Stop me if you've heard this one: Alice Algae and Freddy Fungi took a LICHEN to each other. Lichens are unique organisms. Traditional definitions describe them as a close relationship of fungi

Stop me if you've heard this one: Alice Algae and Freddy Fungi took a LICHEN to each other. Lichens are unique organisms. Traditional definitions describe them as a close relationship of fungi (the mycobiont) living together with algae (the photobiont). The fungi protects the algae, and the algae uses photosynthesis to make food. Recent research, however, highlights that this symbiosis is far more complex than we thought. It turns out that there may be even more organisms involved, forming a micro-ecosystem in every lichen. Even though lichens are biologically fascinating and ecologically important, they are regularly overlooked. People often associate lichens with lush fairy-tale forests of the Pacific Northwest, where these organisms are large, conspicuous and abundant. But even in hostile desert habitats of the Southwest, lichens are an extremely diverse and very common element of the landscape. In fact, the Greater Sonoran Desert Region supports more than a third of all lichen species found on the North American continent. In this Speaker Series talk by lichen expert Dr. Frank Bungartz, learn all about what lichens are, what they look like and where they can be found, as well as the fundamental role they play in ecosystems. Dr. Bungartz will share his research on lichen diversity and function in the Sonoran regions, Galapagos, and Ecuador. Dr. Frank Bungartz is the Collections Manager of Lichens and Digital Data at the Lichen Herbarium of the Arizona State University Natural History Collections. His research focuses on biodiversity, evolution, ecology and conservation of lichenized fungi in the Sonoran Desert Region, Central America, and the Galapagos. He has been a contributor and editor to the Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region and has published numerous treatments of lichens from the Galapagos, where he continues to work on a comprehensive inventory of the lichen biota of this archipelago. Dr. Bungartz always had a strong interest in how lichens affect rock surfaces that they grow on. With his graduate student Guillermo Ortiz, he has recently been using photogrammetry to create 3D models of lichen communities from high-resolution macro photos to better understand the dynamics of biodeterioration and biomineralization caused by these organisms.

...

Climate change has struggled to break through as a mainstream political priority in recent years. Meanwhile, globally, carbon levels in the atmosphere have continued to rise. But are we now

Climate change has struggled to break through as a mainstream political priority in recent years. Meanwhile, globally, carbon levels in the atmosphere have continued to rise. But are we now witnessing a new political interest in all things green? Thirty years on from the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1988, and with thirty years to go to meet the Paris Agreement’s target of a carbon-neutral world by 2050, it’s a timely moment take stock of the current politics of climate change in the UK. Speakers: Caroline Lucas MP, Co-leader of the Green Party; Benet Northcote, Director of Corporate Responsibility, John Lewis Partnership; Alice Bell, Director of Communications, 10:10 Climate Action; Tony Greenham, Director of Economy, Enterprise and Manufacturing SUBSCRIBE to our channel! Follow the RSA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RSAEvents Like RSA Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RSAEventsofficial Listen to RSA podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/the_rsa See RSA Events behind the scenes: https://instagram.com/rsa_events/

...

If you love a spa day, you’re in very good (and very big) company. Scientists have observed what they say is a global phenomenon of humpback whales rolling around in seaweed. It’s likely a

If you love a spa day, you’re in very good (and very big) company. Scientists have observed what they say is a global phenomenon of humpback whales rolling around in seaweed. It’s likely a form of play... and what may be the equivalent of a skincare routine for these 50-foot marine mammals. The behavior is called kelping, and it’s thought to improve whale health by removing parasites and bacteria. In a new study, researchers examined social media posts documenting kelping in humpback whales from the North Atlantic all the way to the Australian coast. Featured in Endangered Earth Online (Nov. 16, 2032): https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/publications/earthonline/endangered-earth-online-no1219.html 📹 Used with permission by Slater Moore Photography and Davey's Locker Sportfishing and Whale Watching #ThatsWild #humpbackwhales #cetaceans #kelping ------------ About the Center: The Center for Biological Diversity is a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. At the Center, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive. We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive. Where to find us: WEBSITE: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/centerforbiodiv FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/centerforbiodiv INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/centerforbiodiv TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@centerforbiodiv/ TAKE ACTION: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/action/ For questions or media inquiries, email us at center@biologicaldiversity.org.

...

...

Race for American Jobs

Colorado

With a triple bottom line orientation, Ann Livingston discusses a low cost public structure to flow private dollars ($10M so far). Ann

Race for American Jobs

Colorado

With a triple bottom line orientation, Ann Livingston discusses a low cost public structure to flow private dollars ($10M so far). Ann is  sustainability coordinator for Boulder County, Colorado.  Other leaders featured include Stacy Barr,  National Program Director, Veterans Green Jobs, Alice Madden, Colorado Climate Chanage Coordinator; Auden Schendler, Director of Sustainability, Aspen Skiing Company; John Powers, Sustainable Colorado; and Ravi Malhorta of iCAST.

...

The World Bank Group’s global campaign Film4Climate joined the documentary community at 2018 Cannes Film Festival (May 8 -18) to highlight the role that the creative industries can play to help

The World Bank Group’s global campaign Film4Climate joined the documentary community at 2018 Cannes Film Festival (May 8 -18) to highlight the role that the creative industries can play to help encourage the necessary action needed from both governments and the general public to achieve a low-carbon resilient world. Working with the Marche du Film’s Doc Corner, Connect4Climate hosted a special presentation of Slater Jewell-Kemker's feature documentary Youth Unstoppable as well as a Climate Focus workshop. Connect4Climate was also a key partner for their annual Doc Day, which is the climax of the documentary program at Cannes. Recognizing the impact that the film industry, in particular, can have on younger generations and the power of emotional stories and images, Film4Climate’s intention is to help build a global network of knowledge partners within the film industry who are committed to climate action, environmental protection and social equity, and feel the medium can be used to great effect to influence behavior.

...

A shocking solution by two climate scientists? Addressing the economic system, advocating a radical de-growth strategy. Interviewed by Amy Goodman at the UN Climate Summit, Warsaw, Poland.

Read more

Email a Friend