The Heinz Center

04/16/2016

Speaking of , researchers have taken advantage of genome sequencing technology to create a revised "tree of life." The vast majority of species is bacteria. Eukaryotes -- including animals, plants, fungi and protozoans -- share a small branch on the tree. And we mammals are but a twig.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/12/science/scientists-unveil-new-tree-of-life.html

02/22/2016

From Dr. Bill Laurence, Professor at James Cook University, and Amazon Biodiversity Center senior reseacher:

Land clearing in Queensland is undermining Australia's environmental progress.

https://theconversation.com/queensland-land-clearing-is-undermining-australias-environmental-progress-54882

Amigos do PDBFF

Land clearing in Queensland has tripled in the past five years.

02/11/2016

Washington Post published this morning a story by reporter Chris Mooney about his visit to the Forest Fragments Project in the Amazon Rainforest near Manaus, Brazil.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/02/11/the-solution-to-climate-change-that-has-nothing-to-do-with-cars-or-coal/

Why saving forests has emerged as a key part of the global climate picture.

02/09/2016

The National Geographic Society is hosting "An Evening with Thomas Lovejoy" this Thursday, February 9th at 7pm, celebrating Dr. Lovejoy's 50 years in the Amazon. For more information, click here:

http://events.nationalgeographic.com/washingtondc/2016/02/11/Evening-with-Thomas-Lovejoy-dc/

From the description:

Since 1965, this pioneer in the field of conservation biology has brought international attention to the world’s tropical rainforests, and particularly to the Brazilian Amazon. In the 1980s he coined the term biodiversity, developed the debt-for-nature swap programs, and led the long-term study of forest fragmentation in the Amazon. Additionally, he has long been a major proponent in bringing world attention to the link between climate change and biodiversity.

Over the years Dr. Lovejoy has advised international leaders and leading environmental organizations. Currently, Lovejoy is a National Geographic Fellow, a professor in the Environmental Science and Policy department at George Mason University, and holds the Biodiversity Chair at the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. His selfless work has garnered numerous awards, and he continues to be a major influence worldwide to scientists and to all who are concerned with the well-being of our planet.

11/06/2013

Africa's western black rhino is now officially extinct according the latest review of animals and plants by the world's largest conservation network.

10/04/2013

Seventeen scientists who have criticized plans in Europe to regulate endocrine-disrupting chemicals have past or current ties to the chemical industry. In order to protect the health and well-being of humans and ecosystems, we need chemical regulatory policy based on sound science.

Seventeen scientists who have criticized plans in Europe to regulate endocrine-disrupting chemicals have past or current ties to regulated industries. An investigation by Environmental Health News reveals that of 18 toxicology journal editors who signed a controversial editorial, 17 have collaborate...

09/30/2013

Join for a discussion on environmental health policy and . Details at http://on.fb.me/1bmx6Pw

09/25/2013

Popular Science shuts off comments to their articles, noting that studies show that readers' perception of facts are skewed by incendiary comments.

If comments really do shape debate in discussions of the veracity of science, what are the impacts of punditry on public debate?

Starting today, PopularScience.com will no longer accept comments on new articles. Here's why.

08/23/2013

Mass deaths in bee colonies may mean disaster for farmers--and your favorite foods

08/09/2013

The issue of massive pollinator die-off is now getting national attention. One-third of our food comes from pollinated crops. The Heinz Center is developing helping farmers keep bees alive on their farms for a stable food supply.

Mass deaths in bee colonies may mean disaster for farmers--and your favorite foods. This week's issue of TIME looks at the plight of the honeybee. Find it on newsstands Friday.

Read a preview of the cover story: http://ti.me/16wJuZV

(Photograph by Hannah Whitaker for TIME)

08/08/2013

The University of Vermont published a short blog based on The Heinz Center’s project on increasing pollinator populations for the benefit of agriculture.

Roughly one-third of all food items produced in the United States come from crops that require insect pollination. Pollinator population declines, especially in bees, have become a growing concern ...

06/20/2013

The new birds and the bees...

A new comic about a deeply complicated issue: animal range changes and climate change. Let me know how you think I did! http://birdandmoon.com/climatechangeshuffle.html