Global News

Ancient Elephants Followed the (Female) Leader

When a herd of prehistoric elephants walked through mud in the Arabian Desert about 7 million years ago, its members unwittingly left their footprints—and clues about their social lives—behind. Those prints now reveal how the herd behaved: Just like modern elephants, mature males meandered on their own while the rest of the herd apparently followed a female leader.

Fires and deaths from deforestation linked

A new study links smoke from the burning of wood waste from deforestation to deaths from the effects of breathing all that smoke. Worldwide, smoke from these fires (called landscape fires) contributed to an average of 339,000 deaths per year between 1997 and 2006, according to new research published in Environmental Health Perspectives and released today during the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia were the hardest hit by fire-smoke deaths, with an estimated annual average of 157,000 and 110,000 deaths, respectively, attributable to fire smoke exposure, said researcher Fay Johnston, who represented a global team at the 2012 AAAS Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.

Pretty Pleistocene Flower

The Pleistocene is the epoch from 2.6 million to 12,000 years ago that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciation. Not much has survived from that era except as fossils until now. Fruit seeds stored away by squirrels more than 30,000 years ago and found in Siberian permafrost have been regenerated into full flowering plants by scientists in Russia, a new study has revealed. The seeds of the herbaceous Silene stenophylla are far and away the oldest plant tissue to have been brought back to life, according to lead cryologists Svetlana Yashina and David Gilichinsky of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The Quiet Clean Mining Revolution

Few industries have got the black eye, literally and metaphorically, of mining. After centuries of environmental effects ranging from toxic emissions to unsightly tailings ponds, acid mine drainage, massive energy consumption and other impacts, mining is slowly cleaning up its act. Why? Mostly because new clean technologies are increasing industrial efficiencies. They're lowering mining companies' power needs. And they're even helping reduce water requirements, and/or remediating the produced water and mines of years past that are now leaching toxins. And that's translating into cost savings for mining companies, which are being held increasingly accountable for their environmental impacts and are looking for ways to minimize the expenses of both the production phase of their operations, and reclamation (i.e. the mandated end-of-life cleanup expenses associated with mining in many jurisdictions, now). In other words, now that it's starting to be less expensive on net for mining companies to be clean, they're starting to move in that direction. Here's a look at some selected companies at the forefront of new, clean processes in mining today.

Republic of Congo Expands National Park to Protect Great Apes

The Nouabale-Ndoki National Park is a lush rainforest park within the equatorial nation of the Republic of Congo (ROC), not to be confused with the much larger Democratic Republic of Congo to the south and east. The ROC has followed through on its commitments to expand the NNNP by 8 percent, from about 1,500 square miles to about 1,630 square miles. The newly included area holds a unique ecosystem known as the Goualougo Triangle. The Goualougo is a very dense, swampy forest that is home to a nearly pristine and untouched great ape population that was first discovered in 1989 by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) scientists.

National Defense and President Obama's 2013 Clean Energy Budget

As far as clean energy and green jobs go, President Obama's 2013 budget includes a Christmas-in-July package of initiatives that are designed to help pull the U.S. out of recession while transitioning the economy to cleaner, safer, more reliable and less price-spikey forms of energy. Those last two items – price and reliability of supply – are especially important to the Department of Defense, which will see its rate of growth slow dramatically under the new budget.

Even Sharks Make Friends

Sharks have a reputation for being ruthless, solitary predators, but evidence is mounting that certain species enjoy complex social lives that include longstanding relationships and teamwork. A new study, published in the latest Animal Behaviour, documents how one population of blacktip reef sharks is actually organized into four communities and two subcommunities. The research shows for the first time that adults of a reef-associated shark species form stable, long-term social bonds.

Greens Post Vic Premier a Message on Container Refunds

Australian Greens Party member of the Victorian state parliament, Colleen Hartland, has launched a new retro-style postcard as part of an intensifying campaign to have a 10-cent deposit on bottles, cans and cartons in the state.

Fremantle Goes Plastic Bag Free

The City of Fremantle are set become the first Australian council to outlaw single-use plastic shopping bags under plans to turn longstanding policy into law.

Grand Canyon To Ban Bottled Water Sales - World Environment News

The Grand Canyon will soon ban the sale of bottled water, responding to concerns that empty plastic bottles scattered around the park are spoiling views of the natural wonder. Follow the World Environment News on twitter @worldenvironews.

