WWF - Environmental News

Counting dolphins, critical to preserve health of South American rivers

2010-09-07

Bogotá, Colombia - A slow-moving canoe full of marine biologists gingerly steers through a narrow Amazon tributary. On both sides, treetops surface above a flooded forest.

10 minutes later the group emerges onto a huge and placid oval lake, the Cocará lagoon, located on the Peruvian side of the Putumayo river. Suddenly, a powder-pink dolphin jumps and dives in an elegant arc.

This is the 11th expedition to count river dolphins in South America, a critical way to assess not only the dolphins’ numbers, but also the health of rivers and related biodiversity. In June 2010, the scientific team of the Omacha Foundation set sail from Puerto Leguízamo to evaluate how healthy the dolphins and their habitats are in the three-border area along the Putumayo river, where conservation is crucial for the Amazon Biome.

River dolphins are an umbrella species: a high population is a sign that the rivers are healthy as well as other land and aquatic species.

“When rivers deteriorate in quality, dolphins disappear first”, said Saulo Usma, Fresh Water Coordinator for WWF Northern Amazon & Chocó-Darién Regional Programme.

Ultimately, scientists hope this research will lead to better protection of South America’s freshwater dolphins, and the rivers they call home.

A major venture
Since 2006 the Omacha Foundation, with WWF support, has travelled more than 4,200 kms along 12 of the most important rivers in South America. In the past four years they have spotted more than 4,000 dolphins in the Orinoco and Amazon basins, broken down among three different species: the grey (Sotalia fluviatilis), the pink (Inia geoffrensis) and the Bolivian (Inia boliviensis).

There are an estimated 40,000 thousand river dolphins in the region, and even though this may sound like a healthy population, dolphins are more threatened now than ever. Deforestation, water pollution from mining, overfishing, the use of dolphin meat as bait and infrastructure projects are some of the biggest threats to these species.

As recently as four years ago, data on river dolphin populations in the Orinoco and Amazon basins, two major fresh water reservoirs in the planet, was not sufficient. A standardized counting method and consistent statistics were also missing.

Scientists, as well as other environmental organizations, convinced of the necessity to persuade governments to give priority to the Orinoco and Amazon basins’ conservation, decided to undertake a journey through the most important rivers in South America in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and some parts of Brazil, to finally learn how many dolphins live in this region, their health, and how to develop a long-term conservation programme.

The dolphin census is the brainchild of Fernando Trujillo, Director of the Omacha Foundation. Trujillo adapted a model for counting and extrapolating data about dolphins designed by statisticians at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland and has carried out 11 expeditions so far.

The method is being applied to a similar survey in Asia, which hosts the world’s only other significant population of freshwater dolphins.

A charismatic symbol
By monitoring the dolphins and their health, the biologists hope that these aquatic mammals, with their playful habits and unique appearance, could become a charismatic symbol for preserving the Orinoco and Amazon basins.

Today, there is a plan supported by WWF to protect freshwater dolphins in South America, and countries like Bolivia and Colombia would be the first ones to implement it, using some of this research as a basis.

Governments are being encouraged to do more to protect dolphins, there is a network of 80 researchers trained to be part of other expeditions outside their countries, and agreements with local indigenous communities to apply sustainable fishing methods have been settled.

Yet, the problem with fisheries, the most difficult one to deal with, still remains.

Dolphins are being used as bait to catch mota (Calophysus macropterus), a scavenger fish from the Orinoco and Amazon basins which fish sellers discovered could replace the catfish capaz, a highly demanded species from the Magdalena river -almost on the brink of extinction-, and then sell it in the main cities in Colombia under the name Capaz. “So it is essential to put this issue on the international agenda”, asserted Trujillo.

The science of counting dolphins
Counting dolphins is a simple task but has its own specialized methodology. Math formulas are used to calculate the speed at which dolphins swim as well as their distance in relation to the riverbank.

The researchers divide into two groups. One team goes to the fore the other to the aft. Both groups carry a compass, binoculars, a GPS, a pencil and index cards to record the time, the angle, distance coordinates, if it’s gray or pink, and the number of dolphins spotted.

The boat zigzags at a speed of 12 kms per hour and a hundred meters from the riverbank. After having travelled two kilometres, it crosses to the other side.

Asia, the mirror
Researchers fear that the Amazonian dolphins could reach a similar situation to those in Asia, where in some places dolphins have been declared extinct.

“We don’t want to be in the same situation as in the Yangtze, where dolphin sighting has become an exception”, said Trujillo.

While some believe there is still an opportunity here for river dolphin conservation, others see the mirror of Asia as a blurred image.

María Delgado, a 29-year-old subsistence fisherwoman, thinks environmentalists are creating an unwarranted alarm. “There are plenty of fish, they just know how to avoid being caught”, she said.

Scientists make clear the threats in South America are still at a manageable stage. “The fishery industry situation, pollution from mining and oil exploitation, deforestation and bycatch, can be slashed back if we involve all actors and encourage governments to get on board”, concluded Usma.

The plan, called the Action Plan for South American River Dolphins: 2010-2020 hopes to address these threats.

Mutual nosedive for dolphins, river health

2010-09-07

Dwindling freshwater dolphin numbers are raising concerns about the declining health of some of the world’s most important rivers, shows a new study by WWF.

The main culprit, says River Dolphins & People: Shared Rivers, Shared Future, is the increasing pressure that unchecked human demands for food, energy and other goods is placing on freshwater ecosystems.

“The well-being of river dolphins is a telltale indicator of river health, and their decline should sound an alarm bell for everyone – our rivers are at risk, and we need to clean up our act to stop this nosedive,” says Dr. Li Lifeng, Director of WWF’s Freshwater Programme.

River dolphins and porpoises swim in some of the world’s largest rivers, including the Yangtze, Ganges, Mekong, Indus and Amazon. But these river basins are also home to hundreds of millions of people in some of the most densely populated and poorest areas of the planet.

In these regions and many others, human actions including unsustainable fishing, toxic runoff from agriculture and industry, as well as the construction of dams and infrastructure projects that block river flows have contributed to the decline of freshwater dolphins.

The same factors will also have a major impact on people, Dr. Li says:

“The Yangtze river dolphin, or baiji, is functionally extinct. Our lack of action is compounding this tragedy around the world, harming both river dolphins and the communities that rely on these rivers to survive.”

Further evidence of this decline can be found in the Ganges, where small river dolphin populations have become increasingly isolated due to the presence of dams and barrages. Already listed as endangered, their inability to travel to find mates or food is among the many serious hurdles they face.

Meanwhile, the devastating floods affecting over 17 million people in Pakistan are testing the endangered Indus river dolphin. While difficult to predict the overall effects on this elusive species, it is likely they will move out of their usual territories and find themselves trapped when water levels return to normal.

Overfishing and pollution are other important factors that River Dolphins and People identifies as major threats. Southeast Asia’s Irrawaddy dolphin, for example, has suffered a great deal from these and other factors, with all three subpopulations in the Irrawaddy, Mekong and Mahakam rives now listed as critically endangered.

