Leaves and Twigs: A Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Join us for a rundown of the stories that captivated the conservation community last week.

“Amazon Deforestation Rate Up 88 Percent Over Last Year,” Treehugger

According to the Brazilian forest monitoring agency, IMAZON, which uses satellite imagery to track deforestation in near real-time, the world’s largest rainforest lost 606 square miles of rainforest between August 2012 and April 2013—an area equivalent to nearly 300,000 football fields. All told, this latest figure represents an increase of 88 percent over the previous year in which 322 square miles were cleared.

“It’s Not a Fairytale: Seattle to Build Nation’s First Food Forest,” Why Don’t You Try This

Seattle’s vision of an urban food oasis is going forward. A seven-acre plot of land in the city’s Beacon Hill neighborhood will be planted with hundreds of different kinds of edibles: walnut and chestnut trees; blueberry and raspberry bushes; fruit trees, including apples and pears; exotics like pineapple, yuzu citrus, guama, persimmons, honeyberries, and lingonberries; herbs; and more. All will be available for public plucking to anyone who wanders into the city’s first food forest.

“Ecotourism’s Role in Empowering Women,” Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference

‘Ecotourism is a brilliant opportunity for women to grow both professionally and personally, while remaining to be a part of the local community where they live and work,’ says Dominika Zareba of Partnership Fund. ‘Ecotourism can empower women in many ways. The multidisciplinary concept of ecotourism can engage women with different skills, interests and passions. Working for ecotourism can be an important added value to everyday life.’

“Crazy Cat Numbers: Unusually High Jaguar Densities Discovered in Amazon Rainforest,” Mongabay

‘Our results indicate that there are more females than males in our populations,’ says Mathia Tobler. ‘This is good news since the number of breeding females is usually the limiting factor in a population. Males travel over larger areas and can mate with multiple females.’

“A Plague of Deforestation Sweeps Across Southeast Asia,” Environment 360

Illegal logging and unchecked economic development are taking a devastating toll on the forests of Vietnam and neighboring countries, threatening areas of biodiversity so rich that 1,700 species have been discovered in the last 15 years alone.

“International Tourism Receipts Grew by 4% in 2012,” World Tourism Organization

‘It is encouraging to see that the growth in international tourist arrivals was equalled by a comparable increase in spending in spite of continued economic challenges’ said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. ‘Considering that tourism is a key export for many economies around the world, this result is good news as it provides foreign reserves to destinations, and contributes to job creation in tourism as well as in related economic sectors’ he added.

Tell us what stories captivated you in the comments!

Leaves and Twigs: A Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Join us for a rundown of the stories that captivated the conservation community last week. (Plus a few links that are just plain fun.)

“Bon Voyage, Migratory Birds!” US Fish and Wildlife Services

Every year, millions of birds travel thousands of miles. Do your part to help them on their way and wish them a safe journey.

“Bee Deaths May Have Reached a Crisis Point for Crops,” NPR

According to a new survey of America’s beekeepers, almost a third of the country’s honeybee colonies did not make it through the winter. That’s been the case, in fact, almost every year since the US Department of Agriculture began this annual survey, six years ago.

“Nicaragua Cloud Forests ‘Under Siege’ by Illegal Loggers,” BBC News

A famed rainforest in Nicaragua is under growing threat from illegal loggers, say  indigenous leaders. The Bosawas Biosphere Reserve is Central America’s largest tropical forest with clouds constantly drifting over the hilly terrain. But the Mayngna and Miskito people who live there say 30,000 hectares a year are being deforested by ‘colonists.’

“The Deadly Rise of Sea Levels, In One Simple Infographic,” Fast Company

If you’re skeptical about man-made climate change, the Union of Concerned Scientists wants you to know something: there’s no basis for your believe in science. The long-standing group, which counts more than 200,000 citizens and professionals as members, is as categorical as it can be. Global warming is happening, and our emissions are largely responsible.

“We Just Passed the Climate’s Grim Milestone,” Grist

Over the last couple weeks, scientists and environmentalists have been keeping a particularly close eye on the Hawaii-based monitoring station that tracks how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere, as the count tiptoed closer to a record-smashing 400 parts per million. Thursday, we finally got there: The daily mean concentration was higher than at any time in human history, NOAA reported.

