How to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims the Right Way

With the recent and ongoing tragedy in Texas, it is crucial that we, as fellow human beings, acknowledge our helping abilities and lend a hand to those being affected. One common way for us to provide assistance to Hurricane Harvey victims is by donating funds that can be used to not only help citizens, but animals as well. However, it is equally imperative that we ensure the organizations that we donate to are sound and justly use their donations.

One of the most popular nonprofit organizations that people immediately donate to following disasters is the American Red Cross. Although the nonprofit’s accountability can not be completely verified, there have been numerous reports over the years that the American Red Cross has had many relief failures for disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and the Haiti earthquake. In fact, an investigation in 2015 led by NPR revealed that the nonprofit failed to demonstrate how they spent the $488 million raised for the Haiti earthquake.

With such speculation present, it is safer that we donate funds to smaller and local charities. After researching various charities, I have compiled a small list of charities I found to be reputable and trustworthy. Undoubtedly, there are several other charities that are also trustworthy and should also receive donations. If you stumble upon another charity that is not listed here, just be sure to research a bit about the charity and verify its authenticity and efficiency!

Such research can be completed using Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org.

Here is also a good resource for deciding how to donate to the right charity: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2017/08/30/spirit-texas-giving-get-taken-harvey-scam

General Relief: Shelter, Food, Medical Care

1. Global Giving (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-harvey-relief-fund/): Funds raised will first be directed to immediate needs, such as food, water, and shelter. Remaining funds will be focused on long-term transitional and recovery efforts.
2. Samaritan's Purse (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-harvey/): International relief that is accepting funds and volunteers for relief purposes.
3. Save the Children (https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9534757/k.CB79/Hurricane_Harvey_Relief_Fund/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp): International non-profit that is providing relief supplies to children and their families.
4. United Way of Greater Houston (https://www.unitedwayhouston.org/flood/flood-donation/): Non-profit that is assisting with storm-related needs and recovery.
5. Houston Food Bank: (https://secure3.convio.net/hfb/site/Donation2?df_id=8530&mfc_pref=T&8530.donation=form1): Local food bank providing food and water to victims.

Animals

1. Houston SPCA (http://www.houstonspca.org/give/): Nonprofit providing animal-related disaster rescue, relief, and resources.
2. Houston Humane Society (https://www.houstonhumane.org/(Give)/giving/general-donation): Providing care, such as food, shelter, and medical attention, for affected animals.

Environment

1. Sierra Club Foundation: (https://www.teamsierra.org/MyCampaign/?rbref=I17HZZHW05) A nonprofit focused on mitigating “the hurricane’s environmental effects - from chemical hazards to structural damage - and support urgent relief efforts.”

Trump’s Environmental Agenda Series (Part 1): Positions and Recent Rollbacks

President Trump has made it strikingly apparent before and throughout his presidency that he does not believe in climate change and does not support environmental protection actions, despite the overwhelming amount of scientific evidence and research that proves otherwise. Unfortunately, Trump has already acted upon his wrongly-supported beliefs and has several more rollback plans. The first step, and perhaps one of the most imperative, in acting against Trump’s lack of care for the environment, sustainability, and the health of his people, is being informed and educated on specific matters regarding Trump’s environmental agenda and executive actions. Trump’s plans and actions are fairly extensive, so I will try my absolute best to cover as much as I can, while trying to also be concise.

To contribute my part, I will be starting a series on this blog that will provide information on and will also discuss Trump’s environmental agenda and plans, along with actions that can be taken to combat such rollbacks.

First, let’s discuss a few of Trump’s positions on the environment and climate change (some with the addition of my counter-arguments)

