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Poisoning Earth and our terrible fate, if, if, if





















 

Global sharks and rays populations

--------- have halved since 1970

December 6th, 4:43pm

(Prensa Latina) 

 

The world's shark and ray population have declined 

by more than 50 percent since 1970, a new study 

published in Science journal was revealed 

on Friday.

 

The main factor behind their demise is overfishing, which 

has wiped out populations of chondrichthyans fishes
(cartilaginous fishes) ..such as sharks, rays, and 

chimaeras, over the last 50 years. 

 

In the case of sharks, the threat posed by intentional 

fishing and bycatch is compounded by habitat 

degradation, climate change, and pollution.

 

The result is over one-third of chondrichthyans fishes 

now face the threat of extinction, a statement by 

Australia’s James Cook University noted.

 

The sequential depletion... of the largest and most 

functionally important species -- such as sawfish 

and rhino rays, the latter considered the world’s 

most threatened marine fish - was followed by

 the decline of large manta rays, eagle rays, 

angel sharks, hammerhead sharks, and 

requiem sharks.


 


_________________________________________



 

Caring for soils is a priority

------------ for global survival

December 5th, 11:13am

(Prensa Latina) 

 

As World Soil Day is celebrated this Thursday, experts are urging 

people to step up its care, from which over 95% of our food 

comes, and the 15 naturally occurring chemical elements 

that are essential for plants.

 

This year’s theme, “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage,” 

underscores the importance -- of having accurate data and 

information about this natural element to understand its 

properties and make informed decisions about its 

sustainable management, to ensure global 

food availability.

 

Despite climate change and human activities, soils are being 

degraded; erosion and poor management are altering the

natural balance of the land, wasting water resources, 

and reducing the levels of vitamins and nutrients

in the food we produce (and eat).

 

Sustainable soil management practices, such as minimum tillage, 

crop rotation, organic matter additions, and cover crops, improve 

soil's health, reduce erosion and pollution, and increase water 

infiltration and retention.

 

These practices also conserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, 

and contribute to soil-based carbon sequestration, playing a 

critical role in fighting climate change.

 

A report released by the United Nations Convention, to Combat 

Desertification and presented at the Conference of the Parties

(COP16) in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday stated that at least 

2.6 trillion dollars in investment are required by 2030 - 

to restore the over one billion hectares of degraded

land and to enhance global resilience to drought.

 

 

 

_______________________________




 


Philippines hosts 4th FRLD board 


meeting ---- on climate resilience


December 2nd, 4:04pm


  (Prensa Latina) 


 


The Philippines is hosting the 4th meeting of the Board of the Fund


 for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), starting on Monday 


and marking a milestone in the country's commitment to


 climate resilience.


 


Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 


Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga made the remarks 


---- after welcoming the delegates at the Philippine 


International Convention Centre in Pasay City.


 


It is a moment of pride for the Philippines to host this 4th 


meeting of the Board, and the first in our country since


 we were selected to host the Board.


 


The meeting is particularly significant as it comes at an


 important stage in the Fund’s establishment and 


implementation, Loyzaga noted, in her 


opening remarks.


 


The secretary highlighted that the meeting underscored the


 Philippines’ commitment to supporting global climate 


resilience and addressing the urgent needs 


of climate-vulnerable nations --- while 


strengthening its leadership... in the 


global fight against climate change.


 






______________________________




Indonesia - plans to implement 
oil palm to produce biodiesel


December 2nd, 2:19pm


(Prensa Latina) 


 


Indonesia is set to implement the B40 biodiesel program, 


based on the most abundant of its crops, the oil palm, 


starting on January 1, 2025.


 


At the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Council of Palm Oil Producing 


Countries (CPOPC), Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for 


Economic Affairs in this nation, highlighted at a press briefing 


the usefulness of the initiative.


 


The program aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) 


emissions by up to 40 million tons annually.


 


Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, an essential


 ingredient in the manufacture of a wide array of goods, including 


food, and the most widely used vegetable oil, globally.





__________________________________________




Ghanaian capital.. at risk of


 being submerged in water?


Accra, November 27th, 10:59am 


(Prensa Latina) 


 


In a health cure, specialized sources warned today 


that this city - the capital of Ghana - could be 


submerged by the waters - and recommend 


to prioritize the defenses against floods.


 


The fears of environmental groups are by no means 


idle, viewing the hundreds of deaths and damage 


caused by floods in several African countries 


due to an unusually wet season --- after a 


prolonged drought --- unprecedented 


in years.


 


The ''likely'' crisis would be compounded by the 


overcrowding of the metropolitan area where 


some three million people reside, thousands 


of whom migrated to higher ground after 


witnessing the increasing frequency 


and intensity of storms.


 


However, the usual migration... from rural areas to the 


capital --- a repeatedly phenomenon in developing 


countries, increases the risks as these persons 


build illegal settlements in low-lying areas
and 
near rivers.


 


In addition, there is a history of flooding during the


 rainy season... which, without being lethal, is a


 warning of what could be coming - in the form


 of floods that trigger outbreaks of infectious 


stomach and respiratory diseases.. and an 


invasion of rats, the usual companions of 


these catastrophes.


 


 


_________________________________________



COP29: Venezuelan Government 

Strengthens Strategies for the 

Generation of Clean Energy 

in the Country

November 21st, 7pm

(teleSUR)

 

During the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN 

Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) 

held in Azerbaijan, the Minister of People’s Power 

for Ecosocialism, José Lorca ------ met with Ajay 

Mathur, Director-General of the International 

Solar Alliance (ISA).

 

At the meeting, both discussed the importance

 of Venezuela’s --- active participation in this
organization, 
dedicated to promoting
the use of 
renewable energies. 

 

Minister Lorca highlighted, that Venezuela is positioned 

as one of the countries most committed to training and 

technological development in the field of solar energy.

 

“We are implementing photovoltaic projects --- that 

not only improve our electricity service - but also 

demonstrate the commitment of the government 

of President Nicolás Maduro - and the Sectoral 

Vice President of Public Works and Services, 

General in Chief Jorge Márquez, to the UN 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” 

he said.

 

Lorca also emphasized --- that Venezuela’s geographic 

location makes it an ideal site for photovoltaic power 

generation. “It is essential ---- to diversify our energy 

sources in order to face the climate crisis and move 

towards a more sustainable future,” he said.

 

Currently... it is estimated that 80% of the electricity 

generation in Venezuela comes from hydroelectric 

sources. However, photovoltaic projects are 

being developed --- with the objective of 

reaching 30% of national generation -- 

as indicated by Tania Masea, Deputy 

Minister for New Sources and 

Rational Use of Energy.

 

 

____________________________________



COP29: Delegates --- renegotiate new 

compensation for developing nations

November 19th, 2:24pm

  (africanews)

 

Money is the key issue at the United Nations climate 

talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, where negotiators are

 working on a new amount for developing 

nations to transition to clean energy, 

adapt to climate change and deal 

with weather disasters.

 

Experts put the need close to $1 trillion, while 

developing nations have said they'll need 

$1.3 trillion in climate finance.

 

But negotiators are talking about different types of

 money -- as well as amounts, involving a complex 

package of grants, loans and private investment.

 

Whatever the form of the finance, Ireland’s 

environment minister Eamon Ryan said it 

would be “unforgivable” for developed 

countries ----- to walk away from 

negotiations, without making 

a firm commitment toward 

developing ones.

 

“We have to make an agreement here,” he said. "We 

do have to provide the finance, particularly for the 

developing countries, and to give confidence that 

they will not be excluded, that they will be 

centre stage.”

 

Kenya’s special envoy for climate Ali Mohamed said 

that most developing nations are in agreement that 

funds for climate finance need to be at $1.3 trillion. 

That’s a similar figure to one proposed by 

independent U.N. experts last week.

 

“We hope -- that our partners from the developed world 

will come up and join us in addressing this challenge 

honestly ---- and with commitment,” Mohamed said.

 

Mohamed said “it is not encouraging that we continue 

haggling”  - while people continue to die and become 

displaced --- due to climate crises around the world.

 




_________________________________________________





COP29: Oil and Gas Company 


Delegates... Outnumber 


Social Activists


November 15th, 12:10pm


(teleSUR)


 


While 1,773 lobbyists represent corporations, only


 1,033 people speak on behalf of the 10 most 


climate-vulnerable nations.


 


On Friday, the environmental group “Kick Big Polluters 


Out” denounced that the COP29 conference in Baku 


hosts 1,773 representatives ---- from the fossil 


fuel companies. This number ------- exceeds 


the delegations of the most vulnerable 


countries, and the staff of nearly all


the states present at the UN 


climate conference.


 


“The 1,773 lobbyists registered in Baku are surpassed


 only by the delegations of Azerbaijan (2,229), Brazil 


(1,914), & Turkey (1,862),” said Kick Big Polluters 


Out, noting that the same situation occurred 


during COP28 in Dubai in 2023.


 


Representatives from fossil fuel companies outnumber 


all the delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable 


nations combined (1,033), highlighting how industry 


presence - overshadows those on the frontlines of 


the climate crisis, added the environmental 


platform.


 


At COP28 in Dubai - for the first time - attendees were 


required to disclose whom they represent, “exposing 


many lobbyists who likely attended covertly in 


previous years.”


 


Most of the accredited fossil delegates come from 


wealthy countries, representing companies such 


as like the French oil giant TotalEnergies, the 


Italian gas company Eni, or the Japanese 


coal company Sumitomo. Major fossil 


energy corporations - such as 


Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, 


and Shell.... are also 


represented.


 


“The control of fossil fuel lobbyists over climate 


negotiations is like a venomous snake coiling 


around the future of our planet. We must 


expose their deception, remove them 


from these discussions, and hold 


them accountable ---- for their 


violations - against Earth,” 


said Nnimmo Bassey ------


the head of the Health of


Mother Earth Foundation.


 


On Friday, a group of scientists and experts, including 


former UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon, former UN climate


chief Christiana Figueres, and renowned scientist


Johan Rockström ----- called for a fundamental 


reform of UN conferences in an open letter. 


 


Among other recommendations, they demanded that 


climate summits ensure “equitable representation” 


and criticized that, during the last edition, COP28 


in Dubai - also held in a gas-rich country, like the 


United Arab Emirates - 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists 


were accredited.


 


 


 


____________________________________________




COP29: GSLTF Proposes Climate Taxes 
on Cryptocurrencies, Plastics, and 


the Ultra-Rich


November 14th, 12:24pm


(teleSUR)


 


The solidarity levies would also affect aviation, 


fossil fuels, and financial transactions.


 


On Thursday, the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force 


(GSLTF) published its progress report at COP29, 


presenting proposals for new taxes on 


cryptocurrencies, plastics, and the 


ultra-wealthy -- to help close the 


global climate financing gap. 


 


These new “solidarity levies” ..would be used to 


financeclimate action and development efforts 


and would also affect aviation, fossil fuels,


and financial transactions.


 


For cryptocurrencies, “considering the high energy 


demand of mining” necessary to obtain them, this 


coalition of countries and organizations proposes


 a tax of US$0.045 per kilowatt-hour, which could 


generate US$5.2 billion while also 


reducing emissions.


 


The levy on the plastics sector would apply to the 


primary production of polymers at a rate ranging 


between US$60 and US$90 per ton, which would 


allow for the collection of between US$25 billion 


and US$35 billion annually and simultaneously 


support actions against pollution from 


this material.


 


Regarding individuals with very high net worth, the 


report proposes a coordinated minimum tax of 2% 


that would impact billionaires -- which was 


recently discussed at the G20 and would 


generate between US$200 billion and 


US$250 billion -- promoting a fairer 


global tax landscape.


 


The GSLTF also includes other “more specific” options


 in its document to tax industries considered “highly 


polluting” like aviation, ---- for which - it suggests a 


kerosene fuel tax, including a coordinated levy on 


private jet fuel, luxury tickets, and frequent fliers, 


which would provide between US$19 billion and 


US$164 billion annually “depending on design


 and scope.”


 


It also proposes tougher measures on the fossil fuel 


sector with “a combination of levies” that would 


include new taxes on extraction and on windfall 


profits, as well as an increase in the minimum 


corporate tax rate for multinationals or a 


mixed instrument that would vary 


by country.


 


As for financial transactions ------- options under 


consideration include “revitalizing EU efforts”


 to design a global tax ------ by mobilizing a 


coalition of countries willing to adopt 


measures - on stocks, bonds, and 


derivatives, while also working 


toward global harmonization 


of transaction taxes.


 


 This action would include a tax of 0.1 percent on 


equity and bond instruments and another of 0.01 


percent on derivatives.


 


Officially led by Kenya, Barbados, and France, the 


GSLTF currently includes 17 countries and 


associated observer organizations, among 


which are Spain, Denmark, the European 


Commission, the African Union, 


and Senegal. 


 


All members are committed to finding solutions 


to generate substantial, fair, and predictable 


funding to address urgent global needs.


 


 


 


_____________________________________________


 


 


 


Cuba urges to guarantee funds 


to fight climate change


November 14th, 11:40am


(Prensa Latina) 


 


Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Thursday 


urged world leaders at the COP29 Climate Action 


Summit to focus on financing to guarantee 


actions to fight climate change.


 


On X, the head of Cuban diplomacy expressed that it is 


time to prioritize the means that will implement what 


has been agreed for a reinforced climate action.


 


Officials and experts from the Cuban Science, 


Technology, and Environment Ministry 


(CITMA) and the Foreign Ministry 


(MINREX) are attending 


the meeting.


