ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE
Nations, NGOs, and Indigenous organizations unite to end bottom trawling on seamounts by 2026, marking a major victory for deep-sea conservation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has reached a defining moment in global ocean governance, as delegates at the 2025 World Conservation Congress (WCC) overwhelmingly approved a motion to phase out destructive fishing practices on seamounts by the end of 2026.
Motion 032, spearheaded by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) and led by WWF Australia, calls for an end to bottom trawling on seamounts in international waters. The proposal passed with near-unanimous support — winning 95% of votes from States and government agencies and an extraordinary 99% from NGOs and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations.
“This is a tangible step toward ocean protection at a global scale,” said Bronwen Golder, Global Seamounts Campaign Director at the DSCC. “With the High Seas Treaty now ratified, 2030’s goal to protect 30% of the ocean fast approaching, and next year’s UN Bottom Fisheries Review, this is a critical moment to prioritize seamount protection worldwide.”
Seamounts — underwater mountains rising thousands of meters from the ocean floor — are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. They provide feeding grounds and habitats for deep-sea corals, sponges, whales, sharks, and turtles. Yet for decades, industrial bottom trawling has devastated these fragile ecosystems, destroying ancient coral formations and threatening countless marine species.
The motion draws upon two decades of scientific evidence confirming that bottom trawling causes “widespread, irreversible degradation” to deep-sea environments. The United Nations’ Second World Ocean Assessment (2021) identified bottom trawling as the single greatest threat to seamount ecosystems.
Kate Noble, Senior Manager for Oceans Policy at WWF Australia, hailed…
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In an effort to protect the…
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One of the pressing issues addressed in these…
A novel Hox gene promoter fuels the evolution of adaptive phenotypic plasticity in wing eyespots of satyrid butterflies
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have made a groundbreaking discovery about the wing patterns of tropical butterflies, revealing a simple DNA “switch” that allows them to adjust the size of their wing eyespots in response to seasonal temperature changes. This critical finding sheds light on the evolution of environmental sensitivity in insects and could have implications for understanding adaptation in a rapidly changing climate.
Insects are known for their remarkable adaptability to their surroundings, with some species even changing their colors with the seasons. This phenomenon, known as seasonal plasticity, plays a crucial role in their survival; however, the evolutionary origins of this adaptability have remained enigmatic until now.
Led by Professor Antónia Monteiro from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences, the research team identified a specific DNA sequence that helps certain butterflies switch their wing patterns between wet and dry seasons. The study, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution on October 24, 2025, focuses on the African butterfly species Bicyclus anynana, which exhibits strikingly different appearances depending on the season.
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Kunming Biodiversity Fund endorses first full-size projects to support global action on biodiversity
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Launched in May 2024, the KBF has quickly evolved into a comprehensive fund dedicated to accelerating the implementation of the KMGBF. The Fund’s approach emphasizes the necessity of a whole-of-society strategy to combat nature and biodiversity loss. Its priorities include enhancing biodiversity policies across national and subnational levels, strengthening cooperation and capacity-building efforts, and mobilizing additional resources.
Huang Runqiu, the Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, stated, “China has consistently advanced the global biodiversity conservation agenda with the strongest determination and most proactive approach. The Kunming Biodiversity Fund should adhere to the principles of international operation and multilateralism, uphold fairness, openness, and transparency. We will strengthen the supervision and management of project implementation, continuously monitoring progress and evaluating the effectiveness of approved projects.”
The urgency of…
Global Leaders Fail to Enact Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium at ISA Assembly
Weeks after government leaders pledged to take significant action for ocean protection at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council and Assembly concluded without a moratorium on deep-sea mining. This has resulted in a growing discrepancy between promised environmental stewardship and…
Declining Aerosol Levels Linked to Increase in Urban Heatwaves, Study Warns
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Global Call for Moratorium on Deep-Sea Mining to Protect Ocean Ecosystems and Future Generations
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Working together to protect residents, Ventura Law and the City of Danbury achieved a significant PFAS settlement that ensures cleaner water and a healthier future for their community
By Tina Geiger / Staff WriterThe City of Danbury is set to receive a settlement award of nearly $3.5 million as part of a nationwide legal agreement aimed at addressing the contamination of public water supplies due to PFAS pollutants, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” This significant settlement is part of multibillion-dollar deals reached with major corporations, including 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva, which have been producing these harmful substances for decades.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been widely used since the 1940s in various products such as firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, and waterproof fabrics. Known for their persistence in the environment, these chemicals are associated with serious health risks, including cancer and immune system disorders.
Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves expressed relief and determination in the face of this settlement: “The settlement awards achieved through this national litigation ensure that polluters, not taxpayers, bear the costs of cleanup and remediation.” The City has already received payments amounting to approximately 65% of its settlement, with additional funds expected over the next four years.
In the broader context, 3M has agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion in these settlements, while DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva have collectively settled for up to $1.19 billion. The funds from these settlements are being allocated to public water systems nationwide to support both past and future testing, treatment, and infrastructure enhancements.
Mayor Alves emphasized Danbury’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water for its residents, stating, “We are committed…
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University of Georgia Ecologists Identify Two New Black Bass Species: Bartram’s and Altamaha Bass
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