Study finds forests on indigenous lands sequester twice the carbon
We have written at length, in great volume, and with great enthusiasm about the importance of green spaces in cities, carbon sinks, and environmentally helpful trees in general. Forests are absolutely essential to sequestering carbon and our continued adaptation to a changing climate, but some Read More...
How a single Japanese tourist got to enter Machu Picchu alone
Like many of us have experienced in the past months, Japanese tourist Jesse Katayama had his vacation plans ruined due to the coronavirus pandemic. Back in March, Katayama, a native of Osaka, arrived in Peru with the dream of visiting the ruins of Machu Picchu—the ancient Inca citadel. But when Read More...
Peru will plant 1 million trees to protect Machu Picchu’s historical sites
Peru’s Machu Picchu is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the world, but due to a changing climate, the site has been facing increased risks of mudslides due to heavy rainfall in the winter and forest fires during the summer. Now in an effort to rehabilitate and Read More...
How Peru’s wild potatoes can save their domesticated relatives
Yesterday we shared a story about scientists who explore the world in search of ancient, diverse plant life. Today we bring you a story perhaps a little closer to home: the tale of the humble potato. Facing climate change and a growing population, The Crop Wild Relatives Project set out to catalog Read More...
Peru pledges to end palm oil-driven deforestation by 2021
Palm oil is literally everywhere – in our foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels. And, while being a source of huge profits for multinational corporations, our palm oil consumption has devastating consequences for the environment – from displacing indigenous people and critically Read More...
Drones to spy on illegal loggers in Peru’s Amazon
Global deforestation has been slowing down in recent years. But the encouraging news doesn’t tell the full story. Illegal logging is on the rise, hard to control and impossible to measure. Until now, that is. Drones are about to become the eyes in the sky of forest guardians in the Peru’s Read More...
Lima is relying on an ancient civilization’s technology to alleviate drought
With its 9 million inhabitants, the city of Lima, Peru, is exposed to water shortages during its seven-month long dry season. Rather than building a desalination plant, the city's water utility company, Sedapal, is to invest in conservation projects to keep the rivers flowing more reliably Read More...
In search of nature's pharmacy
How the indigenous people of Peru are growing medicinal plants to preserve their livelihoods-and their fragile ecosystems. March 2009 issue Sandro waves to me from the crowded arrival gate. He's the cousin of Sergio Cam, whom I first met 10 years ago and with whom I've been working ever since. Read More...
Slideshow: Medicine Hunter travels to Peru
Chris Kilham takes us on a journey to Peru in search of medicinal plants to be introduced to the U.S. as an alternative to traditional medicine. Follow along with Kilham as he travels the world in search of medicinal plants through his new blog on Ode Ode Editors | March 2009 issue Be Read More...
Albina Ruiz Rios: A passion for recycling
Author and consultant John Elkington says he is inspired by Albina Ruiz Rios's passion for recycling and the environment. John Elkington | Jan/Feb 2009 issue Scene: a quiet gathering of Optimists Anonymous. It's my turn to speak. So I admit it: I'm John, and I'm an optimist, though sometimes you Read More...