PLANET IN PERIL

The Washington Post Scientists Thursday provided a global quantification of one of the most pervasive, but least recognized, ways that humans are marring the coherence of the natural world — by building endless numbers of roads. Story here. A logging road in the UK.  Richard Webb

environment360 A flood of migrants from the Middle East and Africa has prompted governments in the Balkans to erect hundreds of miles of border fences. Scientists say the expanding network of barriers poses a serious threat to wildlife, especially wide-ranging animals such as bears and wolves. Story here.

NATIONAL                OBSERVER First Nations chief at heart of oilsands resistance says he's no environmentalist.  Story here.

New Scientist The habitat of one of the world’s rarest and most elusive big cats is shrinking fast, with the latest pressure coming from frankincense collectors. Story here.

EcoWatch A new systematic review of dietary patterns and sustainability published in the latest edition of Advances in Nutrition provides additional evidence that diets lower in animal-based foods and higher in plant-based foods are better for the health of people and the planet. STORY HERE.

AVAAZ They're trying to put a toxic coal complex next to the magical Great Barrier Reef! It’s a crazy plan, but we’ve got a chance to stop it. PLEASE SIGN PETITION!

Science Over the last 7000 years, El Niños waxed and waned. Then, during the 20th century, with global warming taking hold, their intensity began to climb. The trend is likely to continue, boding ever more destructive El Niños . Story here.

Friends of the Earth Pruitt's record on the environment is terrible. And as head of the EPA, he'll be able to roll back our protections for the planet -- from the Clean Power Plan to rules on pollutants like methane. Please Donate!

the guardian Huge flock of migratory birds landed on acidic waters of an open pit mine where employees attempted to scare them off. Story here.

the guardian EU president abandons plan to overhaul flagship birds and habitats directives following a huge public campaign. Story here.

SCIENCE: The number of tornadoes pounding the United States during the most extreme outbreaks has roughly doubled over the past 50 years, a new analysis shows. But the study also yields a big surprise: The increased severity of such tornado outbreaks, at least at first glance, doesn’t seem to be related to climate change. STORY HERE.