Climate change hits Africa’s poorest farmers – Agricultural output must triple by 2050 to meet growing needs

By GILLIAN GOTORA, Associated Press26 November 2011 HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) – As she surveys her small, bare plot in Zimbabwe’s capital, farmer Janet Vambe knows something serious is happening, even if she has never heard of climate change. “Long ago, I could set my calendar with the date the rains started,” the 72-year-old said. Nowadays, […]

Global warming: Middle East’s vital wet winters are disappearing

By Pete Spotts, Staff writer28 October 2011 Winter droughts have become increasingly common in the Mediterranean region, particularly over the past 20 years, and a new study finds that global warming has driven at least half of the change. Drought conditions in this politically explosive region are expected to grow more severe over the course […]

As world population hits 7 billion, megacities pose growing risks

By Lord Julian Hunt and Professor Yuguo Li Oct 31, 2011 08:41 EDT The world population has officially reached seven billion, according to the UN.  This historic landmark reminds us of the massive challenges, including here in Europe, created by an ever-increasing number of humans on the planet. Growing populations are also driving another mega […]

World population tops 7 billion

Estimated world population at 7:00AM Pacific Time, 31 October 2011.   LUCKNOW, India, Oct. 31 (UPI) – India Monday marked the arrival of girl named Nargis as the world’s symbolic 7 billionth citizen, the Plan India child rights group said. [Des: Not this Nargis] The United Nations had estimated that Oct. 31 would mark the […]

Graph of the Day: Maplecroft Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2012

The Climate Change Vulnerability Index features subnational maps and analysis of climate change vulnerability and the adaptive capacity to combat climate change in 193 countries. It features an improved methodology analysing the exposure of populations to climate related natural hazards and sensitivity of countries in terms of population concentration, development, natural resources, agricultural dependency and […]

An apocalyptic end to world’s biggest bubble – Denial, addictions feed inability to deal with population

By Paul B. Farrell, MarketWatch 25 October 2011 SAN LUIS OBISPO, California (MarketWatch) – The theme: Repent. Haunting images of fanatical serial killers warning, “The End is Near, Repent!” That message seared my brain as the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” rode into Dexter’s dark world, the Miami Metro Police cable TV series. Now duty […]

Population of world “could grow to 15 billion by 2100”

By Paul Harris22 October 2011 NEW YORK (The Guardian) – The United Nations will warn this week that the world’s population could more than double to 15 billion by the end of this century, putting a catastrophic strain on the planet’s resources unless urgent action is taken to curb growth rates, the Observer can reveal. […]

Climate change threatens Ghana’s food security

By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanaian Chronicle10 October 2011 An increased body of evidence shows that climatic variability is  adversely affecting Ghana’s natural resources such as land, water, forests, and vegetation, as well as human capital. Climate change is, therefore, expected to have significant impact on key resource-dependent sectors, such as agriculture and food production, and […]

Killing Mother: Life is good, and it goes on …

Here’s a lovely essay on doom from killing Mother, via Gail. The whole thing is worth a read and makes a nice bookend with Gail’s recent post, “Coping With Our Demise”. […] Being the scientist and avid student of human behavior that I am, in reality, sadly, I do not hold out much hope for […]

Texans face billions in water works bills as drought saps economy

By David Mildenberg and Whitney McFerron 13 October 2011 Allan Ritter pushed a bill to make 25 million Texans pay an extra $3.25 a year to help provide water for decades. Then, with a record drought devastating farms and ranches, the state representative’s party leaders waded in. “We couldn’t get the votes,” said the Republican […]

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