News Coverage
Zimbabwe: Killing the Environment for a Living
Posted on: 1 March 2012 - 3:52pmPoverty is a rural dilemma and continues to be a persistent multi-dimensional problem in Zimbabwe and the Sadc region.
It is associated with poor farmers, small farm systems, the landless, resource endowments and the socio-economic environment.
Since agricultural growth is central to improved livelihoods, strategies that focus on promoting such an expansion are critical: Improved efficiency in natural resource management according to the Devendra, C et al, 2002. Sustainability of agricultural systems and the environment, and enhancement of social stability are vital to improved living standards.
Prevention funding saves more lives than emergency aid
Posted on: 1 March 2012 - 4:01pmAn often-repeated statistic in the development community is that every dollar spent on prevention will save four dollars in emergency response. After the 2005 drought in the Horn of Africa, another study found that it had cost $80 a day to treat a malnourished child, but it would have only cost $1 a day to prevent the malnutrition in the first place with development programs.
We can't stop droughts from happening, but we can give communities the tools to survive so they are prepared.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Prevention+funding+saves+more+lives+tha...
Praying for rain in Paraguay
Posted on: 1 March 2012 - 3:57pmA severe drought is threatening the livelihood of thousands of small farmers across Paraguay. The BBC's Vladimir Hernandez visited one family to see how they are affected.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17123537
Industrialization only way to alleviate poverty: Sen
Posted on: 23 February 2012 - 1:35pmIndustrialization seems to be the only way for India to alleviate its citizens out of poverty, according to renowned economist Partha Sen. Speaking at the Novus 2012 management conclave organized by NIT School of Management, he shared his views on the challenges in managing the global crisis.
Read more: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-22/nagpur/31086561_1...
A Greener Asia
Posted on: 23 February 2012 - 1:37pmLast week the United Nations Environmental and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) launched a report discussing the challenges and opportunities to reconcile economic growth with sustainable development objectives. The report titled “Green Growth, Resources, and Resilience – Environmental Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific” aims to provide guidance for policy makers to accelerate green and inclusive growth strategies. The report discusses both challenges and opportunities in the context of resource risks, development challenges, climate change and the need for greater resilience at the community level. It emphasizes the urgency to reform economic incentive structures and create an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in more sustainable green and inclusive growth strategies.
Read more: http://www.csr-asia.com/weekly_detail.php?id=12611
Africa could alleviate poverty through renewable energy, says UN report
Posted on: 23 February 2012 - 1:40pmSub-Saharan Africa could still be without electricity in 2030, if the continent does not take advantage of its wealth of untapped, domestic renewable energy, said a United Nations report released today. Government policies that facilitate private sector investment in energy markets are crucial to reducing poverty and encouraging sustainable development.
The UN report was produced by the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi to mark the African launch of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, which outlines how current obstacles to the scaling-up of sustainable energy solutions in Africa, such as the cost of electricity generation or difficult grid access, can be tackled.
Read more: http://www.pv-tech.org/mobile/news/africa_can_alleviate_poverty_through_...
Africa: Norway Provides the UN Environment Programme With Over U.S. $30 Million of Support
Posted on: 23 February 2012 - 1:45pmAs a tangible commendation of the mandate and achievements of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Government of Norway has committed NOK 200 million (US$35 million) for the 2012-2013 biennium to support activities across UNEP's Programme of Work.
This contribution is in addition to Norway's generous annual support to the core funding of UNEP and its support to key programmes such as the joint UNEP-UNDP-FAO, which is supporting capacity development and policy dialogue at country and international levels for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD).
MET launches green fund
Posted on: 16 February 2012 - 11:50amWhat is regarded to will be one of Namibia’s biggest funds, second to, if not bigger than Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), was launched on Monday.
Possible types of environmental levies include carbon tax and waste management levies on plastic bags, non-recyclable cans and toxic substances, among others.
Once fully functional, the newly established Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) could generate N$300 million annually through ‘green levies’.
Read more: http://www.newera.com.na/articles/42846/MET-launches-green-fund
WHO launches expanded European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn, Germany
Posted on: 16 February 2012 - 11:46amOne citizen out of five dies from environment-associated diseases in the WHO European Region. The environmental burden of ill health varies significantly across the Region, however, ranging from 14% to 54%. Within countries, the poor can be exposed to environmental risks five times more often than their wealthier peers, a new WHO report concludes.
Read more: http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid=%7B67f3db58-e982-4f32-a3...
Kenya: Farmers Turn to Aloe Vera to Combat Drought and Poverty
Posted on: 1 March 2012 - 3:48pmLow rainfall and a rocky terrain have not dampened the hopes of many farmers in Kimalel area of Baringo County.
