biodiversity
Credit: Leslie McLauthlin/Bigstock Photo ID: 47493265
British Columbia’s war on aspen is fueling wildfires
For decades, B.C.’s forestry industry has used glyphosate herbicides to kill aspen and other deciduous trees, prioritizing conifers for profit—a practice critics say intensifies wildfire risks and depletes ecosystems.
In short:
- Glyphosate spraying in B.C. forests targets aspen and other plants to prioritize conifer plantations, but this practice undermines biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
- Aspen, with its moisture-retaining properties, serves as a natural firebreak, reducing wildfire intensity, while conifers contribute to drier, more flammable landscapes.
- Critics, including ecologists, argue glyphosate spraying exacerbates fire risks, disrupts forest ecosystems, and harms species that rely on aspen for food and shelter.
Key quote:
“We’ve got to stop cutting down aspen, we’ve got to stop spraying aspen. Nature can heal itself, but we’ve got to get out of the way.”
— James Steidle, founder of Stop the Spray B.C.
Why this matters:
With wildfires becoming more severe due to climate change, preserving aspen forests could mitigate fire risks and promote healthier ecosystems. The B.C. NDP government pledged to phase out herbicide use in forestry, but critics say progress has been sluggish. Meanwhile, communities bear the brunt of bigger, hotter wildfires while biodiversity takes a backseat to profit. Read more: Glyphosate, explained.
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International summits fall short as nations struggle to address environmental crises
Global efforts to combat climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss stalled in 2024 due to ineffective U.N. negotiations, entrenched interests and geopolitical divides.
Seth Borenstein and Sibi Arasu report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Recent U.N. summits on climate, plastic pollution, biodiversity and desertification failed to yield significant progress.
- The consensus-based system allows a few nations, often influenced by fossil fuel interests, to delay global agreements.
- Experts are exploring alternative solutions, including legal actions and smaller "climate clubs" of committed nations.
Key quote:
"Multilateralism isn’t dead, but it is being held hostage by a very small number of countries trying to prevent progress. There’s no greater example of this than the way that the fossil fuel industry has hijacked policymaking at all levels."
— Al Gore, former U.S. vice president
Why this matters:
Global cooperation is essential for addressing widespread environmental threats. When multilateral talks fail, vulnerable nations suffer the most, and delays increase the risks of catastrophic climate impacts. Alternative strategies may provide a path forward, but time is running out.
Related: Leading experts push for reform in UN climate summits
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Credit: Liam Ortiz/Pixabay
Colombian farmers adopt new grazing methods to fight deforestation
On Colombia’s cattle ranches, some farmers are embracing rotational grazing to reduce deforestation and make beef production more sustainable.
In short:
- Intensive rotational grazing divides land into smaller pastures, improving grass growth and reducing methane emissions by up to 30%.
- Silvopastoral systems (SPS) incorporate trees and wildlife habitats, turning farms carbon positive by enhancing biodiversity and carbon capture.
- High upfront costs and lack of national coordination hinder widespread adoption of SPS among traditional ranchers.
Key quote:
“It is not about stopping eating meat. It's a product of high biological value. It’s about how we keep consuming in a more environmentally friendly way.”
— Luis Alfonso Giraldo, director of the Biorum research group at the National University of Colombia
Why this matters:
Deforestation in Colombia, driven by cattle ranching, threatens biodiversity and accelerates climate change. Sustainable grazing methods like SPS could help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, protect ecosystems and support rural livelihoods.
Read more: Leaving rainforests alone allows them to regrow rapidly and capture vast amounts of carbon
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Newsletter
Credit: WoodysPhotos/Big Stock Photo
Severe inland damage in South Carolina highlights hurricane risks
High winds and flooding from Hurricane Helene caused $370 million in damage and killed 49 people across upstate South Carolina, underscoring growing climate threats to inland regions.
In short:
- Hurricane Helene’s winds toppled trees, damaging homes and infrastructure in upstate South Carolina.
- Cleanup and recovery costs exceed $370 million, with debris removal and repairs still ongoing.
- Many residents were left without power or internet for weeks, affecting daily life and recovery efforts.
Key quote:
“We were in shock at first, but now it is just heartbreaking.”
— Saundra Hammond, Greer resident
Why this matters:
Hurricane Helene’s devastation shows that inland communities are increasingly vulnerable to climate change-driven storms. Tree loss and infrastructure damage affect air quality, stormwater management and community resilience. More people may now recognize the need for climate action to mitigate these impacts.
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Newsletter
Credit: Деница Кирева/Pixabay
Offshore carbon storage plans raise concerns for Gulf fishers
Developers aim to store captured carbon off the Louisiana and Texas coasts, but local fishers fear environmental harm and economic fallout.
In short:
- The GeoDura hub, backed by $26 million in federal funding, plans to store millions of tons of CO₂ beneath Gulf waters near Cameron Parish, La.
- Fishers say liquefied natural gas (LNG) development has already slashed their catch and fear carbon storage could further damage marine life.
- Opponents worry carbon storage supports the fossil fuel industry, while its effectiveness and safety remain uncertain.
Key quote:
“These people are book smart, but when it comes to common sense, they have nothing.”
— Travis Dardar, a Cameron-based fisher and founder of the group, Fishermen Involved in Sustaining our Heritage
Why this matters:
Offshore carbon storage could disrupt marine ecosystems and endanger livelihoods, while potentially delaying a shift away from fossil fuels. The long-term success and safety of this approach remain unproven.
Learn more: Texas offers more coastal waters for carbon dioxide storage
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Credit: Daniel Enchev/Flickr
Melting Arctic ice is rewriting the planet’s future
The Arctic’s rapid warming and melting sea ice mirror past climate crises but at an unprecedented pace, reshaping ecosystems, threatening coastal cities, and disrupting global climate systems.
In short:
- The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, with summer sea ice projected to disappear by the 2030s without major emissions cuts.
- Past Arctic conditions reveal that higher global temperatures led to lush forests, mass extinctions and sea levels up to 200 feet higher than today, threatening modern cities like Miami and New Orleans.
- Melting permafrost and ice are releasing greenhouse gases, triggering wildfires and exposing dormant threats like ancient viruses, compounding the environmental crisis.
Key quote:
“This change is so rapid that, from our geological experience, it’s faster than anything that we’ve ever experienced.”
— Julie Brigham-Grette, glacial geologist
Why this matters:
The Arctic’s rapid transformation foreshadows catastrophic impacts, from rising seas that endanger millions to destabilized weather systems and food chains. The Arctic’s past holds lessons, but its present warns of a future which we are woefully unprepared for. Read more: Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
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Credit: betsymhall/Pixabay
Los Angeles tree advocate educates communities on the city’s diverse urban forest
Stephanie Carrie leads tree tours across Los Angeles to raise awareness about the city’s canopy, its environmental benefits the need for equitable tree distribution.
In short:
- Stephanie Carrie uses her Instagram account, Trees of LA walking tours to teach residents about LA’s urban forest and the importance of tree diversity.
- Many palm trees planted in the 1930s are nearing the end of their lifespan, prompting calls to replace them with drought-tolerant species.
- LA’s Green New Deal aims to increase canopy cover in underserved neighborhoods, addressing tree inequity and its ties to environmental justice.
Key quote:
“It’s important to work with communities rather than just coming in and having strangers planting a bunch of trees.”
— Stephanie Carrie, tree advocate
Why this matters:
Urban trees mitigate heat, clean the air support mental health, but many low-income neighborhoods lack sufficient canopy cover. Addressing tree inequity helps combat climate change while improving residents’ quality of life.
Learn more: Urgent tree planting needed in underprivileged urban areas
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