Is it difficult to find green job?

You may perhaps recall that president Obama promised to do everything that is in his power to create 5 million green jobs within a decade. Renewable energy related jobs, production of environmentally friendly products such as hybrid cars, are among the most known examples of what is today considered as the green job. In real life it is sometimes very difficult to tell whether some job is really green or not, because there is really big difference between the greenest jobs and the non-green jobs, and the space between these two is not always clear enough to spot the difference.

Planting forests to help the planet

Only one fifth of the world's forests remain, and current deforestation rates in some parts of the world threaten this small percentage to become even smaller. In many parts of the world trees are being cut without any sustainable management. This of course does great damage to our planet since forests, and especially rainforests play vital role in regulating earth's climate by sinking carbon emissions from the atmosphere. The more forests there is the bigger amount of carbon they would sink, and this would on global level significantly contribute in fight against climate change.

The latest study by the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration (GPFLR), which includes the WWF, Britain's Forestry Commission and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said a billion hectares of former forests, equivalent to six percent of the world's total land area, could be restored, without affecting the global food supply.

The most forests could be restored in Africa where deforestation rates have been running loose last couple of decades. Among other places where lot of new trees could be planted are China, India, and Brazil. The areas that would be most suitable for planting new trees is agricultural land with very low productivity.

It is difficult to tell whether deforestation will be high on agenda at the climate summit in Copenhagen. It should definitely be since is estimated that 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation and agriculture. Each new tree can help our planet becoming more green, and prevent the worst of climate change.

Siberian tigers disappearing fast

The beautiful Siberian tigers are in real danger of becoming extinct. Siberian Tiger Monitoring Programme says in its report how Siberian tiger population has declined significantly as the researchers counted only 56 tigers in a monitoring area of 9,000 square miles. In 2005 for instance the total number of Siberian tigers across their entire range was estimated at approximately 500 individuals. The only good news (if there is any story) is that deep snows during the last winter may have forced tigers to reduce the total travel amount, making them less active and therefore less detectable to scientists so perhaps the actual number is a bit bigger than scientists believe it is.

The two main reasons for this decline are the usual ones, namely habitat loss and poaching. These two have to be stopped, and if we look at the numbers of remaining Siberian tigers we can easy see that current conservation efforts are not enough to prevent these beautiful animals from going extinct. Unless we see some fundamental changes in law enforcement regulations, improvements in habitat protection, and a strengthening of the protected areas network to help protect the remaining tiger population, these proud animals will perish from the face of the Earth.

Siberian tigers will go extinct without some drastic improvement in tiger conservation efforts.

Why are there so many climate change skeptics?

Nine out of ten climate change scientists will tell you that climate change is serious problem caused by excessive greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from fossil fuels burning. But yet despite so many scientists warning governments to do something before it is too late, you have the feeling like world leaders are still skeptical on both climate change as well as agreeing on new climate deal that would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is either that they still do not fully believe science because if they would believe scientists than they would be really stupid not to act on something that could cause serious problems in years to come, or perhaps the reasons for delays and ignorance is not in not accepting the obvious but all about fossil fuels industry lobbies that still determine the moves the politicians make.

Norway investing in rainforest protection

Norway is one of the richest countries in the world, and unlike some other rich countries Norway do not hesitate to give away huge amount of money to protect rainforests across the globe. In fact Norwas has come to an agreement with Guyana that will see the Scandinavian country invest $250m to preserve the rainforests of the Latin America nation.

This is one of the biggest rainforest protection agreements in history, and with any luck this Norway's example will show the rest of the developed world the example what can they do to stop the deforestation in developing countries. If you look at the current political statements it looks like all world leaders agree that we should protect tropical forests from deforestation but in most cases everything stays on words, luckily Norway has gone the step further, and showed that money is less important when health of our planet is at stake.

Norway is oil-rich country, and oil is one of the most polluting fuels that significantly contributes to climate change problem, so Norway is definitely doing the right thing to decrease the impact it has on global warming and climate change.

The terms of this agreement are as follows: Guyana needs to accelerate its efforts to limit deforestation based carbon emissions and protect its rainforest as an asset for the entire world. Norway will provide financial support of up to $250m over five years depending on Guyana administration's success in implementing limiting emissions and halting deforestation.

Delas like this one could do wonders for preservation of forests and rainforests worldwide because most rainforests and forests are located in third world countries. These poor people destroy forest to make rooms for farms or to sell wood to have means for survival. Big financial help would definitely stop deforestation in these countries, of course if it ends up in the right arms, and not in some dirty politician's pocket.

Deforestation and hunting - Two big threats for lemurs

Madagascar is the real oasis of life with many endemic species that can be find only here, and nowhere else in the world. This is because Madagascar was isolated from landmasses for more than 160 million years, and these conditions enabled development of unique species on this beautiful island. However, many of animals that have their habitats on this beautiful island are facing extinction, mostly because of deforestation, and partially also because of the hunting and poaching. Six lemur species have already been listed as critically endangered, and things will become even worse if current deforestation rates continue.

