Pelecanus NEWS Episodes

​(scroll down to listen to each episode by date)

Pelecanus News January 15, 2020

Drawdown
Massachusetts To Require 100 Percent Of Car Sales To Be Electric By 2035
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/532684-massachusetts-to-require-100-percent-of-car-sales-to-be

Researchers find a way to pull carbon out of the air and turn it into jet fuel
https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-find-way-to-pull-carbon-out-of-the-air-and-make-it-jet-fuel

Renewables produce more power than fossil fuels in Germany for first time
https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-produce-more-power-fossil-fuels-germany-first-time

Land protection and Regulations
Nigeria superhighway project through the rainforest stopped
https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/achievements/10007/nigeria-superhighway-project-through-the-rainforest-stopped

EU bans plastic waste from being shipped to developing countries
https://www.euronews.com/living/2020/12/24/eu-bans-plastic-waste-from-being-shipped-to-developing-countries


Rewilding
Manas National Park doubling its tiger population since 2010
https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/manas-national-park-doubling-its-tiger-population-since-2010-514407
Discovery of endangered female turtle provides hope for extremely rare species
https://www.livescience.com/endangered-female-turtle-discovered.html


Bald Eagles removed from Indiana endangered species list
https://wgntv.com/news/bald-eagles-removed-from-indiana-endangered-species-list/


UK pledges $4billion to nature and biodiversity protection
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-climate/uk-pledges-4-billion-to-nature-and-biodiversity-protection-idUSKBN29G18Q

Pelecanus News January 1, 2020

Here are all of the headlines in this jam-packed Pelecanus NEWS episode!
​
Divestment
The Rockefeller Foundation, a $5billion foundation literally founded on oil money is saying goodbye to fossil fuels
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/18/investing/rockefeller-foundation-divest-fossil-fuels-oil/index.html

Lloyd’s market to quit fossil fuel insurance by 2030
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/17/lloyds-market-to-quit-fossil-fuel-insurance-by-2030


Technology - both out of UC Berkeley 
New nanomaterial helps obtain hydrogen from a liquid energy carrier in a key step toward a stable and clean fuel source
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-nanomaterial-hydrogen-liquid-energy-carrier.html

New catalytic process turns plastic bags into adhesives
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201217135231.htm


Rewilding
In rare event, 90k turtles hatch on a beach in Brazil
https://www.treehugger.com/rare-turtles-hatch-beach-brazil-5092340

Zoo Knoxville welcomes endangered baby mountain zebra for holidays
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending/zoo-knoxville-welcomes-endangered-baby-mountain-zebra-holidays/44HANTFAUFB7PAJ2HIGBQUFRJI/

New population of blue whales discovered in the western Indian Ocean
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/new-population-of-blue-whales-discovered-in-western-indian-ocean-study-120122200228_1.html


For the first time in more than 80 years, salmon spawning in the upper Columbian River
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/dec/17/for-the-first-time-in-more-than-80-years-salmon-sp/

Protected Areas
Nation’s largest land bridge for people and wildlife opens in San Antonio
https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/12-19-20-most-popular-stories-san-antonio-nations-largest-land-bridge/

Ivory Coast creates wildlife sanctuary to protect turtles and sharks
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-21/ivory-coast-names-turtle-nesting-ground-as-marine-protected-area

pelecanus news #23 December 15, 2020

The Arctic
Court rejects White House Arctic drilling proposal in ‘Huge Victory for Polar Bears and our Climate’
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-…c-2020-12-07/
With Bank of America refusing, now every major bank has ruled out funding Arctic drilling
www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/…out-funding-for
Divestment
New York’s $225 Billion Pension Fund is dropping fossil fuel stocks
www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/nyregi…fossil-fuels.html
UK to halt subsidies for fossil fuel projects abroad
time.com/5920475/u-k-fossil-fuels-overseas/
Drawdown
Japan plans to join the pack and ban sales of new gasoline cars by 2030
www.zmescience.com/science/japan-p…e-cars-by-2030/
New Zealand declares climate emergency and has pledged to go carbon-neutral by 2025
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/…hange-emergency
Pakistan won’t approve new coal power plants
www.mining.com/pakistan-wont-app…oal-power-plants/
Technology
US battery energy storage deployments shatter record in Q3, with 7.5 GW projected by 2025
www.utilitydive.com/news/us-storage…by-2025/591513/
China just powered up its artificial sun fusion reactor
www.sciencealert.com/china-just-pow…fusion-reactor

