Dumb and Destructive: Part 2!

First up on this list of dumb things is plastic. Americans discard 34 MILLION TONS of plastic every year and only 6.5% of it is recycled! The rest ends up in landfills, in the middle of the ocean, and in stomachs of animals. Yeah. Take for example, this whale with 450 pounds of it in his stomach. While marine animals have always had to deal with garbage (at least, since humans have been around), "death by plastic" is becoming a more common fate for them. And it doesn't affect just ocean dwellers, here are some more examples. So what's the solution? Recycle your plastic and don't litter! Also, please don't release balloons. I think I'll need a whole new post to really explore the destructive nature of plastics, so stay tuned for that in the near future. 

The all-time winner for "dumb and destructive" is this SUV lined in sharkskin. You heard me right! If you read the rest of the article I linked, you'll see they also use elephant skin! I'm not really sure what to say about that. Two animals who need protection, whose numbers are dwindling, and whose demise could cause terrible environmental repercussions, are being used to DECORATE A CAR'S INTERIOR. Oh, and they use alligator, crocodile, ostrich, python, and stingray, too. How incredibly stupid and wasteful. And what does the company head say about this? "Deal with it." I don't think I could have found anything more infuriatingly ridiculous if I tried. I hope you all appreciate my extensive efforts not to use any inappropriate language here! 

My last subject today will be fish pedicures. No, not pedicures for fish, especially because they don't have feet- pedicures by fish. This has been banned in several states because the fish cannot be sanitized between customers like ordinary instruments can. Another health concern is the bacteria associated with these fish that can potentially infect humans. Coupled with complaints of abuse by animal rights activists, the issue is now going to the US Supreme Court . I am going to call this "dumb" because A) I strongly believe animals should not be used for cosmetology of any kind and B) I think there are many far more pressing concerns in the world for courts and animal rights groups to be spending their time on. Like what, you ask? Hmm how about the loss of global biodiversity because of the mass extinction going on right now? Yeah, I think that's one that they should be a bit teensy-weensy more focused on...

Actually, it is. Losing biodiversity will affect us all. 

Well that's it for this post! Let me just say a special thanks to everyone who has been looking at my blog lately, I got a lot of views from my last post! (Maybe I'll have more Disney-themed posts in the future...) I really appreciate the attention guys, so I mean it when I say: thanks for reading! =) 

Dose of Disney Colors of the Wind

This time of year, instead of succumbing to the all-too-early Christmas songs, I love to listen to "The Colors of the Wind", from Disney's Pocahontas. If you've never heard it before, first of all, I'm sorry. Second of all, I was nice enough to put the video at the bottom of this post, so I'd recommend watching that before continuing on. 

"The Colors of the Wind" stories Pocahontas, a Native American princess, showing John Smith, an English settler, the beauty of nature. While no one can deny the romantic tone it sets between the two young protagonists, it also has a strong message of conservation. Let's take a look at some of the lyrics:  

"You think you own whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name."

Here, Pocahontas is emphasizing the value of every living thing, and more. It may seem funny that she is naming rocks, but the message stands that every piece of nature is important. She says that the Earth is not "dead", but in fact a living, thriving ecosystem. 

"Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest

Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth

Come roll in all the riches all around you

And for once, never wonder what they're worth."

Greed is one of Mother Nature's strongest foes. Mankind has relentlessly exploited her goods for our own use, and not always in a sustainable way, leading to devastating destruction (that we can see the results of in our planet's current state). In a clever play on words, Pocahontas calls aspects of nature "rich", but tells John Smith to enjoy them for their intrinsic value alone.   

"The rainstorm and the river are my brothers

The heron and the otter are my friends

And we are all connected to each other

In a circle, in a hoop that never ends"

Sound like another Disney song? Let me give you a hint- NAAAAAAAAH SAVENYAAAAAA!! (Hahaha yeah I have no idea how to spell that opening line...) This verse talks about the circle of life, as a continuous connection between all of nature. Again, Pocahontas includes living things and other environmental aspects too, such as the rainstorm and the river. 

"How high will the sycamore grow?

If you cut it down, then you'll never know

And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon

For whether we are white or copper skinned

We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains

We need to paint with all the colors of the wind"

The first two lines obviously talk about forest destruction, even though figuring out the maximum height of a tree shouldn't be the only reason you don't chop it down. The rest of the verse says "we need to be one with nature", no matter who you are. And if that doesn't preach conservation, I don't know what does! Just another reason to love Disney movies! 

Oh and here's the video for your viewing pleasure- it always gives me chills! Take notice of the conservation-y things Pocahontas does, like stopping John Smith from shooting a bear, and playing with hawks! And feel free to sing along, I won't judge.

As always, thanks for reading everyone! Comments are always appreciated.