Negotiators at the climate conference in Poland inched closer to an outcome on Friday night, as the official deadline for finishing a deal ran out. The conference was meant to approve a rulebook which would govern how nations put into action the goals set in the landmark Paris agreement of 2015, when the world resolved to hold global warming to no more than 2C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspiration to limit temperature rises to no more than 1.5C. On Friday night, sticking points still remained over how countries should report on and account for their greenhouse gas emissions, and there was little progress on persuading countries to make firm commitments to cut their emissions further than they have already promised. Part of the success of Paris was based on the idea that countries would have taken further steps on emissions by now. Finance for developing countries to help them cut emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change has also been largely overlooked at this … [Read more...] about Cutting emissions proves a sticking point at Poland climate conference
Environment
World’s water supply is SHRINKING as drought-like conditions to ‘become the new normal’ – with half of humans at risk by 2030
CLIMATE change is producing more rain, but the world's water supply is shrinking – and now scientists know why. Scientists have warned that global warming is drying out the planet's soil, which could create a world where "drought-like conditions become the new normal". A biggest-ever study of global rainfall and rivers has revealed exactly why Earth's water supplies are struggling. Rather than relying on simulations, scientists at the University of New South Wales collected data from 43,000 rainfall stations and 53,000 river monitoring sites – across 160 countries globally. Researchers hoped to solve a climate mystery: rainfall is increasing, so why are water supplies shrinking? A recent estimate from the United Nations suggested that nearly half of the world's population would live in areas of "high water stress" by 2030. "This is something that has been missed," said study author Professor Ashish Sharma. "We expected rainfall to increase, since warmer air stores more … [Read more...] about World’s water supply is SHRINKING as drought-like conditions to ‘become the new normal’ – with half of humans at risk by 2030
Black bag flytipping rises in the Vale
0 Post a comment Friday, 14 December 2018 - Environment by Matt Discombe - GEM Local Democracy Reporter [email protected] Fly-tipping of black bags in the Vale has gone up since the council started collecting just two bags per home every fortnight. A total of 99 fly-tipped black bags were reported to the Vale Council between September – when the new policy was introduced – and November.That was an increase from the 61 fly-tipped black bags reported in the three months leading up to September.But the council has said there were 107 fly-tipped black bags reported between September and November 2017 – eight more than the three months following September this year.Cllr Geoff Cox, cabinet member for neighbourhood services and transport, said it was too early to draw any conclusions about the effect on fly-tipping the new black bags policy has had.He said excess black bags left uncollected outside people’s properties are unlikely to be recorded … [Read more...] about Black bag flytipping rises in the Vale
First bee vaccine fresh hope for fighting off extinction
Scientists in Finland have developed what they believe is the world's first vaccine to protect bees against disease, raising hopes for tackling the drastic decline in insect numbers which could cause a global food crisis. Bees are vital for growing the world's food as they help fertilize three out of four crops around the globe, by transferring pollen from male to female flowers. But in recent years bee populations around the world have been dying off from "colony collapse disorder," a mysterious scourge blamed on mites, pesticides, virus, fungus or some combination of these factors. U.N.-led research in 2016 found that more than 40 percent of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, are facing extinction. The study also found that 16.5 percent of vertebrate pollinators, such as birds and bats, are under threat. Scientists warn that the die-off will result in higher food prices and the risk of shortages. The vaccine, developed by a team at Helsinki University in … [Read more...] about First bee vaccine fresh hope for fighting off extinction
Residents confident objections over homes plan in Bures St Mary will be upheld as developer appeals decision
The battle over the future of a controversial housing development in Bures St Mary is set to rage on, after a builder appealed to overturn a decision to refuse planning permission.The Stemar Group has filed a formal appeal with the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, against Babergh District Council’s decision to reject six partly-built homes on a former slaughterhouse site on Cuckoo Hill.The initial plans were approved in February 2015 and construction began in March 2017, but residents later complained the new homes were built well above their maximum permitted height.The developer was told to submit a new application, which was then unanimously rejected by Babergh’s planning committee in July.A council spokesman said no date has been set for the public appeal hearing, but, once it is, the council will write to villagers, with information on how to submit evidence for the hearing.Clare Frewin, whose family’s home is overlooked by the development, told the Free … [Read more...] about Residents confident objections over homes plan in Bures St Mary will be upheld as developer appeals decision