BY LORENA PEREZ
2017 will be remembered as a year of extremes for the U.S. as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, fires and freezes claimed hundreds of lives and visited economic hardship upon the nation. Recovery from the ravages of three major Atlantic hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. and an extreme and ongoing wildfire season in the West is expected to continue well into 2018.
Below is a fuller picture of just how extreme last year was in the U.S. alone:
Full year 2017 | January-December
The average U.S. temperature in 2017 was 54.6 degrees F (2.6 degrees F above average), making 2017 the third warmest year in 123 years of record-keeping, according to scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. In fact, the five warmest years on record for the U.S. all have occurred since 2006.
2017 was also was the 21st consecutive year that the annual average temperature exceeded the average. For the third consecutive year, every state across the contiguous U.S. and Alaska experienced above-average annual temperatures.
Precipitation for the year totaled 32.21 inches (2.27 inches above the long-term average) ranking 2017 as the 20th wettest year and the fifth consecutive year with above-average precipitation. The national drought footprint (total area) began and ended with about one quarter of the Lower 48 states in drought. The drought footprint reached a low of 4.5 percent in May, the smallest drought footprint in the 18-year period of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The month of December ranked near the warmest third of the record, with an average temperature across the contiguous U.S. of 34.8 degrees F, 2.1 degrees above average. Much-above-average temperatures were observed across the Southwest with record warmth in parts of California and Arizona, while near- to below-average temperatures were observed across parts of the Great Plains, Midwest and Northeast. The month ended with record and near-record cold temperatures for many locations in the East. The precipitation total for the month was 1.55 inches (0.80 of an inch below normal), making it the ninth driest December on record and the driest in nearly three decades.
Last year, the U.S. experienced 16 weather and climate disasters each with losses exceeding $1 billion, totaling approximately $306 billion — a new U.S. record.
Far more tragic was the human toll. At least 362 people died and many more were injured during the course of the disasters that included:
1 freeze;
1 drought (affected multiple areas);
1 wildfire (affected multiple areas);
2 floods;
3 major hurricanes (Harvey, Irma and Maria); and
8 severe storms.
The biggest newsmakers include the western U.S. wildfires that caused damages tallying $18 billion — triple the previous U.S. record. Losses from Hurricane Harvey exceeded $125 billion, which ranked second only to Hurricane Katrina, the costliest storm in the 38-year period of record. Hurricanes Maria and Irma had total damages of $90 billion and $50 billion, respectively. Hurricane Maria now ranks as third costliest weather and climate disaster on record for the nation, with Irma coming in close behind as fifth costliest.
Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 219 weather and climate disasters that have exceeded $1.5 trillion in overall damages to date.
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
A dramatic rescue of two tortured sloth bears took place in Nepal on 19 December, 2017 by the Jane Goodall Institute of Nepal, with support from World Animal Protection and Nepali police.
These are the last two known Nepali owned, illegal ‘dancing bears’. Rangila (19 years) and Sridevi (17 years) were taken from their mother at an early age and forced to perform. Their owner pierced their noses with a burning hot rod and shoved a rope through it – to retain control of the large animals. Harsh training methods are used to make them submissive enough to perform for tourists.
With the help of local police, the bears were found in Iharbari, Nepal. The rescue was emotional for all involved. The bears were in an extremely distressed state; showing signs of psychological trauma such as cowering, pacing and paw sucking.
The bears are now on their way to be placed in the temporary care of Parsa National Park.
This is not the first time using bears for entertainment has been eradicated in an area and World Animal Protection has a 20-year history of working with local partners to end such cruelty. Seeing an end to bear dancing in Greece, Turkeyand India, the NGO is also close to phasing out bear baiting in Pakistan.
Neil D’Cruze, World Animal Protection said:
“Rangila and Sridevi have suffered for too long in captivity since they were poached from the wild. It’s extremely distressing to see animals being stolen from the wild and the sad reality is there are more wild animals suffering across the world, purely for the entertainment of tourists. I am pleased that for these two sloth bears at least; a happy ending is finally in sight.”