PELECANUS NEWS #22 December 1, 2020

Check out this week's episode's headlines here:
​Drawdown
US rejects controversial Alaska Pebble Gold, Copper Mine
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/20…in-permit-review
GM flips to California’s side in pollution fight against White House
apnews.com/article/joe-biden-l…f967d05b12c178621e8
Wildlife
Galapagos sees record rise in penguins, flightless cormorants
www.sciencetimes.com/articles/27869…cormorants.htm
Global map of bees created in conservation first
www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55006902

PELECANUS NEWS #21 NOVEMBER 15, 2020

Check out this week's episode's headlines here:
Drawdown
Japan’s new leader sets ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050
www.nytimes.com/2020/10/26/busine…rbon-neutral.html
Renewable energy defies COVID to hit record growth in 2020
www.theguardian.com/environment/202…ord-growth-2020
BP plans move into green hydrogen production
www.theguardian.com/business/2020/n…ogen-production
Wealthy countries edge towards global climate finance goal
money.usnews.com/investing/news/a…ate-finance-goal
Wildlife
In historic move, Colorado Voters decide to reintroduce Gray Wolves
www.npr.org/2020/11/06/93147237…troduce-gray-wolves
China wildlife crime prosecutions up sharply after COVID outbreak
nypost.com/2020/11/10/china-wi…-covid-19-outbreak/

Pelecanus NEWS #20 November 1, 2020

Drawdown
1.       It's Official: Solar Is the Cheapest Electricity in History
 https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a34372005/solar-cheapest-energy-ever/
                                                       
2.       The next generation of power plants will be virtual
 https://www.theverge.com/21523976/virtual-power-plants-solar-energy-grid-resilience-climate-change
                                                             
3.       Carbon capture ‘moonshot’ moves closer as billions of dollars pour in
  https://grist.org/climate/carbon-capture-moonshot-moves-closer-as-billions-of-dollars-pour-in/
                                                            
4.       RBC becomes first major Canadian bank to refuse to fund oil drilling in Arctic refuge
 https://thenarwhal.ca/rbc-oil-drilling-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge/
                                                              
5.       Oregon’s only coal-fired power plant closes for good
 https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/boardman-coal-plant-closes-oregon/283-b7eee8a4-0ec7-4c8f-88ea-9d7e42b2516b
                                                               
6.       Madagascar shuts down illegal gold mine but activists remain in legal limbo
 https://news.mongabay.com/2020/10/madagascar-shuts-down-illegal-gold-mine-but-activists-remain-in-legal-limbo/
                                                              
7.       Singapore’s plan to plant 1 million native trees will protect species and put a park 10 minutes from every citizen
 https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/singapore-to-plant-1-million-trees-bringing-parks-to-people/
                                                               
8.       Canada will ban plastic bags by end of next year
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/07/world/plastic-ban-canada-trnd/index.html                                                                    

PELECANUS NEWS #19 OCTOBER 15, 2020

Divestment
·         Cambridge University makes $4.5 billion fossil-fuel divestment promise
o   https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-01/cambridge-university-makes-4-5-billion-fossil-fuel-divestment-promise
Energy 
·         Green Hydrogen from renewables could become cheapest ‘transformative fuel’ within a decade
o   https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/03/green-hydrogen-from-renewables-could-become-cheapest-transformative-fuel-within-a-decade
·         Physicists build circuit that generates clean, limitless power from graphene
o   https://www.sciencealert.com/physicists-build-a-circuit-from-graphene-that-generates-clean-limitless-power
·         Canada’s Liberal government to spend $10B on clean energy infrastructure to fuel pandemic economic recovery
o   https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-infrastructure-pandemic-recovery-mckenna-1.5746029
·         Nuclear fusion reactor could be here as soon as 2025
o   https://www.livescience.com/nuclear-fusion-reactor-sparc-2025.html
·         California will dedicate 30% of its land to conservation by 2030
o   https://abc7news.com/politics/ca-will-dedicate-30%25-of-land-to-conservation-newsom-announces/6842735/
§  California will be the first state in the nation to do this type of land and coastal conservation, Newsom said.
·         World leaders pledge to protect 30% of the planet by 2030
o   https://news.mongabay.com/2020/09/world-leaders-pledge-to-protect-30-of-the-planet-by-2030/

