‘FAO acknowledges that it neglected costs of food systems in its accounting’
Alexander Muller, former FAO assistant director-general talks about how the impacts and cost of natural capital as well as social …
South Africa’s Agulhas long-billed lark: adapting and surviving despite farming taking over their nesting grounds
Because it only occurs in a small part of South Africa, the Agulhas long-billed lark presents ecotourism value and forms part of South Africa&…
Top 10 stories of the week that was (August 5-August 11)
Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from the week just gone by
WIPO Meeting 2024: New treaty on genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in place
Mandatory disclosure of source of genetic material and associated traditional knowledge could benefit biodiversity rich countries; concerns …
Africa needs early warnings for all to combat extreme weather, save lives: WMO
About 60% of African continent not currently covered by early warning services; Accurate & timely weather, water & climate information needed
MENA economies face stagnant growth & rising debt amidst regional conflict, World Bank warns
Report highlights growing burden of debt, particularly among oil-importing countries
Undue detainments, confiscations & restrictions: Shut out of normal participation at WTO, civil societies claim
Write to director general about WTO’s failure to ensure safety and rights of participants
One of the major gaps in our weather observational system is over the oceans: Elena Manaenkova
Former WMO Deputy Secretary General, Elena Manaenkova speaks to Down To Earth about extreme weather, the global cryosphere and emissions on World …
WMO highlights socioeconomic impacts of 2023 weather, and climate hazards, intertwined with inequality crisis
Extreme weather events hit many parts of the world in 2023, affecting water and food security as well as human welfare, report by …
Over 50 million people may be food insecure in eastern Africa, warns WFP
Sudan (17.7 million), Ethiopia (15.8 million people) and South Sudan (5.7 million) most concerning
Second anti-malaria vaccine for children approved by WHO
Global health body also recommends vaccines for dengue and meningitis
G20 health ministers prioritise, commit to tackling AMR with One Health approach
The ministers also recognised the need for developing novel antimicrobials
Sub-Saharan Africa might need nearly a century to achieve gender parity: Global Gender Gap Report
Gender equality in the region may not be fully realised until 2125
Emerging drug resistance in eastern Africa hinders fight against malaria
Most of the countries in Africa are not on track to achieving the goal of eliminating malaria in the continent by 2030
Africa reported 30% of global acute public health events in last 2 decades: WHO
Infections were main cause for public health emergencies in last 2 decades; Climate-led natural disasters fuelling acute public health events
Marrakech artisans — who have helped rebuild Moroccan city before — are among those hit hard by earthquake
These artists will need support to maintain Marrakech’s history, to preserve the past for future historians to discover
WHO, US CDC are now tracking new COVID variant BA.2.86
Also called BA.X, lineage now under WHO’s variant under monitoring list
World Water Week 2023: Reuse of greywater can be an answer to India’s shortage problem
Wastewater must be seen as an environmental pollution issue, one that concerns the water sector needing attention of central, state, and …
Deluge in Puerto Rico, drought in La Plata: WMO paints grim picture of warming Latin America, Caribbean
Extreme weather events in the region over 30 years have led to economic losses and affected countries’ to mitigate and adapt to climate …
Subsidies don’t help fight climate change, World Bank report finds
In 2021, countries shelled out $577 billion to actively lower the price of polluting fuels such as oil, gas, and coal
Climate change, conflicts & poor hygiene accelerate global cholera outbreaks
If the current trend persists, the supply of preventive vaccination will likely continue to be limited
World Heritage Day 2024: Survival accuses UNESCO of being complicit in illegal eviction, abuse of indigenous people
Survival report lists six World Heritage Sites which it claims are on stolen Indigenous land; Kaziranga in Assam on list
AMR Awareness Week: US FDA is too close to meat and drug industries when it comes to protecting public health
FDA has helped to create antibiotic-intensive livestock system of US
World Health Assembly passes historic resolution on climate change & health, urging countries to take action
The resolution marks the WHO’s commitment to encourage support for implementing policies and strategies to mitigate the effects of climate …
World Health Assembly approves resolution that calls for mental health support to be included in emergency responses
Authors of the draft expressed concern at the continued discrimination and stigma suffered by victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters