Past Month's News     Plankton decline across oceans as waters warm LONDON, UK, 28 July 2010 (BBC) - The amount of phytoplankton - tiny marine plants - in the top layers of the oceans has declined markedly over the last century, research suggests. WHO sounds alarm on high obesity in Pacific island nations NEW YORK, US, 28 July 2010 (UN News) - Pacific Ocean countries face a severe obesity problem, which is also causing increased rates of heart disease and strokes, according to the UN World Health Organization. Islanders complete Bute forest buyout LONDON, UK, 28 July 2010 (BBC) - Islanders on Bute have completed the buyout of part of a forest previously owned by film director Richard Attenborough. Giant, dog-sized rat documented in East Timor SYDNEY, Australia, 27 July 2010 (AFP) - Australian archaeologists have documented the remains of ancient giant rats the size of small dogs which were discovered in a remote East Timorese cave.  Indian Ocean islands ask for EU aid against piracy at summit KAMPALA, Uganda, 27 July 2010 (Earth Times) - Five Indian Ocean island states are working together against the commercial threat of Somali pirates, and have requested military and financial aid from the European Union. St. Lucia seeks geothermal power SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, 26 July 2010 (AP) - The volcanic island of St. Lucia plans to tap geothermal power trapped beneath sulfur springs and roiling mud pools in a rare attempt at developing alternative energy sources in the Caribbean. Lionfish boom threatens Atlantic ecosystem LONDON, UK, 26 July 2010 (Guardian) - They are stunningly beautiful and a big draw for aquariums, but that's where the attraction ends. Engineers race to design world's biggest offshore wind turbines LONDON, UK, 26 July 2010 (Guardian) - British, American and Norwegian engineers are in a race to design and build the holy grail of wind turbines – giant, 10MW offshore machines twice the size and power of anything seen before – that could transform the global energy market because of their economies of scale. Boat of plastic bottles ends 4 month Pacific sail SYDNEY, Australia, 26 July 2010 (AP) - A sailboat largely constructed from 12,500 recycled plastic bottles has completed a 4-month journey across the Pacific Ocean meant to raise awareness about the perils of plastic waste. Indonesia seeks to tap its huge geothermal reserves BALI, Indonesia, 26 July 2010 (NYT) - The 17,500 islands of the Indonesian archipelago, perched perilously on the arc of seismic activity known as the Pacific Ring, are plagued by unpredictable and often deadly volcanic eruptions. Rarest otter discovered in Sabah, Borneo LONDON, UK, 26 July 2010 (BBC) - The world's rarest otter has been rediscovered in Borneo, after a single individual was photographed by a camera trap set by conservation scientists. Pacific rallies to help free West Papua AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 24 July 2010 (NZ Herald) - Vanuatu is leading the charge against Indonesia to grant independence to the troubled region. Are coral islands really doomed? MALE, Maldives, 23 July 2010 (Der Spiegel) - The Maldives have become a symbol of the dangers of global warming, amid fears the low-lying nation could disappear as a result of rising sea levels. U.S. challenges China on island chain HANOI, Vietnam, 23 July 2010 (NYT) - Opening a new source of potential friction with China, the Obama administration said today that it would step into a tangled dispute between China and its smaller Asian neighbors over a string of strategically sensitive islands in the South China Sea. An airport for St Helena (too late for Napoleon) LONDON, UK, 23 July 2010 (Independent) - In 1815, the British government had a dangerous prisoner on its hands. Napoleon Bonaparte had just been defeated at Waterloo, but he had been defeated before – and exiled to the island of Elba, 12 miles off the coast of Tuscany, but had come storming back. Japan breeding program aims to save rare albatross NEW YORK, US, 23 July 2010 (SciAm) - About 2,700 short-tailed albatrosses currently fly over the Pacific Ocean. Pacific slum district a health hazard to residents MAJURO, Marshall Islands, 22 July 2010 (AFP) - The Marshall Islands region of Ebeye, which has the unflattering reputation as the "slum of the Pacific" has now been damned in a US Army report as a health threat to residents. Pacific islands seek UNESCO heritage honour PARIS, France, 22 July 2010 (AFP) - Thirty-two natural wonders and cultural treasures including the remote Bikini Atoll in the Pacific are competing to join UNESCO's top world heritage list when it meets in Brazil next week. Guadeloupe gets first national IBA directory CAMBRIDGE, UK, 