“Tanzanian Elephants Could Be Extinct Within 7 Years, Offical Says,” All Africa

Tanzania’s jumbo elephant population could be wiped out in seven years if poaching continues at current rates, chairman of the parliamentary committee on land, environment and natural resources James Lembeli told the National Assembly on April 30th.

“Our Diversified Farm,” News from the Field          

Our farm here at the center is an integral part of the students’ experience. The field station has been here, in Atenas, since 1993 and since then our farm has grown to about 2.5 hectares. In 2011, the farm was recognized as a Rainforest Alliance Certified sustainable farm. With cows, pigs, chickens, a greenhouse, mango and orange groves, bananas, raised beds, and forested areas with trails, it is a lot of work to keep it all running.

“A Guided Tour of Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park,” Conde Nast Traveler

Wildlife is everywhere in Costa Rica, much like the phrase Pura Vida…Manual Antonio National Park, the smallest in Costa Rica’s extensive national park system, packs a huge wallop of biodiversity within its borders and is an ideal setting for viewing the country’s natural wonders.

“Leader of the Little Guys,” Fresh Cup Magazine

The [Rainforest Alliance] certification was attained by ADESC, an association of 74 farmers located in the Huehuetenango area of Guatemala. It’s a group of producers who farm on individual parcels of land that typically run about eight to 10 acres in size and who process their coffee by way of small wet mills on farm properties. The output is then combined and sold.

What stories captivated you last week? Tell us in the comments!

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

What captivated the conservation community this week? 

Conservationists at CITES voted to regulate the trade of three types of hammerhead sharks.

• Dozens of species earned new trade protection at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).  These include, for the first time ever, protections to trade in mantas and five shark species, the oceanic whitip, the porbeagle and three types of hammerhead sharks. [NY Times]
• The 178 nations present at CITES—the world’s biggest wildlife summit—agreed unanimously to “strictly regulate the international trade in mahogany timber.” [The Guardian]
• Following a trip to Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms and Rainforest Alliance Verified™ hotels, a reporter reveals that “workers learn sustainable practices that they can bring home, like conserving water and recycling.” [Family Focus Blog]
• “According to a new report by NBC News’ Kerry Sanders, the welfare and existence of at least half of the world’s 18 penguin species will be negatively impacted if the warming of the Antarctic Peninsula persists.” [Huffington Post]
• Canada’s glaciers appear to be headed “for an irreversible melt” according to a new study published by the Geophysical Research Letters. Specifically, “20 percent of all the ice contained in Canada’s glaciers could melt by the end of this century if global average temperatures increased by 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 F). [Treehugger]
• Scientists can now more accurately estimate the variety of distinct species that existed centuries ago with mitochondrial DNA analysis. “What does that tell us about our impact on the natural world and our own future?” [Environment 360]
• Is the world imagined in Jurassic Park becoming a reality? National Geographic explores the scientific possibility of reviving endangered species and asks “But is it a good idea?” [National Geographic]
• “Tropical forests may  be less sensitive to global warming than previously thought argues a new study published in Nature Geoscience. [Mongabay]
• Colombia is being reborn in the eyes of the world as an excellent tourist destination. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of visitors to Colombia grew by 10 percent a year on average (four times the world average). [Sustainable Trip]

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

What stories captivated the conservation community this week? Scientists revealed that leatherback turtle populations are declining at an alarming rate; Mongabay published an in-depth look at the link between cattle ranching and Amazon deforestation; and National Geographic paid tribute to oldest-known bird to become a mother.

These adorable leatherback sea turtles are facing a frightening decline.

