Protecting the Natural World: petitions, campaigns and other ways of making a differ

Jayzesake

I thought it might be interesting, and a positive thing too, to have a thread on the Nature forum devoted to petitions, campaigns, and other ways of making a difference to the ongoing destruction of the natural world - locally, nationally, and internationally.

Here's a global online petition to shut down the ivory trade, responsible for the devastation of elephant populations in Africa and elsewhere. More than 1,000,000 people worldwide have signed so far:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_elephants/


(Mods: there may already be a thread like this, but if there is, I couldn't find it. Also, I hope such a thread is permitted under the rules of boards.ie - I wasn't able to find anything to say it wasn't, but if you feel it does contravene the rules, please just delete the thread. Thanks, J.)

magicbastarder

i'm wary of online petitions. unless it's actually causing hassle for a politician somewhere, i suspect they don't have much impact.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Online petitions are actually rather pointless.

Jayzesake

Aria Crooked Screenplay wrote: »

Online petitions are actually rather pointless.

I'm surprised and disappointed to hear such views, since the facts clearly indicate otherwise. From my link above, for example:

"We did it! The Thai Prime minister just pledged to end the ivory trade after nearly 1.4 million of us Avaazers and WWF supporters joined Leonardo DiCaprio in this important campaign. A source in the Thai government said the announcement was a direct result of our campaigns."

It is a mistake to underestimate the collective power we have as global citizens to bring positive change in this way: many other such campaigns have brought about hugely important changes that put what we can achieve as individuals in the ha'penny place. For the first time in human history, everyone on the planet (with access to a computer) can now voice an opinion on any situation that concerns us, such as the illegal ivory trade hub in Thailand. I feel the potential in that for protecting the natural world should not be played down or wasted.

But if you think it's all just a waste of time, just ignore this thread!

Thanks, J

vistafinder

If there is a small chance it could make a difference I would sign them. Good thread….

magicbastarder

Avaaz wrote:

A source in the Thai government said the announcement was a direct result of our campaigns

i would love to see independent corroboration of this claim.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

magicbastarder wrote: »

i would love to see independent corroboration of this claim.

It was in 2013 and they announced on the eve of a major international wildlife conference in Thailand. They were facing trade sanctions from CITES nations if they didn't act on the ivory trade. In March this year they were further warned of sanctions if they did not take action by 31st March --- 19th April they seize imported ivory. International threats did the job. Whether they keep it up or remains to be seen.

Capercaillie

Protecting the Natural World: there is only one person you can trust to do a good job. You have to do it yourself. I'll sign petitions, there's always a chance it will make a difference.

Jayzesake

Capercaillie wrote: »

Protecting the Natural World: there is only one person you can trust to do a good job. You have to do it yourself. I'll sign petitions, there's always a chance it will make a difference.

I'm convinced that expressing a collective opinion en masse can bring huge pressure to bear on companies, governments, and so on, to change their destructive behaviour towards the natural world - and has on many occasions done just that, as it shines a highly unwelcome international spotlight on their activities. They may well try to wriggle their way out of the immediate pressure, by making promises they don't intend to fulfill. But generally groups such as Avaaz, Sumofus.org, the Rainforest Action Network, the Centre for Biological Diversity etc. who organise such campaigns are run by seasoned operators, who will be wise to such strategies, and will not relent the pressure until decisive, concrete and lasting change in policy - and long-term practice - comes about.

Those changes in policy and practice can often make an enormous difference to what's happening on the ground, having an impact that we as individuals here in Ireland (or anywhere else in the world) would not be able to effect in any other way. Here is another example:

The Icelandic whaling fleet is about to leave port to hunt and kill 150 endangered fin whales.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/days_to_save_whales_loc/?slideshow

That fleet will leave port in approx. 24 hours to begin slaughtering an endangered species of whales. Whale species are keystones in ocean ecosystems and even, it appears, have a not unsubstantial effect on the atmosphere and climate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M18HxXve3CM

Does anybody here have another means at their disposal by which they have a chance of contributing to stopping that fleet leaving port in the next 24 hours? Yet some 825,000 people from all over the world have already signed the petition opposing that, leading to another important point well worth making here. That petition may or may not have the effect of preventing the criminal and pointless slaughter of members of an endangered species - time will tell. But even if it doesn't work out, all those people, from right around the globe, have come together and said "We think this is deeply wrong and must stop, right now." That is hugely empowering to each and every one of them, and builds a consciousness and a movement of people power that will have many other positive effects.

