Mike Shanahan
@mikeshanahan.bsky.social
Former rainforest biologist, now freelance writer/editor focused on biodiversity, forests, climate, etc. Two newsletters: Global Nature Beat https://thenaturebeat.substack.com/ and Planet Ficus https://planetficus.substack.com
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
Hard to think of a better image of how humanity is heading into climate breakdown
December 1, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Hard to think of a better image of how humanity is heading into climate breakdown
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
To mark Remembrance Day for Lost Species, which falls on 30 November each year, I am republishing something I wrote a few years ago.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
Unhappy endlings
What tales of the last days of extinct and dying species can bring to our own story
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
To mark Remembrance Day for Lost Species, which falls on 30 November each year, I am republishing something I wrote a few years ago.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
To mark Remembrance Day for Lost Species, which falls on 30 November each year, I am republishing something I wrote a few years ago.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
Unhappy endlings
What tales of the last days of extinct and dying species can bring to our own story
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
To mark Remembrance Day for Lost Species, which falls on 30 November each year, I am republishing something I wrote a few years ago.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/unhappy-en...
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
This edition has — Illegal trade in tigers, hornbills and pangolins — Deforestation — COP30 roundups — Indian river dolphins — CITES COP20 — Human-wildlife conflict. Plus the usual mix of news from around the world, new research papers, useful resources, opportunities and much more.🌏🧪
November 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
This edition has — Illegal trade in tigers, hornbills and pangolins — Deforestation — COP30 roundups — Indian river dolphins — CITES COP20 — Human-wildlife conflict. Plus the usual mix of news from around the world, new research papers, useful resources, opportunities and much more.🌏🧪
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Nature Beat #87
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Nature Beat #87
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
Before the public can act, they must know. But China is silencing independent journalists reporting on the environmental impacts of its massive Belt and Road Initiative—mines, ports, dams, power plants etc in mostly poor countries.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
China’s media suppression campaign is reaching around the globe to silence environmental journalists reporting on polluting Chinese companies.
How China Silences Environmental Reporters Beyond Its Borders - Inside Climate News
Journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Before the public can act, they must know. But China is silencing independent journalists reporting on the environmental impacts of its massive Belt and Road Initiative—mines, ports, dams, power plants etc in mostly poor countries.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
I wrote about the roadmaps on ending deforestation and fossil fuels that disappeared from the COP30 decision text but have been resurrected in a new form.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
Buried and Reborn: COP30’s Deforestation and Fossil Fuel Roadmaps
Even as some governments resisted formal commitments, the push to end deforestation and phase out fossil fuels has gained momentum.
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I wrote about the roadmaps on ending deforestation and fossil fuels that disappeared from the COP30 decision text but have been resurrected in a new form.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
I wrote about the roadmaps on ending deforestation and fossil fuels that disappeared from the COP30 decision text but have been resurrected in a new form.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
Buried and Reborn: COP30’s Deforestation and Fossil Fuel Roadmaps
Even as some governments resisted formal commitments, the push to end deforestation and phase out fossil fuels has gained momentum.
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I wrote about the roadmaps on ending deforestation and fossil fuels that disappeared from the COP30 decision text but have been resurrected in a new form.🧪🌏
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/buried-and...
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
This, by @giacgrassi.bsky.social, remains one of the simplest and best climate visuals
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This, by @giacgrassi.bsky.social, remains one of the simplest and best climate visuals
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
To give you an idea about just how eventful the end of COP30 was, I wrote and rewrote this entire 2000 story for @drilledmedia.bsky.social three times over a period of about six hours as it was all happening.
COP-tastrophe: How the COP of Implementation, Truth, Forests, and Indigenous Peoples Failed on All Counts
COP30 began full of promise but ended as yet another reminder that the mechanism for global climate governance is broken.
drilled.media
November 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
To give you an idea about just how eventful the end of COP30 was, I wrote and rewrote this entire 2000 story for @drilledmedia.bsky.social three times over a period of about six hours as it was all happening.
Citizens took on India's government to show that road widening and century-old trees are not mutually exclusive. The landmark legal judgment they won sets a precedent for balancing development with environmental integrity. But the victory is bittersweet…🌏 planetficus.substack.com/p/the-fight-...
