Sometimes it is just hard to be so connected to a constant stream of news about our planet; emails, Tweets, text, social media, meetings, Skype and phone calls. This week all those sources of information seemed to stream a non-stop borage of bad news.
We were reminded that the battle to end cetacean captivity continues despite a small but significant victory in the OSHA-SeaWorld verdict in Florida. Meanwhile, in Maryland, some fishermen decided to hang a dead thresher shark as a trophy and blog a heinous description of killing and cleaning it. Then a team of 22 scientists' extensive research published in 'Nature', no less, stated bluntly that, yes, we are in fact headed towards a global ecological disaster -- at an exponentially increasing rate. Another group of scientists is under attack by BP to get not only their raw data but also their personal emails. And finally, the zombie apocalypse is suddenly, apparently, a reality!
There were two bright spots: first, the NY state bill to ban the sale, possession and trade of shark fins passed committee without any damaging amendments and second, there was a lovely story about a rescued orca surviving in the wild for ten years. But for some reason, this week, these positive sign posts seemed insignificant on the troubled path of conservation.
So what's an optimist to do? What is the point of working diligently and passionately to protect the oceans if it's all just going to hell in a fishing basket anyway? Now this isn't so much a crisis of spirit as much as a need to stop, exhale, and review. So where are we now, we few, we who still believe that somehow we are productively working towards a better world -- on land and sea?
The answer is this. We knew this challenge would last throughout our lives and beyond and this is just one week; there have been and will be good weeks again. We find solace and satisfaction in our advocacy. There are films to make, petitions to sign and share, rallies to attend, surveys to collect, and yes, blogs to write.
Our cumulative voices are getting louder. This is our mantra.
And there is always the sea itself. When I look out across the hypnotic, gleaming water, I'm transfixed not by the sunlight on the surface but by what I remember swims below; another living world of still vibrant reefs and schooling sharks, migrating whales and spawning tuna. Because we know, we care and because we care we have no choice but to 'stay calm and carry on'.
Back to work...
