Tracking and Survey Training, Russia

WCS Russia have just completed a training course for representatives from China in how to conduct tiger and ungulate monitoring and tracking. Eight Chinese attended the training. The training was given to WCS China staff and representatives from Hun Chun Nature Reserve. Here John Goodrich is showing the group how WCS is tracking radio collared tigers and how to get an approximate location of the animal (in this case an adult female tiger). It was a very enthusiastic group that took part in the 3 day training program in Sikhote Allin Nature Reserve.

In the second picture my group is taking a lunch break after we have walked for about 6 km to track animals (I am the person closest to the tree). This day we found many tracks from various ungulates and even a set of relative fresh tiger tracks, probably a young male tiger. The next training session was held in China where we conducted tiger, leopard and ungulate monitoring and surveys along with the training for about 20 staff from WCS and Hun Chun Nature Reserve.

Evidence is now ‘unequivocal’ that humans are causing global warming – UN report

"2 February 2007 – Changes in the atmosphere, the oceans and glaciers and ice caps now show unequivocally that the world is warming due to human activities, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in new report released today in Paris".

Can the message to the world's leaders get any clearer than this? To see the full press release click here: UN Press Release: Evidence is now ‘unequivocal’ that humans are causing global warming – UN report

Link of the Month: Professional Association for China's Environment

As some of you may have noticed I recently posted an article about the challenges (and potentially unique opportunities) to the global environment currently posed by China's strong economic development. One excellent website that I have been following for quite some time now for news on China's environment and sustainability issues is the Professional Association for China's Environment. On their website they write: "It is our belief that China on a path of green development is the greatest contribution to the global sustainability." I could not agree more.

Here one can find the latest news articles related to environmental issues in China. They also have updates on various related events taking place in China. One can also become a member and thus be able to take part in their forums. I can highly recommend this website for anyone interested in the green movement and environmentalism related to China.

Climate Change Impacts in Africa

We all know about Katrina and the deadly floodings and storms in Europe. In two previous postings (11 October 06 and 12 August 06) 1-Earth featured video clips showing how climate change has caused droughts in Asia and South America. Now it is time to look at how climate change is impacting another impoverished region of the world: Africa.

We need no more proof, global climate change is happening now and everywhere and impacting the already impoverished regions to a much higher extent than the rich regions. The videoclips below illustrates what is happening right now in Africa as a result of climate change induced by our unsustainable living and extraction of earth's resources.

Climate Change & Africa:


One World - No Second Chance

Link of the month: Climate Change News Digest

I have recently come across this great internet news portal on climate change called Climate Change News Digest and I want to share it with as many of 1-earth blog readers as possible. It is one of the most comprehensive online news portals I have come across concerning climate change issues.

Climate Change News Digest has this to say about themselves:

"Climate Change News is an internet news portal that provides constantly updated links to the latest news on climate change. All articles are filtered to remove the repetition and rubbish and leave only the relevant. The aim of Climate Change News is to promote a broader view of climate change and to show how inherently it is linked to political, economic, ethical and even philosophical issues", and

"Currently the mainstream media is not presenting a broad coherent view of what is going on; it is up to us to join the dots. Here's an example: Leaked drafts of the 2007 IPCC report have revised upwards the lowest limits of temperature rise to 3°C. Scientists have already said that a 2°C rise will lead to runaway global warming. Come to your own conclusion, then visit the action and links pages to see examples of what can be done".

So check out CCND for the latest news on climate change for your daily dose of climate reality and rationale for cutting back on consumption and more reasons to get involved in or support the environmental movement.

Link of the month: Trees for the Future

This is a great initiative undertaken worldwide by some very committed individuals. This is action at its best and shows what a few dedicated individuals can do to help regenerate our depleted earth and help global warming while at the same time help improve impoverished local communities. This is a great illustration of sustainable development and environmentalism helping earth heal itself. Visit their website at: Trees for the Future and help them plant a new forest and sow the seeds for sustainable development worldwide.

