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☆ 7 quirky plans for Neom, from robot hotel clerks to swim lanes for commuters
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewSaudi Arabia has grand plans for its Neom megaproject. The city is part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 project , which plans to revolutionize the country's oil-dependent economy for a post-fossil fuel future. Swim lanes for commutersThe megacity is also considering including swim lanes for commuters, according to a Neom "style catalog" seen by Bloomberg. Neom planners are reportedly considering including canals with swimmable water, which would allow residents to swim to work or school. A robot and AI networkNeom has grand plans to be the most high-tech city in the world.

Persons: —, It's, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Jan Paterson, Neom's, Neom, Nadhmi Al, Nasr, Wayne Borg, Paul Marshall Organizations: Service, Business, Planners, Bloomberg, Wired, BBC Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Neom, Aqaba, Treyam, Neom's

☆ Why Middle East travel is growing faster ‘than any other region’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Rym Bendimerad | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Last week, travel and tourism industry representatives from more than 150 countries gathered at the annual Arabian Travel Market trade show, held this year in Dubai. There, CNN’s Eleni Giokos spoke with Julia Simpson, president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), about trends in tourism in the Middle East, and the challenge of making travel more sustainable. We are here in the Middle East — this is the first time I’ve been to the Arabian Travel Market — but what’s interesting is everyone’s telling me they have never, ever seen it this busy. Simpson: Well, the GCC and Middle East is growing faster than any other region. Visitors and delegates at the Arabian Travel Market.

Persons: CNN’s Eleni Giokos, Julia Simpson, I’ve, Simpson, Saud, you’ve, We’ve, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Travel, Tourism Council, Arabian, GCC, Gulf Cooperation, United, Visitors, Oxford Economics Locations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al, Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, Arabia, —, Saudi Arabia, Oman, East, UAE, Gaza, Egypt

☆ Saudi Arabia's Neom is looking to fill 262 job vacancies. The roles show just how futuristic the megacity could be.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Saudi Arabia's sprawling megacity, Neom, is billed as a chance to live in the "new future." AdvertisementOfficials say Neom will be a "cognitive city." The chosen candidate will control and operate the fish laboratory, ensuring high standards of fish welfare and supporting surveillance and investigation activities into fish health and disease control. Developers have said they want the island resort Sindalah to act as an "exclusive gateway to the stunning Red Sea." An image showing a nighttime view of mountains in the region in northwest Saudi Arabia where planners say Neom will be built.

Persons: —, Neom, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Neom's Organizations: Service, Tech, NEOM Community School Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Tabuk, Sindalah, Gulf, Aqaba, Neom, Oxagon

☆ Vultures, on the verge of extinction, receive a lifeline in South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Gertrude Kitongo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to four critically endangered species of vulture, and in South Africa, a non-profit conservation and rehabilitation group called VulPro is working to protect these fascinating birds. The operation involved over 50 people, logistics company DHL and WeWild Africa, an NGO specializing in animal rewilding and translocation. It was at that very moment that I actually understood how fragile and misunderstood the species were.”An African White-backed vulture (closest to camera) at the VulPro rehabilitation center near Pretoria, South Africa. Recent efforts have concentrated on the white-headed vulture, with a population of only 3,685 adults continent-wide, according to BirdLife International, and only a small percentage of that figure in South Africa. Poisoning is the most common reason for vultures to require treatment in South Africa, often from ingesting lead in discarded batteries, or bullets in animal carcasses, says Joubert.

Persons: VulPro, ”, Kerri Wolter, Gertrude Kitongo, “, Johan Joubert, Joubert, Wolter, – Organizations: CNN, Reserve, DHL, WeWild, BirdLife International, Shamari Locations: Saharan Africa, South Africa, Eastern Cape, WeWild Africa, African, Pretoria, Africa, West Africa, KwaZulu, Natal, South

☆ When people move out, wildlife moves in: 10 abandoned places reclaimed by nature
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Arya Jyothi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

The temple and surrounding forested areas were abandoned three centuries later, when the king moved the capital of the empire away from Angkor. People started moving out in the 1990s and by 2002, the village was completely abandoned. People started moving out in the 1990s and by 2002, the village was completely abandoned. The Whanganui River holds 18 fish species including eels, freshwater crayfish and black flounders. Graham Harries/ShutterstockLocated off the Pembrokeshire coast in west Wales, stands a time capsule in the form of a long-abandoned island fort.

