Conservation News
News, views and stories from the front lines of conservation
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New study reveals seaweed’s hidden climate benefits
A new study found that seaweed forests may play a bigger role in fighting climate change than previously thought — absorbing as much climate-warming carbon as the Amazon rainforest. But not all seaweed forests are created equal.
July 18, 2023
Meet the South African startup putting cattle to work for conservation
Livestock herding and wildlife conservation are often perceived as conflicting pursuits, with the belief that one must come at the expense of the other. However, in South Africa, a fresh approach centered on Indigenous knowledge is challenging this perception.
June 12, 2023
Why understanding people is key to protecting nature
Humans have altered the planet so dramatically that scientists say we may have entered a new geologic epoch — the Anthropocene. And yet human behavior is often overlooked when it comes to developing conservation solutions. A new book aims to change that.
April 25, 2023
From tiny nation, a ‘hallmark moment’ for climate justice
A small Pacific island nation is behind a landmark U.N. resolution that could hold carbon-polluting countries to account for failing to act on climate change. Conservation News explains what the resolution means and how it could advance climate justice.
April 6, 2023
After nearly 50 years, water back on the global agenda
This week, the United Nations holds its first global freshwater conference in nearly 50 years. In the years since, the global population has doubled — yet the challenges facing the health of, and access to, freshwater resources have been largely overshadowed by the climate and biodiversity crises.
March 22, 2023
The year ahead: Climate change is here. Nature can help
For millions of people around the world who are learning to survive in the face of droughts, floods and more frequent storms, climate change is not a future problem — it’s here now. Nature can be a powerful ally in adapting to these impacts.
February 16, 2023
It’s 2023 — is this the year fresh water has its moment?
From roaring rivers to seasonal springs, freshwater is essential to life on Earth. Yet these ecosystems — and the species within them — tend to be overlooked, receiving only a fraction of the attention and funding dedicated to nature conservation.
January 17, 2023
Meet a scientist: Using tech to advance wildlife conservation
Senior Wildlife Conservation Scientist Jorge Ahumada uses technology to track wildlife species around the world and ensure the data is available to craft smart policies for their protection. Conservation News spoke to him about his passion for mining big data to uncover hidden trends in nature.
October 21, 2022
Expert: Amplify voices of women in science to inspire the next generation
We spoke to Conservation International's climate lead Shyla Raghav about her passion for protecting the planet, how she stays optimistic about Earth’s future and her advice for the next generation of women scientists.
March 8, 2022
Protecting nature to prevent pandemics costs just 1% of fighting them
Experts say the yearly cost of future pandemics will be a staggering US$ 2 trillion. For just 1 percent of that cost, the world could prevent pandemics at their source by protecting nature, according to a new study published today in Science Advances.
February 4, 2022
New map pinpoints where people depend on nature the most
A new study is the first to quantify people’s dependence on nature, and underscores the extent of the threat that climate change and the destruction of nature pose to human life.
October 4, 2021
Meet a scientist: the fisheries aficionado
Ana Gloria Guzmán-Mora is the executive director of Conservation International’s Costa Rica program, where she works with local communities and governments to help them meet their goals for protecting the planet.
July 22, 2021
A simple idea to ease conservation costs: transferring funds
A growing phenomenon called “ecological fiscal transfers” is helping ease the burden on local governments — and is proving a simple and powerful way to channel funding to conservation.
June 24, 2021
In fishing industry, women face hidden hardships: study
According to a recent study, women are facing hidden hardships throughout seafood supply chains around the world.
April 29, 2021
Study: Aerial drones capture manta ray behaviors in thriving population
Conservation News spoke to a manta ray expert at Conservation International about the findings of his new research — from promising pregnancies to drone discoveries to acrobatic feeding behaviors.
April 1, 2021
Study: Could the Amazon become ground zero for the world’s next pandemic?
If deforestation continues to accelerate, the Amazon could be at risk of becoming ground zero for the world’s next pandemic, according to a study published today.
March 24, 2021
Expert: Ending the global water crisis ‘starts in your back yard’
Conservation News spoke to a Conservation International freshwater scientist about the key differences between the climate crisis and the water crisis — and why we must tap into different solutions for each.
January 29, 2021
Meet a scientist: the community connector
Patricia Dunne is the director of applied social science at Conservation International, where she works to amplify the voices of some of conservation’s most critical allies: local communities.
December 3, 2020
Newly discovered coral species face uncertainty in Pacific’s depths
A team of researchers recently discovered three new species of black coral in the depths of the North Pacific — but deep-sea mining could threaten them.
October 29, 2020
Meet a scientist: the scuba specialist
Conservation News spoke to Conservation International's marine and diving safety officer, Edgardo Ochoa, about his shark encounters, the dangers of decompression sickness and his passion to prevent a plastic-filled future for the world’s oceans.
