Miles de personas se manifestaron este sábado en Madrid para protestar contra el cambio climático y pedir a los gobernantes que tomen medidas para frenarlo, con motivo de los actos por el Día Internacional de la Tierra, constató un fotógrafo de AFP.

Los manifestantes, que marcharon encabezados por un grupo de niños como símbolo del futuro del planeta, recorrieron varias céntricas calles madrileñas con gritos como “Que no te mientan, la tierra se calienta” o “Menos hamburguesas y más bicicletas”, en medio de un ambiente festivo.

El Sol más débil en cien años

Cada once años, el Sol completa un ciclo en el que su actividad varía desde un máximo hasta un mínimo. El año pasado se esperaba que después de un periodo de baja actividad, el astro volviese a mostrar su energía en forma de llamaradas solares y tormentas magnéticas. Sin embargo, no fue así y la actividad solar registrada alcanzó mínimos históricos, con la menor presión del viento solar en 50 años, las emisiones de radio más reducidas en 55 años y la menor cantidad de manchas solares en 100 años.

Gore pide unión frente a clima a pesar de división

El ex vicepresidente Al Gore, abanderado estadounidense por la causa del cambio climático, instó el viernes a los legisladores a superar diferencias partidarias para actuar en la reducción de los gases que agravan el efecto invernadero, pero los demócratas y republicanos discutieron aún más vigorosamente sobre los cosos de lidiar con el problema.

El G8 lanza la batalla mundial en defensa de la”biodiversidad”

Los ministros de Medio Ambiente de los países del G8 y de economías emergentes, como México y Brasil, adoptaron este viernes en Sicilia (sur de Italia) la “Carta de Siracusa” en la que se promueve la batalla mundial para la defensa de la biodiversidad.

Los 17 ministros, que debatieron por tres días en la ciudad siciliana, reconocieron en el documento que la lucha por la defensa de la biodiversidad debe estar acompañada por aquella contra el calentamiento global.

Jalisco’s governor is ordering that Puerto Vallarta’s night spots be shut down this week, according to an article in Guadalajara’s English language paper, the Guadalajara Reporter.

The governor is concerned that students who have the time off because their classes have been suspended might make their way to the coast for an impromptu vacation. The concern is that crowded nightclubs could pose a risk of spreading the flu.

My cousin John quickly popped up, crouched and slid. And slid. And slid some more. The slowly curling yet perfectly shaped wave carried him and his 10-foot longboard from the outer reef break all the way into the shore.

Sitting on my board in the water, with the scents of saltwater and freshly applied surf wax floating around, I watched his body get smaller and smaller toward the colorful single-story shops, thatched buildings and restaurants off the beach. I heard the rumblings behind me; the next set was lining up toward the shore. I turned and spun my arms to catch the oncoming wave. I felt the wave’s energy about to swoop me up and give me a great ride. But the wave slid right under me, leaving me tired and having to paddle back out to the lineup.

Now Mexico’s real estate industry is fighting back. A day before President Barack Obama visits Mexico to discuss, among other things, the troublesome drug war issue, RE/MAX Investment Properties issued the results of its research claiming that tourist zones in Mexico are up to 26 times safer than many tourist zones in the United States.

Among its findings: The state of Baja California Sur, which includes some of my favorite destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and Loreto, has a homicide rate 26 times lower than Orlando, 18 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than West Palm Beach and 12 times lower than Tampa and Honolulu.

(Note to self: Stay away from Florida!)

Sayulita

Surfers have been crossing the border to ride waves along Mexico’s Pacific coast for decades, and this small coastal fishing village 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta has achieved the perfect mix of lively beachfront bars, surf camps and architectural charm – all, most importantly, with easy access to numerous breaks ideal for beginners and for intermediates looking to sharpen their techniques. Advanced riders might head south to the barrels at Puerto Escondido.

An easy right break on Sayulita’s bay, just off a curving white-sand stretch of town beach, is where longboarders spend most of their time; if those waves get too big, beginners can always move down the beach and find smaller ones.

Of the 159 killings of Americans that have been recorded over the last three years, eight occurred on beaches (Mazatlán, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta).

However, there are Web sites devoted to spreading the negative experiences of American tourists in Mexico. Two that stand out for their shrillness–a succession of murders, rapes, kidnappings and robberies that bring to mind the film “Friday the 13th”–have a common connection: The Tourism Council of the state of Florida.

Mexico, according to figures from the Mexican government, made $13.289 billion from tourism in 2008. It’s a huge market and, it seems, there are some who are willing to kill the truth for it.

Like many Calgarians, Jackie Orosz is torn: she’s feeling the economic pinch, but is antsy for a restful vacation after postponing travel plans last year. The dietitian just returned from a trip to Arizona and is heading south again, this time on a beach holiday to Puerto Vallarta with husband Myles and 20-month-old daughter Madelyn.

Orosz readily admits the ongoing recession did nothing to curb her appetite to visit a tropical locale. “We have another baby coming so we’re probably not going to get to go anywhere next year. We decided, ‘let’s just go,’ ” she said.

If Canadians are enjoying bargain prices, the deals are even more staggering south of the border.