In a world of higher electricity demand growth, clean electricity is stepping up to the challenge. Spearheaded by exponential solar expansion, clean power is set to grow faster than demand, marking the start of a permanent decline in fossil generation. 2024 both clarified and consolidated the shape of the global …
Their harvest having tested positive for the presence of genetically modified (gm) soya, the farmers of nine fields in southern Brazil may face trial by the public prosecutor's office. They may be charged with illegal planting and sale of gmf soyabeans. This was revealed by Paulo Borges, the agriculture ministry's …
In view of the drought-triggered energy crisis, the government has proposed sweeping reforms that would increase state regulation in the power industry. Earlier, the government had tried to sell off state power generators and liberalise rates to attract private investment. Investments of roughly us $9.62 billion are required to increase …
In a bid to stop mahogony trade, a Brazilian government decree has suspended all forest management plans for logging mahogany in the states of Paro, Mato, Grosso and Acre. The announcement, approved by the country's environment and natural resources ministry, means an end to the illegal mahogany industry in Brazil. …
Rejecting environmental complaints lodged by indigenous groups, the regulatory agency of Bolivia has authorised Sociedad Transierra, an international consortium of energy companies, to build a 450 km-pipeline to Brazil. More than a year ago, the consortium had asked for a permit to build the pipeline which links gas deposits in …
The oil spill near Rio de Janeiro's scenic Guanabara Bay, a few weeks ago, is not as minor as it was reported to be. The magnitude of the spill is coming to the fore only now as environmental officials evaluate the damage from up to 110,000 litres (30,000 gallons) of …
The Brazilian government is going ahead with its mandatory rationing of electricity as part of an energy conservation campaign. As per the plan, the residents are required to either meet the mandated cutback of 20 per cent or resort to a four-day work week The majority of the states have …
During the past years, there have been calls to move the tasks of sustainable development at the international level to a new independent body, often labelled a World Environment Organisation (weo) or International Environmental Organisation. Advocates of weo include academics and expert commissions as well as international civil servants, politicians, …
Human activities are releasing tiny particles (aerosols) into the atmosphere. These human-made aerosols enhance scattering and absorption of solar radiation. They also produce brighter clouds that are less efficient at releasing precipitation. These in turn lead to large reductions in the amount of solar irradiance reaching Earth's surface, a corresponding …
Safety issues regarding Brazil's controversial nuclear power programme came into focus after a local magazine recently reported a four-month-old nuclear plant accident, which was not made public by officials. On May 28, 2001, gallons of slightly radioactive water had leaked from the main system of Angra I plant, but an …
The Brazilian government is planning to declare aids a national emergency. The country's health minister, Jose Serra, said the decision was made after negotiations to lower the price of nelfinavir, an aids drug manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche Incorporation, recently failed. The action is being taken under a legislation that permits …
The Brazilian government has decided against installing a new nuclear reactor at its Angra dos Reis nuclear complex. Installation of the reactor was part of the government's plan to expand its nuclear generating capacity in the wake of an acute energy crisis. But this plan was criticised by environmentalists who …
the use of compressed natural gas (cng) has brought some respite for Cairo. Experts say that cng has been able to drive out a haze from the city. "V ehicle conversion to the cng mode is a major factor behind a drastic reduction in Cairo's pollution. cng vehicles emit about …
Conservationists in Brazil have got some success in their struggle for saving a precious tract of rainforests. The Brazilian government has decided to launch an environmental impact study for a proposed hydroelectric power plant to be built on river Xingu in Para state. This decision was taken in the wake …
The Brazilian government has decided to export ethanol. "Brazil has got all the competitive advantages necessary to become a major supplier of the green fuel,' said Alcides Tapias, the country's development, industry and external trade minister. The global demand for ethanol is 40 billion litres annually. Brazil has installed a …
Brazil is planning to expand its nuclear energy generating capacity, in the wake of an acute energy crisis (see Down To Earth , Vol 10, No 4, July 15, 2001, p13). Government officials say that a us $2.4 billion new reactor will be built at Angra dos Reis nuclear complex. …
The global pharmaceutical industry is feeling the heat. Following the industry's embarrassing withdrawal in April from a case against the South African government over the issue of access to cheap aids drugs, the us government dropped its complaint against Brazil's law dealing with the same issue at the World Trade …
Petrobras, the state-owned oil group of Brazil, has completed investigation into the sinking of its biggest offshore oilrig, which many say is a cover-up operation. Ten workers had died and a few seriously injured during the incident that took place on March 20, 2001 (see Down To Earth , Vol …
The Brazilian government has introduced an electricity rationing system to overcome the prevailing energy crisis. The citizens have been directed to cut down their electricity usage by 20 per cent. The households which are unable to meet the rationing targets will not get power supply for up to six days. …
Africa's first consignment of cheap generic antiretroviral drugs for treating AIDS was given to Kenya's Nyumbani Orphanage on June 12, 2001. "It's the beginning of the flow of medicines that have hitherto been prohibited,' said Angelo D'Agostino, a priest who runs the orphanage. Five-year-old Dickson, made history by becoming the …
Petroleum minister Ram Naik typifies everything that is wrong with our political system today - a system which formulates public policies not because of public good but because of political lobbies. In the last few days, newspapers have carried articles by Ram Naik praising the use of ethanol as a …
