Eyes on the Forest, a conservation coalition, has released a research report on the clash between commercial logging and Sumatran tigers living in forests clear cut by the paper industry.
Their analysis shows that most of the tiger - human violence occurring in Sumatra has taken place near areas being deforested by Asia Pulp and Paper. Over the last 12 years, 55 people and 15 critically endangered Sumatran tigers have lost their lives in the violence. Seventeen of the tigers have been captured alive.
The WWF has called for a halt to Indonesian deforestation in light of the recent tiger maulings that have left 6 people dead in less than a month. The last three victims all appeared to be working at illegal logging camps in protected forests.
The Sumatran tiger (the worlds most endangered tiger subspecies) is having a hard time coping with a diminishing habitat. Forest destruction and fragmentation have led the tigers to lay claim to woods near populated areas.
The council is not a government entity, but it receives funding from the Ministry of Religion. The fatwa is an attempt to influence morality in Indonesia, but yoga class attendance has not been affected by the fatwa. There [...]
World Species Survey details gloomy outlook for many animal species.In early October of 2008, the results of a global species survey, conducted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, were released. The numbers are startling:
At least a quarter of mammal species are headed toward extinction in the near future.
Nearly 80 percent of the primate species in southern and southeastern Asia are immediately threatened.
At least 22 percent of reptile species are at risk of extinction.
Perhaps 40 percent of North American freshwater fish are threatened.
In Europe, 45 percent of the most common bird species are rapidly declining, and so are the most common bird species in North America.
But perhaps these figures are a bit too abstract. Here’s a more precise way to look at the present state of bio-diversity on Earth.
The United Nations plans to introduce a new carbon offsetting scheme to fund preservation and restoration of the fast depleting rain forests but first it must rectify the discrepancies in the Kyoto carbon offsetting mechanism.
Fancy a new online store for eco-friendly children’s products? Green product website Ambitious Green calls itself a “fun place to buy great products at the center of today’s environmental issues, concerns, and debates.”
Says Ambitious Green: “We think the environment and education are challenging debates worth having. Every time you make a buying decision you are telling manufacturers and the market what’s important to you. We share the same frustrations you do - finding products that are natural, functional, friendly and fun. We believe that what’s good for you can be good for the planet.”
Here are a few of the latest toys at Ambitious Green:
Dancing Alligator, $19.99 (shown above) “This award-winning, wooden alligator pull toy struts his stuff as he wiggles, bobs and click-clacks along.” These toys are made in Thailand by Plan Toys, a green company that emphasizes socially responsible manufacturing. It’s green because it’s made of organic rubberwood, non-formaldehyde E-Zero Glue, water-based dye, recycled and recyclable material and soy ink and water-based ink.
As the global market for biofuels heats up, much of the demand for biodiesel is being satisfied by clearing virgin rainforests to create oil palm plantations. But, as it turns out, these plantations are an awful substitute for rainforests.
According to an article in the Jakarta Post, an official from the Indonesian government has spilled the beans on Samsung’s plans to invest up to $1.63 billion dollars in what’s sure to be a controversial acquisition of land for growing oil palms and construction of a biodiesel plant in Indonesia.
According to the Associated Press, the government of Chile has chosen to build three new volcano monitoring centers. Several of the country’s 122 active volcanoes have erupted this year, the most notable event being a sustained eruption of the Chaitén Volcano that started on May 2nd.
After the initial volcanic activity began, approximately 4,500 people were evacuated from the town of Chaitén, which sits at the base of volcano. The eruption lasted through various levels of intensity through July, and several amazing, cool, and intriguing photos depict an electrical storm that occurred one evening directly above the volcano. Currently, a different eruption that commenced on July 2nd within the Llaima Volcano has other Chilean communities on alert.
Long-tailed macaques eat mostly fruit — but when resources are scarce, they’ve been known to get creative with their cuisine. When living near humans, they raid gardens and learn to beg for food. Sometimes they even steal food from inside houses.
Unilever, makers of Dove, has recently released a video aimed at promoting children’s self-esteem by illuminating how the beauty industry targets girl’s body images. The goal of the Dove Self Esteem Fund is to change “the current, narrow definition of beauty.” As much as I agree with this goal, there is a downside. Unilever imports palm oil from Indonesia, where rainforests and tropical peatlands are destroyed.
