Monday, May 9th, 2011
Just days before the long awaited vote on US$3.2 billion HidroAysén dam project, special police forces were sent to Coyhaique, capital of the Aysén Region and the Coyhaique province. The greatly enhanced police presence was justified, said authorities, because of the “threatening” attitude of HidroAysén opponents and fear that the 12 authorities who will vote on
Monday, May 9th, 2011
Innovative geospatial research and application technologies are the brightest spotlights at COM.Geo conference. One of COM.Geo 2011 spotlights is Mobile Geospatial – Digital Earth on Mobile Phones and iPads. There will be more than 40 presentations/talks related to the mobile geospatial at COM.Geo 2011 conference which will be held on May 23-25, Washington, DC. Learn
Monday, May 9th, 2011
Optimism is growing that the tension between Egypt, Sudan and upstream countries over the construction of the Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile could ease after Egypt said last week it was ready for talks. Egypt’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Tarek Ghoneim, said renegotiating the allocation of Nile waters and raising transparency in the matter
Monday, May 9th, 2011
Tennet, which is 100% state-owned, bought parts of the German grid at the end of 2009 but is faced with extra investment costs of between €5bn and €6n, largely to connect offshore wind parks to the mainland. The company is now looking for a partner to take a minority stake in that project, but if
Monday, May 9th, 2011
The availability of accurate hydrological data plays a key-role to developing solutions to food supply concerns and the impacts of extreme weather and rising water levels. Formulating and enforcing water management and climate adaptation policies depends on accurate information. Around the world, and particular in developing countries, such data infrastructure does not exist, hampering the
Monday, May 9th, 2011
The boreal forests in the Russian Republic of Komi serve as an important carbon storage sink and are home to several crucial species. But the area is threatened in particular by deforestation and forest fires. Since 1995, the region has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Around 15 percent of the forest area
Sunday, May 8th, 2011
Jonathon Porritt, former head of the Sustainable Development Commission, carried out the review which was funded by Friends of the Earth. He examined 75 policies, finding little or no progress in 55. The government said it remains committed to the environment, but the recession had affected its policies. Read More
Sunday, May 8th, 2011
The official ceremony marking ESA’s handover of the Soyuz launch site to Arianespace took place today at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, after the site was declared ready for the first flight and the completion of a simulated launch campaign. The French space agency, CNES, as prime contractor for the building work, along with its European
Sunday, May 8th, 2011
Albertans are being asked for their input on the recommendations from an advisory council for the southern Alberta regional plan, under the Land-use Framework. The South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council recommended that the regional plan focus on issues like water supply, conservation needs and economic development. Albertans now have a say on this advice. The recommendations
Sunday, May 8th, 2011
Through funding by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) UN Habitat is implementing a 5-years programme on “Promoting Sustainable Transport Solutions for East African Cities” (GEF Sustran East Africa). The initiative is being implemented in partnership with GIZ, ITDP, TRL and the respective national and local governments. The programme aims to reduce growth in private motorized vehicles, thus