Manoj Gautam, Jane Goodall Institute of Nepal says:
“We are thrilled that the last two known Nepali dancing bears have been rescued from their lifetime of suffering. After a year of tracking them, using our own intelligence and in cooperation with local police, our hard effort and dedication has helped to bring an end to this illegal tradition in Nepal.”
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Duke University announced a $25 million gift from Jeff and Laurie Ubben.
Of the total, $20 million will support WWF’s wildlife conservation programs, and $5 million will support environmental research and education at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment.
The Ubbens’ gift will allow WWF to act on some of the most urgent global conservation issues, such as reducing the demand for illegal ivory in China, protecting wildlife and strengthening the ability of local communities to conserve the natural resources so critical to their livelihoods.
The gift also supports a partnership between WWF and Duke’s Nicholas School to identify novel solutions that support conservation and sustainable development, and make these new tools and approaches accessible to conservationists and environmental managers worldwide.
Jeff and Laurie Ubben are both alumni of Duke, and Jeff is a member of Duke’s Board of Trustees. They said their gift is inspired by their love of nature and their desire to leave a better planet for their children.
“Jeff and I feel strongly about protecting the environment,” said Laurie Ubben. “We’re energized by the important work WWF and Duke are doing to safeguard our planet. Now more than ever, we believe these initiatives must be supported.”
“Jeff and Laurie do not mess around when it comes to conservation,” said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. “You can see the difference their philanthropy has made in bringing the ivory trade to an end in key markets, and in bridging research with real world solutions. The Ubbens have sparked some of our most promising initiatives and partnerships. I’m grateful for their generosity and for their vision in driving sustainability at a scale that matters.”
“This far-sighted gift from two of Duke’s most dedicated alumni will enable us to pioneer a new model of collaboration between a university and a global conservation organization,” said Jeffrey Vincent, Stanback Dean of the Nicholas School. “I am especially excited by the opportunities it will create for our students, to be part of research and practice coming together to devise solutions for our planet’s toughest conservation problems. I am grateful to Jeff and Laurie for this remarkable investment in Earth’s future.”
For conscious beauty consumers who like shop at stores like Sephora, it can be difficult to find cosmetics, skin care, and haircare products that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and also not owned by parent companies that test on animals. So, I’m sharing my personal favorite brands for the conscious buyer below.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
BeautyBlender
COVER FX
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC)
WEN by Chaz Dean
For those who decide to not purchase items directly from Sephora, you can always go into the store to look at the products in person, take home samples, and then order online directly from the brand itself. I should also note that Sephora’s own brand of makeup is not cruelty-free or vegan!
The annual Status of U.S. Fisheries report from the National Marine Fisheries Service was released today—once again indicating positive progress for many U.S. fisheries. In 2014, six stocks came off the overfishing list and two stocks are no longer listed as overfished. The number of rebuilt fisheries is continuing to grow and the number of stocks overfished or subject to overfishing are at an all-time low.
“Today’s report shows what is possible when fishermen, conservationists and managers come together to chart a new course. The United States has become a global leader in sustainable fisheries management—bolstered by the strong legal framework of the bipartisan Magnuson-Stevens Act.
“Challenges remain in some U.S. fisheries, and too many coastal communities are still dealing with the damaging legacy of overfishing. But today’s report makes clear that we as a nation have turned the corner. Strong fisheries management policies grounded in science have led to more fish in U.S. waters, more stable coastal small-businesses, and more wild-caught seafood for the American public to enjoy. It’s a model of success that we must sustain here at home, and which should be an inspiration to those struggling to combat the specter of overfishing around the world.”
In response to actions taken on Thursday by Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto to save the endangered vaquita porpoise, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released the following statement from President and CEO Carter Roberts:
“This could be the first big marine mammal extinction in North America in the 21st century. President Peña Nieto’s policies will go a long way to save the vaquita. Mexico uniquely leads in protecting vaquita habitat, but we know Mexico can only succeed in shutting down the illegal totoaba trade if key markets also do their part, including the US and China.”
