Author: Sam Asper

2017 has been a year full of crazy news, especially in the environmental realm. In the whirlwind of stories and headlines, a new one is about to emerge: “Marine Mammal Forced to Extinction”. With such somber stories, it is ever important that we use them as fuel for our hopeful navigation of our world. Let’s use the hurdles to encourage us to jump higher! The plight of the vaquita is enough fuel to propel all of us into action. The vaquita porpoise dangles at the edge of extinction because of human activities. Last summer, a survey revealed that there were…

What do pandas, snow leopards, and golden snub-nosed monkeys all have in common? Besides being fluffy and adorable, they can all be seen up close and like never before in Born in China ! Disney Nature’s Born in China film is hitting theaters Earth Day weekend, April 21, 2017. The movie follows these three animals through the heart of China’s natural world, giving the audience a glimpse into wild China. Disney Nature’s films share the beauty and magic of nature with audiences and engage them in taking action for the planet. Protecting Nature Off Screen But Disney Nature isn’t the only…

From the plains of Tanzania to the mountains of Canada, youth from all corners of the Earth are making a positive change in the world. To date, Roots & Shoots members have reported more than 6,500 service projects for people, animals, and the environment in over 100 different countries. Inspired by Dr. Jane and empowered by their adult mentors and peers, these young people are weaving a worldwide tapestry of hope. But how do we connect these compassionate young change-makers? Among the ways is the popular video-calling service, Skype. Through a collaboration with Microsoft, the Jane Goodall Institute is able…

I am… a scientist, an explorer, a hockey fan, a dog-lover, a sister, an intern, a student, and a teacher. I am Sam Asper. I am ordinary and I can change the world. Because ordinary people DO change the world. Jane Goodall is an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. From her first venture into the forest to study chimpanzees, to creating the Jane Goodall Institute, Dr. Jane has been a champion of research and conservation. And there’s more. As a UN Messenger of Peace, she advocates for peace between all animals and the environment we share. When she started the global Roots…

Realistic thinking accrues only after mistake making, which is the cosmic wisdom’s most cogent way of teaching each of us how to carry on.- Buckminster Fuller Mother Nature has a mind of her own. No matter how many times you check the weather, it can change within the hour. Similarly, just when we think we understand non-human animals, we are exposed to some new behavior and our thinking is completely altered. When a recent study revealed that cownose rays were destroying bivalve populations, the public immediately reacted — with great strength. The campaign “Save the Bay, Eat a Ray” swept…

Blood rushes through your veins as you swim closer to the giant lurking in the shadows. Your hands shake holding your camera, ready to get the video of a lifetime. The warm Indian Ocean engulfs you as you inch nearer, eager to encounter the biggest fish in the sea: the whale shark. You stop and ponder, “how close should I get to the shark without disturbing it?” Lucky for you, there’s an answer: approximately 3 meters from the shark’s head or 4 meters from it’s tail. The answer to this question came on March 3rd, 2017 (World Wildlife Day), when…

In the Gulf of California’s shallow waters, the world’s smallest marine mammal is in desperate trouble. The vaquita, known in Spanish as “little cow,” is projected to go extinct by next year. There are only 30 vaquitas left in the wild, according to a recent report by the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (CIRVA). The species was discovered in 1958 and has lost more than half of it’s population in the last 3 years. They are listed as critically endangered and if immediate measures are not taken, the vaquita will join the passenger pigeon on the extinct…

News has seemed pretty gloomy for our fellow primates. A recent report found that over half of the world’s primates are nearing extinction. Impacted by deforestation, illegal trafficking, and hunting for the bushmeat and pet trades, primate species are quickly disappearing. While primates are our closest relatives, they can also be keystone species. This means that ecosystems could drastically change if the primates disappear. But here’s the good news…there are conservation efforts all over that are saving our primate cousins! Countries are taking action to help save their native primates, through government intervention and support from organizations on the ground.…