A damning report by WWF puts the worsening condition of Planet Earth into perspective


Quote:

Humans have been around for more than 2 million years. But in the last 44 years, we have achieved what we haven’t in all this while: a mass annihilation of our fellow earthlings. Between 1970 and 2014, Earth lost nearly 60% decline of its mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, almost all of it due to human activity. The rate at which Earth is losing its biodiversity is comparable only to the mass extinctions. This and other findings have been published by the World Wildlife Fund in its Living Planet Report 2018, a stinging reminder of the declining health of the planet. Published by WWF every two years, the report documents the state of the planet in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, the demand on natural resources and its impact on nature and wildlife. This year, its results are even more devastating than ever: [list bull-blackball] 20% of the Amazon has disappeared in just 50 years [list bull-blackball] On a global scale, the area of minimally disturbed forests declined by 92 million hectares between 2000 and 2013 [list bull-blackball] Of all species that have gone extinct since 1500 AD, 75% were harmed by overexploitation or agriculture [list bull-blackball] Ocean acidification may be occurring at a rate not seen in at least 300 million years. The Earth is estimated to have lost 50% of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years[list bull-blackball] Humans are responsible for releasing 100 billion tonnes of carbon into the Earth’s system every 10 years. In April 2018, levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached an average of 410 parts per million (ppm) across the entire month–the highest level in at least 800,000 years [list bull-blackball] Only 25% of land on Earth is substantively free of the impacts of human activities. This is projected to decline to just 10% by 2050 [list bull-blackball] The report states that as our reliance on natural reserves continues to grow, it’s clear that nature is not just a ‘nice thing to have’. It’s imperative for our survival. A global deal for nature and people WWF along with conservation and science colleagues around the world are calling for a new global deal between nature and people, involving decision makers at every level to make the right political, financial and consumer choices. WWF is collaborating with a consortium of almost 40 universities and organisations to launch a research initiative that will explore the critical work of putting together the best ways to save the planet. The report says that the biggest challenge—and biggest opportunity—lies in changing our approach to development and remember that protecting nature also helps protect people. In the words of Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, “Today, we still have a choice. We can be the founders of a global movement that changed our relationship with the planet. Or we can be the generation that had its chance and failed to act. The choice is ours.”

https://www.cntraveller.in/story/45-years-killed-60-earths-wildlife/#s-cust0

Come on lee where the hell are you ? :D LOL

Sorry Petal. Men's Shed this morning.

I had a look at the study rather than the report of the study.
They are all models based studies. ;D

lee wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 2:38pm:

Sorry Petal. Men's Shed this morning. I had a look at the study rather than the report of the study. They are all models based studies. ;D

and your model says non of them have disappeared :D LOL

Sir lastnail wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 3:08pm:

and your model says non of them have disappeared

No petal.


Sir lastnail wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 9:59am:

But in the last 44 years, we have achieved what we haven’t in all this while: a mass annihilation of our fellow earthlings. Between 1970 and 2014, Earth lost nearly 60% decline of its mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, almost all of it due to human activity.

According to the report a 60% decline not species extinction. And of course that wouldn't be across all species. ;)

The WWF says:


Quote:

But if the upper estimate of species numbers is true - that there are 100 million different species co-existing with us on our planet - then between 10,000 and 100,000 species are becoming extinct each year.

Spot

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 4:38pm:

The WWF says: Quote: But if the upper estimate of species numbers is true - that there are 100 million different species co-existing with us on our planet - then between 10,000 and 100,000 species are becoming extinct each year. Spot

Yeah one BIG if. And all based on models. ;)

lee wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 4:44pm:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 4:38pm: The WWF says: Quote: But if the upper estimate of species numbers is true - that there are 100 million different species co-existing with us on our planet - then between 10,000 and 100,000 species are becoming extinct each year. Spot Yeah one BIG if. And all based on models. ;)

Someone must know though. Some research facility must be keeping track?

Spot

Lee is starting to wonder if he has got it all wrong.

60% doesn't sound good, it sounds like a disaster.

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 5:00pm:

Lee is starting to wonder if he has got it all wrong. 60% doesn't sound good, it sounds like a disaster.

Petal is never wrong. He lives in a psrallel universe along with his partner Liar.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

macman wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 5:20pm:

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 5:00pm: Lee is starting to wonder if he has got it all wrong. 60% doesn't sound good, it sounds like a disaster. Petal is never wrong. He lives in a psrallel universe along with his partner Liar.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Honey bunch sugar plum will have a graph soon.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 4:54pm:

Someone must know though. Some research facility must be keeping track?

