Don't miss CNN's "Planet in Peril"

Planet in Peril, CNN's special report on climate change, airs this week.

The four-hour, two-part series features CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Animal Planet wildlife biologist Jeff Corwin, who traveled all around the world to report on the environmental issues that are affecting our planet.

The documentary, the first high definition production by CNN, will explore four key issues of the global environmental crisis: climate change, vanishing natural habitats, disappearing species and human overpopulation.

In an interview by the Associated Press, executive producer Charlie Moore described that what will distinguish this series from others is that it will be a "look at all of the world's environmental problems in one big swipe," avoiding "the clinical, classroom approach by going to the front lines of the stories."

The worldwide investigation took place in faraway places such as Brazil, Thailand, Madagascar and Cambodia.

One segment will show Cooper and Corwin in Bangkok as they uncover illegal shop that traffic with threatened wildlife, including rare tortoises from Madagascar.

But the documentary will also bring the issue closer to home. According to the Associated Press, in another segment, Cooper comes back to New York and takes a blood test that analyzes his exposure to 246 synthetic chemicals. The result? Find out by watching this special presentation.

The program will air tomorrow (Tuesday, October 23) and Wednesday, October 24th at 9 p.m. E.T. in the U.S.

If you live outside the United States, you can tune in at 13:00 or 19:00 GMT to watch this important documentary on CNN International.

For more information, visit CNN's "Planet in Peril" page.

Al Gore Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech

For all of those who didn't have a chance to see it, here's the moment in which former Vice President and 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore gave his acceptance speech before the United Nations committee.

Al Gore's win of Nobel Peace Prize a triumph for the planet

Al Gore, former US Vice President, won the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday along with the U.N. climate change panel "for their efforts in raising awareness of man-made climate change.

Gore, 59, has been fighting for the protection of the environment for over 20 years.

In his acceptance speech, Gore emphasized the importance of the "planetary emergency" we currently face:

"It (the fight against climate change) is the most dangerous challenge we have ever faced, but it is also the greatest opportunity we have ever had to make change."

Other ecologists and personalities from across the globe congratulated Mr. Gore for his achievement.

One of them, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, congratulated him by saying the former U.S. vice president's efforts "reflect how individuals and groups can change and crystalize awareness of global warming."

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel rightfullly declared that "Gore has contributed like no one else to the awakening of the world's conscience in respect to the fight against climate change."

A day in the life

When watching this, all I can think how amazing is our planet is, how many gifts we receive from it everyday and sometimes we don't even notice them. These beautiful flowers are a simple, yet striking example- how they grow, how they subsist- quietly, yet marvelously. Our planet is indeed, a majestic wonder...

Farewell to Anita Roddick

This week, the world lost a dedicated activist and great fighter of the environment, human rights and other social causes: Anita Roddick.

Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, an international chain of cosmetics stores known for its vegetable-based products, died suddenly on Monday at the age of 64.

Roddick used her business to promote causes like ending animal testing and supporting the environment.

"Against Animal Testing," "Support Community Trade," "Activate Self-Esteem," "Defend Human Rights," and "Protect Our Planet," are the company's current slogans.

In an article published in The International Herald Tribune, England's Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls Roddick a "true pioneer."

Not only was she instrumental in banning animal testing in the production of cosmetic products, but she also was one of the first entrepeneurs to create an environmentally-conscious business.

"She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so, and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market," Brown said.

Roddick's philosophy translated into her company's products. In June of last year, The Body Shop became 100% vegetarian, offering products with all-natural ingredients, including Strawberry Body Butter, Tea Tree Facial Wash, Coconut Milk Body Lotion and Camomile Eye Make-Up Remover.

Making a green statement in a fashionable way

Today I was pleasantly surprised when I found these cute T-shirts at Target. Of course they're fashionable, but what's great about them is the fact that by wearing them, you can share with others the importance of being kind to the environment without even saying a word.

In the first picture, for instance, you find a really cute tee with the message "Recycle Today for Tomorrow." It reminds us of how crucial it is to recycle everything we can so we can help our planet by reusing and disposing properly of materials that are harmful to the environment. The shirt makes it clear that we must do this NOW if we truly want to be able to enjoy our planet in the future, and conserve it so that future generations get to enjoy it as well.

In the second picture, you can also see another cute T-shirt, this one with a great phrase that reads "Green is Good."

On the other hand, the bottom picture shows two other T-shirts that also contain inspiring phrases and/or images. By wearing them, you can share with others the importance of recycling by wearing, for instance, the T-shirt on the right, which features the international recycling symbol. On the left, you can also see the one where Kermit the Frog asks that you to "Stay Green". (In case you can't find this last one, look in the Lingerie department since there is also a sleepshirt with the same design).

By the way, all these shirts are made of 100% cotton and only cost $9.99!

Check them out and wear these or any other shirts with eco-friendly messages so you can spread the green message and "pass on the green."

P.S. Sorry guys, but I have not found shirts with similar messages for men. But don't worry, as soon as I do, I'll post them as well. Keep checking back!

