Climate Of Venezuela

Climate: Fractures in the lobby?

One of the oddest things about the UN climate process is the way it virtually forces countries with diametrically opposed interests to huddle close and pretend to be friends.

EU nations, most of which officially want to press ahead with tying up a binding new global agreement, tend through reasons of history and expediency to stay close by the US, which does not.

But nowhere is the issue more starkly illustrated than in the G77/China bloc of developing countries, which - despite its name - now encompasses 131 countries.

I've written before about the wide range of development levels within the bloc.

But even more pertinent is the huge variation in their national interests, between those such as low-lying small islands that may literally cease to exist as nations as the sea level rises, and the oil-producing states of the Persian Gulf and Opec for whom the priority is to keep the oil and gas flowing.

Breaking ranks is a tough thing to do, because the G77/China bloc gives small countries a powerful presence and a powerful voice in talks in all sorts, notably trade.

Without strength in numbers, the argument goes, the Togos and Thailands and Trinidads of this world will be picked upon and bullied rotten by the exploiters of the Western world.

Some countries have nevertheless put their heads above the parapet and spoken out against the more powerful nations, including the Gulf lobby, that wield power within the bloc.

In her e-mail, she describes the comment as "very surprising".

Mr Al-Sabban goes further.

"It is not unusual that some developed countries are abusing their relationship with small developing countries through bilateral 'give and take' to divide the G-77/China," he writes - a reference, in this case, to the UK.

"This has been their practice for long time, and they have never succeeded."

The Maldives is one of the small island states that has established close relations with developed nations - with President Nasheed speaking of the need for all countries, developed and developing, to curb their emissions.

Last year, he told BBC News that continuing to equate the need to develop with the right to emit carbon dioxide was "quite silly".

With support from the UK and others, the Maldives is embarking on a plan to become carbon neutral by 2020.

Saudi Arabia, by contrast, has long demanded compensation for "non-use" of fossil fuels. It argues that if a global climate deal goes through, it will not be able to sell some of the oil and gas in its possession - and should be compensated through "special response measures".

Water and climate change in Venezuela - TH!NK ABOUT IT

I have a Degree on Environmental Studies in Venezuela. I have devoted myself to study the adaptation and mitigation of the climate change. I worked as a researcher and consultant on climate change and other environmental issues in Venezuela, with the "Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado's" University, "Yacambu" University and Development Foundation (FUDECO). I could do make some projects by environmental education and climate change, including the Environmental Kit oriented at this theme. You can join this initiative in Twitter @OoClimateChange and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Our-Opportunity-in-Climate-Change/198930703452214

Hi everybody..! I want to thank all the bloggers for your comments and criticisms, have been for me a great learning and above all highly values the efforts and collaboration of all of you to contribute to environmental awareness in society. We must have a green heart to give this and future generations a better world, therefore improve environmental quality and our lives! Remember that only by changing our habits, we can change the destiny of the planet..!

My last post of this great competition I will do it about the water situation and the effects of climate change in Venezuela (my born country), specially about desertification and extreme drought. Also, I want to talk about the Orinoco River, the most important water source of this country with a cultural and environmental significance.

Venezuela, is a tropical country based in South America, in front at the Caribbean Beach with a very special forests like an amazing part of the Amazon Rainforest. However, this country is very susceptible at the climate change. For this reason, I was share with all, the current situation in Venezuela about this theme and the most important river in this country.

(research).

In Venezuela, the dry conditions, semi-arid areas and dry sub-humid zones, are mainly seen along the north coast. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), in 2001, has identified the Caribbean coast of Venezuela as one of the most affected regions in South America by land degradation, along with the Caribbean coast of Colombia, northeastern areas Brazil and northern Argentina.

Recent studies have shown that there are many lands that have lost productivity due to natural causes (eg erosion) as well as human actions such as indiscriminate felling, wood extraction and carbon production. All these above contribute to the desertification of the areas.

Quarterly journal of the Royal Meteorological Society

Influence of climate in North and South America, showing the varied climatic influences operating in the equatorial, tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, cold and frigid regions, extending from the Arctic to the Antarctic circle. Accompanied by an agricultural, and isothermal map of North America

Doing business in Venezuela

Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, interim results from the U.S. Country Studies Program

Venezuela, Geographical sketch, natural resources, laws, economic conditions, actual development, prospects of future growth