Climate Change – Canada

The momentum for action that the People’s Climate March has generated is admirable, and the U.N. Climate Summit was a success. U.S. President Barack Obama is completely on board with developing management strategies to address the global issue of climate change. I wish Canada’s Prime Minister felt the same way.

I found out several days before the U.N. Climate Change meeting that our Prime Minister was not going to be attending the other world leaders in addressing this complex problem. Canada was represented by the Minister of Environment, Leona Aglukkaq, but I found it disheartening that the leader of our country did not attend.
“On Monday, Ms. Aglukkaq annouced a new set of more stringent auto pollution regulations, which aim to gradually increase efficiency and reduce pollution from cars and light trucks after 2017, in a step that mirrors U.S. plans.”
Canada is simply not doing enough about this issue. This is a step in the right direction, but climate change will continue to progress at alarming rates, which will affect future generations for decades unless we formulate a plan of action. We have reached the point where there is enough scientific data that has been collected over many years by many different scientists all over the world, climate change cannot be denied or ignored any longer. I feel the ones who deny climate change are the ones who should be learning and participating, not ignoring. In a democracy, should the country not be protected and properly represented by the individuals we elect? Should our leader not participate in global matters that affect us?  I feel that our Prime Minister does not have our best interests at the top of his priority list, and I feel this needs to change.

Canadians deserve to be properly represented and respected, and that “democracy” is no longer a term that describes Canada. (see Canada’s agreement with China – FIPA if more proof is needed)

Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, seems to think that people who are standing up against these issues are “radicals”. He seems to know exactly what we believe, but perhaps he has environmentalists mistaken for terrorists.

Oliver said radicals are “a group of people who don’t take into account the facts but are driven by an ideological imperative.”

“Their goal is to stop any major project no matter what the cost to Canadian families in lost jobs and economic growth. No forestry. No mining. No oil. No gas. No more hydro-electric dams.”
– CBC News

I didn’t know I was driven by an “ideological imperative” and that I wanted to destroy the Canadian economy. To clarify, this is what I actually do believe:

As an environmental activist, I believe that protection and conservation of our natural resources and environment is a priority. I understand the need for a strong economy, but I do not support the way in which that is being accomplished. Canadians have the right for clean air and water, and to live in a country where that is a reality for everyone. There is the possibility for more sustainable energy sources to be available to everyone, and a profit can be made from that. I’m not saying I have all the answers. I do not believe this change can happen overnight. I do understand the need for oil, gas, mining, and forestry, and dams, but it needs to be conducted properly, carefully and safely if we want to keep benefitting from these industries. We need stronger regulations, no more budget cuts to the environmental sector, third party reviews and analysis, and more severe consequences when damage to the environment is inevitably done. Future projects and plans should not commence until we have put an end to disasters like the Mt. Polley spill. Enforced regulations and penalties to companies is mandatory before we continue developing in these industries. Shouldn’t we be able to manage what we have now before we start more projects?

I agree with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, “By characterizing this issue as environmental radicals versus Canada’s future prosperity you have done a grave disservice to the development of sensible public policy,”
– CBC News

Environmentalists and activists aren’t trying to destroy the human race. We aren’t trying to extinguish cars and mines. We want justice for the environment. We want clean air and water. We want sustainable resources that provide a stable economy that our future generations will rely on. The movement is happening, and the global leaders are listening.

 

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Encourage conversation, create change 

World Rhino Day

International organizations have been creating international ______ day, to spread awareness about species that are in critical danger and facing extinction, and today is World Rhino Day!

“Of the three Asian rhino species, two – Javan rhinos and Sumatran rhinos – are critically endangered. After the extinction of Javan rhino in Viet Nam in 2010, only one small population of Javan rhinos remains, in Java, Indonesia, with fewer than 50 individuals.”

The two species of African Rhinos are Black Rhinos (critically endangered, but starting to make a come back), and White Rhinos (threatened). The Southern White Rhino is are finally thriving in protected areas and sanctuaries, but unfortunately, the Northern White Rhino has a population of 4 individuals.

The demand for rhinoceros horn is by far their greatest threat. Although CITES banned the international trade of rhinoceros horn in 1977, the demand is still high in Africa and Asia. Rhino horn has many uses, including medicinal and tools such as dagger handles.

“Although some traditional medical practitioners are using alternatives, a TRAFFIC survey of medical practitioners showed that 60% stocked rhino horn and 27% maintained that it was essential to their work.”

The African Rhino Crisis is fuelled by the demand for rhino horn in Asian medicine. Organized groups of poachers have been killing hundreds of rhinos per year, putting their numbers seriously in decline. A subspecies of northern white rhino is already thought to be extinct, with many other species not far behind.

Habitat loss and destruction is another major factor in the decline of rhinos, not to mention thousands of other species all over the world.

“Habitat loss poses the greatest threat to species. The world’s forests, swamps, plains, lakes, and other habitats continue to disappear as they are harvested for human consumption and cleared to make way for agriculture, housing, roads, pipelines and the other hallmarks of industrial development. Without a strong plan to create terrestrial and marine protected areas important ecological habitats will continue to be lost.”

