November 28, 2008

Forests threatened by climate change

An Indonesian study has found that forests worldwide are extremely vulnerable to damage from floods and wildfires caused by climate change, Reuters reported. The study, by the Jakarta-based Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), urged delegates at the upcoming United Nations climate meeting in Poznan, Poland to decide on new methods to protect forests in developing nations and to take action to aid the millions of poor people who depend on forests for their livelihoods.

Climate fight cost estimate rises

The fiscal costs of efforts to avoid treacherous levels of global warming may be 170% higher than 2007 estimates, reported Reuters, citing a report for the United Nation's climate agency. The report comes days before the UN climate talks in Poznan, Poland that are expected to be marred with countries' discussion of how to divide the economic burden of fighting global warming.

November 27, 2008

UK climate bills get royal assent

The United Kingdom's climate-change bill, aimed at reducing the country's greenhouse-gas emissions, received royal assent on Wednesday night, the Guardian reported. The law sets the world's first legally binding targets for a nation to cut its emissions.

UK invests in earth-check system

Britain has pledged a substantial investment towards the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme -- the world's biggest environmental monitoring project, the BBC reported. The UK delegation anticipates that the country’s investment of 102 million Euros (US$132 million) will allow Britain to play a larger decision-making role in the project, which is expected to inform future European climate change policies.

2°C warming may still be too high

The latest climate research indicates that the world may be approaching its final opportunity to keep global warming below the critical 2° Celsius, and even maintaining this threshold may still not prevent the worst effects of climate change, the WWF reported. The global conservation organisation urges the governments participating in the United Nations climate talks in Poznan, Poland next week to craft a strong negotiation text for the new climate treaty due at the end of 2009.

November 26, 2008

“Too many” US farmers get subsidies

Too many wealthy farmers continue to receive US farm subsidies despite income caps meant to exclude them from participation, reported Reuters, citing a congressional report. The document also recommended that the Agriculture Department should do more to enforce the rules that ensure only deserving farmers receive payments.

Bee crisis threatens UK fruit farms

Beekeepers report that Britain’s honey bee population has fallen to dangerously low levels causing concern about the pollination of this year’s fruit crops, Reuters reported. Some UK honey producers worry that the country’s supply of native honey may even run out by Christmas.

Oil spill at new Vietnam refinery

A damaged offshore cargo hose has caused an oil spill at Vietnam’s first refinery located off the country’s central coast, Reuters reported. Officials say they do not expect any delays in the scheduled opening of the 140,000 barrel-a-day refinery for February of next year.

November 25, 2008

Logging crackdown incites mob

A mob of about 3,000 people protesting a crackdown on illegal Amazon rain forest logging attacked Brazilian government offices, Reuters reported. The violence occurred in the northern Para state and prompted the environment minister to call for national troops to enhance security.

Ocean acidity threatens shellfish

The acidity of the world's oceans is increasing more rapidly than climate change models had predicted, reported the Guardian, citing a study published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Scientists warn rising acid levels will have a detrimental impact on marine ecosystems and shellfish populations.