Satellite data show Amazon deforestation rising under Brazil's Bolsonaro
Deforestation of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil sped up in May to the fastest rate in a decade, according to data from an early-warning satellite system, as experts pointed to activity by illegal loggers encouraged by the easing of environmental protections under President ...
Brazil reduces top environment council and trims independents in move seen stifling NGOs
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is slashing the size of a council that oversees environmental policy, effectively reducing the role of nongovernmental organizations and increasing that of political appointees. Activists and scientists said they feared Bolsonaro's action could lead to more deforestation and less environmental oversight ...
Damage to Japan's farm sector from natural disasters and extreme weather topped ¥560 billion in 2018
The cost of damage to the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries from abnormal weather and natural disasters including typhoons and torrential rain stood at ¥567.9 billion in 2018, a government white paper said Tuesday. The total also included damage caused by a powerful earthquake in ...
Stopping soil erosion is a matter of urgency, otherwise starvation will follow, scientists warn
The world's food production is in jeopardy because the fertile layer of soil that people depend on to plant crops is being eroded by human activities, scientists said Wednesday. Climate change is likely to make it worse even as demand from a growing population is ...
Ex-ministers blast Jair Bolsonaro for dismantling Brazil's environmental protections
Eight former Brazilian environment ministers blasted new right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and his administration in a letter on Wednesday, saying it is dismantling the country's environmental protections. The former officials criticized the government's decision to strip the environment ministry's authority over forestry and water agency ...
Humanity is squandering the natural capital that has allowed society to thrive, and driving a million plant and animal species to the brink of extinction in the process, the U.N.'s first comprehensive report on biodiversity warned Monday. Relentless plundering and poisoning of water, wildlife, air, ...
Last year humanity destroyed an expanse of tropical forest nearly the size of England, the fourth-largest decline since global satellite data become available in 2001, researchers reported Thursday. The pace of the loss is staggering — the equivalent of 30 football fields disappearing every minute ...
As sea waters slowly rose around his temple and his neighbors fled inland, Thai abbot Somnuek Atipanyo refused to budge and is today a symbol of the fight to restore the country's fast-eroding coastlines. A dangerous combination of climate change, industrial farming and rapid urbanization ...
Brazil to privatize some of its most famous national parks starting this year
Brazil aims to begin privatizing the management of its national parks this year, including some of its most famous natural tourist sites, the country's Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said on Wednesday. The government aims to privatize as many as possible, he said. Salles listed Foz do ...
Pakistan to lodge 'eco-terrorism' complaint against India over damage to trees from airstrikes
Pakistan plans to lodge a complaint of "eco-terrorism" against India after airstrikes in Pakistani territory damaged dozens of trees, its climate change minister said on Friday. "Eco-terrorism is exactly what happened," Malik Amin Aslam said, adding that environmental assessments were underway. "We will explore all appropriate ...
India's top court orders eviction of more than 1 million forest dwellers
India's Supreme Court has ordered the eviction of more than 1 million indigenous people and others who live in forests after the federal government failed to defend a law aimed at protecting their rights. The top court's order, dated Feb. 13 and delivered in written ...
Tasmania's ancient rainforest and alpine flora species face an uncertain future, scientists have warned, after out-of-control bush fires consumed vast tracts of wild bush land. As authorities downgraded emergency warnings Friday, with wetter weather — and even some snow — bringing respite from more than ...
