We Animals Media’s Post

Grace van Deelen of Vox covers Our Honor’s investigation into the National Pork Board’s Real Pork Trust Consortium, the $8 million dollar public University-based program to increase demand for pig slaughter-based protein. Dr. Crystal Heath argues that working to increase demand for these products is like “increasing public trust in coal mining-based energy production, lead-based paint manufacturing, leaded fuel-dependent transportation, asbestos-dependent construction methods, or DDT-based pest control.” Is it the role of academic institutions to serve as the PR wing for the meat industry? https://lnkd.in/e8FP4fWr #vsd #vetmed #veterinarymedicine #animalwelfare #animalrights #slaughterfreen #vetmed #nomv #farmtofork #farmtotable #animalrights #animalwelfare #farmvet #foodtruth #vegan #Plantbased #chickens

Indigenous approach to agriculture could change our relationship to food, help the land Today, many tribes have a long-term goal of controlling their agriculture and food supply, ensuring culturally appropriate food. Check out this story on usatoday.com: https://lnkd.in/gV_EHt-y

🐟 Thousands of aquaculture salmon are believed to have broken free from sea pens in Patreksfjörður, Northwest Iceland, creating a potential environmental catastrophe as they infiltrate Icelandic rivers. The risk of intermingling with wild salmon populations has raised alarms among experts, who have long cautioned against the potentially disastrous consequences of such incidents. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority has ordered a formal inquiry into Arctic Sea Farm, amidst allegations of legal breaches related to fish farming. This company operates several sea pens in the Icelandic Westfjords. The controversy surrounding sea pen salmon farming, due to its inherent environmental risks such as disease spread and mixing of farmed with wild salmon, has intensified over the years. Land-based salmon farming emerges as a seemingly less harmful alternative, gaining momentum in Iceland, leaving the question of whether it will ultimately replace sea farming. ✏️ Þorgerður Anna Gunnarsdóttir in today's Northern Europe top story

Biodiversity offsets questioned as an “instrument to sanction perpetual destruction” as governments and The World Bank increasingly apply them to development projects “The limited number of studies show decidedly mixed outcomes. In 2019, a survey of 32 papers on whether the offset sites recreated the biodiversity that was lost found that one-third of them, all involving wetlands, had some level of success, while none of the forest-based offsets met that goal. Even one of the most notable successes — a high-profile project in Madagascar on track to offset tree loss — has not proven it will make up for other biodiversity harms, scientists concluded last year. “We know embarrassingly little about the effectiveness of offsets,” even though they’ve become an important policy tool, said Julia Jones, a professor of conservation science at Bangor University in Wales who co-authored the Madagascar study,” writes environmental investigative reporter Lisa Strong for ProPublica. Zu Ermgassen et al (2019)'s research concluded, “No net loss (NNL) biodiversity policies mandating the application of a mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, remediate, offset) to the ecological impacts of built infrastructure are proliferating globally.  . . . Approximately one-third of NNL policies and individual biodiversity offsets reported achieving NNL, primarily in wetlands, although most studies used widely criticized area-based outcome measures. The most commonly cited reason for success was applying high offset multipliers (large offset area relative to the impacted area). We identified large gaps between the global implementation of offsets and the evidence for their effectiveness: despite two-thirds of the world’s biodiversity offsets being applied in forested ecosystems, we found none of four studies demonstrated successful NNL outcomes for forested habitats or species. We also found no evidence for NNL achievement using avoided loss offsets (impacts offset by protecting existing habitat elsewhere).” ________________________________________ [1] Lisa Strong (June 15, 2023). Out of Balance. ProPublica.  https://lnkd.in/e42XqagW [2] Zu Ermgassen et al. (July 9, 2019). Ecological outcomes of biodiversity offsets under “no net loss” policies: A global review. Conservation Letters. https://lnkd.in/e4KbBuif

