Photo Courtesy Of NASA

With so much at stake, corporate interests, bias media, revolving door politicians, and those who follow them are flooding the airwaves with false truths, and flat out propaganda to mislead and confuse the average person. And with almost unlimited funding via large corporate donors, they have made a relentless push to stop environmental action in its tracks. Here are a list of the the most common propaganda talking points they are throwing around these days, and the real truths you can use to counter them.

1. ‘Volcanoes release more Co2 than humans do each year’

This is one of the lamest and easiest to disprove pieces of propaganda that climate change deniers have been using to downplay man’s part in global Co2 emissions. According to the USGS, volcanoes, both above and below the sea release a total of 200 million tonnes of CO2 on average per year. And while that may sound like a huge amount, The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that in 2003, the man made global emissions of Co2 were at 26.8 billion tonnes. That’s right, we spew out over one hundred times as much Co2 per year as all the worlds volcanoes combined. If you want to really blow a deniers mind, after they say that its Volcanoes to blame, make them confirm that they believe volcanoes are able to alter global climate. When they agree that they believe in that, inform them of that fact that they represent less than 1% of man made Co2. Then ask them if they still believe that humans can’t be responsible for global warming if they produce 100 times as much carbon dioxide as the volcanoes.

2. ‘They call it pollution. We call it life’

This talking point about Co2 was used in a series of commercials and op-eds funded by the Competitive Enterprise Institute in 2006 and has become a favorite of climate change deniers ever since. While the CEI may be right in that without Co2, life on our planet would cease to exist. They leave out the fact that carbon dioxide is only good for life at certain levels. Once it goes above a certain ppm, it becomes toxic. If our current level of atmospheric carbon dioxide was increased by 100%, it would result in a constant feeling of drowsiness in those who breathed it. Doubling that again, would result in a narcotic effect on those exposed. And at a concentration of 5-8% it starts to create difficulty breathing, headaches, vision and hearing problems, loss of consciousness, and even death.

3. ‘Scientists predicted global cooling in the 70′s, why should we trust them now?’

The myth that just won’t die. For years now those with their heads buried in the sand have been using this one to try and discredit the current scientific consensus. And much like all the other propaganda, this one holds no water when you look at it closely. While it is true that during the 1970′s there was some talk of global cooling, but it was by no means a consensus. In fact all of it came from a very small number of scientists speculating about possible cooling. They never gave a cause, they never did any major studies, and there was never more than a few dozen reputable scientists who gave it a second thought. The reason this small speculative rumor gained so much attention back then, and still does today is that the media latched onto it like it was the 1970′s version of Y2K.

4. ‘There was record cold temps in _______ this week/year’

The drudge report loves using this one on an almost weekly basis to rile up their followers. Anytime it snows early, or a new record low temperature is recorded, the global warming deniers latch onto it and milk it for all it is worth. Little do they know how uneducated and ignorant they make themselves look to those with even a rudimentary understanding of how weather and global climate differ. And that is the truth of this situation. localized single event weather instances have no relation to long term global temperatures. If they did, Seattle wouldn’t of broken it’s records for both high and low temps over the last twelve months. On the flip side, this also means that a record high temp for one city, state or country also does not equate to proof of global warming either. Frankly, the entire subject needs to die off from both ends of the debate, as it does neither side any good.

5. ‘What about the cooling that took place in the early part of the 20th Century’

Get ready for it deniers, that period of cooling was the result of man made pollution as well. Before the introduction of the clean air act, we released so much particle pollution into the air that we literally were blocking out the suns rays to such a high degree that we lowered the earths temperature 0.2°C. Once we lessened and or banned these forms of pollution, temperatures went back to normal, and also gave us insight into how much our Co2 pollution was warming the planet now that the particle pollution wasn’t masking it.