The soils in the semi-arid area may be unsuitable for production of many crops, but they are just perfect for the aloe vera.
Besides livestock keeping -- the main source of income locally -- farmers are diversifying to aloe vera production to earn additional money to improve their livelihood.
Faecal Contamination Blamed for Typhoid
Posted on: 9 February 2012 - 3:58pmHealth and Child Welfare Minister Dr Henry Madzorera has said that the typhoid outbreak is due to people eating human waste.
"The mode of transmission for typhoid is the faecal-oral route, that is, through ingestion of bacteria in food or water contaminated with faeces of infected persons.
Read more: http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/1600616466.html
'Environmental pollution becoming threat'
Posted on: 9 February 2012 - 3:41pmDescribing the theme of the seminar, research associate, IGTPS, Avinash Kumar Srivastava said: The conflict between man and nature has reached a disastrous position. The scope of this crisis is especially destructive as far as its consequences for our developing world are concerned. Our endeavour should be to go in for comprehensive planning, eliminate pollutants of poverty, reconcile the requirement of development and conservation and use the natural resources for the greatest number for the greatest happiness.
UN panel urges economic pact that accounts for environment
Posted on: 9 February 2012 - 3:46pmGovernments must craft a global pact that promotes a carbon tax and prices goods based on ecological costs, politicians and UN panelists urged Monday.
Former Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey said the planet is living beyond its means and needs a "sustainable" economy that better manages natural resources for its 7 billion inhabitants, while promoting human rights, equality and an end to poverty.
Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20120206/eu-un-energy-revolution-12020...
Why cashew is driving Guinean farmers nuts
Posted on: 6 February 2012 - 1:46pmIn rural Guinea-Bissau, farmers largely specialized in cashew production when the nut’s prices soared in the 80s and 90s in the global market. Today, they are the archetypal example of people made vulnerable by dependence on global trade and a single cash crop. Fernando Sousa sent this exclusive report.
Conserving wetlands–through green architecture
Posted on: 6 February 2012 - 1:46pmGREEN architecture has become a buzzword among property owners and developers.
True advocates of this movement equate green architecture with sustainability. For them, it involves construction designs that are energy efficient and environmentally sensitive.
In the Philippines, a group of university students are using the concept of green architecture in their campaign to promote wetlands conservation.
‘Bangalore heading for a water crisis’
Posted on: 9 February 2012 - 4:08pmDivergent views emerged on how the city is going to solve an impending water crisis at the Bangalore World Water Summit’s concluding day on Friday. “Bangalore is on its way to a very large water crisis if action is not taken immediately. On the health front, too, it is heading toward an epidemic outbreak due to poor sanitation,” said Prof Seetharam Kallidaikurichi, director; Institute of Water Policy.
Read more: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-heading-for-a-water-c...
Sri Lanka's air quality improving, ranked as a modest performer
Posted on: 2 February 2012 - 1:11pmSri Lanka's overall environmental performance is improving and the country has been ranked as a modest performer according to a study on global environment released during this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week.
Sri Lanka has been ranked at the 55th place, six places below the United States ranked at 49th, in the 2012 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) prepared by the Yale University in the United States.
Cadmium Spill Threatens Water Supply
Posted on: 2 February 2012 - 1:12pmA chemical spill that has contaminated a river in southern China, threatening the water supply of millions of people, is sparking calls by environmental activists for more corporate and government accountability over industrial waste.
Businesses in China should be required to disclose the amount of chemical waste they produce and where it is discharged, representatives of Greenpeace and the Beijing-based Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs said Tuesday.
Wetlands are tourism treasures
Posted on: 6 February 2012 - 1:46pmIt seems wetlands have not yet released all their secrets. Not long ago, Bigodi wetland near Kibale National Park in Kamwenge District looked nothing more than a thick mass of papyrus. After interventions by Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), the tourism and conservation initiatives won the prestigious UNDP’s Equator Initiative Award 2010.
Nordic Countries Increase Green Energy Funding in the Mekong Region
Posted on: 2 February 2012 - 1:12pmFinland will double its support for green energy projects in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia from 4.9 mil. Euro to 9.1 mil. Euro. Finnish Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mrs. Sirpa Mäenpää, made the announcement on 31 January 2012 at the 2nd Regional Annual Forum of The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme in the Mekong Region (EEP Mekong) held in Bangkok.
Bridging wild habitats
Posted on: 31 January 2012 - 10:49amEnsuring the future survival of the endangered pygmy elephant, orang utan and rhinoceros in the state of Sabah hinges on these steps: stop further fragmentation and conversion of forests; establish wildlife corridors, such as along riparian reserves to connect forest fragments; and stringent enforcement against poaching.
