Two Sides of Illegal Hunting: Poverty (part 1B)

(Note: This is the second part of the series Two Sides of Illegal Hunting which explores both sides of the issue of illegal hunting. Parts 1A and 1B introduce with reasons to explain why illegal hunting happens, and parts 2A and 2B will feature consequences and reasons against it. A third section, an informal reflection, will also be included. Links to the full series can he found here: http://naturenimbus.blogspot.ca/p/series-two-sides.html)

Reasons Behind Illegal Hunting: Poverty

One of the biggest reasons poachers take the risk of trespassing onto private property to hunt illegally is poverty. Many species are protected by the law because they are rare, also causing them to be considered more valuable to buyers and a means of potential economic benefit to those who can catch them.

Today the rarity of tigers makes their skins, bones, teeth, and claws even more valuable to those looking to purchase them. World Wildlife Fund states, “Parts from a single tiger can fetch as much as $50,000 on the black market, making the poaching of these magnificent creatures very alluring to criminal networks” (World Wildlife Fund, 2013). While some parts of animals like tiger skin and bone wire are bought as luxuries and status symbols, an illegal hunter’s reasons for poaching often are not out of want for luxuries, but out of need.

Although elephant tusks are not taken to meet any needs for survival for the consumer, it could help provide for the needs of the hunter, as “[a] single large tusk sold on the local black market can bring $6,000, enough to support an unskilled Kenyan worker for ten years” (Stirton, 2014).

Ivory carved into charms and ornate patterns. All images are from Encyclopaedia Brittanica ImageQuest Archives. 

In another African country, Tanzania, a survey of hunters by M.R. Nielsen conducted in 2006 in the Udzungwa Mountains found that illegal hunting is linked to poverty, family size and “composition”, or members. In another survey the following year conducted by E.J. Knapp in a region in Tanzania, no poaching households reported having full-time employment (Brennan, 2011). The connection between lack of employment and illegal hunting, especially in economically desperate regions. Tanzania’s  Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in 2012 was $570, almost $1000 below that of the average in Sub-Saharan Africa, and far below that of Canada with a GNI of $51 570 per capita in 2012 (World Bank, 2014). Unlike developed countries like Canada that import much of its goods including food products, Tanzania is highly dependent on agriculture but only a little more than 4 per cent is arable land, and an estimate by the World Food Program states that about 40% live in chronic food-deficit areas (World Vision, 2014). In areas where primary means of making a living is unreliable and opportunities to earn resources are limited, some turn to illegal hunting to make a living.

In a different mountainous region in Vietnam,

“[Ho, a] Pa Co ethnic man from the mountainous A Luoi district in Thua Thien-Hue province used to collect firewood for a living, but he started to hunt in 2010 after he saw a local restaurant owner buy a 50kg pig for 2.5 million dong. In contrast, 60kg of firewood is only worth 400,000 dong and he could not support his family, he says.” (UCA News, 2012)

In Vietnam, Ethnic minority groups like Pa Co often live with an underdeveloped infrastructure, isolated them from any of the country’s prosperity. These groups often depend on on low agricultural yields and forestry like Ho did, and a 2004 survey found that over 60% of minority groups were below the poverty line (Global Exchange, 2011). Just as with legal products, illegally hunted wildlife on the black market is backed by a continual demand from consumers, and economic need and poverty motivating the hunters to take that risk.

Works Cited (for this part only)

Brennan, Dervla, Mikolaj Czajkowski, Asanterabi Lowassa, Anke Fischer, Nick  Hanley , Mirko  Moro , and Loi  Naiman. "What can be done to reduce illegal hunting?  An investigation using choice experiments in the Serengeti,  Tanzania ." bioecon. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.bioecon-network.org/pages/13th_2011/Hanley_1.pdf>.

Global Exchange. "Vietnam: Poverty in Vietnam | Global Exchange." Global Exchange. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 June 2014. <http://www.globalexchange.org/country/vietnam/poverty>.

