Indonesia's little-known glaciers are melting so fast they could disappear in a decade, a new study says, underscoring the imminent threat posed by climate change to ice sheets in tropical countries. Indonesia's little-known glaciers are melting so fast they could disappear in a decade, a new study says As the COP 25 summit wraps up in Madrid, nations are struggling to finalise rules for the 2015 landmark Paris climate accord, which aims to limit global temperature rises. Thousands of kilometres away, glaciers on a mountain range in Indonesia's Papua region -- and a handful of others in Africa and the Peruvian Andes -- are an early warning of what could be in store if they fail. "Because of the relatively low elevation of the (Papua) glaciers... these will be the first to go," said Lonnie Thompson, one of the authors of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week. "They are the 'canaries in the coal mine'". This summer, Iceland … [Read more...] about Tropical Indonesia’s tiny glaciers to melt away in a decade: study
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PM Phuc welcomes Cuban Minister of Justice
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc greets Cuban Minister of Justice Oscar Manuel Silveira Martínez The Vietnamese Government always provides the best possible support for the cooperation activities between Vietnam and Cuba’s justice ministries, thereby contributing to strengthening the traditional solidarity and all-around cooperation between the two nations. The Cuban Minister told his host that he had successful talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, during which the both sides consented to step up cooperation in personnel training and computerisation. He said the valuable experience of Vietnam will greatly help his nation in the field of justice. He reiterated Vietnam’s support for Cuba at international forums, especially the United Nations. … [Read more...] about PM Phuc welcomes Cuban Minister of Justice
Hà Nội’s residents suffer bad air
Illustrative photo. — VNA/VNS PhotoViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Air quality in Hà Nội has become worse recently, with air quality index (AQI) measurements ranging from 78 to 178 according to the Environment Protection Centre of the city’s Natural Resources and Environment Department. When the AQI, which measures daily air pollution, is in this range, the air quality is considered unhealthy and people may begin to experience some adverse health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious effects. Monitoring results in the urban areas of Trung Yên, Kim Liên, Mỹ Đình, Tân Mai and Tây Mỗ showed the AQI had been high. The same situation was seen in Hoàn Kiếm and Ba Đình districts. Bad air quality was recorded at monitoring points near major roads, especially on Minh Khai Street (part of National Route 32) and from Phạm Văn Đồng Street to Thăng … [Read more...] about Hà Nội’s residents suffer bad air