Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Earth Negotiations Bulletin @enb.iisd.org · 1d

Participants at day 1 of the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature focused on the implementation of the IUCN Global Indigenous Agenda, #Indigenous leadership in global policy, and redefining the #climate narrative

Highlights ➡️ enb.iisd.org/world-summit...

#IUCNcongress #IUCN2025

3 6

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

🌊Markus Knigge🐟 @oceanknigge.bsky.social · 3d

... some technical support to promote Women in Ocean food ♀️💪. Deadline 17 October.
www.hatch.blue/programs/wom...

Hatch Blue Program - Women In Ocean Food Africa

Bridging the gap for female founders in the blue economy

www.hatch.blue

1 4

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution @whoi.edu · 7d

Meet the “squidworm” 🦑🪱

Discovered by WHOI biologist Larry Madin and colleagues, this 4-inch-long animal was just one of roughly 6,000 new species uncovered during the Census of Marine Life, a decade-long global effort involving more than 2,700 scientists to explore and document ocean life.

9 91 300

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust @sheldricktrust.bsky.social · 12d

Conservation through collaboration

Working alongside Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, and local communities, we work to safeguard millions of acres across Kenya – from Tsavo's plains and Chuylu's cloud forest to Lamu's mangroves and Shimba’s coastal rainforest.

4 13 130

MeerWissen Initiative @meerwissen.bsky.social · 10d

🌊 Seagrass is fighting back. Researchers found that Neptune balls — fibrous bundles from Mediterranean seagrass — are trapping ocean plastic and often washing it back to shore.

🔍 Read more:

www.bbc.com/future/artic...

#seagrass #neptuneballs #oceanplastic

'It's a way of the sea returning the trash to us': Why plastic-filled 'Neptune balls' are washing up on beaches

As tiny pieces of plastic clog our oceans, natural meadows of seagrass are bundling up microplastics and spitting them back out onto beaches in the form of "Neptune balls".

www.bbc.com

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Scottish Wildlife Trust @scotwildlife.bsky.social · 14d

🎉 Ahead of this year's #WorldRiversDay, we’ve awarded over £200,000 of funding to 11 pioneering organisations, kickstarting a pipeline of new river woodland creation and restoration activities! (1/3)

Find out more 🔗 www.riverwoods.org.uk/transforming...

Recently planted trees growing by a riverbank, with mature trees and hills in the background.

1 5 18

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Mongabay @mongabay.com · 15d

[FOUNDER'S BRIEF - @rhettayersbutler.bsky.social]

In 2012, Sri Lanka’s National Red List pronounced the towering Doona ovalifolia tree “extinct in the wild.” The species lingered only as a single cultivated specimen in the Royal Botanic Gardens - a melancholy reminder of what had been lost.

Extinct-in-the-wild plant rediscovered in Sri Lanka thanks to social media

In 2012, Sri Lanka’s National Red List pronounced the towering Doona ovalifolia tree “extinct in the wild.” Known locally as pini-beraliya, the species lingered only as a single cultivated specimen…

news.mongabay.com

4 17

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

UN Environment Programme @unep.org · 19d

History made for the ocean: #BBNJ Agreement enters into force, protecting high seas & deep seabed, safeguarding life under water.

“Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today we took an important step forward to save our ocean, & to save our future” - ED @ingerandersen.bsky.social

3 67 140

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group @iucnshark.bsky.social · 22d

Happy World Manta Day from the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group!

There are three species of mantas around the world! The largest one, the Oceanic Manta Ray, can reach a huge 700 cm disc width and it is known for its elegance and intelligence.

© IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group and Eloisa Pinheiro

1 11 33

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

International Institute for Sustainable Development @iisd.org · 24d

🎉 The @WTO #FisheriesSubsidies Agreement is now in force–a big step to curb subsidies threatening #SustDev.

But the work isn’t over yet. It’s crucial to implement the agreement & conclude additional rules to #StopFundingOverfishing.

🔗 www.iisd.org/articles/sta...

13 16

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Climate, Ecology, War & More by Dr. Glen Barry, BigEarthData.ai @bigearthdata.bsky.social · 28d

World's first Indigenous-led ocean reserve a step closer to reality
->Oceanographic | #Ocean | More info from EcoSearch

World's first Indigenous-led ocean reserve a step closer to reality

A project to develop the world’s first Indigenous-led marine protected area operating across the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia is one step closer to reality, with resources now committed to the development of the Melanesian Ocean...

oceanographicmagazine.com

1 50 230

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution @whoi.edu · Sep 7

On this National Threatened Species Day (Australia), we're hoping a 2022 decision to list the emperor penguin as “threatened” under the #EndangeredSpeciesAct marks a turning point for these majestic birds—and the entire Antarctic ecosystem.

📲 Learn more: go.whoi.edu/threatened-emperor-penguins

5 24

MeerWissen Initiative @meerwissen.bsky.social · Sep 4

Knysna’s waters face alarming pollution - but seagrass meadows offer hope. 🌿

They clean the water, protect biodiversity, and restore balance. Watch how communities & researchers are working together to safeguard them: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBPH...

#MeerWissen #Nature-basedsolutions #Seagrass

Protecting Knysna’s Seagrass: A Nature-Based Solution to Pollution

YouTube video by MeerWissen - Initiative

www.youtube.com

MeerWissen Initiative @meerwissen.bsky.social · Sep 3

🌊🐋Scientists have tracked New Zealand southern right whales (tohorā) to a rich feeding ground in the Southern Ocean. Scientists call for protection under the UN High Seas Treaty.

