Mongabay

[Founder's Briefs] Community-led mapping in Gabon is proving that traditional knowledge can stop industrial logging. Massaha’s biocultural map revealed a history of occupation that global data missed, successfully protecting their rainforests.

By Rhett Butler. https://mongabay.cc/xkkuzU

#News #Gabon #Mongabay

After 50 years, reintroduced ariel toucans are back to work in Brazil’s Tijuca National Park.

A new study shows they disperse 90% of large-seeded plants, including endangered trees like the jussara palm. Half a century later, these birds are key to forest restoration.

Story by Shanna Hanbury for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/aB3bwr

#News #Brazil

Costa Rica aims to certify its entire coffee sector as deforestation-free to meet new EU rules. However, its "head start" masks a tougher road for other nations.

Can the rest of the world emulate this model, or will the EUDR leave resource-strapped producers behind?

Learn more in this report by Claudia Geib for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/xeGMc7

#News #EUDR

Five environmental activists from Mother Nature Cambodia remain imprisoned after the Cambodian Supreme Court denied their release.

Thun Ratha, Ly Chandaravuth, Yim Leanghy, Long Kunthea and Phuon Keoraksmey have been held for more than 600 days.

Read more in this story by John Cannon for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/lCdHnk

Severe flooding in Colombia’s Córdoba region has forced displaced tens of thousands and reignited a decades-old debate over the Urrá hydroelectric dam.

Locals and experts warn the project on the Sinú River is intensifying climate-driven disasters.

By Euan Wallace for #Mongabay.
👉 https://mongabay.cc/QHClH1

#News #Colombia

South Africa has joined 33 nations pledging to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050.

While the government calls nuclear a "structural necessity" to phase out coal, experts warn of high costs and a lack of flexibility compared to renewables.

Story by Victoria Schneider for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/3KnDJc

#News #NuclearEnergy

Forest advocacy groups are accusing RWE, one of the Netherlands’ largest energy providers, of contributing to Malaysian deforestation through alleged biomass certification fraud.

Research from Comite Schone Lucht and Biofuelwatch suggests RWE dodges certification rules by using wood pellets imported from Malaysia, sourced from whole trees rather than sawmill waste.

Story by Justin Catanoso for #Mongabay.
https://mongabay.cc/4VF3FM
#News #Deforestation #biomass

Moving AI data centers to orbit may relieve pressure on Earth, but the atmospheric cost is unknown. With thousands of new satellites risking collision and chemical leaks, researchers say a lack of regulation poses a major challenge to protecting our global ecosystems.

Sean Mowbray reports for #Mongabay.
https://mongabay.cc/FfJooI

#News #DataCenters #Space

Scientists have launched "Antscan," the world’s first 3D digital library of 800 ant species. Using robotics and micro-CT scans, a task that once took years now takes just one week. This open-access data is unlocking secrets of insect evolution and anatomy.

Story by Spoorthy Raman. https://mongabay.cc/WzHLXK

#News #Tech #Entomology

How do elephants experience time? Researcher Khatijah Rahmat argues that recognizing "animal temporality" could transform the field of conservation.

In this week’s episode of the #Mongabay Newscast, Mike DiGirolamo explores how animals’ “time” can reshape protection efforts. https://mongabay.cc/m4nJNCpo

#News #Conservation #Elepants

Thailand’s rapid data center boom is sparking urgent concerns over water security and air pollution, as more than 70 projects are planned or underway across the country.

While the digital expansion promises economic growth, many of these facilities are clustered in a region already grappling with heavy industrial impacts.

Story by Gerry Flynn and Andy Ball for #Mongabay.
https://mongabay.cc/ZURPG5

#News #Thailand #DataCenters

The largetooth sawfish outlived the dinosaurs, yet its future in Peru is being cut short. Today, the prized teeth of this prehistoric giant are sold as spurs for cockfighting.

Episode 3 of the "Wild Targets" series explores the fragility of a species that struggles against a hidden market. https://youtu.be/xoNcobChYQk?si=Fjveu92ZCoIZ58UF

Singapore has lost one-third of its terrestrial vertebrates since the 1800s, but reptiles show a unique resilience by surviving in degraded habitats.

As secondary forests mature, scientists believe that targeted translocations of certain species will help restore lost biodiversity and ecological functions.

Learn more in Rhett Butler's 'Founder's briefs'. https://mongabay.cc/W6Twlm
#News #Reptiles #Biodiversity

Chemists have developed a "self-deconstructing" plastic that can be programmed to break down on cue.

