Businesses and individuals worldwide to turn lights off as part of Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour 2009 takes place Saturday, March 28, 2009 between 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time when communities will participate by turning out their lights starting in New Zealand and progressing along time zones around the world.

Earth Hour began as a symbolic initiative against global warming by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).  "[It is] The largest demonstration of public concern about climate change ever attempted." Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General said.

Earth Hour began in 2007 with around 2 million participating, and increased to about 50 million in 2008.  The Empire State Building, Las Vegas Strip, the Eiffel Tower, Petronas Twin Towers, the Peace Tower, the Parliament Buildings, the Christ the Redeemer statue, Acropolis of Athens, the Egyptian pyramids, and the Colosseum are some notable landmarks which will honour Earth Hour Saturday evening.

WWF organisers wished 1,000 cities would enlist in Earth Hour, however this was surpassed as this year over 2,400 have signed up to take part.

"The Government of Canada's continued participation in Earth Hour is an indication of our commitment to being mindful consumers.  As the custodian of one of the largest office building portfolios in the country, Public Works and Government Services Canada is committed to incorporating environmental practices into waste management, water conservation and the efficient use of energy in our buildings." Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Service said.

"Supporting Earth Hour is part of our commitment to help create a healthier environment for Canadians.  Simple actions such as turning off the lights can help improve our environment and tackle climate change as well as empower Canadians to make important lifestyle changes that benefit their families and their environment. We encourage Canadians to take part in Earth Hour." Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment.


Maailma sammutti valot

Ilmastonmuutosta vastustava Earth Hour -tempaus sai yksityishenkilöt ja yhteisöt sammuttamaan valoja lauantaina. Ainakin 88 maata oli ilmoittautunut mukaan. Esimerkiksi Suomessa 103 kuntaa oli mukana tempauksessa. Tempaus järjestettiin aikavyöhykkeittäin kello 20.30–21.30 paikallista aikaa.

Sydney Morning Heraldin toimittaja vertasi australialaisten reaktiota valojen sammuessa uudenvuoden ilotulituksen ihailemiseen. Suurissa kaupungeissa sammutettiin valoja julkisista rakennuksista kampanjan näkyvyyden edistämiseksi: Sydneyn oopperatalo pimeni, samoin Egyptin pyramidit, YK:n päämaja New Yorkissa ja Pariisin Louvre. (Eiffel-tornista valot voitiin turvallisuussyistä sammuttaa vain viideksi minuutiksi.) Jopa uusiseelantilaisten tutkimustukikohta Etelämantereella sammutti valot. Suomessa Helsingissä ja Kuopiossa valot sammuivat toreilta.

Vuotuisen Earth Hour -kampanjan johtaja Andy Ridley selitti, että valojen sammuttaminen saa ihmiset edes tunniksi – mielellään pidemmäksikin ajaksi – pohtimaan, mitä he voisivat tehdä hiilijalanjälkensä pienentämiseksi. YK:n pääsihteeri Ban Ki-moon sanoi Earth Hourin olevan maailman kansalaisten keino näyttää, että he haluavat toimia ilmastonmuutoksen hillitsemiseksi.

Kaikki eivät olleet tyytyväisiä WWF:n edistämään kampanjaan. Wall Street Journalin kolumnisti James Taranto julisti järjestävänsä vastakampanjan ilmastonlämpenemishysterian, korkean verotuksen, sosialisoituneen lääkinnän ja heikon ulkopolitiikan vastustajille. Kampanjaansa osallistuneita hän kehotti sytyttämään valot koko illaksi.


Во всём мире сегодня пройдёт акция «Час земли»

Более 900 городов из 80 стран мира подтвердили свое участие в акции «Час Земли», которую проводит Всемирный фонд дикой природы (WWF), чтобы привлечь внимание к проблеме изменения климата.

В WWF сообщили, что в России подготовка к «Часу Земли» идет в Москве, Петропавловске-Камчатском, Мурманске, Владивостоке, Красноярске, Архангельске, Санкт-Петербурге, Екатеринбурге и Нижнем Новгороде.

По словам корреспондентов, основная цель акции — оказать давление на участников конференции в Копенгагене, которая пройдет в этом году и на которой будет обсуждаться новое соглашение о борьбе с изменениями климата.

Как ожидается, в этой акции примут участие жители более чем 3,4 тыс. городов в 88 странах. «Час Земли» начнется в 20.30 по местному времени. По условиям всемирной акции, свет нужно выключить в полдевятого вечера по местному времени ровно на час.

28 марта 2009 года


Canadian government 'will respect' Kyoto law

The Conservative Canadian government have decided to obey the Kyoto bill which was a forced decision by the opposition Liberals. Prior to this decision, the Liberal opposition party said the government could be sued if they would ignore the law.

"If and when that becomes law, the government would respect it. I'll just point out ... that the bill has no plan of action in it, the bill gives the government no authority to spend any money to have a plan of action," Canadian PM Stephen Harper told the House on Thursday. "Of course, if and when that becomes law, the government would respect it."

The bill will be sent to the Senate of Canada for approval before it is actually made law. The legislation will only give the government 60 days to come up with a plan that meets with the Kyoto Protocol.

Kyoto wants to drop 6% of greenhouse gas emissions starting from 1990 to 2012. The Conservatives say it is bad for the Canadian economy.

Political experts are now saying that a federal election could come as soon as spring 2007. The Conservatives were elected on the 23 of January in 2006.


Le gouvernement canadien respectera le protocole de Kyoto

Le gouvernement conservateur canadien a décidé de respecter le protocole de Kyoto, décision forcée par l'opposition des libéraux. En préalable à cette décision, le Parti libéral, dans l'opposition avait indiqué que le gouvernement pourrait être traîné devant les tribunaux s'il ignorait la loi.

« Si et quand cela deviendra une loi, le gouvernement la respectera. J'indiquerai juste que le projet de loi ne spécifie aucun plan d'action, ne donne aucune autorité à faire quelque dépense que ce soit afin d'avoir un plan d'action » a indiqué le Premier ministre Stephen Harper à la Chambre des communes jeudi dernier. « Bien sûr, si et pourvu que cela devienne une loi, le gouvernement la respectera. »

Le projet de loi sera débattu au Sénat du Canada pour approbation avant qu'il devienne effectivement une loi. La législation donnera alors 60 jours seulement au gouvernement pour produire un plan d'action en accord avec le protocole de Kyoto.

Ce protocole prévoit une baisse de 6% des émissions de gaz à effet de serre courant de 1990 à 2012. Les conservateurs pensent que son application est mauvaise pour l'économie canadienne.

Les experts en politique indiquent maintenant qu'une élection fédérale pourrait se produire dès le printemps 2007. Les conservateurs ont été élus le 23 janvier 2006.


Il governo canadese 'rispetterà' il protocollo di Kyoto

Il partito conservatore al governo in Canada ha deciso di obbedire agli accordi del protocollo di Kyoto grazie ad una legge approvata dall'opposizione liberale. Prima di questa decisione, l'opposizione aveva puntualizzato che se il governo avesse ignorato la decisione, esso sarebbe stato processato.

«Se e quando la proposta diventerà legge, il governo dovrà rispettarla. Voglio puntualizzare... la proposta non obbliga il governo a prendere questa o quella decisione, semplicemente non dà autorità al governo di utilizzare fondi per prendere una decisione» ha detto Stephen Harper alla Camera giovedì. «Di certo, se e quando la proposta diventerà legge, il governo dovrà rispettarla».

La proposta verrà inviata al Senato del Canada per l'approvazione prima di diventare definitiva legge. La Legge dà al governo 60 giorni per preparare un piano che porti il Canada ad essere in regola con il protocollo di Kyoto.

Il protocollo prevede che diminuiscano del 6% le emissioni di gas dannoso per l'ambiente fra il 1990 e il 2012. Per i Conservatori, una simile decisione sarebbe un male per l'economia canadese.

Gli esperti sostengono che potrebbe esserci una consultazione federale al più presto nella primavera del 2007. I conservatori sono stati scelti al governo il 23 gennaio 2006.


Canadian government threatens to ignore law respecting Kyoto Protocol

Members of Stephen Harper's Conservative government said Friday that the government of Canada may ignore an upcoming House of Commons bill to respect the Kyoto accord. The Liberal-sponsored Bill C-288 requires the government to table a plan within 60 days explaining how they would meet climate change commitments.

The final vote on the bill is expected on Wednesday. Earlier votes passed with the support of all three opposition parties. Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon says the government does not feel bound by the terms of the bill, adding that the government will "act [...] instead of adopting an empty piece of legislation

Officials within the Canadian and United States Governments have previously criticised the Kyoto Accord for exempting the People's Republic of China and India, two of the largest world carbon emitters.

Rona Ambrose (at the time Canada's Environment Minister) voiced Canada's interest in participating in U.S. sponsored Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. "We've been looking at the Asia-Pacific Partnership for a number of months now because the key principles around [it] are very much in line with where our government wants to go," Ambrose told reporters in 2006.[1]

Liberals say ignoring the bill would be a "coup d'etat" and would trigger a constitutional crisis.

Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal MP from Montreal and sponsor of the bill, says that if the bill becomes law, the government will have to respect the Kyoto Accord or call an election. However the legislation is not being considered a confidence matter, and therefore would not bring down the government on the vote itself.

Experts are saying the government has a democratic obligation to follow laws. Ned Franks, a professor at Queen's University believes the government would need to produce a plan and have money value attached to it.

Stewart Elgie, a professor at the University of Ottawa, confirmed that if passed and no action is taken, the government would be breaking the law and could be taken to court.


Le gouvernement canadien est suspecté de vouloir ignorer une loi respectant le protocole de Kyoto

Les membres du gouvernement conservateur de Stephen Harper ont indiqué vendredi que le gouvernement du Canada pourrait ignorer un futur texte de loi de la Chambre des communes visant à faire respecter le Protocole de Kyoto. La loi C-288 proposée par les libéraux impose au gouvernement de planifier dans les 60 jours une réaction aux conséquences du changement climatique.

Le vote final sur ce projet de loi est attendu mercredi. Les précédents votes ont abouti avec le soutien des trois partis d'opposition. Le ministre des Transports, Lawrence Cannon, a indiqué que le gouvernement ne se sentait pas lié par les termes du projet de loi, ajoutant que le gouvernement « agirait (...) au lieu d'adopter une mesure legistlative vide ».

Des membres des gouvernements canadien et américain avaient auparavant critiqué les accords de Kyoto qui exemptaient d'efforts la République populaire de Chine et l'Inde, deux des plus grands émetteurs de carbone dans le monde.

Rona Ambrose, ministre canadienne de l'Environnement, a exprimé l'intérêt du Canada pour participer à un projet supporté par les USA, le partenariat Asie-Pacifique pour un développement propre et durable. « Nous rechercherons ce partenariat Asie-Pacifique depuis de nombreux mois car les principes-clés qu'il contient sont en adéquation avec la direction dans laquelle notre gouvernement veut aller » avait confié Mme Ambrose à des journalistes [1].

Les libéraux ont indiqué qu'ignorer cette loi reviendrait à un coup d'État [2] et provoquerait une crise constitutionnelle.

Pablo Rodriguez, membre du parlement libéral de Montréal et promoteur de la loi, a déclaré que si ce projet devient une loi, le gouvernement devra respecter les accords de Kyoto ou provoquer des élections. Cependant, la législation n'est pas considérée comme un sujet de confiance, et on ne peut donc provoquer le renversement du gouvernement par le vote lui-même.

