Menu
All other things beings equal, I prefer not to be only two days into a diagnosis of pneumonia when I fly to another continent. But this time it can’t be helped.
I expect Portorož, Slovenia, to be amazing. Having worked and lived in San Pedro for the last two and a half decades, I have heard countless tales about the beauty of the Adriatic Coast. I will represent the American Cetacean Society at the 66th meeting of the International Whaling Commission. It is important to understand from the beginning what the IWC is and what it is not. The IWC is not a conservation organization; it is a political body and its meetings are pure politics. Half its member nations are here in pursuit and support of a single goal: the resumption of organized commercial whaling. The other half are on a mission on behalf of concerned citizens to hold the line for animal rights. There are no sanctions at stake other than public opinion. It will be a ballet of negotiations, concessions, tricks, ruses, maneuvers, stunts, cajoling, threats, and posturing. And, like with all politics, it is important that we the public keep a close eye on it. We need to let the delegations and their governments know that their citizens appreciate and stand behind their efforts. And we need to let the world know what happens here. I will be a shoestring lobbyist. I will be coordinating conservation strategy with a phalanx of like-minded conservation organizations, I will be cheering on the US and other delegations and will provide them with advice and feedback, I will be seen at the proceedings, and I will report back to you. Thank you for reading this. We can make a difference together, so won’t you please join me? ACS Representative, Bernardo Alps
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
American Cetacean SocietyThe mission of the American Cetacean Society is to protect whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats through public education, research grants, and conservation actions.
ACS Representative, Bernardo AlpsCategories |