The Question
There was a special feature disc to “Planet Earth” that was essentially a documentary about our environmental future. Much of this documentary talked extensively about the conservation movement; it was a fascinating conversation to watch, actually. Topics such as poaching protected species, or how an agency with a small budget decides which animals to focus on, made for a rare glimpse into these movements.
Poaching is generally divided into two groups: those that poach animals to sell on the black market, and those that poach to survive. The question that was addressed in this “Planet Earth” documentary, and the one that I pose to you now, is when it comes to feeding a starving family, or protecting the health of an animal population, which is most important?
In short, which do we value more, a protected animal or a human being? Survival poaching will continue, especially in areas of the world where the food itself, not just the means to buy it, is scarce.
This debate between people who are trying to survive and conservationists trying to save a species really drove home for me that *poverty* is always part of the equation.
Thoughts, anyone?
|
About Stacey: Stacey is a University of Regina grad in political science. She's interested in electoral politics, poverty, and how we all interact. In her day job, she works closely with industry in Saskatchewan. Personally, her interests range from critical race theory to particle physics and cooking. When she grows up, she wants to change the world! |
I pray that I am never put in this position, but if I ever have to choose between watching my children starve and killing a protected species, the protected species is going to die.
You hit the nail right on top of the head and I compliment you for this post. How many ’social problems’ are indirectly caused by poverty? Look at the drug trade – do you think that the war on drugs would be such a colossal failure if not for crippling global poverty rates? Or look at gangs – have you ever read any statistics on the number of incarcerated gang members who grew up in poverty?
I could go on but I know that you get the point. We have to alleviate poverty before we can sell environmental protection to the rest of the world.