October 7, 2020
In high seas, scientists see a lifeline for coral reefs
Coral reefs on the high seas could offer a lifeline for the world's dying reefs, a new study finds.
September 14, 2020
Indigenous leaders: To tackle climate change, ‘we must first address racial inequality’
For insight into how Indigenous peoples are fighting for their lands during lockdown — while simultaneously addressing deep-rooted racial inequality — Conservation News tapped two Indigenous leaders at Conservation International.
August 6, 2020
For billions without clean water, ‘wash your hands’ is complicated
Conservation News spoke with Conservation International’s Colleen Sorto about how when it comes to water and human health, where your water comes from can be just as important as how you use it.
June 17, 2020
Big win for tuna fisheries nets renewed focus on human rights
Walmart, the world’s second-largest retailer, just notched a major win for sustainable seafood. Conservation News spoke to two Conservation International fisheries experts about what this could mean for the global fisheries industry.
June 8, 2020
Meet a scientist: the island-hopping adventurer
Conservation News spoke to Conservation International scientist Mael Imirizaldu about his work helping countries and communities conserve the ocean that they depend on.
May 14, 2020
Expert: To prevent pandemics like COVID-19, ‘take care of nature’
Conservation News spoke to renowned ecologist and Conservation International scientist Lee Hannah about how giving nature space could help curb future disease outbreaks.
March 27, 2020
Meet a scientist: a species-discovering savant
Conservation News spoke with Conservation International's Mark Erdmann about his job as a marine biologist, where he spends almost as much time underwater discovering new species as he does helping communities above ground conserve them.
March 25, 2020
To stop climate catastrophe, look to soil: study
Conservation News spoke to the co-author of a groundbreaking new study reports that the secret to sustainable agriculture lies in the soil — or more specifically, in the carbon stored in the soil.
March 18, 2020
Meet a scientist: To study conservation, she studies people
A social scientist at Conservation International explains the complex link between humans and nature in a Q&A with Conservation News.
November 21, 2019
Deep dive: New findings from our whale shark watchers
On International Whale Shark Day, we sat down with two Conservation International scientists to learn more about their work tagging the world's largest fish.
August 30, 2019
Pacific islands face hardships as tuna follow warming waters
Human Nature spoke with a tuna expert about the powerful ways climate change will affect tuna populations.
July 1, 2019
Meet a scientist: the ocean ambassador
Emily Pidgeon is senior director of the Blue Climate program within Conservation International’s Center for Oceans. Pidgeon focuses on coastal and ocean ecosystems as critical solutions to climate change, including “blue carbon” — the carbon stored naturally in mangrove forests and other coastal...
May 2, 2019
Expert: Conservation, indigenous rights at a crossroads
A recently published paper has added to a body of evidence showing that indigenous peoples can be powerful allies for protecting nature.
August 8, 2018
In Indonesia, villagers find innovative ways to adapt to climate change
A new study shows that using nature to adapt to intense storms and drought can be affective for thriving in a changing climate.
June 19, 2018
To feed itself, Hawai‘i must make sea change, study finds
To feed its growing population, Hawai‘i is looking to produce more locally sourced seafood, which has a smaller environmental footprint.
May 31, 2018
Satellite tags shed light on sea turtle treks
Knowing where the turtles go is the first step to protecting them.
May 22, 2018
What does gender have to do with conservation?
Human Nature talked to Conservation International field staff about their perspectives on why gender matters in conservation.
March 9, 2018
Study: To make conservation go ‘viral,’ keep it simple, social
Funny YouTube videos, the newest smartphones … and conservation? A new study looks at ways we can make conservation go “viral.”
February 28, 2018
For Caribbean island nations, nature is first line of climate defense
In the Caribbean Islands, nations are turning to nature to mount an effective defense against extreme weather impacts.
October 13, 2017
Indigenous leaders: What we wish Westerners knew
On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we’re revisiting an interview with indigenous leaders from around the globe.
August 8, 2017
For better, faster ocean science, researchers look to the cloud
OHI scientists — including several from Conservation International, the index’s co-developer — are using open science to do “better science in less time.”
June 12, 2017
Climate-induced species migrations could upend human society: study
A new study in Science on climate change’s effect on mass species migration reveals the impact on humans will be monumental.
April 3, 2017
Key to protecting the ocean? Money and manpower, study finds
There are two keys to protecting our oceans: funding and staff. Without these elements, we’re putting our oceans at risk.
March 22, 2017
Why Indigenous rights matter
Indigenous peoples’ interest in conservation is profound — but often overlooked.
September 6, 2016