Brands Back Call for Moratorium on Deep Seabed Mining
Four leading global companies have announced their support for a global moratorium on deep-seabed mining. Initiated by BMW Group and WWF, and signed by Samsung SDI, Google and Volvo Group, the companies join the increasing chorus of concern about the significant risks to economies and to ocean health that would arise from opening up the deep seabed to extraction of minerals. WWF.

Poaching and Illegal trade in Sturgeon pose major threat to Critically Endangered Species in Europe
With all but one of Europe’s remaining sturgeon species facing extinction, a new report details the scale of the poaching and illegal trade in wild sturgeon caviar and meat in the lower Danube and the Black Sea, which threatens the survival of these iconic fish. WWF’s new market survey
Only 6.5% of Global Forests adequately protected
According to the study, 15.7% of global forests are designated as protected, but after adjusting for PA effectiveness, they found that only 6.5% of forests are adequately protected. This number is a far cry from the Aichi Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2020 target of 17%. Mongabay

Google Maps to show greener and ‘cleaner’ routes
The new feature will direct drivers to routes estimated to release fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Energylivenews.com.

Atomic Superyacht to Offer $3 Million Eco-Tours With Scientists
A nuclear-powered ship full of scientists, activists and billionaires, sailing the world and examining the state of the oceans. That’s the dream of entrepreneur Aaron Olivera, who believes the novel vessel will help raise environmental awareness. Bloomberg
UN Launches Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability
In support of the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap on Digital Cooperation, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Science Council, the German Environment Agency, the Government of Kenya, Future Earth, and Sustainability in the Digital Age have joined forces to act as co-champions for a new global initiative called CODES (Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability. Sparkblue.org.

Portugal must be a European leader in the protection of Sharks and Rays
Portugalis in 3rd place among the European countries that capture the most sharks and rays, behind Spain and France, with almost half of its species under threat. ANP|WWF urges the Portuguese government to create a National Action Plan for the management and conservation of sharks and rays, which would place Portugal in the European leadership for the protection of these species. WWF
New Partnership on Restoration
WWF has a partnership with RESTOR, a new, free and open data platform of scientific ecological insights for the global restoration community. RESTOR was born out of a collaboration between the Crowther Lab (ETH Zurich University) and Google and is designed to bring transparency and knowledge sharing to support restoration and conservation activities globally.
To Stop the Next Pandemic, Curb the Trade in Wild Animals
According to one estimate, only 1% of the viruses in existence are known. Unless more is done to break the chain of zoonotic transmission, the world might one day be struck by a pandemic far deadlier than Covid-19. Bloomberg.
$1 Trillion Earmarked for Environmental Business by 2030
Bank of America said it would earmark $1trn for environmental business by 2030, building on the $300bn already promised for green projects. The money will go towards lending to, raising capital for, advising and investing in sustainable businesses. In February the bank said it would aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
8 Billion Content Creators launched
WWF are co-founders of a new open-source platform - 8 Billion - an online community of those who want to celebrate our connection to the natural world (think YouTube for nature). 8 Billion is a way for WWF to really show our commitment to inclusive storytelling, by giving others a platform to share their own stories in their own way. More info here.
This is Environmental Racism
For decades, heavy industry in the US has tended to cluster in Black and Latino neighborhoods labeled undesirable by white government planners. For the Washington Post, Darryl Fears and Brady Dennis examine the lingering effects of these policies. Washingtonpost.com
Beehive deliveries keep New Yorkers buzzing on rooftops, backyards
Bustling New York City may not seem a bee-friendly place, but its high-rise rooftops and tiny gardens are buzzing with honeymakers threatened by pesticides in rural areas. Reuters

Average Westerner's eating habits lead to loss of four trees every year
Consumption in G7 states accounts for an average loss of four trees a year per person, the research says; the US is above average with five trees being lost per capita. In five G7 countries – the UK, Japan, Germany, France, and Italy – more than 90% of their deforestation footprint was in foreign countries and half of this was in tropical nation. Theguardian.com
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