December, 2011

Nature Brains: Conserving Grasslands Can Help Millions of People

Written by Darci Palmquist | December 22nd, 2011

(4)

Can saving nature also help lift people out of poverty? A new Conservancy study finds a simple and scalable solution for grassland communities around the world.

3 Holiday Wishes for Kids

Written by Jonathan Hoekstra |

(2)

You can’t find these gifts in any store, but you can find them in nature. Scientist Jon Hoekstra shares his hopes for kids today.

Cool Green Morning: Thursday, December 22

Written by Madeline Breen |

(0)

The Grinch visits Canada this Christmas.

Most years, 85% of Canada has a white Christmas. This isn’t one of those years. (The National Post)
New rules will limit mercury and other toxic pollutants in our air, water and food. (Huffington Post Green)
The world’s first solar powered menorah lights up Woodstock, NY. (Grist)
The biblical Christmas story may need a rewriting: Frankincense tree headed for extinction. (CBS News)
The European Union will begin charging airlines for their greenhouse gas emissions. (NY Times)

Green Holiday Ideas from Our Readers

Written by Madeline Breen |

(6)

Green Holiday Ideas from Our Readers By Madeline Breen One thing is certain: we have the most creative readers. When we asked you how you’ll make your holidays green, we were blown away by your inspiring and eco-friendly ideas. Below is a round up of our favorite green gift and green decor ideas, courtesy of [...]

Cool Green Morning: Wednesday, December 21

Written by Nicole Levins | December 21st, 2011

(0)

It’s not easy being green, but it sure beats the alternative.

Is nature more resilient than we give it credit for? (Time)
To encourage recycling, Mexico City is closing one of the world’s largest open-air garbage dumps. (YaleE360)
Does birdsong have a positive effect on human creativity and well-being? Scientists are going to get to the bottom of it. (Guardian)
The biggest enviro hits and misses of 2011: celebrity edition. (Treehugger)
Unusually long-living animals may reveal secrets to human longevity. (Scientific American)

Cool Green Morning: Tuesday, December 20

Written by Madeline Breen | December 20th, 2011

(0)

Permafrost thaw — just how scary is it?

Melting permafrost is one of the least understood facets of climate change. (Washington Post)
Before dinosaurs, there were dicynodonts. (The Telegraph)
These tiny spiders aren’t fat, they’re just big-brained! (National Geographic)
Camera trap films the nocturnal and secretive pygmy hippo. (Mongabay)
40% of existing landscapes will change from one major ecosystem to another due to global warming. (TreeHugger)

Let’s Not Be the Last Book on the Shelf

Written by Jeff Opperman | December 19th, 2011

(5)

Why is nature always last on the list of people’s priorities? A trip to a closing Borders bookstore gave Conservancy scientist Jeff Opperman some ideas.

Conservancy Science Helps Communities Cope with Tanzania’s Changing Climate

Written by Brad Parker |

(0)

The Nature Conservancy is working in Tanzania to understand how climate change is affecting the environment and to find nature-based strategies to solve the problems it’s creating.