Environmental Newsletter 2008 Year in Review

 Fisheries Collapse

While 2008 brought worrisome news regarding many classes of animals--including birds, mammals, and amphibians--some of the most dire reporting related to the state of the world's fisheries. Among the hardest hit species were Atlantic bluefin tuna, coho salmon, and walleye pollock. Declines were linked to overfishing and global warming. However, in one bit of good news, Australia's coral trout populations have rebounded under a fishing ban.

Salmon Fishing Banned Along U.S. West Coast (Nat'l Geographic News, Apr. 11)
More than 80% of World’s Fisheries In Danger From Overfishing (ENN/Oceana, May 26)
Ban Spurs Dramatic Fish Recovery in Australia (Nat'l Geographic News, June 24)
Tuna: A Favorite Fish Faces Dangerous Depletion (NPR, Sep. 5)
Report: Greenhouse gases imperil oceans' web of life (McClatchy, Nov. 11)
Last great US fishery in danger of collapse [Walleye pollock] (New Scientist, Nov. 25)

 Green Media

In 2008, many major media outlets--including Discovery and the Sundance Channel--gave environmental programming a more prominent role. And, as in years past, magazines (e.g. Newsweek) used special Earth Day editions to burnish their green credentials. However, with the media industry struggling with lower ad sales and an economy in recession, several outlets, including CNN and the Weather Channel, cut their environmental teams.

Nickelodeon Steps Up Its 'Green' Efforts (Brandweek, Apr. 11)
Discovery starts 'green' cable channel (Int'l Herald Tribune, Jun. 2)
Sundancechannel.Com Launches Original Web-Series "Eco-Heroes" (CSRwire, Aug. 4)
Are Environmental Journalists an Endangered Species? (GreenBiz, Dec. 15)

Species Discoveries

While many species are on the brink of extinction, 2008 also yielded some more encouraging discoveries. In July, scientists announced the discovery of new reefs that they believe double the Southern Atlantic's largest reef system, the Abrolhos Bank. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia's Mekong region, over one thousand new species have been discovered in the last ten years. And, a scientific expedition to Mount Mabu, Mozambique has revealed hundreds of new species of insects and plants.

Scientists Discover New Reefs Teeming With Marine Life In Brazil (TerraDaily/SPX, Jul. 9)
Over 1,000 New Species Discovered In Mekong (Red Orbit, Dec. 15)
Scientists discover new forest with undiscovered species on Google Earth (Telegraph, Dec. 22)

 Acidic Oceans

One of the many negative effects of excess CO2 in the atmosphere is oceans that are becoming increasingly acidic. The world has already lost one-fifth of its coral reefs and, according to the World Conservation Union, much of the rest could fall victim to acidic oceans. Tiny zooplankton, which serve as food for a wide variety of fish, are also under threat.

1/5 of Coral Reefs Lost Due to Acid-Filled Oceans (Nat'l Geographic News/AP, Dec. 10)
World’s oceans turning acidic faster than expected (Christian Science Monitor, Dec. 18)

 High-Tech Climate Solutions

Scientists are proposing various ambitious solutions for global warming, such as seeding the oceans with iron dust to encourage the growth of CO2-absorbing plankton, and setting up deflecting lenses between the Earth and the Sun.

A changing climate of opinion? [Geoengineering] (Economist, Sep. 4)
Climate change: Sci-fi solutions no longer in the margins (TerraDaily/AFP, Dec. 7)
Scientists urge caution in ocean-CO2 capture schemes (Reuters, Dec. 15)

 Winners & Losers

With sea levels rising due toclimate change, low-lying island nations such as Tuvalu and Kiribati may soon be submerged. Greenland, however, may see an upside to global warming--independence from Denmark.

Kiribati likely doomed by climate change: president (AFP, Jun. 4)
Ice Free [Greenland] (N.Y. Times, Jul. 27) Free site registration required
Tuvalu, About to Disappear, Pleas on Global Warming (Planet Ark/Reuters, Sep. 14)
Not waving but drowning: Island states plead at UN talks (TerraDaily/AFP, Dec. 9)

 Green Business: Watch for Falling Emissions?

In March, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott Jr. flatly stated, "We are not green," and watchdog groups like Wal-Mart Watch were quick to agree. Still, Wal-Mart made headlines in 2008 for energy-efficient store designs, packaging reductions, and selling local produce. Given, the retail giant's market share, even relatively modest efforts at greening operations have an impact on the business world as a whole.

Wal-Mart Packaging Scorecard Begins Today (GreenBiz, Feb. 1)
Walmart: "We Are Not Green" (Wall Street Journal, Mar. 13)
Wal-Mart to source more fruits and veggies locally (ENN/Reuters, Jul. 1)
Wal-Mart Canada goes greener [Efficient new stores and retrofits] (Ottawa Citizen, Aug. 27)

 Change in Presidential Leadership

In the Bush administration's final year, the president was criticized for foot-dragging on CO2 emissions, changes to the Endangered Species Act, and a variety of last-minute rule changes. However, President Bush's proposal to create the world's largest marine sanctuary was widely praised by environmentalists. Meanwhile, President-elect Obama vowed rigorous action on climate change and the creation of millions of green jobs. In December, he presented his energy and environmental team.

Bush's 'caution' on CO2 seen as 'foot-dragging' by critics (Christian Science Monitor, Apr. 3)
Endangered Species Act Changes Give Agencies More Say (Washington Post, Aug. 12) Free site registration required
World's Largest Marine Sanctuary Proposed by U.S. (Nat'l Geographic News, Aug. 26)
Obama promises 'new chapter' in climate leadership (Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 19)
Bush Issues Last-Minute Rules On Environment (NPR, Dec. 11)
Obama Unveils Environmental, Energy Policy Team (PBS, Dec. 15)

 Economic Climate

With the onset of the recession, many analysts wonder if financially-strapped countries can afford to move forward on addressing climate change and developing clean energy. However, some have argued that we can't afford not to address the climate crisis. Still others think that green energy development is just the tonic the economy needs to reverse the downturn.

US climate fix could help solve financial crisis (New Scientist, Oct. 10)
Slump May Limit Moves on Clean Energy (N.Y. Times, Nov. 24) Free site registration required
Downturn tests resolve at U.N. climate talks (ENN/Reuters, Nov. 25)
'Green' Jobs Compete for Stimulus Aid (Washington Post, Dec. 24) Free site registration required

 Blue Skies over Beijing

China spent $17 billion for environmental cleanup in the run-up to the Beijing games. Factories cut emissions and car traffic in the capital city was curtailed by 70%. The autombile restrictions were effective enough that Beijing reintroduced them in October. In a related development, a 2008 study found that China has now overtaken the U.S. as the world's biggest polluter.

China 'now top carbon polluter' (BBC News, Apr. 14)
Beijing Orders Pollution to Vanish (Time, Jul. 14)
More than Halfway Through the Games, a Rarity for Beijing: A Breath of Fresh Air (N.Y. Times, Aug. 17) Free site registration required
Beijing reintroduces car rules (BBC News, Oct. 13)

Photo credits: Fish - NOAA; Snake - World Wildlife Fund; Coral - Paul Zahl (NGS); and Kiribati (NASA)

Compiled by Cathy Hunter, Michael Jourdan, and Michael Karabinos.