The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) in Forests to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Furthermore, one of the declared goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which has 195 member states, as stated in their official 'Forest Biodiversity Program of Work' is to 'Restore forest … [Read more...]
No more mountain baboon killings!
The environmental pressure group GeaSphere submitted a formal complaint to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) on Tuesday, 11 January 2011. At least 1,914 baboons had been removed by a controversial 'trap and shoot' method by FSC Certified plantation companies during the past two years. Most of the affected troops were from the Sabie, Graskop and Blyde River areas in … [Read more...]
Thirsty trees threaten water resources
Environmental pressure group GeaSphere is calling for a halt to the expansion of the industrial timber plantation model in southern Africa, citing the exorbitant water use of the timber species as a primary concern. The impacts on water resources, evident at the mills where the timber is processed to pulp and paper, is also a major issue. At least 6kl of water is used to … [Read more...]