FREE RICE DOT COM

http://www.freerice.com/

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. Donate rice to starving humans by IMPROVING YOUR ENGLISH! Seriously, it’s a (really good) vocab game, and for every word you get right (they get harder!) they donate 20 grains of rice. That’s about 100 grains of rice per 1-2 minutes.

Conservation Cognitive Science

Please take a moment and examine your setting. Notice the things, perhaps on your wall or on your desk, or even the materials of your structure. Notice the environment that has been built by our fellow men and women, notice our interactions with these things, and the rules by which we interact with things. Imagine the tools that built the tools, that built these things; the departments through which each thing may have passed before arriving in your setting. Notice the expertise with which you use these things. The forces of humanity are strong and spectacular. Together, we have built a world that makes us intelligent, a culture that guides our interactions, and a consciousness that allows us to examine these forces.

For ten months I worked on an observational study of bonobos (Pan paniscus) at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I became immersed in their complex social interactions, in the ways they attended to one another and the ways they communicated with one another. These behaviors were so reminiscent of human behavior, it became a very difficult task to discern the two. But then, one day, as I sat on a friend’s sofa, I noticed the thing upon which I sat, and the television on which they played games with controllers on wires with buttons they knew how to push; and the music in the background. I noticed the structure in which I sat, the carpets on the floors, the windows on the walls, the sink where dishes were placed to be later put in the dish washing machine – and I saw the difference in these things. But I also saw a male coalition, a game of strategy and coordination, displays, and communication.

These things that make us human are the often very things that jade our decisions, to the extent that we forget the power of our consciousness. We often assume superiority without examining the truth of this arrogance. It infiltrates the manner in which we conduct our government affairs, and can be seen in much of science where the question became “how human are they?” rather than “what complexities are at hand?”

In the year 2008 and the years to follow; we have a global problem to address and a tremendous opportunity to change the consciousness with which we interact with our world. The awareness of global warming has already begun to make these changes. Words like “eco-friendly”, “recycle”, “fair trade”, “carbon footprint”, and “organic” have infiltrated our households and have sparked a change in people to become aware of their co-existent state.

I am a conservation cognitive scientist. I strongly believe in the power of knowledge, and that knowledge can lead to co-existence. I run observational studies on beluga whales at SeaWorld in San Diego because I believe in the power of these studies to teach us about the social complexity of this intelligent cetacean species. The belugas are a widespread circumpolar species whose livelihood is in endangered by the realities of new shipping routes, fishing grounds, and oil fields, that will become available as the polar ice cap continues to melt. I believe that if we act now to document the complexities of beluga societies, we can use that knowledge to help educate an increasingly receptive human audience and create a global consciousness that will help to change the way we interact with our world.

Sustainable Seafood

I was curious about sustainable seafood….here’s what I found:

Three sad facts about our beautiful seas, shores and wildlife…

• Up to 75% of the world’s fish stocks are now fished to their limit or over-fished (FAO 2006) and just 10 fish species account for three-quarters of all seafood sold in the UK;
• We currently only have 3.3km square of our seas totally protected from all forms of extractive activities (eg. fishing, dredging, dumping) – less than 0.002%. Marine biologists recommend at least 20% should be totally protected;
• Over 1,900 items of litter are collected on an average kilometre of the UK beaches (Beachwatch 2006) - this rubbish eventually finds it’s way into the food chain.

10 easy ways to help the sea recover:

1. Choose sustainable seafood – Visit our website www.fishonline.org for advice on how to buy fish from sustainable fisheries and avoid over-fished species from unsustainable and damaging fisheries. For use when you are out and about, why not download the MCS pocket Good Fish Guide. Alternatively, email info@mcsuk.org to request a free hard copy, or to purchase the MCS Good Fish Guide book. 
   
2. Watch out for wildlife -Email us at info@mcsuk.org  to report your sightings of marine life to MCS, but keep your distance whether at sea or on shore. You can also become part of our Basking Shark Watch or Jellyfish Survey, and if you are a diver you can take part in Seasearch.
3. Take only memories, leave only footprints – on holiday don’t be tempted by souvenirs made from sea creatures unless you know they are a by-product of a local fishery.
4. Take only photos. leave only bubbles – when diving or snorkeling never stand on the reef, kick up sand or hang on to coral heads which can take over 100 years to grow. Our Underwater Photographers Code of Conduct is packed full of handy hints and advice, just email info@mcsuk.org to request a copy.
5. Turn the tide on litter – rubbish pollutes our beaches and entangles marine life. Always put rubbish in a bin or take it home. If you are interested in joining your local Beachwatch event or adopting a beach visit www.adoptabeach.org.uk 
6. Think before you flush – all drains lead to the sea so don’t flush cotton bud sticks, sanitary waste or toxic products down the toilet.
7. Say no to packaging – avoid over-packaged goods and reuse your plastic bags.
8. Reduce your carbon footprint and stop climate chaos – get on your bike, choose a fuel efficient car, use public transport and limit your international flights to reduce your carbon emissions.
   
9. Think global, act local – buy British or even better, local produce, and reduce the air miles and emissions linked with your weekly shop. Where possible, buy organic and environmentally friendly products.
10. Splash out – take part in our projects, become a supporter or make a donation and help MCS ensure the future for our seas. If you shop online at places like Amazon, Comet or John Lewis, then you can raise money for MCS without actually giving us a penny! See shop4mcs for more details.

This all came from http://www.mcsuk.org if you want to learn more!

Perception/Action

Perspective