Oil Extraction Threatens World's Most Diverse National Park

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Thu, 2010-01-28 23:20
in

Oil Extraction Threatens World's Most Diverse National Park

Despite Ecuador's attempts to preserve the Yasuni National Park, oil extraction could take hold in this one-of-a-kind ecosystem.
Green Vine Snake in Yasuni National Park

Yasuni National Park in Ecuador could contain the worlds most diverse collection of animal and plant life, according to a new report published in the PLoS One journal. Poison frogs, fruit bats, and rare jungle plant life are all endemic to the national park, which climate modelers believe will remain moist despite a drier climate. Biologists are concerned about this area, as it sits on one of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in South America. The report is most concerned with the northeast corner of the park, which sits almost directly above the heart of the deposit.

Brazilian president calls on "gringos" to pay for South America's green revolution

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Mon, 2009-11-30 08:13
in

Brazilian president calls on "gringos" to pay for South America's green revolution

Brazil takes a fiery stance against the political pressure from Western nations that would have Brazil conserve its rainforests.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, called on western nations to pay for Amazon countries to stay their logging teams. According to Silva, Western industrialism has caused more environmental damage than the clear cutting of rainforest, which are largely considered to be carbon sinks. "I don't want any gringo asking us to let an Amazon resident die of hunger under a tree. We want to preserve, but they will have to pay the price for this preservation because we never destroyed our forest like they mowed theirs down a century ago."

Valuing Ecosystem Services Makes Economic Sense, Experts Report

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-11-17 15:21
in

Valuing Ecosystem Services Makes Economic Sense, Experts Report

BRUSSELS, Belgium, November 17, 2009 (ENS) - Decision makers who factor the planet's multi-trillion dollar ecosystem services into their national and international investment strategies are likely to see far higher rates of return and stronger economic growth in the 21st century, finds a new United Nations-backed report.

Disney Spends $7 Million to Conserve Forests in Peru, Congo, USA

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-11-03 18:04
in

Disney Spends $7 Million to Conserve Forests in Peru, Congo, USA

BURBANK, California, November 3, 2009 (ENS) - The Walt Disney Company, which for 60 years has portrayed the glories of nature in film, Monday announced a $7 million investment to protect forests in the United States, in the Peruvian Amazon and in the Congo Basin.

The company said the projects it will support "safeguard ecosystems that benefit climate and quality of life on the planet" by avoiding deforestation, reforesting logged and burned-over areas and improving forest management.

Rapid Pace of Species Extinctions Mounts to a 'Crisis'

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-11-03 18:03
in

Rapid Pace of Species Extinctions Mounts to a 'Crisis'

GLAND, Switzerland, November 3, 2009 (ENS) - Nearly one-third of all known species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction, finds the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, IUCN, in the most recent update of its authoritative Red List of Threatened Species™ issued today.

The updated assessment shows that 17,291 species out of the 47,677 assessed species are threatened with extinction.

350.org International Day of Climate Action - Oct 24, 2009

Submitted by Gabe LeBlanc on Thu, 2009-10-22 16:18
in

350.org International Day of Climate Action - Oct 24, 2009

350.org's International Day of Climate Action takes place this October 24, 2009 where people from around the world join together to tell the world to reduce the world's CO2 to 350 PPM.
350 number in blue

350.org's Day of Action takes place this Saturday, October 24, 2009 and is being called the International Day of Climate Action. 350.org states that their mission "is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency..."

Climate Crisis Thrusts Forest Conservation into World Spotlight

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-10-20 22:34
in

Climate Crisis Thrusts Forest Conservation into World Spotlight

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, October 20, 2009 (ENS) - "Climate change has catapulted forests onto the international agenda after years of languishing in the dusty corridors of UN meetings," Dr. William Jackson told the World Forestry Congress in Buenos Aires Monday.

EPA and National Parks Service Cuts Yellowstone Snowmobile Access in Half, Prompts Lawsuit

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Fri, 2009-10-16 09:16
in

EPA and National Parks Service Cuts Yellowstone Snowmobile Access in Half, Prompts Lawsuit

The National Parks Service announced a plan to cut snowmobile access to Yellowstone National Park to less than half.
Yellowstone Snowmobiler

The National Park Service approved a plan to reduce snowmobile access to Yellowstone National Park to less than half of current levels. The 318 snowmobiles per day limit will go into effect over the next two winters until the EPA and the NPS can finish studying the complete environmental impact of the park's use in the winter. Yellowstone is all but inaccessible during snowy months without the use of snowmobiles or snow coaches.

Adirondack Council Rates Officials on Treatment of Largest U.S. Park

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2009-10-07 13:38
in

Adirondack Council Rates Officials on Treatment of Largest U.S. Park

ELIZABETHTOWN, New York, October 7, 2009 (ENS) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo earned a perfect rating from the nonprofit Adirondack Council's State of the Park Report today, winning praise for his work striking down weak Bush administration air pollution standards that could have clouded the air over the park.

'Show Me' State Governor Showcases State Parks

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2009-10-06 13:24
in

'Show Me' State Governor Showcases State Parks

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, October 6, 2009 (ENS) - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has a new project in the works - to restart the state's declining tourism industry by promoting Missouri's state parks. He is eager to reverse the falling numbers of visitors at state parks, down 18.6 percent from 1999 to 2008.

The governor's goal is to boost attendance at Missouri's 83 state parks and historic sites by encouraging families to spend more of their tourism dollars in the 'Show Me' state.