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This article from Geographical Magazine provides a list of three items that can enhance campervan trips. The first item is Uranus Wiper carbon neutral toilet paper, which is made from sustainably grown bamboo and produced using a carbon-neutral process. The second item is the Arc'Teryx Kragg slip-on shoe, designed for campers who want a lightweight and supportive shoe that can be easily taken on and off. The third item is the Petzl Tikka Core headlamp, which provides a bright light source for activities such as cooking or washing up. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the history of paper. Paper originated in China in 105 A.D., though in 3500 B.C., Egyptians used a similar material called papyrus. Prior to the industrial revolution, paper was made by hand, but this was soon transformed from a labor intensive process into a mechanized industry ready for global mass production. As of 2005, the paper industry continues to grow, with industrialized nations accounting for about 87 percent of the world's paper output. It is said that paper is set to grow at a rate of 2.4 percent every year. INSET: Making paper.

A study has found that over a quarter of digitally published research papers are at risk of being lost forever because they are not properly archived. Out of more than seven million publications, 28% (over two million articles) do not appear in a major digital archive, despite having a unique identifier. This lack of archiving poses a threat to the integrity of scientific research and the ability to verify information. The costs of preserving digital content are believed to be a barrier for smaller organizations. It is important to consider the long-term sustainability of the research ecosystem and ensure access to valuable work even after the author's lifetime. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a research study conducted by Dr. Gadi Rothenberg of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and colleagues who develop mechanisms which are capable to build a circular economy around waste toilet paper in 2017. Rothenberg and colleague Els van der Roest, has developed a technique where the waste cellulose becomes gasified before it is being directly converted into electricity in a solid-oxide fuel cell, at a cost that is compared to solar installations.

This article discusses the developments in electronic paper as of August 2005. Between 1995 to 2000, it was predicted that technology would put an end to paper usage. Though technology has advanced in many ways, people still preferred to read off paper than in computer screens. Various companies have developed paper alternatives, though not always met with success. Though handheld computers continue to shrink and their screens become paper-like, it is remains to be seen whether it will replace paper or work alongside it. INSET: Publish and don't be damned.

This article discusses the issues surrounding paper as of August 2005. When the computer age came, it was said that paper would be obsolete, creating paperless offices. This concept was fruitless as the demand for paper continued to rise. Paper is everywhere, from magazines to tickets, playing an important part in daily life. As the demand for paper rises, so does the number of trees cut down, despite the increase in the popularity of recycling. Paper companies have even been vilified by environmental activists, who accused them of being perpetrators of forest crimes. INSET: Definitions.

This article discusses the issues surrounding paper recycling as of August 2005. While recycling has grown since the 1990s, the issue of virgin fibre sourcing remains controversial. Forests, the natural source of raw material, face problems as paper companies continue to cut down trees in their quest for making as much money as possible. Despite the numerous problems, much of the industry is at least attempting to respond to its environmental challenges. Arguably, only increased global cooperation can take the industry closer to true sustainability. INSET: Recycling.

According to an article in Geographical Magazine, there has been a significant increase in the number of research papers being retracted due to fraudulent or nonsensical content. The article suggests that many of these retractions are a result of pressure on academics to publish papers for funding and career advancement. It is estimated that over 400,000 papers published in the past two decades have similarities to studies produced by fraudulent organizations known as "paper mills." The countries with the highest retraction rates among those that have published over 10,000 papers in the last 20 years are Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Russia, China, and Egypt. [Extracted from the article]

Discusses the impact of rising price of paper. Effect on the economies of paper suppliers; Push for the online dataprocessing industry; Factors in paper production; Shifts in the pulp growing industry.

GEOGRAPHICAL Next month Half of the population of Sumatran elephants has been lost in one generation, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature now lists them as critically endangered. In an effort to break this cycle, the Indonesian authorities have been using teams of trained elephants and rangers to ward wild elephants away from potential flashpoints. The Sumatran elephant is one of four recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant and was once widespread on the island, with at least 44 different populations. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the economic aspects of recycling. Recycling, especially of complex materials such as plastics and electronics can be prohibitively expensive. More money is spent recycling plastic products than is reclaimed in the process. The resulting extracted plastics can be used for low-grade products with little market value. Plastics degrade during recycling that they can only undergo the process once. Legislatures in Europe and the U.S. began imposing targets on paper recycling which resulted in the surge of pulp prices. Mills started churning out more virgin pulp, driving down prices across the sector. The most profitable sector of the recycling industry is metal. Increased demand from Asia pushed up the price for scrap steel in 2002. INSET: Paper: counting the cost.

