CABI Blogs: hand picked... and carefully sorted

How large is your country’s footprint? - The Carbon Footprint of Nations

A new study on greenhouse gas emissions associated with a nation’s consumption shows that high wealth seems to always result in high emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases. In a paper entitled ‘Carbon footprint of nations: a global trade-linked analysis’, Edgar Hertwich and Glen Peters investigated the carbon footprint for food, shelter, clothing, construction, mobility, the consumption of manufactured goods, services, and trade for 73 nations and 14 aggregate regions. The paper was published online in June 2009 in Environmental Science & Technology, the environmental science journal published by the American Chemical Society. Read on to find out how large economies, such as the USA, Japan, the UK and the poorest African nations perform.

"climate refugees" – millions of people might become one this century

Defined as ‘people who have to leave their habitats, immediately or in the near future, because of sudden or gradual alterations in their natural environment related to at least one of three impacts of climate change: sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and drought and water scarcity’, read on to find out more about 'climate refugees' and the Climate Refugee Policy Forum.

Flu - avoid the aspirin

I wouldn't usually visit a doctor for flu treatment I'd just suffer at home with the cold remedies and/or over-the-counter fever reducing drugs. I guess a lot of people will be doing that in the near future, but make sure you are using the right drugs....

Hot spots in the Balkans

Genetic diversity in the Balkans is the subject of a conference (“Balkans – Hot Spots of Ancient and Present Genetic Diversity”, 17-20 June 2009) currently underway in Sofia, Bulgaria. Organized jointly by several Bulgarian forestry agencies and institutions, scientists from over 20 European countries are gathered to hear updates on the latest research being undertaken in the region.

Geophagy – eating soil for healing or health supplementation

As I screened a journal called Elements for the CAB Abstracts database the other day, I came across an interesting article entitled ‘Bentonite, bandaids and borborygmi’ (1), which is all about  the practice of eating clay for gastrointestinal ailments and applying clay topically as a dressing or bandaids for skin infections. Apparently it is a practice as old as mankind and has been observed in cultures worldwide (2). Could the vast surface area and chemical/physical properties of bentonites provide a natural pharmacy of antibacterial agents? Read on to find out!

Bonn Climate Change talks – 1-12 June 2009

The meetings bring together over 4,000 participants from 182 countries, including government delegates, representatives from business and industry, environmental organizations and research institutions.

I have been following reports from the meetings and adding relevant extracts to the CABI Environmental Impact news section. 

During the Bonn Climate Change Talks, the IISD Reporting Services, in cooperation with the UNFCCC Secretariat, has been providing:

1)     Daily 3000-word Earth Negotiations Bulletin reports in English and Japanese each day;

2)     Digital photos in thumbnail and high-resolution;

3)     Coverage of selected side events in a separate publication, ENB on the Side

4)     Free email distribution of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin and ENB on the Side

5)     Twitter updates on developments in the negotiations and links to individual coverage of side events.

The main page for the meeting is: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/sb30/, including daily web coverage of negotiations and selected side events.

Follow them on Twitter during climate change meetings (Bonn, Bangkok, Barcelona, Copenhagen and beyond): http://twitter.com/enbclimate

 

 

5th June - World Environment Day

Photo by C. Ison

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Read on to find out what is in store for the day.

Forget the seven deadly sins for a minute and let’s reflect on the seven-year plans

What religious/faith groups say or do not say about climate change, and how they address climate change through their worship and rituals matters a great deal. Read on to find out why…