Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 30 July 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake has struck off Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings in parts of Moscow, Japan, the US Pacific coast, the Philippines and Indonesia. Several people have been injured as authorities warn of strong aftershocks. The peninsula has already been rocked by a series of earthquakes in the last ten days. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s disaster management agency has warned that the country’s coastal areas could expect strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.

# The US Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to repeal a landmark environmental decision to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. This would rescind a 2009 declaration that determined that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. America is the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and historically has emitted more planet-warming pollution than any other country.  Environmental groups have already threatened legal action, arguing that the move to repeal lacks both a scientific basis and a legal foundation.

# And finally: SANParks will mark World Ranger Day at Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town tomorrow. The day is an occasion to commemorate and honour rangers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty, and celebrate their dedication in the conservation and protection of the country’s natural and cultural heritage. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, will be part of the event. This year’s World Ranger Day theme is Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation.

Stay tuned for more news………….