1. Via twitter on November 6, 2012, Trump notoriously tweeted that climate change was a concept created by China solely to “make U.S manufacturing non-competitive”. Since then, Trump has continuously expressed a disbelief in climate change and the fact that human-impact is a significant cause of it.
2. Trump does admit and support that water is a threatened source and has expressed a determination to ensure that clean water is accessible to everyone. Here is what he stated on Science Debate: “We must make the investment in our fresh water infrastructure to ensure access to affordable fresh water solutions for everyone. We must explore all options to include making desalinization more affordable and working to build the distribution infrastructure to bring this scarce resource to where it is needed for our citizens and those who produce the food of the world."   However, it is important to note that Trump fails to acknowledge that water is a scarcity due to human actions, such as climate change and industrialization, both of which Trump has rarely spoken of. Yet, Trump has already failed to keep this promise. (See Recent
   Rollbacks)
3. Trump is also an avid supporter of coal, despite the plethora of evidence that demonstrates how coal is energy inefficient and poses detrimental effects on our air and water. Trump mainly supports the coal industry and has vowed to restore it, as he relates doing so to saving jobs, which is one of his huge campaign promises. In fact, Trump has already enforced actions that threaten clean energy alternatives. Yet, not surprisingly, Trump has failed to see that the clean energy industry is more promising and is growing more than the fossil fuel industry. For example, the solar industry is growing annually at a rate of 20%, and wind energy industry increased by 32% in 2016. Furthermore, according to the 2017 U.S Energy and Employment Report, "nearly 1 million Americans are working near or full-time in the energy efficiency, solar, wind, and alternative vehicles sectors. This is almost five times the current employment in the fossil fuel electric industry, which includes coal, gas, and oil workers."
      
   
   

Although Trump has several other positions on the environment, next, let’s discuss the actions that Trump and his administration have already enforced. Please note that this list is not fully complete. To see a complete list click the following links:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/how-trump-is-changing-science-environment/

https://www.edf.org/blog/2017/06/14/what-has-trump-done-environment-so-far-quick-rundown

1. Trump and his administration have enforced censoring on the Official White House website and on the EPA website. The White House website no longer includes information or a section dedicated to climate change. Other imperative causes, such as civil rights, LGBT community, and people with disabilities, have also been removed. The EPA’s official website has also been dramatically altered. Much information regarding climate change, such as research and regulations, have been removed, despite the fact that such information was present on the website for two decades since 1997. Check out the difference between the current EPA website (https://www.epa.gov) and the archived website (https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climatechange_.html)
2. Trump most recently overturned Obama’s executive order that ensured new federally-funded projects were to abide to the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, a standard that was set to reduce to risk of future flood damage. Trump has overturned this imperative rule in order to reduce the process involved when implementing new federal infrastructure. Trump’s executive order occurs during a time in which Hurricane Harvey demonstrates the necessity of flood prevention. In addition, such a rollback threatens the safety of U.S cities in the upcoming years, where projected rises in sea levels will dramatically increase the likelihood of floods. National Geographic states that since 1993, sea level has raised approximately 3.25 inches and is expected to rise one to four feet by the end of the century.
3. In February 2017, Trump contradicted his supposed commitment to clean water by overturning a regulation that prevented coal mining debris from being dumped into nearby streams. Trump has also contradicted his commitment to clean water by beginning to repeal the Clean Water Rule. The Clean Water Rule was finalized by Obama and his administration in 2015 to clarify federal jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. Once the Clean Water Rule was finalized, it ensured and expanded protection of two millions miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands.
4. On August 2, 2017, the EPA finalized its decision to delay Obama’s ozone regulations. In 2015, Obama declared the national standard of ozone to be at 70 parts per billion (ppb). (However, please note that ozone at 70 ppb is still considered detrimental to human health.)  Ozone is a secondary air pollutant that is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) undergo chemical reactions in the presence of sunlight. Ozone has been shown to cause many health effects, such as chest pain and lung irritation, and can worsen pre-existing lung conditions such as bronchitis and asthma.

The unfortunate truth is that Trump’s presidency still continues to pose threats to our current environmental progress and the future protection of our people, wildlife, and planet. I will continue to provide updates as these actions occur. However, it is important that hope and determination are retained in our spirits. There is so much that is being done by advocates, and so much that still can be done. Let us all find the many ways in which we can contribute our part, whether it be by small steps, such as implementing sustainability in our everyday lives, or larger steps by pursuing careers dedicated to environmental protection. Let us all make a pledge to secure a better future for all.  I plan on contributing my part by spreading awareness through my blog and social media, participating in advocacy work and groups on my college campus, and pursuing a career in environmental protection.

If you have read this far, thank you for demonstrating your care for this planet and its beings. Stay tuned for a post regarding Hurricane Harvey and what can be done to help Texas citizens.

