Today was Earth Day, and with all the action happening across the world in our preoccupation with CoVid19, I am sure there were many who also missed this wonderfully, poignant day.
There are so many reasons to stand up and take notice of today - for all the years this day has stood for the protection, understanding and due care of our planet - for what this day should mean to all of us, today is and was above all, one of the most important of celebrations in history. In our world, where Mother Nature has taken her toll of misery over the years – of endless pollution and disrespect of all the gifts and treasures she selflessly provides to us all - now in the weeks of our own misery inflicted on us as a global species, Mother Nature has called the shots and now fights back for all she has endured over the years - prior and after the epic day of April 23rd 1970, when humans came together to assist her in her fight for survival.
We saw protests across the globe; hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating in Philadelphia Union Square; over 260 individuals cycling down the main street of Philadelphia and thousands more jam-packed into New York. All the way down 42nd street to Central Park, individuals demonstrated on Mother Nature’s behalf. Over 20 million people demonstrated across America alone. This was truly a historic day that called for the implementation of a Clean Air Act across the globe - an act that would prohibit industries from unscrupulous behaviour and their continued production of excessive CO2, nitrous oxide, methane and carbon emissions; one that compelled governments, businesses and individuals to take stock of their actions and make drastic changes for the betterment of mankind.
Today marks the 50th Anniversary of that very necessary Act, and while we suffer like never before – Mother Nature has for the first time in history, had a reprieve from our abuse. With so many of our species ill, or on the lookout for CoVid19, the streets across the globe are barren, transport is void, emissions are at an all time low, and our skies enjoy miraculous clean air and breath-taking sunsets - like never before. Eight out of ten flights globally have been cancelled and given the marked reduction of fuel consumption, oil production sits just under, $40 a barrel.
Although this Act was put into play in America and onlooking countries rallied together to quickly follow suit, the collective idea of significantly reducing emissions in the coming years - some by 90%, fell way short of the bar. Today, we are still struggling.
Mr. Michael Gerrard – Environmental Law Expert at Columbia University states, “How people react to the return of normalcy after the pandemic will help define the crises wrecking the environment…A key question will be, do we have a green recovery, do we seize the opportunity to create jobs in renewable energy and in making coastlines more resilient to climate change?” he said. “The current US President clearly has no inclination to do this.” Sadly, the US was more interested in offering a $25 billion bail out to the oil and gas industry, to help prop up air travel. In Australia, we too have followed suit, taking economic measures to retain the airline status quo, without thinking about the ramifications on our planet. Earth Day couldn’t be a bigger reminder to think about what’s right. And if that doesn’t beat all, we have two more calendared reminders to make sure we act responsibly - Arbour Day and Anzac Day. Our trees are the breath that gives Mother Nature sustenance, and our ANZACs remind us to not only honour our past, but to honour our future – one that we can be equally as proud of.
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As many of you might know, Australia is definitely doing it tough and it's not just our people. Our wildlife is equally suffering; most of them are unable to escape the force of the fires and perish in minutes. For those that are lucky enough to be rescued by our diligent firefighters and assisting wildlife specialists, a minimal few will have a chance at life. Injured and badly burned animals - great and small, are arriving in droves at the RSPCA centres. These centres are being stretched to their limits and rely on the kind hearts of people across Australia to foster, take care of and then return to the wild, once this catastrophe finally comes to an end. Given, Australia hasn't even reached the middle of its summer period and true bush-fire season, this looks to be a long and painful experience for us all. Australia, its people and wildlife - fauna and flora, have no idea how long and pronounced this situation will become and in such tragic situations, we turn to the outside world to lend a helping hand. Yes, government is coming to the party, now reconvening parliament to discuss how to best assist victims, but the scale of this situation is enormous; federal and state funds, manpower are all stretched to the limit. Given it is our driest Summer on record and there are close to 150 bush-fires burning across Australia - and a good half of them are uncontained, this means water is limited for everyone - man and beast alike. Water consumption is at an all time high, which will strain, stall and for many months to come - halt the production of basic needs i.e. food production and electricity. Our situation is not going to go away overnight - fauna, flora and mankind will be out of place and suffering for months, if not years. But you can help the regeneration process by giving what you can, if not physically assisting, then monetarily sharing your blessings with those less fortunate. Please keep Australia in your prayers; survival of life and limb, will be all up to the Gods - ...Selina Here are 8 organisations you can donate to:
1. Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief The Red Cross supports a variety of efforts such as supporting people at evacuation centres and providing emergency assistance like cash grants to people who have lost their homes https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate 2. Salvation Army Disaster Appeal Salvation Army team members are providing meals to first-line responders and evacuees, as well as any other support needed, Major Topher Holland, the organisation’s General Manager of Strategic Emergency and Disaster Management, said in a statement. https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate/make-a-donation/donate-online/?appeal=disasterappeal 3. St Vincent de Paul Society Bushfire Appeal (NSW) Vinnies’ bushfire appeal helps provide food, clothing and money that bushfire victims may need to pay their bills. https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw 4. NSW Rural Fire Service You can either donate straight to the NSW RFS or to your local Rural Fire Brigade to support volunteer firefighters. https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/sponsorship 5. Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria Like the NSW RFS, you can donate either to a specific brigade or provide a general donation. https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa 6. The Victorian Bushfire Appeal The Victorian Government teamed up with The Salvation Army and Bendigo Bank for the appeal, with all funds going to communities in need. https://www.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal 7. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital The organisation has a GoFundMe page that seeks funding for Koalas affected by the bushfires. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thirsty-koalas-devastated-by-recent-fires 8. WIRES NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) rescues and cares for animals and is seeking donations for volunteer carers and rescuers that are “inundated” with them amid the bushfires. https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund This month, we thought we would help out a friend in need - our happy, go lucky dolphin species that brings us pleasure, every minute of our lives; an innocent, defenseless creatures who often fall victim to the likes of unscrupulous humans. HONEY - the distressed dolphin, who is presently held captive in the defunct Inubosaki Marine Park Aquarium in Choshi, Japan is all alone in a huge tank of water. Not far from her are the remaining 46 penguins and 100s of fish and reptiles. The park has been closed for 9 months and no one tending to the remaining animals, except a few caring employees. Please sign the petition and help out HONEY and her captive friends. Fortunately, our world is made up of wonderful human beings who make it their mission to help out those who can not speak for for themselves. The Dolphin Project is an established non-profit charitable organisation, founded by Richard O’Barry. It dedicates its existence to the protection, welfare and fair treatment of dolphins across the world. On a very fitting - Earth Day, April 22, 1970 the organisation commenced with gusto, announcing its goals to ‘educate the public about captivity and where feasible – retire and or release, captive dolphins’ back into their natural habit. With a mission of ending the exploitation and slaughter of defenseless dolphins, they frequently come to the aid of creatures that have been captured, harassed and sold into captivity purely for profit. Dolphin Project endeavours to halt the senseless slaughter of these beautiful creatures, as well as aid in the rehabilitation of previously captive dolphins so that can live out their remaining days in peace; free from harm, abuse and very much retired from the stage of capitalism.
To date, Dolphin Project has been party to bringing about change through documenting the unruly practice of dolphin capture/hunting, along the coast of Taiji, Japan. In 2009, their feature documentary entitled ‘The Cove’, won them an Academy Award. Their efforts were further rewarded by seeing through negotiations that put an end to the cruel and outdated practice of dolphin slaughter, in the Solomon Islands. For over forty-eight years – Richard O’Barry has worked tirelessly around the world to end Dolphin cruelty; to cease the cruel captivity of dolphins for monetary gain and to be the voice for these gentle creatures when humankind loses the plot on animal rights and welfare. His work has been acknowledged, praised, documented and awarded by the likes of: Huffington Post – ‘2010 Most Influential Green Game Changer’; O Magazine – ‘2010 Power List ‘Men We Admire for his Power of Passion’; Larry King Live; Anderson Cooper 360; Katie Couric; The Mike Huckabee Show and the list goes on. The controversial Animal Planet Television Series – ‘Blood Dolphins $’ and ‘The Cove’ opened the eyes of the world to dolphin atrocities.
Thanks to Ric and his team, dozens of dolphins now live out a full and safe existence in their natural habitat. |
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