I am back. Corn is evil. Sign this.

Well, hello again.
I got back from the glorious city of Charleston a couple of days ago!

(This is a happy thing, and a sad thing.)

Anyway, I lost my Internet connection yesterday, and that is why your minds are not whirring with inspiring and sometimes horrible science news.

Let us rectify this!



Quirky.
That is just such a great word.
Shark Week.
The best week of the year.
Discovery Channel is doing a top ten list of quirky sharks (just for me, obviously) before Shark Week starts August 12th.
Huzzah!
#4, the Hammerhead shark.

I guess it is pretty quirktastic.

http://dsc.discovery.com/sharks/hsw/top-10-quirkiest-sharks-07.html#mkcpgn=fbdsc1







When sea turtles wash up on shore (usually a result of tangling in something) they are often exhausted and usually need medical care.
Sea turtle wash back programs in Saint Augustine, Florida, is in need of volunteers.
More information below:

http://www.historiccity.com/2012/staugustine/news/florida/2012-sea-turtle-wash-back-program-27748







And yet again, corn is behind the destruction of the world in general.
(More on this in the other blog, where I will soon type out and publish the first chapter of a memoir I'm writing.
Yes. The first chapter is about corn.)

Pollutants (namely nitrate) are emptying out of farms (CORN.) and properties into the Missouri River, which slowly makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico.
What this nitrate does is suck the oxygen out of the water causing a massive low-oxygen area (hypoxia).
The result of this is death (or immediate flight) for...ummm...everything in its path... and eventually this deadly pesticide by-product filters down into what has become the aptly named "Dead Zone" of the Gulf.
Bad.
And the nitrate levels along the Missouri have increased by 75% since 1980.
Worse.
Oh, and uhhh... scientists can't figure out how to stop it.
Catastrophic.

So, yeah.
That needs to happen.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=dead-zone-pollutant-grows-despite-decades-work







Last but not least, we have a gorgeous photo by NASA, captured yesterday off the coast of Iceland.
It features (from left to right) a swirl of sea ice, a phytoplankton bloom (a lighter blue than the bulk of the ocean) and of course, the (ironically) green terrain of Iceland.
Enjoy!

Petition:

http://signon.org/sign/navy-under-water-sound?source=mo&id=45595-21172192-H1GMSzx

(End the Navy's use of underwater equipment that is damaging to whales and dolphins!)

In honor of my long absence, let's add some zing to my weekly sign-off!

Science, biznitches.

Charleston! And Science!

Hey there, sci-guys!


Yes. I have indeed been missing for...several days.
But. That is a thing of the past.
Hehe.


So, I'm in Folly Beach, just outside of Charleston, in my hotel room.
I'd like to point out that I would definitely be in the pool if it weren't for an unfortunate mystery-bug bite on the back of my knee.
Don't judge, it's the size of a golfball.
And it huuuuuurts.


Anyways, updates!
Today we toured the Magnolia Plantation on the mainland.
Oooo. It was fun.
(The swamp was scary, though! In some places the path is level with the water, but there are no fences around it.
And there are alligators in the water.
Also my camera is broken. Ew.
Bonus!
In three days I will visit College of Charleston! Yay.
I am going to get a cream soda!
Also yay.


Now.
Down to business.



Definitely a must-check-out for our current environmental situation:

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680100/5-simple-ways-to-drastically-reduce-our-plastic-consumption







The U.S. opening statement at the 64th meeting of the International Whaling Commission:

http://iwcoffice.org/sc64docs/Opening%20Statements/_64-OS-USA.pdf







As the heat rises along the west coast, the endangered Leatherback turtles are in grave danger.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120701191511.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fmarine_biology+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Plants+%26+Animals+News+--+Marine+Biology%29




Sorry this post was so short compared to the others, but I have been... very busy.
*whew*
So. I'm not sure when I shall return this week, but rest assured it will be soon.

Science. 

The Beach, and Hardcore Science News.

My goodness.
I'm almost packed for our departure tomorrow morning...
And that means that in a little over 24 hours, I will be gazing upon Folly Beach, South Carolina.

*hyperventilates*




The South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary (or SAWS) is being voted on next Monday by the IWC.
This is a huge deal! Go Greenpeace!
This would protect the whales in the southern hemisphere from whaling.
Amazing!
Fingers crossed!

Humpback whale.

http://en.mercopress.com/2012/06/28/greenpeace-asks-iwc-for-historic-whale-sanctuary-in-the-south-atlantic







The U.S. resolves to take the lead in whale conservation?
This title's awesomeness speaks for itself.

