Global Issues

Melting Glaciers And Snow Put Millions At Risk In Asia

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From: David Fogarty, Reuters Increased melting of glaciers and snow in the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau threatens the food security of millions of people in Asia, a study shows, with Pakistan likely to be among the nations hardest hit. A team of scientists in Holland studied the impacts of climate change on five major Asian rivers on which about 1.4 billion people, roughly a fifth of humanity, depend for water to drink and to irrigate crops.

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International Energy Outlook 2010 - Highlights

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World marketed energy consumption increases by 49 percent from 2007 to 2035 in the Reference case. Total energy demand in non-OECD countries increases by 84 percent, compared with an increase of 14 percent in OECD countries. In the IEO2010 Reference case, which does not include prospective legislation or policies, world marketed energy consumption grows by 49 percent from 2007 to 2035. Total world energy use rises from 495 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2007 to 590 quadrillion Btu in 2020 and 739 quadrillion Btu in 2035 (Figure 1). Figure 1.</body></html>

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New Strategy To Wipe Out Polio May Be Last Shot To Eradicate It Before Money Runs Out

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GENEVA (AP) - For years, the world has been on the brink of wiping out polio, the deadly disease that can paralyze and kill children. At the World Health Organization's annual meeting of health ministers this week, experts are unveiling what they describe as a new strategy to get rid of the feared disease. But others say there is little new and that if this effort fails, there are serious questions about whether to continue the campaign should be raised. Some experts say eradicating polio is impossible and should be abandoned.

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Salt Killing Crops, Driving Migration In Storm-Hit Southern Bangladesh

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Written by: AlertNet correspondentBangladeshi farmers plant rice in a field at Keraniganj on January 16, 2008. Worsening soil and water salinity is killing crops and driving migration in southern Bangladesh. REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman 

By Syful Islam DHAKA, Bangladesh (AlertNet) - Worsening sea water storm surges and overuse of irrigation have left fields, wells and ponds in parts of southern Bangladesh too salty to grow crops, leading to a growing exodus of farmers from the region.

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UN Fears 'Irreversible' Damage To Natural Environment

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GENEVA — The UN warned on Monday that "massive" loss in life-sustaining natural environments was likely to deepen to the point of being irreversible after global targets to cut the decline by this year were missed. As a result of the degradation, the world is moving closer to several "tipping points" beyond which some ecosystems that play a part in natural processes such as climate or the food chain may be permanently damaged, a United Nations report said.

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World Needs Clean Energy Revolution: UN chief

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UNITED NATIONS — Rich and poor nations need a "clean energy revolution" in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said here Wednesday.

 

The Druzhba thermal power station in Sofia

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