UN chief calls for restoring
balance of the oceans
by Pavel López Lazo
June 8th, 4:10pm
(Prensa Latina)
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, on Thursday,
called on the international community -- to work to restore
the balance & vitality of the oceans & marine ecosystems.
The message comes on the occasion of World Oceans Day,
which aims to reflect on the significance of the oceans and
the efforts needed to restore life and sustainability to their
natural wealth.
“The ocean is the foundation of life. It supplies the air we
breathe and food we eat. It regulates our climate and
weather. The ocean is our planet´s greatest
reservoir of biodiversity,” said Guterres.
However, he warned that marine biodiversity is also under
attack from overfishing, over-exploitation and ocean
acidification, fish stocks are being depleted, and
coastal waters have been polluted ---- with
chemicals, plastics and human waste.
“Over a third of fish stocks are being exploited at
unsustainable levels. We are polluting our
coastal waters with chemicals, plastics
and human waste,” Guterres stated.
An estimated 90% of large fish stocks
are depleted, and 50% of coral reefs
are destroyed.
______________________________________
Half of DPR forests
destroyed or mined
— official
May 29th, 12:34pm (DAN)
About 50% of woodland in the Donetsk People’s Republic has
been destroyed or mined during hostilities, said chairman of
the DPR State Forestry Committee Alexey Shebalkov. “The
Republic’s forest coverage in relation to land area... is 7%
(195,000 hectares of forest overall),” Shebalkov told the
Donetsk News Agency.
“According to our earlier estimates, at least 20,000 hectares
of woodland were completely destroyed in fighting, and
another 70,000 hectares are accessible in principle -
but we don’t know what happened: some forests
might have been destroyed, and some, mined.
Mine clearance operations will be
needed anyway.”
The ongoing fighting - endangers the forests
in the Slavyansk and Krasny Liman districts.
They are largely coniferous forests; the fire
danger period is about to begin --- so wild
fires are possible, amid the hostilities,
he said.
Earlier reports, said the Donetsk People’s Republic
authorities, planned reforestation of 300 hectares
in 2023-2025.
_______________________________________
Brazil To Host the COP30
Climate Summit in 2025
May 26th, 6:07pm
(teleSUR)
President Lula wants everyone to know, how
the Amazonian rivers, jungles, and fauna are.
On Friday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva announced
that the United Nations confirmed Brazil as the host
of the COP30 Climate Summit, to be held in 2025.
He also mentioned that COP30 will take place in Belem do
Para, a city near the mouth of the Amazon River into the
Atlantic Ocean, and considered the confirmation
received from the United Nations as
"extraordinary news" for
the country.
“I already participated in a COP in Egypt and in another
in Copenhagen. In all of them, the attendees talked
about the Amazon, but without ever having been
there," Lula said.
"I always thought: why not hold a COP in the Amazon so
that everyone gets to know the Amazon and see what
the Amazonian rivers, jungles and fauna are like,"
he added.
Brazil had been chosen by the UN as the host of the
COP25 in 2019, but the far-right President Jair
Bolsonaro (2019-2023), who assumed the
presidency that same year, declined to
take charge of organizing the event,
which was ultimately held in Spain.
During his administration, the former Capitan promoted
aggressive development policies in the Amazon and
dismantled all environmental oversight agencies,
which Lula has begun to strengthen again,
since taking office in January.
Furthermore, Lula has resumed programs to protect the
Amazon and combat the climate crisis that existed
before Bolsonaro came to power. Lula reinforced
the Environment Ministry and created a new
ministry specifically focused on
indigenous peoples.
__________________________________
Venezuela Releases 20,000 Turtles
for Species Conservation
May 26th (teleSUR)
On Friday, Venezuela's Environment Ministry announced
that 20,000 Arrau turtle hatchlings were released in the
state of Amazonas, as part of a plan for conserving
endangered species.
The turtles were taken to their habitat in an area called
"Cuba Island," which serves as a wildlife refuge and
protective zone for this species, also known as
the "Orinoco turtle."
The release event was led by the Amazonas Governor
Miguel Rodriguez, the Environment Regional Director
Doralbis Lara, and other members of the ministry.
"The conservation of the species, has led to the
reproduction of Arrau turtles in shelters.. until
they reach a size that ensures their survival
against potential natural predators and
can be returned to their habitats,"
the Environment Ministry said.
The existence of the Arrau turtle is highly threatened, with
humans being its greatest predator, as they are trafficked
without authorization for their meat consumption and the
trade of their shells for artisanal crafts.
Last Sunday, Environment Minister Josue Lorca also
announced that over 300 Orinoco caimans will be
released in the state of Apure.
He also mentioned that in the Laguna de la Restinga National
Park, located in the state of Nueva Esparta, another 350
seahorses would be returned to their habitat.
_________________________________
Rwanda Marks Biodiversity Day
With a Call to Protect Nature
May 22nd (teleSUR)
On Monday, Rwanda celebrates the International Day
for Biological Diversity, with a call on the public to
reconnect with nature and prioritize biodiversity.
The event, organized by the Environment Ministry in Kigali,
featured discussions about the implementation of the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
adopted last December --- as part of efforts to
halt and reverse nature loss.
Speaking at the event, Rwandan Environment Minister Jeanne
d'Arc Mujawamariya said the country's development agenda
recognizes the central role that biodiversity plays in terms
of supporting national economic growth.
"We cannot develop our nation unless we put the environment
at the heart of everything we do," Mujawamariya said - and
warned against cutting down trees.
"We need to reverse this trend, and educate future
generations to understand the importance of
biodiversity in everything we do..... for a
brighter future."
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)
highlighted that Rwanda's biodiversity plays a critical
role in ecosystem services - such as ensuring water
provision, air for breathing, controlling soil erosion
and flooding, as well as climate change mitigation.
"Biodiversity is part of our lives. Growing up, I was
surrounded by nature and this helped build my
passion --- for protecting the environment
and understanding the importance of
biodiversity. I encourage us all ---
to reconnect with nature -- and
prioritize biodiversity," REMA
Director Juliet Kabera, said.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated
this year under the theme "From agreement to action:
Build Back Biodiversity" to remind nations that
biodiversity is essential to ecosystem
functioning and services delivery.
____________________________________
Brazil: Amazon Rainforest Deforestation Fell 67.9%
In April
May 12th, 3:55am
(teleSUR)
The Brazilian Institute for Space Studies (INPE) reported
on Friday, that deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon
rainforest fell 67.9 percent in April ---- compared
to the same month in 2022.
April last year, 1,026 square kilometres of rainforest were
lost in the Amazon region, however, this year the figure
is 329 square kilometres, the institute indicated.
In the first four months of the year, there was a 41
percent drop in the year-on-year comparison of
deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
The area deforested in the Brazilian part of the world's
largest rainforest in the first four months of the year
was 1,173 square kilometres, INPE data indicate.
April's result is the first month with a reduction in Amazon
deforestation in Brazil, since President Luiz Inácio Lula
da Silva took office.
President Lula da Silva.. has stepped up the crackdown
on environmental crime, including the use of the police
force against illegal mining on indigenous lands.
The main states most affected by the devastation of the
rainforest are Amazonas (north), Pará (north), and Mato
Grosso (west).
Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon soared by almost 60%
in the 4 years of Jair Bolsonaro's government (2019-2022)
compared to the previous four-year term.
_________________________________________
Developed Nations Should
Deliver Climate Justice:
Guterres
May 4th (teleSUR)
Developed countries, which are major contributors to the
emission of planet-warming gases like methane and
carbon dioxide, should honour their financial
commitment to helping Africa adapt to the
unfolding climate crisis, United Nations
Secretary Antonio Guterres said
on Wednesday.
Guterres, who is on an official visit to Kenya, said at a media
briefing in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that the industrial
north has a moral obligation to help African countries
become climate resilient.
"Developed countries must deliver on the US$100 billion a
year promised to developing countries and the loss and
damage fund agreed in Sharm el-Sheikh," Guterres
said --- adding that delivering climate justice in
Africa is crucial for global peace, growth,
and stability.
While reiterating that the transition to a green and resilient
future, is urgent in Africa, Guterres called on developed
nations and industry: to support the continent's quest
for decarbonizing key economic sectors like energy.
The UN chief hailed Kenyan President William Ruto's
commitment to a 100 percent transition to clean
energy by 2030, adding that the African Union's
ambitious Green Stimulus Program will
reinvigorate climate response in
the continent.
Guterres noted that South Africa's Just Energy Transition
Partnership, and Egypt and Nigeria's energy transition
plans were bold moves toward low carbon transition
in Africa.
The UN chief disclosed that he has proposed a Climate
Solidarity Pact --- in which developed countries lend
financial and technical support to help emerging
economies in Africa and beyond, hasten their
transition to green energy.
Guterres observed that despite its minimal contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions, Africa continues to bear the
brunt of climate disasters... like floods and droughts.
The climate-induced drought crisis engulfing the Horn of
Africa region is a wake-up call for governments, donors,
and the private sector to back community-based
resilient programs.
Guterres said 50 percent of climate financing in Africa
should be channeled toward adaptation projects to
enable communities to withstand climate-related
shocks like hunger and water scarcity.
++++++++++++++++
teleSUR English
@telesurenglish
The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio
Guterres warned the Security Council (UNSC) that the rise
in sea level generated by climate change threatens entire
communities on the planet and is especially serious to
almost 900 million people living in low-lying areas
______________________________
Media: EU attempts to replace
Russian gas with wind power
failed
April 25th, 12:51pm
https://en.news-front.info/
Against the backdrop of a gradual refusal to purchase Russian
gas, European countries decided to try to replace fuel supplies
with wind energy. This is facilitated by the fact that EU
member states are simultaneously trying to reduce
carbon emissions in the atmosphere in order to
fight global warming. However, the attempt
failed. This was stated by Bloomberg
analyst Mathis.
The European Union fails to overcome dependence on Russian
gas with the help of offshore wind farms. Bloomberg analyst
Will Mathis writes about this.
The EU countries have decided to stop buying Russian gas.
In addition, they are trying to reduce carbon emissions in
the atmosphere - in order to fight global warming.
About a year ago, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands
and Denmark issued a declaration accelerating the
construction of offshore wind farms to increase
capacity to 65 gigawatts by 2030 – about five
times more than today. Britain also decided
to build wind turbines to increase
generation by 50 gigawatts.
