A Giant Brought to Its Knees: The Atlantic Coastal Forest

The Atlantic Forest is a shadow of its former self. Originally covering more than 386,000 sq. miles along Brazil’s coast, extending into eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. Today less than 7% of that cover remains, in the wake of centuries of forest clearing for agriculture and urban development, and fragmented by centuries of unsustainable use and logging.

“100 percent trash boat” sets sail in Taiwan

“ForEver” a boat built completely from plastic bottles and other recycled materials, including old advertising banners, set sail in Taiwan to raise awareness about the marine environment. As Canadian province of Manitoba bans plastic water bottles from its offices.

World Oceans Day: Tomorrow June 8th

Our planet’s biggest celebration of the ocean is held every June 8th. The UN official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.The aim is to challenge participants to view ocean protection as a way of life. The 2011 Theme is: “Our oceans: greening our future”

Break the Grip of the Rip®

With vacation season on the horizon, NOAA and partners are alerting beach-goers to the threat of rip currents and how to prevent drowning from their strong and potentially fatal grip. June 5-11 is National Rip Current Awareness Week.