But to go back to Capercaillie's point above, I certainly don't think actions of this type are the only way to make a difference. It should be seen as just one of several ways of making a personal and collective difference to the plight of the natural world. There is no substitute for working on the ground yourself: getting dirty, wet, sweaty and covered in midgey bites (for example), or otherwise grappling physically and mentally in myriad possible ways to limit or reverse the damage we as a species have wrought and are wreaking on non-human life on this planet. I do that myself on an almost daily basis, in case anyone here thinks otherwise.

But there is no way I can physically do anything here in Ireland to prevent that fleet from leaving port, or to prevent habitat in Sumatra, or Peru, or the Congo being destroyed for palm oil or soya plantations, or to prevent habitat being destoyed in Canada or elsewhere for open-cast mining or tar-sands extraction etc., etc. And it is essential to remember that in many such parts of the world ecosystems and habitats are still relatively intact and therefore very rich, unlike in Ireland; so in that sense, those places are where the real fight is. Online campaigns are one way we can make a difference in those places, or give our support to those on the ground where the biggest damage is being done.

Capercaillie

I signed the whaling one (trying to prevent shipment of whale meat). Seen Fin whales off Cork. Would hate to think that "Irish" Fin whales are been hunted:(

Capercaillie

Being part of a environmental group can help the natural world. However supporters can naively assume that Conservation groups are doing all the right stuff and putting maximum effort in. While that is sometimes the case, people should not blindly accept it.

Jayzesake

Capercaillie wrote: »

Being part of a environmental group can help the natural world. However supporters can naively assume that Conservation groups are doing all the right stuff and putting maximum effort in. While that is sometimes the case, people should not blindly accept it.

Very, very true. People need to be sharp and critical, also when donating money to international wildlife protection organisations. There are plenty of groups out there which are totally genuine, but there are also others which are not.

Capercaillie

Jayzesake wrote: »

Very, very true. People need to be sharp and critical, also when donating money to international wildlife protection organisations. There are plenty of groups out there which are totally genuine, but there are also others which are not.

There is hardly any regulation of wildlife organisations. There are no regulatory organisations going out checking to see if the money is being spent properly or if wildlife reserves are being run adequately.

fleabag

I regularly sign online petitions for environmental, animal welfare and political issues. I send emails too if email addresses are included.

A lot of them provide feedback that let you know how the campaign is going or what the results were. Some don't, but of those that have, in the main the pressure applied by so many thousand signatures does seem to make a difference. One that I remember was the stopping of whales performing during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi last year and

Most don't ask for donations, only that you forward on the petition via email or FB. If they ask for donations, I don't a) because I don't have any money and b) because it makes me wary that the 'petition' is a cash generator.

The petitions keep me up to date and make me feel slightly less powerless against what is happening to our planet.

magicbastarder

fleabag wrote: »

I send emails too if email addresses are included.

this seems to have a far greater effect; i emailed all irish MEPs about TTIP and got responses from probably half of them - some form letters, but a couple of responses which at least included my name, and it certainly felt like the emails got far more traction than a petition would have.

Jayzesake

magicbastarder wrote: »

this seems to have a far greater effect; i emailed all irish MEPs about TTIP and got responses from probably half of them - some form letters, but a couple of responses which at least included my name, and it certainly felt like the emails got far more traction than a petition would have.

I wouldn't say it's a question of either one or the other: we should use every means at our disposal, and both can be very effective.

Jayzesake

Capercaillie wrote: »

There is hardly any regulation of wildlife organisations. There are no regulatory organisations going out checking to see if the money is being spent properly or if wildlife reserves are being run adequately.

That may be true, but it would be a desperate shame if for that reason people decided not to put what funds they can in that direction, since already there's little enough goes towards conserving wildlife. If people use a bit of suss, they should be able to discern the genuinely serious outfits who put the maximum % of donated funds towards doing what it's intended to do, from those that don't know what they're doing, are ineffective, use funds to pay themselves big salaries, or waste money through high overheads etc.

I would be more familiar with organisations that work to save habitat and species in the tropics and other international locations, as I think that's where it's really at, as I mentioned in a post above. And that's where you definitely get the most bang for your buck too. We are family members of the IWT though.

Jayzesake

For those who doubt that online petitions have an effect, here's an email I received from Greenpeace yesterday announcing a positive result, largely due to one of their petitions to UNESCO, concerning the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef:




Dear Xxxx,

A short time ago UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) handed down its much anticipated decision to put the Australian Government on probation and keep a close watch on the Great Barrier Reef.

