G8, poor nations fail to agree on climate goal

The Group of Eight industrialized economies failed to reach agreement with developing nations Wednesday over the goal of halving levels of heat-trapping carbon emissions in four decades, according to officials following the talks.
Negotiators were trying instead to reach agreement on the more modest goal of keeping the world's average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), the officials said.
What needs to be done in order for real action to be taken now?More disasters?

Earth Day 2009

Earth Day, as it is known in the United States, is held on April 22 and is held each year to promote awareness of environmental issues. The first Earth Day was in 1970. It was created so there would be more awareness about the need to clean up the Earth. It raises awareness about the Earth's condition. It encourages people to reduce their pollutants and recycle more. The idea is to make this planet better for this generation and more to come. It is so that everyone can participate in an attempt to make our global environment better. Everyone is supposed to turn of their lights for one hour.

Madonna criticised over links to polluters at live earth concert

She provided the finale to yesterday's Live Earth concerts, even writing a special song to mark the worldwide musical event.Her performance was fantastic.Her message clear.
But instead of being lionised, Madonna found herself accused of hypocrisy last night after allegations that she has financial links to some of the world's biggest polluters
She needs to be applauded for her commitment and support.How many people around the world have and continue to really make a difference in the world?People should stop and focus on how much responsibility they are taking before critisizing others!

VISION

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead

CLIMATE CHANGE-SOME BASICS

Scientists agree the Earth's climate is being directly affected by human activity, and for many people around the world, these changes are having negative effects. Records show that 11 of the last 12 years were among the 12 warmest on record worldwide.
The just-released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Summary for Policy Makers — the first volume of the IPCC's 4th Assessment Report — states that scientists are more than 90% confident that human industrial activity is driving global temperature rises. (add your thoughts on the report at RealClimate.org)
Carbon dioxide levels today are nearly 30 percent higher than they were prior to the start of the Industrial Revolution, based on records extending back 650,000 years.
According to NASA, the polar ice cap is now melting at the rate of 9 percent per decade. Arctic ice thickness has decreased 40 percent since the 1960s.
The current pace of sea-level rise is three times the historical rate and appears to be accelerating.
The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years. The IPCC 4th Assessment Report said that this trend would likely continue.
Warmer surface temperatures over just a few months in the Antarctic can splinter an ice shelf and prime it for a major collapse, NASA and university scientists have reported. The process can be expected to become more widespread if Antarctic summer temperatures increase. Above: The Larsen B ice shelf, which collapsed in 2000. Scientists agree the Earth's climate is being directly affected by human activity, and for many people around the world, these changes are having negative effects. Records show that 11 of the last 12 years were among the 12 warmest on record worldwide.
The just-released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Summary for Policy Makers — the first volume of the IPCC's 4th Assessment Report — states that scientists are more than 90% confident that human industrial activity is driving global temperature rises.