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a method to modify materials so they break down into molecular components at a specific time or in response to triggers.

“Nature has programmed its own degradation of polymers … and we are basically borrowing this chemistry to apply to our synthetic polymers,” explains Yuwei Gu, the study's lead researcher.
https://mongabay.cc/1u2L3A
#News #Plastic

The rush for critical minerals like copper and nickel is targeting land reform settlements in Brazil’s Carajás region.

Global demand for EVs and batteries risks creating "sacrifice zones" in the Amazon, where mining threats to water and fish are fueling local poverty.

Learn more in this report by Sam Cowie, Isabel Harari, and Cícero Pedrosa Neto for Reporter Brasil. https://mongabay.cc/06DWQk

#News #Brazil #EVs #Amazon

In Malawi, a gradual embrace of agroecology is helping farmers rebuild degraded soils and boost climate resilience in the face of rising food insecurity.

With climate change leaving millions vulnerable, local organizations are focusing on farmer training and seed preservation, these initiatives have already cut fertilizer costs by more than 40% while simultaneously improving yields.

Story by Kelvin Tempo for #Mongabay. https://mongabay.cc/EIcfZp

#News #Agroecology

A new survey reveals that one-third of Ugandans affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) say restoration efforts have failed.

Many reported that agricultural aid arrived late or was of poor quality, while cash compensation was insufficient to replace lost land.

Learn more in this report by Musinguzi Blanshe. https://mongabay.cc/32EoPj #News #Uganda #Agriculture

A new study led by Rebecca Spake and her team introduces "precision ecology"—a framework focused on place-specific conservation.

Inspired by precision medicine, this approach moves away from applying uniform strategies across massive landscapes. Instead, it uses data to predict exactly where a specific intervention will have the greatest measurable impact.

Learn more in Rhett Butler’s "Founder's Briefs."
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/03/where-conservation-works-best-the-rise-of-place-specific-strategies/

In 2000, the U.S. West Coast groundfish fishery was declared a federal disaster as 10 key species plummeted to below a quarter of their healthy levels.

Now, after 25 years of careful management, the fishery thrives once again. In October 2025, officials declared yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus) rebuilt—meaning all 10 groundfish species are now at healthy stock levels, years earlier than expected.

Story by Jules Struck.

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/03/25-years-after-disaster-declaration-major-u-s-fishery-makes-a-comeback/

#News #US #Conservation #Fisheries

For the first time, prosecutors in Zimbabwe have used lion DNA forensics to secure a conviction in a high-profile poaching and trafficking case near Hwange National Park.

By analyzing DNA from confiscated lion parts, a group of scientists successfully matched it to a radio-collared male lion in their database that was killed in 2024.

Story by Spoorthy Raman for #Mongabay.

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/03/dna-fingerprinting-convicts-zimbabwe-lion-poachers-in-landmark-case/

#News #Lion #DNA

While the Amazon’s rivers are increasingly harnessed for large-scale hydropower projects, many of the communities living within the rainforest still lack access to stable energy.

That is why they are building their own local and independent energy networks that store solar and hydrokinetic energy to power their communities.

Learn more in this Founder's Brief by Rhett Ayers Butler for #Mongabay.

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/03/no-grid-no-problem-how-amazon-communities-built-their-own-power-systems/

#Amazon #News #Conservation #energy

A new study mapping online U.S. amphibian sales found 8,500 listings covering 301 nonnative species.

Researchers flagged 44 species with no matching import records, suggesting possible illegal trade.

They urge buyers to choose responsibly bred amphibians over wild-caught ones.

Story by David Brown for #Mongabay.

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/02/online-ads-reveal-scale-and-gaps-in-amphibian-pet-trade-into-us/

#News #Amphibian #NewSpecies

Indigenous peoples are critical to protecting nature, yet their voices remain underrepresented.

Mongabay is launching an Indigenous Desk to center these perspectives in global journalism.

"Bringing forward Indigenous voices helps drive underreported stories and improve transparency," says Senior Editor Latoya Abulu.

Learn more about #Mongabay Indigenous Desk!

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/03/mongabay-launches-new-desk-reporting-on-with-and-for-indigenous-communities/

#Indigenousrights #IndigenousKnowledge #News

A French court has begun hearing a lawsuit against oil and gas giant TotalEnergies over its fossil fuel expansion.

The lawsuit asserts that TotalEnergies must align with Paris Agreement targets to avoid the worst climate outcomes.

The suit targets TotalEnergies' link to 30 "carbon bombs"—massive projects whose emissions threaten the global 1.5°C goal.

