South Africa heatwave kills more than 2,000 ostriches — temperatures soar to over 50°C

By Denene Erasmus, 25 Feb 2010 More than 2 000 ostriches have died in the Klein Karoo, as temperatures soared to more than 50°C in February. This follows the announcement that ostrich farmers in the drought-stricken southern Cape would not be benefiting from the R26,9 million in drought relief made available by the National Treasury for embattled […]

Graph of the Day: Ice-shelf Retreat in the Southern Antarctic Peninsula, 1947-2009

This image shows ice-front retreat in part of the southern Antarctic Peninsula from 1947 to 2009. USGS scientists are studying coastal and glacier change along the entire Antarctic coastline. The southern portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is one area studied as part of this project, and is summarized in the USGS report, Coastal-Change and Glaciological […]

Grizzly bears move into polar bear habitat in Manitoba, Canada

ScienceDaily (Feb. 23, 2010) — Biologists affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History and City College of the City University of New York have found that grizzly bears are roaming into what was traditionally thought of as polar bear habitat — and into the Canadian province of Manitoba, where they are officially listed as […]

Ice shelves disappearing on Antarctic Peninsula

Glacier Retreat and Sea Level Rise are Possible Consequences Ice shelves are retreating in the southern section of the Antarctic Peninsula due to climate change. This could result in glacier retreat and sea-level rise if warming continues, threatening coastal communities and low-lying islands worldwide. Research by the U.S. Geological Survey is the first to document […]

‘We have just discovered these hidden paradises and now they are being lost’

Lost paradise worlds beneath the Earth’s oceans including those around the Britain are being “systemically destroyed” by climate change and over fishing before they can even be properly explored, claim scientists. By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent in San DiegoPublished: 1:56PM GMT 18 Feb 2010 The amazingly colourful undersea oases of life, some more than a […]

Penguins in Antarctica to be replaced by jellyfish due to global warming

Rising temperatures in the oceans around Antarctica could lead to the continent’s penguins being replaced by jellyfish, scientists have warned. The results of the largest ever survey of Antarctic marine life reveal melting sea ice is decimating krill populations, which form an integral part of penguins’ diets. The six-inch-long invertebrates, also eaten by other higher […]

Desertification driving mass migrations – up to 700,000 migrate from Mexico drylands every year

By Luc Gnacadja, UNCCD Executive SecretarySpecial for the Herald Climate change, food security, migration, poverty and peace. Nowadays, it seems that not a day goes by without a news report on one or all of these issues. These issues are also a big part of the current international political agenda. The question that almost always […]

Acidified landscape around ocean vents foretells grim future for coral reefs

By Robin McKie, science editorThe Observer, Sunday 21 February 2010 Huge vents covering the sea-floor – among the strangest and most spectacular sights in nature – pour carbon dioxide and other gases into the deep waters of the oceans. Last week, as researchers reported that they had now discovered more than 50,000 underwater volcanic springs, […]

Study says businesses cause $2.2 trillion in environmental damage

Report for the UN into the activities of the world’s 3,000 biggest companies estimates one-third of profits would be lost if firms were forced to pay for use, loss and damage of environment   [UPDATE: Fixed broken link to Stern review – thanks to the good folks at LearnStuff.]  By Juliette Jowitwww.guardian.co.uk, Thursday 18 February […]

Madeira floods kill 40, rescuers hunt for missing — one-day rainfall exceeds monthly average

  Reporting by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Andrew Dobbie FUNCHAL, Portugal (Reuters) – Portuguese rescue workers using bulldozers searched on Sunday for more bodies under debris after violent floods and mudslides killed at least 40 people on the resort island of Madeira. Authorities flew more rescue teams and military engineers from the mainland to help […]

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