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Establishing a key link between the solar cycle and global climate, research led by scientists at the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colo., shows that maximum solar activity and its aftermath have impacts on Earth that resemble La Niña and El Niño events in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

Taken by Hinode's Solar Optical Telescope on January 12, 2007, this image of the Sun reveals the filamentary nature of the plasma connecting regions of different magnetic polarity.

University of Chicago researchers recently showed that dry granular materials such as sands, seeds and grains have properties similar to liquid, forming water-like droplets when poured from a given source.

In a first-time accomplishment, physicists from the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at the University of Chicago used high-speed photography to measure minute levels of surface tension and detect droplet formation in flows of dry granular materials.

Investing in Carbon Capture and Storage Nature’s Way:  Boosting investments in the conservation, rehabilitation and management of the Earth’s forests, peatlands, soils and other key ecosystems could deliver significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and avoid even more being released to the atmosphere, a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says.

Mangrove trees, "Globally, mangroves may be accumulating around 0.038 Gt of carbon per year, which, when taking their area of coverage into account, suggests that they sequester carbon faster than terrestrial forests." Photo from Horizon International video showing life among mangrove tree roots in Bonaire.

An innovative UN, public-private partnership is launched the “Weather Info for All” initiative to improve Africa’s weather monitoring network in the face of the growing impact of climate change.

The World Weather InformThe World Weather Information Service (WWIS) website operated by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) on behalf of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) which won the prestigious Stockholm Challenge Award 2008 in the Environment category.

An innovative UN, public-private partnership is launched the “Weather Info for All&rdqu

A virtual observatory for the unprecedented study and monitoring of life in an integrative way is under construction by some 400 biology and technology experts from 50 countries.

 

The United Nations Environment Programme announced a landmark agreement reached by over 30 African ministers mainstream climate change adaptation measures into national and regional development plans, policies and strategies on May 29, 2009.

In the realm of the possible for Africa: Solucar PS10 is the first solar thermal power plant based on a tower design in the world that generates electricity commercially. It concentrates sunlight from a field of heliostats on a central tower. It is located in Sanlúcar la Mayor near Seville, Spain.

The Green Star Awards honour individuals, organizations and Governments who demonstrate outstanding dedication to preventing, preparing for, and responding to the environmental impacts of man-made and natural disasters.

 

A team of atmospheric chemists has moved closer to what's considered the "holy grail" of climate change science: the first-ever direct detections of biological particles within ice clouds.

 

"Biomixing" by floating animals churns waters in oceans, seas, lakes: Through this process, jellyfish and other zooplankton--where they're abundant, as they are in Jellyfish Lake--may in some way affect Earth's climate.

A view of Jellyfish Lake, with golden jellyfish following the sun across a wind-rippled surface.

Village communities in western Kenya, alongside ones in Niger, Nigeria and China, could become the key to unlocking the multi-billion dollar carbon markets for millions of farmers, foresters and conservationists across the developing world.

Topography of Lake Victoria.

Nine persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were listed today under the Stockholm Convention. Over 160 Governments have just concluded a one-week conference with practical decisions that will strengthen a global effort to eradicate some of the most toxic chemicals known to humankind.

Nine persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were listed today under the Stockholm Convention. Over 160 Governments have just concluded a one-week conference with practical decisions that will strengthen a global effort to eradicate some of the most toxic chemicals known to humankind.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) marked a historic week for the Stockholm Convention. For the first time, the Convention was amended to include nine new chemicals. Many of these are still widely used today as pesticides, flame retardants and in a number of other commercial uses.

 

Countries move toward more sustainable ways to roll back malaria ahead of Millennium Development Goals during the 4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UNEP-Linked Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva, Switzerland.

Countries move toward more sustainable ways to roll back malaria ahead of Millennium Development Goals during the 4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UNEP-Linked Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Scientists who have just returned from an expedition to an erupting undersea volcano near the Island of Guam report that the volcano appears to be continuously active, has grown considerably in size during the past three years, and its activity supports a unique biological community thriving despite the eruptions.

Degassing lava erupts onto the seafloor at NW Rota-1 volcano, creating a billowing cloudy plume that is extremely acidic, and is full of carbon dioxide and sulfur. (photo credit: copyright Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

 

The Maldives, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has joined a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiative which promotes the global transition to low-carbon economies and societies.

An island in the Maldives. Photo Wikipedia.

The Maldives, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has joined a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiative which promotes the global transition to low-carbon economies and societies.

 

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals) is a European Union Regulation of 18 December 2006 that addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment.

REACH-EN-FORCE-1, a joint REACH enforcement project, has started across Europe.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals) is a European Union Regulation of 18 December 2006 that addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment.

This year's winners are: Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solheim; tropical forest and climate campaigner Kevin Conrad; photographic and public awareness pioneer Yann Arthus-Bertrand; wind power entrepreneur Tulsi Tanti; biomimicry specialist Janine Benyus; recycling innovator Ron Gonen; and the youth-empowering Ethiopian organization Tena Kebena.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand in 2006 at the exhibition "Earth from the Air" in Rouen, France. Photo Wikipedia

 

NOAA on April 6, 2009  announced interim fishing measures that protect the Northeast groundfish stocks most in trouble, while still allowing the fishing industry to target some healthy stocks as the fishery rebuilds.

Groundfish boat. .Photo: NOAA

NOAA on April 6, 2009  announced interim fishing measures that protect the Northeast groundfish stocks most in trouble, while still allowing the fishing industry to target some healthy stocks as the fishery rebuilds.

The Billion Tree Campaign, spearheaded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), was unveiled in 2006 as one response to the threat of global warming, as well as to the wider sustainability challenges from water supplies to biodiversity loss. 

 

Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai with President Barack Obama when he was US Senator Obama.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Environment Programme in a UNEP World Water Day Message for March 22, 2009 says investing in the world's freshwaters could be one of the keys to aiding global economic recovery.

 

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