Justin Has Stolen My Heart

Image from here.

So, do you remember that pesky nutella problem I have?  Of course you do.  Good news.  Nutella has met its match with Justin's Nut Butter.  I stumbled upon it during a gluten-free adventure two weeks ago.  When I saw it, everything went into slow motion as I approached the jar '80's teen movie style; with the bass in my ear and the beat reverberating through the aisles.  Please, I thought.  Please let this be dairy free.

Then I picked up the jar and nervously turned it over to examine the ingredient list.  Dairy-free.  The heavens opened up and angels sang and Republicans and Democrats embraced in the streets and nothing hurt.  I had found it. 

Justin's has chocolate almond, peanut, and hazelnut butter.  Honey almond, and peanut butter.  Regular peanut and almond butter.  And maple almond butter.  Plus dark chocolate and milk chocolate peanut butter cups.  The milk chocolate peanut butter cups are not vegan, as well as the honey products.  Everything else is vegan!  Exciting, yeah?  I know.  Personally, I've never liked honey so there is no loss there, for me, and I've always preferred dark chocolate.

It is all sustainably harvested and green and something you can feel good about.  Is it expensive?  I suppose it could be classified as such.  Let's remember, though, that we're looking at quality, here.  It's not like this is an apple or something that you would have all in one sitting; it's something that is meant to last for a while.

Also, it comes in little individual squeeze packages.  For a student who spends all day in a classroom listening to the smooth stylings of Chaucer, translating middle-English, this is paramount.  You can find Justin's at specialty stores, Safeway, and Raley's -- that I know of.  The website also has a store-locater as these websites to tend to have.  And as always, you can buy it online if you really needed to.

Feel Better?

For those of you who follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that yesterday I retweeted one article multiple times from different sources.  That was deliberate, I can assure you.  It was on "Humane Meat."  The article was written by Nil Zacharias, co-founder of One Green Planet.  You can follow them on twitter, as well.  The article is called Humane Meat Is The Solution To What, Again?

As a vegetarian working on the transition into veganism, I have often pondered this question.  I have had discussions with people and sometimes, I've been roped into arguments about it.  Bottom line is:  people don't like to think about where their food comes from and making it seem like it comes from at least marginally happy animals makes them feel better.  Zacharias explores the ideas that buzz words and phrases like "free-range" and "humane" are used to ease the consciouses of the people buying the products; people who know what's going on in factory farms but don't care might be sociopaths; and a lot of people just don't want to know.

A friend of mine asked me why I don't just eat the meat from organic farmers where you know the animals were allowed to graze and were taken care of.  This bothered me for two specific reasons and then a number of less definable reasons. 

Number one:  I don't want to eat meat.  Period.  I do not agree with the practices employed by CAFO's; however, I wouldn't eat meat from anywhere because I am not okay with eating the flesh or byproducts of another animal regardless of where it came from.  True, grass-finished organic meat is vastly better for you than CAFO meat because it does not have all of the antibiotics and hormones injected into it and it grazes instead of being fed corn and God only knows what else.  If you are dead set on eating meat, you should get it from these places instead of supporting the practices of factory farming.  I, however, do not eat meat, do not want to eat meat, and will not eat meat, therefore, the topic is moot.

Number two:  he tends to try and pressure me out of vegetarianism/veganism.  When I asked him why he is always on my case about it, he told me it is because he feels pressured.  I never try and convert anyone or preach to them.  When people ask me something, I answer them.  When he wants to know things, I tell him.  When he asks me my reasons, I tell him.  From what I've heard and read, this is common among a lot of omnivores; they feel threatened or pressured or judged solely by the veg-lifestyle.  I can understand that.  It also supports the idea that "humane meat" makes them feel better.  If they buy this "humane meat" they can't be judged because they are looking out for the animals.

Here's the thing... what this entire things really comes down to is giving an abused animal an extra few inches of space doesn't really constitute as humane behavior.  Even if they figure out how to slaughter the animals in a more "humane" way, the fact of the matter is that these animals -- living breathing creatures that can feel pain and be scared -- are still being killed and treated as things; as a commodity.  This is because of supply and demand. 

People are demanding animal products at a startling rate.  As a result, the environment is suffering, people are getting exponentially unhealthier, and more and more animals are being raised for slaughter in order to meet the meat demand.  If everyone cut down on their animal consumption, the demand for it would lower so much that fewer animals would be raised for slaughter -- this would be reflected in peoples health and the environment, also.  The numbers are in and people want animal products.  The companies see the demand and supply it as quickly and efficiently for them as possible.  What all of this means, and the article talks about, is that everyone needs to work on being a conscious consumer.  Think about where the stuff you're buying comes from and what had to be done to get it and if stamping the word "humane" on the label makes the situation better or if it just makes you feel better.

