Jun 7 2012: Lauren, I completely agree with everything you are saying here. I also think it's important to remember that a large number of animals that end up in zoos, though not all, end up there because they could not be reintroduced back into the wild. Some animals have been injured and spent to long recovering in captivity, or simply require monitoring for health reasons, while others have been illegally made into pets and then abandoned. I would argue that making such animals into pets in the first place should be avoided, but once an animal is in such a situation, zoos or wildlife reserves seem like a great alternative to euthanasia.
Jun 7 2012: I also really like this idea. Perhaps if people become more attached to the animals that are more likely to reside locally, it will make the conservation efforts much more personal. I think guilt can be a great motivating force. I wish it didn't have to be, but my opinion stands.
Jun 7 2012: Reading through everyone's comments, it seems like there are a lot of good ideas out there. I agree with a number of people who have mentioned raising awareness through the media. This idea is closely tied with making conservation "cool." One example that comes to mind is Jack Johnson and his "Greening" tour. (http://jackjohnsonmusic.com/greening/2010). Even if you don't like his music, or don't necessarily approve of everything he does, this seems like the right kind of action to get people going. He is one person who has an impact on a large number of people.
Are there other celebrities anyone can think of that are well known and also already involved in some kind of conservation effort?
Does anyone have any ideas on how to encourage some of our more prominent social figures to come to the forefront and perhaps act as one of the faces of biodiversity? I know this second question is likely to anger some people who believe that it is a little insulting to environmental efforts, but I say that if it works, it works.
Jun 7 2012: Stephanie,
I agree with you that increasing exposure may be a key factor in expanding conservation efforts. If we want to access a broader audience, it seems we need to identify a main target. My first instinct is to look to Hollywood. I am constantly amazed by the power celebrities seem to exude over "the everyday person." I might argue that in many ways, such people have more power over the public than our elected officials. If we can convert a few mainstream celebrities to the cause, or identify those that are already interested in conserving biodiversity, I believe this would be a huge start. Is this what you were thinking when you mentioned increasing exposure? If not, what were some of your ideas?
Jun 6 2012: Personally, it seems that the condition of our planet right now is "etreme" in any sense of the word. If people can be presented with the facts about what is ALREADY happening, and not feel moved to act, I find it unlikely that any act on our part, such as bombing boats or burning buildings, is going to rile these people to incite a change. Once again, the problem goes back to encouraging people to see what is already happening. This should be extreme enough for anybody.
Jun 6 2012: Charles,
I completely agree with you. Not only are the tactics used by these "eco-terrorists" counterproductive, they are also an insult to those of us who truly care about the environment and wish to see a change. Fighting fire with fire is not an appropriate solution to the problem our environment is facing. The best we can hope for is that these groups do not encourage further retaliation. These violence centered groups give a bad reputation to environmentalism, and yet because their acts often make the news, they are what many citizens are coming to see as the "face" of environmentalism. This is unacceptable.
All that being said, it is not hard to see what these groups are hoping for. When you build up enough anger at a situation, it is often difficult to channel such passion conscientiously. If environmentalists who do not believe in these extreme acts were to reach out to these radical groups, try to help them see the harm they are causing, and provide alternative ways for them to channel their energy, perhaps we can incite a change?
May 30 2012: Anna,
I think both you and Stephanie make a really excellent point. I think your final point is especially important. The people whose customs include the consumption of shark fins aren't going to want to give this custom up completely, but that is exactly what they will be facing if the shark population continues to decline. I wonder if presenting the idea of shark conservation to the Chinese people from this perspective, rather than from our own perspectives, would encourage them to take a greater part in conservation efforts? We don't have to share their cultural beliefs or support their reasons for decreasing exploitation, but we can respect them. With enough respect and the right kind of education system, maybe we can actually get something done.
