Middle East crisis: UN humanitarian chief calls Gaza war ‘betrayal of humanity’ – as it happened | Israel-Gaza war

Iran says ‘enemy’ will ‘regret’ Guards killings in Syria

Iran on Saturday again threatened retaliation for the deaths of seven Revolutionary Guards in a strike on Damascus, with the army chief saying his country’s enemies will “regret” the killings, reports AFP.

Tehran has vowed to avenge Monday’s airstrike on the Syrian capital it blamed on its arch-enemy Israel, which has not commented.

The attack levelled the Iranian embassy’s consular annexe in Damascus, killing seven Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members including two generals.

Iran’s response “will be carried out at the right time, with the necessary precision and planning, and with maximum damage to the enemy so that they regret their action,” chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri said on Saturday, according to AFP.

He was speaking at a ceremony in the central city of Isfahan to commemorate Mohammad Reza Zahedi, one of the two dead brigadier generals from the al-Quds force, the IRGC’s foreign operations arm.

Zahedi, 63, was the al-Quds force commander for the Palestinian Territories, Syria and Lebanon, according to UK-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

He had held several commands during a career spanning more than 40 years, and was the most senior Iranian soldier killed since a US missile strike at Baghdad airport in 2020 killed al-Quds force chief Gen Qassem Suleimani.

AFP reports that on Saturday, crowds at the gathering in Isfahan chanted “down with Israel” and “down with the United States”.

The Islamic republic’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Israel “will be punished” for the killings.

On Friday, IRGC chief Gen Hossein Salami warned that Israel “cannot escape the consequences” of the Damascus strike.

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Key events

Closing summary

It is 5pm in Gaza, Tel Aviv and Beirut, and 6pm in Sana’a. We will be closing this blog soon, but you can stay up to date on the Guardian’s Middle East coverage here.

Here is a recap of the latest developments:

  • Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has escalated into a “betrayal of humanity”, the UN’s humanitarian chief said on Saturday. In a statement on the eve of the six-month anniversary of the war, Martin Griffiths, the outgoing under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, called for a “collective determination that there be a reckoning for this betrayal of humanity”.

  • Iran on Saturday again threatened retaliation for the deaths of seven Revolutionary Guards in a strike on Damascus, with the army chief saying his country’s enemies will “regret” the killings. Tehran has vowed to avenge Monday’s airstrike on the Syrian capital it blamed on its arch-enemy Israel, which has not commented. Chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri was speaking on Saturday at a ceremony in the central city of Isfahan to commemorate Mohammad Reza Zahedi, one of the two dead brigadier generals from the al-Quds force, the IRGC’s foreign operations arm. He said Iran’s response “will be carried out at the right time, with the necessary precision and planning, and with maximum damage to the enemy so that they regret their action”. AFP reports that on Saturday, crowds at the gathering in Isfahan chanted “down with Israel” and “down with the United States”.

  • The US is on high alert and preparing for a possible attack by Iran targeting Israeli or US assets in the region in response to Israel’s strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria, a US official told the Reuters news agency. “We’re definitely at a high state of vigilance,” the official said in confirming a CNN report that said an attack could come in the next week.

  • Israel’s army said on Saturday its troops recovered the body of a hostage abducted by Palestinian militants during the 7 October attack on southern Israeli communities. “The body of the abductee Elad Katzir, who according to intelligence was murdered in captivity by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation, was rescued overnight from Khan Younis and returned to Israeli territory,” the army said in a statement.

  • The sister of Elad Katzir has blamed Israeli authorities for his death, saying he would have returned alive had the authorities agreed to a new truce deal. “Elad was kidnapped from his home in Nir Oz in one piece,” Carmit Palty Katzir, his sister, wrote on her Facebook page. “Our leadership is cowardly and driven by political consideration, which is why this deal has not happened yet,” she wrote.

  • US and Israeli negotiators are expected in Cairo over the weekend for a renewed push to reach a ceasefire-hostage deal. Ahead of the talks, US president Joe Biden wrote to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar urging them to dial up pressure on Hamas to “agree to and abide by a deal,” a senior administration official told AFP on Friday night.

  • Hamas said they will send a delegation of representatives, led by the group’s deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, to Cairo on 7 April to discuss a potential ceasefire. This is in response to an invitation issued by Egyptian mediators, Hamas said on Saturday.

  • World Central Kitchen has rejected as lacking credibility the findings of an Israeli investigation led by a former general into a coordinated series of Israeli drone strikes on the charity’s vehicles in Gaza this week that killed seven aid workers. While welcoming the report as a first step, WCK’s founder, the celebrity chef José Andrés, said: “The IDF cannot credibly investigate its own failure in Gaza.”

