islands

Coral reefs provide the world with goods and services worth US$375 billion annually, but scientists estimate that 70% of all corals reefs could be lost by 2050. Now a new initiative aims to conserve an astounding 83% of the world's coral species, aided by a US$20 million pledge by The Nature Conservancy.

The earth is getting warmer and warmer with each year that passes and that means we're going to see some significant changes in the land around us. For a few lucky places, global warming means positive things. However, a great number of places aren't going to be nearly so lucky.

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.