President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to ban new oil and gas leasing

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to ban new oil and gas leasing on America’s federal public lands and waters on Day One of his administration.

Nearly a quarter of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from public lands due to coal mining and oil and gas drilling. We can’t keep leasing public lands to the fossil fuel industry and have any chance of reducing emissions or seriously confronting the climate crisis.

And due to Trump’s executive orders of undermining the Environmental Protection Act, along with the Water Protection Act. Big companies such as BP and Keystone, are free to muddy our waters with chemicals. Whilst also spewing poisonous gases into our ozone layer.

Just because Biden pledged to halt and undo Trump’s actions doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll DO. Let’s make him keep his words. By using our voices and signature.

Sign the petition and share.

Urge President-elect Biden to keep dirty fossil fuels in the ground

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Blue-Green Algae That Can Kill Dogs Has Just Been Found in New York City Parks

BY JOSIAH BATES

AUGUST 26, 2019

A toxic blue-green algae that is potentially lethal to dogs has been found in three New York City park ponds––the latest place it’s cropped up after leaving a trail of sick and dead pets across North Carolina, Texas and Georgia.

According to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the blue-green algae was found in two Central Park ponds and another pond in Prospect Park.

Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, is a microorganism that is caused by high nutrients, stagnant water, high temperatures and low oxygen, according to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

“Algae is a natural occurrence that blooms heavily in warm weather and sunlight. Most urban ponds have water high in nutrients like phosphorus, which encourage algae growth,” a statement said. “Most algae are harmless and are important parts of aquatic ecosystems, but blooms that produce blue-green algae (BGA) can be toxic.”

Read more here: https://time.com/5662203/blue-green-algae-kill-dogs-new-york/

Common Sense Gun Laws

Guns are dangerous in the wrong hands, no matter how much some would like to think otherwise. The fact remains we do need more common-sense gun laws and control.

We need to ban assault rifles, for civilian use. Ak47(WASR-10), Remington, M4, and M16 just to name a few, should not be accessible for civilians. Especially, those who are mentally unstable. Who are not only a danger to themselves, yet to others as well.

Those with a criminal background should be disallowed from purchasing and owning, those who are unstable should be denied. Thorough background checks need to be done.

Weapons Dealers (private sellers) sorry to say should have a license to sell and carry and be registered. As well as take classes to notice the signs of instability. I say this because of the constant mass shootings happening over the past few years. Everyone who owns or plans to purchase needs to register themselves.

This will cut crimes in half and make police work more efficient. By way of finding the owners faster during a shootout investigation.

These are consequences for horrid actions. I know I can’t be the only one tired of these travesties. Human life is precious, just like all life is.

Quite frankly, I don’t care for the NRA since they really have not been doing their true job. Which is supposed to mainly be for gun safety education. Yet lately it has been for lobbying on gun rights and ownership. instead of trying to place common-sense laws.

Truthfully I doubt they care about public safety anymore since they have been a big buyer for anti-law bills.

In order to fight for common-sense laws, people need to attend town meetings with facts and a calm demeanor.

Let me make this perfectly clear I’m not saying take guns away. I’m saying ban assault rifles that have been the biggest part of mass shootings. Assault rifles have been banned before during the Clinton administration and the massacres/gun violence WAS at an all-time low. We need to implement that law again for the populace’s safety.

We will work on a plan, statement for our area to present. When done we will share it here for others to use as a foothold for public safety.

Petition: Save Jax Beach Baby Sea Turtles from certain deaths because of Artifical Light

Petition by Casey Jones

The City of Jacksonville Beach and Beach Energy are refusing to protect endangered and threatened nesting mother sea turtles and baby sea turtle hatchlings by ignoring the effect of light pollution (artificial light) used along their beach shoreline.  Parking lots adjacent to beach accesses and right next to the sand dunes have 25-30 foot light poles with super bright light LED light bulbs, which is against Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Sea Turtle Protection Rules.  FWC rules state that only amber LED Sea Turtle Friendly lights are to be used that close to the beach.

Light Pollution (artificial light) is so bright on Jacksonville Beach that it is detering nesting mother sea turtles from coming ashore to lay their eggs, this is called a “False Crawl.”  When a mother sea turtle tries multiple times to nest and the beach is too bright, she will get stressed and deposit her eggs in the ocean, killing the baby sea turtles instantly.  It is a shame that the baby sea turtles do not have a fighting chance of survival. 

