%Hunting habits of #humans are destructive and disruptive to the environment when compared to the sustainable hunting practices of other #predators.% - http://clapway.com/2015/08/21/humans-are-super-predators-101/

According to a new study led by researchers at the University of Victoria, human beings are unique in their extreme and destructive tendencies as hunters. The study, published in the online journal Science, found the hunting habits of humans to be extremely destructive and disruptive to the environment and its ecology, when compared to the efficient and sustainable hunting practices of other top predators (you can read the study for yourself here). Because of this, scientists are calling human beings “super-predators,” capable of altering not only the ecology, but the evolutionary path of animal species on a global scale.

INTRODUCING THE SUPER-PREDATOR

In a new study, researchers examined over 2,000 interactions between natural predators and prey, comparing their behaviors and methods to those of human hunting and fishing.

They found that humans kill top carnivores at a higher rate than all other top predators combined. Interestingly, humans also seem to favor hunting the adult members of the species that we kill, as bigger animals tend to hold higher value, both in food production , and in recreational trophy hunting . In total, the study found that when we fish, humans kill 14 times the amount of adult prey as other undersea predators. On land, we kill upwards of 9 times the amount of adult carnivorous predators than other natural hunters do.

This idea of killing the adults of a species is unique to that of human hunting, as most other top predators seek to kill the young members of a species, generally due to them being weaker and easier to catch. Due to advanced technology, and an increasing demand for an exponentially-increasing population, human beings have become the super-predator, capable of destroying entire ecosystems, and even changing the evolutionary courses of species.

HUMANS HUNT WITH UNSUSTAINABLE METHODS

Human hunting behaviors have proven throughout history to be devastating to many species—often driving entire populations of megafauna to the brink of extinction. Two examples can be found in the rapid extinction of the wooly mammoth and the giant sloth —two species that thrived in the absence of humans. As soon as humans intervened, the two species rapidly went extinct, consumed entirely by the super-predator.

This process of consuming entire species of animals still continues today, and not only leads to the endangerment (and ultimately, the extinction) of thousands of species, but to the altering of certain evolutionary processes on a global scale. Researchers have found that the more adult fish and top predators of the sea that we consume, the smaller these species become by the time they are able to reproduce. Additionally, these species also tend to produce less and less eggs with each subsequent generation, affecting their populations, as well as our future harvesting of fish.

THERE’S STILL TIME

According to Chris Darimont, lead author of the study and director of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation in British Columbia, there is still time to save our future supplies of food, as well as future generations of other top predators—if only we could start to learn from the methods and behaviors of natural hunters, which almost never harm the populations of their prey significantly.

Darimont asks us to imagine the adult animals that we kill as “capital,” capable of producing “interest” in the form of their young. By killing these young members of a species, both in food production and in trophy hunting, the adults would be able to produce and replace this interest as soon as the next breeding season. Currently, we practice the killing of these adults instead, halting the reproduction of many species at a rate that the researchers claim to be extremely disruptive to a specie’s population. Darimont claims that if we start to act soon in changing our fishing and hunting methods, we can still help bring back populations of marine life from the brink of extinction on a global scale. However, the hunting of large land carnivores must stop immediately if we want to keep them around for future generations, as they simply have not evolved as prey, equipped to handle the heavy losses that they suffer at the hands of super-predators every year.

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NEED NUTRITION WITH A MORE HERBAL ORIGIN? TRY NUTRIBULLET:

https://youtu.be/uIAczd2xF5s

New Study: Humans are "Super-Predators"

The #HPV #vaccine and its side effects called into question. - http://clapway.com/2015/07/13/hpv-vaccine-under-investigation-243/

HPV Vaccine Investigation Amidst Rising Concerns

An official review of possible side effects associated with the HPV vaccine has gone underway. The European Medicines Agency in the UK has officially begun an investigation into the side effect claims of the popular vaccine for Human papillomavirus, or HPV.

Official reports state that the review will focus on “rare reports of two things — complex regional pain syndrome and a condition where standing up causes dizziness and increased heart rate” (or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), even though both of these conditions exist in non-vaccinated individuals. The concern stems from the large amount of reports coming from vaccinated persons, which raises concerns about the HPV vaccine’s safety for patient use.

What is the HPV Vaccine?

The vaccine itself was introduced in the UK back in 2008, where it focused primarily on the demographic of girls ages 12-13.

Overseas in the United States, the vaccine has been given to both teenage boys and girls, ranging from ages 11-26 according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s estimated that about 72 million people worldwide have been distributing the vaccine.