My First Sighting of a Tiger in the Wild

We were on the way to have a look at a feeding site for ungulates that WCS is supporting in Khabarovskyi Krai. It was quite late in the afternoon and we had been driving on this bumpy dirt road used mainly by logging trucks for more than an hour when all of a sudden I saw this dark brown (looked like that in the twilight) animal running about 200 meters in front of the car. Then suddenly I noticed the long tail and before I could say anything to the others the Russian game warden that was in the back of the car cried out loudly Tigr! Tigr!. Unfortunately the tiger ran quickly off the road and into the forest. Although it was not a very good sighting as the tiger was quite far away and it was getting dark I am nevertheless very excited about it. I had been told not to expect to see any tigers in the wild as they are not only very rare but also in general do what they can to avoid humans.

WCS Russia has a Small Grants Program that supports Wildlife Management Organizations in Primorskyi and Khabarovskyi krais to fund projects that help improve tiger and ungulate populations. The project may relate to salt and feeding grounds for ungulates, improving anti-poaching activities, building game warden cabins, etc. It was one of these projects we were going to visit when we came across the tiger. In the picture above we are checking out a different ungulate feeding site in the same county as where we came across the tiger. (Thanks for the photo Anton).

Link of the Month: Naturewatch

Naturewatch is a non-profit animal welfare campaigning organisation. They have a lot of campaigns aimed at animal welfare worldwide. These include:

- Cruelty-free shopping
- Animal experiments & the 3Rs
- Badger cruelty & wildlife crime
- Live transport across Europe and in Australia
- Animal welfare in Eastern Europe
- The need for animal welfare organisations to work within the democratic system

Please visit their website and if you can help sponsor them in any way possible please do so. Their website can be found at: Naturewatch

South East Asia Drought - Climate Change

In a previous posting (August) I posted a video by Greenpeace on severe drought in the Amazon river basin. Here we have yet another reality check on how global climate change is impacting earth's climate. No areas are untouched.



"Greenpeace links rising global temperatures and climate change to the onset of one of the worst droughts to have struck Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia in recent memory. Severe water shortage and damage to agriculture has affected millions".

Link of the Month: Wildlife Conservation Society

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is the organization I found work with after finishing my MSc. degree in Environmental Management. It is an incredibly interesting organization to work for and my work as a Manager for the Tiger Friendly Certification Program is multi-faceted as it touches on aspects of biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, community development and poverty alleviation. It has received a grant of US$ 97,000 from the World Bank. To read more about the project please visit: World Bank Development Marketplace: Tiger Friendly Certification in Russia Far East

Below is a short clip on the Amur Tiger and its current condition. This is the sub-specie of Tigers that live in Russia Far East. The Hornocker Foundation was one of the first orgainzations outside of Russia to conduct scientific research on the Amur Tiger. It merged later with WCS.

ABC News Story on Global Climate Change

This is an excellent news report by ABC News on the dire threat of Global Climate Change. The report is in two parts. Remember, One life - Live it! One earth - Protect it! (Think about it).

PART 1



PART 2

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: Volunteers

To anyone that has been following this blog it must by now be apparant that that I have an affinity for volunteering as a nature guide or nature interpreter. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore is one such place that I have volunteered as a nature guide. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has its own newsletter called Wetlands. This year Sungei Buloh celebrates the Volunteer Programme’s 10th Anniversary and have dedicated a whole issue (Vol. 10, No 8, 2006) to its volunteer programme.


"Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), to this day, is fortunate to have a group of dedicated and committed volunteers, who have a keen heart for SBWR and for nature. We appreciate all the work that the volunteers have done tirelessly, and their efforts and time. We look forward to see the volunteer group grow together with us, and always staying together as one happy 'Sungei Buloh family'!" -- Chan Su Hoi, Outreach Officer

For anyone thinking about volunteering as a nature guide please read this issue. It can tell you a lot about how grateful Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is for your time and dedication as well as what you as a volunteer will gain from this experience.