 


On the first day, United Nations Secretary-General 


Antonio Guterres urged to tear down the walls of 


climate finance after acknowledging that no 


country is immune to such human-made 


challenges.


 


Guterres warned that the world is in a final countdown 


to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, 


and insisted on changing the current order in which 


“the rich cause the problem, the poor pay the 


highest price.”


 


COP29 brings together hundreds of representatives 


worldwide in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from 


November 11 to 22, to prepare a new financial 


plan to develop clean energy and overcome


 the effects of extreme weather.


 


 


 


_______________________________________








Pope Francis - tells COP29

to fight to save the planet

November 13th, 10:44am 

(Prensa Latina) 

 

Pope Francis sent a message to the Conference of 

States Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP29), where 

he called for greater common efforts to save

 the planet.

 

In the document published by the Holy See press office 

and read on Wednesday by the Vatican Secretary of 

State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin at the event, which 

takes place from November 11 to 22 in Baku, 

the capital of Azerbaijan, the Supreme 

Pontiff ---- deplores the selfishness 

that weighs down this effort.

 

That selfish attitude of “individual, national and power 

groups --- feeds a climate of distrust and division that 

does not respond to the needs of an interdependent 

world in which we should act and live - as members 

of a family that inhabits the same interconnected 

global village,” Francis said.

 

The Pope emphasized that this COP29 takes place “in 

a context conditioned by a growing disillusionment 

with multilateral institutions, and dangerous 

tendencies.... to build walls, while the 

preservation of creation is one of 

the most urgent issues - of our 

time, closely related to the 

preservation of peace”.

 

The Bishop of Rome stressed that ---------- “society is
increasingly globalizing and makes us neighbours, 

but it doesn't make us brothers”, while economic 

development does not reduce inequality and, on 

the contrary, favours the prioritization of profit 

and special interests “to the detriment of the 

protection of the weakest”.

 

This negative tendency contributes ---- in an important 

way “to the progressive worsening of environmental 

problems”, the Pontiff emphasized, adding that “it 

is essential to seek a new international financial 

architecture centred on the human being, bold, 

creative -------- and based on the principles
of
 
equity, justice and solidarity”.

 

 

 

____________________________




High Levels of CO2 To Lead to 


Years of Rising Temperatures


October 28th, 10:52am


(teleSUR)


 


On Monday ---- the World Meteorological Organization 


(WMO) reported that greenhouse gas concentrations 


broke all previous records again in 2023. The main


constituent of these gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), 


increased by 11.4% over the past two decades.


 


According to the annual report on greenhouse gas 


concentrations, published by the UN agency two 


weeks before the Climate Summit in Baku, CO2 


levels reached 420 parts per million last year,


 a 151 percent increase over pre-industrial 


levels (before 1750).


 


Concentrations of methane... were measured at 1,934 


parts per billion, and nitrous oxide at 336.9 parts per 


billion, the other two gases responsible for global 


warming, with levels up by 265 percent and 125


 percent from pre-industrial levels, respectively.


 


“Another year --- another record. This should sound all 


the alarms for decision-makers; there is no doubt that 


we are very far from meeting the Paris Agreement 


goal of keeping global warming well below


 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels,” 


emphasized the WMO Secretary 


Celeste Saulo.


 


Carbon dioxide (CO2), estimated to contribute about 64 


percent to global warming and primarily derived from 


fossil fuel burning and cement production, rose by 


2.3 parts per million in 2023 compared to 2022 - a 


figure higher than the previous year though lower


 than the three years before that.


 


Seventh Year with Highest Emissions 


from Wildfires Since 2003


 


This increase..... was partly influenced by the transition


 from the La Niña to the El Niño phenomenon (the latter 


associated with rising Pacific Ocean temperatures) ---


and a disastrous wildfire season, with CO2 emissions 


16% higher than the average of previous years, 


including large forest fires in countries 


like Canada and Australia.


 


Methane and nitrous oxide, produced by natural causes 


and human activities.... such as agriculture, livestock 


farming, and biomass burning, experienced smaller 


concentration increases than in 2022.


 


The last time Earth experienced a concentration of 


carbon dioxide comparable to today’s was three to


 five million years ago, when the temperature was


 2 to 3 degrees warmer, and sea levels were 10 


to 20 centimetres higher than they are today.


 


The UN’s meteorological agency warns that ------ even if 


emissions were quickly reduced to net zero (i.e., offset 


by absorption phenomena like those provided by 


forests), it would take decades to lower current 


temperature levels due to the long-lasting 


presence of CO2 in the atmosphere.


 


A Phenomenon That Could Accelerate


 


The WMO also warns ---- of the risk that the rise 


in the concentrations of gases causing global 


warming, could become increasingly intense.


 


“Wildfires could release more carbon emissions into 


the atmosphere, while rising ocean temperatures 


could reduce their CO2 absorption capacity, 


leading to more CO2 accumulation in the 


atmosphere and accelerating global 


warming,” noted the WMO Deputy 


Secretary, Ko Barrett.


 


Slightly less than half of carbon dioxide emissions 


remain in the atmosphere, about a quarter is 


absorbed by the oceans, and around 30%


 by land ecosystems.... although - these 


percentages vary due to phenomena 


like La Niña or El Niño.


 


 


___________________________________





U.S. Approves Lithium Mining 

Despite Opposition From 

Indigenous Peoples

October 25th, 10:15 am

 

They warned of the potentially devastating impact 

on Silver Peak Range’s fragile ecosystems and 

sacred sites.

 

On Thursday, the U.S. government approved a lithium 

mine project in Nevada aimed at increasing the 

domestic supply of the essential mineral 

needed for the US’s energy transition, 

despite years of fierce opposition 

from environmental groups, 

Native American tribes, 

& local communities.

 

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management --- granted final 

approval to Ioneer Ltd’s Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron 

project -- located about 355 km southeast of Reno 

city. The project’s lithium deposit is projected 

to be sufficient to power approximately 

370,000 electric vehicles annually for 

over two decades. Construction is 

set to begin in 2025 ------ with 

production expected to

 start in 2028.

 

The approval ...concluded a six-year review process, 

during which opponents warned of the potentially 

devastating impact on the region’s fragile 

ecosystem and sacred sites in the 

Silver Peak Range, which are 

integral ---- to the cultural 

heritage of the Western

 Shoshone people.

 

Environmental groups also highlighted the project’s 

existential threat to Tiehm’s buckwheat, a rare 

wildflower found nowhere else on Earth.

 

 In June, over 100 scientists submitted a letter to the

 Bureau of Land Management, expressing concern 

that the mine would put Tiehm’s buckwheat 

“on a path to extinction.”

 

“By greenlighting this mine, the Bureau of Land 

Management is abandoning its duty to protect 

endangered species, like Tiehm’s buckwheat, 

and ---- making a mockery of the Endangered 

Species Act. We need lithium for the energy 

transition --- but it can’t come with a price 

tag of extinction,” said Patrick Donnelly, 

Great Basin director at the charitable 

organization, the Centre for 

Biological Diversity.

 

Water consumption emerged as another significant

 environmental concern. According to the online 

news website Nevada Current, traditional 

ithium mining operations can consume 

up to 2 million litres of water, per 

metric ton of lithium produced -

jeopardizing already strained 

desert aquifers.

 

Indigenous peoples, including the Fort McDermitt 

Paiute and Shoshone Tribe --- have expressed 

serious worries about the project’s impact 

on their water supplies and sacred 

cultural sites.

 

Beyond water usage, the Institute for Energy Research

 noted that lithium mining operations can lead to 

significant soil and water contamination, air

 pollution from dust... and potential ground-

water contamination from the extraction 

chemicals. The mining also generates 

extensive waste tailings, containing 

toxic substances and heavy metals.

 

Lithium, a key component of lithium-ion batteries, 

is considered essential for electric vehicles and 

renewable energy storage systems, both 

crucial for transitioning to a clean 

energy economy.

 

The Rhyolite Ridge lithium project --- marks the first 

domestic source of lithium permitted by President 

Biden’s administration --- which has implemented 

measures to support domestic critical minerals’ 

production, including a US$700 million loan 

from the Department of Energy --- to 

Ioneer Rhyolite Ridge LLC.

 

The Silver Peak lithium mine, in Clayton Valley, Nevada, 

is the only producing lithium mine in the United States
- although over 100 other sites are under exploration. 

 

The brine evaporation mine has faced scrutiny - for

 depleting groundwater aquifers in an increasingly 

arid region.

 

A map from the Centre for Biological Diversity identifies 

over 125 lithium extraction projects in the western US 

-- seven of which are inactive and the majority -- at

various stages, from exploration to development. 

Most proposed mines... are in Nevada, which is 

considered a future “Silicon Valley of lithium.”

 

“Concerned about the risks ------ local residents and 

environmentalists have resisted new mines with 

tactics from protests to litigation...... but a 

government-supported lithium boom 

appears to be underway -

 regardless,” reported 

Energy News Net-

work in July.

 

Historically, the high costs of environmental
compliance and labour in the US, have 

limited domestic lithium production, 

with companies often finding it 

cheaper to import it from 

other countries.

 

A recent report by Solar Reviews ---- indicated that 

production costs in the US, can range from $4,000 

to US$12,000 per metric ton of lithium carbonate, 

significantly higher than in major exporting 

countries like Chile and Argentina.

 

“U.S. environmental regulations make it much more 

expensive to extract lithium here. This is why 

companies have traditionally chosen to 

mine lithium in countries with fewer 

environmental protection, ------

effectively exporting our 

environmental impact, 

overseas,” according 

to the Institute for 

Energy Research.

 

“Because lithium deposits come embedded in other 

metals and minerals -- extracting lithium can be 

incredibly difficult. More refineries, the plants 

where raw lithium.... is processed into a 

concentrated form of the metal that 

goes into batteries, need to be
built
 in North America. 

 

Lithium processing also requires expertise, that is in 

short supply in the United States ....and among our 

allies,” it added ------ noting that “environmentalist 

opponents, have driven mines from our shores.” 

 

 

 

__________________________________________




Delegates meet in Colombia ---- to 

address global biodiversity crisis

October 21st, 3:39pm

(africanews)

 

The United Nations Environment Programme, reports

 that the planet is facing its most significant loss of 

life since the time of the dinosaurs, with 

approximately 1 million species of 

plants and animals currently 

at risk of extinction.

 

Global environmental leaders, convene on Monday, in 

Cali, Colombia, to evaluate the declining biodiversity

 worldwide ------ and the pledges made by nations to

 safeguard plants, animals, and essential habitats.

 

Eva Zabey, executive director of the coalition Business

 for Nature, calls for a Shift from establishing targets 

to implementing tangible actions in the field. "The 

biodiversity conference, the COP16, comes at an 

absolutely critical moment for us to move from 

targets setting to real actions on the ground."

 

The agreement outlines 23 actions aimed at stopping 

and reversing the decline of nature, which includes

 protecting 30% of the Earth's surface and 30% 

of damaged ecosystems, by the year 2030.

 

According to Linda Krueger, director of biodiversity at 

The Nature Conservancy --- all evidence indicates a 

significant decrease in both the abundance and

 distribution of species.

 

"All the evidence shows that there's dramatic decline 

in species abundance and distribution. That means 

wild species have less room to live, and and they

are declining in numbers. And we also see 

rising extinction rates," she said.

 

During her opening remarks on Sunday, Susana 

Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister 

and COP16 president, stated that the 

conference presents a chance to 

gather insights - from various 

civilizations, cultures, and 

knowledge.... throughout 

history.

 

She emphasized the goal of creating sustainable and 

stable conditions for a new society that will emerge 

in response to the ongoing crisis.

 

The two-week United Nations Biodiversity Conference, 

known as COP16, builds on the 2022 meetings 

in Montreal ..where 196 nations agreed to a 

landmark treaty aimed at safeguarding

biodiversity.

 

 

Additional sources • Other agencies

 

 

 

______________________________________




Nobel Prize laureate challenges 

effectiveness of Paris climate 

agreement

October 12th, 3pm

TASS) 

 

The Paris climate agreement is unlikely to lead to any 

tangible results, and humanity will have to look for
another solution for the climate problem, says 

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rae Kwon Chung.

 

The scientist, who spoke at the ‘Nauka 0+’ festival, leads the 

Global Energy Award International committee, and acts as 

an advisor to the Chairman of the UN High-level Experts 

and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP), and

 a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 

Change (IPCC), awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize

in 2007.

 

"I have doubt, that the Paris climate agreement will lead to 

any tangible results," he said, speaking at the ‘Nauka 0+’ 

scientific festival in Moscow. "This agreement was 

signed on a voluntary basis. Years later... we see

that these were mere words, with little results,"

 the Nobel Prize laureate said.

 

"The climate continues to change and I think that 

we will require a different solution," he added.

 

The expert called not to accuse governments and 

companies of exerting insufficient efforts on

 reduction of CO2 emissions.

 

"Unless... you make a personal contribution to reducing 

emissions, then there will be no market for carbon-free 

products. This contribution may seem like a sacrifice, 

but this it is not. It is an investment in a carbon-free 

market, which will ensure the future for the people, 

jobs included.  ‘Begin with yourself’ is a kind of 

social campaign that would allow us to work

 together," he believes.

 

 

 

____________________________________






For the first time, a Latin 

American ------ wins the
Global 
Energy Award

July 3rd, 12:48pm

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

For the first time, a Latin American won the international 

Global Energy Award, the president of the World Energy

 Association, Sergey Briliov, announced today.

