China's first national park

National Parks Traveler reports on the first recognized national park in China.

The Heilongjiang Tangwanghe National Park, which is a 49,000 acre area in the northeast, was a heavily logged forest that has lost over 93 percent of its trees since 1948.

But now according to China's Ministry of Environmental Protection and National Tourism Administration, "'This region is home to the most intact and typical virgin Korean Pine forest in Asia, as well as more than 100 rare species of trees such as Dragon Spruce and Faber's Fir.'"

China already has 2,500 nature reserves, scenic and historic areas.

Read the full story: China moves to designate its first national park

Mercury levels high in NY Catskills bald eagles

The New York Times reports on the elevated levels of mercury found in New York Catskills' bald eagle chicks.

A report put out by Maine environmental group BioDiversity Research Institute showed the high levels of mercury build up in the chicks' feathers and blood.

High mercury levels have been shown to cause reproductive harm, yet the institute's director David C. Evers and study co-author Chris DeSorbo say "that not enough research had yet been done to say with certainty what effect the elevated mercury levels might have on eagles."

Mercury (which is blown east from coal-fired power plants in the Midwest), contaminates water sources, affecting fish and other animal and plant life, and the eagles eat the fish thus ingesting the metal.

"For much of the year, bald eagles live on brown trout, smallmouth bass and other fresh water fish that can be contaminated with methylmercury. Adult eagles feed the fish to their nestlings. Studies of common loons have shown how mercury can affect behavior. The loons become lethargic, which can affect their ability to gather food or sit on a nest long enough for eggs to hatch. Reproductive rates in loons contaminated with mercury can drop by as much as 40 percent, according to Mr. Evers.

Read the full story: Bald eagles in Catskills show increasing mercury

Malaysian island's World Heritage status in jeopardy

USA Today reports on the planned high-rise hotel development on Malaysian Island Penang which threatens its UNESCO World Heritage label.

The capital Georgetown is a protected World Heritage site; a status that does not permit the town to build buildings over a certain height.

The city approved four new high-rise hotels violating the height limit and putting the protected status in jeopardy.

Read the full story: Development at Malaysian World Heritage site raises concerns

International protection for Dubai desert

United Arab Emirates' Gulf News reports on the globally recognized protection status of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).

Started as a nature reserve surrounding a luxury hotel, the DDCR was recognized as an important natural area for native flora and fauna and given protected status this month by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"The achievement marks the DDCR as the first wildlife and conservation area in the UAE to be formally declared by IUCN as a Protected Area, one of the few in the [Gulf coast countries].

The DDCR now joins some of the world's greatest conservation areas including Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks in the US, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Africa's largest National Parks and wildlife reserves."

Read the full story: Dubai desert reserve gets protection

DMZ: where the wild things flourish

The Christian Science Monitor reports on the wildlife haven in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea.

This swath of land, 390 square miles worth, was created after the 1953 Korean War cease-fire agreement. Virtually untouched for 55 years, this area houses rare and endangered animals and birds.

But the wildlife haven now faces problems as the two Koreas rekindle peace relations and tourism development pressures:

"Increased industrial activity, as well as extensive deforestation on both sides of the border (up to two-thirds of North Korea) have meant worse air and water pollution within the sensitive zone. What has so fortuitously been saved could be recklessly lost, says Hall Healy, president of the DMZ Forum, a US-based NGO working to preserve the area."

Read the full story: Korean demilitarized zone now a wildlife haven

Survey says you're clueless about bison plight

National Parks Traveler reports on the survey showing the cluelessness Americans have about the ecological problems that native bison face.

"While nearly three-quarters of the 2,000 people surveyed by the American Bison Societysaid they revere the shaggy
animal and view them as an 'extremely important living symbol of the American West,' less than 10 percent know how many bison remain in the country.

While bison once numbered in the tens of millions and ranged all the way from Alaska to Mexico, today there are an estimated half-million bison left in the United
States, according to the society. The vast majority of those live on private ranches, 'with only about 9,000 plains bison considered free-ranging in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. An additional 7,000 free-ranging wood bison live in Canada.'"

Read the full story: Survey shows Americans love bison but largely are clueless about their plight

Canada's boreal forest fate in government's hands

Reuters reports that Canadian politicians are saving the boreal forest on advice from environmental experts.

