Expert insights. Personalized for you.
The Earth’s climate is dynamic and ever-evolving. Flow and movement are its defining characteristics, its underlying order emergent from diverse inputs that change over time. Previous ice ages are just one example that demonstrate how fluid and adaptable climate can be, and we’ve now reached the stage where human actions have the potential to set off similar dramatic shifts in the Earth’s living conditions. MORE
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) It is amazing how many, apparently same, people believe that you can have infinite perpetual economic growth on a finite Planet such as ours. Perpetual economic growth and its cousin, limitless technological expansion, are notions and beliefs so deeply and firmly held by so many in this culture that they often go entirely unquestioned. MORE
Fresh air and clean water have been for centuries. regarded as the key ingredients to long and healthy life. Air and water are two elements that actually enter easily into living cells and represent their important structural elements that keep their metabolism going. Sadly enough, with the rise of the industrial development, access to the clean air and water has become a luxury. And not only for us. MORE
Biodiversity is the pillar that allows. ecosystems to function and humans to thrive. Without biodiversity in an ecosystem we would not have the many plants and animals we find in our world today, including us. Biodiversity is the “biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals.”. This includes the number of different species and genetic variation within the same species. MORE
Aren’t you sick of negative news? Does information that pushes us back into our respective corners on any topic serve any positive purpose? Bear with me on this. It explains why I like stories as promised in this headline. I’d like to learn if you feel the same. In the late 1960s, American funk band War won fans with a string of upbeat tunes, peaking with their 1975 Top Ten hit Why Can’t We Be Friends ? MORE
“The great fallacy of the United States is that it was built on individuality. That’s the greatest lie ever was told, because it was not. It was built on community politics. People got out in the communities and helped each other; farmers lent each other horses and tractors, and built barns. America was a much […]. Cranky Rants The Wheel of the Year Betty Williams collective empire fourth of july Germany individual interdependence Nobel Paris climate agreement revolution Rome MORE
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) The other day I observed a small boy – about five to six years old – in the Park, while I was cutting the grass on the estate, playing for hours happily on his own with a toy truck while his adults were sitting on a bench. With one single toy he was occupied, and seriously engrossed in play, on his own, without getting distracted or fidgety. MORE
The majority of people who are affected by the full moon seem to sleep fine during other evenings in the summer months, when the moon is not full but the sky is still brightly lit at night due to later sunsets. Therefore, it appears that sleep disturbance is not so much to do with the evenings being lighter, but more likely to be correlated to a peak in light during the month, which temporarily disturbs our circadian rhythm. MORE
Someone made an interesting statement to me recently with regard to people having different principles. They said “a vegan would have completely different principles to a dairy farmer” or indeed to themselves, as someone “who likes a decent steak”. I disagree. I think we all have very much the same principles. But first I would like to say that I’m a moral realist. I do believe there are universal truths, inherent moral principles which we generally consider as fact. MORE
Help scientists answer questions about bird plumage like, how colorful are birds? How quickly does plumage color evolve? Are changes in plumage color associated with the origins of new species? Birds & Birding Citizen Science Birds Natural History Research Try This MORE
Wild predators are almost always painted as the villain in myth and popular culture, but the truth is that predators are key for healthy ecosystems, and even healthy people. Wildlife Human Well-Being Mammals MORE
From the guest editors: Dear Colleagues, Coastal areas around the world are dynamic environments at the interface of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater systems. Nearly 40% of the world’s people already live in these areas, yet coastal zones are increasingly attractive for development and tourism, and are vulnerable to a variety of impacts from land use, water management, nutrients, invasive species, extreme weather, sea level rise and oil spills, among others. MORE
Where to go birding without the crowds in our busiest national park. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, over a half million acres visited by more than 11 million folks, you can still bird in relative solitude. I’ve been birding on the Tennessee side of GSM for over thirty years; and Cades Cove is at the top of my easily accessible, ‘private’ habitats. This area, located in the southeastern Tennessee side, is one of the few open spaces in the park. MORE
I just finished reading Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott. I've been thinking quite a bit about its implications for environmental policy and in particular the standard neoclassical policy prescriptions for the environment (i.e. Pigouvian taxes and/or cap-and-trade). MORE
So as you are walking along the beach this 4th of July week, think about going a step further by joining the Plastic Free July challenge and pledging to give up a little bit or all of single use. See the full post and more at www.TheGreenSamaritan.com. Green Living MORE
