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Water sparks new power source
- Biological Diversity home
Scientific Facts on Biodiversity
BIODIVERSITY AND EXTINCTION RATES
2007
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Jaime Webbe, with the UN, makes a presentation
on climate change.
NEWS photo Paul McGrath
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May 23, 2007 Environmentalists doubt UN's billion-tree scheme will ease warming
UNITED NATIONS - An ambitious United Nations plan to oversee the planting of one billion trees worldwide - including 50 million in Canada - moved ahead Tuesday despite mounting criticism from arguably unexpected quarters.
Officials at the Nairobi headquarters of the UN's environment wing declared that groups and governments around the world have pledged to exceed the goal - and said the initiative will help fight climate change and poverty.
Monday 19 February 2007 Novel biodiversity study reveals new bird species
Canadian researchers have co-authored a biodiversity study on DNA “bar-coding� they say will pave the way for cataloguing the world’s organisms and lead to the discovery of untold numbers of new species.
2006
Saturday 04 November 2006 HALIFAX: SEA SPECIES DISAPPEARING FAST
A team of international scientists and economists reports that pollution and overfishing are rapidly driving species of seafood to extinction. The researchers have found that 40 per cent of all species that have been fished historically had disappeared by 2003 and that there are far fewer fish nurseries. The research predicts that the seas themselves will become sick and that as a result all wild seafood could disappear by 2048. One of the researchers, Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, says that unless there is radical change, sea species will disappear within our lifetimes.
HALIFAX: CANADA ON RIGHT PATH TO PROTECTING SEA SPECIES
Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Loyola Hearn says the federal government is on the right track in protecting fish stocks but wasn't surprised by a report of international scientists and ecologists that overfishing and pollution are devastating stocks. The report appearing in the American journal Science predicted that virtually all stocks will collapse by 2048 unless practices are changed. Mr. Hearn says he agrees with the prediction but that Canada is trying to correct the mistakes of the past by shifting attention to the entire ecosystem instead of individual species. Mr. Hearn also says Canada is trying to reform the agencies that manage fisheries in international waters, as well as seeking fishing technologies less harmful to marine environments. The World Wildlife Fund reacted to the minister's comments pessimistically, saying it has failed to act on promises to protect marine spaces that could help species recover from overfishing and not cracking down on countries which overfish.
Thu 5/25/2006 IT’S NOT A WONDERFUL WORLD ANYMORE
The United Nations has declared May 22 as International Day for Biological Diversity. But how should we celebrate an occasion such as this? The most effective way would be by changing some simple things. For instance, we could switch to buying organic food, saving electricity, and not buying things that we don’t need.
Animals, Plants, Ecosystems Get Help on Biodiversity Day
MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada, May 22, 2006 (ENS) - From political leaders to activists to schoolchildren, the world is taking action today - International Biodiversity Day - to conserve the diversity of life on Earth. The focus this year is on protecting the diversity of life in drylands, in keeping with the UN designation of 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Climate change blamed for fall of mountain bird
Global warming is claiming its first real victim in Britain's wildlife - the blackbird of the mountains.
WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives Thursday approved a plan to allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The House voted 225-201 to approve a plan sponsored by California Republican Richard Pombo that would allow drilling on 2,000 acres of ANWR out of the refuge's total 19 million acres.
Friday May 19, 2006 Biotech financing up 25 per cent in 2005
Cash for life-sciences firms looks to smash $1-billion level, perhaps pass peak from beginning of decade ....the value of deals done by 23 life-sciences companies in the first quarter reached $600-million, led by Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s $250-million (U.S.) note deal to close its acquisition of American Medical Instruments Holdings Inc.
Tuesday Jan 24, 2006 Global warming: plants are not to blame
Plants are not to blame for climate change, according to a statement issued this week (18 January) by the researchers who reported eight days ago that plants emit up to a third of the methane — a potent greenhouse gas — in the atmosphere (see The latest threat to the world’s climate?).
June 17, 2004 IPS TRADE:
North American Leaders 'Micro-Managing' Environment Deal
MONTREAL, Jun 17 (IPS) - The North American environment would be better off if governments agreed to set aside a section of the continent's free trade deal that lets them pursue one another for not enforcing their laws, says a review of the deal's "green" accord.
