EcoAméricas

02/03/2025

The public has until the end of 2025 to weigh in on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed listing of the iconic Monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The proposed listing could trigger critical conservation efforts and millions in government funding to help save the insect from extinction.  It also could secure nearly 4,400 acres of critical habitat in California for the western Monarch and boost efforts to restore milkweed, their essential food source.

The Monarch has seen a drastic decline in population due to habitat loss from agriculture, herbicides, logging, urban development, and climate change. The eastern migratory population faces a 56-74% chance of extinction within 60 years. Meanwhile, the western population has a staggering 99% chance.

Continue reading in this month’s issue of EcoAméricas:
https://bit.ly/40W1yRo

02/03/2025

The public has until the end of 2025 to weigh in on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed listing of the iconic Monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The proposed listing could trigger critical conservation efforts and millions in government funding to help save the insect from extinction. It also could secure nearly 4,400 acres of critical habitat in California for the western Monarch and boost efforts to restore milkweed, their essential food source.

The Monarch has seen a drastic decline in population due to habitat loss from agriculture, herbicides, logging, urban development, and climate change. The eastern migratory population faces a 56-74% chance of extinction within 60 years. Meanwhile, the western population has a staggering 99% chance.

Continue reading in this month’s issue of EcoAméricas:
https://bit.ly/40W1yRo

The monarch butterfly moved closer to winning powerful protections in the United States after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in December proposed listing the insect as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A listing would trigger conservation steps and millions of doll...

01/16/2025

🦎Discovered in 1986 and formally described in 2009, the Galápagos pink land iguana is one of the most endangered creatures in the world. With only around 300 individuals left, this stunning, pink-striped reptile calls the slopes of Isabela Island's Wolf Volcano home.

In the latest conservation efforts (Sept. 26–Oct. 4, 2024), a team of scientists and park rangers monitored the pink iguana population and found just 8 individuals — 5 females, 2 males, and 1 young iguana. The discovery of only 1 juvenile highlights the urgent need to protect their fragile habitat.

Classified by the IUCN, the pink iguana faces risks from invasive species, particularly feral cats, which prey on the young iguanas. Efforts are underway to control invasive species and protect the iguana’s tiny range of just 25 sq. km on Wolf Volcano.

This article was published in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas, available in print and online:
https://bit.ly/40A6gnF

12/20/2024

At this year’s International Colloquium on Space and Environmental Justice in Morelia, Mexico, NASA and Guardián Forestal are taking groundbreaking steps to fight illegal deforestation and promote sustainable development.

Thanks to innovative satellite technology, Guardián Forestal, a nonprofit founded in Michoacán, is shining a spotlight on illegal land clearing by the avocado industry — a critical issue that threatens local ecosystems and communities.

By using real-time satellite imagery, Guardián Forestal has empowered local authorities and environmental defenders to detect deforestation, hold offenders accountable, and generate legal action — cutting down investigation time from one year to just one week.

Since its inception, Guardián Forestal has been a powerful tool, enabling the launch of 327 lawsuits for illegal deforestation and preparing another 500 complaints.

This article was published in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas, available in print: https://bit.ly/41M8EbY

Pictured above is Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla inaugurating the colloquium. (Photo by Comunicación Social del Gobierno del Estado de Michoacán)

12/20/2024

At this year's International Colloquium on Space and Environmental Justice in Morelia, Mexico, NASA and Guardián Forestal are taking groundbreaking steps to fight illegal deforestation and promote sustainable development.

Thanks to innovative satellite technology, Guardián Forestal, a nonprofit founded in Michoacán, is shining a spotlight on illegal land clearing by the avocado industry — a critical issue that threatens local ecosystems and communities.

By using real-time satellite imagery, Guardián Forestal has empowered local authorities and environmental defenders to detect deforestation, hold offenders accountable, and generate legal action — cutting down investigation time from one year to just one week.

Since its inception, Guardián Forestal has been a powerful tool, enabling the launch of 327 lawsuits for illegal deforestation and preparing another 500 complaints.

This article was published in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas, available in print: https://bit.ly/41M8EbY

A collaboration with NASA to spur Earth observation as a tool for achieving sustainable-development goals focused in November on the work of Guardián Forestal, a Mexican environmental monitoring nonprofit that has spotlighted illegal deforestation by the country’s avocado industry. The occasion w...

12/19/2024

On October 8, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the Fuel of the Future Law, a groundbreaking legislation aimed at accelerating Brazil’s biofuels production and pioneering the commercial use of green aviation fuels.

