The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center yesterday updated status of Arctic ice coverage (http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2009/040609.html) with the report that at the end of March the extent of ice coverage was similar to recent years, but below the longer-term 1979 - 2000 year average (peak coverage had been reached by February 28).  Most significantly, NSIC also reported that the percentage of younger, thinner and thus more vulnerable ice continued to increase.

Deep within the Brazilian Amazon Forest, we find the find a single, isolated small hut surrounded by smoking mounds constructed of brick and earth. The hut belongs to a poor woodcutter and the charcoal that he is making in his brick ovens is the sole support for his family. Our woodcutter, and thousands like him, account for about 20% of the 1400km2 (540sq. mi.) of the Amazon Forest that is deforested every month. The charcoal that they produce is eventually shipped down the Amazon and used in steel production, primarily in the United States and China.