Acid rain damage could take decades to repair

Acid rain's legacy for Britain's waterways is far more serious than previously thought and will take decades to repair, research suggests. A study of rivers and streams in Scotland and Wales has shown that environmental damage caused by the acidic downpours of the 1970s and 80s is ongoing, despite a massive reduction in industrial emissions.
It may take 30 years until Ph levels in upland waterways and surrounding soils return to normal, researchers from Cardiff University have said.

Country UN climate talks

The United Nations billed Monday's meeting as the largest ever gathering of world leaders on the topic of global warming. In that respect, it was indeed symbolic. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon sought to create a sense of mission by saying that the world's response to climate change will "define us, our era and ultimately the global legacy we leave for future generations". At the same time, nobody expected anything concrete in the way of treaty negotiations. Although the event included four simultaneous sessions on adaptation, mitigation, technology and financing, its primary purpose was to engage world leaders and increase political support for action on global warming. Did the United States play a role?

Goal is global consensus on greenhouse gases

We in the United States — and we as global citizens — live in what is, in many respects, a golden moment. Economic growth is globally strong, and, if security threats can be contained, this expansion, with some ups and downs, can be sustained.
Strong growth means increased use of energy at a pace that can strain the capacity to supply what is needed at a reasonable price. This highlights two urgent questions: how to use energy without producing excess greenhouse gases that create disruptive conditions on a global scale; and how to reduce the threat to national security from excess dependence on oil.

Africa: UN Environment Bid

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have launched a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) bazaar website.
The CDM bazaar is a web portal designed to facilitate exchange of information among buyers, sellers and service providers engaged in the Kyoto protocol clean development mechanism.

Tories propose new 'green taxes' to protect the environment

A higher tax on domestic flights and a moratorium on airport expansions are among some of the key proposals a Conservative policy group announced Thursday as part of the political party's commitment to fighting climate change. Tory leader David Cameron had commissioned the Quality of Life Policy Group to develop ideas to back up his much-trumpeted pledge of protecting the environment. The report's recommendations are not binding but the co-authors John Gummer and Zac Goldsmith believe the suggestions -- such as a "showroom tax" for less fuel efficient cars while smaller and 'cleaner' vehicles would get tax relief -- will help transform Britain into a "world leader on green growth".

Global Environment

SEPTEMBER 11 BERLIN- Energy and environment ministers from 20 countries continue "G8-Gleneagles-Dialogue" to discuss state of U.N. climate talks ahead of December conference in Bali (final day). News conference.

Renewable energy creation could alter Severn estuary ecology

The issue was raised by the government as it applied to the European Union (EU) for special conservation status for three estuaries - the Severn, Dee and Humber.
Joan Ruddock, biodiversity minister, said: "In submitting these sites the government has demonstrated its commitment to the protection and restoration of the UK's richly diverse, and internationally important, wildlife habitats. "We will work towards ensuring that our environmental protection agenda and our aim to develop renewable sources of power are complementary."

China names negotiator for climate talks

Beijing - China named a senior envoy on Tuesday to handle tough climate change negotiations it fears will cramp economic growth as the country faces pressure to slow rising greenhouse gas emissions. Former ambassador to Tanzania Yu Qingtai will represent his country in complex negotiations over how the world will address global warming caused by carbon dioxide and other gases from farms, factories and vehicles.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said "special representative" Yu's experience in Africa, the United Nations and international talks would help him present the nation's case.

Pope leads environment festival

Pope Benedict XVI participated in the eco-friendly festival on the day designated by the Vatican as "Save Creation Day". The leader of the Catholic community called for decisive action to halt damage to the environment and urged the preservation of natural resources such as water. In his homily, he said: "Before it is too late, we need to make courageous choices that will recreate a strong alliance between man and Earth."
"We need a decisive 'yes' to care for creation and a strong commitment to reverse those trends that risk making the situation of decay irreversible," he added.

Indonesia seeks ways to save Sumatran elephants, tigers from extinction

"There is a very real danger that Sumatran elephants (and tigers) could become extinct in our lifetime if we don't come to agreement at this workshop," said Christy Williams of the World Wildlife Fund. Satellite images show that 8 million hectares of Sumatra island's remaining lowland tropical forest - the animals' primary habitat - were lost to development from 1990 to 2000, conservationists say. They estimate that there are only 2,400 to 2,800 Sumatran elephants left in the world, and no more than 400 tigers.