Save Eco Destinations

(If you’re sick of the topic, just scroll to the bottom for the important stuff.)

Check it out: Not even the Argentine Minister of Health Juan Manzur (left) or President Cristina Kirchner (right) are wearing a mask.

Yes, again. This time because I am in South America, I am freezing my butt off, and the news keeps scaring the hell out of everybody regarding the damn H1N1 — or piggy flu, as I like to call it.

Did you know that those masks are counterproductive? They make the area of your nose and mouth more hospitable to viruses and bacteria by keeping it warm and moist. You’re definitely better off without one. They’re all sold out anyway because the mainstream media lies through their rotten teeth about what will help you prevent becoming a pandemic statistic. What a joke.

Did you know that at the international airport of Ezeiza  in Buenos Aires passengers getting off the planes are given masks to wear just for photojournalists to photograph? It’s disgusting.

Did you know that most people who contract H1N1 experience mild symptoms that go away on their own? Yes, I already told you that Tamiflu is a ripoff.

So scary!

Wait, wrong mammal.

Here we go:

So cute! Thanks for the photo, USDA.

Some eco love

So go ahead and go on your fun South American eco adventure – visit Iguazú, the Patagonia in Argentina/Chile (hey THIS looks pretty sweet and maybe THIS too), marvel at the beauty of Brazilians while gazing at the Atlantic from a mound of warm sand (or while doing one of these activities).

Hey, I wish these places paid me for the advertising. Pfft.

The-important-stuff-at-the-bottom

Here are some crucial and frightening facts that will benefit you if you choose to innoculate yourself in hopes of avoiding an H1N1 infection: Squalene: The Swine Flu Vaccine’s Dirty Little Secret Exposed.

Be safe — but not paranoid! I.E. Don’t watch mainstream news. Stay objective and inform yourself from several disparate sources.

Note: Even I’m sick of discussing it, but I can’t help myself.

The swine flu/H1N1 rage is over or dwindling in many parts of the world (and yes, growing in some). 70 deaths in Mexico now. And millions due to the regular flu, by the way.

I just want to say, all the overreacting has caused me to postpone my vacation. First, it was just going to be a few weeks. Now, for reasons external to H1N1 but impacted by the postponed trip, it will be a few months. No good.

Pigs are abused in factory farms

So I hope the rest of you have had better luck and suffered from no panic, or at least were able to control the media’s flu frenzy. It’s too bad that countries have been shutting people out and blocking people in due to this. And that masks, paranoia and general anxiety have been cutting us off from one another! You know, I was afraid people would give me dirty looks on the plane and at airports since I suffer from allergies and frequently blow my nose. But I am speaking even of those who do not.

And a big no-no to you, big pharma, for feeding it (and sponsoring it? Most likely!). Bad big pharma. Bad.

Oh, and if you wanted environment-related news regarding H1N1, the Huffington Post has posted a few links. (I just didn’t find them relevant enough to the usual topics to discuss here.) And let me repeat that I blame Big Pharma, not factory farms, for the virus. Although, factory farms are horrible. Go vegetarian! Ok, no pressure.

taken at Isla Mujeres, by Ricardo Carreon

Prices have been slashed by 50-70% in an effort to lure back tourists, many of whom not only did not come after having bought their tickets and reserved their rooms along the coasts of Quintana Roo—which is arguably understandable—but they didn’t even cancel. How rude.

The federal government is giving the tourism industry a hand through a multimillion-dollar campaign worth USD 450 million. They got loans for hotels, cuts in airport and port fees and tax write-offs, the New York Times reports.

And the government should be generous: Mexico’s tourism industry earned USD 13.3 billion last year alone (the worst case scenario is thought to be a USD 5 billion loss for 2009, up to 0.5% off their GDP). Two million people depend on the Mexican Caribbean tourism industry to feed their families. Tourism represents 8% of the country’s economy.

Cozumel by John and Lee

Still, no cruises will stop at Mexico. And even a Royal Caribbean representative admits that “It is not necessarily the risk” It’s more about whether our guests feel comfortable visiting Mexico.” Right! Because Mexico has been stigmatized, which I find unfair. And really, anywhere something this hysterical happens it would be unfair, it’s not a Mexico thing.