Photo shows illegal hunting of gorillas continues

Just yesterday, I posted what could be described as a lovely picture of thriving gorillas who are cared for by a successful conservation program.

In contrast, the picture you see above, also from Reuters, is not a pretty one. It shows four dead mountain gorillas that were illegally killed in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the week of July 26. The photo was released just yesterday, August 8, by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

I know the photo is perhaps too graphic, but it depicts reality and I thought it was important to put context in the situation that is affecting gorillas today. Yes, there are things being done to protect the species but the reality is that gorillas continue facing an uphill battle in order to survive.

The gorilla is one of the most endangered species in the world. According to the WWF, this is due to the fact that gorillas are confronted by the devastating consequences of increased habitat loss, poaching for the bushmeat trade and the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola. And although the capture or killing of gorillas is illegal, it continues to take place, as the picture demonstrates.

Mother gorilla and baby in Prague zoo proof of successful conservation efforts

In this photo from Reuters, Gorilla Kijivu holds nine-week-old baby gorilla Tatu in her arms. Both live at the Gorilla's Pavillion at Zoo Praha, also known as Prague Zoo. The picture was taken this Tuesday, August 7.

Besides being home to Kijivu, Tatu and another female. Shinda, the zoo also takes care of four orphaned gorillas in the conservation station Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) in Cameroon. The stories behind all the gorillas who live there are pretty much the same: their parents and relatives were killed by hunters and they, the young survivors, were rescued from being sold as pets.

Among the rescued orphans are Chella, Jumbo and Pitchou. According to the zoo, Chella was found in a car boot next to the body of his dead mother when he was only 2 years old. He was then confiscated by local authorities who only provided him with beer for drinking and minute amounts of food during three long weeks. When he eventually arrived at the LWC, he suffered from great dehydration and malnourishment. He is now 17 and is the dominant male in the group.

Jumbo had fallen prey to a hunter when he was only a baby. According to the zoo, the hunter was trying to sell the little gorilla to a woman named Lena Perazzi because she knew that such purchase would cause more hunting of gorillas in the wild. Instead, Ms. Perazzi contacted the LWC and saved the baby's life.

For more on the stories of the gorillas who live at the LWC and more information on gorilla conservation, visit the Limbe Wildlife Center's website .

South Florida's temperatures hotter than usual

Florida has always been known for its warm temperatures, but this year, they might be just a little too hot.

This according to a report recently released by Environment Florida, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization that carries out independent research and "tough-minded advocacy" in order to protect Florida's air, water, open spaces, and the quality of the environment overall.

The report, which is entitled "Temperatures in Cities Across Florida on the Rise,"states that the average temperature in cities like Miami, West Palm Beach and Tampa, among many others, are 0.5 degrees higher than last year's average.

“Throw out the record books, because global warming is raising temperatures in Florida and across the country,” said Environment Florida Field Director Holly Binns.

And while the degree difference may not sound alarming, Dr. Jeff Chanton, a scientist and professor at Florida State University warned that: “One degree may not seem like much, but just like in people, a small, relatively rapid temperature rise can have serious consequences.”

Among these consequences, the report states, are "serious implications for human health, causing heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and even death. "

One of the cities that presented this increase in temperatures is West Palm Beach. The report concluded that the average 76.1 degree Fahrenheit summertime (from June to August) temperature in that city was 1.6 degrees higher last year than the 30-year "normal" average of 74.7, according to The Palm Beach Post's article "Scientists say West Palm Beach is getting hotter."

Environment Florida's report explains that "this warmer-than-normal weather is indicative of what Florida can expect with continued global warming, including increased drought and wildfire, stress on already-scarce water resources, and more frequent and intense tropical storms."

Additionally, the organization emphasized the fact that "2007 is on track to be the second warmest year on record globally."

Fortunately, not all the reports' conclusions were negative.

“The good news is that those same scientists (who warn about the impact of global warming) say we can avoid the worst effects of global warming by taking bold action now to reduce global warming pollution... we have the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming pollution and forge a cleaner, more secure energy future," said Binns.

Florida governor leading Florida's green path

Recently, Gov. Charlie Crist held the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Climate Change, a two-day conference that took place in Miami with the purpose of "hearing from the experts and learning how we in Florida can address the causes and effects of climate change.”

Crist listed drought, endangered agriculture, violent storms, and changing sea levels – and their impact on Florida’s economy – as some of the reasons why Floridians must take action in protecting the environment.

“Florida is uniquely vulnerable to the impact of climate change,” Governor Crist said. “Bordered by bodies of water, our state has thousands of miles of rivers, streams and waterways. Our waters define our state’s identity, and global climate change can threaten that identity.”

According to the Sun-Sentinel article "Emissions must be cut, Gov. Crist tells climate change summit," Crist would like to see an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. In order to achieve this, Crist signed three executive orders that will impose strict air-pollution standards in the Sunshine state.

“Global climate change is one of the most important issues we face this
century, and we must take action,” Governor Crist said. “We must make every
effort to boldly do our best to do what is right – for our environment, for
our economy and for future generations. We have a responsibility to be good
stewards of Florida’s natural resources and beautiful surroundings.”

