Global Education to Change the World

In many parts of the world there are large efforts being taken to protect animal species that have become endangered, to restore their populations, protect their environments, and ensure that they are not pushed to extinction. One such project being worked on by the African People and Wildlife Fund (APW) is working to recover the lion populations in Masai territory.

The biggest conflict between the Masai and the lions is that when Lions attack their livestock, their largest food sources, they defend their herds against the lions, and often kill the lions. As a result, lion populations decrease, because lions don't differentiate between livestock. They see a herd of goats or cattle that are easy targets for prey. The APW has taken a few different steps to restore the lion population. First off they have been building 'living walls' as livestock containment fences. These walls are essentially constructed from a chain link fence that has vines and trees planted and woven through it. The plants continue to take root and grow forming a tall, practically impenetrable wall to keep the lions out and the livestock in.

In addition, APW has created a project of Masai community members called the Wildlife Warriors. These patrols are tasked with community oriented habitat and conservation activities such as patrols to prevent illegal deforestation and poaching, bush fire management, livestock searches, and more. This is meant as a way to encourage community members to take interest in their own habitat and neighboring habitats and protecting them. APW also offers education programs and seminars for both youth and adults to illustrate the importance of resource management, environmental friendly business development and watershed protection.

Information from National Geographic article "The Masai Steppe Big Cats Conservation Initiative."

Another program that incorporates environmental protection, animal preservation, and local education, is G.R.A.C.E. Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center. Located in Eastern D.R. Congo on a 220,000 acre preserve, it is the only place found in the world that offers rehabilitation and care for orphaned Grauer gorillas.

They host educational programs for local school children and reintroduction of orphaned gorillas into their natural habitat. It is a collaborative effort that encourage local communities to play a central role in the Center. They have a conservation based radio station and programs to train future Congolese conservationists. The community helps at the Center by building and caring for gorillas as well as out in the community to raise awareness as to what is happening to the gorillas.

Information pulled from G.R.A.C.E. website and Facebook page.

These programs that work to save environments, protect animals, and include the locals of those regions by educating them, providing jobs and currency that they can rely on as a benefit for preserving these species and places, and having them raise awareness int heir own communities, seem to be the most beneficial way to reach people and make the biggest difference. If they feel incorporated in the projects happening in their countries, shown the benefits, both financial and resource use, and are given the knowledge of how these disappearing animals and environments would impact them, their lives, and their families, then they gain a real understanding of the situation and will stand up to contribute to change. It is also a better way to ensure that change will continue as the year pass by.

It is hard to make a difference, make changes, or raise awareness in a country when instead of including the locals, they are cast aside, because that breeds contempt for such projects and organizations and may cause more problems than they will fix. Education is the most powerful tool to influence change, and giving the educated jobs and tasks that incorporate their knowledge is the most effective way to ensure that the changes keep happening.

GMOs and Global Education

 Most everyone knows what the term GMO stands for, but in case anyone is wondering, a GMO is a Genetically Modified Organism and most commonly relates to plants, and more specifically crops. Crops have been genetically modified to have built in pesticides so surface chemicals aren't needed, and are designed to produce unfertile seeds so they cannot be reseeded from year to year.

There are many arguments for why GMOs are good, and many about why they ate bad. This article is not meant to pick at those arguments, list them, or start debates. I recently had a conversation with a colleague about this topic and I wanted to share it. He asked my why I do not like GMOs, because without the built in pesticides the crop populations were being doused in surface chemicals of all kinds that could then be ingested. Furthermore, he said, without the use of chemicals or the GMOs, the surviving crops farmers would be able to produce with the amount of natural pests, would not be enough to support the world population. While I have a completely different opinion on world population, that I won't go into now, I gave him my reasoning, and he said I was the first person he'd ever spoken to who gave a logical, arguable reason.

I have encountered this time and time again, people say they don't like GMOs because they are unnatural scientific creations created in a lab. Unfortunately, that argument falls short, because pretty much everything humans use has been created in a lab in one way or another, prescription medications, sunscreen, plastic packaging and storage devices, computers, televisions, polyester fabric on the couch, that is pretty unavoidable. Before labs, all the meat products we have today are species that were bred a specific way to have specific traits,and while not made in a lab, their genes were still manipulated through selctive breeding, which arguably is still a form of modifying genetics of an organism.

