Climate
crisis: The history of Earth Day and how the leaders of today have
let us down
Every year communities across the planet celebrate Earth
Day, but not everyone knows the history of this environmental day of awareness.
Almost 48 years ago on April 22, 1970, millions of people hit the streets to
protest the negative impacts on the environment of 150 years of industrial
development. Smog had become so bad that in some areas it was deadly and there
was evidence that smog pollution was detrimental to human health. Smog
pollution was shown to cause developmental delays in children. Pesticides and
pollutants were negatively impacting the environment and biodiversity were in
decline. It was the beginning of the climate crisis that we are still dealing
with to this day.
The
five R’s of plastic pollution: Why Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
isn’t enough, and tips for living plastic free
Most of us grew up being taught the 3 R’s- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. When
it came to going green and protecting the environment, the 3 R’s was where it
all began. Fast forward to 2018 and the progression of pollution and human-caused climate change is far more devastating than we could have predicted. We
are in a climate crisis, and 3 R’s just isn’t enough.
Earth
Day:
Microplastic and why it's a huge problem
Plastic pollution is a big problem, but the biggest problem
when it comes to plastic pollution is the smallest plastic of all- microplastic.
Microplastic may seem like a tiny issue that is easy to ignore, because they can
be impossible to see unless under a microscope, but the truth is microplastic
effects us in so many ways. Microplastic is a detriment to both the environment, climate change and our health and wellness.
End
plastic pollution: Earth Day focus on people and their plastic
This year’s Earth Day theme encourages us to take a closer
look at our use of consumer plastics and one-time use plastic like straws, bags
and water bottles, and how it affects the planet. Every year, Earth
Day Network launches campaigns to inspire people to take part in Acts
of Green, to help heal the planet and educate about pollution. The goal for
2018 is to have people commit to End Plastic Pollution.
Putting the best paw forward
Welcome back Paws peeps! Or I guess I should be welcoming
myself back. I’m taking a rare moment to get a little personal, after taking a
near six-month hiatus from Paws For Reaction. While I do see many of you still
reading (thank you!) I haven’t been active and I even skipped Halloween on PFR-
and Halloween is my jam! I don’t often get personal on my blog. PFR has always
been a fun place for pet parents to learn, laugh and share- so getting personal
is not something that makes its way into my editorial calendar. I really don’t
feel comfortable with it, but I do believe that sometimes it’s necessary to
push myself outside of my comfort zone.
Trump Talk vs Truth: Fact checking Donald Trump's Paris Climate Agreement speech
June 4, 2017- This week was devastating to the environment when President Donald Trump announced that he is pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord. In his speech he gave 'alternative facts' about climate science, economics and the details of the Agreement. If one good thing came out of this, it's that so many leaders, businesses and organizations have come together to support the Paris Agreement with more strength and determination that ever before. It's also inspired the first edition of Trump Talk vs Truth- a new Paws For Reaction series.
How to
prepare pets for a natural disaster: Climate change increases the likelihood
of disasters for the entire family
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How to prepare your pets for natural disaster Photo by BecauseUAreHere Foter
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Most of us don’t think about how to prepare ourselves for a natural disaster,
let alone our pets. After the recent mass flooding event in the Ottawa Valley,
it’s clear that disasters can happen close to home. Instead of having the
mentality that ‘this can’t happen to me,’ most Ontario and Quebec residents
have been faced with the reality that disaster can hit close to home.
People's Climate March: Ottawa joins global climate change protest
April 29, 2017-Today was another proud day for science in Ottawa. A large group gathered at Ottawa City Hall for the People's Climate March, which ended at the US Embassy. The protest was part of a global movement to advance climate change solutions and protect our clean air and drinking water. It coincided with President Trump's 100th day in office. I marched in hopes that the government will start taking climate change seriously and admit that the science is settled. I marched to ask the government to stop investing in pipelines and start investing in clean energy. Climate change is real. The debate among scientists about mankind's impacts on the planet is over. We must act now.
Photos: March for Science in Ottawa on Earth Day 2017
April 22, 2017- Hundreds of scientists and citizens rallied at Parliament Hill on Earth Day for the March for Science, to show their support for the scientific community. The March for Science is part of a global movement, with over 600 events planned worldwide and 20 of those events taking place in Canada. Evidence for Democracy hosted the Ottawa March for Science. The group held a sign making party on April 12 to prepare.