And yet the US Govt still says “essential travel only or you’ll get H1N1.” Overreact much? This is why people are in fear—Because people exaggerate!

I’ll let Jon Stewart tell you about it (plz follow the link because I can’t figure out how to embed a video).

The Cancun Hotel Assoc will be working with Mexican travel agents to get more Mexicans back in the area. It’s deserted out there, I hear. Once the global flu threat is dismissed or lifted, the assoc will work with US and other foreign travel agents to attract gringos and everyone else back.

North Hemisphere folks, you will get to swim, sunbathe, relax, hike and party your ass off in Mexico this summer. For cheap. Just skip DF and you’ll have no excuse to freak.

Swine flu’s so last week.

Come on, let me see a smile on that pretty face of yours!

ruins in Acapulco by tourbyvan

P.S. I think this issue gets to me so much because I used to be one of the people who saw or heard something on TV and believed it. Sure, I was a kid back then. But it’s always been disheartening to me to learn that I’ve been duped even if everyone else is too. It’s not cool. It’s crap. It has to stop. And bringing panic to the masses is not only crap but also evil. Not to mention the ulterior motives of selling Tamiflu and all that shit.

P.P.S. I think there’s no more for me to say on this issue, so expect a break. Yay!

Everyone is going to die from swine flu!

All right.

A very big part of the reason why I have  been so frustrated by the uncalled-for swine flu panic is that it has postponed my vacation due to the resulting paranoia of one of my travel partners. Fortunately we are only postponing our trip by 2 weeks.

On to my point.

I will point you to some very intriguing and enlightening information. It will give you facts without sensationalizing them like mainstream media does.

This information does not come from a company or subsidiary of any corporation or medical laboratory or any body attempting to sell anyone anything.

This one is fundamental: The swine flu pandemic – fact or fiction? (29 April)- This one is truly fascinating.

"Swine flu threat has passed"

Some valuable points and reads to keep in mind when thinking about the swine flu:

• “Governments, using the mainstream media, have deliberately and shamefully engaged in fear mongering, not unlike the tactics used when a flu virus emerged in the U. S. in 1976. It was all smoke and mirrors.” 9 May, brand-spanking new. 
• “Many thousands of people die each year from the flu worldwide, especially in a poor country like Mexico.” And all piggy-free.
• Watch Jon Stewart slam fear-mongering
• “It is important to note that nearly all suspected new cases have been reported as mild. Preliminary scientific evidence is also pointing out that this virus is NOT as potent as initially thought.” This information was reported in a New York Times article on 5 May, while the article I quoted initially, up top, was published almost a week earlier. HELLO!
• Fear-mongering reporters fueled by corporate assholes have been forced to remove their heads from their asses, as scientists they are interviewing now admit they overreacted.
• “Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they believed the disease was not nearly as lethal or severe as they had initially thought it could be, and they recommended on Tuesday that schools with confirmed cases no longer shut their doors.” – New York Times, 6 May
• “Health officials report that although the virus is widespread, most cases seem to be mild.” NYT, 5 May (Yes, again! Get it in your head plz.)
• Expected Tamiflu sales would make corporations a whopping USD 388 million. And we know money is the best motivator. The drug isn’t even safe, and its side effects are prety much like those of the swine flu. Tamiflu purportedly shortens your sickness by 1-1.5 days. Doesn’t sound worthwhile to me.
• Flu vaccines are ineffective and unsafe.

I mean, damn, keep googling. I’m one of very many pissed off about the mindfucking mainstream media is doing on the populace.

And for the last time, Mexico is safe to visit. So hit that fear over the head with some facts and head on over if you were planning to already! And maybe I’ll see you there.

A colorful map of QR from seamonkeybusiness.com

Mexico reopened a lot of its archaeological sites and museums to the public yesterday thanks to the authorization of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), said State Tourism Secretary Sara Latife Ruiz. The sites had been closed since April 29.

About time!

Quintana Roo INAH Delegate Adriana Velásquez Morlet said the following have been greenlighted:

• Museum of the Maya Culture in Chetumal
• El Rey and El Meco in Cancún
• San Gervasio and El Cedral in Cozumel
• Tulum and Coba in Riviera Maya
• Chacchoben, Kohunlich, Kinichná, Dzibanché, Oxtankah, Xpuhil and The Fort of San Felipe Bacalar in the south

I hope you’re happy because I’m still getting partly screwed: the Tulum by Night show hasn’t even been given a date for making its comeback.

Chichén Itzá

In Yucatán, Chichén Itzá has reopened. Apparently it’s one of the new 7 wonders of the world. I should check it out.

Speaking of which—how do the forces of the universe (ha) choose what comprises a wonder, why are there new ones, and why still 7 instead of adding to the list? I’m sure there are very boring answers to those questions.

Anyway, after widespread piggy flu P-A-N-I-C throughout Mexico (in vain, I tell you, in vainnn!) most of the Caribbean portion of QR is returning to normal—bars, restaurants, shops (I’m sure the shopaholics reading this have a smile on their faces now, eh?), and other “tourist attractions.”

High schools and universities reopen tomorrow, Thursday 5/7 and the little ones go back to class starting Monday.

Cancun Intl Airport

The Ministry of Health assures the country is fading out of the disease.

Poor Mexico, so stigmatized when the swine flu is really no more dangerous than the regular flu. (Oh, yes—you better expect a whole post on that.)

At least the intl. airport in Cancun (CUN) got 99 flights (arrivals + departures) today alone. Wait for me, CUN, I’ll be there soon!!

“The swine flu be damned!” they said. OK, not really—that’s what I said.

Here’s the deal: federal, state, and municipal authorities have met in Cancun together with the businesses involved in the plan to stop beach erosion in the north of Quintana Roo.  Mexican authorities assured their work will continue.

Beach erosion at Playa del Carmen

The swine flu plus the worldwide economic crisis—and now its exacerbation due to drastic tourism lows because people mistakenly think they have super high chances of catching swine flu and that it is super deadly*—are wreaking havoc in Mexico.

Still, “The swine flu be damned!” I said (see?).  Beach rescue plans in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel will not be stopped, said Rodolfo Elizondo of the Secretary of Tourism (Sectur) and Mauricio Limón, of Environmental and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

Although the project was to begin on June 4, it has been pushed back a month to July. They expect the project to be finished by December, as it’s the most important month in terms of tourism for the Mexican Caribbean.

Why will this project go on? Precisely because of the chaos: Cancun must get itself out of trouble come high tourist season. It has to regain its allure to attract people to Mexico.

The federal government is ponying up MXN 400 million (USD 29 million) and the state govt. MXN 200 million (USD 14 million) plus credits to be solicited by the municipalities.

Ecological issues

The environmental aspects of the project will cost about MXN 900 million (USD 65 million). The authorities are in the process of gathering public opinion.

The regional Environmental Impact Manifestation has been submitted to Environmental Impact Evaluation Proceedings (PEIA) on April 2. PEIA has 60 days to emit a verdict, or longer if it requires additional information to make its decision. Semarnat guaranteed one by mid-June.

The “Cozumel issue”—the original opposition to sand extractions in its bank in Punta Norte—was “resolved” after hotel developer Fernando García Zalvidea got pissy about the repercussions of the continued block on this “indispensable” project for all of Quintana Roo and Mexico.

On the other hand, Limón Aguirre said La Ollita is not an option for a sand extraction source, as it holds less than 50% of the necessary amount of sand required.

More info (in Spanish) here.

Oh, the environment always loses when faced with financial gains to be had at its expense. Is beach erosion something so important to fix, environmentally, that extracting sand from another area and thereby affecting an ecosystem is worth the trouble?

YES, say hotel businessmen. DUH.

Oh, sorry. I should’ve known.

At the same time, if these beaches stop looking like the pamphlets promise they do and tourists start flocking elsewhere, these people, locals, won’t be able to feed their families (most people in Mexico are, of course, not rich).

It is complicated.

But can it only be one way or the other? Can’t there be a middle ground, or a way that both parties can win?

There must be. But it’s not worth the money when you can just extract sand from someplace more convenient, and finish it all in time for high season. At least this time.

* yes, I think the swine flu pandemic is BS. Really, read this article!! Think critically and deconstruct fear.mongering!

