Happy Polar Bear Day!

Mama gnome got a surprise greeting today from one of her favorite humans, Carrie.

So Mama gnome wishes the same to you.

"Happy Polar Bear Day!"

Please visit Polar Bears International to see how we can commemorate this special day the polar bear way.

photo by: Alan Wilson from naturepicsonline.com

Polar bears are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, hunters, and global warming.

Please watch this video by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

video by NRDCflix

Please help save the polar bears and go green.
(c) Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Green Gifts That Keep On Giving

Merry Old Santa Claus art by Thomas Nast

Mama gnome bundled up and braced herself for her holiday shopping.

She pulled down her pointy hat and set her drink of morning elixir by the gnome computer.

Green gifts galore flashed on the screen.

Natural Resources Defense Council's website features all these wonderful green gifts:

Help fight against global warming.

image by Robert A. Rohde, Global Warming Art

You can adopt a wolf in Yellowstone Park.

photo by Barry O'Neill, PD-USGOV-INTERIOR-NPS

Help save a polar bear and her cub.

photo by Schliebe, Scott, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Please visit NRDC and consider these green gifts that keep on giving.

Give the best gift of all and go green.

(c) 2010 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

A Grateful Gnome

photo from: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Here is something Mama gnome is thankful for...

According to this report:

"The Obama administration is setting aside 187,000 square miles in Alaska as a "critical habitat" for polar bears, an action that could add restrictions to future offshore drilling for oil and gas."

"Tom Strickland, assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks at the Interior Department, said the designation would help polar bears stave off extinction, recognizing that the greatest threat is the melting of Arctic sea ice caused by climate change."

Here is a movie by Sophie Keller and Oli Barry showing what might happen if there were only two polar bears left in the world...


video from: liveartheatre


Mama gnome and the gnomelets chant: "Save energy...save the polar bears!"

On this Thanksgiving Day please celebrate and give thanks.

Help save the polar bears and go green.

(c) 2009-2010 Jenaelha, friendly Gnome's Blog

"Winter Wonder...huh?"

Mama gnome rubbed her hands together and pulled her pointy hat down to cover her ears.

'Tis another blustery evening here at the Arctic thought Mama gnome.

She worried she might have to trek over five miles to find the last remaining edible shrubs.

Mama gnome donned on her boots, thick coat and a ten foot long scarf.

She gripped the doorknob and yanked the door open prepared for the worst Arctic wind blast.

"Here we go...here we go out to a wonderful winter wonder....huh?"

Wonder...land?

It was land, barren earth, more like it.

For the snow was gone, the ice melted.

The Arctic sea ice was gone.

Mama gnome described a scenario which may not be far fetched.

According to this post, on December 14,2009 former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and Danish ice scientist Dorthe Dahl Jensen presented a startling prediction about the future of the Arctic Sea Ice.

"New computer modeling suggests the Arctic Ocean may be nearly ice-free in the summertime as early as 2014."

2014...that's five earth years from now, thought Mama gnome.

Young gnomelets will still be young gnomelets, yet the Arctic Sea Ice in the summer of 2014 will be virtually gone.

What would happen to all the arctic animals who rely on the presence of ice to hunt for food and for their survival?

Mama gnome wished it would be just as easy for them to dine at a fancy restaurant like these polar bears in the video.


video from: MiracleEntertainment

Mama gnome thought humor would be appropriate otherwise she would be pulling her hair out.

But it is not a laughing matter...global warming.

Did you find Mama gnome's poem for global warming funny? Exactly.

What will we have have without polar ice caps and Arctic sea ice?

When ice melts you get water.

That would be tons of water.

Oceans of rising sea levels.

Mama gnome doesn't want to go there...

Please keep up our winter spirits, help fight global warming and Go Green.

(c) Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

A grateful gnome

Mama gnome bustled around the aga stove all day. Today the gnome family celebrated a day of giving thanks.

At the table, Mama gnome said, "Family, I wish to say thank you to all of you, to Daddy gnome, to elder gnomelet, baby gnomelet, Auntie gnome. Mama gnome is very thankful for all your love and support, especially when we have to battle Plastic Bag Monster."

