Stand Up, Make Change 2019

https://paytonminzenmayer.com/blog/yrwh5y3cemyff8b8hk9rl7wegla4ez

     What is your passion? Find a cause below and use the link to stand up for what you believe in, change will only happen if we push it. 

Plastic Straws: 

• Urge McDonalds to replace plastic straws -- https://www.change.org/p/mcdonald-s-replace-plastic-straws?source_location=topic_page
• Urge Dunkin Donuts to adopt a straw upon request policy -- https://www.change.org/p/dunkin-donuts-adopt-a-plastic-straw-upon-request-policy?source_location=topic_page
• Urge Starbucks to commit to phase out all plastic packaging--- https://www.change.org/p/starbucks-commit-to-phase-out-all-plastic-packaging?source_location=topic_page

Environment:

• Say NO to expansion of off shore drilling -- https://www.change.org/p/ryan-zinke-say-no-to-largest-expansion-of-off-shore-drilling-ever?source_location=topic_page
• Protect polar bears from oil drilling in the Artic Wildlife Refuge -- https://www.change.org/p/arctic-slope-regional-corporation-protect-polar-bears-no-oil-drilling-in-the-arctic-wildlife-refuge?source_location=topic_page
• Approve sale of only reef safe sunscreen in the Florida Keys -- https://www.change.org/p/florida-state-senate-approve-the-sale-of-only-reef-safe-sunscreens-in-the-florida-keys?pt=AVBldGl0aW9uABOz1QAAAAAAXC7DOs39COwzMWM2NTE1Yw%3D%3D&source_location=topic_page

Conservation:

• Stop trophy shark fishing in Florida -- https://www.change.org/p/fwc-crack-down-on-land-based-shark-fishing?source_location=topic_page
• Urge Coca-Cola to stop using plastic 6-pack rings -- https://www.change.org/p/coca-cola-stop-using-plastic-rings-to-package-soda-cans?source_location=topic_page
• Equal Laws to protect west coast endangered Orcas -- https://www.change.org/p/equal-laws-to-protect-west-coast-endangered-orcas

Pollution: 

• Urge Blue Apron to use a "return and reuse" ice pack program -- https://www.change.org/p/blue-apron-s-ice-packs-go-to-landfills-tell-them-to-make-an-ice-pack-recycling-program?source_location=topic_page
• Urge tobacco companies to take responsibility for butt  pollution -- https://www.change.org/p/sea-hugger-make-big-tobacco-responsible-for-their-cigarette-butt-pollution?source_location=topic_page
• Ban plastic bags in Florida -- https://www.change.org/p/ban-plastic-bags-in-florida?source_location=topic_page

Climate Change:

• Improve climate change efforts -- https://www.change.org/p/department-of-energy-improve-climate-change-efforts?source_location=topic_page

Oceans:

• Stop killing sharks for trinkets -- https://www.change.org/p/miami-surf-style-stop-killing-sharks-for-trinkets?source_location=topic_page
• Save North Atlantic Right Whales from Airgun blasting -- https://www.change.org/p/save-north-atlantic-right-whales-from-seismic-airgun-blasting?source_location=topic_page
• Stop Shark finning trade in Florida -- https://www.change.org/p/florida-state-house-stop-shark-finning-in-florida?pt=AVBldGl0aW9uACTuyAAAAAAAXC7H0DJSW6BkMjQ0NmYyNg%3D%3D&source_location=topic_page
• Urge Governor Rick Scott to join 22 other states to create an action plan for harmful algae bloom -- https://www.change.org/p/rick-scott-florida-s-gulf-coast-is-dying-millions-of-dead-fish-sea-turtles-manatees-and-dolphins-toxictide?source_location=topic_page

Captivity:

• Shut down SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium -- https://www.change.org/p/southwest-plaza-mall-close-seaquest-interactive-aquarium?source_location=topic_page
• End Dolphin captivity in Hawaii -- https://www.change.org/p/david-ige-end-dolphin-captivity-in-hawaii

Endangered Seabirds and others

    Sea Lion - Endangered 

• Climate change 
• Entanglement in fishing gear 

    Marine Iguana - Vulnerable 

• Climate change

  Galapagos Penguin - Endangered 

• Ocean pollution
• Entanglement in fishing gear
• Climate change 

  Polar Bear - Vulnerable 

• Climate change 
• Oil spills 
• Unsustainable hunting

  Narwhal - Near Threat 

• Oil spills 
• Noise pollution 

  Black-fronted Tern - Endangered 

• Habitat destruction

  New Zealand Storm-petrel - Critically Endangered 

• Predatory threats 

  Abbotts Booby - Endangered 

• Loss of habitat 

  Amsterdam Albatross - Critically Endangered 

• Degradation of feeding sites 

  

Carbon Footprint, what is it and how do I change it?

