Alert:
We are sending a delegation to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting and need your support:
Request for Funds to Attend IWC 64
Since 1997 Will Anderson and Tami Drake have attended five International Whaling Commission (IWC) meetings. We attended those meetings specifically to address aboriginal subsistence whaling (ASW) quotas. After those quotas are issued, the contracting governments divide the quotas between themselves through multilateral agreements. These quotas have been allocated every five years. Now, in 2012 at the 64th meeting of the IWC in Panama, another quota decision will be made, this time for six years. We will not have another chance to influence these quotas until 2018. As proposed, up to 2,430 whales will be killed under ASW with more allowed to be wounded and escape.
Three species of whales are included in the joint ASW US/Russian/Saint Vincent and the Grenadines proposal: humpback whales; gray whales; and bowhead whales. The Greenland proposal includes four: fin, minke, bowhead, and humpback whales. The quotas to kill them include five areas from Siberia to the Caribbean. Aboriginal subsistence whaling is a highly controversial, divisive, and sensitive issue. Few organizations are willing to oppose it entirely. Because of this, important aspects of this issue are not closely examined by the IWC member governments.
When positions are taken at the IWC, distinctions are usually made regarding the appropriateness and need for ASW on a case-by-case basis. In recent years the IWC has accepted “cultural” need as sufficient when demonstrated nutritional need should have been required. In addition, the ASW proposals are strategically lumped into one proposal, thus allowing the extraordinary differences in each case to be ignored. For instance, the Makah of Neah Bay, Washington State, supported by the U.S. Government without due diligence with regard to the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act, have proposed a highly controversial resumption of whaling that has incurred significant opposition but will be included in the US/Russian/Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joint proposal. This makes the Makah hunt and other highly questionable proposals nearly impervious to challenge. Other ASW proposals are approved though they involve horrendously inhumane killing methods even by whaling standards.
The joint US/Russian/Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ASW proposal includes the killing of humpback whales and their calves in the Caribbean. The Greenland proposal allows aboriginal whales to continue selling their whale meat to the public in supermarkets. As part of our advocacy at the IWC, we will address the ample documentation of the lack of necessity and cruelty of these hunts.
In the Green Vegans delegation, there will be three of us who can provide a uniquely complimentary and insightful ability to address these issues. We have the experience and leeway to oppose aboriginal subsistence whaling as it exists today. While some organizations will oppose one or two instances, none are willing to vigorously oppose them all. While we have advocated for whales for a number of highly respected organizations, we founded Green Vegans in 2009 to introduce a new perspective to deep ecology environmentalism and species’ rights — including the ASW debate and other issues at IWC. Green Vegans has been accredited by the IWC to attend as observers. As such, we will have access to the member country delegations where we will lobby for their support for the protection of whales.
Our professional histories have demonstrated that as we advocate for the whales, we do so while consciously showing respect for people who will strongly disagree with us. Will, Tami, and Toni have worked many years on behalf of gray whales. Will Anderson had lived in Alaska for seven years, traveled to two of the ten whaling villages there, and campaigned against Arctic offshore oil drilling after he founded an office in Anchorage for a major international environmental organization. His three decades of nonprofit experience includes hands-on advocacy and campaigning in dozens of environmental and species rights campaigns for several other organizations. From his kayak, and under government permit, Will has recorded both the sounds and photo identifications of gray whales in their Mexican calving lagoons. He has worked to block the resumption of Makah whaling since 1996. Will continues to focus his interests on the larger questions of human ecology through Green Vegans / The New Human Ecology.
Tami Drake was a co-founder and International Director of Ocean Defense International and has worked on the Makah Whaling issue since 1999, lobbying in Washington D.C. and attending three IWC meetings specifically regarding ASW. Tami also co-founded America’s Whale Alliance in 2005. This coalition of over 80 US groups was founded by Ocean Defense International in response to the apparent change of direction of the US government regarding its opposition to the resumption of commercial whaling. AWA’s unprecedented “Stop Whaling!” bus tour, garnered incredible support from West Coast residents. A 35-ft. long California municipal bus that was converted to run on bio-diesel was transformed into a whale bus by dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly for weeks.