''We believe that the governments are probably micro- managing articles 14 and 15 of the NAAEC, which is the citizens' submissions process ... We're suggesting to the (environment) ministers they should feel comfortable leaving the Secretariat to do its work in this process,'' Pierre Marc Johnson , chair of the body that delivered the report, 'Ten Years of North American Environmental Cooperation', told IPS.
Saturday 15 May 2004 cbc
SALMON DYING BECAUSE DFO TURNED OFF WATER SUPPLY
Thousands of salmon are dying in a wetland because Canada's Department
of Fisheries and Oceans turned off the water supply. The wetland, which
covers several hectares, was created by DFO six years ago to raise
salmon.
Friday Apr 23, 2004 aek
Rampant Rhino Gets Amorous with Car at UK Park
Wednesday Apr 7, 2004 enn
Canada is missing out on clean economy potential
"Climate change has stuck its head above the parapet; it's not an issue politicians can hide from much longer," said Climate expert Dr. David Viner to New Scientist magazine the day before the release of Canada's federal budget.
Well, someone clearly forgot to tell Prime Minister Paul Martin. Or maybe he's just hoping to hide out until after the election, because there was certainly nothing in the budget that promises to take Canada out of the environmental dark ages.
Saturday 27 Mar 2004 Biotechnology and Health Care Servicesbr>
Scotia Capital reiterated its cautious investment thesis toward Canadian biotech and health care stocks today and maintained its preference for higher quality stocks with promising news flow, relatively attractive valuations and that provide predictable, visible sales and EPS prospects. As volatilities have begun to climb from recent lows and general investor sentiment has weakened in this area, there has been and continues to be profit taking on second-tier biotechnology and pharmaceutical company stocks. We note that investors are prepared to pay more in absolute terms for better quality companies. The top picks for Canadian health care stocks include MDS[22] Inc. (1-Sector Outperform, Target: $26.00) and Axcan Pharma (1-Sector Outperform, Target: US$34.00).
Thursday 26 Feb 2004 n
NEW TREATIES
Treaty on long-term pollutants gets the go-ahead
A global treaty that bans certain long-term pollutants that have been linked
to a range of human health problems is to come into force. The countdown
towards implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Pollutants was triggered on 17 February, when France became the 50th country
to ratify the treaty. ....this is relevant to the discussion on Wed 1147 linking
human health and environment. Mouse
February 05, 2004 dsf
Environmental sustainability possible within a generation,
Dr. Suzuki tells Prime Minister and municipal leaders
2003
Tuesday Dec 9, 2003 bbc  Japan's weekend rice farmers
Like so many agricultural areas around the world, Japan's rural economy is in trouble.
Despite heavy government subsidies, farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to make a living, and their children are leaving the land for the city.
Also see Monday Oct 20, 2003 bbc
Water sparks new power source
GENETICALLY MODIFIED TREES PLANTED IN QUEBEC
The federal government is funding a field trial of genetically modified
trees near Quebec City. Researchers with the Canadian Forest Service say
it will help protect the country's natural forests.
Also see Monday Oct 20, 2003 bbc
Water sparks new power source
HATCHERY SALMON RELEASED IN BAY OF FUNDY
Scientists in New Brunswick are releasing hatchery-raised salmon into
the Bay of Fundy in the hopes of boosting the population of the
endangered species.
Monday Sep 29, 2003 fe
Remain United To Demand Fair Terms Of Trade
...A study done by Oxfam International shows that if Africa, East Asia, South Asia were each to increase their share of world exports by one per cent, the resulting gains in income could lift 128 million people out of poverty. If the developing countries increased their share of world exports by just 5 per cent, this would generate $ 350 billion - seven times as much as they receive in aid. But the developing countries face tariff barriers that are four times higher than those encountered by rich countries. These barriers cost them $ 100 billion a year - twice as much as they receive in aid.
Thanks to Diana Nicholson see w-n Global Capitalism
Monday Sep 1, 2003 bbc
 Earth hits '2,000-year warming peak'
The Earth appears to have been warmer since 1980 than at any time in the last 18 centuries, scientists say.
The climate skeptics are flogging a dead horse
Professor Philip Jones, University of East Anglia
They reconstructed the global climate from data derived from ice cores, vegetation and other records.
