The Global Canopy Programme, a groundbreaking new project dedicated to studying rainforest canopies, is about to enter the implementation stage in five tropical forests across the globe. Headed by Dr. Andrew Mitchell of Oxford University, the project will place giant cranes in Brazil, Ghana, India, Madagascar and Malaysia.
March 30, 2005
With its biodiversity, rich history, beautiful beaches, and stunning reefs, some believe Honduras could be the ecotourism hotspot in Central America. However, between growing gang violence linked to the drug trade in the United States and conflicts between developers and local communities, the country still faces many challenges in becoming the next Costa Rica. Special correspondent Tina Butler takes a look at changing attitudes about the environment in one of Central America's poorest countries.
March 28, 2005
The U.S. Geological Survey has issued a warning that Madagascar may be hit be a tsunami following the 8.7-scale earthquake off Sumatra. During last year's tsunami which left more than 320,000 people dead, Madagascar was spared from destruction by an undersea mountain range which deflected the surge towards Somalia and the African coast.
March 27, 2005
About three-fourths of Madagascar's species are endemic to the island. Here's a look at some of the wildlife of Madagascar: the real animals of Madagascar.
March 26, 2005
Guest writer Christine Cusatis wrote an article on eco-friendly residential development in Florida. With new homes going for $350,000, some people are willing to pay a premium to live in a green community.
March 23, 2005
A group of prominent biologists -- including Jane Goodall, E.O. Wilson, Tom Lovejoy, Stuart Pimm, Peter Raven, Paul Ehrlich, and Gary Meffe -- have signed a letter urging an end to road-building projects in and around Yasuni National Park in Ecuador.
March 22, 2005
Julie Larsen Maher is Staff Photographer for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a non-profit organization devoted to saving wildlife and wild lands through careful science, international conservation, education, and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, including the Bronx Zoo. Last summer Julie visited Madagascar where she took pictures for a WCS project.
March 21, 2005
Environment and development ministers from G8 nations agreed to a weakened pact on fighting illegal logging of the world's tropical rainforests. The plan -- undermined by the U.S. delegation who opposed logging regulation -- committed the G8 members only to voluntary bilateral actions to end the multi-billion dollar trade in illegal timber. Environmentalists reacted angrily to the news.
March 19, 2005
I have updated the conservation section on WildMadagascar to include some photos from renowned photographer Julie Larsen Maher of the Wildlife Conservation Society. More of Julie's pictures will soon be publicly available on the Madagascar site.
Sometime today mongabay will receive its 20 millionth visit (roughly 9 million unique visitors) since its launch in September 2001. Thank you for your continued interest and support.
March 18, 2005
Each year churches in North American use an estimated 30 million palm fronds stripped from the rainforests of Mexico and Guatemala. With Palm Sunday approaching, the Rainforest Alliance and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation are working on a project to link chamaedorea palm suppliers in Central America with Canadian and US churches. Their hope to promote rainforest-friendly Palm Sunday celebrations through the sustainable harvest of palm fronds.
March 16, 2005
According to the The Guardian, the US intends to block a British initiative to commit G8 states to combatting illegal logging in the world's threatened rainforests. The "Benn plan" would have required all timber bought by official bodies in wealthy countries to come from properly managed forests but industry lobbyists in the US are opposed to timber certification schemes.
March 15, 2005
March 14, 2005
In the data section of the site I have added employment figures for the United States including occupation comparison tables.
March 13, 2005
Three environmental activists were arrested after they posted signs critical of J. P. Morgan Chase [reg required] on telephone poles and trees in the neighborhood of the financial company's chief executive officer William B. Harrison Jr. The posters accused J. P. Morgan Chase of "reckless investment in environmentally and socially destructive projects in dozens of countries" and encouraged anyone who spotted Mr. Harrison to "ask him to do the right thing" with regard to its environmental policies. The three were charged disturbing the peace and violating Greenwich's ordinance against posting unauthorized bills on public property
March 10, 2005
According to the Washington Post [reg required], Madagascar is set to be the first recipient of funds under a new U.S. foreign aid program which could revolutionize the way much of the world's aid is distributed. Madagascar would receive nearly $100 million in grants through the Millennium Challenge Account, a program that limits grants to countries that are committed to respecting the rule of law and reducing corruption.
March 9, 2005
Citigroup has pressured Malaysian logging company Rimbunan Hijau to obtain independent, third-party certification of its operations in Papua New Guinea. Rimbunan Hijau, which has long been accused illegal logging and human rights abuses, must comply with the bank's new environmental policies.
March 8, 2005
I redesigned elements of the rainforest and fish sections of the site.
March 7, 2005
The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) aims to engage corporations in reducing their impact on the environment and becoming partners in global conservation efforts. CELB currently with companies in several industries including agriculture and fisheries, forestry, energy and mining, and travel.
March 6, 2005
The Global Amphibian Assessment is an effort by hundreds of scientists to assess the distribution and conservation status of all known amphibian species. So far the project has found that 32% of the world's 5,743 species of amphibians are threatened and 43% of are declining in population. This global decline in amphibians, especially over the past three decades, is of major concern to biologists who see these animals as indicator species -- akin to "canaries in a coal mine" -- that may provide an early warning of environmental degradation.
March 1, 2005
Based on information obtained from U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Greenpeace and the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) have accused BlueLinx -- the largest wood distributor in the United States -- of importing undocumented timber from Indonesia's endangered rainforests. According to a report by the activist groups, "on a January 21, 2005 conference call, Barbara Tinsley, general counsel to BlueLinx, indicated that her client had no intention of changing its Indonesian purchasing policies." The environmental groups are also criticizing JP Morgan Chase for its $165 million in loans to BlueLinx, which is a public company in the U.S (ticker symbol: BXC).
February 28, 2005
The BBC carried an article on sustainable forest management in Cameroon.
February 26, 2005
Brazil condemned a proposal by former European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy to declare the Amazon region and other rain forests as "global public assets" subject to world management. Brazil's Foreign Affairs Ministry released a statement that said "[Mr. Lamy's statements] are evidence of a prejudiced view underestimating the ability of developing nations to manage their natural resources in a sovereign and sustainable manner." Brazil has long feared foreign intervention in its Amazon region.