But Dr. Li he adds that there is also room for optimism.

“The good news is that because the threats are of our making, the solutions can be of our making too. And saving the dolphins will have positive effects beyond the species – extending to surrounding freshwater ecosystems, international river basins, and ultimately ourselves.”

Rattan companies from the Mekong explore global market

2010-09-07

For the first time ever, rattan companies from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam are participating in the Spoga International trade fair in Germany to promote their sustainable rattan products to the European market.

The Spoga International Trade Fair for Sport, Camping and Garden Lifestyle, is being held in Cologne, Germany from 5^th to 7^th of September, attracting more than 2,500 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors from around the world.

“Rattan companies need to be ready for a big leap in terms of developing environmentally friendly production systems and product designs if they are to attract international buyers,” added Ms Sylvie Rasombath, WWF Laos Rattan Marketing Officer.

For two years, WWF has been working with local communities, rattan companies, national and local authorities in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to promote cleaner production along the rattan supply chain. The aim is to improve local livelihoods, promote responsible forest management and certification, clean up the rattan production system, and link local rattan products to the global market.

“We are looking forward to promoting the Mekong’s rattan products to the European market,” said Xaykham Phetmanyvong the owner of Danlao Co,.Ltd. ‘I think we can learn a lot from what they have to offer in terms of innovative design and meeting international standards.’

“The trade fair is a fantastic opportunity for the Mekong rattan industry to see first-hand how investing in sustainable and clean production systems can give them access to new markets,” said Thibault Ledecq, WWF’s Rattan Programme Manager.

The project “Establishing a Sustainable Production System for Rattan Products in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam” is co-funded by the European Union (EU), the international home-products retailer IKEA and the German development finance institution (DEG).

Critically endangered whales flee Russian oil, gas boom

2010-09-07

Gland, Switzerland - Russian oil and gas company Rosneft is conducting oil and gas exploration work that may have caused the critically endangered western gray whale to flee its main feeding ground.

Tests and offshore installment of equipment by Rosneft for a major seismic survey began in late August, despite repeated calls from 12 governments, NGOs, scientists and the public to postpone the survey because of potential risks to the whales.

Rosneft started preparations for the survey last month near Sakhalin Island even though a small number of western gray whales mothers and calves were feeding in the area. Only an estimated 130 western North Pacific grey whales are left in the world, with around 30 breeding females.

Seismic surveys are done by blasting the water with acoustic noise to detect oil and gas deposits under the ocean floor.

Observers from WWF and other NGOs began monitoring Rosneft’s activities and the whales in mid-July. It appears that as of Aug. 20, only weeks after Rosneft’s activities started, whales feeding in the area had already been affected.

Before those activities began, observers registered 10 to 15 of the whales feeding in the area. Now whales have only been seen migrating across the area – not feeding.

“This is a critical problem as the whales have only a short time in which to consume enough food to last them through the year when they migrate to their breeding and calving grounds,” said Wendy Elliott, WWF’s whale expert.

The company also has twice conducted seismic surveys at night, which is in violation of international standards, and even Rosnefts’ own guidelines.

On August 23, WWF-Russia issued a letter of concern to Russian environmental authorities, requesting an immediate stop to Rosneft’s testing.

As part of a WWF initiative, nearly 20,000 people have sent Rosneft emails requesting that the surveys be postponed. However, Rosneft continues to shut out public opposition to its actions with some WWF members reporting that their emails to Rosneft's outgoing President Sergei Bogdanchikov had been blocked.

Scientists from the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP), a group of eminent whale scientists, have also repeatedly asked the company to postpone the surveys until the whales have left the area. A letter sent from 12 governments to the Russian government asking them to make Rosneft postpone the survey also went unheeded.

"Rosneft is irresponsibly insisting on conducting this survey when they could easily postpone the survey until next year and hold it before the whales arrive," said Aleksey Knizhnikov, Oil & Gas Environmental Policy officer, WWF Russia. "Rosneft may be ignoring public outcry but their negligent behavior will not be forgotten, and they will have to be held responsible for any harm that comes to the whales as a result of these surveys."

Postponing the surveys would also enable Rosneft to develop the precautionary monitoring and mitigation measures that are essential to minimize the impact of the seismic survey on the whales. Monitoring and mitigation measures have already been developed by the WGWAP, and are being used by another company in the same area.

WWF and other NGOs have dozens of observers and boats on Sakhalin Island this year and will be monitoring the test and how it affects the feeding whales.

In addition, WWF is planning this week to approach Rosneft's new president, who started today, about postponing the seismic surveys.

Revoke licences call for repeat wildlife trafficking offender

2010-09-06

Selangor, Malaysia: A six month jail sentence for one of the world’s noted wildlife trafficker is welcome but the offender should also have all licences for possession of totally protected and protected wildlife revoked, WWF-Malaysia said today.

The comments come after the Malaysia Sessions Court sentenced Keng Liang “Anson” Wong, owner of two wildlife establishments in Penang, to six months jail today, after he was caught last August with listed boa constrictors in his luggage at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“On the other hand, the fine of merely RM190 000 ($US 60,000) appears to be a slap on the wrist in view of the fact that Wong had 95 snakes in his possession and that the aggregate maximum fine that could be imposed was RM 1 million ($US 320,000),” said Dato’ Dr. Dionysius Sharma, Executive Director/CEO of WWF-Malaysia.

“The fine comes up a little short in relation to the offence.”

Anson Wong, known as “the Lizard King” and a “notorious” wildlife trafficker, was sentenced in the US to six years jail and fined $60,000 in 2001 after admitting to wildlife trafficking crimes.

However, his counsel in the current case told the court Anson was a first time offender.

“ WWF-Malaysia also urges the Ministry to now revoke ALL of Anson Wong’s current licenses to trade in wildlife, including his two wildlife establishments in Penang as well as those linked to his family members,” Dato’ Sharma said.

This would be in line with Section 17 of Malaysia’s International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 under which Wong was charged, where the Management Authority may cancel permits if the holder of such permits has been convicted under this Act.

According to Dato’ Sharma, it is justified to revoke any such licenses granted to his family members as there is a strong need to pre-empt the risk of illegal wildlife trade being furthered under the guise of legality and still very much under Wong’s control.

For further information:
Sara Sukor, Senior Communications Officer, Species, WWF Malaysia
Tel: +6 012 30 60 404,
Email: ssara@wwf.org.my

Big dry and legal doubts fuel progress to new forest burn boom in Brazil

2010-09-03

Brasília, Brazil – High temperatures, low humidity and uncertainty over the future of forest laws are fuelling a boost in forest fires over much of Brazil.

Overnight on August 30, satellite data collected by the National Institute of Space Researches (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – INPE) showed 177 fire spots in central and central west Brazil and also in the north, south and south east of the country.

The 45,860 forest fires recorded so far this year is nearly 50 per cent higher than from the equivalent January to August period in 2009, putting Brazil on track to exceed the fire totals for 2007, the highest in the last five years.