Sources:

http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-climate-change-global-warming-environment-policies-plans-platforms-2016-10

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-coal-rivers-regulation-scrapped-law-a7584916.html

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/27/politics/trump-climate-change-executive-order/index.html

http://time.com/4447586/trump-coal-industry-energy/

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/lara-ettenson/us-clean-energy-jobs-surpass-fossil-fuel-employment

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/how-trump-is-changing-science-environment/

https://www.edf.org/blog/2017/06/14/what-has-trump-done-environment-so-far-quick-rundown

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/06/27/trump-administration-to-propose-repealing-rule-giving-epa-broad-authority-over-water-pollution/?utm_term=.111e82b6dad7

What Trump's Presidency Means for Environmental Protection

Today was the day. I don't think there are any words that can even remotely explain the fear and sadness I am currently feeling, which I am sure are feelings that are largely shared at the moment. Today is the day that an incompetent and temperament man was inaugurated as president. A man who shaped his entire political campaign on the basis of degrading people from diverse backgrounds and by degrading essentially everything that America stands for. In addition to his lack of professionalism and experience, this man has made it his uttermost mission to appoint cabinet members who will serve his personal interests, not America. Here is a bit about Trump’s pick for the EPA:

Environmental Protection Agency:

For head of the EPA, that is, the agency specifically developed for the purpose of protecting our environment and ensuring clean air, water, and energy, Trump has appointed Scott Pruitt. Pruitt has consistently disregarded the fact that human impact is responsible for climate change, and vows to uphold Trump’s unbelievable environmental plans. Trump and Pruitt are seeking, and pledging for that matter, to reverse all of the progress former President Obama has made in the battle against climate change. Just to name a few of Obama's environmental accomplishments:

• Expanded the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to 490,000 square miles
• Raised fuel-emission standards 54.5 mpg by the year 2025
• Supported the Clean Power Plan, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions from factories and plants by 2050
• Used the Antiquities Act 23 times to create national monuments of important lands
• Established the Pollinator Health Task Force, a group of the EPA who aim to restore to honey bee to sustainable levels by 2025.
• Signed a ban on microbeads, making their production illegal

Trump and Pruitt, for whatever ignorant reason, believe that the environment and its sustainability are not important. Trump has referred to the EPA as a disgrace, and has even claimed that we can destroy the environment, but we can not destroy businesses.

Here are some of their plans:

• Prevent the passing of the Clean Power Plan
• Decrease limits on methane emissions from oil and gas drilling
• Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline
• Cancel the Paris Agreement, which is a monumental agreement of over 200 nations to reduce emissions.
• Greatly expand the use of fossil fuels, and to expand fossil fuel drilling

Everything that this country stands for and has fought for, such as racial and gender equality, environmental protection, and health care rights, is threatened in every manner possible. I truly fear about what is to become of this country.
But I have had enough time to heal. Over two months have passed since I cried uncontrollably on November 8th while I watched him win state after state. Since then, I have had the time to reflect on what is to become, but most importantly, I have gained enough time to gather my strength and retain my hope of making America truly better. These next four years will be incredibly hard, and we all need to acknowledge it. We will face obstacle after obstacle, as we watch our "President" make and enforce unfavorable decisions. We will have to watch as our progress is reversed and we will have to watch as an intolerance accumulates.
But we will not just stand, and allow ourselves to merely be bystanders to the inhumane occurrences that are soon to come. We will fight. We will fight continuously and passionately, just as every other change-maker has done throughout history. We will hold on to our hope, and find every outlet to stand up and fight for our rights. We will not give up. I encourage anyone and everyone to pursue every opportunity they have to fight for what we deserve. Now is the time to fully pursue our civil responsibilities, and to ensure that America upholds to its projection of democracy.

Let’s enlighten ourselves on what is occurring in politics. Let’s make sure that we protest and refute against proposed injustices. Let’s engage ourselves in advocacy groups and non-profits. Let’s be the great change-makers we are capable of being.

We thought this was the end. It's not. It's the most granting opportunity for us to fully initiate our revolution. This is the start of the most passionate, committed, and outspoken group of concerned citizens that we have every seen. Let’s do this.

Environmental Propositions for 2016 Elections

Happy Sunday everyone!

We all know the imperativeness of this upcoming presidential election (which is only two days away!!) due to the large division of support between the two primary candidates. But, we must remind ourselves that this election is also important due to the many propositions on the ballot that will greatly determine various policies at the federal, state, and local level. Particularly, there are two propositions on this year's ballot that will drastically affect the environment for California and Los Angeles residents, respectively. Check them out!

Proposition 67: Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags: VOTE YES!!

