Butterflies drink tears of turtles to get salt

A group of colorful butterflies were seen choking the turtles heads in an attempt to drink their tears. The strange phenomenon occurs because the butterflies Julia and butterflies Sulphur need the nutritional benefits of salt. As access to any source of sodium in the Amazon forest requires a long way, these insects prey on rich salt tears of turtles.

The photographer Jeff Cremer and the biologist Phil Torres worked together in Tambopata, Peru, to capture these moments. "We are used to one or two butterflies on a turtle, but these seem to be absolutely suffocated by the butterflies," said Cremer.

These terrapins were warming up in the Sun when the insects the besieged. Like humans, the sweat of the turtle is rich in salt and animals of the region find themselves obliged to drink your tears for not having an ocean nearby.

"As we go further away from the Atlantic Ocean, the general availability of salt decreases the environment because there is less in the rain," explained Torres. "Then, in the far western Amazon the Atlantic appear strange behavior, including drinking the tears of turtles and alligators."

The butterflies tend to attract each other, so that if a butterfly is feeding, their bright colors invite the other to join the feast. Surprisingly, the turtles are apparently unperturbed by the intrusion into their personal space and very patient with the touch of the butterflies.

The same is not true with the activity of bees, which also seek to sodium in your eyes. "When bees appear to drink the tears of turtles, these seem to be agitated and evaded the head and try to swat the bees," added Torres. "I imagine that the butterflies are a little smoother and have more narrow mouths with that turtles deal well."

Some experts believe that the insects clean eyes of turtles in Exchange for drink, but Torres is not sure that is the case. "The most likely thing is that this relationship is a form of commensalism, in which the butterfly obtains the tortoise and the tortoise is not really affected."

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USA: cages protect children from wolves in the bus stops

Apparently, the wolves are a regular presence on the bus stops from New Mexico, United States, and the population has chosen to build cages to protect passengers.

The draft emerged a decade ago, some time after the wolves being reintroduced in the local habitat, but back into the spotlight after the u.s. Agency linked to wildlife has proposed the extension of protection of 75 Mexican gray wolves, rekindling the debate about the danger of wolves in the day-to-day life of a community.

The idea of the cages, however, is not consensual. Several environmentalists point out that there are no attacks of wolves to humans since this species was reintroduced in 1998, and that the cages are damaging to the community, and eventually "demonize" animals.

But residents of some small communities of New Mexico have a different idea. They say that animals have cornered the youngsters, the cages are indispensable. And, therefore, are against the extension of the area of protection of wolves.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the population thinks the cages are insufficient, and that they should get to more places of the cities. In Catron County, the wolves have been seen after children after school, being "a constant danger for all."

This is just another example of how communities do not always understand the need to live in communion with the animals, even if it is legitimate parental concern.

Read the full story from the Los Angeles Times and tell us who is right: environmentalists or community?

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Brazil: cartons are used to manufacture tiles

And if the aseptic packaging of Tetra Pak ' s card were used to fabricate tiles? At the outset, common sense would say that this process will be complicated, but nothing is impossible in the world of innovation: since 2000, in the Brazilian market, which it is possible to find tiles made of packaging, explains the Protects What's good.

According to the portal, Tetra Pak supports the marketing of tiles produced with plastic and aluminum in their cartons. "Manufacturers of tiles, in conjunction with Brazilian universities, cooperate in evaluating the material and introduction of major improvements in the final product," explains the site.

Currently, about 15 Brazilian tiles manufacturers are responsible for the annual production of a million tiles made from cartons for liquid foods. Used packaging, of course.

Tetra Pak has a global objective, until 2002, reaching 40% recycling rate of their packaging, post-consumer phase. This would mean tripling the amount of recycled packaging between 2010 and 2020, reaching about 100 billion packaging recycled in the year 2020.

Projects such as this, who value the residues, are a strong help to pursue this objective. Learn more about the strategy of recycling of Tetra Pak packings in Protects What's good.  And see also, on this link, the techniques used in this process.

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Apple looking for 1,500 employees worldwide

The American Apple, one of the most prestigious brands in the world, is to recruit more than 1500 professionals in various corners of the world â€" particularly in the United States (1421), but also Canada (37 jobs), Australia (23), Brazil (20), Chile, Belgium or Austria.

According to the Jobs around the world, those interested should register on the Apple Web site and submit your application to the desired position.

Apple has 408 stores spread over 14 countries â€" and about 76 employees worldwide, being 72 thousand of these herds.

Vacancies are mainly for software engineers-632-and to the area of operations â€" 314. About 200 are in the area of technology and information systems. On the other hand, just last week, 800 new jobs were created.

There are opportunities specifically for fluent in Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, German and French. Apply for a job here.

