The area planted with genetically modified crops in Europe grew by 77% since last year. The only genetically modified crop grown widely in Europe is maize resistant to the corn borer, a moth larva which eats the stem, and it is cultivated for animal feed, not for human consumption. Last year 1,000 sq km of …
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Category:5 Environment
The ozone hole seems under control, after 20 years of regulation
The ozone hole peaks in September. While it was not the largest it has been it remains above average. The linked article discusses the science behind the destruction of this protective layer of earth’s upper atmosphere. Scientists don’t expect the hole to significantly shrink for about another decade because of the long lifetimes (40-100 years) …
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Drought where it shouldn’t be
It’s not just California that is feeling the heat. The US south east is experiencing extreme lack of rain that normally occurs once or twice a century. During October, adding to calls for limiting water use, Georgia’s governor sued to stop teh Army draining water for use in Alabama and Florida. If the drought continues, …
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More species extinction, especially primates (- that means your cousins)
Following the recent publication of the IUCN red list, research compiled by a team of 60 experts is being presented at the International Primatological Society. Almost a third of the world’s primates are in danger of extinction because of destruction of their habitats. The report says many apes, monkeys and other primates are being driven …
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Heroes of the Environment
Under the byline of A Sense of Urgency, TIME’s annual celebration of heroes spotlights the most innovative and influential protectors of the planet. Congratulations. You may not agree with all their picks, but its a great roll-call of people who have changed systems to save the planet. See them all here. Examples of those feted …
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Global Environment Outlook 2007 – getting worse
The fourth Global Environment Outlook launched on 25 October provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the state of the environment. GEO-4 addresses the key challenges facing our planet, highlights emerging environmental issues that require policy attention and makes recommendations for decision-makers to act. It is a benchmark reference for challenges humanity faces today. The …
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EU sustainability progress modest; transport remains a problem
A new progress report concludes that the EU has made only “modest” progress towards sustainability since revising its sustainable development strategy last year. The European commission says there have been significant policy developments in some of the seven areas identified as key action priorities, including climate and energy, but progress on policy has not yet …
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Insurance response to risk and opportunity of climate change
Insurers and re-insurers have been warning about the potential consequences of climate change for years. Munich Re has calculated that by 2050, climate change could cost up to $300 billion annually in weather-related damages, industrial and agricultural losses, and other associated expenses. A Ceres report “From Risk to Opportunity 2007: Insurer Responses to Climate Change” …
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Oceans’ CO2 absorption halved
New research shows that the amount of carbon dioxide being absorbed by the world’s oceans has significantly reduced. University of East Anglia researchers gauged CO2 absorption through more than 90,000 measurements from merchant ships equipped with automatic instruments during a 10-year study in the North Atlantic. The data shows CO2 uptake halved between the mid-90s …
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GMO complacency is destroying habitats
The complacency over the dangers of genetically engineered food is extraordinary and worrying. While the EU bans a genetically modified potato made by BASF and three corn varieties developed by Monsanto, the US is planning to deregulate another GM soyabean (the comments on this link reveal the dangerous nature of GM). And against this background, …
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