Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis | Environment | The Guardian

Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis Environment The Guardian: "Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75% - far more than previously estimated - according to a confidential World Bank report obtained by the Guardian."

Ethanol's Failed Promise - washingtonpost.com

Lester Brown and Jonathan Lewis - Ethanol's Failed Promise - washingtonpost.com: "The willingness to try, fail and try again is the essence of scientific progress. The same sometimes holds true for public policy. It is in this spirit that today, Earth Day, we call upon Congress to revisit recently enacted federal mandates requiring the diversion of foodstuffs for production of biofuels. These 'food-to-fuel' mandates were meant to move America toward energy independence and mitigate global climate change. But the evidence irrefutably demonstrates that this policy is not delivering on either goal. In fact, it is causing environmental harm and contributing to a growing global food crisis."

In 2020, 1 in 7 People in U.S. May Be Foreign-Born - New York Times

In 2020, 1 in 7 People in U.S. May Be Foreign-Born - New York Times: "If present trends continue, within two decades the proportion of immigrants in the United States will surpass the peak reached more than a century ago, a new analysis concludes."

Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat - New York Times

Biofuels Deemed a Greenhouse Threat - New York Times: "Almost all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the full emissions costs of producing these “green” fuels are taken into account, two studies being published Thursday have concluded."

E.P.A. Says 17 States Can’t Set Emission Rules - New York Times

E.P.A. Says 17 States Can’t Set Emission Rules - New York Times: "WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday denied California and 16 other states the right to set their own standards for carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles."

How Africa's desert sun can bring Europe power | Science | The Observer

How Africa's desert sun can bring Europe power Science The Observer: "How Africa's desert sun can bring Europe power A £5bn solar power plan, backed by a Jordanian prince, could provide the EU with a sixth of its electricity needs - and cut carbon emissions"

Did You Know 2.0

Capital ideas

Capital ideas Communities SocietyGuardian.co.uk: "Robert Putnam is variously described as looking like Abraham Lincoln or an Amish preacher. The 66-year-old American social scientist bears more than a physical resemblance to such figures; his wisdom has earned him a wide audience - from the White House (under both presidents Clinton and Bush) to the bestseller lists, while still managing to maintain an unequalled academic respect in his field."

Price of saving London from floods could exceed £20bn | UK News | The Observer

Price of saving London from floods could exceed £20bn UK News The Observer: "The cost of protecting London and the south-east from flooding will be at least £4bn as sea levels rise and the south-east coast sinks over the next century, a report for the Environment Agency has warned."

China unveils climate change plan | Climate change | Guardian Unlimited Environment

China unveils climate change plan Climate change Guardian Unlimited Environment: "Country vows to 'blaze new path to industrialisation' and invest in green energy, without committing to emissions targets.

Jonathan Watts in Beijing
Monday June 4, 2007
Guardian Unlimited


A pond filled with dead fish on the outskirts of Wuhan, in Hubei province. About 125,000kg of fish have reportedly died in China in the last three days due to water pollution. Photograph: Reuters



China vowed to 'blaze a new path to industrialisation' today as it unveiled its first national plan on climate change.
But in a blow to efforts to tackle global warming, the world's second biggest producer of greenhouse gases refused to accept binding targets for emissions, saying wealthy developed nations must take the bulk of the responsibility for the problem."

US gets summertime blues | The World | The Australian

US gets summertime blues The World The Australian: "SPRING began three weeks earlier than usual in the US yesterday with clocks moving forward one hour by order of the US Congress, which is convinced that the change will cut energy consumption.
The decision to bring forward the start of Daylight Saving Time (DST) — known as “summer time” or BST in the UK — from its traditional date on the first Sunday of April has been fraught with controversy. SPRING began three weeks earlier than usual in the US yesterday with clocks moving forward one hour by order of the US Congress, which is convinced that the change will cut energy consumption.
The decision to bring forward the start of Daylight Saving Time (DST) — known as “summer time” or BST in the UK — from its traditional date on the first Sunday of April has been fraught with controversy. "

£12.8m prize for scientists - Virgin Earth Challenge

Independent Online Edition > Science & Technology: "Sir Richard Branson yesterday defended his plans to offer £100,000 trips into space while at the same time setting up a £12.8m prize for scientists to devise a way of absorbing carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere.
He was speaking at the launch of the Virgin Earth Challenge, which offers a $25m reward for the invention that most successfully removes significant quantities of carbon dioxide over a period of 10 years without harming the environment."

