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Decline Or Gain | Environmental Politics
During 2024 there has been a number of articles written in the media and discussed on national radio in regards to big conservation organisations which are charity based. These organisations often advocate the work they do by the research and publications that are put together and then spoon fed to the masses or used as an arm twister towards politicians or government , when it suits that is.
One is the WWF who is a known around the world as their slogan can often be seen in advertising campaigns and the other is WCL also known as the Wildlife and Countryside Link. I have always been suspicious of the big concerns such as the WWF, Born Free and the RSPB. I have had dealing’s with all three in the past and have ALWAYS found that they have their own agendas which most involves asking to join, adopting and animal or just generally poncing money from the public. Out of interest I have just googled the WWF and the first link that came up was not the work of the WWF but how we can give them cash. I for one have never liked the idea of adopt an animal which is why I have never done it with my conservation business Wings of Wales. I was under the impression that when you adopt, that being lives with you, and what is the fascination with having a cert to say that you have adopted Charlie the dolphin from who knows where, does Charlie really see any of that money. Where does this money really go? By the way, and with an honest heart, do you think it would be better to have a vulture as the logo for the WWF, OR the Panda. Both are wonderful however one is not sustainable in the wild as it struggles to breed but is very cuddly and fluffy, the other is drastically disappearing but plays a huge role in cleaning our ecosystems and preventing disease, In short it eats dead things. I just think this is a marketing strategy to the many who want to poke and stroke but don’t really understand the key impacts that species like vultures give back, poor education on the species and not enough time invested in showcasing how magnificent these birds are and their role in keeping earth clean.
My personal favorite is when you see the RSPB parked outside supermarkets or at events. When walking by I have been regularly asked to join or donate to this amazing cause, then when I ask the person or persons what are current local or national projects that my money will go to 99% will laugh and say “I have no idea to be honest I just get paid to get members joining” What a joke, it just goes to show how much they really think of us when they have people purely asking for our money with no real interest in where it is going. I personally think its disgraceful and think this proves my discussion on how these big institutions are just money making businesses.
So where is this all leading? I live in the desert that is known as Wales, where one of its most wonderful rivers the Wye is currently in a real health crisis mainly down to mass productions of chickens. Why is this you may ask, well its due to the amount of chickens being produced in the region, there has been a massive increase in phosphates into the river by the spreading of all the manure from the chicken farms onto the local landscape by the farming community. This finds its way through the ground over time and ends up in the water table. This has caused algea blooms which take the oxygen out of the river causing many species to die such as fish, plants and birds. The chickens are farmed for Tesco and guess what? Tesco was a recent working partner of the WWF for 6 years. The Gaurdian have claimed in their report that the WWF has shelved a critical report showcasing the cause of the environmental impact as they did not want to upset the apple cart with their dear friends who have given them 6 million quid over those 6 years, I shake my head in knowing that this is probably happening all the time with these big so called environmental charities, Shame on you WWF.
The other organisation WCL of which the WWF are a paid member of theirs released a paper 3 weeks ago stating the British countryside was a colonial white racist space. I had a good look into the report which can be found below,feel free to fill your boots. https://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/WCL_Response_Race_and_the_Environmental_Emergency_November_2023.pdf
I find these sort of publications not really any benefit to the UK landscape. They state that minority ethniserties would benefit from spending time in quality environments, well lets be honest we dont really have many of these quality places left. In stead of the box ticking beuocratic guff being produced we should be investing more time in restoring our landscapes and even making sure they are not visited by the masses. Re introduction of key species and a better sustainable way of farming needs putting in place, not lets just get every Tom , Dick and Harry and Diane out on the footpaths.
Looking at the report I was also a little concerned about the organisations asked for the thoughts, not because of ethnicity but because of the lack of mountainering skills I just noted by what I could see on their websites . I was a little concerned by what I saw on their videos to be honest, groups of 50 plus people climbing our highest hills/mountains with equipment that would be more suitable for a walk around Greenwich Park. You could see there was no thought for the environment nor the weather conditions that can quickly come in and cause problems. Then the rescue teams have to go out to find these people who were having a jolly up in what is believed to be a good cause but could put people in danger. I am all for everyone getting access to our green spaces but walking up Snowdonia in sliders, flip flops and unsuitable clothing is not the way to do it.
I asked who put this together for the Parliamentary group, who was paid to do it and what members of the group were involved. The answer back was pretty poor to be honest but that was no surprise.
The paper came from standard Link processes, where full time Link staff (paid out of general funds) draft Link responses, and then members of a working group (in this case our EDI group) are given the chance to comment and then sign on.
The one thing that has struck me is the vastly different agendas that their members have, many do not agree with each others agendas which does make me frown. I do wonder if any of the other members will bring up the fact that the WWF have shelved a serious report on the basis of taking 6 million of their buddies Tesco. Or will it all be put to one side and forgotten as it may get in the way of more important business like raising the fact Britians countryside is a colonial racist environment.
It is such a shame these big concerns have so much power over many of us, it is also a shame that the local conservationists cant make the decisions on what would be best to put in place, they know their landscape better than anyone. But on a serious note, the next time you are confronted by these organisations have a good think about where your money really is going, could it be to pay people to do some work that is then shelved because they dont want to upset their mates or to publish a papers that could even stir up situations that are not of any benefit to anyone.
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Wings Of Wales was established in 2015 by conservation photographer and bird of prey handler Lewis Phillips.
Bird of prey flying team, based in the stunning region of the Brecon Beacons.
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