By Elodie Toto for #Mongabay.

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/03/lawsuit-targets-totalenergies-over-fossil-fuel-expansion-and-paris-agreement-goals/

#news #fossilfuels #oil #gas

🌍 We’re hiring! Our global newsroom is expanding and recruiting for two full-time remote roles:

🗂 Production Editor (Global) – Lead editorial workflows and publishing. Apply: https://mongabay.org/opportunity/production-editor-global/.

🌏 Contributing Editor – Asia Pacific – Produce and commission environmental news across Southeast Asia and Oceania. Apply: https://mongabay.org/opportunity/contributing-editor-asia-pacific/.

Strong journalism experience and excellent English required.

Nepal has become the first country in Asia to sign a potential $55M LEAF Coalition deal to cut deforestation across three provinces.

Experts say success depends on community access, transparency and strong safeguards. Local groups want 80% of funds to reach forest communities, but bureaucracy and capacity gaps could limit benefits.

by Sonam Lama Hyolmo
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/nepal-signs-major-carbon-deal-but-community-access-remains-challenging/

#news #carbonfinance #climate #indigenouscommunities

Developed by researchers at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil’s Selo Verde platform offers a free public tool to check whether rural producers comply with environmental laws, including the upcoming EUDR.

Launched in Pará in 2021 and now used in several states, it cross-checks land use, deforestation, cattle transport and infractions. But experts say business uptake remains limited amid EUDR delays.

by Constance Malleret
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/in-brazil-a-free-platform-uses-government-data-to-track-eudr-compliance/

#news #EUDR #deforestation

Brazil plans to blast the Lourenção Rocks on the Tocantins River, but locals say thousands of fishers aren’t officially recognized as impacted.

Scientists warn the “underwater Galápagos” could be damaged as shipping expansion for soy and minerals moves forward.

by Tiffany Higgins
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/amazon-riverfolk-warn-blasting-rocks-for-shipping-route-will-kill-fisheries/

#news #biodiversity #conservation #environment #fishing #indigenouspeople #indigenousrights

This animal has survived nearly 100 million years. Today, in Peru, the largetooth sawfish may be down to its last strongholds.

Illegal spur trade tied to cockfighting still threatens the species, even as synthetic alternatives gain ground.

Episode 3 of Wild Targets follows the people confronting the crisis.

Watch now: https://youtu.be/xoNcobChYQk.

In Nepal’s Sagarmatha region, seasonal migration and low voter presence push election campaigns to prioritize infrastructure over climate resilience.

As Sherpa communities face retreating glaciers and erratic weather, limited reinvestment from Everest tourism is putting both ecosystems and the local economy at risk.

by Shashwat Pant
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/as-nepal-votes-climate-change-is-an-elephant-in-the-room-for-sherpa-community/

#climatechange #conservation #environment #indigenouscommunities #indigenousrights

Lucía Torres, Mongabay’s video managing editor, leads people-centered environmental storytelling.

With a background in biology and science journalism, she focuses on solutions-driven reporting that elevates Indigenous and local voices.

Part of the Inside Mongabay, series which highlights the people behind our global conservation coverage.

by Alejandro Prescott-Cornejo
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/how-lucia-torres-is-bringing-people-into-natures-frame/

Two Panamanian environmental groups opposing the Puerto Barú port face defamation lawsuits from developers.

The groups warn the project would damage mangroves and threaten sharks and rays.

Authorities have seized their assets, including bank accounts and private nature reserve properties.

by Maxwell Radwin
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/panama-ngos-face-lawsuits-asset-seizures-in-fight-over-port-construction/

#news #activism #conservation #environment #marineconservation #protectedareas #wildlife

A new study finds migrant fishers’ deaths at sea are driven by systemic labor and governance failures, not isolated accidents.

With little oversight far from shore, captains control food, medical care and even death reporting.

Researchers documented 55 Indonesian cases and urge mandatory reporting, stronger international cooperation and supply-chain transparency to prevent further fatalities.

by Basten Gokkon
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/migrant-fishers-deaths-at-sea-tied-to-unchecked-captain-power-study-shows/

#news #humanrights #fishing #ocean #crime #forcedlabor

Australia may look vast and untouched, but its biodiversity is under growing pressure — on land and at sea.

To help meet this moment, Mongabay is launching the Australia Biodiversity Special Reporting Project, focused on the species, ecosystems and environmental forces shaping the country’s future.

We’re seeking experienced journalists to pitch original stories.

