Today’s two main topics are closely related, and this albeit they are taking place thousands of kilometers apart. The first one is of course the Typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda that left death and devastation in its wake in the Philippines. To CNN, the Guardian and many other sources, at least 10,000 people have perished. As… Continue reading Death, devastation and climate discussions
Tag: UN
World hunger keeps on decreasing
According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) , there are currently one hungry person out of eight on this planet. This represents 842 million people, or around twelve percent of the global population. While this is still a whole lot of people and way too much of them, this is an important decrease… Continue reading World hunger keeps on decreasing
Air pollution kills more than HIV and Malaria combined
Here is another article I wrote for Cleantechies. It is on air pollution, a widespread phenomenon that is stricking both developed and developing nations all around the world. As one can see, it is also a most killing one : ” The combustion of fossil fuels are a huge health hazard as to a recent… Continue reading Air pollution kills more than HIV and Malaria combined
COP 18 was another major disappointment
Last week COP18 ended in Doha, Qatar. As always, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has failed in addressing the climate crisis. With the various commitments made there, we are on our way to warming our planet by more than three degrees (see below) whereas 2°C – and sometimes even a mere… Continue reading COP 18 was another major disappointment
Rio20+ is another missed opportunity
The conference that took place in Rio de Janeiro last week was due to bring a new start to sustainable development. The original event which took place at the place twenty years ago and was a fiasco. Indeed out of the 90 goals outlined at the time, only FOUR have shown improvements. And despite we… Continue reading Rio20+ is another missed opportunity
World Water Day : focus on rainwater harvesting
Today is World Water Day. I would like to pick the occasion to write about access to water as 800 million people still lack it. A massive forty percent of the African population is still without it. Luckily, there are plenty of solutions, one of them is rainwater harvesting. An article [Fr] from the Syfia… Continue reading World Water Day : focus on rainwater harvesting
Rio 20+ could be a huge disappointment
The Guardian published last week a lenghty article on how the Rio 20+ conference – which will take place in June – might be a huge disappointment as little has been done since and even less might be done. Due to last only three days when the original event lasted two full weeks, there shouldn’t… Continue reading Rio 20+ could be a huge disappointment
The international year of sustainable energy for all
Here is why cleantech will be a buzzword all throughout 2012 : the United Nations declared this year will be the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. As Catherine Banet notes on her blog : ” (the) aim is twofold: increase awareness and find solutions on access to energy (with the objective of universal… Continue reading The international year of sustainable energy for all
HFCs rising use could accelerate global warming
To CleanTechies : ” The increased use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the production of refrigerators, air conditioners, and other products could play a significant role in accelerating global warming “ The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) study notes that the projected emissions of HFCs by 2050 could equal nine billion tons of carbon dioxide —… Continue reading HFCs rising use could accelerate global warming
New climate talks round starting today in Durban
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which is starting today in Durban, South Africa is THE event to follow during the next two weeks. According to Dr. Rajendra Pachauri ” Global climate talks need to focus on the growing threat from extreme weather and… Continue reading New climate talks round starting today in Durban
Emerging powers call for extending climate deal
To the AFP : ” Brazil, South Africa, India and China said Saturday that November’s UN climate talks should aim to extend the Kyoto Protocol, the only binding global deal to cut greenhouse gases. “ ” The four key emerging powers – seen as critical to the success of any future effort to combat climate… Continue reading Emerging powers call for extending climate deal
We are heading for a major planetary catastrophe
To Common Dreams : ” Humanity is near to breaching the sustainability of Earth, and needs a technological revolution greater and faster than the industrial revolution to avoid “a major planetary catastrophe,” warns a new United Nations report. “The World Economic and Social Survey 2011: The Great Green Technological Transformation,” published today by the UN… Continue reading We are heading for a major planetary catastrophe