Environmentalism Chapter 39 - Chemtrail Apocalypse - Part I
Chemtrails better known as chemical trails and the theories to conspiracies have been circulating the networks now for some years, however documentation on these “governmental training exercises” didn’t really pick up until around 1996 when many people, mostly environmental activists, animal welfare activists and members of the public became extremely concerned as to what these chem trails were and why many governmental organisations failed to give reasonable explanations as to why they felt it necessary to spray over civilian airspace and sensitive aquatic and land regions too.
International Animal Rescue Foundation’s © Animal Protection Front documented on this case in 2011 of which within literally three hours the entire forum and documents were removed, which was documented under (Operation Black Swan) that we are not going to document about on this site. You can Google Operation Black Swan and analyse whatever data you may find if it is still present however we must warn you that you may be subjected to a removal order without notice.
Operation Black Swan an international military governmental operation lasted two to three years of which chemicals were sprayed from military and “some” adapted passenger planes that involved over twenty seven nations globally.
Although not proven to a degree millions of aquatic life, avian life, reptilians, large marine and land mammalians were washed up dead within the oceans or fresh water streams, land mammals found dead with no official conclusive autopsy results ever released or located, and what was vaguely recorded pointed to apparent natural occurrences to pollution or simply overhead jet liners flying below normal altitude levels causing noise disruption.
Chemtrails are causing much concern internationally and the governments that are releasing these chemicals have still yet to acknowledge Freedom of Information Requests [FOIA] as to why they had been flying military tanker jets in civilian airspace at just below or at cruising altitude that civilian aviation companies never knew had been in the airspace.
Questions raised as to what chemicals the governments were using, why they were spraying thousands if not millions of litres of [unidentified] toxic or non-toxic substances within the atmosphere, to not informing civilian airspace of such exercise’s that has resulted in now some thirty five passenger and military avian near misses at altitudes of over or just under 25,000 feet that could if the plane’s both collided at some hundreds of kilometres an hour caused catastrophic death and pollution.
We have been watching many forums of which we have viewed many photographic evidence of jet liners flying with civilian aerospace, along with some confusion “not all” of which members of the public have mistakenly identified cloud formations, contrails to jet [stream’s] as actual chemtrails from which I have formally identified the difference below so that you can log and document actual chemtrails in the hope that we can all finally get to the bottom of why governmental aviation tankers are releasing millions of litres in colossally large payloads over land and sensitive marine biodiversity areas.
Identification of a jet stream;
Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmospheres of some planets, including Earth. The main jet streams are located near the tropopause, the transition between the troposphere (where temperature decreases with altitude) and the stratosphere (where temperature increases with altitude)
Jet streams are caused by a combination of a planet’s rotation on its axis and atmospheric heating (by solar radiation and, on some planets other than Earth, internal heat). Jet streams form near boundaries of adjacent air masses with significant differences in temperature, such as the polar region and the warmer air towards the equator.
Other jet streams also exist. During the northern hemisphere summer, easterly jets can form in tropical regions, typically in a region where dry air encounters more humid air at high altitudes. Low-level jets also are typical of various regions such as the central United States.
Meteorologists use the location of some of the jet streams as an aid in weather forecasting. The main commercial relevance of the jet streams is in air travel, as flight time can be dramatically affected by either flying with the flow or against the flow of a jet stream. Clear-air turbulence, a potential hazard to aircraft passenger safety, is often found in a jet stream’s vicinity but does not create a substantial alteration on flight times. (Chemtrails can appear as jet streams as of the vast spread and “type” trails they leave behind covering some hundreds of miles.
Identification of contrails;
As explained above we have viewed many forums that have shown much photographic evidence of trails in the skies. However one must not be confused by the “jet stream-chemtrail-cloud formations” to that of the “contrail” that is naturally formed condensation and/or exhaust vapour only viewed at certain altitudes mostly being 40,000 feet and within changing atmospheric temperature’s, contrails are mostly seen in the summer months too being mainly daytime and never night.
Contrails or vapour trails are long thin artificial clouds that sometimes form behind aircraft. Their formation is most often triggered by the water vapour in the exhaust of aircraft engines, but can also be triggered by the changes in air pressure in wingtip vortices or in the air over the entire wing surface. Like all clouds, contrails are made of water, in the form of a suspension of billions of liquid droplets or ice crystals.
Depending on the temperature and humidity at the altitude the contrail forms, they may be visible for only a few seconds or minutes, or may persist for hours and spread to be several miles wide. Persistent spreading contrails are thought to have a significant effect on global climate. The common “contrail” has been confused by many people as a “chemtrail” which must be ruled out when identifying to presenting evidence to governments in asserting the Freedom of Information Request.
Cloud formations
As an environmentalist and climatologist I never knew myself just exactly how many different forms of cloud formations were in the skies, at what altitudes, what the formations were informing us of with regards to climatological weather fronts of low and high band depressions moving in until qualifying. The formation’s described below are cloud example’s that could/can also be linked to misidentification of “chemtrails”.
The Cirrocumulus formation mostly located at an altitude of 50,000 feet can alternate between pattern formations. Cirrocumulus usually forms in large upright blocks indicating a low pressure that is normally about to move over the atmosphere bringing with it large rain, wind and storm disruptions. However the Cirrocumulus can also at these extremely high altitudes along with the stratus formation can be disrupted by high velocity winds and incoming high/low pressure current thus giving the impression upon cloud dispersal that a “chemtrail” has been dispersed.
I must though also point out that the altocumulus formation mostly located at aviation cruising level can easily be misidentified as a “chemtrail” especially as it has large tail’s and spread over some seven to ten miles that appears to be a “trail” when in fact it is merely a formation of disrupted cloud.
Chemtrails would most likely viewed at these levels too and would most certainly be released at these altitudes due to the altocumulus formation cloud being able to spread over large swathes of land and marine areas.
Most military and civilian aviation aeroplanes, tankers or jets would normally fly around 1,000+ feet above the altocumulus formation of which a “chemical release” would most likely be viewed thus identified correctly.
I would suggest that when one is viewing or searching for chemtrail dispersals that one checks with local or international climatological agencies and weather stations. The altocumulus formation can easily hold and thus disperse these unidentified chemicals once released in minute vapour droplets exactly suitable for mass land coverage once a low depression moves within.
Identification of chemical trails [chemtrails];
There is limited information in terms of why the military government agencies are dropping large quantities of chemicals over civilian and non-populated land, however with regards to identifying and documentation there is much information highlighted although denied to not formally or even informally acknowledged by governmental scientists to provide a transparent response as to why they believe polluting the atmosphere with billions of litres of unknown substances is acceptable.
The most concerning yet “disturbing” issue that we at International Animal Rescue Foundation © must point out that such large dispersal of chemicals at high altitudes is not, based, on our own educations and qualifications in environmentalism, environmental science, ecology, agriculture, climatology and more is that these chemicals are not under any circumstances “safe” and nor are they any form of [direct contact] with any botanical or agricultural plant to animal.
Under the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) plus other PH1 and PH2 analytic studies we ourselves are more than aware that to apply a “direct contact agent” would have to be dropped at a level of almost 100 feet such as crop spraying by fixed or rotary wing aircraft. Applying direct contact chemicals at this level is considered in the “agricultural and botanical” industry under the European laws of COSHH and the Health and Safety Act to be safe.
Direct contact pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, to fertilisers are normally sprayed at close contact more commonly known as [direct contact chemicals] when no high winds are present as to avoid polluting or harming others and the environment.
Chemtrails though have been around for a long time and not as some members of the public have been led to believe from blogs to other sites simply because these individuals are young or their elders never knew of why such chemtrails were evident in the skies to what the purpose of using high compound chemicals.
The earliest we knew of such continental governmental military practices was back in the 1970’s just after the Vietnam war ended in 1975, although rare it was believed and still is that these types of aviation atmospheric experimentation’s were being undertaken in the event of a probable Ariel military strike on enemies to subdue them should a direct hit of nuclear, chemical or biological (NBC) warfare be used against Europe or America.
Why chemtrail warfare would be used though when we have fleets of aircraft and underwater submariners that can fire instantly missiles from hundreds of miles away to take out communication, fuel and transport locations thus then moving in ground forces to then illuminate the enemies is baffling to say the least.
The chemtrail conspiracy theory holds that some trails left by aircraft are chemical or biological agents deliberately sprayed at high altitudes for purposes undisclosed to the general public in clandestine programs directed by various government officials. This theory is not accepted by the scientific community, which states that they are just normal contrails, as there is no scientific evidence supporting the chemtrail theory.
NOAA http://www.noaa.gov/ publishes a list of silver iodide projects and the companies that perform the atmospheric releases. Reporting weather modification is required by US Federal law. There is no scientific evidence silver iodide leads to chemtrails in the sense that fire would produce smoke but it is the only reported weather modification of significance. http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=noaa.gov&v%3Aproject=firstgov&query=silver+iodide+projects+&x=-1091&y=-84
We are aware that NOAA and the other Environmental Agencies internationally have been trying to modify the weather patterns which “could” give reason as to why such chemicals are being sprayed at high altitudes and not via “direct contact” however [why the secrecy]?
Releasing these chemicals within the altocumulus cloud formation to any formation or within atmospheres that have no impending storm surges oncoming doesn’t make sense thus increasing our own professional suspicions.
We was then led to believe that as chemtrails are viewed more within the summer months then maybe they are experimenting on creating rains using high volatile chemicals. However as some may not know in order for that to occur one needs cloud formations.
Many photographic data has shown no cloud formations though, so in theory these chemicals would then be scattered over many nautical land miles via wind dispersal thus ending up inhaled by the public to laying on public or agricultural land, could this be why so many species of animals perished during Operation Black Swan?
We are all looking into the helping the environment and researching more alternative methods of improving atmospheric conditions however what NOAA seems to be forgetting is that the military are releasing these chemicals of which their planes had all GPS transmitting units turned off so that civilian airspace traffic control didn’t know they were within civilian airspace. In 2012 several VERY near misses with tanker planes was recorded by FEDEX and other airliners that had to perform emergency manoeuvres at high speeds to avoid a mid-air collision.
The following was recorded 2012 December;
Two United States Air Force KC-135 Tankers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:100225-F-3252P-617.jpg spraying thick plumes of material from their wing ducts pass within 2,000 feet of the FedEx craft. The FedEx pilot immediately requests a different altitude from Air Traffic Control, only to be met with a third near-miss collision - with yet another USAF KC-135 Tanker, spewing tons of chemicals from its ducts.
Clearly, Air Traffic Control was oblivious to the presence of these three USAF tankers, which were operating at commercial altitudes. This may have happened if the military planes had their transponders turned off. Also, it appears that the Air Force planes were not detectable by radar.
The shocking episode is followed by footage taken by a passenger of a commercial jet, showing a tanker clearly dumping a thick toxic substance which does not resemble a contrail. This footage is followed by a sequence of even more amazing shots of unbelievably thick plumes of stuff being dumped by Air Force jets, accompanied by serious daredevil flight manoeuvres.
Following extract from NOAA;
Subject: C4) Has there ever been an attempt or experiment to reduce the strength of a hurricane?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
The U.S. Government once supported research into methods of hurricane modification, known as Project STORMFURY. For a couple decades NOAA and its predecessor tried to weaken hurricanes by dropping silver iodide - a substance that serves as effective ice nuclei - into the rain bands of the storms.
During the STORMFURY years scientists seeded clouds in Hurricanes Esther (1961), Beulah (1963), Debbie (1969), and Ginger (1971). The experiments took place over the open Atlantic far from land. The STORMFURY seeding targeted convective clouds just outside the hurricane’s eye wall in an attempt to form a new ring of clouds that, it was hoped would compete with the natural circulation of the storm and weaken it.
The idea was that the silver iodide would enhance the thunderstorms of a rain band by causing the super cooled water to freeze, thus liberating the latent heat of fusion and helping a rain band to grow at the expense of the eye wall.
With a weakened convergence to the eye wall, the strong inner core winds would also weaken quite a bit. For cloud seeding to be successful, the clouds must contain sufficient super cooled water (water that has remained liquid at temperatures below the freezing point, 0°C/32°F). Neat idea, but it, in the end, had a fatal flaw.
Observations made in the 1980s showed that most hurricanes don’t have enough super cooled water for STORMFURY seeding to work - the buoyancy in hurricane convection is fairly small and the updrafts correspondingly small compared to the type one would observe in mid-latitude continental super or multi cells.
In addition, it was found that unseeded hurricanes form natural outer eye walls just as the STORMFURY scientists expected seeded ones to do. This phenomenon makes it almost impossible to separate the effect (if any) of seeding from natural changes.
The few times that they did seed and view a reduction in intensity was undoubtedly due to what is now called “concentric eye wall cycles”. Thus nature accomplishes what NOAA had hoped to do artificially.
No wonder that the first few experiments were thought to be successes. Because the results of seeding experiments were so inconclusive, STORMFURY was discontinued. A special committee of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that a more complete understanding of the physical processes taking place in hurricanes was needed before any additional modification experiments.
The primary focus of NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division today is better physical understanding of hurricanes and improvement of forecasts. To learn about the STORMFURY project as it was called, read Willoughby et al. (1985).
Operation STORMFURY;
Project STORMFURY was an ambitious experimental program of research on hurricane modification carried out between 1962 and 1983. The proposed modification technique involved artificial stimulation of convection outside the eye wall through seeding with silver iodide. The invigorated convection, it was argued, would compete with the original eye wall, lead to reformation of the eye wall at larger radius, and thus, through partial conservation of angular momentum, produce a decrease in the strongest winds.
Since a hurricane’s destructive potential increases rapidly as its strongest winds become stronger, a reduction as small as 10% would have been worthwhile. Modification was attempted in four hurricanes on eight different days. On four of these days, the winds decreased by between 10 and 30%, the lack of response on the other days was interpreted to be the result of faulty execution of the seeding or of poorly selected subjects.
These promising results came into question in the mid-1980s because observations in unmodified hurricanes indicated:
- That cloud seeding had little prospect of success because hurricanes contained too much natural ice and too little supercooled water.
- That the positive results inferred from the seeding experiments in the 1960s stemmed from inability to discriminate between the expected results of human intervention and the natural behavior of hurricanes.
Reference; Willoughby, H. E., D. P. Jorgensen, R. A. Black, and S. L. Rosenthal, 1985: Project STORMFURY, A Scientific Chronicle, 1962-1983, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 66, 505-514.
