Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the Globe

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DATE : Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:30:00 GMT
Entered in Database : 2009-10-26 16:30:00
length : 14576414
Link to the Show / Show Notes

An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.
NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality

This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action?

Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible?

WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently released a study in Berlin called "Model Germany – Climate Protection by 2050" in which they laid out what the country has to do to make this a reality.

Report: Richard Fuchs/Ellice Mol

Few things have a bigger impact on fragile environments more than floods and mudslides. While these are often seen as natural disasters, in Italy, illegal construction is exacerbating the problem.

Floods and mudslides invaded the province of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily earlier this month not only killing 24 people but also leaving environmental victims. Italian officials blamed the ferocity of the storm, which unleashed some 25 centimeters (nine inches) of rain in just three hours, but they also acknowledged that deforestation and unregulated development had weakened the soil and contributed to the mudslides.

The disaster has prompted environmentalists to step up their campaign against illegal construction which is rampant throughout Italy. Even the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano denounced the illegal construction, which he said had caused ''widespread'' disruption in Messina's topography.

Report: Stephanie Raison

Until recently the best woods to build with were also the most endangered. Teak, mahogany and ebony are slow-growing and only thrive in the world's rainforests. Now a Norwegian company has come up with a beautiful, durable and sustainable alternative.

It's all glittering luxury yachts and big money when the Hamburg International Boat Show kicks off for the 50th year this week. But all too often the shiny decks and other details on such boats are made from rainforest woods, while the planet's green lungs are disappearing fast. Boat builders argue there's no alternative to hard-wearing tropical woods like teak, but in Norway some say there is.

Report: Lars Bevanger

Seal hunting remained completely legal in the Netherlands well into the middle of last century. A special rehabilitation center opened in 1952 to help these creatures effectively supports the seal population long after the hunt became illegal.

The island of Texel lies off the north coast of Holland in the area known as the Wadden Sea. It’s visited by many thousands of tourists each year and this summer, the Wadden Sea was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage area. Apart from sheep farming, the island of Texel is home to a plethora of wildlife indigenous to the area; among them common and grey seals.

Up until the early 60s, seal hunting was still legal in the Netherlands and so a wildlife sanctuary known as Ecomare was founded in 1952 to serve as a rescue and rehabilitation center for these marine mammals. Half a century later and Ecomare is still one of the most visited places on the island.

Report: Barry McKay

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