Students Learn About Bald Eagles and the Fragility of Nature
LAist reports that in 2015, the nonprofit environmental-educational organization Friends of Big Bear Valley raised $10,000 to install a solar-powered nest camera in an undisclosed Jeffrey pine tree in California’s San Bernardino National Forest.
The nests’ current resident eagles, Jackie and Shadow, incubated three eggs this year. “Pip watch” began on February 29, and people from around the world tuned in, hopeful that at least one egg would hatch. Although the eggs are now officially beyond the point of viability, educators are using this nest cam as an opportunity to teach students about bald eagles this spring. Though many are heartbroken that none of the eggs hatched, Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, perhaps said it best when she wrote in a recent blog post:
“Watching nature builds our patience, our strength, our compassion and our resilience.”
Preparing For And Learning From The April 8 Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse will take place on April 8. This rare celestial event will be able to be observed in Mexico, across the eastern half of the United States, and as far north as Newfoundland, Canada.
The sudden darkness that the eclipse will bring about has the ability to change animal and insect behaviors; that’s why scientists and researchers are prepared and excited to document the behaviors of wild, domestic, and zoo animals, according to an article published by PBS.
Learning more about how animals and insects react (even crickets will be studied through a NASA Science Activation-funded project called Eclipse Soundscapes) will give scientists and researchers a rare opportunity to assess the biological and environmental effects of a total eclipse. These insights can help us develop a deeper understanding of light cues among animal and insect populations.
Apparel Company 4ocean Debuts “Ghost Net” Bracelets
Apparel company 4ocean remains committed to retrieving ghost nets, plastics, and other debris from oceans, rivers, and coastlines.
Abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG or “ghost gear” for short) continues to threaten marine life; dolphins and whales, for example, can easily become entangled in an abandoned fishing net. In an effort to remove drifting fishing gear, 4ocean’s cleanup crew in Bali re-engineered ghost nets by repairing them, adding buoys, and installing them in areas where they could be used to collect trash, garbage, and debris.
To celebrate this innovative achievement, 4ocean recently launched the 4ocean Ghost Net Awareness Bracelet, made with actual pieces of ghost net. Funds from the sales of these bracelets will benefit the removal of ghost gear from bodies of water and help raise awareness about how ghost nets harm marine life around the world.
Big Oil’s Climate Pledges fall short
A recent report uncovers a gap between major oil and gas firms' claims and practices. While many have made public commitments to combat climate change, their plans for production and emissions reduction fall short of the Paris Agreement's goals.
Researchers evaluated the intentions of 25 major oil and gas firms, assigning grades based on their compatibility with the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, all of the companies received failing grades.
Despite public statements in support of climate action, these firms continue to prioritize fossil fuel output expansion. This discrepancy raises questions about the industry's commitment to a sustainable future.
The study is a call to action for both investors and governments. Investors are encouraged to analyze corporations' climate policies and hold them accountable for meeting the Paris Agreement goals. Meanwhile, governments are being urged to step in and oversee a sensible phaseout of the oil and gas industry.
World Wildlife Foundation Aims to Deepen Collaboration with Indigenous Communities
World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) announced the creation of a new WWF Indigenous Peoples Consultative Group (IPCG). This group will allow WWF to closely collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and local communities in order to “maintain and strengthen their biocultural systems.”
This group underscores the crucial role that Indigenous Peoples play in environmental stewardship while also allowing WWF to “integrate their perspectives into its global conservation efforts.” Kirsten Schuijt, Director General at WWF International, states:
“Indigenous Peoples have been safeguarding the natural world for generations as part of their own life plans. There are many ways we can work more closely together to restore a healthy balance with nature.”