Since the above incident, my friend has expressed to me a desire to go "a little veg" as he calls it.  He says he can't imagine not eating meat but he wants to be healthier.  I told him I would help him, if he wanted. 

Urgent Petition!



Picture from here.

Go here and sign the petition to defend The Richardson Grove State Park.  This park is home to old-grow redwood trees that are up to 1,000 years old.  They are not only part of California history but national history; world history.  These beautiful trees are part of a fragile environment that is home to endangered species.  Please help.  Sign the petition.  Tell as many people as you can about it so that they can sign it and we can save these beautiful trees and the wildlife that depend on them.  Besides, we need them, also.  Lungs, remember?

Conservation: A Better Life

Conservation.  The ation of conserving.  Whether it be water, energy, or biodiversity, conservation is paramount to the survival of not only our own species but the entire planet and all of the life on it.  It's a big deal.
Sounds sort of daunting, doesn't it?  I know.  There is a lot of doom and gloom surrounding environmentalism.  This produces Eco-guilt (something we will discuss in a later post).  Then of course there are those who say that your efforts aren't enough and that you're naive to think anything you're doing is going to make a difference.  Forget what you heard; that's what I say.

Don't listen to those people that discourage you or make you feel deflated.  Like I've said before, we all need to start somewhere.  So, if you're in the market for a greener lifestyle and you're not quite ready to unplug from everything you've known your whole life or you don't really know where to start, have I got a great resource for you!

Conservation International is an amazing resource to learn about conservation.  From here, you can donate, support conservation campaigns, learn about initiatives, reduce your impact, and so much more.  It's a great tool for everyone, regardless of your proficiency level when it comes to conservationism.

One of my favorite sections of the site is the Simple Steps to Live Green section.  It's a great jumping off point.  The most important tip, in my opinion because it supports all of the other steps, is to BE INFORMED. 

This is crucial.  Knowledge/education/information is our number one weapon to combat climate change, deforestation, animal cruelty, pollution, and everything else that is damaging our world.  Knowledge really is power.  That's kind of the point of this blog.  I wanted to create a place where the ordinary person could come and be exposed to resources.  A place where they could just get the run-down on what's going on.  A place where people could learn something in a way that makes sense and is easy to understand.  I wanted to create a sort of hub of information.  I encourage you to look into things yourself but just remember, I can't seem to stop myself and I am always looking into things on my own.  Then I post them here.  You read them and we are all united in our journey towards a better world.  But first, you have to check out the resources I provide for you...

Conservation International was founded in 1987 -- making it oh so slightly older than I am.  It is a well established organization that knows what it's doing as well as what it's talking about.  You can follow them on twitter, I do.

In closing, I was raised to take care of my things.  I had to clean my dishes, wash my clothes, and clean my room.  I had to have respect for my things because I was lucky to have them.  This is our only planet.  Our only world.  We need to have respect for it and take care of it. 

Animal Profile: Big Cats

I made a decision, today.  I have decided to start a sort of animal profile series.  Sometimes these profiles will be on one specific animal with their name, age, location, etc.  Sometimes -- like today -- it will be on a particular species or group; or a hybrid of the two.
Today, we are going to discuss big cats.  Despite being predators, big cats are quickly becoming endangered. 

Tiger

Tigers, for example, are the biggest of all the cats and pretty bad ass, I must say.  Tigers, however, are also endangered.  In places like Thailand, tigers have been hunted to the brink of extinction and are also now being farmed.  Like all of the big cats, they are hunted for parts.

Snow Leopard

Snow Leopards are indigenous to Asia.  As of now, there are only about 6,000 left in the wild.  They too are being hunted to extinction for their thick fur and organs.  As part of the black market dealing in big cat parts, the organs are used in medicines.  The rest of the parts are sold as decoration, souvenirs, and trophies of masculinity.

African Lion

The African lion is a social animal -- unlike many other big cats which are solitary -- and they are classified as vulnerable -- meaning not yet endangered.  They live in a family unit where the male, being very protective of his pride, watches over his women and cubs. 

Mountain Lion

There is a type of big cat indigenous to the area where I live.  The Mountain Lion.  Also called the puma, cougar, and catamount, this endangered cat is extremely territorial and is always on the lookout for invaders.  They inhabit all of South America and the most western part of the United States.  Mountain Lions used to inhabit all of the United States.  Now, the only other Mountain Lions are the endangered Florida panthers; hunters wiped them out of the mid west and eastern United States.

In California, we are vigilantly informed about the dangers of Mountain Lions.  Whenever there is a drought, the Mountain Lions prey population grows thin and there is little water.  This causes the lions to come down out of the Mountains and hills into cities and towns.  They have also been known to attack hikers during these times of starvation.  When this happens, people cry for justice and chaos ensues.  Everyone acts like we're all in danger of being eaten by lions.  Yes, lions are dangerous.  They're hunters.  Predators.  Carnivores.  They, however, occupy a different habitat from ours.  The only time they enter into our habitat is when something has happened to damage theirs or there is no food and/or water. 

