Paris, Aug 13 (AP/UNB) — Paris authorities shut down streets surrounding the Notre Dame Cathedral to decontaminate them Tuesday, after high levels of lead were registered in the area following the April blaze that damaged the landmark.
Tag: Environment
Fighting violence with evidence
by Rachel Locke, David Steven San Diego/New York – In last year’s Pathways for Peace report – the result of a joint study by the United Nations and the World Bank – UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world…
The Case for an EU Climate and Nature Czar
by Johan Rockström, Anders Wijkman, Sandrine Dixson-Declève Potsdam – As Europe roasts through another record-hot summer, it is encouraging to see that climate change is receiving the attention it deserves from Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president-elect. In…
Conflict over resources: 164 activists killed last year
Over 160 people were killed for trying to protect the environment in 2018, says NGO Global Witness. While the Philippines tops the list with 30 deaths, the number of killed activists nearly quintupled in Guatemala.
Don’t fear the scooter
by Alon Tal Tel Aviv – Electric bicycles and scooters are taking a lot of heat. Concerns about traffic fatalities, terrorized pedestrians, and urban lawlessness have led a growing chorus of politicians and media commentators to conclude that the technology…
No dev work that damages environment: experts
Dhaka, June 29 (UNB) – Stating that no development effort will be effective if it ruins the ecological and environmental balance, speakers at a public dialogue on Saturday urged the government to ensure a more environment-friendly budget. Poribesh Bachao Andolon…
No continent, no country not impacted by land degradation
By Desmond Brown Ankara, Jun 17 2019 (IPS) – The coming decades will be crucial in shaping and implementing a transformative land agenda, according to a scientist at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) framework for Land Degradation…
How indigenous people in Sikkim united in anti-dam movement
by Sahana Ghosh on 17 June 2019 • Territoriality through traditional self-governance played a key role in successful and sustained anti-dam protests by two indigenous communities in Lachen and Lachung in the eastern Himalayas. • While many anti-dam protests have…
What’s wrong with environmental impact assessments?
by Maxwell Gomera Cambridge – Walhi, Indonesia’s largest environmental organization, recently took the government to court for issuing construction permits to a Chinese company based on what they allege was a “deeply flawed” environmental impact assessment. In fact, Wahli contends,…
Environment pollution kills 2.34 lakh people in Bangladesh every year
Air pollution causes deaths to 2.34 lakh people every year in Bangladesh while air pollution is blamed for 21 percent death during the same time, according a report-2018 of World Bank. Death caused by environment pollution is 10 times higher…
Agroecology and organic farming can drive sustainability in agriculture
Most quarters agree that agriculture and food systems urgently need to change to make progress on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while staying within planetary boundaries. However, two narratives dominate the discussion: incremental steps to improve efficiency in conventional agriculture…
Disqualify river grabbers from elections bank loans
Dhaka, Feb 03 – In a landmark verdict, the High Court on Monday disqualified the grabbers of rivers and canals from contesting any election including local government and parliamentary polls. It directed the Election Commission to take steps to this…
10 Women4Climate tech challenge finalists announced
C40’s global competition celebrates women innovators and helps accelerate technological solutions to climate change. Winners will see their solution implemented in Paris and Tel Aviv.
Sustainability and a society of distracted drivers
By Richard Heinberg Driving is dangerous. In fact, it’s about the riskiest activity most of us engage in routinely. It requires one’s full attention—and even then, things can sometimes go horribly awry. The brakes fail. The weather turns roads to…
Global carbon pollution up in 2018
Washington, Dec 6 (AP/UNB) — After several years of little growth, global emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide experienced their largest jump in seven years, discouraging scientists.
COP24: 1m lives could be saved by 2050 thru climate action
Taking bold climate action now could help save a million lives and a lot of money by the middle of the century, said the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, launching a special report as part of the ongoing COP24…
Youth create businesses geared to protecting the environment
An organic pesticide safe for farmers and the environment, and carbonised fuel briquettes made from agricultural waste materials and organic waste are all business ideas that promote a green economy.
E.coli bacteria in 41pc of improved BD water sources: WB
Dhaka, Oct 11 – Despite Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in improving access to water and sanitation, 41 percent of all improved water sources are contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which suggests a high prevalence of faecal contamination, said a…
Social solidarity for sustainable development
by Gro Harlem Brundtland Oslo – The late Kofi Annan once said that climate change is the “existential issue of our time.” A wave of extreme weather events this past summer – from wildfires in California and Sweden to floods…
UUnauthorised tree felling threat to Gopalganj environment
Gopalganj, Sept 24 – Some influential quarters are cutting down roadside trees in Kashiani Upazila without taking any permission from the local administration, putting the environment of the Upazila in jeopardy.
Environment, climate sector gets only 0.4 pc budget allocation
Dhaka, June 11 – Despite the huge importance of ecology and environment for sustainable development of the country, the finance minister has proposed only 0.4 percent allocation of the total budget of 2018-19 fiscal year for the environment, forest and…
‘Narcissistic’ bird becomes Internet star
When wildlife expert Caitlin Raynor saw a bird mesmerised with its reflection, she feared people might be concerned. So she posted a note above it. “I’m a bush stone-curlew,” the message explained. “I’m fine. I just like to stare at…
Indonesia summons UK envoy over coral damage
Indonesia has summoned the British ambassador after a ship operated by a British company ran aground on a coral reef, causing extensive damage. On March 4, the 4,290-ton Caledonian Sky hit reefs off an island in Raja Ampat, Papua province,…
Trump set to roll back Obama policies on energy, environment
President-elect Donald Trump is considering an oil billionaire and a North Dakota lawmaker for top posts as he moves to roll back President Barack Obama’s environmental and energy policies and allow unfettered production of oil, coal and natural gas.
Explosion rips thru’ Nanjing oil refinery
A powerful blast has ripped through an oil refinery in Nanjing in eastern China, but the fire has reportedly been brought under control, with no casualties, according to local media. CCTV posted photos of the Jinlingshihua Nanjing Refinery in smoke…
HC asks for report against tiger poaching & smuggling
The High Court on Sunday asked the authorities concerned to submit a report before it by September 1 on steps taken against those involved in tiger poaching in the Sundarbans and smuggling of the big cat organs.
World touring solar plane’s final leg to UAE delayed
The final leg of an unprecedented world tour by a solar-powered plane was postponed Saturday due to the pilot’s health, he said in a message on Twitter. The Solar Impulse 2 had been scheduled to leave Cairo for Abu Dhabi.…
50,000 petitioners urge UNESCO to protect the Sundarbans
Sundarbans, a World Heritage site in Bangladesh faces destruction if a proposed coal plant is built adjacent to it Petitioners ask that the Sundarbans are included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger Paris – A…
Smelly seaweed invasion hits Sierra Leone beaches
Sierra Leone has launched a clean-up operation after the beaches around the capital Freetown became clogged with foul-smelling seaweed, hitting tourism and fishing. At Lumley Beach in the west end of the city, the white sands have become covered with…
Rains or not, India faces drinking water crisis
As large swathes of drought-devastated India desperately wait for the monsoon rains to arrive, one village in the dry, hot north is flush with water. But this farming area’s bountiful water supplies are feared contaminated with heavy metals, underscoring the…