The environment in the news thursday, 19 August, 2010
Reuters: UN urges action against advancing deserts
Download 231.95 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- McGuinty demotes Environment Minister after eco-fees controversy
Reuters: UN urges action against advancing desertsUN urges action against advancing desertsReuters, 17 August 2010, by the Associate Press http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE67G02O20100817 ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Poor farming practices, lack of water management, deforestation and climate change are turning vast stretches of the Earth into barren deserts, the United Nations said on Monday. Launching a 10-year campaign to halt the advance of deserts, the U.N. environment programme (UNEP) said land degradation in dry places had affected 3.6 billion hectares (8.9 billion acres) -- a quarter of the world's land area -- and a billion people. "Continued land degradation ... is a threat to food security, leading to starvation among the most acutely affected ... and robbing the world of productive land," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. The statement said 12 million hectares of arable land was lost to desertification each year, causing losses of agricultural productivity of $42 billion annually. Africa is the continent considered by U.N. officials to be the worst affected by desertification. Its semi-arid Sahel region, stretching from Senegal in the west to northern Somalia, is fast turning into a wasteland. Frequent droughts cause crops to fail. Niger and Chad are facing life-threatening hunger as much of the Sahel has been suffering a food crisis in recent months. UNEP proposed community projects to plant trees and other plants that hold topsoil in place, preventing deforestation and tackling over-grazing by cattle-keepers, and teaching local communities how to manage their land better. "Efforts have been made to address land degradation ... (but) more action is needed to arrest and reverse ... creeping desertification worldwide," the statement said.
Ocean Conservancy, Global Volunteers and Partners to Clean Up Our Ocean During the 25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup: Online Registration Opens with 5,000 Global Cleanup Locations, Thousands More Soon to be AddedEarth Times, 17 August 2010, by Kelly Ricaurte http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/more-soon-be-added,1425861.html WASHINGTON - (Business Wire) Today, Ocean Conservancy launches a new searchable online registration system for the 25th anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup. The online registration helps volunteers find a Cleanup site in their hometown. The International Coastal Cleanup, taking place on September 25th this year, is the world's largest volunteer effort to help protect the ocean. Last year, 500,000 volunteers joined their communities to clean up local beaches, lakes, and rivers with a common mission of improving the health of the ocean and waterways. On one day, volunteers removed and tallied 7.4 million pounds of debris, in 108 countries and 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. To find a 2010 Cleanup site near you, visit www.oceanconservancy.org and search on a world map or choose by town or zip code. Over the last quarter-century, the International Coastal Cleanup has grown from a single cleanup on a Texas beach to a worldwide movement to end the threat of trash in our ocean. In the span of twenty-five years, the International Coastal Cleanup expanded to include hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around the world who have removed many millions of pounds of trash from the Earth’s ocean, lakes and waterways and documented what they found. This unwavering dedication over the years has helped to make the environment safer for wildlife and people alike. The BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has outraged people who are looking for a way to help give back to the ocean and improve their communities. The 25th annual International Coastal Cleanup is a chance to do just that. The International Coastal Cleanup offers volunteers the chance to make a difference for the health of our ocean by reducing ocean pollution. “The ocean is our life support system – yet marine debris continues to threaten its health. From product design to disposal, we all have a role to play in keeping our ocean clean and eliminating marine debris,” said Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy. “The International Coastal Cleanup is an essential step to finding solutions. Data collected by dedicated volunteers inform solutions to the threat of trash in our ocean. By understanding sources of marine debris, we can work together to solve this problem. Join me and communities around the world this September 25th to celebrate the International Coastal Cleanup and a 25-year Sea Change.” Trash is one of the most widespread pollution problems threatening our ocean and waterways and it’s entirely preventable. Marine debris is more than an eyesore. It is a threat to marine wildlife and ecosystems; and undermines tourism and economic activity. Our ocean is stressed from disasters like the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, rising sea temperatures and acidification. Keeping our ocean free from trash is one of the easiest ways we can make the ocean more resilient to these combined threats. Each year during the International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers from around the world spend a few hours removing trash and debris from beaches, lakes, rivers and other waterways keeping track of every piece of trash they find. Ocean Conservancy uses that information to produce the world’s only annual country-by-country, state-by-state index of the problem of marine debris. The report is shared with the public, industry, and government officials as we work together to end to problem of marine debris. The Coca-Cola Company has supported the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) for the past 15 years. Two years ago, Coca-Cola launched a multi-year partnership with Ocean Conservancy, through a $1 million pledge to support the ICC. Last year, nearly 42,000 Coca-Cola system associates, their friends and families in 32 markets around the world participated in the ICC, contributing nearly 265,000 hours of volunteer time. As part of its $20 billion, 10-year initiative to address climate change, Bank of America has supported the ICC for the past several years, with thousands of associates participating in Cleanup events across the United States and around the world. Other national sponsors include Altria Group, Inc.; Booz Allen Hamilton; The Dow Chemical Company; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); The Solo Cup Company; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For additional information about the International Coastal Cleanup, and to sign up to be a part of the next wave of volunteers visit: www.oceanconservancy.org. Media assets are available at www.oceanconservancy.org/iccmedia. Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, including Alaska, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers. www.oceanconservancy.org. McGuinty demotes Environment Minister after eco-fees controversyThe Globe and Mail, 18 August, by Caroline Alphonso http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/mcguinty-demotes-environment-minister-after-eco-fees-controversy/article1677163/ John Gerretsen has lost his position as Ontario’s Environment Minister after poorly handling the controversial eco-fees program that led to significant backlash on behalf of consumer and retail groups last month. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty also added two new faces to his cabinet in a shuffle Wednesday as he nears the final year of his second mandate. Former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray will take on the role of Minister of Research and Innovation and former Ottawa mayor Bob Chiarelli is now the Minister of Infrastructure. Both won Liberal byelections earlier this year. Brad Duguid will stay on as Minister of Energy. His previous role as Minister of Energy and Infrastructure has now been split into two ministries. Revenue Minister John Wilkinson was rewarded with a promotion for his handling of the implementation of HST. He now takes on the Environment portfolio. Mr. Gerretson moves to the Consumer Services portfolio. Approaching next year’s provincial election, the Liberals are looking for experienced hands who have proven themselves as effective communicators. Other changes include: Jim Bradley becomes Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Sophia Aggelonitis is now Minister of Revenue and the Minister Responsible for Seniors. Rick Bartolucci takes on the Municipal Affairs and Housing file. Directory: cpi -> briefs briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news Download 231.95 Kb. Share with your friends:
|