The reason they usually have to leave their own environment is because of us.  We pollute their air which has led to climate change.  This causes droughts, floods, and extreme changes in weather.  We are the big cats primary predator.  We destroy their homes, hunt them for their pelts and parts, and create conditions that disenfranchise them.

National Geographic has a campaign called Cause An Uproar.  To Learn more about this campaign to save big cats, please click the link above.  Also, watch the trailer for The Last Lions.  For every view, National Geographic will give $0.10 to lion conservation; all you have to do is take 1 minute and 51 seconds of your life and listen to Jeremy Irons (Scar from The Lion King) as he narrates this stunning film.  For all of the effort it will take you, watch it over and over again.

Whether or not you find big cats scary or vicious is irrelevant.  They are part of this planet just as much as we are and they have every right to live.  Like us, they are mothers, fathers, and children.  They socialize.  They mate.  They eat.  They sleep.  They protect.  They feel pain.  They show fear.  They play.  They get excited.  They mourn.  They may not possess as high a level of brain function as we do but they are still living beings that feel.  Listen to the people who study these amazing animals and work with them in sanctuary's.  Like our pets that we all love so much, these animals have personalities and idiosyncrasies that make them unique.  They are not things.  They are individuals.  They're all different; just like we are.

So, help big cats.  They have as much of a right to live on this planet as we do.  OH!  And sign the petition for sled dogs at the bottom of my blog.

GMO: From Plants to Meat to People

Last quarter, for my women's studies class, we were split up into groups and each group was assigned a book to read and present on.  My group was assigned Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  The book chronicled her and her families journey through a year of food.  They vowed to eat only local foods in order to limit their impact on the environment and be pesticide free.

For my section of the project, I talked about genetic modification and how that relates to not only food -- as was discussed in the book -- but also people which related it back to the class; Women's Health.

Today's entry will be my section of our report.  Enjoy.
 
GENETIC MODIFICATION:  FROM PLANTS TO MEAT TO PEOPLE
      When Barbara Kingsolver, her husband Steven, and their family decided they wanted to embark on a year long journey to abstain from processed, out of season foods and only eat local and organic food -- much of which they grew themselves on their farm -- they agreed to forego genetically modified foods.  Genetic modification (GM) is the "direct manipulation of genes spliced into the chromosomes of plants, and vice versa" (47).  Genetically modified crops serve many purposes; they can grow faster and allow crops to grow out of season.  This allows people to eat the same produce all year round.  Apples, for instance, which are in season in Fall and Winter, are always available in grocery stores.  Strawberries, a summer berry, can also be purchased all year -- albeit at astronomical prices.  Bananas, which are not even grown in the United States, too, can be purchased any given day, all over the country.  Genetically modifying these crops allows the grower to grow them during times of the year when they are not in season and also expands their shelf life so the produce can travel long distances to get to the consumer -- bananas, for example, are trucked up from Mexico.  In her book, Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Barbara explains the detrimental effects of transporting food over long distances: carbon emissions, gasoline, etc.
      Genetic modification, however, primarily benefits the large companies who own the patent to the genetic mutation:  "The ultimate unnatural product of genetic engineering is a 'terminator gene' that causes a crop to commit genetic suicide after one generation" (47).  This allows the company who owns the patent to the seeds to prevent the farmer from saving seeds and using them in another harvest; by forcing the farmers to buy more seeds every harvest, the companies make more money.  The terminator gene offers no nutritional benefit to the crop, and in turn, the consumer.  The opposite of genetically modified seeds/crops, are heirloom seeds/crops.  These are seeds that are in their natural form.  These open-pollinated heirlooms are collected by farmers like jewels.  They behave the same way natural selection does; the crops best attributes are reproduced in subsequent generations.  In the book, Barbara talks about heirloom vegetables and how important they are to farmers.  Unlike seeds with the terminator gene, these seeds can be saved from the fruit of one crop to be used in the next season and can continue indefinitely.
      Plants, however, are not the only genetically modified food being produced.  CAFO, or Factory Farms, account for a majority of the meat consumed in the United States.  CAFO stands for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and make up approximately 15% of all AFO's -- CAFO's are AFO's that meet certain EPA criteria.  The EPA.gov (for the actual link, check the References section) site defines AFO's as "agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations.  AFO's congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area.  Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals seeing feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland."  CAFO meat is dramatically different from free-range and grass finished meat.  The CAFO animals themselves are dramatically overweight and are pumped full of hormones and antibiotics.  These additives carry over into the meat that people consume, effecting human health.
In the informational essays Steven Hopp includes in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, he discusses the complaints of opponents of CAFO have:

