Need to Adapt to More Extreme Weather

For some who froze nearly to death in December, it might be hard to believe but it’s a fact. The year 2010 ranked as the warmest year on record, together with 2005 and 1998, according to the World Meteorological Organization. In 2010, global average temperature was 0.53°C (0.95°F) above the 1961-90 mean. The first ten years of the new millennium was the hottest decade ever, since recordings began in 1880. Consequently, we have a lot about weather and climate this issue. Floods in Australia, Sri Lanka and Brazil are linked to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, in turn attributed to a warming world and aggravated by the La Nina effect.  With a strong climate change focus, we hear from Will Steffen, Michael Richardson, Chai Tai Soo, Mike Sketekee, Matthew Wright, Tim Hughes, Ed Blakely and George Earl. We even speculate – with the help of World Vision – on what the late Martin Luther King would think of climate change. Sustainability and green business get  a good look in with a GreenWise survey from the UK, and the Wharton School’s insight from the US, then Coca Cola shows it is facing up to corporate social responsibility, particularly through its WWF alliance. South Korea has launched a green credit card scheme and new technology will enhance electric car growth in China. From Singapore, we hear of the importance of water management in Asia and what’s in view for World Water Day (20 March), plus the city state’s first Eco Food Courts and where Envirofriendly is making its presence felt. Warm wishes for a cool change! –  Ken Hickson