MARCH 2010
Truth has power.
Deeply written in each of us we hear the truth that all living things are connected.
That which touches one touches all, that which threatens one threatens all.
The collective truth established by consistent research is that climate change is such a threat.
South Africa is home to less than 800 free ranging cheetahs. Conflict with larger predators within protected areas and conflict with livestock farmers on farmland where most cheetahs roam has dramatically reduced their numbers - and its only going to get worse.
Changing rainfall patterns and shifting habitats affect wild food distribution - increased carbon dioxide levels stimulate trees to grow more aggressively threatening grassland putting the cheetah, one of nature’s most successful creations, an animal that shared the world with smilodon, at greater risk of extinction than at any time in its four million years.
How does all of that affect you? Tourism is the fastest sector of the economy, up from 6% of GDP in 1993 to 8.3% in 2006 - and what markets South Africa’s tourism?
> Culture - of course
>
Sport - yes but at what environmental and economic cost?
But the real draw - the sustainable ace up our sleeve is our valuable wild life heritage and at the apex, the wonder and majesty of our great cats. No great cats - many less tourists - less tourist dollars circulating through our money web, affecting the livelihood of us all.
The challenge was to find a positive solution to farmer/predator conflict. Since 2005 Cheetah Outreach, in partnership with De Wildt, and more recently, with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, an ancient breed of dog, the Anatolian Shepherd Guarder, on farmlands to protect livestock. This has reduced livestock loss from the industry norm of 30% to less than 3%. Profit is up. In some herds of only 350 animals by well over R100,000.00 annually - all for the cost of feeding a dog and farmers are more tolerant of all predators. A total win-win - this is a cost effective, elegant and ancient solution to a persistent and ancient problem.
I urge you all, in whatever sphere of business you are active, to pursue actively creative and sustainable interventions.
In the end your children cannot eat money.
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