One can view past and present on-going atmospheric and storm research experiments here http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/programs_sub/science_proj.html
Chemicals used;
Toxic Chemicals & Metals in Chemtrails:
Aluminium Oxide Particles
Arsenic
Bacilli and Molds
Barium Salts
Barium Titanates
Cadmium
Calcium
Chromium
Desiccated Human Red Blood Cells
Ethylene Dibromide
Enterobacter Cloacal
Enterobacteriaceae
Human White Blood Cells-A
Lead
Lithium Salts and Chemtrails
Mercury
Methyl Aluminum
Mold Spores
Mycoplasma
Nano-Aluminum-Coated Fiberglass
Nitrogen Trifluoride
Nickel
Polymer Fibers
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Pseudomonas Florescens
Radio Active Cesium
Radio Active Thorium
Selenium
Serratia Marcscens
Sharp Titanium Shards
Silver
Streptomyces
Stronthium
Sub-Micron Particles
Sulfer Dioxide
Unidentified Bacteria
Uranium
Yellow Fungal Mycotoxins
Toxic Chemical List from U. S. Navy
Aluminium Coated Fiberglass Particles (CHAFF)
Acenaphthene
Aromatic Hydrobarbons
Barium Chromate
Benzene
Cadium
Chlorides
Chromium
Copper
Flouranthene
Hydrogen Cyanide
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Naphitalene
Potassium Perchlorate
Perchlorate
Rocket Fuels
Toluene
Jet Fuel Emissions
Xylene
Zinc
Source of information - http://www.stopsprayingcalifornia.com/index.php
Exposed - http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1636bj/www.hangthebankers.com/a-massive-and-ill
What would be the purpose of releasing these chemicals or biological agents?
Weather Modification
Humans have had the ability to physically affect the weather since learning how to seed clouds in 1946, or possibly 1880. The popular conception of weather manipulation is limited to cloud seeding, but the possibility that the extents of our abilities may have progressed in the meantime is definitely plausible. The fact that the military is very interested in weather control is no secret and many propose that the Chemtrail Phenomena is a part of this. If true, what is the goal of the weather modification and what negative effects could it have on the environment? NASA is currently conducting several programs that are studying the effects of contrails on weather and the effects do not appear to be beneficial.
Population Control
The use of chemical and biological agents by a government against its own people is, unfortunately, a historical fact. Even unintentional accidents can occur. But, some people suggest that Chemtrails could actually be part of a program to reduce the population and many feel Chemtrails have caused them to become ill and perhaps they are right. If the Chemtrails contain biological agents then people already weakened by other factors may have even died as a result of the additional strain on their systems, but could such a diabolical purpose be the ultimate goal? History has taught that even the most unconscionable schemes can be made into reality by men filled with fear and hate, and with such weapons in the hands of government we must remain vigilant until answers are forthcoming.
Inoculation Program
Chemical and biological weapons have been used for centuries but have recently entered the world stage as a primary threat. Biological agents have the ability to spread and multiply in casualties. These bioweapons are easy to produce and difficult, but possible, to defend against. The recent actions of the military to require anthrax vaccines for all service personnel show that this matter is of high importance. Some propose that the government may be quietly releasing bio agents to vaccinate citizens via the air. This could account for reported illnesses since a vaccine sometimes makes a person sick. Municipal water supplies might not be universal enough and could be easily sampled and tested, but everyone breathes the air. And the federal government rules the air.
No concrete proof yet exists and no governmental admissions have been issued for the Chemtrail operation. It has been openly admitted by the Pentagon that the U.S. military has performed many biological warfare tests on unknowing servicemen in the past, additionally the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post have even reported that civilians may have died as a result of exposure to live agents sprayed by the Army and Navy during biological warfare tests.
There are thousands of reports and hundreds of photos. You must decide for yourself what they amount to. Some people think it is just contrails, but many are saying that there is more, that something unusual is happening.
New research indicates that there may be a unique type of trail. Using atmospheric soundings and Flight Explorer, the trails over Houston, TX were observed, measured and analysed.
The largest number of reports seems to be from the US, followed by Canada. Several other countries have some reports, often noted by western visitors. Since reports are coming from multiple countries, it seems to transcend individual governments. But with no obvious controlling body the answer remains to be seen.
Countries involved;
America
Canada
United Kingdom
France
Germany
Netherlands
Italy
Sweden
Croatia
Australia
Mexico
New Zealand
Haiti
View the full summary here http://www.chemtrailcentral.com/report.shtml#summary
Until we are able to obtain more information from more reliable sources and the Freedom of Information Requests then as an animal and Environmental International Unit we cannot comment further on any forthcoming or on-going investigations.
What we can clearly quote is that weather modification on this level is just never going to work and if the government haven’t got anything to worry about in the United States or other nations as listed above from which we will be applying for the FOIA’s then what is the big issue?
We are more than aware too that when the main whistle blower on Operation Black Swan informed the public that then aroused what was going on, he was later found dead via suicide. A second man a Russian governmental agent was also found dead.
Many questions many answers, and much information to source however as an environmental and animal rescue company we can only and will only print the factual data as it stands of which we will not rely on unreliable blogs, internet articles, to uneducated thoughts to misinform the public thus creating hysteria.
We will be updating on this area of interest soon.
Dr J C Dimetri and Directors
www.speakupforthevoiceless.org
International Animal Rescue Foundation
Environmentalism - Chapter 35 Seal Pup Massacre - Canada
The Canadian seal hunt is again under way, that started on the 10th April 2013 that regrettably and most shockingly will see many hundreds of seal pups no older than two to three weeks old beaten over the head with a pick fork then left to die slowly in agony choking to death on their own blood and mothers milk.
There is no justification for such barbaric and senseless inhuman and inhumane slaughter that the Canadian government should know better than to allow this continues yearly blood fest to carry on just to fill the Chinese and Eastern European market “not non-Eastern European” with baby skin pelts leaving the floating ice ridges and caps a mess with blood and dead flesh.
Europe banned the imports of seal pelts and any form of seal meat from Canada of which the Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Ministry is now trying to overturn from which we and other organisations will not allow protesting and communicating at the highest level to spreading awareness and education of this disgusting and repulsive trade that Canada calls conservation.
General History
Seal hunting is currently practiced in six countries: Canada, where most of the world’s seal hunting takes place, Namibia, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Russia. Canada’s largest market for seals is Norway (through GC Rieber AS) listed here http://www.gcrieber.no/ GC Rieber is a private company that operates within the fields of marine oils, pelts, salt including for agriculture and nutrients.
The seal hunt though is slowly but surely coming to an end although the Canadian government are fighting to keep it alive there is now over 95% less trawlers and hunters moving out onto the ice flows to kill of which should the fight to preserve out aquatic seals a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals continue then we will eventually win this barbaric and bloody war preserving Mother Nature’s finest aquatic sea life.
Harp seal populations in the northwest Atlantic declined to approximately 2 million in the late 1960s as a result of Canada’s annual kill rates, which averaged to over 291,000 from 1952 to 1970. Conservationists demanded reduced rates of killing and stronger regulations to avert the extinction of the harp seals.
In 1971, the Canadian government responded by instituting a quota system. The system was competitive, with each boat catching as many seals as it could before the hunt closed, which the Department of Fisheries and Oceans did when they knew that year’s quota had been reached. Because it was thought that the competitive element might cause sealers to cut corners, new regulations were introduced that limited the catch to 400 seals per day, and 2000 per boat total. A 2007 population survey conducted by the DFO estimated the population at 5.5 million just knowing these numbers are so high is nauseating.
It is illegal in Canada to hunt new born harp seals (white coats) and young hooded seals (blue backs) however the Humane Society of the United States has many times proven that the sealers are violating these rules time again that see’s many two to three week old pups bludgeoned over the head in what can only be described as a brutal and vicious bloody beating leaving the seal in extreme prolonged pain just for it’s for that can fetch up to $60.00 each on the market.
The main “weapon” used to beat then drag the seals to by their skin to waiting vessels just to be skinned alive is known as a hakapik which is more or less a club, of Norwegian design, used for killing seals. The hakapik is roughly around 1 or 2 meters in length that’s produced using the wood of oak, teak, or strong pine depending on what the sealer requests when purchasing form hunting stores.
There has been much confusion over the hakapik with some “activists” and even sealers quoting that it is banned this not necessarily true. The Canadian government in 2009 was ordered to clean up its act regarding the brutalization of the seal using this medieval “tool of the trade”.
Sealers were forbidden to use the hakapick on seals more than a year old who have not already been shot”, however again this is not always the case, and as the pressures are there to meet killing quotas along with the sealers being hit finically hard then the hakapick will be used wherever possible.
Monitoring the hunts is not always as easy as one may think, with shifting ice flows, the fast pace at which the sealers move, and the hunt carried out in remote land then policing this law set out in 2008-2009 and the misuse of this weapon on 2-3 week old seal pups is not as easy as it looks. The Humane Society has documented many times the deaths of 2-3 week old pups that have been beaten senseless then left to suffer for one to two hours if not more before finally succumbing to death via chocking or skinned alive.
Canada also issued new regulations for its annual seal slaughter, banning the skinning of live seals and forbidding the use of the spiked weapon called a hakapik on seals over one-year-old, again this law is being flouted by the sealers that reside in remote villages with little evidence of any one sealer being brought to justice for violating these rules. It was also quoted that some seals are killed with a single blow to the head using a wooden club or hakapik again as one can view in the videos provided this is untrue.
American veterinary scientists actually suggested that the hakapik was the most professional tool used to slaughter seals. They quoted on the use of the hakapik on the seal hunt carried out on Pribilof Islands of Alaska suggested that it is an “efficient tool designed to kill the animal quickly” and (humanely) when used correctly. A report by members of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association in September 2002 confirmed this claim.
We know that the sealers are now feeling the pinch of regulations and nations that are turning their back on Canada’s sick and repulsive tradition. 2009 not one pelt from that years’ Nunavut seal kill sold at the 2009 Toronto auction says the Northern News Services as the European Union considered then implemented a full ban on all seal products. Canadian officials then vowed to clean up the seal hunt by banning the use of the club with a hook on one end called a hakapik “on seals more than a year old that have not already been shot.” That’s 11,000 pelts, counting that year’s unsold inventory, which were “taken” for no reason.
Sealers are not the only ones feeling the pinch of the law implemented in 2010 by the European Union Finland’s infamous fur farmers are also feeling the crunch from low demand and low prices Pirrko Rantanen-Kervinen of the Finnish Fur Sales Co. Ltd explained to the Helsingin Sanomat Farmers are placing pelts in freezers to wait for better times and wondering if “there is any point” at selling at depressed prices. So we are winning but we still have a long push ahead of us to now ban this ridiculous and nauseating hunt for consumer greed. Photos of bloody pelts and animals struggling in traps have not done much for fur’s image too.
Neither do stories of the actress Lindsay Lohan being flour bombed in Paris for wearing fur or the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame belonging to actresses Sharon Stone, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and singer Aretha Franklin being defaced with “fur hag.”
But just as damaging to the fur “brand” is when it leaves its Town and Country context and appears as bling on hip-hop musicians in neon blue bomber jackets.
Climate change is also having a knock on effect in reducing the sales of seal fur as of the “warmer winters” which is a good factor although not so on the rest of the aquatics and land mammalians that consequently suffer from climate destruction, that being the Polar Bear, Artic Fox, and Artic Hare too that are unfortunately being pushed into nearing extinction every year as the earths temperature heats up thus melting ice caps and flows on a rapid basis and increasing marine and fresh water levels.
Harp Seal;
Harp seal (Pagophilus, or Phoca, groenlandica), also called saddleback, medium-sized, grayish earless seal possessing a black harp-shaped or saddle-shaped marking on its back. Harp seals are found on or near ice floes from the Kara Sea of Russia west to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada. The harp seal is both the best-known and among the most abundant of all seal species. Worldwide, the total population of harp seals is estimated at nearly 7.5 million animals, which are separated into three distinct populations. The largest population (approximately 5 million animals in 2000) inhabits the north-western Atlantic and breeds both near the coast of Newfoundland and within the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The second largest population occurs in the vicinity of the Barents Sea, numbers between 1.5 million and 2 million animals, and breeds on the ice-covered White Sea in northwest Russia. The smallest population (approximately 300,000 animals) inhabits the area between Norway’s Jan Mayen Island and the eastern coast of Greenland, and its mating grounds are mainly located near Jan Mayen Island. Each population is considered by some authorities to be a separate subspecies.
The colloquial names for harp seals vary by age and coloration. At birth, pups are known as “whitecoats” because of their pure white pelage. This stage lasts approximately two weeks. The subsequent growth of dark hair under their white fur produces a grayish coloration, and they are called “graycoats.” Once the white coat is completely shed, the seals become gray with dark spots and are often referred to as “beaters” because of the sound made by their tails as they learn to swim. At 13–14 months of age the seals molt again, and their spotted pelt remains. At this stage they are called “bedlamers.” The transition from bedlamer to adult coloration arrives with the onset of sexual maturity, which usually occurs at four or five years of age.
Harp seals spend most of their lives in the water, though some have been known to ride bits of drifting sea ice for short distances during migration. All harp seals must come up on land or ice to give birth, rear their young, and molt. From late February to March, seals relocate to the southern limit of their range to breed and give birth.
Pups are born on the short-lived seasonal platform of pack ice. Each female gives birth to only one pup; twins are extremely rare. Pups weigh 11 kg (24 pounds) at birth, but they lack the thick layer of blubber present in adults. Instead, they are insulated by their thick fur and obtain energy from their mothers’ milk, which is rich in fat. During their 12-day nursing period, pups gain about 2 kg (4.4 pounds) per day of blubber, which allows them to attain a weight of approximately 36 kg (79 pounds) at weaning. Weaning is abrupt as females stop nursing their young in order to mate with males. During this time, since the pups do not feed for up to six weeks, they may lose over 50 percent of their body mass. Eventually, hunger motivates the pups to enter the water and start feeding on their own.
Average-sized adults of both sexes measure 1.8 metres in length (6 feet). Male harp seals typically weigh 135 kg (300 pounds), females weigh 120 kg (265 pounds), and the largest adults may reach 180 kg (400 pounds). The face of an adult harp seal is completely black, while the gray coloration of its body is accented by a black harp-shaped marking on its back. Adults typically hold this coloration between five years of age and the end of their lives. The maximum life span for the harp seal is 35 years.
Adult seals mate either within the water or on top of ice floes. When fertilization occurs, the egg develops into a blastocyst, which floats freely within the uterus for four months until it implants itself in the uterine lining for active development. This delay in implantation stretches gestation time to 11.5 months and effectively postpones the birth of young to the period when enough pack ice is available to act as a whelping platform.
Harp seals are not strong divers compared with other seal species. Their maximum dive depth is 370 metres (1,200 feet), and they may stay underwater for only 16 minutes before resurfacing. Though they consume a wide variety of prey, their diet is centred on small fishes such as capelin (Mallotus villosus), Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), or polar cod (Arctogadus glacialis). They also eat numerous invertebrates. Contrary to popular belief, harp seals rarely consume the commercially important Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Polar bears (Ursus maritimus), killer whales (Orcinus orca), and large sharks are the natural predators of harp seals.
Proven history of neglect;
Canada has a proven history of neglecting the environment & of ignoring valid scientific information. The Canadian government claims that a wild population of a species is healthy until the moment that harvesting is no longer profitable. It is only after the economic advantage of a hunt is lost and that the population is decimated that the government chooses to protect an endangered species by that time its beyond preservation and this is why the European Union must never allow ban on the sales of any seal products to be lifted.
