The Independent published a story on July 23, 2006 revealing that the Amazon rainforest is in its second year of drought. The most alarming piece of news is that research ­ carried out by the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Research Centre on the Amazon river has concluded that the forest cannot withstand more than two consecutive years of drought without breaking down.

The original story can be found here, while the story has been archived here in full.

The study results reveal that the dying of the Amazon rainforest will spell a massive acceleration in global warming. (Trees help fix carbon dioxide from the air. When they die, they release it.) The Amazon rainforest faces the very real possibility of dying next year.The forest contains 90 billion tons of carbon, enough to increase the rate of global warming by 50 per cent.

Find your activity for Earth Day:
The Earth Day Network

More information on Earth Day:
The Official International Earth Day Site
The EPA’s Earth Day Page

And some funny stuff:
Grist Magazine’s Earth Day List

Now, another reason to love the smell of pine forests:

Fragrance of pine forests helps to slow climate change

Food Issues at The Guardian

Some highlights:

A guide for the fish-eater: What’s safe, what’s healthy, and what’s sustainable

Scientists warn parents on pesticides and plastics

UK researchers are saying that the dangers of pesticides for children have been underestimated. “We’re talking about chemicals which could potentially cause cancer in children at parts per billion and parts per trillion levels, rather than parts per million and thousands,” Professor Howard, who is on the government’s advisory committee on pesticides, told the Guardian.

Salon does require visitors to view an advertisement before viewing their articles, but it’s worth it:

How to recycle your computer