Poaching

Poaching is the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of animals. Most animals are hunted for human necessities such as: clothes, merchandise, jewelry, food, etc. Some animals have religious value. They are used in totems and in witch craft. Animals are also believed to have medicinal value. Hunting for sport is also practiced in a variety of nations. Some people hunt to receive income because animal meat is very popular(i.e. agouti, lapp, venison, etc.). Those who cannot make a good living have the benefit of hunting season. Hunting season is a time where you can hunt specific animals that are usually not endangered. You must have a license to hunt, and if out of season you will be charged a fine.

The leatherback sea turtles are hunted to make things such as jewelry, soup, etc. They are an endangered species due to the amount of poaching in the areas they nest. They nest in Matura, Grand Riviere, etc. Per season they nest to at least 6-10 times, and they nest from 80-120 eggs per nest. However, only 1 out of the whole nest survives to be an adult. Most suffer death from fishing nets. Others suffer from plastic bags due to pollution, assuming that the plastic bag is a jelly fish. The leatherback sea turtles are honestly majestic creatures, they shouldn’t be treated the way they are now. You, as the reader, I ask for you to do what you believe in and take charge.

Deforestation

Picture a world without trees. Without trees, we won’t have clean air to breathe. Without forests, more parts of the top soil will erode each year, landslides will occur frequently, and floods will rise even when the amount of rainfall is low.  This is already happening, for example in Trinidad, the Diego Martin river begins to overflow and burst its banks after just 10 minutes of rainfall.

Trees have been cut down by humans since ancient times.

Why?

Well to build houses, furniture, and paper. 
Trees are essential for humans to survive. The wood from trees are used for shelter, as fuel, and to provide necessities. Don't you think that as humans we take advantage of what keeps us breathing?

The threat of deforestation is brought by the following:

• Converting forests to agricultural land to feed the population

• Cash crops and cattle ranching, both of these earn money for tropical countries

• Commercial logging destroys trees as well as clearing land for agricultural usage

There are moments, however, that deforestation can happen as an accident. Natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions can wipe out the whole of the forest. Although there is still hope! Through the efforts of many environmentalists(i.e. Nature Seekers), reforestation and conservation efforts (i.e. Melajo Forest Reserve) have brought back our forests. This will result in bringing our environment back to it's beautiful, majestic state.

Let’s Stop and Teach about the Environment Properly

My name is Rebecca, and this is my blog called "S.T.E.P."
This is a fundamental blog for you and your parents or vice verse to do together. I made this blog because youths nowadays don’t realize the issues going on in our society. Half of the time they are either on the computer or on their phones. Creating a barrier between them and the society as we know it. It's my job to help them benefit in terms of the environment, by teaching them about it. Showing them what going on in the world, and how they can have an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

 I believe that youths, we can do anything now, unless they set their minds to it. This can make a huge impact on themselves and on their community. I can help guide them, with small environmental activities such as planting trees, picking up garbage, making awareness posters, and many more.