Huffington Post |
Red Sea mangroves fight back in the face of global decline | The ...
Huffington Post Hanan Almahasheer, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Mangroves are the only woody plants that connect land and sea. They act... and more » |
Hindustan Times |
No action after revellers clean Navi Mumbai mangrove land
Hindustan Times Local residents, who celebrated Mahashivratri and threw garbage last week on a land in Navi Mumbai, where a patch of mangroves had allegedly been destroyed recently, were made to clean it up by the state mangrove cell. Also, they said the locals had ... |
Catch News |
Red Sea mangroves fight back in the face of global decline
Catch News Mangroves are the only woody plants that connect land and sea. They act as a protective bridge: from one side, they protect coasts from storms and sea-level rise, from the other they have a huge root system that stabilises sediment protecting both ... |
Deutsche Welle |
Young mangrove defenders fight to save Panama's wetlands
Deutsche Welle Panama's mangroves play a key role in fighting global warming. They absorb and store billions of tons of CO2 and protect against coastal erosion and storm surges. But they are under threat. Since the 1970s, Panama has lost 55 percent of its mangrove ... |
HC summons TMC chief over PIL on destruction of mangroves
NYOOOZ Summary: MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Friday summoned Thane municipal commissioner and the chief conservators of forests over a public interest litigation about the destruction of mangroves . A division bench of chief justice Manjula Chellur and ... |
As I was doing my morning internet perusing, I came across this fun video of a glittery bath bomb making a heinous mess is someones tub.
I love me the glittery things, so naturally I was intrigued, but what really caught my attention was that this magical shiny substance wasn’t plastics-based like most glitter, but rather seaweed-based. You guys…SEAWEED-BASED GLITTER?!?!?!
I had to know more…
In an effort to lower their environmental impact, the eco-conscious company LUSH cosmetics switched out the normal plastic glitter with a mixture of natural mica (what makes it shiny) and agar (a seaweed-based derivative that keeps it together). This product is biodegradable and doesn’t contribute to the ongoing proliferation of micro plastics in our oceans. See more about the process here. I can’t seem to find the seaweed-glitter anywhere else, but props to LUSH for pushing the cosmetic industry in a positive way.
Note: This is not a product endorsement (unless LUSH cosmetics wants to support online ocean science communication ;)
Car inside Palm Beach Road mangroves belonged to mayor
Times of India Navi Mumbai: Environmentalists have identified the 'VIP car with a red beacon' seen inside the mangroves on Friday as mayor Sudhakar Sonawane's official vehicle. They had earlier complained about the alleged damage to the mangroves due to a religious ... |
California can revive the Delta estuary
Record Bee Starved of freshwater inflow from the Central Valley rivers that feed it, the San Francisco Bay-Delta is on the verge of collapse. This iconic estuary, which defines our region, has been neglected for too long. Fortunately, the state Water Board is ... |
Officials move to reclaim 42 rai of Phuket mangroves
The Phuket News A team of 85 officials led by Sopon Thongdee, Bangkok-based Deputy Director-General of DMCR, went to inspect a mangrove forest in Baan Bang Rong on Phuket's Eastern coast. Having arrived at the designated location on Bang Rong – Ao Por Rd in Pa ... |
Mangrove Man of India: This Farm Labourer Planted and Protected Coastal Forests for Over 25 Years!
The Better India (blog) The sleepy village of Ezhom, on the banks of Pazhayangadi river in Kannur district, has, at 500 acres, the longest contiguous stretch of mangroves in Kerala. A natural shield against flood, erosion, salinization and natural calamities like tsunami ... |
The Asian Age |
HC summons TMC chief over PIL on destruction of mangroves ...
