Dear Mother Nature, I Apologize for Our Lack of Respect
My Heart Bleeds this Week
Sudan, the last Northern White Rhino male is Dead
I’m sure you’ve heard about him. Sudan was put to sleep on Monday. He was old and it was his time to leave us. I’ve been following him and his family for quite some time now. Ever since I found out about Suni, the 2nd to last male, who died in 2014.
The image above is of a Southern White Rhino I had the pleasure to observe at Plettenberg Game Reserve in South Africa through my work with Safari With Us, an ethical tour operator located in Johannesburg.
It was the last stretch of my family’s 3-week tour of South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and I hadn’t seen any rhinos yet. Knowing about their fate by poacher’s hands, I felt an enormous surge of hope when I spotted them. Tears streamed down my face as the driver looked in his back mirror and said, ‘I think someone’s very happy.’ He knew all I wanted was to see rhinos in their natural habitat, free of fear. Of course, rangers are near to protect them in that reserve, but it’s still no guarantee. Poachers have the GPS technology to locate their prey and quickly kill rhinos for their rhino horn and elephants for their tusks.
What’s up with Rhino Horn Anyway?
What I’ll never understand is why people buy rhino horn. It’s sold in Asian countries and the myth is that rhino horn, when broken down into a powder, can cure cancer, act as an aphrodisiac or even get you high. It’s considered a symbol of wealth when they are able to purchase rhino horn. ???
Well, this is complete nonsense because rhino horn is made of keratin, the same stuff our nails are made of. So, I plead with anyone who believes this garbage to just bite their nails if they want to be healthy, horny or high. Good luck with that! It upsets me so much, I just can’t.
It’s Also My Mom’s Birthday Today
My mom holding me in 1972. She was only 22.
Not only did we lose Sudan, I’m still mourning my mom’s death. She passed away at the age of 66 on July 20, 2016, the day we arrived in Johannesburg to start our 3-week tour. I stayed on that trip because it was her wish. She knew she was going to die, but didn’t tell us. She had a cavernoma in her head outside her brain that was surgically removed one week before my trip and she survived that harsh surgery and we thought all was good, but it wasn’t. She had a pulmonary embolus and didn’t make it.
On the flight home, I wrote about her death and our trip and submitted it directly to the Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post. She wrote back and gave me access to become a contributor and announced it was her last day at The Huff Post and told me about her new venture, Thrive Global, of which I’m also a contributor. I’ve never had contact with her before, but this just proves how amazing this woman is. She also lost her mother several years ago and wrote about her profound passing. Her mom sounded incredible!
Today, March 23, is my mom’s birthday. She – and my dad who passed away on August 8, 2017 at the age of 65 – taught me to respect Mother Nature and all she takes care of. I grew up in a household of rescues. To this day, I take spiders outside, either that or just leave them where they are. If they’re too big, I call my husband to take them outside. They deserve to live a safe and happy life, just like we do.
It’s our responsibility to respect Mother Nature and all she takes care of. It’s our obligation to stop harming animals and forcing precious species into extinction.
Dear Mother Nature,
I deeply apologize for the way humans act. Throughout time, we have shown how easily we can drive entire species into extinction. For some reason, we were given this power and have taken it for granted.
Although you have shown us time and time again via natural disasters how upset you are about our destructive ways, we still haven’t stopped harming animals (humans included) and our environment. The unnecessary torture continues.
I don’t know what to say except that I am truly sorry and hope that those who do respect you are in the majority and strong enough to make real changes in this world. Please, believe me when I say that there are people who truly respect you and want to help you heal.
Dear Mother Nature, I deeply apologize for the way humans act. Please, believe me when I say that there are people who truly respect you and want to help you heal.
What Can I Do?
Over the past few years, I’ve dealt with a lot of loss, not only my parents but also all my grandparents and my father-in-law. I’ve come to accept that life is short and we’re on this Earth for a reason. I’ve realized what my life’s purpose is and that is to:
1) Help ethical brand owners market their incredible business so that they can make positive changes in their industry. In order to heal Mother Nature and our planet Earth, we have to support the good guys. They have to thrive!
