Thursday, 29 October 2009
Climate change glossary: C-D
How does adaptation differ from mitigation? And what is REDD? The jargon of climate change can be hard to grasp. Use this glossary to decode it.
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Climate change glossary: C-D
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
China Resettles 300,000 for Plans to Redirect Water North to Combat Drought
The operators of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River have pushed back filling the reservoir for winter storage for a week to discharge more water for drought-stricken areas downstream, Xinhua reports.Nearly 1.5 million people in the Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces have reported drinking water shortages over the last month.The reservoir is filled in the autumn to prepare for the dry season, which runs from December to March. Winter releases then drop the water level by 30 meters, providing space to regulate the spring and summer flood season.
Monday, 26 October 2009
What - About April Salome - April Salome Rainforest
Sunday, 25 October 2009
How the recession has changed your High Street
A year after we first visited Shirley High Street, the Magazine returns to witness how it has fared in the recession. Further down, we look at five ways the typical High Street has changed in the downturn.
BBC NEWS | Magazine | How the recession has changed your High Street
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Geocube - The world of Geography at your fingertips
Geocube…… re-inventing the way to explore Geography
The world of Geography at your fingertips and just a mouse click away!Geocube is an attractive online resource about Geography. Geocube is based on the principle of the Rubik Cube with six faces and 54 topics. It is a virtual and easily accessible website which is available online for free. Move the Geocube around with your mouse and explore the faces and topics.Geocube provides an accessible way to read, see and watch what Geography is and geographers do. This is a European initiative developed by HERODOT, the European Network for Geography in Higher Education and is available to anyone who is interested in Geography.
Interactive: Climate map shows world after 4C rise | Environment | guardian.co.uk
A map launched at the Science Museum in London has been developed using the latest peer-reviewed science from the Met Office Hadley Centre and other leading impact scientists. It shows that the land will heat up more quickly than the sea, and high latitudes, particularly the Arctic, will have larger temperature increases
Interactive: Climate map shows world after 4C rise | Environment | guardian.co.uk
BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Ethiopia asks for urgent food aid
The Ethiopian government has asked the international community for emergency food aid for 6.2 million people.The request came at a meeting of donors to discuss the impact of a prolonged drought affecting parts of East Africa. The UN's World Food Programme says $285m (£173m) will be needed in the next six months. Some aid officials say the numbers of hungry could rise. Aid agency Oxfam has called for a new approach to tackling the risk of disaster in the country.
BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Ethiopia asks for urgent food aid
Tropical Rainforests Project
Rainforests: The Burning Issue – new online interactive booklet
The PRP has just released a new online, interactive booklet that describes how rainforests are in the front line in the fight against climate change and explains how a new form of international collaboration could help to reduce tropical deforestation, with many benefits for developed and developing countries.
ShelterBox - Disaster Relief
We instantly respond to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict by delivering boxes of aid.Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with great care taken sourcing every item to ensure it is robust enough to be of lasting value.The cost of a box is £490, including delivery direct to those who need it. Each box bears its own unique number so as a donor you can track your box all the way to its recipient country via the website
Adapting to climate change
Download the most recent Adobe Flash Player here.
Environmental Treaties - TIMELINE
During the past half century, we learned we share a fragile biosphere. Our view of life on Earth, whether through a microscope or from a space station, is colored by the knowledge that everyday human activities can threaten our future.
This list of key environmental treaties shows how nations are working together, politically and scientifically, to safeguard our planet and respond to a global threat. The United States, whose pollution control laws serve as models for other nations, remains a leader in identifying, mitigating and remediating environmental hazards.
Crime mapping for English and Welsh police forces - CrimeMapper
Welcome to CrimeMapper. This website provides you with information on crime and antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhood, wherever you live in England or Wales.It also enables you to access and compare the latest information on a range of crime types with other neighbourhoods.You will also be able to access the details of your local neighbourhood policing team, policing priorities and information on the policing pledge.
Crime mapping for English and Welsh police forces - CrimeMapper
Global hunger worsening, warns UN
"FAO estimates that 1.02 billion people are undernourished worldwide in 2009," it said. "This represents more hungry people than at any time since 1970 and a worsening of the unsatisfactory trends that were present even before the economic crisis."
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Global hunger worsening, warns UN
What will tourism be like in the twenties? | Forum For The Future
Postcards from the future: Tourism 2023 scenarios
Boom and burst
With carbon-scrubbers in place to suck in and store any carbon emissions, the sky is awash with jetsetters. More hotels are popping up to satisfy new touring trends – like cheap beauty breaks to India. Are they built to last, you wonder…?