However, European leaders
realized that the plan failed.
“European efforts to rapidly build offshore wind farms, which
should help reduce dependence on Russian natural gas and
reduce global warming emissions, are failing, as developers
struggle to implement the projects,” the publication says.
________________________________________________________
Russian scientists propose
method.... to improve
soil fertility
by Luis Linares Petrov
April 11th, 9:26am
(Prensa Latina)
Scientists from the Tyumen State University have proposed the
use of biochar obtained from organic waste to improve soil
properties and fertility, RIA Novosti reported.
“Since the introduction of biochar-based improvers in the soil
has a positive effect on its fertility, it is possible to reduce
the amount of accumulated organic waste and at the
same time increase crop yields” --- said the head of
the technologies laboratory from the university,
Ivan Shanenkov.
According to the researchers, the results will ensure
environmental cleanup for agricultural enterprises
as a partial replacement for mineral fertilizers.
“We obtained the biochar from organic waste ---- which was
used as an additive in increasing the yield of cereal crops,”
Shanenkov added. He said that --- as a result of thermal
processing in an oxygen-free environment --- organic
waste.. such as sawdust, straw and pine nut shells,
are converted into a highly porous carbon material.
“In our country, biochar is mainly woody and is used mainly as
a fuel resource. We propose to consider it as an independent
fertilizer for agricultural land, or as part of compositions with
other types of soil improvers”, Konstantin Ponomarev, a
scientist at the laboratory, explained.
According to Russia’s environmental safety strategy, by 2025
the volume of waste production and consumption is
expected to exceed 30 billion tons.
The Tyumen State University participates in the Priority-2030
state strategic academic leadership program and the report
is produced within the framework of the Ecosystems of the
Future project.
__________________________________________
Brazil Proposes - Summit of Amazon
Countries To Debate Climate Action
April 10th (teleSUR)
The Brazilian government has scheduled a meeting in Belem
for early August to revive the Amazon Cooperation Treaty
Organization (ACTO), which brings together countries
that make up the Amazon, as reported by
Brasil 247, a partner of TV BRICS.
The meeting will contribute to define a single position for the
region, on development and fighting the climate crisis in
international forums.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wants to use the position
to be agreed at the ACTO meeting to define the line of his
speech at the opening of the United Nations General
Assembly in September.
The resumption of ACTO -- is one of Lula's goals in his third
government. This body can be used to unify the discourse
of the Amazon countries --- and attract investment to the
region... within the policies of combating deforestation,
protecting indigenous peoples and development, with
the aim of strengthening the position in front of
international organizations and developed
countries, which are the ones most
pressing for action in the region.
_________________________________
Biden - broke his promise
not to touch oil in Alaska
April 7th, 12:12pm
https://en.news-front.info/
The US is starting to produce oil in Alaska. They have already
brought equipment and people there. This is a prime example
of an American president not keeping his campaign promises.
American environmentalists are simply shocked at the betrayal
of their elected representative. Why did Biden, an ardent
supporter of the green agenda, defect to oil? And what
role do Russia and the European Union play in it?
It’s only been a few weeks since Joe Biden’s administration
approved the $8 billion Willow development and oil drilling
in Alaska’s National Oil Refuge. This happened for the
first time in twenty years.
But oil giant ConocoPhillips has already begun assembling
equipment here and transporting workers and provisions
to this largest stretch of unspoilt wilderness in the
country, 250 miles beyond the Arctic Circle, writes
the New York Times. More than two dozen yellow
dump trucks are already waiting in the snow-
covered tundra at the northernmost tip of
the United States on a glistening patch
of ice.
The project has the potential to produce around 600 million
barrels of oil over 30 years. To do so, ConocoPhillips will
drill wells in three sections of the field, the minimum
volume that the company estimates... makes it
economically viable. It is a highly controversial
project that has been fiercely fought by
environmental activists.
The US is already the second largest emitter after China (it
emits around 5.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide
into the atmosphere every year). And burning that
much oil in a new field could emit 9.2 million
metric tons of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere annually, the equivalent
of nearly two million new cars on
the roads.
The approval of mining in Alaska immediately sparked a wave
of outrage inside the US – among environmentalists and other
Biden supporters alike. After all, the American president has
radically changed his original position. In the 2020 election,
one of his key pledges was that no new oil fields would
come on stream in the country.
Biden got all environmentalists on his side with such a tough
“green agenda”. However, on 13 March, in a surprise move,
the US approved a bill allowing drilling in Alaska as part of
the Willow Field.
“The start of drilling at sites in Alaska is a massive blow to
Biden’s image. He was betting the campaign on a ‘green
agenda’ and now that promise is being broken,” says
Artem Deyev, head of analysis at AMarkets.
Why did Biden go against himself, not even frightened by the
criticism of his own supporters? What was he afraid of?
There are two main theories. The first, is that the U.S. economy
cannot absorb oil shortages and high oil prices - and the states
need more oil for themselves. The second is that the US wants
to increase its oil exports even more, to become a stronger
exporter in the world in order to keep the same Europe in
check, and at the same time to make even more money
from the raw material.
