In The News

'Heat Island' Tokyo Is in Global Warming's Vanguard

James Brooke August 13, 2002
In Tokyo and in other growing metropolitan areas, global warming has become an increasingly grave and worldwide concern. The Japanese capital has seen an average increase in temperature of over 5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900. To help tackle the problem, the Japanese government has given tax breaks to those who plant gardens on their roofs. With new architectural innovations that make roofs...

To Fuel the Mideast’s Grills, Somalia Smolders

Marc Lacey July 25, 2002
When a bag of charcoal fetches US$10 in the Middle East, and a full ship’s worth is valued at US$1 million, there is no wonder that charcoal is called Somalia’s “black gold.” But what might be good for individual citizens living in a war-torn county is hardly good for the country and its environment. The U.N. estimates that forestation in Somalia has shrunk from 14% of the land to 4% in a decade...

From Pest to Meal: A Leap Forward?

Chris Buckley April 3, 2002
Once considered a pest by the Chinese government, sparrows have now been placed on the endangered species list. The reason: China’s widespread use of pesticides – some of which are banned in many countries – have killed many of the sparrows; in other instances, the sparrows are grilled and eaten as a snack the Chinese prize. The dwindling numbers of sparrows marks the possibility of far greater...

EU Insists on Discussion of Environment Rules

Michael Mann October 7, 2001
The EU farm commissioner, Franz Fischler, wants environmental rules included in the trade talks of the WTO. Fishcler believes that including these rules is a fair trade for the EU’s acceptance of reduced farm subsidies which the WTO hopes to enact. The lower farm subsidies will help developing nations compete in the global market place with the agricultural goods produced by developed nations....