To me, the majority of people have been jumping on the anti GMO wagon because it is trendy and cool. While that may be bringing more attention to the matter, it is almost worse, because if people support a cause without doing their research and give false claims or have flimsy arguments, that reflects badly on the people that are actually making a stand because it is important to more than just the most recent fad.

As I told my colleague, I don't particularly trust the GMO industry, but I am less against it as a food source, because I have been ingesting GMOs for years, and so has the majority of the population, and so far nothing significant has happened to me. I told him I don't think there is enough science or testing to prove one way or another whether they actually impact people negatively. I also am a firm believer that most primate species, human and non human, have very resilient digestive systems and are able to consume and digest just about anything,  but my largest reason for not supporting the industry is because of the effect GMOs have on the global environement. The bees that have been dying off by the millions are being effected by the genetic changes of their natural pollen sources, and that is just the beginning. If bees are being effected and go extinct, it is predicted that humanity and most other life on earth would have a maximum of four years to live before we would all be wiped out. That is how important something as small as bees can be to a global ecosystem. I explained that if bees are effected in that scale, we don't know what other species are being effected, or what species will be effected as time goes on, and how that will impact the world. 

So, as I am not so sure they make a negative food source for sustenance, I do believe that GMOs can have a negative effect on our internal systems, such as reproductive systems and any life we may try to produce going forward. Again, there isn't enough science in either direction to prove that point.

My colleague admired my statement that I am against GMOs for the fact that they have, so far, had a negative impact on the world environment. He countered by asking about how if humanity abandoned GMOs and still avoided surface chemical use, then how will we as a whole be able to grow enough crops that aren't pest infested to support the world population. It took my quite a while of thinking to come up with a response to that question. I generally see the reason for GMOs existence as the human population has surpassed that of which the planet can support without harming other species, both plant and animal, so I think the overpopulation problem should be addressed along with the impact of GMOs on the environment, but that was not the answer I gave him. 

My answer was this, Global Education. If there could be a program to educate every country, down to every person, of the human impact, on a global and individual scale, on the environment, then perhaps there would be no need for GMOs and deforestation and a scramble for natural resources such as crude oil. As unrealistic as it is, the only real way to change anything and fix some of the damage already done, would be to show people of every walk of life, rich, poor, third world country, island dweller, indigenous tribe, how each species on the planet is important to life, human life, all life, or else they wouldn't have all evolved together. Teach the world how one plastic straw in the ocean, or a soda bottle left on the side of the road, or the clear cutting of several square miles of forest for farmland, or the over hunting and poaching of animals already on the brink of extinction has a global impact to not just people but plants and animals. 

Of course this is unrealistic, and not everyone agrees that each life form is as important as the next, but the point being, my colleague was very impressed that I had logical and arguable facts and opinions, that if properly implemented could make a real difference. It was one of the first times I spoke to someone pro GMO in which we were able to have a civilized conversation that didn't turn into a heated debate. Maybe there is hope for opening communication between people with differing views after all.

The Ocean is Not a Trash Can

Plastic is a man made substance that has no biodegradable properties. A plastic bag left untouched for 20,000 years would continue to be a plastic bag. It wouldn't break down, it wouldn't return to the earth, ir would remain a toxic bag.

In more recent studies chemicals such as BPA and BPS that have been used as plasticizing agents are considered poison. Bisphenol A has hormone like properties that are cause for concern when used in food storage and packaging, and consumer goods such as baby bottles, water bottles, and so on. Bisphenol S has similar endocrine disrupting properties to BPA. The FDA approves them as safe, but several countries outside the US have banned their use in many consumer goods and packaging of foods.

Plastic, it does not break down, it has chemicals that mimic hormones in a negative way, and it is considered unhealthy and possibly dangerous to store and package food and drinks in it. It is a very unnatural substance to exist in our natural world. It is potentially dangerous to us as humans, but also the environment if it is left to leak toxic chemicals, and to the animals that may try to ingest it, get stuck in it, or drink water from it that has been contaminated by BPS and BPA.

Just how harmful is plastic to the environment, and how much damage is being done? In 2010 a study was conducted with a new method of measuring how much plastic ends up in the ocean each year. The result was much worse than previously anticipated. 8 million tons of plastic trash ended up floating in the ocean in 2010. The top offending countries for dumping plastic waste into the ocean

are China, at the top of the list, several other Asian countries, 5 African countries including Egypt, the United States ranked as the 20th top offender on the list. Previously it was estimated that the amount of floating trash at most was 245,000 tons. That much plastic entering the ocean each year, and for half a century plastic has been dumped into the ocean.