“Sanctions against Russia have hit the US oil and gas industry.
Their refineries consumed either Venezuelan oil or Russian
Urals. But both countries are under sanctions, so there is
not enough crude, and the attempt to restore relations
with Caracas has failed: Venezuela would love to
supply oil to the US again, but it is technically
impossible as the industry is virtually ruined.
Buying oil from Russia to bypass its sanctions means losing its
reputation. And then there are the OPEC+ cuts in production.
Quotations are rising, which will have a direct impact on the
rising cost of fuel in the US. And the country’s strategic oil
reserves have long been unloaded and need to be
replenished,” explained Deyev.
Meanwhile, world oil prices are rising, but OPEC+ does not listen
to the US and cuts production at will in order to keep black gold
expensive – around $90 a barrel. And there is nothing
Washington can do – and it is really pissed off.
Adding to the problem of rising gasoline prices inside the US,
for which Americans may not re-elect Biden, is the problem
of inflation, the rate of which promises to accelerate again
from such a situation. In other words, the USA is trying to
win back oil.
Finally, against the backdrop of these difficulties also in the USA
green energy has been relegated to the back burner (the EU
has long since given up and switched even to coal).
The West admits without a word that the transition to green
energy will take a long time. “During this transition time, oil
products will remain in demand on the world market.. and
are likely to be quite expensive, judging by the measures
the OPEC+ countries are taking.. to achieve this,” says
Vladimir Chernov, analyst at Freedom Finance Global.
It is worth realising that development of the Alaska field is just
starting from scratch and it is projected to take 6 years before
the first oil from this project reaches the market. This clearly
speaks to the US expectation that in six years oil will be in
extremely high demand in the US market, and secondly,
it will be expensive, because producing oil from
scratch in a challenging environment like
Alaska, is very expensive.
The statistics scream inexorably that the US needs more
oil, and they are short of it. First, US drilling activity has
been stagnant for more than six months and shale oil
production has gone down because of rising
production costs, Chernov notes.
Secondly, US oil inventories are decreasing. In March this year
they fell by 4.35 million barrels and strategic reserves to their
lowest level since 1983. “Last year the US actively released
strategic oil reserves, which helped reduce domestic fuel
prices slightly, but only slightly, by about one or two
dollars per gallon,” Chernov says.
Finally, America is increasing exports to the EU --- to replace
Russian energy supplies. And, to all appearances, the US
plans to increase these exports and earn even more from
them. While the US used to be both an oil importer and
exporter, at the beginning of 2023, the US became a
net oil exporter for the first time. They supply up to
2 million barrels per day to other countries.
“Most likely, the US tactics now will not just be about energy
neutrality, but about increasing oil exports, primarily to EU
countries, so they need to increase production as well,”
Chernov believes.
Although Deyev believes that the US itself needs this oil first and
foremost – to solve its problems with fuel prices and reserves.
“What cannot be done to keep the economy from collapsing:
oil is the foundation of the modern economic system,
without it - one can forget about development,”
the expert believes.
“The Biden administration’s decision -- confirms only one thing:
the world is facing a lack of resources amid sanctions against
Russia. Because of that, unpopular projects, which were
previously banned, have to be initiated. It was easier
and better for the environment to buy oil from other
countries than to produce it at home. It is also not
for nothing that the UK has recently approved a
project to frack and extract oil in its territory
in this way. It is extremely unpopular in
England, but they have to restart it, as
the island also needs oil,” concludes
the interlocutor.
Olga Samofalova, VZGLYAD
___________________________________
Mexican Environmental Activist Is
Found Dead In Michoacan State
April 5th, 1:38pm
(teleSUR)
On Tuesday, Mexican authorities confirmed that Eustacio Alcala,
an Indigenous activist who opposed mining activities, was
found dead in a hilly area in the San Juan Huizontla
community in the Michoacan state.
"Alcala's body had several gunshot wounds," the Attorney
General’s Office (FGE) lamented and promised to
investigate this murder thoroughly.
On Saturday, Alcala was transporting three nuns in his truck
when armed men ordered him to stop the vehicle and
detained him and the women. Hours later, the nuns
were released. Alcala, however, remained
missing for three days.
This activist had successfully prevented the opening of an iron
mine that would contaminate the water resources of the San
Juan Huitzontla community, where drug cartels usually
extort mining companies and kill activists.
Mexico is the most dangerous country in the world for
environmental activists. The Global Witness non-
governmental organization registered that - at
least 54 activists were killed in this country
in 2021.
Environmental activists Antonio Diaz and Ricardo Lagunes
have been missing since January. The van in which they
used to travel --- was found riddled with bullets near
where Alcala’s body appeared.
In February, activist Alfredo Cisneros, who opposed cartels-
related violence and illegal logging of pine and fir forests
in the Michoacan state, was also shot dead in the
Sicuicho Indigenous town.
_____________________________
Nature Day in Iran
April 2nd, 2:08pm (FNA)
Iran Nature Day known as Sizdah-bedar is marked on the 13th
day of the current month of Farvardin corresponding to April
the 2nd, when Iranians have the tradition of spending the
day outdoors, each year.
'Sizdah' means thirteen, and '-bedar' outdoors. It is a tradition
amongst the Iranian people to enjoy the fresh spring air of
this day before ending the annual fortnightly holidays of
the New Year, and to begin the work and
education schedule.
