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Environmental Issues and News
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 Updated At 10:01:57 GMT
Green light for jumpi
How jumping spiders hunt successfully. New research shows that green lig
Talking water at Davo
Water is becoming an increasingly important topic at the World Economic
Satellite mapping cou
By using sophisticated satellite mapping, the decline in coral reefs can
Frack the Earth, Frac
Michelle Simon writes an opinion piece on hydraulic fracturing (fracking
Green Blogs
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 Updated At 05:45:01 GMT
Green Opinions
US elections and the environment - does it matter?Green Opinions >> Does the environment matter in the US presidential race?
Green Living Blog
The unique pachyderm living on the giant island of Sumatra has halved in population since 1985. Some of the eight provinces have no elephants left, through conflict, capture and killing. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has today come out declaring the urgent need for Indonesian action.Green Living >> Sumatran elephant extinction looms large on the horizon
Ecotourism Blog
Yr Hen Stablau is an energy-efficient holiday cottage near Machynlleth and the Centre for Alternative Technology, Mid Wales.Ecotourism >> Yr Hen Stablau, the energy-efficient holiday cottage
Eco-Friendly Gadgets Blog
An innovative ecoATM recycling kiosk (eCycling station) that pays cash or credits for used or unwanted mobile phones, MP3 players and other gadgets, was recently unveiled at a top consumer electronics show.Eco-Friendly Gadgets >> ecoATM recycling kiosks for those unwanted gadgets
Eco-Friendly Fashion Blog
Jewelry designer Jes MaHarry has pretty much made the job for potential engagement ring hunters easy offering unique, one of a kind and eco-friendly designs.Eco-Friendly Fashion >> Eco-friendly engagement rings and jewelry by Jes MaHarry
Encyclopaedia of Environmental Issues
The Earth Times aims to provide you with current environmental news coverage and green blogs to give you the background information needed to better understand what can sometimes be enormously complicated and controversial environmental issues.
Our encyclopaedia or guide to environmental issues and to some extent environmental concerns, is a relatively new addition to the site that we hope will give you the knowledge to understand these global environmental issues in the rapidly changing world around you.
Written to be understandable, without the need to hold a degree in climate change science on the effects of global warming, biology or ecology, The Earth Times Encyclopaedia tries to make sense of these environmental problems, conservation topics and environmental issues that more and more people are becoming engaged and familiar with as they try to make a difference to our planet.
From untangling climate change to helping you find an environmental organization you can be happy supporting we do hope you find The Earth Times Encyclopaedia on environmental issues a useful resource to highlight environmental sustainability for a greener life.
We will be constantly adding to the contents of the encyclopaedia and hope it will complement our environment news when covering any issue relating to nature and the environment. If you do have any suggestions on environment related topics you would like to see added, we would love to hear from you.
The Earth Times - Serving the Planet.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity can be defined as a measure of the comparative diversity among organisms present in a particular ecosystem, biome or planet. However, biodiversity can also be described as the quantity of an environment’s species, genes and ecosystems.Biodiversity >>
Climate Change Issues
There are various issues involved in the long-term change in the distribution of weather patterns that is known as climate change. These include man made climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, ozone depletion, efficient energy use, fossil fuels and their phase-out in favour of renewable energy sources.Climate Change Issues >>
Conservation Issues
The conservation movement aims to protect natural resources such as animal and plant species and their habitats. Conservation is a fairly broad term and can be almost interchangeable with the idea of environmentalism or the environmental movement as a whole - it is safe to assume that all environmentalists want to conserve the natural environment. Conservation Issues >>
Coral Reefs
Underwater coral reefs are created when corals, which are colonies of tiny living animals, secrete calcium carbonate. Despite being found in waters that provide hardly any nutrients, coral reefs are among the world’s most diverse, albeit fragile ecosystems, being particularly sensitive to water temperature. Coral Reefs >>
Desertification
Desertification is the process by which habitable and fertile land turns into desert. Desertification can occur as a result of both destructive use of the land by humans and variations in climate, with possible causes including drought, deforestation and overgrazing. Desertification >>
Ecosystems
An ecosystem is an integrated biological environment that consists of all of the species that live in a particular habitat. It also includes the non-living, physical components and processes of that environment that the organisms are affected by and interact with, including air, sunlight, soil and water. Ecosystems >>
Endangered Species
An endangered species is one that is at risk of extinction. This could be due to insufficient numbers of that species remaining in order to reproduce enough offspring to ensure its survival, while changing predation or environmental parameters can also pose a threat to particular organisms. Endangered Species >>
Energy Issues
Issues exist regarding the generation and use of energy, including the environmental impact of energy sources such as fossil fuels, nuclear power, wind power, solar power and biomass. Related major energy issues include national energy policies, reliance on foreign energy sources and poorer countries’ energy needs. Energy Issues >>
Environmental Business
There are various environmental issues that are pertinent to businesses. These include energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, planning for the impacts of climate change, environmental permitting, the threat to businesses and their critical infrastructure from rising sea levels and flooding and water regulations. Environmental Business >>