From Youtube to Live Earth Wembley Stadium....

Live Earth featured the acts of 150 artists who united their music and voices in honor of our planet.

Just in case you didn't catch last Sunday's television broadcast of the event, here you can see an enchanting performance by Terra Naomi, an alternative rock singer and songwriter who performed her hit "Say it's Possible."

As you'll be able to see, besides the original message of the song when she wrote it, some of this song's lyrics can be interpreted as certainly fitting for the occasion.

Excerpts from the song:"Say it's Possible"

see the lights are turning
and I look outside the stars are burning
through this changing time
it could have been anything we want
it's fine salvation was just a passing thought
it was just a passing thought

don't wait act now
this amazing offer won't last long
it's only a chance to pave the path we're on
I know there are more exciting things to talk
about
and in time we'll sort it out
and in time we'll sort it out

...

Later on in the song, as if she were talking about the possibilities that our combined efforts could bring, she says:

This could be something beautiful
combine our love into something wonderful...

To learn more about Terra Naomi and her songs, visit
http://www.terra-naomi.com/

To view more performances from some of the other great artists who participated in Live Earth, including The Police, Shakira, Duran Duran, and Linkin Park, visit:

http://www.liveearth.msn.com/

Live Earth rocks the world

The Live Earth concerts broke a worldwide record for online entertainment show by generating more than 9 million Internet streams, according to Microsoft.

The new record surpasses the one previously held by Live 8, a massive fundraising event held in 2005 that involved ten benefit concerts in different cities around the world with the purpose of fighting poverty in Africa.

Once onstage, many artists chose to make a personal statement regarding climate change and the need for everyone to join in the effort to heal the planet and save it from further damage.

Such was the case of Linkin Park’s vocalist Mike Shinoda, who said to the thousands of people in attendance at the Tokyo concert and the millions who were watching through Internet:

(The) climate crisis is one of the defining issues of our generation… (but)
we can make a difference in a very big way if we try.

Meanwhile other artists chose to send their message across through a song.
Such was the case of Melissa Etheridge, who sang “I Need to Wake Up,” the
theme song to Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth, urging participants
to “wake up now.”

R&B singer and songwriter Alicia Keys and country singer Keith Urban also dedicated a song to the planet, performing a cover version of The Rolling Stones 1969 hit “Gimme Shelter.”

Among the personalities in attendance were English anthropologist Jane Goodall and environmental lawyer and activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as actors Leonardo Di Caprio, Cameron Diaz and Scrubs’ cast member Zach Braff, among many others.

The televised event included the live broadcast of the concerts, as well as small segments that gave tips to viewers on how to lead an “environmentally-friendly” life.
Many have criticized the event, doubting the "difficulty in marrying pop music with serious themes lke the environment."

In addition, after the end of the event, many articles pointed out the show’s low TV ratings.
Most of them focus on the three-hour NBC telecast, which drew only 2.8 million viewers. But according to an article from The Washinton Post, Nielsen ratings showed that 19 million people watched at least six minutes of the concerts that aired throughout the day on NBC’s sister networks, such as Bravo, CNBC and Telemundo.

Still, it is expected that Live Earth’s viewership will continue to grow even now, after the show has ended, this time through the Internet, where those who didn’t have the time to watch it can do so. This is because the purpose of these concerts- the fight for climate change is far from over, in fact, it’s just beginning.

In the end, the message of the Live Earth event can be summed up with the words of Chester Bennington, another Linkin Park vocalist:

"We’re at a point where we have to do something… be willing to take action and be
part of something great. "

Live Earth kicks off

Live Earth, the worldwide television event that will unite millions of people through music to fight climate change is here!

Don't miss the opportunity to see 150 of the world's top recording artists (including the ones in the US lineup shown above ) perform during 24 hours of music across all 7 continents. You can do so through TV, radio and Internet. You can also attend a Live Earth event in your area.

Here are some details to help you decide:

If you would like to attend a Live Earth local event:

In South Florida:

What: Art Against the Climate Crisis

When: Today, from 12p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where: Miami-Dade Main Library
101 W. Flagler StreetMiami, Florida 33132

Cost: FREE, all ages welcome

More info: Call 305.375.2665 or visit the Miami-Dade Public Library System page.

Also: Grass Lounge in Miami, host of an official Live Earth party, which will be held from 6-11 p.m.
For more info: call 954.655.7629

If you prefer to watch Live Earth on TV:

NBC will air a three-hour special today starting at 8 p.m.

The Sundance Channel will cover the event live through a 22 hour broadcast:
The East Coast Today from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 8th.
The West Coast Today from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Bravo will be "the only cable station to be showing the entirety of the concert at the Giants stadium." It will air live and taped performances for 18 hours, starting at 8 a.m. today.

CNBC will begin airing live and taped performances (during a total of 7 hours) starting at 7 p.m. today.

Mun2 will air a two-hour special today focusing on Latin artists beginning at 7 p.m.

Telemundo transmitirá en español este evento que busca unir al mundo entero con el fin de crear conciencia sobre el medio ambiente de 7 a 8 p.m.

