The December 2008 issue of Tropical Conservation Science is now online. The issue features a special section on the conservation of Neotropical reptiles and amphibians as well as articles on the ecological impact of rural depopulation, conservation of manatees in southern Mexico, and co-management approaches to conservation in Tanzania. The next issue of Mongabay.com's open-access scientific journal will be published in March 2009.
From bioenergy to smart conservation
People come and go, and so do websites. With Biopact, we have tried to promote bioenergy in Africa as a way to help small farmers make a better living. We did so by pointing at possible strategies to use natural resources in as intelligent a manner as possible, and by connecting initiatives dealing with agriculture, forestry and bioenergy. We hinted at the role Europe could play by re-writing trade rules, farm subsidies and international development policies.
The small group of dedicated people who wrote for Biopact have learned a lot during these past few years. We learned, for example, that large-scale biofuel production may do a lot of harm, while small-scale, locally rooted bioenergy initiatives may change lives for the better. We gained an insight into new farming techniques, like biochar, which may help tackle key problems in the developing world. We changed perspectives when it became clear that the interrelated threats of climate change and energy insecurity require far more action on the part of individuals, communities and governments. And above all, we came to think that the few patches of untouched nature we have left on this planet, need to be conserved.
This is why we are pleased to refer our readers from now on to Mongabay - one of the most insightful resources on tropical conservation. Besides offering an overview of the latest in conservation science, Mongabay also tracks developments in the bioenergy sector, in climate change, and in the emerging markets for ecosystem services. It is one of the few resources which tries to go beyond classic contradictions and oppositions between conservation and development. Instead, Mongabay continuously explores ways to bridge this gap.
Meanwhile, the Biopact editors, writers and enthusiasts – who all worked as volunteers – move on to do other things. Some of us remain active in the bioenergy sector, while others plan to undertake entirely new adventures. We want to thank our readers for their loyalty, and hope they have gained as many insights into the topics we covered, as we have.
The small group of dedicated people who wrote for Biopact have learned a lot during these past few years. We learned, for example, that large-scale biofuel production may do a lot of harm, while small-scale, locally rooted bioenergy initiatives may change lives for the better. We gained an insight into new farming techniques, like biochar, which may help tackle key problems in the developing world. We changed perspectives when it became clear that the interrelated threats of climate change and energy insecurity require far more action on the part of individuals, communities and governments. And above all, we came to think that the few patches of untouched nature we have left on this planet, need to be conserved.
This is why we are pleased to refer our readers from now on to Mongabay - one of the most insightful resources on tropical conservation. Besides offering an overview of the latest in conservation science, Mongabay also tracks developments in the bioenergy sector, in climate change, and in the emerging markets for ecosystem services. It is one of the few resources which tries to go beyond classic contradictions and oppositions between conservation and development. Instead, Mongabay continuously explores ways to bridge this gap.
Meanwhile, the Biopact editors, writers and enthusiasts – who all worked as volunteers – move on to do other things. Some of us remain active in the bioenergy sector, while others plan to undertake entirely new adventures. We want to thank our readers for their loyalty, and hope they have gained as many insights into the topics we covered, as we have.
posted by Biopact team at 5:00 PM
5 Comments:
That's the second time this year you've bidden us farewell. Please leave the site running here as long as you can; there are many excellent references in your articles over the years.
Mongabay is interesting, but it won't be the same.
Thanks for the brief resumption in the last few months and for your years of work prior, and best wishes with all your further endeavours.
Likewise I would like to post a thankyou for your rich insights into bioenergy, reinforcing my message when you signed off for a first time earlier this year.
I too would like to urge you to maintain the website in an active state so that readers can maintain access to the many important postings.
Best of luck with your future endeavours.
You will be missed!!! This site is the best source for info on energy, biochar and other unique agricultural methods that I've been able to find. I have enjoyed this blog very much and I'm very sad to see it go. Best wishes on your next adventure!
There’s a great video on San Francisco I Am where hundreds of teens in the Bay Area ditched their video games at home and headed for the biggest green festival in the nation. The Festival was held in San Francisco and the kids learned AND taught one another about climate change and green jobs. Even Chuck D from Public Enemy was there.
You can check out the video here:
http://www.sanfranciscoiam.com/videos/c898d779b574
We learned, for example, that large-scale biofuel production may do a lot of harm, while small-scale, locally rooted bioenergy initiatives may change lives for the better.
This is the sort of silliness that doomed you. Hope you get it figured out. You had the potential to do a lot of good.
Best of Luck.
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