22 July 2010 (BirdLife) - AMAZONA (Association des Mateurs Amicaux des Z'Oiseaux et de la Nature aux Antilles) has published the Caribbean's first national language Important Bird Area (IBA) directory. Malaysia closes diving reefs to save coral KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 22 July 2010 (Telegraph) - Twelve reefs that attract half a million tourists from around the world annually are now closed to divers and snorkellers until the end of October to allow the corals to recover from bleaching caused by warmer seas. Indonesia demands compensation for Timor Sea spill JAKARTA, Indonesia, 22 July 2010 (AFP) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono today demanded compensation for an oil spill off northwestern Australia that campaigners say destroyed fishermen's livelihoods. Oman to build $1.5 billion bridge to turtle island MUSCAT, Oman, 22 July 2010 (Reuters) - Oman plans to build a $1.5 billion bridge to an island turtle habitat off the Gulf Arab state's east coast to boost tourist numbers. The world's first molten salt concentrating solar power plant LONDON, UK, 22 July 2010 (Guardian) - 'Archimede' demonstration solar plant in Sicily becomes the first to use molten salts to store energy overnight. Conservation and the Cook Islands CAMBRIDGE, UK, 20 July 2010 (BirdLife) - BirdLife International has received a grant from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund to produce an inventory of priority conservation sites for biodiversity in the Cook Islands. Bjork and CEO in public spat over Icelandic energy takeover REYKJAVIK, Iceland, 20 July 2010 (AFP) - Icelandic singer Bjork and the chief of Canada's Magma Energy company are publicly feuding over Magma's planned purchase of an Icelandic geothermal power group. Volcanic ash team back at sea to gather more data LONDON, UK, 20 July 2010 (BBC) - A team of scientists has returned to the North Atlantic to get more data on how the Icelandic volcanic eruption has affected the region's marine biology. Tuvaluans talk about the threat posed by rising sea levels WELLINGTON, New Zealand, 19 July 2010 (RNZI) - Tuvalu has made a name for itself on the world stage in recent years as one of the countries most threatened by the impact of climate change. Found: Sri Lankan primate thought to be extinct for 60 years LONDON, UK, 19 July 2010 (Guardian) - A mysterious primate driven to the brink of extinction by Britain's taste for tea has been photographed for the first time. Internet domain riches fail to arrive in Tuvalu LONDON, UK, 18 July 2010 (Independent) - The tiny South Pacific island state of Tuvalu, where the average income is little more than £12 a week, has taken on one of the giants of cyberspace by demanding a greater share of the lucrative earnings generated by its unique domain name suffix. Modernity catching up with barefoot Indonesian tribe LONDON, UK, 17 July 2010 (Independent) - The government offered them electricity and schools, but they refused. The Baduy people prefer to walk barefoot on their traditional lands on Indonesia's Java island. Mining to end on Christmas Island SYDNEY, Australia, 17 July 2010 (The Australian) - Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has declared the end of phosphate mining on Christmas Island to protect threatened species. Indonesia pledges forests for orangutan conservation JAKARTA, Indonesia, 16 July 2010 (AFP) - Indonesia said it will reserve thousands of hectares of forest in Borneo for some 200 captive orangutans which will be released in a conservation drive. Gulf of Mexico oil stoppage going well, BP says LONDON, UK, 16 July 2010 (BBC) - BP says it is encouraged by the first test data following its stoppage of the oil from its leaking Gulf of Mexico well.   Governments urge Russia to suspend seismic testing GLAND, Switzerland, 15 July 2010 (WWF) - 12 governments have sent a letter to the Russian government asking them to encourage its oil and gas giant Rosneft to postpone a seismic survey that is scheduled to take place near Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East at a time when the critically endangered western gray whale migrates to the area to feed. Ancient species discovered in Barrier Reef depths SYDNEY, Australia, 15 July 2010 (AFP) - Australian scientists have discovered bizarre prehistoric sea life hundreds of metres below the Great Barrier Reef, in an unprecedented mission to document species under threat from ocean warming. Fishing for pollution in the Atlantic BOSTON, US, 14 July 2010 (Globe) - Researchers from the Sea Education Association have removed tens of thousands of plastic fragments from the Atlantic Ocean over the past six weeks in what many believe is just a small