PELECANUS NEWS #18 October 1, 2020

Drawdown
China, world’s biggest polluter, vows to go carbon neutral by 2050
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/world/asia/china-climate-change.html
California plans to ban sales of gas-powered cars in 15 years
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/climate/california-ban-gas-cars.html
Rewilding
Joshua Trees given temporary endangered species protections
https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/state-grants-temporary-endangered-species-protections-for-joshua-trees/
Two new Javan rhino calves are spotted in the species’ last holdout
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/09/two-new-javan-rhino-calves-are-spotted-in-the-species-last-holdout/
 SciFi in Real Life
Chinese startup launching space mining robot in November
https://www.universetoday.com/147878/chinese-asteroid-mining-robot-due-to-launch-in-november/
Astronomers discover potential sign of life excessive in Venus’s environment
https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/solar-system/a34012688/scientists-find-signs-of-life-in-venus-clouds/
Humans
Humanity may never hit the 10 billion mark
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/09/the-best-news-of-2020-humanity-may-never-hit-the-10-billion-mark/
Human footprints found in Saudi Arabia may be 120,000 years old
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/22/middleeast/human-footprints-saudi-arabia-intl-scli-scn/index.html​

PELECANUS NEWS #17 SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

Drawdown
·         Portugal free of fossil fuel extraction projects as company abandons the last contract
o   https://www.climaximo.pt/2020/09/04/victory-portugal-free-of-fossil-fuel-extraction-projects-as-company-abandons-the-last-contract/

·         6 young Portuguese activists area suing European Countries over climate change
o   https://www.dw.com/en/portugal-youthprotest-legal-humanrights-emissions-strasbourg-climatechange/a-54799620

·         Exxon Mobil dropped from the Dow after nearly a century
o   https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dow-jones-exxon-mobil-pfizer-raytheon-replaced-salesforce-amgen-honeywell/

·         French PM says jobs and green recovery at heart of COVID recovery plan
o   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/03/french-pm-says-jobs-and-green-economy-at-heart-of-covid-recovery-plan-jean-castex-france

·         Madagascar introduces stoves that burn rice husks instead of forests
o   https://news.mongabay.com/2020/09/madagascar-introduces-stoves-that-burn-rice-husks-instead-of-forests/

·         Turtle species among the most endangered in the world saved from extinction
o   https://www.cbsnews.com/news/burmese-roofed-turtles-endangered-species-saved-extinction/

·         First clone of endangered Przewalski’s Horse born in conservation effort to save the species
o   https://time.com/5886467/clone-endangered-przewalskis-horse-zoo/

Pelecanus news #16 September 1, 2020

We’ve got about 5 big headlines for today’s Pelecanus News. I’ve categorized them into Regulation, Technology, Rewilding, and these stories are reminders to me that conservation success comes in all forms.

Regulation
Technology

Pelecanus NEWS #15 August 15, 2020

This week's episode has some great news headlines that span across a few fields. From reducing carbon emissions to nesting flamingos, we share some really encouraging news from the last few weeks. 
All podcasts can be found on apple podcasts, spotify, soundcloud and at Pelecanus.org
​
Drawdown
BP commits to slashing oil and gas operations, a necessary step for climate action
o https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/from-international-oil-
company-to-integrated-energy-company-bp-sets-out-strategy-for-decade-of-delivery-towards-net-zero-
ambition.html

Portugal ends coal burning two years ahead of schedule
o https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/07/15/portugal-ends-coal-burning-two-years-ahead-
schedule/

Wildlife
Court Overturns White House Policy That Sharply Curtailed Protections for Migratory Birds
o https://www.nrdc.org/media/2020/200811-0

