Originally published on CleanTechnica. For those wanting to understand what a clean electricity footprint looks like, go to Uruguay. In less than 10 years, the country has shrunk its carbon footprint while lowering electricity costs, without calling on the government for renewable energy subsidies. In fact, this country now obtains nearly 95% of its electricity from clean
If waves of cheap rhino horns 3D-printed with real rhino DNA are flooded onto the Asian markets, is this a form of rhino conservation or capitalistic exploitation? This critical question is gnawing at the root of a controversial business venture to use real rhino DNA in the commercial production of 3D-printed rhino horns. In a
Originally published on EdenKeeper.org From deep down in the Earth, 300,000 barrels of oil a day are filled in the Autonomous Republic of Bashkortostan. Nevertheless, this oil-wealthy majority Muslim nation is expanding its economic energy in the direction of up. High up into the sky to be specific. Turning its energy and attention to the
WWF, thanks for this “worm in the apple” humor concerning sharks!
WWF has released a briefing paper on post-2020 renewable energy targets. The EU has had some of the most aggressive renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and programs for over two decades now. However, its fuel imports have still risen considerably. Already-established renewable energy and energy efficiency leadership will help the EU to curtail that
The world is living far beyond its resources according to a new report by the conservation group WWF. So much so that at current levels of consumption the earth would need to be 50 percent larger, and by projected levels of consumption in 2030, two times the size it is now. Biodiversity has declined
HostelBookers, a budget accommodation specialist I’ve used numerous times, has announced that it is supporting WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest campaign for action to protect the planet, in a number of ways. On March 31, 2012 at 8.30pm, the global skyline will be plunged into darkness as hundreds of millions of people, landmarks,
by WWF Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – At the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) held in Abu Dhabi this week, WWF Director General Jim Leape called for agencies, governments and industry to proactively collaborate in transitioning towards a sustainable energy future on a global level, flagging up WWF’s vision of a world powered by 100% renewable
© naturepl.com / Mark Carwardine / WWF An announcement made today by WWF confirms that 2011’s rhino death toll in South Africa reached a record-breaking 448. Of the 448 rhinos murdered for their horns, 19 were critically endangered black rhinos. 252 of the rhino killings occurred in Kruger National Park, where eight rhinos were found
Philippines is now suffering tremendous flooding most likely related to climate change — nice Christmas present, eh? The only way global warming deniers (or, “science deniers,” as I think I’m going to start calling them) can claim that the effects of global warming aren’t already hitting us is if they can prove that climate
by WWF Whilst efforts to reach a global consensus on combating climate change continue, the need for effective action at the regional and national level escalates. Such action can no longer wait for global agreement. If people, economic growth, and nature are to coexist in harmony, we must act fast to ensure ecological resilience
A recent report exposed that Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) was greenwashing its clear cutting of tropical forests that act as tiger sanctuaries. It denied that was the case, but more evidence has popped up. “A document released today by WWF and partners confirms that a supplier to paper giant Asia Pulp and Paper
Following up on my other two posts today on the UN climate change negotiations currently taking place in Durban, South Africa, and adding to what I said in both, here’s the WWF on how bad things are looking: Sam Smith ahead the closing COP17 from WWF on Vimeo. by WWF Durban, South Africa: Government
A bunch of tiny little penguins were rescued from a horrible oil spill off the coast of New Zealand and were recently released back into the ocean. Here’s more from WWF, including a beautiful video of the release. The first little blue penguins affected by the Rena oil spill were released back into the wild
I shared a great, awe-inspiring short film by WWF UK a couple weeks ago titled Astonish Me. Definitely worth a watch.
A WWF UK representative followed up with another great video/short film the organization recently created. I think this one will change the way you look at a forest forever. It’s a beautiful time-lapse video of a growing forest supplemented with great commentary on forests. Check it out:
WWF recently released a new short film, Astonish Me, that is quite beautiful and awe-inspiring. Highly recommend watching:
Scientists on an expedition backed by WWF-Brazil to one of the last unexplored areas in the Brazilian Mid-west have discovered a new species of monkey.
