Strategic Conservation Planning Workshop for Asian Elephants A Strategic Conservation Planning Workshop for Asian Elephants was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia October 20-24, 2008. There were two back-to-back Asian Elephant conservation workshops. The first workshop focused on a range-wide status review, attempting to map all Asian Elephant populations and compile data about those populations (e.g. population size and trend, threats to the population). The second workshop aimed to take these “where to save the species” data and use them to draft an outline conservation strategy for Asian Elephants throughout their range (i.e. “how to save the species”). The two workshops were organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and WWF AREAS, with funding from WCS, the AsESG, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and WWF AREAS. Participants also identified land which may act as linkages between known populations, and areas where the species might be restored in future. Preliminary maps were developed before the workshops, and then refined at the workshops. The draft strategy identified a vision, goals, and objectives together with appropriate actions aimed at mitigating and eliminating threats to elephants. The draft outline strategy is intended to be completed over the November 2008 to January 2009 period through a process of wider consultation, review, and revision than is possible is a workshop setting. A copy of the strategy plan was emailed earlier to members. AsESG's membership is encouraged to participate in the review and revision process. Follow-up national workshops are recognized and encouraged as a vital part of the process.  

Though rapidly reducing global emissions will require a range of actions—from preserving Earth's forests to changing the ways we travel—providing clean sources of electricity is most critical. Throughout history, when populations have grown and economic activities have increased, the demand for energy has also risen, even as societies have become more energy efficient. Assuming that populations and economies continue to expand, energy demand will likely grow in the future. In particular, demand for electricity will increase. Using current technologies, CO2 emissions from electrical plants will also rise dramatically. In fact, power plants already contribute almost 30 percent of global CO2 emissions, and their share is growing faster than that of any other source.