Researchers from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature from Gland, Switzerland, have recently announced their estimate that one in four mammals is threatened by extinction, while one in two are facing decling populations. The estimate that hundreds of species could be lost in our own lifetime. Primates, they say, are in particular danger, as they are used for bush meat in Africa, and also face habitat loss in Southeast Asia. Deforestation, hunting, climate change and accidental death by fisheries are other significant causes of animal death. Nearly 17,000 species are on the threatened list.

Sad. It's time we start making a concerted effort to protect animals as the world's population grows. We need to consider animal welfare as we build and thrive in our own lives.

PETA has proposed that Ben & Jerry's start making its ice cream with human breast milk rather than cow's milk. They cite health benefits for humans and say it will promote a better life for cows.

Even they admit that it's "absurd," but my thought has always been that it's absurd that humans drink cow's milk. If human milk was packaged in white cartons and sold in the grocery store, it's not different than cow's milk. The only difference is that we're used to consuming cow's milk. Those of us who drink cow's milk (not me, though - the idea has repulsed me for years) think it's normal.

Ben & Jerry's has rejected the idea: "We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue,
but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child," said spokesman
Sean Greenwood.

A La Lecha spokeswoman says human breast milk isn't ideal for general consumption because it differs woman to woman. Does it not differ cow to cow? 

My vote is to move away from milk altogether. Cow's milk is for baby cows; human milk is for human babies. Soy and rice milk are great alternatives, and no cows are harmed in the process.

Would you eat ice cream made from human breast milk?

Scientists from NASA are using rubber ducks to track glacial movement. They've dropped 90 ducks into holes in Baffin Bay's Jakobshavn Glacier. Each duck is labeled in three languages with an email address and a reward announcement. The scientists hope that people will find the ducks, and then send an email explaining where the duck was found. 

Scientists hope this experiment will show how water moves through ice and also lend some insight into why glaciers move faster in the summer.

It's not as glitzy and glamorous as a lot of other doings at NASA, but this just goes to show that sometimes simpler is better.

The League of American Bicyclists has ranked all 50 states in order of bicycle-friendliness. Each state was ranked based on its commitment to accomodating cyclists, and included legislation, infrastructure, policies
and programs, education and encouragement, planning and evaluation, and enforcement.

Rankings:

1. Washington
2. Wisconsin
3. Arizona
4. Oregon
5. Minnesota
6. Maine
7. California
8. Illinois
9. New Jersey
10. New Hampshire
11. Utah
12. Michigan
13. North Carolina
14. Hawaii
15. South Carolina
16. Massachusetts
17. Vermont
18. Wyoming
19. Nevada
20. Florida
21. Iowa
22. Colorado
23. Virginia
24. Indiana
25. Kansas
26. Louisiana
27. Rhode Island
28. Missouri
29. Kentucky
30. Texas
31. Delaware
32. Ohio
33. Nebraska
34. New York
35. Maryland
36. Tennessee
37. Idaho
38. Pennsylvania
39. Arkansas
40. Alaska
41. South Dakota
42. Connecticut
43. Oklahoma
44. Montana
45. New Mexico
46. North Dakota
47. Mississippi
48. Alabama
49. Georgia
50. West Virginia

How does your state stack up? Do you agree or disagree with the rankings?

The largest population of grizzly bears in 30 years has been documented in Montanta, with nearly 800 bears currenly living in the state. The five year, five million dollar study has helped to demonstrate that the bear population is on the rebound and that protection standards in place have been working.

However, these results can lead to the grizzly bear being taken off of the endangered species list, ending federal protection. Does this mean that the bear population will once again dwindle?

An article in The Oregonian discusses the growing interest home buyers in Portland have in living somewhere from which they can ride a bicycle to work. Instead of looking for close freeway access, potential buyers are looking for trail access. Some are trading larger, more expensive homes for small fixer-uppers solely because they can leave the car at home and zip into work on the comfort of a bike with the ease and safety Portland's network of bike trails affords. Real estate agents are even cycling to and from house showings, as well as arranging bicycle tours of homes. Bike traffic has increased more than 110% since 2001, and this is just further evidence of why smart urban planning needs to happen now.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin is featured on CNN.com today as a must-see for Wisconsin visitors. Wright, with his ideas that buildings should exist in harmony with nature, has served as one of Bicycle City's strong influences.

