LA River revitalization?

Plenty Magazine reports on the planned revitalization of the Los Angeles River and writer Frederick Reimers takes an illegal kayak trip down the length to check it out.

[In 2007] the city council adopted the $2 billion, 20-year Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, an incredibly ambitious blueprint of 238 potential projects, from creating parks and bike paths to reducing flooding and removing concrete banks to restoring wildlife habitats, wetlands sites, and recreational boating opportunities.

But months after the council’s decision, the Army Corps of Engineers jeopardized the plan by ruling that the waterway isn’t traditionally navigable and is, therefore, exempted from the Clean Water Act.

Reimers three-day kayak trip however was successful. Police didn't arrest his group, he encountered other people interested in river revitalization, and the ending at Long Beach came to a bird-filled finale.

Read the full story: Kayaking the Los Angeles River

Discover Maine's nature through new guidebook

USA Today reports on the new guidebook to Maine's natural areas.

"Wheeling and tromping across thousands of miles of Maine's remotest points, author Tom Hanrahan has been to those pristine patches and plenty more. While he doesn't mind being alone, he doesn't want all million-plus acres of Maine public lands to himself.

At the request of the state Conservation Department, Hanrahan has written a book, Your Maine Lands — Reflections of a Maine Guide, to show Mainers and visitors the wild and breathtakingly scenic preserves that few people — Mainers included — know."

Read the full story: New guidebook uncovers Maine's scenic preserves

Zoo elephants have stunted lives; study

The Christian Science Monitor's environment blog reports on the study showing how elephants in captivity have a shorter lifespan than those in the natural world.

The study published in journal Science used the data compiled over 45 years about 4,500 elephants living around the globe. Mostly female African and Asian elephants were studied in European zoos, a Kenyan wildlife preserve, and a Burmese logging enterprise.

"The results were shocking. [The scientists] found that, excluding premature and still births, zoo-born African elephants had a median life span of 16.9 years, compared with 56 years for animals in the park. Asian elephants, which are more endangered than their African counterparts, lived for 18.9 years in captivity and 41.7 years in the Burmese timber trade."

Read the full story: Study: elephants in zoos live much shorter lives

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Following the Australian climate change protesters

Following up on yesterday's post about the Australian climate change protesters, Reuters video shows what extent the protesters went to:

"Joke" say Australian climate protesters

BBC reports on the Australian climate change policy protesters who say it is inadequate.

"The new measures, announced on Monday, include cutting emissions by between between 5% and 15% by 2020, from 2000 levels, and introducing a carbon trading scheme in 2010.

But activists say the changes will not go far enough to prevent catastrophic change. Many have called for emissions to be cut by at least 25% by 2020 - as recommended by the UN's specialist Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change."

Read the full story: Australians condemn climate plan

Vatican to make toys out of x-mas tree

Reuters reports on the Vatican's Christmas tree.

This year the tree is from Austria and over 108 feet (33 meters) tall; the tallest tree ever to grace St Peter's Square.

And this tree will be recycled into children's toys as another way of the Vatican's continuing intentions of going green:

Last summer Ecotravel News noted that the Pope urged Australians to change their lifestyles to help save the environment.

The Vatican has also gone carbon neutral and recently installed solar panels on its roof.

Read the full story: Big Vatican Christmas tree to be recycled into toys

Japanese eco-products

Reuters video reports on the Eco Products expo in Japan.

Innovative recycling technologies for newspaper bricks, eco-toilets, and small solar panels among others were displayed.

Watch below:

Emirates Air longest "green" flight

Gulf News reports on Emirates Air newest and longest nonstop "green" trip from Dubai to San Francisco.

The airline will launch their new service Monday December 15th that will utilize new technology and follow new flight paths to save fuel and therefore release less greenhouse gases during flight.

"The flight has been described as 'the most environmentally-sophisticated route and trip possible to help save an estimated 2,000 gallons of fuel and 30,000 pounds of carbon emissions on the 16-hour non-stop service.'"

Emirates also will recycle all on board paper, plastics, aluminum, and glass.