By Michael Smith (Veshengro) Upcycling an old pair of jeans into a gardening apron. Almost costs nothing and should give a long service, especially if sharp tools are put into the pockets in pocket protectors, made from old leather or plastic lotion bottles. gardening gardening hacks green living upcycling MORE
Endangered Delmarva fox squirrel carcasses littered the road. But that was not as gloomy as it appeared. And today, the story is headed for a happy ending. Wildlife Endangered Species Forests Mammals MORE
From The Hill : The House passed a nonbinding measure Thursday to denounce a carbon tax, calling it “detrimental” to the United States. The resolution, sponsored by House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), states that a tax on emissions of carbon dioxide — the most prevalent greenhouse gas that causes climate change — “would be detrimental to American families and businesses, and is not in the best interest of the United States.”. It passed 229-180 with two members voting "present." MORE
As we enter the second century of protecting, preserving, and respecting our wild spaces, certainly no one would actually consider undoing, reversing, and exploiting our national parks, forests, and monuments. Right? And yet, it has begun. Minnesota’s Superior National Forest is now on the radar for underground mineral mining. In an area known for ‘the cleanest water in the world,’ 234,000 acres were sheltered from mining exploration…until now. Saw Whet Owl , Superior National Forest. MORE
As you know, I started to bird from a canoe, exploring the Danube backwaters in Belgrade, Serbia. Those foreland backwaters stretch all along the left/northern bank, between the river and the levee, somewhere only 450 m / 1500 ft wide, but somewhere reaching even 2100 m / 7000 ft. It is a fascinating world of swampy forests of willow and poplar, inhabited by Black Storks , White-tailed Eagles , Eastern Olivaceous and Icterine Warblers (above), among more than 200 other species. MORE
Avoid the itch – and learn some cool science – as we bust popular myths about poison ivy. From the Field Native Plants Nature + People Nature Pop MORE
The United States Endangered Species Act. sums up the problem succinctly: The Congress finds and declares that (1) various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States have been rendered extinct as a consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation [and] (2) other species of fish, wildlife, and plants have been so depleted in numbers that they are in danger of or threatened with extinction. What is endangered species? MORE
If you've ever had a panic attack you know how utterly terrifying this experience is, how it feels like you're going to die or go crazy. Enlightened Society Right Livelihood anxiety attention gift heal insomnia Mental Illness pain panic attack psychology sensitivity symptoms therapy Western medication MORE
More research is urgently needed to support improved conservation measures for world’s ten most critically endangered sharks. Fish & Fisheries Wildlife Endangered Species Fish Fisheries MORE
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) Water, yes, lots of it, but (ice) cold no. We have all heard, and often assumed it to be an old-wives-tale and thus even discarded this warning, not to drink really cold water in hot weather conditions. Turns out though that it is good advice. Apparently, if you are too hot and chug a bottle of cold water, it can send your body into shock. MORE
The birding around Lago de Yojoa in Honduras is frankly phenomenal, as I learned during a June 2018 birding junket organized by the Instituto Hondureño de Turismo. We spent two blissful days exploring both the waders and wildlife of Lake Yojoa and the tropical splendor of PANACAM Lodge. But our adventurous group, led by Oliver Komar and Yobani A. Peraza , could not sit still knowing that so many tasty target birds could be found within easy driving distance. MORE
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) We have had knives in our homes, etc., for how long? Boys used to carry a knife on them, in years gone by, and that is not really that long ago, more or less routinely, especially in rural areas, from the simple pocketknife to fixed bladed sheath knives. They also took those knives to school often and how many stabbings did we have among children and young people? Almost zero. MORE
I, like most people, get mad. Maybe it’s because I saw my parents fighting when I was little, like most people. Maybe it’s because my natal chart shows that I’m a fire sign. Maybe I’m just an a **e. But maybe, just maybe, it’s because I’m human. We lose our tempers, we say things we wish […]. MORE
Press Release We're in the middle of a heatwave and saving tap water is becoming increasingly important. Any rain that falls is precious, so it makes sense to catch it while you can. With the Pure Raindrop water barrel, doing the right thing doesn't have to be dull. This award winning beauty is the designer option in rain barrels. An economical alternative that looks great The Green Basics Rain Barrel is a good value option that still looks great. MORE
These are the summer months of the northern hemisphere and yet this time of year in Costa Rica is known as the “invierno”, Spanish for “winter” However, no matter how adapted I become to the local culture, I just can’t use that word in Costa Rica. MORE
My mom, Tilla Fields, was an amazing cook. In her early years, she served as camp cook on cattle branding outings in the northerly Great Basin Desert. Yep, with a horse-driven chuck wagon and dutch ovens dug into the ground and everything. With her skills, she could have become a professional chef, but was too […]. Arts Recipes cobbler free food fruit recipe summer Tilla Fields wildcrafting MORE
