ICCF

How to Stop Wildlife Poachers

Administrator — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:52:00 +0000

• Over the past 20 years, chimpanzees, gorillas and other great apes have declined the most in areas lacking a security force to protect them. Conversely, parks and protected areas with armed guards and anti-poaching patrols in the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda have not only retained their ape populations, but have seen population increases. The same is true for many other species in Africa and Asia.
• The Escalating poaching rates have reduced populations of many species to unprecedented levels in recent years. Poaching of tigers and elephants is often supported by well-financed crime syndicates who seek to profit from high black-market demand.
• The most effective protection inevitably involves the long-term efforts of committed park rangers patrolling protected areas with the endorsement and support of local communities. Wildlife guards are deployed by the national governments, and other agencies work in partnership with those governments to give them both technical and financial support to combat poaching.
• For many poorer governments striving against the odds to protect their wildlife, outside support for salaries, vehicles and equipment is crucial to the survival of many species targeted by poachers. Fortunately, relatively small investments can have big impacts.
• Until we provide the resources and security to safeguard the world's great natural treasures, our awe-inspiring natural heritage, the product of millions of years of evolution, will continue its slide into oblivion.

(OCF) IUU Fishing & Traceability

Administrator — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Conservation in the Congo Basin: Economic Growth and Regional Stability Through Sustainable ...

Administrator — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:13:00 +0000

(OCF) Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship

Administrator — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Administrator — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:13:00 +0000

The Other Arab Spring

Administrator — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 23:52:00 +0000

• The Arab awakening was driven not only by political and economic stresses, but, less visibly, by environmental, population and climate stresses as well. Focusing on the former and not the latter will not effectively stabilize these societies.
• The Center for Climate and Security reports that from 2006-11, up to 60 percent of Syria’s land experienced one of the worst droughts and most severe set of crop failures in its history.
• In the coming decades, Middle Eastern countries will increasingly rely on high-cost and unconventional methods to obtain and distribute sufficient water supplies, some of which could have harmful consequences for regional agro-business.
• Twelve of the world’s 15 most water-scarce countries — Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel and Palestine — are in the Middle East, and three decades of explosive population growth in these countries could dramatically heighten water stress.

Deforestation: Global and Local Solutions

Administrator — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:13:00 +0000

The Business Value of Nature

Administrator — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:13:00 +0000

U.S. Intel: Water a Cause for War in Coming Decades

Administrator — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:52:00 +0000

• Drought, floods and a lack of fresh water may cause significant global instability and conflict in the coming decades.
• A joint judgment of federal intelligence agencies says the use of water as a weapon of war or tool of terrorism is increasingly likely, particularly in South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
• Floods, scarce and poor quality water, combined with poverty, social tension, poor leadership and weak governments “will likely increase the risk of instability and state failure, exacerbate regional tensions, and distract countries from working with the United States on important policy objectives,” said the report.
• The report predicts that upstream nations — more powerful than their downstream neighbors due to geography — will limit access to water for political reasons and that countries will regulate internal supplies to suppress separatist movements and dissident populations.

(OCF) Preventing Natural Disasters and Human Conflict: The Value of Maintaining Healthy Marine ...

Administrator — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:13:00 +0000