Green Sexy

A "Green Porno"?

It seems like everything else has gone green these days---why not porno? Now, does this mean that we have porno stars using biodegradable condoms and eco-friendly lube?  Well, not exactly.  You see, Isabella Rossellini, former Lancome model and star of the ultra-sexually-charged movie Blue Velvet, has changed her focus from human desire and sexuality to that of the insect and animal world.  She has created a series of internet shorts on animal sexuality entitled Green Porno that can be viewed on Sundance Channel's website.  Season one focused on the sexuality of insects, while her new season two focuses on sea creatures and their sexual exploits.  The costumes and props she uses on the show are purposely amateurish and child-like, as the aim of the show is to amuse and inform, rather than to arouse. 

So, if you're looking for a good laugh and have a super short attention span, then get turned on to Rossellini's Green Porno, and you'll never see "green" the same way again!  Now, that's Green-Sexy!

The Short, Tragic Lives of Farm Animals

I found this ultra-disturbing video on ChooseVeg.com about the ill-treatment of commercially-raised animals, from when they're born until they're led to slaughter.  In one portion of this ten-minute video, a cow is castrated, has its horns snipped off, and is repeatedly branded---all without any anesthesia.  In another part of the video, chickens are "debeaked" so that they won't peck at each other in their disturbingly-cramped cages. 

My wife and I eat vegetarian meals as often as we can, but more and more we find it difficult to reconcile our meat-eating ways.  We have taken measures in the past, such as buying meat from a farmer who specialized in organically-raised cows, and have looked into buying eggs from families who keep chickens in their backyards and sell the eggs from these free range chickens, but our guilt sometimes is hard to reconcile. 

This video may push us closer to vegetarianism---watch it and let me know what you think.

Set a Place for Mother Earth This Thanksgiving

My local newspaper, Rochester, New York's Democrat and Chronicle offers 10 environmentally-friendly tips for greening up your Thanksgiving:

1. Forgo disposable dishware. If you don't have enough plates, glasses and flatware to go around, borrow from guests or neighbors.

2. If you must do disposable, buy biodegradable and then compost it (otherwise, it just takes up space in the landfill, along with Styrofoam cups, paper plates and plastic forks).

3. Switch to cloth napkins. They feel better on the skin, absorb food mess better and don't take up much space in the washing machine and dryer. If this is a first-time investment, buy one set for special occasions, one set for everyday use. It won't be long until you wonder how you tolerated flimsy paper napkins for so long.

4. Use reusable food containers instead of wrapping leftovers in foil or plastic wrap or putting them in plastic bags. Want to send food home with your guests? Ask them to bring their own containers.

5. Yes, it's fun to have lots of food to serve and share. But don't overdo it to the point where you are throwing food out afterward. Plan, shop and cook carefully to avoid waste. Freeze whatever food you won't eat as soon as possible.

6. A 2006 study from the University of Washington found that driving several miles to the farmers market wiped out any savings in carbon emissions that might have been gained by purchasing locally grown food. Consolidate your trips to the farmers market and supermarket. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute runs to the store, and walk, bike, bus or carpool to shop whenever possible.

7. Decorate with what's on hand. Instead of flowers flown in from overseas, how about a lovely table centerpiece of locally grown gourds and squashes from the farmers market?

8. Buy local. Late fall is a great time of year to buy local: Potatoes, apples, winter squashes, greens, pears, onions and cabbages are abundant this time of year.

9. Buy a locally grown, organic and/or sustainably raised turkey. There are many area livestock farmers who now offer free-range, organic or sustainably raised birds. Supermarkets also offer organic turkey options, as do natural food stores. Be aware that in some cases, orders must be placed early, so if you can't eat organic this Thanksgiving, there's always next year.

10. From wine bottles to empty cans of broth, a holiday meal generates extra trash. Be sure all your recyclable waste goes to the recycling bin.

An additional tip, although probably too late for this Thanksgiving, is to look into purchasing a Heritage Turkey, which are turkeys that are genetically pure and whose ancestry can be traced back 100 years.  These turkeys take longer to raise than traditional, commercially-raised turkeys, but you won't be getting any antibiotics or hormones---just good 'ol 100% whole turkey goodness! 

However you celebrate this Thanksgiving, raise a glass in thanks to Mother Earth and all she has done for us!