6. ‘Global Warming Peaked in 1998, It’s Been Cooling Ever Since’

While 1998 was a record year, it was due to multiple factors with an unusually strong El Niño being the main culprit.  On top of that, according to NASA 2005 overtook 1998 as the hottest global temperature, with 2003, 2004, and 2005 trailing right behind 1998. So the trend has in fact kept going, and the notion that 1998 was the end of global warming is entirely a myth propagated by those trying to mislead the general public.

7. ‘NASA lied, 1934 Is Actually The Hottest Year’

As of last year, many global warming deniers started to throw around the year 1934 as the hottest on record. And claim that NASA screwed up their data, or even go as far as to call it a conspiracy. The truth of that is that yes, NASA did screw up, but the 1934 data now claimed as proof that global warming is a scam, is only a half truth. What they fail to mention when they bring up 1934, is that the record temperature was for the lower 48 states only. Meaning that figure represents only 2% of the entire planet. When you look at 1934 globally, it still fits the same time line that the deniers are trying to discredit with this false ‘proof’.

By Mark Johnson

A Brazilian rubber tapper turned union organizer and environmentalist. Chico Mendes was one of the earliest and most vocal opponents of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. When rubber prices fell, and cattle ranchers started buying up the jungle and burning it to the ground, Chico organized non violent resistance movements to stop them from taking over. Unfortunately this lead to his assassination in 1988 by local ranchers intent on stopping him.

Howard Zahniser

Environmental activist Howard Zahniser was the man most responsible for the creation of the Wilderness Act of 1964. In 1956 while while working with the Wilderness Society, he drafted what would become the Wilderness Act. It took the last 8 years of his life, multiple rewrites, 18 public hearings, and him personally lobbying nearly every congressmen. Sadly, he died of heart failure a few months prior to it being signed by President Lyndon Johnson. Thanks to Howard’s hard work, over 100 million acres of land are permanently protected.

Rachel Carson

Loved by millions, hated by pro business conservatives, Rachel Carson is without a doubt the most influential and controversial environmentalist of the 20th century. Her book, Silent Spring ushered in a new era of thinking in regards to pesticide and chemical use. She opened the eyes of the entire nation to the risks posed by bio accumulation of toxins and the harm they were silently doing to us all. Her work spawned the activism that led to the creation of the EPA, which essentially used her playbook as its rules of operation.

Al Gore

These days Vice President Gore is best known for his fight against global warming, and his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. But long before that, during his days in the house of representatives, he was one of the most ardent supporters of environmental protections. He held the very first congressional hearings on global warming, sponsored legislation on toxic waste, and presided over the Global Marshall Plan in 1990. All of this during a point in time when speaking out for the environment as an elected official was a political risk.

David Attenborough

David Attenborough has brought the wonders of the natural world into our homes and exposed millions to both the natural beauty, and destruction of our environment. Without him, the environmental and naturalist movements would be nowhere near as strong as they are thanks to his work in showing us the planet in such detail. More recently he has become very vocal with environmental causes such as deforestation, global warming and overpopulation.

James Hansen

Climatologist James Hansen has been at the forefront of global warming research for close to thirty years now. His work as head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies has given some of the most concrete proof of the dangers of global warming. He has testified before congress, taken on the Bush Administrations censorship of science, and has been one of the most vocal scientists against global warming deniers propaganda campaigns.

Paul Watson

Love him or hate him, he has been at the forefront of the environmental movement for decades. Watson has been involved with the Sierra club, Defenders of Wildlife, Was a founding member of Greenpeace, and today runs the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Which has gained him the most attention for its direct action approach to stop whaling.

Theodore Roosevelt

As the 26th President of the United States Teddy Roosevelt was the first president to really take conservation of nature and resources seriously. At a time when the world, and especially Americans only viewed the environment as something to exploit, Teddy showed us all that it was something to enjoy and respect. He was directly responsible for the protection of over 230 million acres of forest.

Gaylord Nelson

Senator Wilson was one of the first and most influential environmentalist members of Congress. He helped bring about the Clean Air Act, the banning of DDT, and the creation of the Appalachian Trail. He is best known though as the father of Earth Day, which was one of the most monumental moments in the environmental movement.