I just finished reading Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott. I've been thinking quite a bit about its implications for environmental policy and in particular the standard neoclassical policy prescriptions for the environment (i.e. Pigouvian taxes and/or cap-and-trade). MORE
Cloud forest is a special habitat and not just because the Resplendent Quetzal calls it home. Even if you don’t happen to be an eager birder creeping through misty forests with binoculars at the ready, it’s impossible to not be impressed, to feel a sense of wonder at walking through woods where massive trees are overloaded with lush vegetation on every branch, where hidden birds add to the mystery and imagination with natural minor-keyed flutes. MORE
Logging elephants are an incredible part of Myanmar’s history — but they’re also key to help reduce the negative impacts that logging can have on the forests. From the Field Wildlife Asia Pacific Forests Mammals Myanmar forests expedition MORE
Forests cover 31 percent of earth’s land. surface and house a majority of the plants and animals found on earth. It is estimated that these diverse ecosystems house 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity [1]. Rainforests have especially high species density, covering 2 percent of earth’s surface, but housing nearly 50 percent of all plant and animal species [2]. These plants and animals are integral to forest ecosystems and provide countless ecosystem services to humans. MORE
Gina McCarthy's keynote at the recent World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists has drawn rave reviews from twitter and the inbox. So, here it is in case you had to teach summer school to save money for your kid's college (like me MORE
Summer is normally the vacation season, for ordinary tourists at least. Birders follow different patterns of bird migration and their local activities and travel accordingly. But – where? I discovered this cover-photo map somewhere at the BirdLife International’s website. It illustrates the bird richness per country. And what does it tell us, other than the obvious “head for South America” or perhaps Indonesia? It divides countries into categories, where the next category has 200 more species. MORE
Indigenize
JULY 18, 2018
My mom, Tilla Fields, was an amazing cook. In her early years, she served as camp cook on cattle branding outings in the northerly Great Basin Desert. Yep, with a horse-driven chuck wagon and dutch ovens dug into the ground and everything. With her skills, she could have become a professional chef, but was too […]. Arts Recipes cobbler free food fruit recipe summer Tilla Fields wildcrafting
10,000 Birds
JULY 19, 2018
Summer is normally the vacation season, for ordinary tourists at least. Birders follow different patterns of bird migration and their local activities and travel accordingly. But – where? I discovered this cover-photo map somewhere at the BirdLife International’s website. It illustrates the bird richness per country. And what does it tell us, other than the obvious “head for South America” or perhaps Indonesia? It divides countries into categories, where the next category has 200 more species.
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Environmental Economics
JULY 2, 2018
Gina McCarthy's keynote at the recent World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists has drawn rave reviews from twitter and the inbox. So, here it is in case you had to teach summer school to save money for your kid's college (like me
The Green Samaritan
JULY 1, 2018
So as you are walking along the beach this 4th of July week, think about going a step further by joining the Plastic Free July challenge and pledging to give up a little bit or all of single use. See the full post and more at www.TheGreenSamaritan.com. Green Living
Nature Conservancy - Science
JULY 30, 2018
Wild predators are almost always painted as the villain in myth and popular culture, but the truth is that predators are key for healthy ecosystems, and even healthy people. Wildlife Human Well-Being Mammals
Green (Living) Review
JULY 16, 2018
By Michael Smith (Veshengro) Upcycling an old pair of jeans into a gardening apron. Almost costs nothing and should give a long service, especially if sharp tools are put into the pockets in pocket protectors, made from old leather or plastic lotion bottles. gardening gardening hacks green living upcycling
Indigenize
JULY 4, 2018
“The great fallacy of the United States is that it was built on individuality. That’s the greatest lie ever was told, because it was not. It was built on community politics. People got out in the communities and helped each other; farmers lent each other horses and tractors, and built barns. America was a much […]. Cranky Rants The Wheel of the Year Betty Williams collective empire fourth of july Germany individual interdependence Nobel Paris climate agreement revolution Rome
Green Life Buzz brings together the best content on green living from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Environmental Economics
JULY 30, 2018
I just finished reading Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott. I've been thinking quite a bit about its implications for environmental policy and in particular the standard neoclassical policy prescriptions for the environment (i.e. Pigouvian taxes and/or cap-and-trade).
Greentumble
JULY 1, 2018
Biodiversity is the pillar that allows. ecosystems to function and humans to thrive. Without biodiversity in an ecosystem we would not have the many plants and animals we find in our world today, including us. Biodiversity is the “biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals.”. This includes the number of different species and genetic variation within the same species.
