All posts filed under: Eco/ Activism

Use #YourPower!

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Truth be told, even though I’m still personally involved as ever, activist posts have taken a bit of a backseat here on Lifestyle Counter. This, however, is something I am really passionate about & wanted to share with and, hopefully, get all of you lovely people involved in – so here goes… Many of you may have heard about Earth Hour before, some of you may have not. In the words of WWF: Earth Hour is a worldwide grassroots movement to unite people to take action for the planet. Engaging a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues, Earth Hour was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage hundreds of millions of supporters, individuals and organisations alike, in more than 7000 cities and towns in over 162 countries and territories worldwide. And since images always speak louder than words, here’s the official campaign video for 2015: Now, I’ve been a part of this since the very beginning (of it going global, …

‘Breaching’ for Joy…

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Here’s the latest (non beauty/fashion/design etc.) piece of news I’m hugely excited about, having signed countless online petitions about it throughout the years! Finally someone took action to stop Japan’s annual “scientific” whaling expedition and expose it for what it really is – a cover for continued commercial hunting. With the support of Humane Society International (HSI), Greenpeace and other environmental and animal rights NGOs, Australia took Japan to the United Nation’s International Court of Justice, which has now announced its ruling: Japan’s whaling is not scientific (and therefore illegal) and must stop immediately. Great news for everyone (but Japan, I suppose)! But there’s still lots to do… for both whales and other spieces. If you happen to be so inclined, you can start by clicking here (to become a HSI ‘Wildlife Defender’ and support future actions to end wildlife abuses around the world) or here (to join Greenpeace’s call for the defense of the Antarctic Ocean, by telling politicians to create a vast network of marine reserves to protect species like emperor penguins, minke …

World Wildlife Magazine

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Lately, I have been thinking about how I have totally neglected my ‘Eco/Activism’ posts – and need to rectify this ASAP. Just having checked my e-mail, I now have something that fits the bill and may interest some of you. WWF has recently released an app, for its new, quarterly ‘World Wildlife’ magazine, a publication dealing with a host of interesting issues. The second installment explores, amongst others: Myanmar (its people, economy & natural resources) Fun facts about the Parsons frog Recent efforts to protect the Amazon The lives of tigers, bears & whales Solar savings Cooking with bio-gas Individual perspectives on a variety of issues The environmental costs of cotton If user reviews on iTunes are anything to go by, the dedicated app is very well designed and makes browsing an absolute pleasure. According to WWF the free app edition is also available on Google Play (I have yet to suss it out though, so it might not yet be available in Greece) & Amazon Marketplace. And, if all else fails, issues are also …

Save the Orangutans

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Parts of Indonesia, the last remaining place on Earth where endangered orangutans, rhinos, elephants and tigers still roam free together are in danger. Local Government in Aceh, Sumatra plans to let mining and palm oil companies move in to decimate areas the size of a million football fields, in one of Indonesia’s most pristine and untouched forests. And it looks like the national Forestry Ministry will let the plan go ahead unless President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono steps in to reject it. The “Plan to kill Orangutans” petition on Avaaz currently features 1,253,542 signatures and will need to reach a total of 1,500,000. If you feel that it is imperative to stop greed & dirty politics from destroying one of the last few remaining pieces of paradise on earth you should add your name to the ever-growing list, here. Similar petitions can be found here, here & here.

Lucky Spindles

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Spindles is incredibly lucky to be alive. His mother, Michaela, a beautiful grey donkey, had been rescued from certain death after being abandoned in the desert. Blind, emaciated and with a broken leg, no-one knew she was about to have a baby – Spindles was a surprise to everyone. But the neglect she suffered meant his legs hadn’t formed properly. Spindles, was born prematurely, before his legs had the chance to form properly. They began to collapse under his weight until he could hardly stand. You can see in the picture how badly his legs were deformed, and twice a day, they are cast and bandaged to encourage them to straighten. Spindles has been making progress, but still has a long way to go before he’s out of the woods – and he needs all the support he can get. Wish him good luck in his recovery (and thank the team at Pegasus for their dedication to helping all donkeys and horses in need) by signing his virtual cast.  You can also consider donating to help …