Beluga Whales - In 1982 Canada left the IWC which is the International Whaling Commission. The Canadian government had been repeatedly warned about the unsustainability of whaling, yet the government neglected to stop this practice.
As taken from the Government of Canada’s website below are statistics about the ‘harvest’ of Beluga whales.
The total cumulative numbers of belugas caught for commercial purposes, uncorrected for sunken animals, were about:
- 9,000 in western Hudson Bay (1949-1970);
- 9,900 in eastern Hudson Bay (1752-1916);
- 14,500 in the St. Lawrence Estuary (1868-1960).
The current population of Belugas in the St Lawrence Estuary is approximately 1000 which are less than 10% of the original population prior to whaling. 1000 is far from a healthy population size, especially considering that Belugas are one of the most susceptible species to environmental pollution. Many whales have to be disposed of as toxic waste due to the high level of pesticide and chemical contamination.
The Hudson Bay area fared a little better, the current population there is estimated to be 25000. This still means that 50% of the population in this area was wiped out.
The global Beluga population has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species since 1994. Yet Canada still allows 800 Beluga whales to be harvested annually by aboriginals. This is why Canada is one of the few developed countries that is not a member of the IWC.
Clearly Canada has failed Beluga whales, but Belugas have been lucky compared to other whales.
Humpback Whales - ‘These giants of the deep are slow swimmers—making them easy targets for whalers in the first half of the 20th century. They were killed by the thousands for their blubber. Now protected, humpback populations have grown to nearly 20,000 worldwide—about 20 per cent of their original numbers. Roughly 2,000 live in the northern Pacific today. But the protections must be maintained to ensure the long-term survival of this majestic species.’
The above quote has been taken from the government of Canada’s website. What the government of Canada’s website buries near the bottom of its page is that Humpbacks had been protected by the IWC since 1955, regardless of this the Canadian government continued to allow humpback whaling for an additional 10 years. This was 10 years after world opinion had indicated that the Humpback was endangered and should be protected at all cost. Whaling did not cease until 1965. The population was so low that it was not economically feasible to continue whaling this species.
Fin Whales - At least 7605 fin whales were taken by the province of British Columbia between 1908 and 1967.Fin whales dine primarily on Capelin Stock which is a fish species that crashed in the 1980s due to over fishing. On the eastern side of Canada the ‘harvestable’ population near Nova Scotia was 1600 animals in 1964. In 1973 it was reported that only 325 members still survived in this area.
Before whaling the North Pacific Fin Whale population was estimated at 45000. By 1975 this number declined to 8000.The fin whale is now highly endangered and is protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)
Other Whales - The whales listed above are some of the healthiest in population. Blue Whales at one time numbered 200 000 in the worlds ocean. Canada helped to reduce this number to 6000. Canada also participated in the hunting of the Right Whale, Bowhead Whale, Gray Whale, Sei Whale, Minke Whale, Killer Whale (also known as Orca Whale) and other whales. Clearly the point has been made that Canada practiced whaling until it was impossible to continue doing so.
Polar Bears - The polar bear population is threatened by global warming. This is due to melting ice. Canada has refused to sign the Kyoto protocol which would commit them to lowering the emission of greenhouse gases. Polar bears also suffer from high levels of PCBs and other chemical pollution. Canada has refused to effectively monitor corporations and force them to reduce the level of pollution and chemicals that are released.
Canada sells up to 700 polar bear hunting licenses annually. These are sold to trophy hunters. The meat is not used. The sole purpose of the hunt is for a trophy, and this only serves the very wealthy and the Canadian government in collecting additional taxes. ( For more information concerning this please visit our sister website ( Stop Polar Bear Hunting ) The current polar bear population is estimated to be as low as 22 000 which classifies this species as ‘threatened’. It’s not until this species becomes endangered that the hunting quotas will be reduced. Canada likes to wait until a species is nearly extinct prior to taking protective action.
Other Species - According to the committee on the status of endangered wildlife in Canada, there are currently 516 plant and animal species at risk in Canada. Another 13 species are all ready extinct. Canada does nothing to halt the spread of pollution, to prevent ongoing habitat loss, or to attempt to reverse climate change. One of the major factors behind many species in Canada becoming endangered is due to over harvesting and excessive trade.
Over Harvesting - Once plentiful due to over harvesting these species are now extinct: Passenger Pigeon, Great Auk, & Eskimo Curlew.
Harp Seals - Canada claims that the seal hunt is needed otherwise the seal population will grow out of control. This is the same rhetoric that is used for hunting deer, and any wild population. Truth is Canada ignores reports that are economically counterproductive. Reports about the collapse of the cod industry were predicted 30 years in advance, but these reports were ignored. If there is an endangered species in Canada, odds are this species was hunted for economical purposes
An over population of seals oddly enough was never considered a problem until it was discovered that ‘culling’ the seals could be profitable. The seals are not used for food. No one eats seals in Canada except for aboriginals, and they hunt their own seal and have nothing to do with the commercial seal hunt. Sealers like to bring up the fact that aboriginals eat seals to confuse people. They pretend that aboriginals and the commercial seal hunt are the same. They are not.
When Canada was discovered there was an estimated seal population of 30 million. The most optimistic estimate of the current population numbers it at less than 20% of that. If this is the case then the overpopulation reasoning is a hoax. Who decides what a population should be? Is 500 million humans too many? What about 6.5 billion? The human population is predicted to hit 9 billion in 2050.
Picture above is what the Sealers use to slaughter 2-3 week old pups - Hackapick
The current population for 2013, stands at a whopping 8.1 billion so 2050 is VERY out of the equation.
Assuming there is an ‘out of control’ seal population of 5 million which is a very optimistic number that is thrown around by sealers, then what of it? The web of life is interconnected; predators and a healthy environment will work to keep a population in check without human intervention. The intervention of the Canadian government in the past has caused nothing but endangered and extinct species. A more reasonable estimate is that the population is at 2 million.
In Summary - The Canadian government with the aid of sealers likes to misuse information. They throw words around like aboriginals, sustainability, and culling in order to confuse the public and to distract them from the fact that the seal hunt is simply there to earn money. It is politically popular in Eastern Canada to hunt seals. To oppose this hunt or to pass legislation against it would lose votes. For people who hunt and for their families this is a voting issue. For the rest of Canada it isn’t.
Commercial sealers do not consume seal meat. They are not aboriginals. They do not live traditionally. They live like the rest of North Americans. They have houses, garages, automobiles, and super markets. The idea that they are protecting a way of life is foolish. The idea that they need to make a living is ridiculous. They have the same opportunities as anyone else. You can bet if the whale population was high they would continue to practice whaling, or if the polar bear still survived in that area of Canada they would continue to hunt it.
One argument of desperation that they like to use is the following. Apparently environmental organizations like to publicize the seal hunt in order to collect donations. It should be noted that all of the reputable organizations are run by individuals who are committed to saving wild populations and ending needless animal suffering. They would love for this issue to be over with, there are other problems such as polar bear hunting, whaling, endangered wild cats, the loss of rain forests, pollution, road side zoos, and bear farming, to worry about.
Sealing is done for one reason and one reason only. Greed. Sealers hunt seals to earn money. The seal is used exclusively for the fashion industry. New products are subsidized by the Canadian government but these are never profitable. One example would be seal oil capsules. Seal pelts are sold to high end fashion houses. Seals are killed for money and for fashion. Any mention of culling, aboriginals, traditional life, and eating are simply invalid arguments.
People are always willing to believe that an atrocity is reasonable if it happens in their backyard. Sealers believe it’s all right to kill seals for fashion because they need to make a living. Kenyans also believe that it’s all right to kill elephants for money, Rwandans believe it’s all right to kill Mountain Gorilla’s because they need to earn a living, and the Japanese believes it’s all right to hunt whales for money. There’s a trend here and the above examples could go on for pages. The main difference is that Canada is one of the most developed and wealthy countries in the world and there is no need for savagery.
Predictions on when the slaughter of seals will end are listed below;
The annual bloodbath that comprises the largest kill off of marine mammals in the world, the Newfoundland seal “hunt” (a misnomer if ever there was one), is now upon us again.
For years, world leaders including Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin, scores of international stars (going back to that famous photo of Brigitte Bardot cuddling a seal on the ice), and multitudes of people whose blood runs cold seeing a cudgel raised to a baby seal have implored the Canadian government to end the annual slaughter.
One bumper sticker read, “If you aren’t outraged, you aren’t paying attention,” but everyone was outraged — except the Canadian government, which has stalwartly defended the seal slaughter and gone to great lengths to find a market for the pelts that no one wants and that many countries, including the U.S., will not accept within their borders. Now even Canadian lawmakers might finally be listening.
While Member of Parliament Ryan Cleary says that it’s the “official” position of the New Democratic Party to support the seal hunt, he is now questioning whether it should continue. “Part of our history is also whaling, for example, and the day came when the whaling industry stopped,” he said a few days ago. “Now, is that day coming with the seal hunt? It just may be.”
Cleary points out that Canada is drawing massive worldwide criticism for an industry that only earned $1 million last year, almost the same amount that must have to be paid to throw the rotting pelts in warehouses, given the fact that almost anyone you ask would rather be seen dead than in a sealskin anything. Thanks to videotapes that have increased awareness of how sealers hook baby harp seals in the eye, cheek or mouth so as not to damage the fur and drag them across the ice alive or beat them to death with a club that has a spike or sharp nail on one side of it, the markets for seal products are slamming shut faster than Stephen Harper’s door on a PETA protester. Just last month, Russia, Canada’s largest seal-pelt market, followed the lead of the U.S. and European Union and banned the import of sealskins. “We know that the world appetite is not there for seal meat, but the world appetite for seal products — I don’t know if it’s there,” said Cleary. “And you know what? I may be shot for talking about this, and for saying this, but it’s a question we all have to ask.”
Canada calls this “humane” slaughter that’s oddly supported by American Governmental Scientists
And while Cleary is coming under heavy fire from greedy sealers and certain politicians who are beholden to them, Canadian residents who oppose the cruel slaughter (and they are the majority) are dancing a jig. Responding to the controversy in a news release, Cleary said, “We cannot hide behind the debate and pretend that the market for seals is not in trouble. Facing this reality head on is the only way to address this situation.”
Every February, as the seal slaughter draws near, I think of these words of the Chinese poet Su Tung-P’o: “Life passes like a spring dream without a trace.” Soon, I hope, the seal mothers will no longer have to endure what must be a spring nightmare, seeing their pups’ lives battered into oblivion, the “trace” being the line of blood on the ice that leads from bludgeon site to commercial vessel. That will change if more forward-thinking MPs find the courage to join Cleary and suggest to their colleagues that there are more ethical and savoury ways to make a living.
Russia and other Eastern European nations have categorically stated that they are not selling seal skins anymore from Canada http://www.arctic-info.ru/News/Page/rossia-belarys_-i-kazahstan-otkazalis_-ot-tulen_ih-skyr this article in Russian that you may need to translate if you’re not Russian clearly states that seal skins are “not and no longer for sale”.
International Animal Rescue Foundation © undertakes regular and daily checks on all buy and sell sites and although “Russia and other far Eastern European” states have quoted “they do not sell Canadian Seal materials” that may not necessarily be true;
Actions;
http://www.yktrader.com/classifieds/details?AN=27545 Harp seal fur on sale
http://www.yktrader.com/classifieds/details?AN=25201 Seal and Beaver fur on sale
http://www.furcanada.com/skins-furs-and-hides-harp-seal.html (Canada Harp seal/animal part sale)
http://www.furcanada.com/seal-skin-boots-ladies.html (Seal pup fur/animal parts sale)
Fur Canada is addressed here
Contact Fur Canada,
Fur Canada, Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada
Tel: 1 (250) 585-1800
Fax: 1 (250) 585-1802
Geographical Location Address;
Address;
Contact Privacy Inc. Customer 0128764914
96 Mowat Ave
Toronto, ON M6K 3M1
Full domain internet protocol;
http://www.ip-adress.com/whois/furcanada.com
Email them to demand a stop to this repulsive trade here;
furcanada@.com@contactprivacy.com
The Harp seal slaughter will eventually come to an end but we need everyone and anyone that is against it to now ensure that the remaining 5% of what Canada calls “tradition” is now wiped out. Harp Seals do not and ever have reduced Cod stock in the sea. Mass human over obsessive consumerism is reducing cod and other marine stocks.
The end of Canada’s annual baby seal slaughter is near. Over the last few years, all major markets have banned seal-fur imports, including the U.S., the European Union, Mexico, Taiwan, and even Russia, which had been importing 95 per cent of Canadian seal pelts. There are no remaining markets for seal fur—the only reason the Canadian government continues to defend this dead industry is because political parties crave Newfoundland’s swing seats in Parliament. But as this editorial shows, even local sentiment is turning, and lack of markets has led Canadian officials to seriously examine whether the slaughter should end.
Boycott the following and continue to boycott until this disgusting and barbaric cruelty is finished.
Who to Boycott:
1) Avoid all Canadian seafood. This is to apply economic pressure to Canada. Some of the largest consumers of Canadian seafood are Red Lobster, Long John’s Silvers, and Costco. All of these companies should therefore be avoided.
2) Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd society is calling for a boycott of Costco. Costco sells seal oil capsules. Costco has refused to remove these from their shelves. We fully endorse this decision.
3) Avoid traveling to Newfoundland. This is to apply economic pressure to this province.
4) Boycott fashion houses that profit from seal pelts. These are: Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Birger Christensen, New Vogue, and Vogue Furriers.
5) These companies all profit from selling Canadian sea food and should be boycotted: Acadian, Atlantic Pearl, Bay Shore, Blue Royal, Breakwater, Brunswick, Cape Cod, Canadian Cove, Century Seafood’s, Classic (from Beothic), Clearwater, Deep Sea, Doyle, Fisherman’s Finest, Fishery Products International (FPI), Fogo Island, Harbour View, Highliner Foods, Island Pride, Luxury (from Beothic), Northland, Notre Dame Seafood’s, Ocean Choice, Ocean Elite, Ocean Leader, Ocean Queen, Ocean Select, Oram’s Choice, Quinland, Quin-Sea, Sea Best (from Beaver Street Co.), Seafreez, Sea Fresh, St. Paul’s, World Catch, and, lastly, Violet brand.
6) Boycott any store that sells herbs that are made from seals. These products are Terra Nova, Canomega, and Omegavite.
