19
January


RSPB: Give nature a home
Before researching for this assignment I had seen the RSPB advert on tv, it's quite a hard-hitting advert showing the bad affects humans have made on wildlife with pollution and developments of bigger roads, but it then shows little things that we can do to help the wildlife that are in decline. The campaign raises awareness of garden wildlife that are struggling to find somewhere to hibernate in the winter. RSPB says "Homes are where we eat, where we sleep and where we bring up our families. It's just the same for birds and other wildlife." With this in mind they produced a very clever advert that makes people think, this then refers the viewers to the website where you can find a leaflet either download/posted. This leaflet contains some simple tips to build homes for wildlife in your garden, dramatically increasing the local wildlife and improving their standards of living through winter. I think this is a very simple yet effective way to get involved in conserving the UK's wildlife, without any ties or much expense.

WWF: Help protect the future of endangered species
I found these posters quite shocking yet captivating, no advanced technology of today can help bring back species once they have become extinct, therefore it is so crucially important that we help protect them whilst they are still here on our planet. WWF are a very big organisation and this is one of their many successful campaigns. This images contrasts the harsh reality of species decline and the fact that these species might not last in the future to come.

WWF: Their extinction is ours as well
This is another campaign by WWF, proving that without many species - we could in fact become extinct too. After looking through my research, it is evident that we need wildlife and biodiversity for our well being and standard of living, the clothes we wear, the food we eat and the medicines to cure illnesses, we need the wildlife and the species that live within. The way that this has been advertised by WWF is with humans, bare in the wild and in animal stances. I think this is very clever, bringing together human and animals as one, after all we share this world with many species and need to appreciate that their existence helps us.

19
January

Below are species that have become endangered or have reducing populations within the UK and may become extinct in the near future. Many of these species suffer from loss of habitat, and some are in decline following the introduction of foreign species which out-compete the native species or carry disease. For example the native Red Squirrel population suffered dramatically with the introduction of the American Grey Squirrel which carries the Squirrel pox virus.

  1. Red-necked Phatarope
  2. Black-tailed Godwit
  3. Scottish Wildcat
  4. Capercaillie
  5. Cuckoo
  6. Red Squirrel
  7. Turtle Dove
  8. Natterjack toad
  9. Brown Hare
  10. Hedgehog

19
January

As a result of people's careless and irresponsible actions, many species of animals and plants are on the brink of extinction. However, if everyone got involved and done their own small part, it is possible that our biodiversity will be rehabilitated.

There are may federations and groups that are founded to help conserve the environment, animals and plants. It is more often than not that these organisations require the public's donations and co-operation with conservation efforts.

Small ways to become involved may include:

  • Providing a Wildlife Habitat - by starting a wildlife habitat in your own back garden can help stem the loss of local biodiversity. By building bird houses or hedgehog dens, you are encouraging species into your garden and therefore they will have shelter, food and will likely reproduce.
  • Leave nature as you find it - Don't feed wild animals, as these animals become dependent on those who feed them and therefore they become susceptible to illness and predators. It is also important to not transport animals out of their native locations as this can disrupt other native ecosystems.
  • Acting Conservatively - By walking, biking or using public transport instead of a car, you are reducing air pollution, a serious threat to many of our national parks. By turning off lights, sockets and even the TV when you are not using them can lower your energy consumption, therefore helps to save that that extra energy consumption which leads to global warming.
  • Be an educated consumer - Don't buy products like tortoise shell, coral or ivory made from threatened or endangered animals, and avoid ordering threatened species in restaurants. Taking your own reusable bags to the shops helps save littering and overuse of the plastic bags, also purchasing products with little or no packaging saves more waste. Lastly instead of throwing away old clothes, toys and other items, re-home them or donate them to a local charity.
Other ways to become involved is to find out more about local or worldwide organisations and get involved with their ways of conserving animals and wild plants, for example WWF, RSPCA/RSPB, The National Trust, The Woodland Trust, Plantlife, The Wildlife Trust and so many more.

