EcoWorldly

Like this post? Subscribe to our RSS feed and stay up to date.

In a day and age where many of us see the planet spiraling further and further in to an orgy of environmental devastation, it comes as a surprise to see a ray of light shining through. Granted, I may be on the pessimistic side of things, in fact, past evidence will prove such a point. But the point remains, we simply don’t get enough environmental wins.

So when I saw that Japan had been considering backing down from killing the humpback whales, and subsequently doing so, I was flabbergasted.

Never have I been so interested in Australian news. I do not like the news, as it is a harsh and unpleasant reminder of the crap world in which I live. (I’m really not a very sunny person.) But whenever I would hear our newsreaders mentioning something about the Japanese whale hunt, I would rush in to the room and watch.

For me, it’s really hard to consider Australia a powerhouse in any shape, form or fashion. I know just how small we are, and the little we do! But we have acquired a reputation as a ‘name’ simply because we’ve attached ourselves to America – or more to the point, John Howard, our former PM, did so – like some sort of succubus sea-dwelling creature.

Australia has indeed put pressure upon Japan to first of all withdraw from their fake ‘research’/whale hunt, and failing that to leave the endangered humpback alone.

And, reported on the 21^st of December from the Greenpeace weblog (among a multitude of other sites of course), we found out that Japan had indeed taken the humpback whale off the menu list. Sadly, this means that only 50 whales have been taken off the agenda, still leaving an estimated 50 fin whales and 950 minke whales.

“The Australian Government welcomes the announcement by Japan that it will suspend its plan to kill humpback whales this season,” said Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith. “While this is a welcome move, the Australian Government strongly believes that there is no credible justification for the hunting of any whales and will vigorously pursue its efforts, announced earlier this week, to see an end to whaling by Japan.”

In fact, it looks as if Australia has actually made a bit of a splash (sorry) on this issue. Not only has Peter Garret – or new environmental minister – lashed out at the Japanese ‘research’ calling it “cruel,” “barbaric” and “unnecessary”, but a customs vessel entitled the Oceanic Viking will leave the western port of Fremantle in the coming days. Its mission is to shadow the Japanese whaling fleet, but not to interfere. Nevertheless, the ship is still carrying live ammunition to accompany side board guns and firearms.

In addition, the Greenpeace vessel the Esperenza has once again set out from its home port in Auckland, New Zealand, to follow the whaling fleet. Add these two vessels to the Sea Shepherd vessel the Steve Irwin which is intending to get its hands dirty, and the world’s opinion – or at least the ANZACS opinion – is to stop the whaling!