Nature
Agricultural expansion: an “either or more” factor in deforestation
Growing global demand for beef and edible oils have bumped arable land under cultivation to a 532 million hectares in recent decades.
Challenges mount for REDD+ as scheme prepares for implementation
How has REDD+, the UN’s project aimed at rewarding communities for protecting their forests and enhancing their carbon stock, developed since its inception in 2007?
Video: Saving the Congo Basin’s precious forests
Could a green belt around the village of Lukolela in the DRC help the local community adapt to climate change, while also bringing carbon reduction benefits?
Supermarkets in the sky – forests of the world in pictures
Rural communities depend on forests for food, medicine, water and a place to live. This photo gallery illustrates the variety of services rainforests in the Amazon and Congo provide
Five facts you may have forgotten about forests
Did you know that over a quarter of modern medicines come from tropical forest plants?
The role of forests in combating climate change
What are the main benefits of forests and how can they help deal with climate change?
Organised crime hitting forest climate action – UNEP
A new report by UNEP and Interpol says the black market for timber, which accounts for 15-30% of the sector worldwide, hampers environmental programmes and sustainable development.
Is the Arctic’s loss Antarctica’s gain?
While Arctic sea ice cover plummeted this summer, many suggest this was balanced by gains in ice cover at the Antarctic. So who’s right?
Arctic ice hits record low
National Snow and Ice Center in Colorado reports sea ice levels hit likely minimum on September 16, offering clearest signal yet of climate change
UNEP: Pollution from shipping and oil exploration could accelerate Arctic ice thaw
UN Environment Programme says that the effects of even small amounts of pollution on the Arctic Ocean have not been fully assessed.
Photo of the week #34 – Climate change could threaten the African Lion
Droughts and downpours, exacerbated by climate change, could threaten the survival of Africa’s most iconic predator.
Amazon deforestation could reduce tropical rainfall and affect Brazil’s hydro plans
Deforestation of tropical forests could significantly reduced rainfall, having negative impacts for people living in tropical regions, according to research published in Nature.
Photo of the Week #33 – How climate change is affecting the mighty Rhino
Our IUCN photo of the week is of the mighty Rhino – this proud beast is now under threat all around the world – with a rapidly changing habitat a major cause of depleting numbers
The Cook Islands open Pacific Island Forum with announcement of world’s largest marine park
Country is joined by neighbour New Caledonia in pledging projected areas which will together cover 2.5 million square kilometres of ocean.
Photo of the week #32 – Climate change, drought and declining zebra populations
This week’s photo of the week, the zebra population facing extinction from climate change and drought.
The United States of Climate Change #3: The Montana hunters targeting big changes in the US climate debate
Todd Tanner, founder of the Conservation Hawks tells RTCC why changes in the Montana landscape have spurred him on to start a grass roots climate action movement among the United States 37 million hunters.
Photo of the week #31 – Conservation threats for the world’s smallest sea turtle
This week’s photo of the week, the Olive Ridley turtle faces multiple threats such as poaching and fishing.
Adaptation focus: How ecosystem based solutions are bearing fruit in Xai Xai, Mozambique
Dr Richard Munang from the UNEP explains how Ecosystem-based Adaptation can help people and communities cope with the negative effects of climate change.
Australia’s acute water shortages mapped
Projected Australian water shortages suggest governments of future will have to ration water between mining, agriculture and major cities.
Arctic spill would create inaccessible ‘oil sandwich’ in ice impossible to clean, says UK polar expert
A leading polar expert has told RTCC an offshore oil spill in the region would be almost impossible to clean up and could affect vast areas of the ocean