Eat a Natural "Heritage Turkey" This Thanksgiving

Freezerfuls of turkeys show up in your local supermarket come November, many of which are disturbingly large, like they've been chowing down on potato chips and beer in front of the boob tube for the previous 11 months.  Well, we all know that the life of a commercially-raised turkey isn't so relaxing---it's actually quite disturbing and tragic.  According to an Encyclopedia Britannica Advocacy for Animals article entitled "Consider the Turkey", commercially-raised turkeys are often times subjected to overcrowding, genetic manipulation (for faster growth), and two disturbing practices called "debeaking" and "detoeing", in which the beaks and claws of turkeys are "clipped" to prevent injuries that overcrowded and overstressed turkeys inflict on one another.  Can't have the merchandise damaging the merchandise, can you? 

Unfortunately, even "free-range" turkeys often times don't fare much better than turkeys raised in traditional mass-production farms.  In fact, there are no legal requirements for how much, if any access to the outdoors a free-range turkey gets.  The USDA does not regulate the size of free-range animal flocks, so overcrowding often occurs.  According to Farm Sanctuary, a farm-animal rescue and advocacy organization, “Thanksgiving shoppers buying an ‘organic’ or ‘free-range’ turkey have no way of knowing just how natural a life that turkey actually led. Compassionate consumers must remember that even on so-called ‘free-range’ farms, animals are subjected to inhumane treatment, and ultimately their lives are ended prematurely.” 

It seems like turkeys, like everything else in America, have become "Supersized" of late.  In fact, the average weight of a commercially-raised turkey has increased 20 percent between 1991 and 2000.  This is due to genetic manipulation, which causes all manner of health issues for the turkey, from heart disease, hip problems and bowed legs.  These turkeys can't even enjoy a roll in the hay because their massive and unnatural body size has caused fertility problems, so farmers "hand milk" males and artificially inseminate the females.  Romantic, isn't it?

That's why you should consider eating a "Heritage Turkey", which are the ancestors of the turkeys raised and sold on a mass level in stores today.  In an NPR interview, Heritage Foods, USA co-founder Patrick Martins says that these turkeys are genetically pure and their ancestry can be traced back 100 years.  These turkeys were identified in the American Poultry Association's turkey Standard of Perfection of 1874 and are prized for their flavor and biological diversity.  According to the Heritage Turkey Foundation, "Raising Heritage Breeds is more costly and time consuming than raising White Breasted Toms. While supermarket turkeys grow to an average of 32 pounds over 18 weeks, Heritage birds take anywhere from 24-30 to reach their market weight."  That means that farmers allow Heritage Turkeys to grow to their full size naturally, without hormones or steroids, in a natural frame of time.  In fact, the Pennsylvania farming magazine Lancaster Farming says that “If a seven pound [human] baby grew at the same rate that today’s turkey grows, when the baby reaches 18 weeks of age, it would weigh 1,500 pounds.”  Whoa, baby! 

You can purchase a Heritage Turkey from Local Harvest, Mary's Turkeys, or Heritage Foods, USA, though the word is that supplies will be scarce this year, as these farms raise a much smaller number of turkeys, and those that were market-ready have been largely snatched up by eager buyers.  Also understand that a typical Heritage Turkey can cost you up to $200, but that accounts for the true cost of raising a turkey for 2 years, or about $5-$8 per pound, as opposed to the unnatural 69 cents per pound for a commercially-mass-produced turkey. 

If you don't have any luck, and have been turned off altogether from eating a turkey this year, then PETA recommends carving up a good 'ol Tofurky this Thanksgiving.  Yum.     

Saving the Wildlife Preserve at Gorongosa, Mozambique?

The Gorongosa Wildlife Preserve stretches for 1,500 miles across Mozambique's expanse of lakes, plains and rain forests.  In the 1960's, Gorongosa had 500 lions, 2,000 elephants, 14,000 Cape buffalo and 3,000 hippos.  Sadly, due to years of war, poaching and poverty, all of those animals have either fled or were killed. 

