Summary / Synopsis
Loss and Degradation of Natural Habitats Threaten Migratory Bird
[UNEP, 10/05/2013]
 
UNEP: Created in 1972, UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme, is the highest environmental authority in the United Nations system. The Programme is an “advocate, educator, catalyst and... Suite
L’ours polaire, pomme de discorde
[Rémy Marion, 25/03/2013]
L’ours polaire, pomme de discorde Rémy Marion est documentariste, il s'est fait une spécialité dans l'observation des ours polaires qu'il filme depuis des années. Suite
Mesures anti-loup : non, les protecteurs de la nature ne sont pas d’accord !
[Pierre Athanaze, 24/03/2013]
Mesures anti-loup : non, les protecteurs de la nature ne sont pas d’accord ! Auteur du Livre noir de la chasse Massacres & abus de pouvoir, Pierre Athanaze est à la base forestier. Il a été administrateur à l'Office national de la chasse et de la faune (ONCFS) durant 10... Suite
Wild and precious
[Yann Arthus-Bertrand, 28/02/2013]
Wild and precious Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a famous photographer. He has always had a passion for the animal world and the natural environment. In 1991 he founded Altitude, the world’s first aerial photography agency... Suite
Now, the tragedy of the common species
[Neha Sinha, 01/01/2012]
Now, the tragedy of the common species Neha Sinha is with the Bombay Natural History Society. She is also columnist for varius indian newspapers. Suite
Faire participer les pêcheurs
[Sandra Bessudo, 22/11/2012]
Faire participer les pêcheurs Sandra Bessudo se bat depuis des années pour la protection de Malpelo, une île du Pacifique à 500 kilomètres des côtes colombiennes. Elle a créé la fondation Malpelo, qui vise à protéger l'île et ses... Suite
Nous découvrons tous les jours de nouvelles espèces marines
[Philippe Bouchet, 15/11/2012]
Nous découvrons tous les jours de nouvelles espèces marines Professeur, Philippe Bouchet est chargé de mission "Grandes expéditions" au Museum d'histoire naturelle. Ce spécialiste des mollusques, examine un échantillon dans un laboraboratoire de l'Institut de... Suite
Il nous faut des guerriers et des héros pour défendre les océans et les requins
[Rob Stewart, 08/11/2012]
Il nous faut des guerriers et des héros pour défendre les océans et les requins Photographe sous-marin, biologiste et réalisateur, Rob Stewart est un passionné de requins. En 2007, il a réalisé le film Sharwater (Les seigneurs de la mer) afin de déconstruire le mythe du requin... Suite
The wolf, an indirect casualty of the attack on the Rainbow Warrior
[Jean-Marie Ouary, 11/10/2012]
The wolf, an indirect casualty of the attack on the Rainbow Warrior Jean-Marie Ouary is one of the founders of the Mille traces association, located in the Vercors region in France. He is one of the French specialist of the return of the wolf in France. Suite
Conservation is not about nature
[IUCN, 07/09/2012]
Conservation is not about nature IUCN : Created in 1948, the World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation ofr Nature (IUCN) brings together 81 States, 120 government agencies, 800 plus NGOs, and some 10,000... Suite
Time to re-boot: Towards a new environmentalism
[IUCN, 01/04/2012]
Time to re-boot: Towards a new environmentalism IUCN : Created in 1948, the World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation ofr Nature (IUCN) brings together 81 States, 120 government agencies, 800 plus NGOs, and some 10,000... Suite
The 100 most threatened species. Are they priceless or worthless?
[IUCN, 11/09/2012]
The 100 most threatened species. Are they priceless or worthless? IUCN : Created in 1948, the World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation ofr Nature (IUCN) brings together 81 States, 120 government agencies, 800 plus NGOs, and some 10,000... Suite
Rio+20 : Focusing on the solutions
[Julia Marton-Lefèvre, 16/05/2012]
Rio+20 : Focusing on the solutions Julia Marton-Lefèvre is the Director General of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).Photo: IUCN Suite
Ne plus oublier la biodiversité
[Philippe J Dubois, 25/04/2012]
Ne plus oublier la biodiversité Philippe J Dubois est ornithologue et écologue. Il est l’auteur de la Grande Amnésie Ecologique. Suite
Il faut sauver les dents de la mer
[Xavier Pastor, 12/04/2012]
Il faut sauver les dents de la mer Xavier Pastor est Directeur Exécutif d'Oceana en Europe. Biologiste marin, il a commencé sa carrière professionnelle à l'Institut Océanographique Espagnol et plus tard a fondé Greenpeace Espagne en... Suite
La chasse n'est pas un loisir comme les autres
[Pierre Athanaze, 05/01/2011]
La chasse n'est pas un loisir comme les autres Auteur du Livre noir de la chasse Massacres & abus de pouvoir, Pierre Athanaze est à la base forestier. Il a été administrateur à l'Office national de la chasse et de la faune (ONCFS) durant 10... Suite
Mountain forests under threat
[FAO, 09/12/2011]
Mountain forests under threat The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It was founded on 16 October 1945 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. In 1951 its... Suite
« Nous sommes en train de transformer les océans en désert »
[Claire Nouvian, 11/10/2011]
« Nous sommes en train de transformer les océans en désert » Claire Nouvian est une environnementaliste qui voue sa carrière à sensibiliser le public et les autorités aux problèmes posés par l’exploitation des océans profonds et des espèces très vulnérables... Suite
Zones humides : bilan à l'occasion des 40 ans de la Convention de Ramsar
[Anada Tiéga, 14/09/2011]
Zones humides : bilan à l'occasion des 40 ans de la Convention de Ramsar Anada Tiéga est le Secrétaire général de la Convention de Ramsar sur les zones humides. Auparavant, il a notamment été coordinateur régional de l'UICN en Afrique de l'ouest et a également été chargé... Suite
A Planet for All Apes
[Peter Singer, 10/08/2011]
A Planet for All Apes Peter Singer is Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne. His books include Practical Ethics, One World, and, most recently, The Life You... Suite
From tequila to the 'tree of life', bats are nature's invaluable allies
[UNEP, 21/01/2011]
 