1. The treatment of CAFO animals:  the animals are packed tightly -- often unable to turn around.  According to Steve, a six-foot-by-eight-foot room can house 1,152 chickens.
2. Pollution:  putting so many animals in a small space produces huge volumes of excrement, creating waste storage and water quality problems.  "CAFO animals in the United States produce about six times the volume of fecal matter of all humans on our planet.  Animals on pasture, by contrast, enrich the soil" (91).  The water and soil become toxic which affects the crops that come in contact with the contaminated soil and water.
3. Health:  confined animals are stressed and given antibiotics to ward off disease.  "Nearly three-quarters of all antibiotics in the United States are used in CAFO's" (91).  The problem with antibiotics is that the bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics -- the antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that grow in CAFO conditions are a significant new threat to humans (91).  In addition, the CAFO animals are all being fed corn -- even the fish -- which they are not evolved to eat, compromising their immune system and in turn creating strains of viruses that would not be present if the animals were being fed what they are evolved to eat. 

       Similarly to the way seeds have been genetically altered, animals too, have been bred certain ways in order to benefit the companies that produce the CAFO meat.  In Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver raises a flock of turkeys in order to start a breeding flock.  In her experiment to start her flock, Barbara receives a first hand demonstration of the consequences of CAFO breeding.  Since the animals are so tightly packed, in factory farms, it is beneficial for production for them to be docile so that they can gain weight.  "Genes that make turkeys behave like animals are useless to a creature packed wing-to-wing with thousands of others, and might cause it to get uppity or suicidal, so those genes have been bred out of the pool" (90).  When Barbara is trying to get her turkeys to mate so that she can have her flock, she chronicles how difficult it was for the turkeys to figure out what they were supposed to do -- these weren't even the wide-breasted turkeys that the factory farms use.
      In order to keep the animals docile, traits like intelligence and the ability to reproduce naturally have been bred out -- Barbara notes that a friend told her that she has seen turkeys drown because they looked up when it was raining.  The animals are unable to reproduce naturally because their legs are not strong enough to hold up their unnaturally giant bodies and the instincts that would encourage them to mate have been suppressed.  All industrialized turkeys -- CAFO -- are artificially inseminated, given growth hormones and antibiotics, and do not live to be a year old.  Cows are sent from farmers to the factory farms when they are only a few months old and then immediately fattened up for slaughter.
     CAFO came into existence as part of the switch from naturally based farming to a highly mechanized production system that utilizes genetic modification as well as synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.  This is in stark contrast to the family run organic farms that Barbara and her family frequent.  U.S. farmers now produce 3,900 calories per citizen, per day (twice the amount the human body needs and 700 more calories than were being grown in 1980).
      In response to the increased amount of calories being produced, the food industry found ways to get those extra 700 calories in to the bodies of people who may not want them.  The most genetically modified crops -- and the ones that make up for most of those forced 700 calories -- are corn and soybeans.  Corn is especially prominent in everything from high-fructose corn syrup to packaging materials (contains cornstarch).  Soybeans, as well, have found their way to imitating animal flesh and/or fall under the category of "added fats." 
     Serving sizes and packaging have grown to accommodate the excess calories.  The Coke bottle, for example, went from 8 oz. to 20oz.  "U.S. consumption of 'added fats' has increased one-third since 1975, and our HFCS is up by 1000 percent" (14).  Due to evolving in "lean environments," humans have a genetic weakness for fats and sugars.  Although they may not be familiar with the science, the food companies hire strategists to figure out how to market the calorie surplus to people.  Kids are the primary demographic, "food companies spend over $10 billion a year selling food brands to kids, and it isn't broccoli they're pushing" (15).  This is similar to how cigarettes are often pushed on kids.  As a result, the waistlines of Americans are growing.  Diet trends are rampant as well as plastic surgery.  Just as we modify our food, we modify ourselves. 
Not only does the lower nutrition in GM food impact our health, -- obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, etc. -- it also affects our body image.  Elayne A. Saltzberg and Joan C. Chrisler, in their article "Beauty Is the Beast:  Psychological Effects of the Pursuit of the Perfect Female Body," examine how body image has changed over the years and how people augment their bodies to fit the contemporary idea of beauty. 

• Dieting is a $30-billion-per-year industry.
• Cosmetic Surgery (women) $1.2 billion in 1990.
• Cosmetics $103 billion per month in 1990.

