Kudos for The Switch

I rented The Switch yesterday – a fun Hollywood film with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. My favourite aspect of the film, however, was the character of Aniston’s son, Sebastian, played by Thomas Robinson. Young Sebastian loved animals reverently, and displayed real emotion and deep caring for the natural world.

Often in Hollywood films, people who care for animals and the environment are portrayed as living on the fringe; standing up for ridiculous ideals.

Sebastian’s character is inspiring, sensitive and hopeful. I would love to see more films show this side of children. Then other kids will watch these shows and know it’s okay to be reverent – to stand up for animals and the environment.

The Switch is not about protecting animals or saving the world. But such a well-placed character within a mainstream film is perfect to awaken a bit of awareness in viewers everywhere.

To the writers of the film, I say, “thank you.”

Namaste,

Ethan

Image from The Switch - imbd.com

Vegan Health in the Long Run

I wonder if any long term vegans out there would like to share the stories of how their diet has effected their health.

I’d really like to hear from vegans who have blue-collar, physical jobs and are as strong as ever after ten years or more of veganism.

Anyone?

The Ark is Still Sailing

It’s been a long while since I blogged on here. I’ve been building my family a home, raising my daughter, writing a couple of fiction projects, and being distracted by all kinds of other things.

Meanwhile, however, Building an Ark has been gaining a wider readership, courageous people are working tirelessly to help animals and the environment, and there are many reasons to feel hope for the future of the natural world.

Of course there are tons of things to worry about. climate change is happening, factory farms are expanding, animal suffering continues everywhere.

But I’m here today to tell you I’m back. I’m getting back to helping the rest of you who are creating a healthier world for us all to live in. Building an Ark was written to inspire reverence, action, and hope. New Society Publishers gave it their full support. So did Jane Goodall, Guy Dauncey and a team of dozens of advisors. Over the past year or so, I keep getting emails from people who have been touched by the book; people who believe in what we’ve done and wondering what’s next. I feel eternally grateful for those messages and for the continuing book sales.

But enough’s enough. No more procrastinating. I’ve got work to do. There will be more blogs, now. More projects. For animals, the environment, and kindred spirits everywhere.

Photo from Ark file/WSPA

Namaste,

Ethan