We Can Do It! We Are Doing It!

Well, it's 2009, and more than ever, I feel we have truly entered new territory; are standing upon new ground; and face a plethora of innovate and invigorating opportunity. I have also come to realize that it is WE who are holding present consciousness; participating in our actions and are generating change - both positive and negative. Like droplets of water gaining momentum to create waves, our very presence on this planet influences it's evolution, micro-second by micro-second.

So, without further ado, let's start NOW to create positive change:

LET'S lead by example
BE our vision
RECOGNIZE this is already happening

If everyone does something, then everything gets tended to, so let's get busy and create a powerful, positive and memorable 2009!

Save Japan Dolphins on September 3, 2008

The following is a summary from savejapandolphins.org:

On Japan Dolphin Day - September 3, 2008, many international Japanese embassies and consulate offices will be vigorously protested. A request will be made to the Japanese Minister of Health to put a warning label on all dolphin meat, similar to the warning label that has been placed on every package of cigarettes sold in Japan.

If the warning label system is implemented, it should have a major impact on the demand for dolphin meat. A warning label, stating that dolphin meat may be contaminated with mercury, methyl-mercury and PCBs, may save the dolphins, and it may save the people who eat them.

Take Action Now

Send a message to the Japanese Prime Minister, urging him to stop the dolphin drive hunt and prohibit the sale of mercury-contaminated dolphin meat:

The Prime Minister of Japan
Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan:
Fax: +81-3-3581-3883
e-mail: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/forms/comment.html

Send a copy of your letter to:

Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C.
Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki
2520 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20008-2869
Tel: (202) 238-6700,
Fax: 202-328-2187
Hours: M-F 9:15-12:30 and 2:00-6:16
e-mail: jicc@embjapan.org
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp

Send a letter to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), urging them to enforce their Code of Ethics and expel the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) from their organization.

Furthermore, WAZA must expel all other facilities that have purchased dolphins from the dolphin drive hunts:

WAZA Executive Director, Gerald Dick

Email: gerald-dick@waza.org

What Can We Do For Dolphins This Fall?

As summer graciously departs, making way for autumn temperatures, so does the aquarium industry's grip on our tourist and recreation dollars. For myself, fall also signifies a time I can return to my television, without being inundated with ads promoting captive dolphin displays.

With our planet showing more and more signs of fragility, wouldn't our time be better spent in some volunteer capacity, protecting and preserving natural spaces and species? In the case of dolphins and whales, extracting these freedom-loving creatures and relegating them to a life of stagnation and sterility is worse than death.

Memories, Both Old and New

During this holiday season, we pause to remember all dolphins who have crossed our paths - both living and dead.

We stop to hold their memories close in our hearts, and look forward to a future of helping more animals in need, and learning more effective ways to communicate between species, in such a way that new relationships can be forged. Relationships where both species are free to make their own choices and set their own direction.

We pause to remember all people who dedicated their lives to making this world happier, safer and truly more "humane" - both living and dead.

We stop to gain a better understanding of their work, and find ways to emulate their positive actions in such ways that will contribute to a harmonious, smarter and more intuitive planet in 2008.

Go Green - SEA GREEN, That Is!

Sadly, it's that time of the year again, when we are bombarded by advertisements of all sorts, promoting interaction with dolphins and whales. Whether it's watching a "high-diving" show; petting a "gentle" cetacean or worse, swimming with a "friendly" dolphin, there's no shortage of captive activities to drain one's financial resources.

Better suggestion: save some money and take the family whale-watching; dolphin-watching, or visit a museum and learn about the natural history/evolution of these magnificent mammals.

You might say, it's more convenient, less time-consuming and much less expensive to visit a marine theme park. However, it's also more convenient to throw one's trash out the window, dump a variety of recyclables into ordinary trash, or run gallons of water needlessly, while doing a small load of laundry.

Thinking of reciprocity, with every action creating a reaction, wouldn't it be an overall more satisfying and authentic experience to engage in an activity which both benefits the participant - as well as the "entertainment?" A trip to the ocean provides a hands-on educational experience, where one has the opportunity to learn of this environment in it's natural state. An excursion to a museum provides much-needed funding to the institution, while obtaining the ability to connect to one's natural history. Even renting a film on dolphins and whales teaches us not only about these wild and free-thinking individuals, but also, educates us on their habitats - AND - what actions we can take to create a healthier environment for both themselves and ourselves.

So the next time you see a commercial for a marine park, why not mute the volume, and think of a more beneficial way to spend your energy?

Not Your Ordinary Neck Size

ALL ABOARD!

In response to an announcement by the U.S. Navy, stating that warm-water bottlenosed dolphins will be sent to the cold waters of Puget Sound to guard Navy interests, an initiative entitled Knitting For Dolphins was spun.

Though this sounds like a yarn, these ingenious ladies have been generating many threads of interest. Their plan is to highlight the absurdity of the recruitment of intelligent dolphins by knitting an assortment of sweaters, neck warmers and mittens for the marine mammals, specifically to "counter-effect" the frigid waters of the Pacific Northwest.

ACTION:

Please voice your concerns by contacting Knitting For Dolphins directly and help our cousins of the sea who, incidentally, don't have appropriate appendages to enable them to protest themselves.

Link: knittingfordolphins
email: dolphinknitters@gmail.com

Dolphins Being Slaughtered and Captured for Display

This video contains graphic and disturbing images of dolphins in Taiji both being slaughtered, and captured for public display. Never have I been so disgusted at the captive swim/display industry as I have after watching this video. In fact, I was outraged. As you should be, too.

ACTION:
Go to: www.savejapandolphins.org and click on the Take Action link.


Whether it be sending a letter, a donation or something else, if EVERYBODY does SOMETHING, EVERYONE in their own way will HELP STOP THIS MADNESS!


And remember: each and every time you visit a captive display facility, you are SUPPORTING the brutal dolphin drive fishery in Taiji! Please don't visit your local (or destination) marine park, if they insist on keeping dolphins and whales in captivity.