Environmental Health
Environmental health is an area of public health that concerns the health effects on humans of aspects of the natural and built environment. Issues in environmental health include indoor and outdoor air quality, food safety, noise pollution control, safe drinking water and housing. Environmental Health >>
Environmental Organisations
Environmental organisations aim to analyse, monitor or protect the environment in case of its degradation or misuse, or to lobby on environmental issues. Environmental organisations can be charities, trusts, governmental or non-governmental, and may operate on a local, regional, national or global basis. Environmental Organisations >>
Environmental Disasters
Environmental disasters are disasters caused to the natural environment by human activity. Environmental disasters caused by industrial activity, agriculture, pollution or the depletion of natural resources can have a significant impact on a region’s biodiversity, agriculture and economy, often leading to the deaths of animals and plants. Environmental Disasters >>
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of catching or attempting to catch fish. The long-term sustainability of present levels of fishing has been questioned in recent years due to issues like overfishing, bycatch, fishing discards due to Government quotas and guidelines, climate change, marine pollution and fish farming. Fishing >>
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering involves the deliberate and somewhat unnatural manipulation by humans of an organism’s genetic structure. This modification results in changes in the affected organism’s characteristics, with one of the most controversial and best-known applications of genetic engineering being genetically modified food. Genetic Engineering >>
Sustainable Transport
Sustainable transport or ‘green transport’ can be defined as a method of transport that has a low environmental impact. Obvious examples of sustainable transport include walking and cycling. Other sustainable transportation methods are green vehicles such as hybrid or electric cars, car pooling or sharing, transit oriented development and systems for urban transport that combine fuel-efficiency, space-saving and the encouragement of healthy lifestyles.Sustainable Transport >>
Habitat Loss & Degradation
Habitat loss and degradation involve a natural habitat being rendered functionally unable to support a present species. This process leads to a reduction in biodiversity due to the tendency for the species for which a given site was a natural habitat to be displaced or destroyed. Habitat Loss & Degradation >>
Mass Extinction
Mass extinction can be defined as a sudden decrease in the total number of species in a comparatively short time period. There have been five mass extinction events in the last 540 million years that involved the deaths of more than half of all animal speciesMass Extinction >>
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are disasters caused by natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides or tornados. Natural disasters involve substantial physical damage, injuries and/or loss of life, and occur when natural hazards meet the vulnerability of the affected population. Natural Disasters >>
Oceans
Oceans are very large bodies of saline water that are principal parts of the hydrosphere. Along with smaller seas, oceans make up the continuous body of water that is known as the World Ocean. See below for our guide to the environmental issues associated with oceans and the marine life who inhabit them.Oceans >>
Pollution
Pollution is the process by which harmful substances or products are introduced into the natural environment. Pollution, which can come in the form of chemical substances or energy such as heat, noise or light, causes disorder and instability to ecosystems. Pollution >>
Nuclear Issues
There are various environmental issues that concern nuclear power. Although nuclear energy provides environmental benefits, for example in the form of zero carbon dioxide emissions and no notable nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxides or particulates, its spent fuel is radioactive and can still cause environmental damage. Nuclear Issues >>
Recycling
Recycling can be defined as making used or waste materials suitable for reuse by processing them into new products. Compared to virgin production, recycling allows for a reduction in energy usage, air pollution, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling >>
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is energy that is derived from naturally replenished, or renewable, natural resources such as wind, rain, ocean tides or sunlight. Sources of renewable energy, which is also referred to as soft energy, include both traditional and new renewables such as geothermal, modern biomass and biofuels. Renewable Energy >>
Rainforests
Rainforests are defined as forests that experience heavy annual rainfall. Rainforests are referred to as such if they receive a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm (68-78 inches), and are generally found close to the sea or in the mountainous regions that receive the most rain. Rainforests >>
Waste Issues
There are various issues associated with the management of waste, including in its processing, collection, transport, disposal, recycling and monitoring. Major waste issues include rubbish collections, the use of plastic carrier bags, the amount of waste sent to landfill, electronic or e-waste and the management of hazardous or toxic waste. Waste Issues >>
Extreme Weather
Extreme weather is the term used to describe historically extreme weather conditions. It is often unseasonal, and can come in such forms as heat waves, cold waves, floods, wildfires, cyclones or tornadoes, with a given event being determined as extreme on the basis of its climatological distribution.Extreme Weather >>
Food & Water Security
Food and water security can be defined as the availability to a population of a sufficient quantity and quality of nutritious food and potable water. To be food-secure and water-secure means living neither in hunger or thirst, nor in fear of starvation or severe dehydration.Food & Water Security >>
- Business News
UK's high carbon investment risk questioned ...
