Nature Needs More is delighted to introduce HowToSpendItEthically.Org a new online magazine to help consumers take a closer look at the LEGAL trade in endangered species. The aim of the publication is to help consumers know their purchasing behaviour is helping to protect the natural world and not adding to the extinction crisis.
The direct exploitation of species for trade has been confirmed as the second greatest cause of the current extinction crisis. While the unsustainability and the lack of proper regulation and monitoring of the legal trade have been hidden in plain sight for decades, this is rarely mentioned in the mainstream media; the focus being the illicit trade.
Unless consumers of products featuring endangered and exotic species are dedicated and tenacious in their research, it is difficult to realise the negative implications of the legal trade. This lack of attention also means that it is too easy for companies and conservation agencies to promote the sustainable use model as helping conservation. Currently there is no real proof for this statement, but a lack of integration of sustainability measures and supply chain transparency into the trade in endangered and exotic species means ‘greenwashing’ is far too easy.
The magazine will cover all aspects of consumption associated with endangered and exotic species, from personal luxury (clothing, accessories, jewellery, beauty, wellbeing etc) to architecture, high-end furniture and homewares. It will also include luxury hospitality, fine dining and gourmet food, the exotic pet industry and luxury travel. As it turns out, all these industries have a direct effect on many species of endangered wildlife and are utilising wildlife in their products.