Leaves and Twigs: An Unscientific Round-Up of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Every day, you’re bombarded with news about the state of the environment, information about initiatives to green our planet and opinion pieces on hot sustainability topics.

What’s worth reading, what should you skip and what should you save for later?  To help you muddle through the mess, we’ve put together a list of some of the best things we found on the net last week.

[Check back every week for a new roundup – this is a new weekly feature!]

• Did you know that organized crime rakes in $10 to $15 billion dollars annually from illegal logging? An investigative piece from Mongabay explores the phenomenon.
• A new project aims to protect frogs from a deadly fungus.
• Meet a songbird that can mimic chainsaws, car alarms and more in a cool new video from National Geographic.
• Time for a green getaway? This photo of “Bliss in Barbados” might inspire your next vacation.
• Students and teachers in Ghana come together to learn about climate change and conservation.
• In Mexico, a new climate change law will help to drastically reduce carbon emissions. Discovery News shares the story.
• “If you don’t have hope, you’re doomed,” says Denis Hayes, coordinator of the first Earth Day, in an inspiring piece on Grist.
• Designzzz shares gorgeous shots of trees from around the world.
• Need another reason to justify your (sustainable) caffeine addiction? Ecosalon comes through with 20 unusual uses for coffee at home!
• How are we transforming the cocoa industry? An overview of an exciting project.
• A look at the world’s 10 most threatened forests via National Geographic.
• Meet cocoa farmers in Ghana and  Côte d’Ivoire and discover how Rainforest Alliance certification is changing their lives.
• Greenloon proves that eco-friendly travel is not more expensive.
• How does your state rank? Mother Nature Network takes a look at environmental winners and losers across the United States with a new infographic.
• Meet 7 extreme green heroes via Take Part.
• According to a recent Trip Advisor survey, travelers want to be more sustainable but hotels need to do more to meet the demand.

Find other great articles, photos or videos on the internet this week? Tell us about them in the comments!