Not all plastic surgery is a result of vanity; often it is a result of poor lifestyle choices and diet.  As a society, we have fallen under the impression that natural is not good enough.  Plants the way they are in the wild are not good enough so we alter them genetically to be able to withstand climate changes, pesticides, and be able to travel long distances without spoiling.  Our animals are not good enough so we breed them to coincide more with our convenience rather than our nutrition; we prescribe to the idea that more is better so we fatten up our animals so that we can have giant chicken breasts and steaks -- even if that means raising disease ridden animals who are raised in confinement and unable to walk.  Our bodies are not good enough so we add and subtract things, surgically, to fit an unnatural idea of beauty.  From how we eat, to how we view ourselves, unnatural has become common place while natural is a rarity.  We genetically modify our bodies the way we genetically modify our food.  In her journey, Barbara Kingsolver explores the idea that natural is good and natural is what works best.  Through her year long journey of consuming only natural, local foods, Barbara and her family prove that natural is not only better, but it's doable.
"Woe is us, we over fed, undernourished U.S. citizens" (54).

I hope that was educational.  My interest in environmental issues and animal welfare issues can all be traced back to my eating habits and my concern for my health.  The way we eat and what we eat directly impacts the environment and the lives of others.

Think about it.  Oh, and sign the petition at the bottom of my blog.

New Wave Enviro: Eco-Water

Making certain changes in your life will not only benefit your health, but also your wallet. 

In my house, I'm the one who does the grocery shopping.  Something constantly on the list that irks me to no end is "water."  I know that this one word is meant to convey to me "Ashley, buy a flat of unnecessary plastic water bottles filled with water that tastes like plastic because of its packaging and is practically a poison because of all of the leeching that occurs from the bottle and is most likely going to end up killing marine life."  Just saying "water" saves ink, I guess.

Picture from here.

For a long time, now, I've been trying to turn everyone I know on to reusable water bottles.  Personally, I have three -- one of which is the promotional one from Twilight with a picture that says "Team Edward" under it.  It's not that I'm a huge twilight fan -- personally, I love vampires but I don't really think of the Cullens et al. as vampires.  But I digress.  The people from Twilight are supposed to be as cold as ice and Edward lives up to that reputation through his use as a water bottle; my water is always nice and cold.

Quite recently, however, I've been in the market for a new stainless steel water bottle and I stumbled upon a company that makes some of the safest water bottles, plus food storage and filtration systems, that I have ever seen.  This company is called New Wave Enviro.  What I really like about them is how thorough they are.  They think about everything from bottle to cap to filter to lunch.

They do carry plastic which is notorious for leeching deadly chemicals and carcinogens into whatever they hold.  The plastic they use, however, is BPA free.  For those of you not in the know, BPA stands for Bisphenol A.  It is an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to birth defects, obesity, cancer, neurological issues, thyroid issues, sexual dysfunction, etc.  Basically, the stuff's bad news.  New Wave Enviro uses plastic in the safest way possible, though, so they get my stamp of approval.

Aluminum water bottles are a definite step up from plastic; however, they must be lined to be safe to drink from.  The lining can chip or flake, creating dangers.  There was also a time when the lining was made of BPA.  Then you have the cap possibly being made of plastic, etc. etc. 

The safest by far is stainless steel. Stainless steel does not need to be lined, leeches nothing, and is smooth and pore-less.  It keeps your drink at just the right temperature without any nasty health side effects.  New Wave Enviro has a great collection of stainless steel water bottles.  I really like this bottle because not only is it safe and nice to look at but it also benefits a good cause:  Pandas International.  It's the bottle I intend to get once I make my way down to Wholefoods.  There are so many other great bottles and storage containers including a small stainless steel bottle with a nipple for babies.  It makes sense, doesn't it?  Knowing what we know about the dangers of plastic water bottles, why would you want your kid drinking out of one?  I wouldn't.

Even if you're the kind of person who looks at all of the science supporting the dangers of plastic water bottles as witchcraft and tomfoolery, you can't ignore the toll it takes on the environment.  Emissions from production aside, so many plastic bottles are not recycled and they end up on the sides of our roads and in our oceans, rivers, and lakes.  They polute our world and kill our wild life.

That not a good enough reason, either?  Okay.  Buy one water bottle, refill it, it lasts forever.  Or, waste money buying a bunch of disposable bottles of water that make water taste like plastic and do not stay cold. 

As always, it's your choice.

Environmental Degradation

Once upon a time, deforestation occurred, predominately, because rural farmers needed to clear land so that they could create farm land.  You know, agriculture.  Deforestation was bad then, just as it is now; however, it's sort of difficult to oppose someone who is just trying to eat and stay alive.  As a society, we are encouraged not to hate on the little guy; we root for the underdog.  Like Rudy.

Times have changed, however, and deforestation is no longer primarily the result of rural farmers just trying to survive.  Now, deforestation occurs in response to consumerism.  Supply and demand.  As a society, we want post-its, paper towels, toilet paper, news papers, pencils, hardwood floors, building materials, notebooks, and of course, animals.