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| Sunday Aug 3, 2003 |
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UK Government cherishes its wildlife
Wild species living on sites owned by the UK Government - such as prisons - are to benefit from improved protection. |
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Seed battle heads to supreme court
A Canadian farmer is preparing to take on the Monsanto corporation in a case that goes to the heart of the issue of genetic patenting. |
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Ozone benefits from treaty
The rate the ozone layer is being destroyed slows thanks to a global ban on damaging chemicals, US researchers say. |
Saturday Jul 26, 2003 bbc
 Canadian farmers debate GM wheat
Some farming groups are resisting Monsanto's novel wheat because of the damage it may cause to organic production and foreign markets.
The biotechnology company Monsanto is seeking approval from Canada's government to grow a variety of GM wheat that is resistant to its Roundup weedkiller.
Saturday Jul 26, 2003 cbc
 RESEARCHERS FORECAST 'SUBSTANTIAL' EXTINCTIONS FOR SINGAPORE
Deforestation may cause up to one-fifth of the plants and animals in
Southeast Asia to become extinct within the next century, according to a
new survey.
Friday Jul 18, 2003 bbc
Public 'cautious' over GM crops
A public debate on the future of GM crops in Britain which ends on Friday is likely to urge caution over their development.
Friday Jul 11, 2003 bbc
'Little economic benefit' from GM crops
Genetically modified crops would bring little short-term benefit to the British economy, says a government report
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| Tuesday Jun 24, 2003 |
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Millions for genetic technology
A £50m expansion of the use of genetic technology to tackle medical problems has been announced by Health Secretary John Reid. |
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US in new global GM push
The US president urges Europe to end its ban on GM - a move he says would help win the fight against world hunger. |
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Hopes rise for Europe's sea life
The creatures that live in Europe's seas should soon enjoy better protection if an environment ministers' meeting lives up to expectations. |
Monday, 23 , 2003 bbc US in new global GM push
The US president urges Europe to end its ban on GM - a move he says would help win the fight against world hunger.
Thursday Jun 19, 2003 bbc GM decaf coffee plant created
Japanese scientists create a genetically modified plant that will produce decaffeinated coffee.
GM grass 'stops hayfever'
Scientists have designed a genetically modified grass which should not trigger hay fever.
June 14, 2003 nyt
Trade Pact on Gene-Altered Goods to Take Effect in 90 Days
The treaty, known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, was agreed upon by more than 130 nations in January 2000 but could not take effect until formally ratified by 50 nations. The 50th, Palau, just gave its endorsement, so the protocol will go into effect in 90 days, on Sept. 11, the United Nations Environment Program said yesterday.
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| Saturday Jun 14, 2003 |
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Europe and US in new trade row
Brussels takes the US to the World Trade Organisation once again, adding to existing cases on steel, GM foods and export credits. |
Friday Jun 13, 2003 OTTAWA: AGRIBUSINESS WANTS GOVT. APPROVAL FOR GMOs
The Monsanto Canada company has appeared in the House of Commons to
outline its vision of how genetically modified foods should
eventually reach market. Monsanto's vice-president, Kerry Preete,
told the House agriculture committee on Thursday that so-called
Genetically Modified Organisms should first receive regulatory
approval to reassure consumers and thus create a market for such
products. Monsanto has invented a strain of genetically modified
wheat that isn't harmed by a common herbicide. Mr. Prette says the
company has no immediate plans to try to put it on the market. He
also says Canada would need a grainhandling system that keeps
genetically modified strains of wheat separate from standard
varieties. However, a spokesman for the Canadian Federation of
Agriculture told the committee that the country's grainhandling
system isn't equipped to do this and that both kinds of wheat would
inevitably become mixed. The Federation says this is why
international agreements are required to deal with that mixing.
Wednesday Jun 11, 2003 cbc
U.S. ADVISORY PANEL OKS GROWTH HORMONE TREATMENT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel has reluctantly
approved injecting growth hormone into very short but otherwise healthy
children. :
Wednesday Jun 11, 2003 bbc
 India 'to approve GM potato'
A potato enhanced with nutrients lacking in the diets of many of the poorest people is expected to be grown soon in India.
The influential head of the Indian Government's Department of Biotechnology, Dr Manju Sharma, said the potato would be given free to millions of poor children at government schools to try to reduce the problem of malnutrition in the country.
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