Ben Lee’s latest music video has been created with WWF Australia to help raise awareness on the terrible impact us humans are having on the planet. The video was created by WWF’s ad agency Leo Burnett and was released to commemorate International Earth Day. The message is simple, that we need to live a healthier, more sustainable way of life to help preserve the planets future.

The single, Song For the Divine Mother of the Universe, allowed Ben the unique opportunity to help promote an issue close to his heart whilst also supporting WWF. The video itself is an attempt to make those watching consider what their day to day actions are having on our planet, and what the repercussions may be. Ben said -

The message is ultimately one of hope, promoting the fact we actually have a chance to make a difference, but must act today and live for one planet.

WWF figures show the human race is currently using almost 30% more of the worlds natural resources than the world can regenerate. The human race needs to realise the dire consequences our actions are having, and if a video like Ben’s manages to turn even a single head, then the combined work will have been successful.

Help WWF Australia with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as $70 you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF Australia

View other top charity gifts

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

WWF Australia is creating a petition to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to bring to his attention the serious risk that pesticides pose to the Great Barrier Reef. Designed to kill weeds, pesticides are being washed away into rivers and estuaries and slowly finding their way to coral reefs, where they continue to kill marine plants and attack the food source for animals that depend on them.

Due to pesticide pollution, the Coral Reef of Australia is struggling to absorb shocks and recover from stress. Pesticides cannot be seen in the water and are an invisible killer, causing harm not just to the reef itself, but also to the precious marine life that call it home. Thousands of species of fish, turtles and dolphins are at risk from these harmful chemicals that are making there way into the sea, and now is the time for everyone to make a stand against pesticide pollution.

By signing the petition below, you will be asking Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to strengthen the current review of Australia’s pesticides watchdog. If we join together now, we can make a call to action to help remove the stress on the Great Barrier Reef, and make a better future for some of the countries most spectacular nature sites and their inhabitants.

> > Click here to sign WWF petition for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

Help WWF Australia with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as $70 you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF Australia

View other top charity gifts

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

Earth Hour 2010, in conjunction with the WWF charity, will soon be upon us again with nearly 100 iconic landmarks in 1,000 cities and towns around the world will switch off their lights for an hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 27th March 2010. By joining the other hundreds of millions of people across the globe, you will be showing your commitment stopping climate change and helping the environment.

All across Australia, the lights will be lowered on some of the countries most famous landmarks for one hour to show support, including -

• Sydney’s Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park
• Melbourne’s Luna Park, Rialto Tower, Arts Centre and Crown Casino
• Brisbane’s Story Bridge
• Adelaide’s Town Hall and Rundle Mall Lantern
• Canberra’s National Library and Australian War Memorial

Alongside the Australian effort, some of the world’s biggest countries will ‘flick the switch’ on their signature landmarks as a show of support to the sustainable development in adopting low-carbon practices. These actions shown are crucial to highlight the need for everyone across the globe to help control climate change.

Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director, Andy Ridley, said -

The C40 suggests that cities are responsible for up to 75% of the world’s carbon emissions, so their role in addressing what is unequivocally the greatest threat to the planet today is absolutely vital. By turning the lights off for Earth Hour, cities are reflecting the aspirations of their citizens as a community that has resolved to take action on global warming.

With the lights going off on the Empire State building, Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids and many other world renowned landmarks across the planet, you too can join in and make your voice heard. Turn your lights off for just one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 27th March 2010, and you too can take part in the greatest display of civil action the world has ever witnessed.

Help WWF Australia with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as $70 you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF Australia

View other top charity gifts

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

WWF Adopt an animal scheme has just launched in Australia and is a fantastic gift for a loved one or friend. This is a great way to show a loved one that you care not only for them, but also for the world and it’s animals. All you need you need to do is pay a one off fee and you will not only be providing funds to help an endangered species survive in the wild, but you will also see your chosen recipient receive a -

• cute cuddly toy of the animal
• adoption certificate
• fantastic gift pack

There is a great selection of animals to adopt from the WWF, with all of your donations helping to stop poaching and protect the future of some of the world’s most endangered species. Due to deforestation, global warming and illegal trade, some of the world’s most beautiful animals are slowly becoming extinct, so why not -

• adopt a Tiger
• adopt a Turtle
• adopt a Panda
• adopt an Orangutan

These Adopt an Animal packages are a great charity gift for friends and family, especially children. Not only will you be giving them a fantastic cuddly toy and an interesting gift pack, but you will also be providing much needed funds to help stop endangered species from becoming extinct across the globe.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF Australia

Other top charity gifts

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

The WSPA charity are fighting hard to stop the dreadful sport of bear baiting, which is still being performed in countries such as Pakistan. The WSPA managed to halt an event in February, saving the lives of two bears, who would almost certainly have been murdered by dogs for the pleasure of a baying crowd.

The WSPA’s first attempt to confiscate the bears was met with fierce resistance from the event organiser, who makes a lucrative wage from staging such events. In reaction to the objection, an appeal was made to the bear owners personally, explaining that they could help them find an alternative livelihood away from this barbaric sport. Thankfully, the owners recanted, and allowed the bears to be taken into the care of the WSPA.

