General Chat

Has the western world caused the decimation of the mangrove swamps in Burma Errol? I thought Burma was a country cut off from the rest of the liberated world.

Jac

Why? Surely we need to be proactive in putting measures in place to limit this sort of tragedy happening again?

Yes Jac that is why it has had to do things like decimate coastal areas including mangrove swamps for the cultivation of sea farms.
If we had been a bit more forward thinking before we put sanctions in place then maybe there would not have been such a need - for example, the country could have exported more oil, precious stones etc in exchange for inwardly needed materials, foodstuffs etc

Errol,Dont you think its a little late?
the damage has been done,we are all to blame,but its happening.
I dont hide my head in the sand about issues concerning our planet,Infact Im very much the opposite,Ive made huge changes to my lifestyle for that reason.

1, I dont fly long haul anymore.
2, I recycle
3,I have down sized my car,which I only use for very long distances.
and much,much more but I wont bore you with it.

we can do lots but its governments that have the biggest Impact.

we are small potatoes

We may be small potatoes individually but collectively we can do an awful lot.
Consider, for example, if everyone on this site agreed not to use plastic bags when they go shopping on Saturday and the impact that could have.
It is wrong to purely blame governments when we can also make a difference.
(I'm impressed with your personal efforts - well done you and it's a shame more people don't follow your lead)

Bur surely Errol the sanctions were put in force in order that the people of Burma could have a say in their future?

It's all down to politics at the end of the day, and say what you will the poor of every country suffer at the hands of tyrants and bullies.

Perhaps the Government of Burma might have had some "forethought" before they decimated the mangrove swamps - they, as is the western world, are much responsible for this tragedy as any.

This thread was about what's in my heart not in my head. As one person on this planet my heart goes out to other people who are also on this planet. I don't put my head in the sand - I too have made changes to my lifestyle as my contribution. Living in Australia how can I not be aware of water being a precious commodity. Sometimes we need to put aside politics etc. and just look at the people.
Sue

Burma is under military rule and according to the tv news today the aid that has been sent is not actually reaching the victims.

How do sanctions enable the man (or woman) in the street to have a say?
Burma has a military junta which has reportedly committed many attrocities. However, sanctions are not always the right answer.
Also, it was not always the junta who were responsible for the decimation of the mangrove swamps - local people did it in order to earn a living from things like shrimp farming. It is a very complex issue and fingers cannot be pointed at any one individual group of people, be it the local populace, the junta, overseas governments or, indeed, ourselves.

Oh God:-((I thought that had been lifted!!

Sue I do understand (and agree with) what you are saying.
I just get a little tired of the usual kneejerk reactions from governments in sending aid as if to salve their own consciences.
Yes of course the aid is desperately needed.
But we also need to look right now at how similar catastrophes can be prevented or at least lessened in the future.

I agree with learning from disaster to help stop these tragedies from happening again I just didn't want this thread to become a finger pointing exercise.
Sue

Rather than pointing fingers I was merely saying that we all need to take some responsibility.
We should be proactive not reactive!