St. Thomas Aquinas is commonly accepted as being a pretty smart fella by those who know and care about such things….he was the Catholic priest of the Dominican Order (died 1274 A.D.) who said, “Beware the man of one book…” Indeed…..our society is ill, suffering horribly from D.I.S., Deliberate Ignorance Syndrome, and no cure is in sight….

It is a very sad commentary on the overall health of our society when the political scene, as charmingly reported in the world media, so obviously and consistently devolves into guerrilla tactics (surprise attacks & divisive propaganda). Ubiquitous, these tactics are perpetrated by one segment of the political scene upon another with the sole intent of obstructing the current administration’s activities and policies, with no regard given to whether the targeted concept or activity is beneficial in any respect. The daily headlines seem to proclaim the world’s events as a scene of unrelenting, sinister internecine warfare amongst the diverse segments of political society.

The forefathers of this country, I believe, had a different view of how the political process should unfold, one where the parties that lost in each election would assume the role of “loyal opposition” rather than the current evolution of the model, which is mostly reminiscent of how children react when denied a wish; what I like to call “playground politics.” From the moment the newly elected President takes the oath of office, the opposing party’s pundits begin their campaign of derision, sly inferences, and outright lies intended to besmirch the Presidential (or Senator, Representative, or other opposition Joe Blow) reputation and position, attempting to stop any and all attempts to make any changes not in their own narrow, biased platform.

Both modern incarnations of the Republican and Democratic Parties (along with every other less influential but power hungry organization sending forth combatants into the public arena) seem to share this hateful agenda, though the tactical parameters seem to be somewhat less bloody on the left, if only physically. Those on the right of the political spectrum seem to have less of a sense of restraint, and consistently carry out a non-stop campaign after each lost election to find fault with every word the President (or the First Lady) utters, crying “shame!” at every small piece of dirt they can dig up. However, pundits of all these persuasions, pressed to justify their picayunity, will reluctantly admit to the faith-based nature of the platform upon which they stand. Men of one book, indeed!

In truth, it’s more than sad, it’s tragic. Democracy, as originally conceived by the men who began this country, is a concept that, applied fairly and rationally, offers some chance for all of society to achieve a dignified existence, free of hate and persecution. But the reality is that any real chance of achieving true democracy has been eradicated by human avarice and deliberate ignorance.

It doesn’t appear to me that there is any evidence at all (and believe me, I look continually) that our species at large is going to make any of the physical, mental, and spiritual changes that just might prevent our planet from sending us down the path to extinction. And maybe that isn’t so tragic after all…..

St. Thomas Aquinas is commonly accepted as being a pretty smart fella by those who know and care about such things….he was the Catholic priest of the Dominican Order (died 1274 A.D.) who said, “Beware the man of one book…” Indeed…..our society is ill, suffering horribly from D.I.S., Deliberate Ignorance Syndrome, and no cure is in sight….

It is a very sad commentary on the overall health of our society when the political scene, as charmingly reported in the world media, so obviously and consistently devolves into guerrilla tactics (surprise attacks & divisive propaganda). Ubiquitous, these tactics are perpetrated by one segment of the political scene upon another with the sole intent of obstructing the current administration’s activities and policies, with no regard given to whether the targeted concept or activity is beneficial in any respect. The daily headlines seem to proclaim the world’s events as a scene of unrelenting, sinister internecine warfare amongst the diverse segments of political society.

The forefathers of this country, I believe, had a different view of how the political process should unfold, one where the parties that lost in each election would assume the role of “loyal opposition” rather than the current evolution of the model, which is mostly reminiscent of how children react when denied a wish; what I like to call “playground politics.” From the moment the newly elected President takes the oath of office, the opposing party’s pundits begin their campaign of derision, sly inferences, and outright lies intended to besmirch the Presidential (or Senator, Representative, or other opposition Joe Bloe) reputation and position, attempting to stop any and all attempts to make any changes not in their own narrow, biased platform.

Both modern incarnations of the Republican and Democratic Parties (along with every other less influential but power hungry organization sending forth combatants into the public arena) seem to share this hateful agenda, though the tactical parameters seem to be somewhat less bloody on the left, if only physically. Those on the right of the political spectrum seem to have less of a sense of restraint, and consistently carry out a non-stop campaign after each lost election to find fault with every word the President (or the First Lady) utters, crying “shame!” at every small piece of dirt they can dig up. However, pundits of all these persuasions, pressed to justify their picayunity, will reluctantly admit to the faith-based nature of the platform upon which they stand. Men of one book, indeed!

