Eradicating poverty goes 'hand in hand' with biodiversity protection – UN officials
Oct 16, 2014, at 06:08 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) The protection of biodiversity is directly related to the eradication of poverty and stimulation of economic growth, senior United Nations officials stressed on Wednesday at a meeting in Republic of Korea, calling on countries to take an integrated approach when it comes to development.
DR Congo: UN envoy urges increased efforts to protect biodiversity of Garamba Park
Oct 15, 2014, at 12:21 am
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS) During a visit to the Garamba National Park, the top UN official in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) urged national and international actors to step up efforts in preserving the natural resources and rich biodiversity of the Park located in the north-eastern part of the country.
NASA mission finds widespread evidence of young Lunar Volcanism
Oct 13, 2014, at 05:31 pm
Washington, Oct 13 (IBNS) NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has provided researchers strong evidence the moon's volcanic activity slowed gradually instead of stopping abruptly a billion years ago.
Odisha, AP brace for severe cyclone
Oct 11, 2014, at 09:49 pm
New Delhi, Oct 11 (IBNS): Early preparedness, ranging from evacuation to relief operations is on wartime footing as very severe cyclone "Hudhud" is expected to pound India's eastern coast on Sunday morning as the whole situation is being monitored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earthquake strikes east coast of Japan
Oct 11, 2014, at 05:17 pm
Tokyo, Oct 11 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 6.2 on Richter scale struck off the east coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, reports said on Saturday.
UN launches 'game-changer' software to help developing countries monitor forests
Oct 11, 2014, at 06:45 am
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) Accurate information is crucial for governments to manage their natural resources sustainably, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Friday as it announced the launch of new software it hopes will help developing nations monitor the state of their forests.
Navy on High Alert for Hudhud Relief Efforts
Oct 10, 2014, at 10:09 pm
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IBNS): As the severe cyclone “Hudhud†is poised to strike the east coast of India, Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance.
Rajnath reviews Cyclone Hudhud preparedness
Oct 10, 2014, at 06:26 pm
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has reviewed the preparedness to face cyclone 'Hudhud' which is set to impact Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Met department: Cyclone Hudhud to "turn severe" in few hours
Oct 10, 2014, at 06:05 pm
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IBNS): Cyclone Hudhud is expected to “turn severe†in a few hours causing heavy rain and stormy spell of about 140-km/hour, Met department sources said.
Benefits of investing in protection of biodiversity outweigh financial costs, says UN-backed report
Oct 08, 2014, at 04:01 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS) Implementing measures that promote the sustainable use of biodiversity is a worthwhile investment that will bring multiple economic and environmental benefits to countries, according to a United Nations-backed report released on Tuesday .
Indigenous knowledge essential to meet global biodiversity targets – UN official
Oct 08, 2014, at 03:51 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS)The knowledge and traditional practices of indigenous people and local communities are key to halting biodiversity loss and achieving sustainable development, a United Nations official stressed on Tuesday at a major meeting on biological diversity in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.
Major conference on biodiversity warns against 'business as usual' behaviour, consumption
Oct 07, 2014, at 05:35 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS)The parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity began meeting on Monday as a new United Nations report on the status of biodiversity warned that much more efficient use of land, water, energy and materials are needed to meet globally-agreed targets by 2020.
IAF participates in Clean India campaign
Oct 03, 2014, at 01:42 am
New Delhi, Oct 2 (IBNS) The National-level Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Initiative) is being conducted in the Indian Air Force with fervour and gusto.
Kiran Bedi flags off "Dettol – Swachh Express" from New Delhi
Oct 02, 2014, at 04:05 am
New Delhi, Oct 1 (IBNS): With an aim to spread awareness around hygiene and sanitation, RB India on Wednesday launched the first initiative as a part of the 5 year ambitious program "Dettol – Banega Swachh India".
On final day of UN Assembly, small island nations discuss climate change, economics
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:46 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) Noting that small island developing nations must speak with one voice at the global level, representatives of those countries on Tuesday pressed for international economic partnerships and efforts to combat climate change, on the final day of the annual General Assembly debate in New York.
Asian cities take action to reduce ecological impact, as global biodiversity declines: WWF
Oct 01, 2014, at 04:27 am
New Delhi, Sept 30 (IBNS): Asian cities are demonstrating that Earth-friendly solutions to global problems do exist, as threats to the natural environment mount, according to the Living Planet Report 2014 released on Tuesday by WWF.
