The UK media, which is normally fairly vocal in its support for species protection, remained fairly quiet over the Christmas period with regards to emerging news that the UK government has as of yet failed to back plans to make the trade of polar bear parts illegal.
Poachers with their latest kill
It is well documented that the polar bear is facing a tough time, and its image is often associated with climate change stories. However the species is being pushed further towards extinction in the wild by poaching for its fur and other body parts used to make rugs and other ornaments.
The Humane Society claims that this relentless poaching of the species is being driven by the ‘extremely worrying and rapidly increasing’ prices paid on the international markets. During the decade 2000-2010, 30,000 polar bear parts were traded. Since 2007, the number of polar bear skins sold at auction has risen by 375% with prices of up to £7,400 being paid per skin.
Opponents to this horrifying trade are proposing a blanket international ban on the trade of all polar bear parts. This is to be put forward at the next CITES meeting in March 2013 when the organisation gather in Thailand.
Surprisingly, two of the major supporters for the ban are the USA and Russia. Some may see this as the two nations showing a sort of corporate social responsibility, and opponents of the ban have pointed to the fact polar bears are in the predicament they finds themselves in due to global warming, something the US and Russia have failed to address.
Name-calling aside, the US and Russian stance should not be taken lightly. As two of the major global economic forces, their influence on international markets and trade is mighty.
It was to my suprise to find that the last time a move was made to change the ruling on international trade of polar bear parts and have it outlawed, it was defeated after the UK and EU both voted against such action occurring.
I was also suprised and dismayed to find that the UK and EU stance is backed by some prominent supporters such as the WWF, who claim that the trade of polar bear parts is not a major factor toward their decline and that banning trade of polar bears would only serve to ‘act as a distraction’ from the real threat to the species, climate change.
I appreciate the angle that they’re coming from, and can see exactly how powers such as Russia and the US could well point to their involvement in fighting polar bear trade as doing their bit, but I’d argue that by doing nothing to quell the greedy poaching of one of natures most beautiful and majestic giants on the whim that other might use it as an excuse to take no further action is bordering on the ridicolous. Surely it would be more proactive to jump at the chance of working with two of the global powerhouses in this rare opportunity that they are offering to help save such an iconic creature, using it to then further the rescue mission by educating and lobbying further climate change action.
Your thoughts?
Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20798136
I am a freelance environmental author with an MSc and BSc in Environmental Sciences from The University of East Anglia. Just trying to develop social media as an effective platform for communicating and engaging with people on all things green... Please get in touch with me if you are interested, I am willing to discuss any proposals.
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