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Race to Decode Coral DNA to Save World’s Reefs From Extinction

New genetic technologies are enabling scientists to identify traits that may help corals survive warming ocean temperatures that threaten the survival of coral reefs critical to marine ecosystems.

Africa: UN Assembly President Rings Nasdaq Bell - Sounds Alarm On Behalf of World's Endangered Ocean

The President of the United Nations General Assembly opened the trading day in New York this morning to send the message that the world's ocean health is in distress.

Toothless, dwarf dolphin, a case study in evolution

Scientists on Wednesday unveiled an extinct species of toothless, whiskered and objectively cute mini-dolphin that plied Earth's oceans some 30 million years ago.

Ecologist Special Report: The Al Hima Revival

Throughout history, Islam has contributed innovative ideas that have helped advance world civilization. The al Hima initiative in Jordan is one such example. This ancient practice is currently being revived as a land management (natural resource management) strategy in pastoralist areas of the M ...

New plastic dump in Pacific Ocean

Researchers who travel the globe documenting the presence and impact of plastics on the world’s oceans and all their marine life have discovered a new ocean “garbage patch” in the South Pacific which they say covers millions of square kilometres.

Identifying the world’s top biodiversity investment returns

When portions of a previously contiguous forest are carved away, so-called “fragmented forests” are created, and now-isolated species find it increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy and sustainable population. Species in fragmented forests start to head toward extinction within in less than ...

Regional Bio-Bridge Roundtable for Asia Pacific, 16-19 October 2017, Incheon, Republic of Korea

Reference: SCBD/IMS/ET/LZ/86776 (2017-079)
To: CBD Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points and CHM Focal Points in the Asia Pacific Region

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Sustainable Ocean Initiative brochure

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Website for the Sustainable Ocean Initiative

UNEP/CBD/SOIWS/2017/2/SBSTTA/16/INF/9

Training manual on the description of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs) in the open- ocean waters and deep-sea habitats

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CBD Technical Series 76: Integrated Coastal Management for the Achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets: Practical Guidance for Implementation Based on Experience and Lessons Learned from Coastal and Ocean Governance in the Seas of East Asia

A 30-Year-Old Treaty Proves Humans Can Still Save Planet Earth

As the United States government goes out of its way to roll back clean Earth initiatives of the past, it’s easy to forget that sometimes good policies can lead to meaningful change — and it can stick. A new paper published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters shows that a 30-year-old inte ...

UNGA 72 Documents Reflect on Education, Environmental Conventions, Social Development

In preparation for the 72nd session of the UNGA, the UN has released several documents related to sustainable development and SDG implementation. Recent documents address progress on education for sustainable development, highlights from the UNFCCC, UNCCD and CBD, and reflections on social deve ...

Sustainably managing our natural resources: Environmental Sustainability: Part 1

The Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5), which was launched earlier this year by President Geingob, forms part of a series of a total of seven national development plans that are to implement and achieve the objectives and aspirations of Namibia’s long-term vision, Vision 2030.

Ecotourism to boost PH position as Asia’s freediving capital

Ecotourism and ocean preservation would be the centerpiece of the Department of Tourism in bolstering the country’s position as a freediving capital in the region.

Allowing polluters to offset carbon emissions by paying forest owners effectively reduces greenhouse gases, Stanford study finds

A pioneering California program to sell carbon offsets has surprising environmental benefits – including providing habitat for endangered species – and provides lessons for initiatives under development in other states and countries.

2016 surpasses 2015 as hottest year on record globally in 137 years

Loss of biodiversity, degrading ecosystem, ocean warming and the melting of ice sheets has the world's biggest nations pondering over effective ways to curb the phenomenon. In January 2017, independent analyses by American space agency NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio ...

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN AFRICA WILL HELP BOOST ITS ECONOMY

umanity has long appreciated forests for the energy, food and medicine they provide, and as a source of wood products for construction and other purposes. But the role of forests in supporting agriculture, preserving biodiversity, protecting water supplies, creating jobs, increasing domestic GDP ...

