Monday 5 May 2008

Water and Poverty in the United States

eif week 54

The United States (US)—contrary to reports of 100 percent access to safe water and sanitation in international surveys—has a complex landscape of low-income water problems. Also, during the late-20th century, the US has had a declining role in international water programs providing infrastructure and monitoring to support access and sanitary conditions. This has contributed to limited international awareness of low-income water programs in the US, and has limited US awareness of low-income water issues. On the one hand, these trends reflect dramatic historical improvements in water and sanitation during the 20th century, for the poor as well as those better off, and this has relevance for international programs. Close inspection indicates that the US has significant geographic areas of low-income water problems that warrant attention, and a study of comparable problems and approaches would be of benefit locally and internationally. This

EarthPortal » Environment In Focus

BBC NEWS | England | Cumbria | Bid to create UK 'energy coast'

The government is considering plans which could transform West Cumbria into "Britain's Energy Coast".

It is claimed the plan, put forward by regeneration bosses, business leaders and MPs, could create 16,000 jobs and a £700m boost to Cumbria's economy.

It includes the creation of business parks, an academy for nuclear skills, a new hospital and major improvements to transport links and housing.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling is considering the plan.

BBC NEWS | England | Cumbria | Bid to create UK 'energy coast'

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Chile volcano prompts evacuation

A volcano has erupted in southern Chile, scattering ash over the surrounding area and forcing more than 4,000 people to leave their homes.

The eruption of the Chaiten volcano caught local authorities by surprise, as experts say it has been dormant for at least 450 years.

News Stories
One dead as Chilean volcano spews ash for third day http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKN0434134120080504
Chaiten volcano erupted, hundreds evacuate http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/national_world&id=6119658
Town evacuated as volcano erupts (Sky) http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1314939,00.html?f=rss
Tourists and locals flee Chaiten http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23638788-5013605,00.html
Hundreds of Chileans flee volcano (CBS News) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/02/world/main4068577.shtml
Volcano blows its top in Chile (Newsround) http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7380000/newsid_7381700/7381752.stm
Chile volcano prompts evacuation (includes video clip) – BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7381652.stm
In Pictures: Chile Volcano erupts – BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7381702.stm
Eruption at Chaiten Volcano, Chile (The Volcanism Blog) http://volcanism.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/eruption-at-chaiten-volcano-chile/
Satellite Image of Chaiten (The Volcanism Blog) http://volcanism.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/satellite-image-of-chaiten-2-may-2008/
Chaiten Update – 3rd May (The Volcanism Blog) http://volcanism.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/chaiten-update-3-may-2008/
Chile Volcano Erupts, village evacuated (The Guardian) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7498036
Chilean town nearly deserted after Chaiten volcano erupts, spews ash http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/03/news/Chile-Volcano-Eruption.php
Thousands flee as Chilean volcano erupts (Telegraph) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/chile/1924533/Thousands-flee-as-Chaiten-volcano-erupts-in-Chile.html

Photographs – Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/islachiloe/2459659127/
Chaiten Volcano Photos http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/chaiten,volcano/100/250/Recent
Chaiten Volcano – Flickr – a good set of photographs http://www.flickr.com/photos/guano/2460298398/

Videos:
Chaiten Volcano – clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6btWVddhkaY
Volcano forces villages to be evacuated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm-SiMJmWo4
Locals stay put as volcano erupts http://video.news.sky.com/skynews/video/?&videoSourceID=1314947&flashURL=/feeds/skynews/latest/flash/volcano_p6299.flv

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Chile volcano prompts evacuation

BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Hundreds killed by Burma cyclone

Death toll rises in devastating Burma Cyclone (ABC News) http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/05/2234974.htm
Hundreds feared dead in Myanmar Cyclone http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/04/myanmar.cyclone/?iref=hpmostpop
Over 350 dead as cyclone pounds Myanmar http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSBKK1919620080504?feedType=RSS&feedName=top News
Myanmar cyclone kills at least 351 http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/newsmlmmd.c3d3441dc4f2f005fe9687f85725a30b. 811.html
Cyclone leaves at least 350 dead in Burma (Guardian) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/05/burma.naturaldisasters
Aid effort for cyclone-hit Burma http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7383573.stm
Burma cyclone damage assessed http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Burma-cyclone-damage-assessed-249930073.html
Burma Cyclone - Eyewitness Reports http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7383821.stm

Images
Nargis Cyclone http://www.flickr.com/photos/tza/2463807874/
Cyclone Nargis map http://www.flickr.com/photos/chanmyasoe/2463112092/
In Pictures: Burmese Cyclone (BBC News) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7382836.stm
In Pictures: Burmese clean up http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7383733.stm

Videos:
ITN – Burma Cyclone Video http://itn.co.uk/videos/a8d2efc7f141912790b8bc7bd8b035a4.html
Cyclone batters Myanmar’s main city Yangon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4NjDAKLxo4
Hundreds die in Myanmar Cyclone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUcL1mHYYMo
Burma Must allow agencies in (Video from the BBC) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7382685.stm

Burma's storm toll 'nears 4,000'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7384041.stm

The death toll from a devastating cyclone that hit western Burma on Saturday has now climbed to 3,939 people, state television says.

BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Hundreds killed by Burma cyclone