Call to Prevent Illegal Killing of Elephants in Africa

[ePrayer – Pray for illegal killing of animals]

First Phase Digital

Increased poaching and loss of habitats are threatening the survival of African elephant populations. The UN estimates that over 17,000 elephants were illegally killed in monitored sites in 2011 alone. Last year, in Bouba N’Djida National Park, northern Cameroon, up to 450 elephants were killed by rebel groups from Chad and Sudan. According to UNEP, the extent of the killings now far exceeds the natural population growth rates, putting elephants at risk of extinction, especially in Central and Western Africa. The illegal wildlife trade is threatening not only the survival of species such as elephants and rhinos but also the livelihoods and often the very lives of people across Africa and the developing world. UNEP calls ‘let’s stop the criminals and score some big wins for elephants, rhinos and threatened species everywhere’. Côte d’Ivoire national football team star and captain of Manchester City FC, Yaya Toure and footballers at a World Cup qualifier match made a strong statement against the illegal killings of elephants in Africa. Besides, some celebrities filmed an ad, mainly for China and Vietnam, to call for protection to the endangered species of animals and ban to ivory and rhino horns. [UNEPWildAid]

Pray for illegal killing of animals:

  • Pray that the international societies will be united to prevent from illegal killing of animals and protect the species diversity. 
  • Pray that especially the Asian consumers will have more awareness of wildlife protection, stop purchasing shark fins, rhino horns and ivories and put an end to illegal trade of wild animals.

Sea Ice Melts- Protect Fragile Arctic Environment Now

[ePrayer – Pray for the Arctic Environment]

Views of Artic

The melting of sea ice and the resulting rush for resources require effective measures to avoid damage in the Arctic, according to the latest report of UN Environment Programme (UNEP). A reduction in Arctic summer ice cover has become more intense in recent years, culminating in a record low of 3.4 million square kilometres in 2012 – 18 per cent below the previous recorded minimum in 2007 and 50 per cent below the average in the 1980s and 1990s, which added that land ice is also retreating and permafrost is melting. The retreating ice brings easier access to natural resources such as gas and oil, thus prompting increased human activity that may threaten the already fragile ecosystems and wildlife. It is estimated that 30 per cent of the world’s undiscovered natural gas and more than 70 per cent of the undiscovered oil resources in the Arctic. The report contains many recommendations on the way forward for the Arctic, with the most important being the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. No steps to exploit the new environmental state of the Arctic should be taken without first assessing how the exploitation would affect ecosystems, the peoples of the North and the rest of the world as the potential for major environmental damage is high. [UN news]

Pray for the Arctic Environment:

  • Pray that all nations will take effective measure to combat global warming;
  • Pray that people will thoughtfully consider the long-term effect of the exploitation in the Arctic, rather than the immediate profit.

For Carbon Fast 2013, please click here