rainforest
The Biggest Infrastructure Boom in History Threatens Earth's Last Wild Places
We're living through the "most explosive era of infrastructure expansion in human history," says biologist William Laurance, and we're about to “rip through our last wild places.”
Brazil's Arrested Forest Kingpin Isn't the Only Problem Facing the Amazon
This week, Brazil arrested a man who may be responsible for up to 20 percent of illegal cuttings in the Amazon over the past few years. That's good, but until the country strictly enforces conservation laws this is just a Hydra problem.
Could a Winemaker's Yeast Replace Palm Oil?
Palm oil is as ubiquitous as it is controversial. But researchers from the University of Bath have developed a method for turning a type of yeast used in wine production into a potential alternative.
'It Must Be Stopped': Indonesia's New President Vows to End the World's Worst Deforestation
Joko Widodo has pledged to halt the illegal clearing for palm oil plantations that is devastating the remote rainforests of Sumatra after responding to a petition to come and see the damage for himself.
Meet the Pork-Knockers of Guyana's Gold Rush
As the Guyanese government looks to crack down on DIY gold mining, the informal industry appears to be thriving — in spite of the huge health risks for freelance workers.
Brazil is Building a Giant Observation Tower in the Amazon Rainforest to Monitor Climate Change
The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory will stand at 325 meters high and is being deployed to an area 100 miles outside of Manaus.
Marina Silva, Former Illiterate Rubber Tapper, Reshapes Brazil's Presidential Race
When presidential candidate Eduardo Campos died in a plane crash last month, speculation immediately focused on the prospects of Silva, his running mate.
Boycotting Palm Oil Won't Do Any Good
The pitfalls of the palm oil industry are devastating, but experts say that boycotting the use of such a ubiquitous ingredient won't do any good—only a halt to deforestation, along with a widespread consumer fight for higher sustainable standards will.
Bio-Prospecting with Malaria Curing Sloths in Panama
Yet another reason not to cut down the rainforest.
A Network of Recycled Phones Is Listening for Illegal Logging in the Rainforest
Hey, Neil Young thinks it's a good idea.
Ecuador's Last Uncontacted Tribes Face the Familiar Promise of Jungle Oil
For 20 years, Ecuador's Amazonian tribes have been taken advantage of by big oil—and it's about to happen again.