Des experts indiquent que le gouvernement a une obligation démocratique de suivre les lois, Ned Franks, professeur à la Queen's University est persuadé que le gouvernement devra produire un plan ainsi que de débloquer des fonds pour le financer.

Stewart Elgie, professeur à l'Université d'Ottawa, a confirmé quant à lui que si ce projet est voté et que rien n'est fait, le gouvernement enfreindrait la loi et pourrait être jugé.


Il governo canadese minaccia di sottrarsi dal protocollo di Kyoto

Alcuni membri del governo conservatore di Stephen Harper hanno detto venerdì che il governo del Canada potrebbe ignorare il disegno di legge al vaglio della camera dei comuni per attuare le direttive del protocollo di Kyoto. La proposta di legge C-288, proposta dai Liberali, richiede al governo il varo, entro sessanta giorni, di un piano che spieghi quale sarà la politica ambientale canadese per rispettare gli impegni presi a Kyoto.

Il voto finale è atteso per mercoledì. In precedenza la proposta era stata approvata con il voto di tutti e tre i partiti di opposizione. Il ministro dei trasporti Lawrence Cannon dice che il governo non si ritiene obbligato a rispettare i tempi prospettati nel disegno di legge, aggiungendo che il governo prenderà "atto delle idee alla base del disegno di legge [... ] invece di adottare un disegno di legge senza contenuto."

I Liberali dicono che ignorare il disegno di legge sarebbe un colpo di stato e porterebbe ad una crisi costituzionale.

Pablo Rodriguez, parlamentare dei Liberali eletto a Montreal e promotore della proposta, ha detto che se il disegno diventerà legge, il governo sarà tenuto a rispettare gli accordi di Kyoto o dimettersi.

Gli esperti dicono che il governo ha una "obbligazione democratica" a seguire le direttive della legge. Ned Franks, professore alla Queen's University ritiene che il governo avrà la necessità di produrre un piano e di preparare adeguate risorse finanziarie.

Stewart Elgie, professore presso l'Università di Ottawa, ha confermato che se il disegno di legge viene approvato e non rispettato dal governo, metterebbe l'esecutivo fuori legge e per questo potrebbe essere denunciato alle autorità giudiziarie più opportune.


China completes "mammoth" Three Gorges Dam hydro-electricity project

The People's Republic of China has announced the completion of an enormous dam across the Yangtze River, an important milestone for the world's largest hydroelectric project. The official Xinhua News Agency reports the event as a "landmark in the construction of the project."

Launched in 1993, the Three Gorges Project, including the 2,300 metre long, 185 metre high dam with 26 power generators, is being built in three phases on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River - China's longest river. Built with over 16 million m3 of concrete, the Three Gorges Dam is considered the biggest reinforced concrete dam in the world.

The Three Gorges Reservoir is capable of holding nearly 40 billion m3 of water, including a space of 22.15 billion m3 for extra flooded water. With a length of more than 6,300 km and a natural fall of 5,400 metres from the west to the east, the flood-prone Yangtze River is the third largest in the world.

The gigantic project is expected to generate around 15 million megawatts of electricity, 84.7 billion kWh annually when the entire project is completed in 2008. But whilst proponents of the world's largest hydropower project laud the increased electricity generation and improved flood control as benefits to China, opponents claim destruction of the environment, ruin to China's cultural heritage - disaffecting millions of local residents.

"In my view, building the Three Gorges dam is a ridiculous and evil farce," says dam opponent Dai Qing. "Many people have known something is wrong with the project, but few have dared to speak up," she said. After it becomes operational, the 660km reservoir created by the dam will drown 13 towns, 4500 villages and 162 archaeological sites.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) are also strident vocal critics. "The dam is having a titanic social and environment impact," the group said this week. "Sometimes people are being moved out by truncheon and bulldozer because they refuse to leave their home for fear of not being rehoused. Human rights violations are massive and brutal," it said. FoE pointed to evidence that the dam was already having a serious environment impact.

FoE points to a scientific study by the East China Normal University in Shanghai, published in March in Geophysical Research, which said that in 2004, the Three Gorges dam has reduced the supply of sediment to the Yangtze delta to just 35 per cent of the norm.

Millions of tonnes of silt are drawn along the Yangtze river every year, and critics argue the dam will intercept much of it - with potentially disastrous consequences. They say the lack of sediment further downstream would lead to soil erosion, and the accumulation of sediment in the reservoir could raise the dam level, submerging even more land.

Opponents say the reservoir could fill with the accumulated garbage from tens of millions of households. The China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corp. has spent $2.5 million on a vessel to collect as much as 7 million cubic feet of garbage that accumulates at the dam each year, according to Xinhua. Some argue that the impact of the dam project will contribute to the extinction of the rare Yangtze river dolphin.

The dam project will force the relocation of a total of 1.13 million people, and communities that have lived in the area for millennia will disappear. Researchers warn sedimentation and rising water levels in the reservoir will lead to the evacuation of tens of thousands more people.

But as the waters rise, that which can not be saved will disappear along with some world famous natural scenery. Critics say the dam is under threat from earthquakes, with two geological fault lines nearby. Officials working on the project counter this by saying the worst that can happen is a tremor measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, while the dam is built to withstand force 7.0.

"Although the dam is now complete, we still have a long way to go and cannot become self-satisfied or relax our efforts in the least," Li Yongan, general manager of the Three Gorges Project Development Corp, said. The official China Daily in an editorial called for people to remember the more than 100 workers whom died during the dam's construction. "The best possible way to repay such a debt of gratitude is to make sure the highest safety and quality standards are observed up till the very end of the entire building process," the editorial said.


China completa la construcción del muro de la represa de las Tres Gargantas

En China se completó la construcción del muro de la Represa de las Tres Gargantas, evento que fue transmitido por la televisión estatal de ese país aunque ningún alto funcionario asistió.

El acto fue amenizado por una banda de música local, después de que un grupo de trabajadores colocaran el último tramo de hormigón en el muro de la represa. La obra ha sido objeto de numerosas críticas desde su origen como proyecto. Además, diversos grupos ambientalistas se oponen al desarrollo de la represa ya que, según éstos, traerá serias consecuencias ecológicas y sociales en los próximos años.

La función de esta nueva obra de ingeniería, que se levanta cerca de la ciudad de Yichang, provincia de Hubei, única en el país, es producir unos 18,000 megavatios y tratar de contener y evitar nuevas inundaciones del río Yangtzé. El proyecto de la hidroeléctrica se completará cuando se instalen y pongan en marcha las turbinas que generarán la energía cuando comience el llenado. La presa se extenderá por unos 600 km de largo a través del valle del Yangtsé esperando que alcance el máximo nivel de capacidad para el año 2009.


Climate Conference in Bali concluded; opinions on outcome differ

2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference

The climate conference that was held for the last two weeks in Bali came to a conclusion on Saturday. Agreement was reached  on the so called Bali roadmap, but opinions differed on the substance of this and other documents that were decided upon.

The Roadmap establishes the target year of 2009 and the scope for a post-2012 climate change agreement. This agreement is expected to include the setting, for industrialized nations, of reduction targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, amongst other things.

While the EU  had wished for the inclusion of a guideline range of 25-40% for GHG emission cuts by industrialized nations by 2020, this had been opposed by the US and others, and so was not included in the final "roadmap" which addresses all nations that are part of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC). The range was however included in the preamble of the document agreed on by the members of the Kyoto Protocol.

The "Bali Roadmap" document can be seen as having three distinct sections:

The first is the preamble, which is non binding and is there to put the following decisions in context. This is where the guideline emissions cut range would have been. Still included is a reference to the latest report by the international body of scientists that is charged with assessing the current state of knowledge on climate change. This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had presented its Synthesis report earlier this year. It also recognizes that "deep cuts in global emission will be required" to avoid dangerous climate change.

The second part is composed of a section calling for a "shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emission reductions" and then goes on with a description of the four "building blocks" envisioned for tackling climate change. These are

The third and last part is the technical part of the document, with a proposed timetable for meetings and similar procedural matters being included.

But it was not just the future that was talked about. There was also consensus on a number of current  issues, such as the setting up of an expanded adaptation fund, and the necessity of accelerating the transfer and development of "climate friendly" technology.

Perspectives on the outcome varied, with some non governmental organizations (NGOs) like Greenpeace International being generally happy that an agreement was achieved, but stating that a stronger mandate for the post 2012 negotiations had been wished for, and that current issues were not all addressed satisfactorily either.

The UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon on the other hand welcomed the outcome of the conference, stating that all of his three benchmarks for success had been reached. He went on to say that he "believes that the Bali Roadmap that has been agreed is a pivotal first step toward an agreement that can address the threat of climate change, the defining challenge of our time."

The EU also welcomed the agreement that was reached, with Commission President José Manuel Barroso noting that "We have worked hard to achieve this result. It is a very important step forward." Both he and Stavros Dimas, European Commissioner for Environment, made it clear that Bali had only been the start of what needed to be done, with the later stating that "Now the real hard work must begin. It is essential that the agreement to be worked out over the next two years is ambitious enough to prevent global warming from reaching dangerous levels.”


Conferência climática em Bali foi concluída; mas as opiniões divergem

A conferência climática em Bali, que iniciou há duas semanas atrás foi concluída nesse sábado. Os acordos chegaram a uma coisa denominada de "caminho de Bali", pois as opiniões foram muito divergentes sobre as causas de efeitos climáticos do mundo e da região, ale da aceitação dos termos impostos nele.

Os estudos mostram que alterações maiores da temperatura global ocorrerão em 2009 e  após o ano de 2012. Este acordo inclui também ajustes nos países industrializados para deter e/ou retardar essas mudanças, tais como: a redução e de gases estufa, dióxido de carbono, etc.

Enquanto a União Européia deseja fazer uma redução de 25 a 40% da emissão de gases estufas, e reduzir um pouco a industrialização até 2020essa idéia está sendo oposta pelos Estados Unidos e outras nações, porque disseram que eles não estavam incluídos no “tratado”, sendo que o acordo apenas valia para os países membros da UNFCCC.o acordo também incluiria nações quer fazem parte do protocolo de Kioto, além das que não fazem (como os Estados Unidos).

*Bali climate talks back from the brink, but substance missing [inativa] — Greenpeace, 15 de dezembro de 2007. Página visitada em 17 de dezembro de 2007. Arquivada em 17 de dezembro de 2007

*Secretary-General Ban welcomes climate change breakthrough in Bali — UN, 15 de dezembro de 2007

*EU welcomes agreement to launch formal negotiations on a global climate regime for post-2012 — European Commission, 15 de dezembro de 2007


Copenhagen climate conference ends with "meaningful agreement"

President of the United States Barack Obama has announced that wealthy and developing nations have reached what he called a "meaningful agreement" at the UN Climate Change Conference.  The announcement came in the final hours of two weeks of tough negotiations, but fell far short of what some had hoped for.

Agreement came late in the evening and after a day of intense negotiations.

President Obama announced what he called a meaningful and unprecedented breakthrough. "For the first time in history all major economies have come together to accept their responsibility to take action to confront the threat of climate change," he said.

Negotiations stalled amid differences over mitigation efforts by cutting greenhouse gas emissions; verification; and funding.

That formed the core of discussions, said Mr. Obama. "Throughout the day we worked with many countries to establish a new consensus around these three points, a consensus that will serve as a foundation for global action to confront the threat of climate change for years to come," he said.

Obama sat down with the leaders of developing countries at a multilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and South African President Jacob Zuma.

The agreement requires countries to list actions they will take to cut gas emissions by specific amounts and allows for verification.

