The Blacksmith Institute, a US-based independent environmental group, published its 2007 world’s most polluted places. It reports an estimated 12 million people affected by the severe pollution, which is mainly caused by chemical, metal and mining industries. Chronic illness and premature deaths are side-effects. The annual review, which debuted in 2006, is listed alphabetically, and …
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Category:5 Environment
Arctic ice shrinkage at new record
The US National Snow and Ice Data Center said the minimum extent of 4.13 million sq km was reached on 16 September. The figure shatters all previous satellite surveys, including the previous record low of 5.32 million sq km measured in 2005. Even the fabled Arctic shipping route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the …
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Oceans in Peril report
“Oceans in Peril: Protecting Marine Biodiversity“, published by the Worldwatch Institute in mid-September, outlines the factors causing damage to the ocean, namely fishing, pollution and climate change, and suggests a set of solutions.As much as 50% of the world’s fish stocks are fully exploited and 17% are over-exploited, putting marine biodiversity at severe risk. The …
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5th Global Corporate Climate Change Report issued by CDP
The Carbon Disclosure Project released its fifth Global Corporate Climate Change Report, tracking carbon disclosure and attitudes toward climate change in the world’s largest companies. The CDP this year also launched the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index, an honor roll for companies who are best addressing climate change issues. The launch coincided with the U.N. summit …
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Environmental regulations around the world
This paper by IHS Engineering, highlighted by GreenBiz in September, surveys the environmental landscape around the world to provide an overview of environmental regulations. It projects those regulations onto corporations to identify and detail the internal use models needed to confidently support those regulations with appropriate due diligence. Finally, it details the best ways to …
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Silent but deadly: livestock farming challenges transport system as top carbon producer
The UK Vegetarian Society has launched a great campaign to raise awareness of the link between diet and climate change. The society argues that farmed animals produce more greenhouse gas emissions than the world’s entire transport system. The ad campaign is backed up by a new report entitled Why it’s green to go vegetarian – …
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Water shortage risks highlighted by Marsh
A report from the newly launched Marsh Center for Risk Insights highlights the risk of water shortages. Marsh was under severe scrutiny in 2005 for governance issues. They have clearly taken concerns of global sustainability to heart with the launch of their new research centre. Their report singles out water shortage as one of the …
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Role of soil in climate change highlighted
The International Forum on Soils, Society and Climate Change, a title you wouldn’t have imagined a few years ago, attempts to raise our awareness of soil erosion and the impact it has on the environment. Every year, some 100,000 square kilometres of land loses its vegetation and becomes degraded or turns into desert. In addition, …
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EU reports water wastage of 40%
EU leaders agree that up to 40% of water is being wasted by consumers, industry and farmers across Europe. The EU executive is calling for higher water prices and better implementation of existing water-management rules. http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MjYxNDg Commission’s latest report is here. EU: 01 Septemeber Presidency Conclusions WWF: Freshwater page Commission: Water policy website
Corporate attitudes to sustainability around the world
A new study by Harris Interactive explores attitudes toward sustainability among companies around the world. Their summary findings are: Waste reduction is considered the most important environmental issue in the USA; Brazil; Italy; Germany and China. Korea and India place more importance on developing green/environmentally friendly products. Overall, the use of renewable/cleaner energy sources is …
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