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2012-06-02

Brazil has built a well-earned reputation in forest and environmental protection.

However, despite the opposition of the Brazilian population and against scientific evidence and legal advice, the Brazilian National Congress is set to approve changes to the Forest Law on 6 or 7 March 2012, which will result in extensive environmental, political and economic damage. The new law, as currently proposed, will:

Legalise millions of hectares illegally cleared through an amnesty
Lead to billions of greenhouse gas emissions, which will undermine the global community's efforts to keep global warming below 2°C
Reduce drastically the protection of many sensitive ecosystems as springs, wetlands and mangroves
Increase the risk of flooding and landslides, and cause problems in the water supply
Reduce forest restoration obligations in vulnerable habitats that are important for safeguarding people, environmental services and biodiversity
Be nearly impossible to enforce and will promote further deforestation

Our appeal to the Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff

We strongly urge President Dilma Rousseff to intervene in the process of revising the Forest Law, to allow time for proper scientific evaluation of its potential impacts, and a deeper discussion among Brazilian people.
If the revision is rushed through National Congress, we urge President Dilma Rousseff to veto any text that would contravene her promise "to prevent any changes in law that would allow illegal deforestation or give amnesty to environmental criminals" who violated the law prior to 2008. Please also veto any text that would allow rural properties up to 440 hectares to have the same Legal Reserve benefits as small family producers; and any text that would permit states and municipalities to create exceptions to the federal regulatory framework.

Some available alternatives

Land use-planning for up to 61 million hectares of underproductive pastures, which are readily available for cultivation without additional deforestation
Increase the efficiency of the livestock sector
Introduction of a strategy for sustainable production in the farming and livestock sectors
Implementation and increase of national and international mechanisms for compensation for environmental services

Why will your voice be heard?

On the eve of the Rio +20 summit in June 2012, the Brazilian Government risks an enormous loss of international reputation in the field of biodiversity and climate protection, as it committed itself to reducing deforestation by 80% in the Amazon and by 40% in Cerrado and consequently reducing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by up to 39% by 2020. Both commitments are linked and will be impossible to meet if the proposed bill becomes law.

Who are we?

WWF Brasil, Greenpeace Brasil, SOS Florestas, Comite Brasil

Help Protect Tigers from Illegal Trade

2011-10-21

*Action closed - **Thanks for all who participated!*

The U.S. government currently has no way to determine how many captive tigers are in the U.S., where they are, who owns them, or what happens to them when they die.

More than 5,000 tigers may exist in captivity in the United States.

Illegal trade in tigers and tiger products is one of the greatest threats endangering these magnificent cats in the wild. As few as 3,200 wild tigers remain, and any supply of tiger parts into the black market poses a serious threat to wild populations by stimulating trade and consumer demand, which leads to more poaching. The current gaps in federal regulations for captive tigers in the U.S. could make these animals a target for this illegal trade.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs to do more to keep these big cats from falling into the wrong hands.

The agency has taken a strong first step in that direction by proposing a new rule that would close existing loopholes and improve government oversight of captive tigers in the United States.

Take Action: Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to finalize the proposed rule change and ensure that captive tigers do not fall victim to illegal trade.

Failure of dam project a victory for civil society and nature in Montenegro

2011-10-17

*Action closed - **Thanks for all who participated!*

Podgorica, Montenegro - Not a single investor expressed interest in the tender for the construction of a series of hydropower plants on the river Morača and the project is currently on hold. For WWF and Green Home this is a clear signal that the Montenegrin government needs to turn towards sustainable energy solutions, which will be in the best interests of the Montenegrin economy, people and nature.

"The case of the Morača dams shows that civil society can play an important role in decision-making processes. The fact that nobody applied for the tender is an important milestone for Montenegrin civil society. WWF will continue supporting efforts towards more sustainable energy choices in the country and the region," said Francesca Antonelli, Head of the Freshwater Programme at WWF Mediterranean.

"The result of the tender is not surprising since civil society organizations and numerous local experts have been warning the Government since 2007 of the probable outcome of this tender. The project of dams on the Morača, as it was designed by the Government of Montenegro, is not cost effective due to its huge environmental and economic risks," added Darko Pajović, Head of WWF's partner NGO in Montenegro, Green Home.

For 3 years WWF and Green Home have urged the government of Montenegro to review its plans for the construction of four dams on the Morača River, and to find more sustainable solutions for the energy needs of the country.

The Montenegrin government also received several calls from EU institutions and EU representatives to adopt transparent and cautious approaches when developing hydropower. The latest came on October 4th from the Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, which urges the government to "prevent the potentially negative environmental impacts of plans to build a series of hydro-power plants on the Morača river, and to engage in public consultations with civil society organisations and the local populations concerned prior to taking a final decision on these plants."

WWF and Green Home are hoping that the lack of investors' interest is a strong enough signal for the Montenegrin government to fully withdraw from the plan of major energy projects on the river Morača. Both organizations will continue to encourage the Montenegrin government to look to the sustainable production of electricity and come up with solutions that will reconcile economic development and environmental protection.