 

''It is a victory - that we have a Latin American and 

Caribbean winner, since the award was created 

in 2003 they had not been presented, I hope to

 increase the presence of contestants from 

that region. They are welcome,'' 

said Briliov.

 

The prize fund is worth 39 million 

rubles (almost 450,000 dollars).

 

According to the results ---- the laureates are professors 

from the British University of Sheffield, China’s Zi-Qiang 

Zhu, Puerto Rican chemistry professor from Cornell 

University in the United States, Hector Abruña, 

and from Tsinghua University in China, 

Mingao Ouyang.

 

''I am grateful to receive this award, which means a lot

to my work team. It is necessary to solve the current 

challenges,'' Abruña said.

 

Hector Abruña was presented with the prize in the 

category of Non-Conventional Energy ----- for his 

contributions in the fields of electrochemistry, 

batteries, fuel cells and molecular electronics.

 

For his part, the governor of Volgograd, Andrei Bocharov, 

pointed out that the city is now a centre of development 

and commented on regional efforts to solve problems.

 

The award winners were selected by an international 

committee, which includes scientists from

 13 countries, including Bolivia.

 

The award ceremony will traditionally take place within 

the framework of the international forum ‘Russian 

Energy Week’, which will be held in Moscow 

on September 26-28, 2024.

 

 

 

_______________________________






Cuba calls to address 

desertification and 

drought

June 17th, 11:11am

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez urged to face 

desertification and drought - because of their close 

relationship with the preservation of biodiversity

 and ecosystems.

 

On the occasion of Monday’s celebration of the World 

Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the 

Foreign Minister denounced in X, that the 

capitalist system, with its production 

and consumption levels, which he 

described as both irrational and 

unsustainable ---- has caused 

the degradation of 40% of

 the Earth’s surface.

 

Officially declared by the United Nations General 

Assembly in 1994, the date aims to promote 

public awareness on issues related to 

desertification, land degradation 

and drought.

 

This year, Desertification and Drought Day 

is celebrated with a call to mobilize all 

generations to support sustainable 

land management.

 

Desertification is the result of the permanent 

degradation of soils, caused by a constant 

deforestation of forests, salinization, lack 

of water, and overexploitation of aquifers 

...which is usually produced by human 

economic activity.

 

 

 

_________________________________________




Global call for sustainable

 land management

June 17th, 10:47am

(Prensa Latina) 

 

Mobilizing all generations to support sustainable 

land management is the central theme of the 

Desertification and Drought Day celebrated 

today, amid the global effort to combat 

this scourge.

 

Organized through the Federal Ministry for Economic 

Cooperation and Development in Bonn, actors 

worldwide gather under the motto “United 

for the Earth: Our Legacy. Our Future.”

 

This year coincides... with the 30th anniversary of the 

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,

 the only global agreement dedicated to sustainable

 land management ratified by 196 countries and
the 
EU.

 

The date... officially declared by the United Nations 

General Assembly in 1994, aims to promote public 

awareness of issues related to desertification, 

land degradation, and drought.

 

The executive secretary of the Convention, Ibrahim 

Thiaw, warned that by 2050, 10 billion people will

 depend on this vital resource and yet, every 

second an area equivalent to four football 

fields is lost --- due to land degradation.

 

 

 

________________________________________




 New eco-industrial parks

 to appear in Russia

by Victoria Abramchenko

April 22nd, 9:04pm

(Lenta.ru)

 

By the end of 2024, Russia will have six new eco-industrial

 parks. They will be built as part of the federal project 

"Closed-loop Economy", according to the website 

of the Russian Environmental Operator (REO).

 

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko 

noted the uniqueness of the project. "There were

 industrial parks in Russia, but there were never 

any eco-industrial parks. So that it is possible 

to gather residents in one place - who will be 

engaged in the closed-loop economy, waste 

processing, extract useful parts.... ensure

 the processing of these useful fractions 

and, accordingly, make new products, 

new goods," she explained.

 

The parks will be located in the Stavropol Territory, 

Leningrad, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk 

and Chelyabinsk regions. Two more parks — in the

 Krasnodar and Primorsky Territories - are planned

 to be introduced before 2027. According to Denis 

Butsaev, General Director of REO, eco-industrial 

parks..... will become anchor sites for creating

production clusters for waste disposal and

the production of products from 

secondary raw materials.

 

Earlier it was reported that REO will issue its first green 

bonds, the funds from which will go to the creation of 

waste management facilities.

 

 

 

________________________________________




 

Cuba denounces --- climate damage 

due to NATO military expenditure

April 8th, 12:56pm 

(Prensa Latina) 

 

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said on Monday 

that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is the largest 

military emitter of Greenhouse Gases in the planet. 

 

On his official X account, he noted that the alliance's goal 

of increasing military spending to two percent of its 

members' GDP is a serious threat to global efforts

 to mitigate the impact of climate change.

 

Recently, the head of Cuban diplomacy stated on the same

 social network that NATO’s military carbon footprint went 

from 196 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (C02) in 

2021 ------- to 226 million in 2023.

 

Those numbers exceed the GHG emissions of 80 percent

 of the countries of the world, he pointed out.

 

 

 

__________________________________________________





China confirms meeting with Japan 


on radioactive water discharge


April 1st, 8:22am


 (Prensa Latina) 


 


China confirmed a meeting between Chinese and


 Japanese nuclear specialists... regarding the 


discharge of radioactive water from the 


Fukushima plant ---- into the sea.


 


Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, described the 


talks as constructive, with the Japanese side explaining 


the security of their plan, based on scientific evidence.


 


On February 28th, Japan began the fourth stage of the 


discharge of some 7,800 tons of radioactive water 


into the sea.


 


So far, China has expressed its strong concern about


this issue and, in fact, canceled the import of all 


aquatic products from Japan.


 


Beijing repeatedly insisted on the need for an international 


agreement to independently monitor the Japanese plan.


 


Another spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, 


recently assured that releasing this water into the 


ocean “affects the health of all humanity, the 


global marine environment and the 


international public interest.”


 


“The precautionary measures taken by China and some 


other countries - in response to Japan’s action - are 


aimed at protecting food security” and are 


“entirely legitimate, reasonable and 


necessary,” she added.


 


Beijing believes that an independent international 


monitoring agreement must involve neighbouring 


countries and other stakeholders ----- to avoid 


irrevocable consequences ----- arising from 


the discharge of radioactive water.


 






___________________________________





The Arctic could run 

out of ice in 2030

March 6th, 10:20am

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

The Arctic could run out of ice for the first time in 2030, 

according to a new study that indicates that such an

 event would occur more than 10 years earlier than 

previous projections.

 

It is expected to occur in August or September 2030 

under all scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions 

to the Earth’s atmosphere.

 

In addition, the Arctic Ocean could experience frequent 

occurrences of ice-free conditions by mid-century 

(between 2035 and 2067), as was published 

in the paper journal Nature Reviews

 Earth & Environment.

 

“Our study also focuses on the frequency of ice-free 

conditions, rather than just when the first ice-free 

conditions are reached,” Alexandra Jahn of the 

University of Colorado, Boulder, told the 

Down To Earth portal.

 

Arctic sea ice cover, which includes the area, extent 

and thickness of sea ice, has declined since the 

beginning of satellite observations in 1978.

 

Such ice-free conditions are likely 

the first in at least 80,000 years.

 

“The transition to an ice-free Arctic means a regime shift 

from a perennial sea ice cover to a seasonal sea ice 

cover, or from a white summer Arctic to a blue 

Arctic,” the researchers wrote.

 

To quantify the ice-free projections, the scientists 

analyzed sea ice on a monthly basis using 

climate models.

 

Previously there was talk of the almost complete 

disappearance of sea ice, but now scientists 

have agreed to designate the Arctic as ice-

free when the ocean has less than one 

million square kilometres of 

frozen surface.

 

Experts also say the Arctic is resilient 

and can return to normal.... if the 

atmosphere cools.

 

 

_____________________________________






Colombia: Global Biodiversity 


Summit ---- to Be Hosted 


in October


February 29th (teleSUR)


 


On Wednesday, Colombia’s Minister of Environment 


Susana Muhamad announced that the Latin 


American country will host the 16th 


Conference of Parties to the UN 


Convention on Biological 


Diversity (COP 16) from


 Oct 21 to Nov 1.


 


The announcement was made on the sidelines of the sixth 


session of the United Nations Environment Assembly 


(UNEA-6) underway in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. 


 


"This is an opportunity for Colombia's indigenous 


communities to showcase a paradigm shift in 


the way the conservation of biodiversity 


should be undertaken globally," 


Muhamad said.


 


The Colombian minister added that COP 16 will be a


 mixture of cultural and environmental biodiversity 


from Latin American countries.


 


The launch of the logo of a fresh flower took place 


during the official announcement of Colombia's


 hosting of the UN biodiversity summit.


 


A tweet reads, "An everlasting flower, did you know that


the Inírida flower can withstand long floods and 


droughts? It is the symbol of resilience! 


That is why this flower is the logo of 


the COP 16 in Colombia and, 


therefore, of Peace 


with Nature!"


 


David Cooper, acting executive secretary of the Secretariat


 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said that 


delegates -- will share experiences, find solutions,
and 
inspire partnerships toward tackling global 


biodiversity loss. He noted, COP 16 would 


allow local indigenous communities, 


to share their experiences.


 


According to Cooper, indigenous communities in


 13 ecoregions of Colombia and neighbouring 


countries will share their knowledge of rare 


endemic species with the delegates.


 


 The COP 16 -- will accelerate action and show 


progress towards turning the four goals and 


23 targets of the biodiversity plan into 


nationally driven action.


 


He said, that the delegates are expected 


to demonstrate the alignment of their 


National Biodiversity Strategies 


and Action Plans with the 


Biodiversity Plan.






A tweet reads, "Great meeting with the Chinese Minister of


 Ecology and outgoing president of COP15, Huang Runqiu, 


during UNEA6. His support and experience will be key 


to ensure the success of COP 16 Colombia in Cali 


this year."


 


Cooper revealed that the fourth meeting of the Subsidiary 


Body on Implementation, which will take place in Nairobi 


from May 21-29, will provide an opportunity to review 


progress 5 months before COP 16 gets underway


 in Cali, Colombia.


 


According to Cooper, COP 16 will be the first biodiversity


 summit since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal


 Global Biodiversity Framework at COP 15 held in 


December 2022 in Montreal, Canada.


 


During COP 16, governments will review the state of 


the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global 


Biodiversity Framework... develop the monitoring 


framework, and advance resource mobilization 


for the Global Biodiversity Framework.


 


 In addition, the summit will finalize and operationalize 


the multilateral mechanism, for the fair and equitable 


sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence 


information on genetic resources.


 


 


_______________________________




UN --- calls for more funding
for 
environmental projects

February 28th, 3:09pm

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

The planet demands that financial flows be realigned and 

business practices be changed in favor of nature, it was

 the demand here on Wednesday --- at the 6th United 

Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).

 

At the opening session of the high-level segment on

 strengthening the science-policy interface for 

effective implementation of environmental 

commitments, UNEP Executive Director 

Inger Andersen noted that humanity is 

currently financing its ‘own failure’ 

rather than investing in a ‘better

 future by supporting nature’.

 

Unfortunately, she added, solutions based on environmental

 protection are underfunded and receive only 200 billion

 dollars globally a year, less than one-third of what is 

needed between now and 2030 to meet climate, 

biodiversity and land degradation targets.

 

Given these figures, it is clear that realigning negative 

financial flows to nature is the best way to halt and 

reverse the loss of nature, and to achieve this we 

need to change incentive policies, provide data 

on long-term economic losses and change 

business practices,’ she said.

 

The high-level debate on strengthening the science-policy 

interface for effective implementation of environmental 

commitments ------ is a forum to address the need for 

transformational change to address the three 

planetary environmental crises: climate

change, the loss of nature and 

biodiversity, and pollution.

 

Participants in the forum will also discuss opportunities 

to strengthen science-policy interfaces - as part of 

UNEA decision-making.

 

They will also discuss best practices where scientific 

knowledge and evidence have successfully helped

 to address environmental challenges.

 

UNEA-6, which will take place until March 1 in the Kenyan 

capital, marks the beginning of a new era of multi-

lateralism focused on environmental issues at 

the same level of importance as other global 

issues such as peace, security and health, 

according to the assembly organizers.

 

Some 5,000 representatives of governments, civil society 

and the private sector are attending the global forum, 

which will consider a variety of resolutions covering 

challenges such as halting desertification, 

counteracting air pollution or limiting 

chemical pollution.

 

 

_________________________________________






UN agency calls to reduce

 heavy vehicle pollution

February 24th, 00:30am

(Prensa Latina) 

 

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) called

 to take decisive measures to cut pollution generated 

by heavy vehicles, especially trucks.

 

Their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have increased by 

30 percent since 2000, according to a report published 

on Thursday.

 

In the document, the head of UNEP’s Sustainable Mobility 

Unit, Rob de Jong, emphasized the need to implement

ambitious regulations --- to curb emissions that are

harmful to the environment and human health.

 

According to the study, heavy-duty vehicles are responsible 

for over 40% of nitrogen oxide emissions on the roads, as 

well as 60% of PM2.5 particulate matter and 20% of 

black carbon, both of which are associated with 

heart and lung problems.

 

The situation is aggravated in developing countries that 

depend on imports of used heavy-duty vehicles, often 

in precarious and polluting conditions.

 

The text also warned, that the increase in exports of 

such used equipment from industrialized economies

to developing nations --- contributes to increased 

pollution in the southern nations.

