News items related to freeganism.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8422133.stm
Sunday 20 December, 2009 (Climate change)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hails the agreement
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed a US-backed climate deal in Copenhagen as an "essential beginning".
But he said the accord, reached with key nations including China and Brazil, must be made legally binding next year.
After intense wrangling, delegates passed a motion simply taking note of the deal, without formally adopting it.
The pact did not win unan...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8421326.stm
Sunday 20 December, 2009 (Food & Health)
Nine out of 10 mothers questioned in a British Heart Foundation (BHF) survey misunderstood the nutrition information on children's foods.
The BHF says mothers believe claims such as "a source of calcium, iron and six vitamins" mean a product is likely to be healthy.
A "mish mash" of different food labelling styles is fuelling confusion among shoppers, it added.
But manufacturers insisted their nutritional labelling was clear.
...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8415307.stm
Wednesday 16 December, 2009 (Activism)
Large-scale protests are expected when ministers begin their discussions at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Activists have been angered by the lack of progress on a new climate deal, and with logistical problems at the summit.
Talks are deadlocked over emission cuts and financial aid for poorer countries.
And as environment ministers and their aides join the talks, the Danish authorities have slashed the number of campaigners allowed int...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8411898.stm
Monday 14 December, 2009 (Climate change)
Negotiations at the UN climate summit have been suspended after developing countries withdrew their co-operation.
Delegations were angry at what they saw as moves by the Danish host government to sideline talks on more emission cuts under the Kyoto Protocol.
As news spread around the conference centre, activists chanted "We stand with Africa - Kyoto targets now".
Informal talks continue, and the UN climate convention head said the formal agenda ...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8405921.stm
Thursday 10 December, 2009 (Pollution)
Emissions of some greenhouse gases are substantially higher than companies and countries report, say scientists.
The gases in question are much more powerful warming agents than CO2, but make a small contribution to climate change as concentrations are low.
US researchers found that levels of some of them in the air are five times more than indicated by emissions data.
They say it calls into question whether all companies receiving UN funds to curb production are...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8387598.stm
Tuesday 1 December, 2009 (Information)
Plans to build the largest Tesco store in Ireland close to Banbridge have been rejected for a second time.
NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has accepted a recommendation by the Planning Appeals Commission to block the proposals.
Tesco said the decision was "very disappointing" and it would "carefully consider" its options.
The retailing giant had wanted to build a 130,000sq ft store at the Bridgewater Park complex in County Down.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8380915.stm
Friday 27 November, 2009 (Environmental breakdown)
Nine nations in the Amazon region have called on rich countries to provide poorer nations with the funds to preserve forests.
The nations, meeting in Manaus, Brazil, also discussed supporting a 40% reduction in global emissions by 2020.
The meeting comes shortly before the key global summit on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Amazon nations agreed on broad principles rather than concrete steps, correspondents said.
Brazilian President Lui...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8382123.stm
Friday 27 November, 2009 (Pollution)
China's decision to unveil carbon emissions targets two weeks before the Copenhagen climate change summit has put pressure on India, a minister says.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has said China's decision is a "wake-up call to India".
India, like China previously, says it will not commit to cuts until developed nations also pledge to meet targets.
China said this week it aimed to reduce its "carbon intensity" by 40-45%...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8338880.stm
Tuesday 3 November, 2009 (Endangered species)
More than a third of species assessed in a major international biodiversity study are threatened with extinction, scientists have warned.
Out of the 47,677 species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 17,291 were deemed to be at serious risk.
These included 21% of all known mammals, 30% of amphibians, 70% of plants and 35% of invertebrates.
Conservationists warned that not enough was being done to tackle the main threats, such as habitat lo...
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2009/oct/28/live-without-money
Saturday 31 October, 2009 (Living off the grid)
In six years of studying economics, not once did I hear the word "ecology". So if it hadn't have been for the chance purchase of a video called Gandhi in the final term of my degree, I'd probably have ended up earning a fine living in a very respectable job persuading Indian farmers to go GM, or something useful like that. The little chap in the loincloth taught me one huge lesson – to be the change I wanted to see in the world. Trouble was, I had no idea back then what that ch...