About the Morača River
The Morača River, provides two thirds of the flows into Lake Skadar, the biggest lake in the Balkans and one of the most important bird and fish habitats in the Mediterranean region, providing more than 90% of fish consumed in Montenegro. Lake Skadar, listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international significance, is one of Europe's five most important wintering sites for birds. Very rare endemic species of trout could disappear, and the fishery of Lake Skadar could shrink by 30% – with a loss of some €1.5 million in annual fishing revenues.

For further info: Chantal MENARD, +39 346 235 7481 – cmenard@wwfmedpo.org

Save Mexico's Cabo Pulmo National Park

2011-10-08

*Action closed - **Thanks for all who participated!*

A massive tourist development is planned along the coast in Baja California Sur, Mexico. If it is built, the development will be a major threat to Cabo Pulmo National Park—which is described as "the world's healthiest marine reserve."

Click here to sign petition to Mexican President Calderón. Ask him to cancel the permits granted for the Cabo Cortés tourism complex and protect Cabo Pulmo from development.

Created in 1995, Cabo Pulmo harbors the best-preserved coral reef in the Mexican Pacific. The park is home to whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales and sea turtles as they migrate up and down the coast.

Permits have already been issued for the "Cabo Cortés" urban-coastal complex. The proposal is to build thousands of hotel rooms and condos, marinas, and multiple golf courses in what is now an undeveloped region of the Gulf of California.

Authorization has been granted for the extraction of what amounts to 100 percent of the available water from the only healthy aquifer in this desert region, regardless of the needs of local communities and the area's increasing vulnerability to climate change and recurrent droughts.

It's not too late to try to stop this development.

Click here to sign petition to Mexican President Calderón. Ask him to cancel the permits granted for the Cabo Cortés tourism complex and protect Cabo Pulmo from development.

Help Japan move to a 100% renewable energy future

2011-08-24

*Action closed - **Thanks for all who participated!*

We all watched the Fukishima nuclear disater with great sorrow and concern, and are all well aware of the terrible consequences the radiation now has - on the air we breath, the water we drink and the food we eat.

The dramatic effects of this event demonstrate more than ever the need to move to renewable energies sources such as solar, wind and geothermal power.

In May 2011, former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, stated the importance of including renewable energy in the country's Basic Energy Plan. However, newly elected Yoshihiko Noda's position on renewable vs. nuclear energy is unclear.

Sign our petition and join the WWF"100% Renewable Energy Campaign"!

WWF "100% Renewable Energy Campaign" calls for:

100% renewable energy future
massive energy savings
no construction of new nuclear power plants and gradual closure of Japan's 54 existing plants

The Japanese government intends to start reviewing the Basic Energy Plan in September. The first draft outline is likely to be presented in December 2011 and the final plan should be finalized in the next year.

WWF will submit the petition signatures to the Japenese government. We believe that the more signatures we get, the greater our chances are of including these elements in the revised Basic Energy Plan.

Japan can't wait - sign the petition NOW!

In three months it will be too late.

Earth Hour 2012: Official Video

2011-08-19

Earth Hour 2011 embraced 5,251 cities and towns in 135 countries and territories and reached an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide. Our new video, backed by acclaimed Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós, showcases the passion of this year's Earth Hour participants from all corners of the globe, celebrating the planet and taking action Beyond the Hour.

So watch it now to see all the highlights from Earth Hour 2011 and if you haven't done so already, sign up to show your support. 

Australia: Sick turtle appeal

2011-08-16

Great Barrier Reef crisis: turtles are sick and starving to death!

Please make a donation by September 30th to help our marine turtles

The extreme weather events in Queensland in January deposited a 'triple whammy' of pesticides, sediment and fresh water on sea grass along the Queensland coast. And now our beautiful marine turtles are being subjected to another killer, a deforming virus that causes large tumorous lesions.

These combined threats have caused the Great Barrier Reef's polluted sea grass to die-off across massive areas and thousands of sick, starving and injured turtles have begun to wash up on our Queensland beaches.

And the prognosis? It will get worse.

WWF is and will do everything within our power to preserve turtle populations. Your donation to our turtle crisis appeal before September 30th will be used immediately across 3 programs to protect our marine turtles.

Donate now to the Turtle Crisis Appeal

Help put a stop to whale hunting

2011-08-12

Iceland continues to hunt whales, in violation of international law. The U.S. has a unique opportunity to help put a stop to it, but we need your help.

Last month, the U.S. certified that Iceland is defying the international ban on commercial whaling. The President must now decide whether to impose sanctions based on that determination.

The United States has denounced Icelandic whaling before, in 2004, but it did not impose sanctions at that time. Since then, Iceland has increased its whaling activities, in spite of diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and other countries.

Please join us in urging President Obama to impose tough sanctions and hold Iceland accountable for its killing of endangered whales.

TAKE ACTION: Join the WWF-US Conservation Action Network and take action by sending your message to President Obama.

Learn more about this issue: A pivotal moment for commercial whaling

'Cities for Forests' campaign in India

2011-08-04

WWF-India has launched a project to inspire young people and city dwellers to reconnect with their forests and find out how they can help to conserve them.

