Sir Paul McCartney - File photo image:4398:1::0

The seal hunters are off to the eastern coast of Canada for their yearly seal slaughter and butcher. And as expected, McCartney is out in full force asking animal lovers around the world to pressure the European Union to continue to enforce its ban on all seal products.

To the European Union’s credit, it is accepting public comments on the proposed ban but only until the Feb. 13. It appears that Sir Paul believes this will be an opportune time for people everywhere to help end the commercial "slaughter of seals."

Sir Paul recently said, "Like me, you've probably seen the horrifying images of helpless baby seals being beaten and shot for their fur," and that "Wounded seals left to suffer in agony. Conscious pups sliced open. And the reason for their pain? So that someone can sell their fur."

As noted by McCartney, “a ban on the trade of all seal products in the EU could spell the end of many commercial seal hunts.” No kidding. But, and there’s always a but, someone needs to consider the fact that seal hunters need to put a meal on the table so their kids don't go hungry.

Sir Paul’s solution is that “governments should find employment alternatives for seal hunters and compensate them for lost income.” He also believes "A European Union ban on all seal product trade would force nations where seal hunting has taken place to invest in real alternatives – jobs that will provide safe and sustainable futures."

I admire Sir Paul’s compassion and drive to save the seals, however I am pessimistic about it having any real effect. For as long as there’s a demand for sealskin, the hunt will continue.

As a species, we are not evolved enough to care about the lives of seals, dolphins, whales, bears and other animals. We don’t even care about saving the Amazon from deforestation. Instead, most people focus on one goal: Being able to drive through McDonald's for a Happy Meal.

We’re hopeless. Totally and utterly hopeless. But thank God for people like Sir Paul who are trying to wake us up to these issues in hopes that we will actually do something about them.

Happy clubbing, seal hunters. And Paul, has anyone ever told you just how cute you are?