Madagascar was once heavily forested but in the last 50 years or so about 90% of forests on Madagascar have been destroyed because of logging, mining and farming. These forests are habitats to many species, among which are also famous lemurs that are finding it harder and harder to survive in these new conditions.

After the short period of peace the loggers and poachers have yet again continued to threaten the survival of lemur population. Deforestation still remains the largest cause for fears about lemurs going extinct but their hunting has also become large problem in the last few years, since many endangered animals, lemurs included, are being hunted for bushmeat (mostly because of recent droughts) or to be sold at restaurants as delicacies.

Madagascar is oasis of unique life on this planet, and it is more than obvious that current conservation efforts are not enough to protect many endemic animals from going extinct. We are not talking only about lemurs but many other animals that live on this island and depend on forests to survive. This year alone an estimated $100m worth of hardwood has been cut down and sold, mostly to China to be turned into furniture.

Is furniture really more important than animals?

New climate deal and protection of species

UN Climate conference in Copenhagen should not only result in new climate deal, but world leaders will also discuss how to cut deforestation in rainforests in developing world. Protecting rainforests from deforestation is of vital importance because of the two main reasons. First one is that rainforests absorb huge quantities of CO2, therefore decreasing climate change impact because of their excellent carbon sinking ability, and the second equally important factor is the fact that rainforests are areas with the richest biodiversity on our planet, areas that contain around half of all living species on our planet.

Demand for ivory is still huge in China

China has very long negative tradition as the world's largest black market for ivory, and current China's economic boom has made things even worse because better economic standard means more money for traditionally highly valued ivory, especially among its new rich class that seek for traditional African ornaments made from ivory, and are ready to pay top price to get their hands on precious ivory.

Chinese strict laws that prohibit illegal ivory look strong only on paper because in many Chinese cities you can find numerous stalls that openly sell ivory that has not been certified. Most of ivory business in China is happening in city Guangzhou that has over the years become traditional get together place for dozens of thousands of merchants. Many environmentalists believe that this city is the headquarter of illegal ivory trade in the world.

Chinese are not only buying ivory in their homeland, many of them by ivory directly in Africa, for instance different latest reports suggest that in many African countries more than half of the ivory is being sold to Chinese people. China today presents the biggest threat to the global survival of the elephants, their traditional demand for ivory isn't slowing down, and since we are talking here about the country that has over 1,3 billion people the demand for ivory will likely remain huge, if not become even bigger due to better economic standard.

African elephants are still not on the brink of extinction but if China's illegal ivory market continues to grow, many elephants will pay with their lives the greedy need of some rich Chinese that wanted to have certain ornamental object made of ivory.

China is aware how severe this situation really is, and last year Chinese were even allowed to import a 62-tonne batch of elephant tusks legally into China to prevent illegal poaching in Africa. This move could have negative consequences, and instead of stopping poaching it could make it even worse because this would likely fuel a massive appetite for ivory there, increasing already high demand that can be satisfied by legal ivory trade.

And while we wait for the solution of this very complex problem organized poaching gangs are still heavily hunting and killing African elephants.

Demand for ivory in China is constantly high.

Deforestation in Brazil finally slowing down

Deforestation in Brazil looks to be slowing down, in fact Brazil has announced a reduction in Amazon deforestation to its lowest level since the 1980s, as the result of excellent government strategy that included measures such as improvement of real time satellite monitoring, and proper enforcement that allowed forest rangers to go directly to areas where logging or burning was taking place.

Official government figures say that around 7,008 square kilometers of trees were cut down in the year to July, which is massive 45.7 per cent decrease on the previous year's figure and just a quarter of the 2004 deforestation level. President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva proudly said how "this latest data shows "an extraordinary and significant reduction for Brazil".

Deforestation in Brazil looks to be finally slowing down.

This decrease in deforestation is of vital importance in country's efforts to reduce CO2 emissions because deforestation is the largest cause of deforestation in Brazil. If this trend is about to continue than Brazil's promise that it will make the voluntary reductions of between 38 and 42 percent in its carbon dioxide emissions really does not seem too optimistic like many thought it does.

The government in Brazil is certainly putting lately lot more effort to protect Amazon rainforest than it used to have. Today 43 percent of the Amazon is under state protection, with many land being turned into reserves or national parks and with sustainable logging initiatives and programs that pay people to protect rather than cut down trees in Amazon rainforest deforestation rates are slowing down.

Hopefully we'll see this positive trend in years to come too.

Recycling - Key to healthy environment

You don't have to be a brainiac to be aware of global environmental mess we created over the years. Pollution problems, toxic elements, greenhouse gases, deforestation, and different other ecological problems are making our environment unhealthy so we should definitely do something about it. The easiest thing you can do for our planet and the environment you live in is recycling.

Koalas under serious threat of extinction

Koalas are definitely among the most lovable animals but if current conditions continue in about 30 years koalas could disappear from the face of the planet. There are different reasons why koalas are lately experiencing serious decline in population, and three most important reasons are climate change, habitat loss as the result of infrastructural development, and bushfires.

