Meet Norman, the Eco-Warrior

Full disclosure - this is a cat video. It is, however, one of the funniest videos I've seen lately (perhaps it's because I really get the cat humour). Norman isn't just any cat, he's an Eco-Warrior. How can anyone resist a quick peek? Great work WWF!

Celebrate Earth Hour tonight!

How will you celebrate Earth Hour tonight? I'm actually thinking of sticking inside, grabbing a bottle of wine, lighting up some candles and powering down with a novel by my side. There are so many ways to have fun tonight and do it low on electricity.

For event ideas and places you can crash for the 8:30 p.m. showdown, visit:
http://www.wwf.ca/earthhour/

The Human Toll of the BP Oil Spill

Photo credit: Aerial image of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is taken from a US Coast Guard HC-144 aircraft. This US Navy Photo is by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Michael B. Watkins.

We've all heard about the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which is devastating wildlife, ecosystems and people wherever the slick touches. It's an incredible disaster, with many efforts to stop the oil spill failing, and the outcome seems to get bleaker every day.

The explosion on April 20 killed 11 people (or "workers" say most news reports) and has been releasing hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil into the ocean ever since. My sister recently read an article in The Globe and Mail about shrimp fishermen and other workers whose livelihoods are in jeopardy thanks to the closure of fishing in the Gulf. Tourism has also tanked as soon as word of the spill spread. My sister shared this story with me and I thought I would share it with you (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/as-oil-slick-spreads-gulf-coasts-lifeblood-dries-up/article1554339/). It's a really good account of how this human-caused disaster is shaking people's lives in more ways than can be stomached.

As the World Wildlife Fund and other organizations work furiously on the ground to protect the highly endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna as well as mass numbers of plovers and sandpipers stopped in the Gulf on their migratory route northward, those of us watching the news can't help wondering what is going to happen to all of those people whose jobs depend on the health of the oceans. If you stop and think about it, they are not so different from you and me. They are fishermen and tour guides and probably never even thought that something like this would happen. How does one prepare or handle a disaster like this?

Here at home, World Wildlife Fund is working to protect the Arctic waters and is in talks with government around the placement of oil rigs and how to close the oil spill response gap. Sierra Club, Audubon, The Nature Conservancy and others are also on the ground helping to address immediate crises with the oil spill. All of these organizations could use our help to support their work.

What do you think about the BP oil spill? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on how you think the spill is effecting people where you live. The oil is continuing to spill into the Gulf of Mexico and the massive toll this will take is still unknown. Let's read some of your comments on this issue.

Earth Hour this Saturday + World Water Week

This week has been one of promoting water (World Water Day was Monday, March 23 - though awareness activities are taking place all week) and energy (Earth Hour on March 27) conservation.

Both resources are extremely important to ensure the health of our planet and, well, ourselves. In the spirit of warming up for Earth Hour and recognizing World Water Week, here are some things you can do to use water and energy more efficiently:



Water
- Install low-flow shower heads and replace your old toilet with a low-flow model.
- Try and take a shorter shower and turn the water off when you brush your teeth.


Energy
- Replace incandescent lights with CFLs - they are way more efficient and last loads longer.
- Unplug appliances you're not using and use power bars for several electrical devices so you can turn them all off with the flip of a switch when you're heading off to work in the morning.

And, of course, you can turn your lights off when you don't need them. In celebration of "Earth Hour", grab some friends or family members this Saturday, March 27, and turn it all off - the t.v., the computer, the stove - and host your own Earth Hour event without using electricity.

If you're not that adventurous, look for local events you can take part in. Join me and hundreds of others in Toronto tomorrow at Yonge and Dundas Square to celebrate Earth Hour (see event details below).



Earth Hour Event in Toronto
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Time: 5:30 - 9:30 pm
Location: Yonge - Dundas Square

For more on this event, visit: wwf.ca.