News
Second U.S. city bans rodent glue traps: Ojai takes a stand
Ojai, a picturesque city nestled in a valley in Ventura County, California, has made history by becoming the second city in the United States to ban the use of rodent glue traps. The decision came after a unanimous vote by the Ojai City Council, with Mayor Betsy Stix leading the charge to end the use of these cruel devices.
The ban comes after a presentation by Jakob Shaw, special projects manager for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who highlighted the gruesome consequences of using glue traps. Animals trapped in these devices suffer slow and painful deaths from starvation, dehydration, asphyxiation, and blood loss. Some even resort to chewing off their own limbs in a desperate attempt to escape. The suffering caused by these traps is simply unbearable, and Mayor Stix echoed the sentiment that the cruelty needs to stop.
According to Shaw, glue traps not only ensnare rodents but also trap a variety of other wildlife, including birds, bats, chipmunks, lizards, opossums, rabbits, and even flying squirrels. The ban on glue traps is a step towards protecting all the amazing animals that call Ojai home.
Brian Popovich, management analyst for the city manager’s office, emphasized the city’s commitment to animal welfare. Ojai has a history of supporting initiatives that promote the well-being of animals, including a recent ordinance declaring that elephants have the right to liberty. The ban on glue traps is another step in the right direction towards creating a more compassionate community.
In addition to the ethical concerns surrounding glue traps, Popovich also pointed to the health risks associated with these devices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned against using glue traps, as they can increase the risk of disease transmission. More humane alternatives, such as snap traps, live traps, and electric traps, are available to effectively control rodent populations without causing unnecessary suffering.
Shaw emphasized that glue traps are responsible for more suffering than any other wildlife control product on the market. These indiscriminate killing devices not only harm rodents but also pose a threat to a wide range of wildlife species. The ban on glue traps is a crucial step towards protecting the diverse ecosystems that exist in and around Ojai.
The decision to ban glue traps in Ojai was met with overwhelming support from the community, with residents voicing their approval during the city council meeting. While some questioned whether banning glue traps would lead to worse alternatives, the consensus was clear: the cruelty inflicted by these devices is unacceptable, and more humane solutions must be sought.
The Ojai ban on glue traps will take effect within 30 days, marking a significant victory for animal welfare in the city. By taking a stand against the use of these inhumane devices, Ojai has set an example for other cities to follow in the fight against animal cruelty.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?