Link of the Month: Coral Reef Multimedia Project

I have just finished my Master of Science degree in Environmental Management from National University of Singapore. I wrote my dissertation on the topic of Marine Resources Management, with Singapore as a case study. It is titled: The Case for a Marine Protected Area in Singapore - A Future Catalyst for Singapore’s Integrated Marine and Coastal Management. I have just come across this great project called Coral Reef Multimedia Project. There are several video there that you can download that tells the story of the importantance of the world's coral reefs to biodiversity and our global climate. Please visit them at: http://www.coralreefmultimedia.org/

Amazon drought! Climate change

How can it be? Severe drought in the Amazon region, where the world's largest river runs. This is a scary example of how climate change is already effecting our planet at accelerating speed. Scientists thought that this region would not be effected by global warming for several more decades, but it is already happening!

See this video by Greenpeace:




And also watch: Shocking images from Amazon jungle

New job as Manager for Tiger Friendly Certification

In July 2006 I was offered the position of Tiger Friendly Certification Manager with Wildlife Conservation Society (Russia). I will now be based in Vladivostok, Russia Far East where I will be working on helping conserve the Amur (Siberian) tiger by reducing human-tiger conflicts. We do this through economic incentives to hunters and community members in tiger territories via the Tiger Friendly Certification Scheme. The idea is that these economic incentives will be strong enough to stop poachers from killing tigers and its prey (ungulates). My contract with WCS is until June, 2007 so I have nearly a year to help make a difference in Amur tiger conservation efforts. The project has received about US$ 97,000 in funding from the World Bank. To read more about the WCS project I will be managing please visit: World Bank Development Marketplace: Tiger Friendly Certification in Russia Far East

WCS also has some information about the project on its website: WCS - Tigers and Hunters

This project is also very interesting because it deals with issues at the intersection of development, business, and conservation. Tiger conservation is the ultimate goal of the project, but it is understood that to be effective in addressing the issue of tiger conservation one must also address the issue of development, poverty alleviation and local capacity building as these issues are all interlinked.

I will also in all likelihood be involved in transboundary tiger conservation co-operation between Russia and China due to my background from China (work and masters degree in Chinese politics) and this will also be og great interest to me.

This will be a huge change in my life as I now will be moving to Russia, something which I previously have never considered. However, I feel that this is a unique opportunity for me to get some valuable wildlife conservation experience and to help conserve one of the rarest sub-species of tigers in the world. I am therefore looking very much forward to take up my position with WCS and I sincerely hope that I can make a difference helping reduce human-tiger conflicts and thus help conserve the rare Amur tiger.

Tracking the Amur Tiger

I have just returned from a five day visit to Russia Far East (RFE). I went there for a job interview with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). It was a very interesting experience and I learned a great deal not only about WCS, but also about the environment and working conditions in RFE. On the first day I wnt straight to Nezhinsky Nature Reserve to meet with the game wardens and NR staff. Stayed over night there and got to try the famous Russian banya (sauna) with an accompanying dip in the cold lake next to it. Then next it was visiting the office in Vladivostok for meetings and interviews there. The last two days was spent in beautiful Lazo NR where Dale Miquelle (the Russia Program Director) and I tracked a tiger for nearly three km along beaches and ridges. We were accompanies by the reserve's "guard" dog that I named Drog (friend in Russian) as he was very friendly. The picture is of me and Drog next to the tiger tracks on one of the beaches.

Translocation of intertidal marine life Labrador Park

Labrador Park is the last remaining rocky shore on Singapore mainland. Unfortunately the Marine Ports Authority has decided to extend the Pasir Panjang Container Terminal, which sits right next to the park, and it will thus affect a big section of the park. A decicated group of volunteers spent five days betwen May 30th and June 16th to help translocate corals and other intertidal marine life affected by the construction work soon to take place.



Here is a group photo of the many volunteers that helped save the marine life from destruction by translocating them in other areas of the rocky shore further away from the upcoming construction (I am in the back row wearing a blue short sleeved shirt).