Times of India The Bombay high court on Friday summoned Thane municipal commissioner and the chief conservators of forests over a public interest litigation about the ... TMC ordered to be present by Bombay HC - The Asian AgeThe Asian Age all 2 news articles » |
Hindustan Times |
Navi Mumbai mayor in soup for attending celebration inside 'destroyed' mangroves
Hindustan Times The state mangrove cell had earlier told HT that a private electricity distributor was permitted to set up high tension wires at the site and that mangroves had to be pruned. “Despite alerting the mangrove cell on time, they could not stop such ... |
'Religious function held in mangroves'
Times of India "Alert citizens informed us that several people had entered the mangroves through a kuchha pathway off the Palm Beach Road on Friday. Food was served and several VIP cars were seen there," said activist Pawan Sharma of Resqink Association for Wildlife ... |
Deutsche Welle |
Kids save the mangroves in Panama | All media content | DW.COM ...
Deutsche Welle They are still in grade school, but the “Defensores del Manglar El Maria” – the defenders of the El Maria mangrove forest – are already deeply involved in saving ... and more » |
Softpedia News |
Kodi 17.1 "Krypton" to Improve Estuary and Estouchy Skins, First RC Is Out Now
Softpedia News Kodi 17.1 "Krypton" will be released in the coming weeks, and it promises a bunch of improvements, in particular for the new Estuary and Estouchy skins. The first RC is out for testing and includes several improvements for the PVR (Private Video ... |
Global Mangrove Alliance rallies the world to reverse loss of world's most valuable coastal ecosystems during World ...
The Nature Conservancy At the World Ocean Summit in Bali, Indonesia The Global Mangrove Alliance announced an initiative to increase mangrove habitats 20 percent by 2030. Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund will work together to build a ... |
The Hindu |
World heritage tag for Bhitarkanika mangroves?
The Hindu The Odisha government is hopeful of getting the Bhitarkanika National Park, the country's second largest mangrove forest after the Sundarbans in neighbouring West Bengal, included in the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites. “A meeting of the ... |
Fluorescent dye to be released into sewers and the Yealm estuary ...
Dartmouth-Today SOUTH West Water will be putting a harmless green fluorescent dye into sewers in Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo on Wednesday 1 March to help identify ... and more » |
Hindustan Times |
Mangroves destroyed off Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai, alleges NGO
Hindustan Times “A thick patch of mangroves has been hacked and according to the pictures we took from the site, it can be clearly seen that a patch has been burnt to remove the trees,” said Pawan Sharma, founder, RAWW. “Considering that a festival like Mahashivratri ... |
Mid-Day |
Run a marathon for Malad's mangroves
Mid-Day Marathons are no more head-turners. The distance covered varies but they are regularly held across countries and states. The newest run in the city is set to promote mangroves. The road running parallel to Malad Mindspace, a business park, will witness ... |
Mexico News Daily |
Collaboration rescues a mangrove ecosystem
Mexico News Daily The Arroyo Garrapatas mangrove estuary, a 40-hectare coastal wetland located in the industrial port of Altamira, was severely damaged in the 1970s when state oil company Pemex built a pipeline in the area and effectively interrupted the natural flow of ... |
Clean Malaysia |
Mangroves are Uprooted in Penang - Clean Malaysia
Clean Malaysia The loss of a mangrove forest can have devastating environmental consequences. Photo Credit: Human Wrongs Watch. The mangrove trees in Bagan Jermal ... and more » |
Jakarta Post |
Mangrove preservation in images
Jakarta Post An exhibition at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Jakarta from December last year to April 10, shows how the preservation of mangrove trees has become the center of the livelihood of coastal dwellers across Java's coastline. Zavoli, who was born in ... |
Times of India |
Roadpali mangroves to be guarded by fence
Times of India NAVI MUMBAI: Cidco has finally started fencing the mangrove stretches on Roadpali road, which connects Sion-Panvel highway near Kharghar toll plaza with Old Mumbai-Pune highway at Taloja MIDC. The move is an attempt to prevent encroachment on ... |
Daily News & Analysis |
Soon, a study to gauge carbon sequestration potential of Maharashtra's mangroves
Daily News & Analysis Maharashtra's Forest Department plans to commission a study on the potential of mangroves on Maharashtra's coast for storing greenhouse gases. The study will also help estimate the economic value of ecological benefits provided by these habitats. |
North Coast Citizen |
Nehalem Bay – What Wildlife Use the Estuary and Why?
