Greetings everybody, 
It is Day 3 of campaign week, meaning only 2 more days of this series and we have a good one lined up for you tomorrow! But all in good time people. 
Today's post is on...

Save our sharks, save our seas.

All of us marvel at the elegance and beauty of the submerged underwater world, we often see it for its beauty through the colourful fish that inhabit it and marvel at how little we truly now of this aquatic kingdom. As we sit back and watch our television screens we look in awe at such images like the one below...

http://www.planetdive.com.ph/wp-content/themes/theme1091/images/slide1.jpg


But did you know that you cannot have the above picture, without these?


Yes, sharks. But why we hear you say? Two simple words. Apex predator. Sharks were always guaranteed a seat at the head of the food chain, as very few things eat sharks other than... other sharks. It has been widely studied and there is evidence to support that apex predators such as the shark are crucial for the regulation of the food web structure and the ticking over of ecosystem processes. 

So lets take a look at the campaigns that will help our sharks!

Shark finning: 


Sadly, it does what it says on the tin, shark finning is the process of removing the sharks to pectoral fins and the dorsal fin whilst the shark is still alive, and then is  pushed back  of the boat and left to sink to the bottom of the ocean, left to either starve, drown or be eaten by other fish. 
Take a look at the video below, that goes into how important sharks are to the ecosystem they inhabit.
Caution: some  parts of this video shows a shark having its fin being cut off and maybe distressing for some people. 
Over 73 million sharks a year hare finned for the dish shark fin soup, many have described it to be a tasteless meat but is eaten anyway as it carries a stigma with it. Though it is not seen  a lot China is taking a stand against the shark fin soup. 


In a recent merger featuring some of the biggest names in conservation including the NGO shark savers, WildAid, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild and WWF- Hong Kong, they launched the campaign...
With hollywood style broadcast messages, billboards, magazine ads and an online recruiting platform  created by Chinas most popular micro blogging platform, it was not surprising that they got the response they did. More than 100 celebrities joined in the first four weeks, 300,00 users pledged not to consume shark fin through an array of media from texting to photos and so on, it got to the point where they gained  2 million subscribers!! The support was amazing and maintained in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. 
WWF released a leaflet below on the gravity of shark finning: 

What is a Biobunch post without some awesome info graphics and of course only the best for our readers: 




On Biobunch we strive to leave each post we d to end on a good note  and why not with this inspiring story!

This angel is called Maddie Cranston, she is 11 years old and she already hold the titles activist, conservationist and ocean warrior and to top that of she is also an international ambassador for AfriOceans Conservation Alliance. Her path was set in stone when she was 6 years old and watching a movie called 'Oceans', she sat there and watched as she saw the harm and pollution that was inflicted upon our oceans. From this, determination was born, and so was her inner ocean warrior

"I may be little, but here's what I know: it is never too early or late to make positive change happen. Even the smallest effort is important. All you need to do is try, every day. Our oceans and planet are worth saving now and for future generations."
- Maddie, Cranston
Check her page out and keep in touch with her, here
This concludes our post today, we hope that you are inspired to stop shark finning and to stop the needless killing of sharks, if not for the sharks, then for every other living organism in our oceans. Have a look at the links below that will tell you how you can help out!. 
It is people and children like Maddie, Cranston that bring home the message what an individual can do! always remember that
because....
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
-Dr Seuss, The Lorax.
 Image source
Thanks, Maddie and Lorax.
Biobunch, 
over and out. 
Greetings everybody, 

Day 2 of campaign week and although the deforestation post was pretty awesome, we have an equally pressing topic to tell you about, and this is...

Wildlife Crime


Lets start of with asking the simple question, What is wildlife crime? 

According to the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, wildlife crime is considered to be... 
"any action which contravenes current legislation governing the protection of the UK's wild animals and plants"

This is not a battle that is solely fought across the seas, the UK national Wildlife Crime Unit battles with Wildlife crime on the home front, these involve.
1. Hare coursing. 














2. Deer poaching














3. Badger persecution (including baiting and even disturbance of setts)

4. Egg theft/collection
















5. Bird of prey persecution (poisoning, trapping and disturbance of chicks and/or nests. 
















Though the battle is very close to home sadly this does not reduce the fact that wildlife crime is taking place on a global scale. Through the trade in ivory, tortoises, rhino horns, and many other species that are covered by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Not all wildlife crime is animals, it includes wild plants namely the trade of orchids. 

We have compiled a few info graphics, mainly because they are just so amazing  at conveying awesome and hard hitting information, take a look and keep note! 






The ivory trade: 

Probablly one of the most well known aspects of wildlife crime.And causing serious problems... 



How this seed may be the rhinos salvation...



The seed above is causing a storm on the frontline of wildlife crime and now though to be a good weapon to fight the trade of ivory. What you are looking at in the above picture is vegetable ivory, and with the colour and hardness that is strikingly similar to elephant or rhino ivory it is not surprising that you can now find this product in some gorgeous jewellery pieces! 
Leju designs has highlighted just how amazed they are at this new resource and the are very proud to be using a material that is considered to be the only 100% sustainable alternative for ivory. To be honest we are pretty proud of them too!! Not only for using vegetable ivory but also for making such stunning and colourful jewellery pieces!! 




