All Creatures, Great and Small
July 3, 2010 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
Canon recently announced the finalists in its Keepers Competition. We love Little Puppy, Big Kiss in the Once in a Lifetime category. Visit this link and register to vote! By voting and answering one simple question you go into the draw to win a PowerShot SX210 IS, so you can capture Keepers of your own.
Widening the Circle
February 8, 2010 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
A girlfriend of mine pleasantly surprised me with an unexpected visit last week. She was on her way to Mexico for a conference and during a layover found out it had been cancelled due to swine flu. She rerouted her trip to the next warmest place, LA.
Rising Waters & Wildlife Safety
January 10, 2010 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
Are there any conservation efforts focused on animal species endemic to islands likely to be submerged by rising sea levels? — H. Wyeth, Anahola, HI
Islands are indeed likely to be the areas hardest hit by our warming climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a group of leading climate scientists from around the world convened by the United Nations to assess the ongoing risk of global warming, predicts a global average sea level rise of between 3.5 and 34.6 inches over the next century. And the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), a coalition of 42 small island and low-lying coastal countries that have banded together to lobby United Nations policymakers, reports that warming-induced sea level rises could threaten the very existence of some island nations including the Maldives, Kiribati and parts of the Bahamas.
Those low-lying nations that do manage to hang onto some land will contend with not only continuously rising seas and stronger more frequent storms, but also declines in the productivity of their agriculture and fisheries. Salt water intrusion will limit the amount of freshwater available for crops and in some cases undermine the integrity of the soil itself. And as coral reefs die off, the abundant marine life that once congregated around them will disappear.
As for wildlife, its unclear just how much certain endemic species will be affected by rising sea levels and other environmental hazards exacerbated by global warming. Clearly the biggest threat is habitat loss: Land forms that once sustained certain animals may no longer be above water or otherwise suitable for some species. Those fortunate enough to be on big continents may be able to move away from shore to neighboring areas that can provide the resources needed for survival. But animals on islands may be hard pressed to find places better to go to where they can keep on keeping on.
The IPCC lists a few examples among thousands of endemic island dwellers facing likely extinction unless we can get a handle on greenhouse gas emissions in short order: the Tuamotu sandpiper of Tuamotu Island, the Bristle-thighed Curlew of French Polynesia, the Manus fantail of Papua New Guinea, the lorikeet and rail of New Caledonia, the moorhen and Savaii of Samoa, the Santo Mountain starling on Espiritu Santo, penguins in the Galapagos, petrels in Bermuda and seabird colonies from the Kerguelen, Crozet and outer Hawaiian islands, among others. The IPCC adds that endemic flora may fare even worse, which will in turn drive more animal extinctions.
What can be done to stem this rising tide of endemic species loss? According to the IPCC, the establishment of terrestrial, marine or coastal reserves has been found to be a “useful management option.” Results from existing model reserves on islands across the Caribbean (including Dominica, Bonaire, the Grenadines and St. Lucia) have shown promise. Groups including Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Nature Conservancy and others, are working to create more such reserves in other biodiversity hotspots, including many non-threatened islands around the globe.
CONTACTS: IPCC, www.ipcc.ch; AOSIS, www.sidsnet.org/aosis; Conservation International, www.conservation.org; Wildlife Conservation Society, www.wcs.org; Nature Conservancy, www.nature.org.
SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com.
Putting Compassion in Fashion
January 1, 2010 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
It’s time to start wading through that wardrobe, gathering up your once-loved fashion items, donating them to an organization who gives to those who need it. 2010 is the year of compassionate fashion.
Great Reads for the New Year
November 24, 2009 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
I recently heard that for the first time three vegan books are in the top 100 books on Amazon. It made me want to share some of my favorite books with you.
7 WAYS … TO HEAL THE EARTH
July 5, 2009 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
1.
Celebrating Vegan Earth Day
June 21, 2009 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
From celebrity speakers and must-see movies to live music and gourmet food, Vegan Earth Day was celebrated in grand style on longest day of the year today-summer solstice.
The solar-powered event, held in Los Angeles, attracted vegans, as well as those curious about the lifestyle. Veganism omits meat and dairy from the diet (as well as leather products from the wardrobe) and is generally adopted because of its outstanding health benefits, its respect for animals and the positive impact it has on the planet.
Guest speakers included Earthlings’ Shaun Monson, “Peace Mom” Cindy Sheehan, heart specialist Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, professional triathlete Rip Esselstyn, award-winning actor Marianna Tosca, actor Chris DeRose and others.
The Green Dove ventured out for some sunny vitamin D, delicious vegan fare and tons of education.
Sunshine, nature, good food and great entertainment. Who could ask for more?
Loads of educational films and speakers to see.
Fueling up with vege power.
The plates say it all.
Who could resist?
Gourmet vegan food served up from the Bodhi Tree, Huntington Beach.
Who said vegan food is boring?
Keeping up with the latest in animal news.
Dogs and cats up for adoption.
The Earthlings booth.
Earthlings' Shaun Monson speaks to the crowd about the Joaquin Phoenix-narrated film.
A radio station for all things vegan: goveganradio.com
Animal rescue.
Recycling close at hand.
Shoes don't have to be made from leather: The Vegan Collection.
A rescued rabbit.
Food Industry Putting Profits Before Health
June 18, 2009 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
How much do we know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families? Though our food appears the same-a tomato still looks like a tomato-it has been radically transformed.
Compassion & Music Merge
May 29, 2009 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
With the success of the recent WorldFest-a healthy living, vegan, music festival held annually in Los Angeles-The Green Dove spoke with Media and Marketing Director Bettina Rosmarino to get a recap on the festivities.
THE GREEN DOVE: How did WorldFest begin?
BETTINA ROSMARINO: In 2001, members of the current production team were involved in the first WorldFest. It started out of a desire to bring compassionate living to people in the form of a fun and relaxed music environment.
Compassionate Travel Aids Animals
May 26, 2009 by The Dove · Leave a Comment
In an attempt to reduce the suffering endured by animals used for tourist entertainme
nt, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched a new website, CompassionateTravel.org, which educates travelers on ways to make their trips animal-friendly.
“Many people may be aware that thousands of bulls are killed and maimed each year during bullfights, but most do not realize that donkeys, horses and elephants are sometimes forced to carry tourists for hours without food or water or that performing animals are often trained using cruel techniques,” says Dena Jones, WSPA’s U.S. programs director.