📖 Global Ecology and Conservation

oceanographicmagazine.com/news/right-w...

#OceanConservation #HighSeasTreaty #Tohorā

Right whale feeding zone discovery sparks new protection call - Oceanographic

The discovery of a feeding zone used by New Zealand's southern right whales has sparked calls for better protections under High Seas Treaty

oceanographicmagazine.com

1

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Blue Ventures @blueventures.bsky.social · Aug 28

📣 Good news from our team in Madagascar - green turtle nesting activity from community data collectors documents 41 turtle nests between January and May this year!

This data collection forms the cornerstone of community-led marine conservation efforts in the Barren Isles 💪

🤝 @blueactionfund.org

1 5

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Earth Negotiations Bulletin @enb.iisd.org · Aug 27

Talks at #BBNJprepcom Tuesday focused on building blocks of the financial mechanism, including elements for the operationalization of the special fund, and modalities for the operation of subsidiary bodies, focusing on the scientific and technical body

Read ➡️ enb.iisd.org/marine-biodi...

2 4

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative @deepstewardship.bsky.social · Aug 25

How can scientists engage with the #BBNJ Agreement?

Scientists are at the heart of the BBNJ process, bridging policy, industry, and conservation. Learn more in DOSI’s new info sheet: buff.ly/IOZNZGM

#OceanScience #BBNJ #MarineBiodiversity #ScienceInPolicy #DOSI

2 3

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Blue Action Fund @blueactionfund.org · Aug 22

#HappyFridayNews: Today, we ✒️ €5.4 million project with @envdefensefund.bsky.social to support climate resilient MPAs and small Scale fisheries management in Lampung 🇮🇩.
#OceanOptimism @oceancecilia.bsky.social

5 5

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

High Seas Alliance @highseasalliance.bsky.social · Aug 18

The ocean is on the frontline of the biodiversity and climate crisis, and how we govern the High Seas will shape its future.

Starting today in NYC, #BBNJPrepCom 2 will lay the groundwork for how the Treaty will move words to action: buff.ly/VduAIzj

#HighSeasTreaty #BBNJ

Illustration featuring a sea turtle and an octopus on a blue background with text: "The Ocean Can't Wait - The Treaty Must Deliver #BBNJPrepCom".

3 3

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

IPBES @ipbes.net · Aug 9

Indigenous and local knowledge can shape transformative change.🌏🧪

Many Indigenous Peoples and local communities have views and practices aligned with a just & sustainable world. Their ethics of care and values inspire equitable & inclusive change.

.— @ipbes.net #TransformativeChange Assessment

A vibrant moment from the Chumash Day Pow Wow and Inter-tribal Gathering at Malibu Bluffs Park, celebrating 24 years of tradition. A participant in traditional attire, adorned with colorful feathers, intricate beadwork, and a bright floral headband, performs a ceremonial ritual surrounded by smoke, reflecting cultural richness and spiritual connection.

25 75

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

IPBES @ipbes.net · Aug 6

🚨 Nature’s rights & international law: The Inter-American Court of Human Rights recognizes rights for nature.

In a historic opinion, the Court cited @ipbes.net Global and Americas Assessments as key evidence 🌿📚🧪

Biodiversity conservation ensures human well-being. 🌏

📰http://bit.ly/4omU9V4

22 48

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) @giz.de · Aug 4

🌊 Protecting the oceans together!

🪸 On behalf of @umweltministerium.de, we are working for less marine litter. Tomorrow, a new round of negotiations on the global plastics agreement will start in Geneva with around 180 government representatives. More about our work: www.giz.de/en/worldwide...

Man working on his statue built from plastic waste

1 1 2

MeerWissen Initiative @meerwissen.bsky.social · Aug 1

The Blue NDC Challenge, launched at #UNOC2025, is mobilizing countries to boost ocean-based climate solutions for a net-zero, resilient, and nature-positive future. 🐳

#ClimateAction #OceanBreakthroughs #BlueNDC #NDCPartnership #UNOC

Dr Tom Pickerell @tomolamola.bsky.social · Jun 11

The "Blue NDC Challenge" was launched at #UNOC

www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...

Brazil and France launch push to put oceans at heart of climate plans

Brazil explicitly included ocean-based actions for the first time in its most recently submitted national climate plan.

www.euronews.com

1 1 1

Reposted by MeerWissen Initiative

Mongabay @mongabay.com · Jul 29

[COMMENTARY]

In the wake of historic typhoon activity in 2024, experts are calling for stronger blue carbon ecosystem protection.

“Coordinated action will enable these ecosystems to come to life,” a new op-ed argues.

** The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of Mongabay.

Blue carbon ecosystems are key for protecting the Philippines from climate shocks (commentary)

Our vibrant nation of the Philippines is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Subject to tropical cyclones, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, it ranks number one globally on…

news.mongabay.com

4 12

MeerWissen Initiative @meerwissen.bsky.social · Jul 28

The International Seabed Authority negotiations wrapped up last Friday. So, what’s next — and what came out of the talks? 🌊
The @enb.iisd.org has been reporting daily from the session and just published a comprehensive summary of the outcomes. Dive into the full report: enb.iisd.org/sites/defaul...

1