At this point, the gnome family stopped eating and went grrrrr... at the thought of Plastic Bag Monster.

Mama gnome continued, "I'm also grateful for our planet Earth, our trees, oceans, polar bears and all creatures big and small. But please tell me, what are you most thankful for?"

Elder gnomelet said, "For water, Mama. And the plants and trees. Because I love trees!"

Auntie gnome said, "Marine life! Marine life! Our oceans especially without pollution are so beautiful."

Daddy gnome said,"I'm thankful for our garden, Mama gnome. Even though we live here where it's quite city like, we have our yard where the trees and plants make me feel quite at home."

Mama gnome said, "Quite right, Daddy gnome. You are quite right."

Baby gnomelet said, "I'm thankful for Mama for giving me all this food!"

Mama gnome smiled.



video by Earthshots.org
music by Sigur Ros, "Hoppipola"

Mama gnome wishes everyone would see the bounty and beauty of our planet and show our gratitude by helping her stay safe. Please Go Green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Person of the Day: Edward Mooney Jr.

Mama gnome is proud to present the Person of the Day:

Edward Mooney Jr.

Mama gnome: Welcome to my little garden, Ed. I'm so happy you could visit today. Would you like to try a bit of this oatmeal cookie and morning elixir? Or perhaps some tea or hot chocolate?


EM: Hot chocolate sounds great, thanks. How did you find out that I love oatmeal cookies?
You know I hadn't realized, until today, how truly short you gnomes are. I knew that gnomes were small, but not this tiny. How tall are gnomes, anyway?


Mama gnome sits up straight on her mushroom stool at this point and fluffs up her hat.


EM: Maybe that’s because I’m too much of a hulk. At six foot three you bump your head a lot, you know.
It seems like every third visit to the grocery store I get someone asking me to help them get something down from the highest shelf.
Everyone thinks being tall is better; try getting into a small car sometime.
Anyway, I do tend to wander, don’t I?


MG: No, not at all, Ed. Wander as much as you please.
And if you must know, I’m quite tall for a gnome my age which is a very young one hundred and ten.
And you are quite tall I must say for a human. My neck’s got a crook in it now.
But can you hand me my box of tea up there. No next shelf. Yes, that one. Thank you.
Now Ed, please tell us about yourself.


EM: Besides my height? Well, then there’s my weight.
I’ve lost 48 pounds over the last 13 months.
That’s my biggest personal accomplishment, besides regular flossing of my teeth.
Well, I guess if I were asked to write a short essay about who I am…which you just did…I would have to describe my personal and professional sides.

On the personal side, I’ve been married to Carrie for 23 years now.
We have 5 kids and 6 grandchildren, even though she doesn’t look old enough to be a grandma.

I was born in Massachusetts before cable TV, computers and satellites.

I was raised in Orange County, California, in the shadow of Disneyland, and lived for years in Bozeman, Montana.

Now I live in Palmdale.
My hobbies include:
collecting flags of the world,
writing,
computers,
watching baseball,
camping
and gardening (I just discovered growing pumpkins, thanks to Carrie, and how fun it is).

I love books, history and maps, too.
On the professional side, I’m the author of a couple of books, including

“The Pearls of the Stone Man,” which is being made into a movie;

I’m also a high school teacher, a newspaper columnist and a computer nerd.

Maybe I’m just a regular nerd, too. You have to decide that…
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University, and went on to claim a Master’s degree from the University of California at Riverside.

I was working on a doctorate when I lost my first wife, with whom I had three children.

I tell you this because education is very important to me.

My life has been molded by the values taught me by my parents, my education, and my faith as what I call a “humble Christian.”
Oh, you dropped a piece of your cookie…yes, right there, on your tunic. And I talk too much.

Did I already tell you that?


