Category: Environment & Climate

All sectors of modern society can have impacts from environment and climate changes. There are two “groups” of waste and pollution, those with general impacts on the environment and quality of life, and the other group with specific impacts on climate and weather through the so-called global warming. However, there can be some overlapping between these two groups and induced effects therein. Achieving sustainable socio-economic developments depends on keeping good records and information on how our environment and climate are changing in terms of space and time. Air, water and ecological qualities are very much related to the consumption pattern of our common natural resources on the earth, also how we deal with our waste from household, agriculture and industries. Furthermore, waste and pollution can exist in different forms (gas, liquid and solid), originate from various sources and follow different paths of dispersion, and ultimately have different fates. Upon dispersion in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, ecosphere and in aquatic systems, pollution continues to interact with the biotic and abiotic components of the environment. Such interactions introduce degradation in climate, weather and the environment. Greenhouse gases, primarily from fossil fuel burning, cause global warming. Other types of pollution, e.g. heavy metals, toxic chemicals, acidic gases, agricultural and industrial waste, cause degradation of life quality and other damaging effects on the environment, water and ecological systems. Because of the existing and emerging competition on natural resources, and the diverse consumption pattern by stakeholders and industries, there are constant needs for developing treaties, conventions, regulations and agreements on all levels and sectors to protect the climate and environment and to promote sustainable socio-economic developments.

Emerging voices: International Water Law for Preventing Conflict on the Nile

Without access to water resources no country on the earth can survive and provide its population with the basic needs for life and development. Sovereignty of nations or populations over geographically existing natural resources in their territories did not exist duing the era of colonialism, phrases such as “equitable rights” were not recognized by colonialism who held control over the global natural resources through military power. Our understanding of equitable rights for sharing transboundary water resources, by being common natural resources, has emerged through centures and intensified in the past decades with the complete transformation of the world form colonialism to sovereign nations.

Emerging Voices: International Water Law – Preventing Conflict on the Nile

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BBC Natural World – Victoria Falls. The Smoke that Thunders.

Wildlife documentary. A tale of life on the Zambezi River, set against the epic backdrop of Victoria Falls. The story is told from the point of view of a local fisherman, Mr White, who has fished these waters for 69 years, and whose riverside companions are elephants, baboons, hippos and kingfishers. Follow the fortunes of these animals through his eyes, and learn how their lives are ruled by the moods of the river and the rains.
Buy “Ondiek” on

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Africa Climate Conference 2013,15-18 October – Arusha, Tanzania

Africa is the continent most vulnerable to current climate variability and extremes and the one most likely to suffer adverse effects of climate change. Adaptation policies and actions will be most effective if based on the best possible knowledge concerning current and future climate. Policymakers need access to the best available science to effectively respond to local, national and regional challenges. Scientists need, also, feedback from policy makers and other users of scientific data and information to develop their research priorities and to respond to stakeholder needs.

http://www.climdev-africa.org/acc2013

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IKEA enters cooperation with Hanergy

IKEA, world famous for its economic and practical furniture and household products, has introduced solar panels among its furniture and household products. Through cooperation with the Hong Kong Chinese based Hanergy, IKEA will be actively engaged in the ongoing global transformation to the sustainable use and production of renewable energy sources.

http://www.4-traders.com/news/IKEA-to-sell-solar-panels-from-all-UK-stores–17306513/

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The Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations in Africa.

The eight millennium development goals of the United Nations in Africa for 2015 involve help that can be of great value for building sustainable public services and public infrastructures for counteracting poverty, improve health, education, environment, gender conditions as well as global partnership developments. Public services and public infrastructures are essential underlaying components for any sustainable socio-economic developments in modern societies. Management of public service and infrastructures on large-scale and long-term bases is IMPERATIVE for political stability and they are typically funded through taxation and governmental resources. Further information on the UN Millennium Development Goals in Africa are given at:
http://www.undp.org/content/sierraleone/en/home/mdgoverview/

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