Nature Conservancy - Science
JULY 23, 2018
More research is urgently needed to support improved conservation measures for world’s ten most critically endangered sharks. Fish & Fisheries Wildlife Endangered Species Fish Fisheries
Green (Living) Review
JULY 14, 2018
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) It is amazing how many, apparently same, people believe that you can have infinite perpetual economic growth on a finite Planet such as ours. Perpetual economic growth and its cousin, limitless technological expansion, are notions and beliefs so deeply and firmly held by so many in this culture that they often go entirely unquestioned.
Green Prophet
JULY 31, 2018
Aren’t you sick of negative news? Does information that pushes us back into our respective corners on any topic serve any positive purpose? Bear with me on this. It explains why I like stories as promised in this headline. I’d like to learn if you feel the same. In the late 1960s, American funk band War won fans with a string of upbeat tunes, peaking with their 1975 Top Ten hit Why Can’t We Be Friends ?
10,000 Birds
JULY 7, 2018
Where to go birding without the crowds in our busiest national park. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, over a half million acres visited by more than 11 million folks, you can still bird in relative solitude. I’ve been birding on the Tennessee side of GSM for over thirty years; and Cades Cove is at the top of my easily accessible, ‘private’ habitats. This area, located in the southeastern Tennessee side, is one of the few open spaces in the park.
Environmental Economics
JULY 30, 2018
I just finished reading Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott. I've been thinking quite a bit about its implications for environmental policy and in particular the standard neoclassical policy prescriptions for the environment (i.e. Pigouvian taxes and/or cap-and-trade).
Greentumble
JULY 17, 2018
Forests cover 31 percent of earth’s land. surface and house a majority of the plants and animals found on earth. It is estimated that these diverse ecosystems house 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity [1]. Rainforests have especially high species density, covering 2 percent of earth’s surface, but housing nearly 50 percent of all plant and animal species [2]. These plants and animals are integral to forest ecosystems and provide countless ecosystem services to humans.
Nature Conservancy - Science
JULY 10, 2018
Avoid the itch – and learn some cool science – as we bust popular myths about poison ivy. From the Field Native Plants Nature + People Nature Pop
Green (Living) Review
JULY 26, 2018
Press Release We're in the middle of a heatwave and saving tap water is becoming increasingly important. Any rain that falls is precious, so it makes sense to catch it while you can. With the Pure Raindrop water barrel, doing the right thing doesn't have to be dull. This award winning beauty is the designer option in rain barrels. An economical alternative that looks great The Green Basics Rain Barrel is a good value option that still looks great.
Elephant Journal
JULY 17, 2018
The majority of people who are affected by the full moon seem to sleep fine during other evenings in the summer months, when the moon is not full but the sky is still brightly lit at night due to later sunsets. Therefore, it appears that sleep disturbance is not so much to do with the evenings being lighter, but more likely to be correlated to a peak in light during the month, which temporarily disturbs our circadian rhythm.
10,000 Birds
JULY 7, 2018
These are the summer months of the northern hemisphere and yet this time of year in Costa Rica is known as the “invierno”, Spanish for “winter” However, no matter how adapted I become to the local culture, I just can’t use that word in Costa Rica.
Environmental Economics
JULY 26, 2018
From The Hill : The House passed a nonbinding measure Thursday to denounce a carbon tax, calling it “detrimental” to the United States. The resolution, sponsored by House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), states that a tax on emissions of carbon dioxide — the most prevalent greenhouse gas that causes climate change — “would be detrimental to American families and businesses, and is not in the best interest of the United States.”. It passed 229-180 with two members voting "present."
Greentumble
JULY 16, 2018
The Earth’s climate is dynamic and ever-evolving. Flow and movement are its defining characteristics, its underlying order emergent from diverse inputs that change over time. Previous ice ages are just one example that demonstrate how fluid and adaptable climate can be, and we’ve now reached the stage where human actions have the potential to set off similar dramatic shifts in the Earth’s living conditions.
Nature Conservancy - Science
JULY 11, 2018
Help scientists answer questions about bird plumage like, how colorful are birds? How quickly does plumage color evolve? Are changes in plumage color associated with the origins of new species? Birds & Birding Citizen Science Birds Natural History Research Try This
Green (Living) Review
JULY 21, 2018
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) The other day I observed a small boy – about five to six years old – in the Park, while I was cutting the grass on the estate, playing for hours happily on his own with a toy truck while his adults were sitting on a bench. With one single toy he was occupied, and seriously engrossed in play, on his own, without getting distracted or fidgety.