Obama noted in his speech, "And that's where we agreed to list our national actions and commitments, to provide information on the implementation of these actions through national communications, with international consultations and analysis under clearly defined guidelines." Obama also added that the leaders "agreed to set a mitigation target to limit warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius, and importantly, to take action to meet this objective consistent with science."

Lumumba Stanislaus Di-Aping, a Sudanese diplomat who acted on behalf of the Group of 77 of developing nations blasted the agreement and the 2 degree mark stating to reporters, "The developed countries have decided that damage to developing countries is acceptable." On the 2-degree mark he stated the mark would "result in massive devastation to Africa and small island states." Mr. Di-Aping and various representatives of the most most vulnerable countries wanted a target of 1.5 degrees.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called it a good first step, but said a binding treaty must follow. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also called it a first step and urged more action.

President Obama acknowledged that as well, saying this progress had not come easily, and alone is not enough.  "Going forward we're going to have to build on the momentum that we've established here in Copenhagen to ensure that international action to significantly reduce emissions is sustained and sufficient over time.  We've come a long way but we have much further to go," he said.

The agreement is a far cry from what environmentalists and developing nations had called for. They wanted a legally binding treaty with much more specific commitments.

Some environmental groups criticized the agreement. Kim Carstensen of the World Wildlife Fund spoke of a non-deal that is not fair and does not meet the demands of the developing world. "It's been cooked up by a number of big countries in a closed room, without any transparency, without any civil society engagement in this building (the conference), without much engagement of the vulnerable countries," she said.

Climate talks are to continue. Germany is to call a meeting on the issue in the coming months and a climate change summit is also expected to be held in Mexico within the coming year.


Kopenhagen: Welt-Klimagipfel endet ohne verbindliche Vereinbarung

Kopenhagen (Dänemark), 20.12.2009 – Die mit großen Erwartungen am 7. Dezember begonnene 15. UN-Klimakonferenz ging in der Nacht vom 18. auf den 19. Dezember zu Ende. Delegierte aus 193 Ländern der Erde waren angereist, um ein Klimaschutzabkommen zu vereinbaren, das das 1997 verabschiedete Kyoto-Protokoll ablösen sollte, das 2012 ausläuft. Ein von 30 Staats- und Regierungschefs (ohne China) am Freitagabend in stundenlangen Verhandlungen erzieltes Kompromissdokument mit dem Titel „Copenhagen Accord“ fiel am Ende bei den Delegierten durch. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt waren wichtige Staats- und Regierungschefs der führenden Industrieländer, darunter Obama (USA), Sarkozy (Frankreich) und Merkel (Deutschland) bereits abgereist. Der Welt-Klimagipfel endete nur mit einer unverbindlichen Abschlusserklärung, die per Akklamation „zur Kenntnis“ genommen wurde. Das Ziel eines globalen Klimaabkommens für alle Staaten, das einen wesentlichen und verbindlichen Beitrag zur Senkung der Kohlenstoffdioxid-Emissionen und anderer Treibhausgase leisten würde, wurde damit deutlich verfehlt.

In der unverbindlichen Abschlusserklärung wird das vom Weltklimarat (IPCC) als essentiell bezeichnete Ziel, den Anstieg der globalen Durchschnittstemperaturen auf zwei Grad zu begrenzen, zwar erwähnt; das Dokument enthält jedoch keine verbindlichen Festlegungen zur Erreichung dieses Ziels. Im Jahr 2015 soll geprüft werden, ob dann eine Verringerung des globalen Temperaturanstiegs auf 1,5 Grad angestrebt werden sollte.

Im Abschlussplenum am frühen Samstagmorgen kam es schließlich zum Eklat. Der Sprecher der G77-Gruppe der Entwicklungsländer, der Sudanese Lumumba di-Aping, warf den Industrieländern erzürnt vor, sie hätten sich mit dem Scheitern des Klimagipfels ein „Mandat zur Zerstörung Afrikas“ gegeben. Das vorgelegte Dokument töte Millionen Menschen in Afrika: „Sie verlangen von Afrika, einen Selbstmord-Pakt zu schließen, um ihre wirtschaftliche Dominanz zu erhalten.“

Kritik an den Ergebnissen der Klimakonferenz äußerten vor allem umwelt- und globalisierungskritische Organisationen. Ein Attac-Sprecher sprach von einer „Farce“. Erfreulich nannte Attac-Sprecher Hendrik Sander hingegen, dass sich erstmals eine globale Bewegung für den Klimaschutz von unten etabliert habe: „Während die offizielle Klimapolitik in einer tiefen Krise steckt, markiert Kopenhagen die Geburtsstunde einer Klimapolitik von unten.“ Für den BUND äußerte sich ihr Vorsitzender Hubert Weiger: „Das Kopenhagen-Ergebnis ist eine Ohrfeige für das Weltklima und die ärmsten Staaten der Erde, die unter den Folgen des Klimawandels am meisten leiden.“

Lob kam hingegen vom UN-Generalsekretär Ban Ki-moon. Er nannte das Ergebnis einen wichtigen Anfang. Die nächste Klimakonferenz findet Ende 2010 in Mexiko statt.


Ilmastosopimusta ei syntynyt Kööpenhaminassa

YK:n ilmastokokouksessa Kööpenhaminassa osallistujamaat eivät päässeet yksimielisyyteen ilmastonmuutoksen vastaisia toimia koskeneesta sopimuksesta. Yhdysvallat, Kiina, Intia, Brasilia ja Etelä-Afrikka luonnostelivat yötä myöten väljän sopimuksen, jonka mukaan teollisuusmaat listaavat tammikuun loppuun mennessä maakohtaiset päästövähennystavoitteensa ja kehitysmaat listaavat itselleen tärkeimmät toimet ilmastonmuutoksen jarruttamiseksi. Saatiin aikaiseksi ”Kööpenhaminan julistus”, jonka mukaan ilmaston lämpeneminen pysäytetään kahteen asteeseen, mutta ei laillisesti velvoittavaa sopimusta päästövähennystoimista.

Suomalaisten kansalaisjärjestöjen tiedotteessa kirjoitettiin, että Kööpenhaminan kokouksessa ei saavutettu lainkaan oleellisimpia sille asetettuja tavoitteita. Luonto-Liiton pääsihteeri Leo Stranius katsoi, että ristiriidat pohjoisen ja etelän välillä kärjistyivät kokouksen loppua kohti eivätkä teollisuusmaat kantaneet vastuutaan.

Kokoukseen osallistui 193 maata.

Yhdysvaltain presidentti Barack Obama lupasi maansa osallistuvan kehitysmaille annettavaan raha-apuun, joka on tarkoitus käyttää ilmastonmuutoksen vastustamiseen. Obama ei voinut neuvotella maansa päästötavoitteista vapaasti, koska uusi ilmastolainsäädäntö on parhaillaan kongressin käsittelyssä.

Yhdysvallat antaa 3,6 miljardia, EU 10,6 miljardia ja Japani 11 miljardia dollaria ”pika-avustusta” kehitysmaiden ilmastoponnisteluihin vuosina 2010–2012. Vuosittaista avustusta aiotaan jatkaa niin, että tavoitteena on sadan miljardin vuosittainen avustussumma vuoteen 2020 mennessä.

Kiinan presidentti Wen Jiabao kehuu maansa olevan ensimmäinen kehitysmaa, joka on tehnyt ilmastositoumuksia. Maa lupaa vähentää hiili-intensiteettiään 40–45 prosenttia. Hiili-intensiteetti on hiilidioksidipäästöt bruttokansantuotteeseen suhteutettuna. Kiina sai arvostelua osakseen, koska se vastusti sitovia päästövähennystavoitteita ja päästöjen kansainvälistä valvontaa.


Copenhague: COP-15 termina com declaração política e sem acordo prático

Agência Brasil

18 de dezembro de 2009

Uma ofensiva diplomática de última hora busca viabilizar um acordo na 15ª Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre Mudanças Climáticas, que termina hoje (18) em Copenhague (Dinamarca). As informações são da BBC Brasil.

Os primeiros passos foram dados ontem (17), com a menção, feita pela primeira vez pelos Estados Unidos, de financiamentos de longo prazo para países em desenvolvimento combaterem as mudanças climáticas.

Paralelamente, a China teria cedido no sentido de aceitar reformas no sistema de controle de emissões do país, mantendo-o, entretanto, sob controle nacional. O vice-ministro do Exterior chinês, He Yafei, disse que o país está disposto a dialogar e cooperar desde que isso não leve à intromissão em assuntos internos e não infrinja a soberania.

Os presidentes Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva e Nicolas Sarkozy (França), líderes das delegações mais influentes do encontro, se reuniram para tentar acertar os ponteiros.

Entretanto, um documento vazado para a imprensa ontem indica que, ainda que se chegue a um acordo, ele não deverá ser ambicioso o suficiente para manter a temperatura do planeta abaixo dos 2 graus Celsius (°C), como recomenda o Painel Intergovernamental para Mudanças Climáticas (IPCC, na sigla em inglês).

O relatório, do dia 15 de dezembro, soma todas as metas de redução de emissão apresentadas até o momento e conclui que elas não conseguiriam tirar o planeta da rota do aquecimento global, que poderia chegar a 3 °C. A concentração de gases de efeito estufa na atmosfera ficaria em cerca de 550 partes por milhão (ppm) – bem acima das 450 ppm recomendadas pelo IPCC.

O documento, baseado em diversos estudos publicados recentemente, afirma que seria preciso manter as emissões em no máximo 44 gigatoneladas de gases de efeito estufa até 2020. Mas as propostas existentes ficam entre 1,9 gigatoneladas e 4,8 gigatoneladas acima desse nível.

O texto diz que, para alcançar esse patamar, também seriam necessárias reduções agregadas dos países industrializados de 30% em relação aos níveis de 1990, entre outras medidas.


Copenhagen climate conference opens

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) has opened on Monday with calls for urgent action to curb climate change and global warming. The largest climate conference in history at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark is running for two-weeks from December 7 until December 18. Around 15,000 delegates including representatives from the private sector, environmental organizations, research institutions and government officials, as well as 110 heads of state and government from 192 countries, will attend.

The COP15 Cultural Opening Ceremony played a four-minute long film called Please help the world by the Danish director Mikkel Blaabjerg Poulsen to highlight the danger of rising temperatures. The film depicts a young girl’s screaming nightmare about an eco-apocalypse with global warming, desert wastelands and terrifying floods. As the girl wakes from the nightmare she and other children implores us to 'Please help the world'. Poulsen said, “We have made a film which speaks to the heart rather than to the brain”. There was also music from a trumpeter, a harpist and the Danish National Girls Choir.

The UN climate change conference, the climax of two years of contentious negotiations, opened in an atmosphere of hope. There was an upbeat mood for a deal to be reached within the next two weeks.  At a press briefing,  Connie Hedegaard, the president of the conference, said that “the deadline is working”, but “within the time we have, we must solve the task”. Lars Lokke Rasmussen stressed, however, that the talks will have to overcome the deep distrust between rich and poor nations on how to share the burden of curbing emissions. There has been a series of promises by rich and emerging economies to curb their greenhouse gases, but there are major issues yet to be resolved.  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that a legally binding treaty on climate change will be reached in 2010.