In truth, it’s more than sad, it’s tragic. Democracy, as origninally conceived by the men who began this country, is a concept that, applied fairly and rationally, offers some chance for all of society to achieve a dignified existence, free of hate and persecution. But the reality is that any real chance of achieving true democracy has been eradicated by human avarice and deliberate ignorance.

It doesn’t appear to me that there is any evidence at all (and believe me, I look continually) that our species at large is going to make any of the physical, mental, and spiritual changes that just might prevent our planet from sending us down the path to extinction. And maybe that isn’t so tragic after all…..

Ikea is engaged in destroying primeval forests in Russia. It has the blessing of Russia, no doubt, but it also has the blessing of the eco-label FSC. Ikea and the FSC have come under attack over label fraud in connection with the goings-on in Karelia. Both deny any wrongdoing. Consumers might have another opinion.

The vastness that is Russia contains huge areas of primeval forests invaluable to our climate. Large tracts of these forests have never been touched by human hand. The Russian language doesn’t have words for conservation and Nature Reserve. Or if it has, they are never used. In countries like these, the FSC should be central to conserve such natural resources. Should be.

The boreal forests of Russia constitute an ecological zone which occurs only in the northern hemisphere. They are essential for the preservation of our climate. But they are in danger; the timber industry does the utmost to convert them to bare forests instead. Running with the bad wolfs is an innocent lamb, if you want to believe them: Ikea is felling trees covering 1,350 square miles. To put it in perspective, they are destroying the Yellowstone Caldera.

Ikea’s subsidiary Swedwood Karelia has leased 300,000 hectares of forest in the Russian Republic of Karelia near the border to Finland. The area boasts a high percentage of forest areas that should be conserved. The forests contain a large number of rare plant species included in the red list of endangered species. They are protected even under Russian law.

Research by German state television station ARD and its Swiss counterpart show: The Ikea subsidiary is destroying the forest with heavy machinery. And it comes worse: GPS recordings show that Swedwood Karelia fells primeval forest areas worthy of special protection to the last tree, bush and stump. It seems a curious way to conserve nature.

The wood from these forests is sold in Ikea stores worldwide. Russia is one of the top three timber suppliers for Ikea. The furniture giant is basing its marketing strategies on promises of high environmental standards in terms of the timbers used in production. Ikea’s sustainability report reads: “Ikea does not accept illegally harvested timber or timber from intact natural forests.”

Ikea’s subsidiary Swedwood even has an FSC certificate. The label attests that they are felling timber in a sustainable way in areas worthy of conservation. Picture proof from Karelia talks another language.

Ikea is sticking to its guns where its promises to customers are concerned but will run an internal check. They promise that if there are irregularities, they promise to take action. The case is now down to semantics where Ikea is concerned.

FSC International (Forest Stewardship Council) wants to reassess the case Swedwood because of the allegations of the two television companies. The certification body doesn’t even bother to deny that Swedwood is destroying an area worthy of conservation. It stated that Swedwood Karelia is protecting up to 35 per cent of forests with high conservation value. According to the FSC, that’s more than any other company in Karelia.

To say it in plain English: The ecological and sustainable wood sold by Ikea is coming to at least 65 per cent from an unsustainable and non-ecological source. How well it deserves a label for sustainable and ecological timber sourcing.

Can anyone rely on the FSC certificate at all? It is obvious that companies want to penetrate into intact forest and areas worthy of conservation, too. Thanks to the FSC certificate, they then are able to sell the wood on the European market as coming from sustainable and ecological sources. It is an issue that may be resolved by a public vote. You vote by buying or not buying at Ikea. If you want to pay higher prices for a marketing ploy called FSC certificate is up to you alone.

Sources and further reading:
FSC International – Homepage
Ikea – Homepage
Swedwood – Homepage
Karelia – Wikipedia

               Only after the last river has been poisoned

               Only after the last fish has been caught

               Only then will you find that

                          Money cannot be eaten.”

                                    -          Old Cree Indian Prophecy

           Almost two years have transpired since the onslaught of Ondoy and Pepeng in the Philippines. The grim memories of the two typhoons continue to haunt not only the victims but the entire nation as well. Nearly every Filipino has witnessed on TV the horrible scenes of human cadavers floating like ordinary debris; of hundreds of people isolated in rooftops — starving and drenched in rain; and of homes and properties buried beneath tons and tons of mud.