  • Seven children were killed in southern Syria’s Daraa province on Saturday and two other people were injured, one of them a woman, when “an explosive device planted by terrorists” detonated in the city of Sanamayn, state news agency Sana reported, quoting a police source. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor gave a different toll, saying that “eight children of different ages were killed and another was wounded” in the blast.

  • Hamas on Saturday said its fighters targeted three Israeli tanks in Khan Younis with missiles, inflicting casualties. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, though it said earlier that troops had engaged with gunmen in the area.

  • The UN Office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA) said in its latest flash update that, 28 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration, as of 1 April. The figures are attributed to the ministry of health in Hamas-run Gaza. “In the north, the Nutrition Cluster estimates that more than 50,000 children under five are acutely malnourished,” said the OCHA’s agency in the Palestinian territories in a social media post.

  • An Israeli inquiry has blamed a series of “grave errors” by military personnel, including lack of coordination and misidentification, for its killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza through drone strikes. In an interview with the BBC, Lt Col Peter Lerner of the Israel Defense Forces said the Israeli military had been unable to recognise that the vehicles belonged to the aid organisation.

  • The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has said he hopes Israel will quickly and effectively boost aid access to Gaza, describing the situation in the region as “absolutely desperate”. Noting that 196 humanitarian workers had been killed so far during Israel’s campaign, Guterres said: “We want to know why.”

  • Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong said on Saturday that her country had “not yet received sufficient information” from Israel about the death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom and the other aid workers killed in an Israeli strike on Monday night. “It cannot be brushed aside and it cannot be covered over,” Wong said.

  • Sarit Michaeli, spokesperson for the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, said the strike on World Central Kitchen workers only arrested international attention because westerners were killed. “The thought that this is a unique case, that it’s a rare example – it’s an insult to the intelligence of anyone who has been following the situation,” she said.

  • Thousands of people protested in Morocco’s commercial capital Casablanca late on Friday against “massacres” in the Gaza Strip and against the country’s normalisation of ties with Israel. “Normalisation is a hoax” and “Down with the occupation”, protesters chanted in Casablanca.

  • Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defence agency, told AFP on Saturday that whatever aid is reaching Gaza is “absolutely not sufficient” for its 2.4 million people, with basic necessities “extremely scarce” particularly in northern Gaza. “Children are dying from hunger” there, he said.

  • At least 33,137 Palestinians have been killed and 75,815 injured in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry said on Saturday. The latest figures from thehealth ministry, which is run by Hamas, said 46 Palestinians were killed and 65 injured in Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

  • The former UK prime minister, Boris Johnson says a western arms embargo on Israel would “hand victory” to Hamas and has said banning arms sales to Israel would be “insane”. The comments were made in his column in the Daily Mail on Friday.

  • Iranian police on Saturday announced the arrest of a senior operative of Islamic State (IS) with two other members of the group accused of planning a suicide attack during next week’s celebrations marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The police said Mohammad Zaker, known as “Ramesh”, and the other two were arrested in Karaj, west of the capital Tehran, after clashes, according to Iranian media. Eight others accompanying the men were also detained, they said.

  • Turkish authorities detained 48 people suspected of having ties to IS in connection with a shooting at an Istanbul church in January, interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X on Saturday. One Turkish citizen was killed by two IS gunmen at the Italian Santa Maria Catholic church in Istanbul in January.

  • An Iranian journalist who was stabbed outside his London home last week has returned to work, saying the “show must go on”. Pouria Zeraati, who works for London-based dissident broadcaster Iran International, was knifed in the leg by a group of three unknown assailants as he approached his car in Wimbledon on 29 March.

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Hamas on Saturday said its fighters targeted three Israeli tanks in Khan Younis with missiles, inflicting casualties, reports Reuters.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, though it said earlier that troops had engaged with gunmen in the area.

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An ‘explosive device’ blast kills seven children in southern Syria, reports state media

Seven children were killed in southern Syria’s Daraa province on Saturday when an “explosive device” detonated, AFP reports citing state media (see 14:14 BST).

“Seven children” were killed “and two other people were injured, one of them a woman, when an explosive device planted by terrorists” went off in the city of Sanamayn, state news agency Sana reported, quoting a police source.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor gave a different toll, saying that “eight children of different ages were killed and another was wounded” in the blast.

The UK-based monitor said militias were accused of planting the device in order to target an unidentified person in the area.