Read the full story: Emirates plans longest 'green flight' from Dubai to San Francisco

Mexico Eco-lodges

The San Francisco Chronicle reviews six, new and more affordable, eco-friendly hotels in Mexico.

All the eco-resorts are under $200 per night.

The Genesis Ek Balam in the Yucatan is $44-$54 a night, uses natural ventilation (no A/C) and recycled materials in its design, and also helps save native animals and birds.

Read the full story: Six affordable eco-lodge escapes

Philippines urges ecotourism

Tree Hugger reports on the Philippines government's ecotourism plan.

A 10-year-old executive order decreed sustainable practices in the country's tourism sector.

"That executive order lead to the development of the National Ecotourism Strategy. The outline of this strategy includes spreading the wealth to the very impoverished rural areas, the conservation of cultural sites, promotion of conservation awareness, educational programs and more."

Read the full story: Ecotourism in the Philippines

Closer monitoring of gorillas against poaching

BBC online reports on the pledge taken by African countries against gorilla poaching.

"The gorilla action plan is designed to tackle the three main threats facing gorillas - loss of habitat, poaching and the Ebola virus - and all the 10 range states have signed up.

The plan commits them to securing good habitat for the animals, including the creation of reserves that cross national boundaries where that is appropriate.

They are supposed to clamp down on poaching and reduce the impact of conflict.

There was some good news this week from Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rangers were able to return to the area where mountain gorillas roam, after having been forced away by armed men a few weeks ago."

Read the full story: Gorilla states in poaching pledge

Grab a pedal-powered ride in Pensacola

The Ecolocalizer blog reports on the new pedicabs in Pensacola, Florida.

Foot Taxi will offer tourists rides on eight pedicabs around the old downtown area.

"'It’s a completely ‘green’ way to get around,” [said co-founder Joe Abston]. 'The last thing we wanted our business to do was add to a global environmental problem.'"

The rides are free, but riders encouraged to give the peddlers tips.

Read the full story: Pensacola goes pedicabbing

Pedal around Oahu on shared bikes

USA Today reports on the new bike-sharing program on Hawaii's Oahu island.

The program, set to launch this June, will have an initial 100 bikes at 10 different locations. Adding to the green-ness of the program, the bike racks will be powered with solar panels.

"The first half-hour of ride time will be free. The next half-hour [will] cost riders $2, and the next 30 minutes is $5. Billing would stop at $100, but if a bike isn't returned within 48 hours, the user's credit card will be billed the cost of the bike — currently $900. Passes good for a day or week would also be available."

Read the full story: Oahu to launch bike sharing program

Soot-covered ice speeds melt

Reuters reports on the study showing how soot-covered Arctic ice accelerates its melt.

Scientists at the United Nations climate talks this week in Poland say that global warming efforts should be redirected to soot, ozone, and methane reduction from Europe, Russia, and the USA:

"'Reductions in these pollutants would have a greater impact' in the next two decades than curbing emissions of the main greenhouse gas -- carbon dioxide," they say.

Dark colors absorb more sunlight, so the black pollution particles from industry and vehicle exhaust that now cover the Arctic ice are speeding its melt.

Read the full story: Soot darkens ice, stokes runaway arctic melt: study

Venice floods bespeaks of global warming

USA Today reports on the recent Venice, Italy flooding, which is the worst since 1986.

The low-lying and highly-touristed Italian city has been prone to flooding for centuries. This time the water reached 61 inches, well over the 40-inch flood mark.

"It was the fourth highest tide since 1872, when the city started keeping records. The last time Venice saw such high waters was in 1986, while the all-time record was 76 inches in 1966."

Natural disasters such as flooding and more severe storms are effects of global warming.

Read the full story: Venice faces worst flooding in 20 years

Mini Es testing in Berlin

Reuters video reports on the Mini electric car tests to be conducted in Berlin this January.

German carmaker BMW, who produces the popular Mini Cooper cars, will be testing the all-electric version along with Swedish power company Vattenfall.

