Nations agree first global treaty to ban mercury emissions
More than 140 nations have agreed the first global, legally-binding treaty to prevent man-made emissions of mercury into the environment.
Putting science
at the heart of development
An unprecedented mixture of scientists, social scientists, industry leaders and decision makers is what the Planet Under Pressure conference in London (26–29 March) hopes to achieve — in the quest for solutions to Earth's acute environmental problems.
(Photo credit: iStockphoto)
News and Analysis
Launch of 'inclusive' wealth index reveals GDP limitations
A new Inclusive Wealth Indicator (IWI) index has revealed discrepancies between a nation's GDP and other types of capital.
Science can do more for sustainable development
The message from Rio+20 is for practical action to deliver existing targets. Scientists must identify and overcome barriers to change.
Planet is in critical state, warns science declaration
Scientists have issued the first 'State of the Planet' declaration calling for change within and outside the science community to avoid environmental collapse.
Science-policy relations 'stuck in outdated era'
A leading sociologist has said that old science-policy structures should be abandoned to reflect the new era in international relations.
Developing countries 'need a say in geoengineering debates'
Planet Under Pressure speakers said developing countries should be included in decisions about climate change technology 'fixes'.
Brazil, India, South Africa join new research fund
Some BRICS countries have joined eight developed nations to create a new funding mechanism for international environmental research.
Leading scientists launch action plan on food security
An international commission of senior scientists has launched a charter for action on food security for different sectors of society.
India beats Australia on 'inclusive wealth'
Preliminary details of a new indicator known as Inclusive Wealth were released today, revealing more modest success for Brazil and India than indicated by GDP.
28 March 2012 | EN
Farmers blend traditional and science-based forecasts
A Kenyan project is helping farmers work with the weather by combining traditional and science-based forecasts.
28 March 2012 | EN
IPCC predicts rise in extreme climate events
Extreme temperature and rainfall events are projected to rise in frequency, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Climate change may cut profits from oceans by trillions
A study says the effects of climate change on the oceans will cost mankind almost US$2 trillion a year by 2100.
Biomass should be tenth tipping point, researcher says
A proposed 'planetary boundary' of available biomass should be added to the nine existing environmental tipping points, a conference hears.
Deaths from drought in Africa are down, data reveal
Drought is the deadliest disaster in Africa, but deaths have been going down, a conference hears.
27 March 2012 | EN
Ten Asian cities leading the way in climate-proofing
Rapidly growing cities in Asia could benefit from a toolkit of indicators that assesses their readiness to face climate change impacts.
27 March 2012 | EN
Environmental change trends 'mixed bag', meeting hears
Man-made environmental change is rising dangerously, but some social indicators such as population growth are improving, a conference hears.
Conference hopes to turn the tide on Earth's decline
Researchers are putting together a plan at the Planet Under Pressure meeting to find sustainable solutions to Earth's problems.
Science must guide us towards a more sustainable future
A meeting in London this week will show whether science can not only diagnose our environmental crisis but also provide effective solutions.
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