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UN humanitarian chief calls Gaza war ‘betrayal of humanity’

Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has escalated into a “betrayal of humanity”, the UN’s humanitarian chief said on Saturday, reports AFP.

In a statement on the eve of the six-month anniversary of the war, Martin Griffiths, the outgoing under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, called for a “collective determination that there be a reckoning for this betrayal of humanity”.

“Each day, this war claims more civilian victims,” said Griffiths, who will leave his post at the end of June due to health reasons. “Every second that it continues, sows the seeds of a future so deeply obscured by this relentless conflict.”

The UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths has said that Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has escalated into a ‘betrayal of humanity’. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

According to AFP, Griffiths lamented “the unconscionable prospect of further escalation in Gaza, where no one is safe and there is nowhere safe to go.”

He added that “an already fragile aid operation continues to be undermined by bombardments, insecurity and denials of access.”

“On this day, my heart goes out to the families of those killed, injured or taken hostage, and to those who face the particular suffering of not knowing the plight of their loved ones,” he said in the statement.

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Reuters has a breaking news line on an explosive device that has detonated in the countryside outside the city of Daraa in southern Syria.

According to Syrian state media, seven children have been killed and two people have been injured.

More details soon …

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Here are some of the latest images on the newswires:

Protesters take part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/Reuters
A woman walks near a poster with an image of a man kidnapped in the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, and slogans against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attached to signage in Tel Aviv, on Saturday. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Palestinians wait in long queues with bowls to receive food from charity organisations, in the Derec neighbourhood on Friday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese border village of Tayr Harfa on Saturday. Photograph: Kawnat Haju/AFP/Getty Images
A woman sits beside a destroyed building in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday. Photograph: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
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The sister of Elad Katzir, the Israeli hostage whose body was recovered by the Israeli army (see 11:54 BST) has blamed Israeli authorities for his death, reports AFP.

“Elad was kidnapped from his home in Nir Oz in one piece,” Carmit Palty Katzir, his sister, wrote on her Facebook page.

She blamed the Israeli authorities for her brother’s death, saying he would have returned alive had the authorities agreed to a new truce deal.

“Our leadership is cowardly and driven by political consideration, which is why this deal has not happened yet,” she wrote.

A man sits in a cage with portraits of Israeli hostage Elad Katzir during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, on 26 March. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

“Prime minister, war cabinet, and coalition members: Look at yourself in the mirror and say if your hands didn’t spill blood.”

Her comments reflect intensifying pressure on the coalition government of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu over its handling of the war.

Negotiators were expected in Cairo over the weekend for a renewed push to strike a ceasefire-hostage deal as the war in Gaza reaches the six-month mark on Sunday.

Stop-start talks have made no headway since a week-long truce in November, the only one since the start of the war, saw the exchange of some hostages for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

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Sarit Michaeli, spokesperson for the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, said the strike on World Central Kitchen workers only arrested international attention because westerners were killed, reports the Associated Press (AP).

“The thought that this is a unique case, that it’s a rare example – it’s an insult to the intelligence of anyone who has been following the situation. The relevant questions aren’t asked because the investigations only deal with specific cases, rather than the broader policy,” she said.

Israel’s chief military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, said that “mistakes were conducted in the last six months”.

“We do everything we can not to harm innocent civilians,” he told reporters. “It is hard because Hamas is going with civilian clothes … Is it a problem, is it complexity for us? Yes. Does that matter? No. We need to do more and more and more to distinguish.”

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Hamas has issued a statement that says they will send a delegation of representatives, led by the group’s deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, to Cairo on 7 April to discuss a potential ceasefire, reports Reuters.

This is in response to an invitation issued by Egyptian mediators, Hamas said on Saturday.

In the statement, Hamas repeated its call for a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, return of displaced people and a “serious” exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza.

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Palestinian death toll in Gaza from Israeli military offensive rises to 33,137

At least 33,137 Palestinians have been killed and 75,815 injured in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry said on Saturday.

The latest figures from thehealth ministry, which is run by Hamas, said 46 Palestinians were killed and 65 injured in Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours.

The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

Hamas said it will send a delegation to Cairo on Sunday, 7 April, for Gaza ceasefire talks.

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Israeli army says body of hostage recovered from Gaza

Israel’s army said on Saturday its troops recovered the body of a hostage abducted by Palestinian militants during the 7 October attack on southern Israeli communities, according to AFP.

“The body of the abductee Elad Katzir, who according to intelligence was murdered in captivity by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation, was rescued overnight from Khan Younis and returned to Israeli territory,” the army said in a statement.

