23 November 2009
Destruction and degradation of forests drives climate change in two ways. First, the clearing and burning of forests releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and second, the area of forest that absorbs carbon dioxide is reduced. Their role in regulating the climate is so crucial that if we destroy the last tropical forests, we will likely lose the battle against climate change.
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20 November 2009
Summary of findings by Greenpeace Esperanza “Defending Our Pacific” Expedition 23 August – 19 October 2009
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19 November 2009
Statement from Dr Helmut Hirsch, Independent Consultant for Nuclear Safety regarding the design of the EPR Nerve Centre.
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13 November 2009
While genetically-engineered plants have gained
much public attention, another modern breeding
technique called MAS (marker-assisted selection)
has gone through a silent revolution in recent years.
MAS is a technique that does not replace traditional
breeding, but can help to make it more efficient. It
does not include the transfer of isolated gene
sequences such as genetic engineering, but offers
tools for targeted selection of the existing plant
material for further breeding.
MAS has already proven to be a valuable tool for
plant breeders: it requires less investment, raises
fewer safety concerns, respects species barriers,
and is accepted by the public. This report highlights
dozens of examples of already marketed MAS-bred
varieties, demonstrating its high potential to meet
challenges such as a changing climate, disease
resistance or higher nutritional qualities.
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12 November 2009
The new Japanese Prime Minister has instituted a review of government spending. The review is being driven from the top by Prime Minister Hatoyama, and the Administrative Reform Minister, Yoshito Sengoku, has already indicated in media reports that its scope will be wide-ranging. It presents a significant face-saving opportunity for the new administration to cut the lethal whaling programme. The industry already runs at a loss, and its losses are set to increase despite receiving 795 million yen ($8.8 million US dollars) in government subsidies this year alone.
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11 November 2009
Climate change, hunger and poverty, loss of biodiversity, forest destruction, water crises, food safety – what all these threats have in common is that a principal cause for each of them is in the way we produce, trade, consume and discard food and other agricultural products. However, agriculture is not high on the agenda of media, politicians, financial institutions or many environmental organisations. Yet, none of the major global challenges ahead of us will be met without profound and lasting changes of today’s dominant agricultural practices and food policies.
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04 November 2009
This briefing details why nuclear power is neither a necessary nor a beneficial part of a sustainable energy strategy for countries experiencing rapid industrialisation.
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03 November 2009
It is well accepted that reducing deforestation is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A key challenge for Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) is determining the finance mechanism at national level that is efficient, effective and equitable. As high annual rates of tropical
deforestation continue, it is proposed that country-level quick-sart ‘Fund’ approaches are the best way forward for rapid financing of REDD and tropical forest protection.
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02 November 2009
Why international rules are important for stopping climate change. Assessing proposals by the US and Australia, ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Summit
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