Category: Animal Rights

Did you know gorillas are mainly vegetarians? They thrive on a plant-powered diet, snacking on fruit, stems, and bamboo shoots, with the occasional bark and invertebrates for extra nutrients.

Nature gives us so much: clean air and water, food, medicine, and the moments of peace and joy we feel when we’re surrounded by it. Its beauty—from our lush forests to our vast oceans—fills us with awe and gratitude. At WWF, we are inspired by you—by your love and passion for protecting this incredible planet we call home. Thank you for all you do for nature. We are so grateful. Music: Music: Souvenir/Jeff Dale-PRS, Time Reilly-PRS – Audio Network

The near-extinction of vultures in India had a terrible impact on people. What does this story tell us about the hidden costs of wildlife decline?

What happens when nature’s cleanup crew disappears? In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson talks with Professor Eyal Frank, an environmental economist at the University of Chicago, about his groundbreaking research on the near-extinction of vultures in India—and the devastating ripple effects on human health. Frank explains: -Why vultures are critical for ecosystems and public health -How a common painkiller triggered a collapse in vulture populations -Why that collapse may have caused 500,000 additional human deaths -What this teaches us about the hidden costs of biodiversity loss This is a fascinating—and sobering—look at how species we often overlook play vital roles in our lives. Tune in to learn why protecting wildlife isn’t just about saving nature—it’s about saving ourselves. Listen now and subscribe for more episodes on the connections between people and the planet. Links for More Info: Eyal Frank bio: https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/eyal-frank Study: The Near Extinction of Indian Vultures Led to the Death of a Half Million People: https://climate.uchicago.edu/news/the-near-extinction-of-indian-vultures-led-to-the-death-of-a-half-million-people/ Shocked Podcast Ep. 3: Vultures: https://climate.uchicago.edu/insights/episode-3-vultures/ WWF web story: Vultures as Nature’s Influencers: https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/facts/vultures-natures-influencers/ Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:25 Wild Guess trivia 0:57 Intro 2:41 Eyal Frank’s background 5:05 Comparing attribution science in climate change v. biodiversity loss 6:52 Why are vultures important? 9:31 How Eyal learned about vulture loss in India 11:27 What happened to vultures in India? 16:15 How did vulture loss contribute to human deaths? 27:12 What were the actual causes of human deaths? 32:27 How many people died due to loss of vultures? 38:03 Lessons for policymakers and the general public 42:28 What’s next for Eyal Frank? 45:27 Outro #Vultures #Biodiversity #NatureBreaking #WWF #EcosystemServices #PublicHealth #Conservation #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture

Nature is the foundation of everything we value, but the natural systems that support all life on Earth are under unprecedented threat. The time for action is now. For more than 60 years, WWF has been the world's leading conservation organization, working in nearly 100 countries to protect our planet's most critical forests, rivers, wetlands, and oceans. We don't just protect nature—we work with communities, governments, and businesses to create practical solutions that keep our planet in balance. This is our moment to give back to the resource that gives us everything. Together, we can protect the nature we all depend on. Learn how you can be a part of the solution: http://wwf.org/now

Did you know that the leading cause of coral bleaching is climate change? A warming planet means a warming ocean, and even small changes to water temperature can cause coral stress and drive out their colorful algae.

Let this 30-second nature video recharge you.

One of the highlights of COP30 will be the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility. This innovative mechanism aims to flip the economics of deforestation by paying countries to keep forests standing—rather than rewarding them for cutting them down. Learn how it would work in this week’s episode of Nature Breaking.

At COP30 in Brazil, one of the most ambitious climate finance initiatives ever conceived is set to launch: the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF). This bold plan aims to flip the economics of deforestation by paying countries to keep their forests standing—rather than rewarding them for cutting them down. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Andrew Deutz joins host Seth Larson to break down how the TFFF works, why Brazil’s $1 billion commitment is a game-changer, and what makes this model so innovative. From leveraging private finance to guaranteeing benefits for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the TFFF could reshape global forest conservation—and climate finance as we know it. Tune in to learn why COP30 is the “make-or-break” moment for the TFFF, how the facility plans to mobilize $125 billion in capital, and what this means for tropical forest countries and the fight against climate change. Links for More Info: Andrew Deutz bio: https://www.worldwildlife.org/about/profiles/andrew-deutz/ Op-Ed: Finance has long failed forests - now it may save them: https://www.context.news/nature/opinion/wwf-chief-finance-has-long-failed-forests-now-it-may-save-them Press Release: WWF calls for investments in the TFFF following Brazil’s catalytic announcement: https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/press_releases/?14734966/WWF-calls-for-investments-in-the-TFFF-following-Brazils-catalytic-announcement Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:18 Wild Guess trivia question 1:01 Intro 2:26 What is the TFFF? 4:41 TFFF development process 6:30 Benefits for Indigenous Peoples 10:30 COP30 expectations and next steps 14:31 How would the TFFF work in practice? 19:19 Brazil’s leadership 22:16 What’s in it for the private sector? 26:20 Response to TFFF critiques 31:42 One thing that everyone should know about the TFFF 33:23 Outro #COP30 #TropicalForestForeverFacility #WWF #NatureBreaking #ClimateFinance #Deforestation #ForestConservation #IndigenousRights #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture