WMO Predicts World to get Hotter

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) predicts that the world will continue to get hotter even though 2011 is forecast to be only the 10th warmest year on record. The WMO in its report to the climate change conference state that La Nina has had a slight cooling influence. The WMO say temperatures continue to edge to the 2.0 to 2.4 degree centigrade change that would lead to irreversible damage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15941820

New Climate Change Conference Opens

The latest UN climate change conference open today in Durban, South Africa. With the Kyoto Protocol due to expire in the coming years it seen as vitally important to find a replacement. However, mane of the world's major polluters are looking to stall talks and are in no rush to find a replacement. Nations that will be happy with slow talks include the likes of India, China, Brazil and the US.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15894948

Cash Crisis Hits Disease Battle

Efforts to tackle some of the world's worst diseases e.g. Aids, TB and Malaria maybe hampered by a shortage of funds and donations. The Global Fund to fight these diseases only received $11.5 billion in donations, well below the figure of $20 billion that they asked for and even below $13 billion needed to maintain current programmes. The current economic crisis is blamed for many countries like Germany and Sweden holding back current funding.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15873606

Australia Plans Huge Marine Reserve in Coaral Sea

The Australian government has announced plans to create the world's largest marine reserve in the Coral Sea. The area one and a half the times of France would see stricter fishing limits imposed as well as a ban on oil and gas exploration.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15889194

Migration to UK at Record High

Net migration gain in the UK was estimated to be at 252,000 in 2010 - the highest figure on record. Immigration remained fairly constant at 591,000, but emigration fell to 245,000, the lowest levels since 1998.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15868793

Afghan Woman's choice: 12 years in prison or marry her rapist

Human rights charities are criticising progress being made in Afghanistan, after the plight of a 19 year old Afghan woman was highlighted. Gulnaz was raped by her cousins husband two years ago and fell pregnant. Instead of being protected by the law she actually got convicted of sex outside of marriage and sentenced to 12 years in prison. She now faces the choice of marrying her attacker or serving the 12 years in prison with her young child. It is believed that if Gulnaz doesn't marry her attacker then she will be murdered by her family or community on her release. So called honour killings are common for people accused of bring shame on their family and community - being raped is considered to bring shame on the family.

However, some have argued that Gulnaz's imprisonment is actually sign of progress and that in the past, Gulnaz was actually have been stoned to death without trial, so imprisonment is better.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/22/world/asia/afghanistan-rape/index.html?hpt=ias_t2

Brazil Government Fines Chevron $28 million

The Brazilian government has fined the American oil giant Chevron $28 million for an oil spill off the coast of Rio in January. Chevron admitted responsibility for the leak that was releasing between 200 and 330 barrels a day at the peak of the spill. This is oil spill again highlights some of the dangers of transporting oil around the world to meet our energy needs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15829974

Aids deaths down 21% from Peak says UN

The UN say aids related deaths are at their lowest level since the peak in 2005. It is estimated that 34 million people now live with HIV/AIDS worldwide, but improved treatment mean that an estimated 700,000 deaths were averted last year. In total in 2007, there were 2.7 million newly infected (down from 1997 high of 3.2. million) and 1.8 million died (down from 2005 high of 2.2 million).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15816813

Climate Concerns Over Rise in Ozone Friendly HFCs

Scientists are concerned that a rise in the use of HFCs make contribute to further global warming. HFCs were introduced to replace ozone damaging CFCs. HFCs are widely used in air conditioning and fridges. However, as a greenhouse gas HFCS are many times more damaging than even carbon dioxide.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15818659

IPCC say Climate Impact Risk to Increase

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change say that the impacts caused by climate change are going to increase in the future. In particular they highlighted the likely increase in the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes as well as the vulnerability of low lying nations because of sea level rises.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15745408

FIFA pressed over worker conditions building up to Qatar World Cup

Like many Gulf countries, Qatar relies on migrant workers in order for the economy to grow and develop. In the next ten years Qatar plans to construct nine new stadiums to host the 2022 Football World Cup. Most of the workers who construct these stadiums will come from South Asia (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh). Many of these migrants live in cramped conditions and work extremely long hours in stifling heat. Trade Union activists have urged FIFA to look at the conditions of many of these workers in a bid to improve them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15772284

Afghan Women Strike Blow For Equality

After being banned from participating in sport under the Taliban rule, Afghan women now fighting back and enjoying their new found freedom by boxing. It is hoped that boxing will give women greater confidence and independence in their battle with competing with men on an equal footing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15723708

UN Warns of Crop Virus Epidemic

The UN has warned that a virus attacking the cassava plant in Africa is reaching near epidemic proportions. Cassava is a staple food in Africa and any reduction in its production could lead to undernourishment and possibly famine. The virus highlights the vulnerability of food production and the delicate balance between a population growth and resources. It also shows some of the problems that can come about because of monoculture.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15763330

Mexican Soldiers Find 140 Migrants in Lorry

Mexican soldiers have found 140 migrants hidden in a lorry travelling through Mexico. The majority of migrants are Central American attempting to get into the US. It is estimated that about half a million migrants illegally travel through Mexico each year in the search of a better life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15731158

UK fruit ripening earlier

Researchers have found that on average native British fruits are ripening 18 days earlier than a decade ago. Researchers believe that this is probably due to climate change. Some people argue that this is a good thing because it mean more areas of the plant become hospitable for agriculture, growing seasons may extend and there will be less crop loss from frost damage. However, in the UK it is argued if fruit ripens early then there will be shortages leading into the winter, especially for wild animals.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15721263

Brazil Targets Drugs Gangs in Rio's Biggest Slum

Brazilian special forces have moved into Brazil's biggest favela Rocinha to try and take control ahead of the Football World Cup and the Olympic Games. Roccinha is home to an estimated 100,000 people and has been controlled by drugs gangs for years. Now that special forces have taken control permanent police stations are going to be erected. Critics argue that the government is only taking control of areas that will be visible to the public during the games.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15710719

DR Congo's Nyamulagira Volcano's Spectacular Eruption

The Nyamulagira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently erupting in what vulcanologist believe is the volcano's biggest eruption in 100 years. The nearby town of Goma is currently not threatened, but the volcano is proving to be a popular tourist attraction.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15722488

Sea Temperatures use to help Predict Amazon Wildfires

Recent surveys suggest that anomalies in sea temperature can help predict Amazon wildfires. Scientists believe that there is a correlation between the El Nino effect in the Pacific and wildfires in the Amazon. Scientists belive that the findings could help predict future droughts and wildfires in the future.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15691060

UK Government spends further 103 million pounds on Renewable Energy

The UK government has just announced that it is spending a further 103 million pounds on renewable energy technology. Wave and tidal technologies are being developed in an attempt to help the UK meet its carbon reduction targets.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15690682

World Population Exceeds 7 Billion

The UN estimated that the World population exceeded 7 billion on Monday 31st October. The UN also believes that the World's population could rise to 10 billion by the end of the century. Watch the video on the first link describing the growth and then go to the second link to calculate where you fit into the 7 billion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15517220

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515

Strong Quake Causes Further Buildings to Collapse in Turkey

A strong aftershock in Eastern Turkey has caused at least 25 buildings to collapse. The aftershock measured 5.6 on the Richter Scale. Last month the region suffered a much stronger earthquake of 7.2. Many of the newly collapsed buildings were empty, but two were hotels occupied by journalists and aid workers. It is believed that many of the buildings must have been weakened in the original quake and clearly show how populations that have recently suffered on hazard are more vulnerable to future hazards.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15669753

Thai Flood Evacuations Widen

More residents of the Thai capital Bangkok have been forced to leave their homes as the flood water moves ever further south towards the sea. More than a third of Bangkok's district are subject to partial or complete evacuations. More than 500 people have now lost their lives in the ongoing floods. However, the authorities are still confident of being able to protect Bangkok's CBD (financial district).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15615876