The Great Barrier Reef We Stand to Lose; In Pictures
As the UN pressures Australia to better protect the Great Barrier Reef, here are some images of the spectacular wildlife harboured by this vast stretch of coral.
Illegal Sand Mining, Banks of the Yamuna River, India
The rain managed to do what the district administration could not for long. The continuing downpour has dampened illegal sand mining operations along the Yamuna river. The officials cited the vast ecological destruction along the Konkan coast as an example of the destructive nature of such illegal sand mining.
Trailing the Canaries
The play of light on water can reveal overlooked details and nuances to photographers and artists on Earth. The same thing can happen when looking from space.
Pushing Grenada Backwards With Beach Sand Mining
Sand mining has had a devastating impact on Grenada’s beaches and coastline. Rapid growth in tourism, building of private homes and businesses, and road construction have markedly increased the demand for sand. The removal of sand and stones to fuel this demand has resulted in substantial ecological degradations.
Goodbye, Miami
By century’s end, rising sea levels will turn the nation’s urban fantasyland into an American Atlantis. It may be another century before the city is completely underwater, but life in the vibrant metropolis of 5.5 million people will begin to dissolve much quicker, most likely within a few decades…
Iceland Resumes Fin Whale Hunting After Two-Year Break
Iceland has resumed its commercial hunting of fin whales after a two-year suspension by landing the first of an expected 180 whales in Hvalfjördur. The first kill prompted protests from environment and animal welfare groups that the hunt is “cruel and unnecessary”.
Norway Opens Arctic Border Area To Oil Drilling
Norway’s Parliament has opened up a new area on the fringe of the Arctic Ocean to offshore oil drilling despite protests from opponents who fear catastrophic oil spills in the remote and icy region.
Swept Away: Beach Erosion Continues to be Huge Problem for Texas
Beach erosion in Texas, as in numerous other U.S. locations, is a huge problem. Studies show that about 64 percent of the Texas coast is eroding at an average rate of 6 feet per year, but some areas are losing more than 25 feet per year. On average, the Texas coast is losing about 2.3 feet a year to erosion.
Climate Change-Poverty Link Highlighted In World Bank Report
The World Bank says it will increasingly view its efforts to help developing countries fight poverty through a “climate lens.”