South African rhino poaching halves in six months thanks to COVID
o https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/01/south-african-rhino-poaching-halves-in-six-
months-thanks-to-covid-19-lockdown

Record 876 flamingo chicks born during 2020 breeding season at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve
o https://sharjah.news/record-876-flamingo-chicks-born-during-the-2020-breeding-season-at-al-wathba-
wetland-reserve/

Wild bees add about $1.5 billion to yields for just six U.S. crops
o https://www.sciencenews.org/article/wild-bees-pollinators-billion-yields-six-u-s-crops

Pelecanus NEWS #14 August 1, 2020

Plastic Pollution
 Germany bans single-use plastic products
o https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/germany-bans-single-plastic-straws-food-containers-
71422785

Protected Areas
 Gorongosa Park celebrates 60 th anniversary, announces 60 new schools
o https://www.half-earthproject.org/gorongosa-park-celebrates-60th-anniversary-announces-60-new-
schools/

 US Congress approves billions for US national parks in rare bipartisan push
o https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/22/us-national-parks-funding-great-american-
outdoors-act-congress

Wildlife

 WWF now says it supports a ban on trophy hunting imports in the UK
o https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wwf-changes-stance-on-trophy-hunting-after-times-expose-
x5hwcjjhj

 Taiwan to ban fishing of megamouth, great, and basking sharks
o https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3967122

Pelecanus NEWS #13 July 15, 2020

DrawdownWildlife

Pelecanus NEWS #12 July 1, 2020

Legislation
o   The Senate Passes the Great American Outdoors Act
§  https://apnews.com/5796d62b4d9600744d1a277ea3745b44?syndicated=true
§  Senate approves $2.8B plan to boost conservation and parks

§  https://www.france24.com/en/20200622-french-citizens-council-on-the-environment-proposes-making-ecocide-illegal

·         Science and Technology
o   One-fifth of Earth’s ocean floor is now mapped
§  https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53119686

o   Iceland is undoing carbon emissions for good, turning C02 into stone
§  https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200616-how-iceland-is-undoing-carbon-emissions-for-good

Animals
o   Almost 50 Blue Whales spotted off the coast of San Francisco - A possible record number 
§  https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/06/16/feeding-blue-whales-gathering-off-san-francisco-maritime-officials-issue-warning-to-freighter-captains/

o   White Rhinos numbers increased 34,000%
§  https://www.wlfi.com/content/news/571417952.html

o   Dutch Parliament votes to shut down all 128 mink farms
§  https://www.livekindly.co/dutch-parliament-shuts-mink-fur-farms-covid/

o   Pangolins return to region where they were once extinct
§  https://news.mongabay.com/2020/06/its-a-success-pangolins-return-to-a-region-where-they-were-once-extinct/

o   New Ocelot spotted at Laguna Atascosa
§  https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2020/06/19/new-ocelot-spotted-at-laguna-atascosa/

o   Endangered smoky mouse, feared wiped out during bushfires, found alive in Kosciuszko
§  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/21/endangered-smoky-mouse-feared-wiped-out-during-bushfires-found-alive-in-kosciuszko-national-park

o   Manatee mother and calf released in Sarasota 
§  https://mote.org/news/article/mother-manatee-and-calf-released-into-sarasota-bay-thanks-to-rescue-and-reh#:~:text=The%20Florida%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife,male%20calf%20at%20SeaWorld%20Orlando.

o   Floppy-nosed Saiga antelope has baby boom, raising hope for critically endangered species
§  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/06/saiga-antelope-baby-boom-endangered-species/

o   One of the world’s rarest dolphins is rebounding in Pakistan
§  www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/06/rare-indus-dolphins-rebounding-pakistan

o   Researchers capture drone footage of African ‘tree lions’ in conservation study
§  www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2020/jun/20/researchers-capture-drone-footage-of-african-tree-lions-in-conservation-study-video
o   Gujarat now home to 674 lion, 29% increase in population
§  https://zeenews.india.com/india/asiatic-lion-population-in-gujarat-rises-to-674-in-five-years-up-by-almost-29-2289258.html

o   California Channel Island Fox has remarkable recovery story
§  https://dailynexus.com/2020-06-13/the-remarkable-recovery-of-the-channel-island-fox/