The Price of Nature Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) should play a pivotal role in predicting and quantifying the value of stopping environmental crimes and wildlife-related offenses. The impact of these efforts goes far beyond merely intercepting laundered money; it significantly disrupts the operations of those who harm our planet and its wildlife. An insightful article by Vox, The Price of Nature, delves into how we can measure the true value of actions that protect and preserve our natural world. Similarly, FIUs have the capability to evaluate the broader benefits of halting financial flows linked to environmental degradation and wildlife trafficking. By effectively addressing these predicate offenses, FIUs contribute to: - Reducing illegal logging, poaching, and trafficking of endangered species - Protecting vital ecosystems and biodiversity - Preserving natural resources for future generations - Supporting global efforts to combat climate change The true value of fighting against financial crime lies in the long-term benefits to our environment and wildlife. It's about ensuring a sustainable future by dismantling the financial structures that support environmental crimes. Read more about the broader implications of valuing nature and how it intersects with the fight against environmental crime in this compelling Vox article: The Price of Nature https://lnkd.in/eVxCgz7W #FIUs #EnvironmentalCrime #WildlifeProtection #Sustainability #MoneyLaundering #CrimePrevention #Compliance

The Global Forest Watch tool seeks to empower people with the data necessary to improve management and conservation of forest landscapes. But it can also help journalists communicate about deforestation and #land loss. Learn how–register for this virtual Sept. 14 #event today: https://lnkd.in/estFPSj4 World Resources Institute

Take Action—EPA’s Failures Go Beyond Pollinators As Pollinator Week draws to a close, it is important to note that all species—and ecosystems—are threatened by the failure of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform its statutory duties under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The only way to truly protect endangered species, as well as the ecosystem as a whole, is to stop the use of pesticides. Instead of creating a complicated work-around that will not address the urgent health, biodiversity, and climate crises, EPA must cancel registrations of pesticides that harm endangered species and facilitate a widescale conversion to organic practices. >> Tell EPA that to meet its obligations under FIFRA and ESA, it must facilitate a transition to organic practices. Tell Congress to ensure that EPA meets its statutory obligations. https://ow.ly/kQRl50SnArg

The Global Forest Watch tool seeks to empower people with the data necessary to improve management and conservation of forest landscapes. But it can also help journalists communicate about deforestation and #land loss. Learn how–register for this virtual Sept. 14 #event today: https://lnkd.in/estFPSj4 World Resources Institute

Our latest Natural Climate Solutions newsletter is out! Explore developments in emerging strategies in oceanic climate solutions, plus read the transformative story of a farmer who turned adversity to success with regenerative agriculture practices and how companies can harness the power of family-owned forests to mitigate climate change. 👉 Read & subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/g9WBYnaW #NaturalClimateSolutions #Newsletter #RegenerativeAgriculture #BlueCarbon #ClimateChange #CarbonMarkets

Question: How much of our research truly has impact beyond our immediate circles? Too often, critical work – especially on climate change – is hidden behind paywalls or shared exclusively within thematic bubbles. My colleague, Roberto Talenti , and I aim to change this. In the coming weeks, we'll share Roberto's research in various formats to explore the most effective ways to communicate #climate findings and raise awareness. We'll ground each piece in current events to avoid abstract theorizing. Case Study: Europe's Food System Crisis "It is getting more and more strict and more and more difficult to be a farmer." (Dutch farmer, Financial Times). This highlights the unsustainable reality of Europe's food system, a warning echoed by climate scientists. Roberto's research shows that achieving #climateneutrality means more than minor fixes. Current #EUlivestockemission targets are insufficient, and the production systems they rely on are incompatible with both #climategoals and farmers' livelihoods. If policy intends to help both the planet and farmers, prioritizing systemic reductions in intensive livestock farming is essential. This is a difficult but necessary change. If you have suggestions or comments on how to bridge the gap between #climateresearch and impactful action, we would love to hear from you!