Archive for October 14th, 2010

Saving nature, economies at stake in Japan U.N., talks

Reuters: Envoys from around the world meet in Japan from Monday to try to combat the destruction of nature and to value properly the services of forests, coral reefs and oceans that underpin livelihoods and economic growth. The United Nations says natural resources, or natural capital, are being lost at an alarming rate and urgent steps need to be taken to combat the destruction of plant and animal species that ensure mankind's survival. Envoys will hold two weeks of talks in the ...

Activists Vow To Take On First Dam on Lower Mekong

Inter Press Service: A hydropower dam project in Laos that could permanently scar South-east Asia's largest river, the Mekong, faces a strong wall of opposition from local and regional green groups determined to protect its pristine environment. This defiance comes in the wake of the Lao government's submission in late September of plans for the 1,260-megawatt Sayaboury dam project, confirming its intention to proceed with it and win approval for the first megadam on the mainstream of the lower Mekong, ...

New species of carnivorous mammal found in Madagascar

AFP: A new species of carnivorous mammal, likely highly endangered, has been discovered in eastern Madagascar, conservationists told AFP Thursday. The animal, brown and similar to a mongoose, was found in the wetlands of Lake Alaotra, the largest expanse of fresh water on the Indian Ocean island. It has been baptised Durrell's vontsira (Salanoia durelli) after the late British naturalist Gerald Durrell, who led conservation projects in Madagascar. The mammal belongs to the ...

Gates agriculture grants focus on seeds, climate

Reuters: Gates Foundation, which has donated $1.5 billion to agriculture in developing countries, is focusing more investments on seeds and technology to help small farmers adapt to climate change, the foundation's chief executive said on Thursday. "Most of our grants support conventional breeding. But in certain instances we include biotechnology approaches because we believe they can help farmers confront drought, flooding, disease, or pests more effectively than conventional breeding ...

Australia: Indigenous experience can help with climate action

Sydney Morning Herald: Indigenous Australians' connection with the land can help in the fight to mitigate climate change. Photo: Reuters The formation of a minority federal government has brought with it promises of a "new way" of doing things. In regards to the development of a workable and effective climate change policy, this "new way" has taken the shape of a Climate Change Committee comprising representatives of major political parties and "experts". Part of this committee's aim is to ...