Happy Christmas and a Whale of a New Year!

How Will the Sixth Extinction Affect Evolution of Species?

The current extinction crisis, if unchecked, will disrupt evolution to a degree that:

• earth will see a proliferation of pests and a decline of large mammals
• the tropics will no longer be powerhouses for the evolution of new species
• the biodiversity losses will persist for millions of years

Read more at http://www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/myers_knoll.html

Dear Ministers and Humble Fellow Human Beings!

Just to remind us all there are many ambitions to live for in this life. Looking at the essence of everything that has intrinsic value for us we can open up to find more revealing links between our human species and the mysterious world on our planet. With so many thousands of species we share this planet and call it our home. The Earth is a miracle bursting with life. Most outstanding creatures emerging from its evolution. Let’s search for meaningful living and the way we treat each other in this more-than-human world, where I live for you and you live for me. They live for us and we live for them. We care for each other and we share this era of our time in simultaneous co-existence.

Deepening our understanding, letting our imagination run wild, giving birth to a new awareness when time is right. The human population is exponentially exploding... do we understand our humble existence? Are we some kind of decoration, this planet's curlicues with no other meaning but to eat and thrive? Is there something to live for other than to survive?

Going, going, gone. We can never forget what we never had and was gone in a blink, think! What about future generations? How long will money last? Is there a price to pay for millions of years of evolution that is gone forever? The past can't be hidden, it's bones and it's fossil are our vows. They're talking about climate change, they are talking about the end of time as we know it now. Let it come let it be - for who is stupid to see.

I'm here today and in deep devotion I pray, “Please don't listen to me, but try to see! Hour by hour, day by day, minute by minute.. life is wasted, blood washed away. Tears shed, hearts broken, relationships gone. If we break the bond of life, we break our own. If they're not there no more, only a few left by now. If they are gone tomorrow because we watched them die, in front of our eyes. Because some wanted to eat them, turn them into cash and goodbye. Then we should contemplate for a second and melt through that hard shell that covers our feelings in cold frozen ice and delve deeper to warm our hearts. Search for the truth that's inside us, that guides us on our way... that leads us to full awareness that these creatures, that die out there in millions are here to stay.

Like a war shed against our cousins, our brothers and sisters, our family to die. Beaten to death, the blood leaves a note on the frozen shore, where once there was a seal mother and her baby to cry. Now just the bones and a blood trail to show the struggle of life that had no chance to survive. With superior weapons of the human mind. I hear out for the laughter, those men from some kind of race, I think they call themselves human beings – whatever that means. The man who evolved with such wisdom to kill brutally with his means. His wild cousins, his family, his Earth clan for a few pennies and some paper notes. With no deeper meaning but economical growth. Greed - what kind of subsistence? Paid off by illusion, excessive desires and narrow-minded views. Too little consideration of life for abuse. Life of another kind was not accepted, intrinsic value was not understood. God was not scientifically proven in a culture based on materialistic truth.

The hour is dooming, we hear the clock ticking, while we're tapping our feet. The story of the great whale is vanishing from the depths of the oceans, trees kidnapped in pure daylight in the name of economic evaluation. Tomorrow's world fading with rising pollution, the atmosphere changing, insurance exclusion, "from natural disaster", when I paid my contribution.

Once upon a time there lived these majestic sentient beings that hold the magic for us humans of ancient story telling, lost in modern times. Their sheer size incomprehensible to our small minds, we have yet to evolve to such an expandable size, manifold to start truly understanding their significance in our universe. Living beyond the human evolution, beyond a human life, beyond human communication, that had millions of years time to unfold. The story has not yet been told, that this universe can fulfil our lives with such uniqueness and natural beauty - why does man kill?