Strange 'twin' new worlds found

BBC NEWS Science/Nature Strange 'twin' new worlds found: "A pair of strange new worlds that blur the boundaries between planets and stars have been discovered beyond our Solar System. "

100F - get used to it

The Observer UK News 100� - get used to it: "Britain experienced its hottest July day on record last week and forecasters say more is to come as climate change tightens its grip on the country
� Global warming experts claim that by 2050 temperatures will regularly top 40C and warn that our health and infrastructure will be unable to cope "

Violent Islamic radicals know they are heretical

Guardian Unlimited / Violent Islamic radicals know they are heretical: "Extremists are proud of their deviance, and moderate Muslims can't be held responsible"

University of Minnesota Human Rights Library

University of Minnesota Human Rights Library: "Fellowship Report (2004) "

Chronic Arsenic Poisoning: History, Study and Remediation

Chronic Arsenic Poisoning: History, Study and Remediation: "Chronic Arsenic Poisoning:
History, Study and Remediation"

Bangladesh man loses arsenic case

BBC NEWS World South Asia Bangladesh man loses arsenic case: "The upper house of Britain's parliament, the House of Lords, has thrown out an arsenic poisoning case brought by a Bangladeshi resident"

Arabic words in English

Arabic words in English: "Ever wondered how much influence Arabic words have in the English language? "

Out of a cycle of ignorance

Guardian Unlimited Special reports Out of a cycle of ignorance: "As we remember the tragedy of the London bombings, voices in Europe and America issue ominous warnings of an Islamic threat: the rise of Eurabia, Londonistan and an Islamic caliphate. Recently, a prominent political commentator warned: 'Even as Christianity seems to be dying in Europe, Islam is rising to shake the 21st century as it did so many previous centuries.' The Bin Ladens and Zarqawis of the world shape perceptions of Muslims. How do we prevent the militant rhetoric and actions of a minority from defining Islam and relations between Muslims and the west?"

Why the mommy wars tear us apart

The Observer Review Why the mommy wars tear us apart: "When Gaby Wood returned to her old school in New York City for a reunion she was struck by how vexed the issue of work and motherhood had become for her generation. No one seemed happy with the choices they had made. Forty years after the birth of feminism, the 'new moms' who believe their place is in the home have added a new twist to the gender wars. "

Climate change can wait. World health can't

The Observer Comment Climate change can wait. World health can't: "With $50bn, we could make the planet a better place but money spent on global warming would be wasted "

Buffett donates $37bn to charity

BBC NEWS Business Buffett donates $37bn to charity: "Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is to donate about $37bn (�20bn) - most of his vast personal fortune - to Bill Gates' charitable foundation."

Drug firms a danger to health - report

Guardian Unlimited Special reports Drug firms a danger to health - report: "Drug companies are accused today of endangering public health through widescale marketing malpractices, ranging from covertly attempting to persuade consumers that they are ill to bribing doctors and misrepresenting the results of safety and efficacy tests on their products."

'Warm' species invading Antarctic

BBC NEWS Science/Nature 'Warm' species invading Antarctic: "Scientists are calling for action to prevent foreign species from taking hold in Antarctica and wrecking the continent's unique ecosystems."

Desert cities are living on borrowed time, UN warns

Guardian Unlimited Special reports Desert cities are living on borrowed time, UN warns: "The 500 million people who live in the world's desert regions can expect to find life increasingly unbearable as already high temperatures soar and the available water is used up or turns salty, according to the United Nations."

All Tesco bags 'to be degradable'

BBC NEWS UK All Tesco bags 'to be degradable': "Supermarket giant Tesco has said all its carrier bags will be degradable from September. "

Supermarket chain's scheme to help African growers bears fruit

Guardian Unlimited Business Supermarket chain's scheme to help African growers bears fruit: "� It is trade, not aid, that works, says Waitrose chief
� Educational support to be expanded "

Start the meter running

Guardian Unlimited Guardian daily comment Start the meter running: "It's by far the best way to preserve water, our most precious resource "

We cannot tolerate children dying for a glass of water

Guardian Unlimited Guardian daily comment We cannot tolerate children dying for a glass of water: "The rich world must act to prevent dirty water and poor sanitation now killing more than a million children a year "

Water firms make £2bn profit as drought hits UK

The Observer UK News Water firms make £2bn profit as drought hits UK: "Water companies are set to announce profits of nearly £2bn as millions of households across Britain face rising bills and restrictions."

Three Gorges Dam 'built by May'

BBC NEWS World Asia-Pacific Three Gorges Dam 'built by May': "Construction of China's Three Gorges Dam is likely to be finished by 20 May, nine months ahead of schedule, according to state media reports. "