Minke whale.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-resolves-to-take-the-lead-in-whale-conservation-2012-06-29







Scientists are just now thinking of this?
Yes, there are more fish than humans.
Yes, when they breathe they release C02 into the atmosphere.
Yes, they respirate more rapidly when they are in hotter temperatures, same as we do.
All of this information has led scientists to a rather obvious conclusion:
The fish of the world, by breathing more rapidly as a result of global warming, are making the situation worse.

Fish respiration.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120620133155.htm







GCA! GCA! GCA! GCA!
Ohhh my goodness.
The Global Conservation Act was passed today by both the House and the Senate.
This is the first global conservation strategy the U.S. has taken on.
I mean, wow.
Just wow.
Protecting our global environment is the most important thing the government could be doing, and this just makes me happy (as happy as when they passed the Shark Conservation Act in 2010).

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/global-conservation-act-introduced-on-capitol-hill-2012-06-29







Whale sharks. They're amazing.
Whoa.
Here are some pictures and information on a recent tagging expedition off the coast of Indonesia!

http://blog.conservation.org/2012/06/tagging-giants-studying-whale-sharks-in-cendrawasih-bay/







This is a (sort of) lovely tidbit from Ocean Conservancy.
If you wish, you may go and participate in their latest poll on ocean issues.
As for me, I couldn't choose...
It seems incredibly ridiculous to try and choose between "cleaning up trash", "protecting marine ecosystems like the Gulf of Mexico", "rebuilding fish populations", and "establishing marine protected areas"....
Because they are all part of the same issue:
THESE DANG HUMANS ARE DESTROYING THE OCEANS.

Baby Leatherback turtle.

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/28/ocean-conservancy-wants-to-hear-from-you/







It's bad enough that there is oil drilling in the Arctic to begin with.
Now, the government is moving ahead with their offshore drilling program without properly understanding the vast and intricate ecosystem it really is.
*Sigh*

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/28/now-more-than-ever-we-need-better-arctic-science/







Over 70 green sea turtles have washed up on the coast of Queensland, Australia for unknown reasons since last Friday.
62 of them were confirmed dead, and all of them were found in Upstart Bay.
No evidence of parasites or disease has been found.

http://phys.org/news/2012-06-mystery-mass-deaths-green-turtles.html






Pyura chilensis.
An interesting name for an interesting creature.
Pyura is the genus for a group of sessile ascidians (or sea squirts - a marine invertebrate that filter-feeds for sustenance) that live in low-depth coastal areas. 
This strange, rock-like sea creature is found off the coast of Chile and Peru.

http://grist.org/list/crazy-living-rock-is-one-of-the-weirdest-creatures-weve-ever-seen/

Sciiiiiience.

Big things...they keep happening.

Big things are always happening.
Whether those things are good or bad is up to us.
Seriously.
I don't mean to sound weird, but we could stop all of this bad shiz from happening to our planet.
So let's make that happen!



In other news, I'm going to South Carolina this Saturday! Huzzah!
'Twill be fun.




So yeah. Science.
The Gulf of Mexico!  That one place...that was very nearly destroyed by the Deepwater Horizon fiasco?
Whoa, yeah!
Oh, there's an act in Congress that will work towards the ultimate restoration of le Gulf?
Well, that's nifty.

Shrimp boats skimming oil after Deepwater Horizon.

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/28/dont-miss-this-major-step-toward-gulf-restoration/










A trash-free lifestyle.
Sounds hard, but it's definitely worth it.
Here are some tips and inspirational examples!
Happy re-using!

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/27/how-did-you-live-trash-free/










The Environmental Protection Agency really is a wondrous thing.
And what with the Court of Appeals upholding their right to regulate greenhouse emissions and all, they're definitely gaining momentum.
This is a good thing.
Applause.

http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2012/06/28/epas-co2-regulation-upheld-as-unambiguously-correct/











The Maldives may have an upcoming wonderland of marine reserves, but as of last week, Australia has the largest network of marine protected areas (44 individual areas), including the entire Coral Sea.
Ummm, whoa.
This. is. amazing.
However, where there is amazingness, there is usually some notsome.
Follow the link for pro's and con's of this miracle.
Buzzkill.
Sheesh.

Clownfish de Queensland. Daww. (:

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/oceans/big-step-forward-our-oceans-20120628











Sci-guys!
ALERT.
25 new reef fish have been discovered!
Ahhhhhgggghhhh!!!
Checkitout.

