· April, 2012

Stories about Environment from April, 2012

Kenya: Lilian Ikal Angelei Wins Environmental Goldman Prize 2012

  30 April 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…”

Russia: The Battle of Borodino Lives On

RuNet Echo  30 April 2012

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

  27 April 2012

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

  27 April 2012

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?

  27 April 2012

'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

  27 April 2012

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...

Bulgaria: “Big Change Begins With Small Steps”

  26 April 2012

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...

Botswana: Botswana Forerunner for MDG7

  24 April 2012

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

  23 April 2012

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.

Costa Rica: Climbing up Chirripó, the Country's Tallest Peak

  21 April 2012

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

  19 April 2012

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

  19 April 2012

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

  19 April 2012

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 Highlights: Syrian Activism, Children's Issues and Dolphin Deaths

  18 April 2012

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.