ISSN 1993-8616
2009 - number 10
Climate change: where are we going?
© Victor Zastol'skiy
The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) now taking place in Copenhagen (Denmark) is deciding the fate of the planet. Everyone agrees on the substance: only a concerted global effort can meet the climate challenge. But when it comes to form, opinions diverge. Read the editorial
We must respond to climate change today
The climate is changing — faster than ever. Since the beginning of time, Earth’s climate has been changing. From warm periods to cold, life has had to adapt and evolve. But now human activities are having an effect on the dynamics of the planet itself. And most alarmingly the pace of change has dramatically altered, threatening to push many plant and animal species towards extinction. More
Double or quits on climate in Denmark
The European Commissioner on Climate, Connie Hedegaard, firmly believes that the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP 15) must conclude with an agreement on reductions to predicted 2020 levels of carbon dioxide emissions. Even if the outcome is not a legally binding agreement, the future of the planet hangs in the balance of this conference. More
Building an effective and just climate agreement
As industrialized countries are responsible for 70% of the tons of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere since the start of the industrial revolution, they have incurred a debt that must be repaid, according to Indian environmentalist Sunita Narain. This would help emerging countries to develop without harm to the environment. More
Record-breaking China
China, along with the United States, is the world’s largest producer of CO2. According to Pan Jiuha, member of China’s delegation to the UN Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen, his country is not ready to commit to an emission reduction number. Nonetheless, China is ready to reduce greatly its 'carbon intensity' and is beginning to break records in energy efficiency. More
Kenya: burning sun and dusty soil
Severe droughts have left Kenya and the rest of East Africa in short supply of water and food. For the purpose of this article, climate expert Dr. Dominic Walubengo took us on a road trip to the heart of Maasai country to demonstrate how climate change is affecting the rural population of Kenya. More
Adios to the snowy heights
The retreat of glaciers in the Andes region is a clear indicator of climate change. Vulnerable tropical glaciers now melt away at a much faster rate than anticipated by scientists a few years ago. Combined with changing precipitation patterns, this leaves millions of people exposed to an unstable and insufficient water supply for drinking water, irrigation and hydropower. More