Topics

Jun

Artistic Expression Speaks Out for World Oceans

by Meredith Mullins on June 6, 2013

colorful plastic pieces in rows in Jerry Takigawa's artistic expression of world ocean tragedy

What Do You See Here?

A beautifully crafted Chinese game board?

A designer version of the betting game where the walnut shell gets hidden?

A surprisingly ordered set of colorful cups floating over a pebbled stream bed?

Which one is the subject of this unique artistic expression? Or is it none of these? And how does an albatross fit into the story? Read more...

Meredith Mullins Comments

Making a Difference/The World's Photography

Jun

Finding Common Ground in Ocean Waters

by Janine Boylan on June 3, 2013

summer crowd on the beach, an inspiration for finding common ground on World Oceans Day

A summer crowd gathers at the beach.
© Janine Boylan

The World Comes Together to Celebrate World Oceans Day

Long before the Internet connected our world, the oceans did, flowing from the shore of one country to another. From the beginning of time, the oceans have fascinated us and served us, yet only in modern times have we come to understand the oceans as a shared responsibility.

In 2008, the United Nations officially designated June 8th as World Oceans Day, an international day to celebrate the water that unites us. Read more...

Janine Boylan Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Making a Difference/Worldwide Sites

May

Seven Important Life Lessons in a Bee Garden

by Janine Boylan on May 27, 2013

A bumblebee whose behavior shows life lessons in a bee garden

The other day I met some neighbors I didn’t know too well: bees. Walking through a bee garden planted especially for bees, I learned a lot about these little creatures. They had some Oh, I see important life lessons for me, too.

1. Diversity is the spice of life.

When you think of bees, it’s likely that you picture a honeybee. But the honeybee is only one of many, many different kinds of bees.

A green leafcutter bee, whose behavior shows life lessons in a bee garden

There are about 4,000 species of bees in North America: round fuzzy striped bumblebees, small bright green sweat bees, thin yellow and black leaf-cutter bees, big black carpenter bees, and more. Read more...