Stirton, Brent. "Blood Ivory". National Geographic Oct. 2012: 63. Print. Web. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/10/ivory/stirton-photography

UCA news reporter. "Illegal hunting is big business, driven by poverty - ucanews.com." ucanews.com. N.p., 14 Aug. 2012. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.ucanews.com/news/illegal-hunting-is-big-business-driven-by-poverty/58145>.

World Bank. "Tanzania." The World Bank. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2014. <http://data.worldbank.org/country/tanzania>.

World Vision. "Country Profiles: Tanzania." World Vision. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2014. <http://www.worldvision.org/our-impact/country-profiles/tanzania>.

World Wildlife Fund. "Problem." Save Tigers Now. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.savetigersnow.org/problem>.

All images are from Encyclopaedia Brittanica ImageQuest Archives.

Introduction to 'Head, Heart & Hand'

Here is a sneak peak to an essay I am starting:

Often we are drawn to stories because they illustrate a conflict that we experience; those are the stories that seem to speak to us. In stories that written and read or experienced by people in personal lives, often there is an internal battle being waged between the head and the heart, or between power of reason and power of emotion. Nevertheless, the strongest characters are most often the ones that have the most personal motivation to overcome the most plaguing of conflicts. Revolutionaries must have facts to support their cause, however the most memorable is not necessarily a quantifiable piece of  evidence they presented, but people often remember and are inspired by a revolutionary's passion and conviction in the way they advocated for a cause outside him or herself. In a movement a harmony of facts and feelings creates the stronger current, and the greatest changes can occur when feelings and facts are in harmony. In the environmental movement this can be seen in many ways including respect for forces of nature, artistic expression, curiosity, and a love of living things.

Two Sides of Illegal Hunting Part 1A: Cultural Expression

Illegal Hunting

(Part 1A)

Melody Tadeo

For many species, hunting is an important part of survival which naturally plays a part in maintaining a sustainable ecosystem. It is a basic instinct that continues the movement of energy between biological organisms and a large part of the flow of natural food chains. It nourishes and keeps populations under control, however, as is the case with many other natural and processes this too has been over-exploited and has caused problems that many believe make it necessary to make hunting of certain species against the law.

Nevertheless, just because something is illegal that does not necessarily make it inherently wrong, and just because something is legal that does not automatically justify it. While the rules vary in scope and scale around the world, some are willing to risk the legal and environmental consequences.

(Note: This is the first part of the series Two Sides of Illegal Hunting which explores the various perspectives of parties involved in and affected by illegal hunting. Parts 1A and 1B introduce with reasons to explain why illegal hunting still happens, and parts 2A and 2B will feature consequences and reasons against it. Although this was a technical assignment, a third nontechnical reflective section will be included. Links to the full series can he found here: http://naturenimbus.blogspot.ca/p/series-two-sides.html)

Reasons Behind Illegal Hunting: Cultural Expression

Sometimes one reason illegal hunting takes place is one to gather resources to be used in cultural expression. African elephants are often killed by poachers —hunters who trespass to hunt illegally—  for their tusks, providing material for the demand for ivory for various cultural traditions. Ivory carving is traditionally done in Asia to create religious objects, and amulets are believed to bring the wearer luck and protection from harm in general, and particularly black magic. National Geographic’s investigative report published in October 2012 stated “although the world has substitutes of all of ivory’s practical uses, its religious use is frozen in amber.” An individual expresses, “[ivory] is very precious... so to be respectful [of God] one should use precious material” (Christy, Bryan, 2012). Also believed by some to bless both the giver and receiver of ivory, it is a valuable material in high demand that some use in both religion and cultural artistic expression for the bone’s aesthetic appeal. Parts of a tiger such as the whiskers, eyebrow, teeth and paw soles are also believed to hold magical abilities. These are used in traditional magic rituals and some believe they hold special powers to people who wear the teeth, protecting the wearer from curses similar to the use of ivory, and as a means of cultural expression.