John Muir

John Muir was instrumental in the creation of the early stages of environmentalism. His founding of the Sierra Club started the initial push to protect the natural wonders of the United States. His work directly lead to the creation of Yosemite, Sequoia, Rainier, and Glacier National Parks, as well as saving the last remaining coastal redwoods in California.

By Mark Johnson

By Mark Johnson

Photo By bertdennisonphotography

Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of the state of California’s natural wonders. Created in 1890, it is the third oldest national park in America, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With it’s towering rock cliffs, abundant wildlife and wilderness activities for all ages, this park is something everyone should see at least once in their lives.

Olympic National Park

Photo By SanyamStudio

Washington State’s Olympic National Park along with being a World Heritage Site, is also designated an international biosphere reserve due to its unique features. Within the park resides everything from coastal beaches on the pacific ocean, temperate rainforest’s that receive more rain than anywhere else in America, all the way up to glacier capped mountains rising over 10,000 feet. With hundreds of miles of trails, an abundance of wildlife, and camping locations scattered throughout the park, you would be hard pressed to not find something to interest you here.

Yellowstone National Park

Photo By dominiq

Created in 1872, Yellowstone is the very first national park in not just America, but the entire world. The park is home to some of the most amazing geological features in the United States with its geysers, hot springs and canyons. It is also home to one of the best wildlife preserves in all of North America. With over 60 species of mammals it is the last good example of North America’s mega-fauna in their natural habitat.

Everglades National Park

Photo By ruben i

This subtropical wilderness is the largest marshland in the United States. And is without a doubt the most in danger of this countries national parks. From encroaching development and pollution, to invasive species, water diversion, and hurricanes, this park has seen it all. Yet it still remains, and is an amazing sight to see for those brave enough to mingle with everything from alligators and pythons, to panthers and a plethora of bugs.

Mount Rainier National Park

Photo By Alaskan Dude

Mount Rainier National Park contains the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Capped with dozens of glaciers, it rises 14,411 ft into the sky. And is especially breathtaking for the fact that its base is at an elevation of less than 1,500ft making it seem even taller. With such a large change in elevation within the park comes many different things to do and see. From hiking and camping, to photography and wildflower and wildlife watching, it is a nature lovers paradise. And also a risk takers dream come true. With more glaciers than the rest of the lower 48 states combined, and the tallest mountain, Rainier has become a one stop destination for mountaineering.

Denali National Park

Photo By Unhindered by Talent

Denali National Park is home to Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in all of North America. It is so large that it takes up over 30% of the entire park, which is close to 10,000 square miles in size. It is so remote, that it only has one road, and even then, most of it is not paved. Other than the bus tours that take you down this road, you need to be in extremely good shape to really see all this park has to offer. As almost all of the park is only accessible by hiking dozens of miles into it.

Arches National Park

Photo By Ran Z

As it’s name suggests, Arches National Park is filled with naturally formed sandstone arches. Over 2,000 of them to be precise. Located in Utah, this park is home to so many rock formations that it would take you months, if not years to see them all.

Glacier National Park

Photo by Ken Thomas

Unfortunatly this parks name will no longer suit it in the not too distant future. Glacier National Park in Montana was once home to some of the largest and most stunning Glaciers in the lower 48 states. But over the last century has seen the majority of them drastically shrink, or fully vanish into history. Even so, this park is a definite must see for those wanting to get in touch with nature. From its mountains, lakes and wildlife, any backpacker or hiker will fall in love with this place.

Grand Canyon National Park

Photo By Wolfgang Staudt

Everyone’s heard of it, millions have seen it, very few people though know just how amazing it really is. The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, over 6,000 feet deep, and shows over two billion years of the earths history in it. It is by far the most stunning visual presentation of geology in all of the country, and is something none should miss out on seeing at least once.

Sequoia National Park

Photo By Miguel Vieira

Sequoia National Park is home to some of tallest, and largest volume trees on the planet. The “Giant Forest” Inside the park contains five of the ten largest trees. With the prime specimen being General Sherman at 275 feet tall, and with a 102.6 foot circumference. The park is also home to hundreds of caves,  many species of wildlife, and it’s trademark trees that you can literally drive through.

