The extreme rate of acidification – the term used to describe the decrease in ocean pH levels caused by man-made CO2 emissions – has happened before, Carol Turley of Plymouth Marine Laboratory said, a claim that might have been comforting if she hadn’t been referring to the time when dinosaurs died out. 

The world's water supply is being strained by climate change and the growing food, energy and sanitary needs of a fast-growing population, according to a United Nations study that calls for a radical rethink of policies to manage competing claims. 

Today marks the countdown to Rio+20.

100 days to go to a conference and a summit that UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon has described as a "once in a life time opportunity".

Nick Clegg will attend the Rio Earth summit this summer to prevent the UK "playing catch-up" on clean technology, the deputy prime minister told his party's spring conference on Sunday.

While political momentum on a green economy is now gathering pace there are still some important concerns regarding the meaning and consequences of a transition, particularly for the world's poorest. As governments begin to identify opportunities and policy frameworks at the national level it is critical that their decision-making processes are guided by a common set of goals, an agreed set of principles, for what a green economy must uphold.

By Stockholm International Water Institute

The 6th World Water Forum, taking place in Marseille from March 12-17, is an important stepping stone to strengthen the voice of water in the process leading up to Rio+20. At this juncture, the Stockholm International Water Institute strongly urges that following points are emphasised in the outcome of Rio+20.

The goal is to get every school on the planet to teach their students about the crucial issues addressed by Rio+20: the website Home page starts with seven jargon-free slides that summarise some of the Rio+20 issues, linked to posters outlining some solutions. It goes on to propose ideas for Action:

Joan Walley, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent and Chair of the Environment Audit Select Committee, moved a debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday 28 February on the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.