Politicians are gathered to talk about our future, climate cahnge and environmental issues.
Environment ministers are holding talks at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen amid threats of large-scale protests by environmental groups.
Activists, angered by logistical issues and a lack of progress on a deal, have vowed to disrupt proceedings.
The White House said President Barack Obama, who will join world leaders in Copenhagen later in the week, is confident of reaching a deal.
Talks are deadlocked over emission cuts and financial aid for poorer countries.
For the last two mornings, thousands of campaigners have queued for hours to gain access to the conference venue - many unsuccessfully.
Now, with ministers and their aides joining the conference, the organisers have slashed the number of other delegates allowed in.
A spokeswoman from the Climate Justice Action group says demonstrations amounting to "mass civil disobedience" are planned for Wednesday.
The groups says some 15,000 delegates have been effectively "locked out" of the summit by being refused accreditation or experiencing long delays in their applications.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is already in Copenhagen, told reporters on Tuesday that it was a critical moment.
"This is a very important moment for the world," Mr Brown said.
"It is possible that we will not get an agreement and it is also true that there are many issues to be sorted out. But I am determined... to do everything I can to bring the world together."
Stumbling blocks
The high-level phase of the talks began on Tuesday, with environment ministers and negotiators from 193 countries struggling to make progress on core issues.
"There is no understatement that with your signatures you will write our future," Britain's Prince Charles told the gathering.
More than 120 leaders will formally join the talks on Thursday, aiming to seal an accord by Friday.
Just days before a climate deal is due to be completed, there is clearly still an immense amount of negotiating left to do, says the BBC's environment correspondent Richard Black from Copenhagen.
Unresolved issues include:
the size of emissions cuts by developed nations
how finance should be raised and disbursed, and
most fundamentally, whether a deal here should aim to keep the global temperature rise to 2C or just 1.5C
However, the White House said President Obama, who is due to join the summit on Friday, is confident of securing a deal.
"The president believes that we can get... an operational agreement that makes sense in Copenhagen, over the next few days," spokesman Robert Gibbs told a briefing.
However the American negotiator at the conference said he did not expect to offer any further cuts in US carbon emissions.
Developing countries have accused industrialised nations of going back on their commitment to fight climate change.
Extinction of the Human race!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Time to Start fucking U Animals!
Australian and Chinese officials urged two bamboo-munching giant pandas on Sunday to consider reproducing during their 10-year residency Down Under. Wang Wang and Funi, on loan from China, arrived at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia two weeks ago but were officially welcomed Sunday by leaders at the opening ceremony of their 8 million Australian dollar ($7.25 million) enclosure. Their exhibit opened to the public on Monday. "Look after yourselves, keep healthy and active, eat your greens and maybe, when the time is right, think about starting a family," Governor General Quentin Bryce said in a speech directed at Funi and Wang Wang, who were sprawled against nearby boulders, chewing bamboo shoots. "There are not enough of you in this world." Chinese Ambassador Zhang Junsai said he was already thinking of Australian names for a possible panda cub. "Wang Wang and Funi carry the friendship and greetings from the Chinese people," he told the gathering, explaining that Funi means "Lucky Girl" and Wang Wang means "Net Net." "Who can rule out the possibility that the lucky girl will fall into the net of love and later have a lovely baby?" Zhang said. "This would be a great achievement of the joint Australia-China conservation program." The pandas, 3 and 4 years old, are the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere. Chinese President Hu Jintao offered the pandas as a goodwill gesture during a 2007 visit to Australia.
Monday, December 14, 2009
I will be Back!
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to carry California's climate change story to a conference in Copenhagen this week, a move that will burnish his international image as a leader in the war on global warming.
He'll also take an entourage of 20 administration officials to Denmark. Three nonprofit organizations are picking up the tab.
Administration officials say the trip and a speech Schwarzenegger will deliver on Tuesday at the United Nations conference will underscore how he has fought a political guerrilla war to cut greenhouse gas emissions – often against naysayers in his own Republican Party – as a state executive acting on what is usually considered a national or international issue.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Zoo Deaths
The Calgary Zoo has announced it will commission what it is calling an "independent review" of all of its animal care practices and policies.
The statement comes just days after CTV News broke the story of the death of an animal at the zoo.
That animal, a South American capybara, died December 5th in what is described as an unfortunate incident involving human error.
After an investigation, an employee of the zoo was reassigned and suspended for two days.
The death is the latest in a number of animal deaths at the zoo over the past few years, including dozens of stingrays and a baby elephant.
Critics have demanded a review.
On Saturday afternoon, the zoo's president, Dr. Clement Lanthier, issued the following statement:
"Good afternoon, thank you for joining us today. While we always love to see people at the Zoo on a weekend, we normally would have waited for a weekday to invite you here. But what I have to tell you today is, I believe, a matter of urgency and importance to both the Calgary Zoo and the citizens of our community.
For the past two years, the Zoo has been the target of a great deal of criticism, some of it deserved but much of it not, for the quality of our operation. As President and CEO, I have always subscribed to the notion that even a world-class organization can become better if it is prepared to accept and act upon constructive criticism. We are no exception to that rule. Sadly, however, much of what I have seen and heard over the past two years has been far from constructive.