MG: Um, no I don't recall you telling me. But ahemm, thank you, for pointing out the cookie crumb. Mama gnome gets carried away with cookies sometimes.
And no I don’t think you talk too much.
I am amazed at all the life experiences and learning you've gone through and congratulations on the success of your books and the movie coming out.
Is there a part there for a sassy, attractive, eco-friendly motherly gnome per chance? Ahemm, okay fine.
Moving on, can you please tell us how you feel about the environment?


EM: Well, I’m all for it. After all, it’s where I get my air, water and food, not to mention my computer, my books and everything else in my life.

When I was at Montana State University I took a class entitled “Conservation Education” in which I realized that we’re all interconnected.

People, the land, air, water, plants, animals, everything.

As the air goes, so I go. The same is true for everything else.

I was struck by how many of our troubles are caused by our mismanagement of the Earth. This is why I’ve become a meat minimalist.

The cost to the ecosystem to raise meat is startling. Literally an animal consumes something like ten pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat that we eat.

Besides, I visited some animal compounds and I struggle about how kind is it to kill another life form just for us to eat. Yes, I’m a softie. I admit it.

I don’t like to see anyone or anything suffer.

I know, you’re probably asking, why isn’t he a vegetarian? At my age a radical change is tough.

It took me a decade to train myself to floss my teeth regularly (that and some root canals).

I’m hoping I’ll get there.

I only eat a little bit of meat, usually once a week now. I do eat cheese and eggs, however. Did I tell you that my Bachelor’s degree is in Earth Sciences?

That’s how much I was impressed by the environment.

As someone who suffers from allergies, the environment touches everything in my life.
By the way, feel free to interrupt me if I carry on too much. My wife does.

I usually see her eyes roll up and I know I’ve gone on too much. I’ll watch your eyes…


MG: Mama gnome’s eyes are transfixed Ed, especially when she heard you say you’ve limited how often you eat meat and your degree is in Earth Sciences. Those are tremendous accomplishments.
And in what other ways has the environment affected the way you live your life?


EM: Besides the meat thing, I’m really fascinated by solar power.

I have a few solar panels, solar calculators, and I want to take my house completely off of the grid someday.

I recycle now (a lot of that’s due to Carrie), and I’m slowly moving toward things like rechargeable batteries.

I think you can see my trend here – I am slowly making changes as I can, and hoping my children and grandchildren can continue the pattern.


MG: What a wonderful example and legacy for your children and grandchildren. Mama gnome is also quite excited about solar power.
But before she gets too excited, Ed, can you share with us some tips on how to be more eco-friendly?


EM: I think the idea of taking baby steps is what works for people like me who aren’t used to changes.

Research what is environmentally the “best practice” and make movement in that direction, as you have to make choices and purchases.

I call this the “Incremental Approach”. Before long you’ll see huge changes, but the stress and anxiety won’t come with it. We now use an organic farm (Abundant Harvest Organics) for some of our vegetables.

Another incremental change. When it’s time for us to get a new car, we expect we’ll buy a hybrid, or whatever is environmentally best that we can afford. Besides that, we hope to stretch our current vehicles so we’re not just consuming vehicles just because they’re fun and new.


I’m changing the values of my life. Are cars really all that important that I have to have a new one every other year? If mine is working fine, comfortable and does the job, do I really need to get a new car? See what I mean?
Can I get another cookie? These are really good! Do you have any with chocolate chips?


MG: Of course, Ed. Help yourself. I have a batch of chocolate chip cookies with walnuts and a batch of my favorite, peanut butter.
Ah, excellent choice I must say.
Now, Ed as a teacher do you have the chance to teach your students to be more environmentally aware and how do you do that?


EM: As I teach Earth Science, I stress how interconnected we are, as I explained.

That’s probably the core. I know you don’t want me going over all of that again. I’m sorry, but I do see that my wandering has you finding it tough to stay on task. I do that to people, you know.


MG: Oh no, no, Ed. I just... (Mama gnome coughs and spits out crumbs of peanut butter cookies.)
Excuse me. I think the mind is wonderful maze and we need to wander through all sorts of paths.
Speaking of maze, do you have a favorite book about the environment/nature? It could be fiction or non-fiction.