If you prefer the radio:

XM Satellite Radio ,will air all concerts in their entirety. Worldspace Satellite Radio, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Premiere Radio Network and Radio Express will also air the Live Earth event.


If you prefer to watch it online:
You can tune in to all the nine concerts on both Saturday and Sunday through liveearth.msn.com

You can also visit the websites for the channels mentioned above, most of them will be streaming live video throughout the day.

Watch it live now by clicking here!

For additional broadcast information, click here.

For concert schedule and information specific to your area, click here.

Don't miss it! ANSWER THE CALL.

Gore discusses Live Earth on CNN

This video clip is from CNN's Larry King Live, where former Vice President Al Gore appeared last night to talk about his effort to fight global warming and save the environment through the Live Earth event.

During the interview, Gore discussed how the idea of having this 24-hour worldwide event originated. He also talked about how he personally contacted each one of the performing artists so they would become part of this global spectacle.

Gore also announced that in addition to the cities already announced, there will be a special performance in Antarctica, while also hinting at a surprise location (which was today discovered to be the U.S. capital).

Here are a few excerpts of the interview in case you missed it:

Larry King: How did this massive thing come about?
Al Gore: ... It's the launch of a three-year campaign to get the message of the climate crisis and the solutions to the climate crisis to every person on Earth so that we can move across the political tipping point beyond which everybody in every country puts pressure on their leaders to make this the top priority and solve the climate crisis.

We’re asking all of the 2 billion people estimated to be in the audience Saturday, to sign the Seven-Point Pledge that embodies the solution to the climate crisis, including putting pressure on your country no matter where you live in the world, to sign and join an international treaty within two years that cuts global warming pollution by 90% in the developing countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthier Earth.

…The Earth's climate really is in great jeopardy. Some of the leading scientists in the world have announced that we may have as little as 10 years in which to make major changes lest we lose the chance to have and retrieve the favorable climate balance on which human civilization depends.

Larry King: What do you want to see accomplished?
Al Gore: I'd like to see all 2 billion people in the audience sign the Seven-Point Pledge and become part of the solution to the climate crisis. I hope it gets the attention of the world in a way that we've never been able to do in the past and deliver the facts about the climate crisis and the solution to the crisis.

Larry King: Shanghai, China is considered one of the world's major polluters. Why go there?
Al Gore: Because they need to be part of the solution. China and the United States are the two biggest sources of global warming pollution.(But we also) both have the opportunity to invest in the new, cleaner, more efficient technologies that will allow continued improvements in our quality of life.

The future for every generation after ours is at risk. Incidentally, temperatures in many parts of the country have reached all-time records. Almost half of the US is in drought or near-drought conditions, so some of the problems that scientists have said we should watch out for because they are associated with global warming are beginning to happen- the stronger storms, the sea levels rise, diseases from the tropics moving into the areas where more people live, the melting of the ice...

A new study says that the North Polar Ice Cap is now melting three times faster than the most pessimistic projections were just a few years ago and could be completely gone in as little as 35 years. But we can still save it if we act quickly, and that's what the Live Earth concerts are all about- to get past the naysayers and the cynics and the carbon polluters and instead, lay the truth before the people of this country and the world and define it properly as a moral issue. A lot of it depends on doing the right thing now, while we still have the chance.

Countdown has begun for Live Earth global event

This Saturday, the whole world will rock in a united effort to bring awareness to the climate change crisis through Live Earth:The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis.

According to SOS (Save Our Selves), the group behind this global spectacle, Live Earth will be "a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis."

A Newsday article entitled "As the World Tunes," explains that Kevin Wall, founder of the SOS group and producer of Live 8, came up with the idea of organizing this event inspired by former Vice President Al Gore, whose Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth brought to the forefront the debate about global warming.

"Millions of people saw that movie and realized that this was a compelling argument," Wall said to Newsday. "I wanted to see if we could get the globe to pay attention, to get billions of people to take notice."

In the same article, Wall also added that aside from the concerts, the event's main goal is to teach as many people as possible about ways to improve the environment:

We want people to know they can step up and make a change... They can
make a change by changing how they treat the environment, by buying green, by
voting to put people in office who will negotiate these improvements on a global
basis. If we can get people to move in that direction, we can really have
an impact. ..

The historical music event will feature eight concerts in the following cities: New York, London, Shanghai, Sydney, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Chiba and Tokyo.

Among the artists acheduled to appear are Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz, Metallica, and Shakira. The event will also allow fans to see some of their favorite bands reunite for the first time, among them Smashing Pumpkins and The Police.

The event will reach its worldwide audience through TV, radio and the Internet- the concerts will be broadcast in the United States through NBC, but they will also stream through Live Earth's website.

However, according to Gore, the show will be just a starting point for a global movement that seeks to increase consciousness about our planet's suffering:

"Live Earth will be just the beginning of a three year campaign worldwide to deliver information about how to solve the climate crisis," he said.

Bald eagle comeback on time for America's birthday

The news of the bald eagle’s recovery arrived just in time for Independence Day.

Today, America celebrates not only its birthday but also the victory of the eagle, its national symbol, over what many called its impending death sentence.