While high temperatures – 30-35 degrees C in central Brazil – and humidity readings of under 20 per cent are undoubtedly contributing, Alberto Setzer, INPEs Forest Fire Monitoring coordinator, believes that the increase of fire occurrences this year is also related to the undefined future of the Brazilian Forest Code, which has been under severe attack by some sectors of the Brazilian Congress.

The current forest-burning season will not figure on the next release of annual deforestation rates, but the intense degradation facilitates illegal deforestation.

“Soon, many of these areas will no longer be forests,” Setzer said. “In fact, burning the forest is usually the first and cheapest step to clean out a forest area.”

Blame put on "the usual illegal practices"

The proposed forest code changes particularly downgrade protected area requirements for private land, steep land and watercourse fringes. According to the Institute, 130 state and federal reserves also registered fire spots inside their areas or within their buffer zones.

Denise Hamú, WWF-Brazil's CEO, agrees with the possibility of criminal fires being connected to the Forest Bill currently under discussion at the Congress.

“The uncertainty about the future of our Forest Code may perfectly be leading some of these criminal fires,” she said. “The possibility of reducing the compulsorily protected areas within properties may be encouraging farmers to prepare new areas for agriculture or cattle breeding, in advance, with an eye on the proposed amendment in the law.”

Brazil’s Environment Minister, Izabella Teixeira, has called for investigations to identify possible criminal actions behind these fires which she attributed to “the usual illegal practices”.

One of Brazil’s leading climate researchers, Dr Antonio Marengo of the Centre of Terrestrial System Sciences, said “We cannot assure the unusual season we are going through right now is caused by the climate changes. But it is, no doubt, a picture of what may happen in the future, when droughts and high temperatures will become more frequent and severe.”

Strong and severe laws and public policies seem to be the only possible adaptation measures for a future of climate changes, as related to forest fire, he said, calling for more preparation of local governments, populations and hospitals for more and more smoky atmosphere, lung diseases and fire disasters.

“These are palliative measures, of course, but theres not much that can be done, once the use of fire in the agriculture is cultural in Brazil,” Dr. Marengo said.

For him, the hope relies on education for the future generations.

Fuzzy diplomacy: more than 25,000 apply for “Pambassador” post

2010-09-03

Chengdu, China – In what’s shaping up to be one of the world’s most sought-after jobs, over 25,000 hopefuls have applied in only one week for the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to spend one month taking care of giant pandas in China’s southwest.

Six “Pambassadors” will be offered an opportunity to work side-by-side researchers at the Chengdu Panda Base this October, gaining hands-on experience caring for one of the world’s most endangered species. Daily feeding and behavioral observation are part of the job description, as is participating in WWF-led field trips to learn more about what’s being done to conserve the pandas in the wild.

And best of all, the six lucky diplomats will get the very rare opportunity to witness the birth of baby pandas.

“We hope that through this project more and more people will join our mission to protect pandas and will realize the importance of preserving wild habitats, the Earth’s natural ecological environment, and also the critical importance of biodiversity conservation,” said Dr. Zhang Zhihe, Director General of the Chengdu Panda Base.

Pandas are recognized as a “national treasure” in China, yet there are only about 1,600 left in the wild. Official figures point to around 300 pandas in captive-bred programmes, most of which are located in China.

State media reported that four captive-bred pregnant pandas were released into Sichuan forests last month to prepare their cubs for a life in the wild.

“The key to panda conservation is to protect the wild panda population and its natural habitat. We hope this campaign will raise awareness of the threats and challenges that wild pandas face and encourage more people to protect their homes in the wild,” said Dr. Ling Lin, WWF China’s Deputy Conservation Director of Operations.

While not an official organizer of “Project Panda”, WWF is supporting the competition by giving Pambassadors the chance to visit some of the few wild spaces pandas still call home. They’ll learn about what’s being done to conserve their habitats, as well as how park rangers and researchers keep track of the rare animals.

The Chengdu Panda Base has reported that close to 450,000 people visited the “Project Panda” website during the first week alone, and that applications have been received from 35 different countries.

With 10 days remaining, organizers are considering relaxing the 18 – 40 years age limit set for Pambassadors, thanks to what they’ve soberly identified as “a number of convincing applications from…above and below the age limits”.

Though no official word has been given on a change to the age limit, applications can still be made by video message at www.pandahome.com until September 6th. An international panel of judges will narrow the field down to six winners.

Sustainable farming options snap open for bivalves

2010-09-03

WASHINGTON, DC: Two sets of global standards – one for pangasius farming and the other for bivalve farming – were finalized today by the Aquaculture Dialogues.

They were developed over the past three years by 1,000 farmers, scientists, conservationists and others with a shared vision of minimizing the negative impact pangasius or bivalve farming can have on the environment, farm workers and surrounding communities.
Most of the pangasius and bivalves consumed worldwide are produced on a farm. Industries for both species are growing rapidly. Pangasius is one of the top sellers in Europe’s white fish market.

More than 600 participants make up the Pangasius Aquaculture Dialogue, responsible for developing the pangasius standards, while the standards for clams, mussels, oysters and scallops are a product of the 400-person Bivalve Aquaculture Dialogue.

These comprise two of the eight aquaculture roundtables coordinated by WWF. The first set of Dialogue standards – for tilapia – was finalized in 2009.

“This is a huge milestone for the Aquaculture Dialogues,” said WWF-US Aquaculture Program Managing Director Jose Villalon. “The timing could not be better. With the aquaculture industry growing so quickly, there is a tremendous need for standards that are created through a credible process – one that is open, transparent and based on sound science.”

“As a major European fish brand, it is important for our business to know that there are standards that were created through a very credible process and will be independently audited,” said David Graham of Birds Eye Iglo Group, who is a member of the pangasius Dialogue’s Process Facilitation Group.

“That’s what we need in order to help enhance consumer confidence in what is still a relatively unfamiliar fish species.”

The final standards, which will help address such issues as improper use of chemicals, water pollution and poor working conditions, are focused solely on the key impacts of aquaculture. This approach results in a manageable list of standards, instead of an exhaustive list that may increase the cost of certification and would be harder for small-scale farmers to adopt.

Both Dialogues integrated feedback from more than 400 people during two public comment periods, as well as input provided during Dialogue meetings, to develop the final standards. Also, outreach meetings were held with small-scale pangasius farmers, agriculture farmers and farm employees in Vietnam and Bangladesh, as well as bivalve farmers in China, Australia and Canada.

“Our work in engaging a broad and diverse group of people in the process of developing the standards has paid off," said Tom Pickerell of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, who is a member of the bivalve Dialogue’s Global Steering Committee. "We are very pleased with the outcome and are confident the standards will become the standard of choice for the bivalve aquaculture industry."

The certification process for these standards will be overseen by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), a new entity that is expected to be operational by mid-2011. The standards will be amended regularly to incorporate new science and technology, as well as to encourage continuous improvement on farms.

Tigers call for roar of support

2010-09-02

Gland, Switzerland: To save the world's remaining wild tigers, WWF is not asking people to stand-up and be heard - but asking them for a roar of support.

With tigers in the wild numbering fewer than 3,200, WWF has launched a first-time campaign where web users can literally roar their support for tigers.

