Rescuing Coral 'Jewels'

Fisherfolk, ecologists and government officials are working to protect the world's second largest coral reef, off the Caribbean coast of southern Mexico and Central America.

Environmental Conferences

Thirty years ago the United Nations convened the first world conference on the environment and development. In 2002, on the eve of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to take place in South Africa, the challenge is to create a consensus-based action plan to save the planet.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Cancer Kills More Farmers

The farmers living in five municipalities near Rio de Janeiro die more often from stomach and esophagus cancer than the rest of the Brazilian population, and the most probable cause is exposure to agro-chemicals, states a recent report.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Coral Hybrids Considered

Experts at the Ecology Center of the Venezuelan Scientific Research Institute are studying the creation of hybrids of different coral types in order to apply the technique in environmental management and preservation of the species.

Ecobreves – CUBA: Go Bees!

The medicinal preparations based on bee honey could replace up to 70 percent of the conventional medicine in Cuba, where bee-keeping has been the target of development for 20 years.

Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Emergency Declared Due to Strange Plague

The Guatemalan government declared the area surrounding Izabal Lake, the country's largest, a "public catastrophe zone" as a result of the massive spread of a strange plant that is affecting fishing and water navigation.

Conference for Peace Under Way in Puerto Rico

Latin American personalities like Oscar Arias, Ricky Martin and Franklin Chang are meeting Aug 12-14 with other prominent scientists, artists and activists from around the world to condemn the militarism that continues in times of relative peace, and its effects on the environment.

Johannesburg and the Summit

The city of Johannesburg, South Africa, will be the epicenter of discussion and debate for two weeks, as it is hosting a key international meeting, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which is to draw tens of thousands of delegates from around the world.

Ecobreves – PERU: Environment Not a Priority

Just three percent of the Peruvians consulted in a recent survey consider the environment a priority in political matters.

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Clams Disappear

The once-abundant population of mollusks on the Atlantic coast of Argentina's Buenos Aires province has declined at least 70 percent in some areas due to the impact of tourism, warn biologists from the University of Buenos Aires. In 1968, an average of 500 'almejas', bivalve mollusks, were found per square meter. Today, there are not even 60 per square meter, according to a new study.

Ecobreves – COLOMBIA: State of the Environment

The natural wealth of Colombia, which possesses 10 percent of the world's biological diversity, is undermined by habitat deterioration, says the governmental Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Indians Grow Organic Coffee Company

Communities in the Marcala region, in the central Honduran department of La Paz, created the first indigenous corporation for growing and selling organic coffee, in other words, free of agricultural chemicals, which can be harmful to the environment.

Ecobreves – NICARAGUA: Fomenting Forest Production

The government of Nicaragua is attempting to mitigate a drop-off in exports and reduce its 600-million-dollar fiscal deficit through the promotion of six industries, including sustainable forestry.

Johannesburg Summit an Uphill Climb for Latin America

The attitude in the region in the run-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development ranges from moderate hope to deep skepticism, but there is unanimous desire to prevent the Johannesburg meet from becoming "Rio minus 10".

Science Is the Antidote to Poverty

Halting global warming should be the top priority of the scientific community, because the calamities the process causes will change our way of life, warns Costa Rican astronaut Franklin Chang.

Water Resources Out of Control

The wasteful practices, shortages and pollution affecting water in Latin America are the result of inadequate and often chaotic government regulation of water resources, say experts. Appropriate management requires stability, solid institutions and political will.

Meso-America Being Left Treeless

Poor farmers will be the main victims of the disappearance of the region's forests, which will be complete in 2015 if the rate of deforestation is not halted.

Biosphere Reserve Opens to Eco-Tourism

A small community living in the biosphere reserve of Sierra del Rosario, in Cuba, is attempting to prove that "green" tourism is indeed possible.

Venezuela Stakes Its Bets on Clean Energy

The development of alternative energy sources should be a central matter at World Summit on Sustainable Development, says Venezuela's environment minister.

Biological Corridors

The concept of a biological or ecological corridor entails preserving the connections between protected areas with important biodiversity with the aim of preventing the fragmentation of natural habitats. Today these corridors are being promoted as an innovative way to promote sustainable development as well as conservation.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Recycling Is Good Business

Brazil recycled nine million aluminum cans in 2001, 85 percent of the country's total production, thus achieving second place to Sweden, which recycled 90 percent of its cans, according to Brazil's CEMPRE, a private sector recycling program.