Watch the report:

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

Learn to watch whales in Pacific Ocean

The Oregonian reports on the whale watch training led by Bruce Mate, the director of the Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute.

"Morris Grover, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's whale watch volunteer coordinator says volunteers who complete the training [on Pacific gray whale biology and natural history] may serve in either the program's winter or spring whale watch weeks 'for as many years as they wish, and wherever they
wish.'"

Read the full story: State parks offer whale watch training

Vancouver BC downtown walk

San Jose Mercury News reports via the Seattle Times on the new three-mile path along Vancouver, B.C.'s False Creek.

The False Creek stroll lets visitors enjoying the sights of downtown with its "glittering high rises, million-dollar town houses and housing co-ops" with the scenic backdrop of the mountains.

According to writer Kristen Jackson, there's lots of stuff to do on the stroll besides just take in the sights:

"Hungry? Head to the Granville Island market, a foodie mecca of small-farm produce and seafood, food stalls and cafes. Or wine and dine at fancier restaurants along the way. Want some greenery? Lounge in waterfront pocket parks. Tired? Take a ride in one of the dozen-seater mini-ferries that buzz around False Creek like brightly painted water bugs."

Read the full story: A scenic stroll on the Vancouver, B.C. waterfront

China's pollution rate to double by 2030, cites study

Environmental News Network reports on the study showing the doubling of Chinese greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

The study conducted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows that without serious curbs on the billions of tons of carbon dioxide China emits each year, the nation could match the amount the United States emits by 2020.

In 2007, the United States was still the world's number one emitter of greenhouse gases at 7.2 billion tons, compared to China's 5.1 billion tons.

Read the full story: China warns of huge rise in emissions

Hiking Oregon

CNN.com reports on five hiking trails in Oregon.

At Ecola State Park, hikers can walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark on the historical Clatsop Loop.

At Devil's Punch Bowl, near Depoe Bay, visitors can enjoy the coastal sites of cliffs and tide pools.

"Wind-sculpted dunes, a sparkling blue freshwater lake, and a historic lighthouse all await visitors" at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Read the full story: Five stunning Oregon hiking spots

77-year-old D.C.-er bikes Manhattan tip-to-tip

Maryland resident Albert Diaz, pictured above, thought what better way to celebrate his impending 78th birthday but to bike Manhattan from bottom to top.

Diaz wrote about his biking trip in The Washington Post.

He easily took the Vamoose bus line from Bethesda, Maryland (it takes bikes at no extra cost) and after being dropped off in Midtown Manhattan, headed down to his starting point at Battery Park.

His bike path of choice was the Greenway that stretches all the way up to the George Washington Bridge 11 miles north.

Read the full story: Manhattan on wheels

Throw a 'roo on the barbie

Environmental News Network reports on the Australian study that shows eating kangaroo instead of beef and mutton is a more sustainable option.

Cattle and sheep farming degrades land, has contributed to native species extinction, and also emits large amounts of the greenhouse gas methane. Kangaroos, which historically have been eaten by humans for "around 60,000 years," emit acetate rather than methane.

"In economic modelling conducted by Wilson and Edwards, cattle and sheep for meat could be dramatically reduced in Australia's rangelands by 2020, with cattle dropping from 7.5 million to 500,000 and sheep from 38.7 million to 2.7 million.

The scientists conclude that this would allow for a net carbon saving of 16 megatonnes of GhG emissions by 2020, around 28 percent of Australia's agricultural emissions. "

Read the full story: Eat kangaroos to save climate?

Vancouver Island mushroom picking

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports on mushroom picking (led by a monk) in Canada's Vancouver Island.

Every September and October the popular mushroom-picking tours leave from Aerie resort, a 25-minute drive from capital Victoria.

"Brother Michael, a Benedictine monk and mushroom expert who is our guide for the day and has been leading the Aerie's outing each fall weekend for three years. From the Solo Dio monastery in nearby Duncan, Brother Michael spends four or five hours a day, five days a week, tramping among these steep hills, collecting pounds and pounds of mushrooms to supply Victoria's upscale restaurants, as well as the Aerie. His eyes are so well trained he can spot a potentially promising mushroom cache from more than 20 paces away."

