UXBRIDGE, Aug 25, 2009, (IPS) — Will the world take the easy step to phase out “super” greenhouse gases — hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — using the existing Montreal Protocol ozone treaty? Doing so would be equivalent to preventing the release of 118 to 224 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050, according to a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency. That’s vitally important. The latest science shows humanity cannot put more than another 700 billion tonnes into the atmosphere over the next 40 years without risking dangerous climate change. At current rates of carbon emissions, that limit will be exceeded in half that time.
Under the Protocol, richer countries provide financing to poor countries to replace ozone-destroying refrigerants with HFCs.
“An HFC phase-down under the Montreal Protocol will do far more for climate protection than the Kyoto Protocol has accomplished in its entire history or than Copenhagen will achieve in the next decade,” said Samuel LaBudde, senior U.S. climate campaigner for the non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
“And it will do so at a fraction of the cost of securing reductions in other sectors and much faster as well,” LaBudde told IPS.
The leaders of the US, Canada, and Mexico committed to “work together under the Montreal Protocol to phase down the use of HFCs” earlier this month at the North American Summit in Guadalajara, Mexico. This follows a similar commitment made by G8 leaders in July. (more…)
GENEVA, Aug 31 (IPS) – Climate change is here. The challenge in Geneva this week is to find ways to help the world cope with a climate that will have more and worse extremes in terms of temperatures, floods, and storms.
More than 2,500 experts and policy-makers from 150 countries are attending the Aug. 31-Sep. 4 World Climate Conference to discuss how to improve weather forecasting and long-range seasonal weather projections, especially to help poor nations in areas such as agriculture.
“Until now, the way that we deliver climate information to some sectors has been ad hoc. What we need is a formal system that all people can trust to access vital information that can save their lives and protect property and economies,” said Michel Jarraud, secretary- general of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which is convening the World Climate Conference this week in Geneva. (more…)
Um terço da humanidade depende hoje de fontes subterrâneas para matar a sede, mover as indústrias e irrigar cultivos de alimentos. Abastecidos pela chuva, os aquíferos, como são chamados esses mananciais, são recursos renováveis que têm no seu grande volume uma garantia de que não faltará água para a população mundial por muitos anos. Mas, como no caso dos lagos e rios da superfície, também os aquíferos estão ameaçados pelos problemas de sempre: poluição, exploração sem controle, desperdício.
Nas próximas páginas, você vai conhecer onde estão os maiores reservatórios de água subterrânea do mundo e alguns exemplos do seu mau uso e do que está sendo feito, no plano internacional, para solucionar esse problema. Saberá também a forma encontrada pelos países da América Latina para administrar os aquíferos compartilhados – principalmente o Guarani, um dos maiores do mundo, cujas águas estão sob o território do Brasil, Argentina, Uruguai e Paraguai. O Guarani já está sendo mapeado e foi iniciado o diálogo entre as nações que compartilham suas águas. Mas há poucas informações sobre outros mananciais brasileiros, principalmente no Nordeste. (more…)
For years, climate change has been the subject of heated debate among governments, scientists, environmentalists and researchers. But we may not be aware that those living on the frontline of climate disasters are by far the most vulnerable. People in the coastal communities in the Philippines, for instance, have no concept of global warming—but are faced with repeated floods, storms and rising waters that threaten their daily lives. How much does the average Filipino know about climate change? The story of people in the coastal communities gives an indication. (more…)
Today, science journalism has become a fundamental constituent of the mass media equally fighting for space in prime segments of news and features coverage, especially in the economic global north.
In the age of globalisation exacted upon us by the Information and Communication Technology wizardry, there is much new knowledge pouring from millions of research projects and studies around the world that push the boundaries of man’s knowledge to new heights, almost daily.
The changes are numerous and so specialised and difficult if not absolutely impossible for a lay person to understand.
As long as science or scholarship remains enshrined in technical language and laden with heavy jargons, it will need science journalists/reporters who can communicate with scientists and help translate the new developments accurately and clearly, especially for the less erudite members of society who need the information most to thrive-or try to-in their day-to-day lives. (more…)
You can watch below a short speech of Yann Arthus-Bertrand the director of the striking film HOME about climate change. He is speaking about Ecology and how human activities are endangering the life on Earth.
This is the first post of this media21 blog about Climate Change. It will cover our workshop for journalists about climate taking place in Geneva (31st aug – 4th sept 09) and publish articles, video, sound, … related to Climate Change issues.
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