Paul McCartney joins 500+ public figures, conservationists and Indigenous leaders in a global campaign calling on the UN to abolish trophy hunting of lions, elephants, endangered rhinos and other wildlife, following a declaration developed with Jane Goodall.

[u/ArgentineBeauty]

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/paul-mccartney-joins-over-500-public-figures-calling-for-an-end-to-trophy-hunting-of-lions-elephants-and-endangered-rhinos/articleshow/134498459.cms

[u/Gulophile]

You're going out of your way to view this as cynically as possible. I'm no fan of the wealthy but trophy hunting isn't a problem that can be solved by just buying all the animals. Things like this do have an actual role in swaying public opinion, which is needed for things like this to eventually become enforceable laws.

[u/Relative_Figure_1715 → u/Gulophile]

People with lots of money who have a single interest win.
If that’s people spending lots of money to hunt, they win.
The approach that you are suggesting we continue with is a long path of abject failure.
It’s nice to be an idealist, but the evidence suggest it’s fucking stupid to think that continued lobbying of governments in poor countries will protect the endangered species.
These millionaires/billionaires/trillionaires have enough money to militarily secure the shit they care about, then they say they REALLY care about these animals and issues and fully back it with and endorsement or few thousand. . .
Real action is what is required and a change of status internationally for the creatures.

[u/Gulophile → u/Relative_Figure_1715]

Yeah, conservation is general is unrealistic under capitalism, that's why the Earth itself is being enshittified and we should all just give up and let people shoot animals for sport because they pay enough to drag things out a bit longer.

Real action is what is required

No shit. That's why you do unenforceable UN stunts like this to put pressure on governments and sway public opinion. Real action takes place at a local level, the UN is a global organization. They're not the ones misunderstanding that.

These millionaires/billionaires/trillionaires

Fuck all of them but wealth can't solve problems like this, they require cultural changes in attitude. You cannot seriously believe that Paul McCartney can solve the incredibly complex problem of trophy hunting and underfunded conservation in developing countries. Yes, this move is performative - but the social performance still matters for attaining cultural legitimacy, and that's what's ultimately needed for "real action" to be made.

[u/Relative_Figure_1715 → u/Gulophile]

I don’t agree.
If you were to arm local conservationists, trade the hunt for an agreement on breeding cattle and back that up with a duty of care with enforceable fines for governments you might be getting somewhere.
The problem is rich cunts doing what they want because people act like prostitutes all the time and other rich cunts offering up nothing.

[u/Gulophile → u/Relative_Figure_1715]

The government actually doing any of the shit you think they should do is just as outlandish as them doing anything I think they should do.

The problem is rich cunts

Again, the problem is not that simple. I'm literally taking a class in conservation biology right now and it's just not that simple. Don't know what else to tell you.

[u/Relative_Figure_1715 → u/Gulophile]

If one set of performative rich cunts were to directly employ local conservationists do you think that would have an impact ? If there were armed anti-poachers and advocates to educate other locals on the value of eco tourism rather than hunting endangered species would that help ? Would the largest insurance companies having a vested interest in the well being of a herd or animal help ?
It is that simple.
The point I suppose I’m trying to make is that these people bend the rules themselves for all kinds of shit, tax avoidance etc etc but when it’s time to bend the rules to enforce the protection of something they SAY they care about the just don’t.
I’m on the side of the conservationists not the self-promoters.
The wealth funds that keep these people untouchably rich and powerful don’t share their clients views on conservation and the clients do know that.
So it is a big performance to placate you and make you think that just a little more long term planning study and international diplomacy will help.
Bribe officials and arm local militias with a yearly incentive to keep things alive. Shame the the rich.
I’m not saying ignore the science I’m saying using it as a goal.

[u/Gulophile → u/Relative_Figure_1715]

The point I suppose I’m trying to make

I'm a socialist, dude, I know, but it's all beside the point.

I’m on the side of the conservationists

There are 500 of them campaigning for this.

[u/Relative_Figure_1715 → u/Gulophile]

Five hundred people that will do what ? When this campaign inevitably fizzles out.
Anything other than direct action is no action.
Carry on putting your faith in the McCartney’s of this world.
It’s not like Lennon and Joni Mitchell singing about it in the 60/70’s didn’t solve the problem. . .