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Plant pests: The biggest threats to food security?

Submitted by ward on
Throughout history, the impact of plant pests and diseases, such as potato bligh
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The threat posed to crop production by plant pests and diseases is one the key factors that could lead to "a perfect storm" that threatens to destabilise global food security.

Already, the biological threat accounts for about a 40% loss in global production and the problem is forecast to get worse, scientists warn.

BBC News has asked Dr Matthew Cock, chief scientist for Cabi, a UK-based agri-environment research organisation, to compile a list of the worst plant pests threatening crops around the world.

Link: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15623490

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Agriculture needs massive investment to avoid hunger, scientists warn

Submitted by ward on

Author: 

Fiona Harvey
Agricultural farmland in Ukraine being prepared for planting wheat. Photograph:
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Group of leading scientists urge investment in sustainable agriculture to solve hunger crisis and reduce global warming

Billions more investment is needed in agriculture and food distribution systems around the world in the next few years, if widespread hunger is to be avoided, according to a group of leading scientists.

Link: 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/16/agriculture-investment-hunger-scientists-warn

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Climate concerns as ‘ozone-friendly’ HFCs use grows

Submitted by ward on

Author: 

Mark Kinver
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A rise in the use of "ozone-friendly" HFCs has prompted experts to voice concerns that the potent greenhouse gases could be a problem in the future.

A UN report says that HFCs, many more times potent than CO2, could account for up to 20% of emissions and hamper efforts to curb climate change.

They are widely used in fridges and air conditioning, replacing CFCs and HCFCs that damage the Earth's ozone layer.

The findings were presented during a meeting on protecting the ozone layer.

Link: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15818659

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Tetsuya Ohara, Patagonia

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"I attended the GRI report training course which was organized by ISOS group in San Diego. There we had an opportunity to use GENI's office where is located in a heart of downtown San Diego as a lecturing space.  GENI's staff served us with warm hospitality, and the facility with wide open space without poles created an open and collaborative environment for us to learn. A high-ceiled dome type conference room with 12 screen displays offered us very dynamic interactions among attendees and faculties.  Must visit".

Ed Rudberg, University of Minnesota

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Peter, the space was fantastic. The space felt to me like meeting space combined with the audio and visual amenities of a sports bar. The big screens and high top tables were so conducive to group work. It made eight hour meetings productive and equally as important, comfortable. Thanks again.

Nancy Mancilla, ISOS Group Co-Founder

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"We were fortunate to welcome people from across the country to GENI's office in downtown San Diego recently. The GRI Certified Sustainability Reporting course that we instruct was taken to a whole other level due to the utility that GENI utilizes to facilitate deeper interaction and collaborative learning. Besides the GENI team coordinating efforts seamlessly, they have also now set the standard for how we would like all our courses in the future to be administered."

CLIMATE CHANGE: How rivers will behave

Submitted by ward on
The outlook for the Limpopo is dry
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PRETORIA, 14 November 2011 (IRIN) - Soaring temperatures and erratic rains brought on by a changing climate may radically alter water flows in the world’s major river basins, including the Limpopo in southern Africa, forcing people to give up farming in some areas, says a new study.

Link: 

http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=94203

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UK urged to prevent vulture funds preying on world's poorest countries

Submitted by ward on

Author: 

Greg Palast, Maggie O'Kane and Chavala Madlena
Vultures eat the eggs of sea turtles. Photograph: Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images
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Campaigners demand Jersey legal loophole be closed as financiers seek $100m from the DRC

Britain is being urged to help close down a legal loophole that lets financiers known as "vulture funds" use courts in Jersey to claim hundreds of millions of pounds from the world's poorest countries.

Link: 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/nov/15/call-action-vulture-funds-preying-poor

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