Global Warming

Morocco’s irrigation revolution against global warming

In 1980, 2,500 m3 of drinking water was available per person per year in Morocco. Today, as a result of global warming, water scarcity has brought the level down to 500 m3 per person. According to NASA, the global average temperature has increased by 1.1°C over the last century, which is causing more droughts.

In response, the agricultural irrigation sector in Morocco has boomed. The government aims to convert 550,000 hectares of agricultural land to drip-irrigation technology within 10 years.

Thousands march peacefully in Brussels against global warming

Tens of thousands of people marched peacefully on Sunday in Brussels urging governments to respect commitments on countering climate change as a United Nations conference on keeping global warming in check opened in Poland.

Belgian police said some 65,000 people participated in Sunday's "Claim The Climate" demonstration, many of them on their bikes.

Global warming increases frost damage on trees in Central Europe

Global warming increases frost damage on trees in large areas of Central Europe, according to a new Finnish-Chinese study by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, the Chinese Academy of Science and Zhejiang A&F University.

Late frost damages are economically important in agriculture and forestry. In certain years, they are known to have caused losses amounting to up to hundreds of millions of euros.

Climate change and increasing temperatures will diminish the occurrence and severity of spring frost events, which should reduce frost damages.

"However, global warming also has another, negative consequence: plants flower and leaf out earlier than they used to. As a result, the incidence of frost damages will increase," says Professor Frank Berninger from the University of Eastern Finland.

"Our research suggests that as a result, trees will suffer increasing frost damages in many places in Central Europe."