As insectivorous, burrowing mammals, pangolins play a key role in our ecosystem by controlling insect populations, recycling soil nutrients and sheltering other animals in their abandoned burrows. A recent study provides the first evidence of Chinese pangolins’ role as ecosystem engineers, whose burrows help restore biodiversity in forest patches gutted by fires. By Spoorthy Raman
Conservation news
Pangolin burrows are biodiversity magnets in burnt forests, study shows
Pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammals, hit the headlines more often for the illegal trade in their scales and meat than for their cheris...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #Wildlife #Pangolins
Despite commitments to transition away from coal, Indonesia faces major hurdles in closing coal-fired power plants due to economic concerns, legal risks, and political resistance. Indonesia’s climate envoy has cast doubt on the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, calling coal plant closures “economic suicide,” threatening the $20 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). By Hans Nicholas Jong, Jeff Hutton
Conservation news
As Indonesia, US back away from climate goals, hopes fade to retire coal plants early
As a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Jakarta fast approached in September 2023, Indonesia’s state-run electricity provider, PLN, partially s...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #Indonesia
One of South America’s largest ecosystems saw an increase in deforestation last year, with agriculture, livestock and fires contributing the most to the destruction of native dry forests. The problem has led some conservation groups to speak out about weak environmental regulations that allow land-use change to go unpunished. By Maxwell Radwin
Conservation news
Deforestation boom in Gran Chaco raises alarm over Argentina’s forest law
One of South America’s largest ecosystems saw an increase in deforestation last year, with agriculture, livestock and fires contributing the most...
 #News #Deforestation #Environment #Conservation #Forests
Scientists are training the first generation of rats in Tanzania to detect illegal wildlife trafficked products. Their research shows that African giant pouched rats can locate concealed wildlife products such as pangolin scales, rhino horns and ivory in shipments. This innovative approach could reshape antitrafficking efforts and shed new light on the illegal wildlife trade. By Lucía Torres
Conservation news
Meet the giant rats fighting wildlife trafficking
MOROGORO, Tanzania — Often dismissed as pests, rats have long been misunderstood. But the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys ansorgei), the wo...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #Wildlife #WildlifeTrade
Small-scale fishers in Indonesia face declining catches as illegal trawlers deplete fish stocks in near-shore waters, violating exclusion zone regulations. Trawling, a destructive fishing method banned in certain areas, is widely practiced due to weak law enforcement, with local authorities citing budget constraints for lack of patrols. By Tonggo Simangunsong
Conservation news
Unchecked illegal trawling pushes Indonesia’s small-scale fishers to the brink
TANJUNG LEIDONG, Indonesia — At around 5:30 a.m., after the tide starts to recede, Zulkifli Dalimunthe rushes to the shore a stone’s throw from...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #Fisheries #Indonesia
Indonesia is considering withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, arguing it is unfair for developing nations to comply when a major polluter like the U.S. has pulled out, again. Officials highlight Indonesia’s lower per capita emissions and stress the need for more financial aid to transition away from coal. By Hans Nicholas Jong
Conservation news
Indonesia mulls Paris Agreement exit, citing fairness and energy transition costs
JAKARTA — Indonesia, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, has signaled it might follow in the footsteps of the U.S. and withdraw...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #ParisAgreement #Indonesia #Energy #EnergyTransition
Interested in working with a global news organization and growing your career as an environmental journalist? The Mongabay Africa Fellowship Program provides a monthly stipend and the opportunity to publish your work. Don't miss the January 31 application deadline if you are in Africa. This is a French-language program.
Environmental Journalism and Education
Bourses Mongabay Afrique pour le Journalisme Environnemental - Environmental Journalism and Education
Couvrir les lieux-clés de la biodiversité À l’ère où les marques de dégradation de l’environnement sont de plus en plus visibles, le ...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #Journalism #JournalismOpportunity #Africa image
Researchers, along with Indigenous Awajún community members have described 27 new-to-science species including a squirrel representing an entirely new genus, a semiaquatic mouse with webbed toes, a spiny mouse, short-tailed fruit bat, three new amphibians, eight new fish, a land-walking swamp eel, 10 new butterflies, and two new dung beetles. By Liz Kimbrough
Conservation news
Blob-headed fish and four mammals among 27 newly described species in Peru’s Alto Mayo
Scientists and Indigenous community members documented 27 new-to-science species in Peru’s Alto Mayo region, including four new mammals and a...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #Wildlife
A surge of deforestation for oil palm plantations in a Sumatran orangutan reserve means top consumer brands may be selling products with illegal oil palm in them, a new report says. Rainforest Action Network (RAN) says satellite imagery shows much of the deforestation in Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve occurred from 2021 onward. By Hans Nicholas Jong
Conservation news
Coming to a retailer near you: Illegal palm oil from an orangutan haven
JAKARTA — Illegal deforestation has reportedly surged to record levels in a wildlife reserve at the northern tip of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island ...
 #News #Conservation #Environment #PalmOil #Indonesia
Indigenous communities in the Philippines’ Mt. Kalatungan protected area have since 2021 carried out a tree-planting campaign to restore native vegetation lost to decades of commercial logging and agriculture. Known as rainforestation, it aims to rejuvenate vital ecosystem services like flood mitigation, which benefits urban areas downstream, while also providing incentives for the communities driving the restoration. By Keith Anthony Fabro
Conservation news
Philippine Indigenous communities restore a mountain forest to prevent urban flooding
Indigenous communities in the Philippines’ Mt. Kalatungan protected area have since 2015 carried out a tree-planting campaign to restore native v...
 #News #Conservation #Forests