Caribbean Island leaders in UN Assembly warn of ‘real, ruinous’ impacts of climate change
Sep 30, 2014, at 05:54 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) Spotlighting the “gathering and intensifying threat of global climate change†leaders from Caribbean Islands on Monday warned the United Nations General Assembly that indifference, narrow interests and electoral cowardice threaten to squander "our only real chance to save the planet."
New UN report warns of 'devastating' effects from ongoing destruction of mangrove forests
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:41 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) The world is losing its mangroves at a faster rate than global deforestation, the United Nations revealed on Monday, adding that the destruction of the coastal habitats was costing billions in economic damages and impacting millions of lives.
Japan volcano toll rises to 36
Sep 29, 2014, at 07:30 pm
Tokyo, Sept 29 (IBNS): The death toll in the Mount Ontake volcano in Central Japan rose to 36 on Monday with five more bodies being recovered from the site as the rescue operations are called off by the authorities due to release of toxic gases from the pit, media reported.
Faced with existential climate threat, small island nations sound climate alarm at UN
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:18 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) In their addresses to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, King Tupou IV of Tonga, Fijian Prime Minister Josaia V. Bainimarama, and Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga of Tuvalu, all reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against climate change and for sustainable development amid growing environmental challenges for small island developing States (SIDS).
Specter of climate change looms large, say small island nations at UN
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:35 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Leaders of small island developing nations on Friday urged the United Nations General Assembly to prioritize climate change and assist in their front line battle against its mounting impact.
At meeting with Pacific island leaders, Ban urges progress on climate change fight
Sep 27, 2014, at 02:18 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today lauded Pacific Island nations for their “strong position†on the sustainable development of the world’s oceans and underscored the United Nations’ continuing role in assisting the region's small island developing states (SIDS) in their battles against climate change and in their transition to democracy.
NGT renders forest clearance to Mahan Coal invalid after SC verdict
Sep 27, 2014, at 05:02 am
Singrauli, MP, Sept 26 (IBNS): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday said the forest clearance granted to Essar and Hindalco's Mahan Coal Ltd becomes invalid following the SC decision to de-allocate 214 coal blocks.
SC verdict on coal block allocation provides an opportunity to reform the entire mining sector: CSE
Sep 26, 2014, at 05:33 am
New Delhi, Sept 25 (IBNS): In its final verdict on the coal block allocation case delivered on Wednesday, the Supreme Court has cancelled 214 coal blocks that were allotted since 1993, which according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) provides an opportunity to reform the entire mining sector
Wagh Bakri commits towards elimination of pesticides from tea cultivation
Sep 26, 2014, at 03:47 am
New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Sept 25 (IBNS): In an encouraging turn of events, Wagh Bakri, a packaged tea company in India, has committed to support elimination of pesticides in tea cultivation, after continuous engagement with Greenpeace.
India's confidence in green products is highest in global index: Study
Sep 26, 2014, at 03:39 am
Kolkata, Sept 25 (IBNS): The DuPont Green Living Survey: India, conducted by TNS Global, found that a majority of Indian consumers are familiar with green products, have confidence that green products are better for the environment, and feel that biobased ingredients enhance the desirability of a product.
Union Home Minister launches intensive cleanliness campaign by MHA
Sep 26, 2014, at 03:16 am
New Delhi, Sept 25 (IBNS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched an intensive cleanliness campaign by the Ministry of Home Affairs, here on Wednesday.
President condoles the loss of lives in accident, flood
Sep 25, 2014, at 11:44 pm
New Delhi, Sept 25 (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in accident in which a bus fell into Bhakra Nangal Dam’s Gobind Sagar Reservoir in Himachal Pradesh. He also condoled loss of lives due to floods in certain areas of Meghalaya and Assam.
Rwandan President calls on public, private sector to work together on climate change
Sep 25, 2014, at 07:18 pm
New Yoprk, Sept 25 (IBNS) Addressing the General Assembly on Wednesday at its annual general debate, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, said the success of the Millennium Development Goals framework illustrated the ongoing strength of international cooperation and called on the public and private sectors to follow a similar method to worked together on climate change. The world must look forward to a future where countries do not have to choose between clean energy and economic growth, he said.
Ban hails 'bold' announcements on tackling climate change as historic UN summit closes
Sep 24, 2014, at 07:20 pm
New York, Sept 24 (IBNS) Bold new actions to immediately tackle climate change were announced on Tuesday by Government, business, finance and civil society leaders attending a historic Climate Summit convened by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has long urged workable solutions based on "clear vision anchored in domestic and multinational actions."