biodiversity

The United Nations proclaimed May 22nd as the International Day for Biodiversity to increase awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues. This years’ theme focuses on agriculture. Due to agricultural expansion, population growth, and misuse of agricultural technologies, our Earth’s biodiversity and natural resources are increasingly suffering dramatic consequences.

Follow a group of scientists as they traverse the Namib Desert on foot to map a new 15-million-acre wildlife park in the heart of the African desert. Includes stunning photos and video.

Follow a month-long science expedition to discover new fish species, more corals than anywhere else in the world, endangered turtles and other sea life new to science.

The invasive fire ant wreaks havoc on humans and animals around the world – and can even kill. Find out what scientists are doing to stop this deadly invasive species. Includes stunning video.

Lost Generations

“In order to preserve or save wild animals that are on the verge of extinction, it implies generally the creation of a forest for them to dwell in or resort to. So it is also with mankind” Henry David Thoreau.

When someone thought of paying farmers not to produce something, people must have thought it was bad idea.

Solar cooking is now taking root in Africa more than ever before. Solar cooking projects are springing up on the continent mostly spearheaded by local cooperatives and non-profits working with rural women to assemble cheap solar cookers. Which works for environment.

Agriculture is causing and being threatened by climate change. But new and old practices and technologies can help it become sustainable.

Glenn Prickett, Senior Vice President, Conservation International, discusses how production of biofuel crops has the potential to do more environmental harm than good due to agricultural practices and how Conservation International works to minimize that damage. He also talks about how forest biodiversity and landuse are only starting to become a topic in the UN climate change talks.

I'm betting most people have some empty Pringles cans in their home. They're hard to recycle because they're made of layers of carboard and metal and plastic. But you can use them to make a useful birdfeeder, and increase the biodiversity in your garden.

Huge gains have been made in stopping invasive rats and mice from destroying island biodiversity. Non-native rats and mice have ravaged at least 170 types of plants and animals and caused 50 species to go extinct on islands around the world. Now, new techniques developed in New Zealand have turned the tide on rat and mice invasions.

From New York to Costa Rica, from the first national park in China to a marine protected area in the South Pacific, these are the best of the best, the conservation success stories with the most impact for nature and people in 2007.

Is there a culture of racism in the environmental movement? Or are the only people who care about conservation white males? It turns out that African-Americans are at least as supportive of environmental issues as middle-class whites, and Hispanics exceed both groups in their levels of support.

New way to reach out ?

Pemba, Zanzibar - For years, Salim Haji was told by government officials and international groups that his methods of fishing were destroying the coral and weren't sustainable. But few fishermen on this small island off Tanzania's coast paid much heed. Then, the local imam told him that using dragnets to fish and spears to catch octopuses was wrong. As a devout Muslim, he listened.

The Guatemalan beaded lizard is rumored to be evil, but its venom now used as an effective treatment for diabetes. Too bad there's only 200 of these mythic lizards left in the wild. Is there still time to save this endangered species so that it can help save us?