As gratifying as it is to know that we enjoy tremendous support from our community, I worry that some of our critics do not want to see this Zoo improved--they want to see it closed. That is not what Calgary wants, nor, of course, what our 200 employees, 600 volunteers, 80,000 members and 1.2 million visitors every year want. No matter how unsubstantiated or unfair, criticism can raise doubt in people's minds, particularly if there is no objective, independent way to verify the accuracy of that criticism.
It is for this reason that I am announcing today my immediate intention to commission a comprehensive, independent review of all of our animal care practices and policies. On Monday morning I will be contacting the Presidents of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in Washington, D.C., and of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Ottawa. For those of you who are not familiar with these organizations, they are the accrediting bodies that set the standards of care for zoos and aquariums in Canada, the United States and other Western Hemisphere countries. The AZA also provides leadership, guidance and training to professionals in more than 200 institutions that include the largest and most highly regarded facilities on this continent, such as the San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
I will be asking the two organizations to appoint a joint panel of highly qualified individuals--completely independent of the Calgary Zoo--to conduct a thorough review of all aspects of animal care at our institution, including staff experience, training, veterinary care, policy and procedure and any other facet of our animal care operation they believe to be relevant to their enquiry.
My objectives in this process are threefold:
To commission an expert assessment of the quality of our animal care that will provide an authoritative, unbiased and knowledgeable perspective on the standards we have in place and whether any improvements can be made.
To maintain the strong support we have enjoyed from our community and to reassure Calgarians that they can continue to have confidence in the institution they hold dear.
To recognize the incredible work done by so many of our staff and volunteers which has been the target of much unfair criticism.
When this review is complete, a summary of its findings and all of the recommendations arising from it will be made available to Calgarians. We have never taken the support of our community for granted and do not intend to now. The animal deaths we have witnessed over the past couple of years--most recently the unfortunate incident involving one of our capybara--have been cited by our critics as examples of something being "wrong" at the Zoo. To continue their support for this institution, our community needs answers--not more accusations, allegations and irresponsible criticism, but documented facts that will give them good reason to maintain their confidence in us. The review I am announcing today will provide those facts.
Let me conclude by saying that as President and CEO, I am not prepared to stand by and watch self-proclaimed experts undermine the treasured relationship we have with the literally millions of people who have visited, contributed to, volunteered for, worked on behalf of and developed a strong and enduring affection for a Zoo that is one of this community's most valuable assets. By linking together a series of unrelated incidents in an effort to establish some kind of pattern, many of these critics have attempted to further their own agenda of manipulating public opinion and diverting attention away from the vitally important work that zoos, including the Calgary Zoo, do to protect animals and their habitats-- something for which these critics can claim absolutely no credit.
This institution has stood as a point of pride in our city and our country, gaining national and international stature for its work in conservation, research and education. As its President and CEO, I have a duty to uphold its values, implement change where change is warranted and, above all, ensure that it continues to play an important part in the lives of people who truly love, enjoy and respect life on earth."
The statement comes just days after CTV News broke the story of the death of an animal at the zoo.
That animal, a South American capybara, died December 5th in what is described as an unfortunate incident involving human error.
After an investigation, an employee of the zoo was reassigned and suspended for two days.
The death is the latest in a number of animal deaths at the zoo over the past few years, including dozens of stingrays and a baby elephant.
Critics have demanded a review.
On Saturday afternoon, the zoo's president, Dr. Clement Lanthier, issued the following statement:
"Good afternoon, thank you for joining us today. While we always love to see people at the Zoo on a weekend, we normally would have waited for a weekday to invite you here. But what I have to tell you today is, I believe, a matter of urgency and importance to both the Calgary Zoo and the citizens of our community.
For the past two years, the Zoo has been the target of a great deal of criticism, some of it deserved but much of it not, for the quality of our operation. As President and CEO, I have always subscribed to the notion that even a world-class organization can become better if it is prepared to accept and act upon constructive criticism. We are no exception to that rule. Sadly, however, much of what I have seen and heard over the past two years has been far from constructive.
As gratifying as it is to know that we enjoy tremendous support from our community, I worry that some of our critics do not want to see this Zoo improved--they want to see it closed. That is not what Calgary wants, nor, of course, what our 200 employees, 600 volunteers, 80,000 members and 1.2 million visitors every year want. No matter how unsubstantiated or unfair, criticism can raise doubt in people's minds, particularly if there is no objective, independent way to verify the accuracy of that criticism.
It is for this reason that I am announcing today my immediate intention to commission a comprehensive, independent review of all of our animal care practices and policies. On Monday morning I will be contacting the Presidents of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in Washington, D.C., and of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Ottawa. For those of you who are not familiar with these organizations, they are the accrediting bodies that set the standards of care for zoos and aquariums in Canada, the United States and other Western Hemisphere countries. The AZA also provides leadership, guidance and training to professionals in more than 200 institutions that include the largest and most highly regarded facilities on this continent, such as the San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
I will be asking the two organizations to appoint a joint panel of highly qualified individuals--completely independent of the Calgary Zoo--to conduct a thorough review of all aspects of animal care at our institution, including staff experience, training, veterinary care, policy and procedure and any other facet of our animal care operation they believe to be relevant to their enquiry.
My objectives in this process are threefold:
To commission an expert assessment of the quality of our animal care that will provide an authoritative, unbiased and knowledgeable perspective on the standards we have in place and whether any improvements can be made.
To maintain the strong support we have enjoyed from our community and to reassure Calgarians that they can continue to have confidence in the institution they hold dear.
To recognize the incredible work done by so many of our staff and volunteers which has been the target of much unfair criticism.
When this review is complete, a summary of its findings and all of the recommendations arising from it will be made available to Calgarians. We have never taken the support of our community for granted and do not intend to now. The animal deaths we have witnessed over the past couple of years--most recently the unfortunate incident involving one of our capybara--have been cited by our critics as examples of something being "wrong" at the Zoo. To continue their support for this institution, our community needs answers--not more accusations, allegations and irresponsible criticism, but documented facts that will give them good reason to maintain their confidence in us. The review I am announcing today will provide those facts.
Let me conclude by saying that as President and CEO, I am not prepared to stand by and watch self-proclaimed experts undermine the treasured relationship we have with the literally millions of people who have visited, contributed to, volunteered for, worked on behalf of and developed a strong and enduring affection for a Zoo that is one of this community's most valuable assets. By linking together a series of unrelated incidents in an effort to establish some kind of pattern, many of these critics have attempted to further their own agenda of manipulating public opinion and diverting attention away from the vitally important work that zoos, including the Calgary Zoo, do to protect animals and their habitats-- something for which these critics can claim absolutely no credit.
This institution has stood as a point of pride in our city and our country, gaining national and international stature for its work in conservation, research and education. As its President and CEO, I have a duty to uphold its values, implement change where change is warranted and, above all, ensure that it continues to play an important part in the lives of people who truly love, enjoy and respect life on earth."
Monday, December 07, 2009
Its all about sperm and egg
Beloved National Zoo panda going to China
Under agreement, cubs born at the zoo must be sent to China for breeding
A young giant panda who became a major draw after his birth at Washington's National Zoo will leave for China early next year for breeding.
Zoo officials announced Friday that Tai Shan (pronounced "ty shawn") will be leaving the Smithsonian Institution park as soon as January or February.
Panda mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and father Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) are on a 10-year, $10 million loan to the zoo until December 2010.
Stop prostituting US!
Singapore Zoo breeds rare Komodo dragon
Singapore Zoo has successfully bred the highly-endangered Komodo dragon, officials said Monday, reporting that the rare baby reptile was in good health.
Singapore Zoo has successfully bred the highly-endangered Komodo dragon, officials said Monday, reporting that the rare baby reptile was in good health.
The 40-centimetre (16-inch) hatchling is the first Komodo dragon born in an Asian zoo outside Indonesia, the native home of the world's largest lizard species, a spokeswoman told AFP.
In a press statement, assistant director of zoology Biswajit Guha said the hatching of the Komodo dragon, whose gender has not been confirmed, "is one of the most significant moments" for the zoo, one of Singapore's top attractions.
The breeding of Komodo dragons in captivity "is fraught with difficulties due to incompatible pairings, dearth of experience in egg incubation and over-representation of males in zoos," he said.
The reptiles are considered one of Indonesia's national treasures. Komodos can grow up to three metres (10 feet) in length and weigh up to 140 kilograms (310 pounds).
They are listed as "vulnerable" in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
Only 3,000 of the poisonous lizards, native to Komodo and a few other islands in eastern Indonesia, remain in the wild, according to another campaign group, The Nature Conservancy, which does field work in the area.
The reptiles live on a diet of large mammals, reptiles and birds, but have been known to attack humans.
An Indonesian fisherman was mauled to death by a Komodo dragon in March after he ventured into a remote island sanctuary.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
They Pledged to cut our Carburns
SINGAPORE'S leaders have thrown their political weight behind the upcoming climate change negotiations in Copenhagen by pledging to cut the city-state's carbon emissions growth by 16 per cent below 'business as usual' levels by 2020.
Announcing this on Wednesday, Senior Minister S Jayakumar said that this was on condition of a global deal on climate change being reached at the Copenhagen talks, which begin on Monday.
As a low-lying island, Singapore is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and a rise in sea-level can have serious consequences for us, said Mr Jayakumar. 'So despite the fact that Singapore contributes to only 0.2 per cent of global carbon emissions, it will play its part,' he said.
The voluntary actions to acheive this target will be through a combination of regulatory and fiscal measures, he said. Details will be announced at a later date.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, who was also at the briefing, said the 16 per cent figure was a 'stretched target' derived from some of the targets in the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint launched in April. The blueprint was a national plan on how Singapore could further reduce its carbon emissions.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim added that even though Singapore is in a disadvantaged position, with little alternative forms of energy available, it wanted to show leadership by committing to this target, to help reach a global deal by the end of the Copenhagen negotiations.
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