By Mark Johnson

The Avenue of the Baobabs is a road in Madagascar lined with thousand year old baobab trees that are up to 100 feet tall. Their unique shape and size have made them one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country. Sadly this area has no conservation status, and in fact is not even designated as a park, so the risk of them being destroyed remains fairly high.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls, located on a tepui in the remote jungles of Venezuala is the tallest waterfall on earth. The falls are 3,212 ft in height, and is so tall that the water atomizes into mist before it ever reaches the bottom. To see these falls in person requires is a major undertaking though, and involves planes, river boats, and lots of hiking.

Uluru

This gigantic sandstone rock in Australia is over 1,100 feet tall and has a circumference of almost 6 miles. Depending on the time of day, this rock glows with different colors, with its most stunning being at sunset, when it becomes a bright red. It also holds strong spiritual beliefs of the local indigenous people who view it as sacred ground.

Sundarbans

The Sunderbans of Bangladesh are the largest halophytic mangrove forest on the planet. Taking up thousands of square miles, this swampy forest is home to a variety of wildlife ranging from tigers and crocodiles, to birds and deer.  Four million people also call this forest home, and as such it faces risks of development and exploitation.

Jeita Grotto

The Jeita Grotto is one of, if not the most beautiful limestone caves in the world. Located in Lebanon, this cave took millions of years to form, and has within it the worlds largest stalactite. During the Lebanese civil war it was used to house munitions, though thankfully very little damage was done to this stunning underground wonder.

Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave

Eisriesenwelt, German for World Of The Ice Giants, is the largest ice cave known to man. Formed by river erosion, the cave is filled with melting snow in the summer, which then freezes in winter creating its majestic ice formations. Located inside Hochkogel mountain in Austria, it is a very popular tourist attraction due to its unique formations and easy access via cable car.

By Mark Johnson

In 1953, Hooker chemical sold a piece of land that was used as a chemical waste dump to the Niagara falls school district for the purpose of building a school on. Knowing full well of the risks, the school district bought the land for one dollar and agreed to release hooker of all liabilities from the contamination. With the soil disturbed by building,  the entire property, along with residential neighborhoods around it become contaminated causing a plethora of health problems. The contamination at the love canal was the catalyst for the creation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

Minamata disease, Minamata Japan

Starting in 1908 The Chisso Corporation began producing fertilizers in Minamata, and later industrial chemicals such as acetylene and acetic acid. Unfortunately, like most chemical corporations of the era, they drained their waste into the closest body of water. In this case Minamata Bay. in 1956, after many years of dumping their waste, local residents started to come down with a myriad of symptoms ranging from numbness, loss of vision, comas, and even death. Upon investigating the cause of this outbreak, researchers identified mercury poisoning as the cause due to bio accumulation in local sea life that was the primary food source for the local population. Sadly it took 12 years for the Japanese government to finally admit the cause, by which time thousands had been exposed, and many had died. In 2001, the official total of victims had exceeded 2,100 with 1,784  already dead from exposure.

Hanford Nuclear Plant

Combine 1940′s environmental ignorance and the worlds first large scale nuclear power plant, and what you have is a recipe for disaster. As part of the Manhattan project, a secret facility was built in Washington State on the Columbia river to produce the Plutonium for the first atom bombs. During it’s early years, cooling water was drawn into the plant, then after only six hours was released back into the Columbia river. Releasing as much as 50,000 curies per day. On top of that, radioactive waste was released into the air in such large amounts that it spread as far as Oregon, Montana, and Idaho. During the cold war, Hanford was responsible for the majority of the plutonium used for the entire US nuclear arsenal, which resulted in 53 million gallons of radioactive waste that has still yet to be cleaned up.