The law seeks to promote low-carbon transportation by boosting the use of ethanol in gasoline and biodiesel in diesel fuel. By 2030, Brazil aims for 20% biodiesel and 35% ethanol in fuel mixes.

With a projected $45 billion investment in agribusiness and biofuels, Brazil is positioning itself as a global leader in the energy transition. However, environmentalists urge caution to ensure these gains don’t come at the cost of the Cerrado’s unique biodiversity.

This article was published in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas, available in print: https://bit.ly/3P7wYxv

12/19/2024

On October 8, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the Fuel of the Future Law, a groundbreaking legislation aimed at accelerating Brazil's biofuels production and pioneering the commercial use of green aviation fuels.

The law seeks to promote low-carbon transportation by boosting the use of ethanol in gasoline and biodiesel in diesel fuel. By 2030, Brazil aims for 20% biodiesel and 35% ethanol in fuel mixes.

With a projected $45 billion investment in agribusiness and biofuels, Brazil is positioning itself as a global leader in the energy transition. However, environmentalists urge caution to ensure these gains don’t come at the cost of the Cerrado's unique biodiversity.

This article was published in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas, available in print: https://bit.ly/3P7wYxv

Brazil has approved legislation intended to increase its already considerable output of automotive biofuels and to begin commercial production of environmentally friendlier aviation fuels. The objectives are part of the Fuel of the Future Law, which Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sig...

12/13/2024

As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, environmentalists across Latin America are bracing for a shift in policies that could have far-reaching effects. From the potential U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement to the impacts of rising protectionism, the road ahead remains uncertain.

Environmentalists see a unique opportunity to highlight the link between climate change and migration. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events worsen, more people may be displaced—not just by violence or economic hardships, but by the direct impacts of climate change.

Despite challenges, Latin America remains a leader in renewable energy. Over 60% of the region’s energy comes from renewables, with countries like Costa Rica and Uruguay near 100% clean energy. Yet, challenges like drought, local opposition, and infrastructure gaps still need addressing.

Latin America’s relationship with China could also shape environmental policy. As U.S. supply chains shift closer to home, Latin America’s renewable energy and critical minerals, like lithium, will become even more strategic.

The coming years will test the resilience of environmental efforts across the globe, but with shifting priorities, Latin American leaders and activists have a chance to push forward with innovation, cooperation, and a green future in mind.

Continue reading online at: https://bit.ly/4gCj2Y5

With U.S. President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January, Latin American environmentalists and policy experts are bracing for the expected fallout, particularly a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Because his campaign platform was short on detail, they also are concerned about un...

12/12/2024

In Panama, a collaboration between field biologists and computer engineers is working to protect the endangered Greater Caribbean manatee through innovative sound-based tracking.

Led by engineering professor Fernando Merchán at the Technological University of Panama, and field scientist Héctor Guzmán from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), this project uses machine learning algorithms to analyze over 1,400 vocalizations of these elusive sea cows. 🐾

Manatees live in murky, vegetation-filled waters that make visual tracking nearly impossible. But through their unique vocalizations — chirp-like calls — researchers hope to identify individual manatees and estimate their populations more accurately.

With machine learning and bioacoustics at the forefront, this research not only offers hope for Panama's manatees, but also paves the way for conservation tech that could be applied globally.

Learn more about this pioneering work on our website at: https://bit.ly/3BurkSP

A collaboration of field biologists and computer engineers in Panama aims to create a sound-based counting tool for the endangered manatee, which often lives in opaque, vegetation-filled waters but which researchers hope can be identified individually by its calls. Among those involved in the effort...

11/20/2024

Mexico is at a crossroads as President Claudia Sheinbaum takes office, inheriting a controversial judicial reform that could impact the country’s environmental future. The reform, passed under former President López Obrador, shifts to the popular election of all judges, including members of the Supreme Court.

While proponents argue that the reform will make the judiciary more accountable, critics worry it could lead to corruption, political manipulation, and undermine the court system’s ability to protect environmental interests.

Experts are concerned that this shift in judicial power could further weaken legal protections for clean energy and environmental projects. With a court system potentially more pliable to political influence, Mexico’s fossil-fuel industry could gain even more dominance, sidelining investments in renewable energy.

The reforms have sparked protests, strikes, and economic instability. Critics, including U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar, fear this judicial overhaul could undermine democracy and judicial independence in Mexico. However, supporters say the reform could root out inefficiency and corruption in the system.