UPDATE: 1 May, QR remains swine-flu free.

Happily, although Mexico D.F. and other parts are hosting people infected with the swine flu, Quintana Roo is home safe.

The trouble is that some people must fly through D.F. to get to QR. But, if you’re lucky and can just fly in through Cancún, you’re in the clear. (Still, if you’re in good health and take the proper precautions, even if you fly in through D.F., you should be fine.)

The QR State Secretary of Tourism has announced that the state is swine flu-free. Not a single case has been reported in the area. Beautiful.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health continues to monitor check points at airports, cruise and bus terminals and the more than 77,000 hotel rooms (whoa) operating in QR. Read the full text here.

All schools in Mexico-so in QR as well, are closed. However, I’ve been reading that in Tulum, “people are in the streets as usual, eating beside each other at the open-air food stands, and nobody is wearing masks.” Fabulous.  Speaking of walk-by sights, there is a new park on Avenida Tulum! It used to be a construction site, but now it holds a lively playground.

A few people are, perhaps as expected, canceling reservations in the area, but I’d wager it’s happening a lot more northwest of the Yucatán Peninsula. After all, Mexico is a big place! And the main “scary” part right now is D.F., far off from Tulum and Cancún.

Thus far, the party is on in QR–so if you’ve got reservations, as long as you take your vitamin C tablets, wash your hands thoroughly and often and stay away from sick people, you ought to be just fine. Enjoy the beach!

And just for the record, I am flying in to Quintana Roo through D.F. next week. Damn swine flu isn’t going to ruin my vacation!

I find this issue fascinating, so I wanted to delve into it deeper. Here we go –

Corals:

Scientific studies ascertained a relationship between the approximately 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen melting off swimmers’ skins and the quickly increasing decline in corals. It turns out that four common sunscreen ingredients (octinoxate, oxybenzone 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and the preservative butylparaben) activate dormant viruses in corals, which go on to destroy algae—what corals feed on, and without which corals turn white and die.

About 60% of reefs around the world are currently in danger of dying due to global warming, excess UV radiation, and human activity—whether because anchors and boats tear through them, we pollute them with our garbage, or we drown them in our skincare products.

According to the European Commission, the chemicals in sunscreen and other skincare products are so harmful that areas such as marine eco-parks in Mexico straight-out ban them. These chemicals “can accumulate in aquatic animals, have an estrogen-like effect and biodegrade into toxic by-products.”

When they added low quantities of sunscreen to water around coral reefs, they found that “large amounts of coral mucous … was (sic) released within 18-48 hours. Within 96 hours, complete bleaching of corals had occurred.” Previously dormant viruses residing within the corals came alive and triggered widespread infections, effects also caused by pesticides and other pollutants.It only takes 20 minutes in the water for 25% of the harmful ingredients in your sunscreen to be released into the water.

Fish:

All the way back in 2006, the University of Applied Sciences in Basil, Switzerland, found endocrine disruptors (UV filters) in fish—male fish with not only sperm, but also female eggs. Read more here.

Humans:

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted research on 1,031 common brands of sunscreen last year. They found that:

• 4 out of 5 do not offer adequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays
• many include ingredients that may be unsafe
• best-selling sunscreens (e.g. Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena) proved to be the worst offenders. Here is the best and worst list: Find your sunscreen.
• many sunscreens only protect against UVB radiations (which cause sunburns), and not UVA radiations (which cause skin damage, aging, immune system problems, and skin cancer)
• 46% of sunscreens contain ingredients that break down under UV rays within minutes or hours, letting UV rays damage your skin
• sunscreens in the form of powder and spray make it easier for toxic nano-scale ingredients to get into your body than lotion sunscreens containing the same ingredients
• some sunscreens—and their toxic ingredients (namely, oxybenzone and other UV filters)—enter the bloodstream. These ingredients may exude free radicals in the sunlight, disrupt the endocrine system, cause allergies, and build up in the body
• the FDA is not currently taking care of these issues, so you must do so for yourself

Read more here.

SOLUTION: wear biodegradable sunscreens without questionable ingredients, apply it  repeatedly to the skin, wear a hat, and wear UV-resistant clothing (e.g. Solartex and No Zone) .