EM: It was “Silent Spring,” by Rachel Carson. I read that, I think, back in college and it truly changed me.

I also read some books by Bradford Angier about surviving in the wilderness and that changed how I saw the natural world – not as an enemy but as something we could live within.


MG: Do you have a favorite movie about the environment/nature?


EM: It may sound strange, but the Bruce Dern movie “Silent Running,” about a spaceship with a closed system in deep space, the last nature preserve known to humans, shook me up.

I started worrying about our direction as a species.


MG: The books and movie sound interesting and pique Mama gnome's interest. And I'm also interested in knowing what is your favorite animal and why? Is it endangered or threatened?



EM: Since I’m so huge (I know I told you that), I’ve always liked the polar bear.

I’m also fuzzy and have hands like their paws.

As their habitat has become more and more threatened due to global warming, I’ve become more and more concerned.

What will happen to them? The changes are happening so quickly that they will not be able to adapt, I’m afraid.

I’m not a biologist, but I worry their ice caps will be gone soon.


MG: Mama gnome now knows why she and Ed, though human, are kindred spirits.
‘Tis because polar bears are also her favorite animals!
Have another cookie, Ed and tell us, what is your favorite plant and why?


EM: I like pine trees a lot. When I lived in Montana (and I call myself a Montanan), I loved walking through those forests.

One of my fondest memories is swimming beneath a waterfall in the forest up there. It was south of Bozeman, on Hyalite Creek.

It seemed like Eden to me. I miss that place.

Also, being born in New England, where a pine tree has been a symbol of that area, it fits another part of my life.

And being tall, well, you get the picture.


MG: That sounds beautiful, Ed. Quite different from our Valley of the Antelopes where sadly antelopes can no longer be found.
And if you can be any animal or plant what would it be and why?


EM: Hmm. I’ve never been asked that before.

There’s something about birds flying that intrigues me. I once read that the majority of the animal species on Earth can fly, yet we cannot (at least naturally).

I’m afraid of heights, but I love seeing the Earth from above (did I tell you that I’m a map freak?). Maybe having a pair of wings would help me overcome my fear. As to what kind of bird, I’m not sure.

Going with my size thing, maybe I’d be a hawk or an eagle.
They seem so noble, and as my mother used to say, your honor is all you truly own in this life. Am I on a tangent again? Your eyes are rolling…


MG: No, no Ed. Mama gnome’s eyes are rolling because she loves hawks and eagles as well. Sadly Ed, did you know the greatest eagle in the world is also the most endangered eagle?
And so Mama gnome gets discouraged sometimes because of all the problems plaguing planet Earth.
Any encouraging words for discouraged green gnomes and humans?


EM: I know how you feel, but haven’t given up yet.

Never forget that we have our minds and our technology, as well as our ability to change.

We’ve faced crisis after crisis in the past and overcome.

We can do this. I am a firm believer in incremental change.

If all of us commit to doing that, we will see a massive difference in our lifetimes. If I can change, the species as a whole can do it.

I believe I’ve changed radically over the last 25 years, and that gives me hope.

You should really see me deep inside and how really frightened of change I am. Yet, I’m doing it.

One step at a time.

As someone who has had a few books published, I’ve learned the value of persevering and never giving up.

I never realized that would be the gift of the process of getting published – the strength to keep going and believing.

Never give up – for it is at that moment that we truly lose.

As I tell everyone… “Nothing great was ever accomplished without passion.” (E. Mooney)

If this is your passion, make it your life and see it come true! Believe!

By the way, can I get a few of those cookies to take with me? They’re low in calories, right?

Did I tell you I’ve lost 48 pounds?


MG: Um, no I don't think you've mentioned it the last two seconds, Ed.
Seriously though congratulations and you deserve all the success for all the hard work, talent and heart you've put into your writing and life.
And yes, these cookies are delicious and magical for you will not gain an ounce. I’ve wrapped a special box for you and Carrie. The wrapper is made from recycled 100% post consumer waste. No, it's not doo-doo, silly. It's good paper, green paper. You're such a joker.
Thanks so much for visiting my little garden, Ed. Watch your head now. I know a gnome house is a bit on the short side.