This article was published in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas, available in print and online. Continue reading: https://bit.ly/3V1OAhL

Among the key environmental issues facing Mexico following the inauguration on Oct. 1 of Claudia Sheinbaum as president is one that revolves around the composition of the courts, not green policy per se. Under Sheinbaum’s predecessor and mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexican lawmakers in ...

11/19/2024

Sargassum seaweed, a growing issue in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, is now washing ashore in unprecedented volumes. This shift has been attributed to climate changes and increased nutrient runoff, causing Sargassum to spread more widely. While it provides some ecological benefits, its growing presence threatens coastal ecosystems and economies.

However, experts are exploring ways to turn this challenge into an opportunity, with uses ranging from biofuel to skincare, seeing it as a potential economic asset, even describing it as 'Caribbean Gold'.

Origin by Ocean was featured in the EcoAméricas among the innovative companies and projects to help deal with and utilize the growing problem of Sargassum in the Caribbean Nations.

At the recent EU-Caribbean Global Gateway Conference, leaders from across the Caribbean and EU came together to discuss scaling solutions for the growing Sargassum challenge.

Our CEO, Mari Granström, emphasized that while last year's conference defined the problem, this year's identified courses of action—and the need for financing to pursue them. 'There’s a lot of money out there,' Mari noted, 'and now we must mobilize it toward the Sargassum's supply chain.'

Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q02YvM5D0

11/14/2024

On October 1st, Claudia Sheinbaum made history as Mexico’s first female president, bringing with her a deep commitment to environmental sustainability.

In a bold move, Sheinbaum appointed Alicia Bárcena, a seasoned biologist and former foreign minister, as the head of Semarnat (Mexico's Environment and Natural Resources Secretariat).

With priorities ranging from watershed restoration to renewable energy goals, Bárcena’s leadership promises a fresh, eco-conscious vision. Her agenda aligns with Sheinbaum’s ambitious target of having 50% of Mexico's energy come from renewables by 2030. ⚡️

But it’s not just about energy—this administration is committed to tackling deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and modernizing Mexico’s public transportation to reduce emissions.

This article was published in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas, available in print and online. Continue reading: https://bit.ly/3AGIZGx

When Claudia Sheinbaum donned Mexico’s presidential sash on Oct. 1, she broke more than one barrier. First and foremost, she became the country’s first female chief executive. But she also became Mexico’s first president with deep environmental expertise. Her background includes research of Me...

11/12/2024

Every year, vast quantities of sargassum seaweed wash up on the shores of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, disrupting local ecosystems, economies, and tourism. What was once a seasonal phenomenon has now become an annual challenge—one that scientists have dubbed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt.

The proliferation of sargassum, once confined mainly to the Sargasso Sea, has surged across the Atlantic since 2011, impacting everything from coastal habitats to resort beaches. Experts point to climate changes, nutrient runoff from major rivers, and shifting ocean currents as key drivers of this dramatic change.

While sargassum provides critical ecological benefits—serving as habitat and food for marine life—its presence on the shore brings serious challenges. Decomposing sargassum releases greenhouse gases, threatens coral reefs, and clutters beaches, hurting tourism-dependent economies.

That being said, scientists and entrepreneurs are exploring creative ways to use sargassum as a resource:

— In Quintana Roo, Mexico, researchers are working to convert sargassum into green gas, potentially reducing carbon emissions and creating a new energy source.

— From fertilizers to skincare products, new industries are emerging to transform sargassum into valuable goods.

— Companies like Seaweed Generation are developing solar-powered robots to collect and sink sargassum back into the ocean—reducing its harmful impact on coastal ecosystems.

With the right strategies, sargassum can be transformed from a seasonal nuisance into a sustainable asset. Continue reading this article here: https://bit.ly/3YID7EJ

This article is also available in print on our website.


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Every year, vast quantities of sargassum seaweed wash up on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, threatening coastal communities’ economies and ecosystems. Comprising two free-floating species (Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans), the macroalgae is by no means new to the region...

10/24/2024

On August 1, wildfires engulfed Brazil's Hyacinth Macaw Institute, devastating two-thirds of its 54,000-hectare breeding center in the Pantanal. While all 700 macaws survived, the flames destroyed essential nests and palm species critical to their survival.

The Institute’s president, Neiva Guedes, warns that these fires have made an endangered species even more threatened.

She told EcoAméricas: “The fires impacted not only our hyacinth macaw breeding center, but also the habitats and food sources of this species elsewhere in the Pantanal.”

