Topic: deforestation

Soon, everybody may hear. The world’s first ban on illegal wood imports could be a breakthrough on climate change.

Environmental Stories to Watch in 2009

Environmental Stories to Watch is WRI’s annual survey of emerging issues that could have major impacts on environmental coverage. At the Newseum, WRI President Jonathan Lash unveiled what he predicts will be the four “Stories to Watch” in 2009.

This publication is a transcript of Jonathan Lash’s annual Environmental Stories to Watch address, which he gave on December 17th, 2008 at the Newseum. For the past six years, WRI has invited members of the press to join in a conversation about what we think will be the environmental stories to watch in the coming year.

WHAT: For the sixth straight year, World Resources Institute President Jonathan Lash will hold a briefing to preview which key environmental issues to watch in the year ahead.

The World Resources Institute and the Environmental Investigation Agency today launch a partnership to combat illegal logging worldwide and clean up timber supply chains.

Consumer Goods Companies Face Major Earning Hit Without Smart Environmental Sourcing

Companies in certain consumer goods sectors that do not implement sustainable environmental strategies could face a potential reduction of 13 percent to 31 percent in earnings by 2013 and 19 percent to 47 percent in earnings in 2018.

EPA Partners With WRI to Heighten Awareness of Ecosystem Services

The World Resources Institute (WRI) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a collaboration to deliver improved science and practical tools to help companies and governments protect ecosystems and address climate change.

Spanning 90 million hectares, the forests of Indonesia constitute 10 percent of the world’s remaining tropical forests and provide

Ecosystems provide a wealth of services to human populations, among them, disease regulation. But narrowly-focused development projects can threaten these ecosystems and put entire populations at risk.

WRI’s Southern Forests for the Future project seeks to raise awareness of the threats facing the forests of the southern United States and lay the foundation for increasing the acreage that is conserved or managed in a sustainable manner.

The Governance of Forests Initiative is a global network that promotes transparent, participatory, accountable, and coordinated governance of forest lands and resources.

Supporting sustainable palm oil production on low-carbon degraded land and improved forest management in Indonesia.

Degraded land in West Kalimantan. Credit: Sekala

WRI seeks to increase the ability of governments, businesses, and civil society to protect intact forest landscapes, manage working forests more effectively, and restore deforested lands.