The European Union has adopted a commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels but the union will raise its commitments to 30% if other major players undertake “comparable commitments”. News that the United States Environmental Protection Agency ruled that greenhouse gases endanger human health  may allow reductions of U.S greenhouse gas emissions. Quoting an unnamed diplomatic source, the Financial Times Deutschland has said the EU is to provide “1-3 billion euro” in aid to developing countries over the next three years so they can fight the effects of climate change and allow climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The conference was accused of environmental hypocrisy for its substantial carbon footprint, including its extensive use of private jets and limousines. To reduce the conference's environmental and climate impact, the Danish government will not give gifts to participants. The money will be spent on climate scholarships called COP15 Climate Scholarships, allowing 10-12 candidates to carry out 2-year climate related master’s programmes at Danish universities. Thousands of people are outside the conference building including groups such as Climate Justice Action, Friends of the Earth, Camp for Climate Action, 350.org and Greenpeace calling for urgent action. The environmental group Friends of the Earth condemned what it called “undemocratic practices adopted by the Danish presidency of convening small and exclusive groups of countries before the Copenhagen meeting”. A draft negotiating text has been publicly released, but it is rumored that there is an “alternate” treaty document being developed by some large countries in the negotiations, including conference organizers.

According to the Bali Road Map,  the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15) and the 5th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP5) must agree to a framework for climate change mitigation beyond 2012. Heads of states and governments of 110 countries have announced that they will come to Copenhagen before the 18th of December in an attempt to seal a political global climate deal. If a deal is reached, the UN will aim at transforming it into a legally binding text to replace the Kyoto Protocol, as its regulations of emissions expire in 2012.


Копенхаген 2009 - Среща на върха за Климатичните промени и Глобалното затопляне

Следващите  14 дена  човечеството решава каква ще бъде присъдата на историята за това поколение!
[1]  (RFI - София).
В Копенхаген започна срещата на върха посветена на климатичните  промени и глобалното затопляне, на която участват 192 страни. Под заглавие “Нашето поколение пред съда на историята”  е публикувана обща статия в 56 водещи световни всекидневника, която е преведена на 20 езика, сред които китайски, руски и арабски.
През следващите 14 дена човечеството е изправено пред исторически избор и изключително важната отговорност  за бъдещето на планетата и своето оцеляване. Глобалното затопляне е факт, и не може да бъде отречено. Още преди двадесетина години започналото измиране на коралите на кораловия риф в други морета, причинено от повишаване на световната температурата с 1,5 градеса даде тревожен сигнал. Но тогава почти никой не обърна внимание. Трябваше да минат десетилетия преди човечеството да осъзнае очевидното. Днес задачата, която човечеството трябва да реши спешно, е как температурата на планетата  през следващите години да не се повиши с 1,5 – 2 градуса, и какви мерки да бъдат предприети срещу тази заплаха. Утре вече ще бъде късно!
Днес е също така ясно, че глобалното затопляне не е само резултат от повишената слънчева активност и че за него носи отговорност човешкият фактор и съвременният начин на  производство.
цялата новина>>)

Дата: 7 декември 2009 г.


Comienza la cumbre de Clima en Copenhague

Con un discurso del primer ministro danés, Lars Okke Rasmussen, comenzó hoy la Cumbre de Clima de Copenhague, un evento que atrae la atención de todo el planeta por la crítica situación que se vive en materia climática.

Rasmussen admitió las dificultades para lograr un acuerdo vinculante que avance sobre objetivos de Kioto. Pese a ello, destacó el hecho de que "110 jefes de Estado y Gobierno han anunciado que acuridán a la cumbre". "Su presencia refleja una movilización política sin precedentes para combatir el cambio climático. Es una oportunidad que no podemos perder" agrego el mandatario anfitrión.

Inmediatamente tomó la palabra el indio Rajendra Pachauri, quien en 2007 ganó el Premio Nobel de la Paz junto a Al Gore y el Panel Intergubernamental de Cambio Climático. Pachauri relativizó la publicación de correos que indicaban una manipulación de los datos sobre cambio climático, y destacó que "el cambio del sistema climático es inequívoco" y que "la mayoría de la temperatura observada en la segunda mitad del siglo XX es muy probablemente debida a la emisión de gases del efecto invernadero de origen antropogénico".

Entre las alertas que emitió Pachauri indicó como consecuencias del cambio climático la "desaparición del hielo, aumento de sequías y olas de calor, reducción de disponibilidad de agua en el Mediterráneo, subida del nivel del mar de hasta siete metros por el deshielo de Groenlandia... El cambio climático exacerbará las tensiones por el agua".

El objetivo final de Copenhague es elaborar un acuerdo que reemplace al Protocolo de Kioto y entre en vigor en 2013. Si bien las negociaciones están seriamente trabadas por profundos desacuerdos entre los países ricos y los países pobres, los organizadores guardan aún la esperanza de lograr un tratado a más tardar en la próxima conferencia anual de Naciones Unidas en diciembre de 2010 en México.


Conferência do Clima começa hoje em Copenhague

Agência Brasil

7 de dezembro de 2009

Sob olhares atentos do mundo e com poucas chances reais de terminar com um acordo efetivo, começa nesta segunda (7) em Copenhague (Dinamarca) a 15ª Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre Mudanças Climáticas (COP-15). Até o dia 18, negociadores de mais de 190 países terão a difícil missão de chegar a um consenso sobre o novo acordo climático para complementar o Protocolo de Quioto depois de 2012.

O desafio inclui a conciliação de interesses de países ricos e nações em desenvolvimento para chegar a níveis de redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa que evitem o colapso climático do planeta. Também está em jogo a definição de um mecanismo para compensar a redução de emissões pelo desmatamento de florestas e dos valores do financiamento dos países ricos para os que os mais pobres se adaptem às consequências da mudança do clima, conta que até agora não está fechada.

Os diplomatas chegam a Copenhague sob pressão para evitar o fracasso do encontro, alardeado nas últimas semanas por organizações ambientalistas que temem que a COP-15 termine apenas com um acordo político, sem medidas efetivas para salvar o clima. A expectativa ficou menos sombria após o anúncio de metas e compromissos de países como os Estados Unidos, a China, Índia e o Brasil.

Grande poluidor e único país rico a não assinar o Protocolo de Quioto, os EUA prometeram corte de 17% das emissões até 2020. A China, numa conta mais complicada, anunciou compromisso de corte entre 40% e 45% por unidade de Produto Interno Bruto (PIB) até 2020, o que na prática ainda significa dobrar as emissões do país. A conta brasileira é de redução entre 36,1% e 39,8% até 2020, o que segundo o governo, vai evitar o lançamento de mais de 1 bilhão de toneladas de gases de efeito estufa na atmosfera.

Mesmo com parte dos números na mesa, é improvável que a reunião de Copenhague defina o novo regime global para complementar o Protocolo de Quioto. Nos últimos meses, reuniões preparatórias e encontros multilaterais não foram suficientes para fechar pontos importantes do acordo, que, pela regras da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU), só pode ser aprovado por consenso.

Um dos principais nós é o impasse sobre o financiamento de ações de adaptação e mitigação nos países em desenvolvimento. O dinheiro tem que vir dos países desenvolvidos, mas até agora não há sinal de acordo sobre os valores. Os mais pobres argumentam que são necessários pelo menos US$ 400 bilhões por ano. A melhor proposta na mesa por parte dos países industrializados prevê aporte de cerca de US$ 140 bilhões, mas parte do dinheiro teria que vir dos países em desenvolvimento, caso do Brasil, da China e Índia.

Geralmente representados por diplomatas e ministros, chefes de Estado importantes no jogo da negociação climática já confirmaram presença em Copenhague em algum momento das próximas duas semanas. O norte-americano Barack Obama, o francês Nicolas Sarkozy, a alemã Angela Merkel, o britânico Gordon Brown e o presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva estão com passagens marcadas para a capital dinamarquesa.

Além de governos, participam da COP-15 representantes de organizações não governamentais, observadores internacionais e ativistas de todo o mundo. Em duas semanas de reunião, o número de participantes deve passar de 30 mil.


Cyclone Emma crosses West Australian coast

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) say ex-tropical cyclone "Emma" has weakened below tropical cyclone intensity, after crossing the coast at 11am WST near Mardie in Western Australia (WA) today. Widespread squally thunderstorms with heavy rain and flooding are expected as the system moves further south. Approximately 280 millimetres of rain was recorded at Karratha in 36 hours.

The cyclone bore down on Australia's Pilbara region, bringing with it winds of up to 105kph. Dampier's port was closed, some flights to the region were cancelled and communities in the storm's path were battening down.

Cyclone Emma was west of Karratha and northeast of Onslow at 8am (WST) today, and travelling south at 23kph. The weather bureau said by the time the category one storm crosses the coast between Dampier and Onslow the worst of the weather will have passed.

"Most of the weather is travelling ahead of the system", weather forecaster Andrew Burton said. "They've probably had the worst weather by now, and by the time the system crosses the coast it will all be over really."

People near the communities of Onslow, Karratha, Dampier, Mardie, Point Sampson, Roebourne and Wickham were warned the storm could cause gales with gusts of up to 105kph. At Karratha, torrential rain has left parts of the town awash. Roebourne shire airport spokesman Alan Wright said there was flooding on the road to Karratha airport.

Six people were rescued after two cars were swept away by flood water dumped by the cyclone, oil and mining operations were shut down, Karratha, Tom Price and Pannawonica suffered localised flooding and three Pilbara schools had minor classroom and roof damage.

Fire and Emergency Services (FESA) issued an "all clear with caution" alert an hour after Emma crossed the coast and began breaking up as it moved inland. A spokesperson said: "With a category one cyclone you are not looking at destructive winds and in this case the rain that preceded the cyclone was the biggest issue. But residents should only proceed outside with caution as there may be downed powerlines, fallen trees, broken water and sewage lines, loose roof sheeting and debris."

Cyclone Emma's approach sparked a series of precautionary shutdowns of mining, oil and shipping operations. Open cut mining operations around Tom Price were shut. Guests at the Fortescue River Roadhouse, 1425km north of Perth, were stranded because of flooding.

The weather also forced Woodside Mining to cease production at two of its operations in the Pilbara region. The company said it expected no major impact from the production interruption at the North West Shelf with operations to start producing again when the weather improves.

Cyclone Emma is the third cyclone of WA's cyclone season, which runs between November and April, with most activity in the latter half of the period. The Bureau of Meteorology say they are watching another developing tropical low that could impact WA over the weekend.

The first major tropical storm this year was category three cyclone Clare which battered Dampier and brought flooding rains to mining regions and much of the wheatbelt in early January. A week later category two cyclone Daryl threatened North West WA but moved off the coast.


トロピカルサイクロン「エマ」、オーストラリア西海岸に上陸して弱まる

オーストラリア気象庁(BOM)によると、トロピカルサイクロン「エマ」は28日午前11時（UTC+8、日本時間正午）、オーストラリア西岸のマーディー付近に上陸した。その後勢力を弱め、トロピカルサイクロンの基準を下回る強度になった。今後については、強風は弱まったものの、さらに南の地域では強い雨と洪水への警戒が必要という。

このサイクロンにより、サウスオーストラリア州カラーサでは30m毎秒の最大風速を記録し、雨が強まった36時間の総降雨量が約280mmに達した。ダンピアでは港が封鎖され、サイクロンの通過が予想される地域では航空機数便が欠航した。石油や鉱山の採掘も中止された。また2台の車が洪水のため流されたが、6人が救助された。

英語版ウィキニュース記事の抄訳です


Cyklonen Emma når Västaustralien

Western Australia –
Australiens meteorologiska institut (BOM) har meddelat att "Emma", som tidigare klassats som en tropisk cyklon, avtagit i styrka sedan den nått kusten.

I Västaustralien stängdes hamnen i Dampier, flygningar har inställts och flera samhällen har stängts ned. Flera samhällen i västra Australien har drabbats av översvämningar.

