Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak, and used to be covered in snow throughout the year despite its proximity to the equator. The ill-effects of global warming however, have put up a drastic picture of the mountain, whose slopes went ice-free this year; probably for the first time in 12,000 years.

According to a study that is based on terrestrial and satellite photographs, and has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the mountain is rapidly losing its glaciers. In 95 years of data tracking since 1912, nearly 85% of the glaciers have disappeared, and 26% were lost after year 2000. The 12 square kilometers of ice coverage in 1912 reduced to a mere 1.9 square kilometers in 2007.

The second part of the study showed that extensive melting and refreezing of ice had taken place in the last 40 years, and the present degree of melting did not happen even during three centuries of drought that the region faced around 4,200 years ago. Researchers have pinned the cause on increasing Earth surface temperatures that get affect high altitudes badly.

Via: TimesOnline

As the Copenhagen talks draw near, nations are working to set their goals and agenda for the summit. So far, a major point of contention has been the demand by developing nations that developed countries subsidize, or pay for their environment efforts. The demand is on grounds that developed countries have contributed greatly to pollution with their industries, and should pay developing countries so their efforts at development are not hampered by environmental norms.

The two day EU summit managed to reach an agreement on climate finance. It is expected that developing nations will need 100 billion euros by 2020 to combat climate change, and up to 50 billion of this amount may have to come from the purse of rich nations.

The summit agreed on a formula to split the bill amongst the 27 EU nations. This formula takes into account a country’s “ability to pay” and will foot the bill accordingly. European Union also pledged to cut emissions to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 if other countries took a similar stance. Clearly though, the success of the Copenhagen talks is dependent on the money and finance aspect.

Source: Reuters

On Saturday, October 24, people in 181 countries are coming together for what many are describing as the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history.They’re gathering to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

Specifically, the web-based campaign called “350.org” is calling on people from around the world to organize an action that in some way incorporates the number “350″ at an iconic place in their community.  Then, 350.org wants people to upload a photo of their event to the 350.org website.

“We’ll collect these images from around the world and, with your help, deliver them to the media and world leaders. Together, we can show our world and its decision-makers just how big, beautiful, and unified the climate movement really is,” the website says.

The number “350” represents 350 parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.

For more information on the 350 International Day of Climate Action and other 350.0rg initiatives, see the 350.org website.

Photo: Flickr

India currently is the fourth largest emitter of carbon in the world, and has so far resisted any binding emission targets under an international agreement. India, and the Group of 77 developing nations have been opposing such binding targets unless they come tied with financial and technological support from developed nations which have so far led in carbon emissions.

Now, in a letter to the Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, environment minister Jairam Ramesh has urged the government to break away from the Group of 77 and align itself with the richer G20 nations. The minister goes on to press the need to commit to binding targets without asking for any financial/technological assistance from richer nations.

If India does align with the G20, the unity in the Group of 77 will be affected, and the gap in negotiations between the richer and developing countries could decrease. India and other developing countries have been supporting domestically set targets so that they can work on making their economies stronger, rather than be tied down by binding targets.

Developed nations on the other hand, are not willing to pay the fiscal and lifestyle costs such targets may put forth. The UN has put a December deadline for an agreement on the COP15 meeting at Copenhagen, though it appears the deadline will be missed by months in present circumstances.

Source: TreeHugger

After already having faced two powerful typhoons, the Ketsana and the Parma, the Philippines is now getting ready to face another typhoon. The category 4 typhoon Lupit is forecast to strike the Philippines on October 22 at 00:00 GMT. The Lupit has center winds at about 175kph, while wind gusts could go as high as 210kph.

The previous typhoons have affected the northern provinces, submerging 80% of the capital region and farmlands, and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to be displaced. Damage from these typhoons has been marked at $579 million in crops and infrastructure.

To prepare for the storm, local government officials have been asked to prepare for pre-emptive evacuation of residents. Evacuation may be required for those in low-lying areas, especially near the shoreline. The impending storm will likely destroy mobile homes, small homes near the shore, and poorly constructed signs, while damaging trees, foliage, small residences and larger structures. Authorities have already dispatched helicopters, rubber boats and engineering units to respond quickly to the situation.