The Tiger Roar Campaign, available at www.panda.org/roar, is an online application where the public can add their own roars in many different ways, whether solo or in a group of friends, family, or with their colleagues.

Users can upload pictures of themselves getting all “roary,” shoot video of their roars, and upload them to YouTube or Vimeo, and then link them in. For a simpler approach, users can even text message their roars.

Once uploaded, participants can then search through other entries and vote for their favourite roars, including casting their votes for the funniest or most frightening roars from around the world.

Everyone who submits a roar will be counted in a special WWF petition to be presented to heads of government, including prime ministers, from the 13 tiger range countries that are attending the Tiger Summit, scheduled for November in St. Petersburg, Russia.

“This is a crucial meeting that will determine the fate of wild tigers, and we need everyone’s help to get world leaders to the meeting,” said Michael Baltzer, head of WWF’s tiger programme.

“To encourage these powerful people to make the right decisions, and keep to their stated goal of transforming tiger conservation and doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022, we need you to stand up and roar - any which way you can.”

The Tiger Roar Campaign is part of WWF’s Year of the Tiger campaign, which runs through February 2011.

WWF launched the TX2 campaign early this year, which seeks to double the number of wild tigers by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022.

A first-time tiger conservation declaration from the 13 countries that still have wild tiger populations was prepared in Bali, Indonesia in July this year, and is due to be signed before the close of Year of the Tiger at the Tiger Summit.

The Declaration seeks to create a tiger recovery program that is global in scope while also promoting transboundary cooperation amongst the 13 tiger range countries.

WWF also will display some of the best roars at the Summit to create awareness of the plight of wild tigers among world leaders and their delegations.

Historic high seas declaration at risk

2010-09-01

Hamburg, Germany: Last minute reservations from four countries may sink the historic announcement of a network of marine protected areas over key areas of the mid-Atlantic Ridge and basin which was scheduled for the North-East Atlantic environment summit later this month.

The declaration, foreshadowed by the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic since 2008, would have been the world's first declaration of a suite of protected sites in waters outside any national jurisdiction.

“The sixteen Contracting Parties have been working towards a milestone achievement for several years, setting a global example to protect ocean wildlife and vulnerable habitats in international waters which is considered an unprecedented pilot by other coastal states worldwide," said Stephan Lutter, International Marine Policy Officer with WWF-Germany and WWF’s observer to OSPAR, the Oslo Paris convention on the north east Atlantic environment.

"Now, the reservation by four governments is putting the big break at risk.”

Ministers representing parties to OSPAR were scheduled to consider detailed proposals at a meeting in Bergen, Norway on 20-24 September.

“However now that the draft Decisions and Recommendations are on the table for adoption, a group of countries sadly withdraw their support to what could become a global push for good High Seas and ocean governance," said Lutter. "Due to the reluctance of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom, the ambitious plan to deliver a first network of High Seas marine protected areas is at stake.”

The new found reluctance of these states to stick to their original commitments is thought to relate to them notifying extensions of their continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) to the United Nations. These seabed claims now coincide with parts of the proposed marine protected areas.

OSPAR's 2008 agreement in principle designated large sections of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the so-called Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone as the first High Seas marine protected area. This underwater mountain range and canyon hosts a wealth of deep sea wildlife, from deep water sharks to cold-water coral reefs and sponge formations. In the upper water layer, there is the sub-polar water front rich in plankton and fish, attracting oceanic seabirds and migrating marine mammals such as big whales.

“Since the time of this political milestone agreement, OSPAR has made remarkable progress in terms of carving out specific conservation objectives and starting consultations about the future management of the protected area with the competent UN authorities for fisheries, seabed mining and shipping, another unique and innovative approach deserving global attention,” Lutter said.

Moreover, five additional seamount and ridge sites have been selected and nominated as marine protected areas in the meantime, altogether covering about 450.000 square km or appr. 9% of the North-East Atlantic’s international waters.

WWF disputes the basis of reservations of the four countries. Legal advice, including reports commissioned with Law of the Sea experts by WWF, notes the feasibility of establishing marine protected areas via shared responsibility of coastal states for protection of their seabed and international authorities for adjacent areas.

“We believe that states are even obliged to apply their marine conservation laws up to the offshore limit of their jurisdiction, “ Lutter said, highlighting the example of Portugal which has nominated four of the sites concerned on its extended shelf and is proactively inviting OSPAR to afford protection to the remaining waters.

“We have not abandoned all hope that this example might catch on and not lost faith in the upcoming Ministerial summit keeping its momentum and international credibility.”

Further information:
Stephan Lutter, International Marine Policy & Marine Protected Areas, WWF-Germany
Mobile: +49 151 18854925 E-mail: stephan.lutter@wwf.de

www.panda.org/media for latest news and media resources

WWF ramps up rhino safety with anti-poaching campaign

2010-09-01

Johannesburg, South Africa: WWF, the global conservation organization, today launched a campaign to raise support and funding for those rangers who put their lives on the line to protect Africa’s rhinos.

Rhino poaching has increased dramatically over the last year-and-a half, fuelled by demand for horn in Asia for use in traditional medicines. South Africa, proud stronghold of the African black and white rhino with more than 80 percent of Africa’s rhino populations, has been losing at least 20 of the animals per month. In the last five years, more than 600 rhinos were poached across the African continent.

“We’re asking people to take action during the month of September to help us protect our remaining rhino populations and also support our rhino warriors – the men and women at the frontline who risk their lives daily against the sophisticated, ruthless and heavily-armed international criminal gangs who run the illegal rhino horn trade,” said Dr Joseph Okori, Head of WWF’s African Rhino Programme.

During the month-long campaign WWF will be stepping up its support to security efforts in dangerous areas with high rates of poaching and will be seeking public support through awareness-raising events.

The month will culminate with a "Make Noise for Rhinos Day," during which WWF will ask people to dust off their vuvuzelas at 1 pm CET on Wednesday 22 Sept. and make noise with the horns (or toot their horns or blow their didgeridoos or their alpine horns or any other kind of horn) in support of African rhinos in a symbolic call for effective international action against rhino poaching.

This action will tell governments around the world to take this issue seriously, strengthen law enforcement, and impose strict legal penalties as successful deterrents to these crimes.

“People can show their support by going to wwf.panda.org/rhino/donate where they can offer donations for rhino conservation, learn more about issues pertaining to saving rhinos and also share this information with others”, says Dr Okori. “Together we can stop the criminal elements that are plundering our national heritage and a global asset.”

Donations will buy much-needed anti-poaching equipment for guards including binoculars, radios, night-vision gear, body armour, and rhino-tracking and camping equipment. Donations also will provide training for anti-poaching units and be used for emergency veterinary treatments for injured rhino.

“The poaching trend is extremely worrying,” says Dr Okori. “If it is not stopped, the rhino conservation wins of the last decade will be in jeopardy, which will greatly affect biodiversity as well as the tourism industry and the communities that benefit from it.