Profiles Paul Cook, head of paper conservation of charts, globes, manuscripts, books and engineering drawings at the National Maritime Museum in London, England. Job description; Ambitions; Hobbies.

Examines the key issues surrounding the publication of "The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World," focusing on the impact of digital mapping on printed maps. Impact of the digital revolution on cartography; Important aspect of a Geographical Information System and one that has moved digital cartography beyond just reproducing what was done before; Main types of digital map products; Benefits from digital products. INSET: Updating The Time Atlas.

Our new paper stock is from fully certified sustainable sources, and the supply chain meets Chain of Custody Standards. In the past, we used compostable wrapping for posting, but the consensus is now that sustainably sourced paper envelopes are a better option. Only vegetable inks are used in the printing and the cover is now sealed with an organic film rather than a plastic-based one. [Extracted from the article]

Presents several photographs of the fire rituals by Daoists and Buddhists in Hong Kong, China. Information on the religious aspects of fire and smoke; Materials used in fire rituals; Purpose of burning a paper house.

This article discusses the dispute between Uruguay and Argentine regarding a paper mill in the Uruguayan town of Fray Bentos. On one side, Uruguay welcomed the project, as well as another paper mill proposed by Spanish company Ense. It is noted that the mills would have had a combined production of 1.5 billion tonnes and created 8,000 jobs. On the other side, Argentina opposed the plants. It had demanded a halt to the projects and had even approached the International Court of Justice in 2006, but the case was rejected.

This article discusses a report which exposed that paper company Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) and its partners are building a highway that will split the Bukit Tigapuluh forest in Indonesia. Released by the World Wide Fund for Nature, the report stated that the companies are constructing a logging highway through the forest, home to two tribes of indigenous people as well as endangered elephants, tigers and orangutans. Clearing began after APP's operations were stopped in a nearby province due to a police investigation into illegal logging.

Reports that the High Court in Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, has upheld the customary rights of a village's indigenous population that sued Borneo Paper and Pulp Plantation company to protect hectares of rainforest. What Judge Datuk Ian Chin Hon Chong stated about the villagers' fundamental right to the land.

'Sylvia knows everything there is to know about how globes are made and how they have changed over time', says Joshua Nall, curator of the globe exhibition at the Whipple Museum of the History of Science in Cambridge. Before printed globes, all globes were manuscript globes - hand drawn, painted or engraved directly onto a sphere - and made in small numbers. Globes cover every available surface of the Bellerby & Co Globemakers studio in Stoke Newington, northeast London. To demonstrate, Bellerby gently spins a 1930s Philips globe - one of a few antique globes he keeps in his office. [Extracted from the article]

Presents information on the hornet. Toxicity of its venom; Signs and symptoms.

Dragon blood trees by Cristiano Xavier, Brazil (Plants and Fungi, honourable mention). A long-exposure image taken at night, this photo shows the iconic dragon's blood trees, which only grow on the high plateaus of Socotra Island, Yemen. PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR). [Extracted from the article]

The Society's four leading international journals, Area, Geo: Geography and Environment, the Geographical Journal and Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, cover the full spectrum of geographical research. Those living in the vast wetland of the cuvette centrale region have taken advantage of a shiftin the hydrological patterns of the river since the 1980s, adopting the practice of flood recession agriculture on islands within the river channel. Papers in our open access journal Geo come from across the breadth of geography and environmental research, with a particular emphasis on research that pushes the boundaries of geographical and environmental science. [Extracted from the article]

Presents news related to environment and geography as of February 2000. Efforts of environmentalists to prevent the planned salt works in Baja California, Mexico; Ways to reduce the global consumption of paper; Details on the chemical contamination of killer whales off Canada's west coast.

