News Bin - June 1, 2018
Bringing you the latest news, information, and resources from around the web. In the June 1st edition, read more about the following:
- Costa Rica to ban fossil fuels and become world's first decarbonised society
- Archaeologists find new geoglyphs in Southern Peru
- Iceland: Top Do's and Don'ts According To Locals
- 3 hopeful stories for endangered species
- The Erin Brockoviches of Ecuador
Costa Rica to ban fossil fuels and become world's first decarbonised society
Newly-elected president Carlos Alvarado has announced plans to further Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental sustainability, promising to ban fossil fuels in transport by 2021 and thereby become the first fully decarbonized country in the world. While logistics might realistically delay such a rapid timeline, the announcement is still considered a strong foundation for continued action, and symbolic of Costa Rica’s global leadership in environmental issues. In 2021, Costa Rica will also celebrate its 200th year of independence.
Archaeologists find new geoglyphs in Southern Peru
Aided by drone technology, archaeologists have discovered more than 25 new geoglyphs in the coastal desert near Paracas. Local residents had previously identified 25 geoglyphs from ground level, which were also surveyed by drones. The work yields much faster results thanks to technology, which allows researchers to learn more about the mysterious etchings left behind by Peru’s pre-Columbian cultures.
Iceland: Top Do's and Don'ts According To Locals
If you’re considering travel to Iceland, these “insider” tips can clue you in to the little details that travelers may not learn from a guidebook. From social norms to environmental etiquette, these recommendations provide useful information to help you to blend in with the locals and respect local culture.
3 hopeful stories for endangered species
Unfortunately for compassionate readers, nature-related current events seem to tilt increasingly toward bad news, with a daily onslaught of reports on the negative effects of climate change, deforestation, and species loss. This blog post aims to counteract the gloom with three stories of success: a new home for Madagascar’s lemurs, busting illegal fishing off Ecuador’s coast, and hopeful rescue efforts for the endangered Javan gibbon.
The Erin Brockoviches of Ecuador
Who are the “Erin Brockoviches” of Ecuador? Patricia Gualinga, Nema Ushigua, Mirian Cisneros, Zoila Castillo, Gloria Ushigua, Alicia Caihuiya, and other indigenous women activists are speaking out against drilling projects in the Ecuadorian Amazon that have led not only to toxic side effects in the earth, but also to increased assaults, cancer, and infertility in their communities. Earlier this year, they marched on the presidential plaza and were subsequently granted a meeting with Ecuador’s president Lenín Moreno, in a historic first.