I’m now working with Nsefu Wildlife!
Back in November of 2016 I started working as a web/graphic designer for NSEFU Wildlife Conservation Foundation. Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on wildlife conservation and community help for the Nsefu sector, Zambia.
I use to work at the same company as Coe Lewis, the co-founder of Nsefu. So when she encouraged me to join them at their March for Elephants and Rhinos event in September, I joined them and took video. I posted the video on Youtube and because Coe was so happy with the video, she asked me if I liked to help. Of course, I said yes!
I’m looking forward with working Nsefu and hope that my small contribution will help in the preservation of the wildlife in Zambia. Find out more at Nsefu.org
Thank you, Bill (EN).
The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos – San Diego 9/25/2016
Despite the warm weather, San Diegans came out to show their support for the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos. I met some interesting people and it was a good time. Coe Lewis from 101.5 KGB led the event and is one of the driving forces behind this event.
Find out more about her organization at nsefu.org
Bill-EN
Global March for Elephants & Rhinos-San Diego -Nsefu Wildlife
Tomorrow (9/25) I will join many others in a Global March for Elephants and Rhinos. This is the first time I’ve done a march for a cause. In my younger days, I was involved with the Surfrider Foundation and attended many government meetings, press conferences, environmental events, as well as lending my artistic skill to some graphics work.
I am nervous about being part of this event, even though all I’m doing is marching, because I only know one person there, Cow Lewis, and she’ll be busy running the event. I will take photos and hopefully video. I’ll post on the EN site and Facebook page.
I hope that this march and the others like it will make a difference, because it’s getting dire. Greed, hate and ignorance is feeding this monster of destruction and we need to stop it.
Bill EN.
Poaching syndicates target Kruger rangers!
World’s Largest Ape Listed As Critically Endangered; Pandas Upgraded To ‘Vulnerable’
After reading the article, I find it hard to get encouraged with the state of our world when all I see is sad, frightening and horrible. Although the article does point out the efforts to save the Panda in China, for comparison, it paints a dim picture of what’s happening to one of our closest wild relatives, the lowland gorilla.
Africa is such a large and beautiful continent with some of the most amazing flora and fauna on the planet, only to be destroyed by it’s own people and outside interests. I hope, for the sake of the people and wildlife in Africa, that the people of Africa unite to to preserve their beautiful home.
Here’s a snippet from the article written by Bill Chappell.
“A subspecies of eastern gorilla that lives in Democratic Republic of Congo now faces “an extremely high risk of extinction,” wildlife experts say. Grauer’s gorilla, the largest great ape in the world, is now listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “red list” of threatened species.”
Families Leaving Trash on the Beach!
After kayaking with my son this past weekend (8/7), I noticed that a family that had been enjoying the beach, had left a bunch of trash behind. The seagulls immediately started to pick apart the leftovers.
I’ll never understand how parents of young kids can allow their children to go down to the bay, play in the water and then leave a mess behind for someone else to clean up. Well, I take that back. I have noticed that a large section of our society doesn’t either care, or isn’t educated to the fact that what they leave behind, not only looks bad, but could possibly kill a while animal.
It is frustrating when I try to always clean up my mess and leave nothing behind except footprints, to see others not bothered at all. I hope that their children will become educated as they grow older and hopefully teach their children well.
Bill (EN)
Trader Joe’s & Palm Oil
Read more about Trader Joe’s and Palm Oil here.
While shopping at one of my favorite stores back in November 2015, I came across a product that contained Palm Oil. Knowing how the growing of Palm Oil is devastating in many parts of our world, I contacted Trader Joe’s customer service. They responded with the following message.
Dear William,
Thank you for the note! First and foremost, we apologize for our delay in response, as we have recently experienced a bit of a ‘glitch’ with our website which prevented us from viewing your email until now.
The palm oil used in the Inside Out Carrot Cake Cookies is sourced sustainably in Malaysia and verified as such by the RSPO. We do want to let you know that much of the palm oil used in our Trader Joe’s products comes from small scale family farms in South America. These farmers are also certified (by Pro-Forest), which ensures that they meet strict social, environmental and technical criteria.
With regard to environmental criteria, the assessments are carried out at the landscape and operational level at both the farms and processing facilities. These assessments cover environmental impact on the soil, water, air, biodiversity and local communities. The lands the farmers use are not lands that were deforested. The lands used to grow the palm fruit are lands previously used for agricultural purposes (cattle, rice, bananas, etc.).
Still, though, while much of the palm oil our vendors source is as described above, it is impossible for us at this time to ensure that all of our palm oil is sourced this way, and some of it is definitely sourced as a commodity. We definitely appreciate your input, though, and we hope this information helps inform your shopping choices.
Thank you again,
Kerry
Trader Joe’s
Customer Relations
While I appreciate their response, the last paragraph is what bothered me. Just last week, I purchased Joe Joe’s and saw Palm Oil as an ingredient and it concerned me. So, referring back to the above letter, I think to myself, if they can’t totally verify the source of all the Palm Oil they use in their products, then they shouldn’t use Palm Oil at all and make 100% sure that the ingredients in their products are good for the environment. I will still shop at Trader Joe’s, but from now on, I will not purchase products with Palm Oil in the ingredients, whether the source is good or not. I will also let my friends know too!
Bill (EN)
Bornean orangutan declared ‘critically endangered’ as forests shrink
I’ve never understand the human need to make money with no regard to the very world that they live in, like somehow magically, things are going to get better. Or even worse, people who just don’t give a shit about the world and just take until nothing is left.
After reading this article in The Guardian, it left me with just enough hope that things might get better for the Bornean Orangutan, but only if we (people) act to make a change. There are challenges to the natural world on almost every continent, but to let one of closest relative reach the point of extinction is just beyond my understanding.
Please read and don’t buy product with Palm Oil and let the government officials of Indonesian, Malaysian and Brunei know how you feel. I will look for petitions to sign and find contact information for these governments.
Animal torture…it’s happening now!
Seems like every time I go on Facebook, because I’ve subscribed to animal welfare or rights pages, I see more and more examples of animals being treated like they’re mindless lumps of meat that don’t feel or want to live life. So many people in the world only care about their selfish needs or believe that they have the right to do what ever they like, or just don’t give a shit.
It would be easy for me to just shut down my Facebook page or unsubscribe to these sites, but then I feel I would be just as bad as those assholes committing these horrible acts on our animal friends. I just can’t imagine someone taking my dog from me and torturing him for a thrill…I would level that person.
So, I’m going to keep watching and doing my best to spread the word and try to get more involved in organizations that prevent and help to take these assholes to task.
The Olympics In Rio…
I’ve seen so many news stories and videos about the problems with the upcoming Olympics in Rio, from crime, poverty and pollution. But I just came across this video that shows how deep the issues are and how the poor people in Rio are affected. Although not all bad, most situations seem like they’re never going to be solved, even after the Olympics leave. Let’s hope that things improve and more people speak up for the poor.
EARTH NEWS 