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October 2009
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14th October 2009 - Acquatic plants represent a CO2 tank
They cover only 1% of the seabed, but can store approximately 50% of emissions of carbon dioxide: they are the aquatic plants, as marsh and mangroves, the destruction of which, however, came at a rate of 7% per year. This is one of the findings of the report "Blue Carbon: The Role of Binding in Carbon Healthy Oceans", built by Nations Environment Program (UNEP) presented today in Cape Town at the National Marine Month.
According to the report, stemming the destruction of aquatic and marsh plants with appropriate protection policies and allocating funds sequestration of carbon dioxide could be increased by 25%, a share that would help to counteract the damages of climate change. In some parts of Asia, according to experts, approximately 90% of mangrove trees that grow in the estuary of the rivers, has been destroyed from 1940 to present. In many countries, however, policies of reforestation of these plants are being successfully pursued. Examples are Vietnam, mangroves, and Europe and the United States for the marsh plants.
Ansa.it
13th October 2009 - Anticipations from the UNEP Blue Carbon Report
A few days before the presentation of the UNEP Blue Carbon Report fixed for the next 14th October, FAO and UNESCO have anticipated some content to ''emphasize the symbolic date of two months which lack from the UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen which will begin December 7 .'' The report emphasized that ''the oceans, seas and marine ecosystems around the world, such as algae, coral reefs and coastal wetlands absorb every day large quantities of carbon from the atmosphere. They are one of the best (and neglected) natural allies in strategies for combating climate change.'' Unfortunately, these systems capture and storage of carbon are rendered ineffective by human activity that hampers their ability to sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions. The relationship that will provide data and analysis on the potential of capture and storage of CO2 in the marine environment and the impact of ecosystem degradation of the seas and oceans on climate change (and human health), intends to show how markets could begin to fund developing countries to encourage them to implement measures for the capture of CO2 in the environment and the natural services of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The aim of the report is to guide the developed countries, now willing to dispense billions of dollars in Ccs in power plants, to direct them towards Ccs services of natural systems, such as seas and oceans, whose effectiveness has been tested are probably more profitable.
Ansa.it
13th October 2009 - Natural disasters quadrupled in last 20 years
Over the last 20 years natural disasters have quadrupled, from about 129 a year in the mid-eighties, to 500 per year today. This is the alarm raised by WWF in a dossier published ahead of "Stand Up 2009", an initiative which would bring millions of people around the world between 16th and 18th October, so that will rise up same time to remind their governments to keep their commitments to combat climate change.
Because of global warming, says WWF, between 15% and 37% of terrestrial plants and animal species may become extinct by 2050. While in the absence of adequate measures the sea level may rise to a meter by 2100. Dramatic scenarios that, as emphasized by the environmental organization, mainly affects poor countries: if the sea level will continue to rise at its current rate, then surely Bangladesh will pay the worst consequences, with 35 million of displaced people. Between 1990 and 1998, 94% of natural disasters, a total of 568, has hit countries in the developing world. Between 2000 and 2004, however, 262 million people were affected by climate-related disasters. But global warming will also bring thirst: by 2025 1 billion and 800 million people will suffer water shortages, most of them in Asia and Africa.
And if 180 million people suffer from hunger today, some 49 million could be affected by 2020 and, if nothing is done, the number could climb to 600 million by 2080. Global warming, in fact, could cause a collapse of 50% of agricultural production in some poor countries. Moreover, rising temperatures will affect health: Brazil, South Africa and the Horn of Africa, will be affected by infectious diseases absent today, thanks to the temperate climate. According to the dossier of the WWF, an investment of 1% of global GDP each year it is sufficient to stop climate change.
It must explain the environmental organization, "agree on a strong and binding climate regime after 2012" and "to ensure that carbon emissions reach a peak by 2017 before declining very soon after, in order to cut global emissions at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. "
Apcom.it
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