Natural Resources

G77 Calls for Access & Benefit-Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources

By an IPS Correspondent
The Group of 77 has strongly underlined the significance of marine genetic resources (MGRs) to the economies of developing nations.

Fishing Village Fights Iron Mine in Northern Chile

By Orlando Milesi
In Punta de Choros, a hidden cove on Chile’s Pacific coast, some 900 fishers do not yet dare celebrate the decision by regional authorities to deny the Dominga port mining project a permit due to environmental reasons.

Developing Nations Call for New Trust Fund on Forest Protection

By an IPS Correspondent
The Group of 77 is calling for the creation of a new and dedicated Trust Fund for the implementation of the UN’s strategic plan on forests for the period 2017-2030.

Gold Mine Aggravates Tensions in Brazil’s Amazon Region

By Mario Osava
The decline of this town is seen in the rundown houses and shuttered stores, and the few people along the streets on a Sunday when the scorching sun alternates with frequent rains at this time of year in Brazil’s Amazon region.

Plastic No More… Also in Kenya

By Baher Kamal
Good news: Kenya has just joined the commitment of other 10 countries to address major plastic pollution by decreeing a ban on the use, manufacture and import of all plastic bags, to take effect in six months.

El Salvador Passes Pathbreaking Law Banning Metal Mining

By Edgardo Ayala
El Salvador, Central America’s smallest country, has become the first country in the world to pass a law banning metal mining in all its forms, setting a precedent for other nations in the world to follow, according to activists and local residents.

World Bank Ignores Land Grabbing

By Linda Flood
Sales of huge land areas of Ethiopia, by the Ethiopian government, to foreign investors, have led to starvation and forced displacement. In his documentary Dead Donkeys Fear no Hyenas, Swedish film director Joakim Demmer exposes the consequences of land grabbing, and holds the World Bank complicit.

Caribbean Faces Forecast for Prolonged Drought

By Desmond Brown
The Caribbean Drought & Precipitation Monitoring Network (CDPMN) is warning countries in the region that the same abnormal climate conditions they have experienced over the last few years, which resulted in some of the worst drought in two decades, could continue this year.

1 in 4 Children Worldwide Facing Extremely Scarce Water by 2040

By IPS World Desk
Warning that as many as 600 million children – one in four worldwide – will be living in areas with extremely scarce water by 2040, the United Nations children's agency has called on governments to take immediate measures to curb the impact on the lives of children.

Civil Society Representatives: “Water is the Foundation of our Life”

By Tharanga Yakupitiyage
“Water is life”—a slogan that arose from the anti-Dakota Access Pipeline movement is one that resonates not only in the U.S., but around the world as millions still lack access to clean, safe water.

Climate Breaks All Records: Hottest Year, Lowest Ice, Highest Sea Level

By IPS World Desk
Climate has, once more, broken all records, with the year 2016 making history-highest-ever global temperature, exceptionally low sea ice, unabated sea level rise and ocean heat. And what is even worse-- extreme and unusual trends continue in 2017.

Don’t Understand Clouds? But You Should!

By Baher Kamal
Obviously, there are so many issues and phenomena that have been brought up by growing impact of climate change that one would likely not think about. Some of them, however, are essential and would be good to learn about. For instance, the fact that clouds play a "pivotal role" in weather forecasts and warnings.

No Water, No Life – Don’t Waste It!

By Baher Kamal
During the final exams of Spanish official high school of journalists, a student was asked by the panel of professors-examiners: If scientists discover that there is water in Planet Mars, how would you announce this news, what would be your title? The student did not hesitate a second: “There is life in Mars!” The student was graduated with the highest score.

Asia’s Water Politics Near the Boiling Point

By Manipadma Jena
In Asia, it likely will not be straightforward water wars.

Three Times as Many Mobile Phones as Toilets in Africa

By Busani Bafana
Though key to good health and economic wellbeing, water and sanitation remain less of a development priority in Africa, where high costs and poor policy implementation constrain getting clean water and flush toilets to millions.

Guyana’s New Oil Fields Both Blessing and Curse

By Desmond Brown
The recent discovery of large volumes of oil offshore of Guyana could prove to be a major headache for the country, as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) members press for keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels as provided for in the historic Paris Climate Agreement.

Another Town in El Salvador Votes No to Mining

By Aruna Dutt
The citizens of Cinquera municipality in Cabañas delivered a resounding vote against mining, on Sunday February 26th, when 98 percent of residents voted in favour of becoming El Salvador's fifth "territory free of mining."

Maritime Boundary Dispute Masks Need for Economic Diversity in Timor-Leste

By Stephen de Tarczynski
Juvinal Dias has first-hand experience of mistreatment at the hands of a foreign power. Born in 1981 in Tutuala, a village in the far east of Timor-Leste, Dias’ family fled into the jungle following the 1975 invasion by Indonesia.

Antarctic Ice Lowest Ever – Asia at High Risk – Africa Drying Up

By Baher Kamal
For those who still deny the tangible impact of climate change, please note that the extended spell of high global temperatures is continuing; the Arctic is witnessing exceptional warmth with record low ice volumes--the lowest on record; global heat is putting Asia on higher risk than ever, and Africa is drying up.

Netherlands to Host Global Centre of Excellence on Climate Adaptation

By IPS World Desk
The Netherlands announced that it will work with Japan and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish a Global Centre of Excellence to help countries, institutions and businesses to adapt to a warming climate, which is increasing the frequency of natural disasters and causing economic disruptions.

UN Declares War on Ocean Plastic

By Baher Kamal
The available data is enough for the United Nations to literally declare war on oceans plastic: more than 8 million tonnes of leaks into their waters each year – equal to dumping a garbage truck of plastic every minute, wreaking havoc on marine wildlife, fisheries and tourism, and costing at least 8 billion dollars in damage to marine ecosystems.
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