Eccorazzi
JULY 30, 2018
Someone made an interesting statement to me recently with regard to people having different principles. They said “a vegan would have completely different principles to a dairy farmer” or indeed to themselves, as someone “who likes a decent steak”. I disagree. I think we all have very much the same principles. But first I would like to say that I’m a moral realist. I do believe there are universal truths, inherent moral principles which we generally consider as fact.
10,000 Birds
JULY 4, 2018
The birding around Lago de Yojoa in Honduras is frankly phenomenal, as I learned during a June 2018 birding junket organized by the Instituto Hondureño de Turismo. We spent two blissful days exploring both the waders and wildlife of Lake Yojoa and the tropical splendor of PANACAM Lodge. But our adventurous group, led by Oliver Komar and Yobani A. Peraza , could not sit still knowing that so many tasty target birds could be found within easy driving distance.
Environmental Economics
JULY 26, 2018
From the guest editors: Dear Colleagues, Coastal areas around the world are dynamic environments at the interface of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater systems. Nearly 40% of the world’s people already live in these areas, yet coastal zones are increasingly attractive for development and tourism, and are vulnerable to a variety of impacts from land use, water management, nutrients, invasive species, extreme weather, sea level rise and oil spills, among others.
Greentumble
JULY 26, 2018
The United States Endangered Species Act. sums up the problem succinctly: The Congress finds and declares that (1) various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States have been rendered extinct as a consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation [and] (2) other species of fish, wildlife, and plants have been so depleted in numbers that they are in danger of or threatened with extinction. What is endangered species?
Nature Conservancy - Science
JULY 24, 2018
Endangered Delmarva fox squirrel carcasses littered the road. But that was not as gloomy as it appeared. And today, the story is headed for a happy ending. Wildlife Endangered Species Forests Mammals
Green (Living) Review
JULY 9, 2018
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) Water, yes, lots of it, but (ice) cold no. We have all heard, and often assumed it to be an old-wives-tale and thus even discarded this warning, not to drink really cold water in hot weather conditions. Turns out though that it is good advice. Apparently, if you are too hot and chug a bottle of cold water, it can send your body into shock.
Elephant Journal
JULY 18, 2018
If you've ever had a panic attack you know how utterly terrifying this experience is, how it feels like you're going to die or go crazy. Enlightened Society Right Livelihood anxiety attention gift heal insomnia Mental Illness pain panic attack psychology sensitivity symptoms therapy Western medication
10,000 Birds
JULY 21, 2018
Cloud forest is a special habitat and not just because the Resplendent Quetzal calls it home. Even if you don’t happen to be an eager birder creeping through misty forests with binoculars at the ready, it’s impossible to not be impressed, to feel a sense of wonder at walking through woods where massive trees are overloaded with lush vegetation on every branch, where hidden birds add to the mystery and imagination with natural minor-keyed flutes.
Environmental Economics
JULY 26, 2018
Greentumble
JULY 29, 2018
Fresh air and clean water have been for centuries. regarded as the key ingredients to long and healthy life. Air and water are two elements that actually enter easily into living cells and represent their important structural elements that keep their metabolism going. Sadly enough, with the rise of the industrial development, access to the clean air and water has become a luxury. And not only for us.
Nature Conservancy - Science
JULY 16, 2018
Logging elephants are an incredible part of Myanmar’s history — but they’re also key to help reduce the negative impacts that logging can have on the forests. From the Field Wildlife Asia Pacific Forests Mammals Myanmar forests expedition
Green (Living) Review
JULY 6, 2018
by Michael Smith (Veshengro) We have had knives in our homes, etc., for how long? Boys used to carry a knife on them, in years gone by, and that is not really that long ago, more or less routinely, especially in rural areas, from the simple pocketknife to fixed bladed sheath knives. They also took those knives to school often and how many stabbings did we have among children and young people? Almost zero.
Elephant Journal
JULY 26, 2018
I, like most people, get mad. Maybe it’s because I saw my parents fighting when I was little, like most people. Maybe it’s because my natal chart shows that I’m a fire sign. Maybe I’m just an a **e. But maybe, just maybe, it’s because I’m human. We lose our tempers, we say things we wish […].
10,000 Birds
JULY 5, 2018
As you know, I started to bird from a canoe, exploring the Danube backwaters in Belgrade, Serbia. Those foreland backwaters stretch all along the left/northern bank, between the river and the levee, somewhere only 450 m / 1500 ft wide, but somewhere reaching even 2100 m / 7000 ft. It is a fascinating world of swampy forests of willow and poplar, inhabited by Black Storks , White-tailed Eagles , Eastern Olivaceous and Icterine Warblers (above), among more than 200 other species.
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