Give a National Wildlife Federation gift membership to loved ones for Christmas. Not only are you spending your money to support on a good cause, but it is a tax deductible!
For $15, your family member, friend or colleague will receive 6 issues of the magazine National Wildlife and a 2008-2009 wildlife calendar.
www.nwf.org/giftofnature or call 1 800 822 9919.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Earth Won One in Texas
The Texas Living Waters Project, a joint project spearheaded by the National Wildlife Foundation, drafted a landmark environmental bill that passed during the final hours of the past Texas legislative session.
This new law sets up a process by which the instream flow necessary to keep rivers and streams healthy may be determined. These flows are important to help ensure sufficient freshwater flows to the coastal bays and estuaries.
It is just a process, and much work remains to be done to follow through on the promise of this bill. However, it is a positive step taken in a conservative southern state, so it is to be celebrated!
This new law sets up a process by which the instream flow necessary to keep rivers and streams healthy may be determined. These flows are important to help ensure sufficient freshwater flows to the coastal bays and estuaries.
It is just a process, and much work remains to be done to follow through on the promise of this bill. However, it is a positive step taken in a conservative southern state, so it is to be celebrated!
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Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Humpback Set for Slaughter by Japanese
On November 18, a fleet of four Japanese vessels left Shimonoseki harbor in Western Japan to begin a five-month whale hunt in the Antarctic Ocean. The whalers are planning the largest hunt in decades. They will target 850 minke and 50 finback whales. They plan to harpoon as many as 50 humpback whales for the first time since hunting the endangered species was banned in 1963.
Japan has continued to kill hundreds of whales every year for scientific research. Once a whale is killed, scientists collect data from the animal's remains on its age, birthing rate and diet; the meat is then packaged and sold. Japan maintains that the research is essential for managing the whale population.
What stands between the Japanese fleet and the whales. GreenPeace. May God be with them as they put their ships and selves in front of harpoons.
The escalation of the hunt, and the inclusion of humpbacks, has drawn condemnation from leading anti-whaling countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Britain.
Japan has continued to kill hundreds of whales every year for scientific research. Once a whale is killed, scientists collect data from the animal's remains on its age, birthing rate and diet; the meat is then packaged and sold. Japan maintains that the research is essential for managing the whale population.
What stands between the Japanese fleet and the whales. GreenPeace. May God be with them as they put their ships and selves in front of harpoons.
The escalation of the hunt, and the inclusion of humpbacks, has drawn condemnation from leading anti-whaling countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Britain.
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Iroquois Thanksgiving Prayer
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
Iroquois Thanksgiving Prayer
by
Ohenton Kariwahtekwen
by
Ohenton Kariwahtekwen
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Central Texas Activists Needed
For a year now, we've worked together to show strong, nationwide support for clean energy solutions-and together we've gotten bills passed in both the U.S. House and Senate.
But the coal and oil industries are pulling out all the stops to try and block the bill in the final throes. And they've recruited Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to help them.
We're asking you, once again, to take immediate action.
Click here to take immediate action.
The federal energy bill could finally come to a full vote any day now. With oil rices at an all-time high and with daily reminders of global warming, America desperately needs to move toward a new energy future today.
Powerful energy companies are vigorously defending our nation's polluting energy practices. And they are working hard to convince Congress to reject important renewable energy provisions, including a Renewable Electricity Standard and tax incentives for renewable energy. At their behest, Sens. Hutchison and Cornyn are blocking the bill from moving forward.
Dallas Morning News article on Wind Power
We only have a couple of days to turn this around! Please sign our petition asking Sens. Hutchison and Cornyn to drop their opposition to this
critically important measure.
Click here to take action.
But the coal and oil industries are pulling out all the stops to try and block the bill in the final throes. And they've recruited Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to help them.
We're asking you, once again, to take immediate action.
Click here to take immediate action.
The federal energy bill could finally come to a full vote any day now. With oil rices at an all-time high and with daily reminders of global warming, America desperately needs to move toward a new energy future today.
Powerful energy companies are vigorously defending our nation's polluting energy practices. And they are working hard to convince Congress to reject important renewable energy provisions, including a Renewable Electricity Standard and tax incentives for renewable energy. At their behest, Sens. Hutchison and Cornyn are blocking the bill from moving forward.
Dallas Morning News article on Wind Power
We only have a couple of days to turn this around! Please sign our petition asking Sens. Hutchison and Cornyn to drop their opposition to this
critically important measure.
Click here to take action.
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Sunday, November 18, 2007
Lethal Navy Sonar Targets Whales
The U.S. Navy wants to put a training range for lethal mid-frequency sonar next to a key migratory route for endangered right whales -- off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
Click here to to tell the Navy not to put its proposed sonar range next to the right whale's migratory route.
Click here to to tell the Navy not to put its proposed sonar range next to the right whale's migratory route.
