A teenager has been arrested for stealing virtual furniture in a virtual hotel in a virtual world (Habbo). The furniture was paid for with real money, however. This is another step in the realisation of virtual reality. Earlier this year we heard of a real world intellectual property litigation over virtual businesses in a virtual …
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Category:5 Environment
California sues the US Federal government for failing to regulate vehicle emissions
California has followed due process and now filed suit against the US Federal government’s failure to endorse California emission laws. In April, the US Supreme Court had ruled that the EPA, which had challenged the California law, was wrong to say that it did not have the power to regulate exhaust gases from new cars …
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Food prices rising – eat less meat.
The natural constraints of land are beginning to be felt, as this slide show illustrates. Meat consumption is rising. Meat demands 5-10x more land per calorie. Arable land is shrinking. More people are eating more. The solution: eat less and eat less meat.
Lovelock projects a frightening future, soon
James Lovelock discussed his concerns about the impending consequences of global warming at the Royal Society lecture, “Climate change on the living Earth“. He notes that although the scientific language of the IPCC report is “properly cautious”, it gives the impression that the worst consequences of climate change are avoidable if we take action now. …
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GM in Europe is small but growing dangerously fast
The area planted with genetically modified crops in Europe grew by 77% since last year. The only genetically modified crop grown widely in Europe is maize resistant to the corn borer, a moth larva which eats the stem, and it is cultivated for animal feed, not for human consumption. Last year 1,000 sq km of …
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The ozone hole seems under control, after 20 years of regulation
The ozone hole peaks in September. While it was not the largest it has been it remains above average. The linked article discusses the science behind the destruction of this protective layer of earth’s upper atmosphere. Scientists don’t expect the hole to significantly shrink for about another decade because of the long lifetimes (40-100 years) …
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Drought where it shouldn’t be
It’s not just California that is feeling the heat. The US south east is experiencing extreme lack of rain that normally occurs once or twice a century. During October, adding to calls for limiting water use, Georgia’s governor sued to stop teh Army draining water for use in Alabama and Florida. If the drought continues, …
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More species extinction, especially primates (- that means your cousins)
Following the recent publication of the IUCN red list, research compiled by a team of 60 experts is being presented at the International Primatological Society. Almost a third of the world’s primates are in danger of extinction because of destruction of their habitats. The report says many apes, monkeys and other primates are being driven …
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Heroes of the Environment
Under the byline of A Sense of Urgency, TIME’s annual celebration of heroes spotlights the most innovative and influential protectors of the planet. Congratulations. You may not agree with all their picks, but its a great roll-call of people who have changed systems to save the planet. See them all here. Examples of those feted …
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Global Environment Outlook 2007 – getting worse
The fourth Global Environment Outlook launched on 25 October provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the state of the environment. GEO-4 addresses the key challenges facing our planet, highlights emerging environmental issues that require policy attention and makes recommendations for decision-makers to act. It is a benchmark reference for challenges humanity faces today. The …
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