The tradition of leaving the house on the thirteenth day of
Farvardin is widespread throughout Iran. It is a day that is
spent outside with joy, laughter and friendly get togethers.
This is the last phase of the celebrations of the New Year. It
is the custom of many Iranians to pass as many hours as
possible outdoors. People leave their homes to go to
the parks or mountains, for a picnic.
All kinds of food and delicacies are prepared with tea, sherbet,
fruits, bread, cheese, fresh herbs, noodle soup called 'ash-e
reshteh' and herbed rice with lamb called baqali polou and
barreh, are favourites.
The occasion is a communal one and all close relatives and
friends will participate. Iranian families all eat alfresco,
preferably near water springs and lush greener spots,
on this day.
Sizdah-bedar is the last day of the New Year holidays. On the
following day, routine life resumes; schools and offices open
after almost a fortnight and life heads back to normalcy. The
occasion has no religious significance and is celebrated
by all.
In addition to Iran, Sizdah Bedar is also among the festivals
celebrated in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, India,
and many other parts of the world.
Games using horses are often chosen, since this animal
also represents rain. Adults and older people may play
the traditional game of backgammon.
During the picnic day of Sizdah Bedar, some people also follow
the oldest prank-tradition in the world and play jokes on each
other. This has possibly led many men and women to
consider that the origin of the April Fools' Day
goes back to the Iranian tradition
of Sizdah-bedar.
____________________________________
Russian environmentalists condemn
UK decision to send depleted
uranium shells to Kiev
March 27th, 2:59pm (TASS)
Great Britain’s plans to supply depleted uranium (DU) weapons
to Ukraine will lead to mass health problems among the
civilian population, as DU shells are chemical weapons,
an environmental commission under Russia’s Civic
Chamber said in a statement on Monday.
"The Commission on Ecology and Environmental Protection of
the Russian Civic Chamber categorically condemns the
decision by the British government to supply depleted
uranium shells to Ukraine. Their use causes major
uranium oxide contamination to the environment,"
the commission said, referring to research
showing that such contamination may
lead to mass incidences of disease
in both military personnel
and civilians.
Among other things, the commission cited the WHO World Health
Report 2001, mentioning the radiological and chemical toxicity o
f depleted uranium. In-depth research into workplace exposure
to DU showed that the critical organs most prone to toxicity
from DU munitions are the kidneys and the lungs, while
young children could receive greater DU exposure
from contaminated soil when playing within a
conflict zone, according to the document.
In December 2008, 141 countries voted for a UN General
Assembly resolution urging additional research into the
effects of munitions containing DU by 2010, but this
never took place for various reasons, primarily of
a political nature, the commission said.
The environmentalists likened this to the use of Agent Orange, a
chemical herbicide and defoliant, by the US Army in Vietnam.
"The use of that chemical affected over 3 million people,
with more than 1 million people under 18... left
incapacitated, and suffering from hereditary
diseases," the commission emphasized.
A British Defense Ministry official, Baroness Annabel Goldie, said
in a written response to a question by a member of the House of
Lords last week that the United Kingdom would supply Ukraine
with shells containing DU, which she said are more effective
in destroying armoured vehicles.
____________________________________
Norway Reaffirms Commitment
to Brazilian Amazon Rainforest
March 23rd, 5:50pm (teleSUR)
President Lula da Silva reactivated the "Amazon Fund"
that oversees some US$1 billion contributed by
Norway and Germany.
On Wednesday, the Norwegian government reaffirmed its
environmental commitment to the Brazilian Amazon
region and announced that it will help in seeking
additional resources from other donors --- to
maintain the world's largest rainforest
and jungle.
The announcement was made during a meeting between
Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva and her
Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide at which
they analyzed details of the Amazon Fund, a
mechanism in which Norway has been
the main collaborator.
After the meeting, Silva announced that a package of 14
sustainable development projects, which had been
frozen during the Presidency of Jair Bolsonaro,
now will have priority.
"We are continuing support and we are also trying to mobilize
other donors to come in because we think this has been a
very successful model," the Norwegian minister said,
adding that his county is "very happy" to work with
President Lula da Silva.
The projects include efforts to halt deforestation in the
Amazon, to push forward with bioeconomic activities
and to provide food security and protection to
Indigenous peoples.
Silva said that the issues linked to climate change.. are
also a priority for the Lula administration, adding that
Brazil must look to clean energy sources.
The Amazon Fund was created in 2008 and operated until
2019 ----, when the Bolsonaro administration decided to
deactivate it ..amid a campaign to implement policies
to push for increased mining and other economic
activities in the region.
On his first day as Brazilian president, Lula overturned those
policies and ordered the reactivation of the Amazon Fund,
to which he now wants to attract the United States,
China and France, among other big
economic powers.
Currently, the Amazon Fund oversees some US$1 billion
contributed by Norway and Germany and expectations
are that the U.S. will join the effort with an initial
donation of US$50 million.
______________________________
Russia plans to ban the
import of plastic goods
March 21st, 1:21am
(RT.ru)
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade
proposes to introduce a ban on the import
of disposable plastic tableware to Russia.