     A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to, directly and indirectly, support human activities. 

      Once you realize the effect your carbon footprint makes on the earth, you can do simple things to change this. It is important to offset the CO2 emissions as much as possible as you can contribute to climate change. 

      Greenhouse gases are compounds that group together and trap heat under the Earth's surface. Greenhouse gases are the growing cause of our global warming issue. This mass problem affects all walks of life from our plants to our animals and oceans. 

    Walking or riding a bike is a way to avoid CO2 emission completely if you can't get to where you're traveling too easily by walking, then carpooling is a great option if applicable. Speeding and hard acceleration also emit more CO2 than needed and runs your mileage down by 33%. 

     When choosing appliances for the home, make energy efficiency a top priority. Turn off lights when you are not using them and replace bulbs with LED light bulbs. Set your thermostat so it can turn the heat or AC off while you are not in the home. Add solar panels to the roof of your home if you live in a mostly sunny area, you could eliminate your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint. 

     Eat local produce and organic food. 13% of US greenhouse gases come from the making and transport of food. Lessen your water usage by turning off the water when not in immediate use and make efficient choices when looking for faucets.  

     Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 20% of greenhouses gases result from the mass production and transport of goods. Buying used products or recycling products you no longer use you will dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. 

     Find out what your carbon footprint is here

Fresh start for 2018!

     Hello everyone, it has been a long 6 months away from the keyboard. A lot has happened within that time, I am heading for Florida in May to permanently live there. I got a new job (well old, new job) and will have more time to focus on myself and this blog now that I'm out of the old job. I'm super excited for what this year is going to bring!
   
     What you can expect from this blog within the next year...

• Beach cleanup updates 
• Green living DIY 
• Their Story; will continue 
• Marine life facts
• SeaWorld updates

     I will also continue with recommendations on places to shop and people or businesses to support. I will be adding a segment monthly on the deaths of captive Orcas. This will be called "Lost Freedom" and I will be documenting whale deaths to show an impact on whales and their lives.  

     I am super excited to begin blogging again and seeing where my passion for the earth takes me and this blog next. Happy New Year everyone, here's to a GREEN new year!!   

Hiatus...

     Hello everyone, to those who have been following my blog for the past year, I have had so much fun researching and writing about the things I'm passionate about. Right now I am focusing on my career and need the time to myself when I get it (which isn't often.) May-December is the busiest time for shoppers so I am going to be taking a hiatus until January 2018. I can't wait to be back with new and fresh ideas and continuing with my passion, but until then, farewell. 

A list of must-watch documentaries and where to find them;

     I've been doing a lot of digging to expand my education on the things I care about, I've watched documentary after documentary and have formed a hefty list of must-watch movies, from captivity to plastic pollution and dolphin slaughtering. Some of these movies are graphic and hard to watch but if you can push through it, your eyes will be opened to some of the biggest problems with our earth and with humanity. Let's dive into this list and dare to learn the truth. 

1. Blackfish 

     

     Netflix released this controversial 2013 documentary film with the intent of shedding some light on the captivity issues at SeaWorld. The film mostly follows Tillikum, one of SeaWorld's captive orcas. The movie shows the extreme stresses of capturing wild orcas and breeding them for entertainment. This film does include footage of attacks on trainers and interviews with witnesses, as well as the heartbreaking story of Katina and Kalina (SeaWorld's whales) and their separation.  

Blackfish on Netflix

2. A Plastic Ocean 

     In 2016 Netflix released this riveting documentary following a journalist and filmmaker named Craig Leeson who is searching for the blue whale. In the midst of his adventures, he discovers plastic waste polluting the oceans. Leeson teams up with a free diver named Tanya Streeter and an international team of scientists and researchers. They then travel around the world for four years, exploring the state of our oceans and uncover alarming truths about plastic pollution, how it affects marine life and try to find solutions that can be put into effect as soon as possible. This film features some disturbing photos of what happens when marine life ingests plastic.