After the three-hour hunt, happy pickers return to the resort for a gourmet lunch off of their mushroom find.

Read the full story: Mushroom hunting on Vancouver Island

Brunei ecotouring

Frommer's travel guide online highlights Brunei as an ecotourist destination.

The sultanate of Brunei is located on the tip of Borneo and is a relatively unknown tourist destination.

"Almost 40% of the area is preserved as Ulu Temburong National Park and is considered one of the world's most diverse ecosystems with a range of wilderness habitats, from lowland forest and jungle rainforest to mountain forests and waterfalls."

Temburong NP is easy to get to from the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan and organized tours can arrange multi-day stays.

Read the full story: Eco-tourism and adventure in Brunei

S. African eco-village

Reuters video reports on the South African eco-village Lynedoch that is "designed so that people from mixed social backgrounds can come together to live and work in a sustainable community."

The eco-village is supported through government grants, small businesses such as a local winery, and also overseas by a London, U.K. movie theater. Watch below:

Solar powered rickshaws in New Delhi

AFP reports on the new solar powered rickshaws in New Delhi.

The "soleckshaw" runs on either a motor powered by a solar battery or pedalled as usual using only foot power

India has an estimated eight million rickshaw drivers.

"'The most important achievement will be improving the lot of rickshaw drivers,' said Pradip Kumar Sarmah, head of the non-profit Centre for Rural Development."

Read the full story: India's humble rickshaw goes solar

Biking Canada's Cape Breton Isle

The San Jose Mercury News' Geri Migielicz writes about her three-day bike trip across the Cabot Trail in Canada's Cape Breton Isle - the northeastern most part of Nova Scotia.

"The rich culture and history make it feel like a shortcut to the British Isles or, when in Canada's Acadian territory, France.

This mix of influences has produced a vibrant Celtic-flavored folk music scene, which alone could justify the trip.

And if you're a bicyclist looking for spectacular terrain and challenging steep climbs to notch on your altimeter, look no further."

Read the full story: Two wheels across Nova Scotia

Poland's organic farms blossom

The Christian Science Monitor reports on the flourishing organic farm business in Poland.

Organic farming works in Poland because farms have always been "small-scale" in addition to being "the only former Soviet satellite country to resist agricultural collectivization under communism."

There are now over 13,500 organic farms, up considerably from the 300 in 1996. And residents are big fans of the natural produce:

"'I’ve been buying organic vegetables, kasha, milk, and especially eggs for the past 15 years,' says Warsaw resident Anna Basiak. 'I don’t want to ruin my stomach.' Ms. Basiak made the switch to organic when sauerkraut of unknown provenance made her ill. Today, she shops in grocery stories that buy directly from farmers."

Read the full story: Poland's organic farms prove to be fruitful ventures

Alaska's glaciers retreating and melting, book says

U.S. News and World Report LiveScience reports on the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) new book that documents the thinning and retreating of all Alaska's glaciers.

"The new book on Alaska's glaciers used satellite images, aerial photos, maps and other studies to document the retreat of the glaciers, which began as early as the mid-19th century. Some glaciers have even disappeared since being mapped in the mid-20th century, the report found."

Read the full story: Most Alaskan glaciers retreat and thin

UK Starbucks waste precious water

Environmental News Network has a report from the Organic Consumers Association on how many gallons of water coffee franchiser Starbucks wastes per day.

According to the British Sun newspaper, Starbucks wastes 23.4 million liters (that's 6.18 million gallons) of water every day in 10,000 outlets. This is due to the policy of leaving the tap on nonstop.

"A single Starbucks tap left running for just over three minutes wastes the amount of water one African needs to survive for a day in drought conditions.

Under the company's health and safety rules, staff are banned from turning the water off because management claim that a constant flow of water prevents germs breeding in taps."

Read the full story: Starbucks wastes millions of litres of water a day

Mammals face extinction worldwide

Reuters video reports that 1/4 of all mammals are threatened with extinction.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature claims the mammals are being wiped out by hunting and habitat destruction.