Built in 1911, Taliesin overlooks the Wisconsin River in Spring Green. Local limestone and river sand were used to make the building's plaster, while tall glass windows in the living room provide both stunning views and natural light, a key ingredient in sustainable architecture. Some students in the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture live in the house, though the article makes no mention of where the students live in the winter, as the home does not have heat. Wright had the furnaces removed because he spent winters living in Arizona and had no use for them.

Nearly 21,000 people come to the 600 acre estate every summer. Check out the Taliesin Preservation for more information.

Maria Colenso at How Stuff
Works highlights what she calls “5 Amazing Green Cities” around the world,
including Malmo, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; Portland, Oregon; Vancouver,
Canada; and Reykjavik, Iceland.

What makes these cities so amazingly green?

Good urban planning – Portland has been celebrated for its
combination of urban and outdoor space, today offering 92,000 acres of green
space in its city and miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails.

Green living – Copenhagen is renowned for its commitment to
clean water, while Vancouver’s residents use solar-powered trash compactors.

Renewable energy – Malmo uses nuclear energy, hydropower,
biofuels, wind and solar energy. More than 10% of Denmark’s electricity comes
from wind mills, and 90% of Vancouver’s power comes from hydroelectric energy.
The small city of Reykjavik relies entirely on hydro and geothermal energy for
electricity, hot water and heat.

Transportation – 1.7 million in Copenhagen favor bikes and
the metro system over cars, while Portland is hailed as the bicycle capital of
the US.

What makes your city green? What would you like to do to be more green?

New
Urban Mom has published its list of the top 10 “interesting and vital new
urban communities.”

Baldwin Park, Orlando, Florida
Why? It’s pedestrian friendly with
wide sidewalks and homes within walking distance of restaurants, shops and
offices.

Longleaf, New Port Richey, Florida
Longleaf was chosen because its
blend of front porches, neighborhood squares and a diverse mix of residents
create a small town America feel.

Arbor Park Village, Cleveland,
Ohio
An inner-city community, Arbor Park
Village is considered to represent the best in all levels of planning and
execution.

Park DuValle,
Louisville, Kentucky
Park DuValle is a former public
housing area that has been transformed into a traditional neighborhood for a
diverse range of income levels.

Randolph Neighborhood, Richmond, Virginia
This new section of Randolph
features brownstones with all the latest in urban amenities.

Town Commons, Howell, Michigan
This new development features a
mixture of home types, a senior facility, retail shops and lots of recreational
areas.

Legends South, Chicago, Illinois
Legends South is an inner city
revitalization project that offers over 2,000 new homes and rentals.

Fruitvale Village, Oakland,
California
This mixed-income development is
built on old transit parking lots and offers a variety of homes, services and
retail shops.

Birkdale Village, Huntersville,
North Carolina
Birkdale Village is an apartment community overlooking restaurants, shops
and entertainment venues.

Georgetown Land Development,
Georgetown, Connecticut
Still in development, Georgetown is
planned to be a mixed use community where a mill used to stand.

These communities all have striking commonalities – they’re
well-planned, walkable, and mixed-use. Seems like developers have all caught on
that this is the direction in which American communities need to move.

The X Prize Foundation is looking for great ideas from the general public. If you have an idea for saving the environment, or an idea for a good prize, you can submit those online. Tomorrow, leaders and thinkers from MIT will convene to discuss what areas are most prudent, and the X Prize Foundation will announce prizes to be awarded for your innovative ideas.

The X Prize Foundation isn't the only one trying to motivate the world to save itself. Richard Branson has the Virgin Earth Challenge, which will give $25 million to someone who can make a significant reduction in man-made greenhouse gas. The Department of Energy has the Freedom Prize, which will dedicate $4 million toward reducing dependence on foreign oil; and Scotland has the Saltire Prize, which offers nearly $18 million for developments in renewable marine energy.