A former fellow writer on EcoWorldly.com (which is now EcoLocalizer), Rhishja Larson is the leading rhino expert I’ve ever run across. She knows rhinos! And, unfortunately, that means she knows more about the current rhino crisis than most.
Now, she and Saving Rhinos LLC have started a new campaign to bring critical rhino information and rhino crisis awareness to more people: Bust the Myth – Save the Species.
As far as biodiversity ‘hot spots’ go, it’s hard to beat Madagascar, a medium sized island off the southeast coast of Africa. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), from 1999 to 2010 some 615 new species have been discovered on the subtropical island. That list of new species is comprised of 42 invertebrates, 61 reptiles, 69 amphibians, 17 fish, 385 plants, and 41 mammals. Biologists believe that the island nation’s quite ancient, geologic isolation from the mainland of Africa and the more recent separation from the Indian section of the crustal plate (about 80 mya) set the stage for its uniquely evolved biodiversity.
Well, Russia is one key actor threating grey whales with extinction, but it has also taken a step forward in protecting the critically endangered species. “Companies seeking oil extraction rights to a newly available concession off Russia’s Sakhalin Island will not be permitted to conduct activities while Western gray whales are present,” WWF wrote last week.
Ever heard of the Cerrado? I can’t get on you if haven’t, since I hadn’t until a week or two ago myself. But this truly precious ecosystem is home to approximately 5% of the world’s species, and (the not good news) it has been cut in half in the last 40 years (an area greater in size than the UK, Germany, Italy and Portugal combined).
These are the cutest little guys (or girls). Have to love that WWF could set up a hidden camera there and get these candid, in-the-wild videos of these Sumatran tiger cubs. Of course, the reason it has to do so is not so uplifting. As is mentioned towards the end of the video, “This forest is under imminent threat of being cleared by the pulp and paper industry, despite being designated a ‘global priority Tiger Conservation Landscape’.”
Of course, with Valentine’s Day tomorrow, if you don’t have a card yet, you need to get on it. But, seriously, leave the trees alone this year and go green by sending one of the many free Valentine’s e-cards that are available. Never sent an e-card? Don’t worry, it’s not so hard. Need help looking
Some of the top green living, activism, and clean energy stories from the past day or so: Activism Greenpeace Gives Facebook “Unfriend Coal” Deadline Greenpeace has been pushing Facebook to “unfriend coal” and go the route of clean energy for awhile. Facebook, for the most part, hasn’t listened. Greenpeace is now telling Facebook it should
Some of the top climate change and environmental stories of the last day or so: Climate Science Graph of the Day: Greenland Ice Sheet Mass Changes Good info and graphs on the page above, but thought I’d share the 3 videos from the post here for you to check out just in case you don’t feel
Originally published on WWF. Beijing – Economic development plans in China need to further promote a low carbon economy, says a new WWF report assessing the climate and energy impacts of China’s stimulus package. In November 2008, the State Council (China’s highest decision-making body) decided to invest four trillion RMB – approximately 586 billion US
Rhinos are facing extremely tough times as highly technical and interconnected poachers have increased their slaughter rates and have been taking down nearly one a day lately in South Africa. In 2010, 333 rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa. This is a record and is almost triple the number that were poached in 2009,
Originally published on WWF. As the Year of the Tiger comes to an end, WWF, backed by a group of leading companies, today issued a call for more corporations around the world to reduce their impact on tiger habitats, through responsible procurement of wood, paper, palm oil, coffee, and other commodities. By moving supply chains
Originally published on WWF. WWF today launched a global benchmarking tool for pulp and paper products at PaperWorld in Frankfurt, Germany. Check Your Paper is an online database to help paper buyers find products with the lowest environmental impact. The tool rates the environmental quality of the paper-making process for a given product, including how
Rome, Italy: The conflict between increasing demand for fish and failing fisheries has enormous implications for world food security and the state of our oceans, lakes and rivers, WWF said today. The global environment organisation was welcoming the latest State of the World’s Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report, issued today in Rome by the UN
Top climate, environmental, and animal activism stories from around, in my opinion: Industry Group Portrays West Virginia Pro-Coal Rally As a ‘Call to Arms’ There was plenty of early industry backlash to EPA’s historic decision last week to veto the permit for Arch Coal’s planned mega-mine in Appalachia, as I wrote about last week. More recently,
The Clean Air Act is getting attacked by leading polluters and some members of Congress. Over a couple dozen scientific, environmental, and progressive organizations told Obama in a letter sent to him on Friday that he needs to make sure to stand up for this critical piece of U.S. legislation. Here’s the letter: Dear Mr.
