James Hansen’s alarming talk on the climate crisis, and how we can solve it
James Hansen, the eminent NASA climatologist, is sounding the alarm on climate change. Watch his latest TED talk for a succinct synopsis of the state of climate change, ongoing climate impacts, and what we can expect in the near future (hint: it doesn’t look good). As Hansen makes clear, if humanity does not address the growing threat to our global civilization very soon, the climate system will spiral out of control and condemn future generations... Read More
Report Details the Black Market Bluefin Trade
Check out this investigative report that details how and why Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks have plummeted in the past few decades. A combination of lax oversight, fraud, and illegal fishing have all contributed to push this magnificent fish towards the edge of extinction. Below is a video preview of the report: An Atlantic bluefin tuna (Photo: flickr user Alexandre Dulaunoy) Read More
International Biodiversity Conference Deemed a Success
A juvenile Blue-sided Tree Frog - IUCN Red List (Photo: Flickr user leeinhisroom) A recent survey in the United Kingdom posed the question, “What is Biodiversity?” The majority of respondents believed it was a washing powder. As the United Nation’s International Year for Biodiversity begins to come to a close, the sad truth is that many do not know what biodiversity is, let alone that this year was to be devoted to it. Generally the purpose... Read More
Sylvia Earle VIDEO: Into the Blue Ocean
Sylvia Earle at the Tennessee Aquarium from Nature Films Network on Vimeo. An Ocean Advocate extraordinaire provides a wonderful and insightful talk about the state of the Oceans, and the inspiration she derives from it. Very cool. Read More
Tuna and Salmon in the news
There are some interesting developments in the world of fish this week: The FDA is nearly ready to approve the first genetically modified animal for human consumption. AquAdvantage salmon is Atlantic salmon spliced with a gene from ocean pout (an eel-like fish) that allows it to grow twice as fast as a normal salmon. The company that has developed this fish wants to use it in aquaculture operations, but there are concerns about the safety of the... Read More
US Supports Ban on Trade of Bluefin Tuna
As I reported a few weeks ago, the bluefin tuna may be listed as an endangered species at the next meeting of CITES in a few weeks. The US government is now officially supporting Monaco’s proposal to ban the trade of bluefin tuna in an effort to save the species from extinction, as announced by the assistant Secretary of the Interior Tom Strickland: “[In] light of the serious compliance problems that have plagued the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean... Read More
Bluefin Tuna, an Endangered Species
The U.N. panel that oversees the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) has declared that the export of Atlantic bluefin tuna should be banned in order to save the species from possible extinction. “In our opinion, the criteria for including the species in appendix 1 are met and international commercial trade in bluefin tuna should be prohibited,” David Morgan, head of CITES scientific unit, told a news briefing. Bluefin... Read More
Home – The Movie
I just finished watching a stunning visual documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand called HOME. The film, released last summer and available to watch free online, shows our planet in all of its natural beauty through high definition aerial photography. But accompanying this natural beauty, are images depicting a wide range of the global environmental problems routinely discussed here such as deforestation, climate change, water shortages, and poverty. By... Read More
Richard Ellis: Q & A
For most of his professional life, Richard Ellis has been an outspoken advocate for the world’s marine creatures. A prolific artist, author, naturalist, and activist, he carries a firm belief that the problems associated with his marine subjects are due to our lack of knowledge and awareness. “I am a person who uses every tool in the toolbox to try and make a point” A tireless crusader for the world’s ocean life, he has written and illustrated... Read More
