From the New York Times,
Designing the Death of a Plastic
by Xiaozhi Lim, August 6, 2018

Decades ago, synthetic polymers became popular because they were cheap and durable—Greek for “many parts,” because they are long chains of many identical molecules — polymers were not designed to disintegrate or disappear. On the contrary, they were meant to last as long as possible once they began replacing metals and glass in long-lasting things like automobiles and airplanes..

Now, scientists are creating material that self-destructs or breaks down for reuse on command.

So, here we are, with literally billions of tons of plastic waste, filling up landfills, strewn all over the environment, floating in great mats in the ocean. Some estimates show that a mere 10% of all plastics are recycled every year.

Many places are trying to ban single-use plastics, but much more needs to be done. Happily, scientists who…

This video is about a calling red-throated loon, with youngster, in Sweden.

This video is about two calling red-throated loons, feeding their youngster, in Sweden.

Construction of the second phase of the Chinese-financed Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya crosses through Nairobi National Park, as pictured here in June. YASUYOSHI CHIBA/ AFP/ GETTY IMAGES

Thanks to William Laurance for this informative opinion essay that gives a bit of hope for wilderness preservation:

Is the Global Era of Massive Infrastructure Projects Coming to an End?

The world’s wild places have been badly carved up by decades of roadbuilding, dam construction, energy exploitation, and other megaprojects. Now, as the financial community, environmental groups, and local citizens increasingly oppose big infrastructure development, the tide of environmental destruction may be turning.

Malaysia’s former Prime Minster Najib Razak, third from left, looks at a model of the China-backed East Coast Rail Link in 2017. Malaysia has since canceled the project due to mounting costs. AP PHOTO

We are living in the most explosive era of infrastructure expansion in human…

THERE WOULD LIKELY BE WATER FOR WILD HORSES ON THIS HMA IF PRIVATELY OWNED LIVESTOCK WEREN’T USING IT UP.  In the BLM Press release below, the BLM states “With a current population of approximately 2,160 wild horses, valuable resources have been depleted, affecting the health of those animals.”  So, before reading the BLM’s press release below, keep in mind that the BLM authorizes the following privately owned livestock grazing on 100% public lands in the Pancake HMA (these aren’t all of the active grazing allotments on this HMA, we’re just giving you the gist of it.  The information below is from the BLM’s Rangeland Administration System):

Duckwater Allotment                                                                                  …

“Beef, it’s what’s for dinner. With a large side of wildlife slaughter.” ~ Madravenspeak column, “Federal Wildlife Services Program Serves Up Poison”

“Jane Goodall gave the documentary about (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s) Wildlife Services, “EXPOSED,” rave reviews and wants millions to see it,” according to the website Predator Defense. “(W)histle-blowers go on the record showing Wildlife Services for what it really is — an unaccountable, out-of-control, wildlife killing machine that acts at the bidding of corporate agriculture and the hunting lobby, all with taxpayer dollars.” It’s on YouTube here.

“The U.S. government is using your tax money to wage a war against wild animals so that ranchers raising livestock for meat can keep getting richer,” according to Sarah V. Schweig, writing on the website The Dodo.

In 1895, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services was initiated to promote beef production and control natural predators and rodents. It responds to…

Source:  wildhoofbeats.com

Water is life, especially for nursing mothers

by Carol J. Walker, Dir. of Field Documentation for Wild Horse Freedom Federation

The BLM has produced a Determination of NEPA Adequacy instead of an Environmental Assessment for the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area and this is a plan that will be in effect for 10 years with no further opportunity for the public to comment. The BLM plans to remove approximately 584 of the 825 wild horses estimated that live in Sand Wash Basin, bringing the number of wild horses remaining to 163, the low end of the Appropriate Management Level. This includes all the 70 horses that live outside the HMA and also includes foals from this year, which will most likely bring the total of wild horses to be removed to 662.

Here is the current document dated 6/4/2018: http://www.wildhoofbeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DOI-BLM-CO-N010-2018-0025-DNA.pdf

Wild Horse Freedom Federation will be doing…