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"ADB hosts Climate Investment Forum"

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 01:10
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Senior Government officials and climate change experts from around the world will gather in the Philippines this week to discuss financial measures to help developing countries mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

Hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the March 15-19 meetings are an opportunity to review the impact of Climate Investment Funds (CIF), and to strengthen developing country participation in CIF climate action schemes.

The CIF are implemented by the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) - the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank, and World Bank Group - to provide interim funding for priority climate change responses while the new global financial architecture is negotiated.

"From the Third World to the First World - Is it the right path?" by Asoka Abeygunawardana

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 01:07
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"Council for sustainable development mooted" by Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:58
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"Meat free menus cut global warming emissions"

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:54
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On January 26th 2009, the Guardian newspaper announced that British hospitals would take meat off their menus. Meat-free menus are to be promoted in hospitals as part of a strategy to cut global warming emissions across the National Health Service. Dr David Pencheon, director of the NHS sustainable development unit, said the changes would save money, which could be spent on better services for patients. "Saving Carbon, Improving Health" is the motto. A number of hospitals in America have also announced that they are cutting their meat by 20% to begin with.

"The global crisis of water scarcity" by Martin Khor

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:43
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In recent years, climate change seems to have elbowed out other environmental issues to become the number one global problem. But the alarming world-wide water scarcity is an equally important issue, and an even more immediate threat.

A decade ago, it was predicted that a third of the world’s population would be facing water scarcity by 2025. But this threshold has already been reached. Two billion people live in countries that are water-stressed. And by 2025, two-thirds of the world population may suffer water stress, unless current trends alter.

"Developed countries dragging their feet" by Wasantha Ramanayake

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:41
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The adaption to the changing climate is costly however if not promptly addressed repercussions could be devastating, said Science and Technology Minister Tissa Vitharana at the British Council, Colombo, recently.

Minister Vitharana predicted that the Colombo city would have to move inland in few decades due to rising sea level as a result of the climate change. “To bear costs of the climate change such as that could be far more expensive than to adapt or mitigate the climate change,” the Minister noted. The Minister was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of two events “Talking Climate,” with British Journalist Paul Rose.

"MAS Intimates Thurulie awarded prestigious LEED® Platinum Green Building Certification"

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:34
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MAS Intimates Thurulie, the ‘iconic’ eco-manufacturing facility of MAS Holdings was awarded LEED® (Platinum) certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the worldpre-eminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

"World Bank to grant US$ 45,000 to civil society organisations for dry zone community development projects"

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:31
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The World Bank says it would grant US$ 45,000 amongst five civil society organisations to develop mechanisms to foster community based sustainable development and tackle the biggest challenge faced by people in the dry zone; the scarcity of water.
 
The World Bank Colombo Office has called on civil society organisations to submit their applications to its Civil Society Fund (CSF) 2010.
 

"Putting a price on environmental goods" by Ifham Nizam

Submitted by administrator on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 12:08
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It is argued that because environmental assets are seemingly free and under priced, they tend to be over used and abused, resulting in environmental damage and since they are not owned by individuals and do not have pricing, there is no incentive for individuals to protect them.

The solution offered is to put a price on the environmental goods and services so that it can be incorporated into the economic system and seriously by those who make discussions.

"Rising Sea Levels could Shrink Coastline" by Steve A. Morrell

Submitted by administrator on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 12:07
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Science and Technology Minister, Professor Tissa Vitarana warned that rising sea levels would cause severe upheaval, and as already identified, the Maldives would be submerged. Coupled with these facts, he said Sri Lanka too would be subject to rising sea levels. ‘When’, not ‘If’ that happened, it would be that coastal areas would be invaded by the sea.

"We need to re-locate most coastal areas and towns, including Colombo to higher ground. This will have to be seriously considered. The entire landscape will change", he noted.

He said the Kyoto protocol on reducing greenhouse gasses by 5.2% is now being blatantly disregarded. The reduction in greenhouse gasses, being an area of intense concern and commitment at the Copenhagen conference last December, has been literally relegated to non-starter status.

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