environment

Environmentalists warn that current government policies on rivers are destroying fragile water ecology. Damns and cannals heat up water, kills the fish and creates serious environmental and social havoc, says The Times of India.

River projects are commonly build with government funds. It is argued that river developoments benefit the common good. However, in light of several repports that have come out over the last few years; river developments usually causes more damage than they do good, benefiting mainly big coorperations and urban areas. Environmentalists argue that government policies on rivers need to be 'democratized' to benefit the common good.

On Monday the world's leaders conducted a summit on the worldwide problem of climate change and global warming. Among the politicians were Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, and "An Inconvenient Truth" star Al Gore.

UN chief, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said that the meeting was a crucial event to promote the priority of environmental issues on the agenda of world politics. Ban Ki-moon sees progress in the commitment of politicians around the world to fight against global warming.

Read more about this historic event on Al Jazeera, AFP, Reuters as well as in the Seattle Times and join the global debate in our forum: Can politicians solve climate change?

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In its annual report the World Conservation Union presents figures about endangered species: The most shocking finding is that approximately 200 more species are facing extinction, compared to last year's Red List. This includes not only animal life but also plant species. The report monitors more than 41,000 species. Among the most endangered species are gorillas, orang utans and corals.

While US President George W. Bush argues that the greatest potential to solve the climate change issue is through nuclear power rather than sticking to Kyoto's milestones, Libya plans to support ecoturism to preserve its fragile marine ecosystem.

Read more about the endangered environment and nature on Al Jazeera, BBC News online, the International Herald Tribune and New Europe.

Join the debate in our forum: Can politicians solve climate change?