Land is constantly being cleared for the raising of animals like cattle.  These animals are commonly used for things like leather.  So, let's think about this.  100-some-odd miles of rainforest are cleared away to raise cattle.  That cattle is slaughtered and shipped and sent to some nice place in say Vietnam, for example, where it is made into shoes or something that is later shipped elsewhere; the US, UK, Germany, etc.  The act of deforestation creates mind-blowing amounts of carbon emissions -- ironically, the trees are what rid the air of carbon and create oxygen.  Then, it gets shipped all over the place on boats, on planes, and in trucks, again creating carbon emissions.  Now, the factory in Vietnam received it's leather from Brazil, who subcontracted to ranchers in the Amazon.  This network spans thousands of miles.  This extensive travel contributes to environmental degradation.

Picture from here.

Deforestation is one of the biggest problems plaguing the world today.  It is a supply and demand enterprise, however, which means that we, the consumers, can help put an end to it.  How, you ask?  Excellent question.  I'll tell you.  Now, let me first tell you something.  I am in no way trying to simplify the seriousness of deforestation.  A lot needs to change in order to end this horrible act that is suffocating the planet.  The first step, though, like with everything else, lies with the individual.  The individual needs to want to make the changes.  Needs to want to know about the issue.  Needs to want to make a difference.  It all starts with the little things, also.  It's the little things that will add up.  Gateway drug, remember?  So, let's discuss what you, as an individual human person can do to lower the demand for deforestation and in turn, lowering the supply.

Go paperless:  With almost everything -- maybe even everything, actually -- there is the option to pay your bills online, only.  The paperless option saves paper in the forms of statements, envelopes, stamps, etc.  This also creates less carbon emissions from the processing of the trees into wood pulp, and the wood pulp into paper.  Also, go paperless when it comes to all of your mail.  Cancel your magazine subscriptions.  Call the companies responsible for junk mail and tell them to take your name off of their list.  Cancel the phone book/yellow pages.  Use e-mail instead of standard mail.  Read your news online instead of getting news papers (I highly recommend The Huff).  You can get almost everything online, including news papers and many magazines.
Microfiber:  Instead of buying paper towels and napkins, use towels and microfiber clothes that you can wash.  Paper towels are not recyclable if they are wet or dirty.  So, basically if you used a paper towel, you can't recycle it.
Electronic Books:  If you have a Kindle, Nook, iPad, or a computer -- which I'm assuming you do since you're reading this -- then you can read all of your books electronically.  As an English student, I am a book junkie and it is called upon me to buy a lot of books for school.  I do, however, have a Kindle.  Kindle has an app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, as well as a downloadable version for computers that allows you to buy Kindle books without a Kindle.  With the exception of new releases, Kindle books are usually much cheaper than standard paper books -- I've never seen a book more expensive on Kindle than it is in a bookstore.
Don't Wear Leather:  Not only is it gross -- it's the flesh of a dead animal that would be decomposing if it hadn't been chemically treated with poisons.  The lower the demand for leather, the less land being cleared to raise the cattle, the more trees that stay intact purifying our air and serving as homes for millions of species of animals as well as producing components for medicines.

Deforestation is no longer poverty-driven; it's industry-driven.  If we change the demand for these products, we can change the supply.  When the 2012 election starts, do your research.  Use your vote in a way that not only benefits you but the entire planet.  Use your voice.  In the meantime, be a conscious consumer.  There is so much more that can be done to put an end to deforestation.  Above are just the bare-basics.  I encourage you to research the issue and educate yourself on your planet.  If someone were ripping out your lungs, wouldn't you have something to say about it?  The trees are the lungs of the planet.  We need them.

WSPA and Bear Baiting

In my entry yesterday, I talked about Bear Baiting.  Today, on the WSPA website,  I saw a link that led to this page.  Fill out the information on the right side of the screen and you are able to donate the amount of your choosing.  Check out the page as well as the rest of the WSPA website and see what else moves you.

Review: No Impact Man

Today, while I was recovering from "food poisoning" -- jalapenos I ate were cooked on the same pan as peppers wrapped in bacon which, as a vegetarian, my body did not approve of so I have spent the last 15 or so hours in pain -- I watched a documentary called No Impact Man.

This film followed the efforts of a New York family, the Beavans, attempting to live, for one year, without creating any kind of environmental impact.  No cars or motorized transportation, no buying anything new, no electricity, no coffee, no toilet paper.  Everything they consumed was local.  They didn't buy anything new at all; they only bought, borrowed, or were given used items.  They lived by candlelight and daylight, attempted a pot within a pot experiment for a refrigerator, and battled the backlash from non-environmentalists as well as environmentalists.  People hated them.

After their year long experiment, the Beavans evaluated their journey and decided what changes they had undergone that they wanted to maintain and which ones just weren't practical for them.  They kept the local foods and bicycling but decided to get rid of the worm bins they used for composting.