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Save Energy with Holiday LEDs
If you enjoy holiday lights in or on your home, save money and protect the environment by switching to LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights.
LEDs employ semiconductor technology to convert electricity into light directly, resulting in significant energy savings. An LED uses approximately 0.04 watt of electricity, compared with 0.45 watt for a mini incandescent light bulb and 7 watts for a C-7 incandescent bulb.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, LEDs provide several other benefits as well:
LEDs employ semiconductor technology to convert electricity into light directly, resulting in significant energy savings. An LED uses approximately 0.04 watt of electricity, compared with 0.45 watt for a mini incandescent light bulb and 7 watts for a C-7 incandescent bulb.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, LEDs provide several other benefits as well:
- Safety—LEDs stay cool to the touch, posing less of a fire hazard compared with incandescent lights. In addition, their low energy consumption allows you to connect up to 25 strands of lights end to end without overloading a circuit.
- Durability—The small size and solid construction of LED bulbs make them less likely to break.
- Long Life—LED bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours or more, which is equivalent to more than 10 years of continuous indoor use. If a single bulb in an LED strand does happen to fail, the remaining bulbs will continue to work.
While they have a higher purchase price (they cost about two to three times more than incandescent lights), LED holiday lights quickly pay for themselves through energy savings. Using the national average residential rate of 11.06 cents per kilowatt-hour, it costs only 32 cents to use 300 LED lights for five hours per day for 45 days. In comparison, using incandescent mini lights or C-7 lights for the same amount of time would cost $3.36 and $52.25, respectively...
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Friday, November 16, 2007
Save Energy : Cover Your Hot Tub
We are going to buy a spa and use solar power to heat it. We are thinking this will be a simple application of solar power, but we are only planning to use only two panels, so we will need to ensure that the heat remains in the water so that we do not waste energy. There are some safety concerns as well.
Spa safety is important as we have pets. The spa cover should meet or exceed the ASTM safety standards. It must be mildew, UV, moisture and temperature resistant. We live in an area of high winds, so we want to make sure the cover (and the spa) is secured with locking fasteners.
After researching spa covers, I have decided to go with Spa Covers of Superior Quality at HotTubWorks.com. Most of the covers are $299.95 with free delivery. Now, we just have to decide on the spa!
Spa safety is important as we have pets. The spa cover should meet or exceed the ASTM safety standards. It must be mildew, UV, moisture and temperature resistant. We live in an area of high winds, so we want to make sure the cover (and the spa) is secured with locking fasteners.
After researching spa covers, I have decided to go with Spa Covers of Superior Quality at HotTubWorks.com. Most of the covers are $299.95 with free delivery. Now, we just have to decide on the spa!
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Burt's Bees Sold to Clorox
North Carolina Bee Keeper Burt Shavitz built and ran his Burt's Bees natural personal-care products company as a business as well as a personal environmental statement. So, why did he sell his life's work to Clorox? $950 million
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Bits 'n Pieces of Environmental News
Click to Read American Rivers Update for week of November 12, 2007.
Senate leaders are currently negotiating a compromise energy bill that would sell out clean energy and include huge subsidies for ethanol and nuclear power. In exchange, we would get the promise of modest increases in automobile fuel efficiency standards, if environmentalists in the Senate can get a majority to stand up and hold the line.
This is unacceptable. And given the Senate's track record in the last few weeks, we have little confidence that the leadership will not cave to the Bush administration yet again.
Click here to take action
The 2008 presidential election provides a great opportunity to ask the candidates questions about global warming, nuclear weapons, censorship of government science—anything that you are concerned about. This is your chance to educate and engage the candidates and other voters on the issues you care about most!
There are many ways to express your views. You can attend candidate events, advocate for policy solutions to be included in the party platforms, ask convention delegates or other local elected officials to communicate your views to the candidates, let candidate staff and volunteers know your views when they contact you, or you can write letters to your local paper.
For more information, click here to visit the website of Union of Concerned Scientists.
Senate leaders are currently negotiating a compromise energy bill that would sell out clean energy and include huge subsidies for ethanol and nuclear power. In exchange, we would get the promise of modest increases in automobile fuel efficiency standards, if environmentalists in the Senate can get a majority to stand up and hold the line.
This is unacceptable. And given the Senate's track record in the last few weeks, we have little confidence that the leadership will not cave to the Bush administration yet again.
Click here to take action
The 2008 presidential election provides a great opportunity to ask the candidates questions about global warming, nuclear weapons, censorship of government science—anything that you are concerned about. This is your chance to educate and engage the candidates and other voters on the issues you care about most!
There are many ways to express your views. You can attend candidate events, advocate for policy solutions to be included in the party platforms, ask convention delegates or other local elected officials to communicate your views to the candidates, let candidate staff and volunteers know your views when they contact you, or you can write letters to your local paper.