This is reported by the newspaper
"Izvestia" with reference to sources.
It is noted that there are only 28 products
in the list. They are offered to replace
them, with products made of a
biodegradable analogue, eg,
glass, paper and wood.
_____________________________
CARICOM praises work on
ocean biodiversity treaty
by Pavel López Lazo
March 10th, 5:53pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Friday heaped
praise on the work done by the organization's experts
in the just-agreed international treaty on Marine
Biodiversity, beyond national jurisdictions,
crucial to address climate change.
Our experts not only participated in discussions, but
also facilitated the debate on the most important
areas, CARICOM stressed.
It included representatives of the region’s Permanent
Missions to the United Nations --- and experts who
were supported by scientists and legal experts
from the region’s institutions.
Among others, CARICOM mentioned the Ambassador of
Belize Janine Coye Felson who is responsible for the
bloc’s area-based management tools and was also
called upon by the conference chair to facilitate
the group on marine genetic resources.
Our joint efforts to successfully negotiate this Treaty
are examples of what we can do, when we are
united, Felson stressed.
Known as the High Seas Treaty, this legal instrument will
place 30% of the world’s oceans in protected areas,
allocate more money for preservation and
cover access to and the use of,
marine genetic resources.
UN Secretary-General (UNSG), António Guterres,
said in a statement that this is a breakthrough
after nearly 20 years of negotiations.
____________________________________
Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon
reached record high in February
by Ana Luisa Brown
March 3rd, 2:31pm
(Prensa Latina)
The accumulated deforestation alerts in the Brazilian Legal
Amazon was 291 square kilometres (km²) in February, the
highest mark for the month in the entire historical series,
started in 2015, it was announced today.
The data released by the Institute for Space Research (INPE)
are supported by the Real-Time Deforestation Detection
System (Detener), which produces daily signals of
alteration in forest cover for areas larger than
three hectares (0.03 km²).
Such indications occur for totally deforested areas as well
as for those in the process of wild degradation (logging,
mining, burning and others).
The Deter is not the official deforestation data,
but an alert on where the problem is occurring.
The Legal Amazon corresponds to 59 percent of the national
territory and includes the total area of eight states (Acre,
Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia,
Roraima and Tocantins) and part of Maranhão.
The G1 portal assures that since December, January,
February and March are rainy months in most of the
states that are part of the biome, deforestation
rates are typically lower during these months.
However, last month experts pointed out that INPE’s numbers
for this year should be interpreted with caution, as January
registered high cloud cover and a consequent drop in the
period’s figures, now reflected in a rise in February.
‘The escalation in the area deforested in the first
days of February should be viewed with caution.
Marco Astrini, Executive Sec. of the Climate Observatory
believes that the current administration of President Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva adopted correct measures against
deforestation, but the ‘work of rebuilding, putting the
house in order is slower, more difficult than the
destruction of the previous government’ of
the defeated president Jair Bolsonaro.
________________________________________
Endangered dolphin population
increases in China
by Alina Ramos Martin
March 1st 1:26pm
(Prensa Latina)
The population of the finless porpoise, a dolphin endemic
to the Yangtze River, increased to 1,249 and the new
animals are larger, a study by China's Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Affairs confirmed.
According to the research, the recovery of this species
followed the fishing ban adopted in 2021 and there
are now specimens in different provinces.
Along with the ban, many invasive plants disappeared and
docks along the Yangtze river were dismantled, which
contributed to clean water and ensured the
dolphin’s food source.
However, experts are calling for increased measures to
protect the animal and address the difficulties they
face in their habitat due to human activities
and shipping.
The finless porpoise is believed to be the last surviving
mammal in the Yangtze, after the baiji was declared
extinct in 2007.
_____________________________________
Youth leaders -- will debate in
Panama on ocean protection
by Alina Ramos Martin
March 1st, 9:59am
(Prensa Latina)
In the Preamble of the VIII Conference Our Ocean 2023,
youth leaders from several nations will discuss, in
Panama, the protection of marine resources.
According to the Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and
International Cooperation... of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Yill Otero, at the Our Ocean Youth Summit,
some 70 solutions will be presented --- and the
creation of alliances for sustainable action
will be advocated.
The forum will begin tomorrow with the participation of more
than 600 experts who will discuss six lines of action: marine
protected areas, marine security, blue economy, sustainable
fisheries, climate change and marine pollution.
During the two-day event, representatives of governments,
private companies and civil society will share actions and
policies for the protection of large bodies of water & the
responsible management of marine resources for the
future, as well as sustainable economic growth.
The meeting takes place at a time when climate change,
marine pollution and the devastation of marine life have
reached increasingly alarming levels --- due to the
harmful actions of mankind.
In statements to La Prensa newspaper, Juan Monterrey,
director of Geoversity’s Biocultural Leadership School,
pointed out that this world conference cannot be
another ‘diplomatic show’.
Panama will be the first Central American country to hold
the Our Oceans conference, and in the opinion of Diana
Laguna, vice-minister of the Environment, the world
meeting is a key space for countries to
their actions in favour of the oceans
and expose them to the world.
_____________________________________________
China Adds Sites to Wetlands of
International Importance List
February 2nd (teleSUR)
Wetlands can purify water and provide food and shelter
to migratory birds. They are among the Earth's top
stores of carbon.