This year, Brazil has seen an unprecedented rise in wildfires, with millions of vertebrates perishing across its diverse biomes. Smoke has even affected air quality as far away as Uruguay and Paraguay, highlighting the extensive reach of this environmental crisis.

This story is available in print and online at:

The wildfires closed in on Brazil’s Hyacinth Macaw Institute on Aug. 1. Within a week, they had torched two thirds of the nonprofit institute’s 54,000-hectare (133,400-acre) breeding center as well as 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) adjacent to the center, which works in the vast Pantanal wetland...

10/21/2024

With bottom-trawling for shrimp being labeled as destructive, shrimp farming often appears as a more sustainable option. However, it has its own challenges, from mangrove destruction to coastal pollution.

At the recent Global Shrimp Forum in Utrecht, experts like Dane Klinger from Conservation International discussed innovative practices to address these issues.

He said in a Q&A with EcoAméricas that recent technology has enabled farmers to better understand culture animals and the production environment, and to manage the farm for optimal production and growth. For example, he said, “there are auto feeders with hydrophones, or underwater microphones, that listen to the shrimp and from the sounds they can detect when they are hungry. So they dispense food at the right time, and then detect when they have stopped feeding, so they stop dispensing. This reduces waste; but because there is carbon in the feed, it also reduces the carbon footprint while lowering costs. This model is exciting because it makes the sector more productive and efficient, but the farms are still small.”

This interview was published in full at: https://bit.ly/3Nxy0BU

10/18/2024

In 2011, expectations soared for Argentina’s economy with the discovery of vast shale oil and gas reserves in Vaca Mu**ta. Fast forward to 2024, and the country is seeing the first energy trade surplus in 15 years. With oil exports booming, Vaca Mu**ta is now crucial to the country’s energy landscape.

However, this growth isn’t without controversy. Plans for new infrastructure, including a massive pipeline and port on the pristine San Matías Gulf, are igniting fierce debates over environmental and social impacts.

Local communities, like those represented by the San Matías Gulf Multisectoral, are fighting to protect their way of life and the unique marine ecosystem, raising concerns about tourism, fishing, and pollution.

This article was printed in the most recent issue of EcoAméricas: https://bit.ly/4eLizSP

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Argentine economic expectations surged in 2011, when the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the country possessed among the world’s largest shale oil and shale gas reserves. Since then, Argentina has not become the Saudi Arabia-grade powerhouse that its president at the time, Cri...

10/15/2024

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will convene in Cali, Colombia from October 21 to November 1 for COP16 of the U.N. Convention on Biodiversity. This crucial conference aims to advance the Global Biodiversity Framework, setting ambitious targets to halt the unprecedented decline of species worldwide.

With over 1 million species at risk of extinction, action is more urgent than ever. The Framework aims to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, restore degraded ecosystems, and ensure that conservation decisions are inclusive and just.

Latin America, home to 40% of global biodiversity, faces significant threats, especially in the Amazon. It's vital that countries not only commit to these goals but also secure the necessary funding to support them. The call is clear: developing nations need robust financial backing to implement these vital conservation measures.

This article was printed in this month’s issue of EcoAméricas, available here: https://bit.ly/4871MHo

Representatives of nearly 200 countries are scheduled to gather in Cali, Colombia next month to try to make global biodiversity conservation real. The occasion is the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the U.N. Convention on Biodiversity, a treaty approved in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit. Under t...

10/11/2024

Bottom-trawling for shrimp is like felling forests to catch squirrels—devastating for our oceans. In 2022, global shrimp sales hit a staggering $30-35 billion, but at what cost?

Experts like Max Bello from Mission Blue highlight the destructive impact of this practice, which indiscriminately scours the seafloor, harming countless marine species. Despite accounting for just 5% of the commercial shrimp supply, bottom trawling wreaks havoc on ecosystems, killing non-target species and releasing massive amounts of CO2.

Countries like Belize and Costa Rica have taken steps to ban bottom trawling, showing that change is possible. But challenges remain, especially as private interests often influence fishing policies.

This article was published in this month’s issue of EcoAméricas, available in print and online here: https://bit.ly/4f0sXWn

Given the extensive damage it does to the seafloor, bottom-trawling for shrimp can be likened to felling forests to catch squirrels. Quite valuable squirrels, to be sure: Experts calculate that in 2022, global shrimp sales generated US$30-35 billion. “The international shrimp industry is highly de...