We Want Wind Mills, Not More Oil Spills

This past Saturday, I joined hundreds of ocean activists at Coney Island to protest offshore drilling in an inspiring event called Hands Across The Sand.

We didn't just draw a line in the sand, we formed one -- one that stretched all the way down the beach and was replicated in some 700 other beaches.

To show our love for the coast, we stood in the sand, faced the Atlantic and held hands for 15 minutes. There were boisterous chants ("BP, your heart is black, you can take your oil back"), but the overall vibe was not political, but environmental. We were there to show our commitment to protecting our oceans, marine life and fishing industries.

There were people from all walks of life, from organizers who had come up from the Gulf to surfer dudes to seniors who left the comfort of their beach umbrellas to grab a hand and lend support.

There were socialists passing out fliers and curious youngsters who were checking out the line. "I don't think BP did anything wrong," said one 10-year-old boy. "I mean, there shouldn't be such a demand for gasoline in the first place." A hippie dad countered with "BP shouldn't be allowed to drill two miles into the ocean floor." Hmm. Were either of them wrong?

The hand holding was fun. I hadn't done anything like this since Hands Across America in 1986. The 15 minutes went by fast. It didn't seem like nearly enough time. There were still so many who sat on the beach watching us, or with their backs to us. I wondered if we were having any impact. Then I looked at the line. From where we stood, it was impossible to see how far it stretched. It seemed to go on forever. I realized you can't always see the impact you're having. Not at first, anyway.

This was only the beginning.

As we walked away from the water, toward the boardwalk, I took a moment to look back at all the people swimming on this hot and humid day. We take so much for granted. I looked at how much pleasure this beach brings to those who play in its sand, cool off in its waters, and relax from its sounds. We are fortunate here. Our birds are clean. Our seafood is safe.

But a threat to the ocean anywhere is a threat to the ocean everywhere. We don't know how long the spilling will go on. We don't know how far up the coast it will travel. So much uncertainty and yet there are those who want to continue drilling.

Hands Across the Sand made me realize that if we stick together -- and stay connected -- there is nothing we can't do.

Our line in the sand was impressive. But it needs to grow.

Waiting for BP or the government to take steps is no longer an option. Each step that we take, no matter how small, is not only important, but necessary.

As inspiring as Hands Across the Sand was, it is more important that we continue to extend our hands in any way we can. Please check out the following organizations. Like the 15 minutes of the event, time is running out.

In the words of one of my favorite chants from Saturday:

Oil and water do not mix!
Clean it up and make it quick!

Surfrider Foundation
Oceana
Hands Across The Sand

350
Ocean Conservancy

Greenpeace
Audubon

Endangered Species Coalition

Hands Across The Sand

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 26th is the global movement called Hands Across The Sand!

"Hands Across the Sand is a movement made of people of all walks of life and crosses political affiliations. This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry. Let us share our knowledge, energies and passion for protecting all of the above from the devastating effects of oil drilling."

Visit their website to find a local beach near you where you can participate. John and I will be heading out to Coney Island.

Hope to see you there!

A Sea of Plastic Covered Suitcases

I've been writing these blogs for a while now and sometimes I think that I might run out of ideas. I mean, after the Sigg bottle with the paper sleeve around it and the stores leaving their doors open with the air-conditioning on, I thought I'd seen everything.

Until this weekend.

I was on the train coming back from New Jersey. The train made a stop at Newark Airport. Many people boarded on their way back to Manhattan after their journeys around the world.

I watched as people tried to shove their bags onto the overhead rack or tuck them between their legs.

There was one bag that stood out. I saw this turqoise blue suitcase, all bright and shiny with fun stickers on the sides. I wanted to get a closer look so when the train stopped and everyone began to exit, I scooted past the people to get a glimse of the ocean blue bag.

I was horrified to find that the suitcase was actually black and the shiny, turqoise blue color was plastic wrap!!

