Nature's worst enemy - Apathy

Amazingly, the biggest challenge that our planet faces in terms of a sustainable life for all of us, is not one that singles out pollution, global warming, overfishing or any of the other ills of humanity that are currently chipping away at our very life force. Instead, this gargantuan threat is none other than apathy. This disinterested and dimissive view of the world and the life of this very planet (including of our own species), allows those who choose to exploit the resources of the world, to continue to do so unchallenged. The only ones who are seen to challenge apathy are generally termed "radicals", "hippies" or "left wingers". the kind of people that the ordinary every day working man or woman wouldn't generally associate with. so we don't. and tree by tree, fish by fish, molecule by molecule the world gets smaller and the human population grows larger.

What has really stunned me this week is the overwhelming outpouring of grief following the tragic death of the mad-cap wildlife warrior, Steve Irwin. This man, love or hate his style, with his nasal crowing of "Crikey", whilst he sat atop any unfortunate creature who'd blundered into his path, at least inspired a generation that animals and wildlife should be looked after. His clear and unwavering passion for the conservation of all creatures great and small influenced many a kid or family who spent their Sunday evenings glued to his (mis)adventures. And since his death, the public from Australia, NZ and beyond has spewed forth a powerful outpouring of grief. Massive piles of flowers and his trademark khaki shirts adorn the outside of his home and conservation park, Australia Zoo. why, even in the Lower Hutt shopping mall here in NZ, a child's ride-on Steve Irwin amusement ride (you know, the kind you put a dollar in and it lurches about for thirty seconds, traditionally found at the entrance to supermarkets), is draped in farewell cards from young and old. And while part of me is heartened to see that in NZ (and beyond), there is still a spark of passion remaining regarding conservation and those who stand up for it, that resonates within us all, part of me is filled with anger and desperation.

Where are these people when we need them? So far this year, in a six month period, we (us clean n green kiwis), lost a DOZEN of the world's rarest marine mammal, that "panda of the seas", the Hector's Dolphin through setnetting or trawling. Where are they still as yet another female NZ sea lion (yes, that's right, another "rarest species in the world"), drowns in the icy cold dark of a squidboat's fishing net, with one new life ebbing in her womb, and another starveling awaiting a meal that will never come, back on shore.

Why NZ do we cry "tragedy" at the loss of our wildlife icon, the very special Sir Peter Blake, as he is gunned down doing what he loved and believed in, showing the world the crucial nature of life on earth, yet so few of us bother to do him the honour of carrying on the path he forged?

This country needs conservation crusaders, we need to shed our winter coats of indifference, and forge ahead so that our children will thank us for it. The road ahead requires practical, forward thinking champions for conservation, and not those who will isolate the masses for fear of association with rabid left-wing agendas. Mainstreaming the importance of conservation, and its connection to us in all we do, is the only way we can cut out the apathetic tumour, and provide our world with a sustainable chance. Any takers?