Environment

Guian residents hope Hollande’s visit will highlight impact of extreme weather events

(Reuters) — As residents in the Philippine town of Guiuan, which faces the Pacific Ocean in the Eastern Samar Province, prepare for the French President’s visit, they are hopeful it will highlight the impact of extreme weather upon local communities. Francois Hollande, who is in the Philippines for a two-day state visit, will be heading to the coastal community in Guiuan to meet villagers and renew his call to action on climate change. The massive Typhoon […]

The Orchid Show blooms in New York City

Hot pink, sunlit yellow and snow white are just some of the brilliantly colored orchids on display at The New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx. The garden debuted its annual winter show called “The Orchid Show: Chandeliers” for the media yesterday. Offering a respite from New York’s cold, snowy, gray winter weather, the indoor display features thousands of orchids inside the glasshouse of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. “This is the 13th annual orchid […]

China maintains zero tolerance stance on illegal elephant hunting: FM

The Chinese government will continue to maintain zero tolerance stances on illegal trades of ivory, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson yesterday. “The Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of wild animals including elephants, and maintains zero tolerance stance on illegal trades of ivory. China has been strictly cracking down on the illegal smuggling and trades of ivory at every aspect including legislation, judicature and law enforcement. In addition, China has carried out extensive educational […]

Fishkill in Manila Bay and Pangasinan

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that there have been a series of fishkill with mullet fish floating in Manila Bay breakwater early dawn Monday. Bureau of Fisheries and Acquatic Resources (BFAR) said that “Dissolved oxygen levels from three sampling stations were at 1.2, “way below the normal oxygen level of five (and above)… to be able to sustain marine life.” This oxygen depletion in the water may have been the cause of the fish kills. […]

Eco-complex could breathe new life into Cairo

Cairo probably isn’t the first city where you would expect to see a multi-billion dollar eco complex. But that is set to be a reality within four years, thanks to futuristic plans designed by Belgian-born architect Vincent Callebaut. The Gate Residence will be built in the city’s Heliopolis district and feature 1,000 apartments powered by solar panels, wind turbines and heating tubes. Living columns of vegetation that use the Sun’s rays to heat water and […]

Polar bear aids scientists in research

Tatqiq, a 14-year-old polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, is helping scientists gain knowledge of her endangered species by simply wearing a specialized collar. Over several months, the 520-pound polar bear has been fitted daily with a collar that essentially tracks her movements so biologists can understand the behaviors of polar bears. The 2.5-pound white collar is outfitted with an accelerometer, which measures her movements, and Tatqiq is wearing it as part of a […]

Urban agri can boost food security in cities—DA

QUEZON CITY- A mixture of urban agricultural production technologies can enable cities to produce their own food, complementing the government’s efforts in the countryside to maintain food security in the country, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). At the launching of DA’s urban agriculture project in Las Piñas City on February 4, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that urban agriculture can provide additional source of fresh and safe food and extra income for urban residents, […]