Scientists once believed that humpback whales only gave birth in the warmth and safety of specific breeding grounds in tropical waters, where they spent half the year.
However, new research has revealed that humpbacks around Tasmania and New Zealand can birth calves much further south than expected, and can do so during their epic migrations.
“Historically the ‘feeding/breeding’ paradigm has dominated humpback whale ecology, where feeding and reproduction are spatially and temporally separated, with summer ‘feeding grounds’ and winter ‘breeding grounds’ restricted to habitats at the latitudinal extremes of their range,” the authors of the findings wrote. “In this paradigm, the summer and winter habitats are connected by a ‘migration corridor’ considered only to be a thoroughfare… However, humpback whales have been shown to feed in this migration corridor along with performing other important behaviors, such as resting, maintenance of skin health, and song sharing.”
One or two? How many can you see?
NEW whale research out today
McPhee-Frew et al. 2025
www.frontiersin.org/journals/mar…
— Dr Vanessa Pirotta (@drvanessapirotta.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Scientists say the results mean we must improve awareness of their expanded calving areas in order to protect baby whales.
“Hundreds of humpback calves were born well outside the established breeding grounds,” said Dr. Tracey Rogers, senior author of the findings and a marine ecologist at University of New South Wales, in a press release from Frontiers. “Giving birth along the ‘humpback highway’ means these vulnerable calves, who are not yet strong swimmers, are required to swim long distances much earlier in life than if they were born in the breeding grounds.”
The new discovery calls into question much of the scientific understanding of the lives of humpbacks. It had been thought that humpbacks spent summers feeding on krill in the polar and subpolar waters of places like Alaska, Iceland and Southern Greenland, then migrated south to warmer waters in the Caribbean, off the coast of Mexico and in the Hawaiian Islands.
“Alongside my studies, I work as a marine guide,” said lead author of the study Jane McPhee-Frew, a Ph.D. candidate in biological sciences at the University of New South Wales. “In July 2023, during a whale-watching tour, I encountered a mum and calf at the mouth of Newcastle Harbor — the busiest shipping port in Eastern Australia. The calf was tiny, obviously brand new. What were they doing there? But none of my tourism colleagues seemed surprised.”
Inspired by the sighting, researchers investigated the humpback whales’ calving range around New Zealand and Australia using citizen observations, reported strandings and government surveys. Data from migration surveys was supplied by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation Cook Strait Whale Project, and information on whale strandings as far back as 1991 was provided by Australian state wildlife departments.
The research team found records of humpback whale calves that included 11 births, 168 observations of calves and 41 strandings. Information on 118 whales’ direction of travel showed they continued to migrate north after giving birth.
“Humpback whale populations undertake extensive long-distance migrations from the Southern Ocean to breeding grounds in the tropics,” said co-author of the study Dr. Adelaide Dedden, a marine wildlife project officer with Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Service. “They rely heavily on body reserves from an enormous amount of Antarctic krill to support the physiological costs of the journey and reproduction.”
The highest latitude where a humpback whale calf was detected was at Port Arthur, Tasmania — 932.1 miles further south than the researchers had previously thought humpbacks could calve.
The highest-latitude birth that was recorded was witnessed at Kaikoura, New Zealand, slightly further north.
A mother and baby whale swim at Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. Vanessa Risku – Instagram: droning_my_sorrows
Most observations of live humpback calves were recorded in 2016 and after, with two-thirds of them made in 2023 or 2024. Comparisons with whaling logbooks and historical texts indicated that calves born on the migration route had been observed before whaling decimated the population.
“I think it’s very likely that this pattern has always existed, but the low number of whales obscured it from view,” McPhee-Frew explained. “The Eastern Australia humpback population narrowly escaped extinction, but now there are 30, 40, or 50,000 in this population alone. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the recovery of humpback whales, and the return of their full range of behaviors and distribution, just goes to show that with good policies built on good science we can have excellent outcomes.”
The study, “Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) continue migration after giving birth in temperate waters in Australia and New Zealand,” was published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.
The post Humpback Whales Give Birth During Epic Migrations and Continue Traveling: Study appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/humpback-whales-migrations-birth.html
Sierra Orchards Craig and Emily McNamara credit Nick Roach, USSA
Sierra Orchards, a family farm located along the Putah Creek in Winters, California, has a long history of producing organic walnuts. However, as we learned when we met Craig McNamara and his daughter Emily on our recent USSA press trip, the farm is currently in transition. Facing market uncertainty and competition, the orchard is expanding into almonds, which it will grow conventionally at first, along with other crops.
