Movie stars and mystics do whale therapy, wherein they swim near and commune with cetaceans. Flotillas of whale watchers are so pervasive that they disrupt whale migration and birthing patterns. This commodified whale worship exploits the alienation of people from nature and mocks genuine conservation efforts and effective concern for animals. And concern is definitely called for. While grey whales thrive, many whale species are in trouble.
Scientists warn that dwindling biodiversity is all too likely to lead to ecological catastrophe.
At the same time, the languages, territories, economies, and lifestyles of Aboriginal people around the world are also being extinguished. The logical solution to degradation of the natural world is an alliance between indigenous people and non-Native conservationists against big business, the cause of ecological havoc. Many environmentalists understand the importance of the common interests they share with Native peoples and support the whaling rights of the Makahs. Unfortunately, this is far from true of the leaders of the more than 300 environmental groups mobilized against the Makahs. The racism of the campaign against the Makah is most visible in the actions of ringleader Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.