North Coast Citizen Manzanita, Oregon – Estuaries are typically defined as the area where a river meets the sea or the site where freshwater and salt water mix. But estuaries and their surrounding wetlands are so much more than this simple definition. Estuaries are among ... |
Yellow Advertiser |
Mayor of London includes Essex in exciting vision to turn Thames Estuary into creative hub
Yellow Advertiser The plan was unveiled by the Mayor of London as part of his vision to transform the Thames Estuary into a hub for the creative and cultural industries. Essex and east London are at the heart of the scheme, which will include Kent and seven London ... New Pilot Boat For The Thames And Medway - MarineLinkMarineLink GALLERY: Keep an eye out for new £1.3m boat set to ferry pilots to ...Kent News all 4 news articles » |
Kent Live |
Here is the first look inside the new M&S Foodhall at Estuary View in ...
Kent Live M&S has officially unveiled its new Foodhall at Estuary View in Whitstable this morning (22 February). The doors opened at 10am to customers who will now be ... Whitstable: M&S opens at Estuary View Retail Park - Kent OnlineKent Online all 3 news articles » |
Patch.com |
Charlie Justice Elected Chairman of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Patch.com From the Office of Commissioner Charlie Justice: Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice was unanimously elected Chairman of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program at a meeting on Friday, February 17th held at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. and more » |
Photo courtesy of Lorie Shaul
The EPA:
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment.
Scott Pruitt’s first address to the EPA employees (paraphrased):
Let’s all be civil and compromise. I learned about it in a book about the founding fathers. Alexander Hamilton said let’s reduce state debt. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison said, sure…but only if we completely develop this tidal plain in Virginia and call it Washington D.C.
Dear humans of the US, I’d like to hold your hand, stare deeply into your eyes and tell you it’s going to be alright. Sure, it all sounds reasonable. Businesses and government working together to get what they want. But in light of Pruitt’s history of suing the EPA, ties to the fossil fuel industry and complete non-mention of climate in this speech, I just can’t. I really can’t.
Was his use of this environmental anecdote was intentional or not? I can’t say. But what I can say is that Scott Pruitt will definitely be doing as he always has done, putting the interests of business and money ahead of human health and the environment. It’s going to be a long 4 years, so don’t stop paying attention and don’t stop speaking out. We won’t.
Recently a couple of interesting posts sparked some introspection on how I view, label, and discuss the denizens of the oceans. Carla Litchfield, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, at the University of South Australia, penned a recent piece titled “Calling deep sea species ‘monsters’ may harm their conservation.”
While this misconception or inaccuracy may seem harmless, it could pose problems for future conservation efforts, as people are more likely to support conservation of cute rather than creepy-looking animals. While the angler fish is easily turned into a scary monster, the similar-sized tiny Pac-Man looking octopus is cute and popular with the public…If images are posted on social media by laypeople in a way that appears sensational and even heartless, and without any accurate information about the animals, then there is no resulting respect for these sea creatures or educational value. Simply viewing these creatures as freaks, ignores the importance of their role in keeping our oceans healthy.
More recently, DSN republished a very tongue-and-cheek rant about the uselessness of ocean sunfish. This drew criticism in the comments. “We are in no position to dis other species.” “Agree with…other pelagic researchers…molas are awesome, fast, predators that given their numbers and chosen prey must play an integral role in the open ocean ecosystem. Please stop spreading this rant.” Let’s not also forget the post where we railed against the cute, cuddly view of dolphins and received a backlash of comments.
So first thing is for everybody to take a breath and stop taking yourselves so damn seriously.