Pamela Anderson is going to jail—not to serve time but to serve lunch. The PETA honorary director will join Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in helping inmates prepare and serve lunch in the country’s first all-vegetarian jail. Anderson and PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews will cite Phoenix as a model as they urge jail and prison administrators across the country to drop meat in exchange for healthy, cost-effective meals that save money and teach inmates empathy.
“I believe people can be rehabilitated from the inside out,” says Anderson, a long-time vegan. “Jails are full of people wanting to change, and learning healthier daily habits and embracing compassion are a great way to do that.”
Eliminating meat from jails saves Maricopa County taxpayers over $200,000 each year, vastly reduces refrigeration costs, and results in healthier meals that don’t spoil as quickly as those made from animal products. Last week, the federal panel charged with making official dietary suggestions recommended a vegan diet for the first time. Sheriff Arpaio, whose jail holds 8,300 inmates, says, “When other jails and prisons see how dropping meat boosts the health of inmates while saving taxpayers money, I think they’ll consider adopting the policy.”
PETA has helped “veganize” menus at universities, corporations, and sports arenas and, using Maricopa County as a model, will formally approach other jails and prisons across the country.
Growing concern over the use of palm oil and its connection to deforestation and species extinction lead the Ferrero Group to reconsider its use of the ingredient in Nutella products in 2013. However, later that year, the company realized that they could have the best of both worlds, as they learned that there is a way to reduce the overall impact palm oil has on our rainforests and endangered wildlife. That’s when the company decided to make a commitment to only use palm oil that was traceable to zero deforestation. What’s even more exciting is that in 2015, Ferrero already reached their sustainable palm oil target, as Nutella and other Ferrero Rocher chocolates ONLY use 100% segregated sustainable palm oil. Here’s why we’re celebrating the progress:
Ferrero’s palm oil supplies now meet the standards of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which requires the oil to be traceable from certified sustainable plantations. That means no animals or forests were harmed in the making!
In November 2013, Ferrero partnered with the non-profit organization TFT to launch the Ferrero Palm Oil Charter, which is a pledge aimed at addressing the leading causes of deforestation, and educating the public on this growing worldwide concern.
Ferrero committed to monitoring their suppliers to prevent negative practices including the clearing of high-carbon forests.
So, now you can all enjoy Nutella with a clean conscience, knowing you have made a safe and sustainable purchase in an effort to help protect endangered species and save the environment!
Are you excited Ferrero reached its sustainable palm oil target? Tweet About it!
@Nutella now uses 100% sustainable and fully traceable palm oil to help fight deforestation! http://bit.ly/19cIMsB
An even better reason to love @Nutella! They care about wildlife and protecting the rainforest! http://bit.ly/19cIMsB #SustainablePlamOil
Thank you @Nutella for your efforts to help our rainforest and providing us with safe and sustainable food choices!
With the NBA playoffs only a few short weeks away, fans have a new reason to celebrate: PETA’s ranking of the Top Five Vegetarian-Friendly NBA Arenas. And as NBA legend John Salley announces in a new video posted this week on PETA’s website, Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Raptors, snagged third-place honors this year for a palate-pleasing spread that includes veggie dogs, black-bean burritos, taco salads, and vegetable sushi. The Hot Stove Club offers still more options, including tempura vegetables and cauliflower steak, and the suites serve up chilled Vietnamese summer rolls, falafel, and vegetarian fajitas.
“Raptors fans never have to go far on game day for a scrumptious, animal-friendly meal,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “As more NBA stadiums than ever get on the ball with delicious vegan snacks, PETA is calling on others to join the cruelty-free charge.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—awarded the top spot to American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks and a summer vegetable and tofu flatbread. Second place went to Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the vegetarian portobello mushroom burger. The Portland Trail Blazers’ Moda Center took fourth place for its to-die-for vegan farro kale pesto salads. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Quicken Loans Arena earned the fifth spot with its Thai tofu stir-fry and vegan hot dogs.
Each winner will receive a framed certificate.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
NEON WILDE 