part of a giant collection of debris in the middle of the ocean. Ogasawara lizard traps easing sticky situation TOKYO, Japan, 14 July 2010 (Asahi Shimbun) - A simple, inexpensive trap is helping to save an ancient yet now-decimated ecosystem while fueling Japan's hopes of getting another area listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Taiwan seeks to save indigenous languages LONDON, UK, 14 July 2010 (BBC) - Taipei secondary school student Lai Wei-li swayed awkwardly while trying to make music with a Saisiyat tribal instrument of dangling bamboo tubes strapped to her back. Eating to beat invasive lionfish WASHINGTON, US, 13 July 2010 (VOANews) - In the waters of the Caribbean Sea, a voracious invasive species called the lionfish is threatening to overtake the reefs. Zapata Rail on the edge CAMBRIDGE, UK, 13 July 2010 (BirdLife) - The Zapata Rail is a very poorly-known waterbird endemic to Cuba, and today a relict species from the Zapata Swamp in western Cuba. Monastic Malagasy bat mystifies experts LONDON, UK, 13 July 2010 (BBC) - A monastic species of bat is mystifying zoologists. The bat, known as the sucker-footed bat, lives in Madagascar, and although it has long been known, its ecology is only just being researched. Sea levels rising in parts of Indian Ocean ROCKVILLE, US, 13 July 2010 (ScienceDaily) - Newly detected rising sea levels in parts of the Indian Ocean, including the coastlines of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Java, appear to be at least partly a result of human-induced increases of atmospheric greenhouse gases, says a study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder. Red hot chillies arrive at frozen seed vault LONDON, UK, 13 July 2010 (BBC) - Seeds from some of North America's hottest food crops have arrived on the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard to be stored in a "doomsday vault". Businesses profit from investing in nature LONDON, UK, 13 July 2010 (BBC) - Businesses can and should take a key role in stemming biodiversity loss around the world, a report concludes. Important Bird Areas in the Pacific region identified CAMBRIDGE, UK, 12 July 2010 (BirdLife) - A quarter of the World’s critically endangered birds hovering on extinction are from the Pacific region, the challenge now is to do everything possible to save endangered Pacific bird species before it is too late. Typhoons carry carbon out to sea LONDON, UK, 12 July 2010 (Nature) - Researchers in Taiwan have discovered that typhoons can pump large amounts of carbon from inland areas into the deep sea, potentially affecting the global carbon cycle and marine ecosystems. Green tech lights the way in Haiti LES ANGLAIS, Haiti, 12 July 2010 (DiscoveryNews) - This week, an unexpected store opened in rural Haiti. Inside, the items for sale include solar panels, solar-powered lamps, and ultra-efficient stoves. The Solovetsky transfiguration monastery LONDON, UK, 12 July 2010 (Telegraph) - Despite periods of turbulence, for almost six centuries the religious community of the Solovetsky Islands in Russia's North has provided an important centre of spirituality and pilgrimage. East Timor parliament rejects Australia refugee plan LONDON, UK, 12 July 2010 (BBC) - East Timor's parliament has unanimously rejected a proposal by Australia's new prime minister that the tiny country host a refugee processing centre. Managing waste in the Pacific islands APIA, Samoa, 12 July 2010 (IBI) - In today’s world, it is very easy to generate waste, whether it is our left-over food that has gone bad, the wrapper from our favourite chocolate bar, yesterday’s newspaper, or the packaging from our new appliance or electronic gadget. King of Tonga prepares to give up power SYDNEY, Australia, 11 July 2010 (Telegraph) - This week the government published a new electoral role and called on the Pacific nation’s 101,900 citizens to add their names to the document so that they can take part in the historic vote, which is due to be held on November 25. Total solar eclipse crosses South Pacific LONDON, UK, 11 July 2010 (BBC) - A total solar eclipse has crossed the South Pacific, with thousands of tourists and scientists gathered on Chile's Easter Island to witness it. Rising sea drives Panama islanders to mainland CARTI SUGDUB, Panama, 11 July 2010 (Reuters) - Rising seas from global warming, coming after years of coral reef destruction, are forcing thousands of indigenous Panamanians to leave their ancestral homes on low-lying Caribbean islands.  