Who Governs the High Seas?

The earth’s surface is more than 70% ocean, more water than land, a mass of blue connecting disconnected green. Nation states claim up to 200 miles from their coasts as areas of “national jurisdiction” over which they have the power to exploit, consume, and regulate. But the vast majority of the ...

Yoda bat gets happy: New species officially recognized

An unusual breed of fruit bat -- previously nicknamed 'Yoda' due to its resemblance to the Star Wars Jedi Master -- has now officially been registered as a new species and renamed the happy (Hamamas) tube-nosed fruit bat.

3 firms winning in Singapore’s sustainable business space

Keeping public spaces cool, harnessing the power of the sun, and designing the cities of the future. Eco-Business examines how three companies are innovating in the sustainability space in the tiny, resource-scarce tropical city-state of Singapore.

The ten-year anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples presents a fitting opportunity to draw attention to the significant contribution of indigenous peoples to the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s biodiversity.

The Ocean’s Fastest Shark Is Being Threatened By Over Fishing

More bad news for sharks. A new study using satellite tracking by researchers from Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI), the University of Rhode Island and other colleagues shows that the fishing mortality rate of the shortfin mako in the western North Atlantic is ...

What happens when you combine crowdsourcing and biodiversity?

Citizen Science is the way forward. Here are some initiatives that will help you become a part of this growing trend.

Nations Will Start Talks to Protect Fish of the High Seas

More than half of the world’s oceans belong to no one, which often makes their riches ripe for plunder. Now, countries around the world have taken the first step to protect the precious resources of the high seas. In late July, after two years of talks, diplomats at the United Nations recommend ...

Guidelines for Forestry Monitoring to Support Achievement of Global Goals

The Voluntary Guidelines on Forest Monitoring cover technical and scientific approaches to optimizing inventory, statistical modelling and estimation, and remote sensing, and also include guidance on strategic planning and communication and dissemination of results. Forestry experts in Latin Am ...

FAO introduces new guidelines on monitoring forest resources

FAO has developed new guidelines aimed at helping countries develop strong National Forest Monitoring Systems, which are key to measure progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Deforestation briefing: Sustainable palm oil solution sought in Africa

Sime Darby's Simon Lord is seeking partners to trial a model that balances forest conservation with economic development in Liberia While the high carbon stock approach methodology will help companies implement no-deforestation commitments in Indonesia's fragmented landscapes, it is ill-suited ...

Small Island, big results: Natural solutions to sustainability challenges in Cuba

The work that started in the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago provided the basis from which Cuba, in partnership with UNDP and GEF, has built an entire portfolio of interconnected and complementary projects that address multiple issues across the entire country: improved management of protected areas ...

Nigeria, UN Sign Five-Year Sustainable Development Agreement

Nigeria on Thursday signed a five-year Sustainable Development Partnership Framework with the United Nations, UN for the period 2018 to 2022.

Q&A: UNWTO secretary-general on exploring Africa's sustainable tourism opportunities

As African leaders look for ways to diversify their economies, tourism has emerged as a way to create new jobs, attract foreign visitors and attract investments to build more integrated societies.

Pakistan attends biodiversity congress in Colombia

Pakistan is among 74 countries participating at the global forum to tackle conservation challenges and to promote biodiversity as a continuation of the country’s commitment to balance environmental protection with sustainable economic development.

Mine action in the era of the SDGs and sustaining peace

The impact of mines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) on security and development came to be widely recognised in the late 1980s. Throughout the 1990s, collective efforts to raise the issue on the international stage increased.

Food for thought: how cities shape more than what is on your plate

Food production has long been considered a rural concern, of little interest to cities. Yet, several cities are waking up to the role that local authorities can play in the development of sustainable food systems.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reveals Thailand's Path Toward Sustainable Development Goals

NO POVERTY. The first goal of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations sounds so simple, but has proven enormously difficult to achieve. Despite progress made by many nations in recent decades, more than 3 billion people, half of the world's population, still live on less than ...

