Bhutan to substitute fossil fuel with green energy sources

The government will gradually phase out subsidy on fossil fuels to encourage conservation and switch to alternative fuel sources

Implementation of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change

Experts from the South Asian countries including Bhutan discussed the implementation of Thimphu Statement on Climate Change at the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi last week.

No White-bellied Heron chicks this year

In what may be a drawback for the conservation of the endangered white-bellied heron, there has been no hatching reported this year.

Leaked report reveals big climate change assessment

The leaked draft report from the IPCC has been grabbing headlines all over the world this week

A regional roadmap for GLOF risk reduction

GLOF poses a serious threat to people and nature in the high mountains as well as downstream

Green hydropower project in Bhutan honored

The Green Power Development Project in Bhutan is the first certified cross-border clean development mechanism project in the world and was recently honored by the US Treasury.  Pic: ADB

The ADB’s Green Power Development Project in Bhutan is one of the five international development projects honored by the U.S Treasury

Less conservation priority species at greater risk

Most species at greatest risk from climate change are not currently conservation priorities, finds an IUCN study

Climate change forecasts can predict crop failures

Scientists have discovered that climate data can help predict some crop failures several months before harvest.(PhotoFlickr.comparker Knight)

The new findings could allow farmers in poor countries to receive better harvest in years with food growing conditions and build resiliency for the other years

Bhutan to join hundreds of other countries to observe the Earth Hour as the clock strikes 8:30pm tonight

Last year, more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011, sending a powerful message for action on climate change

bhutan participates in world’s largest climate change conference

Cabinet Secretary represents Bhutan at COP18

For developing countries including Bhutan, financing is a priority issue for adaption to the adverse impacts of climate change and also to ensure that development follows a low emission pathway

Bhutanese glaciers to shrink despite steady temperature

The research findings indicate that even if climate remained the same Bhutan would lose almost 10% of its glaciers within a few years

World’s poorest countries cautions the world’s most powerful person

As Mother Nature reminded the US presidential candidates (Obama and Romney during the final stages of campaign) about the change in climate, the Chair of the Least Developed Countries writes an open letter to the US President on its concerns

tiger range countries reaffirm commitment to save tigers

The 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRC) met for the second Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation in Thimphu this week

biodiversity conservation to see increased funding

At United Nations Biodiversity Conference, developed countries agreed to double resources for biodiversity protection by 2015

bhutan’s most dangerous glacial lake tamed, finally

In a span of four working seasons, around 1,000 workers, including 123 soldiers were deployed to reduce the water level of the Lake which was posing a catastrophe in the making

The last working season. PIC: Dowchu Drukpa, DGM 

happiness of mountain women and men discussed

More than 200 women and men from all over the world gathered for the conference and called for a equitable and inclusive sustainable development

mountain men and women are impacted differently by climate change

Climate change has different impacts on men and women while they have different abilities to respond to the impacts

Bhutan struggles to control illegal wildlife trade

An article which I wrote for the third pole:

Bhutan is increasingly serving as a conduit for illegal wildlife smuggling between India and China, undermining the country’s conservation efforts. Dawa Wangchuk reports

http://www.thethirdpole.net/bhutan-struggles-to-control-illegal-wildlife-trade/

gender and sustainable mountain development in a changing world

The international conference will bring together stakeholders from the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region and beyond to set new agendas and strategize the way forward for gender-positive change

saving the planet’s biodiversity

The UN biodiversity summit that commenced this week is expected to review the progress so far and come up with decisions that will provide the much-needed stimulus to achieve the targets