Fundamental overhaul of global environmental governance needed, argue experts

March 16, 2012

Reducing the risk of potential global environmental disaster requires a "constitutional moment" comparable in scale and importance to the reform of international governance that followed World War II, say 32 leading experts in an article in the journal Science, published on March 16, 2012.

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CHANS-Net researchers find African farmers need better climate change data to improve practices

March 15, 2012

CHANS-Net researchers from the University of New Hampshire have found that many African farmers inaccurately perceive changes in climate and rainfall when compared with scientific data, highlighting the need for better climate information to assist them to improve farming practices.

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Wildlife researcher finds brucellosis pathogen persists in Botswana buffalo

March 9, 2012

The term "bush meat" conjures up images of exotic animals hunted by men in traditional dress using handmade weapons. But in reality, bush meat is a lot closer to our North American venison, quail, and pheasant -- game hunted legally using modern weapons.

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When it comes to creating wetlands, Mother Nature is in charge

March 8, 2012

Fifteen years of studying two experimental wetlands has convinced CHANS-Net member Bill Mitsch that turning the reins over to Mother Nature makes the most sense when it comes to this area of ecological restoration.

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Land use post-doc position in Lambin lab available

March 7, 2012

CHANS-Net member Eric Lambin has an opening for a full-time post-doctoral research position that will conduct research on land use changes, international trade and eco-certification.

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Southwest pueblo-dwellers key to modern climate policy?

Feb. 22, 2012

Vulnerability to climate change presents policy challenges to local, state, regional, national and international entities, particularly at a time when the public and policy-makers still struggle conceptually with the complexities of rising ocean levels, falling water tables and shifting ecoclines. How can we plan sustainably for an unknowable future outcome? Arizona State anthropologist and CHANS-Net member Michelle Hegmon says, look back to simpler times.

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Thinking outside sustainability’s box at the intersection of art and science

Feb. 17, 2012

Science is about facts, but the science of sustainability also involves questions underpinned by values. So a Michigan State University environmental sociologist is asking scientists to consider how art can provoke people to consider their perceptions of sustainability.

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New web tool to improve accuracy of global land cover maps

Feb. 15, 2012

An interactive web tool has been developed to improve the accuracy and extent of global land use and forest cover information. The new 'Geo-Wiki' uses Google Earth and information provided by a global network of volunteers to fill in 'data gaps' and to verify existing land cover information. Developers this week have launched a Geo-Wiki competition to raise awareness of the tool and to encourage community involvement in environmental monitoring.

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CHANS on agenda of major science conference

Feb. 7, 2012

The American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting is a known hotbed of human and natural systems coupling.

A quick look at this year’s schedule shows CHANS-Net members presenting on sessions entitled:

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Preserved habitat near national parks helps species conservation

Jan. 31, 2012

National parks often are established to help preserve species native to a particular region, but it appears that some species preservation is more successful if a significant portion of land adjacent to a park also is left as natural habitat.

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