Scientists have discovered that the clouded leopard found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra is an entirely new species of cat.The secretive rainforest animal was originally thought to be the same species as the one found in mainland South-east Asia.

The news comes just a few weeks after a WWF report showed that scientists had identified at least 52 new species of animals and plants over the past year on Borneo.

“Who said a leopard can never change its spots?” said Stuart Chapman, WWF International Coordinator of the Heart of Borneo programme.

Marine predators are on the verge of extinction, but the fishing industry still rips the environment to shreds with impunity.

Environment Minister John Baird announces the federal government’s plan to fight climate change and air pollution. Canadians may soon have to pay up to $200 to $300 more for a car, and $20 for various appliances.

Lake Natron in northern Tanzania is an important breeding site for the lesser flamingos. They are now being threatened by the proposal of the construction of a soda-ash plant by Tata Chemicals, an Indian chemical group.

In a news conference in Michigan, Mayor David Miller states that Toronto has not yet reached its water conservation goals and urges other mayors to pursue tighter regulations. However, Miller has been misinformed and Toronto is in fact doing better than expected.

The city set out in 2003 to reduce average water use to 1.18 billion litres a day by 2011. Turns out the rate was down to 1.17 billion litres by the end of 2006.

A $10 million fund will help protect forests, wetlands and ecosystems in Ontario.

“The money will be used to establish conservation agreements on private lands or buy land outright to keep it from being paved over, protect species at risk like the Loggerhead Shrike, a predatory songbird, and expand provincial parks.”

Widespread drought in Europe has made water a scarce commodity. EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimias urges for water conservation measures and proposes a “user pays” principle by the year 2010.

The UK’s National Trust announced that they are aiming to organize the largest green movement with millions of members in support of conservation efforts and in combating climate change.

Many Toronto conservation areas are becoming increasingly threatened by urban sprawl. Some areas need to be protected and not used for recreation.