Global News February 2009

*California in drought emergency, February 28 BBC News, February 28 2009 
*Mayors of African cities voice concerns over climate change, February 27 United Nations Environment Programme, February 27 2009 
* UN Sustainable development preparatory meeting prepares draft policy options, February 27 United Nations, February 27 2009 The Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting’s outcome document called on Governments and the United Nations, in partnership with major groups and other stakeholders, to take action to, among other pressing concerns, enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, invest in essential infrastructure and services for rural communities, manage water and land resources in an integrated manner, strengthen communities’ resilience to drought, combat desertification and land degradation, and integrate African farmers into the global farming supply chain.
*Pacific Institute warns of growing water scarcity impacts from climate change, February 26 Pacific Institute, February 26, 2009 Already, China, India, and the western USA are seeing growth limited by reduced water supplies from shrinking glaciers and melting snowcaps that sustain key rivers. Meanwhile, agricultural and power plant production have been cut back due to more frequent and more intense heat waves and droughts in large parts of Australia, California, and the southeast USA.
*Droughts 'may lay waste' to parts of the USA, February 26 The Guardian, February 26 topic
*Commission on sustainable development seeks integrated approach to multiple global crises, February 23 United Nations, February 23 topic
*A solar deal to put mirrors in the Mojave, February 11 Dot Earth Blog NYTimes.com, February 11 place, place
*China: Worst Drought in 50 years, February 9 Global Voices Online, February 9 A worst drought in 50 years, affecting more than 12 provinces and more than 9.3m hectares, in northern China has hit 43% of the country's wheat crop. The Office of State Control and Drought Relief Headquarters warned that 3.7 million people and 1.85 million livestock had lost access to drinking water.
*Australian wildfires and web tools, February 9 Global Voices Online, February 9 topic
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