Tiempo Climate Newswatch

Features, Reports and Interviews

Rae Kwon Chung, on behalf of the Environment and Sustainable Development Division at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia, outlines an approach to sustainable economic growth that is being promoted for the nations of Asia and the Pacific. Published April 2008

Christoph Holtwisch analyses the current development of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, contrasting the Partnership with the traditional climate regime. Published February 2008

In a Newswatch interview, Rob Allan discusses new work aimed at extending the instrumental climate record that should benefit the scientific community, policy makers and everyday users of climate information. Published February 2008

The latest round of the climate negotiations took place in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007. Newswatch editors Sarah Granich and Mick Kelly report. Published December 2007

In a Newswatch interview, Boni Biagini reflects on the National Adaptation Programme of Action process to date from a Global Environment Facility perspective. Published December 2007

Mozaharul Alam describes the next steps needed under the National Adaptation Programmes of Action process in the Asia and Pacific region. Published December 2007

James Lewis discusses the need for a comprehensive approach to limiting typhoon and flood impacts. Published November 2007

There has been considerable movement in climate politics in recent months, with the United Nations promoting high-level engagement and the United States staking a claim to leadership. Newswatch editors Mick Kelly and Sarah Granich report. Published October 2007

Maureen Silos outlines the vulnerabilities to climate change confronting Suriname. Published September 2007

Effective progress is being made in developing the self-sufficiency of meteorological services in Pacific Islands through assistance from New Zealand and other international development partners. Penehuro Lefale from the Meteorological Service of New Zealand reports. Published July 2007

A global e-conference on Climate Change and the Himalayan Glaciers was held May 7-30th 2007. Tek Jung Mahat from ClimateHimalaya reports. Published July 2007

Vaitoti Tupa discusses the environmental challenges facing the Cook Islands, commenting on climate change and sea-level rise, resource sustainability and capacity building. Published May 2007

The Fourth Assessment reports on climate science, impacts, adaptation and vulnerability and mitigation were finalized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change during the first half of 2007. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published May 2007

Balgis Osman-Elasha discusses the many factors that make the African continent so vulnerable to environmental stress and climate change impacts and summarizes some of the adaptation opportunities that would ensure the continent a healthy and sustainable future. Published March 2007

Ulrike Röhr reports on the current state of progress made on integrating gender issues into the climate treaty negotiations, most recently at the Twelfth Conference of the Parties (COP12) in November 2006. Published February 2007.

Gunnar Boye Olesen discusses a comprehensive series of visions, strategies and plans that demonstrate the transition to utilizing sustainable energy at the local, national, regional and global levels. Published February 2007

The latest round of the climate negotiations took place in Nairobi, Kenya, during November 2006. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published December 2006

Sven Harmeling discusses the lead that Germany must take on adaptation to climate change through its year of presidency of the European Union and the Group of Eight. Published December 2006

Increasingly, the international community is recognizing that disaster reduction strategies must be developed to provide long-term risk and capacity management that encompasses the complexity of interdependent systems and strengthens resilience in the face of long-term climate change. Newswatch editor Sarah Granich reports.

Guy Jacques and Hervé Le Treut describe the role of climate in shaping the Sahara. Published September 2006

Mozaharul Alam and Lwandle Mqadi describe a novel way of identifying, designing, implementing and monitoring community-based adaptation projects. Published August 2006

Louise Hunt reports on the successful efforts of a community group on the Solomon Islands' weather coast to teach livelihood skills and community capacity strengthening to its people. Published August 2006

The latest round of the climate negotiations took place in Bonn, Germany, during May 2006. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly and Tiempo editor Saleemul Huq report. Published July 2006

The Most Honourable Percival James (P J) Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, outlines the potential for a sustainable energy future for his country through energy conservation and the development of renewable resources. Published June 2006

Megesh Tiwari discusses the development of the use of electric vehicles in Nepal and current initiatives that are expanding their use across the transport sector. Published May 2006

Steven Kaufman, Samuel Milton and Délcio Rodrigues describe the potential of solar water heating and the role of the Clean Development Mechanism in Brazil. Published May 2006

The Marrakech Accords include new funding for adaptation activities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Tiempo editor Saleemul Huq reports. Published April 2006

Noora Singh discusses the prospects, the challenges and the viability of the Clean Development Mechanism for Nepal. Published February 2006

Desertification is increasing, along with its environmental, social and economic impacts, and so it is timely that 2006 has been designated the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Newswatch editor Sarah Granich reports. Published February 2006

The inaugural meeting of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP-6) took place in Sydney, Australia, January 11-12th 2006. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published February 2006

Montréal, Canada, was the venue for the latest negotiations regarding the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Newswatch editor Sarah Granich reports. Published January 2006

Anil Raut presents a summary of the climate change impacts confronting Nepal and discusses adaptation measures that are being undertaken. Published January 2006

Imogen Ingram describes an innovative design for coastal defense as an adaptive measure to climate change for Small Island Developing States. Published November 2005

The International Energy Agency and British Petroleum have released their latest annual reports on current trends in energy consumption. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published November 2005

Ngamindra Dahal discusses how climate change impacts are perceived in parts of the Himalayas in Nepal, and proposes activities to reduce vulnerability. Published September 2005

The Intermediate Technology Development Group South Asia describes a rainwater harvesting project, designed to help people adapt to climate change in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. Published September 2005

The documentary The Other Side of Paradise describes the climate threat facing Small Island Developing States. Published August 2005

The latest summit of the leaders of the G8 nations took place in July 2005, with Africa and climate change high on the agenda. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports.