Bhopal Disaster

In December of 1984, the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal India suffered a catastrophic failure that resulted in the release of 42 tonnes of methyl isocyanate gas. Over 2,200 people died that night, with thousands more dying over the next 72 hours. Today, it is estimated that over 25,000 have died from exposure to the gas leak. After many lawsuits, Union Carbide still has not cleaned up the remains of the plant, and close to 400 tonnes of chemicals remain at the facility.

Three Mile Island

On March 29th 1979, a partial core meltdown occurred at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant due to poorly trained staff. Over 13 million curies of radioactive gas were released into the air, making this the largest nuclear disaster in US history. Due to this event, nuclear power plant production in the US came to an almost complete halt, and to this day has not regained the popularity nuclear power once had.

Kingston Fossil Plant coal fly ash slurry spill

On the night of December 22nd 2008, the Kingston fossil plants retention pond which contained 1.1 billion gallons of coal ash slurry broke, covering over 300 acres with up to six feet of slurry. Much of it also went down local rivers contaminating the water supply and killing wildlife. As of June of this year, only three percent has been cleaned up, and it is estimated that it could take years, and billions of dollars to remove it all.

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

In March of 1989 the Exxon Valdez, a one thousand food long oil tanker struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound Alaska resulting in release of 10.8 million gallons of crude oil. As many as 500,000 sea birds, 250 bald eagles, 1,000 otters, 22 orca whales, and billions of salmon died from the spill which in the end covered over 11,000,000 square miles. To this day, wildlife has not recovered, and tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil are still contaminating prince William sound.

Chernobyl

Photo By Carl Montgomery

Without a doubt the worst environmental disaster of all time. Chernobyl released so much radioactive material that it was recorded as far away as Ireland. 56 people died as a direct result of the blast, with conservative figures stating 4,000 will die from cancer. Parts of the ‘zone of alienation’ are the most polluted of any on earth, and can still give off fatal doses of radiation if one was to spend enough time in them. To this day, the reactor has not been decontaminated and poses a serious risk if it was to collapse.

By Mark Johnson

Photo By Ivan Mlinaric Via Flickr

Amazon Rainforest
If your looking for a vacation that will immerse you with natural wonders, the worlds largest tropical rainforest is a good start. over ten percent of all known species call this jungle home, making this one of the best trips you can take to see wildlife. Over the last decade many eco resorts and adventures have started to operate in the Amazon so you can feel good about the company you are giving your money to as well.

Photo By Ardyiii Via Flickr

Costa Rica
Known for decades as the worlds best ecotourism destination, this small country has made environmentally friendly travel one of the largest sectors of their economy. They take it so seriously that they even have the worlds first carbon neutral airline. Best of all, no matter your age or physical condition, Costa Rica offers an eco vacation suited for you. From five star jungle resorts with zip lines and canopy tours. To some of the best backpacking, snorkeling, and beaches in the world, you would be hard pressed to not find something to enjoy.

Photo By footloosiety Via flickr

Yosemite National Park
There is a reason John Muir and Ansel Adam’s favored this park so much. It is one of the most stunning geographical features in all of North America. Inside this park lies a multitude of activities and sights for all ages. From mountaineering and rock climbing to backpacking or just relaxing in the valley watching wildlife, this is a true natural treasure that everyone should see at least once. With multiple lodges and camp grounds in the middle of the park, this also makes a great destination for those wanting to enjoy all of natures beauty without trekking into the middle of nowhere to get to it.

Photo By epcp Via Flickr

New Zealand
Much like Costa Rica, New Zealand has created a very large industry aimed at ecotourism. Anyone who has seen the Lord Of The Rings movies knows just how vast and wondrous this landscape is. With its snow capped mountains and multiple volcanoes, this is one of the worlds best destinations for mountaineers, backpackers, or anyone who enjoys winter sports. On top of that, the rest of the country’s lower elevations are rich with unique wildlife.  And its coastal  shores offer everything from kayaking and whale watching, to scuba diving and pleasure boating.