 

Although heavy vehicle exports represent a modest 3.6%
 of the total value of world trade in automobiles, their
associated CO2 emissions have increased by 
over
30%, since 2000 ----- with trucks 
contributing
80 percent of that increase.

 

CO2 is the main greenhouse gas, the consequence

of which, is global warming... that accelerates 

climate change.

 

The UNEP report, along with the Climate and Clean Air

 Coalition, provides the UN’s first global overview of 

the scale and regulation of used heavy vehicles.

 

On their contribution to global air pollution ----- traffic

 accidents, fuel consumption and climate emissions,

 the research ---- recommends ways to reduce the 

harmful aspects ---- for people’s health and

 the climate.

 

 

_________________________________


 

Humanity ''celebrates'' 

World Energy Day

February 14th, 10:10am

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

Coinciding with the date of Valentine's Day, humanity 

also celebrates World Energy Day, to support 

the sustainable use of energy resources

--- in every corner of the planet.

 

The ephemeris also promotes the use of clean energies

 obtained from nature, through the sun and water, 

highlighting its favorable impact on

 the environment.

 

This celebration aims to contribute to the achievement of 

the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), included in 

the UN Agenda 2030, such as ensuring universal 

access to affordable and modern energy 

sources, expanding the use of 

renewable energy sources, 

and improving energy

 efficiency.

 

The date was created in 1949 to raise awareness among

 the world’s population about the use of alternative and 

renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and 

biomass, reducing the burning of fossil fuels 

like oil, gas, and coal, which cause 

global warming.

 

According to data from the United Nations Environment 

Program, more than a third of the world’s population 

has no access to advanced forms of energy, while 

the 30 most developed countries on the planet 

consume more than 60% of this energy daily

 and without interruption.

 

It is estimated that currently 13% of the world’s population,

 approximately 1.1 billion people, do not have access 

to basic electricity services. Meanwhile, the use of 

fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal is estimated 

at 80%, while only 2% of renewable energies are 

generated, which is why the aim is to reverse

a ''reality'' that harms nature and 

the environment.

 




__________________________________




5.5 Tons of Fukushima Radioactive 

Water .....Leak Into the Ocean

February 7th (teleSUR)

 

On Wednesday, Fukushima Central Television reported that

approximately 5.5 tons of water containing radioactive 

materials have leaked from a piece of equipment at 

Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

 

At about 8:53 a.m... workers discovered water leaking from 

the outlet of a device used to purify nuclear-contaminated 

water during the inspection of the equipment, the local 

TV reported, citing the plant's operator Tokyo Electric

 Power Company (TEPCO).

 

The amount of water that leaked, was approximately 

5.5 tons, which may contain 22 billion becquerels of 

radioactive materials such as cesium and strontium.

 

Most of the leaked water appeared to have seeped into the 

soil, but monitoring of a nearby drainage channel did not 

show any significant radiation level changes.TEPCO has

 made the area where the water was leaked a no-go area.

 

Hit by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami 

in 2011, the Fukushima nuclear plant suffered core 

meltdowns that released radiation, resulting in a 

level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the 

International Nuclear and Radiological 

Event Scale.

 

The plant has been generating a massive amount of water 

tainted with radioactive substances from cooling down

the nuclear fuel in the reactor buildings, which are 

now being stored in tanks at the nuclear plant.

 

In August 2023, Japan started to discharge the Fukushima 

wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, despite numerous and 

repeated objections by governments and communities, 

environmental groups, NGOs and anti-

nuclear movements.

 

 

_________________________________________







Venezuela Destroys Illegal Mining


Camps ----- in the Amazon Region


February 7th, 2pm 


(teleSUR)






On Tuesday, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) 


informed that six makeshift mining camps set up by 


illegal miners were destroyed in the state 


of Amazonas.


 


Previously, on Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas


 Maduro launched Operation "Fog 2024" for the 


protection of the Amazon region and 


its ecosystems.


 


The facilities destroyed were used "to prey on and


 contaminate the environment," said Gen. Domingo 


Hernandez, the head of the FANB's Strategic


Operational Command.


 


Besides the mining camps, the army also destroyed eight 


illegal rafts used by criminal groups along the banks of 


the Cunucunuma River in Duida-Marahuaca 


National Park.


 


A text reads, "During the Operation Fog 2024, the FANB


 found eight mining ponds on the banks of the 


Cunucunuma River, in the state of Amazonas, 


which were used to predate and contaminate 


the environment. They also found and


 incinerated six logistics camps."


 


Venezuela will not tolerate the existence of illegal groups


 in its territory "nor the indiscriminate and arbitrary


 depredation of the environment," Gen. 


Hernandez pointed out. 


 


“The FANB will deploy 20 Quick Reaction Units, which 


have the strength and means to dismantle and 


destroy illegal mining structures,” he added.


 


The Operation Fog 2024 is a comprehensive intervention


 that will cover all national parks and forest reserves 


located in areas important for the security of the 


Venezuelan State.


 


 


_____________________________________



Chilean scientists warn of 


climate change effects 


on wheat


January 11th, 11:56am


(Prensa Latina)


 


Research by Chilean scientists published here today warns


 of the negative effects of global warming on the yield of 


wheat crops, a cereal of which this country is one of


 the largest consumers.


 


Climate change, associated with phenomena such as El 


Niño, are pushing temperatures to record levels and 


heat waves have increased from nine to 62 in the 


last 10 seasons, and 2024 will be no exception, 


the research states. 


 


According to Dr. Anita Arenas, from the Millennium Institute 


of Integrative Biology and Talca University, responsible for


 the research, these episodes affect both the weight and


 quality of wheat grain ------ key to world food security.


 


One of the main results, he said, was that in response to 


the high temperatures, so-called durum wheat suffered


 a weight loss of -23.9 percent, the starch content 


decreased and the protein level increased.


 


Arenas indicated that on this last point, further analysis 


will be necessary to determine whether the increase


in protein ---- is accompanied by a change in the


gluten composition.


 


 


______________________________



 Panamanian Farmers Reject 

the Indio River Reservoir

January 9th, 6:41pm 

(teleSUR)

 

On Monday, the Farmers for Life Coordinator, the Donoso &

 Omar Torrijos Awake Movement, and the Farmers for the

 Earth Coordinator agreed to reject the Indio River 

reservoir and demanded the closure of 

Minera Panama.

 

The producer organizations rejected the different projects 

presented by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), which

 insists.. on creating a multipurpose reservoir in the 

Indio River to accumulate water and facilitate 

the transit of ships through the 

interoceanic route.

 

Panamanian farmers maintain, that water is of utmost 

importance for life and that the arguments presented 

by the ACP --- are neither sufficient nor convincing.

 

They also mentioned that the construction of the Indio 

River reservoir would generate disastrous 

environmental consequences.

 

At their meeting, the farmers presented a detailed 

document containing their joint demands, which 

have been substantiated with the support of 

the Catholic Church and professionals 

from different technical areas.

 

Among the demands presented are the defense of their 

lands, rivers and lives from the threats caused by 

large metal mining projects.

 

The producer organizations also demand that the

 Panamanian state immediately create a social 

and technical commission for the closure of 

Minera Panama.

 

 

________________________________________




2023 ----- shatters climate 

records in 125,000 years

January 2nd, 12:14pm 

(Prensa Latina) 

 

The 2023 year was declared as warmest on Earth in 174 

years, and most probably of the last 125,000 years, an 

evidence that global warming is surging and affecting 

the whole planet much faster.

 

According to climate experts: “What we’re looking for is 

a lot of corroborating evidence that it’s all pointing in 

the same direction,” said Chris Smith, a climate 

scientist at England’s University of Leeds.

 

Unrelenting heat waves roasted Phoenix and Argentina. 

Wildfires raged in Canada. In Libya, floods killed 

thousands of people, noted an article in 

the newspaper.

 

Winter ice cover on the seas around Antarctica reached

 record lows, while global temperatures this year not 

only broke previous records.

 

According to June-November analysis, temperatures

 reached new highs month after month & December 

temperatures remained largely above normal.

 

Global temperatures have long risen and fallen 

around a steady warm trend due to cyclical 

factors such as El Niño.

 

 

__________________________________

 

 

 

IUCN -------- warns on 

danger of extinction 

of freshwater fishes

January 2nd, 10:38am

(Prensa Latina) 

 

Climate change threatens a growing number of species,

 from freshwater fishes to Atlantic salmon and green 

turtles, according to IUCN's Red List of Threatened 

Species released today at COP28. The IUCN Red 

List now includes 157,190 species, of which 

44,016 are threatened with extinction.

 

“Climate change is menacing the diversity of life our planet

 harbours, and undermining nature’s capacity to meet 

basic human needs,” said Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN

Director General.

 

“This IUCN Red List update highlights the strong links

between the climate and biodiversity crises, which 

must be tackled jointly. Species declines, are an 

example of the havoc being wreaked by climate 

change, which we have the power to stop with

 urgent, ambitious action to keep warming 

below 1.5 degrees Celsius.”

 

Today’s update.. completes the first comprehensive 

assessment of the world’s freshwater fish species, 

revealing that 25% (3,086 out of 14,898 assessed

 species) are at risk of extinction.

 

At least 17% of threatened freshwater fish species 

are affected by climate change, including 

decreasing water levels, rising sea 

levels causing seawater to move

 up rivers, and shifting seasons.

 

This compounds threats from pollution, which impacts

 57% of freshwater fish species at risk of extinction, 

dams and water extraction, which affect 45%, 

overfishing, which threatens 25%, and 

invasive species and disease, which 

harm 33%.

 

Kathy Hughes, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish

Specialist Group said: “Freshwater fishes make up more

 than half of the world’s known fish species, an

 incomprehensible diversity given that fresh

water ecosystems comprise only 1% of 

aquatic habitat. These diverse species 

are integral to the ecosystem, and 

vital to its resilience. 

 

“This is essential to the billions of people who rely upon 

freshwater ecosystems, and the millions of people who 

rely on their fisheries. Ensuring freshwater ecosystems

are well managed, remain free-flowing with sufficient 

water, and good water quality is essential to stop 

species declines and maintain food security, 

livelihoods and economies in a climate 

resilient world.”

 

Produced by a variety of organizations including WWF, the 

World’s Forgotten Fishes details the dazzling diversity of

species and how critically important they are to the

functioning of their ecosystems, other species and

people – with over 200 million relying on them for

food security and 60 million for their livelihoods.

 

“Freshwater fishes are in freefall with one quarter of 

all species now threatened with extinction. This 

devastating news - is the clearest sign of the

damage we have done to our rivers, lakes 

and wetlands – ecosystems that not only 

sustain freshwater fishes and a dazzling 

diversity of other wildlife but also 

underpin our societies 

and economies.

 

“Out-of-sight and out-of-mind, freshwater fishes have always

been undervalued ---- even though they are critical to the

functioning of their ecosystems --- and provide food for 

200 million people and livelihoods - for 60 million. The

shocking state of the World’s Forgotten Fishes must 

serve as a wake up call: decision makers must 

urgently scale up investment in protecting 

and restoring healthy rivers, lakes and 

wetlands. This will safeguard our 

vanishing freshwater fishes, but 

will also enhance water and 

food security, reverse 

nature loss and 

accelerate our

climate action.

 

“Here at COP28, 38 countries have now joined the 

Freshwater Challenge – the most ambitious fresh

water protection and restoration initiative in 

history. We need all countries to follow their

lead because reversing the degradation of

freshwater ecosystems will pave the way 

to a net-zero, nature-positive, and

resilient future.”

 

 

 

____________________________________

 

 

 

UNEP considers slow progress 

in human-nature interaction

January 2nd, 10am

 (Prensa Latina)

 

In spite of more global awareness about the environment 

and fossil fuels, there is still little and slow progress in

 human interaction with nature and the consumption 

of its resources, said UNEP.

 

With only six years to go before the end of 2030 for 

meeting the UNEP Agenda set in 2015 with 17 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - it is 

true that global awareness over biodiversity 

protection has surged, but unfortunately 

efforts to transform global awareness 

are lagging behind in terms of speed 

and scale.

 

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), 

by 2023, three-quarters of the planet’s terrestrial 

ecosystem and about 66% of the marine 

environment had been significantly 

altered by human action.

 

Over one-third of the world’s land area and nearly 75% 

of freshwater resources are now goal-oriented to
crop 
or livestock production.

 

Combined with dizzying levels of pollution, natural habitat

 degradation and biodiversity loss -- have serious impacts 

on communities around the world. In 2023, from 100 to 

300 million people were at increased risk of flooding 

and hurricanes --- given the loss of coastal habitats.

 

There were examples of efforts to address these threats, 

many communities improved their reconstruction actions 

such as Pakistan with the launch of the largest climate

 initiative in the country’s history or the United Nations 

with its new ¨Early Warning for All¨ global project.

 

According to UNEP, clean energy made some progress and

 although 91% of the world now has access to electricity 

such a progress has not been fast or inclusive enough.

 Nevertheless, the number of people with power 

access ramped up to 675 million since 2015.

 

Other data pointed to global investment in clean energy

 reaching near-record levels of USD$1.7 trillion, so

 renewables now account for --- over 28% of

global electricity, growing by nearly 5%.

 

But nowadays, 2.3 billion people still depend on coal,

kerosene or solid biomass as the main cooking fuel, 

so the lack of clean cooking contributes to nearly 

3.7 million premature deaths annually, with 

women and children being most at risk.

 

Plus ---- about 80% of the world’s population with 

no electricity lives in rural areas, predominantly 

in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Current studies have shown that reaching these 

clean energy targets will require the world to

triple its annual investments by 2030.

