ENS NAIROBI, Kenya, May 11, 2010 (ENS) – Unless “radical and creative action” is taken quickly to conserve the variety of life on Earth, natural systems that support lives and livelihoods are at risk of collapsing, finds a new biodiversity report released today by two United Nations environmental bodies. The Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 warns [...]
Scientists test powerful ocean current off Antarctica
AFP Oceanographers said on Sunday they had measured a system of mighty currents off Antarctica that are a newly-discovered factor in the equation of climate change. The system, known as Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), is generated in clockwise movement in four big sea shelves that abut Antarctica — the Weddell Sea, Prydz Bay, Adelie Land [...]
Mekong summit changes nothing
Milton Osbourne for The Lowy Interpreter With something closer to a whimper than a bang, the first summit meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) concluded in Hua Hin, Thailand, on Monday 5 April. As I predicted, none of the MRC leaders chose to confront China over its repeated claims that dams in China have [...]
World water crisis warning to UK
By Angus Howarth for The Scotsman A POTENTIAL global water crisis in coming decades could cause UK food prices to “skyrocket” and damage the economy, experts warned today. A report from three engineering groups predicts that a rising world population, growing demand for water and the impact of climate change will make water more scarce [...]
ASIA: Mistrust Lingers as China Confronts Thorny Mekong Issues
Analysis – By Johanna Son for IPS BANGKOK, Apr 6, 2010 (IPS) – Lost in the deluge of accusations that China’s dams are the culprit in the Mekong River’s unusually low levels is the fact that Beijing has actually become much less tightlipped about thorny issues with its neighbours than in the past. Some years [...]
Coming Era of Water Scarcity Will Prompt Global Industrial Transformation, According to Survey of International Experts
Acute water shortages will change strategy, business operations; depletion of global water resources is more rapid, severe, and complex than anticipated. By Keith Schneider for Circle of Blue WASHINGTON, D.C. – Population growth, urban development, farm production, and climate change is increasing competition for fresh water and producing shortages so acute that virtually every industry [...]
New evidence for man-made global warming
Man is responsible for global warming, according to a new report that hits back at the growing scepticism around climate change. By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent for The Telegraph reports. The Met Office-led report looked at the latest figures on global temperatures, melting sea ice and humidity. It also considered new evidence on the extent [...]
World's top firms cause $2.2tn of environmental damage, report estimates
Juliette Jowit for The Guardian Report for the UN into the activities of the world’s 3,000 biggest companies estimates one-third of profits would be lost if firms were forced to pay for use, loss and damage of environment The cost of pollution and other damage to the natural environment caused by the world’s biggest companies [...]
Drought, Climate Change Jeopardize and Complicate Hydropower Policies Around the World
From Circle of Blue Climate change is expected to bring less precipitation and more extreme droughts to certain parts of the world, causing electricity shortages in hydro-reliant countries. On Tuesday Venezuela’s Energy Minister, Ali Rodriguez, said the government would consider purchasing electricity from Colombia, contradicting a statement from the country’s Vice President Elias Jaua given [...]
Egypt's fertile Nile Delta falls prey to climate change
By Fatma Ahmed Agence France-Presse The Nile Delta, Egypt’s bread basket since antiquity, is being turned into a salty wasteland by rising seawaters, forcing some farmers off their lands and others to import sand in a desperate bid to turn back the tide. Experts warn that global warming will have a major impact in the [...]