Only 10 percent of the forest is protected now and deforestation is a big concern. The forest covers 1.4 billion hectares (see picture above) and is "better than almost anywhere else on the planet at keeping climate-warming carbon out of the atmosphere."

The plan to preserve the boreal forest picked up momentum last year when 1,500
scientists from more than 50 countries called for its protection.

In July, the government of Ontario agreed to strictly protect half of its boreal lands and to sustainably manage the other half, with no extraction of minerals or other natural resources allowed.

Last week, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, now campaigning for re-election, pledged to do the same if he wins. Canadian businesses also have endorsed the plan, and Kallick said there is a good chance most provincial governments will as well.

Read the full story: Politicians persuaded to save Canada boreal forest

Japan to import whale meat from Scandanavia

The BBC reports that Japan has been approved to an import license, for whale meat, from Iceland and Norway.

The 65 tons of whale meat sent to Japan in June, will most likely be approved for import soon.

"The whale meat trade is banned under UN rules but the three countries involved hold opt-outs, making it legal.

As well as establishing the legality of the consignment, Japanese authorities have also been assessing the meat on health and safety grounds, and it is believed that this process has not quite finished."

Read the full story: Japan approves whalemeat import

Kiwi airline unveiling green inside

Environmental News Network reports on the biofuel test by Air New Zealand next month.

On December 3, the Kiwi airline will test a 50/50 mixture of regular jet fuel and biofuel made from the jatropha plant.

"Air New Zealand told Reuters in June it hoped to use one million barrels of biofuel a year, about 10 percent of its fuel consumption, in its jet fleet by 2013."

Read the full story: Air New Zealand to test biofuel next month

Port-a-eco-potty Everest climbers

Reuters reports on a Nepali mountain climber who advocates for more eco-friendly climbing, starting with portable toilets.

There are no toilet facilities at the Everest Base Camp, where hundreds of climbers visit every year; the usual modus operandi is to squat behind a rock.

"Dawa Steven Sherpa, who led an eco-Everest expedition in May to collect trash dumped by previous climbers, said his team used a plastic bucket as well as a gas-impervious bag designed to safely contain and neutralize human waste and keep in odor.

'It is portable and very secure,' Sherpa, 25, told Reuters.

'I want to promote anything that manages human waste on the mountain.'

'To date, no other container designed for human waste exists in this size, weight or strength,' Sherpa said of the U.S.-designed bucket, which is 11 inches tall and weighs 2.4 pounds, and has an opening that is eight inches in diameter."

Read the full story: Climber plumps for portable toilets for Everest

Mini-bars, cable, and bikes

USA Today reports on a few hotels around the country that offer the perk of free bicycles.

• The Gansevoort South in Miami Beach offers glow-in-the-dark Puma bikes. (pictured right)

• The Bowery Hotel in Manhattan lets guests saddle up on red Jamis "Earth Cruisers."

• The James Chicago lends hip Paul Frank cruisers.

The W Hotel chain offered free bicycles last earth day

Read the full story: Green-peddling hotels hop on bicycle craze

Congalese gorillas in rebels' hands

Reuters video reports on the rebel takeover of Congo's Virunga National Park gorilla sector and conservation headquarters.

General Laurent Nkunda's rebels took over the gorilla sector in September 2007, and this past October commandeered the Rumangabo park's headquarters where the conservation efforts were run from.

Many of the park's rangers, who protected the gorillas, are now in refugee camps.

The fate of the 200 gorillas is at risk.

Watch the report below:

Scottish golf resort Trump-ed

This past February, Ecotravel News posted a video about environmental protestations over the proposed Trump golf course/resort near Aberdeen, Scotland.

Environmentalists claimed that part of the golf course would encompass and disturb delicate sand dunes that house numerous wildlife species.

Now in a follow-up, The Economist examines the implications of the golf resort.

Trump prevailed in a public inquiry with the backing of Scotland's first minister (and avid golfer) Alex Salmond. But the question now is just how profitable can this resort be especially now that global economies have plunged?

"Recovering the investment depends on selling the [resort's] houses [950 holiday apartments, 36 golf villas, 500 houses]. This autumn, after five years of steadily rising, Aberdeen house prices suddenly dropped by 7% and sales volumes halved.