Watch the report below:

Database warns against wildlife threating activities

The Economist reports on a new database that warns companies if their business practices pose threats to wildlife.

Conservation International created the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) to "bring together as much data on biodiversity as it could in a single database."

IBAT will be "unveiled at the forthcoming World Conservation Congress in Barcelona."

"Big oil and agro-industrial firms such as BP and Cargill helped with the design, as did several banks. The idea is to make it easier for businesses to incorporate concerns about conservation into their planning from the beginning of a project, and not simply when protesters show up at their offices."

Read the full story: Where the wild things are

Ecotravel made easy through new websites

USA Today reports on two new eco-friendly travel websites.

Vroomvroomvroom.com allows travelers to rent-a-car and purchase carbon offsets at the same time.

WholeTravel.com lets people search their website for hotels with the "whole ranking" system "based on environmental practices, economic management, social and cultural support, and customer interaction"

Read the full story: Two new websites join the greenscape

Appalachian Trail 40th anniversay

Travel and Leisure magazine reports on the 40-year history of the iconic Appalachian Trail.

Throughout the years hikers have enjoyed traversing the entire trail from Georgia to Maine, or just parts of it.

"In the A.T.’s early years, just a handful of people took advantage of it (by 1969, only 61 people had hiked every mile). 'The end of World War II was putting pressure on the trail,' said Brian King, spokesman for The Appalachian Trail Conservancy. 'New roads were being built, and second homes, so the trail was running through private property.' But in the 1960s people took notice; it took volunteers nearly four years of working with local landowners, buying their property or finding ways around it, to ensure that the public would always have access to a continuous trail. 'This was easily the most complex public land acquisition land process ever,' said King."

Read the full story: 40 years hiking the Appalachian Trail

Florida's Everglades restoration in question

The Miami Herald reports on the $7 billion restoration of Florida's Everglades that hasn't made any progress according to a new study.

The National Resource Council report released on Monday claims that government bureaucracy has tied up the progression of many of the restoration projects in the Everglades and finds the wildlife and vegetation has continued to decline:

'''We've invested in all this science and this engineering development and we still don't have one completed project. Well, how can that be?,'' said William Graf, chairman of the 13-member committee that wrote the report. 'I think the conclusion is we don't have the political and public will to do it.'"

Read the full story: Report blasts slow progress on Everglades restoration

Faster than global warming, pollution kills reefs

Reuters reports that global warming is affecting ecosystems that in turn could kill off ocean coral in 100 years, but man made pollution is speeding up the process.

A few of the detrimental problems facing ocean ecosystems are sewage, pesticide runoff, and overfishing; all factors are contributing to the fast decline of native coral.

"Across the Caribbean, the amount of reef surface covered by live coral has fallen about 80 percent in the last three decades, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network says."

Read the full story: Pollution killing world's coral reefs

Airlines group to use biofuel in commercial flights

Environmental News Network reports that aviation industry leaders Boeing and Virgin will join eight other airlines to "speed up the development of sustainable, second-generation biofuels for use in the commercial aviation industry."

"Billy Glover, managing director of environmental strategy for Boeing, said the effort will allow airlines to take control of their future fuel supply while curbing the industry's impact on the environment. 'The number one priority going forward is to complete thorough assessments of sustainable plant sources, harvesting and economic impacts, and processing technologies that can help achieve that goal,' he said in a statement."

Read the full story: Boeing, Virgin join group committed to biofuel for commercial jets

CA to boost economy by combating global warming

The Sacramento Bee reports on the recently released study that shows California will actually get a boost to their economy by combating global warming.

The state analysis predicts that the Golden State's mandate to cut vehicle and industry greenhouse gas emissions by one-third in the next 12 years will increase the economy, even though the measures are costly:

"The study, generated from computer models, shows that the bulk of the economic benefits will come from investments in costlier but more efficient vehicles, appliances and industrial equipment that more than pay for themselves by 2020, the deadline for meeting the targeted reductions."

