WHO to discuss Zika impact on Rio Olympics next week
Concern over the spread of the disease is growing with athletes pulling out of the event and scientists writing to WHO to move or postpone the Games
First cases of avian flu found in Antarctic region
Researchers identify species and areas most vulnerable to spread of infection
A complement, not a substitute
Cash transfer is effective only if basic services are in place
Sao Paulo
Lethal messenger
El Niño brings deadly disease to South America
Four possible consequences of El Niño returning in 2023
It’s possible that Earth’s rising temperature will temporarily exceed the 1.5°C threshold of the Paris agreement some time …
Growing tension
NEWS SNIPPETS
Brazil launches operation against mining mafia on Indigenous land
Special forces destroy aircraft and seize weapons; non-profit Amazon Watch asks for probe into those behind the ‘horror’
Indigenous defenders stand between illegal roads, survival of Amazon rainforest — elections in Brazil, Peru could be a turning point
A victory for sustainability, conservation and culture in Brazil could resonate across political borders into Peru and the other seven countries …
2015-16 El Niño: Wildfires in Amazon led to over 30 million tonnes of CO2 emission
Almost one million hectare of primary and secondary forests was burned during the 2015–2016 El Niño season
Wheat blast: A fungus that spread to three continents can threaten food security globally
Magnaporthe oryzae fungus was first reported in South America, from where it independently spread to Asia and Africa
Death in the devil’s paradise
British colonial history is tainted by its involvement in rubber collection from the Peruvian Amazon, writes Survivor International
Brazil’s sewage woes reflect the growing global water quality crisis
Wastewater treatment systems are hamstrung by outdated tests that don't identify a growing array of pathogens
City scan
How happy are people living in cities?
Temples of doom
The Mayans penchant for building places of worship brought their downfall
South America’s High Andes may pay for the world’s ‘green’ electric vehicle switch
Global rush to decarbonising cars is overlooking lithium mining techniques, which might dry out the region
Brazilian government cancels mega dam on the Amazon’s Tapajós River
The project could have caused flooding of lands and forced displacement of indigenous Munduruku people
Megadrought in Chile: Both natural climate factors, human-induced global warming to blame
A quarter of reduction of rainfall a direct result of sea-surface warming
World’s forests continue shrinking, but at a slower pace: FAO report
Countries now have more knowledge of their forest resources and indicators reveal positive progress in forest management
Facts, at last
The first ever field study of the anaconda - the dreaded predator snake - has revealed a number of fascinating facts about the reptile's habits
The curse of coca
The move to use a new herbicide to eradicate the coca plant spells trouble for South America's rainforests
Green eye in the sky
A voyage into space for a three-dimensional monitoring of the polluted environment
Who dares trash them?
Is time ticking for coal
Business-as-usual will not work to combat climate crisis. Difficult targets must be set to reduce carbon emissions