           Experts have been telling us that we are now experiencing the effects of climate change brought about by man’s greed and wanton destruction of Mother Nature. Authorities have been calling for environental concern lest we suffer the consequences. But to no avail. The harsh reality is that we see the fast denudation of our forests; the depletion of our fishing grounds; and the continuous rise in the number of endangered species, to name a few.

           The whole world is remiss in its target that by last tear – 2010 – our biodiversity shall have been conserved. The United Nations, through its Millenium Development Goals or MDGs, is then setting its sight on 2015. By that time, problems concerning our environment are expected to have been alleviated.

           We are racing against time. Even without the timetable set by the United Nations, we have to be fully aware that every minute, a human being dies because of pollution; a tree is being felled down by illegal loggers; and an endangered animal is being shot by poachers. All forms of life are interlinked. If one species of animal or plant becomes extinct, it affects other life forms.

           It is saddening to note that, the common action in addressing environmental concerns is reactive and not preventive. Instead of finding ways to avert man-made calamities like floods, we are only propelled to move when we already feel the wrath of nature.

           We have to change our mentality. We can’t just shrug our shoulders and say “It’s none of our business.” We have to be involved. Do you know that the simple act of segregating our household waste already goes a long way in helping solve the mountainous garbage problem? Do you know that we are offering ouselves and the world a lasting gift if we plant even a single tree everytime we celebrate our birthday?

           We have to start making the single step as we embark on the long journey in saving nature. As we do so, we are not only saving ourselves but the future generations as well and the only home that we’ve got — the earth.

Nevertheless, humans are part of nature: it was the course Mother Nature has enabled humans to develop into the worlds most dominant animal and thereby our actions on wildlife is natural. Humans are not exempt from nature, what affects plants and animals affects humans and vice versa.

There are many things which humans actively seek to eradicate, whether it affects other animals/plants or not. If we honestly cared so much about other animals and plants, why would we do such a thing? For instance there are many marine creatures that, modern humans are actively wiping out. There are people who have expressed concern for this occurring, but do they know why they care? Although humans claim to protect other animals from extinction because we care, the truth is we need other animals and often we hear of the implications such extinctions have on humans. I guarantee that if there were no consequences, humans would not spend billions on protecting endangered species of animals.

In order to understand this, we need to understand humans. Humans are inherently selfish for it is within our genes to be selfish. According to most scientists, human gene is so clever that it evolved to manipulate the way in which humans behave. At a biological/genetic level, humans work for one another to further DNA/genes of the species to the extent that we do so even at the cost of ourselves. Examples of these humans are parents, elder siblings, adults, soldiers, fire-fighters, teachers and charity workers – some may call these people altruistic because they work selflessly whether they’re sacrificing a lot or little. But ultimately, it is within their DNA to be selfish because there are goals for all of these humans which is to further the development of the next generation. By doing so we are living within future generations: by that I mean within historical books (soldiers, politicians, fire-fighters), memories of children and citizens of our country. These seemingly selfless behaviours are extremely beneficial for the well being of the human species. This kind of altruistic behaviour will prevail until humans no longer die, at least in my opinion.

I’m not saying it is right for us to wipe out other animals selfishly or refuse to take responsibility when our actions do wipe out species of animals. Hopefully we can recognise why these things happen, before we can begin to effectively protect animals from extinction. Often we think we are not part of nature, that we are looking down at Earth and its primitive species with all the answers in our note pads.     

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The Fossa population is declining rapidly, says one of the few scientists to have studied it in the wild,Ms Mia-Lana Lührs. She further stated that indications are, that it could already be critically endangered.The Fossa are a highly specialised predator, secretive and cat-like, they are expert climbers and well equipped for chasing down lemurs in the forest. They prey on even the largest lemur species.This weird, fascinating and unique creature might soon go extinct according toLührs.

 Fossa also take small shrew-like creatures called tenrecs and almost any other animal living in Madagascar with the exception of humans, crocodiles and wild boar.There unfortunately, is  very little is known about them, as only a handful of scientists have ever been able to study fossa up close in the wild.

But according to Ms Mia-Lana Lührs the one scientist studying it, the fossa could actually be in an even worse state than previously assumed.She is currently studying the fossa for her PhD at Germany’s University of Göttingen and the German Primate Center.

