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September 17, Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was called into question the findings of a UN report that confirmed a chemical weapons attack in Syria that killed hundreds of people last month, suggesting the event was a "provocation" by anti-regime forces and calling for a wider investigation. After a meeting in Moscow with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Lavrov's comments were made and these represent Russia's first public reaction to the report. It was released on Monday. It determinedly established the use of chemical weapons however stopped short of passing on blame. After what Russia has gone trough criticism for its perceived sheltering of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, it has repeatedly rebuffed Western allegations that his government deployed chemical weapons. "We have the most serious grounds to believe this was a provocation," Lavrov said, according to the RIA Novosti state news agency. "And some of our partners have unequivocally stated that only the regime could have used chemical weapons, but the truth must be established." He added that there was no information about where the weapons were made, and insisted on an "impartial, objective, professional investigation of the events of August 21." It is just then, Lavrov said, should a course of action be decided in the UN Security Council, where Russia has blocked several Western resolutions on action over the crisis. Additional reports from GlobalPost: Elton John to play Moscow concert despite Russia's anti-gay law. Previous weekend, a negotiation between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry about a plan to transfer Syria's chemical weapons to international control and have them destroyed within a year. Some observers have showed doubt over the plan, with their opinion that the sheer manpower it requires makes it unrealistic.

" Environmental Issues Author And Page Information by Anup ShahThis Page Last Updated Sunday, March 03, 2013 This page: http://www.globalissues.org/issue/168/environmental-issues. To print all information e.g. expanded side notes, shows alternative links, use the print version: http://www.globalissues.org/print/issue/168 This part of the global issues web site attempts to highlight some of the environmental issues and concerns that have an affect on all of us - from what we do, to what we don't do. 47 articles on "Environmental Issues" and 7 related issues: Biodiversity Last updated Sunday, March 03, 2013. The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity, is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize this as being integral to any approach. In some way or form, almost all cultures have recognized the importance of nature and its biological diversity for their societies and have therefore understood the need to maintain it. Yet, power, greed and politics have affected the precarious balance. Read "Biodiversity" to learn more. Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares? Last updated Wednesday, April 06, 2011. Why is Biodiversity important? Does it really matter if there aren't so many species? Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example, a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms; and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the diversity in