Toni Frohoff has a Ph.D. in Behavioral Biology, M.S. in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences. She has co-authored two books ("Dolphin Mysteries: Unlocking the Secrets of Communications" (co-authored w/K. Dudzinski, Yale University Press 2008) & "Between Species: Celebrating the Dolphin-Human Bond (w/Brenda Peterson (Sierra Club/UC Press 2003), and has contributed to over a dozen books on wildlife and has written papers to the IWC Scientific Committee in the past. Toni is a marine mammal scientist whose expertise includes both wild and captive species. Her research projects of almost thirty years have focused in the impacts of human activities on the welfare and conservation of other species. She speaks internationally (e.g. TED Global and the Smithsonian Institute) and has consulted for numerous government and non-profit agencies, including the First Nations Department of Fisheries. With Will Anderson, her compelling yet respectful arguments against the resumption of Makah whaling have been highly publicized in the print, television, and documentary media.
Will, Tami, and Toni also traveled with the late Makah Elder, Alberta “Binki” Thompson to several IWC meetings to speak against the killing of gray whales by Mrs. Thompson’s tribe – and were present when a friendly gray whale swam up to her in Mexico as she reached out. The whale rose up to touch her.
The odds for preventing the joint ASW proposal are admittedly not high. Yet, we may gain some modification and lessen the number of whales who will be killed, as well as bring this issue to the public’s attention. Regardless, we can assure you, there is not nearly enough being done to question and oppose the ASW proposal to kill those 2,430 whales. They are not being represented to the extent they need. With your help, we will make sure that the biocentric perspective of the whales will be heard. We will lobby the 89 governments represented at IWC 64 to blunt the ASW proposal if not stop it. As Green Vegans, we will make certain that all present at IWC 64 and the global media covering the event will hear of and report about the plight of these underserved whales.
To respond to this problem, $8,212 is required for us to travel to Panama and lobby IWC delegates and the media for 11 days from June 25 to July 6. Any funds received in excess of that will be retained by Green Vegans for our ongoing campaign for whales. Green Vegans / The New Human Ecology is a registered corporation and charity in Washington State. Donations may be tax deductible depending upon the laws of your particular country.
In U.S. dollars, the expenses we need to cover are:
IWC NGO Observer fee for 3 Green Vegans Observers: $1,768
Airfare for 3: $2,150
Lodging and meals for 11 days, 3 people: $3,600
Incidentals (transportation, printing services, etc.) $ 700
Total: $8,212
The IWC charges nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like Green Vegans a fee to attend. Incidentals like local transportation, printing services, internet charges and calling fees (we will be using our personal cell phone plans and computer internet services to the extent we can), hotel office fees, and supplies may be as high as $700.00 or more.
How To Donate
We have a PayPal account on the Green Vegans website to accept your donations. You do not need a PayPal account to make a donation. You can also send checks in U.S. funds directly to Green Vegans. In return, we will send you a receipt, a pin with the Green Vegans logo for all donations above $25.00, and our 11 days of work to save those 2,430 whales from unnecessary suffering and death.
We cannot wait until June to know if you will support those whales. We must raise one-half of the funds within the next three weeks, and the rest shortly thereafter. If we fall short of our fundraising goal, we will still be able to send one advocate although the gravity of this issue warrants the three of us attending. Please respond now.
So please, go to our SUPPORT menu on this website and donate. Tell the whaling world you will not forget these whales. If you have questions, please email will@greenvegans.org.
Thank you.
Will Anderson / Tami Drake / Toni Frohoff, Ph.D.
