EcoLocalizer

Climate Change Sets Rural Livelihoods Off Course in Zimbabwe

Masimba Biriwasha — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:17:30 +0000

At a public borehole in Zviyambe, a village in the backyard of Zimbabwe, approximately 250 kilometres away from Harare, the capital city, butterflies, goats, cattle and human beings mix and mingle in edenic fashion all in search of the precious liquid: water. Under a blazing sun, Sekai Mabika (not her real name) and her sister take turns to fill up buckets with water all the while shooing the goats away while the butterflies flutter hither and thither sipping at the water spilled to the ground and the cattle standby for their turn to drink water.

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Obsessed with the Magic of Chickens

Rhonda Winter — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:52:01 +0000

I met several lovely chickens yesterday when I was in Oakland, and I am now quite smitten. They are truly engrossing creatures to observe; the animal’s social behavior is very complex, their vocalizations are both soothing and fascinating, to say nothing of the delicious fresh eggs they provide. More and more urban chickens are being raised in cities, as increasing numbers of people are growing their own food and trying to create a more locally-based, sustainable and self-sufficient food supply.

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Los Angeles May Now Require Rainwater Harvesting

Rhonda Winter — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:36:39 +0000

Los Angeles has proposed a new water management law that would require rainwater harvesting on all new homes, large developments, as well as on some redevelopment projects. The Department of Public Works unanimously approved the new ordinance in January for the increasingly parched region. It requires various methods to capture, reuse or infiltrate all of the rainwater runoff that is generated by a 3/4 inch rainstorm.

These rain barrels have been made from recycled cherry containers.

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Common but Lethal Soil Fungus Becoming Resistant to Antifungals

Michael Ricciardi — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:47:37 +0000

Aspergillus fumigatus - a common but sometimes lethal soil fungus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus found commonly in ordinary garden soil. When the spores of the fungus are inhaled, It can also cause disease–sometimes fatally in those with already compromised immune systems and respiratory disease such as COPD. Doctors who treat the illness have long-recognized that in some patients, the fungus is resistant to standard treatment with chemicals called azoles. The problem becomes potentially worse as azoles are also heavily used as farm fungicides. A team of Dutch researchers (Verweij and Kema), reporting in last December’s edition of the medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggest that over-use of the farm fungicide may be contributing to the growing resistance of this fungus to the disease-fighting chemicals.

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On the Brink of Extinction: Call to Close Cruel and Inhumane Tiger Farms

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:46:35 +0000

Officials from 13 nations are meeting to discuss conservation efforts to save the endangered tiger. Officials from countries where tigers still roam - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam - are taking part in the Asia Ministerial Conference (AMC) on Tiger Conservation. The conference runs from January 27 to January 30, 2010, in Thailand.

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Origin of Tasmanian Devil Cancer Uncovered

Michael Ricciardi — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:49:27 +0000

Male Tasmanian Devil

A relatively rare form of transmissible cancer–known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)–has been decimating Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harisii) populations in Northeast Tasmania over the past thirteen or more years. First identified in 1996, the cancer has become so pervasive that the animal–the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial–has now become one of the world’s most endangered species.

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UK plans to reintroduce insects into environment: should humans be running interference?

Beth Graddon-Hodgson — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:10:25 +0000

It’s a long-standing debate; just how much of a role should humans be playing when it comes to the environment and their influence on the natural order of things with regards to ecosystems and the animal kingdom. There is even more controversy when humans choose to be involved to rectify species decline that have occurred as part of nature and not as a direct result of human impact. A new situation in the UK brings this debate to light.

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No More Dog and Cat Meat in China?

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:40:45 +0000

In an effort to prevent animal abuse, China is taking steps to end a centuries-old tradition. Recently proposed legislation would outlaw the human consumption or sale of cat and dog meat, often called “fragrant meat,” which is still considered a delicacy in some parts of China.

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A Lamp Shade or a Slide Show?

Rhonda Winter — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:24:08 +0000

Last week when I was in Brooklyn I encountered the most excellent recycled lamp shade creation ever. Innovative New York based artist and designer, Sabina Batelman, has constructed colorful translucent lamp shades from old 35mm film slides. It is a lamp shade and a slide show simultaneously—utter genius.

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1BOG Brings Power of Group Solar to New Jersey

Becky Striepe — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:03:59 +0000

It’s the secret that so many big box retailers already know: prices are lower when you buy in bulk. San Francisco-based 1 Block off the Grid has taken that mindset and applied it to solar power with amazing results. Now, the company is adding its very first east coast solar campaign in northern New Jersey.

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