Category Archives: Environment

05Sep/23

Africa Climate Summit: “opportunity” awaits

September 5, 2023EnvironmentAppolinaire Djikeng, Bhutan, Climate change controversies, Dorji Dhradhul, Dubai, Environment, Graaff-Reinet, Kenya, Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi, Mohamed Adow, Mwangi, NAIROBI, New York, Panama, Roli Srivastava, Simon Stiell, Soipan Tuya, South Africa, Suriname, Thomson Reuters Foundation, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Climate Change Conference, United States, US Dollar, William Rutoadmin

By Alister Doyle | Climate Correspondent

The Africa Climate Summit (ACS) is hearing a lot about “opportunities” for combating climate change on the continent that has done least to cause warming yet is most vulnerable to its harmful impacts.

The September 4-6 summit in Nairobi is a striking shift for African governments, who have berated rich nations for failing to meet a promise to mobilise $100 billion a year in climate finance by 2020. That year, it totalled just $83 billion. Continue reading →

05Sep/23

COP28 Presidency Announces US$4.5 Billion UAE Finance Initiative to Unlock Africa’s Clean Energy Potential

September 5, 2023EnvironmentClimate change controversies, Environment, Kenya, NAIROBI, Sultan Al Jaber, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Climate Change Conferenceadmin

The COP28 President-Designate, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, announced today a UAE finance initiative that will provide US$4.5 billion to help unlock Africa’s clean energy potential. The announcement was made during a keynote address at the inaugural African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Continue reading

04Sep/23

Kia partner, The Ocean Cleanup, delivers record 55-ton ocean plastic haul

September 4, 2023EnvironmentWater polo at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, Water polo at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's tournamentadmin

Kia plans to use recycled plastic from a 55-ton haul recently reclaimed from the Pacific Ocean in its new EV models. The record-breaking amount of plastic reclaimed by Kia’s global partner, The Ocean Cleanup, marks the next phase in a seven-year global partnership agreed in April 2022 as part of Kia’s transformation into a leading sustainable mobility solutions provider.

18Aug/23

Nuclear Waste Retrieval Begins at UK’s Oldest Waste Store

August 18, 2023EnvironmentBechtel, Hyde Fault, Malay cuisine, Tanisha Scott, United Kingdomadmin

Sellafield engineers, using new equipment designed and installed by a Bechtel-Cavendish Nuclear team, have begun retrieving waste from the UK’s oldest waste storage building. The Pile Fuel Cladding Silo (PFCS) at Sellafield nuclear facility in northwest England is a sealed building with six compartments of radioactive material. It was built in the 1950s to store debris from the UK’s oldest nuclear reactors. This week, a crucial stage was reached when a remotely operated crane reached through one of six shielded access doors and started safely and securely scooping out waste. The milestone is significant in the permanent, safe, and secure disposal of materials, and has Sellafield retrieving waste from all four legacy ponds and silos for the very first time. Continue reading

14Aug/23

Maui wildfires conspiracy theory, is it true?

August 14, 2023EnvironmentEmergency management, Fire prevention, Maui, Pollution, Weather lore, Wildfireadmin

Aug. 14, 2023 /Human Interest/ — There is no evidence to support the conspiracy theory that the Maui wildfires were a deliberate act to drive out locals so that developers can turn it into a paradise for the wealthy. The fires were most likely caused by a combination of factors, including dry conditions, strong winds, and human activity. Continue reading →

12Aug/23

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Announces Elephant Valley, Largest Transformative Project in 50-year History

August 12, 2023EnvironmentEmbedded, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Allianceadmin

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has announced construction is officially underway on the largest and most transformative project in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s 50-year history. The all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will reimagine the heart of the Safari Park, turning the current elephant environment into a dynamic savanna and a place of exploration. Elephant Valley will give guests of all ages the opportunity to connect with elephants like never before, encouraging greater empathy, understanding, and appreciation of this majestic species—and igniting a passion for wildlife. Continue reading