Sign the petitions now;
You can also take action by signing the petitions below too;
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-seal-slaughter-in-our-world
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/14/SAVE-the-SEALS/
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/818/254/058/
http://www.unleashed.org.au/take_action/petitions/canadian-seal-hunt/
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/seal_hunt/
https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy/cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1657
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/against-baby-seal-hunt/
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_Seals_Of_Nam_End_the_seal_hunt_in_Namibia/
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/petitions/canadian-seal-hunt/
http://www.causes.com/actions/1641420-stop-the-canadian-seal-slaughter
Contact the Government;
Contact the following ministries too that are responsible and now pile the pressure on to end this repulsive sicking trade;
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Keith Ashfield,
Email: info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
(Please include your postal code and email address)
Address
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Communications Branch
200 Kent Street
13th Floor, Station 13E228
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E6
Canada
Telephone: 613-993-0999
Fax: 613-990-1866
TTY: 1-800-465-7735
Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird
Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird,
Address
2249 Carling Ave
Suite 418
Ottawa, Ontario
K2B 7E9
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/honjohnbaird
https://twitter.com/honjohnbaird
Minister of International Trade Ed Fast
Abbotsford Office
#205 - 2825 Clearbrook Rd.
Abbotsford, BC V2T 6S3
Phone: (604) 557-7888
Fax: (604) 557-9918
E-mail: ed@edfast.ca
Ottawa Office
Room 105, East Block
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: (613) 995-0183
Fax: (613) 996-9795
E-mail: ed.fast@parl.gc.ca
https://www.facebook.com/EdFastMP
“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”
― Albert Einstein
Thank you for reading
Director Dr J C Dimetri and Team of the International Animal Rescue Foundation
Proud to be serving Mother Nature – Preserving our children’s future
info@international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Animal-Rescue-Foundation-Community/137316969702280
Together we can make change happen – Together we can achieve the impossible
Environmentalism Chapter 26 - Understanding Poaching
In this last document on understanding poaching part 5 I’m going to explain the other side the increasing demand for Rhinoceros and Elephant poaching and why demand is colossally raging out of control when in reality from recent surveys it has been proven that Rhinoceros horn and ivory to other animal parts are not actually being used to such a high degree anymore for medicine but rather consumption and religion/cultural beliefs or gaining what our once ancestors had within Asia.
Since January 2011 we have been monitoring other arrests that are related to Rhinoceros horn and ivory to try and ascertain other areas that we may have overlooked. These areas that we covered where in the regions of Hanoi and Saigon, and most districts of China, the two regions of Vietnam that I have identified is where most Rhinoceros horn is actually sold, however within China it’s sold all over as a whole.
The results were somewhat worrying that showed the levels of Rhinoceros horn in Vietnam are in fact very low, which confused us, based on the usage levels from 2012 surveys and how easy it is to actually obtain via classified advertisements, private marketers, to street vendors and the medicine markets.
Coming as no surprise the majority of Rhinoceros horn is actually fake, meaning that we have now [petty criminals] deep within Asia as well as highly sophisticated criminals working within Vietnam that is seen on whole as the largest user and consumer of Rhinoceros horn and second largest trader in Elephant ivory and other animals parts.
Records and arrest documentation within Asia have shown that 80% of Rhinoceros horn is non-Rhinoceros horn but chemicals that are made up of many different minerals, stones and Papier-mâché - French for “chewed paper”. The fake Rhinoceros horns were so delicately and intricately produced and then polished that buyers of Rhinoceros horn couldn’t even tell the difference between the real thing thus handing over thousands of Vietnamese dollars just for the [petty criminals] to then vanish leaving the [lucrative black market] trader some thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Rhino horn smugglers are now making very high quality fake horns, allowing unscrupulous hunters to sell the real horns at a huge mark-up to black market dealers for traditional medicine/and/consumption to status symbols. The fake horns are made with top quality resins and look so authentic that they are almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing, a report presented this week to members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species quoted CITES officials have been alerted to the increasing involvement of professional hunters in the illegal rhino horn trade, this is yet another reason why international Animal Rescue Foundation © is working towards a full moratorium on hunting due to vast corruption and fake horn sales.
Trophies are exported to hunters after a legal hunt, but once the hunters have received the trophies in their home countries, the original rhino horns are removed from the trophies and replaced with fake horns. Our investigations teams have within the last four weeks located many traders that are selling trophies “on mounts” and off mounts of which it was clearly visible that the real horns had been removed, to even one trophy quoted as “recently hunted” [Northern White Rhinoceros] even though it had been pushed to extinction within the last decade, the so called antique’s horn was even placed pointing downwards and what looked like [glue] around the base of the horn [indicating that the real horn had been removed and a fake resin horn had been placed on the trophy.
CITES did not specify in which country the fake horns were being made and sold, but details in the report point to the possible involvement of either American or European hunters in the fake horn scam. As we ourselves quoted this “didn’t come as a surprise” as we know how many illegal yet fake narcotic sales are on the market, and with narcotics making gargantuan sums of money then the temptation to cash in on the (counterfeit trade) from petty yet skilled criminals is there and has been for some years.
Horns are smuggled in via hiding them in statues to avoid detection.
In 2012 wildlife investigators in the US arrested several American and Vietnamese nationals in a major bust in several cities across the US following the seizure of numerous rhino horns, some of which were suspected to have originated from legal rhino hunts in SA and other parts of the continent being mainly Zimbabwe that has only 700 Rhinoceros left within the country alone.
There have also been a series of robberies from museums and private collections across Europe over the past three years in which the horns were stolen from mounted rhinoceros head trophies. The fake horns were initially made with a mould and were relatively easy to identify, but recent reports from authorities indicate that fake horns encountered lately are made in high-quality resin with a density even higher than that of a real horn.
This makes visual identification, once fully mounted, extremely difficult. But CITES officials have now found a way to smoke out the culprits (so they believe). Fake horns can however, be identified relatively easily by collecting and burning a small quantity of dust from the horn, which will deliver a distinctive smell indicating that it is not rhinoceros horn. Even though CITES have stated this, the unscrupulous buyer that is purchasing on the back street’s doesn’t always have the time to examine the horns leaving them out of pocket by thousands of Vietnamese dollars.
In the light of this new trend, it is of extreme importance that CITES parties should have adequate legislation and enforcement controls in place, to prevent horns that are part of legal exported trophies from being used for purposes other than hunting trophies, and to ensure that the trophies remain in possession of their owners.
Another possible source of the fake horns is Vietnam, which has been implicated as the end destination of dozens of SA rhinos that were shot legally by Vietnamese poachers posing as professional hunters. However the Department of Environmental Affairs in [2012] has now ceased this and Vietnamese hunters can no longer hunt or obtain a hunting permit for South Africa.
The report notes that Vietnamese authorities had pledged to conduct a stock-taking exercise to check whether SA rhino trophy horns were still in the possession of Vietnamese hunters. It is vital for the authorities in Vietnam to conclude this activity as a matter of urgency and to investigate fully all incidents where trophies are no longer in possession of the hunters. Such follow-up investigations can provide important information on the identity of the driving force behind the trafficking of rhino horn. People who no longer had their horn trophies should be able to tell investigators who the horns had be sold to. This has yet to be acted upon and we are led to believe that it will never be taken seriously too.
With all this evidence and knowledge though in the public domain and now known to the environmental law enforcement agencies the counterfeit trade is still on-going which in theory is driving the demand for obtaining the real horn up at increasing and alarming rates thus now threating the South African and African Rhinoceros species on a whole even more.
Saving Rhino’s the online non-profit organisation quoted;
The demand for rhino horn is so great in Vietnam that certain outlets are said to be selling imitation rhino horn made from cows or buffalo.
On the Vietnamese market, some sources report that a “freshly cut” rhino horn commands a retail price of USD $25,000 - $40,000 per kg. Imitation horns supposedly fetch a substantial price of USD $15,000 per kg.
Contrary to popular belief, the manufacture and sale of “fake” rhinoceros horns does not flood the market and drive prices down. Instead, imitation horns keep the trade invigorated and the demand high.
Regrettably as http://www.savingrhinos.org/vietnamese_rhino_horn_trade.html quoted and ourselves and CITES that until the demand is hit in every possible direction including the fake/imitation trade then we are going to view more Rhinoceros murdered for fake horn. It should also be noted that the Rhinoceros horn trade should never be lifted until all these avenues have been researched into more, investigated then illuminated and closed down that could cease the demand colossally.
Fact stands though that 80% of Rhinoceros horn is indeed imitation horn or other animal horns of which again we have been monitoring very large hunting organisations and outfitters that are hunting for demand vast populations of horned African species from the Oryx, Antelope, Impala, Kudu and Springbok of which the skilled petty criminals in Asia, America or Europe then delicately craft these horns with other materials in to a fake Rhinoceros horn. Such sales of horned animal products are on sale everywhere. http://www.africancraftsmarket.com/carved-horns.html
The problems don’t just stop at Rhinoceros horn nether the demand for fake ivory from which the “processed ivory can sell in the region of $25,000 to $100,000” depending on design is also on the rise and at worrying levels.
Other animal tusks such as Hippo ivory or Walrus and even bones are all being traded off too as Elephant ivory which again is increasing demand thus keeping the barbaric and senseless poaching continuing on such a large scale that saw in 2011 some 25,000 Elephants slaughtered for greed and culture, 2013 has seen almost 200 Elephants slaughtered for their tooth’s [tusks] for the entire continent of Africa.
Examples of synthetic Elephant ivory can be seen when the bottom of the tusk appears to be sliced, but no grains or ivory identifications are clearly visible. The “cut” area of the imitation tusk is created when the item is removed from the mould. There will also be small holes from bubbles made in the moulding process similar to that of plaster or plastics.
Wildlife internet crime is on the rise if we know your selling on the internet you will be located, and your details logged and you will face a hefty prison sentence or fine - this trader in India caught our eye last week one of many.
Sadly though there are many skilled craftsmen within Asia that have worked in the legal and illegal ivory trade for some years before ivory trade was eventually banned in the 1990’s. To become a skilled carver too you have to pass a five year course which coincidentally is run and funded by the Chinese government. These craftsmen are so highly trained that sourcing the real Elephant ivory from the counterfeit is near impossible unless a DNA sample is carried out.
Substitutes supposedly do not have the integrity of true ivory, and part of this has to do the growth pattern of ivory, called Schreger lines, which facilitates carving at any angle. So it seems the uniqueness of the material as a carving substrate, its beauty and its historic significance in terms of a rarity and prestige all contribute to the demand.
Even flooding the market with fake ivory would not help to reduce pressure on living elephants. The prestige and appearance of the real article make consumers demand genuine ivory in exactly the same way as Rhinoceros horn trade.
Many buyers of fake ivory and Rhinoceros horn will perform checks on the articles such as burning small sections to identify if the ivory is counterfeit however this is not always the case when the purchaser is presented with a $50,000 piece of crafted ivory or Rhinoceros horn at $75,000kg.
Would you as an illegal peddler allow someone to take a lighter or blow torch to the product and then [possibly damage the product] ruining months if not years of crafted ivory to damaging a Rhinoceros horn that [could indeed be real] you could be landed a hefty [illegal bill or even shot dead].
So how do we tackle the problem and what other areas can be looked into to tackle increasing sales to decrease demand?
- Firstly we could ask CITES and governing environmental agencies to now work towards implementing a full ban on all Asian hunting permits being obtained thus decreasing ivory trophies then being sold on the black market. Fact stands that in China some 90% of all ivory is illegal and has no papers as quoted by two independent investigative environmental agencies and the National Geographic Channel. Only 10% of the ivory in China is legal. [That’s incredibly shocking and worrying]
- Secondly we could ask CITES and governing environmental agencies to work on implementing a full ban on all Rhinoceros and Elephant hunting to reduce the market even more. This would also decrease the potential for any mounted trophies traveling into Vietnam illegally from other nations thus reducing demand on a whole.
- Online sales need to be tackled and by doing this I.S.P [Internet Service Providers] need to enforce now tougher regulations such as banning Internet Protocols from their sites thus cutting the trader and/or criminal of from the internet. Environmental agencies must share this information with other ISP providers so if the criminal/trader then located another ISP they would be immediately banned as the IP address being that “your personal computers number” would not be able to locate the internet based on shared intelligence. The same ruling must more or less apply to all E-mail providing companies of which should they notice the same IP logging on based on shared intelligence then the email provider does not provide thus communicating with wildlife and law enforcement agencies of which the individual can be monitored by all means of online trading.
- When traders are located selling and buying on the internet law enforcement agencies must introduce tougher penalties to now ban the trader from using any form of internet communication device, computer, laptop, internet café, mobile phone, proxy servers. A confiscation order must also be introduced of all communication equipment of which is then subsequently crushed if illegal online activity is noticed.
- Online classifieds must now be given a three count rule then banned we have located now many American, African, Canadian, European, and Asian buy and sell sites that are still not checking the sites accordingly for illegal wildlife trade. By enforcing such measures of which should they flout three times then the sites are automatically shut down or censored.
Since Operation Trojan Horse began [2011] part of the International Animal Rescue Foundation’s © environmental counter intelligence ground and monitoring research team exactly 175 Asian, American and European sites have been noted with 69 off them sites communicated with thus informing them of the environmental laws both on line and on the ground.
34 of them sites where shut down from the 175 located and eavesdropped on with the remaining still under investigation of which we are communicating with law enforcement agencies exactly what they are providing, advertising, to the whom the buyers are and what other web of communications the buyer[s] have such as the black market, couriers, poachers, social media and other.
These options must be seen as the only option in reducing demand further before implementing a legal trade in Rhinoceros horn or ivory, and as an environmental investigations and animal welfare unit that’s provided factual evidence, surveyed evidence and statistics to, high crime rate, low unemployment, and high poaching then demanding a full moratorium we cannot yet agree on fully as experienced and knowledgeable environmentalists until every possible avenue has been effected. The reasons for not “as yet” fighting for a full moratorium I have highlighted below. Please take in to account that we state “full and not partial” for the reasons highlighted below;
- Would the consequences of a complete ban on hunting then impact on job losses and liquidation of companies thus increasing anti-social behaviour, crime, increased poaching, and poverty, suicide, to effecting child and adult education?
- The demographics of South Africa encompass about 50 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and religions, this is based on the last census of [2011] with the next census not due until the years between 2016-2021. Every minute within South African alone there are 10 children born every minute thus increasing populations which has a detrimental effect on natural habitat pushing more species out of their natural living areas. By implementing a complete moratorium would this then have a knock on effect on species that are so tightly packed within areas they have been pushed into via habitual destruction that agriculture and homeland would be consequently invaded to even placing human life at risk and destroying crop?
- By placing a moratorium on hunting for the species of Rhinoceros and Elephant in South Africa would this increase poaching of other species thus introducing another trend to the black market thus starting a new destructive circle of?
- Would a full hunting ban increase what we are seeing now botanical poaching thus reducing near threatened endangered and criticality endangered species of plant and trees that human and animal life depends on?
As professional conservationists we cannot take any chances or risks of placing a nation in even more poverty, damaging conservation and agriculture more too increasing crime and possibly a
newer poaching trend. Surveys have to be undertaken, risk analysis, environmental monitoring, and what other methods can be introduced to decrease the illegal black market of wildlife trade.
