World's Largest Marine Protected Area Declared in Antarctica

Penguin is one of some species which inhabit in the Ross Sea, the marine protected area. Source: http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/131A1/production/_92114287_pmf_wellerpics_10_raw_km_rm_7035_483713-1.jpg

Based on an article posted by BBC with the same title on October 28, 2016

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37789594

New Zealand and the US suggested a proposal of making the Ross Sea in Antarctica as the world’s largest marine protected area (MPA). This proposal emerged based on a consideration that the Ross Sea is the natural habitat of the world’s Adelie penguins, Antarctic petrels, Antarctic minke whales, and huge numbers of krill as the food for whales and seals. The proposal urges that there be nothing to take from the marine protected area especially marine life and minerals for 35 years. At first, China thought that 20 years was long enough to apply this proposal; nevertheless, plenty of conservationists complained and stated that it was too short according to the lifespan of creatures in the Ross Sea.

All members of Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), an organization of nations working on Antarctic preservation, eventually approved this proposal after long discussions and negotiations in a meeting in Hobart, Australia. Surprisingly, Russia, which was against this proposal last year, finally agreed to make the Ross Sea as the marine protected area (MPA). The postponement of this proposal is because it might provoke other similar negotiations, for instance, in the Arctic and the UN’s intention to create a new marine biodiversity treaty.

I think that the proposal approved by all nations in CCAMLR to protect the Ross Sea is a good start to conserve other high seas. However, words will remain words without any actions; a proposal will remain a proposal as well if it does not come into force. We are merely able to expect that the proposal can be conducted as soon as possible and that all nations have to put aside their interests to save the earth and humankind.

NATO Chief Says Alliance 'Does Not Want New Cold War'

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is explaining the reasons behind troop's deployment. Source: http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/778A/production/_92120603_baca3887-7f76-4458-98cf-c78e69b816fe.jpg

Based on an article posted by BBC with the same title on October 28, 2016

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37795668

NATO is going to dispatch 4.000 soldiers to four countries of its members in northern and south-eastern areas, which are close enough to Russia. Those four countries are Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and there will be 1.000 soldiers deployed in each country in the beginning of next year. Those soldiers will be directed by the US, Britain, Canada, and Germany. The main purpose of such actions conducted by NATO is to provide the protection and prevention towards unexpected problems relating to Russia for its members.

Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, has stated that troop’s deployment is not aimed to oppose Russia or even create the new cold war. Conversely, NATO does it to increase the safety of its members worrying about several issues which have caused some tensions between Russia and the West. Both parties have tangled with each other in some complicated and controversial issues recently. In 2014, the US and EU wanted to give a few penalties to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. Another issue is Russia’s severe attacking the opposition as an effort to reinforce Syrian government.

I still do not understand why a lot of countries are in attempts to confront each other to get whatever they want even if they try to camouflage their dislikes or agendas. Nowadays, there are plenty of issues occurring in all parts of the world, and those problems have gradually made ordinary civilians sick. People only need their government to guarantee their welfare instead of messing with other countries that may bring the civilians suffering.

Slow Lorises Being Sold on Facebook Rescued in West Java

Slow lorises rescued by Indonesian police in West Java. Source: httpichef-1.bbci.co.uknews660cpsprodpb59EDproduction_92012032_6528b3a1-c859-4963-9425-45f5f2373fda.jpg

Based on an article posted by BBC with the same title on October 21, 2016  
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37727920

 

Slow lorises, which are the only poisonous primates in the world, were found by Indonesian police in West Java. Indonesian government has created some regulations and laws against slow lorises trafficking. However, in reality, those slow lorises are even traded through Facebook. Fortunately, the Indonesian police succeed to catch two hunters and three dealers. Slow lorises trafficking may bring this endangered species to extinction. What’s more, the number of slow lorises is continuously decreasing due to the rising demand for them as pets that encourages hunters as well as dealers to capture them.

According to Christina Rattel from International Animal Rescue said that there were approximately 80% of slow lorises rescued died. After getting caught, slow lorises always go through a set of inhumane torture. The dealers will cut their teeth so that they cannot inject venom to human. Not only that, they are also kept in captive in the bright place which can kill them since slow lorises are wild and nocturnal animal. Receiving that kind of treatments, most slow lorises are not able to survive even before they can be carried to the customers. 

Human should not make wild animals especially the endangered ones as pets because their nature is to live free from human in their own habitat. I think that the government also has to apply the laws on animals trafficking more strictly and investigate the issue more seriously to cease the trafficking. As well as the government, citizens have to be aware with the problem and not to support the trafficking by buying those animals through internet. Instead, good citizens must report those hunters and dealers to the police.