History of Walnuts
For 47 years, walnuts have been the backbone of Sierra Orchards’ 450-acre operation, which has been certified organic since the mid-1990s. Over the past three years, however, the farm’s profile has changed: about 215 acres are still dedicated to walnuts, but 80 acres now grow almonds, and the farm is transitioning additional land to row crops and potentially olives.
Case for Change
Several factors prompted the decision to move away from a focus on walnuts. Emily and Craig explain that the main reason is that walnuts cannot be replanted after walnuts without major intervention. A phenomenon called allelopathy, a chemical reaction in the walnut tree’s roots and in the soil, makes it very difficult to plant a new walnut orchard after an old one. Diversification was also top of mind, they say. The rising cost of doing business, unpredictable markets, and a changing climate have made monoculture farming increasingly challenging.
Choosing Almonds
When planning a new direction, the orchard considered several alternatives, including pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, and olives. Ultimately, almonds proved the best fit. The region’s Mediterranean climate is ideal for almond production; there are processors nearby, and the similarities between walnuts and almonds mean Sierra Orchards can use much of its existing harvest equipment. The almond industry’s excellent marketing support also added to the appeal.
Managing Almonds and Water
Craig highlighted that, just a few years ago, “almonds were the poster child for bad water consumption.” However, he points out that many crops require applied water during the growing season. Ultimately, what matters is how an orchard manages its water resources. Emily says that at Sierra Orchards, that means figuring out what each tree needs. The farm uses soil moisture sensors and pressure bombs, which measure the ‘blood pressure’ of trees from their leaves, to determine exactly how much water the trees need. A high-tech irrigation system collects field-level data, which the team reviews weekly to guide watering decisions. Sierra Orchards also relies on a buried drip irrigation system, delivering water directly to the roots while minimizing evaporation.
Transitioning the Orchard
Establishing the new 80-acre almond block called for careful planning. The orchard initially chose conventional methods over organic production, as the family was advised that growing almonds organically from day one would make it hard to manage the weeds and disease common in young orchards and the nutrients required.
They did not take this decision lightly. “Organic is our soul, it’s our blood,” concedes Emily. However, she says it reflects the reality of farming. “It’s a million-dollar investment for these 80 acres, and we had to be sure that we were planting the best trees that would take us through the next few decades of their lifespan and carry our farm as we transition other orchards.”
The farm has already started the three-year transition to organic, underscoring its continued commitment to organic practices.
The post Beyond Walnuts: The California Orchard Diversifying for the Future appeared first on USSA.
Beyond Walnuts: The California Orchard Diversifying for the Future
When it comes to establishing a “natural” skincare routine there are a few relatively simple swaps you can make: shampoo, skincare, deodorant, makeup and makeup remover — but, there’s one category that most people tend to struggle with and that’s non-toxic and eco-friendly perfume.
In this post, Madeleine of The Wise Consumer dives into what fragrance really is, if we should avoid all perfumed products, and how one goes about selecting an eco-conscious and natural perfume!
What is Fragrance Anyway?
For years I avoided any kind of perfume, eau de toilet, or spray — not because I didn’t love these kinds of products but because I was intentionally trying to avoid anything fragranced. And perfume is, in a word, just that — fragrance.
But what is “fragrance” actually?
As you’re most likely aware, fragrance is used to make things smell better, to mask unwanted odors, or to give something a more pleasant smell. According to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), “fragrance is a chemical mixture that has a smell or odor…The mixtures that make a fragrance may include natural aromatic raw materials, obtained from plants using distillation, expression, and extraction, or synthetic materials.”
And, fragrance is everywhere!
It’s in our shampoo, our deodorant, candles, cleaning products, laundry detergents, and even in certain menstrual hygiene products. Sometimes, even “unscented” products can contain fragrance. As the FDA explains, this is because the manufacturer may add just enough fragrance to mask the unpleasant smell of other ingredients, without giving the product a noticeable scent. Like, I said, it’s everywhere.
As a whole, the concept of fragrance isn’t bad. In fact, could you imagine how dull life would be without scents? I am the first to admit that I love soaking in a warm eucalyptus or lavender-scented bubble bath. But, as a conscious consumer, I also like to know what ingredients are in my lavender-scented bubble bath, or any cosmetic product I use for that matter.
Unfortunately, when it comes to fragranced products it’s not always clear what chemical mixtures and ingredients go into making these scented products, even “naturally” fragranced products don’t always disclose their ingredients.