08Aug/23

Nature havoc in a jamboree

August 8, 2023EnvironmentExtreme weather, Heat wave, Scouts BSA, Tropical cyclone, Tropical cyclone warnings and watches, Typhoon Rai, Weather forecasting, Weather hazardsadmin

Aug. 8, 2023 /Environment/ — Scouts can be prepared for nature havoc in a jamboree by following these tips:

Stay informed about the weather forecast: Scouts should always be aware of the weather forecast and be prepared to adjust their plans accordingly. If there is a heat wave or typhoon warning, scouts should make sure to stay hydrated and cool, and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
Be prepared for power outages: Power outages are common during natural disasters, so scouts should pack flashlights, batteries, and other supplies in case they lose power.
Be prepared for flooding: If there is a flood warning, scouts should move to higher ground and avoid wading through floodwaters.
Be prepared for downed trees: If there is a storm, scouts should be prepared for downed trees. They should stay away from downed trees and power lines, and report any downed trees to the authorities.
Be prepared for injuries: Natural disasters can cause injuries, so scouts should pack first aid kits and know how to use them.
Be prepared to evacuate: If there is a mandatory evacuation order, scouts should evacuate immediately. They should pack their belongings and head to a safe location.

Continue reading →

25Jul/23

Women storm climate leadership

July 25, 2023EnvironmentBelgium, Bert Bolin, Brazil, Claudia Ringler, Climate change, Debra Roberts, Hoesung Lee, Indah Lestari, India, Indonesia, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC First Assessment Report, IPCC Third Assessment Report, James Skea, Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Jim Skea, Kanpur, Michael Taylor, Monaco, Moscow, NAIROBI, Roli Srivastava, Russia, Shivraj Nishad, South Africa, Sweden, Thelma Krug, Thomson Reuters Foundation, United Kingdom, United Nations Environment Programme, Vladimir Putin, Women in climate change, World Meteorological Organizationadmin

By Alister Doyle | Climate Correspondent

July 25, 2023 /Environment/ — Since it was set up in 1988, the U.N.’s prestigious panel of climate scientists has been led by men – a Swede, an Anglo-American, an Indian and a South Korean.

That 35-year all-male run may end this week when governments pick a new chair for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at a meeting in Nairobi from July 25-28. Continue reading →

07Jul/23

Why is the mining of Sugilite controversial in Zambia?

July 7, 2023EnvironmentCyclosilicates, Gemstone, Gemstones, Japan, Ken-ichi Sugi, Li, Mining, Russia, Silicate mineral, South Africa, Sugilite, United States, Zambiaadmin

July 7, 2023 /Environment/ — Sugilite is a relatively rare cyclosilicate mineral with a complex chemical formula of KNa₂(Fe, Mn, Al)₂Li₃Si₁₂O₃₀. It is typically found in shades of pink to purple, but can also be colorless, pale pink, or reddish violet. Sugilite crystals are rarely found and the form is usually massive. It has a hexagonal crystal system and a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5.

Sugilite is named after the Japanese petrologist Ken-ichi Sugi (1901-1948). It was first discovered in 1944 in the Iwagi island in the Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Since then, it has also been found in other countries, including South Africa, Russia, and the United States. Continue reading →

30Jun/23

I’m one of the UK’s official climate change advisers – our new report says the country is no longer a world leader

June 30, 2023EnvironmentCarbon neutrality, China, Climate change, Climate Change Committee, Climate change in the United Kingdom, Climate change policy, Creative Commons, Deben, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Glasgow, Greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey, Joe Dunckley, John Gummer, Kevin Shipp, Mission Zero: Independent Review of Net Zero, Piers Forster, SHUTTERSTOCK, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Statesadmin

Piers Forster, University of Leeds

The UK’s Climate Change Committee – the official independent advisory body of which I am interim chair – has spent the past three months poring over thousands of pages of government strategy documents to inform its latest annual progress report to parliament. And our confidence in the UK meeting its climate goals is now markedly less than it was in our previous assessment a year ago. Key opportunities have been missed.

Continue reading →

Category: Environment