Tag Archives: deforestation

DR Congo ring may be giant ‘impact crater’

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By Paul Rincon | Science reporter for BBC News

Deforestation has revealed what could be a giant impact crater in Central Africa, scientists say.

The 36-46km-wide feature, identified in DR Congo, may be one of the largest such structures discovered in the last decade.

Italian researchers considered other origins for the ring, but say these are unlikely.

They presented their findings at the recent Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas, US.

The ring shape is clearly visible in the satellite image by TerraMetrics Inc reproduced on this page.

Only about 25 terrestrial impact craters are of comparable size or larger, according to the web-based Earth Impact Database.

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Copenhagen ‘fails forest people’

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By Mark Kinver. Science and environment reporter, BBC News.

A multi-billion dollar deal tabled at the Copenhagen climate summit could lead to conflicts in forest-rich nations, a report has warned.

The study by the Rights and Resources Initiative said the funds could place “unprecedented pressure” on some areas.

Six nations offered $3.5bn as part of global plans to cut deforestation, which accounts for about 20% of all emissions from human activity.

Campaigners warn the scheme fails to consider the rights of forest people.

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More than half world’s science academies support call to save rainforests

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mongabay.com

More than half world’s science academies have signed a statement supporting a plan to save tropical forests as a means to fight climate change, reports the Global Canopy Program, an initiative that has worked closely with Prince Charles to promote rainforest conservation.

The statement argues that tropical forest protection is a critical strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next 15-20 years. It calls upon world leaders to reach a consensus on a path forward for a funding package that would support the infrastructure needed to develop an effective reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) mechanism.

“There can be no solution to climate change without addressing deforestation,” reads the statement. “Deforestation must be addressed now, not later, if we are to meet an 80% CO2 reduction target by 2050.”

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The Prince’s Rainforest Project says Yes We Can

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Damian Tow at The Ecologist Magazine writes about Prince Charles’ launch on 5th May of an online video and social networking campaign in support of the Prince’s Rainforest Project (PRP).

Rainforest coverage has dropped from 12 per cent to 5 per cent of the Earth’s surface and continues to shrink. Burning rainforests creates a 5th of global CO2 emissions and one day’s deforestation emits the equivalent of 12.5 million people flying between London and New York.

The ‘double whammy’ here is that rainforests also act as a carbon sink, absorbing 15 per cent of industrial CO2 emissions. If destroyed they become a net producer of CO2 which has to be added to their lost absorption capability in terms of the overall consequence of their destruction.

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