 An armada of 65k sea turtles caught on drone cam, flock to Great Barrier Reef
§  https://news.mongabay.com/2020/06/an-armada-of-turtles-caught-on-drone-cam-flocks-to-the-great-barrier-reef/

Pelecanus NEWS #11 June 15, 2020

Representation
·         Inaugural ‘Black Birders Week’ Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors
o   https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors

·         Charges dropped against 22 Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders (wet so a tin)
o   https://www.democracynow.org/2020/6/8/headlines/charges_dropped_against_22_wetsuweten_land_defenders?fbclid=IwAR2-bR2OpUyVI4vOzUrFCeOmiSh5IOP_aS2IeYWljt8WJ1g5omx6WqXVal4

·         NWT First Nations shares prestigious UN prize for environmental work
o   https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/n-w-t-first-nations-community-gets-un-award-for-work-on-new-national-park

·         Long time environmental professional, lawyer, and diplomat, Elizabeth Mrema, is named new Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
o   https://www.cbd.int/secretariat/executive-secretary/

Drawdown
·         EU’s greenhouse gas emission continue to fall as coal ditched
o   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/29/eus-greenhouse-gas-emissions-continue-to-fall-as-coal-ditched

·         Plunging solar energy prices spell bright future for clean electricity
o   http://www.marketexpress.in/2020/06/plunging-solar-energy-prices-spell-bright-future-for-clean-electricity.html

·         Indonesia to receive $56m payment from Norway for reducing deforestation
o   https://news.mongabay.com/2020/05/indonesia-norway-redd-payment-deforestation-carbon-emission-climate-change/

Pelecanus NEWS #10 June 1, 2020

         Big Money
o   China to allocate $57bn to environmental protection
§  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-environment-budget/china-to-allocate-57-billion-to-environment-protection-idUSKBN22Y0BU

o   EU pledges to raise €20bn a year to boost biodiversity
§  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/20/eu-pledges-20bn-a-year-on-boosting-biodiversity-aoe

o   World’s biggest wealth fund dumps $3billion in fossil fuels, drops major Brazil miner from its portfolio
§  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/world-biggest-wealth-fund-extends-054842550.html

         Innovations 
o   Coca-Cola and Carlsberg introduce plant-based bottles that degrade in a year
§  https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/coke-carlsberg-plant-based-bottles-a4443886.html

o   Engineers develop near-zero emissions engine technology
§  https://techxplore.com/news/2020-05-near-zero-emissions-technology.html

o   Scientists successfully develop ‘heat resistant’ coral to fight bleaching
§  https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2020/Scientists-successfully-develop-heat-resistant-coral-to-fight-bleaching

          Drawdown
o   Equinor, Shell and Total sign off on building world’s first carbon capture network
§  https://www.rechargenews.com/transition/equinor-shell-and-total-sign-off-on-building-worlds-first-carbon-capture-network/2-1-810005

o   The largest solar project in the US gets green light
§  https://e360.yale.edu/digest/the-largest-solar-project-in-the-u-s-gets-green-light

         COVID Updates
o   Daily global CO2 emissions ‘cut to 2006 levels’ during height of COVID
§  https://www.carbonbrief.org/daily-global-co2-emissions-cut-to-2006-levels-during-height-of-coronavirus-crisis

Pelecanus NEWS #9 May 15, 2020

Renewable Energy
·         America’s renewable energy sources have produced more electricity than coal every day for 40 days straight
o   https://www.newsweek.com/america-renewable-energy-electricity-generation-tops-coal-plants-april-2020-40-days-1501967

Wildlife
·         Iceland To Stop Killing Whales In 2020, Choosing To Watch Them Instead
o   https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariellasimke/2020/05/10/iceland-to-stop-killing-whales-in-2020-choosing-to-watch-them-instead/#7a32a3313d0d

·         Rare Island Marble butterfly wins Endangered Species protections
o   https://sanjuanislander.com/news-articles/environment-science-whales/environment/31061/gret-news-island-marble-butterfly-protected-under-endangered-species-list

