WWF news
Our Rivers Awards 2010
– vote now!
Do you love or loathe your local river? Is it lush with wildlife or choked by pollution? A place of quiet contemplation or toxic contamination? Sparkling stream or dried-up desert? We want to know…
Earth Overshoot Day – how can we get out of debt?
The world has gone into ecological overdraft. As of August 21, we’ve exceeded our natural ‘budget’ for the year. In other words, we’ve consumed 12 months worth of natural resources in under nine months. So how do we turn this around?
Coal power station opposition goes global
There’s been unprecedented global reaction against the new coal-fired power station planned for Scotland. Almost 10,000 people from across the world have already written to support our campaign against the Hunterston coal plant. But with just a week to go before public consultation closes, we still need your help.
Water meters can help solve UK water crisis
Water meters are a key solution to Britain’s water shortages – but there still aren’t enough of them around. Figures from water regulator Ofwat show there’s been a worryingly low take-up around the country – just over a third of households are on a water meter. We need to see them in every home within ten years.
Malaga Bay is finally declared a national natural park
Brilliant news from Colombia. After years of campaigning by WWF, the Colombian government has at last declared Malaga Bay on the Pacific coast a national park. This beautiful place, vital for humpback whales that visit to mate and rear their young, had been threatened by plans to turn it into an international marine port.
Have your say on protecting the UK's natural environment
We've found two great new ways that your voice can be heard on issues affecting the environment. One launched by the government, the other by The Guardian newspaper.
After Bonn, climate talks must pick up before Cancun
World governments who took part in the third Bonn climate change talks this week will have to ramp up their negotiations in order to make crucial progress at the Cancun meeting later this year.
Help stop seismic threat to western gray whale
We’re asking for your urgent help in preventing an oil and gas survey, which would harm the critically endangered western gray whale, from taking place in Russian waters next week.
New ruling will help protect Russian tigers
We welcome a new Russian government ruling to protect the Korean pine, a tree species that’s vital for the endangered Amur tiger – the world’s largest cat.
Progress needed at Bonn climate talks
We’re looking for real progress on some outstanding issues at the next UN climate talks in Bonn this week. This includes the need for forest protection, adaptation to the inevitable results of climate change, and the beginning of real flows of finance for climate action.
Scientists confirm past decade was warmest on record
Research headed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has provided further evidence that climate change is “unmistakable” and shows clear signs of “human fingerprints”.
UK government’s energy vision: our response
We’ve been busy looking at the government’s new vision for the UK energy system in 2050, published yesterday. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) report, 2050 Pathways Analysis, outlines a number of ways to meet the country’s binding 2050 target for reducing greenhouse gases.
Our sincere apologies for UN climate meeting incident
WWF has apologised unreservedly for the unofficial actions of an employee who was involved in an incident at the June meeting of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is one of a series of meetings where a global agreement on tackling climate change is being negotiated.
Dam plans must change to save rare giant fish
We want to see a postponement of plans to develop new hydropower dams on the Mekong River in south-east Asia– at least until there’s been a comprehensive assessment of all potential impacts. We’re particularly concerned that wild populations of the iconic Mekong giant catfish will be driven to extinction if the dams go ahead.
Why tackling global warming is more urgent than ever
Did the UK’s cold weather last winter make you wonder if climate change is really happening? Wonder no more. The period from March to May this year was actually the hottest, globally, since records began in 1880. The extent of sea ice melt in the Arctic is hitting a new high too. It’s all a timely reminder that we need urgent action to slow the carbon emissions that fuel global warming.
Tiger plans leap forward at Bali
In an important meeting in Bali last week, the 13 countries with tiger populations laid the groundwork for world leaders to come together at the vital Tiger Summit in Russia this September .
Cod can recover – if we control bycatch
Depleted North Sea cod stocks have been recovering recently, thanks to a particularly successful breeding season in 2005 and subsequent limits on catching those fish as they’ve grown. But the recovery is threatened by trawlers catching too many cod while fishing for other species. Steps must be taken to reduce cod catches further, to let stocks properly recover.
New oil drilling off Greenland poses unacceptable risk
An Edinburgh-based oil firm, Cairn Energy, has begun drilling in the Arctic waters off Greenland, despite huge risks of environmental damage, as highlighted by the Gulf of Mexico spill. We want all new oil drilling to be halted while the causes and impacts of the BP disaster are investigated.
Brazil’s forest law under threat
Dangerous proposals to weaken forest protection in Brazil have moved a step closer. The Brazilian Congress’s Special Committee on Forest Law Changes has voted in favour of amendments that could allow dramatic increases in deforestation. We’re not alone in thinking this is a bad move.
EU officially says no to illegal timber
Huge areas of the world’s forests could be saved thanks to a vote in the European Parliament today. The EU has now officially approved a new law that will keep illegal wood and wood products out of the European market.