The 100 million species was a modeled study.1.  How many species do we know?   
2.  What percentage of species don't we know? Multiply 1 x 2.

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 5:00pm:

Lee is starting to wonder if he has got it all wrong. 60% doesn't sound good, it sounds like a disaster.

60% is also modeled. And they blame all those declinations on man. Rats are a common cause because they eat eggs.

macman wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 5:20pm:

Petal is never wrong.

Oh dear. Cartoon time must have finished. The "deep" thinker is here. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

lee wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 5:53pm:

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 5:00pm: Lee is starting to wonder if he has got it all wrong. 60% doesn't sound good, it sounds like a disaster. 60% is also modeled. And they blame all those declinations on man. Rats are a common cause because they eat eggs.

I hate rats.

"A new method co-developed by Anahí Espíndola, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, uses the power of machine learning and open-access data to predict species that could be eligible for at-risk status. The research team created and trained a machine learning algorithm to assess more than 150,000 species of plants from all corners of the world, making their project among the largest assessments of conservation risk to date. "

https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/new-machine-learning-method-predicts-possible-additions-global-list-threatened-plant-species

Or you could refer to -

"Native plants and animals can rapidly become superabundant and dominate ecosystems, leading to claims that native species are no less likely than alien species to cause environmental damage, including biodiversity loss. We compared how frequently alien and native species have been implicated as drivers of recent extinctions in a comprehensive global database, the 2017 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Alien species were considered to be a contributing cause of 25% of plant extinctions and 33% of animal extinctions, whereas native species were implicated in less than 5% and 3% of plant and animal extinctions, respectively."

https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/fee.2020

So alien species contributed 60%, man 60%....  ::)

lee wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 6:23pm:

"A new method co-developed by Anahí Espíndola, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, uses the power of machine learning and open-access data to predict species that could be eligible for at-risk status. The research team created and trained a machine learning algorithm to assess more than 150,000 species of plants from all corners of the world, making their project among the largest assessments of conservation risk to date. " https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/new-machine-learning-method-predicts-possible-additions-global-list-threatened-plant-species Or you could refer to - "Native plants and animals can rapidly become superabundant and dominate ecosystems, leading to claims that native species are no less likely than alien species to cause environmental damage, including biodiversity loss. We compared how frequently alien and native species have been implicated as drivers of recent extinctions in a comprehensive global database, the 2017 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Alien species were considered to be a contributing cause of 25% of plant extinctions and 33% of animal extinctions, whereas native species were implicated in less than 5% and 3% of plant and animal extinctions, respectively." https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/fee.2020 So alien species contributed 60%, man 60%....  ::)

That's a laugh, extinction of species only means the ferals and invasive species move in, no more species will be created.

Sir lastnail wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 9:59am:

A damning report by WWF puts the worsening condition of Planet Earth into perspective Quote: Humans have been around for more than 2 million years. But in the last 44 years, we have achieved what we haven’t in all this while: a mass annihilation of our fellow earthlings. Between 1970 and 2014, Earth lost nearly 60% decline of its mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, almost all of it due to human activity. The rate at which Earth is losing its biodiversity is comparable only to the mass extinctions. This and other findings have been published by the World Wildlife Fund in its Living Planet Report 2018, a stinging reminder of the declining health of the planet. Published by WWF every two years, the report documents the state of the planet in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, the demand on natural resources and its impact on nature and wildlife. This year, its results are even more devastating than ever: [list bull-blackball] 20% of the Amazon has disappeared in just 50 years [list bull-blackball] On a global scale, the area of minimally disturbed forests declined by 92 million hectares between 2000 and 2013 [list bull-blackball] Of all species that have gone extinct since 1500 AD, 75% were harmed by overexploitation or agriculture [list bull-blackball] Ocean acidification may be occurring at a rate not seen in at least 300 million years. The Earth is estimated to have lost 50% of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years[list bull-blackball] Humans are responsible for releasing 100 billion tonnes of carbon into the Earth’s system every 10 years. In April 2018, levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached an average of 410 parts per million (ppm) across the entire month–the highest level in at least 800,000 years [list bull-blackball] Only 25% of land on Earth is substantively free of the impacts of human activities. This is projected to decline to just 10% by 2050 [list bull-blackball] The report states that as our reliance on natural reserves continues to grow, it’s clear that nature is not just a ‘nice thing to have’. It’s imperative for our survival. A global deal for nature and people WWF along with conservation and science colleagues around the world are calling for a new global deal between nature and people, involving decision makers at every level to make the right political, financial and consumer choices. WWF is collaborating with a consortium of almost 40 universities and organisations to launch a research initiative that will explore the critical work of putting together the best ways to save the planet. The report says that the biggest challenge—and biggest opportunity—lies in changing our approach to development and remember that protecting nature also helps protect people. T In the words of Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, “Today, we still have a choice. We can be the founders of a global movement that changed our relationship with the planet. Or we can be the generation that had its chance and failed to act. The choice is ours.” https://www.cntraveller.in/story/45-years-killed-60-earths-wildlife/#s-cust0