Tuvalu facing uncertain future AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 11 July 2010 (NZ Herald) - Pule O'Brien returned to Tuvalu after 10 years away and was shocked by how many more people are now living on his home island of Funafuti. Haiti: Aid effort six months on LONDON, UK, 10 July 2010 (BBC) - The human cost of the earthquake in Haiti has been huge; millions were left hungry, their homes, schools and hospitals destroyed and their livelihoods taken away. BP to make new attempt to plug Gulf of Mexico oil leak LONDON, UK, 10 July 2010 (BBC) - BP will start replacing the cap over the blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend, reports say. Papua autonomy protests challenge Jakarta JAKARTA, Indonesia, 9 July 2010 (BBC) - Hundreds of protesters in West Papua have continued their demonstrations rejecting the province's special autonomy status. Is world's largest vanilla market on verge of collapse? SAMBAVA, Madagascar, 9 July 2010 (CNN) - The world's largest vanilla industry is feared to be on the verge of collapse as farmers struggle to earn a living. Philippines' famed Boracay island under threat MANILA, Philippines, 9 July 2010 (AFP) - The Philippines' once pristine island of Boracay has become extremely overdeveloped, with its famous beach now choked by sewage and too many bars, the country's new tourism minister said today. Thousands flock to French Polynesia for solar eclipse PAPEETE, French Polynesia, 9 July 2010 (AFP) - Avatar director James Cameron will be among thousands of visitors turning their eyes skywards in French Polynesia on Sunday for the islands' first solar eclipse in 350 years.  Meeting with Obama officials focuses on climate HONOLULU, Hawaii, 8 July 2010 (Star Advertiser) - Senior members of President Obama's administration will have an opportunity tomorrow to hear from island leaders and residents about the effects of climate change in Hawaii and the Pacific. US, Indonesian scientists journey to bottom of sea JAKARTA, Indonesia, 8 July 2010 (AFP) - US and Indonesian scientists today launched a joint expedition to map some of the deepest oceanic trenches in the world for clues on biodiversity and volcanic vents. 'Magical thinking' about islands is an illusion NEW YORK, US, 8 July 2010 (AFTAU) - Long before TV's campy Fantasy Island, the isolation of island communities has touched an exotic and magical core in us. New evidence on sea levels and fish behaviour GLAND, Switzerland, 8 July 2010 (WWF) - New evidence suggesting sea levels will rise to double expected levels this century and that fewer baby fish will grow successfully to maturity in more acidified oceans underline the urgent need for decisive action on climate change. EU should respond to Cuba move to release prisoners LONDON, UK, 8 July 2010 (BBC) - Spain has called on the European Union to soften its position on Cuba in light of Havana's agreement to release 52 political detainees. East Timor open to Australia's refugee centre plan LONDON, UK, 8 July 2010 (BBC) - East Timor says it is open to the idea of housing a refugee processing centre - as debate intensifies over the plan by Australia's prime minister. Caribbean: Sustainable tourism LONDON, UK, 8 July 2010 (TTG) - Islands should use ‘heritage tourism’ and ‘geotourism’ to highlight their unique attractions, delegates at the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development were advised. Islanders prepare for second battle of Okinawa LONDON, UK, 8 July 2010 (Independent) - There can be few prettier prime ministerial graveyards: waves from a coral-rich, emerald-green sea lick the sandy shore of a pristine white beach. US rules out Taiwan free trade deal WASHINGTON, US, 7 July 2010 (AFP) -  The United States has ruled out a free trade agreement with Taiwan amid a dispute over beef imports, days after the island signed a sweeping accord with longtime adversary China. Too many advisers spoil aid programs SYDNEY, Australia, 7 July 2010 (SMH) - Recent debate in the Australian media on the role of Australian aid advisers, particularly in Papua New Guinea, has raised concerns regarding their large number, excessive remuneration and questionable effectiveness. Europe bans illegal timber to protect forests STRASBOURG, France, 7 July 2010 (AFP) - The European Union today barred the import and sale of illegally harvested timber in a bid to fight climate change and deforestation from the Amazon to Asia. The return of the giant tortoise QUITO, Ecuador, 7 July 2010 (Tierramerica) - The historic reintroduction of giant tortoises is under way on Pinta Island, where not a single one of the famous animals that gave their name to the Ecuadorian archipelago of Galápagos remained. Dual roles of Sark's seneschal may be split LONDON, UK, 7 July 2010 (BBC) - Sark's Chief Pleas has decided to investigate splitting the dual roles of the seneschal. 