Source: AlertNet

Hurricane Rick is now an “extremely dangerous” category five storm, according to officials from the National Weather Service.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 180 mph, with higher gusts. While fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next 24 hours, Rick is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane for the next day or two.

Officials expect Rick to remain offshore of the southern coast of Mexico over the weekend. As shown in the 5-Day forecast (above), it is predicted to strike the Baja California Peninsula early Wednesday morning.

Rick is likely to generate large swells–and potentially dangerous surf conditions –along the southwestern coast of Mexico during the next few days.

Source and Image: National Weather Service

In fact, concern for the environment is one of the pillars of the Rio 2016 bid, and the saplings are part of the state government’s “Rio 2016 Zero Carbon” project. In all, Rio 2016 will offset 716 tons of carbon relative to the period September 2007 to October 2009.

In the city’s Candidature File submitted to the IOC, Rio 2016 proposes “Green Games,” which will include the planting of more than three million trees in strategic parts of Tijuca Forest.

“I’m happy to see more and more people fighting for the environment. Brazil has a climate change study plan and carbon reduction targets. We are going to bring the 2016 Games to Rio de Janeiro and stage a totally green competition,” said Minister Minc.

You can read more about Rio 2016 green initiatives here.

Source: Rio 2016

Photo: Rio Olympic Beach

Map of Peru

You can see all the seismic details from the US Geological Survey here. And, click here for a map of the area.

Reuters is reporting that the quake was not felt by witnesses in the area, and there are no reports of damages or casualties.

According to NPR, the depth of this particular earthquake could help explain why it wasn’t felt more on the surface.

On Tuesday, there was an earthquake off the coast of American Samoa in the South Pacific. And earlier today there was one near the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Are all three of these quakes related?

Researchers are looking into that possibility.

The Nature Conservancy wants to equip you with facts like this so you can start thinking about the solutions that nature holds for slowing carbon emissions and dealing with the effects of climate change.

In fact, last week, the Nature Conservancy launched a web-based campaign that aims to inspire a movement to respond—and offer solutions— to the threat of climate change.

The campaign, called “Planet Change,” educates site visitors about:

• the implications of climate change for both people and nature
• the massive emissions caused by deforestation
• the powerful solutions nature holds for slowing carbon emissions and dealing with the effects of climate change

Planet Change uses innovative technology to spur users to action, enabling them to:

• tell world leaders what they want to protect from climate change
• use their personal Twitter account to share messages about the threats of climate change
• spread the word about natural solutions to climate change
• offset their own emissions through The Nature Conservancy’s carbon offset program

“We can do nothing and let climate change happen, or we can stand up and make change happen. Nature offers us real solutions for slowing carbon emissions and dealing with the effects of climate change,” says Mark Tercek, The Nature Conservancy’s President and CEO. “Planet Change gives people the opportunity to be a part of the solution, show that they care and let others know that they care.”

For more information, watch this short –but powerful –video clip. It sums up the Planet Change message in less than two minutes.

Six Flags Amusement Park Under Water

The Six Flags amusement park has gone waterlogged as the flood situation in Atlanta, Georgia worsens, even parts of the roller coaster at the park have gone beneath the murky flood water.

The Atlanta flooding is presenting a grim picture as the death toll has risen to 7, amongst these was a two year old boy who was swept away from his father’s arms in the flood, and was later found dead downstream. More to it, it looks like the situation is worsening as the flood waters are cold and are causing hypothermia for many victims.

A breached levee in Trion, GA prompted evacuation of nearly 1,500 people, and many areas have had their power supplies disturbed or cut. Meteorologists say the flood is due to a phenomenon called “Training” where high-yield thunderstorms repeatedly strike an area.

Schools, colleges and universities across the flooded state remained cold, and residents have been advised to stay off the roads. Governor of Georgia, Sonny Purdue has declared a state of emergency, and he will ask President Barack Obama to declare a federal emergency as well.