In the documentary, Colin Beavan teamed up with a man who owned a community gardening plot.  He taught Colin how to plant and harvest vegetables.  The one thing that really sort of bothered me about the whole film was something this man said to Colin.  They were sitting in a kitchen and Mayor, the man, said to Colin that it's basically naive (or something along those lines) for him to think he's making a difference because he uses the stairs instead of the elevator when his wife works for a news publication that is responsible for the demolition of millions of trees.  It's true; print news outlets are responsible for a hefty amount of deforestation.  Deforestation is bad.  Deforestation should stop.  I do not believe, however, that his wife's employment as a writer for a news magazine negates all of the good that this family is trying to accomplish through this project nor do I believe that the little things don't add up to make a difference.

I always encourage people to make those small changes because it is those small changes that add up and eventually may even add to bigger changes.  Using a reusable stainless steel water bottle instead of plastic/recycling/consuming less animal products/going to the farmers market/turning off the water when you brush your teeth/turning off the lights and other electronics when you leave a room/utilizing as much daylight as possible/using reusable cloth grocery bags instead of paper or plastic/planting a tree/etc., is the gateway drug to bigger acts of conservationism/environmentalism/sustainability/kindness.

Aside from that comment, though, I really enjoyed the message this documentary shared and I'm going to give it 3.75 out of 4 green eyes.  I recommend to you that you watch No Impact Man.  It is streaming instantly on Netflix.  Check out Colin Beavan's blog and see what else you can do to make a difference.

We all need to start somewhere.

Bricks For Bears

It never ceases to amaze me what sick things people find entertaining.

In Pakistan, there is this "sport" called Bear Baiting.  This bloody event, however, is not a sport; it is animal cruelty.

A bear, with teeth removed and claws blunted, is tethered to a post in the middle of an arena type clearing and attacked by dogs.  Once things look to be turning fatal, the dogs are pulled back and the exhausted and battered bear is allowed to rest but only to have the dogs attack again.  These poor bears are sometimes made to fight multiple times a day.  Then, they go back into their confinement where they receive pathetic medical attention and inadequate care and diet. 

Bear Baiting came to my attention a few days ago and ever since then, it's been haunting me.  These bears can never just be let back into the wild; they'd die.  They've been so severely injured and disfigured that they wouldn't be able to defend themselves -- what would they really be able to do if they came across a healthy bear with teeth and claws intact?  Exactly.

So, the amazing people at Bricks For Bears, through the WSPA have decided to act.  Since 2001, they have rescued seven bears and are able to prevent 80% of the fights from happening in the first place.  This is huge.  They have built a sanctuary for these bears where they will be safe and cared for properly.

They still need our help, though.  They need our support in order to rescue the remaining bears, put an end to this brutal activity, and educate people on the situation and provide alternative livelihoods for the bear owners in Pakistan.  For the price of $10, you can buy a brick and make a difference.  Even if you are unable to give financially, lend your voice.  Spread the word on this savage "sport" and, with it, awareness on this issue.  Go to the Bricks For Bears site.  Poke around.  Educate yourself. The Bricks For Bears site is Australian based and I currently have an e-mail out to them inquiring on how to buy a brick without an Australian address.  Until they answer me, I don't know how we can buy bricks.  I encourage you, however, to go to the WSPA website and make a donation through them or any of their affiliates.  Check out Animals Matter and sign up, today; it's free!  I did.

How do you keep cool?

This is my first official post.  First off, let me say that my main source of news is from The Huffington Post.  It is a great site that offers not only nation and world news but also news on the Green movement.  For me, this is paramount.  This post will focus on an article from The Huffington Post -- or, as I refer to it in my own mind, The Huff.

For the full article, go here.

In the article Summers Are Going To Get Hotter, Stanford Scientists Say, Joanna Zelman discusses the scientific study conducted by Stanford University that has explored the extreme temperature shifts in the middle latitude regions; this includes the United States.  Last summer, reportedly, tied with 2005 as the hottest year on record with a global temperature 1.12 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.  Although 1.12 degrees may not seem like a lot -- from a day to day stand point, it really isn't -- it is the changes in long-term weather trends that are considered to be scientific evidence of man-made global warming.

"Most atmospheric scientists attribute the change to gases released into the air by industrial processes and gasoline-burning engines"  (The Associated Press).  This is man-made global warming.  What all of this basically comes down to is that it's going to get really hot.

Where I live, in the San Francisco Bay Area, it has actually been pretty cold the last two weeks.  Over the last three or so days, it has started to warm up.  This week, temperatures are in the eighties, inland.  In the summer, we usually see temperatures around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Personally, I hate the heat.  I can't stand being hot or sweating.  I have, however, gotten used to the Summer heat the same way I've gotten used to the Winter cold.  You see, I live in a house that was built in the 1970's.  The AC/Heating is original to the house and since it is an older house, it is poorly insulated.  So, we don't even bother trying to use the AC because it wouldn't make a bit of difference except to our energy bill.  From this, I've learned how to successfully keep my cool even in the face of ridiculously high temperatures.