19
January

Conservation is definitely not a 20th century movement, in fact it can be traced back to 1662. John Evelyn presented a paper to the Royal Society named Sylva, which 2 years later was published as a book. It was one of the most influential texts on forestry ever published. It was produced at a time when England's timber resources were becoming dangerously depleted, and Evelyn advocated the importance of conserving the forests by managing the rate of depletion and ensuring that the cut down trees were replaced.


Conservation was then revived in the mid-19th century, with the first practical application of conservation principles to forests in India. The conservation procedure included three core principles: that human activity damaged the environment, that there was an important duty to maintain the environment for future generations, and that scientific methods should be applied to ensure this duty was carried out.

In 1994, the UK became the first country to produce a national biodiversity action plan (the UK BAP), as part of its commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity.  Since then, the four countries of the UK – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – have produced their own biodiversity conservation strategies.

19
January

England's natural environment matters to all of us, the beauty of our landscapes and the wildlife inspire and enrich our lives, and are an important part of our national identity. Biodiversity also provides us with many of the things that help to sustain our lives. Protecting our species and their habitats improves our quality and standard of living. Biodiversity is also the source of many ecosystem goods, such as food and genetic resources, upsetting the "balance of nature" can have untold effects on the supply of our ecosystem services.

 Products obtained from ecosystems:

  • diverse food products
  • timber and fuel
  • textiles
  • medicinal products
  • fresh water
Benefits obtained from regulation of ecosystem processes:
  • regulate our climate
  • control floods
  • pollinate crops
  • purify our water
  • absorbs CO2 gases
  • stops erosion
Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems:
  • beautiful landscapes
  • a sense of place
  • cultural heritage
  • peace and tranquility
  • a healthy environment
  • recreation and tourism
From this it is quite clear that we need to conserve biodiversity and the species within for a whole variety of reasons: ethically, emotionally, environmentally and economically. It is the foundation of our society and the basis of our economic success and wellbeing.

Our survival depends on the ecological systems that also support other life, if they were to collapse or radically change, our existence would be threatened. Copious amounts of pharmaceuticals, soaps, starches, rubber, oils, dyes and fabrics are derived from wild plant products and there are many more to yet be discovered, not to forget we use the timber that grows and harvest the fish in the sea. Our lifestyles and economy depends upon biodiversity.

19
January

Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of the earths biodiversity, with the aim of protecting endangered plant and animal species, their habitat and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction.

Many countries have government agencies dedicated to helping wildlife conservation and there are also a numerous amount of independent, nonprofit organizations who promote various wildlife conservation causes. Wildlife conservation has become an increasingly important issue due to the negative effects of human activity on wildlife, this includes:

  • Destruction - Destroying habitats by cutting down trees, mowing fields, dredging rivers.
  • Fragmentation - Habitats have been cut up into fragments by roads and development.
  • Degradation - Pollution, invasive species and disruption of ecosystem processes.
  • Climate Change - Global warming makes rainfall heavier, hurricanes stronger, hot even hotter and droughts more severe, it changes the landscape of habitats and causes stress. Hibernating species are disturbed and often harmed.
  • Unregulated Hunting and Poaching - Illegal hunting and poaching of species.
Conservation is not just about avoiding species becoming extinct, but also about restoring and recovering the current species populations to secure levels, and preventing other species reaching such a worrying situation to begin with.



14
January

The aim and purpose of this brief is for me to develop my skills, technique and understanding when working for a 'live' client. I am to produce a brochure and billboard hoarding for the Eco Farm in Bicester. Both of which must give an overview of my chosen issue whilst reaching the target audience of the Eco Farm.

 1.Conservation
2.Energy
3.Pollution
4.Nuclear Energy
5. Waste

 I have chosen Conservation as I am a very animal loving person and think that people need to do more to save the wildlife of not only the UK, but the world. So many species are endangered and could really cause problems with our way of life. For instance, 3 species of the native British Bumblebees are already extinct and 5 are currently under serious threat. If bee's die out, so will our flora, fauna and one-third of our diet. 

Copyright 2009 - Environmental Issues brochure and billboard hoarding

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