Nature's infinite beauty can't satisfy man's infinite greed

Oceans. For centuries people have regarded them as an inexhaustible supply of food, a useful transport route, and a convenient dumping ground - simply too vast to be affected by anything we do. But human activity, particularly over the last few decades, has finally pushed oceans to their limit. Unstainable fishing:  76% of the world's fisheries are already fully exploited or overfished, while billions of unwanted fish and other animals die needlessly each year. Unsustainable fishing is the largest threat to ocean life and habitats. Inadequate protection:  They might cover over 70% of our planet’s surface, but only a tiny fraction of the oceans has been protected: just 0.6%. Even worse, the vast majority of the world’s few marine parks and reserves are protected in name only. Tourism & development:  Around the world, coastlines have been steadily turned into new housing and tourist developments, and many beaches all but disappear under flocks of holiday-maker...

Trees saving 850 human lives a year in US: Study Washington: Trees are saving more than 850 human lives a year and preventing almost 670,000 incidences of acute respiratory symptoms, says an estimate of air pollution removal by trees in the  US by the US Forest Service scientists and collaborators. While the pollution removal by trees equated to an average air quality improvement of less than 1 percent, the impacts of that improvement were substantial. Researchers valued the human health effects of the reduced air pollution at nearly $7 billion (Rs.42,000 crore) every year. "With more than 80 percent of Americans living in urban area, this research underscores how truly essential urban forests are to people across the nation," said Michael Rains, director Northern Research Station, US Forest Service.The study considered four pollutants for which the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established air quality standards: nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and pa...