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The Balance of Nature & Politics - Idaho Wolves in the Crosshairs

- An OpEd by Green Groove contributor Mike Bickley

Many of you may already be aware that the State of Idaho (US) is allowing the legal hunting of wolves this fall for the first time in decades, there has been a quota of 220 wolves established. If you lived in Idaho as I do you would have also heard stories of wolves being everywhere, decimating the big game herds, threatening humans and that livestock producers will soon be a relic of the past. Idaho presently has about 1,000 wolves, for a state of 83,557 square miles, that figures out to be about one wolf per 83.5 square miles, it hardly seems like we could be overrun with wolves. The game herds in Idaho are also doing quite well, Idaho Department of Fish & Game states that elk (the primary prey of wolves in Idaho) numbers in Idaho are above the Departments long term management goals. There have been no wolf attacks of humans in Idaho. Human elk hunters in Idaho are doing quite well too, 68,275 hunters killed 10,859 elk in the 2008 season. Livestock losses have been lower than biologists predicted prior to the re-introduction of wolves, in fact losses to coyotes, bears, mountain lion and feral dogs have been greater. Stock growers are also compensated for confirmed wolf predation losses. Will killing 220 wolves in Idaho bring disaster to the recovery project, probably not. Will it placate the vocal opponents of wolves, probably not, they hated wolves when we only had 30. But there appears to be no sound biological reason to kill wolves while on the brink of recovery either, maybe at some future time there will be. So, you may ask, what's the problem?

Ask any Idahoan about wolves and you will most likely hear one of two answers with little middle ground. Wolves are the devil or they are angels, they are either loved or despised. How did we arrive at such divergent views of wolves. Some at least seem based in the livestock culture of the West. Growing up in Idaho you soon learn a values system of sorts as it relates to the worth of wild things and wild places. Animals like elk which can bring an outfitter, rancher or guide $10 to $15 thousand dollars each are revered and are a good thing, a wolf which can kill and eat a $15 thousand dollar elk is a bad thing. Jack rabbits are bad, they have no economic value and they eat livestock food and are generally shot and left where they die. Sage brush is bad, it competes with grass for livestock food. Wilderness itself is bad, you can't mine, log or graze livestock in a designated wilderness. It seems our value of wild things and wild places is solely based on our economic interest.

When the debate to reintroduce wolves to the west began it was argued that the wolf was the missing and key link in the establishment of complete ecosystems as they existed before human intervention. Modern science has established that predator/prey relationship is such that prey numbers ultimately control predator numbers. If predators could wipe out prey populations wouldn't they have done so eons ago before man was evolved? Wolves have had the intended impact on the ecosystems that scientist envisioned and some surprises as well. Researchers in Yellowstone National Park have discovered that elk with no apex predator like the wolf became complacent. They could eat and stay wherever they chose. As a consequence some areas were greatly overgrazed. Riparian areas which should have supported willow, cottonwood and beavers had none. Quaking aspen groves were all old with little regeneration as elk ate the new growth before it could become established. Today in Yellowstone you see new willows and beavers returning to areas they have been absent from for decades. Young aspen are seen growing on the hillsides. Wolves keep the elk wary, elk spread out more and herd into smaller groups. Elk are becoming the wary and magnificent animal they once were. Wolves and elk evolved together, elk are the animal they are because of the wolf not in spite of the wolf. So every thing should be great... right?

Politics... with the Idaho legislature dominated by livestock and agriculture interests. The Governor a rancher and ex employee of an extractive/mining industry. The Idaho Fish & Game Department is at the mercy of the legislature and Governor. They may know the science and how to apply it, but they also know not to as well, especially if you want to keep your job. So we end up with the State policy for wolf management based on 14th century beliefs of wolves as devil and demon killing machines vs. peer reviewed science. Wolves are neither good or bad, neither devil nor angel, They take no pleasure in killing, they suffer no regret, they are simply wolves doing what wolves have done for perhaps millions of years. If we can keep politics at bay maybe they will be able to continue shaping our wild places for many more years to come.

So, you ask, why am I preaching to you in Chicago, New york or Nashville? Idaho is approximately 70% federally owned land, United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land owned not just by Idahoans but by all U.S. citizens... even Texans. On private lands there is a mechanism in place to handle wolf related problems. Wildlife Services, a division U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, will and does control issues at the request of land owners. Wildlife Services has killed approximately 150 wolves this year on private land. You as a U.S. citizen have right to a voice in this issue just as legitimate as any Idaho resident if you choose to do so and I hope you will. Call or email our Senators, Representatives and Governor and let them know how you feel about Idaho's management of wolves on YOUR land.