Within the past three years, she has recorded a substantial fall in the numbers of fossa living in Kirindy, a reserve within forests on the west of the island where in 2007 18 different males regularly visited a certain tree used for mating. In 2008 she recorded 14 males and in 2009 t5here were only ten of the original group of males left. In 2010 only two males were recorded. Kirindy used to be a fossa stronghold.

Overall, her studies, in which she makes use of GPS tracking collars to follow individual fossa, now suggests that only 30 fossa of either sex  exist in Kirindy.A forest fragment that size would be expected to be home to many times that number.“Fortunately, I have seen seven males shortly before in another part of the forest where I observed, so I know that at least nine males are still alive,” she told BBC News.

But“That is not sufficient for the population to survive without management,” she says.Deforestation is one of the significant causes of the fossa’s recent decline.But the large predator is also coming into conflict with people, as it leaves the dwindling forest in search of food.A survey conducted last year by colleague Moritz

Image via Wikipedia

 in villages surrounding Kirindy found that 12 fossa had been killed recently by people living in just eight villages, to prevent the fossa from stealing their chickens.

These villages butcher the carcasses for bushmeat and to sell as body parts to shamans for traditional medicine. Fossa are hunted for food by people within 55 to 60% of all the villages in northeastern  to  PhD student Christopher Golden of the University of California, Berkeley.

“If the killings continue at such high rates, we have three years left to see fossa in Kirindy,” says Ms Lührs.

Zoos can perform a useful, if not valuable, public service.  Allowing people to see numerous animal species, and to gain a deeper understanding of their characteristics, value, and beauty, may help to preserve animals–and the environment–overall.  And the concept of a zoo certainly is a better option than animal exhibits in museums, which require the use of dead, stuffed examples, even of endangered species.

Many responsible zoos have well-trained veterinary staff and naturalists, and a significant amount of money and research to direct towards conservation and the preservation of endangered species. Indeed, there are several species of animals that would be extinct today but for the existence of zoos: the black rhino, Siberian tiger, golden lion tamarind, snow leopard, mountain gorilla and black-footed ferret are but a few examples.  As more and more zoos have evolved into scientific centers of learning and conservation, they have become leaders in the effort to save, and repopulate, many endangered species, often with the long-term goal to reintroduce endangered species into their natural habitats. 

And, as the mission of these zoos has changed for the better, so too has the plight of animals under their care: living spaces have been re-designed to allow the animals more freedom of movement; landscaping has been modified to emulate their natural habitat and diet; and of course veterinary care has increased dramatically.  Exhibits have been developed that no longer just offer visitors the opportunity to gawk at the animals; educational displays, video or touch-screen presentations, even demonstrations by trained staff are now often intertwined with the exhibitions themselves.

Unfortunately, many zoos are still “traditional zoos”–places where the primary purpose is to allow humans to see animals “up close and personal.”  In these facilities, animals are caged or penned in much smaller spaces, often with too many animals housed within a confining space.  There appears to be little regard for their natural habitat, veterinary care is minimal, and dietary concerns are simply ignored.  These zoos often do nothing to assist in the conservation of species, and often make matters worse by not following strict breeding programs, often resulting in inbreeding and the weakening of an already declining gene pool. 

Of course, some of the problems with smaller or more traditional zoos, are not necessarily caused by malevolence or even benign neglect–the primary issue is a lack of money.  Smaller or less established zoos may have begun with the best of intentions, but simply are not generating enough income or receiving enough donation or grant money to treat the animals as they ought to be treated.  This problem has been exacerbated by the recent economic downturn. Many zoos, even thriving ones, don’t have the resources to properly feed, house, and care for the animals they possess, particularly the larger or rarer species.  And, because those are the types of animals people want to see, even small zoos try to acquire some exotic species to attract visitors, leading to a  vicious cycle: In order to attract more visitors and generate more income, zoos need to possess exciting or novel animals, such as elephants and rhinos, lions and tigers, pandas, snow leopards, komodo dragons, and the like.  Such animals may require a more individualized diet, larger and more varied living space, and additional veterinary care, and a zoo struggling with its bottom line cannot afford to provide these essentials to their animals–or do provide extra care to the exotic species, at the expense of the more common animals also housed at the zoo. 