He further added that: “It’s gratifying that a number of organizations have stepped up to act on this issue, and WWF and Lead SA are partnering in their efforts. WWF believes our international presence in more than 100 countries, including those where much of the horn is shipped to, will help make this campaign effective. WWF also works with and supports local conservation organisations such as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, South African National Parks, North West Parks and others in other rhino range states to respond to this increasing threat and secure Africa’s rhino populations.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Make noise. Blow your vuvuzela or car horn (or toot their horns or blow their didgeridoos or their alpine horns or any other kind of horn) on September 22 at 1 pm CET. Tell your friends. Challenge your colleagues and businesses to take part. Help make sure the rhino warriors on the frontline are properly equipped.

Go to wwf.panda.org/rhino/donate and donate. Encourage your friends to pressure their governments to take stricter action against the illegal rhino horn trade, and spread the word about how buying rhino horn is illegal and poaching for rhino horn is hurting a precious African resource and icon.

Don’t pass climate finance to private sector

2010-08-31

Gland, Switzerland: Ministers meeting on climate finance in Geneva this week should stick to financial commitments made in Copenhagen to help developing countries reduce emissions and cope with climate change impacts.

While the Copenhagen climate conference ended with disappointingly little result, the Copenhagen Accord stipulated at least a set of concrete promises by different countries, including setting out levels of climate finance to be delivered by developed countries.

Ministers and representatives from more than 30 countries are gathering at the invitation of the Swiss and Mexican governments to discuss key climate finance issues in the lead-up to the next UN climate conference in Cancun, Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December 2010.

"By transparently mobilising public sector finance to meet the commitments made in Copenhagen, ministers can help set the scene for progress at climate talks in China and Mexico,” said Gordon Shepherd, Leader WWF Climate Initiative.

According to WWF, the private sector can and should play an important role, but if industrialized nations start counting private investments as a significant part of meeting their Copenhagen commitments, it is going to be seen by developing countries as an attempt to shirk their responsibilities..

"It is clear what Ministers need to do - the promises of the Copenhagen Accord exist and need to be kept if developing countries are to re-gain trust and engage in a wider global climate treaty," said Shepherd.

In the short term (2010 to 2012), US$ 30bn were promised with a special focus on helping most vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change, while by 2020 developed countries promised to provide US$ 100bn annually.

However, there is little transparency on the delivery of the promised short term funding that has been made available already, and there has been little visible progress towards a framework for delivery on longer term funding commitments.

Public funding needs to be clearly identified even when leveraging private funding, WWF says. Private sector finance can contribute much of the investments needed in clean energy technologies, but public funding is critical for research and development, adaptation and resilience building, infrastructure and construction, as well as for leveraging much greater private sector investments.

WWF estimates that public funding at the level of USD 200 billion will be necessary by the year 2020 for adaptation and mitigation activities in developing countries, and this is still small compared to the scale of private finance that needs to be mobilized for the energy transition, which WWF estimates at ten times as much. However, meeting the $100b pledged in Copenhagen would still be a significant milestone.

China, Russia provinces agree to first transboundary protected area to conserve Amur tigers

2010-08-29

Hunchun, China: Jilin province of China and neighbouring Primorsky province in Russia agreed today to collaborate formally in working towards the first transboundary Amur tiger protected area amidst celebrations for the second annual Amur Tiger Cultural Festival in the northeastern Chinese city of Hunchun.

The signed agreement, facilitated by WWF, the global conservation organization, will help wildlife authorities eventually establish a transboundary protected area – a cooperative conservation network that crosses country borders - in the provinces that are home to the world’s largest big cat. The population of the highly endangered Amur tiger is currently estimated at 500.

In the agreement signed by Jilin Provincial Forestry Department of China and two Russia agencies – the Wildlife and Hunting Department of Primorsky Province and Special Inspection “TIGER” of Russia (official name of the Bureau on Protection of Rare and Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna) – the two sides will work together in establishing a tiger conservation protected area in both provinces, as well as partner to restore the endangered species.

“A new transboundary protected area would provide a wider and healthier habitat for Amur tigers and other endangered species, such as the Far East leopard, musk deer and goral,” said Yu Changchun, Director of Conservation Department of Jilin Forestry Department.

“While tigers – the species at the top of the eco-system – are better conserved through the agreement, other species, the forest habitat and all the bio-diversity resources will also benefit from this protected area,” said Dr. Zhu Chunquan, WWF-China’s Conservation Director.

As part of the agreement, Jilin and Primorsky provinces will increase information sharing on Amur tiger and Far East leopard protection, work to adopt identical monitoring systems for tigers and their prey, and conduct joint ecological surveys and develop plans to launch an anti-poaching campaign along the China-Russia boarder.

Destruction and fragmentation of habitat, poaching and lack of prey have reduced the number of wild Amur tigers. One of six remaining subspecies of tigers, (and sometimes referred to as Siberian tiger), the Amur tiger is primarily found in eastern Russia, with a small number in northeastern China. Among that population, 20 tigers have been periodically spotted within the borders of China’s Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

“This agreement is a great boost for Amur tiger habitats in Russia and China. Since both countries play a crucial role in terms of global tiger recovery, a future transboundary network would represent a big step in WWF’s global tiger conservation effort,” said Dr. Sergey Aramilev, the Biodiversity Coordinator for Amur Branch of WWF-Russia, which is also involved in promoting the agreement. “There’s a lot of work to be done to implement this agreement, such as making sure it receives proper government funding, but this is a major step forward nonetheless.”

The agreement marks another milestone during the Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2010. WWF launched the TX2 campaign early this year, which seeks to double the number of wild tigers by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022. A groundbreaking tiger conservation declaration from the 13 countries that still have wild tiger populations was prepared in Bali, Indonesia in July this year, and is due to be signed before the close of Year of the Tiger at a tiger conservation summit hosted by Russia. The Declaration seeks to create a tiger recovery program that is global in scope while also promoting transboundary cooperation amongst the 13 tiger range countries.

Background of the Agreement:

The Amur Tiger Cultural Festival, which runs from Aug. 29-30, will include events such as a tiger conservation and economic development forum, costume parade, art performances and an ecological tour of tiger habitat. The China-Russia agreement will be one of the highlights of this year’s festival.

In addition to promoting the transboundary protected area, WWF-China successfully helped establish a protected area for tigers in Jilin. It is also working with northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, another important home to Amur tigers, to bring it under the fold of the transboundary protected area. If this plan comes to fruition, the protected area for Amur tigers and other threatened species would double.

While over 95 percent of Amur tigers are now found in Russia, the situation differed in the 1950s. An estimated 50 individuals were then found in the Russian Far East, while across the border in China, the total population stood at about 200. Thanks to anti-poaching efforts and other effective conservation policies, Russia’s tiger population recovered and has remained stable.

Rescue and relief the current priority for WWF-Pakistan

2010-08-27

Lahore, Pakistan - Rescue and relief is the current priority for WWF-Pakistan in the numerous communities it works with in the flood ravaged Indus basin.

“We know the floods have caused enormous environmental damage and that reconstruction will take a long time. But the need at this time is to help families cope with the immediate aftermath and try to manage the risk of disease,” said Ali Hasan Habib, Director General of WWF-Pakistan.

