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Climate Change Threatens Staple Crops

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From ClimateWire:

Beans and corn — the staples of the Central American diet — will become more difficult to grow as climate change progresses, according to a new study.

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Certain “hot spots” that are especially vulnerable are spread throughout the region, especially in Honduras and western Nicaragua. But other spots, including many areas in eastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras, will become good adaptation areas for corn and beans through the 2020s.

However, Eitzinger said, moving production to these easily adaptable areas could create a land conflict with forests and risk the loss of trees.

Hat Tip: Our friends at Climate Action Reserve

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Sunday’s Guardian:

Global warming is likely to shrink the size of fish by as much as a quarter in coming decades, according to a groundbreaking new study of the world’s oceans.
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“Our work shows a very concerning future for the oceans and so it is very important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop better fish management policies to adapt to these changes,” said Cheung.

All the more reason we’re glad to be working to mitigate climate change and establish sustainable fisheries in Nicaragua. Thanks to our friends at Surfrider for binging the article to our attention.

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For the winter/spring edition of PERC Reports, Reed Watson talked to scuba diver and reef restoration entrepreneur, Brett Howell. As the Walker Conservation Fellow at the Georgia Aquarium, Howell hopes to illustrate that Florida’s coral reefs, a hotbed of biodiversity, present opportunity for cooperation and restoration, rather than a source of conflict.

Howell works with the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF), which grows endangered species of coral in nurseries, to identify parties who benefit from (and are willing to pay for) healthy reefs. Given that reef-related eco-tourism generates $4 billion annually, Howell is well positioned to link the sellers of coral restoration (like the CRF) with potential buyers, such as the dive shops and fishing captains whose businesses depend on healthy reef ecosystems.

With our own commitment to conflict resolution and reef restoration, we are eager to watch Howell’s experiment unfold.

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We echo the Nature Conservancy in saying that our hearts go out to those affected by the wildfires burning up the American West.

Just as we asked for your help raising money to plant trees in the wake of the fire at the La Flor Wildlife Refuge, the Nature Conservancy is asking for your help restoring forests to reduce the risk of megafires.

As the Nature Conservancy’s newsletter points out, “a new study looking back 1,500 years found no evidence for the kind of ‘megafires’ we are experiencing today. These large, severe wildfires are a new modern reality.”

What is to blame for the new reality?

Summarizing last year’s big wildfires, the Nature Conservancy’s Jon Schwedler explained that “changing temperatures have simultaneously dried out forests and extended the living season for bugs that weaken our trees.”

Paso Pacifico founder and director, Sarah Otterstrom, has been studying fires and forests for over a decade. A fire ecologist with an emphasis on climate change, Otterstrom is among the scientists paying attention to the links between carbon emissions and extreme weather events. Otterstrom’s studies and her commitment to protecting wildlife habitat and biodiversity, are why Paso Pacifico works to mitigate climate change through reforestation in Nicaragua.

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From our friends at the SIMA Environmental Fund:

For Immediate Release

– Waterman’s Weekend Sponsorships Available Now –

ALISO VIEJO, CALIF. (May 29, 2012) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) Environmental Fund announced today the 20 ocean-environmental organizations named as beneficiaries of the 23rd Annual Waterman’s Weekend, the surf industry’s annual environmental fundraiser to be held August 10-11, 2012. The weekend begins Friday, August 10, with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament at the Monarch Beach Golf Links, and culminates on Saturday, August 11, with the Waterman’s Ball and auction to be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Calif.

The SIMA Environmental Fund aims to continue the record fundraising legacy and raise the amount of $400,000 at the 2012 Waterman’s Weekend. To help achieve this goal, Waterman’s Weekend sponsorship opportunities are now available. The deadline to commit to Waterman’s Ball sponsorships is June 1 and the deadline for the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament sponsorships is July 20. For more information on sponsorships, please visit www.WatermansWeekend.com.

All proceeds will be distributed in the form of SIMA Environmental Fund grants to the 20 beneficiary groups. The funds will be dedicated to programs that will address water quality and ocean pollution issues; defend beaches and surf breaks from development; or provide public education about ocean conservation.

“The SIMA Environmental Fund is extremely proud to fund and support the positive environmental impact of the 20 Waterman’s Weekend beneficiary organizations as each one of the beneficiaries is crucial to preserving and protecting our most valuable asset – the ocean.” said Paul Naude, chairman of the SIMA Environmental Fund Board and President of Billabong Americas. “Covering a broad spectrum, the beneficiaries’ environmental work ranges from ocean education, to pollution research, to government lobbying to ocean and surf protection-activism. The surf industry’s very lifestyle and survival depends on the work of these organizations and we look forward to raising funds during Waterman’s Weekend that will go directly to these causes.”