An adult pangolin. All images are from the Encyclopaedia Brittanica ImageQuest Archives.

Pangolins are a scaly, ant-eating mammal and an endangered species protected by law that is used in some traditional Chinese medicine. The scales, called Chan Shan Jia, are “traditionally used in Chinese medicine to disperse blood stasis... reducing swelling and promoting discharge of pus... and for expelling wind-dampness (for pain due to... arthritis)” (The Journal of Chinese Medicine). This practice has preserved one small part of  Chinese culture in a world that many believe is becoming  increasingly “Westernized” and less culturally diverse. Not only as a cultural tradition, Chan Shan Jia has also proven to be an effective natural remedy and benefit to human health. However, although other natural alternatives to pangolin scales have been found (The Journal of Chinese Medicine) they continue to be hunted for pangolin wine for their aesthetic appeal. Their scales and skin are sometimes used in the fashion industry, a vanity some willing to pay a lot of money for which provides more incentive for traffickers (Soft Schools).

Works Cited (for Part 1)

Christy, Bryan. "Ivory Worship." National Geographic Oct. 2012: 63. Print.

The Journal of Chinese Medicine. "Pangolin." The Journal of Chinese Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.jcm.co.uk/endangered-species-campaign/pangolin/>.

Soft Schools. “Pangolin Facts”. Soft Schools. N.p., n.d. Web. December 2014. http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/pangolin_facts/108/

All images are from Encyclopaedia Brittanica ImageQuest Archives.

Another Way

When all the boys and all the girls

March to call for a better world,

Kneel to plant a million seeds,

But how do you uproot the greed?

While they say progress isn't slow

You still can't bid the wind to blow,

Dismiss the tide to turn away,

We still live to die another day.

Nickels and dimes can't cure a sin,

Won't get us out what pulled us in.

No thanks big roads let's take the trail

You can go breathe easy there.

Throw aside what you've picked up

Unload and walk with your head up

There are other things worth waiting for

It is right outside the door

Fly with the wind, embrace the shore

This is what we were made for

Though the sun's still shining bright

And on our side the lawn's alright

There's still drought on someone's side

Fueling this big carbon ride.

Animals shouldn't have to go away

Because humans kind of chose to stay

There still is a better way

All live and thrive the other way

Nickels and dimes can't cure a sin,

Won't get us out what pulled us in.

No thanks big roads we'll take the trail

We can go breathe easy there.

Throw aside what you've picked up

Unload and walk with your head up

There are other things worth waiting for

It is right outside the door

Fly with the wind, embrace the shore

This is what we were made for

This is also available at www.lunar-winds.blogspot.ca.

A Brief Intro to 3 States of Matter (con't from last post)

3 STATES OF MATTER: Solid, Liquid & Gas

Matter can be in different states: solid, liquid, and gas.

There is also another state, plasma, which is different than the other three states.

Why are some things solid, some liquid, and some gas?

Matter is made up of very tiny particles.

Example: Water is matter. At freezing temperatures, water is in solid ice. At room temperature water is a liquid. At very warm temperatures, water is vapor. No matter what state it is in, solid, liquid, or gas, it is still water, only the tiny particles have a different amount of energy so they act differently.

• SOLIDS have particles that are packed very close together.

Solid particles have very little energy so they move very little, only vibrating in a fixed crystal structure.        Example: Ice is solid water at freezing temperatures.

• LIQUIDS have particles that have relatively little space between them.

Liquid particles have more energy than solids (but less than gases), and roll over one another to fit the shape of their container.        Example: At room temperature water is a liquid.

• GASES  have particles that are relatively far away from each other.

Gas particles have more energy than liquids and solids, and move very quickly all over, filling their container.        Example: At very warm temperatures water is vapor, like clouds.

