Two-thirds of planet resources used up

The human race is living beyond its means. A report backed by 1,360 scientists from 95 countries - some of them world leaders in their fields - today warns that almost two-thirds of the natural machinery that supports life on Earth is being degraded by human pressure.

The study contains what its authors call "a stark warning" for the entire world. The wetlands, forests, savannahs, estuaries, coastal fisheries and other habitats that recycle air, water and nutrients for all living creatures are being irretrievably damaged. In effect, one species is now a hazard to the other 10 million or so on the planet, and to itself.

"Human activity is putting such a strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted," it says.

... a growing proportion of the world lives in cities, exploiting advanced technology. But nature, the scientists warn, is not something to be enjoyed at the weekend. Conservation of natural spaces is not just a luxury.

"These are dangerous illusions that ignore the vast benefits of nature to the lives of 6 billion people on the planet. We may have distanced ourselves from nature, but we rely completely on the services it delivers."

Blairs finally rent out house

peakoil.com -> heraldsun.news.com.au

As one newspaper remarked, it is a good job he is Britain's premier and not the finance minister. Tony Blair finally managed to rent out his newly purchased London house, but only for a fraction of the hoped-for rent, reports said today. The Blair family bought the house, in a fashionable square of central London, for a whopping 3.65 million [pounds] in September last year.

Intended as their home once they eventually leave the prime ministerial residence in Downing Street, the plan was to rent out the five-bedroom 19th century property immediately to help with mortgage payments ... but rather than the original weekly rental of ?3900, the Blairs will receive just ?2000, leaving them thousands of pounds to make up every month on the mortgage, the reports said.

For all his skill and luck in politics, Mr Blair has not shown a sure hand in London's infamously brutal property market. After moving to Downing Street in 1997, his family sold off their home in a fashionable north London suburb for what seemed a good profit, only to see the house re-sold in 2004 for almost three times as much again.

The new house in Connaught Square was seen by property pundits as an attempt by the Blairs to regain a foothold on the property ladder. However, the purchase came more or less as a long-buoyant property market in London peaked.

(2005-03-31 13:58:55 SGT) [Biz] Permalink

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