Scientists look to farmers from hundreds of years ago for clues to protecting the Amazon today. An international team of archaeologists and paleoecologists reports finding evidence that indigenous people, living in the savannas around the Amazonian forest hundreds of years ago farmed without using fire. The finding suggests modern man could learn from his ancestors in seeking solutions to the mass deforestation of the Amazon. The researchers analyzed records of pollen, charcoal and plant remains stretching over a period of more than 2,000 years. Drawing on these record the team was able to create the first detailed picture of land use in the Amazonian savannas.
They found that long before the arrival of the first Europeans, early inhabitants of the savannas constructed small agricultural mounds with wooden tools. The raised fields offered benefits including improved drainage, moisture retention and soil aeration. Such an agricultural system worked well in an environment that experienced both droughts and flooding. GreenBiz.com. New Spiral Island 2008. TreeHugger.
Renewable Energy in 1970, Renewable Energy Now (Maps) Blmurch via Flickr/CC BY 2.0 There's nothing like a nice 'before and after' image to help drive home a point. And in this case, the point is something like this: Even though it at times feels like it's moving much, much too slowly, the renewable energy revolution is well underway. Just take a look at these maps from Black & Veatch (via Grist), and observe how many renewable energy projects were installed or planned for imminent installation in 1970: Black & Veatch/Promo image Pretty vacant, right? Progress! Of course, technology is rapidly improving, and the increasing efficiency of wind, and especially solar projects means they'll be producing more power for their buck and given area. Center for Health and the Global Environment. Here are some simple ways you can work to protect biodiversity -- and human health! Making small changes in your food, your transportation, and your home can have significant impacts.
Here's how: Eat Sustainable Food Choose sustainably-harvested fish. Eat less meat and more cereals, fruits and vegetables. Choose Smart Transport Lessen personal vehicle use; make one trip instead of several a week to the supermarket, and carpool to work. Urge local authorities to make our towns more pedestrian- and bicycle- friendly and walk or bicycle to work when possible.
Encourage local authorities to improve public transportation services and use them (trains, buses). Make sure our cars are well tuned, and that their tires are properly inflated. Consider buying smaller, more fuel-efficient and less polluting cars, or hybrid gas-electric vehicles. Create a "low impact" home Indoors: Choose appliances and home heating systems with high energy-efficiency ratings (www.energystar.gov).
Outdoors: Keep Learning!