Why is the Ingredient “Fragrance” So Opaque?
Generally speaking, any cosmetic product sold to a consumer must display a list of ingredients. But according to the FDA, “under U.S. regulations, fragrance and flavor ingredients can be listed simply as “Fragrance” or “Flavor.”
This is because “fragrance and flavor formulas are complex mixtures of many different natural and synthetic chemical ingredients, and they are the kinds of cosmetic components that are most likely to be ‘trade secrets’”.
In a way, this makes sense. If a company spends hours of research, time, and money formulating the perfect fragrance for their product, they’re not going to want to disclose the list of ingredients that went into making that product.
But, this can be especially problematic for people with skin sensitivities and/or allergies.
If you’re allergic to a certain ingredient being used in the fragranced product but that ingredient isn’t disclosed, then it’s going to be much harder to know which products to avoid.
In these cases, the FDA recommends that you choose products that are fragrance-free, and check the ingredient list carefully.
Easier said than done seeing that, as I mentioned above, even unscented products can contain small amounts of fragrance to mask unpleasant odors!
As Made Safe shares, “without information about what ingredients actually make up a fragrance, it is difficult to understand the true extent to which our health is compromised by fragrance ingredients.”
This can get even more challenging if you’re extremely sensitive to certain fragranced products and their scents. Products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, cleaners, and body splashes make me nauseated and give me headaches. As it turns out I am not alone.
A 2016 study found that approximately 35% of the population studied reported health problems — such as migraine headaches and respiratory difficulties — when exposed to fragranced products.
According to their research, “fragranced consumer products, such as cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and personal care products, are a primary source of indoor air pollutants and personal exposure….even those called green and organic emitted hazardous air pollutants.”
Not to mention that over the years certain fragranced products have been found to contain ingredients such as phthalates, synthetic musks, formaldehyde, and allergens, just to name a few, that have been shown to have negative health impacts, especially on pregnant women.
Are “Natural” Fragrance and Essential Oils Non-Toxic?
Even “natural” extracts, such as essential oils, can trigger allergic reactions and skin sensitivities. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, certain essential oils, such as several citrus oil extracts or rose flower oil, which the European Commission has categorized as established allergens, “may trigger an allergic reaction after a few contacts or can cause someone to develop an allergy over a longer period of time”, EWG reports.
Additionally, a 2018 study found that essential oils, similar to certain synthetic fragrances, have also been found to emit numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
According to the report, “some of these VOCs are considered as potentially hazardous under federal regulations. However, essential oils are exempt from disclosure of their ingredients on their label. Thus, the public may lack information on emissions and potential hazards from essential oils.”
What I’ve learned over the course of my research is that sometimes a synthetic ingredient may actually contain fewer allergens than a “natural” ingredient. As discussed in a previous post about non-toxic skincare, the word natural doesn’t always mean better.
And, when it comes to fragrance, the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners shares, “It is important that companies look for safer alternatives where available and report all ingredients in their fragrances, both natural and synthetic, so that consumers are able to avoid potential allergic reactions and other health consequences.” We can all agree on that!
The good news is today more perfume brands are creating products that are not only free of potentially harmful ingredients but that are also eco-friendly, ethically manufactured, and, best of all, provide complete ingredient transparency so consumers can know what they’re buying!
How to Choose a Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Perfume
Check the brand’s website for a list of ingredients. What ingredients are being used? Are the ingredients safe? Are they phthalate-free?
If you have any concerns or doubts about a specific ingredient you can always get more information on the EWG Skin Deep Database.
If the brand doesn’t list the ingredients on their website, feel free to contact them directly and ask them to share their list of ingredients with you. If they don’t, it may be time to find an alternative brand.
Ideally, an eco-friendly perfume brand will not only be transparent about its ingredients as well as conform to IFRA guidelines but will also focus on low or zero waste packaging and ethical manufacturing.
To help save you time on your hunt for a sustainably-made non-toxic perfume, check out the brands below!
Editor’s note: this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through these particular links. As always, all product and brand selections meet rigorous standards for sustainability and are brands we genuinely love — and that we think you’ll love too!