Inga stormar är förväntas dock längre men stormbyar med åska och omfattande regn beräknas följa ovädret när det rör sig söderut.

Men BOM uppger att när stormen kommer att nå kusten mellan Dampier och Onslow kommer det värsta stormvindarna redan att ha passerat gruvdistriktet.

Cyklonsäsongen i västra Australien varar från november till april och "Emma" var det tredje ovädersystemet denna säsong. I början av året drabbades västkusten av ovädren "Clare" och "Daryl", vilket bland annat drabbade olje- och gruvindustrin.

Händelser 28 februari • februari • 2006 • kvartal 1 • vecka 9
Publiceringar 28 februari • februari • 2006 • kvartal 1 • vecka 9


Dam removal proposal for Klamath River

A proposal was made to remove four hydroelectric power generating dams across the Klamath River in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Intended to improve the habitat and range of salmon, the project requires agreements with the dams’ owner PacifiCorp and several federal government agencies. A coalition of Native American tribal leaders, fishermen, farmers, various governmental agencies, and environmental groups developed the proposal after two-years of negotiations.

The project would cost an estimated $1 billion to complete, and would be the largest project of its kind in U.S. history.  The earliest dam removal would begin is 2015.

WaterWatch, Oregon Wild, the Hoopa Valley Tribe, and some farmers oppose the proposed agreement for a variety of reasons.

If implemented the removal would allow for 300 more miles of river habitat for spawning salmon. It would also include a new tribal reservation covering 90,000 acres for the Klamath Tribe. Funding has yet to be allocated for the entire project that includes habitat restoration in addition to the removal of the dams.

Additionally, it has yet to be determined who would pay for the actual demolition of the dams owned by PacifiCorp. Discussions that led to this proposal began in 2004 after PacifiCorp applied to renew its power generating licenses for its dams on the river.


Proposta de construir Hidrelétrica nos Estados Unidos é derrubada

A proposta foi feita para remover quatro geradores de energia hidroeléctrica e a construção de barragens em todo o Klamath River no Sul de Oregon e do Norte da Califórnia. Destinados a melhorar o habitat e a gama de salmões, o projeto requer acordos com o proprietário das barragens, a PacifiCorp e diversas agências governamentais federais. Um grupo composto de chefes tribais, pescadores, agricultores, várias agências governamentais e grupos ambientalistas desenvolveu a proposta depois de dois anos de negociações.

O projeto teria um custo estimado US $ 1 bilhão para ser concluída, e seria o maior projecto do género na história dos E.U.. Os primeiros a serem removidos da área da barragem começaria em 2015.

WaterWatch, Oregon Wild, o Hoopa Valley Tribe, e alguns agricultores se opuseram ao acordo proposto por uma variedade de razões opostas.

Se implementada a remoção permitiria a 300 quilómetros de rio habitante mais de desova do salmão. Tratar-se-ia incluir também uma nova reserva tribal abrangendo 90000 hectares para a tribo indígena Klamath. O financiamento deve ainda ser atribuídos para todo o projecto incluir a restauração de habitat para além da remoção das represas.

Além disso, ele ainda tem de se determinar quem iria pagar a real demolição das barragens de propriedade da PacifiCorp. Os debates que conduziram a este acordo proposto iniciou-se em 2004, após a PacifiCorp aplicada a reassumir o seu poder para gerar novas licenças para suas barragens no rio.

*Associated Press. Smashing dams to save salmon [inativa] — CNN, 16 de janeiro de 2008. Página visitada em 17 de janeiro de 2008. Arquivada em 19 de janeiro de 2008

*Barringer, Felicity. Deal on Dams on Klamath Advances — The New York Times, 16 de janeiro de 2008

*Sleeth, Peter. Deal afoot to alter Klamath for users [inativa] — The Oregonian, 16 de janeiro de 2008. Página visitada em 13 de maio de 2021. Arquivada em 17 de setembro de 2013


Disputed island disappears beneath sea on India-Bangladesh border

The island of New Moore, an uninhabited territory near the Bay of Bengal between India and Bangladesh, has vanished, according to Indian scientists.

The island, located south of the Hariabhanga river, has been claimed by both Bangladesh and India for almost thirty years, since it first appeared in the seventies. The School of Oceanographic Studies in Calcutta commented that the disappearance of the island was confirmed by satellite imagery.

"There’s no trace of the island anymore. After studying satellite images, I reconfirmed this from fishermen," said Sugato Hazra, the director of Jadavpur University’s school of oceanography studies. According to the Times of India, the island only appears above the water surface if there is an unusually low tide. "What these two countries could not achieve from years of talking has been resolved by global warming."

Hazra commented that, until 2000, sea levels in the area increased approximately three millimetres annually, but in the past year the figure was augmented to about five millimetres. The director said that ten other islands in the vicinity of New Moore were in danger of being submerged as well.

Hazra attributed the island's disappearance to global warming, saying: "Coastal erosion and rising temperature in the Bay of Bengal between 2000 and 2009 led to the Purbasha island getting submerged. Temperature in the region has been rising at an annual rate of 0.4 degree celsius."

In 1996, another isle nearby, Lohachara, was submerged beneath the waters, displacing its inhabitants; meanwhile, the Ghoramara island had lost about half its land, Hazra said. "We will have ever larger numbers of people displaced from the Sunderbans as more island areas come under water."

According to officials, eighteen percent of the Bangladeshi coastal land will be submerged if sea levels increase by one metre by 2050, and twenty million people will be displaced.


Disputita insulo malaperis sub maro ĉe la limo inter Barato kaj Bangladeŝo

La Insulo Suda Talpatti, neloĝata teritorio apud la Bengala golfo inter Barato kaj Bangladeŝo, malaperis, laŭ barataj sciencistoj.


Endangered 'Asian unicorn' sighted

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

On Tuesday, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) announced that a living saola, or "Asian unicorn", has been photographed in Central Vietnam.  The picture was recorded last September by a camera trap placed by the Vietnamese government and the WWF.

The saola, an antelope-like animal with long horns, had not been seen in Vietnam since 1998, said Quảng Nam Forest Protection Department Deputy Head Dang Dinh Nguyen. The saola is critically endangered, according to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The WWF estimates only a few dozen saola, or at most a few hundred, survive in remote, dense upland forests along Vietnam's border with Laos.  They have never survived in captivity.

The WWF hopes to help save the saola from extinction by safeguarding its habitat from poachers.  Their country director for Vietnam, Van Ngoc Thinh, said, "This is a breathtaking discovery and renews hope for the recovery of the species."


Fotopast ve Vietnamu zaznamenala kriticky ohroženou saolu

Světový fond na ochranu přírody v úterý oznámil, že ve středním Vietnamu zachytila fotopast žijící saolu. Fotopast, umístěná v rámci spolupráce mezi Světovým fondem na ochranu přírody a vietnamskými úřady, sepnula v září a přinesla po mnoha letech důkaz, že saoly ještě žijí.

Saoly jsou podobné antilopám s dlouhými rohy a jak uvedl zástupce ředitele Oddělení ochrany přírody provincie Quảng Nam, Dang Dinh Nguyen, nebyly ve Vietnamu spatřeny od roku 1998. Na červeném seznamu IUCN jsou uvedeny jako kriticky ohrožený druh a Světový fond předpokládá, že jich přežívá pravděpodobně jen pár desítek, možná stovek, a to v odlehlých výšinách na hranicích mezi Vietnamem a Laosem. V zajetí žádná nepřežila.

Světový fond doufá, že se saoly podaří zachránit před vyhubením, pokud se jejich oblast podaří ochránit před pytláky. Oblastní ředitel pro Vietnam, Van Ngoc Thinh, k tomu řekl, že se jedná o dech beroucí objev, který dává ohledně přežití druhu novou naději.

Tato zpráva byla založena zčásti nebo zcela překladem zprávy Endangered 'Asian unicorn' sighted na anglických Wikizprávách.


Азијски једнорог, угрожени сисар, снимљен први пут у 15 година

14. новембар 2013.Вијетнам -  (Beta) - Азијски једнорог, један од најређих и најугроженијих сисара на Земљи, снимљен је у Вијетнаму први пут у 15 година, саопштила је у среду Светска организација за очување угрожених животињских врста (World Wildlife Fund - WWF).

Како је објашњено, ова врста говеда налик антилопи је снимљена у шуми у централном Вијетнаму током септембра.

„Ово је запањујуће откриће које обнавља наду у опоравак те врсте“, рекао је директор ВВФ-а у Вијетнаму Ван Нгок Тин (Van Ngoc Thinh).

Животиња је откривена 1992. године у удаљеним подручјима високих планина надомак границе са Лаос, када је тим састављен од активиста ВВФ-а и вијетнамске агенције за контролу шума у кући једног ловца пронашао лобању са необичним роговима.

Испитивања су потом потврдила да је реч о првом великом сисару који је у науци откривен у више од 50 година.


Entomological Society of America renames invasive moth

On Wednesday, the Entomological Society of America renamed the caterpillar formerly known as "gypsy moth" to "spongy moth" in English as part of its Better Common Names Project.

Its scientific name remains Lymantria dispar.

The society announced they were removing the common name last July, but did not choose a new name until last week, when the Society voted unanimously for "spongy moth."

Romani scholar Magda Matache of Harvard University's Roma Program reported: "Gypsy is considered a racial slur by many Romani people. It carries a very painful history, and it is offensive." The Romani, or Roma, have faced considerable prejudice in Europe and North America.

The 57 people from the Project assigned to this species took comments from the general public and examined more than 200 suggested names. "Spongy moth," from the French spongieuse, was proposed in January. The "spongy" refers to the sponge-like appearance of the egg masses that harbor the animal's eggs through winter.

It also matches the common names given to this animal in other languages: "sponge-spinner" in German and "sponge-knitter" in Turkish.  According to CNN, the animal is most likely to spread to new areas during its egg stage, as they travel from being laid on firewood or vehicles.

The spongy moth is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, but is a highly destructive invasive species in North America.  It first reached the continent in 1869.

The caterpillars are brown in color and covered in spines and blue and red spots.  They can eat the leaves off a tree until bare of foliage.  Altogether, spongy moth caterpillars have defoliated 1 million acres of North American trees per year since 1980.

"They basically, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, are just chewing their way through deciduous forests," Jessica Ware of the Entomological Society of America reports, citing a children's picture book. "'Spongy moth' is already beginning to appear in media stories and other online resources, which we're excited to see. But we know this name change won't happen overnight," she said.

"Particularly in books or print products, or regulations related to L. dispar, phasing in use of the new name may take some time. ESA will continue to provide supporting resources for organizations adopting this change."

The Entomological Society of America is the world's largest professional organization for insect scientists.


Entomological Society of America zmieniło angielskojęzyczną nazwę zwyczajową brudnicy nieperaki

2 marca 2022 roku Entomological Society of Americ zmieniło anglojęzyczną nazwę zwyczajową brudnicy nieparki z “gypsy moth” na “spongy moth” aby uniknąć obraźliwego określenia Gypsy oznaczającego “Cygan”.

Jest to pierwsza zmiana podjęta w ramach Better Common Names Project. Towarzystwo to ogłosiło rozpoczęcie procesu zmiany nazwy już w lipcu 2021 roku, ale nową wybrano dopiero pod koniec lutego 2022 roku. Została ona wybrana jednogłośnie.

Romska uczona Magda Matache z Roma Program Uniwersytetu Harwardzkiego powiedziała: „“Gypsy” (Cygan) jest uważane za rasistowskie określenie przez wielu Romów. Ma bardzo bolesną historię i jest obraźliwe”. Romowie spotykali się z poważnymi uprzedzeniami w Europie i Ameryce Północnej.