Divided disquiet
With wars raging over water shortages and food supply, home seems a good place to be. A bunch of friends are off to Kilimanjaro to see Africa’s last snow, but you don’t think it’s worth the risk.Price and privilege
After years of saving, you’ve finally bought the golden ticket: that once in a lifetime trip to the Andes. You’re dying to taste the cevicha – you hope it’ll be worth the wait.
Carbon clampdown
You’re on a life-swap holiday in Lithuania – wondering how the other family’s getting on with Voluntary Action Liverpool. The train journey over was pleasant enough, but it still used 20% of your carbon for the year – perhaps better spent at home?
What will tourism be like in the twenties? | Forum For The Future
Rainforest – SKY project
Through Sky Rainforest Rescue we aim to tackle climate change.By joining forces with WWF and our customers we will do this by helping to save 1 billion Amazon Rainforest trees in the Brazilian state of Acre.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
BBC NEWS | UK | UK population 'to rise to 71.6m'
The population of the UK will rise from 61m to 71.6m by 2033 if current trends in growth continue, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.Just over two-thirds of the increase is likely to be related directly or indirectly to migration to the UK.
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | How Peru is netting water supplies
They look like huge abandoned volleyball nets facing west towards the Pacific Ocean on one of the many hillsides in the Peruvian capital, Lima.They started as an experiment two years ago and now they are giving a lifeline to some of Lima's poorest residents.
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | How Peru is netting water supplies
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
China moves 330,000 in water plan
China has begun to resettle 330,000 people to make way for a project to divert water from the south of the country to the north, state media say.
People in Henan and Hubei provinces are being moved out of the way of a canal from the Yangtze River to Beijing, Xinhua news agency said.
BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | China moves 330,000 in water plan
Monday, 19 October 2009
Q&A: The Copenhagen climate summit
In December, delegations from 192 countries will hold two weeks of talks in Copenhagen aimed at establishing a new global treaty on climate change. Here, BBC environment correspondent Richard Black looks at what the talks are about and what they are supposed to achieve.
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Q&A: The Copenhagen climate summit
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Are we running out of oil?
The amount of proven oil reserves awaiting to be exploited fell last year for the first time in a decade, according to new figures released today. The amount of crude left in the ground was 1.258trn barrels - 3bn less than this time last year.
These figures, revealed in the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, are probably the result of a slump in drilling activity due to a fall in the price of oil last year - from $150 per barrel to $30.
At today's rate of use however there is still enough oil to last the next 42 years, according to the oil company although those concerned about Peak Oil say we are closer to running out given demand is expected to rise strongly in the short-term.
Are we running out of oil? The world in energy statistics | Environment | guardian.co.uk
Carbon capture plant backed by EU
Plans for Britain's first coal-fired power station equipped with carbon capture technology have been backed by the European Commission.The commission has recommended that a plant in Hatfield, near Doncaster, should receive £164m of EU funding. The sum would be matched by a similar sum from the UK government.
BBC NEWS | England | South Yorkshire | Carbon capture plant backed by EU
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Global hunger worsening, warns UN
Targets to cut the number of hungry people in the world will not be met without greater international effort, UN food agencies have warned.The UN's annual report on global food security confirms that more than one billion people - a sixth of the world's population - are undernourished.
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Global hunger worsening, warns UN
Q&A: EU immigration policy
Large-scale immigration to the European Union has highlighted big differences in the way the 27 member states handle newcomers from non-EU countries.
African migrants risk their lives to reach the Canary Islands
The impetus for new EU-wide rules is fuelled by: the pace of globalisation; the need to attract more high-skilled workers as Europe's population ages and businesses struggle to compete; and an influx of illegal immigrants to Mediterranean countries.
BBC - Today - Audio slideshow: Selling the suburbs LONDON
As the tentacles of the London Underground network started to spread out at the start of the 20th Century, thousands of new homes were built - and suburbia was born.
The London Transport Museum is hosting a suburban celebration - and Evan Davis met museum director Sam Mullins, and writer Miranda Sawyer, to see how public transport helped families in search of a bay window.
Green 'zero waste' recycling policy could mean up to six bins
Householders could be forced to have as many as six bins and sift through every piece of rubbish under Government plans to increase the amount of recycling.
Green 'zero waste' recycling policy could mean up to six bins - Telegraph
Half of babies 'will live to 100'
More than half of babies now born in the UK and other wealthy nations will live to 100 years, researchers say.
The study, published in The Lancet journal, also says the extra years are spent with less serious disability.
Data from more than 30 developed countries shows that since 1950 the probability of surviving past 80 years of age has doubled for both sexes.
e than half of babies now born in the UK and other wealthy nations will live to 100 years, researchers say.The study, published in The Lancet journal, also says the extra years are spent with less serious disability. Data from more than 30 developed countries shows that since 1950 the probability of surviving past 80 years of age has doubled for both sexes.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Oil production could peak in 10 years' time
There is a 'significant risk' that global oil production will peak in less than ten years' time, say researchers in a report from the UK Energy Research Centre.
