The Sun Shining Down

Anything truly is possible. Even in the elite olympics dreams that are dashed before they start have a way of finding their dreamer when they least expect it. Canadian Davey Barr thought his Olympic dreams were over. After not making the freestyle ski team in January, Barr was content to stay at home in British Columbia and watched his fellow country men compete. They were scheduled to compete Sunday and by late Saturday afternoon, Barr was at home planning to watch the event the following day. But anything is possible. Late Saturday evening, Barr got a call from the Canadian coach of the freestyle team asking him to come to Vancouver to compete in the Men's ski cross the following day. Canada's competitor and their backup both got injured and were unable to compete. So without a suit, room or any practice on the course Barr arrived in Vancouver. Barr's coach got him a suit, while the officials found him a room in the Olympic Village. With only two quick trainging runs down the course before competition, Barr instantly became the "Instant Olympian," getting 6th in the semi-finals. Though he did not qualify for finals, Barr certainly proves that even when it looks like there is no hope left, anything truly is possible and come true, you just have to believe!

In other news, a new Australian study shows the positive effects of fishing bans. In 2004, Australia issues a fishing ban on one-third of it's Great Barrier Reef. This ban of the past 6 years has shown positive effects on the life of the reef. The coral is less damaged, fish populations are rising, bigger fish are being seen, and sharks are coming back. This increase of the health of the reef proves equally good for both the reef and people who depend upon the reef. The scientist also believes that this study and protection will help with long-term sustainability of our oceans.

What is causing a greater environmental effects than pollution AND global warming? Well it is the legal and illegal pet trade. The pet trade, with the majority of species coming out os South-east Asia rivals the drug-trade, with extremely high profit margins and gang control exports/imports and territory. Basically what these people are doing is going into pristine forest and emptying them of all wildlife. This is now called empty-forest syndrome. The profit of this trade rivals the drug trade but has much less punishment. This craze is wiping out countless species, and threatening the extinction of thousands of others. As forests run out of the desired animals, they move on to the next. For just $4,000 dollars, you can get a smuggler to send you one of the most endangered animals in the world, the ploughshare tortoise. 43 million animals were exported out of South-east Asia in the last decade, and 100's of millions more were exported illegally. This crime must be stopped, without the wildlife in the forests, what point is having nature? SAVE THE EARTH!!!