Environment

Sunday, April 8th 2018 - 21:16 UTC
What does the new Falklands ‘Islands Plan’ mean for South America?

Over the past decade it is has become customary for a newly elected Legislative Assembly in the Falkland Islands to publish an ‘Islands Plan’. As there are no political parties in the Falkland Islands, all eight members of the Assembly are independents. Therefore there is no collective manifesto when elected to office. This has traditionally been addressed via a consensus-based Islands Plan.
Saturday, April 7th 2018 - 10:31 UTC
Milestone Colombian ruling orders the government urgent protection of Amazon rainforest

Colombia’s highest court has told the government it must take urgent action to protect its Amazon rainforest and stem rising deforestation, in what campaigners said was an historic moment that should help conserve forests and counter climate change.
Tuesday, April 3rd 2018 - 07:25 UTC
Bolivia shaken by 6.6 magnitude earthquake also felt in Brasilia and Sao Paulo

An earthquake of at least 6.6 magnitude shook Bolivia early on Monday, causing no damage or injuries but driving people out of office buildings as far away as Brasilia and Sao Paulo in neighboring Brazil, officials said.
Saturday, March 24th 2018 - 09:10 UTC
Some 150 short finned pilot whales stranded on Australian beach have died

All but six of more than 150 short-finned pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in Western Australia have died, despite efforts from authorities and local beachgoers to save them, officials said on Saturday. The marine mammals stranded themselves in Hamelin Bay, 315 km south of the state’s capital, Perth, between March 22 and 23.
Friday, March 23rd 2018 - 14:00 UTC
Heatwaves, hurricanes, floods: 2017 costliest year ever for extreme weather and climate events, says UN

Hurricanes, monsoon floods and continuing severe drought made 2017 the costliest year ever for severe weather and climate events, according to a new report by the United Nations weather agency launched on the eve of World Meteorological Day.
Thursday, March 22nd 2018 - 22:33 UTC
“Water for sustainable development”: UN Secretary-General's message at launch of international decade for action

I am pleased to be with you on World Water Day to launch the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development.
Tuesday, March 20th 2018 - 10:20 UTC
“There is simply no time to lose” to avert the loss of water supplies

The world must race to avert disastrous loss of water supplies, Brazil's President Michel Temer told a conference Monday, after the UN said some 5.7 billion people may run short of drinking water by 2050.
Tuesday, March 20th 2018 - 10:02 UTC
Norwegian company in Brazil apologizes for toxic spill into a local river

Norwegian energy group Norsk Hydro, accused of causing environmental damage in northern Brazil, on Monday apologized for the unauthorized discharge of untreated water into a local river from its aluminum factory Alunorte, the largest in the world.
Friday, March 16th 2018 - 03:11 UTC
Falklands plans fishing talks with Argentina after more than a decade

Exchanges of information between the Falkland Islands and Argentina about fish and squid stocks could begin again before the middle of this year, if all parties are in agreement. Director of Natural Resources John Barton said: “Dialogue with Argentina on the conservation of shared marine resources has the potential to allow for better management of shared fish stocks and improve sustainability of such stocks.”
Thursday, March 15th 2018 - 08:48 UTC
Micro-plastics presence in bottled water controversy; companies argue they operate at highest standards

Test on major brands of bottled water have found that nearly all of them contained tiny particles of plastic. In the largest investigation of its kind, 250 bottles bought in nine different countries were examined. Research led by journalism organization Orb Media discovered an average of 10 plastic particles per liter, each larger than the width of a human hair.