is not the case in many other countries. A 9 year old girl should not face criminal charges for aborting after being a victim of rape. Where is the justice?

Please visit this link (::Amnesty International::) and please TAKE ACTION by registering and signing the letter to the President of the National Assembly in Nicaragua to lift the total ban on abortion!

To read more about The Nicaraguan Abortion Ban ::CLICK HERE::

Thank You.

"Awakening the Dreamer"

The Pachamama Alliance's "mission is bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on Planet Earth."

For more information about the Pachamama Alliance please watch the Video and Visit the website link below. Thank you :)



For more information ::CLICK HERE =>PachaMama.org::

brought to you by: The Pachamama Alliance

~Blessings and Light *

NASA Bombed the Moon

On October 9, 2009 NASA bombed the Moon. The bomb left a five mile long crater on it! It perplexes me that anyone would want to bomb the Moon. Without our lovely Moon we would all be dead, so bombing it, obviously, does not seem to be an intelligent idea. Alright.., so the Moon gets hit by meteors occasionally, but why did NASA feel compelled to blast a rocket the size of a Hummer into it?

According to NASA, their LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) bomb mission "will map possible landing sites and search for water sources that could be used by a future lunar colony.” A future lunar colony? It is already bizarre enough that the uber rich astronaut wannabes have booked $100 million dollar trips to Moon through Virgin Atlantic. Perhaps the bombing yesterday has something to do with this multi million dollar trip to the moon. And why is there going to be a "future lunar colony"? Is our beautiful Earth not enough that people are going to want to live on the rocky barren Moon? So many questions, not enough answers! I feel as if we are being given the run around! Same old story. Tell the people just enough to stir their hunger, but don't give them the mouth full of information. Excite them with vague details, tell them "there is an extraterrestrial base on the dark side of the Moon", and distract them so they don't see underneath the veil of lies and feed them hogwash!

To Read an article by Andrei Codrescu that I am in accord with concerning the LCROSS mission ::CLICK HERE::

To Read the "ET/UFO" on the Moon article ::CLICK HERE::

To Read an literal article on the LCROSS mission ::CLICK HERE::

Are you eating 'Sustainable Seafood'?

Do you know where the fish you are eating is coming from? Is it sustainable? Is it farmed? Is it on the endangered species list? Is it high in Mercury? These are questions that can easily be answered.

I discovered a wonderful source of information on sustainable fishing by watching the documentary film, "The End of the Line". It was quite a shock to say the least. Below is an excerpt that will give you an idea to what this film is about... Read on.

"The end of seafood by 2048

Scientists predict that if we continue fishing as we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048.
The End of the Line chronicles how demand for cod off the coast of Newfoundland in the early 1990s led to the decimation of the most abundant cod population in the world, how hi-tech fishing vessels leave no escape routes for fish populations and how farmed fish as a solution is a myth.

The film lays the responsibility squarely on consumers who innocently buy endangered fish, politicians who ignore the advice and pleas of scientists, fishermen who break quotas and fish illegally, and the global fishing industry that is slow to react to an impending disaster.

The End of the Line points to solutions that are simple and doable, but political will and activism are crucial to solve this international problem."

::Click Here:: to link up to 'The End of the Line' website. And please, watch the videos.

::CLICK HERE:: for tips on how to find sustainable seafood sources.

For a list of fish that WoMen should AVOID ::CLICK HERE::