WWF-Pakistan has spent three years working with 11 impoverished communities dependent on the wetland ecosystem in the vicinity of the Taunsa barrage and Kot Addu, a city of 8 million in southern Punjab.

“As the flood waters in the main stem of the Indus began to peak in early August, it became clear that a life-threatening situation was developing quite rapidly,” said Richard Garstang, former National Programme Manager of the Pakistan Wetlands Programme (PWP). “Military and other government personnel were present, but thinly spread. They couldn’t reach everyone in need.

“We mobilised PWP and local resources into a team equipped with eight motor boats to rescue 1,387 stranded people from riverbank and island villages. We relied heavily on our good working relationship with local Wetlands Conservation Committees. Fortunately, village elders were able to persuade community members to leave their properties in the face of the flood, and seek safety.

“Once the community members were safe, the PWP team delivered 15,000 doses of anti-malarial and anti-histamine drugs to five temporary medical centres that had been set up with support of the Punjab Department of Health and a local organization, Saiban Welfare Foundation.

“Then the team turned attention to providing fodder to stranded livestock on the islands – an initiative that will continue until the situation stabilises and the villagers are able to return safely to what is left of their homes.”

Other impacts are already anticipated. Rare river dolphins are being affected by the deluge. All barrages and canal gates in the Indus' extensive irrigation system have been opened, allowing large volumes of water into areas that normally receive only low flow. While it is difficult to predict the consequences for Indus river dolphins, it is likely that populations will move outside their normal territory. This could pose major problems when water levels fall and the dolphins find themselves in areas where there is not sufficient water. WWF expects that when the floods recede there will be an increase in the number of strandings in irrigation canals and is preparing to deal with numerous rescues.

In several areas, WWF-Pakistan has managed a long-running project to improve water efficiency in production of cotton, the country’s main agricultural export.

In WWF’s Rahim Yar Khan office, to the east of the flooded river in central Pakistan, cotton project officer Muhammad Abu Baker said the continuous and heavy rain meant that “fungal diseases on the cotton crop have increased, as have sucking pest attacks”.

“There is water lying three to four inches deep in every cotton field,” he added. “Farmers try to pump it into the neighbouring sugar or rice fields, but the next day it starts all over again.

“The crop has already been damaged and there will be a bad decrease in cotton production this year.”

Pristine sea mounts edge closer to protection off Chile

2010-08-25

Valdivia, Chile: In what could be a key step to the formation of the second largest protected area in the open oceans, a Chilean Senate committee has urged declaration of a large scale marine park around remote Salas y Gomez Island.

The recommendation to create the marine park stretching 200 nautical miles around the island - about 380 km east of Easter Island in the South Pacific – was a unanimous decision of the Senate’s Committee on Maritime Interests, Fisheries, and Aquaculture.

At about 240,000 square kilometres WWF-Chile estimates the new marine park would be the planet’s second largest such area, following the recently declared Chagos no-take marine reserve under UK jurisdiction in the Indian Ocean. Under Chilean law marine parks only allow activities such as observation, investigation, and research with permits, with due respect for freedom of navigation according to international law.

“This is really good news, and we hope that it will pave the way to protect other kinds of marine ecosystems in Chile which lack legal protection in the face of great threats, like the Corcovado Gulf, home of the endangered blue whale,” said Mauricio Galvez, WWF Chile’s Marine Conservation Coordinator.

Deep stony corals

Relatively little explored or fished, the area is a geological hotspot as well as an area of rare biodiversity. About 40 seamounts, 1200 to 2900 meters high and ranging from 8.4 to 13.1 million years old have been identified as sites for deep sea stony corals and sponge fields.

Expeditions to neighbouring seamounts by the former Soviet Union indicated that the fish communities are highly specific to the seamounts with more similarities to fish communities off Japan and Hawaii than the Pacific coast of South America.

A recent Oceana and National Geographic expedition found schools of big fishes and sharks, generally taken as proof of a healthy ecosystem.

“We understand that this initiative emerges from several areas, including the Undersecretariat for Fisheries, Committee President Senator Antonio Horvath, Oceana and, of course, WWF Chile. The visions shared by the different actors make this initiative even more valuable,” said Galvez, author of a scientific paper in the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research earlier this year in support of the initiative.

WWF sent a technical document to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which demonstrates that the seamounts of Nazca and Salas y Gomez fulfill CBD criteria for identifying Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas in need of protection.

Galvez said it was vital that Salas y Gomez be given the legal status of Marine Park under Chilean Fisheries Law since it offers the highest level of protection for marine ecosystems; requires a management plan and is administered and managed by the National Fisheries Service.

“This allows a public agency to manage the area effectively, allocating funds for monitoring, control, and surveillance,” he said.

For more information, please contact:

Mauricio Galvez, Marine Program Coordinator, WWF Chile
mauricio.galvez@wwf.cl / www.chile.panda.org

Stressed Baltic faces uncontrolled growth

2010-08-24

Stockholm, Sweden: The Baltic, one of the world's most stressed seas, faces uncontrolled growth in demands for space and resources over the next 20 years, according to WWF projections released this week.

Future trends in the Baltic Sea details many sectors growing several hundred per cent, highlighting the inadequacies of sector by sector and country by country planning.

Taking shipping as an example, the number of ships plying the Baltic is expected to double in the next two decades, as will be the cargo carried. Cruise ship use of the Baltic will increase several fold. While the number of ports will remain constant, many will increase their size and capacity and more dredging is expected as a result.

The increased shipping will need to be more careful of wurling windmill blades, with the wind energy sector expected to increase today’s capacity by more than 6,000%. Anchors will also be more likely to encounter electric cables and pipelines.

“The situation we have today is the result of many years of bad planning and lack of leadership,” says Ottilia Thoreson, Manager of the Baltic Ecoregion Programme at WWF-Sweden. “If we continue in this way, it will lead to even more competition and conflicts between sectors, resulting in even more pressure on the marine resources the Baltic Sea provides us with.”

One area that needs growth, Marine Protected Areas, is hardly assured of it. With only 12 percent currently protected, WWF estimates an additional 20 percent of the Baltic's area is required to help in restoring the sea to health.

Today, none of the open basins in the Baltic Sea have a “good ecosystem health status” according to a recent study by Helcom, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. Of 24 ecosystem services provided by the Baltic Sea, less than half were operating properly.

“As long as the use of the sea is managed sector by sector and country by country, it will be impossible to take the hard decisions that are necessary“, says Ottilia Thoreson. ”We believe that this is one of the reasons why it has been so difficult to save the Baltic Sea”.

There is also a large economic benefit to improved sea use planning. A report that was recently released by the European Commission concludes that better maritime planning in European waters could generate as much as 1.3 billion euro in 2020 and up to 1.8 billion in 2030.

