International

"Plans to resume the hunting of humpback whales, protected by a moratorium introduced more than 40 years ago, came under fire from environmentalists Tuesday."

"The United Nations on Tuesday raised the prospect of 'megadisasters' affecting millions of people in some of the world's biggest cities unless more is done to heed the threat of climate change."

A new report says that climate change is already causing widespread human migration.

"The world's richest countries and those that are developing fastest need to lead the transition to an energy-efficient and low-carbon economy to stave off the worst effects of climate change, science academies from these nations said on Thursday."

"The World Health Organization declared an influenza pandemic on Thursday and called on governments to prepare for a long-term battle against an unstoppable flu virus."

"China will not accept binding cuts in its greenhouse gas emissions, an official said Thursday, after the United States said it made progress with Beijing in talks here on a global climate pact."

"Japan, a major emitter of greenhouse gases and an important player in the global warming debate, announced Wednesday that by 2020 it intended to reduce emissions 15 percent from 2005 levels -- a goal immediately criticized as inadequate by environmentalists and industry officials."

The big migrations of hoofed, grass-eating animals may soon be a thing of the past.

The US and China opened talks June 8, 2009, in hopes of making a breakthrough on climate change -- but the question of who will shoulder major responsibility remains unresolved.