A paper published by researchers from Chinese universities suggests that global warming is causing changes in the length and onset of the four seasons. Summers are becoming longer and hotter, while winters are becoming shorter and warmer. This trend is expected to continue and may be amplified in the future. The shift in seasonal patterns could have negative impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and the occurrence of extreme weather events. It is important for humanity to take responsibility and mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure a more stable future. [Extracted from the article]

The article suggests essential things that must be brought by adventurers, including buff headwear, extremities mitts, feminine hygiene wipes and fruity malt loaf.

'No ozone hole over the tropics would be observed by the conventional definition of an ozone hole', Lu notes in his report, 'as the total ozone over the tropics was above 220 Dobson Units even with a loss by 56 per cent'. DEPARTMENTS WORLDWATCH In July, an extraordinary research paper, documenting a huge, previously undetected ozone hole over the tropics, prompted a flurry of news stories. Other scientists have pointed out that ozone depletion in the tropics is nothing new and can be explained by the acceleration of a phenomenon known as the Brewer-Dobson circulation. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses three items that can enhance multi-day hikes. The first item is the Stanley x Pendleton Pour Over Coffee Maker, which allows campers to easily make coffee without the need for filter papers. The second item is the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX Boots, which are durable and comfortable hiking boots. The third item is the Pacsafe LS120 Anti-Theft Hip Pack, which is a useful bag for keeping small items easily accessible. The article provides information on where to purchase these items. [Extracted from the article]

In a new study led by the University of Michigan, researchers analysed data from papers that measured body-size and wing-length changes in more than 86,000 bird specimens over four decades. 'Our results suggest that large body size could further exacerbate extinction risk by limiting the potential to adapt to rapid, ongoing anthropogenic change', says lead author Marketa Zimova. Birds across the Americas are getting smaller and longer-winged as the world warms, and the smallest-bodied species are changing the fastest. [Extracted from the article]

DEPARTMENTS: WORLDWATCH CLIMATEWATCH 'Creating a new UK carbon market will be the foundation on which the UK achieves net zero emissions cost-effectively', reads the government's new White Paper on Energy. It has promised to establish a UK ETS (Emission Trading Scheme) to replace the cap-and-trade system pioneered by the EU, in which energy-intensive businesses receive allowances to emit greenhouse gases and are obliged to buy more if they cross their threshold. The new white paper states that 'the UK is open to linking the UK ETS internationally and we are considering a range of options' - as if there were lots of options. [Extracted from the article]

The idea that trees can share resources and communicate with each other through fungal networks - known as "common mycorrhizal networks" (CMNs) - has flourished in the popular media in recent years, but researchers at the University of Alberta now say the science behind these claims is lacking. In a paper published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, Justine Karst, a professor at the University of Alberta, and colleagues looked into the research behind three popular claims: that CMNs are widespread in forests; that resources such as nutrients are transferred through CMNs to boost seedling growth; and that adult trees preferentially send resources and warnings to their offspring. 'It's great that CMN research has sparked interest in forest fungi, but it's important for the public to understand that many popular ideas are ahead of the science', says Karst, adding that mycorrhizal fungi are essential for the growth and survival of trees, even if trees aren't talking to each other. [Extracted from the article]

'Occasionally on our journey we snatched glimpses of some of the big mountains rising serenely above the clouds into clear blue sky, while below, the jagged rock faces and steep ravines seemed to writhe in a Stygian underworld! TIM SCOTT BOLTON 'This small oil on rough watercolour paper (suitably sealed) was another picture I did of Manaslu. An exhibition of paintings executed on the trek by Tim Scott Bolton, Tobit Roche and Patrick Cullen will be exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society Gallery from 20 to 26 April. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the presence of fishing cats in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Fishing cats are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List and are typically found in rural areas. However, in Colombo, they have adapted to city life and are thriving in the wetlands and canals. The article highlights the threats to the fishing cats, such as habitat loss, pollution, and vehicle collisions, and emphasizes the importance of protecting the wetlands for both the cats and the city's environment. The author also mentions the efforts of the Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project in raising awareness and promoting conservation of the fishing cats. [Extracted from the article]