New shark species glows in the dark, weighs two pounds and has a huge nose

Like finding a needle in a haystack, a team of scientists has discovered a new species of shark measuring less than a foot long and weighing under 2 pounds full-grown. This miniature, "glow-in-the-dark" shark is a member of the Lanternshark family (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae), which was serendip ...

River of plastic trash is flooding our oceans

Plastic is useful - for packaging, tires, clothing, and much else. But 2 percent of plastics produced end up in the ocean. It enters the food chain - even reaching us. A new analysis highlights the scale of the problem.

Great Barrier Reef DEAD - but could it be brought back to life?

Potting methods similar to those used by green-fingered gardeners the world over can help bring back reefs stripped of their vibrant colours and myriad marine creatures. Ocean experts warned last week how 29 of the World Heritage List coral reefs – including the Great Barrier Reef and those arou ...

Why Canada Needs Country-Specific Indicators For The SDGs

Imagine a policy agenda in Canada that truly left no one behind. What kind of social programs would be in place? What would the distribution of wealth look like? Which programs and services would be made obsolete?

Q&A: UNWTO secretary-general on exploring Africa's sustainable tourism opportunities

As African leaders look for ways to diversify their economies, tourism has emerged as a way to create new jobs, attract foreign visitors and attract investments to build more integrated societies.

International Congress for Conservation Biology: "Insights for Sustaining Life on Earth"

23 - 27 July 2017, Cartagena, Colombia

Experience Barefoot Luxury At Six Of The Best Eco-Resorts In Asia

Eco-tourism has been soaring in popularity over the past couple of years as more travelers become increasingly aware of sustainability issues and are discerning enough to seek out ‘green’ initiatives on their trips. It’s no coincidence, then, that the UN World Tourism Organisation designated 201 ...

Rare discovery of 3 new toad species in Nevada's Great Basin

Three new species of toads have been discovered living in Nevada's Great Basin in an expansive survey of the 190,000 square mile ancient lake bottom. Discoveries of new amphibians are extremely rare in the United States with only three new frog species discovered since 1985 - and toad species ar ...

New plant species found in Son Tra Nature Reserve

The Southern Institute of Ecology has discovered three new plant species unknown to the world in the Son Tra Nature Reserve during a three-year research and revaluation of its biodiversity, Dr Luu Hong Truong told a recent scientific conference in Da Nang.

Sustainable development and sustaining peace: Two sides of the same coin

More than 1.4 billion people, including half of the world’s extremely poor people, live in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The number is forecast to grow by a staggering 82 percent by 2030. Around 244 million people are on the move, with 65 million people in our world being forcibly disp ...

In Nigeria, UN deputy chief says 'messages of women' vital to sustainable peace, development

Urgent action is needed now towards the meaningful participation of women in peace processes, as well ensuring their voices are heard in all aspects of society, the United Nations deputy chief told reporters in Abuja today as part of a first-ever UN-African Union trip focused on women, peace and ...

Malaysia 'deeply committed' to UN 2030 Agenda, says Abdul Rahman

NEW YORK: Wrapping up his week-long visit to New York, Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said his appearance at the United Nations was to convey that Malaysia is "deeply committed" to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda.

Achieving Zero Hunger requires transforming rural economies, investing in sustainable agriculture

20 July 2017, New York - The pace of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development must be accelerated , a high-level United Nations meeting stressed today in its final declaration.

Researchers combining data and technology to make agriculture more sustainable

Due to the large usage of water in agriculture, many California communities no longer have running water, and collapsing aquifers have caused roads and buildings to sink several feet. Purdue University electrical and computer engineering professor David Ebert is using data collected from agricul ...

Oh, great — another plastic garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean

Capt. Charles Moore, the sailor who brought the giant vortex of plastic debris floating in the north Pacific ocean to our attention, now says there is another enormous plastic patch growing in the South Pacific.