NEW YORK: Bidders will be able to buy fine art, a vacation in the Maldives, or an internship with designer Donna Karan and help the planet at the same time in Christie's annual Green Auction, which is expected reap millions for environmental causes. Proceeds from the third annual auction on April 11, which raised nearly a combined $5 million its first two years, will benefit four environmental charities -- Oceana, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Central Park Conservancy and Conservation International.

Gamesa India launched G97-2 MW wind turbines in India. It launched the G97 in the global market last year and has secured contracts to supply 356 MW worldwide.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah launched Gamesa's G97-2 MW turbine in India at the third International Wind Conference and Exhibition here on Sunday. The turbines are designed for low-wind sites.

President Nasheed sent the bill to control thalassemia back to parliament for further amendments without ratification.
The bill was sent back again based on advice of the Attorney General who deemed it to be in conflict with current government policy regarding health care provided to thalassemic patients, President’s office website said today.
The website also stated that the President felt that all health care services including the medical services for thalassemic patients should be included in the social health insurance bill.

In collaboration with State Trading Organization (STO), Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) and Bright Brothers (AGORA), Ministry of Housing and Environment is organizing a second phase of ‘No to Plastic Bags Campaign’ to be initiated today.

The Ministry of Housing and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed a project today to invest USD 8.5 million, towards an initiative that will bring fresh water to communities on the densely populated islands of Haa Alif Ihavandhoo, Alif Dhaalu Mahibadhoo and Gaafu Dhaalu Gadhdhoo, with a view on country-wide replication and upscaling in the future. The financial resources for this project come from the Adaptation Fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The United States denied on Thursday it was trying to delay a new global climate deal until 2020, saying it supported an EU proposal that aims to chart a path to a more ambitious pact to fight climate change.

Delegates from almost 200 countries have until Friday to decide whether to commit to signing up to an internationally binding climate deal by 2015 at the latest.

All Nepal Peasants’ Federation has declared a war to prevent Monsanto from coming to Nepal.

The farmers’ wing has vowed that it would force the government and USAID to annul the agreement signed with the Monsanto company, a US-based producer of genetically engineered seeds, to introduce hybrid corn seeds for around 20,000 farmers in Kavre, Nawalparasi and Chitwan districts.

Speaking at the Ministerial segment of the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Vienna Convention and the 23rd Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer held in Bali, 24-25 November, Minister of State Mr.

Government of the Maldives showcased its success story in ozone protection and achieving carbon neutrality in a side event organized by the Ministry of Housing and Environment of Maldives in cooperation with the OzonAction Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on 24th November 2011 in Bali, Indonesia.

This event was held during the 23rd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer from 21 to 25 November 2011.

Regional collaboration is crucial to key developments in security risks related to adverse effects of climate change within the South Asian region, Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed said this morning.

Speaking at the "Security Implications of Climate Change" forum held by South Asia Network for Security and Climate Change (SANSaC) at Traders Hotel, Dr Waheed said the effects of climate change is a threat not only to the individual country but to the whole region.