Obama’s To-Do List, Melting Glaciers, Whales, and Global Green
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Here’s some of this week’s environmental headlines…enjoy!
Enviros’ Obama To-Do List: Safeguard Climate, Water, Wildlife
WASHINGTON, DC, November 14, 2008 (ENS) The end of the Bush administration can’t come soon enough for U.S. conservation groups, who believe that the election of Barack Obama has ushered in a “new era of hope” for the environment. “Eight dismal years of environmental abuse and neglect are now coming to an end,” said Betsy Loyless, the National Audubon Society’s senior vice president for policy.
Brown Clouds Melt Glaciers, Darken Cities Across Asia
BEIJING, China, November 13, 2008 (ENS) A brown cloud of pollution caused by human activities, three kilometers thick and stretching from the Arabian Peninsula across Asia to the western Pacific Ocean, is darkening cities, speeding the melting of Himalayan glaciers and affecting human health, finds a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme.Navy Wins, Whales Lose U.S. Supreme Court Sonar Case
WASHINGTON, DC, November 12, 2008 (ENS) The U.S. Supreme Court today lifted restrictions on the Navy’s use of sonar off the coast of California, handing a defeat to environmentalists who say the limits are needed to protect whales and dolphins. The court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that a lower court judge had wrongly allowed the environmental impacts of the training exercises to trump U.S. national security interests.G20 Leaders Urged to Support Global Green New Deal
WASHINGTON, DC, November 12, 2008 (ENS) When the leaders of the G20 countries gather in Washington this weekend for a special summit on the global financial crisis, pressure will be on to seek solutions in the growth of a new green economy. The initiative for a New Green Deal was introduced late last month by the United Nations Environment Programme and the British government and the idea has swftly gained support among environment and sustainable business leaders.
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December 31st, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Energy demand is projected to grow at least 50 per cent by 2030. Energy generated by biomass and waste is estimated to supply 10 per cent of global demand by 2030. This assumes that fossil fuels will be available to cover most of the demand increase. Unfortunately, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are projected to increase faster than energy use by 2030.
Energy use has impacts at all levels. Pollution from burning fossil fuels and the related impact of acid rain constitute serious problems for Asia, North American and European forests, lakes and soils. Stringent emission controls may reverse acidification trends. Thermal and nuclear power and solar cells generate waste disposal problems that may result in heavy metal soil contamination. Desertification in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa is caused partly by biomass fuel demand. Natural resources are overtaxed by increasing energy usage and invasive alien species are entering many regions through global trade due to relatively available transportation fuels. Global warming is reviewed in detail at One Biosphere or http://www.onebiosphere.com
However, climate change remains by far the most deleterious impact of increasing energy usage. Species ranges and behaviors are shifting and impacting human well-being, including spreading human disease and invasion by alien species. Rare and threatened species will be affected seriously, including migratory species, polar species, genetically weak species, marginal populations and specialized species, especially those in alpine areas and islands. Amphibian species extinctions are linked with climate change. Recently, scientists have estimated that 1/4 to 1/3 of endemic species in various regions may become extinct by 2050 due to climate change.