Populations of marine mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have declined by 49 percent since 1970, a report says. The study says some species people rely on for food are faring even worse, noting a 74 percent drop in the populations of tuna and mackerel. The document was prepared by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London. “Human activity has severely damaged the ocean by catching fish faster than they can reproduce while also destroying their nurseries,” said Marco Lambertini, head of WWF International. The study notes the decline of habitats – such as seagrass areas and mangrove cover – which are important for food and act as a nursery for many species. Climate change has also played a role in the overall decline of marine populations. The report says carbon dioxide is being absorbed into the oceans, making them more acidic, damaging a number of species. (BBC)
Campaigns
Google launches donation-matching campaign to raise $11 million for refugees
Google has announced a donation-matching campaign that aims to raise $11 million for humanitarian organisations aiding the thousands of refugees that have overwhelmed European nations as they flee war-torn and impoverished countries. Google took an uncharacteristically personal approach in announcing the donation drive on its blog. Rather than having an executive make the announcement, Rita Masoud, a Google employee who fled Kabul with her family when she was seven years old, wrote about her personal experience. “Our journey involved many dark trains and bus rides, as well as hunger, thirst, cold and fear,” she wrote. “I was lucky. But as the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe has grown, many people like my family are desperate for help.” The donations will go toward four non-profit organizations that are providing aid to refugees and migrants. Google said it will match the first $5.5 million worth of donations globally at google.com/refugeerelief until it raises $11 million. (Reuters)
KFC launches charitable effort Add Hope to fight world hunger
Fast-food chain KFC has launched a global initiative to improve the lives of millions struggling with hunger throughout the world. The Add Hope platform will provide funds to supply food to the world’s underprivileged via the UN’s World Food Program, which helps 80 million people struggling with hunger across 75 countries. KFC employees in its 4,000+ US restaurants are also encouraged to support local communities through volunteerism and KFC’s local food donation programs. “KFC is a global organization built on the values of one incredible man, Colonel Sanders,” said Jason Marker, President, KFC US. “We are continuing with that great tradition by driving a movement to end world hunger.” Since 2007, KFC’s parent company Yum! Brands has helped raise $600 million for the World Food Program and other hunger relief organizations to provide 2.4 billion meals to those in need. (Just Means)
Energy
David Attenborough backs huge Apollo-style clean energy research plan
The Global Apollo Program to make renewable energy cheaper than fossil fuels has won the backing of Sir David Attenborough, who says this alone would be enough to halt climate change. The renowned naturalist joins a group of eminent scientists, business executives and politicians backing a 10-year public research and development plan to cut the costs of clean energy and deliver affordable technologies to store and transport solar and wind power. The group argues that the approach, mirroring the intense Apollo programme that put men on the moon, “will not only pay for itself but provide economic benefits to the nations of the world”. “I have been lucky enough to spend my life exploring the world’s oceans, forests and deserts. But the Earth, with its spectacular variety of creatures and landscapes, is now in danger,” said Attenborough. “Just one thing, however, would be enough to halt climate change. If clean energy became cheaper than coal, gas or oil, fossil fuel would simply stay in the ground.” (Guardian)
Corporate Reputation
Rogue oil palm company must pay $26 million, rules Indonesia’s Supreme Court
Indonesia’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from oil palm developer PT Kallista Alam, which had been ordered to pay a staggering 366 billion rupiah ($26 million) in fines and reparations for cut-and-burning forest in the Tripa peat swamp region. The ruling puts to rest a three-year legal process that began when the Environment Ministry brought charges against the company in a district court in Aceh province. It then continued through Kallista Alam’s appeals of both that court’s decision against it and the Banda Aceh High Court’s upholding of the verdict. The Tripa has been severely damaged by rogue plantation operators, and the Environment and Forestry Ministry is prosecuting four more of the biggest firms in a case that is unprecedented both for the scale of the official response and the severity of the punishments that have been handed down. (Eco-Business)
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