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2. February 2009

It’s Raining Frogs

It’s a somewhat cloudy day. You figure a storm will be coming and then raindrops start to fall. This doesn’t register as abnormal until you hear a small thud on the ground. Then you see a frog, limbs quivering, writhing on its back. Before you can figure out what has just happened, more frogs are falling around you. In fact, thousands of frogs are falling!

29. January 2009

12 Comments

The Smallest Monkeys in the World

Pygmy marmosets are found in the rainforests of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Columbia. They live in the upper canopy of the forest, no doubt to steer clear of bigger, heavier predators, and survive on an omnivorous diet of fruit, leaves, insects, small reptiles and their favorite nibble, tree sap. Living in groups of two to six, marmosets are fiercely territorial, defending areas of up to 100 acres.

28. January 2009

6 Comments

Anak Krakatau: The Resurrecting Island

Although Krakatoa submerged after several eruptions, Anak Krakatau resurfaced in 1927. New volcanic activity caused the island to sink again only a few months later. Emerging again in 1930, it has remained above sea level ever since. Despite these incidents, the fertile volcanic ash and soil has resulted in Anak Krakatau being the home to over 500 species of plants and animal life.

20. January 2009

3 Comments

The Science of Industrial Symbiosis

What we are about to present is called industrial symbiosis. It’s an application of the broad emerging field of industrial ecology, a hybrid of technological, Earth, economical and social sciences aimed at sustainable development and efficiency. At its core lies the biological analogy according to which facilities related to industry are regarded as inherent or embedded in the ecosystem.

19. January 2009

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The Most Spectacular ‘Free’ Rock Climbs

Rock climbing has its conservationist critics, but what can you say to the climbers who stick to “leave no trace” practices as they scale the giddy heights? These cats not only feel the rush of defying gravity; they also get to see some of the world’s most stunning natural scenery and amazing natural rock formations – all from an aerial perspective few can fathom.

9. January 2009

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Captured in Dreamtime

The Australian aboriginal Dreamtime is a timeless mythic 'world' that exists for all eternity. In the Dreamtime, the Ancestors walked the earth, and created everything - plants, animals, geology and landscape. Many rituals in Australian aboriginal culture allow the tribe to contact the Dreamtime, to once again 'live in it' and be renewed, if only for a short time.

7. January 2009

4 Comments

The Walls Are Alive

Have you ever wondered how plants grow in the weirdest of places like rocks, tree trunks, and the outside of houses? This phenomenon, based on the fact that plants actually do not need soil to grow, has been replicated by scientists in recent years. Called vertical gardens, green walls or sky farms, they try to bring green oases and even farming indoors. Portrayed by us in May 2008, the idea has since grown roots (pun intended).

2. January 2009

3 Comments

7 Animal Finds of 2008

It’s the beginning of another year, when who knows what’s going to happen, what adventures we’ll have and what ground-breaking news will hit the headlines. It’s the perfect time to reminisce over events of the previous year and ponder new discoveries. At Environmental Graffiti because we’re besotted with the natural world it was good to see National Geographic’s list of their most read stories of the year include seven best animal finds of 2008.

9. December 2008

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12,000 Year Old Woman Found in Israel

Archeologists discovered the skeleton of a 12,000 year old, female shaman who belonged to the Near East Natufian Culture of 15,000 to 11,500 BCE. Grave offerings included 50 complete tortoise shells, a leopard's pelvis, the wing tip of a golden eagle, tail of a cow, two marten skulls and a human foot. All of these animals are rare in Natufian graves and the assemblage is highly unusual.

28. November 2008

5 Comments

Plastic Clothes that Turn into Water

It could have been a story-line straight from a Sci-Fi or Bond movie: A world on the brink of environmental disaster, saved by the creation of a polymer, (or plastic, to you and me), that can be melted by water into a compound, which can be used to harvest seeds. That’s the science bit. The sexy bit is a touring fashion exhibition, called Wonderland, a project that marries couture with conscience.