For more information, click here to visit the website of Union of Concerned Scientists.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Earth Friendly Flameless Candles
Do you love the ambience of scented candles in your home at night, but worry about the safety of an open flame around your children or pets? Now you may have the atmosphere you desire with LED flameless candles. They glow like true candles, but they run on batteries!
My favorite flameless candles are the scented candles, especially the four-inch pillar candle with the lavender scent. This candle is made from real wax with flickering LED lights. You may change the color to match your color scheme, turn the colors off, or set the candle to cycle through colors. They come in a variety of scents.
Here is a great idea for decorating on your patio. Just wrap this 26-foot long solar-powered light strand around a pole, bush or fence line. This features 60 LED bulbs, automatic on and off (dusk to dawn) and will run for 6-8 hours daily from the sun!
What about this hand-painted Snowman True Flicker™ candle! Frosty will glow for 350 hours on one set of batteries. This would be a wonderful gift for anyone who decorates their house for Christmas!
My favorite flameless candles are the scented candles, especially the four-inch pillar candle with the lavender scent. This candle is made from real wax with flickering LED lights. You may change the color to match your color scheme, turn the colors off, or set the candle to cycle through colors. They come in a variety of scents.
Here is a great idea for decorating on your patio. Just wrap this 26-foot long solar-powered light strand around a pole, bush or fence line. This features 60 LED bulbs, automatic on and off (dusk to dawn) and will run for 6-8 hours daily from the sun!What about this hand-painted Snowman True Flicker™ candle! Frosty will glow for 350 hours on one set of batteries. This would be a wonderful gift for anyone who decorates their house for Christmas!Eco-tip: Make these candles ecologically sustainable by using rechargeable batteries. You may buy a charger and a set of batteries as part of the gift. Give a gift that lasts, is safety conscious and makes a statement about your commitment to the environment.
Help the Iraqi People
The crisis in Iraq is one of the largest and fastest growing humanitarian crises in the world.
Since the Iraq War began in 2003, 2.5 million Iraqi women, men and children have fled their country due to extreme violence and persecution. Another two million are displaced inside Iraq. Most escaped with nothing and have nowhere to go.
We have a special responsibility to protect and assist vulnerable Iraqi refugees. Their lives are at risk. Now we must do the right thing. Urge your Senators and Representative to pass legislation that provides shelter, health, education, and resettlement opportunities for Iraqi refugees.
IRC is accelerating a critically important response to assist Iraqis whose lives are at risk – thousands of whom were forced to flee because of their ethnicity, religion, or association with the United States. Up until the Syrian border closed in October 2007, as many as 60,000 Iraqis were fleeing each month.
IRC senior policy adviser Anna Husarska recently visited some of these refugees at their temporary homes throughout the Middle East:
Since the Iraq War began in 2003, 2.5 million Iraqi women, men and children have fled their country due to extreme violence and persecution. Another two million are displaced inside Iraq. Most escaped with nothing and have nowhere to go.
We have a special responsibility to protect and assist vulnerable Iraqi refugees. Their lives are at risk. Now we must do the right thing. Urge your Senators and Representative to pass legislation that provides shelter, health, education, and resettlement opportunities for Iraqi refugees.
IRC is accelerating a critically important response to assist Iraqis whose lives are at risk – thousands of whom were forced to flee because of their ethnicity, religion, or association with the United States. Up until the Syrian border closed in October 2007, as many as 60,000 Iraqis were fleeing each month.
IRC senior policy adviser Anna Husarska recently visited some of these refugees at their temporary homes throughout the Middle East:
In Amman, a technician who used to install satellite dishes for GIs showed me a death threat and told me his brother had been killed. And in Beirut, a former soldier of the Free Iraqi Forces told me that he's terrified that local Islamic militias will learn that he served as an intelligence officer for the Americans and will capture and torture him.
IRC is urging Congress to provide a comprehensive package of assistance to help vulnerable Iraqis. This would include aid to uprooted Iraqis, assistance to countries that are sheltering them, and a robust program to admit vulnerable Iraqis to the United States. In the past twelve months, only 1,608 Iraqi refugees were allowed to enter the United States.
Let Congress know that lives are at stake. Do your part by taking action today – and help protect vulnerable Iraqi refugees whose lives remain at risk. Our timing is more urgent than ever before. The United States must contribute more to help Iraqi victims.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Dona Nobis Pacem
If there is righteousness in the heart,
There will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
There will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.
So let it be.
~ Scottish Blessing ~
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Monday, November 05, 2007
PAYjr online chore and allowance system
Do you have children that are 12 years old or younger? When it is time to pay them their Allowance, instead of cash, reward your children with an electronically reloadable Target Gift Card from PAYjr.
PAYjr will help you teach your children fiscal responsibility. Use their online chore and allowance system. With this system, you and your child may track their chores and be rewarded for completing them.
You may never start to soon teaching children the value of money and the connection between work and rewards. What is neat about PAYjr is that the kids love having their own "credit card."
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