Bollocks on stilts, with knobs on.

It's  third wolders, not all humans. The tinted, ungovernable, racacious part of humanity.

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 6:43pm:

That's a laugh, extinction of species only means the ferals and invasive species move in, no more species will be created.

You must tell us how new species are created. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

You do understand the term "alien species"? It is far more than "invasive" species.

Good post Nail.
All we need is the Hammer to reply.  :D

Seriously though - the TIPPING POINT is always over the 50%.

Along with Trees on this planet at 80% in since the Whiteys discovered that the Darkies covered most of the Planet in many other regions.

Species as 'listed', yes - 60+% of known and discovered have become extinct. Some have been saved from the brink of death - like the Orynx - of whom only 6 remained alive in Africa. Hunters from the USA took them from Namibia and ranched them in Texas back to 20,000... for Hunting of Course. ;)

Humanity will NEVER find LIFE out there in the Galaxy.
Until it can save, maintain and grow LIFE here first - because the Galaxy is not 'just' for Humans.

Jasin wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 7:28pm:

Species as 'listed', yes - 60+% of known and discovered have become extinct.

Reference?

"Since 1900, nearly 500 species of animal have gone extinct, according to a 2015 study. "

Now there are at least 8.7 million species. perhaps you can explain the discrepancy.

The 60% figure in the OP does not refer to extinctions....Why do people deliberately miss represent the facts???

::) ::) ::)

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900), The Gay Science, section 191

lee wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 7:10pm:

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 6:43pm: That's a laugh, extinction of species only means the ferals and invasive species move in, no more species will be created. You must tell us how new species are created. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D You do understand the term "alien species"? It is far more than "invasive" species.

Darwin will tell you that new species are created in new environments, not in rat and weed infested industrial wasteland though.

" The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, which involved more than a thousand experts, estimated an extinction rate that was later calculated at up to 8,700 species a year, or 24 a day. More recently, scientists at the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity concluded that: “Every day, up to 150 species are lost.” That could be as much as 10 percent a decade.
golden toad
The golden toad, once abundant in parts of Costa Rica, was declared extinct in 2007. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

But nobody knows whether such estimates are anywhere close to reality. They are based on computer modeling, and documented losses are tiny by comparison. Only about 800 extinctions have been documented in the past 400 years, according to data held by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Out of some 1.9 million recorded current or recent species on the planet, that represents less than a tenth of one percent.

Nor is there much documented evidence of accelerating loss. In its latest update, released in June, the IUCN reported “no new extinctions,” although last year it reported the loss of an earwig on the island of St. Helena and a Malaysian snail. And some species once thought extinct have turned out to be still around, like the Guadalupe fur seal, which “died out” a century ago, but now numbers over 20,000.

Moreover, the majority of documented extinctions have been on small islands, where species with small gene pools have usually succumbed to human hunters. That may be an ecological tragedy for the islands concerned, but most species live in continental areas and, ecologists agree, are unlikely to prove so vulnerable. "

https://e360.yale.edu/features/global_extinction_rates_why_do_estimates_vary_so_wildly

philperth2010 wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 8:03pm:

The 60% figure in the OP does not refer to extinctions.

As I pointed out. ;)

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 8:03pm:

Darwin will tell you that new species are created in new environments, not in rat and weed infested industrial wasteland though.

And seeing as the earth has no new environments? ;)

lee wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 8:05pm:

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:03pm: Darwin will tell you that new species are created in new environments, not in rat and weed infested industrial wasteland though. And seeing as the earth has no new environments? ;)

There are less environments and virtually zero chance of new species. Doomsday looms.

Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed?

So Lee is complaining that they did not go out and count every animal on earth?

Bobby. wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 8:33pm:

Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed?

I know, right? When the UN crypto-globalist-communist police state took over I expected some darn policing. Right now they're acting like they can't even tell national governments what to do.

Robot wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 9:13pm:

Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:33pm: Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed? I know, right? When the UN crypto-globalist-communist police state took over I expected some darn policing. Right now they're acting like they can't even tell national governments what to do.

The UN seems to be doing nothing that's any good -

they just watch while the Amazon is being destroyed.

Johnnie wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 8:23pm:

There are less environments and virtually zero chance of new species.

There are the same number of environments. Some may have moved. ;)

freediver wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 8:43pm:

So Lee is complaining that they did not go out and count every animal on earth?

Poor petal. Perpetually wedded to the idea that faster computers make things more accurate.

They don't. Any mistakes they just make faster. ;)

Bobby. wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 9:20pm:

Robot wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 9:13pm: Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:33pm: Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed? I know, right? When the UN crypto-globalist-communist police state took over I expected some darn policing. Right now they're acting like they can't even tell national governments what to do. The UN seems to be doing nothing that's any good - they just watch while the Amazon is being destroyed.

They should send a sternly-worded letter to Bolsonaro.

The United Nations will do nothing about it except get paid to talk about it.
Why?
Because there is no-one they can turn to that can show the expertise to do something about it. Hell, there isn't even a International Rescue for natural disasters around the world. Instead they can only send in Military units with sky blue labels to pile sand-bags, try to stop looting and any other Political or Military issues that arise.

If the world is going to crap while Asia & North America get ready for War. Where is Africa & Australia (Sahul) to help stop the self-destruction of the world for their own part?
Europe and South America, Middle-East and Oceania??

This world will get worse and by the look of it so far, we can do nothing about it besides the two main industries in the world just talking about it and making more guns. No wonder the youth of the world are just turning to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of hopelessness.

You're all gonna die.

Robot wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 9:28pm:

Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 9:20pm: Robot wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 9:13pm: Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:33pm: Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed? I know, right? When the UN crypto-globalist-communist police state took over I expected some darn policing. Right now they're acting like they can't even tell national governments what to do. The UN seems to be doing nothing that's any good - they just watch while the Amazon is being destroyed. They should send a sternly-worded letter to Bolsonaro.

He's an arsehole.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49815731


President Jair Bolsonaro has insisted that the Brazilian areas of the Amazon rainforest are sovereign territory.

Conservationists blame Mr Bolsonaro and his government for turning a blind eye to farmers and loggers clearing land in the Amazon, hastening deforestation.

But in an address at the United Nations in New York, he struck a defiant note.

He said it was a "fallacy" to describe the Amazon as the heritage of humanity and a "misconception" that its forests were the lungs of the world.

Brazil - home to more than half the Amazon rainforest - has seen a significant rise in the number of fires in 2019, according to US space agency Nasa and others.

Environmentalists say the far-right Mr Bolsonaro's policies have led to an increase in fires this year, and that he has encouraged cattle farmers and loggers to clear large areas of the rainforest since his election last October.

Bobby. wrote on Nov 27^th, 2019 at 5:40am:

Robot wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 9:28pm: Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 9:20pm: Robot wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 9:13pm: Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:33pm: Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed? I know, right? When the UN crypto-globalist-communist police state took over I expected some darn policing. Right now they're acting like they can't even tell national governments what to do. The UN seems to be doing nothing that's any good - they just watch while the Amazon is being destroyed. They should send a sternly-worded letter to Bolsonaro. He's an arsehole. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49815731 President Jair Bolsonaro has insisted that the Brazilian areas of the Amazon rainforest are sovereign territory. Conservationists blame Mr Bolsonaro and his government for turning a blind eye to farmers and loggers clearing land in the Amazon, hastening deforestation. But in an address at the United Nations in New York, he struck a defiant note. He said it was a "fallacy" to describe the Amazon as the heritage of humanity and a "misconception" that its forests were the lungs of the world. Brazil - home to more than half the Amazon rainforest - has seen a significant rise in the number of fires in 2019, according to US space agency Nasa and others. Environmentalists say the far-right Mr Bolsonaro's policies have led to an increase in fires this year, and that he has encouraged cattle farmers and loggers to clear large areas of the rainforest since his election last October.