The department of Environmental Affairs issued a ban on all hunting permits to Vietnamese individuals applying for a hunting permit in 2012 of which the D.E.A quoted in their last government public announcement 1st March 2013 that hunting permits that have been applied for in 2012 had decreased significantly by almost 50%.
This may sound fair and good news, however this ban was aimed more at banning pseudo hunting from one nation based on the number of corrupt individuals that haven’t even fired a rifle never mind hunting in [Vietnam] from entering in to South Africa.
Most of the non-genuine hunters were not keeping the trophies as stated in environmental law then removing horns as explained above thus subsequently selling the real horn on. The trophy they had in their possession had then either coincidentally vanished or the horns had been replaced by imitation horns made from fine resins and/or resin and papier-mâché.
However the poaching has still erratically increased and banning [just] Vietnamese individuals has not had any effect at all from the ever increasing demand of illegal wildlife trade that’s flooding both Thailand and Vietnam at alarmingly high levels. http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2012/05/mozambique-customs-arrest-vietnamese-rhino-horn-smuggler/ http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/society/56937/the-biggest-ivory-rhino-horn-smuggling-cases-in-vietnam.html http://www.rhinoconservation.org/2013/01/07/rhino-horn-smugglers-arrested-in-thailand-and-vietnam/
We was not expecting the D.E.A (Department of Environmental Affairs) to just ban Vietnamese citizens as what’s to stop a Vietnamese posing as a Chinese or Japanese citizen with fake papers, also what’s stopping them from obtaining fake passports and papers that can and are made to order and online or via black market tourism trade that helps illegal asylum seekers to enter nations using political persecution as a weapon for refugee to then carry commit crime and terrorism.
Since the DEA banned hunting Vietnam citizens from applying for hunting permits there has been a substantial increase in the amount of American, Russian and Eastern European hunters now applying which is believed to be the increase of more Rhinoceros pseudo hunting to supply the demand for Rhinoceros horn in Asia.
Since the permit ban was placed evidence suggests that nationals from the Czech Republic and Poland have been implicated in pseudo-hunts. Information from the DEA in South Africa indicates that there has been a 50% plus reduction in the number of rhino trophy hunting permits granted and that the number of hunting applications from Vietnam and other East Asian countries has dropped off as explained above. However, there has been a reported rise in applications from Russian and, particularly, US hunters (up by 300% in 2012 so far compared to 2010) possibly indicating the flexibility and opportunistic nature of pseudo-hunting criminal operatives.
From 2003 to 2013 those that have been arrested for Rhinoceros poaching alone have been more Afrikaans indicating that syndicates could possibly be working within the refugee camps in Africa posing as refugees then sending the poor man into South Africa from Mozambique.
The total number of Mozambique’s that have been arrested is now standing at 479 from 2003 -2012 of which they are the most known poachers, and with the evidence above within the links it clearly shows that Vietnamese are working inside Mozambique which now needs addressing immediately. The poacher then supplies the Vietnamese or Thai couriers which consequently keep the demand flowing, although it’s been disrupted slightly.
From research we have amassed the following;
- The ban on Vietnamese hunting permits has been a complete waste of time with more poaching increasing via African individuals via Mozambique thus supplying the market more. This could also suggest that should there be a lift of the Rhinoceros horn trade with [controlled prices and trade] then reflection from the hunting permit ban on Vietnamese could increase poaching could as a whole considerably more.
- Pseudo hunting from US, Russian, Polish, and Czech Republic individuals has increased which if not monitored or some form of control implemented could see the Rhinoceros population’s desolated.
- 80% of imitation horn is deriving from Europe and America of which is then flooded into Vietnam of which when the buyers and users become aware of the horn being fake this then increases demand more via poaching. Keeping the imitation horn demand flowing too is also increasing the real horn demand both with ivory and Rhinoceros horn.
- Antique dealers are now cashing in on the horn and again supplying this to the market.
- Internet trade has to be tackled more where more horn in larger sums is being peddled on classifieds, buy and sell, to private sites using code words, acronym’s and other.
- There must be international environmental police established in each of the 178 nations that are listed with The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
- Peddlers in the imitation horn trade need to be sought and consequently arrested, the chemicals they are using sought and then listed in the same way as agricultural fertilisers and other materials so that should a producer order these chemicals in large quantities law enforcement are then informed which in turn can track those responsible.
- The sales of other trophy horned animals has increased since the ban on Vietnamese hunting permits was introduced.
- Refugee camps and customs need to be looked in, monitored, and investigated.
The sales of imitation and fake Rhinoceros horn’s needs to be taken seriously as whilst this is still in the woodwork it’s creating more demand of which needs nipping in the bud hard with the traders dealt with in the exact same manners as those peddling in the real horn and wildlife trade.
- In October City Press reported on a man near Musina, Limpopo, who carved fake rhino horns and boasted that he could sell them for between R15 000 and R25 000 each.
- March the 2nd 2012 in Johannesburg another seizure of fake horn was seized that appeared to be have blood on it the accident on the N3 near Johannesburg saw two men arrested then subsequently let off.
- A lot of dealers know they are dealing with fake horn products and as such consider themselves to be ‘legal’. [It’s actually illegal under CITES law to be selling fake or real horn in Vietnam however it is in operation on a high level].
- Legal sales of fake horns and skulls are being purchased in the United States, Europe, and Asia that now needs monitoring and action placed.
Just to give you an insight as how nervous people are with regards the trade in Rhinoceros horn in Vietnam being fake, we searched other dealers and located information from dealers below which is a “guide to check if the horn is real or fake” which again points to the theory that 80% of Rhinoceros horn is indeed imitation and driving demand more. The site checked also gives a bigger insight on the horn trade in Asia as a whole which is worrying”
The dealer quotes;
“A wide range of verification methods are offered when questioning the authenticity of horn material. From the density of the material when cutting with an iron saw, to the colour of the ‘milky’ solution when powder is mixed with water or rice wine, shining a sharp torch through part of the horn, burning a corner and sucking in a hairy smell, tapping the horn piece with a finger nail and analysing the sound, pulling off some individual fibres (it seems one of the most reliable ways to try to identify real horn”.
The dealer then goes on to quote;
“Most of the horn on offer tends to be cut slabs or the tips indicating that it mostly comes from polished and modified water buffalo horns”.
“When asked for the easier to identify base of the horn the dealers tell the stories of it being the most valuable part and always sold first and them only having the tips left”.
“Prices quoted at the wholesale level to buy a whole or a large chunk of a horn, based on weight, were pretty uniform at U$ 20 000 for African horn and U$ 40 000 for Asian horn per kg (they being much smaller than the African horns). It was clear that with imitation products more flexibility existed in negotiations (in one case a piece of horn was cut from the bigger part with a chisel and hammer and pieces flying all over shop”.
“TCM dealers do trade in small quantities and it then it becomes retail and the prices go up (we also bought a sample in commercial packaging in Chinatown in Jakarta which officially stated it being 0.3 grams contained in a small glass vile”.
“Besides this retail trade for medicine there is the market of the big players buying whole horns and having special trusted dealers doing the verification for them. These players include the nouveau rich with a Rolls Royce in the car park who buy it as a must have item, as a status symbol and possibly also looking at it as an investment opportunity with supply bound to get more restricted and respective prices going up. On several occasions we were told of a family patriarch buying up a whole horn and then taking care of the family’s need and handing out pieces and powder as needed”.
The dealer then quotes the most worrying evidence;
“A dealer in the north of North Vietnam told us that a drug enforcement unit recently visited him and took some of his horn telling him that he would be paid later, indicating corruption in law enforcement on all levels”.
“The grinding plates have now also gone “up market”, with a new version made out of special Japanese clay which was introduced recently. The pamphlet which comes with the very fancy packaging also includes images of a live rhino and promises that horn can ‘cure incurable diseases”.
“The latest step being the sale of a special contraption supposedly with Japanese motor that can be bought to grind down the horn into powder. The above plate is mounted on a rotating platform and the horn piece is then fixed above the plate into a vice type metal grip and lowered to the rough plate surface and then the machine is turned on, the horn base is stationary on the rough surface and the plate turns. So a whole industry producing accessory items is now evolving”.
“In the case of the Asian rhino horns on offer, the fakes are much more realistic since the base is generally part of the very small horns but there are also obvious fakes”.
WORRYING TRENDS AND RELATIONS TO THE UNITED STATES;
The main import dealers are well established businessmen involved in all kinds of related activities including the trading in other contraband (in one case said reputed to be amphetamines). In the case of a key Laotian importer he hands out a business card showing that he is the head of the chamber of commerce for his district and the deputy head of the Laotian boxing and swimming association. He also operates a macaque breeding farm with primates being sold as captive bred when many are indeed wild caught imports from Thailand and Cambodia - with most of them being exported to the US for medical research. He is also about to expand his tiger farm.
“Dealers on this level often hire ‘mules’, just like with the drug trade, to get the merchandize to their headquarters. If anything should go wrong at the international level they can disassociate themselves from any such transaction and they deal with the product once it is in the country and then they do not have to worry about any potential problems occurring along the borders”.
The dealer then quoted the most worrying news that was very shocking;
“However even on the international level there seems little to worry about. I recently bought an imitation horn from a US store which produces Bone Clones of all kinds of skulls, human and animal bones including museum quality skeletons. I transported the well done imitation product openly in my check in bag over half a dozen international borders expecting somebody to detect the shape and form on an X-ray machine and questioning me. It never happened”.
We must not under any circumstances lift the Rhinoceros horn trade until all of these most crucial avenues are explored and vaporised. Should the trade be lifted and even more Rhinoceros are murdered because of the trade both on the internet and via imitation horn to selling imitation horns and skulls worldwide then we could lose the Rhinoceros species more quicker than imagined with the Elephant unfortunately following soon after.
Should one not “understand poaching” and the “increasing demand” to “wiping demand of the plate” then regrettably we will lose this war thus placing other species in danger that will in turn keep the momentum of the destructive wildlife medicine and consumption trade flowing.
Dr J C Dimetri
V.M.D, B.E.S, Ma, PhD, MEnvSc
Director and Founder
Join us at Team Africa International Animal Rescue Foundation
www.international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk
Founded 2010-2011
For more information on how you can help please email us at
info@international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk
To report illegal wildlife crime, poaching, trafficking, large domestic animal abuse please email below or INTERPOL
externalaffairs@international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk
The video below just shows the amount of disrespect that Thailand has even when the meeting for the CoP summit is under way. Whilst the meeting was being held this undercover investigation was filmed showing the illegal trade in ivory. Allowing the Rhinoceros horn trade to be made legal will have disastrous consequences, and be shown similar to this. Rhinoceros horn is not medicine.
The Egyptian lather below clearly has no worries about selling ivory, we also located more ivory tusks on his website owned by an American domain WEEBLY
This site can be located here http://elwahe.weebly.com/index.html
VIETNAM PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO - RHINOCEROS HORN IS NOT MEDICINE
Thank you
Environmentalism chapter 10 - The Abyss
What lurks beneath the deep blue sea? Well in the way of sustainable fishing and poaching of Sharks, Seals and Whales in the Arctic, Pacific and Indian ocean that I shall explain more on in the next in depth document there is indeed a whole garden of aquatic life from botanical marine species, plankton, Octopus, to sea Snakes and the deep blue monsters of the oceans as some refer too which has gotten many scientists, marine biologists, botanists and conservationists excited.
On a recent article that we reported on within our South African site that is the information and awareness centre for our work within Africa https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Animal-Rescue-Foundation-World-Action-South-Africa/199685603444685?fref=ts I recently reported in brief some of the most fantastic aquatic and oceanographic finds made by explorers using the DeepSee submersible that that explored the rocky ridges and mountainous terrain of the “Las Gemelas” which Author Mr Greg Stone reported on the rough terrains of the sea mounts deep below the surface of the water in 2012 of which a ten person team spent ten days studying the area then releasing all conclusive data which was absolutely intriguing to read and view.
The Submersible descended over six hundred feet below the surface of the ocean of which there are located worldwide hundreds of thousands of “seamounts” that rise from the earths floor, only three hundred have ever been explored and still to this very day we have not discovered even 50% of what lies beneath at such amazing depths that the normal diver would not be able to survive sue to the crushing ocean pressure that would kill him/her instantly.
Just to give you a glimpse of the size of these seamounts of which these scientists descended to over 600+ feet below the surface of the water, the Empire State Building stands at 1,454ft tall that’s including the lightning rod too, the height start of “Las Gemelas” is 1,115ft at the summit “ whereas the entire size from top to surface of the Gemelas is a staggering 14,000ft that see’s deep ocean currents rushing up then spiralling around the mount of “Las Gemelas” with a vortex type cyclone whooshing around the summit of the mount at 1,115ft as quoted.
You could almost be fooled into thinking that nothing lives at such insane depths however that’s where most people are wrong and it’s at these depths that scientists believe some form of “how our universe” evolved lies deep below. Before I briefly go in to what species of aquatic marine life lives at such depths let’s take a sheer look at “Las Gemelas” that’s truly one haven of breaming marine and botanical life untouchable by any poacher to hunter.
Las Gemelas is located at Cocos Island territory coastline, located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Christmas Island and approximately midway between Australia and Sri Lanka. The territory consists of two atolls and 27 coral islands, of which two, West Island and Home Island, are inhabited with a total population of approximately 600 individuals mostly if not all, are native and indigenous.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands consist of two flat, low-lying coral atolls with an area of 14.2 square kilometres (5.5 sq mi), 26 kilometres (16 miles) of coastline, a highest elevation of 5 metres (16 ft) and thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation. The climate is pleasant, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year and with moderate rainfall. Cyclones may occur in the early months of the year.
There are a total of 24 individual islets forming an incomplete atoll ring, with a total land area of 13.1 square kilometres (5.1 sq mi). Only Home Island and West Island are populated. The Cocos Malays maintain weekend shacks, referred to as pondoks, on most of the larger islands. The islands belonged to the British Empire from 1857 then were placed within the hands of the Australian government in 1955 which still flies the British flag within its now Australian flag.
On the morning of 9 November 1914, the islands became the site of the Battle of Cocos, one of the first naval battles of World War I, During World War II, the cable station was once again a vital link. Allied planners noted that the islands might be seized as an airfield for German raider cruisers operating in the Indian Ocean.
The islands or islets as they are better referred to have no rivers or lakes of which fresh water is extremely limited, the islet inhabitants either make do or rely on supplies from the main lands.
The Tour of Seamount is located deep out to sea from the islands and not as close as some may believe, and being within such mineral rich and warm waters an abundance of life forms from the summit to the entire depth of the ocean floor.
When scientists went on to explore Las Gemelas in 2012 they located a rich biodiversity of corals, sponges, crabs, sea urchins, star fish, to sea cucumbers, deep sea fish and exciting views of a complex underwater mountain system similar to the other three hundred other “explored” ridges and sea mounts throughout the oceans underworld internationally.
