The tribes paying the brutal price of conservation
Across the world, governments are protecting habitats. But indigenous peoples are being evicted The Botswana police helicopter spotted Tshodanyestso Sesana and his friends in the afternoon. The nine young Bushmen, or San, had been hunting antelope to feed their families, when the chopper flew towards them. There was a burst of gunfire from the air […]
The eco guide to gold
More nuggets of info on the stuff our Olympics medals were made of Perhaps it’s all those Olympic medals, but our small preview of Fairtrade gold wedding bands from Argos several weeks ago has led to a rush of queries about clean gold. So here are some further nuggets. Be led by the UK’s pioneer […]
Cherish our public spaces – among the glories of the democratic age | Rowan Moore
As the US celebrates the 100th anniversary of its national parks, we too should treasure our own hard-won legacy I don’t know how you set light to a golf course, but in 1897 a riot of several thousand ordinary citizens did just that. The location was One Tree Hill in Honor Oak, a southeastern suburb […]
'I was born to do this': national park rangers on their triumphs and tragedies
As the National Park Service turns 100, longtime rangers reflect on tasks ranging from teaching rescue missions – and the sexism many female rangers face Andrea “Andy” Lankford often came close to death during her twelve years as a ranger for the National Park Service. But there was nothing quite as horrific as the time […]
The internet can harm your productivity by making you sad – here's what to do
Following a few simple tips should protect you from the subtly depressing influence of social media, keeping you both happy and productive In September, the first positivity officers of the United Arab Emirates’s Ministry for Happiness will begin their training in happiness science, a program designed for them by the University of California, Berkeley, and […]
Ditch the car: how to visit America's national parks without the congestion
Traffic congestion has become part of the experience of visiting popular national parks in the US. Now, more parks are beefing up their public transport options Read our series: National Park Service turns 100 If you’ve ever visited an iconic national park like Yellowstone, Yosemite or Glacier, your first glimpses of arresting, postcard-perfect vistas were […]
Tories’ failure to halt ivory trade ‘risks extinction of elephants’
Campaigners attack broken election pledge to shut down domestic market The UK is putting elephants at risk of extinction through its broken promises on the ivory trade, according to campaigners. Before the last election, the Conservative party pledged to shut down the UK’s domestic ivory market: at the time 30,000 elephants a year were being […]
Large blue butterfly thriving in UK since reintroduction
Numbers of the endangered butterfly, once pronounced extinct in the UK, have reached their highest level in 80 years, according to conservationists A butterfly once pronounced extinct in the UK has been seen in record numbers this year, according to conservationists. There were over 10,000 adult large blue butterflies in Gloucestershire and Somerset – the […]
Worker dies in cliff fall at Yellowstone national park
Employee aged 21 went over the edge of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone while socialising with colleagues in early hours of the morning, say officials A worker has fallen to her death in Yellowstone national park, according to officials. The 21-year-old died early on Friday during a social gathering with colleagues, park officials said. Continue […]
Plan bee: Minnesota sets broad limits on chemicals blamed for bee decline
But farmers are concerned they will not be able to protect crops from insects if they cannot use neonicotinoids Minnesota’s governor on Friday ordered the broadest restrictions yet in a US state on the use of agricultural pesticides that have been blamed for hurting bees, fuelling concerns that farmers there will not be able to […]