 

 

_____________________________________







Paraguay: Pasubio Not to 


Buy Leather Affecting 


Indigenous Lands


December 20th, 5:14pm


 (teleSUR)


 


On Wednesday, Survival International --- celebrated the 


decision of the Italian tannery Pasubio, to refrain from 


purchasing leather  ------whose production is linked to
the
 deforestation ------ of the ancestral territory of
the 
Ayoreo Totobiegosode Indigenous people. 


 


In South America, the Ayoreo people is part of the last 


Indigenous community voluntarily isolating itself 


outside the Amazon Basin.


 


"We are pleased to know that Pasubio has committed to 


boycotting leather from suppliers that threaten the


lives and territories of the Ayoreo people, in 


Paraguay. We hope that other companies 


will follow their example," Survival 


International Director, Caroline 


Pearce said, warning that her 


organization will monitor to 


ensure full compliance 


with the commitment.


 


"We hope that this news.. contributes to speeding up the


very slow process.. of recognizing the territorial rights 


of the Ayoreo, which has already lasted thirty years,"


 she added.


 


"The Paraguayan authorities must - once and for all - 


respect national and international rights, expel all


 ranches from Ayoreo territory, and return the


land to this indigenous people."


 


Previously, the Pasubio Group communicated its decision


 to exclude leather suppliers linked to deforestation in 


the Chaco region, where the Ayoreo Totobiegosode


 Natural and Cultural Heritage (PNCAT) is located.


 


Currently, the Ayoreo territory is "an island of forest


 surrounded by a sea of deforestation, as the land 


around it has been deforested to make room for 


livestock farming," explained Survival 


International --- and warned that 


numerous fires, have been 


occurring in that forest 


since the beginning 


of the year.


 


"An undetermined number of Ayoreo Totobiegosode


 Indigenous people, live without contact in their 


forest, and many others - have been forced to 


abandon isolation and now live in settled 


communities," it added.


 


In February 2016, the Inter-American Commission 


on Human Rights (IACHR) issued precautionary 


measures -- demanding that the Paraguayan 


State halt deforestation in the Chaco and 


protect the Ayoreo Totobiegosode


Indigenous people, from 


potential unwanted 


contacts.


 


 


____________________________________



COP28 Draft Deal Raises Nuclear 


Energy as a Climate Solution


 December 12th,  12:20pm


 (teleSUR)


 


In the latest draft of the Global Balance presented by the 


Climate Summit Presidency (COP28), nuclear energy is 


included as one of the options for the planet's 


decarbonization.


 


Greenpeace, Ecologists in Action, and World Wide Fund for


 Nature (WWF) denounced that the inclusion of this option 


is a response to the growing presence of nuclear 


"lobbyists" at climate summits ------- since the 


COP26 in Glasgow, with the complicity 


of major atomic powers such as the 


United States or France.


 


The presence of pro-nuclear advocates has been "even 


more noticeable in Dubai," and it appears that their 


"management has been successful," said WWF's


 Global Climate and Energy Director -- Manuel 


Vidal-Pulgar, who believes that the COP28's


central goal should be to accelerate the 


ecological transition.... with a "clear 


reference to phasing out 


fossil fuels."


 


In his opinion, nuclear energy is not a viable option for this


 transition. Apart from the fact that only 32 countries have


 atomic plants, nuclear energy generates hazardous 


waste and poses serious security issues, as 


demonstrated by past accidents.


 


"In COP28, there has been talk from the outset about the 


need for low-emission technologies to justify the use of 


technologies that are not yet proven, are expensive, 


or are not ready (such as nuclear fusion), and that 


is unacceptable," he lamented.


 


"Clearly, this is a tremendous mistake," said the Ecologists 


in Action's Energy and Climate Director, Javier Andaluz, 


who pointed out that the climate impact of a nuclear 


power plant throughout its life cycle, is between 6 


and 15 times greater than the impact related to 


its operation.


 


"This is a clear concession ------- to the lobbying of large 


companies - nuclear power is in the hands of electric 


companies," according to Andaluz, who criticized 


the high presence of accredited pro-nuclear 


advocates in Dubai, to whom "recognition 


similar to that of neutral observer 


organizations" is being given.


 


"Nuclear power is not a solution to climate change because


 it is slow, taking more than 10 years to build a plant - plus


 all the licensing and preliminary studies; it is expensive


 and relies on public funds, and there is no private 


insurance to cover the plants due to their 


hazardous nature," said the Climate 


Change Director of Greenpeace 


Spain, Pedro Zorrilla.


 


Any accident at a nuclear plant has "very serious 


consequences for health and the environment,"


according to Zorrilla, who added that these 


plants are not suitable to support the 


deployment needed in renewables 


as they cannot provide backup 


for wind or solar variability - 


turning on or off a nuclear 


plant takes several days 


or even weeks.


 


 


__________________________________



 Brazil to host COP30 by 2025

December 11th, 5:21pm

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

Brazil, was formally elected on Monday as host country 

of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference 

(UNFCCC – COP30), scheduled to be held from 

November 10 to 21, 2025.

 

“The decision was made --- by a consensus at the COP28
plenary session in Dubai”, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

Brazil´s Foreign Ministry pointed out that, “after the 

decision, the Minister of Environment and Climate 

Change and head of the Brazilian delegation 

Marina Silva formally announced that 

COP30 will be held in the city of 

Belem,” capital of the northern 

Amazonian state of Para.

 

Silva defended, “a collective construction of an energy 

matrix that the planet and humanity demand --- for 

its survival.”




________________________________






Initiative to Protect Glaciers 

Launched at COP28

December 4th, 1:11pm  

(teleSUR)

 

On Sunday, an initiative to protect the world's glaciers

was launched at the China Pavilion of the COP28 

climate change conference.

 

At the side event of COP28, or the 28th session of the

 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations 

Framework Convention on Climate Change, 

delegates and scientists... shared their 

views on the risks of melting glaciers, 

and ways to slow down that process.

 

A project named "Memory of Glaciers: Global 

Exploration Initiative" was launched to step 

up research and protection of glaciers, as 

well as raise public awareness.

 

Glaciers bear witness to the history of climate change

 on the planet, and melting glaciers will bring a series 

of risks aside from rising sea levels, delegates said.

 

Potential risks will include ------- damage to high mountain 

ecosystems, increased hazards of landslides and floods,

 as well as losses of tourism and cultural assets. 

 

Measures that need to be taken include limiting global 

warming through reducing greenhouse gas emissions 

and enhancing adaptation strategies which can help 

reduce hazardous impacts. 

 

According to the report "Ten New Reflections in Climate

 Science" ----- which was prepared by Future Earth,
The 
Earth League and World Climate Research 

Programme, humanity is about to exceed 

the limit of 1.5 degrees of global 

warming ----- set in the 

Paris Agreement.

 

Therefore, it is essential to reduce as much as possible 

the magnitude and time in which the world is above

 1.5 degrees to reduce losses, damages, and the 

risk of irreversible changes.

 

 

______________________________________ 




Ethiopia to host the largest wind 

farm in the Horn of Africa

Dubai, December 4th, 12:43pm

(Prensa Latina) 

 

The Aysha wind energy project, an 18,000-hectare wind 

farm considered the largest in the Horn of Africa, will 

be built in Ethiopia in conjunction with an Emirati

 company, it was announced here.

 

The Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and the United Arab

 Emirates renewable energy project operator AMEA 

Power signed an agreement to build the site with

 an investment of $600 million, which, according 

to the state ministry, represents an important 

milestone in the country’s sector.

 

The project is expected to produce approximately 1.22 

terawatt hours of electricity per year, which will 

contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s power

 generation capacity.

 

It will also create approximately 2,000 jobs during the

 construction and operation phases for the benefit 

of the local economy, a joint statement revealed.

 

The document stated that the agreement demonstrates 

Addis Ababa’s unwavering commitment to renewable 

energy and its dedication to attracting private 

investment in the energy sector.

 

Ethiopian Electric Power and the Ministry of Finance, are 

working together to harness the region’s abundant wind 

resources and generate clean, sustainable electricity, 

to meet the country’s growing demand for electricity.

 

 

___________________________________________

 


 

There is real hope out there, 

COP28 President al-jaber

says

Dubai, December 4th,

 (Prensa Latina)

 

 In the first four days of COP28 we set high standards 

for results; there is real hope out there, said the 

president of the 28th UN Climate Change 

Conference, Sultan Al Jaber. 

 

During a press conference, Al Jaber revealed the hope

 expressed by people he has spoken to, that this 

meeting, will be a major turning point and not 

missing the opportunity to deliver a real and 

tangible paradigm shift to correct course 

towards the right path of keeping 1.5 

degrees Celsius within reach.

December 4, 2023

10:21

 

“Let’s remember why we are all here. We are all here

 because we have issued a very clear call to action.

 The UAE takes on this task with humility and 

responsibility and fully understands the 

urgency of this issue,” he stressed.

 

He noted that so far at COP28 they were able to bring the 

United States and China together in an unprecedented 

commitment to reduce methane and other non-carbon

 dioxide (CO2) gases across the economy. These 

gases are more than 80 times more harmful 

than CO2, he warned.

 

Al Jaber also revealed pride - in having issued the first 

declarations on health and food systems, considered

 two huge priorities for the presidency’s action 

agenda. Three additional statements on 

hydrogen, refrigeration and gender, 

will be announced in the coming

 days, he confirmed.

 

 

__________________________________






COP 28: The G77+China 

Summit - is Inaugurated

December 2nd, 4:47pm

 (teleSUR)

 

This Saturday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez 

inaugurated in Dubai the historic Summit of Leaders of the 

Group of 77 and China, within the framework of COP28.

 

On his opening speech he highlighted that: "The gap

 between the irrationally opulent North - and the 

increasingly impoverished South - widens -
with 
high human costs ---- while the
resources that 
nature makes
available to us, 
are
squandered".

 

It is our responsibility to assert the voice of the peoples 

of the South -- and to defend their legitimate interests 

and aspirations, Diaz-Canel, president pro tempore 

of the organization, posted on his X account.

 

"In inaugurating the G77-China Leaders Summit in the

context of COP28 -- President Diaz-Canel called for 

reflection, concerted action on the basis of what

 unites us and respect for our rich diversity, and

 together act now - to advance the legitimate 

demands of the South," said the Cuban 

Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez.

 

Also, the Website Presidencia Cuba, emphasized that

 this is the first time the Group has met at a COP to 

agree positions for climate change negotiations.

 

The COP28 Summit opened in Dubai on Thursday with 

the announcement of the creation of the loss and 

damage fund ---- to compensate the most 

vulnerable countries in the face of

 the climate crisis.

 

The largest global meeting to address climate change

 officially endorsed the resolution to operationalize 

the fund, It also received financial pledges from

 the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the
UK, 
US and Japan.

 

 

______________________________________





Pope Francis spurs: to speed up 


the ecological transition ------


after COP28


Dubai, December 2nd, 1:45pm 


(Prensa Latina) 


 


On Saturday, Pope Francis requested  in his speech sent to 


the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), 


as he was unable to attend here for health reasons, his
political willingness...... to speed up the 


ecological transition.


 


In the document, read in that forum by Cardinal Pietro


 Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.... which was 


published on Saturday by the Holy See Press


 Office, Francis stated that, in that sense, 


that COP28 should be a turning point, 


as it is now urgent to return to the 


right track and give “a sign


 of hope.”


 


The Pope assured that this transition must be efficient,


 obligatory and easy to monitor, as well as -- it must 


cover the fields of energy efficiency, renewable 


sources, the removal of fossil fuels ------- and 


education must be directed towards 


less dependent lifestyles on


 fossil fuels.


 


“Are we working for a culture of life or a culture of death?” 


Pope Francis asked those attending the event ------ which 


opened in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on November 


30 and will last until December 12, with the presence 


of over 150 heads of State and Government.


 


The Pope underscored that the ambition to produce and


 possess --- has turned into an obsession, leading to a


 boundless greed -- that has made the environment 


the target of unbridled exploitation. Finally, the 


senior Catholic authority noted ---  “the 


disturbed climate is a warning to us


--- to stop such a delirium of 


omnipotence.”


 


 


___________________________






Lukashenko urges West: 
to use money it wastes 


on wars.... to better 


the environment


December 1st, 1:08pm (TASS)


 


Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, has suggested 


using the resources that Western countries waste on wars 


to address environmental issues around the globe.


 


"Those speakers who were the first to take the floor, talked 


about peace. They were saying -- that the planet must be 


kept clean -- and the future of grandchildren taken care 


of, while it is their countries that have unleashed and 


are waging ------ the worst war on the planet," the 


Belarusian leader told the World Climate 


Summit in Dubai. 


 


"This is many trillions of dollars. Well, let's use this money to


 make and keep the planet clean. Then there will be no 


need to go door to door and beg for it."


 


Lukashenko stressed that "wars are the 


main source of filth on our continent."


 


"Let's put an end to this. The most important thing


 is to talk less ----- and do more," Lukashenko said.


 


He urged the summit participants, especially the leading 


countries of the world, to carry "the burden of 


historical responsibility."


 


"First, make a proportionate contribution to solving the


 issues of climate security to repair the harm caused 


by a centuries-long thoughtless attitude to nature. 


Second, step up support for developing countries 


and economies in transition. Third, stop paying 


lip service to nature conservation and start 


acting in the name of preserving life on


 Earth," Lukashenko said.


