16 June 2006

Chainsawing the tree of life

'Give a fish a home', 'Dog/cat needs a home', so run the advertisements appealing to that noble feeling of empathy. The exotic fish is extracted with dynamite out of its tropical habitat and floats, if it survives, in some Manly shop or restaurant thumped by mega stereos, till it drops. Elephants are dislocated out of their environments to do time, serving as family amusement in animal-prisons. Life is only tolerated, if it is domesticated and subjugated to the arbitrary whims of an (pet) owner. Commercialising exotic flora and fauna establishes consuming patterns.

The human species' insatiable hunger for resources and space deprives more and more species of a habitat at ever increasing speed. Ineffective international stewardship of the biodiversity of life on this planet sets the example for regional and individual practices. Most species are being robbed of their homes. Australia tops the charts of eradicating life on the planet. In 'New South Wales, 1004 native species, populations and ecological communities are listed as threatened with extinction.' The land and its native species are rolled up like a carpet, chucked or flogged off. This process ensures economic and ecological poverty. Large branches of the tree of life are irreversibly chain-sawed. It will never ever resprout.
Why not provide habitat/home for Australian plants and animals around your houses, in the subs, in the city and in parks? Encourage clean water and food sources for endemic species. Observe at a distance and enjoy living in an urban wilderness together.
Extinction and a world full of poodles
Update 18.06.06: Australians are actually reversing the historical trend and are converting dwellings for human beings into stables. As reported in the SMH,(paper edition, 17.06.06). 64 % of households, that is 7.5 million places keep dogs & cats. It is the largest pet owning community per capita. The task now is to make real estate 'pet friendly', convert flats, gardens and houses to stables for reliable life companions.

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