Big Oil Continues to Mislead Public About Climate Change

Going against their own 2008 pledge to cut funds to groups which "divert attention" to progressive energy sources, ExxonMobile continues to shell out the dollars.

Lobbying groups The National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and The Heritage Foundation received more than $125,000 in 2008. Policy and communications director for the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, Bob Ward, claim the two lobbying groups have both published "misleading and inaccurate information about climate change."

In a web memo published in December by the Heritage Foundation they claim, "Growing scientific evidence casts doubt on whether global warming constitutes a threat, including the fact that 2008 is about to go into the books as a cooler year than 2007". Scientists unassociated with Exxon, believe the changes are due to natural changes, having nothing to do with the long term global warming trends.

The NCPA web site states, "NCPA scholars believe that while the causes and consequences of the earth's current warming trend is [sic] still unknown, the cost of actions to substantially reduce CO2 emissions would be quite high and result in economic decline, accelerated environmental destruction, and do little or nothing to prevent global warming regardless of its cause."

No wonder gas is so expensive. Big oil has to shell out big bucks to manipulate the public about the facts. Just remember, every time you fill your tank, you're practically financing the lobbyist.



International Day of Action - 350.org

For human beings and planet Earth, the most important number is 350.  Why is that?  Recent scientific studies and updates have told us that there will be dire consequences if we cannot reduce the carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere to 350 parts per million.  How can we do that?  Well, the first step is to visit 350.org and become a part of the movement and spread the word, and then take part in A Global Day of Action which is October 24th, 2009.

350.org is a website that is getting the word out about the "red line for human beings" and how we all need to work together to make sure we can achieve a common goal of reducing carbon emissions.  They have gotten 48 countries to support the cause, and you can help, too.  From their website you can send an e-postcard to everyone you know and tell them how important this movement is.

Their event, A Global Day of Action, is gaining steam.  The website features an open invitation from Bill McKibben, stating the importance of getting the world leaders and organizations to work together to help reduce our carbon emissions.  You can register an event for your community that will take place on October 24th.

If you want to start an event in your area, but need more information or just want to do a little background research, their website features a lot of answers to frequently asked questions under the Understanding 350 section.  They answer questions like why October 24th, and what the number 350 really means and what the consequences are of passing that number.

October 24th isn't that far away, and if you want to start an event in your community, you need to get started planning now.  If you're not capable of starting an event, start spreading the word.  E-mail your friends, family and co-workers about 350 and A Global Day of Action.  Something as simple as sending an e-card is enough to get people thinking, which can motivate them to do something.  If we work together, we can win the fight towards lowering carbon emissions and healing our planet.

Click 'continue...' below to watch their inspiring short animation.

Continue reading "International Day of Action - 350.org"



Celebrate Earth Hour March 28

Earth Day is quickly approaching, and people around the globe are getting ready to celebrate in different ways. There are people organizing recycling and clean up efforts for their city, and others will use the day to get the word out about living sustainably. There are so many events out there to celebrate Earth Day, and its hard to know what to do. Here is one event happening before Earth Day to get your gears turning that will be simple, easy, and can be done all over the world: Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is an event taking place before, which is Saturday March 28th. The event is incredibly easy. All you do for Earth Hour is turn off your lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. The event is global, so Earth Hour will be different in each time zone.  Whenever 8:30 PM starts where you live, that's when you turn your lights out. You can go so far as to turn off all electricity during the hour, but the main goal of the campaign is just the lights.

This event is being promoted by a number of venues, from Esurance (the car insurance company that promotes a number of green programs) to the World Wildlife Fund. There is a website for people in the United States that allows you to pledge to turn off your lights during that hour. The website also has a section for kids, so you can explain what Earth Hour is and get the whole family involved and excited. Earth Hour US even has a that you can follow with informative links.

In years prior, there were global events where people were encouraged to turn off their lights at the same time for one minute. This was great in theory, but a minute is not enough. Earth Hour is different, since the time the lights are off is much longer, which means a more noticeable difference in energy uses.

So what can you do during that hour with no lights? Light candles and share stories with your family and friends, or have a romantic dinner. If you really want to dedicate yourself, turn off your lights for the hour before or after Earth Hour, or even leave them off for the whole day.