 


 


________________________________________




 

 

Colombia, Uruguay, and

 Ecuador ------- receive 

OEI awards

November 28th, 12:11pm

(Prensa Latina) 

 

The Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, 

Science, and Culture (OEI) has awarded innovation

 prizes to Colombia, Uruguay, and Ecuador.

 

In a press release, the OEI announced on Tuesday that 

among 200 candidates from 14 countries, it selected 

CaféLab, Ecofusion, and Pedagogy Without Limits 

as the best for “Innovation and the SDGs in 

educational centres.”

 

CaféLab, developed by the Municipal Montessori Educational

 Institution-San Francisco Headquarters in Pitalito, Huila, 

Colombia, won first place. The project aims to take

 advantage of the waste generated by coffee 

production to promote entrepreneurship 

and reduce pollution.

 

The second prize has gone in an equal state to two 

projects: Ecofusion from Uruguay and Pedagogy 

Without Limits, from Ecuador.

 

The jury has awarded special mentions to other 

projects from Cuba, Spain, Honduras, and Peru.

 

The awards recognize the efforts of schools in the region 

to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

of the 2030 Agenda.

 

This edition awarded 10,000 Euros for the first place 

and 5,000 euros for each project in second place.

 

 

_____________________________________



Report --------- Climate Crisis, Energy Costs 

Fuel £600 Rise in UK Household Food Bill

November 27th, 12:11pm (FNA)

 

 British households’ food bills have been driven up by more 

than £600 over the past two years by the global climate

 emergency and soaring energy prices, according to 

a report warning of further increases to come 

in 2024.

 

Sounding the alarm over the impact from increasing extreme

 weather patterns for food production, the Energy and 

Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) thinktank said that 

global heating ----- is directly contributing to the 

cost of living crisis, The Guardian reports.

 

According to the analysis carried out by researchers from 

the universities of Bournemouth, Exeter and Sheffield, 

more extreme or unseasonal weather accounted for 

a third of all food price inflation in the UK this year.

 

While energy prices have fallen back this year, it
warned
 that the impact from the climate
emergency, 
is increasing.

 

Tom Lancaster, land analyst at ECIU, said, “Climate change 

is playing havoc with global food production, and this is

 inevitably feeding through to higher prices at the tills.

 Across 2022 and 2023, the climate emergency alone

 added the equivalent of six weekly shops to the 

average household food bill.”

 

The cost of the climate crisis rose from £171 in 2022 to £192

 in 2023, more than offsetting the effects of falling energy 

prices this year and having a greater impact than rising 

energy bills, according to analysis.

 

Official figures show ---- inflation in food and drink prices
peaked at an annual rate of almost 20% earlier this year,
the highest level since the 1970s, amid disruption to
food supplies from weather events and soaring
energy costs for producers.

 

Food price inflation has fallen back in recent months, but
remains at historical highs of close to 10%. Prices are
also still near record highs after recent storms –
including Storm Babet ----- flooded swathes of
farmland, hitting UK potato and vegetable
harvests in the run-up to Christmas.

 

In 2022, drought hit production of basic foodstuffs such as
potatoes and onions in the UK, followed by an unusually
wet harvest in 2023, and then the hottest September
on record.

 

It comes after heatwaves across the Mediterranean, India
& South America this year all had a major impact on food
production and prices. Staples including sugar, rice and
tomatoes were affected by extreme weather, such as
droughts in India, while olive oil rose in price by 50%
after two years of drought and heatwaves in Spain
and other major exporters in southern Europe.

 

The situation could be worse next year with the El Niño

 weather system leading possibly to more severe 

weather and further increases in food prices.

 

Prof Wyn Morgan of Sheffield University, one of the report 

authors, said, “Given we expect climate impacts to get 

worse, it is likely that climate change will continue to 

fuel a cost of living crisis for the foreseeable future.”

 

Anna Taylor, executive director at the Food Foundation, said 

that the government needed to “think more seriously how 

households can become more resilient to price volatility”

 in the light of the likely impact of the climate crisis.

 

She called on the government to revive its plans for a 

horticulture strategy, that would build production of 

fruit and vegetables in the UK and reduce reliance 

on crops grown in Southern Europe which is 

becoming increasingly vulnerable to 

drought and extreme heat as a 

result of the climate crisis.

 

A separate report from the Food Foundation warned that 

retailers and hospitality venues in Britain are failing to 

create a food environment where healthy choices 

are affordable, readily available and appealing.

 

It found healthy food ----- is already twice as expensive as 

unhealthy food per calorie, while the cost of sustainable 

alternatives to meat and dairy... can also be high.

 

Most main meals offered by many pub chains regularly 

exceed... 50% of the recommended daily intake for 

calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar, according 

to the report. Meanwhile, just 1% of food 

advertising spend goes towards fruit 

and vegetables compared with 9% 

on meat and dairy while 21.5% of

 buy-one-get-one-free deals are 

on meat and dairy compared 

with just 4.5% on fruit

 and vegetables.

 

Lancaster said that the dependence of the UK’s current

 farming system on volatile oil, gas and fertiliser prices

 had created a “perfect storm of extreme weather, 

high gas prices and global instability” --- to food

 price inflation.

 

He said, “The good news is that steps to make farming more

 sustainable cannot only cut emissions but also make our

 food production more resilient to the extremes of 

flooding and drought. Government plans --- in 

England - to support greener farming with 

more hedgerows, improved soil health 

and tree planting schemes are 

therefore vital to our future 

food security.”

 

 

__________________________________





Pesticides Found in US Baby Food

November 27th, 11:21am

(teleSUR)

 

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a study

 showing that baby food in the United States may still 

contain potentially harmful pesticides, but is less 

toxic than it was about 30 years ago.

 

Some 38 percent of conventional, or non-organic, baby food 

in the United States, is found to contain toxic pesticides,

 the EWG said, adding that at least one pesticide 

residue was detected in 22 of the 58 

conventional baby foods.

 

It warned that "babies and young children are particularly 

vulnerable to potential health harms from consuming food 

that contains residues of agricultural pesticides."

 

The NGO said it tested products from three popular brands in

 the United States -- Beech-Nut, Gerber, and Parent's Choice.

 

While the findings are alarming, the good news, according to

 the EWG, is that the pesticide levels in baby foods have 

been decreasing compared to a similar study 

conducted in 1995.

 

In the 1995 study, "an eye-popping 53 percent of 72 baby 

food products sampled --------- had residue of at least one
pesticide," and the pesticides discovered were, overall,

 far more toxic and dangerous than the ones the 

latest tests uncovered.

 

One toxic pesticide the EWG no longer found in baby food 

was the brain-damaging bug killer chlorpyrifos, which

 in very small amounts can permanently damage

 the health of babies and children.

 


[Rhondda Records adds:

the article soft soaps on
how much pesticide is
STILL POISONING US

methinks ''someone'' is very
scared of an ''eye-popping''
reaction to this !!!]




______________________________________






Germany Not to Reallocate 

COVID-19 Funds for 

Climate Actions

November 15th, 6:41pm

(teleSUR)

 

On Wednesday, Germany's Federal Constitutional Court

 annulled the national government's decision... to 

reallocate 60 billion euros from a COVID-19 

relief fund to be used for measures 

combatting climate change.

 

The law under which the funds were retroactively shifted 

to the Climate and Transformation Fund (CTF) at the 

beginning of 2022 for the previous year's budget 

"does not meet the constitutional requirements

 for emergency borrowing," the court ruled.

 

With its so-called debt brake, Germany has an instrument 

that prevents the government from taking on new debt, 

except in crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The 

court found that transferring the funds for another 

purpose circumvents this regulation.

 

The "de facto unlimited" continued use of emergency-

related credit authorizations in subsequent financial 

years ---------- is "inadmissible," the ruling added.

 

Since the 60 billion euros will now be withdrawn from

 Germany's climate fund, financed projects will have

 to be covered by other budget resources.

 

"The Federal Government will pay close attention to this

 ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court," Chancellor 

Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday. However, the 2024 

budget meetings scheduled for Thursday -- are to 

take place as planned.

 

The CTF has a total budget of 211.8 billion euros for the

 next four years. The German government wanted to 

invest 57.6 billion euros from the fund into green 

projects in areas such as transport, buildings 

and the switch to renewable energies

 in 2024.

 

Germany is aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, 

five years ahead of the European Union (EU) target. As 

part of this process, Germany wants to achieve an 80 

percent share of renewable energies in its electricity 

supply by 2030, up from about 53 percent currently.

 

"This ruling is a bitter setback for climate protection," said 

Martin Kaiser, managing director of Greenpeace Germany, 

adding that all budgetary leeway must now be used on 

the path to climate neutrality, "because we are 

already in the midst of the climate crisis."

 

 

 

___________________________




 


Namibia ------ Launches First Seed 


Bank for Biodiversity Protection


November 14th (teleSUR)


 


On Tuesday, the Environment Investment Fund (EIF), a 


Namibian environmental fund, said the country has


 launched its first Community Seed Bank in 


Kavango West, one of the country's 14 


regions ------ to safeguard local seed 


varieties to promote biodiversity 


and ensure food security.


 


EIF spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata stated that the main 


objective of the seed bank is to protect natural resources 


by preventing overexploitation of different seed varieties.


 


"This proactive intervention not only prevents depletion of


 resources, but also ensures seed conservation for the


 benefit of future generations. Community seed banks


 play a crucial role in collecting, storing and 


safeguarding local seeds," he said.


 


"In times of crop damage or destruction, these banks act as


 an emergency seed supply, allowing farmers to access 


seed for the next planting season," he added.


 


According to official reports, beyond preserving seeds, the 


project emphasizes a broader goal of protecting natural 


resources, promoting environmental sustainability, and 


ensuring that Namibia's future generations have 


access to diverse and resilient 


agricultural resources.


 


Furthermore, Ndamanomhata highlighted that this initiative 


goes beyond financial support, representing a shared 


commitment to environmental sustainability and the 


preservation of the country's natural heritage.


 


The EIF was officially launched in 2012 and is currently


 funded by a government allocation with the mandate


 to tap into local conservation fees and


 environmental levies.


 


These funds will be used to invest in the protection of the 


environment, its biological diversity and ecological life-


support functions; and the promotion of sustainable 


natural resources use - for economic development 


by supporting green & environmental enterprises.


 


Namibia intends to expand the establishment of such


 infrastructure, with plans for upcoming projects in 


other regions within the next five years.


 


 While Namibia introduced its inaugural community seed 


bank in 2023, neighboring countries such as Zambia, 


South Africa, and Zimbabwe have already largely 


embraced this practice, with Zimbabwe now


boasting 26 community seed banks. 


 


 


 


______________________________________




 

Bolivian President begins 

Green Lungs program

November 11th, 9:53am 

(Prensa Latina) 

 

Bolivian President Luis Arce has launched, today, in 

the municipality of El Alto, the Pulmones Verdes

 (Green Lungs) project by planting the first 

tree of a forest of native species to 

counter climate change.

 

The initiative was presented ---- by the Vice Minister of 

Coordination and Government Management - Gustavo 

Torrico, who initially proposed to start with a certain

amount of trees to generate a small forest in El Alto,

Gabriela Arauco, Director of Public Management in 

that government agency, explained.

 

In an interview granted to Prensa Latina, Arauco said that 

the support of other ministries made it possible to
advance 
towards, a larger and more
ambitious project.

 

'It will be the first forest with five hectares, five thousand 

seedlings, and it will not only be the planting stage, but 

the commitment of caring for them, so that these trees 

reach the necessary size and give the expected result: 

to improve the microclimate, the ecosystem and 

increase water levels and forestation in that 

environment’, she said.

 

The director explained to this news agency that the most 

important thing is that Pulmones Verdes will provide the 

community with access to cleaner air.

 

Pulmones Verdes promotes an effort to mitigate global 

warming, the greenhouse effect, the reduction of 

permafrost, the loss of water and the climatic 

crisis, and for this the State and the society 

of Bolivia receive the support of the youth 

of El Alto, as well as public and private 

business people.




______________________________________



Deforestation in Brazilian 

Amazon drops to 22.3%

November 9th, 4:47pm

(Prensa Latina) 

 

Deforestation rate in Brazil´s Amazon scaled down 22.3% 

from August 2022 to July 2023 -- the lowest figure in a 

12-month term since 2019, according to official data.

 

The National Institute for Space Research -- revealed that 

about 9,001 square kilometres of the Amazonian forest 

was deforested at that stage.

 

Such statistics were supported by the Real-Time 

Deforestation Detection System (DETER) which 

produces daily signals of alteration in forest 

cover for areas larger than three hectares 

(0.03 square kilometres).

 

Indications occur for totally deforested areas as well as

 for those in the process of wild degradation (logging, 

mining, burning and others).

 

DETER is not the official deforestation data, but 

an alert on where the problem is occurring.

 

The devastation in the Amazon increased under the 

government of former President Jair Bolsonaro 

(2019-2022).

 

 

___________________________________________




Luzhsky breeding centre.....

sent 500,000 pine saplings 

to the new region

November 8th, 6:54pm

(Komsomolskaya Pravda)

 

500 thousand pine seedlings were brought to the Donetsk

 People's Republic from the Luzhsky Forest selection and 

Seed production Centre. 

 

The Leningrad Region, helps the Donetsk People's

 Republic restore forests lost during the fighting. 


500 thousand pine seedlings were delivered to 

the new region of Russia from the Luzhsky 

Forest selection and seed Centre.


Seedlings of coniferous trees 

were grown in the nursery 

for two years. Now their 

new home will be 

the DPR.