Although the exploration team found teems of deep sea fish and rich biodiversity that still to this day cannot be identified correctly or even named the facts are there, however in the numbers there are more fishers than protectors, and as with many MPAs the world over, it was witnessed that current efforts need further support within this region to protect this swarming ecological system or we could “loose it”. However let’s not jump one hundred paces forward and keep it at one step at a time. These areas are remote, they cannot be accessed easily, and other species of life can be introduced to sustain biodiversity and even the odds out for all thus leaving an area rich in natural habitat.
What lies at such gargantuan depths though, well this is the truly amazing part and that’s why I have only kept the write up short on this particular page and will go in to some detail on amazing biodiversity finds old and new in the “later”.. It truly is a wonderful ecosystem down there though. One that has to be explored more..
Explanation of a sea hydro-thermal vent ?
Well firstly lets view the hydro thermal sea mount more or less the same but they are a little smaller and are more commonly refereed to as smoking chimneys I have included the video for you to understand more on this as I think it’s a lot easier for you to “view and hear” in real time the difference between the two. To view more on this particular sea “chimney” please click the picture, alternatively please view the video below.
A hydrothermal vent is a fissure in a planet’s surface from which geothermally heated water issues. Hydrothermal vents are commonly found near volcanically active places, areas where tectonic plates are moving apart, ocean basins, and hotspots. Hydrothermal vents exist because the earth is both geologically active and has large amounts of water on its surface and within its crust.
Common land types include hot springs, fumaroles and geysers. Under the sea, hydrothermal vents may form features called black smokers. Relative to the majority of the deep sea, the areas around submarine hydrothermal vents are biologically more productive, often hosting complex communities fueled by the chemicals dissolved in the vent fluids. Chemosynthetic archaea form the base of the food chain, supporting diverse organisms, including giant tube worms, clams, limpets and shrimp. Active hydrothermal vents are believed to exist on Jupiter’s moon Europa, and ancient hydrothermal vents have been speculated to exist on Mars.
Explanation of a sea-mount?
A seamount is a mountain rising from the ocean seafloor that does not reach to the water’s surface (sea level), and thus is not an island. These are typically formed from extinct volcanoes that rise abruptly and are usually found rising from the seafloor to 1,000-4,000 meters (3,000-13,000 ft) in height. They are defined byoceanographers as independent features that rise to at least 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) above the seafloor.
The peaks are often found hundreds to thousands of meters below the surface, and are therefore considered to be within the deep sea. There are an estimated 100,000 seamounts across the globe, with only a few having been studied. Seamounts come in all shapes and sizes, and follow a distinctive pattern of growth, activity, and death. In recent years, several active seamounts have been observed, for example Loihi in the Hawaiian Islands.
What lies beneath this particular Sea Mount that exploration teams located in 2012?
There is an abundance of aquatic sea, molluscs, plankton to sharks, squids and corals that live in this particular area of the Americas coast line, the further that one descends into the deep blue sea the warmer then colder the ocean layer becomes
One cannot travel any further below than this and what you are witnessing in the videos below is the surface of the earth miles below or to be precise over 22,000 feet below the surface level exactly four and half miles down to the earths layer excluding the crust which scientists, marine biologists, and geologists study as a way of knowing what “may of lived or still resides other planets to understanding evolution and geology land mass geography, and the planetary systems.
The five largest sea mounts that hold an abundance of biodiversity are located in between the Atlantic Ocean and just across the Pacific which are named as Cortes Bank standing and El Bajo sea mount at two points, Las Gemelas sea mount, Cross sea mount, with a sprawling sized mounts at Raja Amoat Islands.
Las Gemelas biodiversity in brief;
Sea Lilly - Crinoids are marine animals that make up the class Crinoidea (And to think they where a “plant”)
Pseudotriakis microdon - False Cat Shark, the behaviour of this shark is by far a lot different to that of the typical species of sharks, however they are endangered due to over fishing, hunting, and pollution
Centropyge potteri - Potters Angel Fish can be located near enough sea level, the Centropyge potteri swims just below that of the Humpback Whale at just above 1,300 feet
Enypniastes eximia - Swimming Cucumber located at depth of just under 13,000 feet in ice cold waters
Ophidiidae - Cusk Eal (This species of fish live deeper than any other known fish on the planet to date)
Isididae - Bamboo coral, this living species thrives along the 47 mile Puna Ridge (Quite fantastic to know that botanical species such as this thrive in such harsh conditions without photosynthesis)
A little further on the corral lay Surgeonfish amid a school of yellow snappers
Culcita Novaguineae - Cushion Star (12,000 ft this has to be the lowest species of Star Fish to survive) as such low depths
I will continue on with this document in three parts as there truly is some fantastic species of life both above the sea level and below it spanning globally on the sea mounts that are rarely explored.. Who know’s what else is down there.
Please view the video’s below and please stay tuned for our Fox documentary that will be focusing on the European living fox.
Environmentalism chapter 2 Climate destruction
Fossil fuels are the number one contributor to pollution within our environment of which we still are not reducing our consumption levels that’s placing our sensitive ecosphere in danger and will push temperature levels up by another two to three degrees Celsius.
The world climate agency along with governments and meteorologists and climatologists have warned practically everyone to reduce their usage and start switching to alternative methods of fueling ones home’s to automobiles, passenger planes and ships.
Unfortunately like a broken record ourselves and meteorological agencies to governing bodies still seem to be warning you “again” that your usage is not just depleting fossil fuel levels that need to stay stored for any potential future natural disaster but your usage is increasing climate temperature and sea levels, increasing flooding, extreme weather events, more saturated winters, plus death tolls, physiological and psychological illness and increased economy damage thus in turn decreasing funds that are desperately needed to construct rigid sea and river flood barriers to even improving natural energy supplies and awareness.
Fossil fuels are hydro carbons such as gas, oil, coal, petroleum and methane that have been formed in our geological past from the remains of natural living organisms that are now deceased. Fossils are literally the remains of animals that died some million years ago that have then “fossilized” thus creating a type of rock like layer that remains buried deep below the soils surface Please view the picture below of a “fossilized remain” of the Archaeopteryx a species discovered in 1861 from the remains of the 150 million year old prehistoric realm.
The picture below is what a “typical fossil fuel looks like” this being Coal. Look closely at the picture and you can view not just coal but the fine lines within the structure of this fossil. These lines are that of vegetation that has gradually become impacted over millions of years hence where your then able to obtain “combustion fuel”. The picture below this explains more on how these layers on formed.
Coal formation is a million year process that stores and natural deposits hundreds of feet below the soil surface hence why miners use heavy rigs and explosives to blow the coal from the interior of a dug mine. Picture below illistrates clearly the coal process formation.
Every government and almost every soul on the planet over six billion people to be almost precise has been warned and educated to reduce start turning to the alternative methods of wind, water, solar, to green plant liquid based power some of the top four natural energy sources that can be easily stored to reused again thus decreasing pollution levels greatly increasing air and living quality, lowering food consumer prices to practically slowing but regrettably not ceasing climate change. I state “not ceasing” as sadly we are now past global warming which has been made more than evident by drastic and worrying changes to the polar ice cap.
Transitions that one can move over to now that are cheap is wind power that can easily generate energy, to solar energy that can be gathered from solar panels on our home roofs to even just fixed within a garden, water energy using the forces of the earth’s gravitational pull to flow downstream to then turning a water turbine creating momentum = energy, to algae fuels that can be used as cattle feed, to petroleum and oil to power homes, generators, cars and passenger planes plus much more.
The possibilities are endless and it’s not just fossils fuels to, its reusing liquids and solids such as vegetable oil, rape seed oil, sunflower oil, to recycled paper, recycled wood and more yet we are still consuming vast amounts of million year old fossil fuels with no real evidential decrease of such fuels which will only lead to catastrophic environmental meltdown.
Picture above is a typical English home with solar panels fitted. Solar panels not only conserve energy thus releasing it to heat your water, to power your washing machine and dryer, central heating and most of your electrical charging equipment but can reduce your “energy bill” to = less carbon output from factories to produce energy = less emissions and a happy earth. he total cost estimated for fitting a whole four bedroom house is $14,000. Some come with free fitting of a %. You may think this expensive however if your paying a month on average a total of $100-150 your going to be SAVING $150-$250 a month.
“In short, the best way to get greater value for money when it comes to solar energy is to invest in buying and installing solar panels yourself. Plus, in paying for it, you could earn in the region of £35,000 over 25 years. That’s not a bad return on your investment by any estimation” Please remember to always as questions if you plan on having them fitted by professionals as this could effect your home from being sold in the future. Please also view the “feed in tariff” http://www.solarguide.co.uk/feed-in-tariff-fit
Looking at the environment that we are living in to date starting from the 1st January 2013 we firstly take a look at our coal consumption. America and China are still the largest carbon discharges of coal of which was estimated in reports back in 2011 that there was 909 billion metric tons of coal that lay beneath the states of America that would sustain the United States for another 155 years.
Fossil fuel usage
Coal usage for America and China;
China’s coal consumption from 2010 was estimated at 3.2 billion metric tons per annul of which the Kyoto Protocol has called for a decrease of 403 million tons by 2012 however this is not evident and within 2012 sink holes in many regions of China where vast underground networks of coal mines are blown have opened up taking civilians with them with loss of life.
America though has seen a vast decrease in coal mining of which 2008 was their highest peaking level with a usage in the final fourth quarter of exactly 299,552 thousand tons of coal, from 2005-2008 saw the most concerning usage however from 2009-2010 the levels of usage have dipped and peaked of which 2010 saw 276,180 thousand tons used in the last fourthly quarter per annul.
The 2011 quarter saw, 282,853 thousand tons of coal used with a massive decline which the United States Energy Information Administration quotes a usage for 2012 being 259,029 thousand tons of coal usage.
Total U.S. stocks declined to 235.3 mmst from 255.1 mmst in the second quarter 2012, an 8.9 per cent drop. However, this was 17.2 per cent higher than in the third quarter 2011.
Total U.S. consumption was 254.0 mmst for the third quarter 2012. This was 25.8 per cent higher than in the second quarter 2012 and down 9.2 per cent from the third quarter 2011 level.
Pic above is shale fracking. Fracking for shale is environmentally dangerous to our health and clean water supplies. There has been much damage caused to peoples homes, roads and environmentally protected areas from which vast sized sink holes have appeared sucking homes, and people within them.
Gas usage for America and China
America’s gas consumption shows a much different picture from 2008-2012 again we see within this century that gas usage and gas production peaked. The United States of America produced 23.0 trillion cubic feet of gas which was 20% of global production of natural home gas. The unfortunate news is that in 2011 the whole of the entire states of America consumed all and more of that gas at a total usage of 24.5 trillion cubic feet.
The worrying image that was laid out here by the United States Energy Information Administration that there is only ninety more years of shale gas left within the United States hence why they are now “importing” gas to keep up with the demand, by importing then one is reducing other vital areas of their natural deposits that then see that continent or continents effected more by environmental phenomena.
The United States is now working more on the “shale gas supply and production” than they are coal of which the US describes this as “energy security” and not “energy independence” which is worrying. By taking more shale then we are just depleting more resources and yet again not solving the “problem” just merely masking it until eventually there will be a complete burn out.
The diagram illustrates shale gas drilling which is roughly 1.5 miles below the soil surface to extract shale gas. The correct terminology for this process is Hydraulic fracturing which causes much seismic activity, disruption to water supplies to earth tremors to.
The picture above is on-land shale gas drilling probably one of the most dangerous forms of fuel extraction environmentalists have viewed, however more governments are giving the go ahead for “land drilling” than sea bed drilling.
Natural gas is combustible gaseous fossil fuel. While contributing less CO2 to the atmosphere than other fuels, it is still a serious greenhouse gas. (The average U.S. natural gas plant emits 800 to 850 lbs of CO2 per megawatt whereas coal plants emit an average 1,768 llbs of CO2 per megawatt.)
Transporting natural gas by tanker can involve similar risks to transporting oil by sea. With its cost receding in recent years, more attention is being paid to its commercial uses. The main products of the combustion of natural gas are CO2 and water vapor shale gas deposits promise vast supplies but introduce the problem of “fracking” which has serious local and international criticism and is not the answer to our global solutions.
There has already been this year many “fracking” incidents occulting over the states of America with sink holes forming, methane in the public water supply that has worried many locals to roads and houses being swallowed up by the unstable ground beneath where fracking has affected soil structure.
Picture above illustrates a massive sink hole that formed in Louisiana America caused by fracking that eventually grew a mile wide. The report can be read here http://www.bayoubuzz.com/buzz/item/120695-smell-health-issues-reported-at-bayou-corne-sinkhole-in-louisiana
Shale gas is gas that’s trapped in shale deposits, shale drilling or fracking as it is more better known is undertaken on land of which the United States Government believe is the correct course of action to take to reduce global carbon emissions. We, International Animal Rescue Foundation © personally believe this to be untrue based on scientific knowledge, geology, climatology and environmental sciences.
More governments now though in the European Union have now given this the go ahead even though 2012 has seen more evidence of sink holes forming, methane in drinking supplies of home owners near shale drilling sites, to seismic activity. 3rd of January 2013 saw another sink hole form beneath Harrisburg city streets http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/there_could_be_other_sinkholes.html of course this could be due to an old abandoned coal mine that we know was evident in this area, to a burst water main. However sink holes are forming now on a daily basis all over the United States.
There is more than enough evidence to prove that drilling or hydraulic fracking as it is better referred to is causing many problems with land destruction and habitual displacement to even forcing people from their own homes as they live on top of a rich shale formation.
http://rt.com/usa/news/sinkhole-mass-evacuation-louisiana-684/ Louisiana, America
http://www.alternet.org/rss/breaking_news/583881/shale_gas_drilling_linked_with_water_contamination Water contamination United States
http://english.caixin.com/2012-12-27/100477886.html Shale gas sink hole opens up Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
The same dangers can be said though for natural sea gas although natural sea gas is drilled more out at sea than via a combination of two separate platforms one fixed and the other flotation.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2121457/North-Sea-gas-leak-threatens-repeat-Piper-Alpha-oil-rig-disaster-Aberdeen.html United Kingdom
http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle800.do?categoryId=9036575&contentId=7067541 Deep-water Horizon incident – killing eleven
The natural gas consumption usage in China from 2001 to 2011 has gone from low to practically of the scale which is for many climatological reasons that I shall explain in brief further on.
2001 saw a total usage rate within that year of 27,400,000,000 cubic (meters) of which then sporadically shot up in 2005 to 47,910,000,000 cubic meters with the final year of 2011 with a total 129,000,000,000 cubic meters.
According to International Energy Agency’s June 2012 report, the share of natural gas is set to rise in China’s energy mixed nation, which is expected to have strong implications on the country’s energy usage in the years to come given the increased importance of gas within China.
China still though remains the largest carbon emitter which coal constitutes around 68 per cent of China’s energy use. With the current birthing trend increasing to and climate change bringing unpredictable weather patterns then China will be using “more than the 68% as stated in 2011”.
