Environment | WPN World People News

Polar bear, young bear in freezing water during autumn freeze up, Bernard Spit, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, North Slope, Alaska, Beaufort Sea

Indonesia’s President, Joko Widodo joined a local community in damming a canal to stop the drainage of a peat forest in Sumatra, signalling his intent to decisively tackle Sumatra’s devastating forest fires.

Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has decreased by 18 percent, according to official data released by the Brazilian environmental ministry. This data covers deforestation figures from August 2013 to July 2014 when 4,848 km2 of the Amazon rainforest was destroyed.

Grand Canyon in the snow.

Talks to be held in Lima next month should enable global partners to reach an ambitious climate agreement in Paris in 2015, so as to keep the world on track for a sub-2°C climate warming scenario, Parliament said in a resolution voted on Wednesday. MEPs reiterated the pledge by the EU and its member states to step up contributions to the UN Green Climate Fund.

A mother watches over her child during treatment for asthma.

Based on extensive recent scientific evidence about the harmful effects of ground-level ozone, or smog, EPA is proposing to strengthen air quality standards to within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) to better protect Americans’ health and the environment, while taking comment on a level as low as 60 ppb. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review the standards every five years by following a set of open, transparent steps and considering the advice of a panel of independent experts. EPA last updated these standards in 2008, setting them at 75 ppb.

Wednesday will be the busiest travel day of the year in the United States, and it could be a rough one for millions of people.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Conference of Radiation Control Directors in Frankfort, Kentucky funding to protect public health by reducing exposure to indoor pollutants, such as radon, and environmental asthma triggers commonly found in homes, schools, offices and other large buildings. The organization is one of eight from throughout the United States to receive up to $200,000 of the $4.5 million in funds that are being made available. Awards were obtained through a competitive grant process.

The landmark Brazilian Soy Moratorium, set to end in January has been renewed, for the eighth time. The moratorium prevents major traders from selling soy that may be linked to deforestation in the Amazon and will continue through May 2016.