General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStudy: We've wiped out half the world's wildlife since 1970
In early July, a dentist from Minnesota named Walter James Palmer traveled to Zimbabwe, lured a male lion out of Hwange National Park, and shot him to death. The twist? This was no ordinary lion. No, Cecil the lion was a popular tourist attraction, and so now half the internet has erupted in outrage over his death.
It's a grisly tale. But it's also not an isolated case. Not even close. Over the past four decades, humans have managed to kill off a staggering number of wild animals worldwide from charismatic lions and rhinos right down to lowly frogs. Most of these deaths don't spark anywhere near the furor that Cecil's did. But they certainly add up.
A major recent survey by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that the number of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish worldwide has declined a whopping 52 percent between 1970 and 2010. The main culprits? Humans. Mainly through hunting, fishing, deforestation, pollution, and other forms of habitat destruction. Statistically speaking, Cecil's death at the hands of a person was more likely than not.
Vertebrate populations declined 52 percent between 1970 and 2010
more
http://www.vox.com/2014/9/30/6870749/the-world-has-lost-half-its-wildlife-since-1970-wwf-says
newfie11
(8,159 posts)The2ndWheel
(7,947 posts)It's increasingly not a planet for wild animals anymore.
newfie11
(8,159 posts)affects other species. This can go right up the food chain.
Rachel Carson wrote about this in the 60's.
Uncle Joe
(58,506 posts)like it or not, humanity is definitely woven in to the fabric as well.
Thanks for the thread, n2doc.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)no one notices an animal starving to death, or failing to reproduce due to loss of nesting habitat, etc
appalachiablue
(41,188 posts)truebrit71
(20,805 posts)....
pscot
(21,024 posts)We've replaced the critters with millions of chickens, pigs and cows. And humans, of course. It's a finite planet. The wild things just took up too much space. They had to go. Have another MacNugget?
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)but our food choices have had a devastating effect on wildlife and habitat. few want to hear this, but animal agriculture is going to have be drastically reduced if we want any hope of saving our planet and its wildlife.
http://www.takeextinctionoffyourplate.com/meat_and_wildlife.html
The2ndWheel
(7,947 posts)Agriculture period is a huge issue. Our transportation choices. Our city building choices. Our want for not only longevity, but to do as much as we can to fulfill our potential. It's the whole global human project.
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)SoLeftIAmRight
(4,883 posts)We need a complete conversion of the agricultural systems.
It will not be fast, easy, or cheap.
The issue is too important to let corporations control make the decisions.
This is only the beginning hope to spend the time to expand
Sustainable production less input co2 sequestration no gmo's
Start with
Allan Savory Ted Talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change
Then
Gabe Brown
Soil health
This talk is directed to farmers that have a anti-environmental bend so less emphasis on environmental issues when speaking to a more enlightened group his talk is less country twang and more science based
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gabe+brown+soil+health&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=4145088DB3EF49DFB8CF4145088DB3EF49DFB8CF
Mike Hands this is only a little info on this subject see the full documentary
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mike%20hands%20inga%20frontline&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=mike%20hands%20inga%20frontline&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=46F489526F819D99DF6E46F489526F819D99DF6E
People to start with
Allan Savory
Gabe Brown
Mike Hands
Michael White
Concepts to start with
monoculture
alley cropping
no-till
cover crops
mob grazing
soil health
local production
crop diversity
composting
green manure
Other issues
Is it wise to send our soil to feed livestock in other countries
where do farm subsidies go and it that where they should go
are big agri-businesses promoting a form of agri that is sustainable
where is the rain where is the agriculture
Other resources
Much more to come
If you want more science try Dr. Jill Clapperton
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gabe+brown+soil+health&form=HDRSC3&first=1#view=detail&mid=A0CCD0CA92DCF1C4A621A0CCD0CA92DCF1C4A621
The problems with big agri corps and their products
Michael White vs Monsanto
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017282430
Mike Hands more about inga
http://www.ingafoundation.org/mike-hands/
Ted Talk on neighbor gardens
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017281878
food variety
http://www.upworthy.com/we-used-to-have-307-kinds-of-corn-guess-how-many-are-left
4000 potato varieties
http://cipotato.org/potato/facts/
rice 40,000 varieties
http://www.riceassociation.org.uk/content/1/10/varieties.html
Apples
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/heritage-apples-john-bunker-maine
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)i think as climate change becomes bigger and bigger an issue, this agriculture matter will have to take front stage.