As part of its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), China has put a particular emphasis on cutting carbon emissions by reducing its use of coal and oil. Natural gas is the preferred energy source to achieve this goal. The Chinese government has set an ambitious goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix from its current 4 per cent to 10 per cent by 2020 and cutting carbon emissions by 17 per cent between 2011 and 2015 through closure of energy-intensive enterprises.
This is yet though still to be seen and with such a massive population trend then we doubt very much that China will decrease on its coal and oil usage but look for more sea and shale gas which will be exhausting all natural reserves. Only in the current news last year 2012 we see that India is now having more the same problems with fulfilling energy demand hence why there is now a stand of with the Chinese government and Indian government of where India is likely to drill within China’s “so called disputed of shore gas and oil fields”.
Brief conclusion
Should all three top populated nations not cease their carbon output greatly, and introduce more wind, solar, water and recyclable energy then carbon emissions are going to rise vastly. China must now take hold of its current population boom of which it holds more people than any other nation on the planet.
Fracking for more “so called environmentally safe gas” must be explored more before anymore new wells/holes are drilled that are causing much soil, and tectonic disruption, habitat destruction, population displacement and life loss.
Natural energy usage for the top largest continents
Below I have illustrated the growing demand by in one graph for the top consumers of Gas. Graphs are not owned to the International Animal Rescue Foundation this is international meteorological data.
Carbon emissions internationally are projected below.
As one can see the trend below has risen.
Current population trend
China, India and America make up most of the world’s population, keeping India out of this equation for the time being the total number of people living in China as quoted in the 2012 United States Census Bureau (USCB) is 1,355,140,000 from the 1st January 2013.
America though has to date January 1st 2013 a total estimate of 315,039,000 of people living within its borders to date (with another 1 child born every four seconds since typing this report). Although it was stated in the 2010 census that the average family size in America had decreased these are still shocking and alarming figures, India being the second largest populated continent on the earth with a total count taken from the 2011 (USCB) reports show 1,210,193,422 people.
The actual “estimated” population has grown dramatically since 2010 which was estimated at only six billion however the total number to the nearest figure now stands at 7.062 billion. Asia is by far the most populated with 4.2 billion with America and Canada standing at 352 million people combined however the entire European Union consists of an estimated 773 million people making up 11% of the world’s population.
So in reality the census of 2010 carried out by the Americans the European Union is slightly inaccurate if one is quoting that family sizes are decreasing as the Census of the 2010 and the European Census of 2010 has shown that the earth’s population has risen by an extra 1.062 billion. That is four babies born every four seconds that’s exactly 130 million born internationally every year.
On the 1st January 2013 the Royal college of Midwifery, United Kingdom has voiced their concern over the recent baby boom just in (England) and not including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The figures were up again with an exact number of 700,000 babies born in England alone. That’s almost another 1 million that are registered as born, and doesn’t include non-registered births mainly from illegal immigrants. So the total could be just under or of over 1 million for 2012
Going back to some of our previous data that we have analysed over the past years along with climatological and meteorological conferences we can see that none of the above is going to work unless we adopt the four main elements of wind, solar, water and other recyclable energy in the long run along with adopting a more greener life and living style. We must also as responsible humans now look for other newer green forms of energy processing that are both economically and environmentally friendly to ourselves and Mother Nature.
World population estimates and projections and annual population change (millions) – UN median variant scenario, change on right hand axis and drawn as thin line.
“Alternative scenario drawn as thin on the dotted line”
“This is too hard for some governments to understand though as they are corrupt and just want a quick buck within their pockets.China, India and America are the largest polluters on earth although they say now they wish to cut down on their “carbon emissions” and then look for cheaper alternatives such as shale gas (more or less the same as natural gas”).
What they seem to be forgetting is “environmental change” which is not becoming brighter its progressing now of control and well within the black zone.
We must not though dish neither nations as they are actually “starting to introduce to a degree greener power energy” (it’s coming at a price though) which “they need to bring down” for the consumer/purchaser or we are simply going to get no where and fast.
All three of the top populated nations are now battling it out to find the best oil, shale and natural gas sea bed fields to fulfill their nation’s needs.
These irresponsible governments though are overlooking the main issue here of which to decrease climate change then they must act accordingly with what the climatologists, meteorologists and geologists are educating and showing them.
Stupidity
- Usage of more coal to keep up with demand
- Fracking for shale gas which has investigative proof showing harm to the environment
- Drilling for natural gas
- More oil and petroleum demand
- Nuclear energy
- America now wanting to build more coal plants
The five following fuels now need to be reduced on a rapid scale. Should there be no slowdown yet more usage of natural resources rising then we are going to be viewing more climate change and natural to more or less man made disasters.
United States International Energy agency seems to be missing a very important point here of which we have explained in great detail over the course of five months. Worldwide population censuses have quoted that family numbers as in (birth rates) are decreasing as the USIE state.
This just doesn’t make sense though and that is what we are going to explain now by moving away from the actual “fuel usage” to the actual “climate deterioration” which we and many other environmentalists took part in, in the last global summit of weather and pollution control 2011.
The United States International Energy Agency are all up for placing good figures up that show a “decrease” in fuel usage but what about climate destruction increase and climate destruction damage expenditure overall increase of alternative energies and carbon emissions?
Carbon emissions for United States of America on a whole
As reported in a journal on July the 18th again we see misleading data being placed which is not taking into the account the “climate change increase” obviously there seems to be no experts within the USIE.
Carbon emissions where stated to have been cut by 7.7 per cent since 2006, with an overall total of U.S emissions being sliced in 2011 by 1.9 per cent that will then place the United States back to the level of 2006.
In a media report August the 16th 2012 the report stated that 2012 emissions have fallen and the United States was leading the way to decrease Co2 emissions. President Barack Obama also quoted that he will “ensure” that carbon emissions will decrease by half 2020.
The most worrying concern for us again was that a frenzy of shale gas drilling in the Northeast’s Marcellus Shale and in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana has caused the wholesale price of natural gas to plummet from $7 or $8 per unit to about $3 over the past four years, making it cheaper to burn than coal for a given amount of energy produced. As a result, utilities are relying more than ever on gas-fired generating plants = climate change.
Fracking is not the answer and even the united States have warned that fracking is in their own words below
“Drilling has its own environmental consequences, which are not yet fully understood”.
America was quoted as reducing its other fossil fuel usage by 16 per cent in the last six years. Total U.S carbon emissions from consumption peaked at about 6 billion metric tons in 2007 the projections for 2011 where 5.2 billion metric tons and the 1990 figure were exactly 5 billion tons for overall consumption emission output.
America has “quoted” to leading the way in reducing its emissions by using hydraulic fracturing however they have yet again been warned like in the previous years before environmental impact hit us from 1980 that (hydraulic fracturing) or fracking as it’s better known is and will cause more harm to the environment along with placing the general public’s life in vast danger.
We International Animal Rescue Foundation © along with many more conservationists, geologist’s and environmentalists have stated that fracking is only going to cause more long term damage to the environment and is still not yet fully understood of what the impacts and long term damage this is going to cause. One “unnamed” environmentalist quoted.
“Fluids have polluted underground drinking water supplies and that methane leaks from drilling is causing serious air pollution and also contributing to global warming. The industry and many government officials say the practice is safe when done properly. But there have been cases in which faulty wells did pollute water, and there is little reliable data about the scale of methane leakage”
Carbon emissions for China on a whole
From 2011 China’s carbon emissions on a whole where estimated to be at 9 billion metric tons making China the largest polluter accounting for 28 per cent of the entire words emissions. As quoted America only accounts for 16 per cent of the entire planets emissions. China and America are both practicing hydraulic fracturing, China are America are causing widespread global damage.
China’s carbon emissions grew 9.9% in 2011 after rising 10.4% in 2010 and now comprise 28% of all CO2 pollution compared with 16% for the United States. The University of East Anglia has been monitoring these changes and also reported that should the overall usage not decline for the three largest nations China, India and America that make up the overall output then we are going to be heading for climatological destruction through global warming.
“The research by the Global Carbon Project, an annual report card on mankind’s CO2 pollution, also says emissions grew 3.1% in 2011, placing the world on a near-certain path towards dangerous climate change, such as more heat waves, droughts and storms”
Climate change concern
Demand is increasing as population is rising to with still no reduction in the price of alternative fuels, still millions of tons of waste being pushed into landfill sites.
More cars are on the roads as driver are becoming younger although insurance is at an all-time high and although the governments and government paid scientist think tanks are being paid to lie to the public the actual evidence is here and there to prove that America India and China are contributing greatly to the worlds devastating global climate change.
How do we know this though? Well we have to look at meteorological and basic census reports and the effect of weather destruction.
Since 1980 to 2011 America has lost a total of $880 billion in damages caused by climate destruction of which experts warned the governments and ourselves that change is now needed or we are going to be heading for major catastrophic loss of life to economy disruption, fuel and food prices rising and of out of control weather lasting longer or becoming more aggressive and widespread
Billion Dollar Weather
1980-1985
- 1980 – Was the start of real climate change in United States = 1 drought causing 56 billion and 1 hurricane with a total damage loss of 1 billion estimated.
- 1981 – 1 billion in tornado, hailstorms and thunderstorms damage.
- 1982 – 1 billion in tornado, hailstorms and thunderstorms damage.
- 1983 – Four disasters = 2 floods, 1 hurricane, blizzards, ice storms and big freeze each disaster under a total of 5-6 billion.
- 1984 – 1 tornados, hailstorms and thunderstorms under 5 billion.
- 1985 – 5 disasters with blizzard, ice storms and freezes.
From 1980 one can clearly see the destructive weather patterns starting to change that then increased from 1985 to 1990 dramatically in just a five year period.
- 1986 – Was a relatively calm year that only saw one destructive weather pattern which brought drought and heat waves causing damaging crops of $1 billion.
- 1987 – There were no reports of weather damage of which the country basked in moderate four season weather.
- 1988 – One massive drought and heat wave that also went into 1989 causing some $78 billion of damage
- 1989 - Tornado, hailstorms and thunderstorms damage of $1 billion, followed up by the previous 1988 two year drought and heat wave, another heat wave and drought hit the states again causing a further $1 billion in damage at the start of August followed by a $10 billion hurricane causing extensive damage in between September and October. Winter saw a $1 billion trail of destruction caused by blizzard, ice storms and freezes.
- 1990 – 3 natural disasters causing roughly $7 billion of damage
From 1990 the climate change then increased rapidly yet still no major changes where being brought in. The technology was there but “it wasn’t made any cheaper to reduce major loss of property and damage” to life too.
More people where using then coal, electric and gas as the weather patterns where becoming more sporadic. Winters where a little warmer by 1-oc hence why less fuel was needed however when there was and still is major weather patterns moving in more fuel was needed to cope with the strength and longevity of the weather front.
- 1991 – Saw three large patterns move in tornadoes, hailstorms and blizzards at $1 billion of damage, hurricane at just over $1 billion of damage then we start to see the wild fire’s that only started to really hit America hard at this time. This first wildfire was costly at roughly $4-5 billion of damage.
- 1992 – Three tornadoes, hailstorms and blizzards hit causing $1 billion of damage or more then Hurricane Andrew hit causing major catastrophic damage at $44 billion of damage followed by another hurricane at just over $1 billion along with blizzard, ice storms and freezes over $1 billion.
- 1993 – Storm of the century hit the eastern seaboard causing $8.7 billion which again was combined blizzard, ice storms and freeze. Followed by major mid-west flooding at $33 billion.
- 1994 – Six major environmental events blizzards, ice storms and freezes followed up by tornadoes, hailstorms and thunderstorms. More flooding at the start of August wild fire and floods again all costing in excess of just over $10 billion of damage.
- 1995 – Floods, tornadoes and hurricanes (becoming larger) roughly around $13 billion of damage
Total cost of damages that “could have been reduced” but not necessarily stopped from 1980 to 1995 was $339 billion exactly.
What is obvious is the weather pattern change that government paid scientists are still spouting has nothing to do with the way we are living, the amount of fuel to population boom.
The major disasters from 1980 to 1995 where drought and heat wave which caused some $134 billion of damage. Hurricanes where the next biggest which were sporadic and widespread that caused more damage than any other weather front within this period.
In total there were 46 disasters compared to the 87 disasters that have hit the United States from 1996 – 2010.
From 1996 to 2010 there were more droughts between May and October causing $49 billion in damages, wildfires increased but still small in size with eight in total causing roughly $15-17 billion of damage. Twelve floods in total which gives rise to evidential polar ice caps melting = raised sea levels, combined these floods caused an estimated total of $34 billion.
Fifteen hurricanes hit causing massive damage in total between “just” 2004 -2008 there was an estimated total of $27 billion. Starting at 1996-2010 there was at least $96 billion then moving on with another $146 billion from hurricane Katrina, Rita ($19 billion), Wilma ($19 billion), Ivan ($17 billion - 2004) and Charley ($18 billion 2004). A further two more hurricanes hit with one $5-6 billion then just after hurricane Ike hit causing a further total damage toll of $29 billion. 2011 saw a whopping year of $1 billion disasters with one more hurricane hitting casing $9-10 billion just for that year alone.
All hurricanes are now hitting America more in the months of June to November with still more widespread damage being caused as not enough warning is being given to the public. Who picks the monetary pieces up? You do.
Please ensure that if you live in these zones where hurricanes are now more extreme than one either “moves” or you learn to toughen your property up more.
Tornado’s are now rife appearing from nowhere then vanishing but causing gargantuan damage with thirty reported from 1996 – 2011 causing a massive $60+ billion is damages. Going back to 1980 – 1995 America had 10 reported causing as little as $29 billion of damage which were less powerful.
Blizzards, ice storms and freezes have become sparse with very few reported as natural disasters. Seven where reported as disasters from 1996-2011 causing in an estimated $19 billion of damage
2011 had the most $1 billion of disasters with 14 in total in total for from 1996 to 2011 the estimated damage from climatic damages was $541 exactly. 2004 to 2012 being the worst and looking at the figures it clearly shows that we are heading for some serious climatic storms and disasters to come from 2013 2050 unless we now buck our ways up, change our fuels, go green instead of polluting and live a much healthier life style.
One may think that we are nagging and you may say “well you only live once” but what about your children and their children? How are they going to battle with this?
Why is the damage so high though and I mean we are not just talking about the United States. North Africa, United Kingdom, and Asia have all been seeing more or less the same this year for 2012 – 2013.
The main reason why there is so much damage is due to more homes being built on the river flood pains and coastal lines which are all high value properties and with the atmosphere warming scientists have already warned that destructive weather is going to become more common in itself.
Environmental climatic increase
We was all told that the planet was warming up however to what extent one truly didn’t know until the latest 2012 end statistics came in.
Air temperature for the entire planet has increased because of environmental climate change. Temperatures from 1920 were very stable simply because there was few cars on the roads, less factories, birth rates were not erratic and underage pregnancies to non-planned was really not an issue. Air traffic was still at an all-time low thus little to no increase.