For more information on the MPA plans and how they will affect Labrador Park please visit: WildSingapore MPA Plans

And Bush wants to be taken seriously????

See this clip from BBC shown early this month. It clearly demonstrates how the Bush administration has actively been trying to kill the debate over global warning and continues to do so even though there is now not even a shred of doubt that it is happening and why. How can he be expected to be taken seriously?

Trond on volunteering as a Nature Guide

I believe that one of the most beneficial activities one can get involved in is volunteer work. Firstly you give of yourself to your community and secondly it gives you a great opportunity to learn new things and experience personal growth. For me and my life in Singapore nature guiding and working as a nature interpreter has given me a lot of personal satisfaction. I have volunteered for Singapore Botanical Gardens as a tropical rainforest guide and in the process I have learned a great deal about the tropical rainforest system and continue to learn more. At the same time I have the opportunity to shape people's views of the rain forests and the extreme importance these play in the greater picture of earth's climates and why we should do what is in our power to protect these fragile forests. The photo to the right is of me giving my classmates from the MSc. Environmental Management Programme a guided tour of Singapore Botanical Gardens' Tropical Rainforest. Thanks for the photo Anbu.

I have also recently taken up nature guiding at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve. This is a mangrove eco-system and as such represents a different, but equally as important, aspect of earth's biodiversity. It is my personal experience that in sharing the importance of earth's forests, ecosystems and biodiversity with the public at large we can all help shape the future of nature conservation. I can highly recommend anyone interested to volunteer as a nature guide/interpreter.

To volunteer contact either Singapore Botanical Gardens or Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve directly.

Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)

Today on the way to the bus stop I suddenly found this little guy right next to (less than half a metre) from the busy Pasir Panjang Road. I reckon it has fallen out of its nest. Being afraid it may be run down by cars, eaten by cats or otherwise not in a position to care for itself I decided to take it home and care for it a few days to see how it is doing before I decide what to do with it. I will probably give it to AVA or call Jurong Bird Park to see if they can take care of it. So far it is doing very well and it has a very healthy appetite.
It also does not look sick or injured so I believe it managed to flap its wings enough to soften the fall. I am comtemplating what to do with it as I do not want it to be dependent on humans in the future. I need to feed it quite regularly, which does not fit my busy school schedule these days. I have decided to name it Sunshine because of its bright yellow colors.

Bird watching is one of my favorite past-times and the Black-Naped Oriole is one of my all time favorite Singaporean birds. To learn a bit more about this species and how it is doing in Singapore you can go this excellent link developed by Ria Tan: Black-naped Oriole

MAY 27, 06 - UPDATE ON SUNSHINE

Sunshine has continued to eat very well, indeed a healthy appetite for such a small fellow. Today I decided to take it to Jurong Bird Park. They agreed to take it and it will in all likelihood either be released back to nature after it is fully grown or be displayed in the South East Asia exhibit after passing quarantine. It is a very trusting bird and it let the Jurong Bird Park staff handle it without any protests. They decided to take it. I am sure it will be very happy in the park.

ASEAN Environment Year 2006 "launched" in Indonesia

From: PRESS RELEASE from the ASEAN Secretariat

ASEAN launches Environment Year 2006 at Bogor, Indonesia, on 18 May 2006

ASEAN has designated the year 2006 as ASEAN Environment Year (AEY) with the theme, “Biodiversity: Our Life, Our Future”. The official launch of AEY 2006 was held at the Bogor Botanical Gardens, Bogor, Indonesia, on 18 May 2006 in conjunction with the 189th Anniversary of the Bogor Botanical Gardens.

The launch of AEY 2006 aims to raise people awareness of the region’s rich biodiversity, and strengthen regional cooperation and implementation of actions on environment conservation. It supports ASEAN’s commitment to achieve the goals of sustainable development envisaged in ASEAN Vision 2020 on the establishment of a ‘clean and green ASEAN’.

