Posted on March 31, 2014 by Envirothink
In a stunning decision and a victory for whales and whale enthusiasts, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague announced their binding decision today in the landmark case of Australia v. Japan, ruling that Japan’s JARPA II whaling program in the Antarctic is not for scientific purposes and ordering that all permits given under JARPA II be revoked. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society USA and Sea Shepherd Australia, both of which have directly intervened against Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean, applauded the decision.
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Filed under: Breaking news | Tagged: Australia, International Court of Justice, International Whaling Commission, Japanese whalers, Japanese whaling, nature reserve, Sea Shepherd Australia, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whale hunting, whaling program | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 27, 2014 by Envirothink

Along the lines of whacky but fun, Lake Tahoe – known for its beautiful blue waters, tourism, casinos and nature trails – has a new attraction – a floating skateboard ramp.
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Filed under: Fun and Educational too | Tagged: Bob Burnquist, Californa Dream365, California tourism, Lake Tahoe, Nature, Pro skateboarder, skateboard ramp, skateboarder Bob Burnquist, skateboarding | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 26, 2014 by Envirothink

BP’s latest oil spill hits Lake Michigan
It seems we hear about a new oil spill every week – sometimes more. And the pictures have become hauntingly familiar.
One of the newest spills featured in the news was caused by our environmental nemesis BP, of Deepwater Horizon fame. From one frying pan into the next.
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Filed under: Oil spill disasters | Tagged: beluga whales, BP, Canadian tar sands, Deepwater Horizon, drilling in the Arctic, environment, environmental disasters, Globally Important Bird Area, Houston Shipping Channel, industrial pollution, nature preserve, oil pipeline, oil spills | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 25, 2014 by Envirothink
The global business of killing whales and dolphins continues to thrive, and not just in a few countries. A new report issued by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) reveals that that consumption or utilization of whale and dolphin meat and by-products is happening across a shocking number of countries and seems to be unchecked despite a global moratorium.
Since the moratorium on commercial whaling was introduced in 1986, more than 35,000 whales have been killed, along with hundreds of thousands of dolphins and smaller whale species. Over the last few years, WDC has helped to expose:
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Filed under: Breaking news | Tagged: CITES, commercial whaling, dolphins, EU, International Whale Commission, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Whale meat, whale meat for sale, whale products, whales | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 20, 2014 by Envirothink

These artificial mangrove systems are providing critical cover for fish in Florida to survive and thrive
Just listened to this podcast about Lee Shepard of IntraCoastal Eco Systems.. He’s created an artificial mangrove root system that helps shelter spawning and juvenile fish so that they can survive predators.
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Filed under: Making a Difference | Tagged: algae blooms, Deepwater Horizon, dolphin deaths, environmental disaster, fish habitat, Gulf oil spill, Lee Shepard, mangrove forests, mangrove systems, oceans | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 17, 2014 by Envirothink
It’s commendable when a giant manufacturer like S.C. Johnson really puts its focus on green living. And even better when it strives to get the message out to as wide an audience as possible via the internet. But looking beyond the hype, one has to wonder if perhaps they’re missing the point somehow.
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Filed under: Green issues unmasked | Tagged: environmental, green, green alternatives, green lifestyles, plastic, plastic gyres, recycled plastic, S.C. Johnson, sustainable, sustainable products | 2 Comments »
Posted on March 14, 2014 by Envirothink

California’s goal to achieve a 75 percent recycling rate would create thousands of green jobs, photo courtesy of Recology
California has earned its reputation for leading the way in green innovation and legislation. In 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 341, which required the mandatory commercial recycling in California beginning July 1, 2012. This new law modified the California Integrated Waste Management Act, establishing a policy goal that “75 percent of solid waste generated be source reduced, recycled, or composted by the year 2020.”
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Filed under: Recycling | Tagged: California Integrated Waste Management Act, CalRecycle, environment, Governor Jerry Brown, green innovation, green jobs, landfill disposal, landfills, NRDC, plastic, recycled materials, recycling, waste | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 11, 2014 by Envirothink

The new 1World Trade Center, photo courtesy of RenewN?YC and SOM
Americans and the world has waited for 13 years to see what will be 1 World Trade Center. The wait is almost over. Final construction is just about done and tenants are beginning to build out their new offices.
The story is a remarkable one, filled with delays, squabbles and, finally, partnership and commitment. Surprisingly, it’s also one of family, devotion and pride. You’ll want to read the great article by Josh Sanburn. It’s poignant and will touch your heart. The documentary film RISE is filled with interviews of the ironworkers who made it happen. Their stories are an integral part of the whole. They are the heroes we can look to, who gave us something to truly be proud of.
Filed under: Exciting New Developments | Tagged: 1World Trade Center, ironworkers, New York City, World Trade Center | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 10, 2014 by Envirothink

Lake Kuzitrin, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Alaska. Photo credit: National Park Service
Editor’s Note: I came across this article earlier today. As a Nature lover, I was surprised to learn about these national treasures. Perhaps if we know of them we can appreciate them more.
Of the 401 parks managed by the National Park Service, there are definitely some fan favorites—the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite. Each year nearly 275 million visitors flock overwhelmingly to the big names on the NPS list.
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Filed under: Americana | Tagged: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Grand Canyon, National Park Service, national parks, national treasures, Nature, Yellowstone | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 7, 2014 by Envirothink

Photo by xray10, flickr
Who knew there were sand dunes in Michigan? And such beautiful wilderness!
This week Congress passed and sent to President Obama for his signature the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act, which permanently protects 32,557 acres along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan. This newest addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System will be known as “Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness,” which includes portions of two islands, forests, miles of beach and spectacular sand dunes rising hundreds of feet above Lake Michigan.
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Filed under: Nature | Tagged: Congress, Lake Michigan, National Wilderness Preservation System, President Obama, Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness, The Wilderness Act, wilderness, wilderness protection | Leave a comment »