Orcas on May: Southern Residents Greensplain the Election

JPod Shares Thoughts and Prayers for the Green Party The Southern Resident Orcas do not have a voice in Canada’s federal election.  We wanted to give them a chance to speak their truth.  Here it is… with a little commentary from Mark Leiren-Young. The Green Party Platform Read the official Green Party Platform here: https://www.greenparty.ca/en/platform The Green Party platform makes no mention of the plight of the southern residents, but does feature two lovely pictures of orcas—including one that looks like it may be the photo from the cover of my book—so bonus points for that. Their only official whale policy is about ghost gear and nasty nets. “Trawling gear has destroyed fish habitat, and trap and long lines create extreme entanglement hazards for whales, sea turtles, seabirds and other species.” They also think there’s something fishy about open pen fish farms and are on-board with implementing the Cohen Commission Report and paying attention to the unsinkable Alexandra Morton. (For our interview with Morton click here.) Mark Leiren-Young: Orca policies and the Canadian election (https://www.straight.com/news/1313181/mark-leiren-young-orca-policies-and-canadian-election) Skaana connects you to news and experts and their discussions about orcas, oceans and the environment. You can use the affiliate links below to support the pod. Join the Pod……https://www.patreon.com/mobydoll Skaana home…..skaana.org Facebook………..https://www.facebook.com/skaanapod/ Twitter……………https://twitter.com/leirenyoung The Killer Whale Who Changed the World…. http://amzn.to/2pRNU1q Orcas Everywhere orcaseverwhere.com A message from the producer Rayne Benu: Decisions being made by our leaders over the next four years will change the course of history and could be the key factor in whether our Southern Residents survive and thrive. I can’t tell you who to vote for this election. I carry a deep sadness in my heart that none of the parties have any official policy on the Southern Residents.  I have a longing in my soul for someone to stand up and represent the species that live here on our beautiful planet, that do not have a voice.   Many people and organizations are willing to stand up and use the images of the orcas when it’s convenient for them to make a political point, or to sell an idea, but when it comes down to the fundamental truths that they live by, forget to mention the Orcas in their policies, core platforms and overall vision. If a party had a policy or had even mentioned the SROs in their platforms, that is who I would be championing.     With the federal election, and what’s happening down south, it’s hard not to feel discouraged by it all.  I look around and there’s a lot public mudslinging, so much it’s getting hard to see the actual people with all the mud on their faces (ok, some of that is probably just the brown-face….) I worry a lot about how partisan we are all getting – how tribal and us vs them things can be. I encourage you with all my heart to ask good questions of the individuals ...