A new relationship with animals, nature and each other.

The Conundrum

To criticize this book, as many have done, for not offering solutions is like complaining to the crew of The Titanic that they haven’t told us what we can do to help keep the ship afloat.

That’s because the new “green” alternatives aren’t really doing anything to cut back on our consumption of energy. Rather, as with most forms of “progress”, they enable more people to become consumers, and we all end up simply consuming more energy than ever.

Marineland’s Intimidation Tactics

It’s a tactic that’s typical of corporations whose employees start blowing the whistle: Threaten a giant lawsuit. Marineland, the Canadian zoo that’s been the subject of…

Wildlife to Israel: "Tear Down This Wall."

The Israeli government is considering pleas from wildlife groups in Israel and Palestine to do something that will give local wildlife a way through the separation barrier between the two countries that’s now approaching it’s tenth anniversary.

The impassable barrier, part wall, part series of barbed wire fences, that stretches for 490 miles, was designed to keep Palestinians out of Israel. But like so many other separation barriers that nations have erected against each other over the centuries, it’s devastating to the other animals for whom these boundaries are meaningless.

From Albert Camus

“Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.” From “The Rebel” by French novelist and philosopher Albert Camus.

The Four Types of Elephant Personality

A new study of a herd of elephants in Africa has begun the process of classifying their personalities. The scientists looked at four dimensions of personality: Leadership, Gentleness, Playfulness and Reliability.

One thing they found is that among elephants, leadership is established not by dominance but by the respect gained in showing intelligence and solving problems.

Why Sandy Won’t Change Anything

A vast storm shuts down the largest population area of the United States. Millions of people are without power, transportation, even their homes. New York’s Gov. Cuomo says it seems like “we have a 100-year flood every two years now … We have a new reality when it comes to these weather patterns.”

So, do we now “get it” that huge changes are now taking place on our planet?

Count Dracula’s Kitties

Count Azul would love a little taste of your neck. He and his fellow Counts, below, were some of my favorite rescued kitties looking for good homes one October, several years ago, when I was part of Best Friends Animal sanctuary.

How Nonhumans Vote

How do nonhuman animals vote for which direction to go in? The animal “kingdom” turns out to be much more of an animal democracy – and, in many respects, a lot more democratic than most human so-called democracies.

Noc, Noc, Who’s There?

There’s lots of talk this week about a “talking” beluga whale who died five years ago at a U.S. Navy facility. And it’s all grist to…