Photo By canardwifi Via Flickr

Seychelles
Visiting this island nation in the Indian Ocean is almost like stepping back in time to a more relaxed and slower paced lifestyle. It is world renowned for its tropical beaches, distinct rock formations, and exotic species. One of the main destinations in this country is the 10 square km island of La Digue which, has no cars, and even though it is so small, rises to close to 1,000ft in elevation at points. If you ever wanted to feel like you were on Gilligan’s Island, this would be the place to visit.

Photo By TheLizardQueen Via Flickr

African Safari
No ecotourism list would be complete without an African safari to witness some of the largest species in the world in their natural habitat. The choices of what to do and see on safari are almost endless. From jeeps and hot air balloons to historic lodges or temporary camp sights in the middle of it all.  This is an especially great destination for those with a knack for photography.

By Mark Johnson

Flickr: woodleywonderworks

Although global warming is a worldwide problem, it now might be possible to localize it by showing where exactly excessive emissions are coming from. A project led by researchers from Purdue University uses a Google Earth map to show hourly carbon dioxide emissions across the United States.

Using the fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions data of 2002, the researchers were able to pinpoint emission sources as specific as individual factories, power plants, and roadways.

The Vulcan Project, so-called after the Roman god of fire, quantified emissions data and created a series of user-friendly maps showing the researchers’ findings. The maps show a concentration of emissions along the east coast, while the west coast remains relatively clean except for a few areas in southern California. Because the data used reflects hourly changes, the emission levels shown on the map wax and wane based on the time of day.

The project seeks to reinvigorate the cause against global warming by showing that it is a local, as well as global, problem. While the scope of the problem is large, the Vulcan Project pin points exactly when and where detrimental carbon dioxide emissions are happening. By making this information accessible to the general public, people can see exactly how their counties are impacting global warming and compare them to other counties.

“This will bring emissions information into everyone’s living room as a recognizable, accessible online experience…What was once the realm of scientists will now be provided directly to the public” Kevin Gurney, who leads the project, said.

The U.S. has the second highest fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions rate, behind only China, according to the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC). Russia, India, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and South Korea round out the list of the ten biggest emitters, as of 2006.

The Vulcan Project is currently being expanded to examine data from 1985 to the present, as well as to analyze carbon dioxide emissions from Canada and Mexico. The CDIAC ranks Mexico as the twelfth worst emitter of carbon dioxide.

By Elizabeth Wolfe

Iberian Lynx

Programa de Conservación Ex-situ del Lince Ibérico www.lynxexsitu.

The Iberian Lynx very well could be the next species to go. It’s numbers are now estimated at as few as 100.  If the Lynx does become extinct, it will be the first big cat species to vanish since the Smilodon over 10,000 years ago. The good news though is that breeding program in Spain has been showing some success, and the first captive bred cubs were born in 2005.

California Condor

Sempivirens Via Flickr

This giant bird, which can live up to 50 years was nearly extinct in 1987 when there were only 22 California Condors left in the wild. All of them were captured to start a breeding program which has worked so well that there are now  322 of them, with 172 living in the wild. And while this is great news that all conservationists should be proud of,  this species is still very much critically endangered and could easily disappear in our lifetimes.

Black Rhinoceros

nonisense via flickr

Just 100 years ago, the four subspecies of  black rhinoceros had a population in the hundreds of thousands in Africa. Today less than 4,000 remain, with one of the four subspecies, the west African black rhino declared extinct in 2006. The large majority of this species decline is due to poaching by hunters and loss of habitat.

Mountain Gorilla

TKnoxB via Flickr

Roughly 700 Mountain Gorillas remain in the Virunga and Bwindi forests of Africa. They are facing not only the normal threats most endangered species are confronted with such as poaching and destruction of habitat.  But are also facing ongoing unrest and civil war that has spread more and more into their territory claiming the lives of many these last few years.

Island Fox

The Island Fox is the only one on this list that is not directly endangered by human activity. Instead this fox on the islands of southern California is at risk of extinction due to golden eagles laying claim to the islands this fox calls home.  Due to the decline in the bald eagle population from DDT in the 20th century, the golden eagle took advantage of their loss and moved into these islands and made the island fox a major food source. in the 1990′s this species went from 500 to 2000 per island to only a few dozen on each.

