
Snow Leopard
these species will become our failed victims of fashion
A study for the journal, *Conservation Biology* found that 95% of all forage across the vast, Tibetan plateau in Mongolia and Northern India
is now consumed by goats and other livestock owned by farmers.
Leaving only 5% to the regions vast number of wild animals.
Creating a situation, that is best described by one of the researchers with the following words.
"Rather then serving as symbols of success, these species will become victims of fashion"
"Rather than serving as symbols of success, these species will become victims of fashion."
Conservation Biology Journal
Yes, he did say fashion, because reality is that this is an area which does not produce food, but instead produces much of the world's surging global trade in cashmere.
And as such, it is, of course, an important global factor for the financial aspects of a lot of families in this region (and other places too).
But, it is not an industry craft that is perfected, no, far from it.
Every aspect of it, including the care for the wildlife, and nature, that it unnecessary hurts, could use huge amounts of attention and improvements.
So the question is.
Will humanities need for a luxurious lightweight wool end up being just one of several big reasons why we are pushing vast numbers of species
to extinction.
Will it be, nothing but one additional selfish cause and effect by every day priorities in UK and other international markets,
where Cashmere is highly sought after. Our own shopping spree needs for instant gratification is being turned into a gravestone in the making for
snow leopards and others. Gravestones built by us all, and in full display for the world to see today and for all of time.
Or will we decide that a few % less profit - for the corporations in retail and production making the majority of the profit on the trade
and production of cashmere - is worth it to actually improve upon the craft, the farming, the production and lives of all others.
Because that is the bottom line. We can chose a tiny few % less profit and in turn benefit the entire planet.
The daily quality of life for farmers and families in not just this region but at home in our own garden and community, long term speaking, quality of life and health for us all depends on these sustainable and healthy choices being made.
So the question is if we will finally say that it is worth a tiny less portion of profit to care for and preserve the endangered wildlife and
the nature and landscape itself in not just this beautiful place, but all over the world.
Amongst the victims of the luxurious cashmere trade is the beautiful snow leopard, but also Przewalski horse,
Bactrian camels, Tibetan antelopes, and the siaga.
But - if you care.
Then, there is still time to prevent these species from going extinct, and it is very much possible and quite easily to do so,
while also letting the people in India and Mongolia and China continue to benefit from producing cashmere, by both big and small changes
in how we view the importance of wildlife, nature and quality of life for all people and not just the ones in front of our nose.
Small changes that is already happening around the world and places like this would make sure
that farmers get properly reimbursed for losing cattle to predators all while the health of our planet and our own everyday life gets to improve instead of rapidly decline.
A much-needed change for both farmers and wildlife since the situation is that the predatory wildlife has so little nature left to roam and
hunt in that it is inevitable that they also will prowl and hunt on the 95% of the area that is now occupied and used by farmers and their
livestock.
A simple fact that can not be allowed to lead to retaliating poaching, well, at least not if we want to continue to keep both farmers
and the regions wildlife healthy and alive that is.
And that is a necessary thing for our own continued wellbeing, not just here but worldwide.
So one small but crucial change is a slightly lower profit for the biggest revenue maker, increasing quality of life for both wildlife and
farmers and increasing the chances that we, in the end manages to keep these species from going extinct.
If we care that is about something beyond the joy of putting on a new fancy shirt made out of cashmere.
music of the day while you are reading our article
The Moment by The Agonist
The Mouse In our Wall
We play in the snow, under the shooting star
Told to you, as I once told, a mind and girly soul, so beautiful.
Inside the walls of our homes, and lives.
There are Undraped windows through which we see both in and out, and at night I look out and up with you.
A shooting star stirs and moves
the northern lights. Like a spoon through water, it moves before our eyes. Clear as day yet slightly obfuscated through the sheets of glass, the world is silent and it could be a dream as I witness the star cut through the puffy clouds.
And at night.
Some other times, there we are, walking through life's small moments and we are holding hands.
Together, we stand outside having walked amongst the falling leafs and the subtle snow.
Rain or sunshine matters not.
Looking in, through the of night, all chilly frosty glass, the burning lamps the pleasant light and warmth that moves and lives inside.
Is it empty we ask out loud, or is there someone looking out? Back at us. Do they hear our silent minds, can they feel our burning soul and warming hands.
In between these two sides. Neither looking in or out. Or perhaps, they do them both all the time.
There live a gnarly little furry mouse that moves about with his love and all their friends.
At night, you can hear them talk and hug it out. They move, play and dart around, inside and outside the walls that people build. Sometimes they walk our floors, sitting near, our sleeping faces.
We kiss and make a cute little snowy angel. Your arms wisp around and I kiss your pretty lips, yet again.
And right there. In the corner of my eye. I swear the little mice sits right nearby. Looking out at us as we hug it out.
And perhaps he too thinks the very same. Looking out and about, at us and all the shooting stars.

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