Endangered Places

[Ollie]

What areas of the world do you feel are fast losing their natural beauty and should be considered 'endangered'? Why? What can we do to stop this happening?

[MariaD]

The Greenland ice sheet seems like the main example - it's disappearing!

[Reuben]

Good thread Ollie

I was researching deforestation in the rain forest and I came up with this site.

http://www.orangutanrepublik.org/ourei/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4


It seems that our old friends the Orangutan are under threat due to reduction in habitat. The main gist is that the forest is being cleared to make way for palm oil plantations. Palm oil is in 1 out of 10 supermarket products. I have therefore written to Tesco and Sainsbury to find out if they knew where there palm oil comes from. If everyone did this they would obviously realise that this is an issue and do something about it.

We also have the "worlds local bank" can you guess who this is? Financing companies indirectly involved in illegal logging. I was gutted to find this out because I have most of my finances with them!!:eek:

[MariaD]

Same here... maybe I should move my account elsewhere now!

[Ollie]

Have you had any responses from the supermarkets at all Reuben?

[insane_climber]

i think all areas are becoming endagerd as people want to build every where

[Reuben]

Not on the subject of Palm Oil. They don't seem to respond quickly on environmental issues. I guess the are worried about negative publicity.

[Reuben]

This bank even puts Orangutans on the front cover of one of thair latest brochures to make us feel good about investing in them. There are so many references to their involment in dubious corporations on the internet I find it difficult to believe that some of it is not true. Here are just two sites.

http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/corporates/case_studies/index.html

http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/520/en/hsbc_worlds_local_bank_raises_money_for_global_for est_destruction

[insane_climber]

if they want to put oragotangs on the front of their broshures they should put money they earn from interests in to the environment

[macgl78]

yeh right I can just see that happing just after pigs start flying from stansted airport.

[insane_climber]

didnty u know they were alrewady flying from heathrow

[Ollie]

I'm happy to see that there are no entries for Lloyds TSB :D :p I can sleep sound tonight now :)

[insane_climber]

heres and entry for Lloyds TSB

Lloyds TSB
Lloyds TSB
Lloyds TSB

[insane_climber]

haha, ollies going to have nightmares

[David]

Sadly, I have to agree: "i think all areas are becoming endagerd as people want to build every where" [sic].

It's no one's fault, but everyone feels the effects.

[Dom Hall]

One of the main reasons for the growth of Palm Oil plantations in Borneo (Sabah in particular) is to produce oil for what will be the world's biggest bio-diesel factory. The main customers - the UK, in its growing demand for 'green' fuel. The problem is that with this new carbon 'friendly' fuel comes huge biodiversity loss as the rainforest is cleared, and palm oil planted. Nothing is ever straightforward is it, well meaning people encourage the idea of biofuel not realising the effects it has on the other side of the world...

[Reuben]

Agree 100%. One day we in the west are going to find out that what goes around comes around.:(

[MariaD]

Hopefully we'll find out before it's too late to do something about it...

[Reuben]

Trouble is that society locks us into a planet destructive life style called progress. In the 80s they used to say "are you part of the problem or part of the solution". I don't know, but I don't think that it is that simple. I try to do the right thing but I am not sure that I am not just making a token effort for the sake of my conscience.

[David]

Hmm, it looks like a really difficult one to me, certainly the answer isn't just 'turn off the lights and recycle' (though obviously reducing wastage helps). At our level of technology, I just don't think that the planet can support such a large population at a quality of life similar to ours (first world countries). I keep seeing in the news how china want to build a new coal power plant every week or something similar, but I can't say I blame them for wanting to 'catch up' with us. I agree with what reuben said I think: if the whole world is going to 'progress' just to our level, then that's going to have a massive efect on the environment. And whether or not you have an alotment and don't air travel, I still think it's difficult for anyone with an internet connection, car and good healthcare to hold the 'high ground' on environmental issues, no matter how environmentally aware one claims to be.