cheery.......

March 30, 2005

Comprehensive assessment of world's ecosystems released; be very afraid

The largest and most comprehensive assessment of the world's

ecosystems ever undertaken was released today, and the results

constitute a " stark warning " that " the ability of the planet's

ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for

granted, " according to the 45-member board of the Millennium

Ecosystem Assessment. The study was written by 1,360 experts from 95

countries, including government officials, scientists, members of

civil-society groups and indigenous tribes, and industry

representatives, under the rubric of the U.N. Environment Program,

using widely agreed-upon scientific evidence. It warns of rapid

decline in biodiversity and freshwater availability, and says the

likelihood of disease outbreaks (a la SARS), " dead zones " in coastal

waters, and destructive climate shifts will rise sharply in the

coming 50 years. It recommends means of slowing some of the damage --

developing markets for freshwater, improving forestry practices,

removing some agricultural subsidies -- but stresses that none of

those means are yet being applied.

straight to the source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Seth Borenstein, 30 Mar 2005

straight to the source: Scripps Howard News Service, Joan Lowy, 29 Mar 2005

straight to the source: The Washington Post, Shankar Vedantam, 30 Mar 2005

straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, Alister Doyle, 30 Mar 2005

40 years in the local store

Got forced out by the supermarket

The price of all your favorite meals

Stays low but now you canâ€™t afford it

Send in the supermarket forces

Stick it on a card to save you cash

They know your details in a flash

Streamlined sets the mental tone

Now everyoneâ€™s a shopping clone

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