Thursday, May 15, 2014

Earth Day

American Masters, a Fierce Green Fire. Dir. Mark Kitchell. 22 Apr. 2014. PBS. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/a-fierce-green-fire/watch-the-film/2924/>.

In A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet, the environmental movement is shown around the world within a span of 50 years.  Grassroots and global activists educate the viewer about one of the largest movements in America.  Throughout the five acts different movements and stories are explained leading up to the summary that our battle against climate change needs to stop.  The conservation movement focused on the 1960's and the Sierra's Club, those who were trying to stop the construction of dams in some of what are now the biggest landmarks in our nation.  Pollution cleanup to help keep toxic waste and other pollutions out of our air and water is focused on along with Greenpeace, a company who helps save animals from these same wastes. Lastly the documentary focuses on Global resources and the fight to save rain forests. 

The Cove. Dir. Jim Clark. OPS. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.thecovemovie.com/>.

The Cove is a documentary made in 2009 that focuses on the hunting of dolphins.  In Japan thousands of dolphins are killed in mass groups due to fishing practices.  The film focuses on informing society on the truth and how many recreational hotels and aquariums and how appalling it is.  It also sheds light on the hazards dolphin meat can cause to a human because of the mercury levels, and how many people become poisoned from it.  23,000 dolphins are claimed to be killed in Japan by the whaling industry every year.  The film highlights that these practices are cruel, unnecessary and need to be stopped.

Stamper, Megan. "The Denmark Dolphin Slaughter." Huffington Post UK. AOL UK , Web. 10 May 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/megan-stamper/denmark-dolphin-slaughter>.

This article talks about a mass slaughter that has gained a lot of attention in the media.  While many people believe that people in Denmark are slaughtering dolphins, what they are reading is not entirely true.  Islanders of the Faroe islands in the Norwegian Sea kill long-finned pilot whales, which are not endangered.  The killing is done to help the villagers in the community and is not done as a "rite of passage" as many people have come to believe.  It has been investigated, and the people of this island are not doing anything against the law and are just trying to keep their families healthy.

Personal Statement:

While I am not an activist and I am not very educated on any of the dolphin slaughterings, I do not think is okay or necessary, whether it is dolphins or whales, endangered or not.  People should continue to spread awareness because these animals are too smart and it is cruel unnecessary suffering of animals.  Just like humans all other types of animals should be free to live a happy life, especially because dolphin and whale meat is not crucial for our consumption and their are many alternatives for the materials we use their fat and everything else for.

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