·         Colorado outlaws cruel and unsporting wildlife killing contests
o   https://wildearthguardians.org/brave-new-wild/news/victory-colorado-outlaws-cruel-and-unsporting-wildlife-killing-contests/

·         Costa Rican suburb gave citizenship to bees, plants, and trees
o   https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/29/sweet-city-the-costa-rica-suburb-that-gave-citizenship-to-bees-plants-and-trees-aoe

COVID Updates
·         Clean air in Europe during lockdown leads to 11,000 fewer deaths
o   https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/30/clean-air-in-europe-during-lockdown-leads-to-11000-fewer-deaths

·         Greenhouse gas emissions predicted to fall nearly 8% - largest decrease ever
o   https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/30/848307092/greenhouse-gas-emissions-predicted-to-fall-nearly-8-largest-decrease-ever

·         Pakistan hires thousands of newly-unemployed laborers for ambitious 10 billion tree-planting initiative
o   https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pakistan-trees-fea/as-a-green-stimulus-pakistan-sets-virus-idled-to-work-planting-trees-idUSKCN22A369

Pelecanus NEWS #8 May 1, 2020

  Energy
o   New renewable energy capacity hit record levels in 2019
§  https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/20/04/06/1938223/new-renewable-energy-capacity-hit-record-levels-in-2019

o   Sweden and Austria closer their last coal power plants years ahead of schedule
§  https://electrek.co/2020/04/22/sweden-third-european-country-to-closes-its-last-coal-power-plant/

·         Wild Carnivores
o   A rare Snow Leopard pair spotted in Uttarakhand’s Nanda Devi Park
§  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/four-rare-snow-leopards-spotted-in-nanda-devi-national-park-in-uttarakhand/as75158515.cms

§  https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/photos-of-wild-tiger-cubs-in-thailand-rekindles-hope-for-species/

·         Law and Policy
o   South Korea to implement Green New Deal after ruling party election win
§  https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/04/16/south-korea-implement-green-new-deal-ruling-party-election-win/

o   US judge cancels permit for Keystone XL pipeline after lawsuit
§  https://apnews.com/89e3f21d344db86b8743665ea66b892c

o   EPA can’t kick scientists off science advisory panels, court says
§  https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nrdc/epa-cant-kick-scientists-science-advisory-panels-court-says

o   Supreme Court Rejects White House’s View of Clean Water Act
§  https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2020/04/27/566428.htm

·         COVID-19 Updates
o   Milan’s plan to limit cars after COVID lockdown lauded as Excellent Example
§  https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/21/milans-plan-limit-cars-after-covid-19-lockdown-lauded-excellent-example

o   Himalayas visible for first time in 30 years as pollution levels in India drop
§  https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/himalayas-visible-lockdown-india-scli-intl/index.html

o   Ganges River water becomes fit for drinking 
§  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/ganga-water-turns-cleaner-during-lockdown-fit-for-achaman-in-haridwar-rishikesh/as75079848.cms

o   Data shows 30 percent drop in air pollution over Northeast US
§  https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/drop-in-air-pollution-over-northeast/

Pelecanus NEWS #7 April 15, 2020

Protected Areas
·         Seychelles creates a marine reserve twice the size of Great Britain
o   https://news.mongabay.com/2020/03/seychelles-extends-protection-to-marine-area-twice-the-size-of-great-britain/

Climate Health
·         Savannah, Georgia commits to 100% green energy by 2050
o   https://climaterealityproject.org/press/savannah-georgia-commits-100-percent-clean-renewable-energy

·         Earth’s Ozone layer is finally healing
o   https://www.sciencealert.com/the-ozone-layer-is-healing-and-that-s-good-news-for

·         Court reinstates limits on potent climate-polluting refrigerants
o   https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nrdc/victory-court-reinstates-limits-potent-climate-polluting-refrigerants

COVID-19 updates
·         With humans under lockdown, thousands of Olive Ridley Turtles get to peacefully nest in India’s Odisha beaches
o   https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/environment/with-humans-under-lockdown-8-lakh-olive-ridley-turtles-get-to-peacefully-nest-on-odisha-coast-509372.html