Fairy goby (:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/06/pictures/120628-coral-reefs-fish-species-new-oceans-animals-conservation-science-scorpionfish-eel-flounder











So...pollutants.
We all know that they're bad for marine life in general, right?
Please tell me you all know that.
I mean, really.
Ah, well.
Gaze upon this article if you will...learn of a certain pollutant that threatens five species of sea turtles.
Not that other pollutants don't, but... you know.
It's still bad.

Hawksbill turtle.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120628164635.htm#.T-zKboPaYC9.twitter











Gahhhhhhh.
This is literally the most adorable thing I have ever seen.
aslskjfvoijfoiuthoamchuibynoituvma,cpoei,p[iotumapoi,cncinmiumpoimv
WHOA.

Brookesia micra.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/02/pictures/120215-smallest-chameleons-new-species-madagascar-science/








Videos! My goodness!


http://vimeo.com/42619545

(Conservation)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FT9ZUL6Ls28#!

(Animal rescue)

Science.....whoa.

Whoa. Longest Post Ever.

Well, I've done it again.
With slightly different reasons, but whatevs.
So, yesterday was another day when I just saw too many cool articles to write about.
Therefore, I made the decision to do yesterday and today's posts in one big blurb.
Separated of course.
So. Without further ado, le news.


Tuesday, June 26th 2012



Dolphins.
They're incredibly intelligent, and we've known that for a while.
But is it in their genes to be so smart?

http://blogs.nature.com/news/2012/06/dolphin-genome-yields-evolutionary-insights.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+news%2Frss%2Fnewsblog+%28News+Blog+-+Blog+Posts%29







Tropical storm Debby, one of the earliest of the storm season, has weakened and turned into a tropical depression; but not before it caused damage and flooding for the Gulf coast.
Here are some photos of the damage -

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/tropical-storm-debby-heads-for-florida-slideshow/;_ylt=ApGdo1V9Tr22jUgYxX0TSCMPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTRwMzV2NDZpBG1pdANWaWRlbyBGZWF0dXJlZCBDYXJvdXNlbCBTY2llbmNlBHBrZwM1NWIzMzc4ZS02OWIyLTM3M2MtOTgyMy05YmUwZmU1OTZkN2EEcG9zAzMEc2VjA01lZGlhRmVhdHVyZWRDYXJvdXNlbFRlbXAEdmVyA2U2ZmRlNjQzLWJmYzQtMTFlMS05NGJmLTQ0ZTI2YzQ0NzFjMA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFsMmxkdGs2BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3







Wow. I mean wow.
Scientists from South Carolina have done DNA work on known shark species and determined that there may be 79 new species!
That is incredible!
However, this work has also shown that many of these newbies may be endangered.
Bad.
So this is bittersweet. Extinction is not our friend.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=total-79-potentially-new-shark-species-found







A new twitter campaign attempting to save the lamprey from extinction?
Well, that's new.
If you've never heard of lampreys before, they are creepy, wiggly sea creatures that look like something out of a sci-fi movie and get most of their nutrition from eating the corpses of sea life that drifts down through the blue.
Yeah. They're pretty nasty.
But, they're also endangered.
Which is very bad, since I imagine most people prefer the ocean without loads of extra dead things in the water. Lampreys are helpful on that account.
So go to twitter.com and follow "Luna the Lamprey" to help save these fish that are so ugly they become....nearly cute.
Nearly.

http://sfist.com/2012/06/25/hideous_sea_creature_attempts_to_sa.php







Another good thing to come out of the disastrous Rio+20 summit is this stunning announcement:
All 1,192 islands of the Maldives will become a marine reserve by 2017.
Wha-WHA?
You heard me.
Largest. Ever. Marine. Reserve. 2017.
Now, I assume this includes Rubbish Island, which I did a post on a couple days ago...
I certainly hope so.
This is exciting!!

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/120620/rio-20-maldives-announces-worlds-biggest-marine-reserve







Reaffirmation that Rio+20 was an epic fail, and hope for the future.

http://www.eco-business.com/features/ocean-experts-plan-to-salvage-rio20-disappointment/







As a final memorial to Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island giant tortoise, his body is going to be embalmed and put on display on Santa Cruz Island.
He will continue to be the face of the conservation efforts in the Galapagos.

Lonesome George - removal from his enclosure on Sunday.

http://news.yahoo.com/famed-galapagos-tortoise-embalmed-displayed-161321303.html;_ylt=AsJFWiTi0TAMM_00GcFgZy0PLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTN0azhxOWZ0BG1pdANKdW1ib3Ryb24gU2NpZW5jZVNGBHBrZwNmYTE2ZDZkZS1kMDQ5LTNlMjItYjA3MC0zN2RiODAxMzkzYzEEcG9zAzIEc2VjA2p1bWJvdHJvbgR2ZXIDMTU0Y2E4YjEtYmZjYS0xMWUxLThlZmYtYTFjY2IyYzhiNjk0;_ylg=X3oDMTFsMmxkdGs2BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3







This summer as you go on ocean adventures, remember to keep the environment exactly as it was before you arrived there, for the sake of the plants and animals you encounter.
Have fun and be safe!

