Environmental news from around the world
By Jordan Penner
AMAZON DEFORESTATION INCREASES SHARPLY
After three years of decline, the deforestation rate of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil sharply increased this last year. Although Brazilian government officials had hailed a victory for Brazil in its fight to stop deforestation, satellite images gave away the lie. The deforestation of the Brazilian rainforest has occurred mostly to create soy and cattle plantations. Greenpeace activists say the rate of deforestation in Brazil depends more on the market for soy and meat than any governmental restrictions.
BUSINESS LEADERS DISCUSS PROFITABLE GREEN TECHNOLOGY
Business leaders gathered at a lush, privately owned island resort in the Caribbean to talk about business and investment plans with a focus on environmental friendliness. Environmental considerations are quickly becoming a greater part of business plans as a result of consumer pressure and rising oil prices. Representatives from firms such as JP Morgan Chase, Google, and Wikipedia focused on the profitability of green technology. While in the past the dreams of slick, environmentally friendly technology rapidly taking over old forms polluting technology have not come to fruition, these business leaders were hopeful because of the new economic climate. Rising oil prices and the concern over global warming are making green technology profitable. Those assembled on the island discussed how to save the world and get rich doing it.
OIL BOOM CAUSES ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN SUDAN
The oil boom has brought wealth and invigorated construction to Khartoum, the capital city of the Sudan. War crimes in Darfur have had little effect on the growth of the oil business in Sudan. The fast pace of construction has left little room for thinking about environment and health concerns in Khartoum and the rest of the Sudan. Khartoum has almost no sewage system and construction has contaminated water with harmful toxins. The ministry of the environment in Sudan began in 1995 and is still struggling to create a comprehensive plan that would guide new construction and restrict the use of hazardous materials. Despite legislation on responsible construction, many projects are not being monitored. Many worry that the unrestricted construction will have negative health and environmental consequences for generations to come.
UNITED NATIONS CELEBRATES WORLD WATER DAY
Recently the UN remembered the millions of people who die ever year as a result of contaminated water. Continued population growth and global warming will only stretch the worlds water resources more thin. More than that, International Alert has identified 47 countries where global warming will negatively affect the water supply and increase the risk for violent conflict.
OLYMPICS RAISE QUESTIONS OVER CHINA’S ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Environmental degradation has become China’s greatest long term challenge. As China prepares for the Olympics, that long term challenge has produced immediate embarrassment. The favorite to win the marathon in Beijing has dropped out and entered into the 10,000 meter race, for fear that intense smog will severely impair his performance. Some athletes will even be staying in Japan and South Korea to escape the smog.