Twenty environmental defenders have been killed so far in 2018

the defenders

while protecting their community’s land or natural resources...read about it here.

'Beyond Comprehension': In Just Two Years, Half of All Corals in 'Forever Damaged' Great Barrier Reef Have Died

CommonDreams

Bleached coral. 

Global warming, researchers warn, "is rapidly emerging as a universal threat to ecological integrity and function." More here.

Salmon farms are in crisis – here in Canada & elsewhere. Here’s how scientists are trying to save them

The Conversation

Fish farming in Greece. Photo by Jebulon

Salmon farming is facing a huge challenge in the form of a tiny pest. The parasitic sea louse is infecting salmon stocks worldwide, causing devastating losses for salmon farmers and increased prices for shoppers. But scientists are working hard to tackle this global problem, with a combination of new ways to biologically and mechanically remove the lice and to make the salmon more resilient to infection. More here.

I’m an expat US scientist – and I’m returning to Trump’s America to stand up for science

The Conversation

Donald Trump’s presidency has not been good for science or scientists. Since Trump took office 15 months ago, his administration has proposed to terminate many federally funded research programs and slash funding for others. Trump’s appointees are working to roll back environmental regulations and conservation policies. More here.

How to make global food systems more sustainable

TheConversation

Barley in western Canada. PinP photo.

Last October, movie director James Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron launched an organic pea protein operation in Saskatchewan. Once it is up and running, this facility will be the top producer of organic pea protein in North America. More here.

Avoid Gulf stream disruption at all costs, scientists warn

TheGuardian

How close the world is to a catastrophic collapse of giant ocean currents is unknown, making halting global warming more critical than ever, scientists say. More here.

Gulf Stream current at its weakest in 1,600 years, studies show

TheGuardian

Warm current that has historically caused dramatic changes in climate is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown and may be less stable than thought - with potentially severe consequences. More here.

California’s Dwindling Snowpack: Another Year of Drought, Floods, Wildfires and Mudslides?

ECOWATCH

The Sierra Nevada range near Reno.

Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA

California is likely facing another year of water woes. The Sierra Nevada snowpack, which supplies up to a third of California's water, is exceptionally meager this year. Experts found around half as much snow on the mountains as they typically would in early April, when the snowpack is historically most voluminous. Story here.

Are we ready for the deadly heat waves of the future?

ScienceNews

When days and nights get too hot, city dwellers are the first to run into trouble. More here.

Jeroen Moes from 
Florence, Italy.

Climate change is wreaking havoc on delicate relationship between orchids and bees

ScienceDaily

The first definitive demonstration of climate change upsetting the vital interdependent relationships between species has been revealed. More here.

Photo by Björn S.

Carbon taxes can be both fair and effective, study shows

ScienceDaily

Flooding in Iowa.

Several different carbon-pricing approaches would help reduce emissions, and some would be fair as well, researchers report. More here.