This is a re-post from the WWF. New research shows that 2010 set new records for the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, expected to be a major contributor to projected sea level rises in coming decades. “This past melt season was exceptional, with melting in some areas stretching up to 50 days longer than
The following is a guest post from the WWF. Law enforcement officers in Gabon have arrested five men accused of possessing illegal animal products, including those of endangered species. The raids, conducted by the country’s Water and Forest and Defense Ministries with the assistance of WWF partner AALF, yielded an alarming number of ape, leopard
I may do a post on other types of gifts later on in the season, but on “Cyber Monday” I thought I’d go with this simple but nice gift idea. I’m sure different people have different opinions about these gifts, but I think they serve a good purpose with few environmental costs, while also accepting
The Eurasian lynx is one of Europe’s largest predators. And, of course, it is endangered. Actually, I teach English here in Poland and this is the first animal that comes to mind for many of my students when we start talking about endangered species — this or the European bison, which is the symbol of
In honor of the recent, historic tiger summit this month, this week’s 10 Friday Photos post is on tigers. And since the country leaders meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia decided to set the goal of doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022 (the next Year of the Tiger), we are doubling our photos this week,
A historic tiger summit took place this week in St. Petersburg, Russia, with key countries committing to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, the next “Year of the Tiger” in China. From about 100,000 at the beginning of the 20th century to approximately 3,200 today, tigers have been hunted mercilessly and are on the
Recently, an investigation and then a comprehensive analysis of bluefin tuna have shown some bad news for this magnificent creature. “New data seen by conservation organisations WWF and Greenpeace reveals that documentation for 2010 bluefin tuna catches in the Mediterranean Sea is as riddled with rule-flouting and inadequacies as ever before,” WWF reports. “Cases include catches
As we all know, China is growing rapidly. It is focusing a lot on clean energy and other clean tech, but it is also using a lot of dirty energy and is consuming natural resources like never before. Some may not want to believe it, but the Earth has finite resources and finite abilities to
Reporting from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia last week, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) shared some disturbing news with the world. Endangered pangolins (aka scaly anteaters) are being massacred at a rate much higher than previously expected. Stunning figures in traffickers’ logbooks indicate massive illegal capture and trade in endangered pangolins or scaly anteaters, finds a
At the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) last week, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) awarded Argentina’s National Park Administration President, Dr. Patricia Gandini, one of its highest awards — a Leaders for a Living Planet (LLP) award. Gandini and Argentina was given the award for her leadership efforts to protect the southwest Atlantic Ocean and
The World Wildlife Fund has released its eighth “Living Planet” report based on figures from 2007, the last year for which figures are available. In short, we need a second planet if we continue to grow and act the way we are at the moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnrdhNip1ts “Even with modest UN projections for population growth, consumption
It’s been a little more than a week since my last Global Weirding News of the Week update, but better late than never… This one is an especially long update, since a lot has been going on. Hope you find the news stories below interesting and useful. North Carolina Got Its 2nd 500-Year Rainfall in
Here’s our latest roundup of green living, green activism, and clean energy news. Enjoy these great stories from around the internet.
Costco has responded positively to its shareholders’ suggestions in a letter posted on its website last month. Costco has, as of 2009, voluntarily disclosed more information about its seafood suppliers.
Additionally, Costco has begun working with suppliers of farmed salmon to insure compliance with the Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue and will partner with the World Wildlife Fund to monitor Thailand’s compliance with the Shrimp Aquaculture Dialogue.
Here’s our weekly roundup of environment and wildlife news. Enjoy.
10 of the latest green news stories from around the web (that we didn’t cover in more depth earlier in the week). Have more to add, stick them in the comments below!