Nonsense--he's Making Brazil Great Again.

Bobby. wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 8:33pm:

Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed?

Who is the UN? What power does it have? Where does that power come from? Who is paying  for it?

Frank wrote on Nov 27^th, 2019 at 6:40pm:

Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:33pm: Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed? Who is the UN? What power does it have? Where does that power come from? Who is paying  for it?

It's the United Nations  -

where all nations unite to do good in the world.

Your questions answered courtesy of unsecrets.info:


Frank wrote on Nov 27^th, 2019 at 6:40pm:

Who is the UN?

A cabal of reptilian globalists.


Frank wrote on Nov 27^th, 2019 at 6:40pm:

What power does it have?

Wind turbines on the moon.


Frank wrote on Nov 27^th, 2019 at 6:40pm:

Where does that power come from?

Solar winds


Frank wrote on Nov 27^th, 2019 at 6:40pm:

Who is paying  for it?

George Soros.

Bobby. wrote on Nov 28^th, 2019 at 10:13am:

Frank wrote on Nov 27th, 2019 at 6:40pm: Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:33pm: Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed? Who is the UN? What power does it have? Where does that power come from? Who is paying  for it? It's the United Nations  - where all nations unite to do good in the world.

That's good to know.

Sir lastnail wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 9:59am:

A damning report by WWF puts the worsening condition of Planet Earth into perspective Quote: Humans have been around for more than 2 million years. But in the last 44 years, we have achieved what we haven’t in all this while: a mass annihilation of our fellow earthlings. Between 1970 and 2014, Earth lost nearly 60% decline of its mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, almost all of it due to human activity. The rate at which Earth is losing its biodiversity is comparable only to the mass extinctions. This and other findings have been published by the World Wildlife Fund in its Living Planet Report 2018, a stinging reminder of the declining health of the planet. Published by WWF every two years, the report documents the state of the planet in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, the demand on natural resources and its impact on nature and wildlife. This year, its results are even more devastating than ever: [list bull-blackball] 20% of the Amazon has disappeared in just 50 years [list bull-blackball] On a global scale, the area of minimally disturbed forests declined by 92 million hectares between 2000 and 2013 [list bull-blackball] Of all species that have gone extinct since 1500 AD, 75% were harmed by overexploitation or agriculture [list bull-blackball] Ocean acidification may be occurring at a rate not seen in at least 300 million years. The Earth is estimated to have lost 50% of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years[list bull-blackball] Humans are responsible for releasing 100 billion tonnes of carbon into the Earth’s system every 10 years. In April 2018, levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached an average of 410 parts per million (ppm) across the entire month–the highest level in at least 800,000 years [list bull-blackball] Only 25% of land on Earth is substantively free of the impacts of human activities. This is projected to decline to just 10% by 2050 [list bull-blackball] The report states that as our reliance on natural reserves continues to grow, it’s clear that nature is not just a ‘nice thing to have’. It’s imperative for our survival. A global deal for nature and people WWF along with conservation and science colleagues around the world are calling for a new global deal between nature and people, involving decision makers at every level to make the right political, financial and consumer choices. WWF is collaborating with a consortium of almost 40 universities and organisations to launch a research initiative that will explore the critical work of putting together the best ways to save the planet. The report says that the biggest challenge—and biggest opportunity—lies in changing our approach to development and remember that protecting nature also helps protect people. In the words of Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, “Today, we still have a choice. We can be the founders of a global movement that changed our relationship with the planet. Or we can be the generation that had its chance and failed to act. The choice is ours.” https://www.cntraveller.in/story/45-years-killed-60-earths-wildlife/#s-cust0

there are too many humans on the globe by far

No more Animals and not much in way of crops.
Population 10 Billion!

Evolution casts its next stone and those that feed on Humans will take the future... and feeding comes in many ways. ;)

Robot wrote on Nov 26^th, 2019 at 9:13pm:

Bobby. wrote on Nov 26th, 2019 at 8:33pm: Why can't the UN stop the Amazon from being destroyed? I know, right? When the UN crypto-globalist-communist police state took over I expected some darn policing. Right now they're acting like they can't even tell national governments what to do.

We can't do anything about it -
if The UN can't then they might as well close shop
and get us another authority that could do some good in the world.