In the “Future Trends” report, WWF concludes that the only way to avoid chaos in the Baltic Sea is a more integrated approach to sea use management

The report was issued during this year's Baltic Sea Festival. n 2007, WWF instituted an award, the WWF Baltic Sea Leadership Award. WWF bestows this award when the organisation is inspired and moved by specific acts of true leadership – providing the rest of us with great examples to celebrate and demonstrate as examples for others. This year the Award was presented to Poul Degnbol, Head of the Advisory Programme at ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) and former Scientific Advisor at the European Commission, with the following motivation:

“WWF applauds Poul Degnbol for taking the initiative during his five years within the European Commission to champion the need for, and benefits of, sustainability and integrating the ecosystem based approach to fisheries management within the Common Fisheries Policy which has made a real difference for the Baltic Sea. WWF also recognizes his leadership to advocate for enhanced stakeholder engagement and a more transparent regional decision-making approach to fisheries management based on scientific advice.”

For more information, please contact:
Ottilia Thoreson, Programme Manager, WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme
Tel: +46 (0)8- 624 74 15
Email: ottilia.thoreson@wwf.se

Analysis shows up deadly combination in fire disaster States

2010-08-23

Moscow & Athens – Analysis of catastrophic wildfires in Russia and Greece has highlighted a deadly combination of climate change impacts and the neglect of forest management, WWF offices in the two fire-prone countries said today.

In the joint statement, WWF-Russia and WWF-Greece highlighted common elements of the catastrophic wildfires that hit Russia during the first two weeks of August and the tragic Greek "black summer" of 2007.

While the Russian fires have been brought under control, fires are now flaring up in Greece where the national budgetary crisis has seen fire defences downgraded.

“Although the weather did not favor mega-wildfires during June and July, as the 2010 summer ends Greeks witness once more the dramatic ecological consequences of forest fires, " said Demetres Karavellas, Director of WWF Greece.

"Yesterday, we lost to the flames one of the most important forest ecosystems in the Mediterranean, the rare and endemic palm forest of Preveli in Crete.”

Key factors turning wildfire into wildfire disaster

The analysis of key contributing factors that turn wildfire into wildfire catastrophe highlighted gaps in national forest legislation, understaffed and under-equipped forest management and fire suppression authorities, little emphasis on cost effective prevention measures and poor mobilization of public support for forest protection.

“According to the official data, this summer about 1 million hectares of forests were burnt, 14 natural protected areas of federal importance are burning at this very moment, at least 127 villages turned into ashes and 52 people were killed because of forest fires,” said Dr Evgeny Shvarts, conservation policy director for WWF-Russia.

“Most of forests and villages destroyed by fire were located in the most heavily populated European part of Russia, where forests have a special social and ecological value.

“This catastrophic situation has roots in recent thoughtless administrative reforms of forest management, resulting in decreased federal control over forest resources planning and use, elimination of the federal forest rangers service and decreased potential from specialized forest fire monitoring and fire fighting centers.

“We believe that urgent measures are needed by the Government of Russia to revise results of the forest management changes made since the year 2000.”

Deadly gaps

A similar message is now coming from Greece as the threat of end of summer fires rapidly worsens.

“The financial crisis that looms over Greece has resulted in decimating the already scant funding for forest management and protection,” said Demetres Karavellas, Director of WWF Greece.

“The memory of the tragic summer of 2007, when over 270 thousand hectares of precious Mediterranean forest land was burned and more than 80 human lives were lost, should teach us that the cost of prevention and integrated management is always a cheaper and more effective solution, compared to the real cost of environmental crises, such as wildfires."

The two branches of WWF called on their governments to address numerous and deadly serious gaps in the national forest legislation.

“Forests need to be managed and protected primarily as vulnerable ecosystems, which are vital for human survival through climate change and not as land offered for easy profit,” they said.

Emphasis should be put on prevention, rather than fire suppression. Integrated management of forests as dynamic ecosystems throughout the year is cheaper and more effective than the army of aerial and land-based fire fighting means needed to combat mega wildfires.

“Public participation and constant alert is crucial securing a better future for forests,” WWF said. “Volunteer fire fighting teams and organized social mobilization have on numerous occasions averted forest disasters.”

Madagascar drought forces farmers into charcoal devastation

2010-08-20

Toliara, Madagascar - 2 years of drought and late arrival of the rainy season in south western Madagascar have forced hundreds of farmers into charcoal producing which is devastating forests, according to WWF field staff at Tollara.

“Charcoal production in the South of Madagascar is particularly unsustainable as people cut the natural spiny forest, a unique ecosystem which exists nowhere else” says Bernardin Rasolonandrasana, Spiny Forest Eco-regional Leader for WWF in Toliara. “We are horrified to see the amount of charcoal currently coming out of those forests.”

Farmers were driven from their fields after rain did not arrive in quantity or the usual December to March periods over the last two years. Ironically the cyclone of the beginning of June, which brought rain in abundance and has now turned the area uncharacteristically green, was no help to farmers whose crops had already withered away.

The lack of regulations and control makes the charcoal business an obvious, if highly destructive alternative. Now threatened is an area of threatened natural spiny forest which received temporary protection status only in December 2008. PK-32 Ranobe, an hour north of regional capital Toliara is co-managed by WWF and an inter-communal association.

Number of "charbonniers" tripled

WWF agents have investigated the amount of charcoal coming south down the road to Tollara and assessing the number of villagers trying to make a living by producing charcoal. Proportions look similar in most villages.

The number of so called “charbonniers” almost tripled over the duration of the normal rainy season.

A year ago, four trucks, each carrying a maximum of 250 bags, were doing the journey twice a week on this road. Today WWF agents count every day eight trucks carrying 400 bags each time.

“Whole charcoal villages just seem to spring up like mushrooms out of nothing,” says Rasolonandrasana “and other rural communities start a charcoal business although they have never been active in it. Some people even start cutting fruit trees because the forest was already losing ground.”

“Every village has a Tamarind tree in the middle of the village. In its shade village elders gather to discuss and perform rituals. Those trees are well respected. I have seen some of those old trees being cut down for charcoal, mainly by immigrants. It’s heart-breaking. ”

“A flourishing charcoal export is the last thing this country needs,"

While a heavy drought forces people to look for alternative livelihoods, commercial interests in charcoal increases. Companies started to show interest in exporting charcoal to the French islands of La Réunion, Comoros and Mayotte.

“Madagascar already struggles to meet its growing population’s energy needs," said Nanie Ratsifandrihamana, Conservation Director for the WWF Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean Programme Office. ,

"The export of large quantity of charcoal could lead to shortages on the local market and therefore an increase in prices. A yes towards the export of charcoal would definitely encourage even more people to cut forest and thus become charcoal producers.”

She added that a few years ago the control of the charcoal production through forest administration led to a rise in prices in Toliara and caused riots in the city. The forest administration had then decided to open charcoal production to everybody to calm the riots.

WWF’s Regional Representative in Madagascar, Niall O’Connor has initiated talks with the minister of environment in the capital of Antananarivo.

“A flourishing charcoal export is the last thing this country needs," O'Connor said. "Already, its unique fauna and flora are facing many threats. Another sale of natural resources would be devastating for the country”.

Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and hosts countless endemic species such as lemurs, chameleons or the fossa, a mongoose-like nocturnal mammal which is the biggest predator in Madagascar. But much of the countries celebrated biodiversity is under threat as predatory commercial interests move in under the cover of nearly two years of political instability.