Building Consensus for The New Human Ecology Platform
Our ongoing mission is spreading our message about The New Human Ecology and the Seven Results to individuals and organizations. These campaigns serve as vehicles for implementing and explaining the Green Vegans comprehensive New Human Ecology approach to solving the largest issues of our time. For individuals, we ask you to begin by joining, donating, and becoming part of the Green Vegan community. We also seek endorsements of The New Human Ecology from a wide spectrum of organizations. Already, we've had an organization that advocates for a reduction in the human population sign on to a petition to list a small population of gray whales as endangered.
Vegan Visibility
There are millions of vegans and vegetarians around the world. When others see "Vegan" and "The New Human Ecology," it reminds everyone about what you believe in and why. It plants seeds in fertile minds, strengthens self-identity and resolve, builds a movement, and ultimately establishes a dominant cultural norm. We have "visibility" clothing, bookmarks, and other items with the Green Vegans / New Human Ecology logo imprinted.
Check our Merchandise page from the "Support" tab. Post the www.GreenVegans.org link in your social media connections like FaceBook and Twitter wherever you are. Be active, visible, professional, and a role model for our species.
Gray Whales
Eastern North Pacific Gray Whales are under increasing pressure as their habitat changes drastically due to global warming and human activities both on and offshore. On July 14, 2010, Green Vegans petitioned the state of Washington to list as endangered approximately 200 gray whales that have been identified recently as being genetically unique. A new scientific publication recommended these whales, "the 200," be treated as a distinct population segment (DPS) which in the U.S. can be the basis for a finding of endangered species protections even though the larger population of the species remains "non-endangered." Thirteen national and regional organizations signed on endorsing our petition. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) responded with a denial to our petition on the last possible day, citing their interpretation of state statutes with which we disagree. They are, in our view, applying the law arbitrarily and inconsistently when viewd from their past actions. The Makah tribe has already killed one of them.
Green Vegans is studying a legal review of the state's response. In the meanwhile, we have responded to the state's denial and have now requested the agency to conduct a species status review which they were supposed to do by year 2002. Without protections specific to this population, if the department continues with its current interpretation of the ststues, then all 200 hundred of these whales could be lost to habitat destruction, vessel traffic, oil spills, and lack of protections unique to their needs without sparking an uplisting to threatened or endangered. This would eliminate nearly every gray whale who spends a significant time in state waters and fills a specific ecological niche essential for healthy state marine ecosystems.
UPDATE: Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., a scientist who serves on our board of advisors, notified us of a recent article from New Scientist magazine. It describes how mathematical and genetic modeling of the gray population indicates these 200 whales we are campaigning to protect are the remnants of a once larger population that responded to the last ice age by feeding differently and not migrating to the then frozen northern latitudes where they originally foraged.
Wolves
Wolf hunts are rapidly expanding at the behest of hunters and animal agriculturalists. At best, in the presence of hunters and animal agribusiness, wolves may be allowed to survive in small numbers on reservations, but never permitted to function as meaningful and adequate roles in ecosystems.Most recently, we've seen the hunting and ranching sector renew its slaughter of wolves in Idaho and Montana.
Alaska has a long history of wolf depopulation to enhance hunter success in taking moose and caribou and is poised to add bear baiting with garbage to their allowed practices. We have already demonstrated, using the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's own data that the highest numbers of wolves they want to kill corresponse to high hunting rates for elk in the same areas.
Here is the unique contribution of Green Vegans. We need ecosystems, not just a small representation of wolves whose social structures are being fragmented by hunters creating more destabilized packs. Humans are no longer adaptive to ecosystems. Green Vegans like yourself demand far less impact upon ecosystems and have no need for ranching and the hunting – oriented wildlife management policies that unnecessarily tweak ecosystems towards greater loss of biodiversity. Because we're Green Vegans, we can go further into the root causes of biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction.