3 reasons to celebrate World Rhino Day:

1) The recovery of white rhinos from the brink of extinction 100 years ago to over 20,000 today is one of conservation’s greatest success stories.
2) Black rhino numbers have more than doubled from their low point of 2,400 in 1994 to more than 5,000 today.
3) The greater one-horned rhino faced a similar extinction threat at the turn of the 20th century, when only a handful remained, but have since recovered to over 3,300 today.

– World Wildlife Fund

Who Else is Helping Rhinos?

• SOS – Save Our Species
• IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature
• International Rhino Foundation

How Can You Help? 

• Don’t buy rhino horn products. Illegal trade in rhino horn is a continuing problem, posing one of the greatest threats to rhinos today.
• Donate towards much-needed anti-poaching equipment and support in Africa
  South Africans / Residents of other countries
  
• Adopt a Sumatran rhino through WWF-US
• Adopt a Black rhino through WWF-UK
• Use and support sustainable wood, paper and palm oil. By purchasing certified sustainable palm oil and FSC-certified forest products, retailers, traders, and manufacturers help protect Sumatran and Javan rhino habitat by limiting illegal logging and forest conversion to oil palm plantations. Consumers can also help by demanding certified products.
• Donate to WWF to support the Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy
• Spread the word!

Thank you to the World Wildlife Fund for coming up with strategies to save the rhinos!

 

Other important wildlife and environment dates:

• World Wetland Day – February 2nd
• World Wildlife Day – March 3rd
• International Day of Forests – March 21st
• World Water Day – March 22nd
• Earth Day – April 22nd
• International Day for Biodiversity – May 22nd
• World Environment Day – June 5th
• World Oceans Day – June 8th
• International Tiger Day – July 29th
• World Elephant Day – August 12th
• World Animal Day – October 4th
• World Habitat Day – October 7th
• World Soil Day – December 7th
• International Mountain Day – December 11th

 

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Encourage conversation, create change

Illegal Wildlife Trade

The Illegal Wildlife Trade in an issue that is threatening thousands species of animals all over the world.

This article written by Jessica Aldred of The Guardian reviews 2013 : “the year wildlife crime became an international security issue.” It really sums up this intense global matter and paints a vivid picture of how it is impacting not only the animals, but our safety as well.

The Illegal Wildlife Trade

“The world is dealing with an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains. Ivory estimated to weigh more than 23 metric tons—a figure that represents 2,500 elephants—was seized in the 13 largest seizures of illegal ivory in 2011. Poaching threatens the last of our wild tigers that number as few as 3,200.”

– World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Hot Spots

As wildlife crime increases, this complicated situation escalates. Here in North America, we aren’t directly exposed to illegal wildlife trade and therefore don’t see the repercussions directly. The criminals involved in this business are severe. It takes a lot of man power to set up international networks, and wildlife (including live or parts) are being shipped overseas just as illegal drug and arms trafficking operates. It is estimated that this business is worth billions of dollars, money which funds other illegal activities and threatens the health and safety of every country involved.

“DEMAND DRIVES CRIME
Rhino horn, elephant ivory and tiger products continue to command high prices among consumers, especially in Asia. In Vietnam, the recent myth that rhino horn can cure cancer has led to massive poaching in South Africa and pushed the price of rhino horn to rival gold.”

As WWF explains, demand for these illegal animal parts is supplying fuel to the fire. As if habitat destruction wasn’t enough, many of these animals are now faced with the threat of poaching for their parts.

“Illegal wildlife trade is driven by high profit margins and, in many cases, the high prices paid for rare species. Vulnerable wild animals are pushed further to the edge of extinction when nature can’t replenish their stocks to keep up with the rate of human consumption.”

Many of these animals, such as Bengal Tigers, Black Rhinos, Tamarins, African Elephants, Amur Tigers, Snow Leopards, Green Turtle and hundreds of species of birds already had weak numbers, but now they face extinction.

The areas that see the most wildlife crime are South America (birds), Africa (rhino, elephant, big cats) and Asia (elephant, big cats).

Other areas such as Japan, Indonesia, South America, and China are involved in illegal trade of marine life, including shark, dolphin, whale, turtle, and fish.

This article published by The Guardian last year explains the impact of illegal wildlife trafficking in Africa. The article, Ivory Demand explains why the issue is so complicated and who it is directly affecting.

What Can We Do

Many of these desired parts (ivory, wild meats, pelts, teeth, turtle shell, feathers, eggs, etc.) are ending up in Asia, making this issue more complicated.

“Corruption, toothless laws, weak judicial systems and light sentences allow criminal networks to keep plundering wildlife with little regard to consequences. These factors make illegal wildlife trade a low risk business with high returns. The poachers—often poor locals—are the usually the only ones caught, leaving the real masterminds and their network safe and operational with the ability to strike again.”

Awareness, international treaties (such as CITES), donations and petitions can help slow down the illegal wildlife trade before it’s too late.

Please take a moment to read WWF’s Buyer Beware page so you can be part of the solution.

See who else is involved with this issue:

• TRAFFIC
• National Geographic
• Wildlife Conservation Society
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife
• Smithsonian
• International Fund for Animal Welfare

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Encourage conversation, create change