The report's authors add there is a growing consensus that the age of cheap oil is coming to an end.
But they warn that governments, including the UK's, are not concerned about global oil depletion, despite the fact that oil provides a third of the world's energy.
As the modern industrial world is largely built on the availability of cheap oil, this is likely to have a huge impact on the global economy.
The whole issue of peak oil has long been contentious. A growing number of commentators say the world is near peak oil production, predicting that oil will run out as reserves become more and more depleted. Others argue we have enough oil to see us well into the twenty-first century.
Migrants, Go Home!
PANORAMA Reporter Paul Kenyon continues his journey out of Africa following the route taken by 40,000 migrants a year seeking a better life in Europe. He discovers the way to the UK blocked by a new hardline policy in France to round up economic migrants and send them home, and an unlikely partnership with Libya's Colonel Gaddafi, who has reached an agreement with Italy to capture Europe-bound migrants at sea and lock them up in desert prisons.http://bbc.co.uk/i/n6x4f/
Iceland looks to serve the world
Since the financial crisis, Iceland has been forced to retreat back from high octane bubble living to nature.
Fortunately, there is a lot of that nature to retreat to.
It is a breathtaking world of volcanoes, endless prairies and ethereal winter landscapes. Not, you might think, the most obvious place to stick millions of the world's computer servers which are, for all their uses, rather less attractive. But the country now wants exactly that - to become home to the world's computing power.
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | Iceland looks to serve the world
BBC NEWS | Business | Fear of steep energy bill rises
Domestic UK energy bills could rise by 60% by 2016 in a worst-case scenario identified by the energy regulator.
Exploring Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development in Africa
For developing countries, it is obvious that we have a lot of natural resources with the potential to produce alternative energy to combine with the traditional sources such as hydro - electric power and thermal energy technology, which are not environmentally friendly and also susceptible to climate change.
allAfrica.com: Africa: Exploring Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development (Page 1 of 1)
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Warning over global oil 'decline'
There is a "significant risk" that global production of conventional oil could "peak" and decline by 2020, a report has warned.The UK Energy Research Centre study says there is a consensus that the era of cheap oil is at an end.
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Warning over global oil 'decline'
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Worldmapper Gridded Population Cartograms: The countries of the world as you've never seen them before
Worldmapper has 200 new cartograms which show the world and its countries mapped based on population. The maps “were created as part of a Leverhulme Trust project to remap the world and extend the Worldmapper project, have been created using population distribution data so viewers can understand how many people make up each nation.” Click on the map to see individual cartograms for each country or pick from the list of countries.
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Nuclear Europe: Country guide
There are 165 nuclear reactors producing power in Europe (excluding Russia), with six under construction and others planned.
London on Tap: Reducing Bottled Water Consumption
London authorities have paired up with Thames Water, Britain’s largest private water company, to launch a water station program this month that aims to reduce the city’s use of bottled water. Mayor Boris Johnson’s push for more public drinking fountains in addition to the new station program could be the first steps towards banning bottled water in the city, The Guardian reported Sunday.
London on Tap: Reducing Bottled Water Consumption | Circle of Blue | WaterNews
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
BBC NEWS | World | Norway 'the best place to live'
Norway is the best place in the world to live while Niger is the least desirable, according to an annual report by the United Nations.
BEST
Norway
Australia
Iceland
WORST
Niger
Afghanistan
Sierra Leone
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Population maps
At first glance they could be mistaken for distorted creepy-crawlies - bloated body parts with randomly placed antennae and spindly legs, their gridlines looking much like the compound eyes and variegated wings of an insect. In fact, each image is a country map - reinterpreted by a pair of Sheffield University geographers. The result is a remarkable series of cartographic designs that cast the world in an entirely new light.
Sumatra quake 'levelled villages'
Thousands of people may have died in remote village areas when a powerful earthquake struck Sumatra last week, emergency workers and officials fear.
http://www.geography.org.uk/resources/earthquakes/
BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Sumatra quake 'levelled villages'
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/10/2009_sumatra_earthquakes.htmlAbout 5:00 pm on September 30th, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck just offshore of the town of Padang in Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake toppled buildings and started many landslides, smashing homes and swallowing up entire villages. The following day, As rescue workers arrived and residents tried their best to dig out and help the survivors, another unrelated quake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck less than 1,000 km south of the original epicenter. Each of the two quakes had at least one aftershock greater than 5.0 as well. Over 1,000 people are known to have died, an additional 3,000 still missing. Today, October 5th, officials called off the search for survivors in Padang, and are focusing now on caring for the living and coordinating with international relief agencies