The Mar Menor, Europe's largest coastal saltwater lagoon in southeastern Spain, has been facing severe environmental decline. Grassroots activists, led by Isabel Rubio and the Pacto por el Mar Menor initiative, have been working to raise awareness and save the lagoon. They have achieved significant victories, including legal rights for the lagoon and the creation of regulatory bodies. However, the lagoon is still at risk due to issues such as agricultural intensification and pollution. The Mar Menor has become the first ecosystem in Europe to be designated with legal rights, and this initiative could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges. [Extracted from the article]

Every map tells a story, and the Bodleian's new exhibition, Talking Maps, is a celebration of the sheer variety of these stories. The exhibition shows how early Islamic world maps place south at the top, while Christian mappae-mundi choose east, both for theological reasons. While many decry what they believe is the death of paper maps, the last maps in our show, computer generated "cartograms", suggest that what we call a map is changing forever; there is a still a place for them to tell powerful stories in graphic form about our rapidly changing world. [Extracted from the article]

In the year to July 2018, Brazil lost 790,000 hectares of rainforest, a 13.7 per cent rise on the previous year and the worst annual deforestation figures in a decade. Deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 70 per cent between 2005 and 2015 (though this still meant more forest was lost each year). Fines for illegal deforestation this year are down 34 per cent year on year; government seizures of illegally harvested timber fell precipitously, with just 40 cubic metres, equal to just ten large trees, confiscated in the first four months of 2019 (25,000 cubic metre of illegal timber was seized in 2018). Yet the activity in the Congo rainforest appears to reinforce this point; that the business model that produces palm oil, soya, timber, paper and pulp, far from being restructured by multinational companies, still has plenty of life in it. [Extracted from the article]

Sukhwinder and Veerpal are long-time friends and in 2016 when the Committee for Families of Agrarian Suicide Victims was founded, they both began to participate in monthly meetings "It has been a while now - you should go and look for him", insisted Sukjeet's mother-in-law. Sukjeet Kaur was making rotis for breakfast while her children, Sahal Preet and Akash, who were nine and seven at the time, were getting ready for school. The euphoria of the Green Revolution, which made Punjab the breadbasket of India during the 1970s, is gone; only the consequences remain Although tragic, what happened to Sukjeet is hardly exceptional in Punjab. She still has to repay the debt When, in April 2015, Sukjeet found her husband dead, it was a terrible shock, but it wasn't a surprise. [Extracted from the article]

Opinion. Focuses on electronic publication of geographical research. Traditional method of research publication; Operation of `virtual journal'; Publications on the Internet; Suitability of the nature and complexity of geographical information.

A review of conservation projects worldwide has found that conservation efforts have had a positive and significant impact. The study analyzed 665 trials dating back to the 19th century and found that in two-thirds of cases, conservation either improved biodiversity or halted declines. Successful approaches included farmland schemes, invasive species control, and the establishment of protected areas and indigenous lands. However, some measures had unintended consequences, emphasizing the need for caution and consideration of secondary species. The study also highlighted the importance of measuring impact and learning from failures. A recent report calls for increased funding and action in conservation efforts, particularly in the Global South. The study shows that conservation actions are successful but need to be scaled up to meet global targets. Combining multiple approaches, such as protected areas, payments for environmental services, and invasive species eradication, has proven to be effective. However, current funding for conservation is insufficient, representing only 0.25% of global GDP. Addressing the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, such as unsustainable production and fossil fuel subsidies, is crucial. National leaders must demonstrate political will and prioritize conservation efforts to reverse biodiversity loss. The report provides hope that it is not too late to act, but urgent action is needed. [Extracted from the article]

Varanasi, known as the City of Light, is a holy city in India where Hindu devotees come to bathe in the Ganges River to cleanse themselves of sin. However, beneath the surface of this spiritual city lies a dark reality of human trafficking and forced prostitution. Ajeet Singh, the founder of Guria India, is working to combat these issues and has rescued over 6,000 victims. Despite the challenges of corruption and violence, Guria has made progress in eliminating child prostitution in Varanasi and providing support for victims. However, the struggle continues as they seek justice for the survivors. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and its role in separating the Southern Ocean from other warmer oceans. It highlights concerns about the impact of Antarctic cruise tourism on the delicate ecosystem and the regulations in place to protect Antarctica. The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) has implemented self-regulation measures to limit environmental impact. While there are concerns about the industry's carbon footprint, efforts to eradicate rats from South Georgia have shown the potential for human-led conservation efforts to reverse ecological harms. The article also explores the concept of heroism shifting to communal survival and suggests that Antarctic tourism can promote narratives of hope and recovery. The author proposes that the cruise industry actively participate in enhancing the ecosystem's well-being and supports the launch of Antarctica Recovery Credits to finance ecosystem improvements. [Extracted from the article]

