Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan says the 8.9 magnitude earthquake which ripped through Japan on Friday, generating a tsunami some say was 15 meters high, is the worst crisis Japan has faced since the end of World War 2. The effects have been devastated the north east section of the country and produced fears of a nuclear meltdown at a power station
A 6.3 magnitude Earthquake ripped through Christchurch on Tuesday 22nd February at 1 PM leaving many parts of the city which has a population 350,000 in ruins. The city has imposed a curfew in some of the worst stricken areas, with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key declaring a state of emergency.
The earthquake has left an official death toll of 75, with many more expected and at least 300 individuals still unaccounted for. According to the mayor of Christchurch, some 120 people have been rescued since the earth quake struck on Tuesday, and he remains optimistic over the prospects of the 300 still unaccounted.
The town of Swindon is bidding to become the countries most water efficient area. The Save Water Swindon campaign has been launched in conjunction with WWF-UK, Waterwise and Thames Water to help ease pressures on the natural environment whilst also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.The plan is for Swindon to be used as an example to the rest of the country as they prepare to reduce their water use. Residents of the Wiltshire town will be supported in their efforts to save water for the next 12 months by the Environment Agency who have deemed the area seriously water stressed.
WWF charity officials will be launching a new set of reports on new guidelines for the protection of a new, warmer Arctic. The International Governance and Regulation of the Marine Arctic reports were launched in Denmark to coincide with the visit of Russian president Medvedev and show that new plans need to be put into place for this highly vulnerable environment. As the region is no longer completely ice covered, the area is more susceptible to fishing and shipping, which in turn will have a profound effect on its natural habitat and resources.
The Magic Snorkel is a great website for divers to not only support shark & marine conservation, but also save themselves money off diving, equipment & dive insurance. The site itself was first created to help unify the global dive community & the need to actively help save the planets oceans and its inhabitants, particularly those that are under threat. The Magic Snorkel’s aim is raise money to support marine conservation agencies and help them to protect the world’s fragile diving environments.
WWF charity officials are absolutely chuffed with the response to this year’s Earth Hour, where millions of people around the world joined forces to highlight public support for action on climate change. The now an annual global event crossed all seven continents in 125 countries, with more than 4,000 cities and towns taking part, making it the biggest switch off ever. People were asked to sign up and switch off their lights for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 27th March 2010, and boy did they do so in great numbers!
WWF UK has shortlisted their final 3 short films for their fantastic Earth Hour, and your vote can help decide the top prize-winner. That’s right, decision time is finally here for the 3 aspiring film makers whose one minute Earth Hour videos have made it this far. Simply click on the link below to check out the finalists and vote, it will only take you a couple of minutes and all 3 shorts a pretty cool. After you’ve chosen your favourite why not tell a few of your friends to vote too!
WWF UK is pleased to hear the news that the British government has confirmed that they will be providing millions of pounds in funding for the next stage of theUK’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) competition. The two remaining entries, Scottish Power and E.On, will be receiving huge financial backing for their detailed engineering studies, with Scottish Power’s taking place at their existing coal plant atLongannet in Fife.
Only 2 weeks now until the WWF charity Earth Hour, which will be taking place in the UK at 8.30pm on Saturday 27th March 2010. Over 1000 cities and towns across the globe will be taking part by switching off their lights to show they care about climate change. 88 countries took part across the world last year and 2010 looks like even more will be taking part in what will be one of the world’s biggest unified messages to the world leaders that climate change need to be dealt with.
Amnesty International Global Day of Action
Merlin Voted in Top 25 Charities in the World
NSPCC Figures Show Caller Increase Over Christmas