On Monday, May 12, a major earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, jolted southwestern China’s Sichuan Province (Response). Hundreds of aftershocks followed in the same area. The quake destroyed thousands buildings in the area, as well as infrastructure like communication networks and electrical towers. Thousands of people died or are missing, and more than 270,000 were injured (Response). The earthquake left an estimated five million people homeless. Many schools were destroyed, including one that had at least 900 students in it. This earthquake is the worst natural disaster to hit China in 30 years.

More than 35,000 staff and volunteers with the Red Cross Society of China are on the ground distributing food, water, tents and other essential items (Response). Red Cross volunteers are also attending the injured and offering emotional support during this trying time. The Red Cross Society of China is a very strong organization with extensive experience responding to disasters. The American Red Cross has long history of working with the Red Cross Society of China, including after this year’s severe winter storms.

The American Red Cross is prepared to provide $10 million to support relief efforts following the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China’s Sichuan province (American) . These funds will be used to provide immediate relief including the purchase and distribution of relief supplies, coordination of logistics and transportation of disaster workers to the hardest hit areas. This contribution will assist the Red Cross Society of China, whose employees and volunteers have been helping survivors since the earthquake struck on Monday, May 12. According to the latest reports, tens of thousands of people have been killed, and many more are missing or trapped by debris (American).

“Already we have seen a great outpouring of concern and support from across the U.S. for those whose lives were shattered by this disaster,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president, International Services for the American Red Cross. “We are working closely with our international partners, including the Chinese Red Cross, to provide vital assistance to those in need.” (American).

The $10 million will go toward the preliminary appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, on May 15, calling for a total of $19.3 million (American). The appeal will support the relief operations through the purchase and distribution of supplies, coordination of relief efforts, and deployment of staff to the affected area. Together, the appeal aims to assist approximately 100,000 people over the next 12 months.

“The American Red Cross Commits $10 Million to Assist China Earthquake Survivors.” May 22 2008. http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_7732,00.html

“Response to the China Earthquake.” May 22, 2008. http://www.redcross.org/news/in/profiles/Intl_profile_ChinaEarthquake.asp?s_src=pre_aspLink

“Red Cross Comes to the Aid of Earthquake Survivors in China.” May 22, 2008. http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_7727,00.html.

I didn’t previously know about shark fining, but from this information I think it is horrible. Sharks do not mean any harm to humans, as they fear us more than we fear them. Sharks do not wait in the water for swimmers hoping to eat a good dinner. An interesting article about an under water photographer, Rob Stewart, tell the story of how he exposed a multi- million dollar illegal shark fishing operation in Costa Rica. America is fueling this business with ignorance and greed so that more and more species can get closer to extinction.Shark fishing is where where sharks are captured illegally, de-finned and then thrown back into the ocean to sink to the bottom and die (More). This is definitely a call for us to look at how we share to world with other living creatures. Rob Stewart’s partner, Paul Watson, is a controversial sea captain who is responsible for sinking nine whaling ships in his attempt to stop whaling around the world (More).Rob Stewart was with his partner and collided with a fishing boat, and they went to Costa Rica when they charged them with murder. This team exposed the corruption involving the Taiwanese mafia that was allowing all this illegal fishing and how they tried to detain and have them arrested (More).In the film Rob made about his adventure, he connects the way that sharks, as predators, have shaped the evolution of the eco- system not only under the sea, but for the whole earth. In the film, Sharkwater, it is mentioned that seventeen countries have come on side to ban shark fining. The awareness about shark fining is certainly growing, especially with this film coming out and with the awareness of more countries.Shark fining is extremely cruel and wasteful of our recourses around the world. It is good for making soup, and can be used in medicines, but there are other things we can use in replace of sharks. Humans are using the earth in incredibly unsustainable ways (More). We need six planet earths to sustain life based on our resource uses here in North America (More.) We’ve wiped out 90 per cent of the large predators in the oceans. We waste 54 billion pounds of fish each year. Eight million people die from starvation every year (More). We need to change the way that we react to other eco-systems, and the natural world, in order to maintain both ways of life.In a letter to the President of Ecuador, WildAid and Conservation International write, “The populations of sharks cannot hold at present levels of unmanaged and uncontrolled harvesting. The loss of sharks will affect the coastal and oceanic ecosystems. Once depleted by an indiscriminate fishing, populations recover very slowly or cannot recover at all,” (Ban).
It continues, “The tourist industry, which brings enormous benefits to Galapagos and all the country, will be affected. The Galapagos Islands attract visitors from all parts of the world, and without healthy ecosystems, the number of visitors, especially in the growing dive industry, will be reduced. It is estimated that $10 million dollars are generated annually by from diving, compared with a little over $1 million from shark fins,” (Ban).
Interesting Article: Mundo Azul
“Ban on Shark-Fining Sought.” IGTOA Newsletter. 10 May 11, 2008.www.igtoa.org/newsletter/2005/february05/#article1.bg2“More Afraid of s than we are Afraid of Them.” Only Magazine. 10 May 2008. onlymagazine.ca/Film/sharkwater“Sharks” Mundo Azul. 10 May 11, 2008.www.mundoazul.org/deutsch/sharks.htm.