U.S. wetlands, vital ecosystems like marshes and swamps, face an urgent crisis. Half of these critical habitats in the lower 48 states have vanished since the 1780s. A 2023 Supreme Court decision

U.S. wetlands, vital ecosystems like marshes and swamps, face an urgent crisis. Half of these critical habitats in the lower 48 states have vanished since the 1780s. A 2023 Supreme Court decision further stripped federal protections, leaving remaining wetlands vulnerable to destruction.

This loss devastates biodiversity; nearly 50% of threatened and endangered species rely on wetlands, with over a third living exclusively there. Wetlands also protect water quality and mitigate flood risks. Act now: Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect more critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. Learn more at www.saveourfreshwater.org.

Environmental justice addresses critical global concerns: communities worldwide disproportionately face environmental hazards, and the benefits and costs of environmental policies are often

Environmental justice addresses critical global concerns: communities worldwide disproportionately face environmental hazards, and the benefits and costs of environmental policies are often unequally distributed. Learn more about OECD's work on this topic: OECD Environmental Justice.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international body established in 1960. It collaborates to build better policies for prosperity, equality, and well-being. The OECD works with governments to establish evidence-based international standards and find solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges, serving as a unique forum for data, analysis, and best practices. A related Vidéo en français is also available. For more about the OECD: About the OECD.

On August 17, 2020, the Trump administration opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain to oil and gas lease sales, possibly by December. This decision, amidst an

On August 17, 2020, the Trump administration opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain to oil and gas lease sales, possibly by December. This decision, amidst an oil glut and climate change concerns, targets the last 5% of America's previously protected Arctic Coastal Plain. It threatens to transform these wild lands into an industrial complex, jeopardizing the Gwich'in Nation's food security, spiritual, and cultural heritage—they call it "the sacred place where life begins." This move also endangers polar bears, the Porcupine Caribou herd, and migratory birds, marking a critical environmental and social justice conflict.

A video features Gwich'in community members from the 2016 Gwich'in Gathering, testifying against this development.

On January 28, 2010, the World Economic Forum (weforum.org) addressed increasing energy security concerns. Despite a significant decline in energy prices from

On January 28, 2010, the World Economic Forum (weforum.org) addressed increasing energy security concerns. Despite a significant decline in energy prices from their 2008 peak, major producing and consuming economies diverge on developing a more secure and stable energy system.

A central question was: How can producers and consumers develop mutually beneficial approaches to energy security?

Key participants included Ilham Aliyev (President of Azerbaijan), Thierry Desmarest (Chairman, Total), Khalid A. Al Falih (President & CEO, Saudi Aramco), Tony Hayward (Group Chief Executive, BP), Andrew N. Liveris (Chairman & CEO, Dow Chemical Company), and Peter Voser (Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell).

Treaties between tribes and the federal government, particularly concerning resource use and environmental conservation, have long been a source of legal contention. Their exact status and

Treaties between tribes and the federal government, particularly concerning resource use and environmental conservation, have long been a source of legal contention. Their exact status and attendant rights generate significant tension, especially regarding state obligations.

Recently, an equally divided Supreme Court affirmed states' duty to manage resources consistent with tribal treaty rights. This ruling impacts states like Washington, which has resisted requirements from the Stevens' treaties, affirming tribal salmon fishing rights. The critical question remains: what additional state obligations ensure resource sustainability, especially amidst climate disruption? Consistent enforcement benefits all, illuminating the state's trust duties to its people.

In 2024, the Klamath River dam removal marked a historic, Indigenous-led victory, achieving the largest river restoration ever. Blending Indigenous knowledge and modern science, the project shows

In 2024, the Klamath River dam removal marked a historic, Indigenous-led victory, achieving the largest river restoration ever. Blending Indigenous knowledge and modern science, the project shows remarkable early results: salmon are returning abundantly to spawning grounds inaccessible for a century.

Amy Bowers Cordalis of Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group emphasizes Indigenous values and nature-based solutions from the Klamath. This approach heals land, water, and people while boosting the economy. Restoring the river as a living relative offers a vital path forward for all.

Learn more about Amy Bowers Cordalis' work: https://www.ridgestoriffles.org/

Host Jeff Corwin travels to Alaska's Cook Inlet to assist conservationists Nicole Whittington-Evans and Suzanne Steinert in monitoring the critically endangered beluga whale population. These

Host Jeff Corwin travels to Alaska's Cook Inlet to assist conservationists Nicole Whittington-Evans and Suzanne Steinert in monitoring the critically endangered beluga whale population. These "great white canaries of the sea" are uniquely adapted to Arctic life, using echolocation and feeding on salmon, but their numbers have drastically declined.

The Cook Inlet beluga population has plummeted by nearly 80% since the late 1980s due to habitat degradation, climate change, and other cumulative human impacts. Conservation efforts focus on reducing these threats and balancing human and wildlife needs to ensure these iconic whales survive for future generations. Learn more about wildlife conservation at www.defenders.org/wildlifenation.

The Yurok and Karuk peoples fought for decades to remove dams on the Klamath River, which decimated salmon populations and riparian ecosystems vital to their traditional lifeways. In 2022, the US

The Yurok and Karuk peoples fought for decades to remove dams on the Klamath River, which decimated salmon populations and riparian ecosystems vital to their traditional lifeways. In 2022, the US government agreed to remove four dams, launching the largest river restoration project in US history. This monumental achievement highlights tribal activism and groundbreaking partnerships.

Learn about this success, culture-based restoration, and tribal collaboration with state and federal governments. This talk, delivered at the 2023 Bioneers Conference, was moderated by Cara Romero, with Samuel Gensaw, Isaac Kinney, and Craig Tucker. For more information, visit bioneers.org.

This episode of Nature’s Genius explores the ancient forest as a community thriving on symbiosis. It features ecologists Dr. Suzanne Simard, author of "Finding the Mother Tree," and Dr. Teresa

This episode of Nature’s Genius explores the ancient forest as a community thriving on symbiosis. It features ecologists Dr. Suzanne Simard, author of "Finding the Mother Tree," and Dr. Teresa Ryan, who reveal an elaborate tapestry of kinship, cooperation, and mutual aid within these ecosystems. Dr. Simard is a leading researcher in plant communication, while Dr. Ryan investigates salmon-forest relationships.

Nature’s Genius, a Bioneers podcast series, delves into how life’s symphony offers solutions to balance human civilization with living systems. Learn more and find additional resources on the series page: bioneers.org/natures-genius/

Do you juggle grocery runs, enjoy a good meal, or wrangle kids at bedtime? If so, you might have more in common with an Alaskan brown bear than you think!

We spoke with a brown bear mom who

Do you juggle grocery runs, enjoy a good meal, or wrangle kids at bedtime? If so, you might have more in common with an Alaskan brown bear than you think!

We spoke with a brown bear mom who offered a glimpse into her daily life with cubs. Discover how your routine compares to hers.