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CGF ARTICLES, OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

Sustainable environmental practices: No ‘monkey’ business (2015-02-16)

Advertorial by Terrance M. Booysen

As the world witnesses increasing threats upon our environment with greater imbalances placed upon our planet’s bio-diversity, there is -- with good reason -- heightened concern amongst governments, business corporations and civil society in an attempt to slow down the environmental destruction caused by humans. 
Many pieces of legislation are, and will continue to be implemented across the world; and undoubtedly more governance codes will be written by those people with a moral conscience, knowing that the destruction upon the flora and fauna is most often irreversible.  Besides those who really do care about the environment, some culprits plead ignorance of their ways, while others make fabricated claims in their integrated annual reports.  And while it may be difficult to accept, the balance of people generally just don’t care about their reckless behaviours which impact our fragile eco-systems.

Whether it is well-known politicians, Hollywood celebrities or eco-activists who call for certain order to avert the inevitable disasters linked to climate change or the eradication of various animal and plant species; it seems that not enough is being done to save ourselves from this senseless destruction…and time is racing by fast.

Over the past century or so, a number of animals are already extinct and these include the West African black rhino, the Pyrenean Ibex, the Quagga, the Tasmanian Tiger, the Javan Tiger and the Bubal Hartebeest.  Notably, the current most critically endangered animal species in South Africa are the Pickergill’s Reedfrog, the Cape Vulture, the African Wild Dog, the Blue Crane, not least our cheetahs and rhinos (amongst other).

Indeed, a number of local and international non-profit organisations (NPO) concerned about the welfare of animals have been established to create awareness to this growing problem; where the bio-diversity of our planet is being rapidly destroyed through our unsustainable environmental practices.  Remembering that most NPOs are almost 100% reliant upon donor funding, their very survival to continue their critical work to avoid such disaster lies mostly in the hands of corporate business.  Synonymous to NPO animal welfare names such as Vets Beyond Borders, SPCA, Friends of Animals and Chimp Haven; one also finds the Jane Goodall Institute which defines its values and objectives in the advancement of people to protect and improve the environment for all living things, including chimpanzees of course.  These organisations fulfil a number of vital functions, and one of their most important tasks is to alert society to the atrocities imposed upon the environment and its bio-diversity.  Moreover, they also serve to remind us of our conscience and moral duty to protect our planet’s resources for the generations of the future.

Yet sadly there are few animal activists who are able to withstand the daily pressures of what may at first appear to be a glamourous, out-door and carefree life.  Upon closer inspection into the lives of these special, highly dedicated people who fight the cause of preserving the assets of our earth, their nomadic-type lifestyle -- often living off finite resources -- may not be that glitzy after all.  In fact, in order to survive, one really does need to be somewhat ‘hardcore’ as well as being able to withstand harsh criticism even when it’s unfounded.
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