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1. Petition to Hermes about crocodiles for handbags and shoes

   Posted on 8:00pm Thursday 3rd Dec 2020

   Sign Care2’s petition demanding that they abandon the proposed facility in Australia, and ban the use of exotic skins from its products completely! Where does the material for handbags and shoes come from? Well, Hermès, the French fashion brand, want to build a new facility in Australia.  Here 50,000 crocodiles will be born into captivity.  They will be skinned and turned into handbags and shoes. Incredibly, the project has been granted development and environmental approvals. How is it that someone can say it’s okay to breed crocodiles into captivity to be skinned for handbags and shoes? The fashion brand plan to steal eggs from mother crocodiles in the wild.  This will cause fear, stress and aggression. When the eggs hatch in the factory farm walls, the baby crocs will kept in tight concrete enclosures.  Their movement will be restricted and they will have no stimulation.  And when they have grown big enough, their skin will be ready to be harvested. PETA have reported that on other crocodile farms, crocodiles are electrocuted. Their bodies shake and protest wildly. Some may even still be alive as their necks are slit.  Metal rods are rammed down their spine in an attempt to kill them.  Some have been seen to be alive as the skinning starts. Hermès says it "has defined and implemented a very strict, science-based, animal welfare policy." Hmm...really? Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Mulberry have banned exotic animal skins in their products.  They use vegan alternatives which look the same. Tell Hermès that’s not too late to join the right side of history. Sign the petition demanding that they abandon the proposed facility in Australia, and ban the use of exotic skins from its products completely! Please sign the petition here

    

    

2. International Day of Biological Diversity is on 22 May 2020

   Posted on 5:00pm Thursday 21st May 2020

   The 22nd May 2020 is International Day for Biological Diversity and this year, the theme is “our solutions are in nature”. The UN proclaimed such a day to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Here’s the incredible Sir David Attenborough explaining what biodiversity is: #ShareOurPlanet Watch Our Planet on Netflix The Council of the EU has produced a good video, too, called  Help Protect Biodiversity and it will protect us The theme “Our solutions are in nature” emphasises the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature. 2020 is a year to reflect, grab the moment and come up with creative and innovative solutions.  We all need to work to stop biodiversity loss, for all people and all life on Earth. Message from BirdLife International on Biodiversity Day 2020

3. Please see this video from Gravitas - how nature is reclaiming its spaces due to the Coronavirus

   Posted on 2:00pm Friday 10th Apr 2020

   Sometimes you see something on the internet or on television that really hits you hard and makes a point extremely well. I saw this video, this afternoon, and I wanted to share it with you.  Please share it with everyone you can. The ultimate message is that we SHARE this planet.  It demonstrates how dominant the human race has become - and how selfish.   I am not going to tell you anymore about it - please just watch it for yourself.   Here it is: Thank you, Gravitas. Please vow to make a difference today.  Find out how to reduce your impact on the earth's resources here.

4. Shut down wildlife markets NOW!

   Posted on 10:00pm Thursday 19th Mar 2020

   How did the coronavirus start? Its outbreak in Wuhan, China, was suspected to be the starting point for the coronavirus.  And a harsh light was cast on wildlife markets.   Huanan Seafood Market has a terrible range of live and freshly killed animals is thought to be the starting point. The meat of 30 terrestrial animal species is at the market, as well as seafood.  Pangolins, civets, squirrels, pheasants, scorpions, snakes and various rates are available there. Shut down wildlife markets NOW! Wildlife markets do 2 things: They spread disease – it’s easy to see why when you just have to look at the terrible conditions in which these animals are kept These markets are driving species towards extinction. We are heading towards a massive extinction – the 2019 UN report warned that up to one million animal and plant species could vanish forever.  In October 2020, China is due to host a UN conference on the Convention of Biological Diversity.  Representatives from nearly 200 countries will look to find ways to stop the mass extinction. Let's put pressure on China... Now is a good time to put pressure on China and push for a worldwide ban on the wildlife trade. Rainforest Rescue has a petition to shut down these markets once and for all.  They are utterly barbaric and it’s high time they were stopped. Please sign here and let's get wildlife markets STOPPED

    

5. Bristol declares ‘ecological emergency’

   Posted on 8:00pm Thursday 6th Feb 2020

   Bristol has become the first major city to declare an ecological emergency. They’ve done this in response to escalating threats to ecosystems and wildlife, as there’s been a worrying decline in numbers and the diveristy of wildlife in the city. 41% of UK wildlife species are in decline and 15% are at risk of extinction In Bristol the city’s swifts and starling populations are virtually wiped out – with a 96% decline in numbers of these birds between 1994 and 2014 Marvin Rees, Major of Bristol, and the CEO of the Avon Wildlife Trust Ian Barrett, are building on the 2018 declaration of a climate emergency. Plans to Tackle this Ecological Emergency  Marvin Rees has asked the One City Envrionment and Sustainability Board work with the council and other city partners to look at ways in which the destruction of wildife habitats can be stopped. He wants them to look at ways to mange land sustainably, which will create wildlife-rich spaces, not just right across Bristol but across the region as well. Everywhere and everyone needs to support wildlife, including new developments, so that species can grow alongside people.  It’s recognised that is not a quick thing to achieve.  Nature takes her time, but she needs a considerable amount of help now.  She needs restoring.  Climate breakdown and ecological emergency are everywhere as wild spaces are lost and wildlife with it. As Ian Barrett says, we can’t wait for national governments or international bodies to lead the way.  Collective action is needed so that wildlife can thrive and the natural world can flourish. Find out more here about Bristol’s response to the ecological emergency This includes of course people like you and me.  We can all take action to do things such as planting a single window box for pollinators, walking where possible -  and doing beach clean ups on team building days or helping a local wildlife charity. At the moment, the Avon Wildlife Trust is working with local communities through a project called My Wild City.  It’s transforming 8 local wildlife sites across the city, so enhancing important wildlife habitats and providing opportunities for people to visit and enjoy them. Its urban wildlife site in Stapleton has restored wildlife in the heart of the city;  people can learn practical skills in wildlife friendly planting and help fight for nature’s recovery. Actions you can take: Donate to the Avon Wildlife Trust and help its work Volunteer – give your time and energy!  It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends and do something really worthwhile with your time that can make a difference.  Take action to help wildlife – there are a number of things you can do, including Build a hedgehog home Create a hole for hedghogs Grow a wild patch Attract butterflies to your garden Grow a vertical garden Provide water for wildlife Provide bushes for nesting birds Build a bug mansion Pick up litter (so wildlife don’t eat it or get harmed on it) Take part in a citizen survey Buy local produce And there are LOTS MORE! Become a member or give a gift membership – there’s even a business membership