This persecution of wolves is the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate how the new human ecology is the game changer environmentalists, ecologists, human overpopulation organizations, social and economic justice projects, and animal rightists have been seeking. There are a number of great organizations working to protect wolves. We are adding our own voice and unique approach. See our October 2010 newsletter for more information. You can sign up for our newsletters (use our "Stay Connected" box found on this site) and volunteer at volunteer@greenvegans.org
Bears
During the coming winter, we have bear "hibernation time" to recruit additional volunteers in Oregon for our work on the Bear Aware program – a model already successful in other areas. Contact TamiDrake@greenvegans.org
Birds
Did you know that in North America an estimated 34,000,000 – yes, thirty-four million – songbirds are killed while trying to fly through glass they think is not there? And did you know that city lights can trap birds for reasons that are not completely understood (but just think of it as a disorientation)? In fact, during the night, the 911 Ground Zero memorial lights are periodically turned off so birds can escape and be on their way.
Green Vegans has started to learn what can be done about this issue from the experiences of others, many of whom are involved with the American Bird Conservancy. However, we are too short staffed to proceed. We need a gaggle of vegan volunteers who will work as a team under the direction of the Green Vegan board to study, learn, and plan a campaign for Seattle and Bellevue (think tall, shiny buildings, though short ones are a problem, too). Once established, we'll identify in conjunction with other organizations which urban areas are not being covered. We also need a volunteer lead biologist for this campaign. Email volunteer@greenvegans.org
Chickens, Chickens, Chickens
Washington State is a major producer of chickens and eggs. We are initiating a campaign to investigate and report on the chicken condition in Washington State. Bird for bird, you will reduce more suffering through this campaign by saving lives and educating the public. We do not buy into the green and humane-washing sector that promotes free-range products. Green Vegans is looking for EXPERIENCED campaigners to lay the groundwork in conjunction with the board for a campaign. A minimum one year, part-time commitment is needed. Contact volunteer@greenvegans.org
Go Vegan / Bypass Vegetarian
From an environmental and humane perspective, there is little difference between eating meat and choosing a vegetarian ovo/lacto diet. We applaud you for being vegetarian or considering that change. Green Vegans can direct you towards the educational resources that will support you in your transition to the vegan lifestyle – your personal vegan human ecology. "Going vegan" is the most effective action you can take to make a profound difference for ecosystems, people, and individuals of other species. Go to our "links" page for the resources other organizations are providing.
Challenging Traditional Wildlife Management Agencies
The New Human Ecology requires we push for change in the public agencies that "manage" wildlife and ecosystems. State-level agencies that encourage hunting and trapping for revenue and protecting animal agriculture have warped ecosystems for narrow outcomes. In 2006, there were only 12.51 million hunters, just 4.2% of the U.S. population. They have control over state wildlife management agencies entirely out of proportion to their numbers. They have also sucessfully convinced the people and legislatures in ten states to make hunting a constitutional right. Yes, they changed their state constitutions! We seek to change that as we decrease the demand for animal agriculture and hunting through our dietary and lifestyle choices.
Human Population
There are now 6.8 billion people populating the planet and per capita consumption is rising – but not equitably. Some are consuming unsustainably while others cannot sustain themselves. Humans are adding 80,000,000 copies of ourselves every year to Earth's overburdened ecosystems. Enough. This is a "third rail" issue for most organizations. But we must address this core cause of ecosystem destruction and human misery. Though we will make this message clear in our campaigns, this is a specialized area. Checking our links area for the organizations we recommend.
Whales and Dolphins in Captivity
We are building on our relationships with regional and national organizations to keep the spotlight on whales in captivity. Lolita, the Southern Resident Orca whale, was taken from her family in Puget Sound, Washington, and placed in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida. She has been swimming in tight circles for thirty-nine years. She needs you and the people of Florida to return to her home and family. Check out our friends at Orca Network for in-depth information: www.orcanetwork.org
Check back often as we will be expanding our campaign base and reporting.
Whale photo credit: Howard Garrett 2008 | Orca Network | www.orcanetwork.org