Following is a list of the 2012 SIMA Environmental Fund grant recipients along with a description of the program(s) to which the organizations will be directing their grants:

Alaska Wilderness League: Dedicated funds will assist with advocating for a comprehensive federal,science-based planning process and to pursue actions to protect Arctic marine ecosystems and subsistence resources from further harm from industrial activities.

Algalita Marine Research Foundation: Funds will be used towards the Plastic Ocean Pollution Solutions Youth Summit. The Summit will teach students about the problems resulting from plastic marine debris in the world’s oceans.

Assateague Coastal Trust: Dedicated funds will assist with watershed patrols, water quality monitoring and the Chesapeake Agricultural Practices Campaign. The funds will also benefit Coast Kids, a family-focused environmental education program, and Grow Berlin Green, a campaign to establish Berlin, Maryland, as a model community for environmental protection.

Cook Inletkeeper: Funds will be used for outreach and education efforts to reduce toxic pollutants entering the North Pacific Gyre. Efforts will revolve around the Electronics Recycling Day in Homer, Alaska.

Heal the Bay: Funds will support the health and safety research of more than 500 beaches and watersheds from Oregon to the border of Mexico for Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card program for one full year.

KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance: Funds will be used to build a coalition of Hawaiian oceans activists by challenging nearshore development, defending public beach access, building educational materials advocating for public policies and developing an Action Alert Network.

North Shore Community Land Trust (NSCLT): Funds will be used to permanently protect Pupukea Paumalu and the local waters, community stewardship of public beach access, and other efforts to preserve Oahu’s North Shore.

Ocean Defenders Alliance: Funds will go to expanding their marine debris and underwater clean-up campaign’s range of operations in La Jolla, Coronado Islands, Point Vicente and the Infidel wreck restoration by Catalina Island.

Ocean Institute: Funds will support the Watershed Education Program designed for students for hands-on education about the environmental impact of their behaviors.

Orange County CoastKeeper: Funds will support efforts to reduce the health threats caused by urban runoff pollution in Orange County, Calif., through advocacy, enforcement, education, collaboration, and water monitoring efforts.

Paso Pacifico: Funds will be dedicated to engaging the local Nicaraguan surfing community in protecting their marine and coastal environment through education and coastal clean-ups, as well as helping strengthen the Nicaraguan Surfrider Foundation chapter.

Reef Check: Funds will be used for the continued expansion of the Reef Check California program and its goal to improve marine management in California through education, training and community engagement.

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper: Funds will assist their Advocacy and Enforcement Program which will reduce disposable shopping bag use, compel the city of Santa Barbara to repair aging sewage systems and help the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board to enact a Total Max Daily Load program to address excessive nutrients in the Ventura River.

Santa Monica Baykeeper: Dedicated funds will assist their DrainWatch Water Quality Monitoring Program which will identify the dominant sources of pollution in Santa Monica Bay through end of pipe monitoring.

Save the Waves Coalition: Funds will assist their World Surfing Reserves program to preserve outstanding waves and surf zones around the world; Endangered Waves program that encourages communities worldwide toe address threats to the surfing coastline; and also their Chile Program that is designed to reduce industrial pollution in several coastal areas with world-class surf.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Funds will be used towards their school programs, including their exhibit hall enhancement, exhibit renovations and volunteer training. These programs educate the public about the role marine science plays in understanding and conserving the world’s oceans.

SINADES – Natural Systems and Development Civil Association: Funds will be used for their Young Environmental Ambassadors program, which empowers a group of local youth to conserve and protect the community’s most important resources – the beaches and surf breaks of Todos Santos and Pescadero, B.C. S., Mexico.

Surfing Education Association: Dedicated funds will be used to stop illegal shark feeding in Hawaii, stop sand dumping on Waikiki Beach, increase public access on the North Shore and monitor the increase of boat slips that may change surf sites at Kewalo and Ala WaiHarbor. Surfrider Foundation: Funds will enable efforts to save, improve and protect surf locations, protect the quality of water in the surf zone, ocean environmental education, as well as the continued fight to protect Trestles. WiLDCOAST: Dedicated funds will support the conservation of threatened surfing areas on the Baja California Peninsula through public and private land conservations, WiLDCOAST chapter development in Punta Abreojos, Bahia Asuncion and Bahia Magdalena.