·         With zoo closed to visitors, pandas finally bang after 10 years
o   https://shanghai.ist/2020/04/07/with-zoo-closed-to-visitors-pandas-finally-bang-after-10-years/

Pelecanus NEWS #6 April 1, 2020

Life, Activism, Circular Economy, and COVID-19 updates
Life
·         Ancestor of all animals identified in Australian fossils
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200323152108.htm

·         Scientists have discovered the origins of the building blocks of life
https://www.rutgers.edu/news/scientists-have-discovered-origins-building-blocks-life

Activism
·         Huge Victory for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as Federal Court rules DAPL permits violated law
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/25/dakota-access-pipeline-permits-court-standing-rock

·         In race for a sustainable alternative to plastic, Indonesia bets on seaweed
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/03/in-race-for-a-sustainable-alternative-to-plastic-indonesia-bets-on-seaweed/

·         New EU rules could spell end of throwaway culture
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51825089

·         Aldi CEO tells suppliers: 100% recyclable or compostable packaging is non-negotiable
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/100-recyclable-or-compostable-packing-is-non-negotiable-for-aldi/

·         Malawi government bans bush meat in the wake of COVID-19
https://allafrica.com/stories/202003200203.html

·         Coronavirus closures reveal vast scale of China’s secretive wildlife farm industry
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/25/coronavirus-closures-reveal-vast-scale-of-chinas-secretive-wildlife-farm-industry

·         China and Vietnam finally ban wildlife trade due to coronavirus
https://nypost.com/2020/03/28/china-and-vietnam-finally-ban-wildlife-trade-due-to-coronavirus/

Pelecanus NEWS #5 March 15, 2020

Legislation, Rewilding, and Money

Pelecanus NEWS #4 March 1, 2020

Biodiversity
o   Astonishing Blue Whale numbers at UK’s sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51553381
o   LA Zoo’s new baby gorilla could mean new hope for endangered species
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/animals/la-zoos-new-baby-gorilla-could-mean-new-hope-for-endangered-species/vi-BB107udN
Climate Momentum
o   Jeff Bezos establishes $10 billion ‘Earth Fund’ to combat climate change
 https://news.mongabay.com/2020/02/jeff-bezos-establishes-10-billion-earth-fund-to-combat-climate-change/
o   Costa Rica is nearly at 100% Renewable Energy for electricity
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/02/03/costa-rica-is-at-nearly-100-renewable-energy-for-electricity/
o   New green technology generates electricity out of thin air
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200217112730.htm
Environmental Leaders
o   Greta Thunberg gets her own TV series
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/feb/11/greta-thunberg-lands-her-own-tv-show-on-bbc/
Activism
o   Former UN Climate Chief calls for civil disobedience
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2020/02/24/former-un-climate-chief-calls-for-civil-disobedience/#22b350273214
o   Extinction Rebellion digs up Cambridge lawn
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/extinction-rebellion-dig-up-cambridge-university-lawn-a9341056.html
o   #DropExxon go national with law student boycott
https://grist.org/climate/calls-for-law-firm-to-dropexxon-go-national-with-law-student-boycott/
Followup from past episodes
o   Canadian Rail blockades highlight grievances of indigenous groups and environmental issues
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51577737
o   Greenville Zoo Amur Leopard gave birth to 2 kittens
o   China permanently bans wildlife trade
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/02/24/china-permanently-bans-wildlife-trade-as-global-coronavirus-cases-surge/#718b2fbe3890

Pelecanus NEWS #3 February 15, 2020

The stories we’ve collected today can be categorized as Rewilding, delisting, and biodiversity, Climate momentum, circular economy, Zoos in conservation, Environmental Leadership...

All Pelecanus podcasts can be found on Pelecanus.org, iTunes, Soundcloud, and Spotify, with more availability coming…
Rewilding, Delisting, Biodiversity   
Climate Momentum 
Circular EconomyZoos 
Environmental Leaders

Pelecanus NEWS #2 February 1, 2020

The stories we’ve collected today can be categorized as big planetary protections, wildlife, beyond fossil fuels and plastics, and the contribution of zoos to conservation.

