From the Inbox - eNews: Cone Snail Venom Save Lives

One of many poisonous cone snails found in oceans around the world. Snail © Norbert Wu/Minden Pictures Predatory Snail Saves Humans This isn't the plot of a science fiction movie, rather it’s very close to reality for the cone snail. The toxic venom it uses to hunt down and paralyze its prey may also hold the key to saving human lives. Investigations into the pain-killing properties of cone snail venom led to the development of Prialt, a drug 1,000 times as potent as morphine which has proven success in reducing extreme pain in cancer and AIDS patients. The potential of the venom's success in treating medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and strokes is enormous, but this potential may never be unleashed if we don't protect the cone snail's coral reef and mangrove habitats. CI is working to combat the destruction of the cone snail's habitats in the Coral Triangle seascape of Indonesia and the Philippines, and elsewhere, to ensure that the cone snail and its lifesaving venom is sustained for the benefit and health of future generations.

Orangutan © Anup Shah/Minden Pictures $30 Million Debt Dropped in the Name of Conservation On June 30th, the U.S. government forgave nearly $30 million of debt payments owed by Indonesia in return for an agreement by the nation to increase protection of Sumatra's rainforests. This swap, the largest ever under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, and the first ever in Indonesia, will make a world of difference in a country that annually loses an area of forest the size of Switzerland. With an additional commitment of $1 million, CI helped to fund and negotiate this groundbreaking “swap”. Every $1 saved by the Indonesian government will bring more than $1.30 worth of conservation to the ground in Sumatra. Each saved dollar protects 13 areas of Sumatran rainforest, and provides livelihoods for the Sumatran people. This also helps ensure the survival of some of the world’s most endangered species - including the Sumatran rhino and the Sumatran tiger. Check out The Wall Street Journal’s article about the "Debt for Nature" swap. The Road to Copenhagen and Beyond If global CO2 emissions continue at steady or increasing rates, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that the average temperature on Earth in 2090 may rise by as much as four degrees Celsius— an increase that could prove catastrophic for us and the planet we inhabit. In December, an international group of government leaders, policy-makers, scientists, and civil society representatives will gather in Copenhagen under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The ultimate goal of the summit is to establish a plan to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a low enough level to prevent human actions from making a dangerous impact on the climate. CI is leading the fight against climate change with a major initiative designed to advance the science of climate change solutions, identify incentives for reducing carbon emissions, support governments and communities in developing climate change policies, and more. Read more about how CI is working with governments, organizations, and people around the world to develop tools that will support and drive the agenda in Copenhagen. The road to Copenhagen is getting shorter, but the road to a healthy Earth doesn't stop in December. Stabilizing climate change is an ongoing struggle to which CI is committed.