(Image unavailable)

Here are some more examples to try:

Item	Is it a solid, liquid, or gas?
A chair
Orange juice
The air we breathe
A rubber ball
Helium in a balloon
Milk
The rubber in a balloon

Previous post for young scientists: http://naturenimbus.blogspot.ca/2014/11/a-brief-intro-to-matter-and-energy.html 

A Brief Intro to Matter and Energy

  Whether it's examining the wing of a butterfly or becoming enchanted by the pulsating waves on a lake a love for nature that comes from the heart is something precious. This appreciation serves as a source of inspiration for arts and creative pursuits, physical exploration and activities, and later intellectual understanding as to why we not only enjoy it, but need it.

As many of us come to realize as we age, while simply a love for the natural world can be enough to spark many peoples' interest in science, coming to understand the technical aspects is sometimes required to reach other people, going from head to heart.

A very young friend of mine is curious by nature and is very eager to move on to more abstract concepts in science, so sometimes we'll discuss science together. I am no science teacher, but recently I've decided to type out a few things to help in explaining some things. In case you or someone else would like a small introduction, here is the first sheet. Stay tuned for more in coming posts!

MATTER AND ENERGY

Everything we can measure in our physical world is made up of matter or energy.

Matter takes up space and has mass.

Mass is the amount of matter an object has, and is can be measured by weighing an object. Our physical bodies use matter in different ways: we use it to build things and we consume it, but humans cannot create matter (it must already be there for us to use).

Matter comes in different states: solid, liquid, and gas, and a fourth state, plasma.

Example: Water is mass. At freezing temperatures, water is in solid ice. At room temperature water is a liquid. At very warm temperatures, water is vapor. No matter what state it is in, solid, liquid, or gas, it is still water.

Energy is power, or the ability to make things work and happen.

There are different kinds of energy.

Example: Heat is thermal energy. Heat is not made of matter, but it can interact with matter. It can melt ice and warm you up.

Everything that happens in nature is because of the way matter and energy have been designed to behave, or move around. Matter and energy can move fast or slow, in different directions, and can interact with other matter and energy. It all works together because matter and energy follow specially-designed for the physical universe.

Here are some examples:

Item	Is it matter or energy?
A tree
Orange juice
The air we breathe
Electricity
Light

Next post for young scientists: http://naturenimbus.blogspot.ca/2014/11/a-brief-intro-to-3-states-of-matter.html 

Are You a Conscientious Eater? Some Things to Digest

Once in school we watched most of a lengthy documentary that literally showed us how much the average American consumes, with an emphasis on food. From lining up ridiculously rows of bread bags to filling up a room with oranges, and spilling a dump truck of (expired) eggs, all the big numbers estimating how much food the average American consumes was shocking. Mentally juxtaposed to the reality of starvation that people face around the world and the details of factory farming, it didn't take long for my stomach to twist the way it does when you feel ashamed of something.

Today is World Food Day, which focuses on bringing an end to world hunger. After watching the video a few students in the class mentioned that now that we are aware of all we consume, we wanted to know more about what we can do about it. I'm not up for boycotting food, but it is clear that it is not right for some people to have in excess while others do not have enough.

The choices we make affect the environment which every being on this planet depends on (eg: climate change affecting agriculture all over the world). In addition to making donations to help alleviate world hunger if you can, here are a few practical tips for making conscientious decisions regarding food in our day-to-day lives.

Don't bite off more than you can chew - avoid wasting food, or taking more than will be eaten. It has been estimated that nearly half of the world's food is wasted after it has been produced (approximately 40% in Canada), which contributes to landfill and is a waste of any land area, water, transportation, and energy in preparation it took to produce the food. All those plus it shows appreciation for what we have makes this a great golden rule for eating.

  

At home, try not to let any leftovers go bad or get thrown away, and if you're eating out and you expect to have food left on your plate, try bringing it home to eat later in a reusable container (if something must be thrown out, compost instead of putting it in regular garbage so that it goes back to the Earth).

