Here are the biodiversity challenges we’ll be pressing governments to meet

By Guillaume Chapron and George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 4th October 2010

In less than a month, unless we can rouse sufficient public indignation to avert it, a widespread suspicion that humanity is incapable of looking after this planet will be confirmed. The world’s governments will meet at Nagoya in Japan to discuss the catastrophic decline of life on the planet. The outcome is expected to be as tragic and as stupid as the collapse of last year’s climate talks in Copenhagen.

We cannot accept this. We cannot stand back and watch while the wonders of this world are sacrificed to crass carelessness and short-termism. So, a few weeks ago, the Guardian launched the Biodiversity 100 campaign to prod governments into action. We asked the public and some of the world’s top ecologists to help us compile a list of 100 specific tasks that will show whether or not governments are serious about protecting biodiversity. Each task would be aimed at a government among the G20 nations, and they would be asked to sign up to it at Nagoya.

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Hospitality for Climate activists in Mexico: NEW LIFE CANCUN is aiming to connect visiting activists and NGO employees with local families in Cancun, Mexico.

Our bag which Loft Design By helped us create is being carried around by Joanna Lumley, David Gundy, Eliza Doolittle and Roxanne Tataei – Hands Up for the Earth!

visit the Loft design by store on Marylebone High Street & Westbourne Grove to support us or else call 020 7221 5666 to order over the phone’

Roofs, yes. But PV or not PV – that’s the question

Secret files on solar energy collaborator, Part 1: Dave Hampton

EVIDENCE

9-panel, 1.66KWpeak, photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installation

LOCATION
on the Carbon Coach’s home in Marlow, Bucks

COST
£10,000 all inc

SUPPLIER
Freesource, Good Energy’s chosen renewable energy installation partner

ACCOMPLICES
Transition Town Marlow 100 Solar Panel project:http://www.transitionmarlow.org/index.php?p=1_2_Solar

The low-carbon detectives are on my trail. Here’s my review of the installation.

I am delighted to report that my PV panels are up, on the roof, and generating much clean raw power, plus useful cash. The panels are of course being very closely watched and monitored, by me, and by my friends and Marlow neighbours.

They make me feel deeply and inordinately happy. I get waves of pleasure just to see my powerful panels and to witness their production of sustainable energy.

They look good, feel good, are in good taste, and, by golly, they do you good!

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The French fashion outfit – Loft Design By – is becoming part of the Restore the Earth community. Hands up for the Earth – and a big thanks for keeping the dream to restore the Earth unbroken.

Ten of the most endangered species in the world (source http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/08/barometer-of-life):

Florida bonneted bat – Eumops floridanus was thought to be extinct until 2002, when a small colony was discovered in a North Fort Myers suburb of Florida, US.

Saola – The cow-like Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, which occurs only in the Annamite mountains of Vietnam and Laos is in protracted decline.

Kakapo or owl parrot – In 2008, the total population of this large, flightless nocturnal parrot (Strigops habroptila) from New Zealand was 93, including the seven hatched that year.

Golden arrow poison frog – With the chytridiomycosis epidemic spreading from west to east through Panama, populations of Atelopus zeteki are now at severe risk.

Jamaican iguana – There may be no more than a hundred adult Cyclura collei remaining in the wild, and juvenile recruitment appears to be minimal.

Chinese paddlefish – Only two adult specimens of Psephurus gladius (both females) have been recorded since 2002. It is expected there are fewer than 50 adults left in the wild.

Chinese giant salamander – The largest of all amphibian species, sometimes growing to more than 1m long, Andrias davidianus is widespread in southern China, but its range is very fragmented

Sicilian fir – Abies nebrodensis trees are presently limited to the steep, dry slopes of Mt. Scalone in the Madonie Mountains of Sicily.

Sumatran orang-utan – The majority of surviving Pongo abelii live in the province of Aceh in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.