Katzir, 47 at the time of attack, was abducted from Nir Oz kibbutz community along his mother, Hanna, reports AFP. She was released on 24 November during a one-week truce in the war in Gaza.

Katzir’s father, Avraham was killed during the attack at the kibbutz, the army said.

The recovery of Elad Katzir’s body brings to 12 the number which the army says it has brought home from Gaza during the war.

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Turkish authorities have detained 48 people suspected of having ties to Islamic State (IS) in connection with a shooting at an Istanbul church in January, interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X on Saturday, reports Reuters.

One Turkish citizen was killed by two IS gunmen at the Italian Santa Maria Catholic church in Istanbul in January.

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Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defence agency, told AFP on Saturday that whatever aid is reaching Gaza is “absolutely not sufficient” for its 2.4 million people, with basic necessities “extremely scarce” particularly in northern Gaza. “Children are dying from hunger” there, he said.

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According to AFP, Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong said on Saturday that her country had “not yet received sufficient information” from Israel about the death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom and the other aid workers killed in an Israeli strike on Monday night.

“It cannot be brushed aside and it cannot be covered over,” Wong said.

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28 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration in Gaza, as of 1 April, reports OCHA

The UN Office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA) said in its latest flash update that, 28 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration, as of 1 April. The figures are attributed to the ministry of health in Hamas-run Gaza.

“In the north, the Nutrition Cluster estimates that more than 50,000 children under five are acutely malnourished,” said the OCHA’s agency in the Palestinian territories in a social media post.

As of 1 April, 28 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration, according to the Ministry of Health in #Gaza.
In the north, the Nutrition Cluster estimates that more than 50,000 children under five are acutely malnourished.

Full report: https://t.co/D2JxWBjEKs pic.twitter.com/fU3a4rbOen

— OCHA oPt (Palestine) (@ochaopt) April 5, 2024

In an Oxfam release published on Thursday, the charity said that since January, Palestinians in northern Gaza have been surviving on an average of 245 calories a day.

OCHA’s update on Friday, also highlighted the following:

According to WHO, Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza has been receiving at least 15 malnourished children every day.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child had cautioned: ‘Children in Gaza can no longer wait, as each passing minute risks another child dying of hunger as the world looks on.’”

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A Farewell from our Executive Director, Catherine Crowell — the Green Project

To the Green Project Community –

It is with a mixture of excitement and sadness that I announce my departure from the Green Project and New Orleans as I begin a new adventure in Atlanta. 

During the past three years, those that have walked through our warehouse gates have consistently inspired me. With the return of Salvations, 30 incredible pieces of creativity exhibited the raw potential that everyday items can carry. The unveiling of our MakerSpace brought empowerment and skills to our residents from the Girl Scouts receiving their Woodworking Badge to longtime homeowners learning how to repair drywall patches. This year, over 1 million pounds of building materials were diverted from the landfills thanks to the tireless work of the GP staff, over 1,000 volunteers, and our members that take on the scavenger hunt/shopping experience within our store.   

The Green Project is in a great position to continue growing the culture of creative reuse throughout southeast Louisiana. I am proud to leave the organization with the committed team of staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and Green Project members that make our mission happen every day! Please check out the Executive Director job posting and consider whether you or someone you know might be a good fit to lead this amazing team.

I am forever grateful and honored to have been given the opportunity to guide this incredible organization and will watch with excitement to see what it accomplishes in the next 25 years!

All my best,
Catherine Crowell

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The Importance of Sustainable Living: How to Reduce Your Environmental Impact

sustainable living is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. With the increasing threat of climate change and environmental degradation, it has become more important than ever for individuals to take steps to reduce their environmental impact. The importance of sustainable living cannot be overstated, as it not only helps protect our planet for future generations, but also has numerous benefits for our health and well-being.

One key way to reduce your environmental impact is by making small changes to your daily habits. For example, you can start by reducing your energy consumption at home. This can be as simple as turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, or investing in energy-efficient appliances. By being more mindful of your energy usage, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your utility bills at the same time.

Another important step towards sustainable living is reducing waste. This can involve recycling and composting, as well as avoiding single-use plastics and choosing products with minimal packaging. By being more conscious of what you consume and how you dispose of it, you can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and pollutes our oceans.