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/21/tips-for-watching-wildlife-keeping-the-wild-in-the-experience/





Wednesday, June 27th 2012




The Arctic ground squirrel is much like a bear in the way it hibernates through the coldest months of the year and awakens perfectly healthy.
Nonetheless, scientists believe this animal can show us unique qualities about the way the brain works, and even unlock some mysteries behind our own craniums.

http://news.yahoo.com/supercool-arctic-ground-squirrel-teaches-us-brains-resilience-214600843.html;_ylt=Ar0Of0pnlXy7f8af5.mvDLkPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTNzNGsxZDNuBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBTY2llbmNlU0YEcGtnA2VmNWNmZTdjLWZiY2YtMzAyMy04YzFlLTJmYzI1MzMwOGQ0NARwb3MDOARzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3J5BHZlcgMxNmZkMThjMS1jMDgzLTExZTEtOWZhNy1jMDUwZjlkYWQ0ZDE-;_ylg=X3oDMTFsMmxkdGs2BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3






Plants aren't usually considered the most intelligent of life on our planet, and for good reason.
They can't do anything animals can, and even have a separate cellular makeup.
A researcher is now arguing that plants can see.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up. I thought you said plants weren't as intelligent as -
You're right. I did say that.
And it's still true.
This researcher is simply saying that plants can see the difference between light and dark, and that this should count as sight.
What do you think?

http://news.yahoo.com/researcher-argues-plants-see-003508625.html;_ylt=AiwN3n_vk4qsL41g6LZiQ34PLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTNzdDZyNTA0BG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBTY2llbmNlU0YEcGtnA2JjNjIxM2RmLTA3ZjQtM2I2Ny05NGVhLWY2MTJiY2JkYTRhZgRwb3MDNgRzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3J5BHZlcgMzYTBhMWQzMS1jMDdhLTExZTEtODQwNy00NjlhNTE4ZWFkNTA-;_ylg=X3oDMTFsMmxkdGs2BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3







The U.S. is planning to open up even more Arctic territory to gas and oil exploration...
Well this sounds like a good idea.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-arctic-drilling-salazar-20120626,0,5503849.story







A New Orleans neighborhood has a rogue animal terrorizing the residents...but it's not the kind you might think.
A rogue dolphin (male, Slidell), trapped alone in a small lake after Hurricane Katrina has bitten several swimmers in a waterfront neighborhood and is very aggressive towards anyone who gets near him.
Experts have advised people not to interact with the distressed mammal, as this may be what is causing his behavior.

http://gma.yahoo.com/rogue-dolphin-alone-katrina-menaces-lake-area-132602544--abc-news-pets.html







For those of you headed to a beach soon, check out this list of littering hotspots - make sure yours isn't on the list!
If you do see litter on the beach, be a friend and pick it up. The ocean will thank you.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/nrdc-beach-report-repeat-offenders_n_1628604.html?utm_hp_ref=green#slide=1149204







A rare sighting!
This has never been documented!
These pictures of humpback whales mating are the first ever(!!!) - they were taken two years ago but are finally being released to the public!
Next on the agenda?
Great white sharks.
Amazing things are amazing.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10814498







New petition from Oceana:
(Save the sea turtles!)
http://act.oceana.org/letter/l-turtles-ted/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=turtles&source=twitter

"Tough Luck, Sharks..." :[

Sad news, everyone.
The petition I posted a few days ago to end distribution of shark fins in New York was a nonvote.
This is just... very disappointing.

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/a-vote-in-albany-tough-luck-sharks/


The sharks of the world are in desperate need of help.
Please visit  http://oceana.org/en to see what you can do to help our oceans.
Get involved.
Before it's too late.



More petitions:

End seafood fraud.
http://act.oceana.org/letter/l-seafood-senate/?source=homepage

Protect dolphins and other sea life from seismic testing.
http://act.oceana.org/letter/l-seismic/?source=homepage

More Science News! (Pretend I posted the other article yesterday...)

And now for a post published when it's meant to be.
A post that just won't quit.
Seriously, I keep seeing new stories to post... jeez.
Quit being so interesting, Science!