Each organization was chosen by the SIMA Environmental Fund Board of Directors based on their commitment of funds to specific projects that will protect and preserve oceans, beaches and/or surf breaks.

In selecting the 2012 SIMA Environmental Fund grant recipients, the SIMA Environmental Fund Board of Directors requested that applicants submit a proposal detailing how the funds would be used to improve the ocean ecology or surf locations. Each organization’s proposal included a description of the specific program that the grant would be directed to, including the expected environmental impact.

In addition to raising money for the ocean environment, Waterman’s Weekend will also honor big wave surfer Shane Dorian as Waterman of the Year, world renowned ocean explorer, filmmaker, television personality and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau as Environmentalist of the Year, and revolutionary wave forecaster and surfing Hall of Famer the late Sean Collins with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. For more information about the SIMA Environmental Fund or how to secure a Waterman’s Weekend sponsorship, please visit www.WatermansWeekend.com.

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMAactively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 22 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $5.8 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches andwaves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in 2006 to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people.

# # #

Mandy Lausché
Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA)
Communications Manager
8 Argonaut, Suite 170
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
ph: 949.366.1164 x7
fax: 949.454.1406
mandy@sima.com
www.sima.comtwitter.com/SIMA_Surf

WATERMAN’S WEEKEND
AUGUST 10 & 11, 2012
THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAGUNA NIGUEL
HONORING: SHANE DORIAN, JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU & SEAN COLLINS
HTTP://WWW.WATERMANSWEEKEND.COM

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As part of their Global Reset series, Seed Magazine explores how a reformation of the culture and practice of science could help the scientific community respond to global challenges:

An interdisciplinary approach is necessary for the weighty, interconnected problems—from sustainable development to climate change—that are most in need of science transfer. And bringing scientists and their ideas together is a dependable way of generating new ideas, sometimes of the world-changing variety.

At Paso Pacifico, we depend on the latest, most cutting edge conservation science to inform all of our decision-making and to help endangered plants and wildlife avoid extinction and thrive in their natural habitats. We collaborate with Nicaraguan universities, international scientists, and other researchers to bring the newest scientific knowledge into the field, where science-based monitoring gauges the effectiveness of our conservation programs.

We also work to empower citizen scientists, because we agree with Alfsen-Norodom:

“Knowledge is not exclusively limited to the university. There is local knowledge from indigenous people, especially on the environment.”

In addition to bolstering conservation efforts, we provide scientific tools and field training to schoolchildren, young scientists, and others. We conduct biodiversity monitoring by partnering with local landowners and fishermen who receive careful training and help conduct baseline studies and monitor wildlife.

In another Seed piece specifically on Creating Citizen Scientists, Dave Munger explains its importance:

Citizen science isn’t just a public relations exercise: it makes a significant contribution to the corpus of scientific knowledge. Improved public awareness of science is an important additional benefit, but it’s not the primary goal of citizen science. Rather, this emerging technique allows scientists to make use of what is still the most powerful computational resource on the planet: the human brain.

The social sciences are also a critical component of Paso Pacific’s Conservation Science program and our efforts to strengthen local communities. Ethnographic, socio-economic data, and livelihood-specific data help Paso Pacifico to better understand attitudes towards wildlife and to identify the social drivers of land use along corridors. We use this information to collaborate with communities to identify restoration needs and innovative ways to preserve natural resources. 
Our interdisciplinary approach along with our commitment to working with multiple partners stakeholders allow us to harness science and achieve measurable results.

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Image courtesy of Gus Harper, artist

Many people have been highlighting the importance of bees lately. Much of the news has been bad: bees disappearing, crops failing, etc. Fortunately, while climate change, shifts in agriculture, deforestation, and other factors have threatened some bee populations, it is possible for bees to make a comeback. The really good news is we can help.

Dating back to the time of the Great Pyramids, humans have practiced beekeeping, and, as Gene Kritsky writes, “in the millennia since, we have continued to study and improve upon beehive designs, making beekeeping the modern science it is today.” He’s right. Urban beekeeping is on the rise in the United States. Bee doctor Noah Wilson-Rich, PhD is helping city dwellers plant rooftop and other gardens to provide habitat for foraging honeybees. And yesterday CNN’s Next List introduced us to Andrew Coté of Bees Without Borders, dedicated to poverty alleviation through beekeeping.

