Every time a suggestion is made with respect to a reform initiative or NGO, that evil word keeps popping up...money (or specifically funding). Most people have read of the netting funds, training funds, MAC funds, CDT costs, in recent posts.
One thing is quite clear, reform costs a lot of money. Without funding all these initiatives would die. Take CORL for example, having to possibly shut down their US office due to funding shortages in order to keep field work alive (correct me if I'm wrong on that). MAC, yes MAC, has to keep looking for money to stay alive, good or bad.
The question then becomes, how should the money be raised to pay for reform? Who should pay...industry...hobbyist? Another could be, how to effectively direct the money so the most needed areas (e.g. netting, training, CDT) get the money. Should all the money be split among the countless number of organizations or companies that are doing the right thing, thus creating an atmosphere of competition for the dollars?
How about an eco-tax? I'm Canadian and we love taxes. I get eco-taxed on any tire, paint, car battery, etc that I buy. This money, apparantly, goes toward the funding of proper disposal of these used products. Should this be a surcharge at origin (the Philippines) based on boxes exported or value of a shipment? Should it be collected on import or at retail level?
Just some food for thought. Any ideas, comments, or suggestions direct them someone else.
One thing is quite clear, reform costs a lot of money. Without funding all these initiatives would die. Take CORL for example, having to possibly shut down their US office due to funding shortages in order to keep field work alive (correct me if I'm wrong on that). MAC, yes MAC, has to keep looking for money to stay alive, good or bad.
The question then becomes, how should the money be raised to pay for reform? Who should pay...industry...hobbyist? Another could be, how to effectively direct the money so the most needed areas (e.g. netting, training, CDT) get the money. Should all the money be split among the countless number of organizations or companies that are doing the right thing, thus creating an atmosphere of competition for the dollars?
How about an eco-tax? I'm Canadian and we love taxes. I get eco-taxed on any tire, paint, car battery, etc that I buy. This money, apparantly, goes toward the funding of proper disposal of these used products. Should this be a surcharge at origin (the Philippines) based on boxes exported or value of a shipment? Should it be collected on import or at retail level?
Just some food for thought. Any ideas, comments, or suggestions direct them someone else.