When is someone going to press questions about their global warming positions on Obama and McCain? Do we look to Africa to lead the way?
From ENS
New Atlas Captures Changing Face of Africa’s Environment
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 10, 2008 (ENS) – Environment ministers from across Africa gathered in Johannesburg today were presented with a new atlas that uses hundreds of satellite images and maps to show how the continent has changed over the past 35 years. Some changes are viewed as negative – glaciers melting, cities and suburbs replacing forests, wild animals disappearing into cooking pots – but others are seen as positive – forests and rare species recovering due to better management practices.
Launched by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is hosting the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment, the atlas features over 300 satellite images taken in every country in Africa in over 100 locations. It was compiled by the UN Environment Programme, UNEP, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Steiner said, “The atlas also, however, clearly demonstrates the vulnerability of people in the region to forces often outside their control, including the shrinking of glaciers in Uganda and Tanzania and impacts on water supplies linked with climate change.”
“These underline the urgent need for the international community to deliver a new climate agreement by the Climate Change Convention meeting in Copenhagen in late 2009, one that not only delivers deep emission reductions but also accelerates the flow of funds for adaptation and the climate proofing of economies,” he said.
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