Get your friends involved, and spread the word about Earth Hour.  Together we can make a statement about the reckless energy consumption going on around the planet, and that we demand a change.



In Rough Economy, Green Could Be Key

Even if you haven't been affected by the recent problems in the world-wide economy, it's likely that you know someone who has or have at least heard of the crisis on the news.  So many people are losing their jobs, and it is making it harder to get by day to day.  There is something on the horizon that could help with the growing unemployment, though.  That something is green.

With green products, services and technologies growing and an ever-increasing demand, that brings with it the possibility for more available jobs.  Every solar panel provider that opens to meet the demand needs employees and technicians, every store that opens selling eco-friendly materials needs sales associates.  

There is the expectation that as the demand for green energy and products will bring an influx of new jobs, and that is proving to be true.  There is even government support behind creating green jobs, with $20 billion reserved for greening the economy in the United States as part of President Obama's stimulus package.  There will also be "green training programs" that will receive $500 million from the package, and will ensure that the people who go through the training will benefit financially.  U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said that if someone makes $20 an hour before the training, they will make twice that afterward.

There are other companies who will be able to re-hire lost employees as they green their business models.  The demand for products that are not sustainable has gone down, causing some businesses to go under and have to lay off workers.  If the same companies begin to sell more energy-efficient products, the demand goes up again, and they can hire back the employees lost.

Going green is starting to become more than just living your life more sustainably.  It is now a way to support your country, a way to support your economy, and a way to support your neighborhood.  When you make the choices to live green, it causes a karmic ripple effect that goes past you and spreads to everyone that gets touched by your choice, from the recently hired sanitary worker who picks up your curbside recycling to the newly trained technician that installs your solar panels.  Being green is proving to more than a trend, and it could be the way to solve a lot of problems.



T. Boone Pickens Calls For Federal Funding For Wind Farms

T. Boone Pickens seems an unlikely ally in the fight for sustainable energy changes.  His father was an oil man, and Pickens himself worked for Phillips Petroleum after his graduation from Texas A&M.  He founded Mesa Petroleum, which grew into one of the largest independent oil companies in the world.  All of that aside, Pickens is one of the loudest voices out there campaigning for alternative energy.  He's released an energy policy proposal, called the Pickens Plan, in which he wants to promote the creation and use of alternatives to oil, since oil is limited and unclean.  And Pickens should know.

A recent article by CNET reports on Pickens' cry for a federally funded loan program to finance wind developments on a large-scale.  Pickens, speaking from the Clean-Tech Investor Summit, promoted his Pickens Plan and the need to convert our energy needs, and vehicle needs, to run on cleaner forms.

To get the ball rolling, Pickens put down $2 billion worth of turbines from General Electric, to be delivered in 2011.  He wants the government to follow his lead, creating a wind-bank that would give people who want to develop wind farms a financial boost.  It would take a small part of the $825 million in federal spending from the Obama supported stimulus package, and Pickens argues it would also be cheaper than continuing to spend money on oil.

Pickens is also a supporter of cleaner, natural gas.  He wants vehicles to run on natural gas, and thinks that there cannot be a cut from foreign oil without it.  He has called for an investment of $28 billion to buy 350,000 heavy trucks that can run on natural gas.

To read the CNET article, through CNN, click here.  To read more about the Pickens Plan, click here.



Call For Support For A Greener America

Today Former Vice President Al Gore goes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to testify how we need to get back to global environmental leadership to help combat catastrophic climate change.  One of the first things that needs to be done is to have the government supportive and involved in green technologies.

While Gore is a very vocal advocate for greener legislation and government supported programs, he still needs your help.  That is why the people at Repower America are asking for people to send a letter to congress in support of an economic recovery package that focuses on creating more jobs, and creating green energy sources.

Repower America's goal is to have 100% clean electricity by 2019.  It seems like a large and far off goal, but in actuality it is completely attainable.  We just need governmental support.  By sending your letter to congress through Repower America, you can show that the demand for clean energy is there.

If you're not comfortable signing your name to a letter, go to the website anyway and watch Gore's plea to the people.  Forward the link on to your family members and friends.  There's a lot you can do to help promote a greener America from behind the scenes.



Congratulations President-elect Barack Obama

This looks like it could be a real win for a greener Earth. What a historic moment. Now we have a job that starts right now... making sure the change we were promised comes swiftly. No more excuses, if there was ever a time to act, it is now, why we have a chance at getting some real policies changed in government. "Spartans! This is where we fight!"