Environment

Friday, September 26th 2014 - 06:42 UTC
US expands marine reserve in the Pacific to three times the size of California

US President Barack Obama has signed a memorandum to expand a vast marine reserve in the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument will become the largest network of oceanic protected areas in the world.
Wednesday, September 24th 2014 - 15:44 UTC
Marina blasts Dilma Rousseff for not supporting UN deforestation dead line initiative

Environmentalist and presidential opposition candidate Marina Silva blasted Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff for not supporting an initiative to put a deadline on deforestation supported by 32 countries this Tuesday during the Climate summit in New York.
Wednesday, September 24th 2014 - 15:42 UTC
Deforestation deadline initiative watered down by lack of support from Brazil

More than 30 countries set the first-ever deadline on Tuesday to end deforestation by 2030, but the feasibility of such a goal was eroded when a key player, Brazil, said it would not join.
Saturday, September 20th 2014 - 09:34 UTC
Pioneer initiative to triple Brazil's marine protected areas project

A pioneer initiative will more than triple the ocean area under environmental protection in Brazil, from 5.5 million hectares to over 17.5 million, an area larger than Greece.
Friday, September 19th 2014 - 07:09 UTC
South Atlantic whale sanctuary rejected at the IWC meeting

The world's whaling watchdog rejected a bid to expand protection in the South Atlantic. The issue were put to a vote on the closing day of the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) 65th meeting in Slovenia.
Friday, September 19th 2014 - 06:58 UTC
Tougher scrutiny of Japanese bids to kill whales for “scientific research”

Nations agreed on measures Thursday to toughen scrutiny of future Japanese bids to kill whales in the name of scientific research, which critics say is a cover for commercial hunts.
Thursday, September 18th 2014 - 02:55 UTC
NZ scientists examine giant squid caught in Antarctica' Ross Sea

It was a calm morning in Antarctica's remote Ross Sea, during the season when the sun never sets, when Capt. John Bennett and his crew hauled up a creature with tentacles like fire hoses and eyes like dinner plates from a mile below the surface. A colossal squid: 350 kilograms, as long as a minibus and one of the sea’s most elusive species.
Wednesday, September 17th 2014 - 01:52 UTC
UN hails progress achieved in reducing damage to the ozone layer

United Nations officials hailed on Tuesday the progress made in reducing damage to the ozone layer and the vital role played by one of the most successful environmental treaties in history in phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
Tuesday, September 16th 2014 - 05:43 UTC
Giant observation tower in the Amazon to monitor climate change

Construction has begun on a giant observation tower in the heart of the Amazon basin to monitor climate change. The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory is expected to rise 325m from the ground.
Friday, September 12th 2014 - 03:48 UTC
Islands habitats threatened by invasive pests: the South Georgia experience

Scientists have developed a way to identify island habitats that face the greatest threat from invasive pests, such as rats and feral cats. Working on experience collected in a brown rat extermination program in South Georgia, a team of research developed a priority list of islands that they hoped would help governments and conservationists to allocate resources.