Central America, indigenous peoples are essential for conservation

Central America, indigenous peoples are essential for conservation

Indigenous peoples usually depend on natural resources to survive. Society, in turn, depends on its role in safeguarding those resources for our wellbeing.     The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published a map that highlights how governments and environmental organisations would benefit from an increased cooperation with Central America’s indigenous peoples. The

33 lions are returned to Africa after a life of confinement in circuses

33 lions are returned to Africa after a life of confinement in circuses

After a life spent in captivity, they have finally gone back home. This is the success story of 33 lions rescued from South American circuses (24 from Peru and 9 from Colombia) and brought to South Africa. They probably longed for their homeland while performing – in chains – in unnatural, humiliating shows. The lions landed in Johannesburg in

Mercury poisoning of indigenous people plagues the Amazon. Illegal mining is the cause

Mercury poisoning of indigenous people plagues the Amazon. Illegal mining is the cause

Survival International, a global movement for tribal peoples’ rights, has denounced mercury poisoning in Latin America in a letter to the UN Special Rapporteur for Health. The organisation highlights Venezuela, Peru and Brazil as countries that don’t comply with procedures to monitor the effects of mining on the environment. Mercury contamination, which commonly follows illegal

Costa Rica convicts those who killed an activist who protected sea turtles

Costa Rica convicts those who killed an activist who protected sea turtles

What makes environmental crimes even more dreadful is impunity. “Across the world environmental defenders are being shot dead in broad daylight, kidnapped, threatened, or tried as terrorists for standing in the way of so-called ‘development’,” said Billy Kyte, campaigner at Global Witness. “The true authors of these crimes – a powerful nexus of corporate and

Brazil, the lower house has voted to impeach Dilma Rousseff

Brazil, the lower house has voted to impeach Dilma Rousseff

Brazilian lower house has voted to impeach President Dilma Rousseff, accused of fixing public accounts to be re-elected. 367 lawmakers voted in favour of the proposal, 137 voted against, while a handful abstained. The impeachment motion will next go to the country’s Senate. After last night’s vote many already take for granted that Rousseff will be