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Monday, October 19, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
HEALTH-BRAZIL: When the City Makes You Sick
Limiting your cholesterol through diet may not be enough to maintain cardiovascular health in polluted cities like São Paulo in Brazil: the particulates suspended in the air alter the molecular composition of LDL, popularly known as "bad cholesterol," making it even more dangerous.
El Niño's Tantrum in Peru
Although Peru is among the countries paying closest attention to the climate phenomenon known as El Niño, it seems defenseless against the heavy rains that have been thrashing the country for weeks.
Uruguayans Return to Mud and Straw
Soil and straw from the Uruguayan plains were the raw material for the homes of the indigenous peoples over the millennia, and they are in demand again.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Nitrogen Plus Water Equals Dengue
Water with an excess of ammonia (NH3) attracts the pregnant female Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, according to a study by the epidemic control agency of the Brazilian state of São Paulo.Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Environmental Authorization for Space Antenna
An antenna from the European Space Agency (ESA) in the western Argentine province of Mendoza to study the cosmos and climate change will not be harmful to the surroundings, states an environmental impact study.Ecobreves – MEXICO: A Call to Protect Marine Species
Eight marine species native to Mexico are in danger of overexploitation for commercial ends, denounced the environmental group Greenpeace in its "Red List of Fish and Shellfish."Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Water Deficit Deepens
Five Honduran cities, in addition to the capital, are rationing potable water due to shortages of rainfall attributed to the climate phenomenon known as El Niño, according to officials.
POLITICS: U.N. Climate Chief Quits Post
Countries have largely failed to endorse the Copenhagen Climate accord by the Jan. 31 deadline. On Thursday, the key official in the United Nations climate treaty process announced his resignation.
ENERGY-ARGENTINA: Agrofuels Rev Their Engines
In a measure that was delayed by supply problems, this year Argentina is beginning to require that gasoline be mixed with ethanol and diesel fuel with biodiesel, at a proportion of five percent, to possibly reach 20 percent by 2015.
ENVIRONMENT-HONDURAS: Forest Corruption a Major Challenge
The effects of climate change in Honduras have a local accomplice. Not only are forests suffering from global warming; they are also the victim of illegal logging.
When the City Makes You Sick
A scientific study in Brazil shows that breathing urban air filled with particulates sharply increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Forest Corruption Budding Again in Honduras
The Honduran forests, the country's most valuable natural resource, are being irredeemably lost as a result of the corrupt timber business.
POLITICS: U.N. Climate Chief Quits Post
Countries have largely failed to endorse the Copenhagen Climate accord by the Jan. 31 deadline. On Thursday, the key official in the United Nations climate treaty process announced his resignation.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Wind Energy Lags Behind Potential
Brazil's wind energy generating capacity jumped 77.7 percent last year, reaching 606 megawatts, over 341 megawatts in 2008, according to the Global Wind Energy CouncilEcobreves – CUBA: Archeology Revives Taíno Past
As of this month, Cuba has an official archeological site at Los Buchillones, in the central province of Ciego de Ávila, that systematizes studies in one of the places with greatest mysteries about the indigenous past of the Antilles.Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Double Blow – Fires and Water Rationing
Several regions in Venezuela are enduring forest and brush fires linked to the drought that began last year, and which forced rationing of water supplies in Caracas and other cities, and of electricity across the province.Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Coffee Pact Criticized
The Honduran Environmental Prosecutor denounced an agreement between the government's Forest Conservation Institute and a coffee-growers' association, saying it endangers the flora and fauna in Comayagua and El Paraíso departments.
Argentina's Agrofuels Start Their Engines
With biodiesel from soybeans playing the leading role, Argentina is beginning to require plant-based fuel blends for all vehicles.
Q&A: The Two Faces of Agriculture
The challenge of the 21st century is to transform agriculture into a good administrator of biodiversity and reverse its destructive capacity, without restricting its mission to feed a growing world population, said Achim Steiner, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme.
GUYANA: Pro-Forest Measures Anger Miners
The mining industry in Guyana is a vocal opponent of new conditions and regulations adopted by the government, which has engaged in a campaign to get millions in international donations for preserving the Amazon jungle as part of the country's contribution to mitigating climate change.Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires 'Lung' Threatened
Without management or a budget, the most important public park in the Argentine capital is falling apart, due to the increase in its commercial use.« 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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