These are the key strategies highlighted in the five-year action plans to conserve the three species drafted by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and launched early this month at the two-day Sabah Wildlife Conservation Colloquium in Kota Kinabalu.
Confronting energy poverty on behalf of the world’s poorest
Posted on: 31 January 2012 - 10:49am“Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty and advancing economic growth” is an ambitious goal by any measure but that is what South Korean diplomat, Ban Ki-moon, has set out to do for the next five years of his term as United Nations Secretary General with the help of governments, the private sector, and civil society. (Photo: DG Yumkella and UN SG Ban Ki-moon in Abu Dhabi)
Outlining his “five global imperatives – five generational opportunities and two enablers” that will shape his global agenda and build the world of the future; a world where economic prosperity, freedom, justice and peace reign, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has challenged the world community to forge a common partnership. “Together, no challenge is too large. Together, nothing is impossible,” he said.
Norway praises Tanzania stance on climate issues
Posted on: 31 January 2012 - 10:49amNorway has commended the progress made by Tanzania and a decision by the government to integrate climate change and environment issues in its development plan.
Norway, a chief investor in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Tanzania, said through its ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Ingunn Klepsivik, that it has been impressed by the work done by the national Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) programme.
Greening the economy is good for business, UN environment agency says
Posted on: 26 January 2012 - 3:16pmThe worldwide fishing industry could benefit from a $50 billion boost annually if stocks were allowed time to recover, the UN said Wednesday.
Already 32 percent of the world's fish stocks have been depleted by years of overfishing and poor coastal management, according to a UN Environment Programme report released in Pasig City.
Bongo River Tree Restoration Project Launched
Posted on: 26 January 2012 - 3:16pmTree Aid, in collaboration with the Bongo Traditional Authority and the Bongo District Assembly, has started a project to restore and maintain vegetation around the major rivers in Bongo, Upper East Region.
Mr Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive officer of Tree Aid, said the major concern of his outfit was to create an opportunity for individuals particularly the poor to generate income to create forest enterprises and manage the resources more securely and ultimately protect the environment.
“Poverty creates greater problems for the environment but a degraded environment creates more poverty”, he said, noting that Tree Aid had made effective interventions to break that cycle of environmental decline.
'No evidence' for wind turbine illness
Posted on: 24 January 2012 - 2:29pmFears that wind turbines make people sick are ''not scientifically valid'', and the arguments mounted by anti-wind farm campaigners are unconvincing, according to confidential briefings given to the state government by NSW Health.
Documents obtained under freedom-of-information laws show that health officials repeatedly warned ministers last year that there was no evidence for ''wind turbine syndrome'', a collection of ailments including sleeplessness, headaches and high blood pressure that some people believe are caused by the noise of spinning blades.
But the department's advice contrasts with the view of the Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard, who was responsible for draft guidelines, released in December, that significantly tighten the approvals process.
Forum focuses on protection of disabled during disasters
Posted on: 24 January 2012 - 2:34pmExperts at the Fifth Shafallah International Forum have said that prejudice against and abuse of people with disabilities is alarmingly frequent in disaster-struck areas, although programmes in some countries have made significant contributions to improving the lives and reducing the impact of disasters for disabled people.
Tanzania: Farmers Look to Science – and Tradition – to Resist Drought
Posted on: 24 January 2012 - 2:29pmRecent years have not been kind to Veremund Mfuse and his maize crops.
As Tanzania struggles with increasingly extreme weather, the farmer, from Mbarali in Tanzania’s Mbeya region, has seen his maize production decline, a problem he says is affecting farmers across the region.
“Our major challenge here is drought. We face a critical shortage of water, rains are not reliable (and) we harvest very little,” Mfuse said.
In response to the problem, which experts in the region say is linked to climate change, some farmers are now planting new, drought-resistant maize hybrids, while others are experimenting with a return to traditional varieties.
Renewable energy can tackle poverty — UN
Posted on: 17 January 2012 - 11:47amThe United Nations has taken a new initiative to promote renewable energy, considering its potential to alleviate poverty across the world, according to a top UN official.
The UN declared 2012 the ‘International Year of Sustainable Energy for All' and Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, has also taken an initiative in the same direction, said Sha Zukang, under-secretary general of the UN.
Call for exploring linkages between health, poverty
Posted on: 12 January 2012 - 5:05pmExperts at a seminar Wednesday called for a comprehensive inquiry to explore linkages between health and poverty and factors that negatively influence health sector outcomes. The seminar titled “poverty and social impact of expanded programme for immunization in Pakistan” was organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
“Immunization is the most cost effective health intervention against preventable diseases affecting the poor sections of society”, said the experts. They stressed on researchers to identify gaps with empirical evidences and recommendations for policy makers to improve health situation in the country.