A group of leading environmentalists, investors and academics has called on the Bank of England to investigate whether high carbon and polluting investments pose a risk to the UK financial system.
Read the full Story >>
- Climate News
Release of the first UK government report on Climate Change ...
The UK CCRA (Climate Change Risk Assessment) has released the first UK focused report on the effects of climate change upon the UK climate and the UK economy.
Read the full Story >>
- Conservation News
Rare brown spider monkeys discovered in Colombia ...
Two endangered subspecies of brown spider monkeys have been found by conservationists in a Colombian national park.
Read the full Story >>
- Energy News
Searaser converts ocean wave power into clean renewable energy ...
Ecotricity has introduced green gas and many other clean energy innovations. Searaser, invented by Alvin Smith and manufactured by Ecotricity, converts ocean wave power into clean renewable energy and harnesses the power of the ocean.
Read the full Story >>
- Health News
The price of asthma associated with traffic-related air pollution ...
New research warns that the economic costs of asthma caused by traffic pollution are higher than previously thought.
Read the full Story >>
- Nature News
The Latest Rapid Assessment of New Species (from Suriname) ...
The latest rapid assessment of new species from Suriname has struck gold in the form of wonderful new species and many numerous specimens of otherwise rare creatures and plants.
Read the full Story >>
- Politics News
Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline ...
Obama rejected the proposal for the Keystone XL pipeline after months of pressure from citizens concerned about environmental and social justice.
Read the full Story >>
- Pollution News
Deepwater damage limited by bacteria and 'geography of the Gulf' ...
Gulf geography helped bacteria to breakdown harmful compounds leaking from the site of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and quantity estimates have been confirmed.
Read the full Story >>
- SciTech News
Ubehebe holds fire (in Death Valley) ...
Scientists had believed that California's 600 feet deep Ubehebe Crater was an ancient volcanic creation. Forget that! Only 800 years ago, in 1300 AD, all hell reigned in Death Valley.
Read the full Story >>
- Going Green News
Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight ...
Continuing global threats from climate change, nuclear weapons and wars have caused atomic scientists to move the hands of the Doomesday Clock to five minutes before midnight.
Read the full Story >>
Facebook and Greenpeace firm friends in promoting clean energy
Social website Facebook and eco-charity Greenpeace have come together to promote ways of saving energy and generating clean energy, ending a two-year lobbying campaign by 700,000 Greenpeace 'friends.'
Previous Business environmental news headlines:
Remember, remember those snows in December
New research provides insight into the last two decades' weather. Global warming is producing warmer autumns that cause colder winters.
Previous Climate environmental news headlines:
Restored wetlands can take a century to regenerate
Restored wetlands rarely reach the quality of the originals they replace and can take 100 years or more to recover its rich variety of plant life, a new study claims.
Previous Conservation environmental news headlines:
Seaweed farms may provide a sustainable biofuel of the future
Seaweed could replace oil and coal as a sustainable biofuel of the future, after scientists engineered a microbe that extracts sugars from seaweed (brown macroalgae) and converts it into alternative green energy.
Previous Energy environmental news headlines:
Hope that psilocybin may help treat depression
There is hope that an active ingredient found in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, could be used to help with the treatment of depression. Two scientific studies published this week show how activity in certain parts of the brain is subdued by the ingredient found in magic mushrooms, psilocybin.
Previous Health environmental news headlines:
Earthquake damage report for 2011 published by CATDAT
An annual report on the cost and damage earthquakes and volcanoes caused in 2011 has been published. 2011 was to date the most damaging year on record for economic losses associated with these natural disasters.
Previous Nature environmental news headlines:
Climate change and the USA
An overview of climate change and the USA in 2011. The EPA and Congress fought bitterly in 2011 to ensure the government did/did not pass carbon permitting policy.
Previous Politics environmental news headlines:
Mercury caused mass extinctions, say scientists
For the first time, scientists say that huge levels of mercury from volcanic eruptions may have caused most of life on earth to be wiped out 250 million years ago.
Previous Pollution environmental news headlines:
Gregarious Cambrians (Siphusauctum gregarium) discovered
Large colonies of gregarious tulip creatures (Siphusauctum gregarium) from 500 million years ago have been discovered near the town of Field in Mount Stephen's Burgess Shale.
Previous SciTech environmental news headlines:
Green policies are not to blame for your heating bills
A report from the Committee on Climate Change shows that gas prices are the main factor in heating bill increases, rather than environmental policies.
