Environment groups demanded on Friday that Australia ignore the "greenhouse mafia" as major energy and mining companies met the government to demand greater compensation for a coming emissions trading regime.

The government is planning to introduce one of the world's biggest carbon trading schemes by 2010 that will force companies to buy permits to cover their emissions, putting a market price on carbon that will encourage firms to clean up their pollution.

Lucknow resident Dhruv S, who had recently won the title of

Poland faces crippling energy price rises which will threaten growth and employment unless the European Union rethinks its carbon trading system, officials in Warsaw are warning.

The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change had calculated that a relatively safe level of carbon dioxide emissions globally would be 14.5 gigatonnes per year. Roughly calculated, this comes out to be 2.25 tonnes per person per year, globally. However, data clearly shows that advanced nations are at per capita output levels that, if replicated by developing nations, would be dramatically in excess of safe levels.

Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled a plan on Friday to help London tackle the challenge of climate change with less carbon dioxide, more trees, better drainage and increased water efficiency.

Some 15 percent of London is deemed at high risk from flooding due to global warming -- an area including 1.25 million people, 480,000 properties, 441 schools, 75 underground and rail stations, 10 hospitals and one airport.

biological sciences Frog, out of the well The frog, Odorrana tormota, is the only animal that can manipulate its hearing system to select particular frequencies. It helps the males to call and woo females. The system in frogs is also being used as a model for hearing aids. The rare amphibian may have evolved its hearing talent out of necessity, since its environment is so noisy,

Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled a plan on Friday to help London tackle the challenge of climate change with less carbon dioxide, more trees, better drainage and increased water efficiency.