May 23 2012: I think this is a fantastic idea. Having spent some time with young children, I have grown to appreciate their seeming lack of understanding for the word "impossible." If nothing else, encouraging creativity early in life could help to limit the suppression of creativity that tends to occur as we age. Children need to know that their ideas aren't crazy. They need to believe that they can change the world. I also propose that as children grow older, this time be used to encourage them to act upon their imagination.
May 23 2012: I've repeatedly heard that while being in possession of marijuana is illegal, it is not actually illegal to be high (at least in Oregon). However, I haven't been able to find any legitimate sources to back this up or refute it. Does anyone know the truth of this from more than just hearsay?
May 23 2012: Logan, I appreciate your honesty on the subject, and I feel compelled to agree. I simply do not know enough about this subject to feel confident arguing one side or another without adding to the plethora of insubstantial arguments already available. I have heard extremely conflicting views on almost every aspect of this debate. I completely agree that although many parts of the marijuana debate center around quality of life and how the drug will change the life of a given individual, these arguments have very little to do with the legalization status. Money and crime rate are going to be the big players in this game. I don't agree that this is how it should be, only how it is.
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A reply on Conversation: Do zoos help biodiversity conservation?
A reply on Conversation: Do zoos help biodiversity conservation?
A comment on Conversation: From ivory tower to prison cell: How can we bring conservation efforts to the public?
Are there other celebrities anyone can think of that are well known and also already involved in some kind of conservation effort?
Does anyone have any ideas on how to encourage some of our more prominent social figures to come to the forefront and perhaps act as one of the faces of biodiversity? I know this second question is likely to anger some people who believe that it is a little insulting to environmental efforts, but I say that if it works, it works.
A reply on Conversation: From ivory tower to prison cell: How can we bring conservation efforts to the public?
I agree with you that increasing exposure may be a key factor in expanding conservation efforts. If we want to access a broader audience, it seems we need to identify a main target. My first instinct is to look to Hollywood. I am constantly amazed by the power celebrities seem to exude over "the everyday person." I might argue that in many ways, such people have more power over the public than our elected officials. If we can convert a few mainstream celebrities to the cause, or identify those that are already interested in conserving biodiversity, I believe this would be a huge start. Is this what you were thinking when you mentioned increasing exposure? If not, what were some of your ideas?
A reply on Conversation: Do extremist tactics push environmentalism forwards or backwards?
A reply on Conversation: Do extremist tactics push environmentalism forwards or backwards?
I completely agree with you. Not only are the tactics used by these "eco-terrorists" counterproductive, they are also an insult to those of us who truly care about the environment and wish to see a change. Fighting fire with fire is not an appropriate solution to the problem our environment is facing. The best we can hope for is that these groups do not encourage further retaliation. These violence centered groups give a bad reputation to environmentalism, and yet because their acts often make the news, they are what many citizens are coming to see as the "face" of environmentalism. This is unacceptable.
All that being said, it is not hard to see what these groups are hoping for. When you build up enough anger at a situation, it is often difficult to channel such passion conscientiously. If environmentalists who do not believe in these extreme acts were to reach out to these radical groups, try to help them see the harm they are causing, and provide alternative ways for them to channel their energy, perhaps we can incite a change?
A reply on Conversation: Should shark fishing be banned?
I think both you and Stephanie make a really excellent point. I think your final point is especially important. The people whose customs include the consumption of shark fins aren't going to want to give this custom up completely, but that is exactly what they will be facing if the shark population continues to decline. I wonder if presenting the idea of shark conservation to the Chinese people from this perspective, rather than from our own perspectives, would encourage them to take a greater part in conservation efforts? We don't have to share their cultural beliefs or support their reasons for decreasing exploitation, but we can respect them. With enough respect and the right kind of education system, maybe we can actually get something done.
A comment on Conversation: Children's schools should have an "Imagination" period
A comment on Conversation: Should Cannabis be legalized as a medicine?
A reply on Conversation: Should Cannabis be legalized as a medicine?