For a copy of the complete press release go here: ASEAN launches Environment Year 2006 at Bogor, Indonesia, on 18 May 2006

The aims described in the press release are very worthy goals. It remains to be seen what results will come from the efforts. If the "cooperation" on the regional haze problem is any indicator the aims may be too ambitious as ASEAN clearly has not been able to control the haze problem as agreed to previously and if so how can it be effective in implementing environmental conservation? Maybe I am too pessimistic in my view and that some very good results will come from these efforts.

The ASEAN Vision 2020 is also an ambitious plan, but here I am more optimistic that ASEAN can to a high degree have some impact in meeting their objectives set forth. ASEAN has 14 years to accomplish the goal and as the evidence for human induced climate change becomes stronger and stronger so hiopefully will the governments will to do something about it increase. It is hopefully just a matter of time (and hopefully not too late) before governments will concur with the world's leading scientists that the global climate change is indeed caused by human activities and thus take action to counteract the current trends. To read more about ASEAN's Vision 2020 check out these websites:

ASEAN Vision 2020
An Assessment Study on the Progress of ASEAN Vision 2020

Movie of the Year: An Inconvenient Truth

Here is the trailer. DO NOT MISS this gripping movie by Vice President Al Gore.

One Chapter Soon Finished

Dear 1-earth Blog Readers,

The MSc. in Environmental Management that I am currently taking at National University of Singapore is soon drawing to an end as the last semester's exams are coming up. I have therefore recently been very busy preparing for the exams, the dissertation and at the same looking for work in the environmental field. This last task will soon be my highest priority as I hope to get out there and work for the environment and put what I have learned into practice as soon as my dissertation has been submitted (in June).

There are in particular two areas in the environmental field that I would like to work in and they are:

1. Global Climate Change
2. Conservation/Biodoversity.

Although these two areas are the closest to my heart I would also consider working in other areas. My main working experience is from ASEAN, China (including Hong Kong) and Taiwan. As I want to leverage my extensive experience from these geographic regions in my future environmental career I hope to find work that deals with these geographic regions.

I am very committed to the environment and to work for change on the ground and with the public, governments, the private sector, NGO's and other stakeholders. I am particularly interested in policy related research and lobbying. So if you hear of any opportunities out there that could be of interest please drop me a note.

Have a happy GREEN day everyone!

Trond Lovdal

UNEP-COBSEA part-time research assistant

UNEP is building a marine database under the The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia or COBSEA programme and Tropical Marine Science Institute at NUS is in charge of putting this database together. I have now been hired on a part-time basis as a research assistant for this project. As I am currently researching and writing my dissertation on the topic "The case for a Marine Protected Area in Singapore - A Future Catalyst for Singapore's Integrated Marine and Coastal Management" this project will be a very interesting project for me to work on as I can learn a great deal about what other countries' governments are doing with regard to marine conservation and environmental protection. It will also help me see how Singapore's efforts in marine environmental conservation fit within the broader Asian context.

I will be researching the following three areas for the database:

- Member Country Profiles,
- State of the Marine Environment, and
- Regional Activities

This will indeed be an exciting project to work on over the next few weeks and months.

10 ways you can help the environment.

There are many ways you can help the environment and reduce heat trapping emissions. I have found this excellent website by the Union of Concerned Scientists. The website lists ten areas in which an individual can have a major impact in helping reduce the global warming impact. They are:

1. The car you drive: the most important personal climate decision.
2. Choose clean power.
3. Look for Energy Star.
4. Unplug a freezer.
5. Get a home energy audit.
6. Light bulbs matter.
7. Think before you drive.
8. Buy good wood.
9. Plant a tree.
10. Let policymakers know you are concerned about global warming.

Not of all of these are equally applicable to where you might live, but there may be other ways that you can think of to supplement these 10 ways.

Please go visit: Ten ways you can help the environment for a more detailed description of what you can do to help care for our global home.

The websites also has a lot MORE great information on the environment. It is a great resource for those interested in learning more about the environment and how we can change our thinking and lifestyle to positively effect the global climate and environment. As a resource I would rate it ten out of ten!