In South America mercury is used to collect the gold after it has been mined, and it has polluted the environment and poisoned the workers. On the other side of the Pacific, ocean floor mining is seen by investors as a golden opportunity, but critics disagree.
A new resource, the Timber Investigation Centre, provides information and tools for groups and individuals alike to collect evidence of illegal logging.
The Cambodian government has recently set aside land to be protected in an attempt to curb deforestation and protect wildlife and its habitats. However, many worry about the extent and location of the forests protected and doubt that laws will be effectively enforced.
The Government Pension Fund Global in Norway (GPFG) has cancelled funding for 11 companies that operate in various deforesting activities like palm oil production and coal extraction.
Researchers have used LiDAR to understand the impacts of Native American population decline on forest fires in the United States.