Latin American and Asian cities lead way in planning for global warming
Cities worldwide are increasingly aware of the need to prepare for the effects of climate change, including increased variability in temperatures and extreme weather events, but are often hampered by limited financial resources and political commitment. However, Quito, Ecuador, not considered a global leader by most measures, is at the forefront of metropolises worldwide: in planning for climate change.
Illegal Sand Mining Erodes Riverbanks, Vietnam
Illegal sand mining in the Sai Gon River section between HCM City and Tay Ninh Province to the north-west has caused severe erosion of the river’s banks.
Senate Panel Approves Sea-Level Rise Bill, North Carolina
Unfazed by a heavy barrage of worldwide criticism and outright ridicule by sources ranging from Scientific American to the “Colbert Report,” the N.C. Senate’s Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee approved a new version of a bill that restricts the use of scientific modeling in state and local public policy and regulations to predict future sea-level rise.
The Coral Triangle Day is Under Way!
The first ever Coral Triangle Day is celebrated on June 9, at beaches in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji, to highlight the importance of marine conservation and to raise awareness of marine biodiversity, in an area where fast population and economic growth have fuelled unsustainable coastal development and boosted demand for expensive marine resources.
Cities to Face Sharply Rising Costs for Garbage Treatment
A new, far-reaching World Bank report on the state of municipal solid waste around the world predicts a sharp rise in the amount of garbage generated by urban residents between now and 2025.
US Braces for Tsunami Debris, but Impact Unclear
More than a year after a tsunami devastated Japan, killing thousands of people and washing millions of tons of debris into the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. government and West Coast states don’t have a cohesive plan for cleaning up the rubble that floats to American shores.
World Oceans Day 2012
June 8 marks the 20th observance of World Oceans Day, a global event that has been recognized by the United Nations since 2008. “…One network has linked every creature on Earth since the beginning of time: the Oceans that cover more than 70% of our planet’s surface…”
Return to Rio: Second Chance for the Planet or Tipping Point?
Twenty years ago, when the world’s leaders pledged to protect Earth’s climate and biodiversity at the Rio Earth Summit, they knew it would not be easy. But few could have guessed how much worse the situation would get.
World’s urban waste mountain a silent problem that is growing daily
The amount of garbage generated by city dwellers is set to rise steeply in the next two decades, with much of the increase coming in fast-growing cities in developing countries, according to a World Bank report.