Environment
EnvironmentRenewables the focus of EU Energy Week in the Falklands
The Power & Electrical Department hosted an open day last week at their Sand Bay Wind Farm to showcase the work being undertaken by the Falkland Island’s Government (FIG) to utilise and promote renewable energy sources. The open day, which included guided tours and demonstrations, formed part of wider initiatives recently undertaken by FIG to address issues surrounding climate change.
Federal Reserve cautious about the future, leaves interest rates unchanged
United States Federal Reserve in a unanimous vote kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and signaled that it will assess labor market conditions, inflation expectations and financial and international developments before deciding on future actions. The U.S. central bank also lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2016 and 2017 and indicated it would be less aggressive in tightening monetary policy after the end of this year.
Brewery creates organic six-pack rings to protect sea life
A Florida brewery in the United States has done something bold to try to help the environment: replacing the plastic six-pack rings that can harm sea life with edible ones. Plastic rings, untold numbers of which end up in rivers and oceans, can be fatal to animals like fish, turtles and birds, and Saltwater Brewery thought there had to be a better way.
World Environment Day: UN urges help to end illegal wildlife trade
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on World Environment Day, to be observed on 5 June:This year’s observance of World Environment Day shines a much-needed spotlight on the illegal trade in wildlife.
Argentine hopes dashed on Falklands, Antarctica: Continental Shelf Commission refused to consider three major claims
In April 2009, Argentina submitted a formal claim to sovereignty over an exceptionally large continental shelf, across hundreds of miles of the sea-bed to the east and south of Argentina. This year, in March, newspapers around the world incorrectly reported the whole Argentine submission had been endorsed.
Falklands are “my homeland”, with the right to freely choose our own future
The Falklands are a people, “my homeland”, with the right to freely choose our own future, as enshrined as leading principle in the UN Charter and safeguarded by the several covenants on civil and political rights, said Falklands' government representative Krysteen Ormond addressing the Pacific Regional Seminar of the C24, Special Decolonization Committee.
US defense bill includes one billion dollars to fund a new polar icebreaker
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee's Defense Appropriations Bill has included one billion dollars in funding to accelerate construction of a new polar icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard, reported Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).
FAO sponsored illegal fishing accord scheduled to become law on 5 June; 30 countries have adhered
Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing is about to become much more difficult thanks to the imminent entry into force of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a ground-breaking international accord championed by FAO.
Australia enforces low sulfur fuel regulations: Carnival cruise fined
Australia’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Carnival PLC US$15,000 after one of its P&O Cruises ships, the Pacific Jewel, breached new low sulfur fuel regulations in Sydney Harbor. A fuel sample taken by the ship’s crew and provided to EPA officers while the ship was berthed at the White Bay Cruise Terminal on February 26, 2016 had a sulfur level of 0.293%, nearly three times the 0.1% sulfur limit.
Cephalopods numbers have increased over the last six decades, says Adelaide university study
According to a new study published in the journal Current Biology, cephalopods’ numbers have increased in the world’s oceans over the past six decades. Cephalopods are a diverse group of highly developed mollusks that includes squid, cuttlefish, octopuses and nautiloids.