On Thursday, the Chinese National Forestry and Grassland
Administration (NFGA) announced that 18 wetlands in
China were designated in 2022 as Wetlands of
International Importance under the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands.
The 18 new sites include Beijing Wild Duck Lake Wetland, the
nine turns and 18 bends on the Greater Khingan Range, and
Baima Lake Wetland in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province. Following
the expansion, the number of Wetlands of International
Importance hit 82 in China, covering a surface area of
7.647 million hectares, the fourth largest in the world.
February 2nd marks the World Wetlands Day, which is the date
of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in the
Iranian city of Ramsar. The Ramsar Convention is an
agreement dedicated to the conservation and
rational use of wetland ecosystems.
This year's theme of World Wetlands Day is "It's Time for
Wetlands Restoration," highlighting the urgent need to
prioritize wetland restoration. On Thursday, the
NFGA released the results of the monitoring
of the ecological status of wetlands in
China in 2022.
The results show that the ecological status of the Wetlands of
International Importance in China is generally stable, the total
wetland area has increased compared with the previous year,
there is a good trend in water quality, and the water supply
status remains stable. China's wetland biodiversity has
been enriched, with 2,391 plant species recorded.
During the 2016-2020 period, China allocated about US$1.47
billion --- to carry out 53 wetland protection and restoration
projects, and over 2,000 wetland ecological compensation
projects, projects to return farmland to wetlands, as well
as wetland protection and restoration subsidy projects.
The restoration of 467,400 hectares of degraded
wetlands has been achieved, and 202,600
hectares of new wetlands were added.
Over the past decade, China has added or restored more than
800,000 hectares of wetlands. China's first specialized law
on wetland protection took effect in June 2022. China
became a party to the Ramsar Convention in 1992.
So far, more than 2,400 wetlands around the world have been
designated as Wetlands of International Importance, also
known as Ramsar Sites. Wetlands include natural and
artificial water bodies on land..... like rivers, lakes,
swamps, rice paddies, and some coastal areas.
Known as the "kidneys of the Earth" and a reservoir of
biodiversity, they can purify water and provide food
and shelter to migratory birds. They are among the
Earth's top stores of carbon, whose existence
contributes to global efforts to reduce
carbon emissions.
_____________________________________________
Colombia to Protect Santa Marta's
Cienaga Grande Wetland
Colombia, 2023.
February 2nd (teleSUR)
This coastal ecosystem was declared a Ramsar wetland of
international importance in 1998 and a UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve in 2000.
On Wednesday, Environment Minister Susana Muhamad
presented the management plan for the Santa Marta's
Cienaga Grande, the Colombian largest complex of
coastal wetlands.
This plan contemplates an investment of US$8 million for the
recovery of an ecosystem whose environmental goods and
services directly benefit over 25,000 people in the
surrounding region.
To preserve this wetland complex, the National Environmental
System will work together with local communities on projects
related to issues such as economic reconversion, ecological
restoration, and the reestablishment of connections
through channels.
To achieve these goals, the Inter-American Development Bank
(IDB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF)... will provide
financing. These announcements were made.. in connection
with World Wetlands Day, which is celebrated
every year, on February the 2nd.
During the last decades, the Santa Marta's Cienaga Grande
has been seriously affected in its ability to sustain fishing
production, from which, thousands of low-income
families benefit.
A tweet reads, "We present to you the majestic Cienaga
Grande de Santa Marta, the first site in the country
included in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
of International Importance."
"It's not just a matter of saving the ecosystem," said
Muhamad, who explained that the administration of
President Gustavo Petro... also seeks to provide
economic opportunities for local families so
that they can dignify their way of life
and culture.
Currently, there are 28 monitoring stations in the Santa
Marta's Cienaga Grande --- which was declared a
Ramsar wetland of international importance
in 1998 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
in 2000.
Through these stations, environmental scientists and
technicians permanently evaluate the quality of
water, a resource that nourishes an important
fauna of fish, crustaceans, mollusks,
mammals, reptiles, amphibians,
and birds.
_________________________________________
Planet Earth could lose
10% of biodiversity
by 2050
by Pavel López Lazo
January 1st, 9:56am
(Prensa Latina)
A new study indicates that the Earth is in danger
of losing 10% of its biodiversity by 2050, due to
climate change and poor land use.
Recently published by the scientific journal Science
Advances, the research referred to the cascading
extinctions of animals and plants on the planet,
which could lead to the loss of up to 27% of
biodiversity by 2100.
This means that, if a certain species becomes extinct,
a predator species of the extinct one could disappear
as it runs out of food.
The same thing... will happen to plants, because, if
pollinating insects become extinct... due to harsh
heat, they will also disappear because there will
be no insect to pollinate them. This study
proves, once again, that all species
depend, in some way, on others.
The benefits of a rich biodiversity, lead to a balanced
equilibrium of ecosystems and their respective food
chains, noted Science Advances, so their resources
are maximized where energy waste is minimal and
if biological diversity is limited, there will not be a
healthy ecosystem ------- with very detrimental
repercussions for the planet.
Having a rich variety of flora and fauna means great
productivity - and improves the possibility of taking
advantage of all the resources it provides.