Read the full story: Global warming fight will boost California economy, study says

Whale calls heard for first time off NYC

U.S. News & World Report reports on the first recorded whale calls heard off of New York City's harbor area.

Scientists installed recording equipment 13 miles off of New York Harbor and Fire Island and were rewarded with the sounds of three different whale species; fin, humpback and North Atlantic right whales.

"'With data generated by acoustic monitoring, we can better understand New York's role in the life history of these endangered whales and make more informed conservation decisions,' said James Gilmore, chief of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Bureau of Marine Resources. 'This is especially important for the survival of right whales.'"

Whales (like the right whale pictured above) are vulnerable to being killed by shipping vessels. Being better able to monitor the migration patterns of whales will enable shipping lines to avoid colliding and killing the endangered mammals.

Read the full story: Whales heard near New York City

Wind turbines, low-flush toilets at nation's airports

USA Today reports on the eco-friendly measures some airports are adopting.

Boston Logan International (picture right) installed 20 wind turbines in July, that are expected to generate 100,000 kilowatt hours each year - about 3 percent of the airport's electrical needs.

"U.S. airlines emitted about 418 billion pounds of carbon dioxide in 2007, according to the Air Transport Association, the airline industry trade group.

But like many other industries, airports are embracing the green zeitgeist, triggered partly by better social awareness and improving technology, and made more urgent by rising fuel prices. 'If you're watching oil prices, it gives you more incentive for somebody like us to look at pilot programs for energy savings,' says Sam Sleiman, Boston Logan's director of capital programs and environmental affairs. 'The perception is that airports are pollutants, and we wanted to change the perception.'"

Read the full story: Airports go for green with eco-friendly efforts

Adventure fall foliage

MSNBC reports on alternative and adventurous ways to enjoy the fall foliage this Autumn.

Most of these include nature-appreciating activities such as hiking, rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing.

Zip-lining through the tree tops in Colorado is represented in the picture above.

Read the full story: Alternative Autumn: foliage for active travelers

LA ports clean-trucks program delayed by Feds

The Los Angeles Times updates the story about the L.A. and Long Beach ports adoption of clean-trucks - which now is under a federal inquiry that could push back its October 1 launch.

A nine-page request for information issued by the Federal Maritime Commission questions the ports' landmark clean-truck program, scheduled to start next month:

"The agency could go to federal court to block implementation if it doesn't like the answers.

At issue is the first effort by a major U.S. seaport to reduce diesel truck emissions by banning the oldest trucks that move cargo to and from the docks. The Port of Los Angeles program would require the creation of trucking companies or concessions to hire drivers who now operate as independent owner operators."

Read the full story: Federal inquiry could delay clean-trucks program

MTV crew destroys Panamanian rain forest

Tree Climber's Coalition reports on the destruction that an MTV reality show crew did to a Panamanian rain forest site.

Entertainment productions always disturb normal ways of life. In New York City, there is always some sort of production every week with crews setting up their stuff all over the place and closing off streets.

But in this instance MTV - who has a so-called "green crusade" - did not abide by their own self-proclaimed eco-ness.

The TCC has a first-hand account of the disturbance the "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" did to the normally quiet Panamanian beach area they filmed in.

When MTV left TCC noticed that MTV left trash, created new roads, and clear-cut the rain forest - all for their production.

Read the full story: "Reality" TV gets real trashy

Fly to Stockholm, overnight in plane hostel

CNN reports on the old 747 plane that has been turned into a novel hostel at Stockholm's Arlanda airport.

Swedish hostel developer, Oscar Dios, created the Jumbo Hostel (picture above) from an old Transjet Airways Boeing 747:

"'We were looking to expand the [hostel] business but it was more or less impossible to find reasonably priced housing at the airport. And you cannot build a new house and run a hostel because it is too expensive,' he said."

Jumbo hostel will have space for 85 guests (the original configuration had 350 seats) priced from 110 Euros ($150) for a three-person suite to 500 Euros ($700) for the cockpit suite, and is scheduled to open in December 2008.

Read the full story: Airplane hostel prepares for lift-off