biodiversity
Newsletter
Credit: Brigitte Werner/Pixabay
Carbon credit schemes profit from protected Amazon lands
A Washington Post investigation reveals that many carbon credit projects in the Brazilian Amazon illegally use protected public lands and fail to share profits with local communities.
Terrence McCoy, Júlia Ledur and Marina Dias report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Many carbon credit ventures in the Amazon overlap with publicly protected lands, generating millions in profits illegally.
- Companies buying these credits include Netflix, Delta and Air France, with projects covering an area six times the size of Maryland.
- Brazilian authorities are starting to investigate, uncovering fraud and improper land claims.
Key quote:
“The system is very gameable. And the victim is the planet and all of humanity who suffers because we’re not reducing emissions, but get to pretend we are.”
— Joseph Romm, climate researcher at the University of Pennsylvania
Why this matters:
The misuse of protected lands for carbon credits undermines efforts to combat climate change and defrauds local communities. This corruption in carbon credit markets could hinder global efforts to reduce carbon emissions effectively.
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Credit: Erin Donalson/Big Stock Photo
The fires in Ruidoso, New Mexico have triggered severe floods
Devastating floods have repeatedly hit Ruidoso, New Mexico, following massive wildfires that destroyed 25,000 acres and nearly 1,000 homes, highlighting the escalating threat of climate change-induced disasters.
In short:
- Ruidoso has faced eight major floods since June 21 after two wildfires scorched the area.
- The fires have drastically reduced the soil's ability to absorb rainfall, leading to severe flash floods.
- Residents are in "survival mode," repeatedly repairing flood damage and preparing for more.
Key quote:
“This town is sitting at the bottom of a bowl. And the sides of the bowl have burned.”
— Andrew Mangham, National Weather Service hydrologist
Why this matters:
The connection between the wildfires and floods is stark. Wildfires scorch the land, stripping it of vegetation that would normally absorb rainwater. Without this natural barrier, even moderate rainfall can lead to severe flooding. In Ruidoso, the torrential downpours have turned charred hillsides into fast-moving rivers of mud and debris, compounding the community’s misery.
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Credit: Nils Bouillard/Unsplash
Bat populations decline in England due to wet summer
Conservationists report a worrying decline in UK bat populations, attributing the drop to an unusually wet summer that has reduced the insects they feed on.
In short:
- Malnourished and underweight bats are being rescued in various regions including Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.
- The decline in insect populations, worsened by wet weather, threatens all 17 UK bat species.
- The Butterfly Conservation charity notes a significant decrease in butterflies and moths, crucial for ecosystem health.
Key quote:
“This is likely to be because of the wet spring and now the colder than normal temperatures. Butterflies and moths need some warmth and dry conditions to be able to fly around and mate – if the weather doesn’t allow them to do this, there will be fewer opportunities to breed.”
— Dr. Dan Hoare, director of conservation, Butterfly Conservation
Why this matters:
Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems as natural pest controllers, consuming vast quantities of insects that would otherwise damage crops and spread disease. Their dwindling numbers could lead to an increase in the insect population, potentially affecting agricultural productivity and public health.
Related EHN coverage:
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Nevada encourages farmers to sell water rights to address groundwater depletion
Nevada's driest areas are testing a new program where farmers sell their water rights to reduce groundwater overuse and protect future agricultural prospects.
In short:
- Nevada's pilot program, funded with $25 million in federal aid, aims to purchase water rights from farmers to prevent aquifer depletion.
- The program received significant interest, with offers exceeding available funds, primarily from Diamond Valley farmers.
- Some farmers see selling water rights as a necessary adjustment, while others, especially older ones nearing retirement, find it a beneficial financial decision.
Key quote:
“We knew a lot of people moved to Nevada to farm, but we didn’t really think that many people would be successful or use their full allocations. They didn’t have the scientific understanding we do today.”
— Jeff Fontaine, the executive director of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority
Why this matters:
Reducing groundwater use is vital for the sustainability of farming in Nevada's dry regions. Without these measures, over-pumping could lead to severe water shortages, threatening the future of agriculture and local communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Lana_byko/Big Stock Photo
Decades of water mismanagement threaten Yaqui culture in Mexico
The Yaqui tribe in Sonora, Mexico faces cultural and environmental devastation as the Yaqui River dries up due to overuse, drought, and dam construction.
In short:
- The Yaqui River, crucial for cultural ceremonies and subsistence, has dried up, impacting plant and animal species central to Yaqui traditions.
- Traditional structures and ceremonial instruments, dependent on riverbank flora and endemic species like the four-mirror butterfly, are endangered.
- The tribe now relies on purchased water and faces health issues from dietary changes due to the loss of their natural resources.
Key quote:
“We are facing a very critical situation of loss of many aspects that have to do with culture. In the way they work the land, the way they eat and also in the way they carry out their rituals.”
— José Luis Moctezuma, National Institute of Anthropology and History
Why this matters:
The loss of the Yaqui River disrupts not only the tribe's daily life but also their cultural heritage, leading to health and ecological consequences. Immediate attention to water management and conservation is important to preserve the Yaqui way of life.
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Credit: Tatenda Mapigoti/Unsplash
Activists demand halt to uranium mining near Grand Canyon
Environmentalists and tribal members are urging Arizona officials to end uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, citing health and environmental risks.
In short:
- Activists delivered a petition with over 17,500 signatures to Governor Katie Hobbs, calling for the closure of the Pinyon Plain Mine.
- Uranium mining poses significant health risks and threatens water sources critical to the Grand Canyon's ecosystem and local communities.
- The governor’s office acknowledged receipt but has yet to take action on the petition.
Key quote:
“The safe thing to do, the prudent thing to do, is to avoid that risk altogether and close the mine.”
— Taylor McKinnon, director of the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
The Grand Canyon has long been a battleground for conservation efforts. Uranium mining, with its potential to contaminate water sources and disrupt ecosystems, adds a new layer of urgency to these efforts. The Havasupai Tribe, whose ancestral lands lie within the Grand Canyon, has been vocal about the threats posed to their health and way of life. Contaminated water sources could have devastating effects on both human populations and the diverse wildlife that call the canyon home.
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Credit: Susan Montgomery/Big Stock Photo
Hot weather poses new threat to salmon migration
Record-high temperatures in Washington state threaten the migration of sockeye salmon in the Columbia River Basin, raising concerns among fisheries managers about the future of these fish.
In short:
- A heat wave has pushed water temperatures in the Columbia River Basin above the 68-degree threshold preferred by sockeye salmon.
- The Okanogan River, a critical path for migrating sockeye, has seen temperatures near 83 degrees, risking the fish's journey to spawning grounds.
- Fisheries managers are considering interventions like trucking fish upstream to help them bypass dangerous thermal barriers.
Key quote:
“Those water temperatures are warmer than ever this year. Literally, they’re almost too warm to swim in.”
— Tom Iverson, regional coordinator for the Yakama Nation Fisheries
Why this matters:
Warmer water can severely impede salmon migration, threatening the species' survival and impacting ecosystems. Long-term climate trends could make these heatwaves more frequent, challenging conservation efforts.
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