Keeping cool is extremely important because high temperatures can be very dangerous.  The article mentions that in 2003, heat waves in Europe killed an estimated 35,000 people.  Agriculture is also threatened by the heat.  If it is not cold enough in the Winter months, crop eating insects don't all die off and then thrive on the crops in the Spring.  The heat can also interrupt the life cycles of the plants, damage them, and even prevent their growth entirely.

As individuals, I think there is an easy two-fold plan of attack.  Number one, you need to stay cool.  Drink a lot of water.  Get a reusable water bottle to refrain from using plastic which creates oodles of carbon emissions when produced; plus, the metal ones like I have keep your water nice and cool and can also act like a cold compress.  If you have long hair, keep it up.  Dress responsibly for the weather.  Wear sunscreen.  Swim whenever you can.  Take cold showers when you shower.  PG&E, also, gives rebates for certain types of green AC units.  At my house, certain rooms have window units which work superbly -- sometimes even making the room cold at its lowest setting.  Check the PG&E site for a list of Eco-rebates you can utilize in your own house.

Number two, we all need to work on the thing that is causing man-made global warming: carbon emissions from gasoline-burning engines and industrial processing.  So, whenever you can, walk or bike or skateboard, or whatever instead of driving.  If you do have to drive, try and carpool or take public transportation.  Also, make your voice heard.  Climate change is no joke.  You know all those tornadoes that have been touching down all over the country?  Well, that's what happens with climate change; the strange becomes normal.  Find our what you can do in your community to combat climate change and make the changes in your own home.

I encourage everyone to follow the link to the article and read the whole thing.  Research and educate yourself on what's going on on our planet; what we're doing to our planet and how we can make things better.

In closing, I'd like to say that I was once of the mindset that global warming is fake.  After all, there are apparently more polar bears now than there were 50 years ago.  The global climate, however, is rising.  You can have all of the pithy little t-shirts you want saying that it's a fraud but the truth is is that it's getting warmer and warmer.  It is those long term trends that point towards global warming, not the population of polar bears.  Another thing, just because a population is "abundant" does not mean than it's environment is not in danger.  Look at us; there are over 6 billion people on the the planet and our environment is falling apart.  Looks can be deceiving.

Introductions

I have had many blogs, over the years.  This one, however, actually has focus.  This one is important to me.  So, allow me to introduce myself so that you may get to know what I'm about.  Firstly, my name is Ashley and this is my blog.  In this blog, I will be discussing, with you, things that I am passionate about.  For instance, I am a vegetarian; here, I will post recipes, brands I enjoy, animal free alternatives, and resources for a cruelty free diet.  Also, I am environmentally conscious.  This blog will feature tips on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and other resources I enjoy as well as information on the state of the environment and how our different choices have consequences but can also make a difference.  I'll post, discuss, and review articles that pertain to health, the environment, and animal cruelty.  Also, you'll probably be seeing a sassy young bear-wizard named Padfoot who will occasionally be recommending you things.
Anyway, here is a little bit about me, as a person:

• My name is Ashley.
• I am 22 years old.
• I am an English major focusing on British and American literature.
• I write.
• Thankfully, I have never had nor have I needed braces.
• My joints hyper-extend.
• My hair is so thick that it impedes my ability to wear hats and use hoods.
• For the first 11 years of my life, I had no idea that any music apart from "golden oldies" existed.
• As part of my writing process, I talk to myself.
• My first crush was on Johnny Depp at age five.
• I'm chronically polite.
• When I was learning how to walk, I decided to try running first but was too indecisive and ran into a door frame.  As a result I have a scar on my forehead.
• I'm pragmatic yet optimistic.
• Raw or barely cooked tomatoes disgust me.
• I'd rather watch someone play a video game than actually play it myself (depending on the game) because it's like watching a movie.  Also, when it comes to shooters, I'm sort of jumpy.
• I grew up watching Star Trek, Star Wars, Xena, and Twin Peaks.
• A large part of me has always wanted to be a bad ass.
• My closest friends have been in my life for 10+ years.
• I treat my webcam like it's a two-way mirror.
• I have a sub-par liver.
• Since I was little, I've been obsessed with England.
• I am constantly on the look out for my new favorite coffee mug.
• Sometimes I spell things the Canadian or English way instead of the American way; I like to add the letter 'u' into words.
• I have a tumblr: mentally_maladjusted
• I'm probably the least computer savvy person you're likely to not meet.
• Almost every crush I have had in my life has been on a fictional character. 
• The only thing really keeping me from being a vegan is my strange attachment to nutella.

I guess that's it...
Read my blog, I guess.
Oh, and follow me on twitter.
Hmm.  Yeah, I think that's it.