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Scientists Discover New Trigger for Immense North Atlantic Plankton Bloom

The newly discovered mechanism triggering the blooming of countless microscopic plant plankton, or phytoplankton, in the North Atlantic helps explain the timing of the spring and summer bloom, known to mariners and fishers for centuries and clearly visible in satellite images. 

 


New Countries Phase-In Efficient Lighting to Yield Major Economic and Climate Benefits

A total of five percent of global electricity consumption could be saved every year through a transition to efficient lighting, resulting in annual worldwide savings of over US$ 110 billion. These are among the main findings of 150 country lighting assessments and a new global policy map on efficient lighting.  An en.lighten press conference at Rio +20 highlighted the planned phase-out of inefficient lighting which is designed to deliver major economic and climate benefits by 2016.

 

 


Denmark Success With Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Commended by The International Energy Agency (IEA)

Denmark is a leader in implementing well-designed policies for renewable energy, energy efficiency and global climate change, according to a review of Danish energy policies published on 21 February 2012 by the International Energy Agency (IEA). 


Denmark Announces Energy Consumption Down By 2.4% in Third Quarter 2011

Lower energy consumption for the first nine months of 2011 was reported on 16 February 2012 by the Danish Energy Agency.

 


Time of Year Important in Projections of Climate Change Effects on Ecosystems

 

Results of study on prairie grasslands show differences across the months. Does it matter whether long periods of hot weather, such as last year's heat wave that gripped the U.S. Midwest, happen in June or July, August or September?  Scientists studying the subtle effects of heat waves and droughts say that when such weather events happen makes a big difference.

 


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Issues First National Standards for Mercury Pollution from Power Plants

Historic ‘mercury and air toxics standards’ meet 20-year old requirement to cut dangerous smokestack emissions: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, sele nium, and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely available, proven pollution controls that are already in use at more than half of the nation’s coal-fired power plants.


Water and Sanitation Related Diseases and the Environment: Challenges, Interventions and Preventive Measures

The drought and famine once again blighting the Horn of Africa brings with it an unwelcome reminder that for all of mankind’s achievements we are yet to eradicate the scourge of poverty or to provide clean water, sanitation or basic health care for the world’s most desperate people.


At World Water Week UN-HABITAT Calls for Planning for Sustainable Urban Futures

Providing basic facilities, including water and sanitation, but also transport and housing, in increasingly condensed urban areas will be one of the major challenges facing the world in the coming years


Close to One Million Water Filters Delivered to Rural Kenyans in Lifestraw Carbon For Water Program

Nearly 900,000 LifeStraw® Family water filters will be installed in almost all households in the Western Province of Kenya thanks to a program which began on 26 April 2011.


United Nations (UN) Launches Decade-Long Efforts to Tackle Desertification

The United Nations is launching the Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (2010-2020) today, 16 August 2010 , a 10-year long effort to raise awareness and action to improve the protection and management of the world's drylands.


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