Do we have a moral responsibility has humans to return wild animals that we have pushed to extinction back into former habitats

In most cases I would say that the answer to this is relatively simple. If we were the cause of an animal going locally extinct we should bring it back. Obviously if there is none of that species left this is impossible. In a number of species at the moment, we might not have reached complete extinction, we might have simply reached no more members of that species in the wild.

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Astoundingly the US republican party has recycled their climate policies from 2016

Despite the urgency, Trump’s presidency has not been mosh with progress on the environmental front. He continues to talk about clean air and clean water,but doesn’t seem to understand the threat of global warming. Indeed the Trump presidency has been marked by the administration undoing many sensible moves made under previous presidents.

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Wild giraffe numbers are collapsing, so why does the USA need another 5 years to decide whether they’re endangered or not?

The current wild population of giraffes is around 68,000 and has fallen by 40% in the last 35 years. For perspective, that means that there are roughly four elephants for every giraffe (and Elephants have been listed as endangered on the appendix 1 of the cites list back in 1976).

It is clear that this decision does not take a lot of study. As in other fields, science in the USA has become political, it is no longer possible to do a scientific study and then to do what it’s suggest is the right course of action.

It is an odd position for a party that considers itself conservative, to ignore science. Certainly in the past, presidents such as Ronald Reagan would have been horrified to see the scientific illiteracy, put forward by the party today.

Over the last 10 years, it found that 40000 giraffe parts were imported into the USA. Furthermore 3700 trophies where imported during the same period,-more than one a day on average. In America giraffes aware being turned into boots and pillow cases and even Bible covers (I find it hard to understand that one, how can someone who believes in God feel its reasonable to financial encourage its extinction).

It should also be noted that while we talk about 1 species of giraffe, there are actually four (with 5 subspecies recognized amongst these 4 species). Some of these giraffe species and subspecies are highly threatened with extinction.

In the time with tramp, the world has got used to America making scientific pronunciations that are utterly absurd. We must not stop calling attention to this, Americans of conscience and scientific understanding must stand up and make their voices heard.

Do you want to leave a better world for your children? Cutting American citizens carbon emissions to a level the world can cope with

Currently, USA emits around 15% of the world’s emissions, however given only 4% of the world’s population live there, on average the emissions of Americans are almost 4 times global average. 

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Holiday report, wildlife watching in the UK 2020


So for the last couple of weeks I have been roaming some of the wilder parts of the UK with my family.

In a usual year, we could hope to be roaming some parts of Europe or further afield. However due to the risk of being stuck outside the UK should the government change the rules and require isolation on return we felt it was safer to stay in the UK this year.

As such we split our time between 3 destinations.

  1. The forest of Dean: one of the wildest parts of the UK, a significant area of old growth forest. It has become one of the wilder places, in part due to the arrival of wild boar. There has also recently started a relocation program moving pine martens from Scotland into the forest of Dean.the first 11 have been moved in about 9 months ago and translocations will continue until around 60 have been moved. is appears that two litters of kits have already arrived, suggesting the pine Marten to very happy in their new environment. I should note that our trip was to see the wild boar not the pine martens, though we did keep our eyes open looking for signs of pine marten presence
  2. Cardigan bay: one of the most reliable places in the UK to watch dolphins. Alongside dolphins there is also the possibility to see porpoises and seals
  3. The River otter in Devon: around 12 years ago it became known the family of beavers were living on the River otter. The government initially said that all the beavers needed to be taken into captivity to be tested for disease, however regardless of their status they then would not be returned. It was uproar in the local area and so they were returned for a 5-year trial. Those 5 years just ended and the results are impressive. As such the government is giving them the permanent right to remain, and essentially the beaver is to be reintroduced to the UK. There are indeed in number of reintroduction projects ongoing in the UK,as well as a significant number of landowners who wish to reintroduce them onto their land. Encouragingly it is not only the ultra wealthy who do not use their land, many farmers are recognising that by putting aside a small amount of their land they can increase the value of the rest. Apart from avoiding flooding which can result in the destruction of crops, beavers also increase biodiversity-which leads to far higher densities of insects that are needed to pollinate the crops.

Astoundingly, we were successful on all three fronts.

I will write up each section of the trip separately, however I am keen to simplify the process of seeing these animals in the wild for other people in the UK. I’m hoping in the next few weeks to be able to go live with a page for each, with links for places to stay and other useful information.

The builders of the dam that will eradicate 80 to 90% of the range of the tapunali orangutan are refusing to do an assessment on the damage to this species – a new update, things keep changing, check back for mroe

Only a few years after the Tapunali orangutan was recognised as the 8th great ape species, a dam was planned for the area which would functionally wipe out this great ape species.

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According to a recent global study 61% of Americans are concerned about climate change

The USA is a confusing place. They have more scientists and better funding for research than almost anywhere else in the world.

A recent global survey comparing different countries views on climate change found that 61% of Americans recognize the severity of the problem we’re facing and want something done about it. According to a Yale study 70% of Americans consider action on climate change more important than economic growth.

Given these numbers most people’s response should be bafflement: how can a country with views this much in line with science, have voted for Trump? There is little you can concretely say about Trumps views on climate change, because on virtually all subjects he has answered questions in both ways over time. The one thing that you can be sure of as an American is that there is no climate position that you can rely on Trump to do anything sensible

Of course, this confusion cannot really remain, when you look at his performance. He has overturned hundreds of climate protection regulations and if reelected, will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement (the built in cooling off period will be over so it will actually take effect).

So what gives, America? Your not stupid. Unfortunately, far less, 41% believe it will impact them directly (a strange statistic as studies have shown the USA is likely to suffer the 3rd most economic damage due to climate change, only after India and Brazil). 

Clearly then, there is a way to get Americans to demand action- educate them, so they understand the personal cost.

Furthermore, 76% of Americans believe developed countries have a responsibility to assist developing countries as they try to change their economy to fight climate change. With these numbers, Trump clearly was not ruling in line with his citizens views or economic interests at heart. Very clearly, it is any advantage now, someone else can deal with the problems in the future.

The problem is, if the world is to avoid catastrophic climate change, the pace necessary is already scary. Some people calculated another 4 years of Trump, would require 15%a year cuts after that- a number high enough to severely affect economic growth (in other words if we have any more delay, it will become a choice between economy and saving the world- clearly only a short term option anyway).

Americans, dealing with climate change is inevitable, either now and avoiding the worst impacts, or later with the catastrophic changes to our lifestyle this will force on our children and grandchildren. Around the world, generation after generation strive through their lives to make sure their children will have a better more prosperous life than they did- why doesn’t it seen to extend to this?

I wrote a while ago about it a dam caused for the tapanuli orangutan, apparently it has been delayed by up to 3 years- lets make sure its delay is permanent

I personally couldn’t see how an environmental check could make it through if the building of the dam, would completely eradicate one of the eight great apes on earth. However between the environmental challenges, the current ongoing pandemic and problems financing the project with many of the large world banks not keen to be associated with the dam that would eradicate a great they have decided to (probably) delay the project by up to 3 years.

Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) Batang Toru Population Togus, adult flanged male Batang Toru Forest Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project North Sumatran Province Indonesia
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