» Listings for 2017

1. Give a gift which helps many

   Posted on 8:00am Thursday 22nd Jun 2017

   I read this wonderful quote recently from somebody called Charley Willey, who worked out the following: "Make one person happy each day and in 40 years, you will have made 14,600 human beings happy for a little time, at least."  That struck a chord with me, and of course as an animal lover, I came up with an alternate version: "Make one animal happy each day and in 40 years, you will have made 14,600 aniamls happy for a little time, at least." Of course, you can make your dog or cat happy every day and at the end of that time, that will just have been one animal over the length of time that you are blessed with them.   But then there are ways to reach out to help a vast number of animals.   Feed the birds in your garden or via a window feeder, and you feed many (or more than one, at any rate).  Grow wildlife friendly flowers in your garden with a simple packet of seeds, and you'll help butterflies and moths, bees and other insects. Put a small wildlife pond in your garden or a bird bath and watch in enjoyment as animals come to drink or take a quick dip. Plant a tree and you'll give hundreds of animals shade from the sun, shelter from the rain, and somewhere to rest and nest. Sponsor an acre, and you'll help thousands of animals and many different species by providing them or protecting their habitat - the area where they live. GIve a horse lover a virtual gift from a charity like the Brooke or Spana and you can help hundreds of horses, donkeys, mules and camels, all thirsty after working long hours in incredibly hot temperatures.    Add your name to a petition and improve the lot of animals in your country or abroad. Every act helps and every act has the power to improve the lives of animals and people world wide.  And every act has the potential to help not just one animal but millions of them.

2. Africa's largest marine conservation area is being created in the waters of Gabon

   Posted on 9:00pm Monday 12th Jun 2017

   There's news from the west coast of Africa. The largest marine conservation area in the continent is being created - a network of 9 new national marine parks and 11 new aquatic reserves is going to extend across a massive 20,500 square miles in territorial waters and out into Gabon's economic zone.  The area covers 26% will protect 26 percent of Gabon’s territorial seas. The move will help protect fish stocks from over-fishing and also help the area cope better with changing climates and give the corals there a chance to recover. The goal is to protect the waters for generations to come, and Ali Bongo Ondimba, who took over the presidency of the country after his father died in 2009, sees them the areas as precious as the rainforests which cover 90% of Gabon.   The Gabon waters have some of the world's largest stocks of Altantic tuna, so there is a danger of overfishing.   The hope is that fish stocks will be revived and the breeding grounds of whales, dolphins and turtles will be protected by the move.  Thank you, Gabon, for caring about the future of our waters for generations to come, both people and marine life.

    

3. Medieval aqueduct fights drought in Karnataka, India

   Posted on 10:00am Wednesday 7th Jun 2017

   It's always exciting to hear about projects to bring water to everyone, especially given that so many areas of the world are experiencing droughts.   I can't imagine anything worse that not having access to clean drinking water, for animals or people. So I was very interested to hear about a project in India to revive a medieval way to fight the drought in the area of Karnataka. The BBC have got a video on it, but essentially an enormous system of water channels connected by tunnels built by Medieval kings with pick axes and shovels sustained life in the settlements above.   These tunnels were carved out well below ground and they were discovered five years ago by Professor V Govindankutty.   A main well - known as a mother well - is dug in the place where there is enough water and taken to the place where you need it.   Volunteers spent ages clearing the channels of debris and silt.   These techniques were developed in Ancient Persia, i.e. a very long time ago.  With the ancient system begun again with about 50 wells in the area, they've all started having water.  To date, none of them have dried up.   Even in May, the area is still getting a good supply of water.   This is a very exciting discovery and I hope more places which experience tremendously dry spells will take a look at it.

    

4. Reducing our rubbish

   Posted on 10:00pm Tuesday 6th Jun 2017

   Stop producing the rubbish in the first place We need to stop putting rubbish into the ocean – it will end up somewhere, even if it is on the other side of the world.   What goes around, comes around.   If 1 of us stopped using one plastic bottle a week - that would mean 52 less plastic bottles a month.  If two people stopped, that would be 104.  If 10 people stopped, that would be 520 less in the environment.  What was found in the MCS Beach Clean Up Weekend The top 10 Items found on beaches in the 2016 clean up Plastic/polysterene pieces Cigarette stubs Packets (crisps, sweets, lollies, sandwiches) Caps and lids String and cord Cotton bud sticks Glass Wet wipes Fishing line Plastic drinks/bottles Popular items found on Henderson Island in the Pitcairns were toy soldiers, dominos, toothbrushes and hundreds of hardhats, cigarette lighters And on the Versova beach in India, the volunteers discovered blue plastic bags, faded milk packets, torn teddy bears, soaking diapers, wrappers, empty toothpaste tubes, all of which were washed ashore.    Taking a look at the litter found in beach clean ups – what do you use, and is there a substitute?   I'm going to take a look at  and   for a start.

    

5. Help clear up the rubbish with a beach clean up

   Posted on 9:00pm Tuesday 6th Jun 2017

   Help clear up the rubbish with a beach clean up What would be helpful and encouraging for us all is to know that lots of people are getting involved.   People are already caring for the ocean.  We just have to join them and lend a hand.  We’re not acting alone.  Join in beach clean ups There are hundreds of people getting involved all over the world.  People are doing what they can in their patch with their own communities.   They are getting up at the weekends, heading to the beach, joining groups and getting busy picking up litter.  Joining groups like this is empowering – it shows that we’re not acting alone.   Not near a beach? If you’re nowhere near a beach, check out the Canal and River Trust to see if there’s a volunteer group near you.  The water from rivers and canals end up somewhere. Be inspired by... A whopper beach clean An amazing example is a the Versova beach clean up in India, near the city of Mumbai.   One man started a beach clean and others gradually joined in.  In the end 1,000 volunteers took 85 months to turn the beach from a huge rubbish dump and turn it into a pristine, beautiful place.   And volunteers have planted 500 trees as well.   A smaller beach clean In Dorset in the south of England, there are small groups of volunteers who are packing a punch and having a real local impact on their beaches by taking part in beach clean ups.   They also campaign, educate and promote the importance of healthy living for us all.  Click here for more info 7 beach clean up ideas The Marine Conservation Society Great British Beach Clean - 15-18 September 2017, but there are also lots of events you can get involved with during the year.   The Great Winter Nurdle Hunt - there's a nurdle guide to help you. The #2minutebeachclean  - spend just 2 minutes clearing the beach, or more!  Every piece of marine plastic removed from the beach is a piece that will no longer go on to kill. World Clean up Day - 15 September 2018 - people in 150 countries will stand up against the global trash problem and clean up waste Just go and create your own beach clean up - even five minutes is better than none Clean up as you go - always take your litter home with you and dispose of it, recycling where you can Why not suggest your company does a beach clean as a team building event?