Why on God's green earth was someone wrapping their suitcase in plastic wrap? Were they afraid that their suitcase was going to get ruined while entering the abyss we know of as baggage check?

Of course it was going to get ruined! Isn't that the purpose of baggage check? To screen your precious bag, load it onto the dollie, throw it onto the conveyer belt and then move it into the plane's filthy cargo hold to deliver it to your destination? And then reverse the process so you can push people aside while you lift your heavy bag off the baggage claim carousel?

This is a rite of passage for a new suitcase. It wants to be used and dirty. It wants to fit in with all the other bags! It's like a brand new pair of white sneakers. Who wants to be seen with a pristine suitcase?

But hey, who am I to judge? If someone wants a brand spanking new suitcase to look that way for all eternity, then be my guest. Just choose a new method instead of plastic. Remember, plastic is made from oil. And right now, thousands of gallons of that stuff is spilling into our beautiful ocean, killing our fish, birds and other wildlife.

Save the ocean, not your luggage.

H2 Whoa!

I was at the New York City Go Green Expo this weekend. There were easily 20 booths concerning water. Alkaline your water, oxidize your water, make it into seltzer, drink it out of a glass bottle or a stainless steel bottle. Drink it at room temperature. Drink it first thing in the morning. Put it in this special air-purifying humidifier, steam open your pores with it. Conserve water, use water. You get the picture.

The one booth that I couldn’t get on board with was the ladies restroom.

On more than one visit, women were leaving the water running - full blast - while they sashayed over to the towels, carefully picked one up and gently dried each finger. One at a time.

All while the water was running.

Once finished, they placed their used towels into the trash, fixed their hair and made sure no extra lipstick wound up on their teeth.

All while the water was still running.

Then they went back out to the Expo…and the 20 booths about water.

And so I thank each and every one of those ladies who left their water running for me to excuse myself, reach around them and turn off the faucet. Because if it weren’t for them, then The Blue, The Bad and The Ugly might not have been born.

* * *

The Earth is about 70% water. The human body is about 60%, muscle tissue 75%, body fat 10% and bone 22%.

My psyche is about 96%.

To say I love water is an understatement. I grew up spending time on the beaches of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, New Smyrna and even Fairfield. As an adult I worship the beaches of Santa Monica, Laguna, Catalina and now Long Beach.

I can’t get enough of dolphins, sand and my great love – surfing (which I hope to actually attempt this summer).

My New York City apartment reflects my love for the ocean in the form of photos, paintings, glass jars full of seashells I’ve collected and even a recycled sail cloth which is my shower curtain.

I love living a “green” life and I’m proud of my carbon footprint. But now it’s time to express my sandy footprint too.

While I was writing this, I was, uh, channel surfing and found the 1994 film, The Endless Summer II. It's about two surfers who take on the waves in Costa Rica, Australia and other amazing locations...all of which I'd like to visit. I think it's a sign.

But it wasn't the surfing movie with the cute, sun-bleached blonde-haired guys that inspired me to spin off from my weekly The Green, The Bad and The Ugly. I decided to create this sister blog because our oceans, rivers and lakes are in trouble, too and in my trials and tribulations to do all I can for the earth, I didn't want you to think my trips to the beach were…a day at the beach.

* * *

Today is World Water Day!

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly created this day to draw attention to the critical water issues facing our global community. World Water Day 2010 is focusing on Clean Water for a Healthy World. Its goal is to:

Raise awareness about sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being through addressing the increasing water quality challenges in water management and


Raise the profile of water quality by encouraging governments, organizations, communities, and individuals around the world to actively engage in proactively addressing water quality e.g. in pollution prevention, clean up and restoration.

In their support of World Water Day, The Surfrider Foundation (of which I'm a proud member) is kicking off Know Your H2O Campaign. It's their new program to educate the public on what we can do to make meaningful strides towards enhancing marine water quality.

What could be a better day to launch my new blog which is about my adventures of going blue, keeping my cool and crusading for our waters all while keeping a sense of humor…and keeping hydrated.