Sierra Leone to save mangroves

Reuters reports on conservationists' efforts to protect what's left of West African mangrove forests.

The mangrove trees have been cut down to fuel salt production in Sierra Leone.

For generations, villagers have scraped "salt dust" from the soil, added seawater, and boiled it over wood stoves.

Marie Kano, head of the salt producers association, said many of the mangrove trees used for fuel have already gone. "We don't have any wood left now," she said. "My children, sister and father ... all used to cook salt. But because there is no wood anymore, they all left and went to town."

Now conservation groups are trying to salvage the few remaining forests while helping the poor residents keep their livelihoods.

Solar-panel fueled salt extractors are being introduced, the mangroves replanted and carbon trading schemes in the works.

Read the full story: West Africa sets out to protect dying mangroves

Photograph by Royalty Free / CORBIS

Mexico tree-planting drive to combat deforestation

The El Paso Times reports on this Saturday's (July 5) tree-planting drive in Juarez, Mexico.

City officials and residents will plant 2,500 trees across the city "as part of national reforestation effort across Mexico."

Vast areas of Mexico's indigenous rainforests have been cut down due to rapid industrialization and population growth and today only 10% still survives.

Tree-planting drives across the country such as in Juarez hope to plant five million new trees.

Link to the tree-planting drive website: www.plantaunarbol.gob.mx/

W Hotels to offer free bikes on Earth Day

The New York Times reports that the luxury W hotel chain will begin offering green transportation alternatives starting this Earth Day.

Guests will be provided with free bikes and helmets. There is a "Spring Fling" package that will donate 100 trees to a charity org. And W will offer a green limo service using hybrids or alternative-fuel vehicles.

Because it's a luxury chain, the green limo service will probably be the greenest thing the guests will be able to sacrifice their lifestyles for. Somehow I don't see these guests using bikes to get to and fro. And who knows how long these so-called green services will last...

Read the full story: W celebrates Earth Day