__________________________________
Germany is starting
to use coal -- again
December 22nd, 3:44pm
https://en.news-front.info/
Germany is restoring the performance of some coal-
fired power plants. It is reported by Bloomberg.
The German government has decided to return to fossil
fuels, despite the promise to achieve its climate goals.
Due to the economic situation in the country, the
government is trying to prevent a rapid rise
in energy prices.
The agency reports that the volume of electricity
consumed in the third quarter was 13.3 percent
more than in the same period a year ago.
Despite the current situation, the country is not
backing down, on its pledge to phase out coal
by 2030. But now the priority of the country’s
authorities is aimed at supplying electricity
to its citizens.
“We don’t stop sticking to our climate goals, but when
we were faced with the challenge of keeping the
lights on or cutting back on carbon emissions,
we chose light,” says the International
Energy Agency.
_________________________________________
Kazakhstan and Russia have
potential -- to work together
on decarbonization projects
December 22nd, 11:52am (TASS)
Kazakhstan proposes a joint project with Russia,
to decarbonize the economy and hopes to solve
various environmental problems together,
Ambassador to Moscow, Ermek
Kosherbaev, told TASS in
an interview.
The environmental issue requires balanced, joint
solutions, because the countries have similar
problems: high levels of air, water and soil
pollution and the buildup of radiation
and industrial waste, the
diplomat said.
"We could jointly work on projects to decarbonize
the economy. Kazakhstan, like Russia, is an
energy-consuming country -- where up to
60% of electricity is generated through
burning coal," Kosherbaev noted.
Scarce forests are another problem where Russia can
help Kazakhstan, the Ambassador said. Kazakhstan
is implementing a state program to plant up to two
billion trees, by 2025, he noted. "We need help
growing and preserving these forests," the
diplomat stressed.
There is also a problem of a lack of fresh water.
Kazakhstan’s water security - largely depends
on the hydrological and ecological condition
of cross-border rivers flowing in Russia. In
particular, the catastrophic shallowing &
pollution of the Ural river threatens the
health of residents in the border
regions of both countries, the
diplomat noted.
"I hope that together we will be able to find ways of
solving these problems - and preserve a clean and
comfortable environment for future generations,"
the Ambassador added.
_______________________________________________
Brazilian indigenous leader
denounces effects of
climate change
by Martin Hacthoun
November 13th, 10:10am
(Prensa Latina)
Climate change deeply affects the lives of indigenous
peoples due to fires, floods and other similar
phenomena, warned here, today, Ze
Bajaga Apurin --- the leader of a
Brazilian indigenous community.
''In the past, the rainy season was very regular, but
today it is different --- a situation that also occurs
with floods,'' Bajaga Apurina who is also general
coordinator of the Indigenous Organization
and Community Federation of Pura said.
Now we can’t work all day in the fields, because of
the high temperatures, he said, in an interview
with the Egyptian daily Al Ahram.
Wearing his traditional feathered attire, Bajaga Apurina
said it was for these reasons that he decided to
attend the 27th Conference of the Parties to
the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change, which is being held
in this city, located in the north-
western Sinai Peninsula.
''We are here to bring a message to all governments
and businessmen: what they are doing is not only
endangering indigenous peoples, but the entire
planet and all living beings,'' he stressed.
___________________________________
Rwanda Reduced 126,000 Tons
of Carbon Emissions: in 9 Years
November 10th, 2022
(teleSUR)
At least 47,000 hectares of forests and agro-forestry
were planted while 31,000 hectares of watershed
and water bodies have been protected.
Rwanda has cut 126,000 tonnes of carbon emissions
over the last nine years owing to strategic climate
resilience investments made across the country,
official data released during Finance Day at the
27th session of the Conference of the Parties
(COP27) in Egypt showed.
The data on green investments released by the
Rwanda Green Fund showed that since 2013,
funding worth US$247 million... has been
mobilized for strategic climate resilient
investments. The funding was invested
in 46 green projects across the country
that helped to cut carbon emissions.
At least 47,000 hectares of forests and agro-forestry
were planted while 31,000 hectares of watershed
and water bodies have been protected.
Over 88,000 households were given access to off-grid
clean energy while 120,000 people were supported
to cope with the effects of climate change,
according to the data.
Rwanda needs an estimated US$11 billion
to mitigate, and adapt to climate change
effects up to 2030, Rwanda's Economic
Planning Minister Claudine Uwera said.
"COP27 is an opportunity to engage development
partners, to meet the remaining financing of
US$6.5 billion to accelerate momentum to
deliver on Rwanda's climate agenda,"
she added.
Jeanne D'arc Mujawamariya, Rwandan Environment
Minister called on rich nations to deliver on the US
$100 billion per annum pledge. Since 2009, the
pledge of US$100 billion ------- by developed
countries every year, by 2020, to support
developing countries ----- to cope with
climate change, is yet to be met.
During the Finance Day heads of governments and
activists called for immediate and innovative
solutions to drive the global climate finance
landscape to complement public finance.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has said
- questioning whether Africa is ready to
make use of climate finance, should
not be used as an excuse to
justify inaction.
____________________________________________
Seychelles to Protect
100% of Mangroves
& Seagrass in 2023