According to the American Eagle Foundation, the bald eagle was chosen as America’s National Emblem by our country’s Founding Fathers in 1782.

Initially, it did face some disapproval from certain individuals, including Benjamin Franklin, but with time, it became the most beloved bird in the country because of its qualities and symbolism.

In the words of President John F. Kennedy:

The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald
eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of
this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America.

The image of this majestic animal is now found not only on the Great Seal of the United States but also on the dollar bills and coins we use, as well as on our passports and stamps, among many other places.

This is why, after being on the brink of extinction, the bald eagle’s comeback is great news to this nation, which so dearly loves its national bird.

Today’s edition of the Sun-Sentinel expressed the same through an editorial entitled “The bald eagle flies off the endangered species list, just in time for Independence Day.”

Moreover, it stressed the importance of conservation efforts, setting as an example the success story of the American bald eagle:

At a time when Florida still struggles to rescue manatees and panthers from the
threat of extinction, the 40-year commitment to preserve the bald eagle for
future generations of Americans offers fitting lessons on the value and
potential of conservation programs. If the resolve is there, the efforts can and
do work.

Bald eagle soars off endangered list

After being on the verge of extinction in 1967, the American bald eagle has officially been taken off the endangered species list today.

“Today, I am proud to announce the eagle has returned,” Interior Secretary Kirk Kempthorne said while making the announcement at Jefferson Memorial.

According to the AP article “Bald Eagle comes off endangered list,” in 1963, there were only about 417 mating pairs of bald eagles in the contiguous 49 states.

The powerful and majestic-looking creature had been decimated by DDT, a pesticide that was used to control mosquitoes and other insects. DDT residue contaminated rivers and other waterways, contaminating the fish that bald eagles would later ingest which would then poison and inevitably cause their death.

It was also “hunted for its feathers, shot from airplanes, the subject of a 50-cent bounty in Alaska… and fed to hogs in some states,” according to another AP article-“U.S. bald eagle numbers make recovery.” Loss of habitat also contributed to the bald eagle’s near demise.

Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940 to prohibit the killing, selling or possessing of the regal bird. It was also listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1967. But what the experts identify as the first and most important step in the eagle's path to recovery began when in 1972, the use of DDT was banned in the United States.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), there is now an estimated high of 9,879 breeding pairs, 1,133 of which are found in Florida.

• To learn basic facts about the bald eagle (and even listen to some of the eagle's actual cries!), visit the American Eagle Foundation page.
• To listen to an interview clip of National Bald Eagle Coordinator Jody Millar's discussion of "How bald eagles became endangered," click here.

Instant messaging your way to a better planet

Everyone IM's nowadays, so why not contribute to helping the planet while you're at it?

Thanks to i'm, a new initiative from Windows Live Messenger, you actually can.

The way the program works is this: every time you use Windows instant messaging service, Microsoft will share a portion of the service's ad revenue to the cause of your choice. Among your options, the initiative to "help explore and protect the planet" by choosing the Sierra Club. You can also help increase awareness and join the fight against global warming by choosing StopGlobalWarming.org.

Of course, the environment is not the only one that needs our help, so you can also choose among other organizations dedicated to causes of great importance, among them the American Red Cross and UNICEF. And the great thing is, you don't have to feel like once you've chosen a cause you can't help out another that might interest you. Actually, if you like, you can switch back and forth between the causes dearest to your heart by making the appropriate selection whenever you begin a new conversation (I tried it out myself so I know it works!).

This is what you need to do:

1. Download the Windows Live Messenger instant messenger service.
   
2. Before initiating a conversation, choose the cause of your choice next to your Display Name.


3. Start your conversation. While you chat with your friends or family members, you'll be contributing to the issue that is of most importance to you. Every conversation counts!
   

For more details, visit the i'm page and start making a difference!

Online petition asks for Florida panther protection

Members of Defenders of Wildlife, an organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities, have set up an online petition with the purpose of saving the home of some of the world's last remaining Florida panthers.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, there are less than 100 Florida panthers left in the wild, many of which live at the Big Cypress Natural Preserve in the city of Ochopee in Southwest Florida.

However, the National Park Service is considering opening up a part of Big Cypress to off-road vehicles (ORV's), which would take away some of the Florida panther's already-insufficient territory and put undue stress on them and other endangered wildlife that already struggle for survival there.

According to Defenders of Wildlife, the area is indeed in the most sensitive habitat of the Bear Island Unit, an area in the northwest corner of Big Cypress frequented by the critically endangered Florida panther. By signing the petition, you would be telling the National Park Service that "the Big Cypress National Preserve and the Florida panthers and other endangered wildlife that live there need to be protected from damaging off-road vehicle use."

• You can sign the petition by clicking here. (Deadline is this Friday, June 15)

• You can also learn about other ways you can help the Florida panther by visiting the Defenders of Wildlife How You Can Help page.
  
• To learn more about the Florida panther, visit the Defenders of Wildlife Florida Panther Fact Sheet.

