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Sunday, November 8, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Mega-Cities Far From Meeting Air Quality Standards
Brazil's major cities will have to reduce their air pollution much more if they hope to comply with the new parameters for air quality established by the World Health Organzation (WHO).
Ailments Surge as Ozone Hole Widens
The increase in skin cancer from sun exposure is alarming, scientists say. Residents of southern Chile and Argentina are advised to take extra care in protecting themselves from solar rays this spring season in the southern hemisphere.
Monsanto Stands Firm on GM Maize in Mexico
Although the Vicente Fox government closed the door on genetically modified maize, the multinational corporation Monsanto has no plans to leave Mexico, an executive at the firm told Tierramérica.
The Rain Harvester
Tierramérica had a question-and-answer session with Colombian environmentalist Rodrigo Vivas, winner of the Sasakawa Prize for his contribution to the fight against desertification.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Measuring the Impact of Lightning
Every year, there are 61 million lightning strikes in Brazil, killing an average of 100 people and causing economic losses, according to a study by the atmospheric electricity group at the National Institute of Space Research.Ecobreves – COLOMBIA: Legume to Counter El Niño
Cratylia argentea, a legume that is resistant to prolonged drought and highly nutritious for cattle, could be cultivated by Colombian ranchers to counter the effects of the climate phenomenon known as El Niño, according to the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Soldiers to Look After Maya Parks
Cratylia argentea, a legume that is resistant to prolonged drought and highly nutritious for cattle, could be cultivated by Colombian ranchers to counter the effects of the climate phenomenon known as El Niño, according to the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Sábalo Threatened by Overfishing
The non-governmental Proteger Foundation revealed on Oct. 30 a nearly secret report by Argentina's fisheries agency which admits that the fish known as the sábalo (Prochilodus lineatus) is at risk of population collapse due to overexploitation.
Eye on Urban Water Pollution
Brazil's two biggest metropolitan regions face serious problems when it comes to their potable water supply. Observers recommend more investment in basic sanitation.
A Ray of Hope for the Swans
Activists applaud the start of an international evaluation phase of a swan sanctuary in southern Chile that was contaminated by pulp mill runoff. They say it is a victory for civil society in its efforts to protect Chile's wetlands.Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Super-Maize to the Rescue!
In November and December, the first harvest will take place of the "super-maize" planted three months ago on 32 farms in Guatemala as part of a pilot project.Ecobreves – CHILE: Watery and Salty Chicken
Chile's consumer protection organization ODECU charged on Oct. 23 that chicken meat sold domestically had high quantities of water and too much salt, an ingredient that is harmful to the health of the two million Chileans who suffer hypertension.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Eco-Fuel for Urban Transport
Some 1,800 buses of a public transportation system in Sao Paulo will be on the streets in an experiment involving the fuel B30, which is less polluting.Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Bird-a-thon Rediscovers Capital Species
Team Paují (named for the Pauxi pauxi, an endangered bird) won first place in the 10th Bird-a-thon, a birdwatching marathon, held Oct. 22 in the Caracas metropolitan area, sponsored by the Venezuelan chapter of the Audobon Society.Ecobreves – URUGUAY: Phonebooks Are for Recycling
From Oct. 23 to Nov. 12, the campaign "Your Pages Are Re-Usable" is collecting old telephone books for recycling in the Uruguayan capital.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Delay in Law to Limit Eucalyptus
Far past the 45 days predicted, the delay continues for the parliamentary vote on a bill that aims to stop the expansion of eucalyptus in the Brazilian municipality of Sao Luiz do Paraitinga, 170 km from Sao Paulo.
Mexico Shuts the Door on GM Maize
Mexico is closing the door on experimentation with genetically modified corn varieties. Environmentalists applaud the decision, but biotech scientists are disappointed.Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Ban on Leatherback Turtle Sales
From Oct. 15 to Apr. 15, 2007, a ban is in place on collecting and selling the eggs of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), imposed by the Guatemalan government's National Council on Protected Areas (CONAP).
Answer to Energy Crisis? Waste Not, Want Not
To fight climate change, it is not enough to produce alternative sources -- we must promote the idea of consuming less, warn experts.Ecobreves – HONDURAS: El Tigre Hydroelectric Dam Loses Support
The Honduran Parliament voted last week to ask the Executive Branch to "detain" construction of El Tigre hydroelectric dam, on the Honduras-El Salvador border, until the diplomatic conflict between the two countries is resolved.Playing for Our Lives
Governments of the world will gather in Kenya in November to discuss new ways to help the South adapt to climate change.« Previous Page — Next Page »
Tierramérica is the main communications platform on sustainable development and the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is produced by IPS Noticias, the agency’s Spanish-language service, which created it jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with later support from the World Bank. The weekly editions of Tierramérica are published in Spanish, Portuguese and English and are picked up and printed by dozens of media outlets in the region. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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