Avoid disposable packaging as much as possible. If there is an option of in a wrapper or out of one, go with the one that sends less to the landfill, that had less processing, and less likely to end up as litter (even if it would be an accident). This goes for water bottles, snacks, coffee cups, and lots of other things at the grocery store. Instead, go with minimal packaging and carry food around in reusable water bottles and containers.

Eliminate or reduce your meat consumption. This is talked about by activists and environmentalists so often for a reason. This is a whole other argument in itself and while other animals eat other animals too, all too often animals raised for food live in cramped, unhealthy, and stressful conditions when they are raised using conventional methods. Often in places where food is abundant, people end up eating more meat than their bodies actually need, and additionally, livestock account for a notable portion of greenhouse gas emissions. 

Go organic, free range, and grass-fed (if applicable). Going organic may have a higher monetary price, but it may not seem too high when considering the lack of pesticides and money saved from not throwing away foos. Also with organic, free range, and grass-fed meat and eggs if that is part of your diet, you can feel better knowing that the animal was treated better and not needlessly given antibiotics, which could also make your body resistant to them in the future.

"Think global, buy local" was the name of one of the workshops we could sign up for at an EcoBuzz Conference. Buying locally-grown food reduces greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and supports local farmers (try finding a market or farm to buy fresh produce instead of grocery stores where most of it comes form factory farms).

Eat in-season produce. An Uncle once said that he likes to eat with natural cycles, like moving to the beat of the Earth with its seasons. Currently there is a seasonal food widget in the right column of this page near the bottom, and there are many other great resources like eattheseasons.com.

Grow your own fresh produce. It feels good to eat and share the fruits of your own labor, and gardening is a great outdoor activity and way to get to know nature in your own backyard.

If you eat seafood, consult the Monterey Bay Sustainable Seafood Guide (www.seafoodwatch.org), available online or for download on smart phones.

Although these may seem like small things, when these choices are made consistently they really do add up and have an effect on the environment and people.

Part Two of Four Lunar Eclipses in a Tetrad

(Note: This page will be updated periodically until September 28, 2015)

     This morning thousands of skywatchers around the world had their heads up staring at a unique moon, watching the beautiful lunar eclipse.
     Honestly, I haven't been so excited to get up before six in a while.
     Last time our family was driving home form an event and saw the moon about half darkened with an orange hue at the time (though we didn't have a camera on hand), and this eclipse was the second of four in a lunar tetrad, meaning we have another two more to go in a set of four consecutive total lunar eclipses. 
     

Thank you for a perfect moon.

Here is the lunar eclipse schedule as stated by NASA.
(from http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/27mar_tetrad/ )

Click on the date to learn more about what time it will be ion your area when the eclipses start. If you have an electronic calendar such as one on a phone, you can also set a reminder for a couple days earlier to make sure you can get out and see at that time.

• April 15, 2013
• October 8, 2014
• April 4, 2015 (click link or visit http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2015-april-4 to find out the time in your area)
• September 28, 2015

This is one of those special  occasions when being down on Earth is one of the most inspiring places you could be.

Highlights From the Blue Dot Tour

  This Friday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Blue Dot Tour at at Massey Hall in Toronto. This is said to be David Suzuki's last national tour, and it highlights the importance of implementing The Right to a Healthy Environment in Canada.

    It was an inspiring and memorable evening with many passionate speakers and performers with tons more takeaway points, but I'd like to share just a few of the many highlights. (Despite being read out at the beginning, I didn't catch all the names so I apologize for omitted and mistaken ones).

The Blue Dot Tour event begins!

     An acoustic rendition of Danny Michel's "Feather, Fur & Fin" was a terrific way to open up the performances, describing how destruction and pollution of natural habitats effects other animals through music, a memorable way to reach peoples' hearts.