In Nicaragua, we’re alleviating poverty and protecting biodiversity by reviving the ancient tradition of meliponiculture, the management of Melipona and Trigona bees, as practiced by the Mayans. Wild bees, which nest in hollow trees and ground cavities, are brought home by beekeepers who maintain healthy bee colonies and harvest honey and other hive products.

Our intern, Sarah Rudeen, is headed to San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico to join Nicaraguan biologists at a conference and workshop organized by the Mexican university Eco-Sur to learn about native beekeeping and commercializing bee and honey products for the benefit of communities. Not only does the honey provide a valuable source of calories in a an area where food security is not always completely stable, it provides a means of income for the beekeeper and his or her family. In addition, bees provide valuable ecosystem services.

Native bees maintain year-round pollination services in dry tropical forests, like those found in Nicaragua. While the nesting and breeding seasons of large bees match the blooming seasons in dry forests, small bees visit and pollinate flowers throughout the year. Bees pollinate valuable cash crops in rural Nicaragua, and provide an estimated 50% of pollination in dry forests. We might say the importance of bees to the biodiversity of Central America is immeasurable, but we’re actually working on ways to quantify the value of the ecosystem services bees (and other pollinators, like bats) provide.

When our newly trained team of meliponiculturists return to Nicaragua, armed with information from Mexican beekeepers and entomologists, they will revive a rich cultural history and help individuals and local cooperatives save local ecosystems and launch new business ventures to economically empower rural communities.

We are grateful to the Turner Foundation for their support of our beekeeping program.

If you are interested, you can also make a contribution to our efforts to restore the ancient practice of meliponiculture for poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation.

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Photo courtesy of The Barrio Planta Project via Yaosca Jimenez

Over the past several years, more and more tourists have been finding their way to the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua for the waves. Recently, local Nicaraguans from fishing communities have also adopted the sport with a passion. In July 2012 Nicaragua will host the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship.

With the right knowledge, tools, and organizational support, these young locals may be empowered to lead the ocean conservation movement in their communities.

However there are many challenges, for both the young local surfers and the oceans. Local surfers face difficulties due to lack of education (more than half of local surfers surveyed had not finished high school), economic disadvantages, and inexperience at leadership. The oceans and coasts of Nicaragua are being heavily impacted by poorly planned coastal development, river contamination, plastic debris, and human disturbance of key wildlife habitat (e.g. – turtle nesting beaches and reefs).

In 2010, Paso Pacifico began a program to empower local surfing youth in the San Juan del Sur municipality with training and tools to organize and develop leadership as ocean stewards. As we continue to develop this program we seek an intern to support Paso Pacifico’s staff in Nicaragua in activities that support the goal of this project.

Internship duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • planning, organizing and facilitating workshops on ocean conservation issues, organizational development, leadership
  • coordinating with San Juan del Sur Association to ensure their participation in key surfing and conservation events
  • providing leadership training
  • planning, promoting and coordinating surf group clean-up events and other ocean protection activities
  • reaching out to the foreign surfing community in Nicaragua and beyond to gain support (moral, logistical, financial) for program goals
  • recruiting new surfers to participate in events and workshops
  • sharing media (photos, written stories) about project with Nicaraguan partners and internationally connecting the local surfing assaciation with other international surf and environment advocacy groups
  • representing Paso Pacifico and our mission in a positive manner before the community
  • coordinating activities with Paso Pacifico staff in Managua and/or rural offices
  • participating in the organization of press conferences
  • acting as an ambassador for ocean conservation and a healthy lifestyle
  • surfing

Required Skills:

  • fluent in Spanish
  • works well independently
  • passion for ocean conservation
  • leadership and public speaking skills
  • good writing skills
  • flexible
  • hard working

Desirable Qualifications:

  • surfing photography
  • social media
  • Bachelors degree in Environmental or Social sciences
  • experience in organizational leadership (running meetings)
  • experienced driver

Intern must be willing to travel, lodge, and dine in conditions typical for the rural developing tropics. Intern will be required to meet guidelines set out in Paso Pacifico internship agreement. Intern will report to Nicaragua Country Director and will coordinate activities with Paso Pacifico local partners including the Nicaraguan Surf Association and the San Juan del Sur Surf Association. Intern must be flexible in job duties, providing at times support to other Paso Pacifico conservation programs and will also be asked to participate in nation-wide Coastal Clean-up event.

How to Apply:

Please submit resume and cover letter to info@pasopacifico.org with subject line “Surfing and Ocean Conservation Internship”.

Start and completion dates for internship may be flexible.

This opportunity was originally posted at Idealist.org.

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