UNEP: Created in 1972, UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme, is the highest environmental authority in the United Nations system. The Programme is an “advocate, educator, catalyst and... Suite
Biodiversity: a (very) pale green agreement in Nagoya
[Arnaud Gossement, 30/10/2010]
Biodiversity: a (very) pale green agreement in Nagoya Arnaud Gossement is a lawyer at the Paris Bar for environmental law and energy. He has a PhD in Law from Paris I University Panthéon-Sorbonne and he is a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris. He has also... Suite
Killing the Cures
[Achim Steiner, 02/09/2010]
Killing the Cures Achim Steiner est le directeur exécutif du Programme des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement (PNUE). Auparavant, il a exercé de hautes fonctions à la Commission mondiale des barrages puis à l'Union... Suite
The problem is that we only worry about animals we find cute. I defend them all.
[Antoine F. Goetschel, 01/07/2010]
The problem is that we only worry about animals we find cute. I defend them all. Antoine F. Goetschel is a laywer who specializes in animal rights. Suite
A giant step for protecting ocean life
[Alistair Gammell, 22/04/2010]
A giant step for protecting ocean life Alistair Gammell is director of the Chagos campaign, a project of the Pew Environment Group’s Global Ocean Legacy initiative to help secure the establishment of large, world-class marine reserves.... Suite
Business as usual is no longer an option for biodiversity
[Ahmed Djoghlaf, 15/03/2010]
Business as usual is no longer an option for biodiversity Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf is the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity established by the United Nations. An Algerian national, Dr. Djoghlaf has pursued a impressive diplomatic... Suite
The Naming of Things
[George Monbiot, The guardian, 15/03/2010]
The Naming of Things George Monbiot is a well-known investigation reporter and columnist for the British newspaper “The Guardian” as well as a member of the BBC Wildlife magazine’s advisory board. He is also the author... Suite
CITES Summit, Doha: What Went Wrong?
[Susan Lieberman, 01/04/2010]
CITES Summit, Doha: What Went Wrong? Susan Lieberman is Deputy Director of The Pew Environment Group and head of the Cites Pew Delegation at the CITES summit in Doha. Suite
Biodiversity, it’s now or never
[Julia Marton-Lefèvre, 15/02/2012]
Biodiversity, it’s now or never Julia Marton-Lefèvre is the Director General of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).Photo: IUCN Suite
Pour sauver la biodiversité, mangez-la !
[Olivier Blond, 14/01/2010]
Pour sauver la biodiversité, mangez-la ! The chief editor of GoodPlanet Info’s website created Le Courrier International’s green page and took part in the creation of the TV programme Vu du Ciel on the French television channel, France2.... Suite
The Nitrogen Fix: Breaking a Costly Addiction
[Fred Pearce, 05/11/2009]
The Nitrogen Fix: Breaking a Costly Addiction Fred Pearce is journalist specialized in the environment and development. He was born in the United Kingdom and studied geography in the University of Cambridge. His latest book is When the Rivers... Suite
Provocative New Study Warns of Crossing Planetary Boundaries
[Carl Zimmer, 23/09/2009]
Provocative New Study Warns of Crossing Planetary Boundaries Carl Zimmer travaille comme journaliste spécialiste des questions scientifiques et environnementales. Il a rédigé 6 livres et s’intéresse à des domaines aussi variés que la recherche dans les... Suite
Fighting Biopiracy
[Silvia Ribeiro et Kathy Jo Wetter, 01/09/2009]
Fighting Biopiracy Silvia Ribeiro et Kathy Jo Wetter travaillent toutes deux en tant que chercheuses pour l'Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group). Suite
Why Japan's whaling activities are not research
[New Scientist, 17/06/2009]
Why Japan's whaling activities are not research New Scientist was founded in 1956, this internationally-focused weekly British magazine aims at giving readers exhaustive information on recent worldwide developments in science from a scientific,... Suite
Legalise tiger trade to save species
[Brendan Moyle, 02/06/2009]
Legalise tiger trade to save species Brendan Moyle is a conservationist from New Zealand. Long ago, he used to study tiny pseudoscorpions as a zoologist. He got a PhD in economics because it was rather obvious that a lot of conservation... Suite
'Flawed' Red List putting species at risk
[New Scientist, 11/03/2009]
'Flawed' Red List putting species at risk New Scientist was founded in 1956, this internationally-focused weekly British magazine aims at giving readers exhaustive information on recent worldwide developments in science from a scientific,... Suite
In defence of the Red List
[IUCN, New Scientist, 03/04/2009]
In defence of the Red List IUCN : Created in 1948, the World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation ofr Nature (IUCN) brings together 81 States, 120 government agencies, 800 plus NGOs, and some 10,000... Suite
Conservation with a human face
[Jean-Michel Severino, 01/01/2008]
Conservation with a human face Jean-Michel SEVERINO has been CEO of France’s international development agency (AFD) since 2001. After graduating from the Ecole Nationale d’Administration and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de... Suite
Biodiversity, Climate Change and the Influence of Wetlands
[RAMSAR, 22/05/2007]
Biodiversity, Climate Change and the Influence of Wetlands The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, aiming to stop their degradation and disappearance, today and tomorrow, by recognizing their... Suite
Why protect nature?
[François Ramade, 01/01/2005]
Why protect nature? François RAMADE, an agricultural engineer who holds a doctoral post-graduate degree in science, is a professor emeritus at the Université Paris-Sud (Orsay). He is a former President of the Société... Suite
Paralysing virus a suspect in disappearing bee mystery
[New Scientist, 06/09/2007]
Paralysing virus a suspect in disappearing bee mystery New Scientist was founded in 1956, this internationally-focused weekly British magazine aims at giving readers exhaustive information on recent worldwide developments in science from a scientific,... Suite
Fishermen, New Labourers of the Deep Seas
[Solenn Honorine, 01/12/2004]
Fishermen, New Labourers of the Deep Seas Solenn Honorine holds degrees from Sciences Po (Bordeaux), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme in Lille. Ms. Honorine is a French freelance... Suite
The sixth great extinction: A Status Report
[Janet Larsen, 02/03/2004]
The sixth great extinction: A Status Report Janet LARSEN is the Director of Research at the Earth Policy Institute (a non-profit environmental research organisation) and holds a degree in Earth Systems from Stanford University. Formerly a... Suite