A Plastic Ocean on Netflix

3. The Cove 

  

     The Cove can be found on Hulu, this heart-pounding 2009 film takes place on the coast of Taiji, Japan. This documentary covers dolphin hunting, mass dolphin kills, Japanese fishing practices and informs the public about the risk of mercury poisoning. Thousands of migrating dolphins are herded in a cove where they are trapped and killed by fishers. This film argues that dolphin hunting is unnecessary and cruel. The Cove has also drawn a lot of controversy over secret filming and portrayal of Japanese people. This film was partly recorded using underwater microphones and high-definition cameras disguised as rocks. WARNING: This film is extremely graphic with images of dolphins being killed and bloody waters. 

The Cove on Hulu

4. Swimming With Killer Whales 

     

      This captivating 2011 film follows Dr.Ingrid Visser as she shares the seas with Killer Whales (Orcas.) It can be found on Netflix, and covers the issue of the misconception of the Killer Whale and also looks for clues to the state of our oceans. 

Swimming With Killer Whales on Netflix

5. Mission Blue 

      This 2014 documentary is featured on Netflix, legendary oceanographer, marine biologist, environmentalist, and National Geographic Explorer in-residence Sylvia Earle takes us on an eyeopening mission to protect marine sanctuaries.

 

Mission Blue on Netflix

6. Troubled Waters 

     This 2015 student-made film can be found on Youtube, this film focuses on pollution, climate change, and the fishing industry. The fishing industry is massive and survives on taxpayer subsidies. The demand for seafood is so large it has taken an impact on our seas. Troubled Waters takes a look at the long term economic and environmental ramifications on the fish population. 

Troubled Waters on Youtube

7. Inside The Tanks 

      Inside The Tanks is a 2017 documentary that can be found on Youtube. This film looks at both sides of the controversy that surrounds marine captivity. This unique documentary we get to see in depths interviews between The Born Free Foundation, Dr.Ingrid Visser, ex Seaworld trainer John Hargrove and an exclusive interview with with the Zoological director of Marineland franchises, Jon Kersaw. 

Inside The Tanks on Youtube

 8. Drop In The Ocean?

       This 2016 film can be found on Vimeo, "Drop in the ocean?" is all about Ireland and Climate change. In less than 50 years ocean life as we know it will be a thing of the past. Dead ocean. Dead ecosystem. Governments in 1990 started gathering to discuss ho to avoid global warming and reduce carbon emissions. 

Drop in the ocean? on Vimeo

9. Planet Ocean

      Planet ocean is fascinating as it does not just focus on one part of the ocean but the entire planet as an ecosystem. This 2012 documentary can be found on Vimeo. The ocean provides us with things we need to survive such as seaweed which is used in medicines, cloth, fertilizers, and food. However the fishing industry has reached capacity and the footprint of humanity is felt everywhere. This film shows the importance of how humans are the greatest threat to their own home. 

Planet Ocean on Vimeo

10. Sea The Truth

       This 2010 film can be found on Youtube, and covers global warming and over fishing. We still don't know much about Earth and all it has to offer but yet our earth is 2/3 water and we use that as dumping grounds for our trash. Our most important ecosystem is on the verge of collapse as our oceans are becoming emptier and emptier. We are about to face one of the biggest disasters in man kind. 90% of predatory fish and 80% of commercial fish are gone. 

Sea The Truth on Youtube

  

11. Plastic Paradise 

     This 2013 film takes a look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or in other words, a trash vortex in the North Pacific Ocean. This vortex was discovered between 1985 and 1988. This is essentially a collection of plastic and floating trash between Hawaii and California. This film follows Angela Sun and her personal journey to uncover the truth of the garbage patch and how severely it is effecting our ecosystem and marine mammals. Sun sheds light on one use plastic consumption and what is is doing to our oceans. This film can be found on Youtube but caution is advised, this film shows some very graphic images of dead birds and other animals. 

Plastic Paradise on Youtube

     

People's climate march!

     On April 29, 2017, thousands of people rallied on the streets of Washington DC and all-around cities in America as the Trump administration takes over the US. Marchers poured in to sound off on the major threats of Earth's climate change. 

"Resistance is here to stay, welcome to your 100th day."

     This outcry comes out of fear for our environment, just 100 days into presidency, Trump has already signed executive orders aimed to roll back the Clean Power Plan. Not long after this, he began initiating reviews aimed at opening up protected lands and water to drilling, mining, and logging.


Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/29/us/politics/peoples-climate-march-trump.html