57 osób z projektu przypisanych do tego gatunku zebrało uwagi od opinii publicznej i przeanalizowało ponad 200 sugerowanych nazw. "Spongy moth" od francuskiego spongieuse została zaproponowana w styczniu. Słowo “spongy”, oznaczające “gąbczasty”  odnosi się do gąbczastego wyglądu jaj owada.

Jessica Ware z Entomological Society of America, powołując się na książkę z obrazkami dla dzieci stwierdziła, że „spongy moth” już zaczyna pojawiać się w mediach i innych zasobach internetowych. Dodaje, że wiadomo jednak, że nowa nazwa nie przyjmie się z dnia na dzień. „Szczególnie w przypadku książek czy innych drukowanych mediów lub przepisów i regulacji dotyczących L. dispar stopniowe wprowadzanie nowej nazwy może zająć trochę czasu. Amerykańskie Towarzystwo Etymologiczne będzie zapewniać wsparcie dla organizacji stosujących tę zmianę”.


Environmentalists: "Turn everything off!" on February 1st

"L’Alliance pour la Planète", a collective of French environmental organizations (such as WWF France), has launched a campaign to promote awareness on climate change. Under the theme Turn everything off!, they're asking people to turn off their electricity for five minutes on February 1st, between 7:55pm and 8:00pm CET. With the initiative, they hope to remind others, the media and politicians (such as the candidates for the upcoming French Presidential elections) of the ongoing waste of energy. Everyone should turn off the light, as well as all electrical appliances -maybe a good moment for a candlelight dinner, they suggest.

The "five minutes of silence" are believed to put pressure on world governments to discuss the topic more seriously on an international scale. Since the first call various similar international groups have stated their support and currently promote the idea on their websites and newsletters.

The date was originally chosen to match the release of the United Nations fourth climate change report, in which 2,500 scientists from more than 130 countries present their latest findings. The report however has been delayed and will now be released on February 2nd.

In Belgium, non-profit organizations such as Oxfam support the action. The consortium is working with the power distribution company to prevent any negative impact a sudden drop of energy demand might have on the electricity network.


Alles Ausschalten! – Weltweite Aktion gegen den Klimawandel

New York (Vereinigte Staaten) / Genf (Schweiz), 30.01.2007 – Unter dem Motto „Alles Ausschalten!“ findet am 1. Februar 2007 von 19:55 bis 20:00 Uhr eine weltweite Aktion gegen den Klimawandel statt.

Zahlreiche Umwelt- und Naturschutzorganisationen haben die Weltbevölkerung aufgerufen, am 1. Februar für fünf Minuten den Strom auszuschalten. Im Rahmen der fünf „Schweigeminuten“ sollen das Licht und alle sonstigen elektrischen Geräte ausgeschaltet werden, um die Mitmenschen, Medien und Politiker auf die tägliche Energieverschwendung aufmerksam zu machen. Die Aktion soll dazu anregen, das Problem der drohenden Klimakatastrophe auf internationaler Ebene verstärkt zu diskutieren.

Der Termin wurde gewählt, da an diesem Tag ursprünglich der von den Vereinten Nationen in Auftrag gegebene vierte IPCC-Klimabericht veröffentlicht werden sollte. 2.500 Wissenschaftler aus mehr als 130 Ländern präsentieren darin ihre neuesten Erkenntnisse über die Ursachen und Folgen des Klimawandels. Der Report wird nun jedoch einen Tag später, am 2. Februar, vorgestellt. Dem Vernehmen nach enthält er dramatische Prognosen für die weltweite Klimaentwicklung und deren Folgen.


EU ban on 75W bulbs comes into force

Starting today, it is illegal to manufacture or import 75W incandescent light bulbs in the European Union. The phaseout started last year when 100W light bulbs were outlawed. Bulbs of 60W will be phased out next year, and incandescent lighting of all types will be phased out in 2012.

The phase-out of incandescent light bulbs is part of the EU's strategy to cut greenhouse gases by 20% by 2020. Replacing the old lamps with more efficient models is expected to reduce energy consumption for lighting by 60% in the EU, equivalent to saving 30 million tons of CO2 pollution every year.

Although energy-saving bulbs were available since 1998, their relatively high purchase price has inhibited take-up. When the decision for the ban was taken in 2008, it was estimated that around 2,000 to 3,000 jobs would become redundant in the light bulb industry, in particular affecting Hungary and Poland. However, the European Commission also assumed that halogen production and savings of 5-10 billion euro from energy bills could be injected back into the economy to create new jobs.

In its editorial yesterday, the conservative The Washington Times harshly criticized the ban, labelling it a result of "bureaucratic irritation" and a "war on Edison's greatest invention". General criticism of such bans includes panic buying prior to phase-out, environmental impacts of the mercury which is contained in small amounts in all fluorescent lamps, and increased upfront costs for the consumer.

Brazil and Venezuela started to phase out incandescent light bulbs in 2005, Switzerland in 2009, while Russia and Canada are planning it for 2012. The United States is scheduled to begin a phaseout similar to the European one from 2012.


Aus für die 75-Watt-Glühbirne

Deutschland, 30.08.2010 – Am 1. September tritt wie vorgesehen in der Europäischen Union das Verkaufsverbot für herkömmliche Glühlampen mit einer Leistung von mehr als 60 Watt in Kraft.

Wie die Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband feststellte, herrsche beim Verbraucher aber Unsicherheit, da durch LED-Lampen und Kompaktleuchtstofflampen die Vielfalt der energiesparenden Alternativen am Markt größer geworden sei und es unterschiedliche Eigenschaften wie Lichtstrom und Farbtemperatur zu berücksichtigen gelte. Außerdem werde das Umweltzeichen „Blauer Engel“, das über die gesetzliche Bestimmungen hinausgehende Qualitäts- und Umweltstandards garantiere, von den Herstellern bisher kaum angenommen. Die Verbraucherzentralen bieten Bürgern Energieberatungen an. Informationen gibt es auch auf der Website des Umweltbundesamts.

Die Deutsche Umwelthilfe kritisierte die bisherige Entsorgung ausgedienter Kompaktleuchtstofflampen. Diese dürfen wegen ihres Gehalts an giftigem Quecksilber nicht in den Hausmüll geworfen werden, sondern müssen an speziellen kommunalen Sammelstellen oder freiwillig aufgestellten Sammelbehältern des Handels zurückgegeben werden. Die bisherige Rückgabequote von 10 bis 20 Prozent sei jedoch „absolut unbefriedigend“. Die Umwelthilfe forderte Umweltminister Norbert Röttgen auf, eine gesetzliche Verpflichtung des Handels zur kostenlosen Rücknahme von Altlampen und Elektrokleingeräten zu erlassen.


Evidence of natural gas deposit found off Gaza Coast

In statements to the press on Monday and Tuesday, Dr. Salem Salama, a member of the Hamas Palestinian Legislative Council's economic committee, said signs of a natural gas deposit were found off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Salama said the gas field had been found by Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, who noticed bubbling in the water which they first assumed was from fish or plants moving underwater. He added, samples from the site had been taken by navy personnel to the Islamic University, where they were verified. In a statement to AFP he said "preliminary tests carried out by experts from the Islamic University suggest that there is a natural gas field near the coast".

In an interview to the Gazan radio station Sout Al-Aqsa, Salama said the gas deposit lies only 200 to 300 meters from the central coast of the Gaza Strip, which would "facilitate the work of any company that might invest in this field. The return will be great for the Gaza Strip, in economic terms".

Deputy Hamas Prime Minister Mr. Ziad Al-Zaza calmed down the excitement regarding the issue in a comment to AFP. "[W]e need to conduct further studies to confirm that there is any gas", he said. "This requires probing by specialist companies because we don't have the adequate laboratories and experts here".

The Gaza Strip, which has been governed by Hamas since 2007, is now experiencing the most severe energy crisis in its history. Following the lack of fuels, the residents of the Gaza Strip sometimes need to manage with only 12 hours of electricity a day. This evidence of natural gas fields may offer a resolution to the crisis.


Trovitaj spuroj de tergasujo en la marbordo de Gaza

Laŭ informo al ĵurnaloj lunde kaj marde, la Doktoro Salem Salama, membro de la ekonomia komitato de la Palestina Leĝa Konsilio, certigis, ke estas spuroj de tergasujo en la marbordoj antaŭ la Gaza Sektoro.

Doktoro Salama diris, ke la tergasujo estis trovata fare de palestina fiŝkaptisto en Gaza Sektoro, kiu atentis pri bobelado en la akvo kaj pensis, unue, ke temis pri fiŝoj aŭ platoj moviĝantaj subakve. Aldone, Salama diris, ke oni prenis provaĵojn en la loko, kiujn oni portis al la Islama Universitato, kie oni analizis ilin. Laŭ informo al AFP, la doktoro diris, ke la ekzamenoj faritaj de spertuloj de la Universitato sugestas, ke ekzistas tergasujo.
En intervjuo al radio-stacio Sout Al-Aqsa, Salem Salama diris, ke la gasujo estas 200 aŭ 300 metrojn for de la marbordo de la centro de Gazo, kio «plifaciligos la laboron al iu ajn entrepreno, kiu volu investi en tiu deponejo. La avantaĝoj estos grandaj por la Gaza Sektoro, ekonomie parolante».

La ĉefministro Ziad Al-Zaza alvokis por tranviliĝo post la malkovro fare de informo al AFP. «Ni bezonas fari pliajn studojn por certigi, ke estas gaso tie», li certigis. «Tio ĉi necesas provojn fare de spertaj entreprenoj, ĉar ni ne havas la ĝustajn laboratoriojn aŭ spertulojn».

La Gaza Sektoro, regata de Hamas ekde 2007, spertas la plej grandan energio-krizon el sia historio. La manko de fuelo okazigas kelkfoje, ke la loĝantoj havu nur po 12 horojn da elektro tage. La ebla tergasujo povus helpi solvi la krizon.


Hallan evidencias de un depósito de gas natural en las costas de Gaza

En declaraciones a la prensa el lunes y martes, el Dr. Salem Salama, miembro del comité económico del Consejo Legislativo Palestino, declaró que había señales de un depósito de gas natural en las costas frente a la Franja de Gaza.

El Dr. Salama dijo que el depósito de gas fue encontrado por un pescador palestino en la Franja de Gaza, quien notificó que había un burbujeo en el agua y creyó en un inicio que se trataba de peces o plantas moviéndose bajo el agua. Además, Salama declaró que se tomaron muestras en el sitio que fueron llevadas a la Univerisdad Islámica donde fueron analizadas. En una declaración a AFP, el doctor dijo que los exámenes preliminares hechos por los expertos de la universidad sugieren que ahí hay un depósito de gas natural.

En una entrevista a la estación de radio Sout Al-Aqsa, Salem Salama dijo que el depósito de gas se encuentra a unos 200 o 300 metros de la costa del centro de la Franja de Gaza, lo que "facilitará el trabajo a cualquier compañía que quiera invertir en ese depósito. Los beneficios serán geniales para la Franja de Gaza, hablando en términos económicos.

El Primer Ministro Ziad Al-Zaza hizo un llamado a la excitación que causó el descubrimiento en declaraciones a AFP. "Necesitamos llevar a cabo más estudios para confirmar que ahí hay gas", afirmó. "Esto requiere pruebas de compañías especializadas porque nosotros no tenemos los laboratorios o expertos adecuados".