Dead whale shark found off Florida's coast

The picture shown, which was featured in today's edition of the Sun-Sentinel, is that of a 30-foot dead whale shark that was found two miles off Lantana beach today.

The finding of this creature, already in state of decomposition, near the Boca Inlet is considered as rare in Florida waters.

Researchers are considering studying the body in hopes of discovering the animal's cause of death, particularly because under Florida law, catching or possessing a whale shark is prohibited.

The whale shark is the largest of living fishes. But don't be fooled by its name, after all, the "whale shark" is not a whale at all. It's called a whale shark simply because it's a shark as large as a whale. The whale shark is also a gentle, slow-moving creature that is a favorite of snorkelers and scuba divers in many countries around the world.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) , also known as the World Conservation Union, lists the whale shark as a vulnerable species in what is known as th IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

According to the IUCN, whale shark populations have been depleted by harpoon fisheries in several countries. The species has also suffered from incidental capture by other fisheries and the fact that it is highly valued in international trade, which makes the whale shark vulnerable to exploitation.

The Sun-Sentinel's article Whale shark’s carcass found off Boca Inlet of little value, researchers say, talks about some experts' belief that foreign companies may be catching the large fish to harvest their fins so they can be used in soup and for decoration in Asia.

Multimillionaire buys South American land to preserve environment

Douglas Tompkins, the American multimillionaire who founded the Esprit clothing line, recently purchased more than half a million acres of Esteros del Ibera, a vast marshland in Argentina.
But his intent, he says, is not to exploit the land, but rather, to save it.

The Ibera Wetlands are located in the Corrientes province, on the northeast side of the South American country. They are comprised of a mix of swamps, lakes and lagoons, which makes them one of the most important water reservoirs in the continent. The area also hosts a large biodiversity, among them the pampas deer , the neotropical river otter and the black howler monkey or caraya (shown above).

Tompkins, a committed environmentalist, invests in purchasing areas of great ecological significance. According to an article from the Associated Press, he does so in order to protect these territories and the environment within them from the abuse of agribusiness and industrial development, with the idea that he will one day return them to the government as nature reserves.

With the acquisition of this land, Tompkins adds to the previously purchased territory in Chile, making him the owner of well over 1 million acres of land in South America, a combined area as large as the size of Belgium.

Apple recycles customers' old computers

When buying a new computer, many people have difficulty finding out how to properly dispose of their old equipment.

For that reason, Apple has made it easier for those who purchase its products to do so in an eco-friendly way through the Apple Recycling Program.

If you're about to purchase a Mac, don't forget to take advantage of this program, which allows you to get rid of your old computer and/or monitor for free, regardless of manufacturer.

When you purchase any Apple computer and/or Apple display from the online Apple Store or an Apple retail location, you can opt for the program during the checkout process. Apple will then email you instructions on how to package your old equipment as well as a FedEx shipping label so it can be shipped to a recycling center.

Apple will also accept your computer's peripherals, including printers, scanners, cables, mice, keyboards, computer speakers, floppy drives, optical media and external hard drives.

For more details, visit Apple's Recycling Program page.

Sharks on the decline, some species near extinction

( Note: In case the video doesn’t download properly, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-D4ntqtsB4 )

Many people experience the fear of being attacked and eventually killed by a shark while enjoying a day at the beach.

But, as The Washington Post article “Fish Story’s New Reality is that Man Bites Shark” explains, the truth is that in actuality, sharks kill an average of four people worldwide every year, while humans kill anywhere from 26 million to 73 million sharks annually.

“For most of human history, sharks have been seen as a threat to us. Only recently are we beginning to see we’re a threat to them,” said David Balton, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary for oceans and fisheries, in a recent interview, according to the article.

An international team of scientists came to this conclusion based on research that included the use of satellite tracking and DNA analysis. Among their findings, the fact that shark populations around the world have declined in great numbers during recent years.

For example, the article notes, in March, a team of Canadian and U.S. scientists calculated that "between 1970 and 2005, the number of scalloped hammerhead and tiger sharks may have declined by more than 97 percent along the East Coast, and that the population of bull, dusky and smooth hammerhead sharks dropped by more than 99 percent.”

The steep decline in shark population, according to the experts, is mostly due to shark hunting. This is because this predator’s fins are used to make what is called “shark-fin soup”, which is considered a delicacy in Asian countries and many other places around the world.

In this entry’s featured video, you will be able to see some of the atrocious methods that shark-hunters utilize to catch their prey. You can also observe a cruel practice called shark “finning”, which consists of slicing off a shark’s fins and tossing the animal back in the ocean to die.

If you’re interested in doing something to help with the efforts for shark conservation, you may consider actually adopting one of them. You can go to http://worldanimalfoundation.homestead.com/AdoptAShark.htmlvisit and adopt a shark from the World Animal Foundation.

You can also visit sharktrust.org, the Web site for Shark Trust, a marine charity established in the UK concerned with the plight of the shark on an international scale, and find out more about their adoption program. Of course, you may also contact any of the many other national and global organizations concerned with shark survival and do your part to help protect the sharks.

Treasure Coast builds eco-friendly children's museum

The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast, currently under construction, will be the first green commercial building in Martin County.

