Category Archives: Environment

Oyster Farmers and Ocean Acidification



The ocean is so acidic that it is dissolving the shells of our baby oysters,” says Diani Taylor of Taylor Shellfish Farms in Shelton, Washington. She and her cousin Brittany are fifth-generation oyster farmers, and are grappling with ocean waters that are more acidic and corrosive than their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers knew.

This “ocean acidification” is one planetary response to humans’ burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide that is absorbed by the oceans. According to the National Climate Assessment, oceans currently absorb about a quarter of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere, leading to ocean acidification that will alter marine ecosystems in dramatic yet uncertain ways. To learn more about ocean acidification, go to NCA2014.globalchange.gov


A Celebration of Wildlife-friendly Farmers



Farmers sometimes get a bad press but their role as ‘custodians of the countryside’ is more important than ever. Four previous winners of ‘The Nature of Farming Awards’ talk about their passion for nature and why wildlife-friendly farming can also make commercial sense.


Planet Ocean



Can we imagine a film that would change the way people look at the ocean? Can we explain simply, to everyone, the greatest natural mystery of our planet? And lastly, can we help our children believe in a better and more sustainable world tomorrow?
This is the triple challenge of a new cinema adventure signed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and editor- in-chief Michael Pitiot, who brings with him the scientific missions of TARA, a unique pool of researchers, oceanographers and biolo- gists from several countries. Thanks to its astonishing photography, the film takes us on a magnificent and unprecedented journey into the heart of the least known regions of our planet. For more info visit http://www.goodplanet.org/


The World We Made: Incredible Edible Cities



The World We Made (Alex McKay's Story from 2050), by leading environmentalist and broadcaster Jonathon Porritt. Buy your copy today: http://bit.ly/19WlteT In this episode we look at where we grow our food in 2050. How do we feed an ever growing population?


Eating the Planet



Change the way you think about food, we are literally eating the planet. Today we use 1/3 of the planet's surface to produce food, by 2050 we will need twice as much food. Today it takes one litre of water to create one calorie of food. What will it be in the future? Can we use less water and less fertilisers?


Mangrove



Mangrove forests, such as the one of La Tirana in the coast of El Salvador, are part of a complex ecosystem that protects coastlines from erosion and filters coastal waters.
Communities living in and around these forests depend on this natural resource for their livelihoods and care for the biodiversity of these fragile ecosystems.
The Salvadoran government has proposed, as part of a US$ 277 million aid programas, to develop tourism projects along the country’s coastline which threaten the mangrove forests and local communities. This key proposal could be signed in September 2013.
If tourism projects are developed in the protected areas, as the government expects will happen as part of the US Millennium Challenge Fund 'Fomilenio' aid program, “the mangrove forests and communities who depend on these fragile ecosystems would be seriously affected”, says Ricardo Navarro, director of CESTA/ Friends of the Earth El Salvador.


UNEP’s South South Cooperation Exchange Mechanism



South South Cooperation is sweeping the globe. Find out how UNEP's South South Cooperation Exchange Mechanism is helping the southern hemisphere find solutions for an environmentally sustainable future for southern countries…and beyond.


Point Hope, Alaska and Shell’s offshore drilling plans



The mayor and other residents of Point Hope, Alaska share their concerns about Shell's offshore drilling plans in the Arctic. Residents of this town, also known as “Tikigaq,” have survived for generations off the bounty of the Chukchi Sea, which is now threatened by pollution, noise, and the risk of an oil spill that would come with offshore drilling.


Coral Triangle Day



On June 9, 2012, the countries of the Coral Triangle came together to celebrate their single most important shared resource: the oceans. From local communities to NGOs, responsible businesses to government agencies, people from all walks of life organized and participated in exciting events across the region. This was the Coral Triangle Day, it is hoped the first of many to come!