On July 30, students and young professionals across the country joined WWF-India to celebrate the launch of the Cities for Forests campaign.

In New Delhi supporters held placards and banners for passers by, tied banners and signage on trees along the road and reached out to thousands who visit shopping malls over weekends. Similar launch events were also organized in Bangalore, Kolkata, Shimla, Dehradun, Baroda, and smaller towns like Mandla, Valsad, and Ramnagar.

The campaign is being launched during the International Year of Forests as declared by the United Nations.

Simultaneously, WWF is running its Living Forests Campaign which combines cutting edge science, new perspectives from partners and decades of on-the-ground experience to help address the challenge of saving the world's forests.

Discovering India's forests

The Cities for Forests campaign focuses on raising awareness about the essential link between forests and human well-being, with a main focus on changing the perception of youth all over the country.

It calls upon people to go out and discover the forests that support their cities and share their findings on the interactive platform citiesforforests.in. Here you can upload stories, pictures, presentations, and videos about individual observations of the city's forests and green spaces.

Introducing the campaign, Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India, said, "City dwellers often forget their inter-dependence on forests - fresh air, water, recreational activity, sources of wilderness and imagination. 'Cities for Forests', with its unique call to action, aims to build environment awareness amongst citizenry, to enlarge the support and understanding for the protection of India's forests and her natural heritage."

Forest Champions

The Cities for Forests campaign aims to make individuals, schools and institutions 'Forest Champions' of their cities by educating others about their forests.

WWF-India plans to organize events across various cities during the Wildlife Week in October, where some of the best findings shared by individuals or groups on citiesforforests.in will be presented to politicians, government advisors and environment journalists, to push for better protection of urban forests and reach out to those who can bring about change.

In particular this year as part of the Living Forests Campaign, WWF is asking the public, policymakers, and businesses to support the goal of Zero Net Deforestation by 2020.

You can find out about WWF's groundbreaking Living Forest Report here. The second chapter of the report will be released in September.

Help us protect Australia's snubfin dolphin

2011-07-14

A lot of people may not know that Australia has its very own dolphin species – the snubfin dolphin. Until now little has been known about this shy marine mammal, which was only recognised as a unique species in 2005.

Extrapolating current estimates, one calculation suggests that the known snubfin subpopulations may total less than 1000 'mature' individuals alive today

But there are increasing threats to its survival. Snubfin dolphins are getting tangled in fishing nets and hit by boats and coastal development is polluting their habitat. This may mean we lose the dolphin unless it gets the legal protection it deserves.

Outside of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, there is virtually no protection of snubfin dolphins, and even within marine parks, fishing nets and coastal development pose a real threat.

WWF, with funding assistance from bank ING DIRECT, has finally collected enough information on the snubfin dolphin to support its listing as a threatened species under Australia's premier environmental law – the EPBC Act.

In coming weeks, Australia's Environment Minister Tony Burke will decide on the level of protection the Australian Government will offer this shy and unique dolphin.

Help us get the best protection we can provide for the snubfin dolphin by sending a letter to Minister Burke urging him to list the dolphin as a Threatened Species.

TAKE ACTION: Send your letter to Environment Minister Tony Burke now!

WWF-New Zealand calls on everyone to get friendly with the ocean

2011-06-07

WWF-New Zealand is calling on you to join its campaign for more marine reserves, by befriending New Zealand's ocean on Facebook.

At the Our O Cean's Facebook page, friends are invited to support WWF's campaign calling on the New Zealand Government to protect more of our oceans in a comprehensive network of marine reserves.

You can also support the campaign by signing our petition that calls on New Zealand's government to create a network of marine reserves.

Currently, just 0.3% of New Zealand's marine environment is protected in marine reserves – areas of the sea declared off-limits to activities like fishing and mining – compared to about 20% of our land with equivalent protection such as national parks.

Like much of the world's oceans, New Zealand's marine environment is under pressure – from unsustainable fishing, mineral and petroleum exploration, pollution and climate change.

On average, New Zealanders believe around a third of our oceans should be protected in marine reserves. WWF is advocating for 30% protection in a series of connected marine reserves to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.

Find out more about WWF-New Zealand's campaign at wwf.org.nz, and you can befriend Our O Cean on Facebook by going to www.facebook.com/Our.Ocean.NZ

Save the Cerrado in Brazil

2011-06-03

Take action to save one of the world's most amazing eco-systems.

The Cerrado region in Brazil holds 5% of all life on Earth and is almost the size of Western Europe. Sadly right now this incredible savannah is disappearing faster than its more famous neighbour the Amazon.

This is due in large part to ever expanding soya production.

This soya is then exported around the world with most of it used as animal feed and the rest ending up in all sorts of supermarket products.

WWF-UK is now asking UK supermarkets to Save the Cerrado by agreeing to buy 100% of their soya from independently certified sources by 2015.

Their commitment will help establish a global standard that will help protect precious environments like the Cerrado.

We can all play our part in this!

Get involved now and ask them to take a lead

Also don't forget to check out their great campaign video which highlights the issues and shows what we can all do to help: