Nature
World continued to warm in 2012 – WMO
The year just past confirmed the Earth’s warming trend, which is reason for concern as it shows no sign of abating, says the World Meteorological Organisation
CO2 level nears 400ppm climate milestone
Mauna Loa monitoring station can be tracked on Twitter as concentration edges toward levels not seen for 3.2m years
EPA faces ocean acidification legal challenge
US Clean Water Act could be used to combat the growing threat posed by ocean acidification, caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide
Brazil soya and beef exports driving 30% of deforestation emissions
Report into Amazon deforestation levels calls for greater focus on the role of global consumption in driving land degradation
Climate change affecting global vegetation more than humans
Climate change is responsible for more than half the changes detected in the world’s vegetation, researchers say, and human activities for only about a third
Desertification crisis affecting 168 countries worldwide
Severe land degradation is now affecting 168 countries across the planet, with associated costs of US$490 billion per year
Warming oceans hold key to 20th century climate puzzle
Recent slowing of atmospheric is warming could be explained by European research which suggests that the heat is going not into the air, but into the seas
UK backs corporate push to fight deforestation
Government becomes latest to join private sector partnership to reduce deforestation as efforts through the UN continue to be mired in red tape and controversy
$29 billion needed by 2020 to save world’s rainforests
Former President of Guyana says investment in forest countries urgently needed to protect huge carbon sinks and biodiversity stores
UK failing to protect natural capital – report
State of Natural Capital Report commissioned by the British Government calls on Treasury to integrate green thinking into economic policy
Climate change threatens world’s fine wines
Climate impacts will make 20-70% of existing vineyards unsuitable by 2050 while attempts to adjust and relocating vineyards could disrupt ecosystems
Fossil fuel emissions stunt coral growth
Scientists say fine particles in the air from burning coal or volcanoes shade coral reefs from sunlight and cool the surrounding waters
Geoengineering could cause drought in Sahel
Attempts to tackle climate change by altering the atmosphere could even trigger disaster in a drought-prone region of Africa, a study suggests
US plans major climate change awareness drive
Government reveals plans to raise public awareness of climate change and the human impacts on the nation’s land and maritime ecosystems
Oceans offer best clue to understanding climate change
Decreasing levels of Arctic ice and rising temperatures in the world’s oceans make case for action increasingly clear
Forests hold key to feeding Earth’s growing population
UNCCD Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja says International Day of Forests should be used to highlight importance of land management
Warmer wasps could mean fewer figs
Researchers warn vital relationships between pollinators and plants will be affected by warming average tempereatures
UNCCD: Vulnerable nations must defend against drought
As climate change exacerbates the problem, there is a danger that drought could sneak up on unprepared governments, warns UNCCD Exec-Secretary Luc Gnacadja
Palm oil: green fuel or rainforest killer?
British campaigners are trying to stop Government plans to allow palm oil to be burnt in power stations to generate electricity
UN food chief labels Quinoa ‘climate friendly’
José Graziano da Silva joined by Ban Ki-moon in hailing resilient crop’s potential to bolster food security and put world on zero hunger path