CLAUDIA JONES: DEEP ECOLOGICAL DUTCH CONSCIENCE

Claudia Jones in Maastrich, The Netherlands

Claudia Jones. Ecological Activist. The Netherlands.

I'm Claudia Jones. I was born in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Maastricht is the greenest Dutch city and perhaps because of this, I’m an Ecological Activist. I love our planet and all things that it offers us. We must respect and protect it and the benefits of a minority can affect the lives of the majority. We must take conscience of taking care of our planet because we haven’t got another. We must protect natural sources and allow every country to protect them. Earth is a rich planet and all humans can live in good conditions if we respect us and we learn to share, not to invade.

-Good morning, Claudia Jones and thanks to attend us.

-Good morning. It's an honour.

-What is ecology for you?

-It’s respect for the environment, then for our planet. It’s growing paying attention to ideas of sustainability and respect.

-Do you think this green conscience is expanded around the world?

-It depends. Poor countries are more interested in protecting their environment because it’s their source of living but they are suffering terrible pressures from rich countries which only want to take benefits without paying attention to the consequences.

-Why?

-It’s another kind of colonialism. Some decades ago, colonialism consisted in invade some lands and obligate their citizens to adopt your rules and culture  like language, clothes, religion… Now this is not necessary if you control the economy of these lands and their resources.

-Give me the name of a famous ecologist…

-It's impossible to offer only a name because we are a movement with an ideology, we haven’t got leaders and, perhaps because of this, we can keep our ideas alive overcoming political pressures. You can attack a leader, you can imprison him/her, but it will appear another person with the same message. You can jail him/her but it will rise another one. And the new leaders will be more powerful because they don’t only have their message, they will have the force of defending other people who are suffering injustices decided by the power.

-Then, you haven’t got a reference, have you?

-The ecologist movement is a reference in itself but if you’re asking about someone who I appreciate or admire, I must talk about Jean Goodall. She is a British primatologist and anthropologist who is considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees around the planet. She’s also a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

-Is she a reference for you?

-Of course, she is. Goodall's research at Gombe Stream is best known to the scientific community for challenging two long-standing beliefs of the day: that only humans could construct and use tools, and that chimpanzees were vegetarians.

-Jean Goodall remembers me Dian Fossey.

-Yes, it’s impossible to talk about Goodall without talking about Fossey. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist known for undertaking an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups from 1966 until her death in 1985. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by palaeontologist Louis Leakey. During her time in Rwanda, she actively supported conservation efforts, strongly opposed poaching and tourism in wildlife habitats, and made more people acknowledge sapient gorillas. Fossey was brutally murdered in her cabin at a remote camp in Rwanda in December 1985. It has been theorized that her murder was linked to her conservation efforts.

-It must be difficult working in some African countries with these increasing rates of violence.

-I think so but it’s a risk that you must take if you love your work and you love these species that you’re trying to protect.

-Why do you think being an ecologist activist is not well seen in some countries?

-Because the most part of times, the protection of the environment is something opposite to the business and benefits of great economic holdings. In a world where money is in the centre of our lives and it seems that you have more success if you earn more, it’s difficult to do actions designated to protect the environment, which is a common thing, against the interest of this minority. It’s the old battle between the 99% and the 1%.

-How do you feel being a member of The Jones family?

-The Jones are very good people. We're a great family and they respect me and I respect them. We’re sensible people and we know that we can express our ideas without fear because we appreciate different points of views. This fact makes us better people. Respect is the essence of a relationship.

-How is a normal day with The Jones?

-What's normal? If normal means something that the most part of people do, and then we aren't a normal family because we do whatever we desire, whenever we want and wherever we stay.

-How long have you been studying English?

-I studied English since the Primary School. In the Netherlands we have four official languages and we study them in the Primary School: Dutch, English Frisian and Papiamento. There are also three more recognized languages: Limburgish, Dutch Low and Saxon.

-Then, you speak Dutch and English, don't you?

-Yes, I do... and Frisian and Papiamento.

-What can you explain about your life with The Jones?

-As I have explained before, the Jones offer me the possibility of being myself and this is something very important for an artist. You can express your opinions and everybody is going to accept your point of view although they don't share it with you.

-Which is your best memory with the family?

-I have lots of memories although I remember strongly when we decided to travel to the Galápagos Islands. It was a very especial moment for me because I love these islands and visit them again is a great present.

-Imagine that I want to adopt a pet. Recommend me one...

-You can adopt pets which are living in special centres because you’re offering them a new life. But a pet is not a toy and you must be sure you’re responsible enough to take care of it. A pet is not a caprice. It needs some attentions and company.

-Why do you think some people adopt exotic animals?

-Because they’re totally irresponsible. An exotic animal must live in its environment not at home but people are sometimes very selfish and they only think in themselves.

-What do you think about zoos?

-Zoos have changes a lot. They were a kind of animals’ museum but nowadays they are centres which try to help animals, especially those which are under danger of extinction. However, I prefer to change the idea of keeping a zoo by the idea of keeping natural reserves but, of course, this is very expensive and, at last, everything is a matter of money. It’s a pity and a shame.

-Thank you very much, Claudia Jones.

-You're welcome.

Birds falling down the rooftops

out of the sky like raindrops.
No air, no pride.
Birds.
To a place without fear, with no moonlight.
All I need are trees and flowers and some sunlight.

Anouk