Working alongside the Punjab Wildlife Committee (PBRC), the WSPA have helped dramatically reduce the number of bear baiting events, through working with the Pakistani government to push for the prosecution of illegal bear owners and calling for greater action against bear cub poachers. Also, by creating the Kund Park Sanctuary, the WSPA have created a home and a possilbe future for confiscated bears who would struggle to re-adapt to life in the wild.

> > click here to make a donation to the WSPA

Read our WSPA review

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

Actress Natalie Imbruglia will be starring in the one hour documentary ‘Memory of Maia’ on Network Ten, an amazing insight into the incredible bear sanctuary of Romania.

Natalie travelled throughout the country alongside the alongside the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), helping to rescue imprisoned bears and relocate them to the forest sanctuary near the city of Brasov in Transylvania.

Romania is home to some of Europe’s most neglected bears, with the majority victims of the tourist industry, or rescued from private zoos and circuses. The program run by the WSPA is to try and confiscate all captive bears in Romania and educate local people and authorities about the importance of protecting these complex and intelligent animals and keeping them in the wild.

After visiting the sanctuary, Natalie said –

‘The sanctuary is absolutely amazing, I loved seeing the bears running around and interacting. It reminded me of children playing and it fascinated me seeing the connection they had with each other. Most of the bears had never experienced dirt underneath their paws or trees to hug and climb, and this sanctuary gives the bears the opportunity to do this and live the rest of their lives safe from harm.’

While a sanctuary is only one small part of the solution to the captive bear problem in Romania, it is a necessary safe haven for imprisoned bears that would simply have no other place to go.

In Memory of Maia is on Sunday, February 15 at 4pm on Network Ten.

> > click here to make a donation to the WSPA

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

The WSPA charity has slammed the Australian government’s annual kangaroo culling as a ‘killing frenzy’.

The government have increased the numbers allowed to be shot by commercial hunters from 5million every year to 7million. The Farmers’ Association of New South Wales claim a leap from 8million to over 13million in the past 12 months justify the extra Kangaroo culling. The Association also blame the overpopulation causing damage to fences, crops, and depletion of the Outback’s water supply. But with the meat Kangaroo goods now becoming a multimillion dollar industry, animal rights groups see this as an excuse for commercial gain.

It’s not just animal rights groups who disagree with the cull either. 8 Aboriginal elders scaled the fences of the former naval communications post in Canberra where a cull was taking place. Once inside the elders held a smoking ceremony, to ‘claim back their land’. Local Aborigines have been closely involved in the protest against the cull for several weeks.

Ngunnawal tribe spokeswoman Isobel Coe told police -

“If you are going to treat us like trespassers you will have to arrest us and take us to jail. We are claiming our land and that’s what our sacred fire means.”

It is now possible to help fund the work of the RSPCA by using their charity credit card. MBNA will pledge £20 to the RSPCA for each card issued, with a further 25p being donated for every £100 spent.

> > click here to make a donation to the WSPA

Read our WSPA review

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

Over 75% of the world’s 500million dog population are strays, a problem the WSPA charity is fighting to eradicate. With the lack of animal medical care in third world countries, most stray dogs can expect to contract fatal diseases through tumours and rabies. The WSPA are looking to develop sustainable dog population management throughout poverty stricken countries, whilst also funding mobile veterinary services.

The WSPA run recreational and school based workshops worldwide to help educate children and pet owners on the responsible treatment of animals, while also providing medical services for all animals, stray or cared for. The work is a never ending cycle, as one animal is vaccinated, another is put down, but the tireless efforts of the WSPA will continue to fight what to most would look like a lost cause.

> > click here to make a donation to WSPA

Read our WSPA review

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."

Recent reports from the WSPA charity prove conclusively that bear farming is still an ongoing trade in China. The bears are generally locked in a cage no bigger than a telephone box, then have daily incisions into their abdomen to remove the bile from the gall bladder. The bile is then used in medicines as a treatment for chronic stomach disease and other related ailments, particularly gall stones.

Even though it has been medically proven that there are far more practical alternatives to bear bile, there are still approximately 13,000 bears currently being farmed in Asia. Over the last 2 years the WSPA have managed to secure verbal agreements with both Vietnam and Korea to phase out bear farming, and hope that China will follow suit.

The WSPA are currently in direct discussion with high ranking officials in the Chinese government and lobbying companies to halt this unnecessary practice. Whilst mobilising support within the Chinese communities of the United States, the UK and Australia, the WSPA will demonstrate to China that practical alternatives to bear bile exist.

With the bile extraction procedure being extremely painful and traumatizing for the bear, the sooner this cruel ‘farming’ is halted the better. With Vietnam and Korea leading the way, surely China must realise that this barbaric method of cruelty done for the sake of producing medicinal goods should be consigned to the history books.

> > click here to make a donation to the WSPA

Read our WSPA review

"Please note, any prices mentioned in the Charity Gifts blog are correct at the time of posting. Please check the relevant website for the latest pricing information."