Which do you think is the most pressing environmental issue today, and why?

Planet's Health in Decline

Today's main news is the launch of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) Synthesis report, based on a study by 1,300 experts from 95 countries. It shows that we have already damaged 60 percent of the ecosystem services that support life on Earth, and that the consequences of this could grow significantly worse in the next 50 years. The consequences will include "the emergence of new diseases, sudden changes in water quality, creation of “dead zones” along the coasts, the collapse of fisheries, and shifts in regional climate."

We rely on a lot that the Earth's systems provide, including fresh water, food, clean air, a tolerable climate, medicines, fuel, materials, etc. Over the past 50 years we have been damaging the systems that produce them at an ever-increasing rate. Whilst we have created some improvements - for instance the amount of food that we can produce, there have been costs, such as a reduction in biodiversity, which may harm us all in other ways, and some of the improvements are unsustainable. Generally it is the poor who suffer most.

Kofi Annan, secretary general of the United Nations, said, “Only by understanding the environment and how it works, can we make the necessary decisions to protect it. Only by valuing all our precious natural and human resources can we hope to build a sustainable future,” and ”The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is an unprecedented contribution to our global mission for development, sustainability and peace.”

According to the MA board of directors, "The over-riding conclusion of this assessment is that it lies within the power of human societies to ease the strains we are putting on the nature services of the planet, while continuing to use them to bring better living standards to all. Achieving this, however, will require radical changes in the way nature is treated at every level of decision-making and new ways of cooperation between government, business and civil society. The warning signs are there for all of us to see. The future now lies in our hands." Associated Press and Reuters news wires.

Mercury Regulation

The states of California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Vermont are suing the federal government over the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent regulations concerning mercury. Like the recent "Clear Skies" Initiative which failed to become law, the regulations do not meet the standards fo the existing Clean Air Act. The states say that the EPA's regulations fail to protect expectant mothers and children. Much of the mercury from coal-burning power plants finds it way into fish, and these categories should take particular care and advice as to how much fish they eat, and what types.

The element mercury can cause allergic reactions and can permanently damage the brain and kidneys. Swallowing even small amounts of mercury compounds, particularly organic compounds such as methyl mercury, can cause major neurological damage and death.

Very small amounts can have severe effects on the brain and nervous system development of foetuses, infants and children. These small amounts can be passed on by the mother who may have eaten contaminated food. Children's memory, attention, language and other skills may be impaired. More here.

Bird Flu in North Korea

Hans Wagner, a senior FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) bird flu expert, has flown to North Korea U.N. Bird Flu Expert to Battle N.Korea Outbreaks It is not yet known whether the outbreak concerns a strain which can jump from birds to humans. The FAO does not expect to eliminate bird flu from Asia, but are working to contain it so it does not mutate to a form that can jump to humans more easily and start a pandemic. More here.

Pipelines Moved for Whales

Royal Dutch/Shell is to reroute pipelines it was constructing near the Russian Pacific island of Sakhalin, due to fears that harm would come to grey whales, which are endangered. More here.

Mystery Decline in Puget Sound-area Herring

Such has been the decline in herring in the area of the Puget Sound, that there are fears that it could become extinct. As the fish and their eggs are food for a variety of species, this could have a considerable effect on the ecology of the area. High concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls and other toxic substances have been found in the herring, which is also oa risk to the creatures that eat them, including larger fish, seals, orcas and birds. Contaminants become more concentrated, the higher up the food chain they pass. Chinook salmon, cod and halibut also eat herring. The main problem is that the herring are dying young, before they reach peak breeding age. More here.

GM, U.S. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Deal

General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed an $88 million deal for 40 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles plus technology development. Let's hope that the price comes down in the future! More here.

Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems Inc. has announced plans today to make hydrogen fuel cells for automobiles more feasible by 2010. More here.

Lousy Farm Salmon Infect Wild Fish

Lice from farm salmon not only infect wild salmon, but also other ocean fish such as herring. Young wild salmon are particular affected. Scientists differ on the subject. There are other reasons why salmon farms are a contentious issue. More here.

Hong Kong Dumping Ground for Electronic Waste

Electronic waste from old computers imported from the United States, Europe and Japan have been dumped in Hong Kong, resulting in high lead levels in the soil. Lead is harmful to health. More