On balance, the benefits that many zoos provide towards conservation, species preservation, and environmentalism are so significant that any wholesale effort to prohibit zoos would surely be counterproductive.  But, clearly there is a need for oversight and regulation by governmental and environmental agencies–and by visitors as well.  The next time you visit a zoo, make sure to note any evidence of illness or injury among the animals, or exceedingly cramped or non-hygienic living conditions–and report them, both to the zoo staff and to the proper authorities.  By the same token, if you see an example of pristine conditions, an abundance of care, and healthy, well-fed animals, report that to the authorities too–and tell your friends and neighbors about that zoo’s efforts.  Consider making a donation to a zoo that maintains a high level of care for its animals, especially a zoo that is trying to collect funds to better develop the animals’ living spaces.  And don’t just pay attention to the exotic animals–go see the prairie dogs and the naked mole rats too–and ask questions of any zookeepers about these more common–but equally important–exhibits.  Your efforts alone will not solve the problems many zoos face, but it is certainly a small step in the right direction towards lessening the need to debate whether the concept of a zoo is right or wrong. 

Tigers have to deal with shrinking habitat and human encroachment and these are no doubt the biggest problems that they have. However, poaching of tigers – illegal – is pushing this endangered species closer to the brink.

For what? Parts for ‘medicine’ and no doubt concoctions of ‘Tiger penis soup’ for flabby men with money, because they think that it will make them more ‘manly’.

There is, of course, no need to resort to these animals for any real or imaginary medicinal purposes and it is only the lucrative value of the trade that keeps it going.

This cause can be found through FaceBook and I am really wanting to recruit people to it. If you can, donate towards it, but otherwise simply spread the word.

Please CLICK and find out more and help support putting an end to this barbaric practice.

Source

Generally, elephant ivory can be more delicately carved than ivory from other animals. Before plastics came to be discovered, ivory was used for billiard balls, piano keys, Scottish bagpipes, buttons and a wide range of ornamental items.

Marble-inlaid doors at a palace in Rajasthan; Source

Tusks are elephant’s over-developed incisor teeth. Since these have “open roots”, they continue to grow even if  shortened. The exposed portion of the tusk constitutes only half the actual part and the rest is hidden inside the cranium, which is why poachers kill the elephants to extract the ivory in toto.

Centuries of hunting for the commercial ivory trade have sunk the numbers of elephants to worryingly low levels. U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned ivory trade in 1989, listing the elephant on Appendix I as a “most endangered” species. In the 10 years before the ban, African elephant populations had dropped from 1.2 million to 600,000. At the time of CITES enactment, it was estimated that an average of 200 elephants were killed every day in Africa, and this number was dramatically reduced by the ban in the subsequent years. 

Over the last few years however, CITES permitted a limited export of ivory stocks to Japan in 1999 from African countries where elephants are relatively numerous, like Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe. But protests arose that this only vetted the consumer demand and eased the operations for the black market.

The following video suggests using a new DNA technique to identify and stop poaching at its source. Often, ivories travel secretively, and the place where it is confiscated is different from where it was procured. When the source of ivories is known, harsher sentences can be imposed on smugglers and stricter sanctions can be applied by the international community against non-complying governments.

Though animal lovers like us sitting in our drawing rooms do shout hoarse about protecting the animals, the other side of uncontrolled elephant proliferation cannot be totally ignored. Many African countries argue that elephants’ elephantine demand for water, a scarce commodity, is highly unsustainable. 

What do you think is the solution? Should we control their population through contraception methods? What else can we do?

Other parts in the Series on Elephants:

Elephants in Indian Culture

Elephants as Intelligent Creatures

Man-Elephant Conflict

I begin with this video that made me smile but the question stands: Are you against the use of fur coats?

Well, I’m not so much.

I’m against it’s use if they are made with furs of animals belonging to endangered species  or if there is cruelty in the way animals are killed.

In countries with very low temperatures during winter, I think it’s not a luxury to wear fur coats, since it´s industry is well regulated to prevent animal rights abuses.

As in everything in life, the main problem is those who try to earn lot’s of money by selling what is not legal and those who pay for it to show their fortune and status.

I think that animal rights campaigns should focus not so much on furs use but on the way animals are treated and killed around the world for being used on anything that can make fortunes.

We cry against fur industries and we forget about all other animal products like ivory, tiger balm, whales amber, crocodile skin, turtles carapaces and much more.

I think naked PETA ads are a great marketing way for celebrities and continue not to harm those that do not care with biodiversity and cruelty.

And to end with this question just another bizarre (but sustainable) use of animal furs: sweaters made with pets hair.

One more smile, please!

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