With this new information, it is hoped that the review will determine whether or not the any changes to the vaccine will be recommended. Though there is no question as to whether the benefit of the vaccine will outweigh the risks, reviewers hope that this will better encourage informed patients and healthcare professionals.

This review also comes at a time when the vaccine is being offered to “at-risk” males in British Columbia, to address a “gap” in coverage between most at-risk demographics. The government-established program will provide the vaccine to boys and young men who exhibit the most concerning lifestyle attributes.

What Will the Results Bring?

The vaccine continues to be monitored by the European Medicines Agency, as well as by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it still remains of concern amid rising side effect speculations, whether or not the vaccine does provide more harm than good to its patients. HPV itself has been linked to cervical cancer and genital warts. Even with concerns about side effects, the vaccine provides a much needed defense against this sexually transmitted disease.

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Take care to care about your health with some Sun Lifelight:

HPV Vaccine Under Investigation

There is something healing about looking at the ocean, listening to the soothing sound of the waves pounding on the shore and breathing the invigorating fresh air. - http://clapway.com/2015/06/07/the-call-of-the-ocean/

There is a place on the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island that was built for dreamers: a place where the salty air is curing, the cold ocean is rejuvenating, and the lush rainforests are reinvigorating. A place where people go to gaze at the ocean in peace, and experience nature at its humblest best.

Tofino is indeed an oasis of nature’s wonders. With its beautiful old-growth coastal forests, abundant wildlife and miles of sandy beaches, this little surfing town attracts many surfers, outdoor adventurers, soul searchers, and nature lovers every year.

During the past few weeks, I felt an overpowering urge to be by the ocean. So when Corianne showed interest for a weekend getaway, there were no doubts we had to make a trip to Tofino. We departed Whistler at dusk on Saturday and headed south to catch the early morning BC Ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver towards Departure Bay, Nanaimo. The scenic 2 hour-ride through the Gulf Islands was pleasant, as we sat in the rear deck, sheltered from the wind, exposed to the rising sun.

Once in Nanaimo, we drove north on Highway BC19, a car loaded with camping gear and a sun blasting into the sky. We crossed the island on the Pacific Rim Highway heading west, meandering through a coastal forest of old-growth oaks. The beams of the afternoon sun poured through trees and fog. We travelled the picturesque road, winding around Sproat and Kennedy Lake, until we arrived in the coastal town of Tofino.

We had booked camping on the beach at Bella Pacifica, located on Mackenzie Beach. We set up camp and retired on the beach for the evening as the sun was setting. Along with wine, cheeses, and charcuterie, we admired the hues of the sky as the sun fell back behind the evening haze.

We woke up early the next morning to another beautiful and sunny day. We brewed fresh coffee and took a stroll on the beach. As we shuffled our bare feet in the sand, we found ourselves spectators of a rare scene: the beach was blanketed by thousands of blue tiny creatures called “sail jellyfish”, scientifically known as Velella velella, that washed ashore during the night. At the rocky shores of the bay, we explored the tidal pools at low tide and spotted many starfishes and sea anemones. Amongst curious children, we were fascinated by the stunning diversity of marine life.


There was a short hike I’ve heard of and really wanted to do. It wasn’t on any map, so after asking a few locals, I had enough clues to hunt for the hidden trail. I couldn’t be happier when I found the entrance, and I couldn’t be more excited when we reached the top, overlooking the panoramic view of Cox Bay.

After a lunch of fresh tuna tacos at Tacofino, we headed back to Cox Bay with our surfing gear. Time to slip in the wetsuit, put on the booties, strap the leash and head to the water. I am no surfer. But I can play in the waves. And here in Tofino, there is no better place to learn and play than on its beautiful beach breaks and high waist waves.

I took a moment to embrace my surroundings: the water slipping off my forehead, the air cleansing my lungs, the retreating sun warming up my skin, and a setting to dream for. I glanced at my friends, who glanced back, nodding for this inspiring moment we shared.

We spent the night by the campfire on the beach, along with friends we met. The moon rose and settled in the sky, full and ripe, stretching its light far in the distance. We watched fireworks exploding in the clear sky while the sounds of drums resonated through the night.

Coastal living offers wonderful benefits. Not only does spending time by the ocean balances the body and creates physical harmony, but it also allows us to take a moment to pause, reflect, meditate and embrace solitude. It brings us to a tranquil state of mindfulness and awareness, and gives a sense of freedom. It clarifies the mind and opens up to new perspectives. There is something healing about looking at the ocean, listening to the soothing sound of the waves pounding on the shore and breathing the invigorating fresh air. So if you ever need to calm your mind, improve your physical health or find inspiration and purpose to your life, perhaps all you need is a dose of Vitamin Sea.

The Call of the Ocean