The Australian Koala foundation has in its latest report stated some really alarming news, namely that koala population in wild could have dropped by more than 50% in the last six years. They have also stated that previous estimates about the around 100,000 koalas in the wild were wrong, and that today there are only around 45,000 koalas still left in the wild.

Current numbers suggest that koalas are heading for extinction. There are only around 45,000 koalas still left in the wild.

This number of koalas still left in the wild was calculated by collected field data from 1,800 sites and 80,000 trees. The current numbers are definitely alarming, and if we want to stop further decline in koala population an immediate action is required.

Koalas simply cannot cope with loss of habitat caused by deforestation, and dryer conditions caused by climate change that have made their food more scarce and lower nutrition value.

Perhaps the most alarming factor in this story is that koalas haven't still been listed as the endangered by Australian government, and the current reports suggest that it will take at least another year before this happens. Who knows how much koalas will pay with their lives this negligence in the meantime?

The negative effects of deforestation

Ruthlessly destroying forests and rainforests around the globe to make more room for farms and cattle pasture is one of the biggest environmental evils that happens today in many parts of the world. Since the start of the industrial revolution mankind has destroyed almost 40% of its forests and rainforest, doing great damage to different forest ecosystems around the globe. Current deforestation rates in Amazon rainforest, Africa and Indonesia are alarming, and beautiful ancient rainforests keep disappearing from the face of our planet.

Forests and rainforests are being cleared for many different reasons, mostly because agriculture, cattle pasture, and industrial expansion. Togehter with forests many animals and plans that rely on them will also perish from face of the Earth. Rainforests for instance are areas of the richest biodiversity on our planet, and if we continue to destroy them many animals and plants will go extinct, incuding even some currently not known species that we wouldn't have to chance to study.

The negative effects of deforestation will not only stop with plants and animals facing extinction, it will also make climate change problem much worse than it already is. Together with oceans our forests, particularly rainforests are the largest carbon sinkers on this planet, helping regulate climate and temperature increase by sinking large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmopshere. The more forests we destroy the less carbon will they sink, and to make irony even bigger by destroying them we usually emit large quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (burning).

Deforestation has many negative effects on environment. The two most negative effects of deforestation are climate change and extinction of species.

Despite these negative consequences of deforestation forests and rainforests are still being cleared in many parts of the world. The laws are still not strict enough to save forests and rainforests, and to make matters even worse tropical rainforests are mostly located in poor developing countries. As the population in these countries keep on growing people need more food to survive so they destroy forests to make room for farms and cattle pasture. In order to fix this poverty factor rich countries should ensure better forest funding that would give poor people enough money to survive without clearing forests.

Instead of cutting trees we should plant them because planting trees and afforestation activity helps in saving our planet, especially if it is done on global level. Sadly, global action to plant as many trees as possible hasn't still happen while deforestation rates keep on growing. Unless world does something really fast deforestation will create global environmental disaster in years to come.

Why is climate change issue so important?

Lately, talks about new climate change deal are receiving lot more media coverage than they used to have. Does this mean that world leaders have finally realized what we are dealing against here, and so they started talking much more about climate change issue that has resulted in increased public attention of this problem? Well, they are certainly talking lot more than they used to have but when it comes down to actually doing something things still haven't changed much, and new climate deal is still anything but certainty.

Blue whale population finally showing signs of recovery

Blue whales are the largest animals on our planet that can weigh up to 200 tons, but even these gigantic animals were walking very close towards the very edge of extinction, because of us humans, and our merciless whale hunting. For many thousands of years they were protected because humans didn't have nor the adequate weapon not the adequate vehicles to hunt them down but sadly the invention of of steam-powered whaling ships and exploding harpoons contributed to excessive whale hunting that in period of just over 50 years (from 1905-1960) killed more than 350,000 whales from around 360,000 in the beginning of the 20th century to only 5000 in 1960.

Luckily in the last fifty years whale hunting ban did the trick and blue whale population is showing signs of recovery, according to some scientists they are thriving in Antarctic by 6% a year, while in Atlantic around 3-4 % a year. Current number is still way below the number of the beginning of the 20th century but at least we can talk about steady progress, and by the current looks of it the largest animal on our planet will avoid extinction, well at least for time being.

About 200 animals have been recorded in the eastern Atlantic and 440 in the west which is something that hasn't been seen for years, and it could mean recovery in population of these giants. Of course if the hunting ban stays in place, and climate change doesn't mess entire ocean food chain.

Blue whales - The largest animals of our planet showing signs of population increase.

Wildlife conservation - Why are current efforts not enough?

Wildlife conservation is one of the burning environmental issues that still lacks adequate solutions. There are many different projects around to globe that aim to conserve as much wildlife as possible but these noble projects are overshadowed by the severity of different ecological and economic problems that surround them. This is really the main reason why today there are so many endangered species across the globe.

The latest survey compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature has come up with the data that a fifth of the world's known mammals, a third of world's amphibians, more than a quarter of world's reptiles and around 70% of plants in the world are under threat of extinction Three main problems for such alarming state are without a doubt habitat loss, climate change and poaching.