Several photographs of Sivakasi town in Virudhunagar District in Tamil Nadu, India is presented including a boy wrapping firecrackers in paper, an old lady making matchsticks, and a worker whose face is coated with a sticky residue of chemicals used in manufacturing firecrackers.

Three of those oil blocks are located in the Congo basin, overlapping with one million hectares of peatland, including areas of protected land. 'The peat swamps are very much used by communities that live there, and they have a vested interest in protecting them, but the importance of local community land rights is something that's traditionally been a bit neglected', he says. DEPARTMENTS WORLDWATCH On 2017, an international team of researchers published a paper confirming what they had suspected for some time: below the leafy canopy of the Congo rainforest lies the largest expanse of tropical peatland on Earth, where 29 billion tonnes of carbon are stored - the equivalent of three years' global emissions from fossil fuels. [Extracted from the article]

Reports on the publication of visionary targets and energy projects from the Great Britain government designed to reduce carbon emissions, increase renewable energy and investment to clean up existing technologies. Changes into the energy policy; Design of buildings that would need very little energy; Development of biomass heating and power systems based on local forestry and special energy crops.

Presents several photographs of sacred places around the world using paper-based photography by Kenro Izu, a New York-based photographer. Inca citadel in Machu Picchu, Peru; Pak Ou Cave in Luang Prabang, Laos; Pyramid of Zozer in Sakkara, Egypt; Details of the process of printing.

A study conducted by scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in the USA has found that playing healthy reef sounds through underwater speakers can attract coral larvae to damaged reefs, aiding in their growth and recovery. The researchers discovered that when they played these distinctive soundscapes at the Salt Pond reef in the US Virgin Islands, 1.7 times more coral larvae settled compared to when no sounds were played. The settlement rates decreased as the distance from the speaker increased, indicating that the changes were specifically due to the added sound. This research provides a potential new method for rebuilding struggling reefs. [Extracted from the article]

Climate change is causing a crisis in neurological health that is often overlooked. While the mental health effects of climate change, such as climate anxiety, have received some attention, the impact on the brain itself is not widely recognized. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the expansion of disease-carrying vectors are leading to neurological and cognitive costs for individuals and healthcare systems. Heat stress, air pollution, and exposure to environmental toxins are all contributing to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. Understanding the connection between climate change and brain health can help foster a stronger emotional bond with the natural world and inspire action to mitigate the effects of climate change. [Extracted from the article]

Chris Thorogood, a botanist at the University of Oxford, is on a quest to safeguard the rafflesia, the world's largest flower, which is struggling to survive in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Rafflesia is a parasitic plant that spends most of its life inside another plant and blooms into a large, five-petalled flower with red-and-white markings resembling a tiger's face. Thorogood's work involves understanding and protecting these unique plants, which are often overlooked in conservation efforts. He has also attempted to propagate rafflesia through grafting, a process that has been successful so far. The survival of rafflesia is threatened by habitat fragmentation and the decline of their host vines. [Extracted from the article]

Africa's population is expected to increase significantly in the future, with five countries, including Nigeria, contributing to more than half of global population growth by 2050. Factors such as reduced child mortality rates, increased female education, and economic development are driving this growth. While progress has been made in healthcare and fertility rates, challenges remain in terms of urbanization and environmental impact. Rwanda and Botswana are expected to benefit from the demographic dividend first, while countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo still face high birth rates. Education and structural reforms are crucial to fully realize the potential of the demographic dividend, and education, particularly for girls, is important in reducing fertility rates and promoting economic progress. Africa's growing population could lead to greater political and cultural influence globally, but tangible benefits may take time to materialize, and sustained economic growth is necessary. Education is also highlighted as important for promoting creativity and cultural richness in Africa. [Extracted from the article]