I have from time to time highlighted two major threats to the global food supply: colony collapse disorder that has been threatening the major pollinator of about one third of our food supply, and the ongoing collapse of nearly half the world's fisheries. Together these pose a very serious threat to our abilities to feed the world's population, perhaps threatening up to half the world's food production. During the Bush presidency, there was some attention given to colony collapse disorder thanks to the Sec. of Agriculture. But Bush's main response to the collapse of fisheries was to censor scientific reports from NOAA that reported on these collapses. Denial, of course, does not solve problems.
 more this way»

Jun 9 2009 - Jun 11 2009, Johannesburg, International
WaterTecAfrica 2009

WaterTec Africa 2009 together with Petro.t.ex Africa 2009 and Pumps, Valves and Piping Africa 2009 is a conference that features the latest innovations and the current state of Africa's water and agriculture industry.

catherine larkin
CVL Consulting
011 789 7327
011 326 1259

events@cvlc.co.za
http://www.exhibitionsafrica.com

As President of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) and on behalf of the exhibitors and organisers - I have pleasure in welcoming you to the International Water Technology Exhibition and Conference (WaterTec Africa 2009) Scheduled for 9-11 June 2009 at the Gallagher Convention Centre – Midrand, Johannesburg South Africa.

The pressures for water services delivery and water resource management are top agenda items in Southern Africa. The water industry face major challenges related to water quality, asset management and cost effective service delivery on a daily basis. This together with a vibrant growing region creates the ideal environment for the adoption and application of innovative solutions and appropriate technology.

We therefore invite exhibitors, water professionals and technology users to actively participate in this international event. It is guaranteed to be rewarding business and learning experience.
 more this way»

This comes from the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Today, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) released the Climate 2030 Blueprint, a peer-reviewed study showing that the United States can dramatically cut global warming pollution while saving households and businesses in every region of the nation billions of dollars in energy costs.

The study shows that combining energy and transportation policies with a strong limit or “cap” on emissions—set at 56 percent below 2005 levels by 2030—would save the average U.S. household $900 on electricity, heating, and transportation costs in 2030. In that same year, businesses would benefit from collective net energy savings of $130 billion.

Already, the Climate 2030 Blueprint is influencing the debate on climate and energy policy—two weeks ago UCS President Kevin Knobloch was invited to present the findings to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is currently crafting climate legislation.

As a UCS activist, you too can help build momentum for federal climate policy by urging President Obama and senior administration officials to play an active role in ensuring that Congress passes a strong, comprehensive climate and energy policy this year.
 more this way»

So I have been reading a lot about Hugo Chavez giving Obama a book as a gift. But it seems there was a much more valuable gift Chavez gave Obama: an island in New Jersey:

(map from the South Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance)

From BBC News:

Petty Island, an uninhabited island some 528 acres (214 ha) in size, is situated in the Delaware River in the state of New Jersey.

It was bought by Venezuela's state-run energy company, PDVS, in 1990...

At the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, President Chavez presented Barack Obama with a gift of a book: The Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano.

The book is widely considered the bible of the Latin American left.

But the BBC's Will Grant, in Caracas, says Mr Chavez also gave Mr Obama something much bigger: Petty Island.

The Venezuelan government has used it for fuel storage and refinement since 1990...

Mr Chavez announced that the island would return to the US for environmental conservation projects.
 more this way»

For some time the bee population has been declining. This is likely due to many causes. However, in the past few years the decline of honeybees started becoming precipitous with entire colonies merely disappearing rapidly. Most people don't realize how alarming this is. But when you consider that a third of our food supply is dependent on insect pollination, and the vast majority of that pollination is thanks to honeybees, it means about one third of our food supply is at risk. Add to this the fact that fisheries are also collapsing (I recently heard that 90% are in decline, though outright collapse is occurring in some 50% of them) and you have some serious food shortages looming.

This is not exaggeration. This is based on current scientific data.

One of the most worrisome aspect of Colony Collapse Disorder was that no one could find a cause for it. It was frustrating not even knowing what the primary threat to our food supply was.

But now scientists ins Spain have found at least one cause and have been able to treat it. From Ars Technica:
 more this way»

Last weekend was "Earth Hour," a one hour period where people were supposed to turn out their lights. I always feel that such efforts are largely a wasted effort. The impact is minimal. Doesn't mean it doesn't have a purpose in raising awareness and the like, but so much more needs to be done than just one hour a year where people turn out the light.

We need to remake America's energy system. The impact of that would be enormous. It would reduce our national carbon footprint WHILE creating domestic jobs, helping farmers and clearing our air of pollutants. And you, as a consumer, can be part of this remaking of America by purchasing YOUR energy from green energy producers. For only pennies more a month per kilowatt-hour, you can be the change America needs in its energy policy.

Okay, it is slightly more complicated than that. When you buy Green Energy generally you are not necessarily actually getting electrons from green energy. What you are doing is PAYING for the building of green energy production plants and the purchase of green energy from those production plants into the grid. In essence, you are creating the market for green energy in preference to oil and coal plants.
 more this way»