Conservation etiquette: are our words causing more harm than good?

 How the way we engage with supporters in our campaigns might actually be harming the success of the campaign over time and discrediting our groups.

Pilot whales are killed for food during a Grind

Being a member of several conservation groups in the UK and abroad, I have had many a scathing debate or heated discussion with those on the pro side of hunting and mindless killing of animals. None of them resulted in a positive solution for either side.

This got me thinking.

When creating material for a conservation cause or campaign, what kind of language and persuasion should we be using to ensure the success of the campaign?

Faroese viewpoints

Last year, I learnt an important lesson whilst arguing with the Faroese over the annual Grind. With the likes of Sea Shepherd and other anti-whaling groups bringing the Grind into the media spotlight, the Faroese have had a backlash of criticism and abuse. It’s a very emotive subject with people on both sides impassioned and exasperated.

But, it’s important to remember that for them, whale meat is a source of food, not fun. It is regulated and most try to minimize the suffering that ensues during each Grind. When you think about it long and hard, yes, you might find it cruel and horrific, but is it really any different from the methods used in the likes of abattoirs and fishing?

The outcome of that impassioned dispute was that I backed down. Pointing out the cruelty, mindless violence and the danger from the risk of mercury and plastic didn’t faze any of them. It is still a food source (and there are few options there) and a very complex subject.

What I learned over those couple of days was that the only way to effect change is by offering sustainable solutions. Getting large containers to drop off food is expensive and as was pointed out, causes damage to the environment from fuel consumption as well as interrupting the journeys of marine wildlife. Eating livestock won’t work (other than sheep) as the conditions are not right for them to be bred.

So what it the current solution? Listening, mainly. The Faroese don’t need to be demonized, they need to be understood. The lances used to kill whales were designed by a vet to be as humane as possible. People in each area are fed but only when certain regulations are met. If enough meat has been handed out, they don’t have a Grind.

The group has a solid following with people globally joining the discussion and spreading the word, as well as facts to educate and engage a wider group.

When you understand the bigger picture and offer solutions to ongoing issues, you are far more likely to get a positive response and engage people in the campaign. Many Faroese are open to discussion about how to avoid eating whale meat, but so far, no solution has been offered to them.

I considered how this group conducted itself through open dialogue, patience and listening to all ideas. I carried this thought with me into another group I was involved with.

Putting a positive spin on the Faroes

Approaching the fox hunting controversy

Fox hunting in the UK is now just as controversial, just as emotive and just as criticised as the Grind. Whilst editing posts for a group recently, my Faroese experience resonated loudly. I was editing a post regarding farming husbandry and foxes. Whilst most of the advice was sound, one point advised farmers to stop complaining and ‘man up’ as they are heavily subsidised, get out of paying inheritance tax and need to look after animals more effectively.

And there the campaign was over.

My advice to the author went unheeded and the campaign moved forward. I doubt any farmer will ever take notice of caring for their livestock to prevent the spread of Bovine TB which is currently the main reason for badger culls in the UK. There was a great opportunity here to spread awareness of this and engage people in supporting the end of culls as well as supporting the persecution of foxes.

Up to 10,000 young foxes are killed during 'cubbing' in the UK

Providing solutions

Giving people the facts is key to engaging them. Allowing them to learn and discover information out there will keep them engaged and encourage them to pass on information to others.

It is imperative in any campaign never to criticise the other side. It immediately discredits you and without the credence of your convictions, success will undoubtedly remain out of your reach.

Using shocking, but truthful data and emotive images, without misleading your reader, is always going to be a success over emotional berating.

Patience, understanding, positivity towards exacting change and knowledge of solutions are what anyone needs to change their ways – most of these disciplines are taught in school to encourage children to achieve their potential. If we criticised school kids and told them they were wayward, languid, brainless or just plain evil, think how they would respond. We would never generate a change!

The same can be said for conservation. By educating others, they then pass on your pearls of wisdom, engage others and the facts spread for themselves. Awareness is just as important as change; we have seen this with the war on plastic and how many people are now on board due to the positive solutions put in place.

Imagine if the same could be done for preventing the extinction of a species.