38 British sites compete for World Heritage status LONDON, UK, 7 July 2010 (UKPA) - The 38-strong list includes the Caribbean island of Anguilla for the Fountain Cavern; Gibraltar for Gorham’s Cave; the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean and the Island of St Helena, 1,200 miles west of the tip of Africa where Napoleon was sent after his defeat at Waterloo. Puffin 'sat nav' reveals feeding grounds LONDON, UK, 7 July 2010 (Telegraph) - Birds on the Farne Islands off Northumberland, England’s biggest breeding colony of puffins, were fitted with ‘sat nav’ devices for the first time last year. Super squid sex organ discovered LONDON, UK, 7 July 2010 (BBC) - The mating habits of deep-sea squid have been revealed for the first time, after the discovery of a male squid with a huge elongated and erect penis. Building craze threatens to end Lanzarote's biosphere status MADRID, Spain, 7 July 2010 (Independent) - Many tourists travel to Lanzarote for nothing more than a sunny beach and a pitcher of sangria with a cliff-top view. Rats, cats, pigs and mice fuelling bird extinction crisis CAMBRIDGE, UK, 6 July 2010 (BirdLife) - Put together, the UK’s 16 overseas territories  are fifth in the world league table of bird extinctions, with at least ten species from the territories going to oblivion since 1500AD, partially or wholly because of the impact of non-native mammals, such as rats, feral cats, mice and pigs. Australian PM plans East Timor asylum centre LONDON, UK, 6 July 2010 (BBC) - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced plans to create a refugee processing centre in East Timor. Greenpeace names, shames companies over Indonesia paper JAKARTA, Indonesia, 6 July 2010 (AFP) - Greenpeace today accused foreign firms like Walmart, Carrefour and Tesco of contributing to forest destruction and species loss in Indonesia by buying from paper and palm oil giant Sinar Mas. Tiger rescue plan to be drafted in Indonesia JAKARTA, Indonesia, 6 July 2010 (AFP) - Representatives from 13 "tiger-range countries" will draft a global recovery plan at a meeting in Bali next week in a bid to rescue the big cats from extinction.  Russia to create new national parks and reserves GLAND, Switzerland, 6 July 2010 (WWF) - Polar bears, walruses, sea otters, and other endangered species are all set to benefit from a Russian decision to boost its national protected areas to nearly 3 percent of its territory by 2020, a move which helps the country to meet its international obligations to protect biodiversity. 'Plastiki' bottle ship to complete Pacific voyage SYDNEY, Australia, 6 July 2010 (AFP) - A boat made from 12,500 plastic bottles will leave New Caledonia for Sydney this week on the final leg of a voyage across the Pacific to raise environmental awareness.  Last remaining mangrove wetland in Barbados disappearing BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, 5 July 2010 (BirdLife) - A new environmental study sharply critical of the Government of Barbados shows the key Graeme Hall mangrove wetland is disappearing due to outside pollution and poor water quality. Grand Cayman mangrove buffer ripped up CAMBRIDGE, UK, 5 July 2010 (BirdLife) - As the National Trust launches its campaign to push for the long awaited conservation law, Grand Cayman has lost another significant stretch of natural habitat from the North Sound coastline. Torres Strait islanders win ocean rights SYDNEY, Australia, 5 July 2010 (Guardian) - After a nine-year legal battle, indigenous tribes have secured native title rights over a vast tract of ocean north of Australia. Dutch review backs UN climate panel report LONDON, UK, 5 July 2010 (BBC) - A Dutch inquiry into the UN's climate science panel has found "no errors that would undermine the main conclusions" on probable impacts of climate change. Conservationists protest Malaysia coal plant plan KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 5 July 2010 (AP) - Conservationists criticized a plan today to build a coal-fired power plant in an environmentally fragile state on Borneo island, but energy officials said the project will provide a much-needed electricity supply boost. Cranky marmots given a reason to live VANCOUVER, Canada, 5 July 2010 (Sun) - When they were facing extinction, the 25 or so Vancouver Island marmots remaining in the wild were cranky, uncommunicative and aloof. Massive offshore wind farm would ruin Scots island idyll EDINBURGH, UK, 5 July 2010 (Scotsman) - A Scottish aristocrat has criticised plans for a massive offshore wind farm that he fears will destroy an island idyll. A language thrives in its Caribbean home WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, 4 July 2010 (NYT) - Thousands of languages spoken by small numbers of people, including many