Persons: Prohm, King Jayavarman, Alexander Arndt, Angelina Jolie’s, “ Lara Croft, pileated gibbons, silvered, Johannes Eisele, Leo Francini, Marcio Martins, University of São Paulo, Martins, “, Al Madam, Giuseppe Cacace, Yasuyoshi Chiba, James Beasley, allan wright, Kilda, Graham Harries, Shutterstock, Nicholas Mueller, ”, Mueller Organizations: CNN, Wildlife Alliance, ., Steam, SS, Titanic, Cyclone, University of São, Google Arts & Culture, National Institute of Ecology, Al, Getty, United Arab, Japan Earthquake, University of Georgia, TED, UNESCO Locations: CNN —, Europe, Ta Prohm, Cambodia, Angkor Thom, Khmer, Angkor, Shengshan Island, China, AFP, Houtouwan, Shengshan, Zhoushan, Mangapurua, , New Zealand, Nowhere, Mangapurua Valley, New, Whanganui, North, Australia, Grande, Brazil, Sao Paulo, Marcio, Korea, South Korea, Al Madam Village, UAE, Al, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sharjah, Fukushima, Japan, St Kilda, Scotland, Scotland’s, Kilda, Atlantic, Soay, Boreray, Fort, Wales, Pembrokeshire

☆ Abandoned golf courses are being reclaimed by nature
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Golf courses, despite occupying large green spaces, are not necessarily good for the environment. Santa Barbara's Ocean Meadows golf course has been returned to its wetland state, which doubles as a flood defense for the city. Rivers and streams are often diverted or altered to make way for a golf course, but conservationists want them to flow freely. In other areas of the country, local councils are repurposing unprofitable municipal golf courses to create more natural spaces. A golf course turned nature reserve, Yalukit Willam can now be enjoyed by the Melbourne residents.

Persons: ”, Guillermo Rodriguez, “, ” California's, Larsen, Rodriguez, TPL, Public Land Rodriguez, Mike Johnson, Frodsham, Michael Owen, “ It’s, Neil Oxley, Boon Organizations: CNN, The Trust, Public, Trust, Public Land, San, Rancho Cañada, Summit Metro Parks, Wildlife, Liverpool, Woodland Trust, Hull, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Hove City Council, Bayside City Council Locations: California, ” California's San Geronimo, San Geronimo , California, San Geronimo, California’s Marin County, Meadows , California, Santa Barbara, Meadows, Santa, Cañada , California, Monterey, Carmel, Ventana, Fort Ord, Rivers, Valley , Ohio, Akron , Ohio, Ohio’s, Cheshire, Liverpool, Erewash Borough, Brighton, Willam, Australia, Melbourne, Elwood, Bayside

☆ Wild beavers return to west London for first time in 400 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Callum Sutherland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Wild beavers have returned to London’s Ealing district after an absence of 400 years. A family of five Eurasian beavers – a breeding pair and their three offspring – were transported from Scotland and released today at the Paradise Fields wetlands area, in Ealing, west London. The Ealing Beaver Project hopes the beavers can help reduce the risk of flooding, as well as engaging people in nature. “It’s good for humans, it’s good for nature, it’s good for our city.”His Rewild London Fund provided almost £40,000 ($49,000) in funding for the project. In March 2022, beavers were released in Enfield, north London, and last month it was announced that a baby beaver had been born there, the first beaver birth in London for hundreds of years.

Persons: London ., Sadiq Khan, “, James Stacey, Sean McCormack, ”, McCormack Organizations: London CNN, Ealing Beaver Project, London, Beavers, Fund, Ealing Wildlife Group, “ Beavers Locations: Ealing, Scotland, London, ”, Greenford, “ Greenford, Devon, England, Enfield

☆ How a lonely mountain lion led to the creation of the world’s largest wildlife overpass
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Martha Shade | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A photo of P-22 mountain lion National Park Service“A mountain lion lived in L.A. and people didn’t fear him,” said Pratt, who has memorialized P-22 on her arm with a tattoo. The idea of a wildlife overpass was garnering interest, but funding it was another issue. A rendering of the completed Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Overpass Courtesy National Wildlife FederationEngineers are also taking into account animals’ fear of bright lights. And that’s exactly what needs to happen at the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Overpass, where the freeway bisects the local cougar habitat. He has inspired the building of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

Persons: he’s, ”, Beth Pratt, Pratt, Alan Ruck —, Ferris, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rainn Wilson, Barbra Streisand, David Crosby, ” Pratt, “, Watts, Wallis Annenberg, don’t, ” It’s, Martha Shade, koalas, We’ve, ’ Organizations: CNN, National Wildlife Federation, Hollywood, Service, Wallis Annenberg, Wildlife Federation Engineers, National Park Service, Banff National, grizzlies, Federal, Administration Locations: California, Los Angeles, L.A, HBO’s, Watts, South Los Angeles, Beverly, France, Europe, Netherlands, Brignoles, Queensland, Australia, Canada, Banff, Pratt