Yours truthfully

The Great Whale, a Mother Seal and Irene (from Whale of a Time)

Here is a list of Ministers of Fisheries and Agriculture, responsible for Whaling Nations' policies... permitting these atrocities... send an email to remind them what it means to be human in the 21st Century

johanna@althingi.is, postur@for.stjr.is, hrannar.bjorn.arnarsson@for.stjr.is, sturla.sigurjonsson@for.stjr.is, agust.geir.agustsson@for.stjr.is, Katrin.Juliusdottir@for.stjr.is, riomfr@fo.stm.dk, stm@stm.dk, Kanteihp-info@cas.go.jp, postur@for.stjr.is, fisheries@fisheries.is, postmottak@smk.dep.no, postmottak@fkd.dep.no, pmoffice@candw.lc, chieffish@slumaffe.org, deptfish@slumaffe.org, ragna.arnadottir@dkm.stjr.is, sigurdur.gudmundsson@fjr.stjr.is, thor.thorarinsson@fel.stjr.is, ingimar.einarsson@htr.stjr.is, snorri@byggdastofnun.is, gudrun.thorleifsdottir@ivr.stjr.is, helga.bardadottir@ivr.stjr.is, thorsteinn.tomasson@lan.stjr.is, kristinn.hugason@sjr.stjr.is, niels.arni.lund@lan.stjr.is, ingimar.sigurdsson@umh.stjr.is, danfridur.skarphedinsdottir@umh.stjr.is, karitas.gunnarsdottir@mrn.stjr.is, ragnheidur.h.thorarinsdottir@mrn.stjr.is, ingi.v.johannsson@fel.stjr.is, kristin@jafnretti.is, einar.jorundsson@mrn.stjr.is, hanna.sigridur.gunnsteinsdottir@fel.stjr.is, gylfi.kristinsson@fel.stjr.is, external@utn.stjr.is, klm@althingi.is, koho_kaigai@nm.maff.go.jp, adminag@candw.lc, info@sof.or.jp, daishiro_nagahata@nm.maff.go.jp, shingo_oota@nm.maff.go.jp, takanori_ohashi@nm.maff.go.jp, kengo_tanaka@nm.maff.go.jp, tsuyoshi_iwata@nm.maff.go.jp, takagi@ofcf.or.jp, ozaki@intldiv.japantuna.or.jp, dgoodman@spa.att.ne.jp, ggomez@icr-unet.ocn.ne.jp, JDB00775@nifty.ne.jp

Here is a list of Ministers of Fisheries and Agriculture, responsible for Seal Hunting Nations' policies... permitting these atrocities... send an email to remind them what it means to be human in the 21st Century

pm@pm.gc.ca, ashfield.k@parl.gc.ca, LebelD@parl.gc.ca, GoodyG@parl.gc.ca, Fletcher.S@parl.gc.ca, Yelich.L@parl.gc.ca, Merrifield.R@parl.gc.ca, calgary@ablonczy.com, AblonD@parl.gc.ca, guergh@parl.gc.ca, oconnor.g@parl.gc.ca, Lunn.G@parl.gc.ca, Shea.G@parl.gc.ca, Raitt.L@parl.gc.ca, Aglukkaq.L@parl.gc.ca, MooreJ@parl.gc.ca, ParadC@parl.gc.ca, Kenney.J@parl.gc.ca, Ritz.G@parl.gc.ca, vanloan.p@parl.gc.ca, HillJ@parl.gc.ca, Verner.J@parl.gc.ca, flaherty.j@parl.gc.ca, Clement.T@parl.gc.ca, Cannon.L@parl.gc.ca, bairdj@parl.gc.ca, Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca, Oda.B@parl.gc.ca, finleyD@parl.gc.ca, AmbroR@parl.gc.ca, ToewsV@parl.gc.ca, DayS@parl.gc.ca, MacKay.P@parl.gc.ca, StrahC@parl.gc.ca, lebreton.m@parl.gc.ca, Thompson.G@parl.gc.ca, jean-pierre.blackburn@agr.gc.ca, BlackJ@parl.gc.ca, NichoR@parl.gc.ca, HarpeS@parl.gc.ca

Climate Debate with Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

Irene Schleining, Director of Whale of a Time said, that "I think that we got to really push the reasons for change. There is a lot of controversy and polarisation on climate change issues. We need to put the emphasis on the question of should we maintain “business as usual” or is this also a change of consciousness. We need to realise that climate change is not a business question anymore because should we win the business instead of nature then we’ll be out of business soon. I think that priority has to be given to the fact that nature is not going to play our games. Nature is going to play by the law of nature. We’re loosing species at an unprecedented rate. What value has the atmosphere to our lives. What value has an ecosystem and biodiversity for our atmosphere? I think that these are the questions that should be taken into consideration for a sustainable future."

