Heather Spence, Marine Biologist

Below is a picture I took today off Isla Mujeres, Mexico, of the dorsal fin of a whale shark that was damaged by a boat propeller. Unfortunately, whale sharks get hit and hurt (sometimes fatally) by people in boats. Indeed, people being reckless or simply unaware can cause damage. To protect whale sharks, people will have to be the solution. Researchers are asking everyone who sees a whale shark to help. Individual fish can be identified by scars or by the unique pattern of spots behind their gills.  You can find out how to help researchers track whale sharks by going to the ECOCEAN website.

What we don’t understand about whale sharks would fill the oceans. Learning more about whale sharks will help us to coexist with them.

whale shark damaged fin

How can you help Cancun and its natural resources?  Go on vacation!!!  What with the media buzz on drug traffic and swine flu and the global economy, tourists have been avoiding Cancun. I’ve been there, though, and I can tell you that I didn’t have any problems at all. I’d still be there if I didn’t have these conferences. The big problem is actually the resulting economic downturn. People are losing their jobs, drastic measures are being taken, and the beaches are empty.  So go for it, there are deals, it is a great time to visit Cancun. Let me know and I’ll suggest places and people to visit. And send us pictures! 

Remember to turn your lights off this Saturday, from 8:30-9:30pm, your time, wherever you are in the world. This is a demonstration of our need to come up with solutions and ways to save energy, our natural resources, and the one and only planet that is our home. For more information about the hour and activities around the world, you can check out the earth hour website.

This is also an opportunity to enjoy the natural light of the earth, you might be surprised. Take the time to go outside and star and moon gaze. To participate in star counting research and other earth hour activities, and to learn more about light pollution, you can check out the website for the International Dark Sky Association.

Stay married and help the environment.

Talk about a win-win situation!  An Australian lawmaker proposes that once divorced, the former couple leads a more wasteful lifestyle. 

 :) makes sense.

Article here.

Despite pressures to introduce invasive species ON PURPOSE as a “solution” to environmental problems – scientists and conservation groups are making a clear case for, instead, supporting the natural environment and the native species.

Check out:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/Chesapeake_Bay/Foundation/prweb1471534.htm

And post or send me your comments on this issue

(also discussed in the Stay Tuned Network)

Why organic? Basically, why not? Why pay money for artificial fertilizers and pest controls when nature provides more effective ways to do the same thing? Age-old methods are winning back farmers and gardeners because they cost less and they do more! As insects become resistant to pesticides, soils get depleted by petroleum-based fertilizers, and people realize we are poisoning our world and ourselves, healthy alternative growing strategies are proving their time-honored effectiveness. Techniques such as rotating crops and composting to keep soil nutrients in balance, interplanting flowers with vegetables to control insects, mulching and planting natural ground covers to control weeds – these are smart ways for all of us to grow healthy, and minimize pollution of our environment and ourselves.

For more info check out:

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/Organic/

http://www.wasatchgardens.org/beingorganic.html

http://organicschoolproject.org/grow/garden-resources.htm

Selling seashells by the seashore is actually not such a great idea. Why? because 1) often the shells being sold were taken with live animals inside, 2) empty shells are important future homes for animals like hermit crabs; 3) some shells are from endangered species, 4) the usual “if you take it, it wont be there for the next person to see…,” 5) in some places it is illegal, 6) the remains of shells and corals and other organisms disintegrate to form the fine sand that forms beaches, and 7) selling them encourages the idea of touching and taking from the environment.

An alternative is making crafts from trash – bags from plastic labels, purses out of can flippy things – basically, reusing whatever is available. The materials are free, instead of harming the environment you are helping it, and – tourists will be happy to support a sustainable practice over a damaging one, and probably pay more for the item.

Programs to teach craft-making with trash are already being conducted, such as by the group Amigos de Isla Contoy.

http://www.islacontoy.org/

Not all forms of pollution are directly tangible.

Bright lights are known to be hazardous to human and ecosystem health. Focusing the light only where it is wanted, at the brightness wanted, not only helps the environment, security, and the enjoyment of the night sky, but it also saves electricity – and money!

Check out the International Dark Sky Association www.darksky.org