Green Auction Expected To Raise Millions For Environment - World Environment News

Bidders will be able to buy fine art, a vacation in the Maldives, or an internship with designer Donna Karan and help the planet at the same time in Christie's annual Green Auction, which is expected reap millions for environmental causes.Follow the World Environment News on twitter @worldenvironews.

Could You Be A National Tree Day Coordinator?

Ever wondered what it would be like to coordinate a tree day event in your local community or school? To give you an idea we asked some of last years first time coordinators to tell us what they thought.

Get on board for National Tree Day!

Planet Ark is calling on all Australians to get involved in National Tree Day and help inspire their local communities to value and care for the environment.

There's never been a better time to plant trees!

Lions Clubs have supported National Tree Day since the event began in 1995. In 2012 this partnership takes on a new significance.

Spotlight on QLD's new waste reforms

WME shines the spotlight on QLD's exciting new waste reforms. This special liftout is packed with case studies, news articles and handy hints.

No landfill levies for ACT charities

ACT charity groups that assist resource recovery are eligible to have their landfill fees waived.

Snap a recycling bin and win an iPad 2!

You could win an iPad 2 and VIP tickets to the 2012 Beachley Classic, just by sending in a photo of a recycling bin. It's that easy!

Snap a recycling bin and win an iPad 2!

You could win an iPad 2 and VIP tickets to the 2012 Beachley Classic, just by sending in a photo of a recycling bin. It's that easy!

Climber To Take Climate Message On "Unique" Trek - World Environment News

A Sherpa who has climbed Mount Everest a record 21 times, will trek hundreds of kilometers along some of the world's highest mountains to highlight the impact of climate change on the Himalayas. Follow the World Environment News on twitter @worldenvironews.

Greening Australia Regional Biodiversity Workshops

Throughout January, Greening Australia will be running a number of workshops focussing on guiding and establishing biodiverse plantings throughout the landscape. Find out more...

Easy to recycle this Christmas Tree!

This 8 metre tall Christmas tree was built with 3,500 Tetra Pak carton packages.

Wherever the party this summer, score points for the environment

Wherever the party this summer, celebrate the environmentally friendly way by recycling all of your aluminium cans. Australians are good at recycling aluminium cans at home, but Planet Ark and campaign ambassador, eight-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley, want to see more aluminium cans recycled at parks, beaches, workplaces, schools and other public spaces.

Wherever the party this summer, score points for the environment

Wherever the party this summer, celebrate the environmentally friendly way by recycling all of your aluminium cans. Australians are good at recycling aluminium cans at home, but Planet Ark and campaign ambassador, eight-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley, want to see more aluminium cans recycled at parks, beaches, workplaces, schools and other public spaces.

Wherever the Party this Summer, Score Points for the Environment

Wherever the party this summer, celebrate the environmentally friendly way by recycling all of your aluminium cans. Australians are good at recycling aluminium cans at home, but Planet Ark and campaign ambassador, eight-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley, want to see more aluminium cans recycled at parks, beaches, workplaces, schools and other public spaces.

Fans can clean up when making money is music to the ears

Aluminium can deposits have made a comeback at music festivals across the country over the past decade and some people are making the most of generous refunds.

Rebates for QLD Recycling Bins and Signs

A new Queensland Government program helps eligible businesses to purchase recycling collection bins and information signs.

Festive Food For Thought

Tips for not wasting food this festive season, from UniSA's Zero Waste SA Research Centre.

Our new sponsor .... Alcoa Foundation

Planet Ark is delighted to announce that Alcoa Foundation is now a Major Sponsor of the RecyclingNearYou campaign.

The 12 Do's of Christmas

Whether it's Christmas on a budget or a Christmas of splurging, Planet Ark's 12 Do's of Christmas will help Australians reduce their environmental impact this festive season while still celebrating the festive season with friends and family.

The 12 Do's of Christmas

Whether it's Christmas on a budget or a Christmas of splurging, Planet Ark's 12 Do's of Christmas will help Australians reduce their environmental impact this festive season while still celebrating the festive season with friends and family.

Queensland's Waste Levy For Businesses Begins Today

Commencing today, a levy will be applied to all commercial waste sent to landfill in Queensland.

Announcing the winners of our Schools Competition

The winners of the 'Life is Better with Trees' schools competition have been drawn. Find out which schools have won some great prizes...