Unavoidable impacts of climate change

Aides said the actions the Democratic president signed included a mask mandate on federal property and for federal employees, an order to establish a new White House office coordinating the response to the coronavirus, and halting the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization. … [Read more...] about Biden rolls back Trump policies on wall, climate, health, Muslims

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday welcomed US President Joe Biden's decision to rejoin the Paris climate accord, but called on him to adopt an "ambitious" plan to fight global warming. "I warmly welcome President Biden's steps to re-enter the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and join the growing coalition of governments, cities, states, businesses and people taking ambitious action to confront the climate crisis," Guterres said in a statement. "We look forward to the leadership of United States in accelerating global efforts towards net zero, including by bringing forward a new nationally determined contribution with ambitious 2030 targets and climate finance in advance of COP26 in Glasgow later this year." Guterres emphasized that the climate crisis "continues to worsen and time is running out to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and build more climate-resilient societies that help to protect the most vulnerable." In a separate statement, Guterres … [Read more...] about UN chief calls on Biden to propose new ‘ambitious’ climate target

Addressing a ceremony marking the force’s 75th anniversary (February 21) in Hanoi on January 19, PM Phuc stressed that to fulfill the heavy responsibility assigned by the Party, State, Ministry of Public Security, and people, the public security intelligence force needs to be well aware of the situation and their tasks while closely following and effectively serving the Party and State’s leadership and governance. … [Read more...] about VIETNAM NEWS JANUARY 20

I want to be clear: Africa does not need social programs, even educational programs, that come in the form of aid packages. What's more, offering Africa aid packages to compensate for a halt or slow-down of oil and gas operations will not do Africans any good. I tried to make that point recently during a friendly debate with Prof. Patrick Bond, a very bright man and a distinguished professor at the University of the Western Cape School of Government. He argued that Africa should keep all of its petroleum resources in the ground to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and prevent further climate change. Developed nations, the professor continued, should compensate Africa for that sacrifice, and Africa could use that money to develop other opportunities. No. This is not the time for Africa to be calling for more aid. Africa has been receiving aid for nearly six decades, and what good has it done? We still don't have enough jobs. … [Read more...] about African Energy Chamber: African Lives Matter, Too. Energy Policy Decisions Should Consider Their Needs

The MPI and UNIDO, with the support of a number of donors, implemented the eco-industrial park initiative in 2014-2019 and gained significant impact on policy development as well as in demonstrating innovative technologies and practices. The EIP model has been mentioned in Decree No.82/2018/ND-CP dated May 22, 2018 of the government on the management of IZs and EZs. … [Read more...] about Vietnam pushes eco-industrial park intervention