The Ivory Cycle
On the 24th March, China's State Forestry Administration listed 12 licensed ivory factories (out of 34) and 55 retail ivory shops (out of 143) that are to be closed by the end of March. Today, I believe! By the end of this year, all of these remaining businesses will cease, but is it enough?
For China, this is step 1 in setting out a ban on ivory trade - making the act illegal throughout the country. Slowly but surely, this should but poachers out of business.
Through history, we've seen a trend. As the overall economic wealth of a country has boomed, so has the demand for materialistic items so that people have something to squander their extra cash on. Despite how we scrutinise those people who demand such a valued material in our western world, we, in the UK, were in fact part of this trade once. Our ancestors did the same and we do ignore that fact.
The African elephant population dramatically fell from over 20 million in 1800 to just 2 million by 1960 as a result of a love of ivory piano keys, ornaments, jewellery and billiard balls.
I suppose we didn't quite know the consequences then and the public were in the hands of society - we didn't know what we were being served, however, I wonder if the current ivory consumers know now? Do they understand the implications of their purchases? Perhaps they are just following societal norms, just like we do daily - driving a car & going to supermarkets instead of living local.
In China, ivory is mostly used in ornaments. When the market was greatest, some items could sell for thousands of dollars. Big business, isn't it. This is why some are sceptical about the actual impact this ban will have. There is certainly a reason for many to carry out poaching and just because China is making it illegal, numerous other countries still have it allowed by law. Other countries economies are rapidly developing so will they follow the trend and seek luxury like we did?
Today there may be less than 500,000 elephants left in the wild. Some predictions say they may be extinct within a decade. The longer we seek out ivory products, the more likely that statistic becomes.
Did you know that only male elephants have tusks? This means extinction lies with the ratio of females:males being unequal and thus giving very few offspring.
China currently accounts for up to 70% of the global demand for ivory. However before the judge them, let's not forget that we are all driven by society's desires. We now have the power of taking our knowledge and using it for the greater good. Now we can change how they act by addressing these issues and making the public more aware of our actions. Together, as one unit.
We can also help stop this by educating those on a much more local scale. When your dozing off at work, talk to your colleagues about what they think. Do they even know that elephant and rhino poaching is still a thing? We can change that. We can change a world.
We can campaign for a global ban on the ivory trade.
We can fund law enforcement along with the locals so that they can resist corruption and we give them another alternative. Colman O’Criodain, WWF’s Policy Manager for the Wildlife Practice, said:
“Law enforcement will be key to ensuring success of this ban and others. It's imperative that we increase monitoring of illegal sales including online trade and ensure criminals face tough sentences."
No more of 'it's nothing to do with me.'
We are all people and we can take that statement to fuel a fairer world where people have a choice so they can make the decision they know is right.
Make the decision you know is right.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?296510/china_ivory_trade_ban_update%20
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-39440486
http://www.traffic.org/elephants-ivory/
For China, this is step 1 in setting out a ban on ivory trade - making the act illegal throughout the country. Slowly but surely, this should but poachers out of business.
 |
| Ivory ornaments for sale. Highly valued items could cost thousands of dollars Source: GETTY IMAGES |
The African elephant population dramatically fell from over 20 million in 1800 to just 2 million by 1960 as a result of a love of ivory piano keys, ornaments, jewellery and billiard balls.
I suppose we didn't quite know the consequences then and the public were in the hands of society - we didn't know what we were being served, however, I wonder if the current ivory consumers know now? Do they understand the implications of their purchases? Perhaps they are just following societal norms, just like we do daily - driving a car & going to supermarkets instead of living local.
In China, ivory is mostly used in ornaments. When the market was greatest, some items could sell for thousands of dollars. Big business, isn't it. This is why some are sceptical about the actual impact this ban will have. There is certainly a reason for many to carry out poaching and just because China is making it illegal, numerous other countries still have it allowed by law. Other countries economies are rapidly developing so will they follow the trend and seek luxury like we did?
Today there may be less than 500,000 elephants left in the wild. Some predictions say they may be extinct within a decade. The longer we seek out ivory products, the more likely that statistic becomes.
Did you know that only male elephants have tusks? This means extinction lies with the ratio of females:males being unequal and thus giving very few offspring.
China currently accounts for up to 70% of the global demand for ivory. However before the judge them, let's not forget that we are all driven by society's desires. We now have the power of taking our knowledge and using it for the greater good. Now we can change how they act by addressing these issues and making the public more aware of our actions. Together, as one unit.
 |
| African elephants http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/07/opinions/ paula-kahumbu-china-ivory-elephants-extinction/ |
We can campaign for a global ban on the ivory trade.
We can fund law enforcement along with the locals so that they can resist corruption and we give them another alternative. Colman O’Criodain, WWF’s Policy Manager for the Wildlife Practice, said:
“Law enforcement will be key to ensuring success of this ban and others. It's imperative that we increase monitoring of illegal sales including online trade and ensure criminals face tough sentences."
No more of 'it's nothing to do with me.'
We are all people and we can take that statement to fuel a fairer world where people have a choice so they can make the decision they know is right.
Make the decision you know is right.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?296510/china_ivory_trade_ban_update%20
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-39440486
http://www.traffic.org/elephants-ivory/
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