Cop15: key points of the nature deal at a glance

Main points of the historic agreement signed in Montreal to halt the destruction of Earth’s ecosystems

Half Earth Feature Map https://map.half-earthproject.org/featuredGlobe

Agreement to conserve 30% of Earth by the end of the decade

Inspired by the Harvard biologist EO Wilson’s vision of protecting half the planet for the long-term survival of humanity, the most high-profile target at Cop15 has inspired and divided in equal measure. The final wording commits governments to conserving nearly a third of Earth for nature by 2030 while respecting indigenous and traditional territories in the expansion of new protected areas. The language emphasizes the importance of effective conservation management to ensure wetlands, rainforests, grasslands and coral reefs are properly protected, not just on paper.

Read more @ Cop15: key points of the nature deal at a glance

Keystone pipeline shuts down after oil spill in Kansas creek | PBS NewsHour

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An oil spill in a creek in northeastern Kansas shut down a major pipeline that carries oil from Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast, briefly causing oil prices to rise Thursday.

Emergency crews work to clean up the largest U.S. crude oil spill in nearly a decade, following the leak at the Keystone pipeline operated by TC Energy in rural Washington County, Kansas, Dec. 9, 2022. Photo by Drone Base/REUTERS

Canada-based TC Energy said it shut down its Keystone system Wednesday night following a drop in pipeline pressure. It said oil spilled into a creek in Washington County, Kansas, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Kansas City.

Continue reading at: Keystone pipeline shuts down after oil spill in Kansas creek | PBS NewsHour

Find Corridor-Focused Organizations // LandScope America

A wildlife corridor, habitat corridor, or green corridor^[1] is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities or structures (such as roads, development, or logging). This allows an exchange of individuals between populations, which may help prevent the negative effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity (via genetic drift) that often occur within isolated populations. (Wikipedia)

A green forest corridor in Brazil. Picture credit: Wikipedia.

Find Corridor-Focused Organizations // LandScope America

EU climate plan sacrifices carbon storage and biodiversity for bioenergy

Incoming policies will cause the European Union to harvest more wood, shift one-fifth of cropland to bioenergy and outsource deforestation, analysis shows.

Continue reading at: EU climate plan sacrifices carbon storage and biodiversity for bioenergy

New Jersey Sues 5 Oil Giants, Industry Lobby for Climate Fraud

"We will work tirelessly to make sure these companies pay every last dollar for the harm they've caused," said state AG Matthew Platkin. "If you lie to the public to protect your profits, we will hold you accountable."

Seaside Heights and other towns on and beyond the Jersey Shore were devastated by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

New Jersey on Tuesday sued five oil and gas companies and a leading fossil fuel lobby group for knowingly lying to the public about the existence of climate change and the role their products play in exacerbating human-caused global heating.

The lawsuit, filed in New Jersey Superior Court in Mercer County, targets ExxonMobil Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Chevron Corporation, BP, ConocoPhillips, and the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Read the full story here: New Jersey Sues 5 Oil Giants, Industry Lobby for Climate Fraud

The transformation of a low diversity sterile backyard (first picture) to a backyard rich in insects, wildlife and birds and a productive permaculture garden

The transformation of a low diversity sterile backyard (first picture) to a backyard rich in insects, wildlife and birds and a productive permaculture garden took about 6 years as it was done in several easy and manageable steps:

1. Establishments of the raised garden beds
2. Building of the 3-bin compost and establishment of rain barrels
3. Prairie restorations on the slopes, driveway and side yard
4. Planting of native transplants into un-mowed islands
5. Changing mowing patterns to keep native plants that outseed into lawn and also keep non-native flowers frequented by pollinators
6. Excavating the pond and planting of native water plants

Link to post with pictures: https://www.shusustainability.org/build-a-biodiverse-backyard.html

IPCC adaptation report ‘a damning indictment of failed global leadership on climate’

UN scientists on Monday delivered a stark warning about the impact of climate change on people and the planet, saying that ecosystem collapse, species extinction, deadly heatwaves and floods are among the "unavoidable multiple climate hazards” the world will face over the next two decades 

IPCC adaptation report ‘a damning indictment of failed global leadership on climate’