Deforestation - We gotta sort it out!

How can we sit by and watch as the Amazon Rainforest, the most bio-diverse tropical rainforest in the world, dissolves right before our eyes? Can people not see that the destruction of the Amazonian Rainforest will lead to the destruction of human life itself?! There is no time left to remain blinkered, it's no joke, this stuff is real and it's happening NOW. We all share this world, so the responsibility sits on all of our shoulders to turn things around.

'A common estimate is that over half of the species of animals live in the rain forests of the world. To say that many of these are threatened or endangered would be an understatement, especially in light of the many threats that rainforests as a whole face in the world today. These threats are outlined in the Crisis Overview section of Hope For The Rain Forests.'

There are millions of articles out there on the subject, here's one article I found to be pretty informative and straight to the point. It explains how deforestation is not a 'sport' but that it is due to a variety of factors such as over-population. It's easy to say that deforestation must stop, but this can only begin to happen if alternative and efficient solutions are employed, by each and every one of us. The links at the bottom of the page are really good too.

I also recently came across a really great environmental awareness campaign by the Born Free Foundation.

'Using the spectacular photography of George Logan and the skills of Steve Hawthorne and Katy Hopkins at advertising company WCRS Limited, these images of wild animals placed within an urban setting aim to provide a shocking reminder that wildlife is losing its habitat at an alarming rate.'

Unreported World

A couple of days ago I came across the most recent Unreported World documentary on Illegal Animal Trade, on Channel 4’s catch-up service 4OD. I instantly knew I would find it painful to watch and told myself I wouldn’t do it. Curiosity took a hold of me and within 24 hours Jack and I sat down to watch the hard-hitting documentary, wincing all the way. It’s so horrible to know that these things are going on in the world every single day while we sit comfortable and content in our lovely warm homes, surrounded by all our ‘riches’ that we so often take for granted.

It’s a killer to watch, but I think it’s necessary to know what’s really going on in the world. If we’re not aware then we can’t do anything to help put an end to the cruelty and devastation. 

This particular episode focuses upon Indonesia, however we can't forget that this illegal activity is taking place in many other parts of the world.

We must also not forget that a lot of these issues are part and parcel of a much deeper rooted problem, the West is no innocent party. It is the responsibility of everyone to change their ways to allow for a better, honest and more sustainable future. 

Watch it here http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/4od#3197103

Volunteering - Animal Rescue Centres

The less developed and poorer countries we'll be visting have a plethora of opportunities for volunteering – Ecuador and Bolivia for example. We’re going to be focusing on volunteering at animal rescue and rehabilitation centres, we both adore animals and I've always had a deep desire to work with them and help them.

Due to poverty (and a whole host of other contributing factors) people are being driven to selling illegal and endangered animals on the black market. Don’t get me wrong, I believe there is no excuse for it, but these people are often desperate to even feed themselves and they see selling animals as an accessible trade, often selling to rich tourists or overseas buyers, even selling the animals to become parts :(

You can read more about the illegal animal trade in Peru here.

It is also really important to note that each case of animal trafficking is different and has it's own individual story. In my next post I will be putting up a video link to the latest Unreported World documentary about animal trafficking, you can witness for yourself that not all cases arise from desperation. Many also arise from greed.

One of the projects we plan to spend time volunteering with is Merazonia, 'an up-and-coming rescue centre for trafficked and abused Amazonian animals' in Ecuador. While we're there we hope to understand the situation more and to learn about the actions being taken to put a stop to it, and be a part of that.

A lot of these creatures end up in rescue centres, either brought there after being seized by officials or brought to the centres by the people that purchased them, often finding they don’t actually know how to care for them or finding the animal in poor health. Unfortunately for these creatures it’s not just a case of rescuing the ones that find themselves being sold as soulless products on the markets, but it’s about the BIGGER PICTURE. There are so many more trickier to tackle factors that make up the causes of why this is happening.
Deforestation is playing a HUGE factor in animal endangerment in the regions we’ll be visiting. I’ll talk more about this in a later post.

Volunteering our way around South America

Well, Oz and New Zealand are off the map now, for this trip anyway. Turns out we were perhaps being a tad ambitious thinking we could do it all in one fell swoop. South America has now become the sole focus!

So, we're barely one month away from booking the flights! The hefty six month trip will be in the bag very shortly :)

We're also finally decided on the where’s, what’s and why’s.

As mentioned in the 'The Trip' page of this blog we'll be snaking our way down through the countries along the West coast.

UK - Peru - Ecuador - Bolivia - Chile - Argentina - UK (or possibly in the reverse order)

I've recently put together a well-researched list of volunteer projects of interest in each country we'll be visiting. Jack laughed at me as I just love to make lists, if ever there's an opportunity to write a concise list of something or other I'm on the case! Volunteering our way around South America is the most interesting and cost-effective way to do so, we believe so anyway. We don’t want to be snap-happy tourists, we want to immerse ourselves, develop friendships and learn about alternative (perhaps even better) ways of living and viewing the world we live in :)

Ecoteer

'Ecoteer believe the way to solve human inequality and environmental destruction is to provide more people with the chance to experience first-hand the real problems in other countries and communities.'



Ecoteer is believed to be one of the very few true ethical and responsible volunteering companies, this is because they have taken out the middleman. Over 25% of their projects are free and if you do have to pay money you give it direct to the project, that way you know 100% of your money is given to the actual project! Even the projects that do result in a cost are still extremely reasonable.

Ecoteer is a community of volunteers and grass root organisations where they can contact each other directly, there are no giant conglomerates or greedy business minds behind the organisation.

I have now officially become an Ecoteer member, having paid my £15 yearly membership fee (a steal!).

I'm now in the process of investigating all of the projects available and where they're based. As a member I have my own account and can manage it to my preferences. At the moment I'm saving certain projects as my 'favourites' so that I can then go back over my list, ponder, edit and then decide on the definite winners.