By voting “YES” ON Prop 67, a ban on single-use plastic bags will be implemented statewide in California. This means that various stores, from liquor stores to pharmacies, will be prohibited by the law from giving out single-use plastic bags to customers.

A large majority of environmental organizations, such as Heal the Bay, hold a strong support for this proposition. I, myself, as a fellow environmentalist also hold such support and believe that we should vote yes on Prop 67.  Here are the reasons why:

1. Reduce Litter: Plastic bags account for a large amount of litter in California. By placing a ban on plastic bags, we can ensure that the amount of litter caused by plastic bags is greatly reduced, which in turn will help beautify communities (to some extent).

2. Reduce Cleanup Costs: With a ban on single-use plastic bags, litter will be reduced, which would also lead to a reduction in cleanup costs. Annually, states spend $52.2 million to cleanup beaches, $151.8 million to cleanup highways, and $99.2 million to cleanup cities and counties. The total estimated cost for the prevention, cleanup, and disposal of plastic and litter is $375.2 million. With a significant reduction in money being directed toward cleanups, California and its taxpayers can feel confident in knowing that their money can go towards other projects such as education.

3. Protect our Oceans and Keep Them Clean: Over 80% of plastic from land washes into the ocean. Billions of pounds of plastic now reside in the ocean, accounting for 40% of its surface. Plastic also leads to the further accumulation of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a mass of plastic litter that is twice the size of the state of Texas.

4. Protect Wildlife: Plastic, particularly plastic bags, pose a huge threat to our wildlife. Wildlife animals often become entangled in plastic bags and may suffocate and die as a result. Animals also mistake plastic bags as food and consume them. The plastic causes intestinal blockage in the animals who consume it, which in turn, leads to starvation. Over 100,000 animals die annually due to plastic entanglement and indigestion.

5. Lack of Recycling: Only 5% of plastic bags are actually recycled. As a result, a higher demand for plastic is created, leading to further greenhouse emissions and energy use by plastic manufactures. By banning single-use plastic bags, we can ensure we are using our resources and energy more sustainably

6. Companies Who Oppose This Bill: The reasons why we should place a ban on single-use plastic bags is obviously prominent. The severity of plastic bags is  recognized by activists, politicians, scientists, and many citizens alike. However, many plastic corporations are strongly against Prop 67 because its possible passing proves a huge threat to their profits. These companies are lobbying to protect their special, corporate interests, and they show no regard whatsoever for the sustainability of our earth and wildlife. Check out this interesting chart (provided by votersedge.org) regarding contributions from groups/individuals who support or do not support Prop 67.

7. TO MAKE PROGRESS!!!

Our actions can prove to other states and nations the importance of taking sustainable measures

to better protect our environment. The passing of this bill will mean a huge step in our progress to a better tomorrow!

Measure A: VOTE YES!!

Measure A is a Los Angeles bill that will secure funds to keep Los Angeles parks, beaches, rivers, and recreation centers safe and clean for everyone to use. Specifically, it will:

• Protect clean water resources, such as rivers
• Provide safe places for community members to play
• Ensure drinking water at parks and recreation areas is safe to drink
• Remove asbestos, mold, and lead paint from aging recreation centers
• Protect and preserve parks and natural areas
• Keep beaches open, safe, and clean

Effect of the California Drought on Big Bear

Hey everyone!
     So just this past week I went to Big Bear, California as part of a retreat. Although I very much enjoyed the natural and beautiful scenery of Big Bear itself, I was beyond saddened to notice the effect of the California drought on the once-filled and magnificent lake. When I visited Big Bear a few years back, specifically about seven years ago, the lake was seemingly untouched. Blue and overfilled, the lake's expansion was endless. Now, although still large, the lake has drastically dried out, leaving behind sandy areas in which piers sit as sorts of remnants. I decided to take pictures to document this unfortunate occurrence.

*The dry and sandy areas are areas that once used to be overfilled with water and acted as a habitat for many species.

Since I am discussing the devastating impact of the drought, I would like to go ahead and post more pictures (that are not mine) of drying lakes around California.

Although the immediate cause of the drought is beyond our control, we do have the control to limit our water use in addition to preventing further global warming (global warming accelerates the drought). 

For more information about the drought, here is my research paper from my blog: http://helphealourearth.blogspot.com/p/california-drought.html

For more information on how to use water wisely and prevent further global warming:

http://helphealourearth.blogspot.com/p/water-conservation-tips.html

http://helphealourearth.blogspot.com/p/global-warming-and-climate-change-tips.html

Littering Short Story

Hello everyone!

