Monday, September 6th, 2010
DER SPIEGEL – When natural disasters, like floods in Pakistan or earthquakes in Haiti, strike, Munich Re, the world’s largest reinsurance company, ends up paying part of the bill. Munich Re offers capitalism a safety net, and no other company is more familiar with life’s risks. Read More
Sunday, September 5th, 2010
INDEPENDENT UK – The microscopic plants that support all life in the oceans are dying off at a dramatic rate, according to a study that has documented for the first time a disturbing and unprecedented change at the base of the marine food web. Scientists have discovered that the phytoplankton of the oceans has declined by about
Sunday, September 5th, 2010
LE MONDE FRANCE – The Conference has on the climate of Cancun, Mexico in early December, could lead to the creation of a “green fund” that could finance adaptation to climate change in poor countries. According to the Swiss Minister of Environment, Moritz Leuenberger, a consensus around the need for long-term financing in the field of climate”. Read
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
UPI – Turkey will be connected to European electricity networks via U.S. firm General Electric’s “smart grid technology.” According to GE, the system will be running this month. GE’s “smart grid technology” will enable Turkey’s electrical distribution system to draw upon EU electrical networks from across Europe, ensuring Turkey’s growing access to European energy, a critical component
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
JAKARTA POST – Indonesia has nominated veteran natural resources scientist Indroyono Soesilo to run for the top post at the UN’s Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah confirmed the government had selected Indroyono as the country’s candidate to replace current FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf, who will retire at the end of his
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN – Wind turbines function best in wide-open spaces where they can capture airflow unobstructed by buildings or mountains. Unfortunately, these same conditions are also optimal for aircraft takeoffs and landings, creating tension between wind energy utilities and airports in a number of locations worldwide. Utility-scale wind turbines, many of which stand more than 100
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
EXAMINER – Early Saturday morning, a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand, a city with 386,000 people. The quake hit about 35 miles outside of Christchurch. Residents have reported that a lot of damage has been done, and the power shortages are vast, but so far no injuries have been reported. The earthquake reached a 7.0-
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
ALL AFRICA – The World Water Week, which will take place from 5 to 10 September, is a meeting of experts, practitioners, decision makers and leaders from around the globe to exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions. It is organised by Stockholm International Water Institute. The discussions at this year’s event are expected to cover
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
ESA – ESA’s SMOS water mission has taken another step forward by demonstrating that it will lead to a better understanding of ocean circulation. Using preliminary data, scientists can clearly see how the ‘Amazon plume’ affects surface currents in the open sea. Read More
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
EL MUNDO SPAIN – The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, announced that the ban on grain exports imposed last month by the end of the year, governed at least until September 2011. Russia, considered one of the ‘pantry’ of the world, has suffered this year an unprecedented heat wave that caused numerous forest fires and severe drought, ending the
