Carbon output rising faster than forecast, says study: Scientists warned last night that global warming will be “stronger than expected and sooner than expected”, after a new analysis showed carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere much faster than predicted. Experts said that the rise was down to soaring economic development in China, and a reduction in the amount of carbon pollution soaked up by the world’s land and oceans. It also means human emissions will have to be cut more sharply than predicted to avoid the likely effects. Guardian

Palaeontologists following in footsteps of giants: Giant footprints from meat-eating dinosaurs have been discovered on Victoria’s south-east coast, providing proof the beasts roamed the area millions of years ago. The three fossil tracks found near Inverloch show at least two or three partial toes about 35 centimetres long, which suggest the creatures were up to 1.5 metres tall at the hip. While bone fragments from carnivorous dinosaurs have been found in Victoria, experts say the footprints prove “beyond doubt” they were actually living in the area. The Age

Caribbean urged to face warming risks: The Caribbean tourism industry, the lifeblood for many island economies, needs to brace itself for stronger hurricanes, more frequent droughts and rising sea levels resulting from global warming, scientists said Monday. The Caribbean, where more than half the population lives within a mile of the coast, faces some of the greatest risks from climate change. Associated Press

Giant snails, once a delicacy, overrun Brazil: The giant African snail, originally brought to Brazil as a delicacy for gourmet restaurants, has instead become a major nuisance in the country. The invasive mollusk—which can measure nearly 8 inches (about 20 centimeters) long and weigh more than 1 pound (500 grams)—is widespread in Brazil, thriving in nearly every state. The snail is currently at the height of its invasion, experts say, and the its success makes eradication near-impossible. National Geographic

Heroes of the environment: Though home to us all, the earth is mute. It doesn’t get a vote in any congress or parliament. It doesn’t own blocks of shares in the market. It doesn’t rise up at a protest rally. It can’t even buy a hybrid car. The earth has no voice — so someone must speak for it.  We call the men and women on the following pages heroes, but they could just as easily be called speakers for the planet, a planet that is hanging, as one of them put it years ago, in the balance. Time