Sladenia shaeferi, an angler fish
Nobody is going to protect and conserve what they do not know or understand. These pieces use a whimsical and creative writing style and informal tone to draw the audiences in. Quite simply these posts draw views, far more than other kinds of posts here at DSN. The reason? Because we tap into the human curiosity of the natural world and instill a sense of awe. Or maybe because most people have a sense of humor and like science with a helping of laughter. Humor, ick factor, bizarreness, oddities, and challenging the way we think about species allows us to deliver knowledge. How many people actually knew about ocean sunfish before the viral rant?
More than once over the years DSN has been criticized for being “too informal”, “not being serious enough about science”, and by far my favorite to date “tarting up science.”
This “oh-so-hip” presentation of a very interesting phenomenon is regrettable. I stopped reading halway [sic] through it as I couldn’t take any more. Just present the science. Tarting it up for people to read is pointless. Such readers have no value. Too bad, I would have liked to learn the real scinece [sic] presented here.
I CAN NOT DISAGREE MORE WITH THESE COMMENTERS. Our “tarting it up” is and will remain a core value for DSN. We will continue to work diligently to make science accessible, relevant, current, and of course fun. Now more than ever. You know what happens to science writing that is not engaging? Nobody engages with it. Quite frankly, the old way of dry science communication and being serious about science did not work. Science communication occurred within echo chamber and we all patted ourselves on the back for a job well done. Now, look where we are at. We need new methods engaging new audiences—those audiences that some think have no value. For Pete’s sake, let’s lighten up and get sense of humor.
Who rocks the Colossal Squid better? Posed with the 2007 in the Te Papa Museum is Deep Sea News creator and kahuna Dr. Craig R. McClain (left) and DSN new kid and Southern Hemisphere explorer Dr. Douglas J. Long
More than once here at DSN, we have referred to ocean organisms as monsters. From parasitic crustaceans to colossal squids, we have playfully applied the monster moniker. Quite frankly, I believe it is completely acceptable to call deep-sea species monsters, freaks, and oddities. Anything else would not acknowledge how other worldly, bizarre, fascinating, unique, and, indeed, special these deep-sea species actually are. That otherness reflects a fascinating evolutionary trajectory these organisms to adapt to the environmental extremes of the deep sea. They are nothing short of beautiful monsters full of adaptive solutions to the most unique place on earth. If Monster’s Inc., Where the Wild Things Are, and Cookie Monster taught us anything is that monster’s are lovable and beautiful.
By the way did you know the spinal column of M. mola contains fewer vertebrae and is shorter in relation to the body than that of any other fish. That’s weird. Why and how did that happen? Which brings me to my next point. When we acknowledge oddity, everyone’s natural next questions are why and how? That’s a good thing…opening the door for some amazing science communication. To borrow from the ever articulate Jamie Vernon, “Curiosity expands our worldview.” This weirdness inspires awe and instead of harming them may ultimately lead to their protection.
There is also nothing wrong with acknowledging that some animals suck. Evolution does not create perfect animals. Evolution creates just good enough animals. Anything changes—environment, competitors, predators—those species become not so good. The history of life on Earth is riddled with story of story of species that just could not cut it; over five billion in fact or more than 99% of all species are now extinct. The Mola mola, or the ocean sunfish, in many regards is a ridiculous animal with some very peculiar behaviors and evolutionarily good enough. Of course, I love ocean sunfish because of these. Also take pandas. They kind of suck at being a species.
Female pandas can expect a solid 16 years of fertility, but they only ovulate once a year, and can only handle one set of offspring every two years. There’s no clearer recipe for extinction.
In 1940, geneticist Richard Goldschmidt suggested that new species may arise not by gradual change but by macromutations. Of course, these major mutational changes may be disastrous and fatal. He called these monsters. But in very rare circumstances, one of these macromutations, by shear dumb luck, may produce a very well adapted animal ready to exploit a completely new way of life. His term of these? Hopeful monsters.
I choose to embrace those hopeful monsters for their oddity, their differences, and sometimes even their suckiness.
