Stories about Environment from November, 2007
Russia, Ukraine: On to the Next Round
A Fistful of Euros comments on the upcoming election in Russia and the newly-formed coalition in Ukraine: “Soon we will know the players in the inevitable next round of wrangles over energy supplies, prices and politics in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Caribbean: Earthquake Update
Caribbean bloggers provide timely updates on yesterday's earthquake...
Cuba, Venezuela: Changing Into Cuba?
Child of the Revolution reports on the reaction to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's proposed constitutional changes: “Not surprisingly, many Venezuelans think the changes go too far – turning the oil-rich nation into ‘another Cuba'”.
Anguilla: Invasive vs. Native
As a common beach plant threatens to take over the island of Sombrero and eliminate the remaining native species, Corruption-free Anguilla asks: “Why are they spending money sending people to invasive species workshops if we then fail to do the actual work?”
Caribbean: Earthquake Tremors
Just a few hours ago, the Caribbean experienced strong tremors from an earthquake that originated off the coast of Martinique - regional bloggers talk about what it was like.
Japan: Environmentally-friendly coffin
Blogger Kaz introduces and talks about environmentally-friendly paper coffins, which he found in an advertisement put by an ISO14001 certified funeral company. The paper coffins reduce the amount of fuel necessary for cremation by 50% and shrorten the cremation time by 10 munites, according to the blogger.
Bahamas: Renewable Energy
“Since we rely heavily on tourism, we are especially vulnerable to the negative consequences of petroleum use”: Larry Smith at Bahama Pundit thinks that the island has the potential to set the renewable energy pace for the rest of the region.
Trinidad & Tobago: Fruits of the Caribbean
My Chutney Garden is reminded of “how lucky we are to have so many delicious things growing around us in the tropics.” Posted with some mouth-watering photos.
Haiti: Reforestation
Haiti Innovation says that “Haiti is not even in the game when it comes to preserving the environment.”
Honduras: Import Oil From Venezuela
Honduras Daily News writes about plans to begin to import oil from Venezuela, which will take place after 15 years.
Jamaica: Colourful Chattel House
Montego Bay Day By Day continues her Wordless Wednesday series by posting a photo of a colourful chattel house in Negril.
Trinidad & Tobago: Come Into My Parlour
“The concept of the ‘parlour’ is a distinctly Caribbean one,” writes My Chutney Garden, as she makes a trip to one of her favourite roadside shops.
Haiti: Going Solar?
Denise Green writes in to Haiti Innovation wondering “if the government ever thinks about solar thermal technology as an alternative to electrical power? We should exploit the one resource that we always have plenty of – the Sun!”
Slovakia: Press Conference in a Barn
Deleted by Tomorrow reports on a good-bye press conference held inside a village barn by “the soon-to-be-former minister of agriculture”: it took Slovakia's prime minister “more than 20 160 minutes” to dismiss him – instead of the once promised three minutes.
Russia: Kasparov's Hunger Strike
Garry Kasparov is in jail and on “forced hunger strike” – and Robert Amsterdam believes that the ongoing crackdown on the opposition “reveals tremendous insecurities related to an unsustainable state model.”
Turkmenistan: A warm-up in relations with Baku
Maciula analyzes further warming-up of the Turkmenistan's foreign policy – now with another Caspian state, Azerbaijan, after the Azerbaijani governmental delegation visited Ashgabat for the talks on cooperation in the field of oil and gas industry.
Anguilla: Near-Disaster?
As abandoned pilings are washed out to sea, threatening vessels and Disaster Preparedness teams, Corruption-free Anguilla asks: “Was there no agency with the authority to order their removal before the hurricane season…began?”
Chinese Engineers in Central African Republic
Six Chinese engineers have arrived in Central African Republic to install two new turbines at the Boali electric plant, a US$117 million project [Fr] financed by the Chinese government. ENERCA, the state-owned power company, has not made any major machinery replacements since its creation in 1965.
Slovenia: Postojna Cave
The Glory of Carniola posts a link to a 1970s “guided recording through Slovenia’s famous Postojna Cave complete with eerie background music and an unintentionally humorous pronunciation of ‘stalagmites’.”
Palestine: Impact of Fuel and Electricity Cuts on Gaza
The Israeli human rights organization Gisha has just issue a fact sheet on Israel’s collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the impact of the electricity and fuel cuts, reports Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah, who provides a link to the article.
Kuwait: Why Worry About the Environment?
“The country is literally screwed, so why would I worry about the environment if I had no future?” wonders blogger Error, from Kuwait.
