Scientists race to explore Antarctic marine life revealed by giant iceberg
British Antarctic Survey is trying to reach a newly revealed ecosystem that had been hidden for 120,000 years below the Larsen C ice shelf. Scientists say it is a race against time to explore these new ecosystems before they are transformed by exposure to the light.
In Defense of Biodiversity: Why Protecting Species from Extinction Matters
A number of biologists have recently made the argument that extinction is part of evolution and that saving species need not be a conservation priority. But this thinking shows a lack of understanding of evolution and an ignorance of the natural world.
Polar bears could become extinct faster than was feared, study says
Polar bears could be sliding towards extinction faster than previously feared, with the animals facing an increasing struggle to find enough food to survive as climate change steadily transforms their environment.
Whale and shark species at increasing risk from microplastic pollution – study
Whales, some sharks and other marine species such as rays are increasingly at risk from microplastics in the oceans, a new study published in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, suggests.
10 threatened U.S. coastlines
America’s 95,000 miles of coastlines are among the most scenic on the planet, from sandy white beaches to lush marshes to rocky cliffs. And yet, our coasts remain threatened. Coastal habitats can be destroyed by development, overfishing, pollution and even the dredging of sea canals.
Can Deepwater Aquaculture Avoid the Pitfalls of Coastal Fish Farms?
Near-shore fish farms have created a host of environmental problems. Now, U.S. aquaculture advocates – backed by mainstream conservation groups – are saying that locating well-run operations out in the ocean could produce sustainable food and protect wild stocks from overfishing.
Chile creates five national parks over 10m acres in historic act of conservation
The creation of the parks marks the latest in a flurry of environmental protection laws which have brought Chile to the forefront of worldwide conservation efforts.
The EPA made a surprise move that could protect the world’s largest salmon fishery
In a surprise reversal, the EPA announced it is withdrawing its plan to suspend environmental protections for the Bristol Bay watershed in Alaska, that is home to the world’s most valuable wild salmon fishery.
Seabed mining could destroy ecosystems
Mining on the ocean floor could do irreversible damage to deep-sea ecosystems, says a new study of seabed mining proposals around the world. The deep sea (depths below 200m) covers about half of the Earth’s surface and is home to a vast range of species.