Golf is no longer a sure-fire winner either. The American owner of the ultra-posh Loch Lomond club, which counts Prince Andrew as a member and hosts the Scottish Open, is having to sell it to repay loans."

Read the full story: Trump's Scottish venture, birdie or bogey?

Solar panels fuel Death Valley resort

National Parks Traveler reports on the one-megawatt private solar panel system installed and used by Death Valley, California resort group Xanterra.

The large (five football fields size) photovoltaic array is expected to generate two-million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

"Chris Lane, Xanterra's Vice-President of Environmental Affairs, says they are on track to generate 2 million kWh for the first year. During mid-day in the summer, the system has produced as much as 75% of the total electric power used by the company's Furnace Creek facilities."

Read the full story: New solar power system puts this park in forefront of alternative energy use

Enjoy greenery in the midst of Tokyo

Stars and Stripes reports on the not-so-hidden green spaces of Tokyo.

One of these highlighted parks is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

"Nestled alongside Shinjuku’s soaring office buildings is a 144-acre park that used to be the private residence of local Lord Kiyonari Naito. Naito governed the area more than 400 years ago.

The estate served as the imperial family’s garden beginning in 1906. After World War II, it was turned into a national park."

Read the full story: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden a touch of peace in Tokyo

Turn that RV eco

The New York Times reports on the greening of recreational vehicles or RVs.

Many do-it-yourselfers are embracing the low-impact green lifestyle and retrofitting their RVs into eco-on-the-go homes and vacation vehicles.

"'If you can make an RV sustainable, you can make any industry sustainable,' said Ty Adams, a Portland, Ore., resident who spent 2007 visiting 25 states and promoting renewable energy in the BioTrekker, an RV powered by biodiesel, a fuel made from refined vegetable oil. Mr. Adams spent $108,000 for the RV and $12,000 more for the biodiesel upgrade and campaign, which he financed by selling his house."

Read the full story: The green RV

Funds infusion for electric-car company

The Christian Science Monitor's Horizons blog writes about the funding infusion of $40 million into the Tesla electric-car company.

Tesla didn't disclose the investors but hope the money will keep their eco-friendly cars in business.

"The new funding will accelerate production of the Roadster (pictured above), a sporty all-electric and heart-throb for alt-energy proponents. While there’s huge interest in the $109,000 car, Tesla has only been able to deliver on about 50 of the 1,200 orders."

Read the full story: Tesla hopes its cars can electrify industry

Demise of Norway's lemmings, global warming blamed

BBC reports on the demise of Norway's lemmings due to global warming.

Researchers writing for the science journal Nature found that Norway's warmer winters (starting about 10 years ago) have negatively affected the survival rate of the native lemmings.

Lemmings need a snow layer in order to survive through the winter and dry winters would allow more than enough lemmings to flourish and be prey.

The furry mammals are a vital part of the Norwegian wildlife food chain, and the disappearance of the lemmings has also negatively affected predatory animals such as fox and owls.

Because the warmer winters are now more humid, the researchers believe the "wrong type of snow" is causing the lemmings to die off.

Read the full story: Climate pushing lemmings to a cliff

Study says Canada isn't fighting global warming

Reuters reports on the study showing Canada to be one of the most developed nations lax on environmental standards.

The report put out by the Conference Board of Canada, says Canada's worst environmental problems are "greenhouse gas emissions, high garbage production, and rampant overuse of fresh water."

"Canada's government has been widely criticized for being soft on greenhouse gas emissions, which have been on the rise, partly due to booming development of the Alberta oil sands."

According to the study, the only two countries with worse environmental records are Australia and the United States.

Read the full story: Canada an environmental slouch

Travel book's 500 endangered places

USA Today reports on the new Frommer's travel guide with 500 threatened natural and man made places to see before they disappear.

"The list includes Fraser Island, Australia, made entirely of sand and threatened by rising sea levels; the Grove of Osun-Osogbo, a sacred primeval forest in Nigeria and UNESCO heritage site; the Dead Sea in Israel, where water levels have been dropping; Willow Creek Preserve in Oregon, home to Fender's blue butterflies, a species once thought to be extinct; and the chestnut tree that Anne Frank gazed upon while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam. The tree has a fungal disease but work has been undertaken to preserve it."

Read the full story: Frommer's book identifies 500 endangered destinations