Scott Hannan

The Iberian Lynx is making a comeback in a European effort to rewild - The population of Iberian Lynx in regions of Spain and Portugal has been steadily increasing over the past few years, thanks to the coordinated efforts of governments, hunters, farmers, and ecologists. An Iberian Lynx, one of the most endangered wild cats in the world, was spotted in Madrid last month for the first time in 30 years. Spaces have been set aside where lynx and the rabbits they depend upon for prey cannot be hunted, and captive breeding programs have released them back into the wild so that they are now breeding on their own in some places. This success has inspired other captive breeding rewilding efforts, as with the Eurasian Lynx in Poland. Rewilding Europe, an organization leading the way in this field, works not only to save and reintroduce endangered species but also to protect and rewild landscapes and habitats, foster cooperation between human economies and local ecologies, shape government policy, and facilitate funding for rewilding projects. Their vision for the year 2030 is an inspiring perspective on re-harmonizing the wildness within and all around us.

 Jonathan Hawken

Cambodia takes on illegal fishing - A government initiative with a budget of $100 million seeks to rejuvenate twenty-five local community-based fishing enclaves. During a preliminary trial, divers venture a few miles into the ocean to assemble hexagonal concrete pillars weighing around 120 kg into structures designed to obstruct illegal fishing operations. The illegal trawlers have been wreaking havoc on local marine habitats by dragging weighted nets along the seafloor. “The trawlers have destroyed everything — but now there’s a surprise waiting down there for them,” a diver said. “Let’s see how they like it.”

The plan will require 100,000 handmade concrete pillars, or 5,000 anti-trawling devices, to be deployed. Should this prove successful, it not only promises a revival of oceanic ecosystems but also stands to invigorate economic activities and tourism. To learn more about the work being done by Marine Conservation Cambodia and the Cambodian government, head on over to Mongabay, and to learn more about challenges and solutions to protecting ocean life, please see our Global Fishing Fleets Nexus, our Marine Protected Areas Nexus, and our Seagrasses Nexus.

 Juliana Birnbaum

Roadmaps for regenerative land-use systems - Governments have taken strides in the past month toward developing strategies for restoring nature and transforming food systems on a large scale, but can farmers and conservationists make peace?  In mid-July, lawmakers narrowly passed a bill requiring the restoration of 20 percent of degraded natural areas within the borders of European Union nations-- including wetlands, rivers, forests, and marine ecosystems. It's the first significant legislation to protect biodiversity there in three decades and is crucial to the continent's climate strategy since, currently, 80 percent of its habitats are in poor condition. Still, the devil is in the details, and the final negotiations could take months. Conventional farmers joined conservative politicians to revolt against the measure, fearing the loss of agricultural land. Some days later, in sweltering Rome, officials from 180 states met for the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment, where mitigating the impact of climate change on food production was high on the agenda, and some piecemeal progress was made. The Food and Agriculture Organization confirmed it would complete a science-based "roadmap" for reducing food systems emissions for the year-end COP28 climate summit, similar to the one provided by the International Energy Agency in 2021 for global power systems.

 Claire Krummenacher

Local adaptations to wildfire pollution - Californian cities faced with the continued threat of wildfire pollution are piloting a new solution: clean air centers. Like public cooling centers, these community spaces include upgraded air-filtration systems and portable air cleaners that create indoor oases where vulnerable residents can seek shelter from hazardous air. In populous cities like San Francisco and Seattle, where most buildings lack air conditioning, residents rely on opening the windows for respite from dangerous heat waves. However, in a combined event involving heat and poor air quality, the centers provide vital shelter, especially for those living in areas already suffering from industrial pollution. Funded by $5 million from a 2019 state bill, the San Francisco program has received over 200 applications from community-based organizations and plans to share data from the pilot project with East Coast emergency-management partners for future incidents. 

 Courtney White

Circularity is all around us - The idea of a circular economy is gaining popularity. It aims to keep materials and products in use at their highest value for as long as possible through better design, reuse, repair, recycling, and waste elimination. Although moving from a linear, extractive economy to a circular, regenerative one dates back to the 19^th century, it has taken on new urgency under climate change. Circular models are being written about everywhere lately: they’re being applied to rare earth minerals for clean technology, affordable and sustainable homes, small businesses in Asia, plastics from green hydrogen, and medical waste. Caution is advised, however, when evaluating claims of success. The clothing and textile industry, for example, talks about reuse and circularity but hasn’t delivered. To help consumers sort through the blizzard of claims, the Federal Trade Commission is updating its Green Guides to environmentally-friendly products, including recycling and circular use. Here and here are video introductions to circularity.

 Kate Furby

Restoring coral in heating oceans - As a former coral biologist, it is devastating to see the effects of the heat wave in Florida, where corals are seeing alarmingly high water temperatures this summer. In addition to 100 miles of wild coral reef, Florida is home to a colossal coral nursery and restoration effort. Coral nurseries are where small or baby corals have been planted to help regrow corals we've already lost. Scientists hope to revive coral reefs in Florida, where previous bleaching and disease events have already hit hard. But now nonprofits and scientific institutions are working hard together to save the corals at risk from the too-hot water. Coral reefs are a small percentage of the planet, but they make a huge impact. Without them, we lose coastline protection from storms, fish nursery habitat (aka seafood!), biodiversity, future drug discoveries, thousands of jobs, and millions of dollars in income in Florida alone. Not to mention the cutest animals! To find out how to help with this coral emergency, go to the Coral Restoration Foundation or NOAA Marine Sanctuaries pages. And for more information on protecting and promoting resilient coral ecosystems, check out our Coral Reef Nexus.

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