Stories about Environment from March, 2014
Manga “1F” Takes You Inside Fukushima Nuclear Plant
A manga by artist going by the name Kazuto Tatsuta takes readers inside the crippled nuclear plant of Fukushima Dai-Ichi, or ichi efu (1F) – as insiders dubbed it – a place he himself worked in 2012, a decision he took in a period of financial struggle. The graphic novel...
Geo-Mapping Tools and Data Analysis Redefine Reporting in Africa
Oxpeckers Center for Investigative Environmental Journalism and Land Quest investigate environment and development issues.
Pandas Steal Spotlight from Taiwan's Endangered Formosan Bears
Some worry Taiwan is promoting pandas, a species native to mainland China, more than the country's own Formosan black bears.
The Night the Lights Went Out in Jamaica: Politician Freed of Corruption Charges
The dropping of charges against a former minister of Parliament in a corruption scandal involving the distribution of light bulbs, has Jamaicans discussing whether the judicial system has a bias.
The Perils Of The Dams Coming Up for Mumbai Region
South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) blog reports that as many as 12 dams are either being planned or are under construction to satisfy the increasing water demand of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in India. The Tribals and other affected groups have long been strongly opposing...
Malaysia's Water Shortage is a Natural and Man-Made Disaster
Water shortage has been reported in Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, and Kedah in Malaysia. The Sin Chew Daily explains the cause of the problem: …the drought and water shortage in the Peninsula are both natural and human-induced disasters. The government as well as the people have an inescapable responsibility. Over-emphasising...
Smog Insurance China's Latest Air Pollution Band-Aid
Smog insurance, the first of its kind, is targeting travelers and local residents of seven cities in China. Some cities have been plagued by smog for years.
Riau Forest Fire Triggers Worst Indonesia Haze Pollution
Forest fires have intensified this month in western Indonesia which caused the worst haze pollution in the country. The haze also affected Singapore and Malaysia.
Lies and Falsehoods Keep the World Go ‘Round in Japan
Twitter user @suzaks1 criticized [ja] the amount of lies and inaccuracies that are making Japanese headlines: ホテルの食材も北の国のレールも何処かの役場の書類もクラッシックの楽曲も国が誇るトップレベルの研究所や有名大学院で博士なるための論文も、みんな虚偽だらけ虚偽まみれ。それでも回っちゃってる変な国。原発だって爆発して当然だわ。国土汚染しても嘘の上塗りで皆を騙せられる便利な国。こえ~ — 須崎真一NoMyCar,NoNukes (@suzaks1) 2014, 3月 14 [Japan is a] country covered in lies: fake ingredients on the menu of top Japanese hotels, railway gauges fabricated in Hokkaido, major symphony music by a fraud composer, and...
PHOTOS: Birdwatching in Southern Philippines
Birdwatching is more fun than Tweeting. Check out some of the wild birds from the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Keep on birding!
Malaysia Airlines MH370 Mystery Fuels Conspiracy Theories
After a week of waiting for answers in the disappearance of flight MH370 and its 239 occupants, conspiracy theories have cropped to fill the void about what happened.
The Land of Fires, Italy's “Gateway to Hell”
For years the land between Naples and Caserta has been used for the illegal dumping of dangerous waste products that are poisoning the environment and causing tumours.
Russia's Crackdown Ahead of Crimea's Referendum
Amidst the crackdown, eyes now turn to March 15, when Muscovites will demonstrate against Russian intervention in Ukraine, a day before Crimean voters decide between secession and expanded autonomy.
Peru Considers Eliminating Environmental Impact Studies for Oil Exploration
The announcement by the Minister of Energy and Mines that oil exploration activities would no longer require environmental impact studies has surprised Peruvian environmentalists. Experts are mostly against it.
China to Test Drones to Combat Smog Problem
"I am afraid this method does little to tackle the problem. Throughout history, China has only been met with failure when it tried to combat nature."
A Map of China, By Stereotype
TeaLeafNation uses China's dominant search engine Baidu's search history to finish half-written questions about different provinces in China. A map of China, by stereotype: http://t.co/isRo4hkPTB pic.twitter.com/vhuADJsWGm — FP's Tea Leaf Nation (@TeaLeafNation) March 4, 2014 They plot the stereotypes onto an interesting map about China. For example, Beijing was associated with “smog”...
Quran Desecration Sparks Trouble in Mauritania
The Mauritanian capital Nouakchott witnessed violent clashes between security forces and an angry crowd after people tore up a copy of the Quran. One person was killed in the clashes.
Expensive Plants for a Poor Country: Tajikistan Spends Millions on Belgian Trees
Tajikistan where more than a third of the population is poor has spent 4,5 million US dollars on chestnut trees for the capital city.
“It Ain't Easy Being Indian” in the USA
Ricey Wild, a Native American blogger at the Indian Country Today, writes about wolf slaughtering in Minnesota, USA. […]My beloved friend Melissa came to get me last month to rally against the wolf hunt in Minnesota and everywhere. We went way up north and joined other people who care and...
Funding Challenges for Scientific Research in France, African Countries
Funding for research is wanting worldwide.What is the impact of the stagnation on the economy and where are the solutions