La Franja de Gaza, que está gobernada por Hamas desde el 2007, experimenta la mayor crisis energética de su historia. La escasez de combustible causa que los habitantes de esa zona tengan en algunas ocasiones solamente 12 horas de electricidad por día. Esto prueba que el posible depósito de gas podría ofrecer una solución a la crisis.


Greenpeace founder supports nuclear energy

An article supporting nuclear energy written by Patrick Moore appeared in the Washington Post Outlook section yesterday. Moore was a co-founder of Greenpeace who currently co-chairs an industry-funded initiative, the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, which supports increased use of nuclear energy. Moore and U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) spoke during the opening session of the 2005 American Nuclear Society's Winter meeting in November.

Moore says that his views have changed since founding Greenpeace, and he now believes that using nuclear energy can help counteract catastrophic climate change from burning fossil fuels.  Says Moore, "The 600-plus coal-fired plants emit nearly 2 billion tons of CO2 annually -- the equivalent of the exhaust from about 300 million automobiles." Moore also cites reports from the Clean Air Council that coal plants are responsible for 64 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions, 26 percent of nitrous oxides and 33 percent of mercury emissions.

"Meanwhile, the 103 nuclear plants operating in the United States effectively avoid the release of 700 million tons of CO2 emissions annually," says Moore.  "Nuclear energy is the only large-scale, cost-effective energy source that can reduce these emissions while continuing to satisfy a growing demand for power. And these days it can do so safely."  Moore points out that the average cost of producing nuclear energy in the United States was less than two cents per kilowatt-hour, comparable with coal and hydroelectric. He predicts that advances in technology will bring the cost down further in the future.

According to Moore, British atmospheric scientist James Lovelock, father of the Gaia theory, also believes that nuclear energy is the only way to avoid catastrophic climate change.  Concerns about past accidents in the nuclear industry were also mentioned, as he claims the Chernobyl nuclear disaster as example, calling it "an accident waiting to happen. This early model of Soviet reactor had no containment vessel, was an inherently bad design and its operators literally blew it up". He also recognized the difficulty of dealing with nuclear waste.

Moore was a founding member of Greenpeace in 1971 and was instrumental in its early campaigns, but left the organization in 1986.  Greenpeace is known for its campaigns of nonviolent direct action against atmospheric and underground nuclear testing.


Основатель «Гринпис» высказывается за ядерную энергию

Статья, поддерживающая ядерную энергетику, написанная Патриком Муром, соучредителем Гринпис, появилась в газете «Вашингтон Пост». Согласно статье, Mур больше не выступает против ядерной энергетики и теперь высказывается в её поддержку. Мур и американский Сенатор Чак Хагэль (Chuck Hagel) (республиканец из штата Небраска) выступали на зимней сессии американского Ядерного Общества, состоявшейся в ноябре 2005 года.

Mур был членом-учредителем Гринписа в 1971 году и участвовал в ранних  кампаниях протеста, но оставил организацию в 1986 году. Гринпис известен его кампаниями ненасильственного прямого действия против ядерных испытаний в атмосфере и под землёй, а также против охоты на китов в открытом море.

Мур говорит, что его взгляды изменились со времени основания Гринписа, и он теперь полагает, что использование ядерной энергии может помочь противодействовать катастрофическому изменению климата, происходящему от сжигания ископаемого топлива. Мур говорит: «600 вновь построенных тепловых электростанций испускают почти 2 миллиарда тонн CO2 ежегодно — это эквивалентно выхлопу, приблизительно, 300 миллионов автомобилей». Мур также цитирует сообщения «Совета чистого воздуха», что угольные электростанции ответственны за 64 % эмиссии диоксида серы, 26 % оксидов азота и 33 % эмиссии ртути.

«В то же время 103 ядерные электростанции, работающие в Соединенных Штатах, эффективно предотвращают выброс в атмосферу 700 миллионов тонн CO2 ежегодно», — говорит Мур. — «Ядерная энергия — единственный крупномасштабный, рентабельный источник энергии, который может уменьшить эту эмиссию, продолжая удовлетворять растущие потребности в энергии». Ядерная энергия — единственный способ избежать катастрофического изменения климата.

В то же самое время Мур обратил внимание на текущие проблемы и происходившие в прошлом несчастные случаи в ядерной промышленности. Он указывает на чернобыльскую катастрофу как пример, называя это «ожидаемым несчастным случаем». В Чернобыле была установлена одна из ранних моделей советского реактора, который не имел никакой «спасательной шлюпки», реактор был недостаточно надёжен, и его операторы буквально «взорвали его».

Мур также осознаёт проблемы с ядерными отходами. «Через 40 лет использованное ядерное топливо имеет радиоактивность в тысячу раз меньше, чем оно имело во время выгрузки из реактора. И неправильно называть это тратой, потому что 95 % потенциальной энергии все еще содержатся в используемом топливе после первого цикла», — говорит Мур.

30 апреля 2006 года


Haze crisis over Malaysia prompts talks with Indonesia

A week-long choking smog-like haze over Malaysia has prompted crisis talks with Indonesia.  Lingering smoke from forest fires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra are the primary cause.  Farmers regularly burn scrub and forest to clear land during the dry season, but this is the worst haze since 1997.

Air quality in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur is so poor, health officials are advising citizens to stay at home with doors closed. Some schools have been closed to keep children from being exposed to the haze.  Schools that chose to remain open are keeping children indoors and require them to wear protective masks when they are forced to venture outdoors.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport was unaffected but smaller flights from Subang airport were suspended.

Malaysia's Environment Minister, Adenan Satem, and Commodities Minister, Peter Chin, will meet with Indonesia's forestry minister and officials from its environment ministry in Medan, according to Malaysian media.  Malaysia has offered to send firefighters to fight the forest and scrub fires estimated at numbering more than 300.


Malasia e Indonesia discuten por nube de smog

Una niebla de smog que lleva más de una semana posada sobre Malasia ha provocado una crisis con Indonesia. El humo que ha resultado de los incendios registrados en la isla de Sumatra es la principal causa. Por lo general los granjeros queman maleza y bosque para limpiar la tierra durante la temporada seca, pero esta es la peor niebla desde 1997.

La calidad del aire en la capital malaya Kuala Lumpur es tan baja -Índice de Calidad del Aire de 300, considerado "peligroso" según los estándares de la OMS- que los oficiales de salubridad han aconsejado a la ciudadanía quedarse en casa con las puertas cerradas. Algunas escuelas han tenido que ser cerradas para proteger a los niños de la contaminación, mientras que los centros educativos que han optado por funcionar mantienen a los escolares adentro y les piden que usen máscaras protectoras cuando tienen que salir.

Si bien el Aeropuerto Internacional de Kuala Lumpur no se ha visto seriamente afectado, algunos pequeños vuelos procedentes del aeropuerto de Subang fueron suspendidos. La visibilidad es especialmente baja en el estrecho de Malaca.

Los ministros malayos de Ambiente, Adenan Satem, y de Materias Primas, Peter Chin, tienen programada una reunión con el ministro forestal indonesio y oficiales del ministerio de Ambiente de ese país en Medan, según informaron los medios malayos. Malasia ha ofrecido el envío de bomberos para luchar contra los incendios, cuya cifra se calcula en unos 900.


Pożary indonezyjskiej dżungli utrudniają życie w Malezji

Od tygodnia mieszkańcy Malezji cierpią z powodu smogu wywołanego pożarami na indonezyjskiej wyspie Sumatrze. Zanieczyszczenie powietrza w stolicy kraju Kuala Lumpur i wielu innych miastach przekroczyło dopuszczalne stężenie. Władze zaleciły mieszkańcom pozostanie w mieszkaniu i zamknięcie okien. Niektóre szkoły zostały zamknięte, a w innych dzieci noszą na zajęciach ochronne maski.

Pożary dżungli wywołane zostały przez indonezyjskich rolników, którzy regularnie wypalają las i busz, by uzyskać nowe grunty pod uprawę. Jednak w tym roku pożary osiągnęły niespotykaną skalę. Dymy z pożarów, przenoszone przez wiatr ponad Cieśniną Malakka, stanowią poważne zagrożenie dla zdrowia mieszkańców Malezji.

Malezja zażądała spotkania z przedstawicielami rządu w Dżakarcie, oferując jednocześnie pomoc przy gaszeniu pożarów.


Hurricane Flossie threatens Big Island of Hawaii with winds, rain

Hurricane Flossie, a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is expected to pass close enough to the Big Island of Hawaii on Tuesday to cause damaging winds, torrential rain, and high surf.

As of 8:00 p.m. HST Monday (0600 Tuesday UTC), the U.S. National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning, hurricane watch, and flash flood watch for the island of Hawaii. The center of Hurricane Flossie was located near 16.2N, 152.5W, about 295 miles southeast of Hilo and 500 miles southeast of Honolulu, moving west-northwest at 15 mph. Maximum sustained winds were near 120 mph (200 km/h) with higher gusts, and the minimum central pressure was measured at 957 mb (28.26 inches).

Residents of the Big Island can expect to encounter tropical storm force winds of 40-50 mph (64-80 km/h) mid-morning Hawaii time on Tuesday. Surf along the southeast shore of Hawaii island is expected to rise from 6-8 feet Monday to 15-20 feet Tuesday local time.

At this time, no warnings have been issued for the other islands in the chain as Flossie is expected to pass the Big Island to the south; however, the National Weather Service notes that any shift of the forecast track to the north may result in hurricane force winds and the possibility of watches and warnings for other islands.


El Huracán Flossie amenaza a Hawaii

El Huracán Flossie, un huracán de categoría 3 en la escala Saffir-Simpson, pasará cerca de la Gran Isla de Hawái el martes y podría causar daños por intensos vientos y lluvias torrenciales.

El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional de Estados Unidos ha declarado una alarma por la tormenta, y una posibilidad de inundaciones relámpago en la isla de Hawaii. El centro del Huracán Flossie se encuentraba a 16,2 N, 152,5 O, a 295 al sudeste de Hilo y 500 millas al sudeste de Honolulú, moviéndose al noroeste-oeste a 15 mph.

Los vientos máximos registrados fueron de 120 mph (200 km/h) con ráfagas intensas, y la presión del ojo fue medida en 957 mb (28.26 pulgadas).

Los residentes de la Gran Isla pueden esperar ver vientos de 40-50 mph (64-80 km/h) el martes en Hawái. La marea en la isla podría ascender 6-8 pies el lunes y 15-20 pies el martes.

Por ahora, no se han declarado otras alarmas para las otras islas de Hawái ya que Flossie pasará por el sur de la Gran Isla; sin embargo, el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional nota que cualquier cambio en lo que se prevé para el rumbo de Flossie podría hacer que se dicten alarmas en el resto de las islas.


Hurricane Ophelia hits U.S. East Coast

With recovery from Katrina still under way, Hurricane Ophelia has now cut power to nearly 81,000 homes and businesses on the Eastern coast of North Carolina.

On Thursday, the storm moved slowly up the coast of North Carolina, causing considerable damage. Alton Ballance, a resident of the affected area, said that the storm was "just beating us to death.  It's similar to the wintertime nor'easters that lay there and beat you for a couple of days.".

A small Category 1 hurricane, with top wind speeds of 85 mph (136 kph), Ophelia is nearly stalled in its current position in North Carolina and, in the words of another resident, Laurie Garner, "It just beat us and beat us and beat us."

"The barrier islands will be getting hammered one way coming up and the other way going back out," said the Governor of North Carolina, Mike Easley.


Huragan Ofelia zagraża wschodniemu wybrzeżu USA

Po uderzeniu huraganu Katrina Stanom Zjednoczonym zagroził kolejny cyklon – Ofelia, który pozbawił prądu ponad 80 tysięcy gospodarstw domowych i przedsiębiorstw na wschodnim wybrzeżu USA w Północnej Karolinie.

