Stories about Environment from April, 2012
Kenya: Lilian Ikal Angelei Wins Environmental Goldman Prize 2012
Collins congratulates Lilian Ikal Angelei for wining the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize:”Lilian Ikal Angelei is probably little known in her backyard Kenya however for the people of Turkana she is an acclaimed recusant fighting for the rights and the voice of the voiceless community against formidable financial institutions and Governments…”
Brazil: The sale of America's smallest city and thoughts of buying the Amazon
Janio, from Brazil, has written in his blog (“Made in Blog” [pt]) about the auctioning off of the smallest city in America, Buford (Wyoming), which has but one inhabitant. He draws a parallel “with a time when some activists from the developed world threatened to buy the Amazon, in order to...
Russia: The Battle of Borodino Lives On
After 200 years, through the works of artists such as Leo Tolstoy (as well as legal disputes about the historic preservation of the battlefield), the Battle of Borodino continues to inspire passion and incite controversy. In this post, RuNet Echo returns to the historical and modern contexts of Russia's victory in the Napoleonic Wars.
Malaysia: Rare Earth Processing Plant Creates Backlash
An Australian mining company has established a processing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia. But many Malaysians are incensed that this plant was constructed without consulting the residents. Netizens debate whether the government should stop the operations of the rare earth processing plant
Bolivia: TIPNIS Indigenous March Again
Over 500 members from Bolivian Indigenous organisations gathered in Trinidad, approximately 600 kilometres from La Paz, and began on April 27, 2012, at 8 pm (GMT) a march to Bolivia's Seat of Government for the second time. They are opposing Bolivia's governmental plan to built a road that would cut off right...
Australia: What Would Change Your Mind on Climate?
'I Can Change Your Mind'. The scenario is simple. A wily conservative ex-politician and a young climate activist visit their ‘experts’ around the globe together. It’s a futile and inevitably failed attempt to change each other’s mind.
Trinidad & Tobago: Talking Common Sense
The Lloyd Best Institute of the West Indies, based in Trinidad & Tobago, has posted video of the presentations from one of its Common Sense Convois series, “Food First: Building An Economy From the Kitchen to the World”: Roger Pulwarty, climate scientist, and Sam Dowlath, former CEO of the National...
Russia: Putin Proposes Contentious State Power Grab in Siberia
On April 20, 'Kommersant' revealed an ongoing legislative project to create a state company to oversee the economic development of Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East. The schism at the heart of the RuNet's response to this issue reveals certain fundamental apprehensions that shape online Russian civil society.
Bulgaria: “Big Change Begins With Small Steps”
Various blogs [bg] and mainstream media [bg] were telling [bg] about a student initiative held in the capital city of Sofia on April 24. Many students and members of diverse youth organizations planted trees in the badly-maintained Studentski Grad (“Students City”), a welcome citizen initiative where the leitmotiv was “Big change...
Bolivia: Discussing Indigenous Issues and Natural Resources in the Chaco
Blogger Dario Kenner shares three interviews he conducted in south eastern Bolivia, in the Chaco region: “The interviews are only with a few people so they do not cover every perspective to be found in the Chaco but the views below do give an insight into some of the major...
China: Toxic Medicine Capsules Dumped into Open Sewage
Upon the unveiling of the toxic medicine capsules scandal, a large quantity of empty medicine capsules was dumped into an open sewer ditch in Zhengzhou city, Henan province. (more from ChinaSMACK)
Botswana: Botswana Forerunner for MDG7
Edmund Smith-Asante observes that Botswana is the only African country most likely to approach the MDG7 (achieving universal access to water by 2015): “Botswana currently experiences 89 under-five sanitation-related deaths yearly, the lowest on the African continent, saves 14 under-five lives annually with its current rate of investment in the...
Peru: Report on Conga Mining Project Released
After months of conflict, the technical report commissioned by the Peruvian government to survey the Environmental Impact Study of the Conga mining project in Cajamarca was finally delivered. The media and bloggers have been sharing their opinion for and against this controversial project, as well as the mistakes made by the government and those that oppose the mining project.
Iran: Pet Dogs Seized by Security Forces Once Again
The Iranian Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals report that last week about 20 dogs in Pardisan Park in Tehran were arrested as their owners walked them.
Costa Rica: Climbing up Chirripó, the Country's Tallest Peak
The tallest peak in Costa Rica is the Chirripó, at 3820 meters (12,533 feet) above sea level. Throughout the years, it has drawn many locals and foreigners to climb up to the summit: these next few videos bring us two very different experiences. One of the first expeditions back in 1960, and a modern day hike to the top.
Mexico City Netizens Celebrate World Bicycle Day
Netizens in Mexico City are celebrating World Bicycle Day by sharing their cycling experiences through blogs and Twitter. They are also trying to raise awareness about the risks of using bicycles as a means of transportation is such a busy city.
Spain: The King and the Elephants
King Juan Carlos was operated due to a hip fracture after he suffered a fall when he was in Botswana, Africa, hunting elephants. In a country suffering a severe financial crisis, with over 5 million unemployed, protests have not ceased to take place online.
Macedonia: Lead Smelting Company Sues Environmental Activist
Greenbox blog reports [mk] that Toni Dimitrievski, director of Мetrudhem, the corporation that intends to restart the lead smelting factory in the city of Veles, has filed a lawsuit against environmental activist Igor Smilev for “endangering security,” “unauthorized recording,” “slander” and “insult,” requesting EUR 20,000 in damages. So far, only...
Video: Worldwide UN Youth Competition for Short Films on Human Rights
Students between the ages of 10 and 20 worldwide are invited to produce short films (max. 3 min) on the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a special focus on sustainability, migration / refugees and global warming for the Video competition for the 2012 this human world...
Video Highlights: Syrian Activism, Children's Issues and Dolphin Deaths
A selection of Global Voices' most recent and interesting stories like the Syrian protests in Middle East and North Africa, China and India's female gendercide phenomenon in South Asia and East Asia and viral video campaigns with Children in Mexico and the massive dolphin die-off in Peru for Latin America.
Brazil: Aquarium Project Sparks Transparency Debate
In Fortaleza, the fifth largest city in Brazil, the recent start of construction on an aquarium has prompted discussions over public resources, state government priorities and the city's future, as well as some creative forms of protest.