Biodiversity loss is undermining global development

Links:

Policy suggestion in Science

Professor James Mallet

Centre for Ecology and Evolution

Goals set to alleviate extreme poverty will not be met unless we address the accelerating rate of biodiversity loss, warn UCL scientists in a paper published in the latest issue of Science.

Professor James Mallet and Professor Sandra Knapp – the co-directors of UCL’s Centre for Ecology and Evolution – have joined with scientists from the Zoological Society of London and other eminent biodiversity scientists and policy makers led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University to draw the world’s attention to the fact that development problems will not be solved if policy makers continue to ignore the environment.

The scientists write that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aim to halve extreme poverty by 2015, but that these ambitions are being compromised by our inability to live sustainably.

The authors call for more research into the complex links between biodiversity and poverty, so that informed decisions can be made about environmental services, such as land use, to the benefit of both poverty alleviation and conservation.

As the world spectacularly fails to meet the targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity to reduce biodiversity loss in 2010, the authors highlight the urgent need to set new achievable targets within the remaining MDG period.

Professor Mallet said: “Loss of biodiversity is bound to make people poorer in the long run. This policy forum document, supported and underwritten by a large number of British conservationists and biodiversity specialists, argues that we need more integrated thinking both in poverty alleviation and in biodiversity conservation.

“We have signed up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which aim to halve extreme poverty by 2015. We are also committed, via, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in biodiversity loss. Therefore, we need to find means of poverty reduction which at the same time will impact the environment and biodiversity as little as possible, given the goals. We need joint policies, not a piecemeal approach.

“Threatened species are often (though not always) found in areas where poverty problems are greatest. Our piece argues for better research into effects of poverty reduction measures on biodiversity, and for policy makers to adopt a more synergistic strategy to ensure, as far as possible, compliance to both MDG and CBD commitments.”

To find out more, follow the links at the top of this item.

Image: Map of poverty and potential biodiversity loss, showing the level of poverty (proxied by the log rate of human infant mortality) combined with the log number of threatened species of mammals, birds, and amphibians per one-degree grid square. White areas represent missing data

UCL Context

The Centre for Ecology and Evolution is a joint venture between UCL, the Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London), Natural History Museum, Imperial, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway and Kew Gardens, and has strong links with other institutions in London. It is a centre of excellence in research and teaching based on the understanding that ecology and evolution are vibrant, basic sciences, and research in these areas underpins our understanding of conservation, agriculture and medicine.

Related news

Copenhagen climate change conference vital for human future

Mainstreaming disability within the UN Millennium Development Goals

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE

"Doctor, I have an ear ache."
2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"

Whale of a Time has been nominated a Finalists of the Archant London Environmental Awards 2009

Whale of a Time is proud to announce that the Whale of a Time Community has been nomminated a finalist of the

 Archant London Environmental Awards 2009.

UNEP/CBD Business and Biodiversity Meeting

30 Nov - 3 December | Jakarta


www.cbd.int

World Economic Forum - Global Agenda Summit

20 - 22 November 09 | Dubai, UAE


http://www.weforum.org/en/about/GlobalAgendaCouncils/index.htm

Annual Science Lecture 2009: The Value of Nature

The Value of Nature

16 November 2009

£13.50

£10.00 concessions (over 60s, unemployed, Members, Corporate Patrons)

Doors and bar open from 18.45

Admittance to lecture from 19.30

Leading economist and green initiative leader Pavan Sukdhev presents this year's highly topical Annual Science Lecture on The Value of Nature, and weighs up how biodiversity loss will affect the world's economy.

You don't need to be an expert to enjoy this fascinating lecture in the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings of the Museum's Central Hall.

News 24 - Humans 'wiping out capital'

Cape Town - The world was losing as much potential capital annually through the destruction of forests as was wiped off the major markets in last year's financial crisis, an economist warned on Friday.

Read more here!

Opportunities in Performing Arts…

Opportunities in Performing Arts…

Jungle Theatre Company is offering a FREE 2 year training course to 18-25 year olds with some acting experience or theatre exposure, leading to job opportunities in children’s socio-environmental theatre. The programme will include various performance skills; facilitation; prop and costume making and equip trainees with tools to become professionals in the arts industry. The programme includes the creation and performance of new works, which will be toured to schools as part of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund funded project.

To apply please send a letter of motivation/CV and copy of ID to info@jungletheatre.co.za or fax 021 788 5643 by 20th November 2009. Phone 021 788 5641 for more information. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an audition on 1st December 2009 in Kalk Bay.

There are no registration or attendance fees.

Transport stipends will available for the selected trainees,

for the duration of the course.

The Cove

The End Of The Line

A great educational documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing premiered at Sundance Film Festival. 

Is it a wake-up call for all of us? Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think and act.

Please watch the trailer of the forthcoming film:

Rainforests under threat!!!

Images show vast tracts of land cleared to grow palm oil sit alongside beautiful shots of natural world threatened by deforestation in a poignant new exhibition at Kew Gardens.

Focus on the Rainforests highlights the threat facing jungle in the Amazon Basin, Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia and the importance of its role in fighting climate change.

Sounds, video and even smells will accompany the images taken by Spanish photographer Daniel Beltra, who won this year's Prince's Rainforests Project Award at the Sony World Photography Awards.

Opens on Satruday and runs until 6th December. The showcase will then tour to Paris and Berlin.

Our Generation Promo

This project started out in June 2007, in response to the Howard Government’s controversial “Emergency Intervention” into Aboriginal communities in Australia’s remote Northern Territory. All in the name of “protecting children”, the Intervention took away all existing Aboriginal land rights, suspended the Racial Discrimination Act and placed over 70 communities under compulsory government control. Subsequent government measures have had little to do with directly improving the wellbeing of children, but instead have disempowered traditional owners, opened up access to valuable Aboriginal land, and sought to forcibly assimilate Aboriginal culture.... Read more at http://ourgeneration.org.au/about-2

The Lifeline

9 filmmakers, 18,000 miles, 1 Planet to save.

Crossing 7 continents in search of sustainable solutions,

the Lifeline’s mission is to document the people and communities creating ways to save our Planet, and to make these ways accessible to all of Humankind.

…Calling 999…

It's an emergency and we need your help.

Will you become part of the Lifeline for our future? 

With human activity eroding the Earth’s basic life support systems through pollution and mismanagement, environmental deadlines are fast approaching.

On the 9^th September 2009 – 999 day - the Lifeline will send three filmmaking teams from New York, London and Sydney to Buenos Aires, Capetown and Tokyo on an epic 13 month, 18,000-mile journey ending on 10.10.10, Their mission is to document the accomplishments being undertaken by individuals and communities to support the sustainability of our planet and raise human consciousness to save Life on Earth.

The Lifeline’s film making teams are in place and raring to go. Guiding them is Phil Stebbing, a British award winning National Geographic and Discovery Channel filmmaker, Shelly Bomb, an accomplished New York event’s producer and Laurence Singer, a New York attorney specialising in media and non-profit organisations.

Filming the latest solar generation plants, organic farms, fair trade co-operatives, reforestation projects, marine reserves, eco villages and other exciting initiatives, the Lifeline will produce a digital ark of short films for its social networking website, to show how we can all incorporate sustainable ways of living into our own lives.

To further spread the message the Lifeline’s journeys will be made into a six part television series, currently in negotiation with a major broadcaster, to be screened in 2010.  In order to create the definitive worldwide guide to sustainability, The Lifeline will also produce a set of DVD’s to connect and inspire people across the world that humanity can change and create solutions for our future and for generations to come.

There are less than 60 days to launch so we would really appreciate if you could check out our website or to join the Lifeline on facebook.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/181303/4540272?m=646ae194 

It’s time for change, if not now, when and by who? 

www.thelifeline.tv