Here is the Official video for "Feather, Fur & Fin" by Danny Michel:

    Dr. Joekin (?), a scientist and explorer, spoke on behalf of the sea, the lifeblood of the Earth, and all creatures depending on it in "Voices from the Depths of the Sea". His speech itself included both reason and a soft but deep passion, attesting to the fact that the two go hand-in hand to drive great change, inspiration, and leadership.

    He listed three characteristics of leadership:

Deep empathy, Deep eloquence, Deep endurance

Chantal Kewviazul and Raine Maida giving a heartfelt performance (I could not get the violinist or cellist in the picture or their names, but they all sounded great together!)

     Devin Paige was also not visible from this spot, but the executive director of EcoJustice (a company that fights legal battles for environmental causes) highlighted the legal aspect of the right to a healthy environment. He also said that at EcoJustice they tend to separate people into 2 categories: people who will sue for the environment, and people who won't. 

     Stephen Lewis' eloquent and sarcastically "dispassionate" speech described how the environmental movement/action taken by organizations such as the David Suzuki Foundation are in harmony with international goals, and is for the benefit of people.

Upside to side-seating: Side-stage sneak peeks.

    Following was a chilling and touching spoken word poem "Shoulders" written for the Blue Dot Tour by Shane Koyczan, a speaker/performer who combined the best of both worlds and words. As an avid lover of poetry and creative writing, this was definitely a highlight and I could go on about the beautiful words that seemed to flow so naturally, but I don't want expectation to spoil/interrupt the current of thoughts for those who will be hearing it later. What I can say is that the standing ovation was well deserved. 

     Michiah Prull, Director of Communications and Public Engagement gave a genuine, empowering speech that included the phrases "ordinary people doing extraordinary things", and "don't be a spectator of your own life". the truth that while most of us consider ourselves ordinary, we can be involved in the extraordinary. He also invited the audience to physically stand to give a memorable illustration about the power of standing together for the right to a healthy environment.

The venue was at Massey Hall in Toronto. Years ago, Grey Owl also also gave his "Back to My Beaver People" presentation there.

     Upon return from intermission I missed the speaker's name, but a man spoke about role of Native Canadians as stewards of the land. He sang a traditional song which set a beautiful atmosphere, and shared an experience of when a friend -who is also a Native of Canada- was asked something to the effect of "what do you need more land for? When are you going to sell it?" The response: "We are preserving it."   

     The Barenaked Ladies gave a lively performance, including jokes about new streetcars that had been new for almost 30 years, and a slightly-modified version of "If I had a Million Dollars" where they take an electric limousine instead of walking, and install solar panels on the roof of a treehouse to power a paintball/pinball (?) machine. 

     Last and certainly not least was David Suzuki himself. Of the many inspiring pieces of wisdom he shared, these are a mere few (This list will probably be added to later). Elders hold a special place in communities, and as an elder, in his lifetime he has seen peoples' views of  rights change radically, and frankly right now Canada is way behind in changing its views of the environment for a sustainable future.

     In the past people have often lived learning to prioritize money and resources, at the same time having rights prejudice to only certain people. This is in contrast with the rich diversity that characterizes Canada which must be protected with the air, water, and land. He highlighted Native Canadian traditions, including the time he spent with Haida people, and the way that in traditional Native culture nature is sacred, such as the four elements water, earth, air and fire. Humans have huge effect in the ecosystem and like other living things depend on it for our health, and we must take a stand to have a healthy environment, and by default health humans, protected as a right.

Every single speaker and performer contributed something unique to this Blue Dot Tour event, and all deserved the standing ovation at the end.

"Things are only impossible until we decide that they're not anymore. Today is the day we decide" 

     In our programs we were given cards that say "today we decide" on the front. We could fill out the cards with our name and information to join the movement (and a small box to write down why) and drop them into a big blue mailbox.
     If you would like, you can visit the David Suzuki Blue Dot Tour website under "Take Action" to read more about the join the movement towards rights to a healthy environment. If we stand together to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, it will be far less burdensome.