“In wildness,” declared Henry David Thoreau, “is the preservation of the world.” But what does wildness mean in the Anthropocene, an era in which, by definition, humanity’s influence reshapes the entire planet? In the Melbourne suburb of Elwood, the lawns of the old Elsternwick golf course no longer look quite so manicured, as the council […]
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By Harry Kretchmer Who better to study the sea than a surfer? That’s the big idea behind Smartfin, a U.S.-based non-profit that’s giving data-collecting “smart” surfboard fins to surfers. The fins collect a range of data, including temperature and location. The fins are needed because scientists need more data about the warming of our ocean. Since […]
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Since the pandemic struck, most people have been spending the majority of their time in the house. Those working from home have become ever more reliant on electricity for running office essentials, including computers, printers, phones and broadband. Others may be furloughed from work (or out of work entirely) and find themselves using domestic home […]
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Up to 48 bird and mammal extinctions have been prevented by conservation efforts since a global agreement to protect biodiversity, according to a new study. The Iberian lynx, California condor and pygmy hog are among animals that would have disappeared without reintroduction programmes, zoo-based conservation and formal legal protections since 1993, research led by scientists […]
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By Morgan Erickson-Davis As the world heads towards 2021 with COVID-19 still raging overhead, it might be easy to forget about the other global crises. But a new app, debuted today, aims to light the way to a brighter future, showing how we can stop global warming, halt extinctions and prevent pandemics – all in […]
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A herd of 20 Tauros has just been released in the Velebit Mountains rewilding area in Croatia. The animals will create a wilder grassland environment and continue the Tauros Programme’s genetic refinement process. Velebit Mountains rewilding areaTowards a wilder Velebit Natural grazing on the Lika Plains, a scenic area of grassland that forms part of […]
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1. Elephant Shrew The last time anyone recorded a sighting of the Somali elephant shrew was almost 50 years ago, after which, it was assumed to have become extinct. Then, in August 2020, a team of researchers and academics reported that these tiny, odd-looking creatures were alive and well. Also known as the Somali Sengi, this […]
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Wind and solar have doubled their share of global electricity generation since the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015, reaching almost 10% in the first half of the year, according to a new report. Nevertheless, it’s still not yet enough to meet the climate targets and sustained action is needed further on. The energy […]
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By Leslie Brooks More than 75 percent of the world’s food crops rely on pollinators, according to the United Nations Environment Program. Through their pollination, bees not only promote biodiversity, but also secure our food supply. But one in four species of bee is at risk of extinction in North America, according to the United […]
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A British tourist on a tropical beach poses for a photo with a cute monkey-like animal. A Vietnamese man buys some rhino-horn powder and brags to his friends about its potency. An orchid collector admires their latest purchase, a stunning bright-pink flower, without worrying too much about where it came from. These are very three […]
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