Last
updated Saturday, June 08, 2002.
Scientists
believe that Global Warming will lead to a weaker Ozone layer, because as the
surface temperature rises, the stratosphere (the Ozone layer being found in the
upper part) will get colder, making the natural repairing of the Ozone slower.
Last
updated Wednesday, July 04, 2001.
The
1997 Niño caused huge problems all over the world, from droughts to floods and
poor yield of crops. It is thought that there is a link between climate change
and the severity of Niño.
Last
updated Sunday, January 31, 2010.
Last
updated Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Energy security is a growing concern
for rich and emerging nations alike. The past drive for fossil fuel energy has
led to wars, overthrow of democratically elected leaders, and puppet
governments and dictatorships.
Leading
nations admit we are addicted to oil, but investment into alternatives has been
lacking, or little in comparison to fossil fuel investments.
As
the global financial crisis takes hold and awareness of climate change
increases, more nations and companies are trying to invest in alternatives. But
will the geopolitics remain the same?
Last
updated Thursday, June 13, 2002.
Last
updated Sunday, September 02, 2001.
The
human population of the planet is estimated to now have passed 6 billion
people. But are large numbers themselves a problem? Europe for example, has
higher population densities than Asia. There are more than two sides to the
debate on whether population numbers equate to over-population or not.
Last
updated Tuesday, September 18, 2001.
Does
population affect and put stress on the environment, society and resources?
Existing consumption patterns as seen in Europe and North America can put
strain on the environment and natural resources. But how much of the
environmental degradation we see today is as a result of over-population and
how much is due to over-exploitation due to consumerism and geopolitical
interests? Especially when considering that "[g]lobally, the 20% of the
world's people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private
consumption expenditures - the poorest 20% a minuscule 1.3%", according to
the United Nations Development Programme's 1998 Human Development Report.
Last
updated Saturday, May 05, 2001.
How
do human rights, conflict, trade/development patterns, and the environment come
into all this? Poverty is the number one health problem, in developing and
developed nations alike. Structural Adjustment policies, for example, from the
IMF have not helped in many situations as social expenditure has had to be cut
back. This has led to less investment in health, education and other basic
services (things that have led to a better quality of life in Europe after the
second world war). Coupled with corrupt rulers and dictators, often backed by
the powerful nations, due to national geopolitical interests, a large number of
people have suffered.
Last
updated Wednesday, September 26, 2001.
The
State of the World, 1999 Report from the Worldwatch Institute suggests that the
global economy could be seriously affected by environmental problems, such as
the lack of access to enough resources to meet growing population demands.
Environmental degradation can contribute to social and political instability,
which can lead to security issues. This has not currently been addressed by the
foreign policy of many nations. Already around the world we are seeing an
increase in violence and human rights abuses as disputes about territories,
food and water are spilling into wars and internal conflicts.
Last
updated Wednesday, June 13, 2001.
By
ensuring women's rights can be upheld, and realizing that women play a crucial
role in the development of society, many underlying issues which lead to
conflict and problems can be tackled more effectively. Better care, education
and rights for women mean that children should also benefit. This can
eventually allow a society to enjoy more rights and the society can be
enriched. Yet these very same provisions are being cut back, oftentimes as a
result of harsh structural adjustment policies imposed by the IMF.
Last
updated Thursday, August 30, 2001.
Last
updated Wednesday, April 06, 2011.
Posted
Sunday, October 23, 2005.
Media
coverage of natural disasters seems to vary a lot depending on the disaster. Is
it selective? Why do some regions get more attention than others? Even when
millions have died in a region from conflict and war, how is it that a disaster
that claims less in lives — sometimes in the same area, as in the case of the
Democratic Republic of Congo — will bring in media interest and coverage? 2005
has recently seen a number of disasters and relief efforts, from the Asian
tsunami, to the severe hurricanes and storms in the Caribbean, the earthquake
in South Asia (Pakistan and India), and drought in parts of Africa. How has the
media covered these?
Last
updated Sunday, November 13, 2005.
What
is the most damaging hurricane in US history, in its wake hurricane Katrina has
also left other issues, from the handling of the disaster, to the media
reporting, and rebuilding issues.
Last
updated Friday, January 07, 2005.
Boxing
day, 2004, one of the largest
earthquakes in recorded history (measuring 9 on the Richter Scale), struck just
off Sumatra, Indonesia, in a fault line running under the sea. The rupture
caused massive waves, or tsunamis, that hurtled away from the epicenter,
reaching shores as far away as Africa. At least 230,000 people were killed and
the livelihoods of millions were destroyed in over 10 countries. This has been
one of the biggest natural disasters in recent human history.
Posted
Wednesday, December 29, 2004.
When
poor countries face natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes,
and fires, the cost of rebuilding becomes even more of an issue when they are
already burdened with debt. Often, poor countries suffer with many lost lives
and/or livelihoods. Aid and disaster relief often does come in from
international relief organizations, rich countries and international
institutions, but sometimes poor countries are still paying millions of dollars
a week back in the form of debt repayment.
Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2004.
This
section lists various sites and organizations that provide more information or
news on disasters as they unfold, or on disaster relief and recovery.
Last
updated Thursday, September 26, 2002.
Last
updated Sunday, March 06, 2011.
Last
updated Sunday, April 08, 2012.
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