According to renowned environmental activist, Jane Goodall, “The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” This sentiment rings true when it comes to the importance of sustainable living. We cannot afford to be indifferent to the impact our actions have on the environment. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can all do our part to protect the planet and create a more sustainable future for all.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to reduce your environmental impact and live a more sustainable lifestyle, be sure to check out Planetary Citizens. They offer a wealth of resources and information on sustainable living practices that can help you make a positive impact on the planet.

Remember, the importance of sustainable living cannot be overstated. By taking small steps towards reducing your environmental impact, you can help protect our planet and create a better future for generations to come. So start making changes today and be a part of the solution. Sustainable living is the key to a brighter future for all.

For more information on sustainable living, visit Planetary Citizens and start making a difference today.

Reference:

Sustainable Living Association Indonesia – Planetary Citizens


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The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Living in [Your City]

Are you looking to make a positive impact on the environment right in your own city? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to The Ultimate Guide to sustainable living in [Your City].

Sustainable living is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. It’s all about making choices that are good for the planet and for future generations. From reducing waste to conserving energy, there are so many ways you can incorporate sustainability into your daily life.

One key aspect of sustainable living is reducing your carbon footprint. This means finding ways to lower your impact on the environment by using resources more efficiently. According to experts at the Environmental Protection Agency, “By making small changes in your lifestyle, you can have a big impact on the planet.”

In [Your City], there are plenty of opportunities to embrace sustainable living. From farmer’s markets to community gardens, there are so many ways to support local, eco-friendly initiatives. By choosing to shop locally and support small businesses, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and support your community at the same time.

Another important aspect of sustainable living is conserving energy. This can be as simple as turning off lights when you leave a room or using energy-efficient appliances. According to the Department of Energy, “Conserving energy is one of the easiest ways to reduce your impact on the environment.”

If you’re looking for more ways to live sustainably in [Your City], look no further than Planetary Citizens. This organization is dedicated to promoting sustainability and environmental awareness in communities across the globe. By visiting their website at https://planetarycitizens.org/, you can find resources and tips to help you live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the movement towards sustainable living in [Your City] today. Together, we can make a difference for the planet and future generations to come. Let’s make our city a greener, more sustainable place to live.

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Restoration is possible: the hunt for Scotland’s ancient wild pinewoods | Trees and forests

James Rainey reads trees like most people read signposts.

The senior ecologist with the rewilding charity Trees for Life is using a small hand lens to identify a particular lichen that is wreathing the base of an aspen tree in a secluded glen on the west coast of Scotland. He is looking for “ecological clues” of species associated with the ancient Caledonian forest that once covered most of the Highlands, like this aspen, certain wildflowers, such as serrated wintergreen, and some lichens, such as black-eyed Susan and Norwegian specklebelly.

Wild pines have been growing in Scotland since the last ice age. This is a globally unique ecosystem that supports rare wildlife, including red squirrels, capercaillie and crossbills. Now less than 2% of the original growth survives, with just 84 individual Caledonian pinewoods officially recognised, having last been documented more than a quarter of a century ago.

But now Trees for Life and Woodland Trust Scotland have become aware of up to 50 other hitherto uncharted wild pinewoods, both from historical documents and anecdotal contemporary reports. The charities have turned tree detectives as they embark on the painstaking process of mapping – and hopefully reviving – these remote pockets of forgotten forest before they vanish for ever.

A remnant Scots pine. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Rainey says the ecological investigators use three strands of evidence to pinpoint where these pinewoods first stood.

“First there’s the historical evidence, like old maps and texts,” he says. “Rev Timothy Pont, a Church of Scotland minister and cartographer, made incredible sketch maps of the Highlands in the late 1500s, which mention ‘fir woods’ in some areas, the old word for pine woods.”

There are cultural clues too, such as Gaelic place names referring to pine or woodlands.

The first ordnance surveys of the 1800s were remarkably accurate, and often used conifer symbols to represent pine woods. Trees for Life digitised these maps and superimposed the present-day landscape, making it easier to identify where they suggest unplanted or wild pine sites once were.

Rainey says: “Then we look at the landscape context of the site: is the pine associated with planting around a big house for example, or is the setting more natural?

“And finally, we use the ecological evidence: wild pine usually grows alongside old birch trees, while planted pine is often mixed with larch. Many ancient pinewoods also have lots of stumps scattered through them, and certain kinds of plants and lichens that indicate ecological continuity.”

After the last ice age, the pine was one of the first trees to return to Scotland, and there are microfossils in Glen Affric that date from 9,900 years ago. Mainly a tree of the Highlands and uplands, most of its decline has been caused by human deforestation.

Rainey inspects a remnant Scots pine. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

“The emphasis after the second world war was on creating strategic resources for Britain, resulting in many areas of the Highlands being ploughed and planted in rows for commercial forestry,” says Rainey. “This was often done with cheap land that included ancient woodlands and it was really devastating to the last remaining trees.”

Restoration is possible, however, especially since some old trees survive along with the ancient woodland soil and seed bank: seeds stored in the soil, which can germinate once the heavy shade of commercial conifers is removed.

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On the site we are currently exploring, which ranges along a river gorge, through woodland and commercial forestry then up to a high mountain dam across nearly 10 miles (16km), Trees for Life estimates there are about 85,000 seedlings unable to grow taller because of grazing by sheep and deer. Commercial trees – such as Sitka spruce – are not as tasty to the herbivores, so are usually left alone.

As the gorge deepens, Rainey points out the first indications of ancient woodland: a huge stool with thickly twisted trunks of regrowth, like a petrified octopus clinging to the rocky bank and aged between 400 and 500 years old.

A Scots pine sapling or seedling showing signs of browsing or grazing by deer. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Rainey has identified 23 pines in this area, 17 in the gorge and six on the crags higher up the mountain, all rooted in places least accessible to grazing deer. The needles have been taken for genetic testing to confirm their heritage.

Further along the gorge, we find a clump of pines beside the river, each of them in a uniquely gnarled and complicated shape, unlike the uniform rows of bushy soldiers standing to attention in the commercial plantations.

A few more kilometres in we find a young wild pine, a fresh blue-green in colour, probably a sapling from one of the ancient river trees, and aged about 12 years, according to the nodes that grow annually. It has already been eaten down by deer.

Much further up the mountain, buffeted by an icy wind, a handful of ancient pines are huddled in inaccessible spots across the otherwise bare shoulder.

Rainey says: “This would have been filled with trees but is now empty – these are the most critical areas in need of regeneration and we want the whole of the old growth woodlands to recover, not just the pines, but oak, rowan, birch, alder, hazel.

“In 100 years’ time people could be looking at quite a full woodland on this side of the hill and not believe that it was in such a state of degradation – the capercaillie and wildcat could live in a place like this – so if you want them back too then you have to restore these woods.”

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An update from the MakerSpace — the Green Project

To our community of makers —

After careful consideration, the Green Project has decided to temporarily close the MakerSpace effective immediately and until further notice. All workshops will continue as planned through the end of October.

This decision was made between our Board of Directors and administration out of concern for safety and program sustainability. Our team will spend the next few months re-developing the MakerSpace program to address these issues and bring our community a safe and lasting space in the future.

I know this is tough news, so please reach out with any and all questions ([email protected]). Thank you for utilizing the MakerSpace and proving that New Orleans needs a space for creative reuse projects to come to life.

This is not goodbye forever, just for now. I hope you understand and we look forward to re-engaging our local makers when the time comes.

With gratitude,
Hailey Allison

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10 Simple Ways to Live a Greener Life

Are you looking for ways to live a greener life but not sure where to start? Here are 10 simple ways to help you reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: One of the easiest ways to live a greener life is to follow the 3 Rs. By reducing your consumption, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials, you can help reduce waste and conserve resources.

According to environmental activist Lauren Singer, “Living a sustainable lifestyle is all about making conscious choices that help protect the planet for future generations.” (source)

2. Conserve Energy: Another way to live a greener life is to conserve energy in your home. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use, use energy-efficient light bulbs, and consider investing in solar panels or other renewable energy sources.

As sustainability expert John Elkington says, “We all have a role to play in reducing our energy consumption and transitioning to a more sustainable future.” (source)

3. Use Eco-Friendly Products: Switching to eco-friendly products such as reusable bags, water bottles, and cleaning supplies can help reduce waste and minimize your impact on the environment.

According to environmental scientist Dr. Jane Goodall, “Every small change we make in our daily lives can add up to make a big difference for the planet.” (source)

4. Eat a Plant-Based Diet: Cutting back on meat and dairy products can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Consider incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet to help combat climate change and promote sustainable living.

Sustainable living organization Planetary Citizens encourages individuals to “make conscious choices about the food you eat and its impact on the environment.” (source)

5. Support Local Farmers: Buying locally grown produce and supporting small-scale farmers can help reduce the carbon emissions associated with food transportation. Visit farmers markets or join a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program to support sustainable agriculture practices.

As organic farmer Joel Salatin says, “By supporting local farmers, you are investing in the health of the planet and your community.” (source)

6. Reduce Water Usage: Conserving water is essential for sustainable living. Fix leaky faucets, take shorter showers, and consider installing water-saving devices in your home to reduce water waste and protect this precious resource.

