Argentina bans incandescent light bulbs.

Argentina is the first Latin American country to completely phase out inefficient incandescent light bulbs. The transition will be complete by 2010. A major campaign by Greenpeace Argentina contributed to the passing of the new law.

 http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/argentina-ban-the-bulb-140308

US scientists call for new rice varieties to prevent food shortages. 

A peer-reviewed study by Elizabeth Ainsworth of the University of Illinois called “Rice Production in a Changing Climate” warns that increased temperatures and ground-level ozone concentrations threaten to drastically reduce rice yields around the world. New strains of rice must be bred immediately in response to the threat of a worldwide rice shortage.  Dr. Ainsworth said, “In places where the demand for food is already too great, things are going to get worse.” 

 http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change/dn13517-major-food-source-threatened-by-climate-change.html

British bird sightings decline.

The findings of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ (RSPB) Big Garden Birdwatch were published on Wednesday, indicating that warm winters have caused the general population of birds seen in gardens and parks to decline by 20 percent over the past 4 years. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/sharp-decline-in-sightings-of-garden-birds-800591.html

US scientists say increased atmospheric CO2 makes crops vulnerable to insect attack. 

Researchers at the University of Illinois’ Institute for Genomic Biology recently studied the effect of CO2 on soybean plants.  They found that high levels of the gas make it necessary for insects to eat more plant leaves to meet their nutritional needs. Carbon dioxide also inhibits the plants’ biochemical response to insect attack by impairing their ability to produce a key hormone called jasmonic acid.

http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=39542

Alaska sees increase in vector-borne illnesses.

During a medical conference, Dr. Jeffrey Demain of the University of Alaska explained that climate change was beginning to affect public health in the northern-most US state. Indications include a tenfold increase in the yellowjacket bee population, with the first two sting-related mortalities and a 50 percent increase in sting-related emergency visits. Dr. Demain also highlighted regional temperature increases that were ahead of projections, which he said would put more pressure on public health.

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSPAR56289420080325