It is estimated that if present garbage practices throughout the world remain the same, and don't worsen which is likely, the amount will rise to 155 million tons of plastic waste by 2025. Plastic has become increasingly dominant in consumer goods, for better or worse, which means that the likelihood of it not being disposed of properly and ending up in the wrong place, like the ocean, is also increasing.

Over 700 species of marine wildlife have been negatively impacted by trying to ingest ocean plastics. These plastics have been found everywhere, along the coasts, in the deep sea, even buried in Arctic ice. There are movements working on locating where mass amounts of plastic garbage collect and in what amounts, since most of the waste is unaccounted for. The wildlife is being impacted by plastic when trying to consume it, or getting pieces stuck on their limbs, and growing to the point it can't be removed, not to mention the toxic and hormonal chemicals that are seeping into the ocean waters because of all the plastic floating around for and not decomposing.

Plastic, a man made substance that will never break down, but will continue to negatively impact the environment if not properly disposed of. Is it really so hard to hang on to a water bottle until the nearest recycle or trash bin is found? There are public trash cans almost everywhere, what is the thrill obtained from throwing plastic waste into the ocean rather than walk three feet to the nearest trash can? Perhaps some of the countries on the highest offender list should be educated in the negative side effects of so much plastic entering the environment and staying there. Alternatives to plastic could also make a difference. Substances such as paper are far more biodegradable, if not treated with chemicals, and glass is an excellent reusable packaging and storing material.

The world needs to heal, and for that to happen, it is time to let go of negative consumer goods, like plastic, that are only used because they are inexpensive to make, and start looking at other possibilities. The earth is important. Treating the earth and the oceans like our own personal waste disposal is disrespectful to the other lives we share the planet with, and it is only hurting us in the long run. As a whole, global effort, we can still change the fate of our beautiful planet, even if that means changing our own lifestyles and taking the harder path rather than mass manufacturing.

Let us save the world together!

Information from National Geographic article 'Eight Million Tons of Plastic Dumped in Ocean Every Year' by Laura Parker, published February 13, 2015

The Pope Backs Climate Change Reduction Efforts

While nothing is completely set in stone, this could be considered a victory. The Pope had met with Scientists, Political Leaders, and the UN, and has passed a message along stating that Climate Change is approaching fast and a collective action is required. It is a big step forward, especially since the Republican Conservatives often default to religion, the same religion the Pope represents, as an excuse or reason to be conservative.

Peony 

Politics and Science have collided in a mash up that tests human communication and the ability to see the truth and accept responsibility for their actions as a whole species. To know that UN leaders and that the Pope too now agree that Climate Changes is mostly the result of human activity and that a collective action among them all needs to be implemented to help save the beauty and nature of the planet, is almost reassuring.

 I've never been immersed in religion or politics. I have my faith, my beliefs, and my values, but mostly I believe in the facts of the world around me, and I can see and feel the changes and it is not too hard to see that many changes are human impacts on the world. I have lost a lot of hope in the past ten years, thinking that the voice of the planet and the natural world is lost in the roar of politicians and religious fanatics scrambling for power and money and domination. To see that a huge leap has been taken by both political and religious leaders restores some of that hope, enough for me to keep fighting and raising awareness. It is not too late to make a positive impact, to restore some of what has been altered, to save this beautiful world we call home and coexist with the natural environments and ecosystems that are home to the trees, the plants, the birds, the fish, the whales, the elephants, the gorillas, and all other lifeforms out there.

There is still time for us to share our world with the other inhabitants here, and to prevent further damage to their homes. Restoring the damage done by Climate Change is not only beneficial to our world, but for what some people need to hear, it is beneficial to humans too. There is a lot humans would have to face if large species started going extinct, or if plants were dying faster than they could

Baby Corn Snake 

grow. Climate change is a global effect, so trying to reverse it is a global help! Just because political and religious leaders are starting to stand up and say it is time to change and help with the problem we have mostly contributed to, doesn't mean change will come quickly, but it is a start, and it could be what we all need to work together as a species rather than fight each other.

The Last Rhinos!

Bornean rhinoceros are a subspecies of Sumatran rhino which is a critically endangered and less than one hundred are alive today. The Bornean rhinos lived in the forests of Sabah, Malaysia, which are rapidly disappearing. Sadly, only three of the Bornean rhino subspecies are alive today, and they all live at a Borneo rhino Sanctuary.