🔗 Pitch: https://www.jotform.com/260274347580358
🔗 Learn more: https://mongabay.org/opportunity/australia-biodiversity/

🌍 From Kigali to the Congo Basin, Aimable Twahirwa brings 25+ years of science and environmental journalism to Mongabay’s coverage of Central and West Africa.

From mapping illegal wildlife trade routes to reporting on solar-powered irrigation in Rwanda, his work combines rigorous fact-checking, strong regional networks and impact-driven storytelling.

Read more: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/from-kigali-to-the-congo-basin-aimable-twahirwas-path-in-environmental-journalism/

#InsideMongabay

Tropical forests don’t just store carbon — they generate rain. Through “flying rivers,” forest moisture travels far inland, supporting farms and cities.

Even small-scale deforestation can cut precipitation. The Amazon’s rainmaking service alone is valued in the tens of billions annually.

By Rhett Ayers Butler
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/the-amazon-generates-20-billion-of-dollars-worth-of-rainfall-each-year-study-finds/

#news #agriculture #climate change #conservation #deforestation #ecosystem #hydroelectricpower

With environmental pressures mounting, high-quality environmental journalism is more important than ever. 🖊️

Mongabay’s Y. Eva Tan Conservation Reporting Fellowship Program will support up to six Portuguese-speaking fellows in 2026.

The program runs June 1–Nov 30 and prioritizes applicants from underrepresented backgrounds in eligible tropical countries.

📅 Apply Feb 20–Mar 31

📲 https://mongabay.cc/fellowship-portuguese

A pilot project in Brazil’s Tapajós-Arapiuns Reserve is delivering 24-hour power via solar panels and fish-safe hydrokinetic river turbines.

Designed with filters and slow-rotation grids to protect fauna, the project targets energy gaps in the Amazon, where ~990,000 people still lack electricity.

by Jorge C. Carrasco
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/amazon-villages-build-autonomous-energy-systems-after-mega-dam-failed-pledges/

#news #alternativeenergy #amazon #communitybasedconservation #indigenouspeoples #renewableenergy

In Java, owning a singing bird is a status symbol.

But the forests that once supplied them are thinning.

Watch Episode 2 of Wild Targets now: https://news.mongabay.com/video/2026/02/the-most-desirable-songbird-in-indonesia-is-disappearing-from-indonesias-forests-wild-targets/.

We’re hiring for two full-time, remote roles:

🗂 Production Editor (Global) to lead editorial workflows across our multilingual newsroom - https://buff.ly/zD7ofTD

🌏 Contributing Editor (Asia-Pacific) to drive environmental coverage across Southeast Asia & Oceania - https://buff.ly/zXYVAPH

Experienced journalists and editors encouraged to apply.

Two Mongabay documentaries are heading to the Wild & Scenic Film Festival this Feb. 19–23 🎬🌿

🏆 The Clearing follows young Cambodian activists fighting for environmental justice.

🌊 Thailand’s last sea nomads chronicles the Moken community confronting climate change and displacement.

Both films are award contenders.

Join us in northern California — and support independent environmental journalism.
Learn more: https://buff.ly/QkSJmSp.

Gary Tabor’s career traces a shift in conservation from isolated “island” parks to vast, connected ecological networks.

Shaped by time in the Adirondacks and East Africa, he argues wildlife survival depends on the “connective tissue” between protected areas.

Through the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, he brought connectivity into the mainstream, advancing wildlife crossings and community-led solutions.

by Rhett Ayers Butler
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/a-hundred-year-vision-gary-tabor-on-the-rise-of-large-landscape-conservation/

#news #biodiversity #conservation

Australia’s biodiversity is under pressure. 🇦🇺🌿

From farms and cities to reefs offshore, ecosystems are being reshaped by land clearing, fragmentation, climate change and extraction.

Mongabay is launching the Australia Biodiversity Special Reporting Project — delivering in-depth, Creative Commons reporting on species, ecosystems and governance gaps.

Send in your pitches:
https://www.jotform.com/260274347580358

Once hunted for oil and meat, whale sharks are now being rescued by fishers along India’s western Arabian Sea coast.

Since 2001, the Wildlife Trust of India has trained fishing communities in safe disentanglement and compensated damaged nets, helping free more than 1,000 accidentally caught sharks.

Experts say payments remain insufficient and call for stronger support to protect the fishers driving these rescues.

by K.A. Shaji
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/whale-sharks-released-from-nets-along-indias-coast-as-fishers-turn-rescuers/

#news #biodiversity #marine #conservation