Environment and Sustainability

Under "Environment and Sustainability" you can find ....

Nations urged to combine environmental and development goals — Última modificación 28/03/2013 15:43

From the Guardian. Degradation of the natural world is undermining efforts to reduce poverty, warn scientists, who say the only chance of achieving global prosperity is for all countries to combine poverty and environmental targets.

How agroforestry schemes can improve food security in developing countries — Última modificación 08/03/2013 09:26

Agroforestry has multiple benefits, it's important that they are raised in food security debates so that they can reach their potential

New way to save Africa's beleaguered soils — Última modificación 27/09/2012 14:24

A Washington State University researcher and two WSU graduates make a case in the journal Nature for a new type of agriculture that could restore the beleaguered soils of Africa and help the continent feed itself in the coming decades.

Earth may be approaching 'tipping point,' Stanford scientist says — Última modificación 25/06/2012 11:34

Earth may be approaching 'tipping point,' Stanford scientist says. By Max McClure.

Rio+20 Voluntary Commitment #4: Higher Education Sustainability Initiative — Última modificación 01/06/2012 13:57

We are pleased to announce a new registered commitment, made by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in partnership with institutions of higher education around the world, with support from the UN Academic Impact, UNEP, UNESCO, UN Global Compact, UN-PRME and UNU.

Seed cases rival coal as energy source — Última modificación 07/05/2012 08:38

Although biofuels could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, there are concerns about their effect on food prices and carbon emissions through indirect land use change. Now a team from the US has proposed that high-lignin crop waste such as coconut shells, which cannot be used as fertiliser or to feed animals or people, could be ideal for producing decentralized bioelectricity.

Analysis raises atmospheric, economic doubts about forest bioenergy — Última modificación 07/05/2012 08:37

A large, global move to produce more energy from forest biomass may be possible and already is beginning in some places, but scientists say in a new analysis that such large-scale bioenergy production from forest biomass is unsustainable and will increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Making the Impossible Possible – "Miracle Apples" and Natural Cultivation — Última modificación 30/04/2012 14:40

In Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, in northern Japan "Miracle Apples" are being grown. Miracle Apples are raised through a "natural cultivation" method that employs neither pesticides nor fertilizers, not even organic matter such as compost or manure. These apples do not turn brown from oxidation after being cut. When left untouched for some time, they start fermenting without decay.

African groundwater offers hope for climate variability 'buffer' — Última modificación 30/04/2012 08:49

Groundwater is the major source of drinking water in Africa and is likely to be used increasingly for irrigation of food crops. But little is known about how much there actually is, and so assessments of freshwater availability do not include groundwater storage. Now a team from the UK has estimated Africa's groundwater resources for the first time.

Study: impact of warming climate doesn't always translate to streamflow — Última modificación 19/04/2012 16:01

An analysis of 35 headwater basins in the United States and Canada found that the impact of warmer air temperatures on streamflow rates was less than expected in many locations, suggesting that some ecosystems may be resilient to certain aspects of climate change.