Author Archive

Brazil’s Environmental Agency Denies Operating License to Controversial Belo Monte Dam

Blue and Green: On Tuesday night, the Brazilian press reported that the country’s Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) had temporarily denied Norte Energia’s request for an operating license for Belo Monte Dam. The reports cited serious examples of non-compliance with legally required measures to mitigate and compensate project impacts. Without the license, Norte Energia can’t close floodgates and fill a reservoir that will flood large portions of the city of Altamira before it begins...

Global Consumption Trends Break New Records

Blue and Green: From coal to cars to coffee, consumption levels are breaking records. According to the Worldwatch Institute’s latest report, Vital Signs, Volume 22: The Trends That Are Shaping Our Future, the acceleration of resource depletion, pollution, and climate change may come with under appreciated social and environmental costs. Drawing on a wide range of sources, Vital Signs shows trends related to today’s often record-breaking levels of consumption by providing data and concise analyses of significant...

Fracking could impact house prices and environment, admits government report

Blue and Green: A newly released government report has admitted that houses close to fracking operations in the UK could see their value fall by up to 7% and the process could cause environmental damage. The report was published in full for the first time this week after a decision by data watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office forced the government to publish the unredacted report. The government has stated the paper is “not analytically robust” and includes “early, often vague, assumptions which are...

ICUN Red List: over 22,000 species threatened extinction

Blue and Green: The latest update from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reveals that over 22,000 species around the world are now threatened with extinction, from the Lion to the New Zealand Sea Lion, one of the rarest sea lions in the world. The Red List now contains 77,340 assessed species, of which 22,784 are threatened with extinction. The list highlights that over-collection and habitat destruction are placing enormous pressures on animal and plant species. The update comes shortly after a study...

Pope Francis warns of ‘unprecedented destruction’ if climate change is not addressed

Blue and Green: The Pope has warned that there will be “serious consequences” for all unless the world does more to tackle climate change, in a leaked copy of an eagerly anticipated encyclical. The draft, which has been published by L’Espresso magazine, states, “If the current trend continues, this century could witness climate change [that leads to] unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequences for us all.” The letter points to rising sea levels as an example, noting that a quarter of...

California to cut water for farmers amid major drought

Blue and Green: The US state is restricting water use for agriculture because of a devastating four-year drought, despite fears that the move could threaten the country’s food production. The State Water Resources Control Board has announced that senior water right holders in California’s Sacramento, San Joaquin and delta watersheds won’t be allowed to pump water for agricultural use anymore, because of the drought. According to the state’s water law, those holding water rights dating back to 1903 or later...

Deadly heatwave in India kills more than 500 people

Blue and Green: Some parts of the country are hitting 45C, leaving many people in the most isolated areas dead by heatstroke and extreme dehydration. Authorities say the heatwave might last for another 48 hours. Areas hit by the high temperatures include Delhi, Palam, Uttar Pradesh and southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – where temperature hit 48C. People have been advised to stay indoors and drink plenty of water, but many living in rural areas or in the streets might struggle to do that. India...

How El Niño affects everything from flu pandemics to the price of coffee

Blue and Green: Noticed any crazy weather lately? You may be feeling the return of El Niño. Scientists announced yesterday that one of the most potent influences on global weather patterns is back after a 5-year hiatus. This article was written by Michael Reilly and first published on Timeline.com. Get Timeline App. A robust El Niño spells a muted hurricane season for the eastern US, and much-needed rains for the west, which has been parched for years. But other parts of the world are likely to face drought, wildfires...

Bee deaths are getting worse, and no one knows why

Blue and Green: It’s called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). A bustling beehive that seems healthy will quickly turn into a ghost town. A live queen may be left behind, or even a few young bees, but little else. The hive simply vanishes. This article was written by Joshua O`Connor and first published on Timeline.com. Get Timeline App. Hive deaths have occurred for centuries but became a huge problem in America a decade ago. You need bees to pollinate some food crops or they won’t grow. Beehive numbers have...

Pope Francis: care creation, sustainable dev and climate change

Blue and Green: Pope Francis will write a letter to 1.2bn Catholics all over the world, emphasising the importance on sustainable living, eradicating poverty and calling on world leaders to address climate change. The pope has been critical of high profile issues in the past. He has spoken out against the dangers of fracking and environmental devastation, and in his most controversial episode he publically condemned ‘trickle down’ economic theories, warning of an ‘economy of exclusion’. But in his latest endeavour,...