SCIENCE

UN Nears Landmark Deal On Combatting Biopiracy

While natural genetic resources -- such as those found in medicinal plants, agricultural crops and animal breeds -- cannot be directly protected as international property, inventions developed using them can be patented
The fight against biopiracy -- plundering genetic resources and the traditional knowledge surrounding them -- could soon be based on an international treaty which is being finalised at negotiations that began on Monday.
Top banks have provided $6.9 trillion in financing to the fossil fuel industry since the 2015 Paris Agreement

US, Japanese Banks Lead Fossil Fuel Financing

The world's biggest banks financed fossil fuels to the tune of $705 billion in 2023, with US and Japanese lenders leading the way, an annual report by climate campaigners said Monday.
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Map of Brazil locating the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the city of Porto Alegre and the heavy rainfall between April 27 and May 4, which has left dozens dead

Brazil Flooding Death Toll Surpasses 100

The death toll from devastating floods that have ravaged southern Brazil for days surpassed 100 on Wednesday, authorities said, as the search for dozens of missing people was interrupted by fresh storms.
The mid-2030s phase out agreed by G7 ministers has been described as 'too late' by environmentalists

G7 To Phase Out Coal-fired Power Plants By Mid-2030s

G7 ministers agreed a timeframe Tuesday for phasing out coal-fired power plants, setting as a goal the mid-2030s, in a move hailed as significant by some environmentalists but slammed as "too late" by others.
Yousaf took over from Nicola Sturgeon (C) as SNP leader and first minister

Scotland's First Minister Yousaf Quits After A Year

Humza Yousaf announced his resignation as Scotland's first minister on Monday, before he was due to face two confidence votes this week sparked by his ditching of junior coalition partners in a row over climate policy.
A person reads an information board as workers setup a control booth near Santa Lucia train station on April 24, 2024 in Venice

Venice Launches Five-euro Entry Fee

Venice launched a new scheme Thursday to charge day-trippers for entering the historic Italian city, a world first intended to ease the pressure of mass tourism -- but many residents are opposed.
Recycled falsehoods are helping anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr to make political inroads

Recycled 'Zombie' Misinformation Targets US Voters

Migrants, vaccines, pedophilia rings -- old conspiracy theories are resurfacing ahead of the US election despite being repeatedly debunked, in what researchers call "zombie" falsehoods that appear to resonate with polarized voters.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) heard in September 2023 a case brought by six Portuguese youths accusing governments of moving too slowly to counter climate change

Courtrooms: A Growing Arena In The Climate Fight

The battle against climate change is increasingly being fought in the courtroom, as national governments, specific laws and individual companies are targeted over their role in the crisis -- sometimes successfully.

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