November 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Citizens took on India's government to show that road widening and century-old trees are not mutually exclusive. The landmark legal judgment they won sets a precedent for balancing development with environmental integrity. But the victory is bittersweet…🌏 planetficus.substack.com/p/the-fight-...
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
My latest dispatch from Planet Ficus planetficus.substack.com/p/the-fight-... 🌏🧪
The Fight for Fig Trees on India's Death-Trap Lane
Lives end suddenly and often on National Highway 163 in the Indian state of Telangana.
planetficus.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:21 AM
My latest dispatch from Planet Ficus planetficus.substack.com/p/the-fight-... 🌏🧪
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." This
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." This
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
My latest dispatch from Planet Ficus planetficus.substack.com/p/the-fight-... 🌏🧪
The Fight for Fig Trees on India's Death-Trap Lane
Lives end suddenly and often on National Highway 163 in the Indian state of Telangana.
planetficus.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:21 AM
My latest dispatch from Planet Ficus planetficus.substack.com/p/the-fight-... 🌏🧪
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
This edition includes: CITES COP20 — Snakebites +climate — Endangered Species Act — World’s first Cali Fund deposit — Marine prosperity areas — Parrot trafficking — Asian roadkill — Conflict with bears. Plus the usual mix of news from around the world, useful resources, opportunities + much more.🧪🌏
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This edition includes: CITES COP20 — Snakebites +climate — Endangered Species Act — World’s first Cali Fund deposit — Marine prosperity areas — Parrot trafficking — Asian roadkill — Conflict with bears. Plus the usual mix of news from around the world, useful resources, opportunities + much more.🧪🌏
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Nature Beat #86
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Nature Beat #86
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
The list of countries backing some sort of “fossil-fuel roadmap” at COP30 includes large oil-and-gas producers such as Norway, Mexico and Brazil.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The list of countries backing some sort of “fossil-fuel roadmap” at COP30 includes large oil-and-gas producers such as Norway, Mexico and Brazil.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children. She passed away yesterday. Here is my short account of her life and legacy. planetficus.substack.com/p/indias-mot... 🌏
India's Mother of Trees Leaves A Living Legacy
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children
planetficus.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children. She passed away yesterday. Here is my short account of her life and legacy. planetficus.substack.com/p/indias-mot... 🌏
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children. She passed away yesterday. Here is my short account of her life and legacy. planetficus.substack.com/p/indias-mot... 🌏
India's Mother of Trees Leaves A Living Legacy
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children
planetficus.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
In her 114 years, Saalumarada Thimmakka planted thousands of trees, loving them as if they were her children. She passed away yesterday. Here is my short account of her life and legacy. planetficus.substack.com/p/indias-mot... 🌏
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
This is always worth a read!
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Nature Beat #85
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:41 AM
This is always worth a read!
Reposted by Mike Shanahan
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Nature Beat #85
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Nature Beat #85
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Just published: The new edition of my newsletter for journalists (and anyone else) interested in biodiversity, the ecological crisis and nature-based solutions to climate change. 🌏🧪 thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/nature-bea...
Five questions about the Tropical Forest Forever Facility that launched last week.
-How will it work?
-Who supports or opposes it?
-How much capital does it have?
-When will the money start flowing?
-Will it be enough to halt tropical deforestation?
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/beyond-the... 🌏
-How will it work?
-Who supports or opposes it?
-How much capital does it have?
-When will the money start flowing?
-Will it be enough to halt tropical deforestation?
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/beyond-the... 🌏
Beyond the Hype: What the Tropical Forest Forever Facility Can and Cannot Do
A new mechanism for financing forest protection is lauded as a game-changer but it cannot address deforestation alone.
thenaturebeat.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Five questions about the Tropical Forest Forever Facility that launched last week.
-How will it work?
-Who supports or opposes it?
-How much capital does it have?
-When will the money start flowing?
-Will it be enough to halt tropical deforestation?
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/beyond-the... 🌏
-How will it work?
-Who supports or opposes it?
-How much capital does it have?
-When will the money start flowing?
-Will it be enough to halt tropical deforestation?
thenaturebeat.substack.com/p/beyond-the... 🌏