Can Science Save Palm Oil?

The world's most hated crop View this email in your browser A round-up of reporting from our grantees, upcoming events, and news from the Pulitzer Center Nature Science in Service to Humanity or Profits? Wudan Yu Palm oil is a key ingredient in everything from cookies and candy bars to cosmetics. Despite its utility, it is a commodity that has a (deservedly) bad reputation, evoking images of mass deforestation, human-rights violations and dying orangutans. In a story for Nature, grantee Wudan Yu talks with scientists who are trying to develop more productive trees that would yield more oil. Their hope is that yield-improving technology would decrease the pressure to clear more land, but as Wudan reports, "technological boosts to efficiency could increase the profitability of palm oil, making it even more attractive to developers." Read Story The New York Times Drones vs. Poachers Rachel Nuwer Drones have proven their effectiveness as weapons of war. Can they help in the war against wildlife poachers? In this story for The New York Times, grantee Rachel Nuwer reports on a company that is testing the technology in three African countries. Read Story Yale Environment 360 War on Environmental Activists Fred Pearce Last year 185 activists around the world were killed while taking a stand against development projects ranging from dams and mines to agricultural plantations. Grantee Fred Pearce documents three cases in his series for Yale Environment 360.   Read Story EVENTS Nuclear Power Play: A Screening and Discussion Wednesday, March 22 Women in Conflict Panel at American University Sunday, March 26 MORE FROM PULITZER CENTER The New York Times Op-Docs, Pulitzer Center, and Tribeca Film Institute to Host Pitch Competition 'Women Photograph' Grant Announcement Launches Bangladesh: Toxic Tanneries Debbie Price and Larry Price National Geographic Your Shot Photos of Strong Women The Caravan North Korea: A High Price Laya Maheshwari RTE Syrian Seeds Rescued From Aleppo  Jennifer Duggan Report Says Children in Syria at Risk of Mental Health Disorders Iona Craig's Reporting on U.S. Yemen Raid Picked up by Major Outlets DONATE The Pulitzer Center promotes in-depth engagement with global affairs through its support for quality international journalism across all media platforms and an innovative program of outreach and education. You are receiving this email because you either opted in at our website or signed up at a Pulitzer Center event. Our mailing address is: Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting 1779 Massachusetts Ave., NW Suite 615 Washington, District Of Columbia 20036 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list