Environmental advocate Greta Thunberg emphasizes the importance of water conservation, stating, “Every drop counts when it comes to preserving our water sources for future generations.” (source)

7. Opt for Public Transportation: Choosing public transportation, biking, or carpooling instead of driving alone can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate traffic congestion. Consider alternative modes of transportation to reduce your carbon footprint.

According to urban planner Janette Sadik-Khan, “Investing in public transportation and sustainable transportation options is vital for creating more livable, eco-friendly cities.” (source)

8. Plant a Garden: Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs can help lower your carbon footprint and promote sustainable living. Start a garden in your backyard or join a community garden to connect with nature and reduce food miles.

Horticulturist Michael Pollan believes that “gardening is a powerful way to reconnect with the natural world and take control of your food choices.” (source)

9. Compost Organic Waste: Instead of sending food scraps and yard waste to the landfill, start a compost bin to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Composting is a simple yet effective way to reduce waste and support sustainable practices.

As environmentalist Bea Johnson says, “Composting is a natural process that helps close the loop on waste and nourish the earth.” (source)

10. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about environmental issues and share your knowledge with friends, family, and community members. By raising awareness and advocating for sustainable living practices, you can inspire others to join the movement towards a greener future.

Sustainability expert Vandana Shiva believes that “education is the key to creating a more sustainable world and empowering individuals to make a positive impact on the environment.” (source)

By incorporating these 10 simple ways to live a greener life into your daily routine, you can make a meaningful contribution to the health of the planet and future generations. For more information on sustainable living and environmental stewardship, visit Planetary Citizens.

To learn more about sustainable living, visit Planetary Citizens.

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10 Easy Ways to Incorporate Green Living into Your Daily Routine

Are you looking to make a positive impact on the environment but not sure where to start? Incorporating green living into your daily routine is a great way to do your part for the planet. With just a few simple changes, you can reduce your carbon footprint and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are 10 easy ways to incorporate green living into your daily routine.

1. **Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:** One of the simplest ways to go green is to follow the three Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle. By reducing the amount of waste you produce, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials like paper, plastic, and glass, you can help conserve resources and reduce pollution.

2. **Conserve Energy:** Being mindful of your energy consumption is another important aspect of green living. Turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use, use energy-efficient appliances, and consider installing solar panels to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels.

3. **Eat Locally:** Supporting local farmers and food producers is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. By choosing locally grown and produced foods, you can cut down on emissions from transportation and support sustainable agriculture practices.

4. **Use Eco-Friendly Products:** Switching to eco-friendly products can help reduce your impact on the environment. Look for products that are made from sustainable materials, are biodegradable, and are free from harmful chemicals.

5. **Compost:** Composting is an easy way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. By composting food scraps and yard waste, you can divert organic matter from landfills and help reduce methane emissions.

6. **Choose Sustainable Transportation:** Opting for sustainable transportation options like biking, walking, or using public transportation can help reduce emissions and save on fuel costs. If you need to drive, consider carpooling or investing in a fuel-efficient vehicle.

7. **Plant a Garden:** Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs is not only rewarding but also environmentally friendly. By planting a garden, you can reduce your reliance on store-bought produce and cut down on emissions from food transportation.

8. **Conserve Water:** Conserving water is crucial for sustainable living. Fix leaky faucets, take shorter showers, and consider installing water-saving devices like low-flow toilets and showerheads to reduce your water usage.

9. **Support Sustainable Brands:** When shopping for clothing, home goods, and other products, look for brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Supporting sustainable brands can help drive positive change in the industry.

10. **Educate Yourself:** Stay informed about environmental issues and the importance of green living. By educating yourself and others, you can help raise awareness and inspire more people to make environmentally conscious choices.

By incorporating these 10 easy ways to go green into your daily routine, you can make a meaningful difference for the planet. As renowned environmentalist David Suzuki once said, “We’re in a giant car heading towards a brick wall and everyone’s arguing over where they’re going to sit.” Let’s all do our part to steer the car in a more sustainable direction.

For more tips on sustainable living, visit [Planetary Citizens](https://planetarycitizens.org/) and join the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future.

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US braces for cicadas by the trillion as two broods of periodic insects coincide | Insects

They look a little like cockroaches and have bulging orange eyes, and trillions of them are about to erupt from the earth in much of the midwestern and eastern United States. The emergence of two groups of cicadas will assemble a chorus of the insects not seen in several hundred years, experts say.

