Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Something disturbing is happening off our Atlantic coast. Unprecedented numbers of great whales are washing up dead on our shores. At the end of January, NOAA Fisheries declared an “Unusual Mortality Event.” Twenty-nine minke whales stranded between Maine and South Carolina from January 2017 to January 2018. Of […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy By some accounts, the Arctic Ocean remains a largely blank area on the map. Yes, we have charted the contours of the seafloor, and, yes, we map the extent of its sea ice throughout the year. But what lies between the bottom and the top of the sea? The recent international agreement […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Co-authored by Sayantan Sarkar Driving national, state, regional and city action on air pollution was a hot topic of discussion at the recently concluded World Sustainable Development Summit, inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Programs such as the Indian government’s recent landmark announcement to focus on bringing […]
Governments. Businesses. NGOs. Everyday citizens. Today, many of us are taking important steps to help reduce waste and protect our environment. I think we can all agree that’s a very good thing. But earlier this week, the Editorial Board at the LA Times called for California to phase out all “single-use” plastics. This was a […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy The Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon, had a strong focus on science and communication. While I was there, I spoke with someone whose work relies on both. Mona Samari is an investigative journalist from Tunisia who works on ocean issues. Samari answered several questions about what motivates her. What do you […]
Published by the World Wildlife Fund January brought record-low sea ice cover to the Arctic, according to new data released by the US government. That’s bad news for the ocean, wildlife, and local communities that rely on both for survival. 1. The science is solid The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) uses satellites to […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy In its latest installment, Blue Planet II brings viewers to new underwater ecosystems. “Green Seas” highlights the kelp forests, mangroves and underwater grasslands that provide homes to some unique creatures. Dragon fish dads float through the currents, looking for a safe place to spawn. Giant cuttlefish search for mates. Thousands of spider […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Last month’s inauguration of a new governor presents a great opportunity to start cleaning up New Jersey’s waterways. After eight years of the Christie administration slashing environmental protections, pollution and urban flooding are on the rise. The Murphy administration has its work cut out for it when it […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Buoyancy. Betterment. Belonging. Three words that drive the mission of Force Blue, an initiative that unites the community of Special Operations veterans with the world of coral reef conservation for the betterment of both. Ocean Conservancy is proud to support these veterans and their mission. Julia Roberson spoke to cofounders Jim Ritterhoff […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has decided not to hold a Yellowstone-area grizzly bear hunting season this year. This is welcome news and makes a lot of sense. We applaud the agency’s decision and want to do everything we can to work together to avoid any need (or excuse) […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy We touchdown on a narrow, deserted airstrip in Namibia after a two-hour flight from Johannesburg, South Africa. It has been nearly two days and Nick Mallos and I are still in route to St. Helena, one of the world’s most remote islands. We wait on the tarmac, refueling for our final journey […]
Published by the World Wildlife Fund For the first time ever, scientists in Antarctica attached a camera to a minke whale and captured incredible evidence of how it feeds. The camera – one of three “whale cams” funded by WWF-Australia – is part of efforts by scientists to better protect whale feeding areas in Antarctica. The […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy For most of us, Canada’s Northwest Passage still conjures a romantic mystique: the lure of explorers, hardship, dreams, riches and failure. Where the Arctic explorers Franklin searched and died and where Amundsen at last succeeded, tour ships cruise today and the entire route can be sailed at times without encountering ice. And […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Zinke’s Budget Is Another Practice in Cognitive Dissonance The Trump administration released its budget request for Fiscal Year 2019 earlier this week, a disaster of a proposal mitigated. Though this blueprint for destruction is likely dead on arrival in Congress, it nevertheless has effectively quantified Interior Secretary Ryan […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Opinion by Larry McKinney and Chris Robbins (This piece was originally posted on NOLA.com, February 15, 2018) In the shadow of New Orleans’ legendary Mardi Gras festivities, the city recently hosted a much more sober affair—one that can make or break the Gulf of Mexico. At the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Welcome to our weekly Trump v. Earth column, in which onEarth reviews the environment-related shenanigans of President Trump and his allies. Pruitt Doesn’t Travel Coach The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Inspector General’s Office launched an inquiry into Administrator Scott Pruitt’s travel expenses back in August, so it’s going to love […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Greetings from Portland, Oregon, where I am attending the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM), a gathering for scientific exchange on ocean issues across a range of disciplines. Sarah Cooley, Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Ocean Acidification shared an overview of the conference with us on Monday. As she noted, the range of disciplines […]
Published by the World Wildlife Fund Dozens of fluffy shy albatross chicks sitting on artificial nests are a promising sign for scientists behind an innovative plan to give the vulnerable species a boost to help counteract the negative impacts of climate change. Over 100 specially built mudbrick and aerated concrete artificial nests were airlifted on to […]
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund Last Thursday, the Federal administration brought an offshore oil drilling dog and pony show to Sacramento, instead of hosting a listening session with live testimony from concerned citizens. On January 4, President Trump announced his intentions to open-up California’s beloved coastline to oil and gas exploration. The agency […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Ocean Conservancy! With it being the month of February, you’ve probably seen close to a million heart-shaped objects as we’ve drawn closer and closer to this date. Boxes of little heart-shaped candies, giant stuffed bears with hearts sewn on their ears and other adorably […]