☆ Wildfires are getting worse. Check out the pitch deck that landed climate startup Vibrant Planet $15 million from backers like Microsoft to use AI to manage the risk.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A California-based startup using artificial intelligence and machine learning for land management and climate-risk analysis has raised $15 million in Series A funding. Vibrant Planet, which was founded in 2020, offers a data platform to help landowners figure out how to restore ecosystems and manage against the risk of wildfires. Along with rising temperatures, poor land planning and risk mitigation strategies are also to blame for raging wildfires, according to Vibrant Planet CEO Allison Wolff. The land management platform includes real-time scenario planning. Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, Citi Ventures, Day One Ventures, SIG Climate, and Globivest also participated in the round.

Persons: Allison Wolff, Wolff, Scott Conway, Netflix's, Neil Hunt, Guy Bayes, Globivest Organizations: Netflix, eBay, Google, Integrity, Innovation Fund, Citi Ventures, One Ventures, SIG, NASA, USDA Smart Commodities Locations: California, Europe, Canada, Chile, Lahaina, Maui

☆ Redonda: A Caribbean island once ruled by rats is now a wildlife haven
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But with the humans came invasive species, such as black rats and feral goats. In 2016, they launched an effort to restore the island and eliminate the invasive species. We just removed the rats and the goats, and the island transformed right in front of our eyes,” she says. Jenny Daltry/Fauna & Flora/Re:wild Jenny Daltry/Fauna & Flora/Re:wild Redonda island, before and after the eradication of invasive species. Redonda, which is about a mile long, was estimated to have around 6,000 rats and 60 goats pre-eradication, explains Bradshaw.

Persons: Christopher Columbus, Redonda, Ed Marshall, ”, Johnella Bradshaw, Jenny Daltry, they’re, Bradshaw, “, ” Bradshaw, Lawson Lewis, Nneka Nicholas, Helena Jeffery Brown, Nature Organizations: CNN, Environmental, Barbuda Defence Force, Department of, Department for Environment, “ Locations: Redonda, Antigua, Barbuda, Caribbean, Fauna

☆ Rewild the Run: ‘Rewilding’ shoes can help restore nature as you run
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —What if you could help nature by simply going out for a run? That’s the idea behind Rewild the Run, a 3D-printed shoe outsole that fits over regular sneakers. The hope is that by spreading seeds, shoes fitted with the outsole could help with rewilding, a form of nature restoration that enables the environment to take care of itself, with reduced human intervention. “How will these shoes distinguish between the seeds of native and non-native plant species?”Carver is skeptical about the principle of urban rewilding itself. She also shares the vision of rewilding taking place at scale and by giving nature space, and says that would be the ideal in cities such as London.

Persons: It’s, ”, Kiki Grammatopoulos, “, Tom Mannion, Grammatopoulos, George de Mestral, cockleburs, IVN, Thomas Heatherwick, ROSLAN RAHMAN, David Fielding, Shirley Rodrigues, Ralph Fyfe, Fyfe, ” Fyfe, Stephen Carver, ” Carver, Carver, wilder, ” Grammatopoulos Organizations: CNN, Central Saint Martins, Environmental Education, Heatherwick, Singapore, Getty, Force, Enfield, Geospatial, University of Plymouth, University of Leeds Locations: London, Velcro, Netherlands, Nottingham, England, AFP, London's, rewilding

☆ Project Wild Earth: This family of four has just embarked on a 5-year adventure around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Kate Springer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

They instantly connected and maintained a long-distance relationship for a year after his road trip ended before moving to Hong Kong to start a life together. During the project, dubbed “Project Wild Earth,” they will also share stories on their website and social media accounts about inspiring rangers, support organizations, government officials and entrepreneurs they work or come in contact with. Leah, an American, worked as a primary school teacher and helped establish a Sudbury school in Hong Kong that empowers children to direct their own education. The Priors found themselves stuck in Hong Kong, which had some of the strictest pandemic restrictions in the world due to its “zero-Covid” approach. “When these things unfolded in Hong Kong, we had to reconsider everything.

Persons: we’re, Matt, Leah Prior, Leah, Zapp, Graham, Paige, “ Leah, ” Matt, ”, “, AdventureX, Jack, Matt couldn’t, “ Jack, Sai Kung, “ It’s, Dr, Jane Goodall, Tompkins, Allen, –, Reinhard Dirscherl, Charlotte, they’ll Organizations: CNN, The Explorers Club, Sumy Sadurni, Getty, Allen Coral Atlas, Jane, Jane Goodall Institute and, Bank Locations: Charlotte, Laos, London, South Korea, Hong Kong, Europe, Central Asia, China, Southeast Asia, Asia, Pacific, Africa, Americas, American, Sudbury, British, Indonesia, Hong, New Territories, AFP, Patagonia, agroforestry

☆ Using AI to monitor orphaned elephants in Botswana could usher in the return of the woolly mammoth
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Tom Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The startup has entered a collaboration with Elephant Havens, a wildlife foundation based in the Okavango Delta that cares for orphaned elephants. The findings, the organizations hope, could provide a blueprint for releasing the elephants into the wild and mammoth hybrids to the tundra. A new system for elephant monitoringHuman-wildlife conflict is the leading cause of elephant orphans in Botswana, says Elephant Havens founder Debra Stevens. After five years in the enclosure, Elephant Havens will reintroduce these bonded herds into the wild, and monitor their progress for a decade. Biotech company Colossal wants to create a hybrid combining mammoth DNA with that of Asian elephants.

Persons: “, –, Elephant, We’ll, ”, Matt James, Debra Stevens, “ That’s, Stevens, revel, Havens, Steve Metzler, Dr, Wendy Kiso, James, Debra, ” James, Ben Lamm, ” Lamm, Lamm Organizations: CNN, Colossal Biosciences, Biotech company Colossal, Colossal Locations: Botswana, Africa, rewilding, America

☆ A critically endangered rat-sized marsupial that looks like a mini kangaroo is returning to parts of Australia for the first time in a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Brush-tailed bettongs are thriving in Southern Australia after being reintroduced in 2021. These cute, kangaroo-looking marsupials have been critically endangered for decades. Scientists say it could be the first successful reintroduction of the species in Australia. According to the results of their monitoring of 85 bettongs, 40% of them were newborns, according to the release. A woylie also known as a brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) is an extremely rare, small marsupial and is endemic to Australia.

☆ ‘The New Big 5’: Wildlife photography book turns the lens on animals at risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Flo Cornall | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

However, British photographer Graeme Green has reclaimed the narrative, creating a global “New Big Five” for wildlife photography. Green says that the book celebrates wildlife and is a global call to action on issues impacting wildlife, including habitat loss, poaching, pollution and climate change. British photographer Graeme Green is the founder of the New Big 5 project, an international conservation initiative supported by photographers, conservationists and wildlife charities. “These are the species that we are at risk of losing.”"The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife" by Graeme Green is out now. “The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife,” by Graeme Green, published by Earth Aware Editions, is on sale from April 4, 2023.

☆ Chile announces biological corridor to protect endangered deer
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rewilding Fundation Chile/Handout via REUTERSSANTIAGO, March 6 (Reuters) - Chile launched a program on Monday to protect the huemul, an endangered southern deer, by creating a biological corridor that includes an area recently donated by the family of the late philanthropist and founder of the North Face, Douglas Tompkins. The Rewilding Chile Foundation, Tompkins' legacy, along with Chile's Ministry of Agriculture, said that the "Huemul National Corridor" will be made up of approximately 16 connected, state-protected areas alongside other private conservation initiatives. Last week, Kristine Tompkins, co-founder and president of Rewilding Chile, met with President Gabriel Boric to donate 93,492 hectares (231,024 acres) for the creation of a new national park in the Magallanes region. The huemul is one of two species of native deer found only in the Patagonian forests of Argentina and Chile. Despite being originally found in areas in central Chile, the huemul can now be seen mainly in the southernmost regions of Aysen and Magallanes.

☆ 4 waitresses carried an Animal Rebellion protester out of Salt Bae's London steakhouse on Saturday night
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Diners applauded as staff physically removed Animal Rebellion activists from the Nusr-Et Steakhouse. Animal Rebellion said it targeted the restaurant because it symbolized a "broken system." Eight protesters from Animal Rebellion entered the restaurant and sat at empty tables holding mock menus outlining their demands, the Evening Standard reported. The London branch targeted by Animal Rebellion serves gold-plated steaks costing up to £1,450 (almost $1,800). Police removed a number of protesters following the peaceful action and Animal Rebellion said in a tweet that arrests were made.

☆ India reintroduced 8 cheetahs after the big cats were wiped out 70 years ago — but some scientists say it's more of a PR stunt than a conservation effort
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-09 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Cheetahs are being reintroduced to India after being declared extinct in the country in 1952. The reintroduction effort is aimed at creating a viable population of wild cheetahs. Some experts are critical of the plan, saying it's more like a large "zoo" than a wild population. The reintroduction plan, which is estimated to cost about $11 million, aims to establish a viable, free-ranging population of cheetahs. "The cheetah is a magnificent animal, it's a big magnet for ecotourism," Jhala told National Geographic.

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