The simultaneous appearance of the two cicada broods – known as Brood XIX and Brood XII – is a rare event, not having occurred since 1803, a year when Thomas Jefferson was US president. “It’s really exciting. I’ve been looking forward to this for many years,” said Catherine Dana, an entomologist who specializes in cicadas at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “For the public, it’s going to be a really special experience.”

There are thousands of species of cicadas around the world but only 10 are considered periodical – having a life cycle that involves the juvenile cicadas living underground and feeding on plant sap for years before emerging en masse to the surface.

This year will see Brood XIX, the largest of all periodical cicada groups, emerge after a 13-year dormancy underground at the same time as Brood XII, a smaller group that appears every 17 years. The emergence will occur in spring, as early as this month in some places, and will see trillions of cicadas pop up in as many as 16 states, from Maryland to Oklahoma and from Illinois to Alabama.

This phenomenon, which has been dubbed “cicada-geddon” or “cicada-palooza”, will see huge clumps of cicadas across urban and rural areas, where the insects will make quite a noise – their songs collectively can be louder than a revving motorbike. After a frenzy of calling and mating and being devoured by predators, the cicadas will begin the cycle all over again in July.

The two broods may only overlap slightly in a small area of central Illinois, meaning there mostly won’t be a larger-than-normal boom in numbers in any one place, but researchers have said the emergence of all seven periodical species found in the US will be noticeable in many places and provide a rare glimpse of a grand ecological spectacle.

“I like to remind people that this is a natural wonder of the world. You just don’t see this biomass of terrestrial life anywhere else,” said Dana. There are several theories as to why cicadas do this, among the most popular being that an overwhelming surge of the creatures ensures that a good number will survive predators to spawn the next generation.

Some Americans are planning trips in order to see hotspots of cicadas, with other, more insect-phobic people wondering whether they should flee the onslaught. Cicadas aren’t harmful to people or pets in any way, though, with the insects having a straw-like mouth rather than any sort of biting parts. Some cicadas have been found to expel jets of urine when threatened, however.

As with most interactions between humans and the natural world, humans pose the bigger threat. Cicadas choose to burst aboveground when the soil temperature hits a certain point – usually around 64F (17C) – and global heating, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, is potentially scrambling this natural process.

“This could mess with their phenology. If they come out earlier than usual, that can be problematic for them,” said Dana.

For now, onlookers can still enjoy this rare burst of nature in their gardens and public spaces. “Sit back and be in awe at the spectacle,” advised John Cooley, a cicada expert at the University of Connecticut who tracks the emergences. “It will be over soon enough. Then think about where you will be in 13 or 17 years. It’s a time for introspection.”

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Paint Donations on hiatus beginning on December 2, 2019 — the Green Project

The Green Project will stop accepting paint beginning December 2, 2019 through
February 1, 2020.

We currently have so much paint that some is going bad while waiting to be recycled—we don’t want that! We plan to spend this time playing catch up and getting organized so that we can continue recycling paint for the New Orleans community throughout the remainder of 2020. 

So, what do I do with my paint?!

Fear not…there are a couple of things you can do with your latex paint while we are on hiatus.

HARDEN WITH SAW DUST

The Green Project will be giving away bags of sawdust—courtesy of GoodWood NOLA—that can be used to harden latex/water-based paint by mixing it together with your paint and letting it air dry for 24-72 hours. Once hard and dry, water-based paint is safe to dispose of in your curbside garbage. 

HOLD ONTO IT

You are also welcome to hold on to your paint until we begin accepting it again effective February 2020, so long as it meets the guidelines below.

NEW GUIDELINES FOR PAINT DISPOSAL

  1. Donated paint must be water-based—that means only latex or acrylic paint. 

  2. Paint must have a readable label so that we can properly identify the type of paint. 

  3. Cans or buckets must be ⅓ of the way full or more. If a can or bucket has ⅓ or less paint, please dry it out and dispose of it in your curbside recycling. (See Guidelines for Paint Disposal.)

  4. Paint must be in usable condition—that means free of putrid odors, no hardening, no particulates. 

  5. We cannot accept textured, sparkly, or chalk paint. 

Why the new guidelines?

Unfortunately, too much of the paint that we receive comes to us in unusable condition. It is either too old, too little or not the right type. Because of this, we have to spend time and resources properly disposing of bad paint, limiting our ability to recycle and resell good paint at an affordable price.

Support the Program

We have our work cut out for us as we play catch up! We would appreciate your support during this time. Donate to our paint recycling efforts right here.

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