Daily Archives: October 4, 2010

Environment

$5,000,000,000,000: The cost each year of vanishing rainforest

The Independent

British researchers set out the economic impact of species destruction – and their findings are changing world’s approach to global warming

By Matt Chorley, Political Correspondent

British scientific experts have made a major breakthrough in the fight to save the natural world from destruction, leading to an international effort to safeguard a global system worth at least $5 trillion a year to mankind.  Groundbreaking new research by a former banker, Pavan Sukhdev, to place a price tag on the worldwide network of environmental assets has triggered an international race to halt the destruction of rainforests, wetlands and coral reefs. Continue reading $5,000,000,000,000: The cost each year of vanishing rainforest →

Brazil

Rousseff falls short of outright win in Brazil election

BBC

Brazil’s presidential election will go to a second round after Dilma Rousseff failed to gain the 50% of votes needed for an outright victory.  With 98% of votes counted, President Lula’s former cabinet chief has 47% with Jose Serra trailing on 33%.  The two will contest a run-off vote in four weeks’ time.  A strong showing by the Green Party candidate, Marina Silva, who polled 19%, may have cost Ms Rousseff a first-round win.  “We can confirm there will be a second round in the presidential elections,” Ricardo Lewandowski, the president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, told reporters in Brasilia late on Sunday. Continue reading Rousseff falls short of outright win in Brazil election →