 

The region participates in the restoration of Donetsk

 forests on behalf of Governor Alexander Drozdenko. 

The project is supervised by the Committee for 

Natural Resources of the Leningrad Region.

 

"When in April of this year, together with the head of the

 DPR, Denis Pushilin, we planted spruce and pine trees 

from the Leningrad region at the foot of Saur-Mogila,
promised that the supply of seedlings would be 

regular," said Governor Alexander Drozdenko. 

 

''This is part of our assistance to the Donbass...  it's 

systematic in nature. Today, the Leningrad Region

 continues to work at facilities in Yenakiyevo, 

Mariupol, and Makeyevka. We already 

perceive the residents of these 

localities.... as our own.''

 

''There is already a "Leningrad Quarter" in Mariupol, 

and there will eventually be a "Leningrad Forest"

 in the Donbas.''

 

Alexey Shebalkin, Chairman of the Forestry and Hunting

 Committee of the Donetsk People's Republic, said that

 the "green" cargo... has successfully arrived at its

 destination. This... is the second campaign to 

send seedlings from the Leningrad region

 in 2023. 

 

Earlier, in April, 70 thousand seedlings of scots pine and

 30 thousand seedlings of European spruce were 

brought to the Donetsk People's Republic. 

 

According to Governor Alexander Drozdenko, the young

 coniferous trees planted on Donetsk's land will help

 restore the forests damaged during the fighting.

 

"Leningrad kids" - in a decade - will turn into 250
hectares of forest.... traces of the war in the
Donetsk People's Republic. 


''The April batch of 100 thousand pine and spruce saplings 

has already taken root in a new place, including at Saur-

Mogila. Seedlings with a closed root system, were 

shipped from the Luzhsky breeding Centre - so 

that they could move on the road and adapt 

more easily to a new place," the head of 

the region noted.

 

Before taking the seedlings to the DPR, the planting

 material... is carefully checked. The best seedlings 

with high survival rates are selected for shipment.




 

________________________________________________



 

China’s initiative - wins 

UN’s most prestigious 

environmental prize

October 30th, 2:02pm

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

China's Blue Circle initiative has won the United Nations 

Environment Program's 2023 Champions of the Earth 

award for its innovative marine plastic treatment 

technology, Xinhua reported on Monday.

 

The Blue Circle initiative won the award in the

 Entrepreneurial Vision category --- for its 

contributions to monitoring the entire

 lifecycle... of plastic pollution in 

the oceans - comprehensively,

 encompassing collection ---

as well as regeneration,
re-
manufacturing, 

and re-sale.

 

Over 6,000 individuals and 200 enterprises from East 

China’s Zhejiang Province are involved in the project.

 To date, it has successfully gathered about 10,700 

tons of marine debris.

 

According to Xinhua, these data, make Blue
Circle China’s 
great marine plastic waste
collection program.

 

A study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in the United

 Kingdom.... estimated that -- oceans could carry more 

plastic than fish - by 2050, leading to more pollution.

 

The organization, founded in 2010 to accelerate the

 transition to a circular economy, pointed out that 

such materials take about 1,000 years to 

degrade -- which has very negative

 impacts on the oceans and 

the environment.

 


[R.R. adds: Well done, China -
we're all gonna die!]




_________________________



 


Ozone hole over Antarctica grows


-- to one of the largest on record


October 4th, 4:36pm


 (Prensa Latina) 


 


The annual ozone hole that forms over Antarctica
has ballooned to near-record size, scientists say.


 


Measurements from satellite imaging taken on Sept. 16


 --- showed that the ozone depletion area had reached 


26 million square kilometres — roughly three times 


the size of Brazil, according to Copernicus, the 


European Union’s Earth observation program.


 


Every year, an ozone hole forms over the Antarctic due to 


the presence of ozone-depleting substances in the 


stratosphere and the specific conditions of


 the region, according to Copernicus.


 


The size of the ozone fluctuates from August to October,


typically reaching maximum depletion between mid-


September and mid-October.


 


This year, the ozone hole got off to an early start and has 


grown “rapidly” since mid-August -- “making it one of the 


biggest ozone holes on record,” Copernicus Atmosphere


 Monitoring Service senior scientist, Antje Inness, said
in 
a statement. The size of the ozone hole is largely 


determined... by the strength of a strong wind 


band that flows around the Antarctic area - 


a result of the rotation of the Earth and 


the oppositional temperature 


differences between polar


 and moderate latitudes.


 


Ozone levels usually return to normal by mid-December, 


after temperatures high up in the stratosphere rise in 


the southern hemisphere, slowing ozone depletion 


and weakening the polar vortex, according 


to Copernicus.


 


There is some speculation that the unusual behaviour 


of the ozone layer in 2023, is a result of the Tongan 


underwater volcano eruption in January 2022.


 


The immense amount of water vapour that was injected 


into the atmosphere likely just started reaching the 


south polar region after the end of the 2022 


ozone hole, Antje said.


 


The water vapour could have led to a heightened
formation 
of polar stratospheric clouds ---
allowing chlorofluorocarbons 
to react
and accelerate ozone depletion.


 


The impact of the widespread use of damaging 


chlorofluorocarbons in products such as 


refrigerators and aerosol tins in the 


1970s and 1980s -------- led to the 


depletion of the ozone high in 


the atmosphere, allowing for 


the ozone layer above 


Antarctica - to open 


up, according to 


Copernicus.


 


 


_____________________________




The scientist declared
deterioration of
 all

global ecological
characteristics

September 30th, 1:47pm

(RT.ru)

 

All global indicators in the field of ecology, except for the

 problem of ozone holes, are getting worse, said Viktor 

Danilov-Danilyan, a Russian scientist and scientific 

director of the Institute of Water Problems of the 

Russian Academy of Sciences.

 

"Absolutely all global environmental characteristics
are
 deteriorating, except ----- and this is the only 

exception ----- that characterizes the state of
the 
ozone layer," RIA Novosti quotes 

Danilov-Danilyan as saying, at

 the Altai Economic Forum

"Thread of Nature".

 

He noted that the situation with the ozone layer is 

improving, after the adoption of the Montreal 

Protocol --- and the implementation of 

its obligations.

 

The scientist added that the concentration of 

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is 

growing in the world, the area of 

forests is decreasing, and the

chemical poisoning of soils

 ...continues.

 

Earlier, US President, Joe Biden, said that 

global warming.... remains the only real 

threat to humanity.

 

 

 

_____________________________________

 



 Japanese scientists find --- 

microplastics are present

 in clouds

September 27th, 9:03pm

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

Researchers in Japan have confirmed - microplastics

 are present in clouds, where they are likely affecting

 the climate in ways that aren't yet fully understood.

 

In a study published in Environmental Chemistry Letters, 

scientists climbed Mount Fuji and Mount Oyama in order 

to collect water from the mists that shroud their peaks, 

then applied advanced imaging techniques to the 

samples to determine their physical and 

chemical properties.

 

The team identified nine different types of polymers and 

one type of rubber in the airborne microplastics — 

ranging in size from 7.1 to 94.6 micrometres.

 

What’s more, “hydrophilic” or water-loving polymers were 

abundant, suggesting the particles play a significant 

role in rapid cloud formation and thus, 

climate systems.

 

“If the issue of ‘plastic air pollution’ is not addressed 

proactively, climate change and ecological risks 

may become a reality, causing irreversible 

and serious environmental damage in 

the future,” lead author, Hiroshi 

Okochi of Waseda University

 warned in a statement 

on Wednesday.

 

Microplastics — defined as plastic particles under 5 

millimeters - come from industrial effluent, textiles, 

synthetic car tires, personal care products, and 

much more.

 

These tiny fragments have been discovered inside fish 

in the deepest recesses of the ocean peppering Arctic 

sea ice and blanketing the snows on the Pyrenees 

mountains between France and Spain.

 

But the mechanisms of their transport have remained 

unclear, with research on airborne microplastic 

transport, in particular, limited.

 

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on

 airborne microplastics in cloud water,” the authors 

wrote in their paper.

 

Emerging evidence has linked microplastics to a range of 

impacts on heart and lung health, as well as cancers, in 

addition to widespread environmental harm.




 

____________________________________________





 
 
South Korea to increase 

radiation meters in

the ocean

September 18th, 11:38am

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

South Korea will strengthen emergency radiation tests to 

ease public concern over the discharge into the ocean 

of contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima 

nuclear power plant, it was announced.

 

South Korean Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho 

Seung-hwan told a news conference that more 

coastal measurement points will be added

 for this purpose.

 

''We chose the points where the released waters are expected 

to arrive first, given the ocean currents. We will add more 

locations to the list, especially in the East Sea, to 

ensure safety further,'' he said.

 

Cho explained that in addition to the 75 spots in territorial 

waters, radiation tests are conducted in 33 more distant 

areas, and the ministry plans to increase the number 

to nearly 250 by next year.

 

South Korea began conducting emergency radiation tests in 

July on samples from 75 coastal points in the east, west 

and south of the country, as well as in the waters off

 the southern island of Jeju.

 

The monitoring began about a month before Tokyo began 

discharging treated radioactive water into the sea.

 

In 2011, Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant was 

severely damaged by a strong earthquake and a 

subsequent tsunami.

 

 

_________________________________



 


Angola plans to eliminate 


refrigerant gases by 2030


September 17th, 9:17am


(Prensa Latina)


 


Angola plans to eliminate, by 2030, the use of refrigerant 


gases belonging to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), 


according to sources from the Ministry


of Environment.


 


Since 2012 the country began to apply the schedule for the 


gradual elimination of these gases, which are harmful
to 
the ozone layer --- and cause global warming,
in 
compliance with the Montreal Protocol, 


Ivone Pascoal ---- the person in charge 


of the issue in the aforementioned 


ministry ---- explained to the 


Angolan Press Agency.


 


It is expected that the application of the measure of 


not importing these gases and their exclusion from


 consumption... will be completed by 2025, leaving 


a margin until 2030 for their total disappearance.


 


Reaching this point, required intense awareness-raising work 


on good refrigeration practices, the introduction of new


 techniques, and the implementation of rules on the 


export, re-export and import of ozone-depleting 


substances and equipment, among 


other actions.


 


However, the challenge remains, as the country sets out to 


reduce the consumption of substances that contribute to 


global warming until 2050, in compliance with the Kigali


 Amendment --- an agreement that provides for a
phased 
reduction in the consumption of


hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 


until that year.


 

____________________________________________________________





  Zakharova: ammunition with


 uranium ...makes Ukraine 


uninhabitable land


August 24th, 10:21pm


(RT.ru)


 


Supplies of depleted uranium ammunition, from the West, 


have already led to radiation contamination of Ukrainian


 territory...... which is turning into uninhabitable land.


 


This is stated in an article by the official representative 


of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, 


published on Komsomolskaya Pravda's website.


 


"The threat that Russia has repeatedly warned the 


Ukrainian population about, is also confirmed on


 Ukrainian territory," the diplomat said.


 


According to her, radiation contamination of 


the soil, is already taking place in Ukraine.


 


Zakharova also said that the Ukrainians 


should demand the export of depleted


 uranium shells.


 


 


_____________________________________



Japan’s residents - intend to file 

lawsuit: over discharge of nuke 

water from Fukushima NPP

August 23rd, 3:56pm (TASS)

 

Residents from the Fukushima, Miyagi and Ibaraki 

prefectures, which are located on the Pacific 

Coast of Japan, intend to file a lawsuit 

against the state, on September 8, 

demanding that the treated water 

from the Fukushima 1 Nuclear 

Power Plant (NPP) not be 

discharged, Kyodo news 

agency reported 

on Wednesday.

 

The lawsuit will include the Tokyo Electric 

Power (TEPCO) company, which operates 

the nuclear power plant.

 

According to the plaintiffs, the discharged water would mean 

the spread of destructive substances and would inflict harm 

on the region's residents. Local fishermen are among those 

who intend to launch the legal action, Kyodo added.

 

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said earlier that the 

discharge of water that was used to cool the reactors at 

the plant would begin on August 24, barring any 

obstacles in terms of the weather or 

sea conditions.

 

According to the Kyodo news agency, in the 2023 fiscal 

year (ending on March 31, 2024) as many as 31.2 

metric tons of wastewater will be released into

 the ocean. The overall concentration of 

tritium in it would be about

 5 trillion becquerels.

 

In March 2011, a tsunami caused damage to power supply

 and cooling systems at the Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power 

Plant, which caused a nuclear fuel meltdown in three 

reactors, accompanied by explosions and the 

emission of radiation into the atmosphere. 

Vast territories were contaminated, 

forcing the evacuation of tens of

 thousands of people.

 

The reactors used water for cooling, and storing this water

 has become problematic due to its large volume — over 

1.25 million tons. 

 

In April, 2021, the Japanese government authorized the

 discharge of a large amount of this water, which is 

said to be mostly cleared of radioactive 

substances, but still contains tritium, 

a radioactive hydrogen isotope.

 

TEPCO underscored --- that the tritium content in the water

 is being brought to one fortieth of the minimum allowable 

standard set by the International Commission on 

Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the 

government of Japan, and one 

seventh of the level allowed 

by the World Health 

Organization for 

drinking water.

 

Despite this, Tokyo’s plans have drawn sharp criticism from a 

number of countries, mainly Russia and China. Japan plans 

to discharge the water in stages over a 30-year period. 

 

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) intends 

to monitor the process on a continuous basis. In the 

past few years, IAEA specialists have carried out 

several inspections at the nuclear facility.