That’s right: UNESCO has ruled to monitor the Reef for the next 18 months, then reassess if its World Heritage value is still under threat.

This is a further, very important confirmation that the Reef is too fragile to risk, and it’s in huge part thanks to the amazing efforts of Greenpeace supporters around the world who’ve rallied to encourage UNESCO to do the right thing.

Congratulations Xxxx,


You’ve been relentless, joining supporters from 195 countries, to our 180,000-strong petition, including a few you may know (thanks Mark Ruffalo, Guy Pearce and William Shatner)! All around the world we’ve signed, lobbied, produced hard-hitting ads, spread the word and exposed dodgy claims from government and industry.

Jayzesake

The European Union is proposing to 'reform' the Habitats and Birds Directives, and there are strong grounds for fearing that it won't be for the better. Here's what the RSPB has to say about it:


We need you to speak up to save nature. The EU Nature Directives have provided the highest level of protection to vulnerable habitats and species for the past 30 years - but they're under threat.

European leaders are considering rolling back decades of progress by revising the Directives in the mistaken belief that weaker protection for wildlife is good for business. In reality, this would be bad for business, and a disaster for wildlife. We urgently need you to add your voice to thousands of others below and defend nature. Without a massive demonstration of public support for the Directives, it will be very hard to prevent them being weakened.


http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/campaignwithus/defendnature/


The public can make comments until the 24th of this month - just over a week away. Anyone who feels that legislative protection of wildlife should not be watered down should submit a comment opposing these measures before then.

Jayzesake

Here's a link to the actual comments page:

Public consultation as part of the Fitness Check of the EU nature legislation (Birds and Habitats Directives)

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/EUNatureDirectives

At a certain point you'll see the following: Would you like to answer the more specific questions in part 2 of the questionnaire? It's well worth completing this section 2, rather than just going for the short version.

Jayzesake

Save the Sierra del Divisor

A beautiful, far-flung piece of the Amazonian rainforest is under threat— vast swathes of untouched land home to jaguars, cougars and a vast range of flora and fauna are at risk of being destroyed by illegal coca growers and loggers. But with a stroke of his pen, the Peruvian Prime Minister could turn it into a National Park and save it.

The bill to protect the forest is on his desk and PM Cateriano is considering signing it right now -- but every hour he doesn’t, this treasure is being destroyed. If he takes a stand against this illegal destruction, his leadership could inspire others to protect the planet and his example will echo down generations. But it’s up to us to make sure he knows that.

Activists in Peru say if Cateriano knows the whole world is supporting him, it will tip him to take action. Environmentalists and indigenous groups have been lobbying for twenty years to get this area protected. Let’s give it a final Avaaz push. Sign the petition, and Avaaz will deliver it directly to the Prime Minister’s office.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/sierra_del_divisor_loc/?slideshow

Jayzesake

Jayzesake wrote: »

Save the Sierra del Divisor

A beautiful, far-flung piece of the Amazonian rainforest is under threat— vast swathes of untouched land home to jaguars, cougars and a vast range of flora and fauna are at risk of being destroyed by illegal coca growers and loggers. But with a stroke of his pen, the Peruvian Prime Minister could turn it into a National Park and save it.

The bill to protect the forest is on his desk and PM Cateriano is considering signing it right now -- but every hour he doesn’t, this treasure is being destroyed. If he takes a stand against this illegal destruction, his leadership could inspire others to protect the planet and his example will echo down generations. But it’s up to us to make sure he knows that.

Activists in Peru say if Cateriano knows the whole world is supporting him, it will tip him to take action. Environmentalists and indigenous groups have been lobbying for twenty years to get this area protected. Let’s give it a final Avaaz push. Sign the petition, and Avaaz will deliver it directly to the Prime Minister’s office.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/sierra_del_divisor_loc/?slideshow

Fantastic news just announced:

Creation of National Park protects over 3.3 million acres of Amazon rainforest in Peru

On Sunday, November 8, Peruvian President Ollanta Humala will approve the creation of a 3.3 million-acre national park at Sierra del Divisor, protecting an immense expanse of Amazon rainforest. The new park—which is larger than Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks combined — strategically secures the final link in a 67 million-acre Andes-Amazon Conservation Corridor, forming one of the largest contiguous blocks of protected areas in the Amazon, and is vital to protecting one of the planet’s last remaining strongholds for wildlife biodiversity and indigenous communities.

https://www.rainforesttrust.org/news/sierra-del-divisor-created/

Sincere thanks to all those who signed!