· October, 2008

Stories about Environment from October, 2008

Trinidad & Tobago: Building Walls

  31 October 2008

As the government of Trinidad and Tobago begins construction on a wall they say is part of a beautification project, but which many view as a tactic for hiding the squalor of a disadvantaged community, Attillah Springer says: “Build walls because, yes, this is what the nation needs. More division....

D.R. Congo: Confusion Reigns in Goma

  31 October 2008

Two months ago fighting resumed in the DR Congo's Eastern province of North Kivu between the rebel group led by Laurent Nkunda and government forces, in violation of a peace accord signed in January. The fighting has intensified during the last 6 days and, although a cease-fire was announced, the situation remains uncertain in Goma. Here are a few impressions from bloggers on the ground.

Trinidad & Tobago: The Price of Progress

  30 October 2008

Maximilian Forte, writing at Review of the Indigenous Caribbean Center, posts a video of Trinidadian calypsonian King Austin's song Progress, which he calls “a critique of the ideology and practice of progress, from the vantage points of environmental unsustainability, exploitation, inequality, and the resultant social strife.”

D.R. of Congo: Ranger rescue operation a success

  29 October 2008

A moving account of a rescue operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “The rescue operation yesterday was a success in that we were able to rescue the 12 Rangers with whom we had made contact. Eddy and I rode the motorbike about 15km north of Goma and then walked...

Trinidad & Tobago: Not Adding Up

  29 October 2008

“Last month the record 2008-9 budget of nearly TT$50 billion was based on an assumed oil price of $75 a barrel. At the time, the price was well above that. A month later, it’s below $64. So even the richest economy in the Caribbean either has to make some serious...

India: Solar-Powered Rickshaw

  28 October 2008

The Better India reports that a solar-powered electric cycle rickshaw had its debut in the Indian capital. “Called the Soleckshaw, it is in test run in Delhi and will be mass produced in a month if all goes well.”

Carbon Footprint Calculators

  28 October 2008

Last month, GV environment looked at Maps, online communities and carbon footprint calculators. Since then there have been more calculators released, and in this post we list some of these new tools for the public to calculate their CO2 emissions. PEIR – Personal Environment Impact Report PEIR is not only...

Mongolia: A Deal to Sell Uranium to India?

  28 October 2008

Bilguun reports that according to the article in The Hindu Business Line, India is looking at joint mining and exploration opportunities for uranium with Mongolia among a few other countries.

Guatemala: Heavy Rains and Flooding Affecting the Poorest Communities

  27 October 2008

The past month has been very difficult for many Guatemalans because of heavy rains caused by tropical storms. Floods and storms affect many communities, but the impact is higher in communities below the poverty line. These communities are often isolated from services or shelters, like the small villages in Peten, Quiché and Zacapa. Bloggers and organizations have provided more information on the environmental disaster.

Climate Analysis of Rihanna's ‘Shut up and Drive’ Video

  27 October 2008

Empivot is an online green media aggregator, or as its tag line says, it is the ‘Online Network for Green Video’. Members can upload video, browse channels such as Renewable Energy Business Watch, YesterMorrow – Design/Build School, Green Tv and others. An interesting video that was posted on the Brighter...

Environment: Ethiopia looks to Wind Power

  27 October 2008

On the Red Green and Blue Blog, Amanda reports “Ethiopia could soon have the largest wind farm in Africa after a new deal between the country and the French company Vergnet. The deal is worth $300 million and is expected to produce 120 megawatts in two and a half years…”

Ukraine: Accident Training in Chernobyl; Virtual Pripyat

  26 October 2008

Chernobyl and Eastern Europe writes about a recent radiological accident training at Chernobyl Power Plant, and shares a link to the English-language section of Virtual Pripyat, “a new project associated with Pripyat.com […], a site that acts as an address book/directory of Pripyat and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.”