Enter Greg Carr, the Harvard grad who invented voicemail with a partner back in the 1980's.  He profited to the tune of $200 million, and ever since he made his fortune, he's been giving back through his charitable foundation, the Carr Foundation.  When asked why he chose to throw his money and his efforts behind the Gorongosa Wildlife Preserve, Carr said: "Gorongosa was, most people consider, the most popular national park in all of Africa and the most density of animals, the most beauty, the most diversity of ecosystems. So, you have one of the most beautiful places in the world and you also have perhaps the worst poverty of anywhere in the world, side by side."  Carr wanted to do something about this, and do something he has.  Thus far Carr has made a difference in a village named Vinho, in which he has built a school and a medical clinic, and has set up 200 villagers with jobs related to the protection and operation of Gorongosa Park.  Through his foundation, Carr plans to build 25 more medical clinics and 100 schools.  Carr understands that in order for the park to succeed, the people must also have a chance to be successful and healthy.

Gorongosa currently has crocodiles in abundance and exotic birds, but has few impala, and a herd of elephants and a pride of lions.  Carr knows that tourists want to see big game and their predators, and he has striven to meet this demand.  Last year Carr had trucked in wildebeest from one part of Africa and plans to import hyena from another part.   He also has plans to add more hippos as well, but regrets that he cannot import zebras from Zimbabwe since the political situation there is in such disarray at the moment.  Now, Carr isn't just slapping together a hodge-podge of animals that he saw in a production of The Lion King or some Animal Planet show---he has assembled a team of scientists to make sure that he gets the mix just right and so he can understand these animals better.   Carr expects that by injecting more animals into the park, the country of Mozambique will prosper from the tourist, the hotels to house them, the jobs that will be created in these industries, and the electricity, schools, hospitals, etc. that all of this will necessitate. 

Carr is a true visionary who understands that developing a country's natural resources is one of the best ways to help a country get back on its feet.  Of his work, Carr said, "Coming to Africa, spending time here, learning from their culture, which is rich and beautiful, is a blessing." 

For a clearer picture, check out the CBS 60 Minutes interview below (just exercise some patience sitting through an annoying 30 second ad).

Goats Graze in Downtown Los Angeles!

California is one of the most environmentally-conscious states in the union, and the Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency has continued the trend by hiring 100 goats to clear brush in a downtown Los Angeles plot.  Los Angeles residents and downtown workers alike marveled at this unlikely scene.  Sam Vera, an auto repairman, remarked as he snapped a photograph, "This is absolutely beautiful. It's a wonderful contrast to the big buildings around here."  The Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency head Cecilia Estolano said that she could rent the 100 goats for $3,000, as opposed to the $7,000 it would cost to hire men with gas-powered trimmers.  Another advantage is that goats are an environmentally-friendly way to clear away brush that is not only unsightly, but could also be a potential fire hazard.  Anyway, goats are also so darn cute, so who could resist?   

Hiring goats to clear brush---now that's one Green Sexy idea!

Thoroughbred Racing Is Inhumane: Eight Belles and Other Horse Tragedies

I've learned more about thoroughbred racing in the past week than I've known my whole life---and what I've learned disturbs me.  Despite the "sport's" ardent supporters' claims to the contrary, this "sport of kings" seems largely cruel and inhumane.

First of all, let me relate the tale of the filly Eight Belles (a filly is a female horse 3 years old or younger)---the first filly to run against the male colts in the Kentucky Derby since 1999.  She put up a good show, finishing second in the race, but then she collapsed suddenly, having broken both front ankles; a freak occurence, according to race officials.  Eight Belles was euthanized on the spot by lethal injection.  On my local sports talk show on WHAM 1180, there were many callers who theorized that her injury may have been brought about by the fact that she was so young, or that she was inexperienced at racing such a long distance (the race is 1.24 miles).  Whatever the reason, seeing these majestic creatures suffer horrific injuries (ie.- Barbaro) because of our human whim for racing and gambling is just appalling.  As Monical Ball from Peoria, Illinois wrote in a letter to USA Today (Tuesday, May 13, 2008):  "In what other sport would we so happily watch a living being be whipped to make him or her perform better?"  Well put, Monica!

Of course, thoroughbred racing has its defenders---Missy Apmann of Barrington Hills, Illinois wrote in a letter to USA Today (same date):  "...those directly involved with the horses have the best intentions...Eight Belles has not died in vain.  She is a tribute and celebration of the equine spirit."  Yes, Missy---Eight Belles is, in fact, a spirit now.  And as far as those directly involved with the horses having the best intentions, I'm sure there definitely are those who, in Seabiscuit-like fashion, would live and die for their horses, but because of the profit-motive, there are also a lot of scumbags in the "sport" that value their horses only as long as they bring in a dollar value.  Otherwise, it's not economically feasible to care for them, to feed them, to house them, and to train them. 