It has been quite a while since I have last posted, so I sincerely apologize. I have been lacking creativity lately, and have thus been unable to come up with new ideas to post about. What I will be posting today is a short story I wrote about littering quite some while ago, way before I officially began my journey of environmentalism. Anyway, without further ado, I hope you all enjoy it!

Two teenagers walk on cheerfully, Starbucks cups in their hands. The two of them are rambunctiously talking about the day's events, including qualifying for the Varsity Soccer team. As their conversation continues on, they occasionally sip their cups, eventually finishing its contents and leaving it empty. For an unspecified reason, perhaps out of laziness or the sheer lack of responsibility, the two teenagers carelessly discard of their cups onto the concrete sidewalk. As the cups lay on the floor, the two teenagers continue to walk down the street, as if they were immune to the tragedy that they had just committed.

A few days later, the cups remain in the same area of their disposal. Other teenagers walk on by, completely ignoring their existence, and some even kicking the cups as if littering was an exciting sport. Not one single teenager stops to simply bend down and pick the cup up and properly dispose of it.

One night, heavy, dark clouds slowly move overhead. Thunder roars as rain harshly begins to fall. The cups now begin to violently move as the wind picks up. The cups roll, the sound of their empty contents echoing on into the storm, and soon end up in front of a gutter. With no hope left, due to the initial lack of responsibility from the teenagers and the lack of intervention from all of the other pedestrians, the cups lose their battle and fall into the gutter, where they make the long, arduous journey to the ocean.

In the ocean, a turtle scavenges the water in hopes of finding the day's food to fulfill her hunger. Alas! In front of her she spots a spherical object. She does not recognize the object, but fails to make the observation that it is not suitable for eating or is part of her diet. Nonetheless, she pursues the odd, spherical object. As she chews on the object and attempts to swallow, she begins to panic as she finds herself not only unfamiliar with the taste, but also unable to digest the object. After a few minutes of attempting to reject the object, she fails, and succumbs to not only the object itself, but the effect of human impact. Her lifeless body sinks to the ocean floor, and serves as a reminder of how the "unimportant" action that is littering and the "useless" nature of taking action can be detrimental.

Now, this story isn't real. I made it up myself as I was thinking about the effects that litter has on animals. Although the specific teenagers and the turtle were merely remnants of my imagination, it is imperative that you as the reader realize that this fictional story is essentially a true reality that is happening constantly. The litterers might not be teenagers, but they can be little children, adults, or even you. The affected animal might not be a turtle, but it might be a fish or a dolphin or a seal. No matter the specific conditions, the main point is that every day animals are succumbing to death as a result of our careless, irresponsible actions. Our laziness may seem harmless at a said time, but its final effects can take the life of another living organisms. Please, be aware of what your actions lead to. Properly dispose of your trash. If you see trash that you yourself did not dispose, take responsibility and dispose of it yourself. After all, doing such tiny actions can preserve the life of countless organisms.

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter

Today I wanted to talk about something completely unrelated to environmental justice and action. It's about something that's becoming ever so prominent and affecting everyone. I wrote this at 12:30am, when I was in the quiet depths of my room wondering and trying to figure out why unity is such a difficult concept to achieve. Here it is:

            I've been wanting to post about this for quite some while now, but my loss of words and inability to understand why this is even occurring has prevented me from doing so. It's beyond me that we humans are so infinitely complex and intelligent, and capable of so much, yet we are unable to do something as simple as embrace diversity and accept one another for our individual worth. What's even more beyond me, is that for some odd reason people find sick satisfaction in carrying out malicious and inhumane acts against others who they perceive as different. (Although I ask how one can be "different" when we are all the same.) This may seem contradicting because I'm doing it myself, but we can't just  release our thoughts & feelings on social media & expect that police corruption/brutality and racism are going to miraculously cease to exist. We, specifically the younger generation, must utilize our unlimited potential and become the future leaders of this society. We must be good-hearted and serve as respectful and honest leaders on all different levels, whether it be police enforcement, city government, or even school administration. We must call out on the various injustices that plague our society and create and enforce legislation and policies to combat them. We must create support systems for one another, ensuring that everyone has a safe place to go. We must teach one another about love, compassion, and humanity, and embody these traits in everything that we do. Most importantly, we must spread love and accept one another.