If the mother sea turtle does by small chance nest, research has proven that illegal lights along beaches will cause hatchlings to become disoriented and travel away from the ocean, towards artificial lights and sadly they lose their chance of survival. 

Jacksonville Beach Sea Turtle Lighting Ordinance is not up to date with FWC guidelines and has been out of date for over a decade.  We are demanding that the city update their ordinance and make Beaches Energy change out the illegal lights in the parking lots and down First Street.

To prevent sea turtle deaths caused by light confusion we encourage Jacksonville Beach to update their Lighting Ordinance to FWC compliance just like in neighboring Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach.  Ordinances like these prevent thousands of sea turtle deaths each year. The ordinance is needed to protect the endangered and threatened sea turtles who use Jacksonville Beach to nest and hatch a vital new generation. 

Help me get the word out and give these mothers and little babies a fighting chance to nest and live – sign and share the petition today, please.

Petition: Save the Jax Beach Turtles

Dangerous Foods To Avoid

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol. If you suspect that your pet has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

Avocado

Avocado is primarily a problem for birds, rabbits, donkeys, horses, and ruminants including sheep and goats. The biggest concern is for cardiovascular damage and death in birds.  Horses, donkeys and ruminants frequently get swollen, edematous head and neck.

Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine

These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee, and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Citrus

The stems, leaves, peels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants contain varying amounts of citric acid, essential oils that can cause irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression if ingested in significant amounts. Small doses, such as eating the fruit, are not likely to present problems beyond minor stomach upset.

Coconut and Coconut Oil

When ingested in small amounts, coconut and coconut-based products are not likely to cause serious harm to your pet. The flesh and milk of fresh coconuts do contain oils that may cause stomach upset, loose stools or diarrhea. Because of this, we encourage you to use caution when offering your pets these foods. Coconut water is high in potassium and should not be given to your pet.

Grapes and Raisins

Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. Until more information is known about the toxic substance, it is best to avoid feeding grapes and raisins to dogs.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Milk and Dairy

Because dogs do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other dairy-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Nuts

Nuts, including almonds, pecans, and walnuts, contain high amounts of oils and fats. The fats can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in pets.

Onions, Garlic, Chives

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets and humans. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.

Salt and Salty Snack Foods

Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. As such, we encourage you to avoid feeding salt-heavy snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and salted popcorn to your pets. 

Xylitol

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Yeast Dough

Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach to bloat, and potentially twist, becoming a life threatening emergency. The yeast produces ethanol as a by-product and a dog ingesting raw bread dough can become drunk.

Sources: American Veterinarians Association, HSUS, ASPCA, WebMD- pets.

Shelters Experience Alarming Rates Of Lost Pets

Throughout the USA shelters are experiencing an alarming rate of lost pets, since the start of the 4th of July. Even though, advocates and shelter PR personnel have placed information on how to keep companion animals safe. It is apparent that the information fell on deaf ears.

In a majority of states, media reports have also circulated animal injuries and deaths due to irresponsible use of fireworks and neglecting the companion’s anxiety levels.

It’s 2019 and it seems that people are continuing to be ignorant of facts. Which places animals lives in immediate harm. When will a majority of people learn that even animals have emotions, feelings, and mental health disorders?

These neglectful actions are taken a toll on precious lives. We as a community must band together, to once again educate the masses on companion care.

In the days to come, we will be working on just that. By way of information posts pertaining to animal care, animal training, and animal health.

As of now, shelters are asking for owners to come forward to claim their family members. Therefore, if you have lost a companion animal please check the shelters.

Fourth Of July And Pets

Please be aware that on the 4th of July Companions are the most vulnerable. On this day, Companions go missing, due to the loud noises of fireworks going off. It is the highest percentage of missing companions of any other holiday.

In order to prevent this from happening, precautions are a must. Microchipping pets should be a priority and if you can’t microchip, there are alternatives.

Having a collar and tag with your address and phone number is a must. Keeping your companions inside in a safe secluded room, with food and water. Tv or radio on to drown out the loud noise. Have toys as well.

Make them comfortable as possible to make them feel safer.

Companions are family and we must do everything we can to prevent harm. This goes for any and all types of companions.

Have a happy fourth and remember to stay safe.