[1/2]The Houston Ship Channel and adjacent refineries, part of the Port of Houston, are seen in Houston, Texas, U.S., May 5, 2019. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Summary
75 of biggest have now committed to reaching net-zero
Most do not cover or are not transparent on Scope 3 emissions
LONDON, June 11 (Reuters) – The number of fossil fuel companies setting net-zero emissions targets has risen sharply over the past year, but most fail to address key concerns, making them “largely meaningless”, a report showed on Monday.
Some 75 of the world’s largest 112 fossil fuel companies have now committed to reachingnet-zero- the point at which greenhouse gas emissions are negated by deep cuts in output elsewhere and methods to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Conservationists intend to sue US Fish and Wildlife for failing to protect Florida’s manatees
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Manatee and her calf in Islamorada
If Florida had an animal mascot, manatees would definitely be at the top of that list, but we are losing these gentle giants at an alarming rate.
You may remember when the sea cows were downgraded from an endangered species to threatened years ago, but now protection groups are rallying together and threatening serious action if something isn’t done to save the manatee.
One of the most beautiful sea animals you can come across in Florida is this gentle giant.
Known to be elusive with no predators except the byproduct of human activity, manatee numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate.
“Over 2,000 deaths since 2020, which is a huge increase and extremely concerning, and mostly tied to unchecked pollution and water quality,” Amanda Prieto, of Miami Waterkeeper, said.
That accounts for 20 percent of the West Indian manatee population, which is now down to just 8,000-10,000 in Florida waters.
Prieto is part of a group of conservationists intending to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the sea cows under the Endangered Species Act.
“We feel strongly that in 2017 they down-listed the Florida manatee from endangered to threatened a little prematurely — they didn’t consider an unusual mortality event, which unfortunately is exactly what happened,” Prieto said.
If you’ve lived in Florida for any amount of time, you are used to those wake zones and speed limits to protect the manatees from boats and propeller strikes. But the new problem, the new killer, and the biggest issue is the pollution in our waters, which leaves these majestic mammals that feed for 6-8 hours a day, in peril due to a loss of sea grass.
Starvation occurs as human pollution destroys their limited food source.
“The tragedy in the Indian River Lagoon, where hundreds of manatees have died of starvation, is a symptom of a larger water quality problem. It will take a long time to undo the harm that got us to this point,” said Elise Bennett from the Center for Biological Diversity.
“This is really a tipping point and that we need to make some drastic changes to make improvements,” Prieto said.
Improved water quality, sea grass restoration, conservation of critical habitat and the protected status of being back on the endangered species list will all help to save our beloved manatees.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must respond by early July or else litigation will begin.
But no matter what happens with the lawsuit, the federal agency must decide this November on what the status will be for the manatee going forward.
Smoke from more than 430 active wildfires in Canada spread south last week and led to the worst pollution the New York and Washington regions have ever experienced. More than75 million peoplein the eastern US were under air quality alerts as wildfire smoke shrouded major cities. Some flights were grounded, events were canceled, and millions of people breathed unhealthy air.
Much of the smoke has dissipated, but people still have questions. Do we need to be concerned about air quality? What are the short-term effects of wildfire smoke inhalation? Are there long-term consequences? And how can people prepare for future wildfires, which, according to theUN Environment Program,will be even more frequent and more severe going forward?
Ukrainian forces have proved highly adept at masking their strategic aims with feints, disinformation and by shuffling troops from one area to another, keeping Russian military planners guessing as to their next move.
Having promised to begin their counteroffensive in the summer, Kyiv’s forces are now stepping up attacks, and with some success.
The two visitors were seen approaching and touching the calf in the Elk Ranch Flats area in Wyoming on June 4, Grand Teton officials said in a news release Thursday.
The incident is currently under investigation and park rangers are asking visitors who were in the area for additional information.
“Interference by people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring,” park officials said in the news release. “In this case, fortunately, the calf was successfully reunited with its herd, but often these interactions result in euthanizing the animal.”
Park officials said visitors are required to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. Approaching wild animals can affect their well-being and their survival, park officials said.