2) Inspire children to respect Mother Nature and all she takes care of through my writing which is why I’ve started the first of a Middle-Grade Children’s Book series addressing animal rights issues. It’s children who have a powerful voice and the ability and motivation to initiate change. If you want to help me on my mission, please sign up to receive a free Kindle copy of my book. Feel free to share this link with others: https://jesslohmann.com/books
What Can You Do?
Think before you buy! As a consumer, you have a choice. You can either shop consciously or not. Every dollar/euro you spend says a lot about the world you want to live in. If you care about endangered species, child labor, your own health and the health of others, then make sure you know how stuff is made before you buy it. Do your research. The more you support horrible industry practices, the more harm will be done and your grandchildren will pay an even higher price than you.
I have talked about how much of a pain it is to shop consciously, but I strongly believe that if more people shop consciously and if ethical brand owners continue doing good, the bad industry practices will fade away.
Through my work here at Ethical Brand Marketing, I’m meeting a lot of amazing people who are trying to make positive changes in their industries. People who care about our lovely planet Earth and every living being who inhabits it.
They make sure their materials and ingredients are ethically sourced and healthy, not toxic. They put much care into their employee’s welfare and believe in the value of Fairtrade. They see to it that no animals are harmed in the process.
This is the world I want to live in. This is the way life SHOULD be!
Humans are not here on this Earth to conquer and destroy, but we’re doing a damn good job of it. So, which side are you on? Do you want to live in a peaceful and ethical world or do you want to continue conquering and destroying it? It’s your choice.
If you need help in finding an ethical brand, please contact us. We know many and can help you find one you’d be more than happy to support!
Are you an ethical brand owner doing something good in this world?
How are you helping heal Mother Nature? Please comment below and let’s talk !
Rock On,
Hi, thank you for your request. Would you be willing to send me a message explaining more about your blog as I can’t really see that it’s about ethical marketing, but I could be wrong. You can go here to send me a message: https://ethicalbrandmarketing.com/contact Have a great day!
Hi, the Dear Mother Nature, I Apologize for Our Lack
of Respect is very good, congratulations to ethicalbrandmarketing.com’ authors.
Love yourself and be happy! 🙂 Kisses!
I’m sorry I’m just now responding, must have missed your comment earlier this year. Thank you for your kind words, Demetrice!
Loving everything about you and your infectious energy. I know that your true calling was to always make a genuine impact in the lives of people you cross paths with. Thank you for connecting with me over at Instagram, we have lots to catch up on.
🙂 Thank you so much for connecting with me, Gaayathri! You have a lot to offer and I’m so glad you’re doing what you’re doing. The women in this world need you!
hi Jessica! Yes, what we do, sell, and promote matters; and it is a truly sad day indeed when we lose a wonderful species, whichever it may be.
Yes, so true Ximena. Someone also just wrote me and reminded me of plant species. I’m guilty of forgetting them, but what I hope becomes true one day is that humans realize we are not above nature. We are a part of nature and it is our responsibility to respect and care for it as best we can. Thank you so much for being one of those humans! <3
Hi Jessica, wow what an amazing positive energy you exude !!
My name is Estelle and I am the founder of Toddlingtogs . We are an emerging ethical brand making kids clothes by using grade A discarded clothing .
The problems in the fashion Industry and with clothing going to landfill are desperate as I am sure you are aware . I am currently running a crowdfunder to increase brand awareness and to help bring our products to the market . We dont have a marketing budget hence the crowdfunder .
I wondered if you have any advice on ways we can get our project noticed.
Look forward to hearing from you .
Kind regards
Estelle.
Dear Estelle, Thank you so much for reaching out and doing what you’re doing! Muah! <3 Yes, the fashion industry is distraught with waste and I'm so glad there are people like you who are doing something about it. Crowdfunding is great! In order to offer valuable help though, I'd love to learn more about your company, goals and marketing strategy. Can we talk? You can set up a time - free of course - here: https://ethicalbrandmarketing.com/free-strategy-call-30-min. If you can’t find a time, just contact me via eMail and we’ll figure something out. I LOVE your website btw. Dragonflies rock! And now I’m wishing my daughter was 4 again. 🙂
In the meantime, if you want some marketing tips, you can sign up to our mailing list. When you sign up, you’ll receive a free eBook on how to create a Marketing Strategy that will help you find the right customers, turn them into raving fans and rock your revenue: https://ethicalbrandmarketing.com/ebook