Kanayathu Koshy and Sarah Granich discuss an international review of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island States. Published July 2005

The Twenty-Second Session of the Subsidiary Bodies to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change took place in Bonn, Germany, 15-27th May 2005. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published June 2005

In a Newswatch interview, Peter Read discusses the potential of bioenergy and the broader role of the biosphere in controlling the composition of the atmosphere. He also comments on George Monbiot's critique of biomass as a fuel source. Published May 2005

Thailand recently hosted a conference to discuss the lessons learnt from the Indian Ocean tsunami. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published May 2005

Sarah Granich discusses the United Nations Water for Life Decade, launched March 2005. Published April 2005

A recent workshop held in Moscow bought together representatives of indigenous peoples to discuss the opportunities, constraints and the way ahead for an effective stewardship of the natural resources in the Russian North. Newswatch editor Sarah Granich reports. Published April 2005

Adam Harvey describes a programme designed to provide sustainable forms of energy to villages in Lao PDR. Published February 2005

The documentary Regional CHARM Guidelines for Pacific Island Countries, presented as streaming video, describes the Comprehensive Hazard And Risk Management process for the Pacific islands. Published January 2005

In a Newswatch interview, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury discusses the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. Published January 2005

2004 was the fourth warmest year in the global temperature record. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published January 2005

The Tenth Conference of the Parties to the climate treaty was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 6-18th 2004. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published January 2005

Kanayathu Koshy discusses Pacific preparations for the 10-Year Review of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. Published January 2005

Tom Roper describes the Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative, intended to assist Small Island Developing States develop renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Published December 2004

The documentary Islands and Climate Change, presented as streaming video, describes the threat posed to the Pacific island nations by climate change and unsustainable development. Published December 2004

The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment concludes that human influence is now "the dominant factor" in regional trends. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published December 2004

A new vision for a transition to sustainable energy in Europe by 2050 has been developed. Newswatch editor Sarah Granich reports. Published December 2004

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury discusses the current status of Small Island Developing States in the context of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. Published October 2004

South Africa's National Climate Change Response Strategy was launched in October 2004. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published October 2004

In a Newswatch interview, Jim Salinger discusses the development of the global temperature record, a key stage in the acceptance of climate change as a serious threat. Published September 2004

Bill Van Lopik outlines the results of a recent international dialogue that focused on the models of sustainable development and positive practices of indigenous peoples. Published September 2004

The International Conference for Renewable Energies, Renewables 2004, was held in Bonn, Germany, in June 2004. Newswatch editor Sarah Granich reports. Published August 2004

World carbon emissions from hydrocarbon use rose by 3.8 per cent in 2003, with about half the increase accounted for by China. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published August 2004

The year 2003 was the third warmest in the global surface air temperature record, which extends back to 1856. Newswatch editor Mick Kelly reports. Published August 2004

"Rice is Life" is the theme of the International Year of Rice. Newswatch editor Sarah Granich reports. Published August 2004

Lareef Zubair suggests that if vulnerable communities are empowered to cope with present-day climate change then the lessons learned can be utilized for longer-term adaptation. Published August 2004

Federica Meneghetti reports on an innovative project involving young people in the three countries of Argentina, China and Mozambique. Published July 2004

Svetlana Volchek describes the innovative transfer of used wind turbines from Denmark to Russia to kickstart an indigeneous wind energy industry. Published July 2004

Neil Adger, M. J. Mace, Jouni Paavola and Jona Razzaque report on a strategic assessment of the equity and justice implications of adaptation. Published July 2004

In a Newswatch interview, Bo Döös discusses the development of the first operational weather forecast model. Published June 2004

Ashmita Gosai, Penehuro Lefale and Jim Salinger describe the content and application of the Island Climate Update, a highly successful seasonal climate bulletin. Published April 2004

Hannah Reid and Saleemul Huq report on Adaptation Day, a major COP9 side event held in Milan, Italy, in December 2003. Published April 2004

Simon Mason discusses the development of seasonal climate forecasting in the Indochina region of Southeast Asia. He argues that there is great potential and a pressing need for reliable predictions. Published March 2003

Paul Kench and Peter Cowell present methodological developments in assessing the effect of sea-level rise on the erosion of low-lying reef islands. They conclude that more work is needed to assess the vulnerability of these habitats. Published December 2002

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