Earth Island Journal | Earth Island Institute

Underwater Serengeti
Scientists and recreational divers are working to protect the spectacular marine life around Costa Rica’s Cocos Island. By Todd Steiner
Growing Pains
Rising temperatures, unseasonal rains, and new pests are changing farming as
we know it. A special report
Natural Law
From rural Pennsylvania to South America, a global alliance is promoting the idea that ecosystems have intrinsic rights. By Jason Mark

Latest News

Fresh Water Demand Driving Sea-Level Rise Faster Than Glacier Melt

Trillions of Tons of Water Have Been Pumped Up From Underground Reservoirs in Every Part of the World, Says Report

by The Guardian UK – May 21, 2012

By Damian Carrington Humanity's unquenchable thirst for fresh water is driving up sea levels even faster than melting glaciers, according to new research. The massive impact of the global population's growing need for water on rising sea levels is revealed in a…
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New Book Examines the Future of Fracking

In Review: Under the Surface, by Tom Wilber

by Adam Federman – May 18, 2012

In 2004, Range Resources, a Texas-based oil and gas company, drilled its first exploratory wells in the Marcellus Shale, a vast geologic formation that stretches from the southern tier of New York State, through much of Pennsylvania, and into West Virginia and…
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WTO Rules US Dolphin Safe Tuna Label ‘Unfair’ to Mexico

Decision a Big Blow to Dolphin Protection, Say Environmentalists

by Maureen Nandini Mitra – May 17, 2012

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled yesterday that United States’ “Dolphin Safe" tuna-labeling regulations unfairly discriminates against Mexico and probably needs to be modified to make an exception for Mexican fishermen, or dropped. It’s not totally clear what the economic implications of…
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Who Will Grow Our Food?

A Forgotten Career Path — Old Farmers Outnumber Young Ones by a Ratio of Over 7:1

by Dan Imhoff – May 15, 2012

Excerpted from the book Food Fight. To learn more about the Farm Bill and purchase a copy of Food Fight please visit www.foodfight2012.org “If we are not careful, we could lose the farm and the food system on our watch.” That drastic warning…
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In the Amazon, World’s “Most Threatened Tribe” Faces Extinction

Illegal Logging and Development in Brazil Is Destroying Protected Habitat of the Nomadic Awá

by Maureen Nandini Mitra – May 14, 2012

Deep in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest live the Awá hunter-gatherers — an ancient, partially-contacted Indigenous peoples, now thought by some to be the “Earth’s most threatened tribe”. Photo © Survival The nomadic Awá have always treaded lightly on Earth, carrying only their…
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“Wild Fish Will be Critical to Feeding the World”

Conversation: Andrew Sharpless, CEO, Oceana

by Maureen Nandini Mitra – May 11, 2012

Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless estimates that if we managed the world’s oceans better, wild seafood could potentially be a major protein source for our world’s ever-growing population. He says, “a fully productive ocean could provide the entire animal protein diet for a…
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South Korean Captive Dolphins have a Shot at Freedom

In First-of-its-Kind Ruling, Judge Orders Release of Five Captive Dolphins

by Laura Bridgeman – May 10, 2012

South Korea could be well on it’s way to becoming a dolphin-friendly nation. Like many other countries, it has captive facilities where dolphins are made to perform degrading tricks and live in unbearably small tanks. But a recent ruling on the case…
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Choosing the Dream: Libby Miller left her husband and her home to dedicate her life to protecting marine mammals.
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Doug Tompkins: The founder of The North Face talks about his efforts to protect Patagonia.
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To Breed or Not to Breed?: Julie Zickenfoose and Erica Gies debate the environmental ethics of procreation.
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Readers Poll: Can you be a “good environmentalist” and still have children?
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