The Environment Thread Volume 2

[Beastboyravenz]

, Thanks Big Disney Fan, you're the best!

[Big Disney Fan]

, Thanks Big Disney Fan, you're the best!

You're welcome. You're the best, too.

[Anthony]

Info on the recent oil spill in Burnaby, BC:

BURNABY OIL SPILL UPDATE

Yesterday, an oil spill occurred in Burnaby, B.C., after a construction crew accidentally punctured a pipeline. According to news reports, an undetermined amount of oil escaped, shooting plumes of oil 20 metres into the air for nearly half an hour. WWF-Canada staff based in our Vancouver office have been monitoring the situation and have spoken with the local Port Authority.

Crews are continuing cleanup efforts. The initial response focused on mopping up oil on the ground, but the spill has reached the nearby waters of Burrard Inlet where crews are using booms to contain the spill.

The part of the inlet where the spill is flowing into is the central harbour, bordering the mouth of both the Port Moody Arm and Indian Arm. Immediate concern is for wildlife include seals and waterfowl, which can become directly affected by ingesting or coming into contact with the toxic crude. A drop of oil the size of a quarter can be enough to kill seabirds, as oil destroys the insulative properties of the feathers.

Important areas for biodiversity nearby, such as Maplewood Flats, Cates Park and Belcarra Regional Park, do not appear to be in immediate danger, if reports on oil containment are accurate. There are several small creeks adjacent to the spill area that may be affected, however the risks to biodiversity are undetermined.

The effects of an oil spill are often long-term and not easily detected, as the oil becomes more difficult to clean up as it disperses, and takes a long time to break down. For example, long-term monitoring of Prince William Sound, the site of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, has shown that wildlife such as sea otters and sea ducks still have not recovered. While yesterday’s spill is not nearly of that magnitude, the Exxon Valdez experience demonstrates that oil spills have long-term and often unpredictable effects on wildlife and biodiversity.

While it is not yet clear what could have been done to avoid this particular spill, two points are clear.

First, it is impossible to totally remove the threat of oil spills, whether in the drilling process, in pipelines, shipping or other forms of transportation. Spills will happen, through human error, neglect, or just plain bad luck. This means we must be adequately prepared for cleanups.

Second, when it comes to effects on wildlife, the amount of oil spilled is often much less important than where or when the oil spill occurs. For example, if this spill had occurred near an important breeding or staging area for migratory birds, during the nesting or migration season, the effects on wildlife could be disastrous.

These two points highlight the need to safeguard critical wildlife areas before industrial development occurs – which WWF terms the “Conservation First” principle. WWF has been working to implement this principle worldwide, including in B.C., where protection of our ocean and coasts is lagging far behind industrial development decisions. This puts at risk not only the wildlife and wild places that make B.C. unique, but also the economic and cultural values that are based on B.C.’s natural resources.

Each and every oil spill is unfortunate, but let’s make sure risks are managed as much as possible, by setting world-class regulatory standards, preparing properly for spills, and ensuring our most vital wildlife and natural resource areas are protected.

WWF-Canada will continue to monitor this situation, and wish the best of luck to all involved in the cleanup effort.

Hope everything goes well.

[Jasmine1022]

That's terrible!! And to think that all the wildlife hasn't been helped from the last oil spill, and now there's another one! I honestly wish that people would become totally independent of oil. Oil is BAD. I, personally, would never have anything to do with oil if I didn't have to. It's simply too dangerous for the wildlife.

[Beastboyravenz]

Hi guys! Just wanted to let everyone know, that there are only six days left to take action to save the wolves. Please take action ( when you have time). Thanks.

Link:

https://secure2.convio.net/dow/site/Adv ... ur2.app20a

Personalize your letter to let them know how you feel.

Just updating more action alerts.

Please take action on saving America's horse from being slaughtered. You can give them your number and they will call you when they really need your help in taking urgent actions.

Link:

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/FED ... cTV91K9nfE

Here is another action alert, regarding whaling. A Japanese company is partnering with another company ( known as Kyokuyo Co. Ltd). Kyokuyo Co. Ltd, is a whaling company that hunts whales and cans them to be eaten like tuna. Please give them your thought, let them know that you are againts whaling.

Link:

http://www.stopwhaling.org/c.foJNIZOyEn ... nItem.aspx


Thanks, I know that UltimateDisney members make a huge difference, and that we will make a huge impact on the outcome of issues such as these.

Don't forget to spread the word.

[Jasmine1022]

The killing of horses is one of the biggest things that I cannot stand, because I have a huge passion for horses. They are so gentle and so loving...it makes me want to scream that people can be so terrible and heartless!!

[Beastboyravenz]

I know how you feel Jasmine. I honestly don't where people's minds are, I am completely apalled of how cruel people can be.


Here is another action alert. This one is solely on ending Aerial gunning or wolfes.

Link:

https://secure2.convio.net/dow/site/Adv ... iate=C406_

[Big Disney Fan]

I had already taken action there.

[Jasmine1022]

Me, too. That was another thing that made me completely sick. I understand why hunting is necessary, but the fact that people do it for fun simply appauls me. And, I know that wolves get at livestock and stuff...but just make sturdier pens! Make it harder for them to get in!! Or, maybe, if a cow/chicken dies...leave it out for the wolves, or at least where they can get it. Then they'll have eaten and won't come bug you! Maybe...I might be wrong there.

[Big Disney Fan]

Oh, and just so you know, I think today is the deadline for to speak out for the wolves. Here's the url: https://secure2.convio.net/dow/site/Adv ... 1g3.app27a.

Here's the good news: 65,000 action quotas are needed, but now they've attained 67,694 votes and counting! But I'll bet the government will be having yet another anti-wolf plan lurking in the wings. It's like Bush has some kind of personal vendetta against wolves or something, like they've done something to him that has forced him to seek revenge against them.

Anywho, we've attained almost 67,700 votes now from the minimum 65,000! How cool is that? Looks like the wolves will get to live a bit longer.

[Beastboyravenz]

Thanks for the update Big Disney fan. It's good to know that many people care. What I find disturbing and stupid is how some humans hold grudges against animals. Animals who can't tell the difference from right and wrong. I often find myself telling my cousin to stop being mean to other animals. I tell her she's dumb for investing to much energy being mean. She doesn't beat them, I don't really know how to explain it. I think she hurts me more than she does the animals. I tell her that she has a dog and aslong as she has a pet that she must learn to love all living creatures. The good thing is that she's finally getting it.

One of my cats lives at her moms house ( it's a long story). Recently I took care of her dog. The reaso I did it was ( because I love animals, and will always be open to doing favors for my family) to show her that I love her dog therefore she should love my cat.

The point is people who get angry at wild animals are plain ignorant.

[Jasmine1022]

AMEN!

I know that farmers often get angry and wolves because the wolves stalk around and attack their livestock, but they're just trying to survive! I'm glad to hear the news, Big Disney Fan. Thanks for letting us know

[Beastboyravenz]

Yeah I know farmers in particular get very upset. Although, they must understand that killing wolves isn't the solution. I read recently that an Alpha female of a wolve pack was shot and killed, due to livestock. She left pups and the alpha male behind. Wolves don't know that attacking farmers livestock is wrong. People forget that sometimes.

I also heard that coyotes are coming down from the hills in California. And are feasting on cats. If that happened to me I would be devasteted, but at the same time what can I do? I'm not gonna go after an endangered species and kill it. That would be stupid on my part. All I'm saying is that wild animals are forced to seek food anywhere. They have to do what they have to do to survive. It's the animal instinct, everyone has it.

[Jasmine1022]

It's our fault anyway! If they had any habitat left they wouldn't have to venture out of their habitat and eat our livestock/cats because they would have food in their habitat!!

People are so ignorant

[Beastboyravenz]

I have been meaning to post this question. Ok so my family and I will no longer use plastic grocery bags. We have tote bags that we use everytime we go grocery shopping. Before we would use the plastic bags as trash bags, and to carry things in them. Although, we will no oonger have any left due to the fact we will not use them anymore. So what should we use a trash bags. My mom uses white plastic trash bags, but aren't those just as harmful? Is there such a thing as a bio degradable bag?

[Jasmine1022]

At the moment, I don't think there is. I think it's just the plastic ones. I mean...they are the cheapest to make and they do the job I'm sure that environmentalists around the world are trying to get a biodegradable bag. Did you do a Google search?

[Beastboyravenz]

Actually, I haven't googled it yet. But which is worse a grocery bag, or a bag made specially to be a trash bag?

[Big Disney Fan]

Getting back to the wolves momentarily, I do agree that it's nice to know that so many people care (now the tally is up to more than 68,000!). After all, wolves are a member of the dog family, aren't they? And unless I'm mistaken, has it not been said that the dog is man's best friend?

[Jasmine1022]

Dogs descened from wolves. You know, the wolves were tamed blah blah. But wolves have always been known to attack livestock...it's just happened more in the past years due to not having food where they live.

[Beastboyravenz]

A bit off subject. Here is a link regarding the Tiger Trade.

Link:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/tigers/ind ... ecline.cfm

According to the article Tiger farms are currently tourist attractions. I hope tourist realize that they are contributing to keeping Tiger farms running.

If any of you guys are growing these plant and tree species in your backyards, know that they are extremely bad.

The article I am going to post states, that these non native species harm and kill native tress and plants.

Check out the link to see if you guys are growing these. If so, do something immediately.

Link:

http://www.nature.org/initiatives/invas ... /features/