Worldwide Spread Calls for Worldwide Vigilance Dear Fellow Earthlings,

Dear Fellow Earthlings,

Globalization has brought with it the proliferation of all things. Knowing this should move us all into

heightened states of vigilance.

Our ability to detect signs of a sudden presence of the coronavirus, for example, affords us an increased number of options for curtailing its effects.

The same goes for noting foreign interference on domestic social media, the presence of submarines of other nations off our coasts, and watching out for teachers' attempts to brainwash children.

The giant hogweed, originally from the Caucasus Mountains and southwest Asia, is an invasive species that calls for vigilance. Exposure to this plant can cause burning, swelling, blisters, and blindness. The best way to avoid the medical issues associated with exposure to the giant hogweed is to be aware of what it looks like and to contact specialists to have it destroyed.

The appearance of the plant is similar to that of the cow parsley. However, whereas the 1.5-meter tall cow parsley is NOT injurious to most humans, the 4- or 5-meter giant hogweed is very toxic...

There is a man in Scotland named Nabrach Hewitt who has produced a wonderful YouTube presentation regarding the dangers posed by the giant hogweed. I ask all of you to go to that video and hear it for yourselves. Just type in:

" Giant Hogweed & Cowparsley (sic) The Difference ".

The term "nip in the bud" is an apt phrase that can describe one of the methods we need to employ to reduce the numbers of giant hogweed that are proliferating outside of their natural range. But vigilance has to precede discovery of these interlopers. Otherwise, this opportunistic plant will continue to spread all over Earth.

And remember: these 5-meter tall invaders start out small, so we need to be able to recognize even "baby" giant hogweed plants...

And when we find them, we must kill them before they attain reproductive maturity.

Thank you, Nabrach, for the very informative and interesting video! Hopefully, many people will avoid pain and heartache by learning how to avoid -- and how to destroy -- any giant hogweed they might come across!

Steve Walker

Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

Here we see Mr. Nabrach Hewitt, Friend of Earth.

This is Nabrach standing next to a 4.5- or 5.0-meter-tall giant hogweed!

Here we see some 1.5-meter tall -- and harmless -- cow parsley.

And this is one example of the severe injuries that can be dealt out by this plant!

© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.