Archives for Environment

Wixarika Holy Week – Photojournal by David Cordova

Wixarika Holy Week – Photojournal by David Cordova

February 16, 2015 | | No Comments

For centuries the Wixarika people have occupied the lands of Western Mexico. This indigenous group, directly related to the Yuto-Azteca tribes, has lived an independent life away from the big empires of Mesoamerica, encouraging the development of a solid and unique identity in the region. At the time of the conquests, the Wixarika people found refuge in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental range, which permitted them to remain unnoticed by the Spanish due to the difficulty of access, and safeguarded

Can the River of Life survive? – Drina River and how to deal with plastics and heavy metals in Serbia

Can the River of Life survive? – Drina River and how to deal with plastics and heavy metals in Serbia

January 28, 2015 | | No Comments

BELGRADE, Serbia — The Drina River runs from south to north after its birth in Montenegro, created from two beauties: the Tara and Piva rivers. Locals tend to call her the River of Life, while the Old Slavic name is Zelenika (Green One). To be honest, she is still green and pure for the most of her flow. Water pours in from many mountains and the Drina is one of the cleanest rivers in Europe. The Drina

Destroy, Rebuild – The future of green space in Ho Chi Minh City

Destroy, Rebuild – The future of green space in Ho Chi Minh City

January 1, 2015 | | No Comments

With green space losing out to several large public infrastructure projects, local residents are worried about the future of Ho Chi Minh City’s urban environment. Michael Tatarski looks into one group’s conservation efforts and asks whether the city can develop without giving in to environmental tradeoffs. When news broke in November that the city would clear 84 mahogany trees from Ton Duc Thang Street to make way for construction of another bridge from District 1 to the

New Chinese dams threaten to damage Cambodia’s fishing industry

New Chinese dams threaten to damage Cambodia’s fishing industry

December 19, 2014 | | 2 Comments

Southeastern Asia’s rivers and lakes will be dramatically affected if China builds the dozens of dams already planned for construction. These dams would divert the water that supplies its countries with much of its population of fish, the regions primary source of food. With it’s population of over 1.2 billion, China’s energy needs are constantly growing.  They believe they’ve found a solution in hydroelectric power, utilizing the many rivers that begin in the Tibetan Plateau in the

Greenland’s ice sheets melting faster than we know

Greenland’s ice sheets melting faster than we know

December 16, 2014 | | No Comments

If global warming is not a concern for many yet, the fast pace at which the icy landmass of Greenland is melting should be something to think about. New research has suggested that Greenland is melting at a pace quicker than the one earlier models predicted. According to new research by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, it is estimated that if Greenland’s ice sheet melted, sea level would rise six meters (or 20 feet), causing grave threats

Even a single mine can damage fish habitats miles downstream – study

Even a single mine can damage fish habitats miles downstream – study

December 12, 2014 | | 1 Comment

A unique study of landscape factors–in particular, mines–as regional sources of stress has been conducted by Michigan State University researchers. The study involved waterways in 33 U.S. states and 22,000 fish community samples. The researchers were themselves surprised by the results: even a single mine can damage fish habitats in larger rivers downstream, and the effects can reach streams not even directly connected to a mine.  “Mines have a much stronger influence on fishes than has been assumed,” Dr.

Shell rig operator guilty of environmental and health & safety violations

Shell rig operator guilty of environmental and health & safety violations

December 10, 2014 | | No Comments

The operator of Shell Oil Corporation’s two Arctic drilling rigs, deployed in Alaska in 2012, has pleaded guilty to eight felony charges for environmental and health and safety violations during its operation of the rigs. Noble Drilling has agreed to pay $12.2 million dollars in fines and community service payments. According to the judgement by the US Department of Justice, the vessels Noble Discover and Kulluk were involved in operations that contravened federal law thereby committing a