of the Creole languages born in the last centuries of human history, are facing extinction. Islanders protest Islands Trust VANCOUVER, Canada, 4 July 2010 (The Province) - Angry Gulf Islands residents are rallying today against what they call the undemocratic and extreme conservationist policies of the Islands Trust Act. Sinking oil threatens historic Gulf shipwrecks TIMBALIER ISLANDS, US, 4 July 2010 (AP) - Not just flora and fauna are getting caked in oil. So is the Gulf of Mexico's barnacled history of pirates, sea battles and World War II shipwrecks. Japan donates 10 million dollars for Galapagos solar energy QUITO, Ecuador, 3 July 2010 (AFP) - Japan has donated 10 million dollars to Ecuador to help fund a solar energy project in the Galapagos Islands, a UN-designated World Heritage site. Britain bails out scandal-hit Turks and Caicos Islands LONDON, UK, 2 July 2010 (Independent) - The Government is dipping into its aid budget to provide a £10m bailout to the scandal-hit Turks and Caicos Islands, the Caribbean paradise where it imposed direct rule last year.  Indonesia's last glacier will melt within years JAKARTA, Indonesia, 1 July 2010 (AP) - Lonnie Thompson spent years preparing for his expedition to the remote, mist-shrouded mountains of eastern Indonesia, hoping to chronicle the affect of global warming on the last remaining glacier in the Pacific. House arrest for Maldivian opposition MPs COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 1 July 2010 (AFP) - A Maldivian court has ordered the house arrest of two key opposition lawmakers amid a power struggle between the country's president and parliament. How one scientist is battling deforestation in Madagascar LONDON, UK, 1 July 2010 (Guardian) - Patricia Wright has devoted most of her professional life to working on Madagascar, home to a remarkable collection of plants and animals, more than 80 percent of which are endemic to the island nation. Cairn Energy begins Greenland oil exploration LONDON, UK, 1 July 2010 (BBC) - An Edinburgh-based energy firm has begun drilling for oil off the coast of Greenland. Plastic island the size of Hawaii planned for Pacific Ocean LONDON, UK, 30 June 2010 (PRW) - Netherlands-based Whim Architecture has proposed a plan to build an island the size of Hawaii made entirely from plastic waste. Troubled Arctic waters TORONTO, Canada, 30 June 2010 (Globe & Mail) - Expectations of a better standard of living by both rich and poor have blinded many of us to the consequences, as evident in the failure of the Copenhagen climate-change conference to achieve a firm consensus. Biological toilets to be set up in Lakshwadeep Islands NEW DELHI, India, 30 June 2010 (PTI) - Environmentally sensitive region of Lakshwadeep Islands will be the first to have biological toilets in the country for eco-friendly disposal of human waste. Sewage helps Singapore shake off water shackles SINGAPORE, 29 June 2010 (AFP) - When Singapore said it would not renew a water-supply pact with Malaysia the news hardly caused a ripple in a nation where technology is now flowing through the taps. Taiwan weighs up historic China trade deal TAIPEI, Taiwan, 29 June 2010 (BBC) - Standing in a plaza with thousands of other protesters, 50-year-old Chang Fu-meng couldn't think of anything more important to do on a Saturday. The connected Arctic LONDON, UK, 29 June 2010 (Economist) - Ny Alesund, a village devoted to scientific research on the island of Spitsbergen, in the high Arctic, seems about as isolated as it is possible to get. Rats drive island lizard to extinction SAN FRANCISCO, US, 29 June 2010 (Mongabay) - The Selmunett lizard is very likely extinct, according to Maltese naturalist Arnold Sciberras. Indian tribe threatened with extinction by encroaching tourists NEW DELHI, India, 29 June 2010 (Telegraph) - The United Nations is leading a campaign to save the last surviving members of the Jarawa tribe amid growing calls for them to be integrated into mainstream society. Turning plastic islands into vacuum cleaners LONDON, UK, 29 June 2010 (Engineer Live) - The Pacific Ocean is polluted with the largest floating garbage islands in the world. Electrolux intends to gather plastic from the world’s oceans and turn it into a number of vacuum cleaners.  Coral: Lost at sea? LONDON, UK, 29 June 2010 (Independent) - A a result of rising sea temperatures, we are seeing the degradation and eventual destruction of one of the most beautiful ecosystems on Earth. Long-ignored freshwater molluscs in Cuba under threat SAN FRANCISCO, US, 28 June 2010 (Mongabay) - Among biologists, Cuba is famous for its diversity of molluscs with some 3,000 species, including the fact that over 90% of its land snails live nowhere else.