The newest female, Iman is her name, and she was brought to the sanctuary a little over a year ago after she fell into a pit trap. She has been referred to as the species 'Newest Hope for Survival.'

Borneo rhino from the article The Last 3 Bornean Rhinos Are in a Race Against Extinction by John R. Platt 

The Bornean rhino's rapid population decline is mostly due to illegal poaching. Their horns are recorded to sell for US$30,000 per kilogram. They have been over hunted for centuries, and with an ever growing human population, their populations began to decline far more rapidly than their reproductive rates.

Iman was thought to be pregnant on arrival to the sanctuary. As it turned out, her uterus was filled with  tumors that will prevent her from ever conceiving naturally. The other two rhinos at the sanctuary are male Tam and female Puntung. Unfortunately, Puntung is incapable of getting pregnant naturally due to reproductive tract pathology that is very severe, and is probably due to the lack of breeding opportunities in the wild.

The Malaysian government has invested nearly $30,000 in reproductive research and infertility and artificial insemination treatments for the rhinos. While neither female can conceive naturally, it is theorized that their immature egg cells could be combined in a lab with Tam's sperm creating embryos that can then be planted into one of the females' uterus. These efforts are expensive and sometimes a long shot.

Locals in this region often use rhino horns and dried rhino meat medicinally and as talismans for protection. The over hunting has been spurred by the desire for rhino horns and their medicinal properties. Combine that with the legal and illegal logging that is taking place in the Malaysian forests, and the rhinos are fighting a losing battle.

It is possible that there are more Bornean rhinos on the Borneo island as it is split into three countries. The odds are slim for the survival of this subspecies, because the two remaining females are not actively breeding, and the funds needed to pursue the research are not completely being provided. The money that has been invested is just a fraction of the estimated requirement.

Human impact on animals for profit as well as the destruction of their habitats are both major contributors to the Bornean rhino demise and many other species of animal all over the world. Add climate change and pollution to that equation and the result is going to be devastating.

Red Colobus Monkey

Scientists thought they saw they last of the Red Colobus Monkey in the 1970's, the last time it was ever reported being observed by researchers. Recently however, forty years after it was feared to have been extinct, two independent researchers were able to track it down in the Republic of Congo's
Ntokou-Pikounda National Park.

Taken by Lieven Devreese for National Geographic

The red colobus was first described in 1887, little is known about the monkey, and it is listed as Critically Endangered. Locals of course knew of the Monkey's existence and were able to guide researchers to the most likely observing spots. The difficult terrain that the monkeys call home is perhaps their best defense against predators. While it deters scientists from studying them, in a world where there are so few mysteries left, that seems appropriate.

The photo, taken by Lieven Devreese, one of the Researchers to rediscover the monkey, depicts a mother and baby Red Colobus. Non human primates are fascinating creatures. They come in all shapes and sizes with varying levels of intelligence. When looking into the eyes of many monkeys and apes it is clear that they see and recognize individuals. Their eyes show their mental capacity.

Photo taken by Isabella Talbott at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainsville, Fl

Max, a Weeper Capuchin and lovable former pet made his permanent home at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainsville, Fl. I had the rare and amazing opportunity to intern with these amazing New World Primates for six weeks. New World Primates are very different from Old World Primates. All new world monkeys come from Central and South America, and old world monkeys and apes reside in Africa and Asia. New world monkeys are generally smaller.

Being able to work with these unforgettable faces allowed me to learn so much, form rare and special bonds with these amazing animals, and feel the fantastic connection between the descendants of some of Homo sapiens closest relatives. Fortunately there are sanctuaries like Jungle Friends that take in retired lab monkeys and former pets and offer them an Almost Wild lifestyle and a safe place to reside for the rest of their days.

The red colobus monkeys seem to have remained hidden in a shrinking world of development and farmland as it encroaches on natural wildlife habitats. Unlike Max, the red colobus depicted are wild and habituated. They are rare, beautiful, and intelligent creatures who should be respected and protected. It warms my heart to know there are still some species clever enough to stay hidden and remain intact for extended periods of time. It makes me wonder what else is out there in the thickest jungles or at the bottom of the deepest oceans that we have yet to see, that is untouched by humanity.

Picture and names found in First Ever Picture Taken of Rare African Monkey by Stefan Sirucek for the National Geographic published on April 18 2015