 

 

_____________________________________________



Environmentalists celebrate

 Referendum victory 

in Ecuador

August 21st, 3:39pm

(Prensa Latina) 

 

Different environmental and social sectors in Ecuador 

are celebrating today the "yes" vote in this Sunday's 

referendum and they consider this result ------ as an 

historic milestone in the South American nation.

 

For Ivone Ramos, member of the Accion Ecologica movement, 

with the consultations that seek to leave the Yasuni National 

Park oil underground and stop mining activity in the Andean 

Choco, direct democracy has been achieved -she said- it is

 an historic event, a great hope, she stressed.

 

For his part, Inti Arcos, member of the Commonwealth 

of the Andean Choco, recalled that all mining in the 

Andean Chocó --- is illegal.

 

Even large mining projects are illegal because

 they violate the rights of people and nature.

 

The popular consultation clearly states that 

we do not want any type of mining, he said.

 

During a press conference held on Monday, Freddy

 Larreategui, lawyer for the Quito without Mining 

Collective, said they will remain vigilant and 

will wait for the official results... to put 

pressure, so that they are respected.

 

All concessions granted or to be granted must 

be eliminated --- immediately, he demanded.

 

The jurist denounced that there are currently 12 

concessions granted - and eight in process - in
the 
Andean Choco; but none of them will be
able to
 be exploited or developed.

 

We will present all judicial and 

constitutional actions.

 

We will go wherever we have to go to ensure 

that the results and Quito people’s will are 

respected, he warned.

 

 

_________________________________________



Venezuela Controls

 Illegal Mining in

 Orinoco

August 16th (teleSUR)

 

On Wednesday, commander of the Bolivarian National Armed 

Forces (FANB) Gen. Domingo Hernandez announced that 

over 500 soldiers are traveling to the Alto Orinoco 

region to continue the operation against

 illegal mining.

 

The FANB soldiers... will go to the western edge of 

the Yapacana National Park "to fight for territorial 

integrity and national sovereignty, and against 

criminal groups that rape the environment," 

he said, adding that "environmental 

protection is everyone's task, it is

 a duty and a constitutional right".

 

The Bolivarian soldiers... continue to evacuate illegal 

miners from the Yapacana National Park, dismantle 

illegal facilities, and destroy environmentally 

damaging equipment.

 

Eight months ago, the FANB began Operation Autana,

 which allowed the eviction of thousands of illegal 

miners from a protected natural area located on 

the border with Colombia and Brazil. Those 

who left there voluntarily were relocated 

to other states.

 

So far, the FANB has detected 40 mining camps and

 evacuated over 8,000 people who voluntarily 

withdrew from the area --- as reported by 

TeleSur correspondent Madelein Garcia.

 

Illegal mining has caused irreversible damage to Amazon 

ecosystems due to the use of mercury to extract gold 

and other minerals. Another form of illegal mining 

consists of using artisan rafts that inject 

mercury ------ to suck minerals from 

the riverbed.

 

In an operation to fly over the Atabapo River, on the border 

between Colombia and Venezuela, FANB troops detected 

11 of these boats in less than a nautical mile. After being 

detected, these vessels ----- fled to Colombian territory, 

where irregular armed groups offer them protection.

 

 

___________________________________




Environmental commitments 

from the Amazon Summit 

stand out in Brazil

August 12th, 11:15am 

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

The various environmental commitments that emanated 

from the IV Amazon Summit, which held sessions for 

two days in Belém, capital of the northern state of 

Pará, stood out in Brazil in the week ending today.

 

The countries participating in the meeting, released a joint 

communiqué with final considerations in which they also 

request advantages for sustainable forest products in

 the markets of developed nations.

 

“We reinforce our understanding - that preferential access 

for forest products in the markets of developed countries 

will be an important lever for the economic development 

of developing countries,” the text indicates.

 

It reiterates commitments aimed at preserving forests, 

reducing the causes of deforestation and forest 

degradation, as well as conserving and 

valuing biodiversity.

 

The signatories also expressed their concern about the 

non-compliance of developed countries with respect to

the 100 billion dollars a year --- pledged for climate 

finance in developing countries.

 

In this regard, the Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula 

da Silva, host of the forum, defended the feasibility of 

international financing for sustainable projects in 

the biome.

 

“We cannot accept a green neocolonialism that, under 

the pretext of protecting the environment, imposes

 trade barriers and discriminatory measures and 

does not consider our regulatory frameworks 

and domestic policies,” Lula said at the end 

of the meeting.

 

For the head of state, “what we need is to make a leap

 in quality and long-term financing without conditions, 

for green infrastructure & industrialization projects.”

 

He announced that in the Brazilian presidency of the G20 

(a group made up of the finance ministers and heads of 

central banks of the 19 largest economies in the world

 plus the EU), to begin on December 1, “we will place

 sustainable development and the reduction of

 inequalities ----- at the centre of the 

international agenda”.

 

He warned they only have seven years to achieve the Goals 

of the 2030 Agenda and it is “time for our countries to come 

together. It is time to wake up to the urgency of the problem

 of climate change.”

 

He remarked that the adopted joint declaration will be “the 

first step towards a common position already at COP28

 this year (in the UAE), with a view to COP30.”

 

The summit in Belém involved, in addition to the countries of 

the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (Brazil, Bolivia, 

Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela), 

others that have large tracts of preserved tropical forests, 

such as the cases of Indonesia, the Congo and the 

Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

 

___________________________________




 We Cannot Accept ---


Green Neocolonialism: 


Brazilian President


August 9th (teleSUR)


 


During the Amazon Summit on Wednesday, Brazilian 


President, Lula da Silva, stated --- that developing 


nations cannot accept "green neocolonialism."


 


"It's not Brazil, Colombia, or Venezuela that need the money. 


It's nature itself. It requires rich nations to pay their share 


to rectify the damage caused over 200 years of industrial 


development," Lula remarked as he concluded the 


meeting in the city of Belem.


 


He emphasized that Amazonian countries, along with the


 Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo,


 and Indonesia --- will convey a clear message to 


wealthier nations during the United Nations 


Climate Change Conference (COP28) 


scheduled for November in Dubai.


 


"We will tell them that if they wish to preserve what they 


demand from our forests -- it's necessary to contribute


funds not only for safeguarding the treetops but also 


for supporting the people beneath those trees who 


want to work and study," he expressed.


 


Lula urged developing nations -- not to "accept a green


 neocolonialism that, under the guise of environmental 


protection, imposes trade barriers and discriminatory 


measures, disregarding domestic policies and laws."


 


These statements... indirectly refer to the environmental 


demands that Europeans attempt to impose in the Free 


Trade Agreement (FTA) - between the European Union 


(EU) and MERCOSUR, an integration bloc comprising


 Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.


 


As a result of the EU protectionist measures, negotiations 


for this free trade agreement have - once again - come to 


a standstill.


 


Lula recalled that the colonial era bequeathed to countries 


with tropical rainforests "a predatory economic model" 


built upon the irrational exploitation of natural 


resources and the systematic exclusion of


 Indigenous peoples.


 


A tweet reads "75 percent of the uranium exported from Niger 


to France was used in French nuclear power plants. In its


 northern region alone, Brazil potentially has around 


300,000 tons of uranium. The Bolivian president 


warned --- that the U.S. and the EU seek to 


control the Amazon."


 


"The effects of colonialism continue to be felt in our nations


 to this day," Lula emphasized during the meeting of the


 Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), an


 organization that includes Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, 


Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.


 


"One cannot discuss tropical forests and climate change 


without addressing the historical responsibility of 


developed countries --- which have been the 


biggest squanderers of natural resources, 


and the largest contributors to planetary


 pollution over the centuries," Lula said.


 


"The top 10 percent of the world's population holds over 


75 percent of the wealth --- and emits nearly half of all 


carbon released into the atmosphere," the Brazilian 


president recalled.






teleSUR English


@telesurenglish


#Brazil | 


 


Rodrigues Alves Forest - Zoobotanical Garden of the Amazon,


 the meeting place of the Peoples of the Earth that will march


 today towards the Amazon Summit. At the end of the march, 


they will deliver their demands to the political leaders of the 


Pan-Amazon nations.


 


 


_________________________________________




 Strengthening Sovereignty 

to Protect the Amazon: 

VP Rodriguez

August 8th (teleSUR)

 

On Tuesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called

 upon the nations that comprise the Amazon Cooperation

 Treaty Organization (ACTO) to establish a collaborative

 action plan --- to safeguard the Amazon forests and
their 
natural resources.

 

"Through hard work, effort, and a concrete action plan 

ready for implementation, let's unite in reforestation, 

sanitation, and restoration of the Amazon.... for the 

well-being of our Indigenous peoples," he tweeted, 

displaying optimism ---- and asserting that the 

Amazon countries are "heading towards 

a new humanity."

 

Due to an ear infection, the Bolivarian leader could not

 personally attend the 4th ACTO Presidential Summit

 in the city of Belem, in the state of Para. However, 

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez 

attended this high-level meeting.

 

She presented a specific action plan for the preservation 

of life and the rights of nature, with the main points

 as follows:

 

Establish an ACTO task force as a 

coordinating body among the 

region's countries.

 

Develop a comprehensive reforestation plan 

to map critical areas in the Amazon basin 

and promote sustainable practices as 

sovereign and ecological economic 

alternatives.

 

Establish a seed bank and research 

centre to preserve regional

 biodiversity.

 

Eliminate illegal mining activities.

 

Launch an Amazonian satellite

 into orbit for region monitoring.

 

Define an ecological and sovereign sustainable

 development plan that respects the rights 

of nature.

 

Strengthen the ACTO institutional capacity.

 

Rodriguez also emphasized that the Amazon 

countries... are obliged to reinforce their 

sovereignty --- if they wish to preserve 

"the environmental soul of the planet."

 

"There is no other path. We must be frank... There are 

grave threats we cannot evade: the voracity of 

transnational pharmaceutical and food 

empires, the outsourcing of state

 functions, and the aspirations 

of NATO --- that target the 

commercialization of 

the Amazon basin," 

she stated.

 

"What is at stake here is a profound debate between 

an international economic order and a sustainable 

development model that ensures a true balance 

among land, oceans, and the atmosphere," 

Rodriguez added, recalling that the 

Venezuelan message is 

"unity, unity, unity."

 

"The organization must serve the political, economic, 

and territorial sovereignty of the countries that
form
 the OTCA," she advocated.

 

 

__________________________________

 

 

Water temperature in world's 

oceans has reached new

 record values

August 5th, 12:15am

(Izvestia.ru)

 

Another temperature record was set in the world's oceans. 

This was reported on Friday, August 4th, by the AFP news 

agency... citing data from the European Union's (EU)
Earth 
observation program, Copernicus.

 

On this day, the surface of the oceans warmed up to 

+20.96 degrees, exceeding the indicators of March 

2016 (+20.95 degrees).

 

Earlier, on July 19, Copernicus experts presented a forecast 

according to which July 2023 on the planet may become 

the hottest in history. It was noted that, since spring, 

the oceans have been overheating, and the speed 

of this phenomenon... is very surprising to 

scientists around the world.

 

On July 31, Igor Shkradyuk, coordinator of the industrial 

greening program at the Centre for Wildlife Protection,

 told Izvestia ...about the warm current across the 

Pacific Ocean — El Nino. It is associated with a 

strong climate cycle, which repeats with a 

period of about 10 years, warming the 

ocean waters.

 

Earlier, on July 4, the World Meteorological Organization 

announced that for the first time in seven years, El Nino 

conditions were established in the tropical Pacific 

Ocean, which creates prerequisites, for a likely 

sharp increase in global temperatures ---- and 

destructive weather and climate conditions.


 It was noted that the probability of 

continuing El Nino in the second 

half of 2023 --- is 90%.

 

In addition, in June, a study was published in 

which scientists concluded that over the 

decade 2013-2022.... warming caused 

by human activity accelerated at a 

dangerous pace - and the planet

 became hotter by 0.2 degrees.

 

 

______________________________________


 

Until the end of the year, humanity will 

--- live on credit from the environment

August 3rd, 2023 

(source --- France 24

translated by InoTV)

 

By August 2, 2023, humanity had used the resources 

that the planet creates throughout the year, reports

 France 24. For the remaining 151 days, the world's

 population will live in a state of ecological deficit 

--- experts estimate. They blame our profligate
lifestyles, 
especially in the rich countries.

 

Since yesterday morning, humanity has been living on credit.
We 
have already used up all the resources that the Earth can 

produce in a year. In other words, for the remaining 151 

days of 2023 ------ humanity will live in a state of 

ecological deficit.

 

Matthis Wakkernagel, co-founder 

of the Global Habitat Network:

 

''We can calculate how much will be restored in a particular
country, then add up these figures for the whole world. We
can also calculate consumption -- in each country. There 

are also statistics that show the amount of consumption

of potatoes, milk and meat. So... we can take stock and
identify the capacities needed to produce the products.''

 

''In 1970, all the world's resources were used up by the end of

 December. Throughout the 1980s-in November. In the 1990s-

in October. This year, the line was crossed on August 2nd. 

The reason is our way of life, especially in rich countries. 

Greenhouse gas emissions, from the use of oil and coal 

- strongly affect the equilibrium. Oceans that are being
destroyed by overfishing; forests --- unable to absorb

 everything. Especially.... since the Amazon forests 

were cut down under the rule of Jair Bolsonaro.''

 

''The situation has stabilized for five years, but it is not

 changing. But... to meet the goal set by the Inter-

governmental Panel on Climate Change --- to 

reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by 43%

 by 2030 - it would be worth delaying the