Banking on extinction and other horrors

People who knew me in the early days of my writing career often ask me, "why did you stop writing horror?"

I didn't. I just don't write much fiction anymore.

This week's articles for TakePart and Scientific American cover some pretty horrifying topics, but don't let that warning stop you from reading. Like any good horror story every article is also populated by people doing good, vital work to push back the darkness.

Let's get to the links, starting with one of my most important articles ever:

China’s Wealthy Are Banking on Extinction

Earth’s Forests Are Broken

Buzz Kill: Hundreds of European Bee Species Threatened With Extinction

The Reason This Unique and Critically Endangered Porpoise Is Smiling

Hungry Polar Bears Could Soon Start Devastating Bird Populations

Keeping Tiny Delta Smelt Alive in Captivity Is No Small Feat

Sunday Species Snapshot: Swift Parrot


That's it for this week. I know that the coming week will have a few more strictly positive stories, so stay tuned for them!

Moving to the Beat of a Different Narwhal

Photo by Laine Trees (CC).

Hey folks, it's time for our regularly scheduled Monday morning like wrap-up. I've got quite an interesting collection of links for you this week, so let's get to it.

First up, two new wildlife-related articles for TakePart, notable for the fact that I finally got to write about narwhals:

Even the Unicorns of the Sea Can’t Escape Climate Change

Missing Lynx: Farmers Worry About Plan to Return Big Cats to Wild Lands


Next on the hit parade, a short bit of bad news for my "Extinction Countdown" column over at Scientific American:

With Just Six Delta Smelt Left, Controversial California Fish Species Faces Impending Extinction


Finally, here's my latest technology careers feature -- which was inspired by my own experience moving from Maine to Oregon last year:

Relocating for a New Job? Make the Most of It!


That's it for now. Expect a whole lot more this coming week. Follow me on Twitter for links as they happen!

Tourism and Poop

I have to say, I'm pretty excited to share this week's articles with you. They represent some of my best writing lately. I swear, I was typing on all cylinders this week, and I hope you enjoy the results.

First up, this week's "Extinction Countdown" article for Scientific American, which tackles the oh-so-serious topic of bonobo poop:

If Apes Go Extinct, So Could Entire Forests


Next up, three new articles for TakePart, which all (in one of those unintentional twists of topic-oriented fate) deal with one aspect or another of wildlife tourism:

The Simple Thing You Can Do to Save Loveable but Endangered Manatees

Stay Off Elephants' Backs to Stop Killing Them

Save a Fearsome Predator by Swimming With It


That's it for this time around. Coming up this week: lots more like that, but also a few other goodies. Stay in the loop -- follow me on the Tweet machine for links as they happen.

Living fossils, geriatric orangutans and more

March has definitely started like a lion. The first full week of the month brought opportunities for me to write several cool articles and to appear on a panel at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference.

Regarding cool articles, let's start with this week's "Extinction Countdown" entry for Scientific American:

After 400 Million Years, Coelacanth at Risk of Extinction


Next up, several really great articles for TakePart:

Is That Wildlife Documentary Lying to You?

You Could Learn a Thing or Two About Living a Long Life From the World’s Oldest Orangutan

The Newest Comic Book Superheroes: The World’s Endangered Tigers


Finally, on a completely different note, here's my latest technology careers feature for IEEE's The Institute:

No Clear Path for Prospective Cybersecurity Specialists


That's it for now. Let's see if this lion-like month continues! 

Heroes, Orphans, Apes and Flowers

Holy cow, it's March! How did that happen already? You'd think February was a short month or something...

Well, February sure didn't feel short while it was still here. I worked my widdle fingers to the bone this month, and boy did I turn in some great articles. I'm especially fond of the work that came out the final week of the month, which hit all the emotions.

And of course, that brings us to this week's headlines. I'll start this with my first article for Earth Touch Network, which will both warm your heart and inspire you (and maybe make you a bit mad at the same time):

Orangutan orphan named 'Lisa' in tribute to terminally ill veterinarian


Next on this hit parade, two "Extinction Countdown" articles for Scientific American:

Amur Leopard Population Booms—to 57

Critically Endangered Plant with Brilliant Purple Flowers Discovered in Hawaii


Finally, here are three new articles for TakePart which will fill you with awe, dread, rage and maybe rage again:

Poachers Target Journalists Investigating Rhino Killing

The Surprising Secret Lives of Crocodiles Could Offer New Insights About Your Brain

Chinese Palm Oil Plantations Are Destroying the Home of Africa’s Great Apes


This coming week will be equally huge, if not more so. Follow me on Twitter for the headlines as they happen!