To purchase any of these or to spoil yourself with more designs click here

Not all wildlife crime is so easily avoided...

Be sure to keep up to date with what you can and cannot do, for instance it would be considered a crime against wildlife if you cut your tree back and by doing so you affected the nest of a bird, or you block the access of a bat roost even if this is located in the roof space of a private house you cannot just block it up and if you did you would be... CONVICTED! 


Who to contact if you witness or know of wildlife crime? 

You are able to contact both the SSPCA, RSPCA and even your local authorities. RSPCA  is able to deal with both wildlife crime AND animal welfare issues, it is an awesome animal crime fighting unit. To help them continue on with their work and never-ending fight, find out to donate here


Well that is the end of this post! we do hope that you enjoyed it and that you learnt enough about this heavily campaigned topic, for more information on wildlife crime give this website a look

Remember that you can make the change, read up on wildlife crime so that you are able to identify when it is happening on your own doorstep, donate to RSPCA and SSPCA and help their cause, but most importantly do not invest in ivory products when you now know of the alternative. 
Because...
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
-Dr SeussThe Lorax.













Thanks Lorax, Biobunch, 
over and out! 

Greetings everybody,

This week on Biobunch we have been inspired by the movie the 'Lorax' by Dr. Seuss a movie about corporate greed, deforestation, the decisions of one impacting the many and most importantly our need for nature to balance us out. One of the quotes that the Lorax said related to the importance of the individual, and we will use this quote at the end of each blog post in this series.
So, join us in celebrating our own themed week... Campaign week!!!  We will bring to you all some of the most pressing issues we are facing today over a course of 5 days. Hope you guys enjoy. 

This weeks campaign is......

DEFORESTATION.

Deforestation has been identified as a major factor in global warming, it contributes 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions that is more than any car, truck, plane and boat combined. This is a serious threat not only to our own climates but also the 1.6 billion people depending directly on the forests for food and shelter. We are sure we do not need to remind you that the forest also serves as a home for some of the rarest plants and animals including the ones we have yet to discover in the forest
Here are some infrographics below on how we are connected to deforestation without even realizing, and just how dramatic the effects of deforestation are worldwide
 
Image Sources



Campaigning for change: 

Greenpeace has stepped up to deforestation through their many different campaigns and shows what a group of individuals can do if they care enough. Dove is featured in the one below due to their excessive use of palm oil, the campaigns delivered such negative press that they were forced to react by taking the lead to stop deforestation in Indonesia. AMAZING!! Find out more here





The future of our forests:

Innovations such as the bamboo skateboards made by many companies such as those seen below, make it easier for all of us to change our habits really quickly especially you skaters out there! Have a look at the next few images and see how you can manage forests sustainably.
One possible saving grace for our forests is a financial incentive called REDD+. REDD+ was set up in order to entice developing countries to reduce the deforestation in their country, if they were to suffer any economic losses as a cause of this, they would be paid the loss by other countries such as Norway.  

REDD+ 5 principles:

1. Climate: REDD+ demonstrably contributes to greenhouse gas emissions reductions with national goals working  a global objective.
2. Biodiveristy: REDD+ maintains and/or enhances forest biodiversity and ecosystem services
3. Livelihoods: REDD+ contributes  to sustainable and equitable development by strengthening the livelihoods of forest dependent communites.
4. Rights: REDD+ recognises and respects the rights of indigenous people and local communites.
5. Fact and effective funding: REDD+ mobilises immediate, adequate and predictable resources for action in priority forest areas in an equitable, transparent, participatory and coordinated manner.



Image Source


Image Source

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What can you do to help? 

BE A SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER.  
What is so amazing about all the campaigns we will feature on this blog is that the power does lie in our hands, the power of the people has never been more true. Put pressure on those companies with bad environmental practices, shop for eco-friendly logos look for recycles and FSC. 
To think you could start the change the next time you do a shop. 


“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
-Dr Seuss, The Lorax.



Thanks Lorax, thats Biobunch, 
over and out. 

Campaign pictures used: 
Dove: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoHvqJ7iPSMcuykc_dc7y3QDN5YKIcobpbzDAWuUr6E2yIsVJ0fP-X96SqcGx3GeUwFVWBZDjKJZgAJ7sAaiWfbWi89W0DkoiJ0LEiwbxWzhjocdc9e27-h-HFB-PPvIEOC45N9jvwiU/s1600/stop-dove-destroying-forests-f.jpg
Loreal http://www.trendition.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/94065_151866.jpg 
Barbie https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OZEBlXl_e8vcO5Yz0gY4jrJeRP-_9aO3M3MDd8kWf7cZssGHOcqAyjoWIPawAy3nxwCozWvXt-yzAKM0Imw5t2fWwvDsKTB8CNQsrtOrxcgD_l1dO381PVenU-pbcVxrjrODiwMPI7s/s1600/Greenpeace_Mattel_defrestation_campaign.png
KFC: http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/Pictures/web/v/j/p/greenpeace46_460.jpg

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