South China Tiger

ltansey via Flickr

This majestic animal is what all other tiger species originated from. Native to China, in 1959 Mao Zadong declared them an enemy of the people, and basically created a mass extermination campaign against them. By the 1980′s only 200 remained, at which point the Chinese government changed course and started protecting them. Sadly it was too late, and no tiger has been confirmed in the wild in over 20 years. A captive breeding program has been started, but with so few remaining many scientists are declaring the species functionally extinct.

Javan Rhinoceros

At one point the Javan Rhino was the most common Asian rhinoceros,  and ranged from Indonesia, China, Vietnam and even India. Today there are only two known populations remaining. One in Vietnam, with as few as eight remaining, and one in Indonesia on the island of Java, with as little as 40.  This species is at high risk of extinction as there are none in captivity, and the habitat these few left have is at high risk of being destroyed.

Right Whale

The North Pacific and Atlantic Right Whale was once one of the most common whales in the oceans.  Due to their slow speed they were the most popular target of whalers which has led to the near complete decimation of the species. In recent years many of their deaths have been from ship strikes. Today, only 400 Atlantic Right Whales remain, with the elusive Pacific population estimated at as little as only a few dozen to couple hundred.

Hirola

This antelope species from Kenya and Somalia is critically endangered with fewer than 1000 remaining, and none in captivity. As recently as the 1970′s there were as many as 15,000, but due to drought and competition from other species, especially cattle, they have been squeezed to the brink of extinction.

Amur Leopard

macjewell via Flickr

The Amur Leopard is considered to be at an extremely high risk of extinction due to poaching, deforestation, and inbreeding from the small population size. Only 35-45 remain in the wild, with the captive population at 290 in 2007.

By Mark Johnson

]]> http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/2009/09/10-species-on-the-verge-of-extinction/feed/ 4 http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/2009/09/natural-wonders-you-probably-never-heard-of/ http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/2009/09/natural-wonders-you-probably-never-heard-of/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:52:37 +0000 markjohnson http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/?p=405 Ask anyone what the best natural wonders of the world are, and you will normally hear them list off places like the grand canyon, or the great barrier reef. But what about all the other natural wonders that go unnoticed by most people? Here are some of the most amazing places mother nature ever created, but that the majority of people have never heard about.

Parícutin Volcano

Karla Yannín Alcázar Quintero

Erupting in the middle of a Mexican farmers cornfield in 1943, Parícutin Volcano grew to over 50 feet in a matter of weeks, and 1,102 feet within a year. After nine years of activity, this monogenetic volcano finally stopped at 1,391 feet and will never erupt again.

Great Blue Hole

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

This sinkhole located off the coast of Belize was formed during the last ice age when sea levels were lower. Now a popular spot for divers, the great blue hole is 984 feet across, and 410 feet deep.

Mt Ngorongoro Crater

Laurent de Walick

The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera at 2,001 feet deep and over 100 square miles in diameter. It is host to African wildlife ranging from rhinos and elephants to lions and leopards.

Mount Roraima

Christian Hummert

One of the oldest land masses on the planet, Mount Roraima  in Venezuela stands 7,671 feet tall and is surrounded by it’s 1300 foot vertical walls of sandstone. This Isolated tabletop mountain is what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle based “The Lost World” of off.

Puerta Princesa Subterranean River

Paul Chin

This underground river, located in the Philippines is one of the longest navigable subterranean rivers in the world. Filled with stalactite and stalagmite caves, one can now take kayak tours through this 8.2km river.

Dry Falls

drcorneilus

Located in Washington State, Dry Falls at one time was the largest waterfall in history. 90,000 years ago when an ice dam broke, it released glaciel lake Missoula down the river at 65 miles per hour. When it occurred Dry Falls had more water flowing through it than all of the worlds rivers combined.

By Mark Johnson