Flanders today
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 Erkenningsnummer P708816
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South Pole, ho
hunting meteors · checking ozone levels · measuring sea-level changes Research teams head to Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth station p6
Tipping point
© Belga
An ambitious agenda pays off for Flemish environment minister Joke Schauvliege Emma Portier Davis
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full one-half of commercial medicines are made from plants, and many of the tropical rainforests that provide them are dying. If populations of bees, which are crucial to pollination, continue to dwindle at their present alarming rate, it will have a devastating impact on the climate These jolting statistics on endangerment and extinction of species and habitats were addressed at talks among 193 of the world's nations in Nagoya, Japan, last month. And, after last year's dismal efforts to reach a global deal to tackle climate change in Copenhagen, world leaders showed that – on
some topics at least – they are able to reach an international consensus. The three-week long negotiations resulted in a tangible deal for a strategic plan from now until 2020, the mobilisation of financial resources to invest in programmes to protect species and a protocol to ensure that every country, rich and poor, has access to and shares in the benefits of using the genetic resources of the planet. As Belgium currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, Flemish environment minister Joke Schauvliege (pictured) was responsible for presenting the common European
position at the Nagoya Biodiversity Summit. “Biodiversity is diminishing,” she says. “The EU deadline to halt biodiversity loss by 2010 was not achieved. This was because we didn't have the necessary facts and figures. The Nagoya agreement now points out very clear targets." These targets include an agreement to at least halve – and where feasible bring close to zero – the rate of loss of natural habitats; to expand protected areas both on land and at sea (currently less than 1% of the world's oceans are protected); restore at least 15% of degraded areas; and make "special efforts" to reduce the environmental pressures faced by coral reefs.
© Reuters
Torrential rain causes floods Three die in Hainaut during the worst flooding in Belgium in 50 years Alan Hope
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orrential rain last weekend caused serious flooding and damage across Belgium, as three days of heavy rain swelled rivers and canals and put additional strain on ground already saturated by September's high level of rainfall. Across Flanders, more water fell in one weekend than in an average entire month of November. Experts said the flooding was the worst in 50 years. In Wallonia’s Hainaut province, three people in their 60s and 70s died due to the flood, and one committed suicide after hearing of the death of her partner. In Antwerp, 40 municipalities were affected by flooding, according to provincial governor Cathy Berx. There was a risk of flooding at Mechelen, Lier, Ranst and Boechout, as heavy waters flowed from
Wallonia and Flemish Brabant. The Antwerp authorities were keeping a close watch on the level of the River Zenne. In Brussels, the provincial disaster plan was launched, as the canal broke its banks. Streets in the communes of Vorst, Ukkel, Watermaal-Bosvoorde and Drogenbos were flooded, and the city's fire service took more than 1,500 emergency calls on Saturday alone. Brussels public works minister Brigitte Grouwels said: “My thoughts go in the first place to the people affected by water. This flooding is mainly a result of the enormous mass of water flowing from the tributaries of the Zenne in the south of Brussels. I want to thank the people who have worked day and night over recent days to stabilise the situation.” ➟ continued on page 3
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A man in Zwalm, East Flanders, surveys his street