Climate talks: UN forum extends Kyoto Protocol to 2020

Almost 200 nations extended on Saturday a weakened U.N. plan for fighting global warming until 2020, averting a new setback to two decades of U.N. efforts that have failed to halt rising world greenhouse gas emissions.

Mercury in Coastal Fog, A Study

An ongoing investigation of elevated mercury levels in coastal fog in California suggests that upwelling of deep ocean water along the coast brings mercury to the surface, where it enters the atmosphere and is absorbed by fog.

Expanding Environmental Democracy: Moving Forward With Principle 10

A number of Latin American and Caribbean countries took a huge step forward in ensuring environmental democracy for their citizens. At a UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) meeting in November, these countries agreed on a road map to ensure full implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration.

Japan Earthquake Sparks Tsunami Scare

A 7.3-magnitude quake has struck off Japan’s eastern coast, triggering a small tsunami and sparking evacuations. A one-metre wave hit Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture and many people heeded calls to move to higher ground before all alerts were later lifted.

South Korea Drops Plans To Resume Whaling

South Korea has dropped plans to resume whaling in its coastal waters amid a storm of international criticism, and will instead use non-lethal methods to conduct research into the mammals.

Dispatches From Doha: “The Lack Of Urgency Is Disquieting”

It’s midway through the final week of the UN COP 18 Climate Negotiations, yet there’s an eerie calm in the sprawling conference hall. What’s happening inside the conference center stands in stark contrast to what we’re witnessing outside.

Liberia: Bans Beach Sand Mining

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (LME) has announced that it would be closing all beaches throughout the country from sand mining.