23/05/2014
Rome, May, 2014 – The world contains an estimated 1 400 million cubic km of water, but only 0.003% of this vast amount -about 45 000 cubic km- are what is called “fresh water resources” – water that theoretically can be used for drinking, hygiene, agriculture and industry. But not all of this water is accessible. For example, seasonal flooding makes water extremely difficult to capture before it flows into remote rivers, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization FAO reports.*
Photo: FAO
In fact, only about 9 000-14 000 cubic km are economically available for human use – a mere teaspoon in a full bathtub when compared to the total amount of water on earth. With a fast increasing population , will this be enough water to sustain human life?
Of course, quantity isn’t the only issue. The quality of the water supply is also important.
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Posted in Africa, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, Market Lords, Middle East, Mother Earth, Others-USA-Europe-etc., The Peoples |
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23/05/2014
Tiny though some may be, islands play a huge role in sustaining life on the planet – making up less than 5 per cent of Earth’s landmass, they are home to 20 per cent of all bird, reptile and plant species – and protecting their fragile ecosystems from ill-considered development, polluted waters and invasive species is the main focus of this year’s International Day for Biodiversity.
Young Timorese fisherman wearing his wooden goggles to catch fish along the shores of Atauro island off Dili. UN Photo/Martine Perret
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While islands and their surrounding near-shore marine areas face immense challenges, especially those triggered by a rapidly warming planet, the head of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is convinced there are “bright spots;” that the innovation, experience and knowledge of islands and the communities that thrive among them can contribute significantly to the conservation and sustainable use of Earth’s biodiversity and natural resources, UN said on 22 May 2014.
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23/05/2014
Geneva, 20 May 2014, ILO* – Forced labour in the private economy generates US$ 150 billion in illegal profits per year, about three times more than previously estimated, according to a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO report, Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour, said two thirds of the estimated total of US$ 150 billion, or US$ 99 billion, came from commercial sexual exploitation, while another US$ 51 billion resulted from forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities.
Photo: ILO
“This new report takes our understanding of trafficking, forced labour and modern slavery to a new level,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder “Forced labour is bad for business and development and especially for its victims. Our new report adds new urgency to our efforts to eradicate this fundamentally evil, but hugely profitable practice as soon as possible.”
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23/05/2014
BAN HOUYTHAO, 22 May 2014, (IRIN*) – “Land grabs” in Laos are driving poor farmers, including ethnic minorities, off their land, away from livelihoods they know and into further poverty, activists and experts say.
An ethnic Hmong woman in Ban Houythao, northern Luang Prabang
“When these lands [are given] to companies and converted to industrial agriculture or other uses, it destroys the foundation of rural people’s lives, livelihoods and knowledge systems, as well as their access to food, nutrition, medicines and incomes,” Shalmali Guttal, a senior analyst with Focus on the Global South, a Bangkok-based NGO which campaigns for social justice in Laos, told IRIN.
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HUMAN WRONGS WATCH 