The new museum, which is being built at IndianRiverSide Park in Jensen Beach, will feature water-conserving bathroom fixtures, insulated windows, showers for people who ride a bike to work, and "special windows and air-conditioning sensors that will reduce the building's energy use by 20 to 30 percent," according to the Palm Beach Post's article "Children's Museum also preserves the environment."

Environment conservation has been a priority for the museum since the very beginning. The article explains that when part of 40-year old building was demolished, workers recycled about 75 percent of the waste including drywall, studs, concrete, plastic piping, metal and steel.

The next step is the application to the United States Green Building Council so that the museum is officially recognized as a green building by obtaining LEED certification.

Human medications affecting Florida's sharks

Scientists recently discovered traces of human medications in the blood of some of Florida's sharks.

Various kinds of anti-depressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs and synthetic estrogens were among the prescription medications that were found in the bloodstream of young bull sharks from the Caloosahatchee River on Florida's southwest Coast.

According to the researchers, the substances made their way to the river due to the fact that it receives wastewater from several sewer plants. And although the water is treated and bacteria is removed, drugs are not, mainly because treatment systems are not designed to do so.

Scientists from the Mote Marine Laboratory, the private marine research laboratory responsible for the findings, believe that it is likely that the medications traveled to the river after being excreted by people taking them who then unknowingly flushed them down the toilet.

It is not known how the presence of human medications in the sharks' blood will affect them in the long run. Scientists are now tagging sharks with chemical-absorbing discs so they may be able to measure the amount of chemicals in their organism, as well as find out exactly what kind of effects these drugs will have on them over time.

Bush addresses climate change crisis, proposes global goals

This week, President Bush publicly discussed the issue of global warming and for the first time, proposed a global effort to do something about it.

In a conference held in Washington, Bush spoke about his proposal to combat global warming by negotiating with the world's biggest polluters (among them China and India), through a series of meetings to be held in the fall.

According to today's New York Times article "Bush Proposes Goal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas," his "global strategy" to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions includes the idea of each participating country establishing "mid-term national targets for reducing emissions over the next 10 to 20 years, while working together to set a longer-term goal."

This announcement comes as a surprise to many, particularly because the current administration had always been reluctant to join the international debate on climate change.

But his statements, many critics say, are not convincing enough. Although he seems to have a change of heart in regards to this issue, they say, he did not make any commitments or offer any details as to how the U.S. ( the world's biggest source of emissions that contribute to global warming) would go about achieving these goals. For this reason, White House environmental adviser Jim Connaughton described his plans as mere "aspirational goals."

President Bush is also criticized because he seems to be ignoring other international efforts addressing this issue, among them the Kyoto Protocol, a United Nations agreement that commits countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012 (and which the U.S. never ratified).

Others note the fact that his goal is to come up with the definitive strategy in 18 months. As The New York Times' editorial "Playing to the Crowd- Talk about Warming" points out, this would conveniently coincide with his departure as president, "suggesting his real goal is to leave the heavy lifting to his successor".

Giant Pandas fight for survival

The Giant Panda is one of the most beloved animals in the world. Its characteristic black patches of fur around the eyes, ears and body, as well as its love for bamboo sticks and apparently noble nature, have made it a favorite of zoo-visitors, animal lovers and the general public.

Unfortunately, this species faces an uncertain future as it continues being a target for poachers and its natural habitat continues shrinking. Another threat of great concern is the species' alarmingly low birthrate. Altogether, these factors have led to an increasing concern over its survival.

As of now, the Giant Panda is classified as an endangered species. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), an international non-governmental organization that seeks to "stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature", there are only 1,600 pandas living in the wild.

It is estimated that another 180 more live in captivity within China and around 20 others in other countries around the world.

In the National Zoo in Wahington, three of them live happily under the care of zoo staff as they are admired by visitors. Mei-Xiang, the female, Tian Tian, the male, and their first baby, 20-month-old Tai Shan, live in a reserve that mimics thir natural habitat as scientists learn about their behavior.

In this entry's video, you can take a look at how they interact with each together and also, obtain a better understanding of this zoo's efforts to help in the international campaign to save the panda.

By the way, you can help the Pandas too. Visit http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Forms/GPDonation/ for more information.

New York City's Yellow Cabs Turn Green

Instead of a sea of yellow cabs, the Big Apple will soon have a "green" taxi fleet.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced today that little by little, the city's entire fleet of yellow cabs will be entirely replaced by fuel-efficient hybrid cars.

As of now, only 375 of the 13,000 cabs rolling through New York city's streets are hybrids. But with this measure, the number will rise to 1,000 in 2008, and grow by 20% every year. It is expected that by the year 2012, every single cab will be a hybrid, a type of vehicle that runs on a combination of gasoline and electrical power.

Of course, the cabs will keep their emblematic yellow color, but will emit less exhaust and reduce carbon emissions, and will thus be kinder to the environment.

The measure is part of Bloomberg's PlaNYC, a plan that seeks to achieve a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the city by 2030.

Boca Raton favors more green construction

The city of Boca Raton is joining many other cities around the nation as it encourages developers to increase the construction of green buildings.

This according to an article from The Palm Beach Post, "Boca mulling incentives for an eco-friendly building," which talks about Boca Raton's Deputy Mayor Susan Whelchel efforts to help the environment with the building of such structures.

In order for a building to be officially considered "green," it must fulfill the standards established under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. This system was designed by The US Green Building Council (USGBC), a national coalition of members from every sector of the construction industry that seeks to "promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work."

Among the techniques used to make a green building , such as the one shown, are:

• 
  The use of organic or milk-based paints.
• The use of recycled materials.
• The use of packed gravel for parking lots instead of concrete or asphalt.
• The usage of materials manufactured near the building site so as to reduce the environmental impact of long-distance transportation.
• The installation of insulated glass windows and solar panels.
• The presence of wildflower or native plant gardens.

There are also many benefits attributed to green buildings, among them:

• Higher employee productivity.
• Improved health and increased sense of happiness among tenants.
• Lower energy and water bills.
• Less greenhouse gas emissions.
• Less impact on the environment overall.
  

Yard-watering schedule reminder

South Florida is going through a critical water shortage emergency and one of the driest periods in its history, which has led to the enforcement of rigid, though necessary water restrictions.

Due to the drought, yard-watering can only be done one day a week. Why specifically yard-watering?, you may ask. Well, because according to the experts, since many people unnecessarily over-water their garden, the easiest way to save water is precisely, to cut back on the times we water our lawn.

And while our gardens and backyards may not look as pretty as we wished they did, we must take into account that we must do everything we can to help water conservation.
Remember:

We are experiencing one of the worst drought on record. Brown lawns are a small price to pay to have an adequate source of drinking water for our very large population.
-Carol Wehle, Executive Director.

With this in mind, here are the details on Phase III Water Restrictions for Broward and Eastern Palm Beach County.

• Odd-numbered addresses: 4 to 8 a.m. on Saturdays.
• Even-numbered addresses: 4 to 8 a.m. on Sundays. Watering by hand with one hose and an automatic shutoff nozzle: 5 to 7 p.m. the same day.

These same restrictions apply to car washing.

For more details and specific information for your area, visit South Florida's Water Management District's Web page or call the SFWMD Water Shortage Hotline at (800) 662-8876.

Gas-saving tips for the good of the planet and... your wallet

There is no doubt that the use of gasoline is harmful to our planet. Scientists explain that this is due to the fact that gasoline releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is linked to global climate change. To make matters worse, gasoline also emits other pollutants, among them carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons, which all create air pollution.

Today, the NPR program "Talk of the Nation", had a segment in which Amy Mattinat, automotive expert for askpatty.com gave listeners some tips on how to save money at the pump by improving their mileage. By following her recommendations, we can definitely save a few dollars but most importantly, we can reduce the amount of gasoline we waste, therefore helping the environment, through these simple steps:

1. Slowing down.
One of the best things you can do to save gas is to go at the speed limit whenever possible.
Remember: for every 5 miles per hour (mph) that you go over 60 mph., you're paying the equivalent of an extra 20 cents per gallon!

2. Using cruise-control.
If you have the cruise-control feature in your car, use it! This will help improve your fuel mileage by helping you drive at a steady speed.

3. Don't drive like a maniac!
When you push on the gas pedal and accelerate, and when you suddenly slam on the brakes, you unnecessarily waste a lot of gas.

4. Avoiding excesive idling.
According to Patty, when your car's idling away, not only do you get zero miles per gallon, but you also burn more gas than if you restarted the engine. As if that weren't bad enough, idling also increases your car's toxic emissions, so stop!

5. Plan all your shopping and errands so you can make them all in one trip.
Patty explains that "several short stop and go errands can use twice as much fuel than a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance".

These are just a few of the free and easy ways you can save some money at the pump and at the same time, help reduce air pollution. Visit Patty's website for more useful ideas.

DiCaprio brings global warming documentary to Cannes

This week, Leonardo DiCaprio is attending the Cannes Film Festival among other Hollywood stars, though not as an actor, but as a writer, producer and narrator of a climate change documentary.

"The 11th Hour," a film that discusses how humans have affected the climate and what can be done to remedy the damage, will be featured as a special screening at the festival.

Following the footsteps of Al Gore, who won an Academy Award last year for his documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," DiCaprio seeks to bring attention to the critical issue of global warming, although in a different way. According to the Associated Press, the film not only shows the impact of climate change but also provides advice from over 50 leading scientists, visionaries and leaders from around the world on how to heal our planet. Among them, Wade Davis, an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, who sends a clear message about humanity's ability to repair the harm done:

"All of these forces sweeping over the planet are the
forces created by human beings. And if human beings are the source of the
problem, we can be the foundation of the solution."

The 11th Hour will be shown in U.S. theaters towards the fall; however, you may visit www.the11thhourfilm.com to find out more about the film itself and also learn about the crisis our planet is currently facing due to the climate change. You can also sign up for the campaign "Lighten your Footprint," which provides information on how you and your community can take action and become part of the solution.