Unsustainable environmental practices pose increasing threats to the Earth's water, forests, climate, biodiversity, food and energy supply. Often, developing countries suffer the ecological consequences of rich-countries' interests. Northern governments and powerful corporations exploit limited natural resources despite warnings from environmental groups. The United Nations has been at the heart of the struggle over the future of the earth's environment. Its global conferences and intergovernmental policy bodies -- especially the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) -- have been a major battleground between forces for greater environmental protection and those who oppose rules and regulations in the name of free markets and economic growth.
New Zealand has become the first country in the world to introduce a tax on carbon emissions. By making polluting energy sources such as coal and oil more expensive than cleaner ones, New Zealand intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
As a result of rising temperatures and deforestation, the ice cap on Mount Kilimanjaro is melting, decreasing the water supply to the lowland areas around the mountain. Scientists warn that the greenhouse effect will have a devastating impact on communities around Kilimanjaro and across Africa unless rich countries take decisive and concerted action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Already suffering from poverty, food insecurity and conflicts, Africa is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. (Integrated Regional Information Networks)
Long viewed as separate issues, African poverty and global warming have become increasingly interconnected. Warming climate and failures of rainfall contribute not only to chronic hunger but also to the onset of violence when hungry people clash over scarce food and water, says Jeffrey Sachs in this Project Syndicate article.
This Op-Ed piece condemns the standard use of Gross Domestic Product for measuring economic growth and calls for an alternative measurement of development. The current economic system operates under the false premise that the world has no limits, and no constraints on growth, pollution or exploitation. The author argues in favor of a reevaluation of development based on environmental sustainability. (Environmental News Network)
This article argues for stronger environmental standards in US trade agreements, claiming that the environmental costs of e.g. the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) exceed the economic gains. Environmental degradation in Mexico not only dwarfs Mexico抯 economic growth but also pressures the US market to produce 揺nvironmentally destructive agricultural practices.?(San Francisco Chronicle)
With rising income in urban areas the growing Chinese middleclass demands cleaner air and water and pressures the worst polluters to leave the cities. In effect, the Chinese countryside is rapidly turning into a dumping ground where corporations operate without any concern for the environment. (New York Times) 作者: leechstar 时间: 2013-4-24 17:09:47