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Virgin: CO2 emissions per passenger are smaller by plane than by car

In its sustainability program from 2013, the British airline Virgin Atlantic says that last year the CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer fell to 119.3 grams. This is an "interesting", according to the company, since in the United Kingdom the average emissions from the new car was 133.1 grams of CO2 per kilometre in 2012. The company is advancing that the fall in emissions in the United Kingdom is due to carry more passengers at high occupancy rates.

Virgin Atlantic â€" which, by the way, is suspect in this type of study â€" also confirmed that continues to reduce its global carbon footprint. The enormous investment in new aircraft, more efficient, reduced CO2 emissions by 30% in some cases.

The environmental groups, in turn, are questioning whether the Virgin Atlantic will be focusing on the wrong impact, with ever more people to fly. Dax Lovegrove, the WWF argues that this and other airlines should "focus less on passenger and efficiencies of CO2 per kilometre and more in managing the overall carbon footprint of the overall increase of passengers travelling great distances."

Lovegrove has cited a number of changes that are necessary to ensure an "intelligent mobility", which includes electric vehicles, better public transport and car sharing. In fact, a Virgin Atlantic spokesman admitted that emissions from automobiles are based on a single person traveling in the vehicle.

Emissions from aviation have doubled since 1990, due to increased passenger demand, according to Edie. In 2011 the aviation sector was responsible for 6% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom, with the vast majority (95%), resulting from international flights.

"Fully Accept our part in reducing the negative consequences of air transport," said this year Craig Kreeger, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic. "Our number one priority is to reduce the carbon emissions of our aircraft in flight."

Photo: under Creative Commons license

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Sustainable Development Prize elects CGD as more sustainable Bank of Portugal

CGD won the award prize sectoral sustainable development, an initiative organised by Heidrick & Struggles for the fifth year and recognizes the entities with the best practices in the area of business sustainability.

The prize, which carries out a study of the evolution of the various practices in Portugal and in its entrepreneurial tissue, highlighted the banking institution in the general ranking.

"Sustainable development is a long-term investment, with a view to creating value for the stakeholders, through the identification and exploitation of opportunities and managing risks posed by economic, social and environmental factors," explains the Caixa Geral de Depósitos in a statement.

"The Corporate Sustainability Program CGD enhanced. The solidity of the CGD group will be pursued a path of continuous improvement, always focused on creating value for its stakeholders, "continues the institution.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos has published its sustainability report for 2012. Although the information reported refers essentially to the activities of the Bank in Portugal, this year has been enlargement under a sustainability reports being presented information about the sustainable performance of the CGD group companies, supplementary group of companies (Sogrupo purchasing and shared services, ACE and Sogrupo Information System) and affiliate banks: Banco Interatlântico, Banco Comercial do Atlântico â€" both of Cape Verde â€" and Banco Caixa Geral Brazil.

You can see the sustainability report here.

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GNR accounted 1091 accidents with animals on the roads until September

By the end of September, the GNR 1091 accidents on Portuguese roads monies resulting from collisions with animals â€" more than our common sense thinks. According to the newspaper i, most collisions happen in municipal roads and ends only in property damage. But the discharge of responsibilities may prove to be a headache for drivers.

In the case of a domestic animal, the highway code provides for a fine for owners, who are responsible for ensuring that your pets do not constitute danger for road traffic. The fine may vary between € 30 and € 150, outside the car damaged.

But, if the crash happen with a wild animal, the only way the driver be compensated is using the Automobile guarantee fund, which will pay for the damage.

If the accident if it works on a highway, the dealership â€" that is required to ensure good circulation of security â€" is liable. But to do that the driver has to prove that the company had nothing to do with it at the entrance of the animal on the road.

However, according to the GNR, most accidents involving animals happen in national and municipal roads. The overwhelming majority of collisions takes place between the 6:0 pm and the 10:0 pm. At the end of the day, it is therefore recommended that you circulate cautiously redoubled rural areas.

If it is confronted with an animal on the road, the GNR advises against the use of signs or lights, honk the Horn, because they confuse the animal. Are also discouraged any sudden deviations (twists) â€" that can end in crash.

So, and when you can see the animal, should reduce the speed gradually until you can bypass it safely. If you're already too late and could not avoid the shock, the best can be non stop and not deviate, since with the braking, the front of the car low and if it is a large animal can be designed for glass windshields-breaking glass and causing injuries to the driver.

In the event of an accident, should always contact the police. Because, to operate the car insurance or the Automobile guarantee fund, it takes an auto raised by GNR or the PSP â€" which attests to the existence of the occurrence. If the accident involved domestic animals (dogs, cats, cows, sheep), it will be up to the authorities to contact the respective owners, but in the case of a hunting species (case of hares, rabbits or wild boars), the police is obliged to call the municipal veterinarian.

If it concludes that the animal can be consumed, this is donated to a charitable institution.

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