There has been a global ban on the trade in ivory since 1989, however illegal poaching still occurs. This is largely fueled by the legal domestic markets that still exist, and the fact that pre-ban ivory cannot be easily distinguished from poached ivory. China is world’s largest consumers of ivory. They currently have a domestic market that contains 34 ivory manufacturers and 130 retail shops. However, in early January 2017, China made a paramount announcement, they would change their ivory policies. Essentially, their goal is to shut down their domestic market by the end of 2017. With the proposed ban licenses to sell ivory, which are normally renewed every two years will not be renewed upon expiry. Without the renewal of these licenses, no commercial trade in ivory will be allowed in China. However, a solution is not this simple. China needs to be committed to strict implementation and law enforcement, to hold individuals and themselves accountable. The ban needs to be carried out in a way that takes into consideration China’s economy, society, and cultural heritage.
Some steps in the solution may include:
Some steps in the solution may include:
- Make all domestic ivory markets illegal
- Licenses to sell ivory must be renewed every two years. Once they expire do not allow for them to be renewed.
- Licenses to sell ivory must be renewed every two years. Once they expire do not allow for them to be renewed.
- Have a set timeline for the ban (ie. a few years), do not renew licenses, and offer no compensation for excess ivory
- Promote and provide support for sustaining carving skills for non-commercial purposes only
- Traditional practices in ivory carving are a part of the Chinese culture and history. The government should provide a small number of jobs to crafts people in the conservation and heritage protection to create art for non-commercial purposes only. The culture and heritage of the Chinese people will be protected all while maintaining a level of conservation for the African elephants
- Traditional practices in ivory carving are a part of the Chinese culture and history. The government should provide a small number of jobs to crafts people in the conservation and heritage protection to create art for non-commercial purposes only. The culture and heritage of the Chinese people will be protected all while maintaining a level of conservation for the African elephants
- Ensure that law enforcement is strongly implicated
- Illegal activities are often sustained by the lack of law enforcement. One way to ensure that the illegal trade stops is by holding all individuals and countries accountable. This may include jail time and fines for individuals caught selling ivory. Additionally, if a country is found with illegal ivory they should also be forced to pay large fines. This will detract people from participating in illegal activities as the punishment is severe. The money used to pay the fines will go to African countries that have elephants so that they can have a fund of money to better aid themselves in the conservation of their elephants.
- Illegal activities are often sustained by the lack of law enforcement. One way to ensure that the illegal trade stops is by holding all individuals and countries accountable. This may include jail time and fines for individuals caught selling ivory. Additionally, if a country is found with illegal ivory they should also be forced to pay large fines. This will detract people from participating in illegal activities as the punishment is severe. The money used to pay the fines will go to African countries that have elephants so that they can have a fund of money to better aid themselves in the conservation of their elephants.
- Educate people about the ivory trade
- Many consumers are unaware or have little knowledge about the environmental and legal issues regarding ivory.Improving the understanding and knowledge around the ivory market is essential in creating a foundation where consumers are educated on the markets that they are supporting. A consumer that is more aware of the products is more likely to change their attitudes and behaviours. Overall detracting them from purchasing anymore goods. Education of this issue can be as simple as billboards, ads in magazines or in public places (ie. washroom stall or subway stations) where it is likely to reach many customers.
- Many consumers are unaware or have little knowledge about the environmental and legal issues regarding ivory.Improving the understanding and knowledge around the ivory market is essential in creating a foundation where consumers are educated on the markets that they are supporting. A consumer that is more aware of the products is more likely to change their attitudes and behaviours. Overall detracting them from purchasing anymore goods. Education of this issue can be as simple as billboards, ads in magazines or in public places (ie. washroom stall or subway stations) where it is likely to reach many customers.