Environment
EnvironmentUK doubling inspection and reviewing standards of drilling rigs
Britain is doubling inspection of drilling rigs after the BP oil spill, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne informed Parliament. He told MPs a review of standards had been carried out but with the beginning of exploration in deeper waters west of Shetland, “we must be vigilant”.
Viral epidemic for third year in a row ravages French oyster farms
French oyster-growers are facing ruin because of a viral epidemic that for a third year in a row has been wiping out millions of baby shellfish. From the Mediterranean coast to the bay of Arcachon on the Atlantic and now Brittany, farmers have been watching in dismay in recent weeks as the virus once again moved northwards, keeping pace with the rising sea temperature.
Chilean Senators want International Whaling Commissioner ousted
Chilean senators Juan Pablo Letelier and Guido Girardi met this week with the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Fernando Schmidt, to plead the removal of Chilean Cristián Maquieira from his position as chairman of the International Whaling Commission.
Obama looking for “whose ass to kick” in the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill
In his angriest words yet after being widely criticized for his response to the Gulf oil spill, President Barack Obama said he was talking to experts because he wants to know “whose ass to kick.”
World Ocean Day 2010: opportunities and challenges
The United Nations Organization (UN) celebrates on Tuesday 8 June World Ocean Day under the theme: 'Our oceans: opportunities and challenges'. The UN General Assembly instituted this celebration from 2009, by its resolution 63/111, issued 5 December, 2008.
Petrobras controls spill at offshore rig while transferring oil to ship
Brazil’s government managed oil and gas corporation Petrobras announced Monday it had controlled an oil leak at an offshore platform in the Campos Basin, 160 kilometers from Rio do Janeiro.
Environmentalists march to protest building of dams in Patagonian Chile
In honour of June 5, World Environment Day, activist groups and artists will march this weekend to protest efforts by electric companies to build hydroelectric plants in southern Chile.
Wales will have the largest offshore wind farms in the world
Construction work will begin next year on one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, an energy firm has announced. The £2 billion Gwynt y Mor wind farm will have 160 wind turbines around 10 miles off the north Wales coast near Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.
Falkland Islands approves plan to further reduce seabird deaths by trawl fishing
Seabird deaths caused by trawl fishing will be further reduced following the Falkland Islands Government’s approval of a new Action Plan. A ninety per cent reduction in seabird deaths was recorded in the long-line fishery the year after a similar Action Plan to introduce tori lines was put into effect in 2004. Both plans demonstrate the steps taken by the Falkland Islands to maintain their international reputation for the responsible and sustainable management of their fishing industry.
Chilean navy upgrades communications in anticipation of future disasters
Chilean Navy Commander in Chief Edmundo Gonzalez announced this week that the institution will be spending around 10 million US dollars on new, state of the art communications equipment for its SHOA (Hydrographical and Oceanographic Service) office.