Thousands of plant and animal species are currently threatened with extinction due, in all probability, to human activity and climate change.

Over the course of evolution, five periods have already experienced a mass extinction. Janet Larsen, Director of Research at the Earth Policy Institute, in her article entitled “The Sixth Great Extinction,” alerts us to the fact that we could enter a new phase of biodiversity loss. She lists the characteristics of preceding eras that experienced this phenomenon and compares them with current global symptoms. Supported by worrisome data, Janet Larsen insinuates that the human species is the only species that is able to destroy the others or, on the contrary, choose to implement necessary measures to ensure their conservation.

Today, 5500 animal species are in danger both on land and in the sea. For example, French journalist Solenn Honorine, a specialist in environmental issues, writes an alarming article in the magazine Libération on the consequences of deep-sea fishing on marine flora and fauna. With the depletion of halieutic resources and the constant increase in global consumption, fishermen increasingly exploit the deep seas. Trawlers of more than 30 tons destroy nearly all of the cold-water corals, a habitat for lesser-known species.

The magazine of reference, New Scientist, in an article written by Roxanne Khamsi, has its own explanation for the mass disappearance of bees in the United States. This could be due to a virus called IAPV (Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus) or other possible causes such as pesticide use, genetically modified crops, or even cellular phone radio waves. Observed worldwide, this decline in the bee population could have serious repercussions on crop pollination.

Finally, the last article leads us to reflect on the very notion of biodiversity protection. Why is it essential to conserve the variety of living species? Dr. François Ramade, in an excerpt from his Traité d’Ecologie, presents legal, ethical, economic, and cultural justifications as to why it is man’s duty to preserve the resources of his environment.

France : photo d'un papillon Lycaena virgaureae cuivré ou lycène Masméjan. © AFP