Posts by Chris Butler-Stroud
From managing commercial slaughter to saving the whale – the International Whaling Commission at 75
Governments come together under the auspices of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to make decisions that affect whales (and more recently dolphins and porpoises too) … and what happens to whales impacts the ocean and all of us. So as the IWC celebrates its 75th anniversary, let’s explore how this international body began by attempting…
Read MoreWhat now for the whales of Japan?
News that Shinzo Abe is stepping down as Japan’s prime minister could be another nail in the coffin for the country’s whaling industry. It offers the Japanese government a rare opportunity to press the reset button on a practice which costs it dearly, in subsidies and international reputation. Abe is Japan’s longest serving prime minister.…
Read MoreWhaling: an inconvenient truth – the hunters are not only killing whales, they are killing us too.
As we hope for an end to the coronavirus crisis, we should reflect on another existential threat – the climate change – a threat which is advancing even as we isolate ourselves at home to protect one another. One has to hope that the selfish approach of some governments to the pandemic will come to…
Read MoreWhaling in Japan, who wins and who loses?
As the G20 global leaders meet in Japan, Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s CEO, Chris Butler-Stroud reflects on the political motivations that keep the whaling industry alive, despite the fact that up to 95% of Japanese people very rarely or never eat whale meat. So it would appear that those in control of Japanese whaling policy…
Read MoreWill Japan’s new emperor bring new hope for whales?
This week, Japan’s Emperor Akihito offered his formal abdication to the Japanese people and delivered his last public address as emperor. He is the first Japanese monarch to stand down in more than 200 years and came to the decision to abdicate after concluding that he was unable to serve the people of Japan in…
Read MoreWill Japan leave the International Whaling Commission?
Every now and again whaling interests in Japan call on their government to leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC, the body that regulates whaling). ‘JEXIT’ as one commentator noted, trying to be clever. This is not the first time that Japan has threatened to leave the IWC. Seemingly used as a negotiating tool, it has…
Read MoreWDC welcomes significant move by European Commission on single-use plastics
The European Commission has put forward a proposal for a European Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The objective of this Directive is to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, in particular, the aquatic environment, and on human health. The various…
Read MoreUK NGO coalition reacts to the Budget
WDC, as part of Wildlife and Countryside Link, joined in Link’s respone to the UK Chancellor’s 2017 Budget today, 22nd November. Throwaway plastic charges plans welcomed The release stated “Environment groups have today welcomed the Chancellor’s commitment to investigate charges for single-use plastics. This has the potential to make a big environmental impact, as plastic bag…
Read MoreHappy birthday WDC, and here’s to the next 30 years!
Will you make a donation to help us protect whales and dolphins for the next 30 years? Thank you. WDC is 30 years-old and I am incredibly proud of the team of people – staff, volunteers, partners and supporters – who have helped achieve our many successes during those three decades. But the very fact…
Read MoreMichael Gove sets out his vision of 'Green Brexit'
On Friday, I and some eighty plus conservationists and journalists were invited to listen to the UK Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Gove MP, speak at what was his first major speech after having been appointed some six weeks ago. Before he spoke, WWF, who were hosting the event at their headquarters in…
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