W czwartek huragan przesunął się w kierunku tego stanu powodując znaczne zniszczenia. Huragan Ofelia został zakwalifikowany do niskiej, pierwszej kategorii cyklonów. Prędkość wiatru Ofelii sięga 136 km/h.


Inaugural African Protected Areas Congress closes

The inaugural African Protected Areas Congress hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, closed on Saturday with delegates adopting the Kigali Call to Action, committing countries to greater investments in the conservation of nature.

The conference ran from July 18-23, and was organised by Rwanda, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the African Wildlife Foundation, with the aim of discussing the challenges and opportunities in the conservation of nature and wildlife across Africa. Over 2300 delegates were present representing countries, the private sector, indigenous groups and conservation organisations.

Initiatives included the launching of a Pan-African Conservation Trust, with African governments encouraged to approve its establishment. This would see a $200 billion pan-African trust fund created for the financing of all 8,500 of Africa's protected areas in perpetuity.

Congress closed with delegates adopting the Kigali Call to Action, committing countries to spending 1% of their GDP on funding biodiversity programs, alongside increasing collaborations between the public and private sectors. The Call to Action also called for the strengthening of the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.


Inauguracyjny African Protected Areas Congress zakończony

Inauguracyjny African Protected Areas Congress, który odbył się w Kigali w Rwandzie, zakończył się w sobotę, 23 lipca, przyjęciem przez delegatów "Kigali Call to Action", który to dokument zobowiązuje kraje do większych inwestycji w ochronę przyrody.

Konferencja trwała od 18 do 23 lipca i została zorganizowana przez Rwandę, Międzynarodową Unię Ochrony Przyrody i African Wildlife Foundation, w celu omówienia wyzwań i możliwości w ochronie przyrody i dzikich zwierząt w całej Afryce. Obecnych było ponad 2300 delegatów reprezentujących państwa, sektor prywatny, grupy tubylcze i organizacje ochrony przyrody.

Inicjatywy obejmowały uruchomienie Pan-African Conservation Trust, przy czym rządy afrykańskie zachęcano do zatwierdzenia jego utworzenia. W ten sposób powstałby panfrykański fundusz powierniczy o wartości 200 miliardów dolarów, przeznaczony na finansowanie wszystkich 8 500 afrykańskich obszarów chronionych w nieskończoność.

Kongres zakończył się przyjęciem przez delegatów "Kigali Call to Action", który to dokument zobowiązuje kraje do przeznaczania 1% swojego PKB na finansowanie programów bioróżnorodności, przy jednoczesnym zwiększeniu współpracy między sektorem publicznym i prywatnym. Kigali Call to Action wzywa również do wzmocnienia praw ludności tubylczej i społeczności lokalnych.


Israeli bombardment spills 35,000 tons of heavy fuel oil

Resulting from the Israeli bombings on July 13 and 15, 2006 of the Jiyeh power station, located on the coast 30 kilometers south of Beirut, Lebanon, approximately 35,000 tons of heavy fuel oil have spilled into the Mediterranean Sea.  The Lebanese Ministry of Environment expects additional tonnage to flow into the sea as a result of the damage.  For comparison, the Exxon Valdez oil spill released nearly 40,000 tons.

According to Berj Hatjian from the Lebanon Ministry of Environment, "What we have here is equivalent to a tanker sinking, and 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes reaching the shoreline."  Furthermore, several storage tanks caught fire due to the blast of the bombardment and continued to burn uncontrollably for 10 days after.  Wind and water currents have spread the oil slick across 70-80 kilometers of Lebanon coastline.

RESCUE LEBANON'S COAST Republic of Lebanon Ministry of Environment


Bombardeos israelíes producen el peor desastre ambiental del Mediterráneo

Los bombardeos israelíes a los tanques de combustible de la plantas termoeléctricas de Jiyyed produjeron un derrame de petróleo que ya ha cubierto dos terceras partes de la costa libanesa y amenaza con extenderse hasta Siria. Aproximadamente 80 de un total de 200 km de playa han sido afectados.

Uno de los tanques continúa derramando petróleo al Mediterráneo, dos semanas después de ser bombardeado por aviones israelíes. Otro tanque todavía está bajo las llamas produciendo una larga columna de humo que el viento desplaza a través del país.

Aproximadamente 100.000 barriles de petróleo se han derramado en el Mar Mediterráneo.

Los trabajos de emergencia para detener el desastre ecológico no han comenzado debido al bloqueo naval y a que los combates continúan. Debido a los cientos de muertes causados por los bombardeos, el daño ecológico todavía no ha recibido mucha atención por la prensa. El efecto de la contaminación amenaza con extenderse a Chipre, Turquía y Grecia.


Les bombardements israéliens provoquent une catastrophe environnementale au Proche-Orient

Les bombardements Israéliens sur les réservoirs de combustibles des centrales thermoélectriques de Jiyyed ont produit une nappe de pétrole qui a recouvert les deux tiers de la côte libanaise et menace de s'étendre vers la Syrie. Environ 80 km de plages sur un total de 200 km ont été touchés.
Un des réservoirs continue de déverser du pétrole dans la Méditerranée, deux semaines après avoir été bombardé par l'aviation israélienne. Un autre réservoir touché produit toujours une large colonne de fumée que le vent disperse à travers le pays.
L'équivalent de 100 000 barils de pétrole se sont répandus dans la mer.
Les travaux d'urgence pour confiner le désastre écologique n'ont pas encore commencé en raison du blocus naval et de la persistance des affrontements. En raison des centaines de morts provoquées par les bombardement, ces dégâts environnementaux n'ont pas reçu beaucoup d'attention de la presse. Les effets de la pollution des hydrocarbures menacent de s'étendre à Chypre, à la Turquie et à la Grèce.


Japan backs down from hunting Humpback whales

Japan has backed down from a highly controversial plan to hunt endangered humpback whales off Antarctica, after fierce criticism by Australia. The Japanese whaling fleet, however, still plans to hunt almost 1,000 whales this season. Today's decision will save 50 humpback whales that Japanese whalers had planned to catch and kill in Antarctic waters.

Environmental group Greenpeace welcomed the decision, but the Japanese whaling fleet is still planning to catch around a 1,000 minke and fin whales - its largest catch ever - for what the government calls "scientific research."

Japan has been under pressure from conservation groups, the United States, Australia and New Zealand not to hunt humpback whales - which are considered near extinction.

Australia increased that pressure on Wednesday when it announced it would send a ship and planes to track the Japanese fleet and gather evidence that could be used to mount a legal challenge to Japanese whaling. Greenpeace Australia's chief Steve Shallhorn, says it was Australia's firm stand that forced Tokyo's turnaround.

"I think there's little doubt the Australian intervention has caused Tokyo to change its mind," he said. "I think the Japanese government found that they could not defend the killing of humpback whales, which are listed under appendix A of the CITES convention, which is the international trade on endangered species convention."

A Japanese government spokesman says Friday's decision was made after talks with the International Whaling Commission, which is currently chaired by the United States. The spokesman says he hopes his government's decision will lead to better ties with Australia.

Although Tokyo vigorously defends the whale hunt as scientific research, whale meat - a delicacy in Japan - ends up in supermarkets. On Wednesday, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said bluntly that the Japanese hunt was not science, but "the slaughter of whales."


יפן נסוגה מתוכנית ציד הלווייתנים גדולי הסנפיר

יפן נסוגה מתוכנית שנויה במחלוקת ציבורית קשה לצוד בסמוך לחופי אנטארקטיקה לווייתנים גדולי סנפיר, המצויים בסכנת הכחדה, בעקבות מטחי ביקורת נוקבים מאוסטרליה. ברם, צי ציד הלווייתנים היפני עודו מתכנן לצוד קרוב ל-1,000 לווייתנים בעונת הציד הקרובה. ההחלטה מהיום עשויה להציל כ-50 לווייתנים גדולי סנפיר שציידי הלווייתנים היפנים התעתדו לתפוס ולחסל במימי אנטארקטיקה.

ארגון איכות הסביבה 'גרינפיס' בירך על ההחלטה, אך כאמור, צי ציד הלווייתנים היפני עודו מתכנן ללכוד בסביבות 1,000 לווייתני מינקי ולווייתנים מצויים - שלל ציד הלווייתנים הגדול בהיסטוריה - בעבור מה שהממשלה היפנית מכנה "מחקר מדעי".

יפן נתונה תחת לחצים מקבוצות למען שימור הסביבה, ארצות הברית, אוסטרליה וניו-זילנד, על מנת שתחדל לצוד את הלווייתנים גדולי הסנפיר - הנחשבים לקרובים להכחדה.

אוסטרליה הגבירה את הלחץ ביום רביעי כאשר הכריזה כי תשלח ספניה ומטוסים על מנת לעקוב אחר הצי היפני ולאסוף ראיות שיוכלו לשמש לנקיטת צעדים משפטיים נגד הציידים היפניים. יו"ר גרינפיס אוסטרליה, סטיב שלהורן, אמר כי עמדתה הסרבנית של אוסטרליה הייתה זו שכפתה בסופו של דבר על יפן לחזור בה מתוכניתה.

"אני סבור כי אין ספק כי ההתערבות האוסטרלית הביאה לשינוי עמדתה של טוקיו," הוא אמר. "אני סבור כי ממשלת יפן גילתה כי לא תוכל להגן על חיסול הלוויינתים גדולי הסנפיר, המצויים בנספח A של אמנת CITES, האמנה לסחר בינלאומי במינים המצויים בסכנת הכחדה."

דובר מטעם הממשלה היפנית אמר כי ההחלטה מיום שישי נתקבלה בתום שיחות שהתקיימו עם הוועדת הבינלאומית לציד לווייתנים, שכיום עומדת בראשה ארצות הברית. הדובר מסר כי הוא מקווה שהחלטת ממשלתו תוביל להידוק היחסים עם אוסטרליה.

הגם שטוקיו מגנה בחירוף נפש על ציד הלווייתנים בתור "מחקר מדעי", הרי שבשר הלוויינתים - הנחשב למעדן ביפן - סופו שמגיע למדפי המרכולים. ביום רביעי, שר החוץ האוסטרלי סטיבן סמית' אמר מפורשות כי ציד הלווייתנים היפני אינו מדע, כי אם "שחיטת לווייתנים".

21 בדצמבר 2007


Giappone: stop alla caccia alle balene

Il portavoce del governo giapponese, Nobutaka Machimura (町村 信孝, Machimura Nobutaka), confermando le notizie riportate in precedenza dalla rete TV NHK, ha rilasciato un importante annuncio: il Giappone ha rinunciato alla caccia alle megattere, indetta per la prima volta quest'anno dopo oltre quarant'anni. La decisione è stata presa in seguito alle sempre maggiori proteste dell'Australia e dei Paesi che aderiscono all'Iwc, la Convenzione baleniera mondiale.

Solo un mese fa il paese del Sol Levante aveva inviato sei baleniere nell'oceano Pacifico, con l'intento di uccidere circa 1000 balene ed alcune megattere, specie considerate in via d'estinzione. Per il WWF la rinuncia del governo nipponico alla caccia di queste specie rare è da considerarsi un primo importante risultato, anche se, a detta di Massimiliano Rocco, responsabile WWF Italia, il lavoro da fare è ancora molto. Infatti, l'obiettivo è quello di far rinunciare il Giappone alla caccia di tutti i cetacei che, attualmente, vengono uccisi a migliaia ogni anno.