Though I have to admit I think Ed's the tallest creature to visit my home.

Look I can still see him, towering over my garden wall like a walking pine tree.

"Bye, Ed!" Mama gnome mouths, 'email me, soon.'


My dear readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about our Person of the Day:

the tall and svelte Edward Mooney Jr. who was so generous and kind to visit Mama gnome's little garden.


Now Mama gnome feels like flying like an eagle,

swimming in the Arctic Ocean like a polar bear and most of all,

sitting on her stoop while she eats cookies and reads Ed’s book,

which by the way was a Pulitzer Prize contender.

Go Green.

Mystery Animal of the Day

Mama gnome is happy to present her favorite land animal,

the Mystery Animal of the Day.

Its scientific name is Ursus Maritimus.

It is native within the Arctic Circle, its surrounding waters and land masses.

Global warming is listed as the most significant threat to this animal.

If your guess is Polar Bear, Mama gnome wants to give you a giant bear hug and she chants her motto, "Save Energy! Save the Polar Bears!"


photo from Alan D. Wilson, naturepicsonline.com

Polar bears share the title of largest bear with the Kodiak bear.

They are excellent swimmers as you can see here:

video from: BBCWorldwide


Polar bears are well insulated by their thick fur, blubber and hide. They overheat if the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius.

According to the IUCN, "If climatic trends continue polar bears may become extirpated from most of their range within 100 years."

Polar bears are also threatened by:

"...toxic contaminants, shipping, recreational viewing, oil and gas exploration and development. In addition to this comes a potential risk of over-harvest due to increased quotas, excessive quotas or no quotas in Canada and Greenland and poaching in Russia."

Mama gnome imagines you protest and say,

Global warming? Toxic contaminant? Oil exploration? That's crazy? When did I ever explore for oil or use toxic contaminants or warm a globe?

Mama gnome answers,

Every day we make decisions or perform actions that contribute to or lessen global warming, contribute to or lessen toxic wastes, contribute to or lessen oil exploration and development.

In the near future, our actions and decisions will produce an effect, a global effect that will either "extirpate" the polar bears or support their existence.



video from: NationalWildlife


What can we do today to help save the Polar Bears? I thought you'd never ask.

• Chant daily mantra of "save energy, save polar bears" to guide you
  
• Save electricity (don't use the clothes dryer, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, use energy efficient appliances, turn off lights and appliances not being used, etc.)
• Drive less
  
• Eat less meat
• Use ecofriendly products to lessen toxic contaminants
• Use reusable bags
• Support plastic ban bags
• Visit World Wildlife Federation
• Participate in the annual Coastal Cleanup Day . The next one is on September 19, 2009
• Adopt a Polar Bear
• Give the gift of Trees. For each card you purchase and gift to someone, a tree will be planted in a national forest in their honor
  
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Educate your family, friends, neighbors, strangers about these issues

Mama gnome feels like daily consumption of peanut butter has provided her with enough blubber to survive in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean. There she will help guard the polar bears from hunters and toxic pollution.

You need to thicken your hide and blubber by staying on land and fight off Global Warming.

Go green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Earth Warming Revisited

The two gnomelets perched on Mama gnome's lap.

Elder gnomelet asked, "Mama do you have a new Mystery Animal of the Day?"

'Tis a question she asks every day.

"No, not yet," said Mama gnome.

Youngest gnomelet said, "I want to see an animal, Mama."

Young gnomelets are eager to see a Mystery Animal but Mama gnome wants to revisit a topic so important in her heart: Earth Warming, or as humans call it: Global Warming.

Mama gnome hopes to highlight earth warming and appease the gnomelets by this:



video from: friendsoftheearth

According to the 2007 Climate Change Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC

Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.



"This image shows the instrumental record of global average temperatures as compiled by the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia and the Hadley Centre of the UK Meteorological Office."

Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human) greenhouse gas concentrations.

Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values over the past 650,000 years

"These basic conclusions have been endorsed by more than 40 scientific societies and academies of science, including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries."

Earth warming is a reality.

Some people do not want to face reality.

But this is what's happening to our planet.

The sooner we all face these facts, these problems, this earth warming,

the sooner we can work on solutions.

Mama gnome would like to end her story today the same way she ended her previous story about Earth Warming.

Once upon a time, there was this beautiful planet. She was called EARTH.



video from: ErikErikSonyD

Mama gnome wishes some day, maybe some day,

all humans would come together

and save her.

Go green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha Friendly Gnome's Blog

Mama gnome gives up...

Sometimes, Mama gnome just wants to surrender to the environmental saboteurs,

put up her hands and say, "You win. I got nothing."

Mama gnome is in a sad dark place tonight.

Planet earth is in great peril.

And there's nothing Mama gnome can do to save the Chinese sturgeon, the Philippine Eagle, the elephants, polar bears, great whales or even the birds in her garden.

Because man will never change. And all is lost.

You go tell Planet Earth.

You go tell all her children.

For I haven't the heart.

I got nothing left.


video from: The Secret

(c) Jenaelha Friendly Gnome's Blog

Earth Warming 101

By the by, Daddy gnome settled the gnomelets into bed. He opened the gnomelets' favorite bedtime story book, Fairy Tales.

But before Daddy gnome could start, a gnomelet asks, "Daddy, what is earth warming?"

Mama gnome took over and said...

Once upon a time, there was a planet called Earth.

Earth was different from other planets that looped around the Sun. All sorts of creatures and humans lived on this special planet.

But through the years, the humans became industrialized...building giant factories, cars, massive farms and power plants.

Most of the things man made relied on fossil fuels. They burned off fuels and released gases including carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

They're called greenhouse gases because they act like a greenhouse with Earth the figurative plant housed underneath its dome.

Greenhouse gases mainly trap the sun's radiation in the atmosphere. Thus causing earth warming or as humans call it Global Warming.

According to a National Geographic News article:

"The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th century's last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies. And the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850."

"Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing, and the region may have its first completely ice-free summer by 2040 or earlier. Polar bears and indigenous cultures are already suffering from the sea-ice loss."

"Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting—for example, Montana's Glacier National Park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910."

Mama gnome said, "Come out from underneath the blanket, sweetie. I know it's scary. But let's finish the story---"

Some humans and gnomes tried to help Earth. But they are not enough to offset the effects of countless factories, machines, power plants...and more than six billion people.

Mama gnome wishes she could say, "And they lived happily ever after."

Then I would start over. And I will tell you,

Once upon a time, there was this beautiful planet. She was called EARTH.



video link: http://tinyurl.com/3b9em4


(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Save energy, save the polar bears

YEAR 2050
Future gnomelet asks, "Mama, what's a polar bear?"

Future Mama Gnome says, "Good question. I know it's not a dragon. Some kind of bear for sure, some kind of bear. We'd have to look it up."

"United States Geological Survey scientists conservatively project that two-thirds of the polar bear population in the world could disappear by 2050, including all of Alaska's polar bears." See entire article here: http://www.nwf.org/polarbear/

That's two-thirds, people. Not one-third, not one-fourth. Two-thirds!

Who or what is the culprit? GLOBAL WARMING.

Do you think leaving your lights on in the other room and having all your appliances on all day is insignificant in the whole scheme of things? No it's not. Our actions affect every other creature on this planet including yourself.

Polar bears are Mama Gnome's favorite land animals.

Present day Mama Gnome chants, "Save energy, save the polar bears."

What is your favorite animal? Is it threatened or endangered? You can find out from the IUCN's red list.
Maybe you can share the information with us in the comments' section.

Start saying to yourself, "Save energy, save -------(insert name of favorite animal)."

And make it happen. You can do it. I know you can.

So future gnomelets will know what your favorite animal is.

Now let's see how these energy saving animals do it.




(c)2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog