Green Technology is not more Expensive

The UK's Committee on Climate Change (CCC) have denied claims that wind farms and other carbon free technology will increase electricity prices. The CCC said that even though fuels bills had risen recently, 80% of the rises were not because of green technology. They also said that any rises could be offset through loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and double glazing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16191900

Church v State Battle Over Contraception in the Philippines

The Philippines is a very religious country with over 80% of its citizens Catholic. It also has the highest birth rate and a population of over 90 million. Although contraception is freely available in most pharmacies. many poor people can not afford to buy them. Therefore the government has proposed a bill where contraceptives are handed to the poor for free. This has caused a bitter row with the church which is apposed to the use of artificial contraception.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15822637
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10552591

Casual Dress Helps The Climate?

The chilean authorities are encouraging men to leave their ties at home during the hot summer months in order to limit air conditioning costs and reduce carbon emissions. It has been estimated if room temperatures are allowed to rise between 1 and 3 degrees Celsius then this could save 3% of energy costs (about $10 million)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16172476

More Filipinos Now Staying at Home Instead of Migrating Abroad

Roughly 10% if Filipinos move abroad to work and even though this number is still increasing a growing number of Filipinos are choosing to stay in the Philippines. Filipinos are now increasingly way up the costs and benefits of moving abroad or staying at home. Costs and benefits include:

Costs:

• Family division (possibly from children)
• Cost of living abroad
• Discrimination abroad
• Separation from culture

Benefits

• More jobs and better pay
• Chance of sending remittances home
• Increased recognition at home (especially for women)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16104640

Global Malaria Deaths Falling

It is estimated that malaria killed 655,000 people in 2010 co9mpared to 800,000 in 2004. The main factors that have reduced malaria deaths include:

• 145 million insecticide treated bed nets delivered to Sub-Saharan Africa
• Increased spraying around settlements to kill mosquitoes
• Improved drug treatment

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16161907

Canada to Withdraw from Kyoto Protocol

Canada are planning to formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. He said Canada's failure to meet the Kyoto targets could cost the country $13.6 billion. He also pointed out that without the US and China signed up for Kyoto the agreement will have little impact in trying to reduce carbon emissions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16151310

Strong Earthquake Hits Mexico

A strong 6.7 magnitude hit Mexico over the weekend. The quake hit the province of Guerrero shaking buildings, cutting power and causing panic amongst local residents. The quake that was 65km deep has been reported to have caused two deaths.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16129035

Last minute Climate Deal in Durban

A last minute deal was reached at the climate deal in Durban. With the Kyoto protocol due to run out shortly, there were fears that the current climate talks were going to end in deadlock. However, through the night talks have come to the agreement to extend the carbon-cutting target in the Kyoto Protocol, until a new agreement is reached and bought into enforcement in 2020.

One important agreement has been the establishment of a so called green fund to help poorer countries develop greener technology and cut carbon emissions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16124670

Storms Leave 50,000 Without Power in UK

The UK got hit by hurricane force winds on Thursday leaving 50,000 Scottish residents without power. The strongest storm for over 10 years damaged roads, knocked over trees, closed schools and disrupted energy supplies. Some of the gusts reached up to 165 mph with many Scottish cities experiencing winds in excess of 80mph.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16102566

Adjusting to Volcanic Ash

A new piece of equipment designed to detect the density of ash clouds is currently being tested over Mount Etna on the island of Sicily. The equipment has been designed and tested to try and stop future closures of airspace following volcanic eruptions. In the summer of 2011 an Icelandic volcano forced the grounding of all flights in Europe for over one week, costing the airline industry an estimated $1.7billion. Research after the event showed that most of the cloud was actually safe to fly throw, but there was no way of pilots knowing. Therefore, a device is being tested to detect safe ash clouds densities and it is hoped in the future that it will be fitted to all commercial planes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16077139

Is Climate Change to Blame for Polar Bear Cannibalism?

Scientists have recently filmed an adult polar bear eating a polar bear cub. Normally polar bears eat seals, but the declining ice means that polar bears are having to find alternative sources of food. This means that some polar bears are being driven into settlements, while others are turning to cannibalism.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16081214

Migrant Workers Flock to Qatar

Qatar has become a magnet for both manual and professional workers. The construction boom based on oil and gas revenue has created an abundance of jobs for South Asians unable to find money at home. The growth of the banking and service sector along with the prospect of tax free earnings has also attracted many professionals from Europe. However, despite its popularity Qatar is often criticised for its treatment of manual workers who have to work long hours in stifling heat, live in cramped conditions and receive little holiday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16052572

Brazilian Senate Eases Amazon Protection Rules

The day after the announcement of the reduction in deforestation rates, the Brazilian senate has announced plans to ease regulations on the amount of land farmers must preserve as forest. The Brazilian government say the bill is necessary to increase food production, but environmentalists say it will just lead to greater deforestation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16065069

Deforestation Rates Down in the Amazon

Brazil say rates of deforestation in the Amazon are at there lowest levels for 23 years, dropping 11% from previous year. Satellites are used to track rates of deforestation. The Brazilian government says the clamp down on illegal logging has been the main reason for success.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16048503

Calls for Greater Ambition on Climate Change

Based on current pledges to cut carbon emissions, scientists have calculated that the earth will be 3,5 degrees centigrade warmer in 2100 than it was in pre-industrial times. This is well above the 2 degree centigrade tipping point that is often talked about. As such scientists have asked governments to be more ambitious in their targets to cut emissions. Climate change talks are currently continuing in Durban, South Africa.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16052262

New Regional Bloc Established

Approval was given at a Venezuelan summit  for a new regional bloc which includes 33 members all from Latin American and the Caribbean. The bloc which includes El Salvador, also includes Cuba, but excludes Canada and the US. The bloc hopes to increase ties and trade between countries, as well as resolving conflicts and ongoing disputes. The bloc is called CELAC and is due to next meet in Chile in 2012.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16021120

Equality Has A Long Way To Go

A rape victim has been released from an Afghan jail two years into her 12 year sentence. However, the women named Gulnaz who gave birth to a child in prison after her rape, will have to marry her attacker to be set free. Even though Gulnaz was attacked and raped, the courts deemed that she had committed adultery because she was not married to her attacker at the time. Human rights groups say that Gulnaz is one of hundreds of Afghan women currently in jail because they have been raped or attacked.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15991641

How Animals Predict Earthquakes

Scientists now believe that animals may be able detect chemical changes in groundwater before an earthquake  strikes. Both in China and Italy toads have been recorded leaving their ponds days before earthquakes have hit. Scientists have suggested that the recording of animal behaviour could be added to other techniques that attempt to predict earthquakes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/15945014

Latin American Poverty at Lowest Level in 20 Years

The UN have said that Latin American Poverty has fallen from 48.4% to 31.4% over the last 20 years. The biggest drops in poverty was seen in South American countries like Peru and Argentina. The only countries to experience increases are Honduras and Mexico. Despite recent successes Latin America still faces many challenges like rising food prices, water security, crime and income inequality.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15957422