• Leatherback turtles are experiencing a frightening decline. “If the decline continues, within 20 years it will be difficult if not impossible for the leatherback to avoid extinction,” explained Thane Wibbels, a biologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “That means the number of turtles would be so low that the species could not make a comeback.” [Mother Nature Network]
• Planning a sustainable trip? Consider Belize, believed to have been the heart of the famous Maya civilization during its peak. There are hundreds of archaeological sites within the tiny Central American nation, most of which have yet to be excavated. [Sustainable Trip]
• Our Follow the Frog Week video was voted one of 2012’s “Ads Worth Spreading” by TED. The honor was reserved for ads that “go beyond the creative brief to create a meaningful connection with their audience.” [You Tube]
• A new study by a top Canadian toxicologist is challenging widely-held assumptions about grassland bird population loss. He reveals that “acutely toxic pesticides [are] the most likely leading cause of the widespread decline of grassland bird numbers in the United States.” Previously, the decline was attributed to habitat loss. [Wildlife Extra]
• Wondering why the Rainforest Alliance is working with cattle ranchers in Latin America? This overview of the detrimental impacts of cattle ranching—the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon—will likely answer your questions. [Mongabay]
• It’s not often we hear “good” climate change news. Experts reveal that evolving technology could make clean air more profitable than polluted air. [Mongabay]
• Gucci has launched a line of handbags made with leather sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms where cattle are humanely treated, workers are respected and the environment is protected. [Eco Age]
• You’re never too old to become a mother. The oldest known wild bird—at 62 years—has hatched a healthy chick. [National Geographic]
• McDonald’s US is now sourcing 100 percent of its espresso from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. The company has invested $6.5 million in an agricultural technical assistance program as part of efforts to improve sustainability. [CSR Wire]
• A new road in Iran could threaten the country’s last population stronghold for Asiatic cheetahs. [Mongabay]

Tell us what stories caught your attention in the comments!

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Last week, science and conservation blogs were rife with stories about misleading food labeling; scientists revealed new information about one of our favorite feathered friends; and the Rainforest Alliance discussed the power of sustainable tourism to combat poverty in rural communities. Read on for these and other sustainability stories… 

Scientists are unlocking mysteries surrounding owl behavior.

• “Researchers have discovered that young barn owls can be impressively generous toward one another, regularly donating portions of their food to smaller, hungrier siblings—a display of altruism that is thought to be rare among nonhuman animals.” [NY Times]
• A few years ago, Mullak’as Misminay was a forgotten Andean community of 500 families struggling to earn a decent and stable income through farming and textile production. Today, they have become a prime example of the power of community-based rural tourism to lift individuals out of poverty. [Sustainable Trip]
• Researchers at Brown University are taking a cue from da Vinci and examining the anatomy of bat wings in the hopes of finding inspiration for small aircraft design. [Treehugger]
• Reynaldo Ochoa is an inspiration to the people of Manu in the Peruvian rainforest. By encouraging farmers to adopt responsible practices and enabling families to grow fresh organic produce, he is helping to forge a sustainable future for his community. [Frog Blog]
• Is this survival of the fittest in action? “Our results suggest that some individual [species] will exhibit enhanced fertilization in acidified oceans, supporting the concept of ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ of climate change at an individual level,” explained PhD researcher Peter Schlegel.
• The remains of a new, shark-eating whale species have been found under a California highway expansion project site. Scientists believe that the whale species went extinct five million years ago. [Treehugger]
• “Experts say one of the best ways to preserve the remaining forest is to grant rights to the indigenous people who live there.” They also believe that maps may be a critical conservation tool. [Mongabay]
• Zero Extinction—a network of 88 conservation groups—recently invited the global community to vote on the seven wonders of endangered species. [Fauna & Flora International]
• “A team of University of Melbourne and Monash University researchers is trying to establish how street trees, parks, green roofs and green facades can interact with urban design to reduce temperatures in cities. Their results show that leafy, green streets and irrigated open space areas were much cooler than built up urban areas without green infrastructure. [Phys.org]
• Until recently, almost nothing was known about the mating and reproductive behaviors of the giant armadillo. “For the first time, scientists in the Brazilian Pantanal have documented giant armadillo breeding and the happy outcome: a baby giant armadillo.” [Mongabay]
• Consumer confidence in the food chain continues to waver as the European horsemeat scandal grows. [Treehugger]

Tell us: what stories captivated you?