“Use binoculars, a spotting scope or a telephoto lens for a good view,” park officials said. “Do not tease, touch, frighten or intentionally disturb wildlife.”
It is illegal to feed any wildlife including birds, squirrels, bears and foxes, park officials said. If fed, animals could become unhealthy, bite visitors, expose visitors to rabies or need to be killed.
It’s elk calving season at Yellowstone National Park, which makes it a wonderful time of year. Except when overly aggressive tourists try to insert themselves into nature’s circle of life.
Elk calving season in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem begins in mid-May. The park sends out a reminder every year to visitors to be aware of their surroundings, as female elk can be extremely aggressive if they feel their newborns are threatened.
Park officials advise visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from wildlife at all times. Failing to do so can result in jail time and/or a fine.
Cow (female) elk average around 500 pounds and some can even top the 1,000-pound mark. That’s more than enough to do some serious damage to humans who cross their paths.
According to a report byNetwerk24, the 31-year-old Freek Kloppers was shot and killed by his wife Megen (25) on his farm in Limpopo last week on Tuesday.
Young father shot and killed by wife in Limpopo hunt accident Photos: Facebook/MegenKloppers
An “unusual” black bear sighting awed throngs of beachgoers in Florida over the weekend, but state wildlife experts said Monday that cubs can sometimes take a swim in the Gulf of Mexico.
A crowd of vacationers in Destin were shocked and delighted when they spotted a black bear cub casually taking a dip in the Gulf on Sunday, according to footage captured of the odd moment.
While the bear was swimming in the ocean, a woman could be heard saying off-camera, “I guess he’s on vacation, too!”
But the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said in a statement that during this time of year, young bears like the one spotted in Destin can leave the comfort of their mother’s home to explore “unexpected areas” in search of a new home.
Cubs might also be venturing into the Gulf to find food at islands, the FWC said.
“While it is unusual to see a bear swimming in the shallows of a crowded beach, it isn’t unusual to hear of black bears swimming in the Gulf, on their way to barrier islands in search of food,” the FWC stated.
The bear came out of the shallows on Sunday.
“During this time of year, juvenile bears such as the one seen in Destin are starting to leave their mother’s home range and may be seen in unexpected areas as they try to find a new home.
“Typically, these bears will move away on their own. If you see a bear, give it plenty of space, don’t try to approach it, and never feed it.”
Captain Chris Kirby, a lifelong Sunshine State resident, said bears have been spotted swimming around in the bay of the Gulf and are common sights throughout Destin, particularly near Eglin Air Force Base.
Black bear cubs will swim in the Gulf to find food, officials said.
“I’ve seen two swim in the bay,” Kirby, who operates Charter Boat Backlash, told The Post Monday evening. “And that’s over 30 years. That’s a long time, too. They’re not uncommon, I’ve heard stories of (bears) swimming around the bay as well.”
Still, watching footage of the bear moving around people on the beach took him by surprise.
There were bear sightings back then on and around the flight line and active runways, leading to worries among base officials, the past news release stated.
Residents are urged to secure food that might attract bears and keep them lingering in the area, the FWC said in its Monday statement.
“If a bear is not able to find food, it will move on,” the state agency said.
ALMA – If you’ve ever wanted to hunt a mountain lion, you may have the opportunity to do so in Nebraska.
According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, recommendations for a 2024 mountain lion hunting season were approved at its June 9th meeting in Alma.
For the first time, a mountain lion harvest season will take place outside the Pine Ridge as the Niobrara Unit is created, encompassing parts of Brown, Cherry, Keya Paha, Rock and Sheridan counties.
The objective for the Niobrara Unit is to provide a harvest opportunity for mountain lions that allows the population to remain resilient and healthy, while slowing growth of the population.
Season 1 in the Niobrara and Pine Ridge units will take place Jan. 2 through the end of February. The season will end immediately in a unit if the annual harvest limit or female sub-limit are reached.
The Pine Ridge limit will be four mountain lions with a sub-limit of two females, and the Niobrara limit will be two mountain lions with a one female sub-limit. Up to 320 permits will be issued by lottery in the Pine Ridge Unit and up to 160 permits will be issued in the Niobrara Unit.
