Environment | WPN World People News

The impact of climate change is affecting Lesotho’s progress towards development in a number of areas, including agriculture, food security, water resources, public health and disaster risk management.

Following further heavy rainfall overnight UK Environment Agency has issued 12 severe flood warnings - which indicate a danger to life - for Whalley, Ribchester and St Michael’s on Wyre in Lancashire and Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Todmorden and Walsden in Yorkshire. Residents are being warned to take immediate action and prepare for property flooding.

Following further heavy rainfall overnight UK Environment Agency has issued 12 severe flood warnings - which indicate a danger to life - for Whalley, Ribchester and St Michael’s on Wyre in Lancashire and Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Todmorden and Walsden in Yorkshire. Residents are being warned to take immediate action and prepare for property flooding.

A farmer takes a break in Swaziland.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday a settlement with Clorox Professional Products Company for selling a mislabeled pesticide on over six hundred occasions in 2013. As part of the settlement, Clorox has agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty.

The World Bank approved an additional financing of $35 million to support improved management, planning and development of water resources in the Indus River Basin in Pakistan with better environmental and social considerations.

The World Bank announced on Friday a new US$300 million loan to support the implementation of Morocco’s comprehensive green growth strategy. The second in a program of two operations designed to support the shift towards a low carbon economy, the Second Inclusive Green Growth Development Policy Loan (DPL) is focused on policies aimed at preserving the environment and protecting the livelihoods of the most vulnerable citizens, while developing new climate friendly job opportunities.

French artisanal fishermen in the Atlantic.

A ban on the patenting of products obtained by conventional breeding techniques, such as crossing, is essential to sustain innovation, food security and small businesses, says a non-legislative resolution voted by Parliament on Thursday. MEPs, surprised by the European Patent Office decision to allow patents on such products, call on the EU Commission to clarify existing EU rules as a matter of urgency and protect plant breeders’ access to biological material.