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

What captivated the conservation community last week? Stories of monogamous animals abounded, climate experts reflected on President Obama’s statements on climate change and a series of studies revealed threats to reptiles and other species. 

A Sumatran tiger cub. [Credit: Smithsonian National Zoological Park]

• Is “poverty tourism” eye-opening or exploitive? Tips to ensure respectful, rewarding travel experiences. [Sustainable Trip]
• The San Francisco Zoo is now home to a Sumatran tiger cub. There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. [The Guardian]
• Owl monkeys form intimate bonds that might be the basis of human relationships. [National Geographic]
• “A disabled turtle pulled from a Japanese fisherman’s net several years ago has been given a new lease on life with the development of high-tech, prosthetic flippers.” [Huffington Post]
• Nearly half of all Millenials say that a company’s environmental reputation impacts their purchasing decisions. [Green Biz]
• The Zoological Society of London recently revealed that one-fifth of the world’s reptiles are at risk of extinction. [BBC Nature]
• A new report from Duke University reveals that the “percentage of Americans who believe in climate change has grown, and the majority of Americans support new regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”  [Huffington Post]
• Our climate program director reflects on President Obama’s recent statements on climate change. [Frog Blog]
• A slide show of 11 animals that mate for life, including gibbons, swans, angelfish and wolves. [Mother Nature Network]
• The coast of New Zealand is home to a newly discovered species of eelpout fish. [Huffington Post]
• Scientists from Carnegie’s department of global ecology have determined that the recent die-off of Colorado trembling aspen trees is the direct result of climate change. [Phys.org]

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Last week, Asia Pulp and Paper pledged to cease logging in Indonesian rainforests; a new study found that “most” species on Earth could be recorded within the next 50 years; and North American officials sought protection for endangered wolverines. Read on for these and other stories… 

This orangutan calls Indonesia’s island of Sumatra home.

• Richard Donovan, senior vice president of the Rainforest Alliance, reflects on Asia Pulp and Paper’s announcement that it will immediately stop clearing Indonesia’s rainforests for paper pulp. [The Wire]
• Need another reason to bike to work? Cyclists aren’t just eco-warriors—they’re also said to be the happiest of us all! [Grist]
• The US Department of Agriculture warns that “big changes are in store for the nation’s forests as global warming increases wildfires and insect infestations, and generates more frequent floods and droughts.” [The Washington Post]
• “Man, not disease, drove the Tasmanian tiger to extinction, according to a new study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.” [Mongabay]
• Federal officials have proposed Endangered Species Act protections for the wolverine (sometimes called the “mountain devil”) in the lower 48 states. [Huffington Post]
• Trees in the Amazon die off 7 to 10 percent more quickly—due to storm damage and drought–than conventionally believed. [Mongabay]
• Rivers, lakes and wetlands—which cover 20 percent of the Amazon Basin—are increasingly degraded by deforestation. [Phys.org]
• Planning a trip? Consider one of these family-friendly World Heritage Sites. [National Geographic]
• For a price, most species on Earth could be recorded within the next 50 years. [Our Amazing Planet]
• “Without trees the Earth becomes barren and our crops will not grow,” explains Reynaldo, a farmer in the Peruvian Amazon. [YouTube]

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

What’s happening in the world of conservation? A rundown of the sustainability stories that caught our attention last week…

• In the US, carbon emissions have fallen to their lowest levels since 1994. [The Guardian]
  

  The Hainan gibbon is the world’s rarest primate. There are only 22 left in the world. [Credit: HANDOUT/Reuters]

