UN nature meeting agrees on land, ocean protection
By editor on Oct 30, 2010 | In Conservation, Closures, Land Management, Endangered Species, Species related | Send feedback »
From Aol News
By MALCOLM FOSTER, AP
TOKYO -Representatives to a U.N. conference on biodiversity agreed early Saturday to expand protected areas on land and at sea in the hopes of slowing the rate of extinction of the world's animals and plants and preventing further damage to its ecosystems.
After marathon negotiations that stretched hours past the designated time, delegates also managed to overcome divisions between rich and poor countries to agree to share access to and the benefits of genetic resources such as plants whose extracts have been developed into medicines — a key sticking point that had threatened to doom the entire two-week meeting in Nagoya, southwest of Tokyo. Read entire article on Aol News (Note, the United States is one of only 3 countries in the world not a member of this agreement.)
Asian Carp, Eh? Canada to Fight Back Against Invasive Fish
By editor on Oct 6, 2010 | In Environment, Cleanup, Invasive Species, Species related | Send feedback »
From Aol News Surge Desk:
Katie Drummond Contributor
(Oct. 6) -- Hockey prowess, health care norms and the correct way to pronounce the letter "O."
On these fundamental disagreements, Canadians and Americans might never see eye-to-eye. But where invasive species of fish are concerned, researchers in the two countries are ready to team up and fight back.
Read entire article on Aol News Surge Desk
Oppose the Proposed Federal Ban on Lead in Fishing Tackle
By editor on Sep 3, 2010 | In Legislation, Environment, US Federal Government | Send feedback »
Public Comment Being Accepted until September 15, 2010
From the American Sportfishing Association:
On August 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This includes sinkers, jigs, weighted fly line, and components that contain lead such as brass and ballast in a wide variety of lures, including spinners, stick baits and more.
Amazon River Dolphins Being Slaughtered for Bait
By editor on Jul 17, 2010 | In Threatened Species, Species related | 1 feedback »
From Aol Science News:
Bradley Brooks, AP
RIO DE JANEIRO (July 11) -- The bright pink color gives them a striking appearance in the muddy jungle waters. That Amazon river dolphins are also gentle and curious makes them easy targets for nets and harpoons as they swim fearlessly up to fishing boats.
Now, their carcasses are showing up in record numbers on riverbanks, their flesh torn away for fishing bait, causing researchers to warn of a growing threat to a species that has already disappeared in other parts of the world.
Read complete article on Aol News (Science): Pink Amazon River Dolphins Being Slaughtered for Bait
Live Asian Carp Found Past Barrier in Lake Calumet Illinois
By editor on Jun 24, 2010 | In Legislation, Environment, MI Dept of Natural Resources, Invasive Species, US Federal Government, Endangered Species | Send feedback »
As reported in the Detroit News 6:12PM June 23, 2010:
Asian carp pass barrier toward Great Lakes
Nathan Hurst / Detroit News Washington Bureau
Washington -- A bighead carp has been found in Illinois' Lake Calumet, about six miles north of an electric barrier set up to stop the invasive fish from entering the Great Lakes.
Officials in Illinois are expected to announce the find late today, and have notified some members of Congress who reacted to the find.
Read entire story from The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100623/METRO/6230424/Asian-carp-pass-barrier-toward-Great-Lakes#ixzz0rn6QDYME
Commission proposes limited commercial whale hunts
By editor on May 2, 2010 | In Conservation, Closures, Planning, Threatened Species | Send feedback »
From Aol News:
By MARI YAMAGUCHI, AP
TOKYO -Japan cautiously welcomed an International Whaling Commission proposal that would effectively allow commercial whaling for the first time in 25 years — though under strict quotas that the commission argues will reduce the global catch.
Despite a 1986 moratorium on whaling, Japan, Norway and Iceland catch whales for various IWC-sanctioned purposes, including scientific research — which opponents such as Australia and conservation activists say are a cover for commercial whaling.
Earth Day: No more burning rivers, but new threats
By editor on Apr 30, 2010 | In Conservation, Environment, Cleanup, US Federal Government | Send feedback »
From Aol News
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP
WASHINGTON -Pollution before the first Earth Day was not only visible, it was in your face: Cleveland's Cuyahoga River caught fire. An oil spill fouled 30 miles of Southern California beaches. And thick smog choked many cities' skies.
Not anymore.
On Thursday, 40 years after that first Earth Day in 1970, smog levels nationwide have dropped by about a quarter, and lead levels in the air are down more than 90 percent. Formerly fetid lakes and burning rivers are now open to swimmers.
The challenges to the planet today are largely invisible — and therefore tougher to tackle. Read complete article on Aol News
Chicago Suburb Approves Nation's First Offshore Wind Farm
By editor on Apr 17, 2010 | In Conservation, Legislation, Environment | Send feedback »
From HousingWatch.com:
By Megan Mollman Apr 15th 2010 @ 8:00AM
The Chicago area, already known for its green roofs and other eco-initiatives, may have made history earlier this week. In the northern lake suburb of Evanston, the City Council unanimously voted to move forward on a proposal to place 40 wind turbines on Lake Michigan, reports FOX News Chicago, putting the region in the running to have the first offshore wind farm in the United States.
Supporters say that the wind farm would generate enough sustainable energy to power 40,000 homes (more than the number of homes in Evanston today). Eventually the town could reap more benefits by selling power to neighboring communities on Chicago's North Shore. Complete story on HousingWatch.com