As you know from le previous post or the news in general, a species was lost yesterday.
Here is a photo album in honor of Lonesome George.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/species-dies-with-lonesome-george-slideshow/;_ylt=AowwfyHSA04Ec3_.shOThzIPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTRwYnFkOXBkBG1pdANWaWRlbyBGZWF0dXJlZCBDYXJvdXNlbCBTY2llbmNlBHBrZwNiYzkxMjA0ZS02MDkxLTMwZmQtYjBmZS03ZjdmMDE4YTNmYjIEcG9zAzIEc2VjA01lZGlhRmVhdHVyZWRDYXJvdXNlbFRlbXAEdmVyAzI4ZjA2ODkzLWJlY2UtMTFlMS1hODk3LWU5YTkyY2RjOWM0Yw--;_ylg=X3oDMTFsMmxkdGs2BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3








A lovely sighting of polar mesospheric clouds! On the Tibetan Plateau!
Wow!
These guys are noctilucent, or (night + light giving =) glow-in-the-dark.
Heh. Awesome.
Tidbit: at the bottom of the photo near the horizon you can see the lowest layer of atmosphere, the stratosphere, glowing red and orange.
Yeah, that was random.
These noctilucent beauties are most visible in late spring to early summer, and occur in many places around the globe.
Their cause is still debated, though they are thought to be floating rubble from meteors hitting the earth throughout history.
How ba-dass is that?

The sighting in question. Ooooo. Pretty.

http://news.yahoo.com/strange-night-shining-clouds-captured-space-station-photo-142046673.html;_ylt=AivM7X8MGtsROWUFC..5wv4PLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTN0ZWliMjA4BG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBTY2llbmNlU0YEcGtnAzVmNjM3MDBjLTA5YTgtM2FlZS1iNmMwLWJkOTU5MmVjY2NmZQRwb3MDMTgEc2VjA3RvcF9zdG9yeQR2ZXIDNTcxODMzNTEtYmVkOS0xMWUxLWJmZjMtNTRlYjNlYmIxOTk2;_ylg=X3oDMTFsMmxkdGs2BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3








A native of New Zealand, the southern right whale seems to get it's existence trait from the fathers in the population.
Heh. See what I did there?
Anyway.
Yes. A single population of males off the coast of New Zealand seems to be responsible most of the whole population of southern right whales.
Kudos, daddies.

Southern right whale.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120622163710.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+sciencedaily/plants_animals/marine_biology+(ScienceDaily:+Plants+%26+Animals+News+--+Marine+Biology)








Pythons, not native to Florida, have been wreaking havoc on local ecology and *cough* puppies *cough* for years.
Finally, an innovative solution to the problem.
LET'S EAT 'EM.
That's right...a local cook-off in Miami is going to showcase these ghoulish fiends as the ghoulish fiends they are.
Also how tasty they are.
I must say, I don't know why this wasn't going on sooner.
Not only will it relieve some of the ecological stress, but feed the people of Miami!
(They sweat off all they eat due to southern Florida being the meteorological equivalent of hell.)
Good idea. Good idea.

An alligator struggles with an invasive Burmese python.

A Burmese Python swims through saltwater.
This is not supposed to happen.
NOWHERE IS SAFE.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-23/news/os-python-cookoff-florida-20120623_1_invasive-species-python-chefs









In other news, a shark that swims at less than 1 mile per hour is able to live on sprightly seals.
Wha-WHA-?
Yeah. Well.
This shark swims in freezing waters, so don't begrudge him a little energy conservation.
Anyhoo, the Greenland shark might be slow, but he's a cheeky little guy.
Scientists believe that although it is literally the slowest shark on earth, it is able to sneak up on the seals as they sleep.
CREEPING DEATH.



Scientists examine a Greenland shark.
Don't worry, he's cool with it.
Either that or he's too bored to try and escape.




A Greenland shark.
Uhhhm...
I think that's a bit of algae growing on his eye...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18531924









Last Friday, the UN had a huge meeting to work on several sustainability and international waters issues at the Rio+20 environmental summit in Brazil...
And it was a complete disappointment.
For one thing, nothing was accomplished.
It was, to put it bluntly, a meeting to schedule other meetings.
However, there may be an upside?
While policing international waters was not put to bed, policies that are indeed awesome were discussed in decent measure; among these were ending overfishing and illegal fishing, and protecting fragile marine ecosystems.
So that's good.
Overall, while few things were set in stone, the exposure ocean issues had at the summit was outstanding.
So, "ughhh," but "yaaaay!"

The older, more depressing article:

http://news.yahoo.com/rio-20-unhappy-environmental-summit-071329905.html

A more optimistic point of view:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/06/120622-rio-20-oceans/

Woot! Science!