• Introducing 35 of the world’s rarest animals. [Buzzfeed]
• More than 1.035 billion people traveled in 2012. [UNWTO]
• Does a sustainable lifestyle cost more? [Greenloons]
• The world’s tallest planted tree discovered in South Africa. [Look Local]
• Cats are responsible for the death of 3.7 billion small birds, and 20.7 billion smaller animals per year. [Huffington Post]
• Bolivia takes steps to boost agriculture and curb surging deforestation. [Mongabay]
• Large portions of Sumatra’s endangered rainforest may be up for mining and logging. [Mongabay]
• Tips for taking eco-friendly wildlife photos on your next trip. [Sustainable Trip]
• “I got it wrong on climate change – it’s far, far worse,” says Nicholas Stern. [The Guardian]
• Meet a tourism entrepreneur welcoming adventure travelers with disabilities. [Sustainable Trip]
• Emissions cuts are too slow to effectively fight climate change, warns a United Nations report. [The Guardian]
• Meet a ten-year-old eco-entrepreneur who has started his own recycling business. [Treehugger]
• Climate change could decimate bamboo in China (and further threaten giant panda populations).  [Discovery News]
• “Is the food industry running on empty when it comes to water?” [The Guardian]

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Last week, The Guardian revealed that common pesticides could kill frogs within an hour; BBC reported that glaciers in the Andes have shrunk by 30 to 50 percent since the 1970s; and Treehugger shared an incredible video of an injured dolphin approaching human divers for help. A roundup of these and other sustainability stories…

• New research suggests that common pesticides can kill frogs within an hour. [The Guardian]
• Glaciers in the Andes have shrunk by 30 to 50 percent since the 1970s. [BBC]
• “We will respond to the threat of climate change” – President Barack Obama [Treehugger]
• NASA warns that the Amazon is already showing signs of degradation due to climate change. [The Guardian]
• Watch as an injured dolphin asks for (and receives) help from human divers. [Treehugger]
• The long-lasting effects of drought in the Amazon. [University of Oxford]
• Some 87 percent of households near the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Central India experience conflict with wild animals. [Mongabay]
• Sydney, Australia is hotter than ever before. [Huffington Post]
• You can help to shape the future of your favorite travel destinations. [National Geographic]
• See how the Rainforest Alliance is working with cattle ranchers in Latin America to protect wildlife habitat, minimize GHG emissions and ensure that livestock are well-treated. [Frog Blog]
• One “Ecuadorian tribe will die fighting to defend rainforest.” [The Guardian]
• How can ecotourism help to promote gender equality? [Ecotourism]
• The number of projects that pay communities to protect or revive water supplies has doubled over the past four years. [The Guardian]
• Meet a community committed to forest conservation in Oaxaca, Mexico. [Frog Blog]

What stories captured your attention? Tell us in the comments!

Leaves and Twigs: A Weekly Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Last week, we celebrated the National Institute of Health’s decision to retire most research chimps; National Geographic revealed that flowers had bloomed earlier than ever before in the US; and scientists discovered a bright-blue lizard hiding in plain sight. Read on for these (and more) great sustainability stories…

A gorgeous blue whale.

• A new study finds “strong evidence” that responsible travel is good for the economic bottom line. [Responsible Traveler]
• In the US, flowers have bloomed earlier than ever before due to global warming. [National Geographic]
• Adorable cheetah cubs are introduced to the world for the first time. [Huffington Post]
• “The black panther isn’t an actual species – it’s a rare dark pigmentation found most commonly in leopards.” [Mongabay]
• The National Institute of Health has moved to retire most chimps used in research. [NY Times]
• Discover a farming project tackling deforestation in the Amazon. [The Guardian]
• The San Diego Zoo and National Audubon Institute are teaming up to breed endangered species. [Mother Nature Network]
• “It’s very gratifying to see that sustainability and ever-improving quality can go hand-in-hand.” [Rainforest Alliance]
• How is climate change pummeling the US? [Mongabay]
• Hundreds of gray whales are currently making the Mexican Pacific even more beautiful. [Sustainable Trip]
• How can you make balanced and sustainable purchasing decisions? [Green Biz]
• Scientists have discovered a new species of flying frog outside of Ho Chi Minh City. [National Geographic]
• “After years of clueless consumption, my visit to the coffee farms in Guatemala and attendance at the Rainforest Alliance cupping have been quite a revelation.” [Triple Pundit]
• Meet Alfonso Eliécer Morales, founder of Hostal Familiar Las Granadillas, a Rainforest Alliance Verified lodge in Ecuador that provides facilities for disabled tourists who enjoy adventure travel. [Sustainable Trip]