STOP THE TOTAL DISASTER

There’s a new petition on the online global community Avaaz.

I am asking you to PLEASE READ IT, and if you’re willing to, to SIGN IT.

Either way, please, please SHARE IT.

So here’s the scoop:

Energy giant Total is about to build the biggest heated oil pipeline in the world. 

Avaaz say that the impact of this oil pipeline is three fold:

1. The oil pipline will displace thousands of farmers.  
2. It will pass through key elephant and chimpanzee reserves.
3. It will threaten crucial biodiversity hotspots.  It will cross over 200 rivers, 12 forest reserves, and skirt Africa’s largest lake.   ONE LEAK could threaten some of Africa’s most biodiverse mangroves and coral reefs.

This is all done to extract 1.033.417.417.032 litres of oil, a fossil fuel – taking us closer to a climate catastrophe.  Mind you, Total's CEO have publicly committed to preventing it!  In Total’s Climate Report 2019 concerning climate change, it was stated “Clearly, we need to take stronger action.”

Let’s have a quick look at Total and Biodiversity:  Commitments and Actions

“Given its business, Total sometimes works in sensitive natural environments. We are aware of the stakes involved and have taken measures to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystems are taken into account in our projects and operations.” Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Total wrote.

Total’s biodiversity policy includes (and I quote):

• Applying the Mitigation Hierarchy, an approach to avoid, reduce, mitigate and, if necessary, compensate any loss in biodiversity

• Taking ecosystem sensitivity into account.

• Managing biodiversity by integrating risks and impacts in our environmental management systems. • Reporting on biodiversity performance to stakeholders.

• Working with local and international partners and our industry associations to improve

Online community Avaaz are attacking the pipeline plan in three ways

1. A call to Total’s CEO Pouyanné now to make him famous in the media so everybody knows about these plans
2. To support the growing movement on the ground
3. To push the French government with what Avaaz calls “razor-focused advocacy”.

Avaaz points out that this is all about fighting for what we all care about.   We need to protect the precious life on earth, to stand up for basic human rights – and to protect life and biodiversity for future generations.

Join this massive call to STOP THIS TOTAL DISASTER and share widely.

Please let’s help communities in Uganda.  Let’s help them defend their lands and the reserves the wildlife need.

One of the most important legacies I think Queen Elizabeth II is creating is an ambitious aim to create a global network of portected forests, spanning all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

At 9pm on ITV3 on Sunday 23 August 2020 at 9pm, there's a chance to see the documentary about it again. 

It also features a wonderful conversation between Her Majesty and Sir David Attenborough as they stroll through the gardens of Buckingham Palace.   Their discussion covers a range of subjects from climate change to conkers!

There's also footage of the other royal family members making the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy a reality. 

"Together our forests will thrive," says the project's website.

The project protects woodlands across the Comomonwealth.   Princes William and Harry and Angelina Jolie all appear - the Princes are planting trees in Canada's Great Bear Rainforest. 

The highlight however must surely be the conversation between two legends - Her Majesty the Queen and Sir David Attenborough.  Bless them both.

Do take a look at the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy project website and take a look at the map showing where the project is at work.  And look at the projects too - 45 countries have now joined in, with Bermuda joining in March 2020. 

There are a number of charities working for the conservation of the Great Bear Rainforest and they are:

PacificWild working to protect wildlife and their habitat and they have some interesting campaigns including stopping tankers on the north and central coast

The Nature Conservancy - do watch their film about the Great Bear Rainforest

Raincoast Conservation Foundation work to ensure that coastal grizzlies continue their presence as the top carnivore and apex predator in the coastal rainforest. 

The 19^th August is International Orangutan Day and there are some very good ways in which you can help orangutans.

Why?  Because the orangutan’s forest is being destroyed so that palm oil plantations can be created in their place.

The Iceland advert was banned for being too political but it’s worth looking at because it shows exactly what we are doing to orangutan’s habitat.

1. Donate

The Orangutan Foundation are looking to save 300 acres for orangutans and you can donate to help them do this here.

The Orangutan Foundation International based in Australia is also looking for donations.

2. Change your buying habits

The Orangutan Foundation International has information on palm oil and how to spot when it is in products you might buy. I’m doing this and looking to decrease my use of palm oil as much as possible.

Look at your normal shopping list and then take a look at  Ethical Consumer’s guide to palm oil – they have a list of the worst offenders when it comes to palm oil.  If you currently buy from the list of worst offenders, you don’t have to go without – just swap them for another product made by a different company. 

On More4 (17 August 2020 at 9pm) there's a programme called Inside the Zoo - Down Under.

The programme focuses on how vets from the Taronga Zoo tried to save wildlife as large bushfires devastated Australia.

Find out how the Zoo helps conservation and what you can do to help Act for the Wild here

Have you seen pictures of the flooding in the UK today?

Parts of the M25 were flooded causing chaos but more worrying for me is the report from Animals Asia and their rescue bears in China who are also affected by flooding. 

As if they didn't have enough to contend with, bears in China (and the people, of course) are facing many flooding, as the above report shows.

You can find out more here but please follow #AnimalsAsia on their social media channels.

Donations to them are always welcome :-)