Latest news from the International Union for Conservation of Nature
News
Freshwater species at risk in Eastern Himalaya development surge
Development of water resources in the Eastern Himalaya region is expanding at a rapid rate and there is a serious lack of information to guide conservation and development planning. This is putting freshwater ecosystems and the species within them at risk, along with the livelihoods and economies of local communities which they support. …
13 Jan 2011 | International news release
Mozart and ventriloquial frogs sound a note of hope and warning for Haiti’s recovery
As the people of Haiti mark a painful anniversary this week and slowly rebuild their earthquake-torn country, scientists from Conservation International (CI) and the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) report news they hope might become a source of pride and hope for the country’s environmental future: the surprising re-discovery of six species of globally unique frogs in the country’s severely degraded tropical forests, which had been lost to science for nearly two decades. …
12 Jan 2011 | International news release
New oil platform off Sakhalin – whale scientists will have a say
The oil and gas company Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (Sakhalin Energy) announced on December 4th its intention to begin planning for construction of a third offshore oil and gas platform in the Piltun-Astokh field along the coast of Sakhalin Island, eastern Russia. As this platform would be located near the primary feeding ground of the endangered western gray whale population, Sakhalin Energy requested the advice of an independent panel of scientists, convened by IUCN, to minimize risks to the whale population. …
07 Jan 2011 | News story
IUCN welcomes ‘Forests 2011’ - International Year of Forests
The world’s forests are essential to life in all its diversity and to attaining humanity’s biggest goals such as reducing poverty, curbing climate change and achieving sustainable development. Throughout 2011 IUCN will work towards making sure that forests deliver their maximum potential for human well-being and biodiversity conservation. … | Spanish
03 Jan 2011 | News story
UN green light for science-policy platform on biodiversity
IUCN welcomes the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly yesterday to establish a new international body designed to boost the global response to the loss of the world’s biodiversity and ecosystems. …
22 Dec 2010 | News story
Foundation for climate deal laid in Cancun - IUCN
Governments at the UN climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, managed to approve a series of tangible if modest steps that set up a 'global climate fund' to help poor nations create a mechanism to share clean technologies, protect tropical forests and help the poor adapt to impacts ranging from storms to rising sea levels, says IUCN. … | Spanish
10 Dec 2010 | International news release
Study calls for EU ban on removing shark fins at sea
Shark fisheries experts say in a report released today that to strengthen the European Union’s ban on shark finning, EU fishermen should no longer be permitted to remove shark fins on board ships, and that loopholes in EU regulations make it possible for fishermen to fin an estimated two out of every three sharks without detection or punishment. …
09 Dec 2010 | News story
Make sure the poor don’t miss out on REDD, says IUCN
Governments need to put more attention and resources into making sure vulnerable people get their fair share of benefits from REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), according to IUCN. … | French | Spanish
07 Dec 2010 | International news release
IYB wins the Green Award as best global environmental campaign
With the slogan “Biodiversity is Life. Biodiversity is our Life”, the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) won the coveted 2010 Green Award for best Global Campaign in recognition of the strength of a campaign that inspired activities throughout the world that showcase the value and beauty of biodiversity. IUCN is delighted to have been involved with creating the slogan and logo. …
07 Dec 2010 | News story
Bring back lost and degraded forests, says IUCN
Preliminary analysis shows that an estimated 1.5 billion hectares of the world’s lost and degraded forests, an area almost the size of Russia, could be restored. This is the result of the latest global research, which now needs to be expanded at a national level to identify specific on the ground opportunities, says IUCN. …
04 Dec 2010 | International news release
