Clinton puts science at heart of US development strategy
In an unprecedented endorsement of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) in development, Clinton said: "While talent may be distributed universally, opportunity is not. And the reality of the world we live in today is that technology and innovation are the great equalisers and can be used to create opportunity where there is very little of that commodity." |
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Soil: an important resource to safeguard - Soil and Climate Change Conference, in Brussels, 12 June 2008
Forecasts for future long term trends in climate all indicate greater droughts in some areas and more rainfall – even too much – in others. It is clear that we can expect weather related supply difficulties to reoccur in coming decades. Long term soil management has a role to play in countering such difficulties. Soil organic matter can absorb up to twenty times its weight in water and so can play a positive part in mitigating the impacts of more extreme rainfall intensity and more frequent and severe droughts. |
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The Vetiver System: Proven and Green Environmental Solutions
Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.) is a perennial, tropical/sub tropical grass that has been used extensively world wide for soil erosion and sediment control and steep slope stabilisation for the last 20 years. Recently vetiver has also been used successfully for mine site rehabilitation in Australia, China, Latin America and South Africa, including stabilisation of steep slopes associated with bunds, tailings dams, and revegetation of mine tailings. Important attributes of vetiver grass are highly tolerant to: 1) Extreme acidity, alkalinity, sodicity, salinity and climatic conditions; 2) Very high levels of heavy metals, pollutants and nutrients; 3) It is sterile and has no potential to become a weed. |
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