Despite the overall increase global temperatures “have not climbed” steadily during the decades. The average global annual temperature hovered around 13.7°C (56.7°F) from the 1880s through to the 1910s. Please view the temperature increases below.
- 1880s 13.73 56.71
- 1890s 13.75 56.74
- 1900s 13.74 56.73
- 1910s 13.72 56.70
- 1920s 13.83 56.89
- 1930s 13.96 57.12
- 1940s 14.04 57.26
- 1950s 13.98 57.16
- 1960s 13.99 57.18
- 1970s 14.00 57.20
- 1980s 14.18 57.52
- 1990s 14.31 57.76
- 2000s 14.51 58.12
The increases were recorded worldwide by the research news and scientific factual data, from the 1880’s to the 1920’s the temperatures remained stable however after the 1860’s car usage began to rise on the roads. 1801 the Cornish Engineer, Richard Trevithick, produced a steam carriage that produced a top speed of 12 mph of which cars where expensive to purchase hence why many individuals used the main transport of the horse and carriage.
Then Steam powered vehicles continued to develop until the arrival of the internal combustion engine patented by the Belgian, Etienne Lenoir, in 1860 which still no real air temperatures increased as again cars where expensive to purchase of which there was worldwide an estimated 15,000 automobiles on the roads that mainly the rich and famous purchased. The arrival though of the four stroke engine was then born at more or less the same time by Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz.
Demand then rose for the automobile by the end of 1890 which Karl Benz produced an estimated two thousands motor vehicles on the roads. Air temperatures then started to change “but not of a great concern”. By 1890 the recorded planetary temperature stood at 56.74 Fahrenheit which was relatively low still. All four seasons proved normal weather patterns with very few climatological disasters, there was little if any floods, and little tectonic movement.
By 1903 Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company and produced the unmistakable and very practical Model T, using the engine design of Etienne Lenoir. The Model T’s instant popularity changed the demand of motorcars overnight to keep up with the country’s insatiable desire for motoring. Temperatures still remained positively OK of which the demand for motor vehicle practically ceased by 1940’s due to the beginning of World War One.
Temperatures did increase though to 1.0-oc which one could state was due to the on-going war in this era and then the beginning of the modern factory era that was producing everything it could to help European and international armies to fend of Adolf Hitler’s armies.
Once the Ford was invented the automobile then took off with prices being low from 1916 to 1970 temperatures then started to increase standing for 1970 at 14.00-57.20.
On average the air temperature increased from 1970 to 2010 to from 0.1-of to 1.0-of that’s an increase of +0.9oc
Moisture levels rose from 1957 then dropped dramatically by 1970 of which from satellite data the levels for 1970 stood at 10.2%, then by 2010 raised to 10.6% that’s an exact increase of 4% this is based on average global specific humidity at sea level.
Heat waves have increased massively and are becoming now much more prolonged with severity levels increasing to. Animals and humans are suffering the elderly and new born babies are at great risk as they cannot control their core temperature. Night time lows are one indicator striking the United States greatly. 1920 saw a steady temperature level of roughly 56.89of which then lowered from 1920-1940. Moving through the 1940’s we then saw the temperature “heat waves” rise and it was not just the United States being pounded hence why we know this is not just “isolated” to America that some people “want to believe”. Heat waves then lowered right through to the 1970’s
From 1970’s the percentage of United States summer heat waves then increased dramatically, 1970 saw a an increase 4%. From then the heat waves have increased vastly to a percentage of +31% with temperature levels hitting for the year of 2010 over 58.12of that an exact total raise to 35% (and its increasing) with no signs as yet of dropping.
Extreme rainfall levels are now affecting much larger areas of the United States as well as other global continents. The decrease and then increase from the early 1900’s to then 1970 and finally 2010 we can work on yet more flooding catastrophes are still casing widespread damage ranging at just under $200 billion mainly because of homes constructed on flood plains, constructed near coastal fronts that home owners really should before purchasing take in to account these changes BEFORE buying.
The National Climatic Data Centre reported that extreme rainfalls where high in the 1860’s to 1900’s that then dropped over a ten year period to an all-time low by the 1950’s then extreme rain fall rose again in 1955 by roughly 5.8%. Moving to the 1970s the levels of rain fall for the United States then dropped again to an all-time low of which temperature levels where at an average for the planet 57.20of.
From the 1970’s we then see a dramatic increase for the United States of extreme rain fall. 1970 -1975 saw a tremendous amount of extreme rain fall then form 1975-1985 there was again a vast rise that is very evident and shocking, 2010 records prove that from 1970-2010 there was an increase of +7% with the total rain fall increase from 1970 of 9% finishing of at 16% = 7% increase for the total end of 2010. This is just for one nation though of the United States = MASSIVE climate change + CO2 emitter.
Evidence of environmental carnage
Taking a glance at the United Kingdom the current environmental changes are similar in comparison to the that of the United States but one has to remember that the United Kingdom is part of the European Union and has on average a much larger population of the United States “taking in to account the rest of the European Union”.
Since the 1970’s central England temperatures have increased by 1oc which is exactly as predicted by the meteorological office and international climate change scientists. Although this may not “seem a lot” in fact 1oc Celsius is a lot.
For example reduce the temperature of you fridge down to 0oc and then place a frozen ice block in it of any size. Time how long that takes to melt at zero degrees then repeat the test but move the dial of the thermostat up and then time how long the ice block takes to melt = 1oc a fast but concerning scientific experimental look into climate change is the conclusive results that one will view over a period of time.
What you have just witnessed is similar to climate change within you fridge. That is no different to the North Pole hence why the England has been pummeled by severe floods for the best part of five years now causing wide spread damage. 2012 September, October, November and December have been the wettest of all months for England and from predictions and scientific analysis it’s only going to get worse.
The ten warmest years on record occurred since 1997 and the most shocking was the sea level rises around the United Kingdom that rose from 1900’s TEN centimeters and another shocking fact that everyone in the United Kingdom has been warned about is If emissions continue to grow at present rates global temperature could rise as much as 7 °C above pre-industrial temperature by 2100”. Should this occur which stark previous evidence has already proved it has from 1900-1970-2010 then the United Kingdom is in danger.
By the 2080s, annual economic damage from flooding in the UK could increase from £1 billion to between £15 billion and £21 billion, it’s anticipated that climate change will increase the likelihood of flooding. Winters are going to become significantly wetter. On the wettest days of the year, this could mean an increase in rainfall of 40 per cent or more by the 2080s.
The most concerning of which we ourselves International Animal Rescue Foundation © have seen in the United Kingdom now on a regular yearly basis is the numbers of properties at high risk of localized flooding from sewer and drainage systems being overwhelmed by sudden localized downpours could typically increase by 2080 four-fold to over 300,000 properties and around 800,000 people. High risk means a 10% chance of flooding in any year.
Many meteorologists have stated that the “East” of the England is more prone to flooding and is going to be under water in the next 100 years. This is not true “to a point” and the main areas that are actually at risk too are the isles of the coast of Scotland and Scotland itself at the tip. The north west of Scotland and mid-lands is much more vulnerable as of “surges” created by the North Sea. The mid-lands will be at much greater risk due to large precipitations and transpiration = localized flooding via rivers.
Tides affect sea levels, but sometimes the weather will also play its part in raising or lowering water height. This is called a surge and is measured by how much higher or lower the sea is than expected on any given tide. A surge is positive if the water level is higher than the expected tide, and negative if lower. Positive surges happen when water is driven towards a coast by wind and negative when it is driven away.
While wind is the main cause of surges, barometric pressure - the pressure in the air - also plays its part. When pressure decreases by one millibar, sea level rises by one centimeter Therefore, a deep depression with a central pressure of about 960 mb causes sea level to rise half a meter above the level it would have been had pressure been about average (1013 mb). When pressure is above average, sea level correspondingly falls. (So in reality the North West of Scotland is by far going to see a heavy damage toll including the isles of Scotland inundated with severe weather and heavy coastal defense losses which cannot be repaired as easy as one thinks).
When strong winds combine with very low pressure they can raise the sea level in eastern England by more than two meters which is serious. Fortunately such surges normally occur at mid-tide levels - so do not cause as much damage. If they were to coincide with high tide it could be a very different story.
Surges travel counter-clockwise around the North Sea - first southwards down the western half of the sea, then northwards up the western side. They take about 24 hours to progress most of the way around.
Waves, generated by strong winds, are another flooding factor. While coastal defenses are designed to deal with high tides, these defenses can be badly damaged by a pounding from large and powerful waves. Some waves are so large that they simply break over coastal defenses sending water flooding in and undermining sea-wall foundations until they collapse. This is what the whole of England has seen for the past five years.
Sadly it gets worse with rain fall, as we all know when there is a warm front moving in and stays present after a low depression then causing more damage inland, although winters are becoming wetter in the United Kingdom it’s also known that freak weather occurrences are happening. For example the summer of 2011 was recorded as the hottest year on record. One would believe that this all good. However when one thinks of “precipitation” a weather pattern that’s best described as a major component of the water cycle, and is responsible for depositing the fresh water on the planet. Approximately 505,000 cubic kilometers (121,000 cu mi) of water falls as precipitation each year. This event mainly happens at sea. Two major issues here 1) precipitation and waterlogged ground 2) precipitation and drought.
Drought and precipitation does not mix well and the ground is so hard that the water cannot penetrate the soil meaning that the ground just acts as a runoff. So making this a little more easy to understand, in a hot spell the transpiration from plants and trees to evaporation from sea’s lakes, and rives = in a hot summer with drought, aggressive flooding consequences.
The ground being so hard and with much evaporation and transpiration = high precipitation. With such solid ground level and the soil not being able to absorb quicker enough then this = rivers being overwhelmed which then = inland flooding instead of “coastal flooding”.
Although both are as bad with the current global temperature predicted to reach another 7oc then inland flooding is going be more severe than any type of coastal flooding as our international rivers will not be able to handle such vast amounts of water as more attention is being focused on “coastal regions to improve sea defenses .
Coastal defenses must take priority of course BUT river defenses need attention to and urgently. Construction and insurance companies must now take more notice of NOT building on flood plains and NOT insuring ANYONE that wishes to construct a building on a flood plain KNOWING that these risks are more than imminent. By adopting this then vast amounts of money will be saved which can then go into protecting inland flooding defenses as well as coastal defenses for the future temperature fluctuations and wetter winters.
The same applies for waterlogged plains or soil of which if there is a prolonged hot weather spell mixed with bouts of on and off rain then the soil will not be able to take the percentage amount of water “run of” and “precipitation” combined with nowhere for the water to go then regrettably any homes within the area of inland rivers or even mountainous regions will then see high river levels again, to landslides = destruction. So our question is 1) why are construction companies still building on flood plains 2) insurance companies insuring these homes 3) inland river defenses not being brought up to scratch.
Other critical factors with regards to this are. there will be more mental-health consequences from repeat flooding. Besides the considerable stress of extensive damage, the threat of repeat flooding, coupled with the possible withdrawal of insurance cover can make properties unsalable and cause long-term depression in the victims.
The socially disadvantaged will be hardest hit. The poor are less able to afford flooding insurance and less able to pay for expensive repairs. People who are ill or who have disabilities will be more vulnerable to the immediate hazard of a flood and to health risks due to polluted flood waters.
To finish of International Animal Rescue Foundation © wishes to now outline the serious and proven risks that we as a human race now have to come to terms with the damages that we have caused as a population of selfish, arrogant and abusive people that are still not willing to make the sacrifices that are needed to “slow” climate change down. It is no longer a question of “how do we stop environmental climatological disruptions” it’s now a question of how does one adapt and become use to the damages that we have as an entire population of 7.8 billion+ people that reside on the planet earth have caused.
Conclusive environmental factual data
- 1880s temperature was recorded by the international metrological office as 13.73-56.71
- 1970s temperature increase to 14.00-57.20 mainly due to the abuse of fossil fuels, the automobile and aircraft being widely used and cheaper with factories burning more than average.
- Even if global temperatures rise by only 1.5 to 2.5 °C it could mean that 20–30% of species could face extinction.
- Globally, the potential for food production is projected to increase with increases in local average temperature over a range of 1-3°C, but above this it is projected to decrease.
- In Africa, by 2020, between 75 million and 250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress due to climate change. In some countries in Africa, yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% by 2020.
- Freshwater availability in Central, South, East and South-East Asia, particularly in large river basins, is projected to decrease due to climate change which, along with population growth and increasing demand arising from higher standards of living, could adversely affect more than a billion people by the 2050s.
- In Southern Europe, climate change is projected to worsen conditions (high temperatures and drought) in a region already vulnerable to climate variability, and to reduce water availability, hydropower potential, summer tourism and, in general, crop productivity. It is also projected to increase health risks due to heat waves, and the frequency of wildfires.
- In Northern Europe, climate change is initially projected to bring mixed effects, including some benefits such as reduced demand for heating, increased crop yields and increased forest growth. However, as climate change continues, its negative impacts (including more frequent winter floods, endangered ecosystems and increasing ground instability) are likely to outweigh its benefits.
- At 4°C and above, global food production is likely to be seriously affected.
- Rising sea levels will result in tens to hundreds of millions more people flooded each year with warming of 3 or 4°C. There will be serious risks in South East Asia (Bangladesh and Vietnam), small islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific, and large coastal cities, such as Tokyo, New York, Cairo and London.
- Rising sea levels and other climate-driven changes could drive millions of people to migrate: more than a fifth of Bangladesh could be under water with a 1m rise in sea levels, which is a possibility by the end of the century.
- A 5 or 10% increase in hurricane wind speed, linked to rising sea temperatures, is predicted approximately to double annual damage costs, in the USA.
- In the UK, annual flood losses alone could increase from 0.1% of GDP today to 0.2 - 0.4% of GDP once the increase in global average temperatures reaches 3 or 4°C.
- Heat waves like that experienced in 2003 in Europe, when 35,000 people died and agricultural losses reached $15 billion will be commonplace by the middle of the century.
- At higher temperatures, developed economies face a growing risk of large-scale shocks - for example, the rising costs of extreme weather events could affect global financial markets through higher and more volatile costs of insurance.
- With 5-6°C warming - which is a real possibility for the next century - existing models that include the risk of abrupt and large-scale climate change estimate an average 5-10% loss in global GDP, with poor countries suffering costs in excess of 10% of GDP.
- It’s anticipated that climate change will increase the likelihood of flooding. We expect that winters will get significantly wetter. On the wettest days of the year, this could mean an increase in rainfall of 40 per cent or more by the 2080s.
SINCE WRITING THIS REPORT THERE HAS BEEN OVER 900,000 THOUSAND BABIES BORN THAT’S ONE EVERY FOUR SECONDS AND YET THE GOVERNMENT STATES POPULATION IS DECEASING …..
“ONLY YOU CAN MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN - FAILURE IS NO LONGER AN OPTION”
Dr J C Dimetri V.M.D, B.E.S, Ma, PhD , MEnvSc - info@international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk
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