SMOG IN FRANCE

France introduced driving restrictions in Paris on Monday to tackle dangerous pollution levels.  The smog has been particularly severe here because the city has an unusually high number of diesel vehicles, whose nitrogen oxide fumes mix with ammonia from springtime fertilizers and form particulate ammonium nitrate. Pollutants from the burning of dead leaves and wood contribute as well.

“Island Biodiversity”

The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May, 2014 is on “Island Biodiversity”.  The electronic versions of the IDB logotypes, in formats suitable for various media, are now available in the six United Nations languages at: www.cbd.int/idb/2014/logo/.

MSc IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Climate change is high on the international development agenda and world political stage. This course is designed to meet the career needs of people working in international development and climate change policy and practice and international development. It covers a range of issues surrounding international and local dimensions, particularly the questions of mitigation and adaptation in resource-poor and vulnerable settings. Taught by a team of internationally-renowned natural scientists, policy analysts and economists, the MSc course material draws upon existing and ongoing research and applied work through the School of International Development and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. Its interdisciplinary approach ensures that students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the School of Environmental Sciences through the science-based modules that focus on climate change. Please contact Dr Heike Schroeder for specific inquiries about the course.

Students take two core modules in the area of specialisation - Climate Change and Development 1: Science, Impacts and Adaptation (CCD1) in the Autumn Semester and Climate Change and Development 2: Governance, Policy and Society in the Spring Semester. (These are newly developed modules and replace the previous module on Climate Change Policy for Development. This will be updated soon on the website.) In addition, students can choose from a wide range of modules in the School of International Development, the School of Environmental Sciences and other schools across campus. Students may choose between the dissertation or the work placement module.

Scholarship information (some deadlines are coming up)

Home/EU students: http://www.uea.ac.uk/international-development/scholarships-and-funding/scholarships-and-funding-uk-eu-masters

International students: http://www.uea.ac.uk/international-development/scholarships-and-funding/scholarships-international-students

Student blog: http://climate-exchange.org/category/posts-themes/

Student testimonials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4EhQb_kTvI&list=UU22SgIMH1W2grwfEpRjxTYw&index=3

 

The Dialogue Seminar on Scaling up Finance for Biodiversity

The Dialogue Seminar on Scaling up Finance for Biodiversity will be held on 9 12 April 2014 in Quito, Ecuador.

               

In this regard, the draft agenda and list of selected experts for the Dialogue Seminar is now available at the following website: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=DS-FB-02. The selection of experts was made on the basis of relevant expertise, while ensuring regional and gender balance.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES PARTIAL BAN ON F-GASES IN SIGNIFICANT WIN FOR THE CLIMATE

STRASBOURG: The European Parliament has today adopted a compromise agreement struck in December to phase-down the use of a group of super greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), or fluorinated gases (F-gases).

 

F-gases have global warming potentials hundreds to thousands of times higher than carbon dioxide, and are widely used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, fire protection, aerosols and foams.

 

Members of the European Parliament voted 644 in favour, with 19 opposing and 16 abstentions.

 

The move was welcomed by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) as a significant step forwards for the climate.

 

In the face of stiff opposition and alarmist lobbying from vested interests in the chemicals industry, Parliament negotiators led by Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout were able to secure important improvements while holding the line on other critical measures that will help European transition to climate-friendly alternatives.

 

“This is a hugely encouraging lead from Europe in the fight against climate change,” said Clare Perry, Head of EIA’s Global Environment Campaign. “With the EU showing a progressive lead in this field, this decision should act as a catalyst for future international negotiations in pursuit of a global deal to address HFCs which, if achieved, could avoid emissions of up to 100 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent by 2050.”

 

The new F-Gas Regulation arose from the review of the 2006 version which did little to stem the growth of these dangerous chemicals. It will cap the amount of HFCs which can be placed on the European market, gradually reducing over time the amount to 21 per cent by 2030. Their use currently accounts for about two per cent of European emissions and this is growing rapidly.

 

Alongside the cap and phase-down, the EU has now agreed to ban the use of HFCs in new equipment in a number of sectors, most notably in commercial refrigeration by 2022.  In addition, from 2020 very high global warming potential HFCs (over 2,500 times more potent that CO₂) will no longer be used to service and maintain refrigeration equipment.

 

Susanna Williams, Climate and Energy Policy Officer at the EEB, said: “Over 400 European companies, many of them small businesses, produce climate-friendly alternatives using natural refrigerants. Innovative businesses like these will only grow and generate jobs if Europe gives them the right market signal.

 

“Correct implementation of this regulation will be key if we are to avoid the same problems that plagued its previous incarnation.”

POACHING UP IN BHUTAN

Poaching of wild animals continues in Bhutan. Forest officials of Phuentsholing in Chukha district, southern Bhutan had rescued five Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) from the area while they had also caught 20 people for illegal trade of this species last year. Similarly, the poaching of musk deer has also been increasing in Bhutan. Foresters had recently seized three musk deers pods form Wangduephodrang district, central Bhutan and two from Gasa district, northwestern Bhutan.

March 3

http://www.kuenselonline.com/poaching-of-wild-animals-on-the-up/#.Uxfi8vmSztq

AFFORESTATION NOT UP TO THE MARK- INDIA

Himanchal Pradesh has become successful in the afforestation of only 34 per cent of total area which was wiped out in last six years for different infrastructure projects. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), only 2,789.51 ha were covered by compensatory afforestation while the requirement was for 8,160.46 ha in 2006-12. Meanwhile, state's Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) could utilize only 20.84 million dollars out of 30.88million dollars made available in 2009-13.

March 3

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-himachal-s-afforestation-66-short-cag-1966493