The Best Eco-Friendly Perfume Brands
1. Henry Rose
This sustainable perfume brand provides an array of fragrances that are EWG and Cradle to Cradle Certified. Henry Rose perfumes are made of a combination of both safe synthetics and natural ingredients and are free of harmful ingredients such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and styrene. This nearly zero waste perfume brand also uses 90% recycled and 100% recyclable packaging.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, EWG-Verified, Cradle to Cradle Certified (Gold), Eco Packaging, Gives Back
Scent types: Clean, Smooth, Spicy, Earthy
Price: $$
2. PHLUR
This certified B-Corp and eco-friendly perfume brand crafts their fragrances using only clean and safe ingredients. In fact, they vow to never use materials listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened plants so as to ensure that their ingredients are always responsibly sourced. PHLUR is fully transparent about the ingredients used within their fragrances, both botanical and synthetics.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Gives Back, Recycled Packaging, Made Safe Supporter
Scent Types: Floral, Crisp and Fresh, Spicy
Price: $$
Check it Out: PHLUR | Credo Beauty | Sephora
3. One Seed
One seed makes honest natural and eco-friendly perfume from plants and tells you exactly what’s in it. Fully transparent about their ingredients, One Seed, uses no synthetic ingredients and is packaged in recyclable and reusable materials. In addition to working closely with their suppliers to ensure all their ingredients and materials are sustainably sourced. One Seed also offers customized fragrance blends of their sustainable perfume!
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Only Natural Ingredients (80% Organic), Eco Packaging, Gives Back
Scent Type: Woodsy, Floral, Fresh, Warm
Price: $$
Check it Out: One Seed | Nourished Life
4. Leland Francis
Reviewed by CL&S Editor Elizabeth Joy
Crafted in small batches in Los Angeles with full ingredient transparency, Leland Francis fragrances are made entirely with plant-derived ingredients. Any sprays are blended with organic sugarcane alcohol.
When I read the scent profile of their fragrance, Rowdy Boy — made in collaboration with a queer-owned farm in Oklahoma City — of bergamot, clary sage, sandal wood, and vetiver, I was in. Their fragrances are unisex, but this one is an extrait de parfum which is more intense, so it was a better fit for my husband. We both love the scent!
Conscious Qualities: Cruelty-Free, Ingredient Transparency, 100% Naturally Derived Scent
Scent Type: Woody & Warm, Earthy, Herbal
Price: $$
5. Abbott
Abbott’s eco-friendly perfume is made using the cleanest conscious ingredients. These unisex fragrances are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and other questionable ingredients. Carefully crafted using a mixture of natural and synthetic ingredients, Abbott discloses a full list of their ingredients on their website. Plus, their ingredients are sustainably sourced and they work closely with their suppliers to produce eco-minded packaging.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Vegan & Cruelty-free, Sustainably-Sourced Ingredients, Recyclable Packaging, Gives Back
Scent Type: Cool and Crisp (with a hint of spice), Fresh, Citrus, Floral
Price: $$
Check it Out: Abbott | Credo Beauty
6. The 7 Virtues
This fragrance brand is more than a fragrance, “it’s a movement to use business for peace. 7V (The 7 Virtues), founded by Barb Stegemann, a former journalist who never set out to make perfume, is a fair-trade, ethically sourced, and eco-friendly perfume brand on a mission to provide alternatives for farmers in nations rebuilding after war and strife around the world. Ingredients are ethically sourced from countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Rwanda, and Iran. In addition, 7V uses only clean and natural ingredients and is transparent about ingredients used in each fragrance.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade and Organic ingredients, Ingredient Transparency, Supports Farmers, Cruelty-Free & Vegan
Scent Types: Warm, Spicy, Floral, Woodsy
Price: $$
7. DedCool
This LA sustainable perfume brand, founded by Carina Chaz, provides a variety of gender-neutral fragrances that are composed, crafted, filled, and packaged in reusable and recyclable glass bottles. Made in small batches, Ded Cool uses only safe synthetics and essential oils in their formulas and is free of carcinogens, harmful stabilizers and preservatives, and water, which many brands use to dilute their formulas.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Low Waste Packaging, Unisex Scents
Scent types: Citrus, Fresh, Light, Fruity
Price: $$
8. By Rosie Jane
Handmade in Los Angeles, California by/Rosie Jane products are mixed and formulated using sustainably sourced safe synthetic and botanical ingredients. Free of endocrine-disrupting ingredients, by/Rosie Jane provides complete ingredient transparency and uses certified organic ingredients whenever possible. The sustainable perfume also comes in recyclable packaging made using wind power, vegetable-based inks, and responsibly-sourced paper.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Ingredient Transparency, Eco Packaging, Responsibly-Sourced Ingredients
Scent Types: Musky, Fresh, Floral, Vanilla
Price: $-$$
Check it Out: by/Rosie Jane | Credo Beauty | Sephora
