Drought and high fuel prices driving inflation in East Africa

Nairobi — Rising inflation is threatening East Africa Community’s economic growth. From Nairobi to Dar es Salaam and Kampala, all signs point to surging inflation in the region in the coming days. An array of issues from drought to food scarcity to escalating oil prices continue to pile pressure on households’ expenditure. Political crises in […]

La Niña-induced drought ‘to affect millions’

February 21, 2011 (World Meteorological Organization) — Since November, East African countries have registered serious drought conditions that are likely to worsen in coming months. According to data recently released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the La Niña weather effect is largely responsible. WMO said the phenomenon might last up to four more months […]

Pakistan flood victims living an uncertain life

By Jan KhaskheliSunday, February 27, 2011 Karachi (thenews.com.pk) – Residents of 16 small villages located near Hyderabad city and comprising a population of 20,000, are living an uncertain life after the recent flood wrought havoc, depriving them of their livelihood and basic facilities of life. In the absence of government assistance to rehabilitate the flood-affected […]

Climate change will force 40 percent shift in asset allocation

By Mike Foster21 Feb 2011 Institutional investors need to shift 40% of their portfolios into climate-sensitive sectors, including infrastructure and agriculture, to safeguard returns against the impact of global warming, according to consultant Mercer. Mercer is the biggest investment consultant in the world. Its approach, backed in a report by global institutions managing $2 trillion, […]

The 2010 / 2011 La Niña leaves human and economic toll in its wake, pushing global commodity prices up

Source: Maplecroft15 Feb 2011 The role of climate change in the recent catalogue of meteorological disasters will be hotly debated. It is widely acknowledged that a warming world will impact cyclone activity and rainfall patterns. However, the impact on the intensity of La Niña events remains uncertain. Event The 2010/2011 La Niña episode has left […]

Iraqi Electricity Ministry demands $6 billion to resolve energy crisis – ‘Tahrir Square Two’ protest in Baghdad

By Saman Dazaee05 Feb 2011 Baghdad – A spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity said on Saturday that resolving the energy crisis that has plagued the country in recent years will cost an estimated $6bn. Musab al-Mudaris told AKnews that the ministry has asked parliament to provide appropriate funds in the 2011 budget to […]

Chile drought looms as La Niña takes toll

By Staff WritersSantiago, Chile (UPI) Feb 10, 2011 Chile has ordered nationwide contingency planning to prepare for damaging effects of a drought triggered by La Niña weather phenomenon, already seen behind low rainfall and poor agricultural harvests in Argentina. A succession of natural disasters has put unexpected financial pressures on President Sebastian Piñera’s announced plans […]

Image of the Day: The 14 Artificial Islands of Durrat Al Bahrain Viewed from Orbit

Caption by M. Justin Wilkinson, NASA-JSCFebruary 7, 2011 [cf. Image of the Day: Artificial Archipelagos, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Photo gallery: Satellite images of the ghost cities of China] At the southern end of Bahrain Island, at the furthest point from the cities of the kingdom, a new complex of 14 artificial islands has risen out […]

Australia storms push commodity prices higher – Sugar price hits 30-year high

By Amanda Drury, CNBC News AnchorPublished: Friday, 4 Feb 2011 | 11:27 AM ET El Niño and La Niña have a lot to answer for. And we’re not talking about two naughty kids. Weather pattern El Niño brought Australia a crippling drought for nearly decade. La Niña has taken its place with decidedly strong and […]

Drinking water crisis in Townsville after Cyclone Yasi

© The Cairns PostFriday, February 4, 2011 TOWNSVILLE may have escaped the worst of cyclone Yasi, but now faces the prospect of running out of water. Townsville Mayor Les Tyrell has warned the city could run out of fresh drinking water after power was cut to the main water treatment plant. Cr Tyrell has pleaded […]

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial