Worldfocus blogger Hsin-Yin Lee writes about her personal experience with the health consequences of climate change. She explains how the number of Taiwanese people with significant eye irritation has surged by 20-30 percent since mid-March, since the onset of the worst-ever dust storms from mainland China.
Environment
Air pollution worsens from world’s biggest emitter nation
Tonga grapples with forces of man and nature
Tonga, a remote chain of 176 lush islands spread over 500 miles of the Pacific Ocean, faces potentially devastating effects from climate change. As part of her series on small islands and climate change, Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson visited Tonga and documented the government's campaign to get the word out about the issue -- both at home and abroad.
Worldfocus Radio: Small Islands, Big Climate Changes
While no full-scale agreement was reached in Copenhagen, a non-binding political accord emerged from the conference, which China and India just endorsed last week. We look deeper at the immediate consequences of climate change on small islands. Ronald Jumeau and May Boeve join Martin Savidge to discuss how to stop global warming.
Mongolia faces climate-driven humanitarian crisis
In one of the most sparsely populated regions of the world, the hardy inhabitants are fighting for survival. Mongolia's three million people and forty million animals are now being tested by a brutal winter that followed a drought last summer. Tony Birtley of Al Jazeera English reports how grazing is under threat, and read what sources from Mongolia are saying.
Creeping seas threaten tiny island chain of Maldives
In this Worldfocus signature story, we take another look at the drastic consequences of climate change. The Maldives, an island chain off the southwest coast of India, find themselves being consumed by rising sea levels. For a look at how the Maldives are trying to deal with the problem, Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson traveled there recently.
Maldivian leader sees peril and promise in country’s future
Mohammed Waheed Hassan was elected vice president in the Maldives' first democratic elections in 30 years. In this extended interview, he talks about why he believes his country faces grave danger from climate change -- and how the Maldives hopes to set a positive example by becoming the world's first carbon-neutral country.
Caribbean nations fear ill effects of climate change
Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson recently traveled around the world in 18 days to see firsthand the effects of climate change on small island nations. In the Caribbean, she heard from residents of Grenada and Antigua how rising tides are dramatically effecting their livelihoods.
Small island states see little gain from Copenhagen accord
The Association of Small Island States (AOSIS), an advocacy group of 42 states, has been pushing hard for action on climate change, which it argues could render some low-lying islands uninhabitable. Worldfocus spoke with the chair of AOSIS for more on its efforts.
China and India sign on to Copenhagen climate accord
China and India -- the world's two most populous countries -- have formally agreed this week to be part of the climate change accord that was worked at last December's climate change conference in Copenhagen. The nonbinding document calls for limiting the rise in global temperatures. Andrew Potter of Al Jazeera English reports on the significance of the news.
Japanese government says it would defy bluefin tuna ban
Conservation groups say the Atlantic bluefin tuna is at risk of extinction if current catch rates continue. While the U.S. announced its support of a ban this week, the fish is prized for high-end sushi in Japan, where 80 percent of the fish ends up. An international conference will vote on giving the tuna endangered status at a meeting that begins next weekend.











The Worldfocus broadcast went off the air April 2. Our website will remain online, but we will not be adding new content. Thanks to our many partners, experts and viewers for your generous support.