New fuel wood forests hold out hope

WWF-Madagascar's Footprint program works to reduce specific human pressures on natural resources like fuel wood. One of WWF’s projects in the Southwest aims to plant forests which are dedicated for charcoal production; Voahirana Randriambola, Coordinator of the Footprint program, is convinced that this is a way to save the natural spiny forest in the big island’s South.

“We work with local communities and show them a new technique, so that they can produce same amount of charcoal with much less wood," said Randriambola.

"We encourage and help them to plant trees as source of income in the mid and long term. And last but not least, we are working with different stakeholders to make sure the fuel wood chain of custody is sustainably managed on every level. ”

WWF's efforts have resulted in an order regulating the chain of custody for fuel wood in the Atsimo Andrefana (Southwestern) Region. WWF will work with the Head of the Southwestern Regionand the different stakeholders unified in a regional energy forest commission on the challenge of enforcement.

“This is a sign of hope and a step into the right direction," Randriambola said . "But we call on national authorities to get a grip on the situation at a national level.

"We are willing to share the experience of the Southwestern Region for a better understanding of the wood energy issue in the whole country. It is clear that the development and implementation of policy, strategy and clear national regulations on this chain of custody is more than necessary in the light of increasing problems and the importance of charcoal in daily households.”

Anarchic scramble for mackerel not sustainable

2010-08-19

Brussels, Belgium – The current escalating ‘mackerel war’ pitting the EU and Norway against Iceland and the Faroe Islands can be linked back to an absence of agreed management plans and a failure to respect scientific advice, WWF said yesterday.

The scramble for mackerel, likely at current rates to see the combined total of national quotas being more than a third over the scientific recommendations, has been dubbed "anarchic" by the European Commission.

“Failed multiparty negotiations with unilateral quota setting as a result are no less than a death sentence for our precious fish stocks,” says Louize Hill, WWF Marine Policy Officer.

“The three nations’ governments and EU officials have to try harder at brokering a regional fishery agreement, with all relevant stakeholders and based on sound scientific advice, for the mackerel stock.

"Mackerel is a migratory fish which is expanding northwest into Icelandic waters because of global warming. Since we can hardly blame the fish for adapting to climate change, our leaders have to take responsibility for managing the mackerel stock holistically, through agreed but flexible management plans.”

Continuing certification depends on viable agreement

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has already warned that the continuing certification of fisheries harvesting Northeast Atlantic mackerel is conditional on the establishment of a mechanism for monitoring and managing the combined catch of all the nations before the end of 2011. This should be consistent with the scientific recommendations on the sustainable catch, which are issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

WWF is calling on all involved parties not to jeopardize the future of one of the few fish stocks considered healthy and not overexploited at present.

“They can demonstrate good leadership by resolving this dispute and agreeing to jointly and sustainably manage the mackerel stock rather than consciously depleting it for short term gain,” Louize Hill adds.

“To avoid empty oceans and seas, we urgently need responsible management of fisheries to go hand in hand with stakeholder involvement at a regional level. The mackerel war is as much an illustration of this as Europe’s missed opportunities to adequately reform its Common Fisheries Policy.”

Earth's Overdraft Notice: On August 21st, we exceed nature's budget

2010-08-18

(OAKLAND, CA, USA) – It has taken humanity less than nine months to exhaust its ecological budget for the year, according to data from Global Footprint Network, a California-based environmental research organization.

Global Footprint Network calculates nature's supply in the form of biocapacity, the amount of resources the planet regenerates each year, and compares that to human demand: the amount it takes to produce all the living resources we consume and absorb our carbon dioxide emissions. Its data reveal that, as of August 21, humanity will have demanded all the ecological services – from filtering CO2 to producing the raw materials for food – that nature can provide this year.

From now until the end of the year, we will meet our ecological demand by depleting resource stocks and accumulating greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

"If you spent your entire annual income in nine months, you would probably be extremely concerned," said Global Footprint Network President Mathis Wackernagel. "The situation is no less dire when it comes to our ecological budget. Climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, water and food shortages -- these are all clear signs that we can no longer finance our consumption on credit. Nature is foreclosing."

Learn more: http://www.footprintnetwork.org/earthovershootday

What is Overshoot?

For most of human history, humanity has been able to live off of nature's interest -- consuming resources and producing carbon dioxide at a rate lower than what the planet was able to regenerate and reabsorb each year.

But approximately three decades ago, we crossed a critical threshold, and the rate of human demand for ecological services began to outpace the rate at which nature could provide them. This gap between demand and supply -- known as ecological overshoot -- has grown steadily each year. It now takes one year and six months to regenerate the resources that humanity requires in one year.

Addressing Carbon Key to Balancing the Budget

Climate change is perhaps the most prominent sign of our ecological overspending. Our carbon Footprint (as calculated by Global Footprint Network, the amount of land and sea area it would take to absorb all the CO2 we emit) is the biggest part of humanity's Ecological Footprint, and is by far the fastest-growing. Our carbon Footprint has more than doubled since 1970. During that time, it has increased at a rate more than three-times faster than the next-fastest growing portion of humanity's Footprint, built-up land. Carbon dioxide emissions now account for over half of human demand on nature. We are now emitting much more carbon dioxide than the natural ecosystems of the planet can absorb; thus it is building up in the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

How Earth Overshoot Day is Calculated

Every year, Global Footprint Network calculates humanity’s Ecological Footprint – the amount of productive land and sea area required to produce the resources we consume and absorb our waste, including CO2 emissions – and compares that with biocapacity, the ability of ecosystems to regenerate resources. Earth Overshoot Day, a concept devised by U.K.-based new economics foundation, is calculated from 2007 data (the most recent year for which data are available) and projections based on historical rates of growth in population and consumption, as well as the historical link between world GDP and resource demand.

Last year, Earth Overshoot Day was observed on September 25, 2009. This year, overshoot day is estimated to come more than a month earlier in the year. This is not due to a sudden change in human demand, but rather to improvements in the calculation methodology that enable us to more adequately capture the extent of overshoot. (For example, our latest data show the world has less biocapacity available, primarily in the area of grazing land, than previously estimated.)

"We would expect our estimates of overshoot to be, if anything, conservative." Wackernagel said. "We know we are far from living within the means of one planet. The good news is, much of the technology we have to begin to address this problem is available and it is open source: things like compact urban design, energy-efficient housing, ecological tax reform, removal of resource subsidies, safe and affordable family planning, bicycles, low-meat diets, and life-cycle costing."

To calculate your own personal Ecological Footprint, and learn what you can do to reduce it, go to www.footprintnetwork.org/calculator.

About Global Footprint Network

Global Footprint Network (www.footprintnetwork.org) is an environmental research organization working to advance sustainability through use of the Ecological Footprint, a resource accounting tool that measures how much nature we have, how much we use and who uses what. Global Footprint Network and its international partner network is focused on solving the problem of overshoot, working with businesses and government leaders around the world to make ecological limits a central part of decision-making everywhere.