Comments on: Greenwash, blackwash: two faces of conservation evil

By: akorozco

akorozco — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:21:08 +0000

Green” fraud has even penetrated grocery stores – watch for environmentally friendly labeling that’s not what it claims to be http://www.newsy.com/videos/the_problem_of_greenwashing

By: CJAB

CJAB — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:48:05 +0000

Farandfew, As stated, I acknowledge sharks are in trouble in many places, and it is plausible that it some areas, such declines are possible (although even these are highly debated). Obviously the NGO is not talking about fossil record losses. For more information on the evidence of declines and threat status, I invite you to read our (extensive) review on the subject recently published in Advances in Marine Biology. Happy to provide a PDF upon request (email). My main issue is the blatant and sensationalist over-exaggeration. It will just serve to alienate fence-sitters and ensconce conservatives in their cocoons of ignorance.

By: Science turned bad (by the media) « ConservationBytes.com

Science turned bad (by the media) « ConservationBytes.com — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:40:48 +0000

[...] (by the media) 30 11 2009 In keeping with a certain whinge of mine over the last week (see Greenwash, blackwash: two faces of conservation evil), here’s a brilliant pictorial comment from Pile Higher and Deeper on the way reporters try [...]

By: farandfew

farandfew — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:24:06 +0000

While what you say in general is clearly true, the statement about sharks might not be as ridiculous as it sounds. It might refer to individuals rather than species – i.e. shark populations have declined by, on average 90%. I don’t know if this is true but it seems plausible, unlike the claim that 90% of species have been wiped out. Obviously you’d need to say since when.
This would make the statement misleading and perhaps deliberately so, but not an actual lie.
Of course it could also mean that 90% of species have been wiped out since sharks initially appeared in the fossil record :-)

By: “Almost 90 % of sharks have been wiped out“ - Scuba Blogs - ScubaSpotz

“Almost 90 % of sharks have been wiped out“ - Scuba Blogs - ScubaSpotz — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:57:30 +0000

[...] Science fact or fiction?This morning over at the Conservation Bytes blog the discussion about Greenwashing and Blackwashing and an in depth look at both.What happens when conservation groups make wild claims about the state [...]

By: CJAB

CJAB — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:28:42 +0000

Many thanks, again, Shark Diver. Agreed – I guess any corporation can have its religious nutters, and the Holy Church of Sea Shepherd is right up there.

By: Shark Diver

Shark Diver — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:44:30 +0000

Actually more a form of Sea Shepherd-ism, those folks have taken the idea of conservation truth and run it through the same lens of your basic Fortune 500 Corporate PR firm.

When Watson faked his own gun shot to the chest I knew we were not in Kansas anymore.

Your post is a breath of fresh air.

By: CJAB

CJAB — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:17:38 +0000

Thanks, Shark Diver. I agree completely. I firmly support the advocacy of shark protection and research, but blatant lies and cherry-picked results will only undermine their goal. It’s essentially a form of Greenpeace-ism, and no sane person wants that.

By: CJAB

CJAB — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:14:22 +0000

Thanks, Geoff. If you’re referring to the NSW group responsible for the shark campaign, you can be fairly guaranteed that the response will be something along the lines of ‘scientists say so, so we’re justified’. Amazing cherry-picking sensationalism of the highest order. It’s a shame because otherwise I’d support these people. I refuse though to debase myself to the level of untruths and deliberate lies. They have therefore gained an opponent, not an ally.

By: Shark Diver

Shark Diver — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:12:55 +0000

While 90% figure is laughable but there is evidence of big losses for many species worldwide. For example commercial blue shark diving on the west coast of the USA stopped when the blue sharks vanished.

Today you can chum for hours and may or may not even see one shark whereas less then a decade ago you would be surrounded by adult animals within minutes.

My personal pet peeve is this statement, taken as eco fact and used by ill informed eco zealots to make a point, “if we kill all the sharks we will not have any oxygen left to breathe.”

The eco movement has taken an ugly turn towards media hysteria to make a point. Shifting numbers, faked news reports, and now even reality television shows have brought the eco movement to a lack of credibility in many places.

Thanks for the post, we need to return to facts and figures, or at least understand the real facts and figures if the movement is going to make any headway going into 2020.