One thing that American thoroughbred trainers are guilty of is pumping their horses full of drugs as part of their training regimen (harken back to the East German Olympic Athletes or to today's baseball players).  A guest on a recent Newshour interview remarked that "I think the American racing community is, like, addicted to the use of drugs. They -- I don't think trainers would know how to train without them." 

For some reason, Europeans and the Japanese pay top dollar for horse meat.  The May 12, 2008 edition of Realsports on HBO profiled how (some) thoroughbred owners sell off horses who aren't fast or profitable enough to "killer buyers" who transport these horses to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada (it's illegal to slaughter racehorses for meat in the United States).  Concerned horse lovers attend these meat auctions and buy up as many horses as they can, sometimes for just a few hundred bucks, so they can save them from the slaughterhouses and put them up for adoption.  It was just gutwrenching to see these stately creatures getting shot with a bolt gun to the head (multiple times in some cases), getting shot at close range with a shotgun, being strung up while still alive and being gutted, or being stabbed in the spine with a dagger in a Mexican slaughterhouse.  When Realsports reporter Bernard Goldberg later confronted a trainer on why he sold his thoroughbred to a slaughterhouse, the trainer tried to disavow any knowledge of the practice, saying "I don't want to know."  It was brought up in this episode how it is not feasible to adopt out all of the thoroughbreds because there simply aren't enough adoptees adopters, but that thoroughbred owners can pay a $60 fee to have their old horses euthanized "humanely", which is the lesser of two evils when considering their fate in a slaughterhouse. 

Overall, it's just a shame that any of this has to happen.  Can't we humans be satisfied with watching our fellow man engage in sport?  Why do we further have to exert our mastery over the "lower animals" for our entertainment?  Haven't we already done enough damage to our animal brothers and sisters?  Feel free to send a message to your congressman regarding holding hearings on "Problems in Thoroughbred Racing" via PETA's online petition.       

Whale Wars

Animal Planet will air a program entitled Whale Wars this fall.  Whale Wars is about Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's members' efforts to interfere with Japanese whaling expeditions.  In one episode, members toss rancid butter onto the deck of a Japanese whaling vessel to make the decks slippery and to spoil the whale meat and two even boarded the vessel, creating an international incident.  The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's actions are not always condoned by other conservation organizations; The International Whaling Commission, a society that protects whales, has been critical of Sea Shepherd's dangerous actions. 

The show is one-sided---there's no attempt made to get the Japanese side of the story, but how can one possibly justify whaling in the modern world?  What, are we trying to get oil from their blubber to light our lamps at night?  It is true that there are many fish in the sea, so concentrate on catching fish, not whales, which are highly-intelligent mammals!  Do I condone Sea Shepherd's radical tactics that they employ in the defense of whales?  If their actions help bring an end to whaling, then yes. 

If you're still wrestling with the "Well, what about people's livelihoods?" argument to whaling, then watch this video from my previous post "Japanese Whaling---Killing a Mother and Calf" and then tell me what you think! 

Navy Sonar Detrimental to Whales and Dolphins

Here's a blurb from a CBS News article:

"The Navy Must abide by limits on its sonar training off the southern California coast because the exercises could harm dozens of species of whales and dolphins, a federal appeals court ruled.  The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday night rejected the Navy's appeal of restrictions that banned high-powered sonar within 12 miles of the coast and set other limits that could affect Navy training exercises to begin this month.  Also on Friday, a federal judge in Hawaii issued a similar ban for that state's coastline."

According to the article, the Navy itself acknowledged that high-powered sonar may cause hearing loss and other injuries to marine mammals. The following NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) video entitled "Lethal Sounds" cites many cases of whales and dolphins beaching themselves shortly after sonar exercises were conducted.

Japanese Whaling---Killing a Mother and Calf.

I saw the news story on this yesterday and I am so disturbed.  Somehow the Japanese whaling vessel in this video is associated with "research"---how is killing whales advancing our understanding of this species?!?  Former Midnight Oil frontman and Australia's current Environment Minister Peter Garrett has blasted the Japanese for their brutal practices and is seeking diplomatic action to put an end to what is termed to be "scientific whaling".