All Pelecanus podcasts can be found on iTunes, Soundcloud, and Spotify, with more availability coming…
Closing the Ozone Hole has helped slow Arctic warming
§  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/closing-the-ozone-hole-helped-slow-arctic-warming/
United Nations calls on nations of the world to protect 30 percent of planet
§  https://insideclimatenews.org/news/14012020/biodiversity-treaty-climate-change-marine-sanctuary-conservation-protected-areas-wildlife-habitat-forests
A pack of wolves has been spotted in Colorado for the first time in over 70 years
§  https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/24/us/wolves-spotted-colorado-trnd/index.html
Black Rhino population shows steady growth
§  https://phys.org/news/2020-01-black-rhino-population-steady-growth.html
In an effort to curb the further spread of the deadly Coronavirus, China has banned the sale of wildlife
§  https://news.mongabay.com/2020/01/conservationists-welcome-chinas-wildlife-trade-ban/
China moves to phase out single-use plastics
§  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/19/china-moves-to-phase-out-single-use-plastics
Scotland to reach this year’s 100% renewable energy goal
§  https://www.zmescience.com/science/scotland-to-reach-this-year-100-renewable-energy-goal/
Fukushima reborn as Japan’s wind and solar hub
§  https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Fukushima-to-be-reborn-as-2.7bn-wind-and-solar-power-hub
European Union unveils plan to dedicate a quarter of its budget to fighting climate change with 1 trillion euro Green Deal
§  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-climate-change-green-new-deal-zero-carbon-emissions-a9283501.html
Barcelona declares climate emergency, vows to halve emissions by 2030
§  https://www.huffpost.com/entry/barcelona-climate-change-targets_n_5e2096f7c5b673621f72370f
Greenville Zoo announces it is expecting Amur Leopard babies
§  https://www.courier-tribune.com/news/20200116/one-of-worlds-most-endangered-big-cats-will-soon-have-cubs-at-sc-zoo
Cincinatti Zoo celebrates birth of endangered Okapi calf
§  https://www.newsbreak.com/ohio/cincinnati/news/0NqPzgea/a-win-for-an-endangered-species-cincinnati-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-okapi-calf

Pelecanus NEWS #1 January 19, 2020

Today is the beginning of a new era at Pelecanus… We’re launching a new podcast this week! PELECANUS NEWS will be twice-monthly episodes highlighting the positive conservation stories in the news. At around 10 minutes in length, each episode will be hosted by Taylor Parker focusing on a few recent exciting and inspiring news stories in conservation. We will still be releasing the long-form conservation conversations periodically, but we thought, why not highlight the awesome work being done around the world a little more often? We all need a little more positivity, inspiration, and wonder in our lives, especially when it comes to the natural world and how we interact with it. Our mission remains the same, to show that we can find optimism through science.
In this episode we put the spotlight on Denmark making huge moves towards sustainable energy in 2019, the new calculation of the global price-tag of reaching 100% renewable energy, The Netherlands courts ordering a cut of GHG by 25% in 5 years, Copenhagen planting fruit trees, a boost in Grasshopper sparrow populations in Florida, Nene and ‘Io (Hawaiian Hawk) conservation efforts paying off, a baby rhino christmas miracle, endangered Storks being bred in captivity, and Svalbard Deer are doing better than expected after years of efforts.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-denmark-windpower/denmark-sources-record-47-of-power-from-wind-in-2019-idUSKBN1Z10KE
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/the-global-price-tag-for-100-percent-renewable-energy-73-trillion
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/20/climate/netherlands-climate-lawsuit.html
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/foraging-in-copenhagen
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/25/breeding-program-boosts-endangered-florida-grasshopper-sparrow-population
https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/back-from-the-brink-hawaiis-nene-goose-a-recovery-success-story-2019-12-08/
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/01/03/hawaiian-hawk-removed-federal-list-endangered-wildlife/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/25/us/potter-park-zoo-baby-black-rhino.html
https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/in-a-rare-feat-achieved-in-assam-zoo-endangered-species-of-stork-are-bred-artificially/
https://news.mongabay.com/2019/12/svalbard-reindeer-rebounding-nearly-extinct/