· November, 2008

Stories about Environment from November, 2008

Brazil under flood: Bloggers form solidarity networks

  30 November 2008

While mainstream media was first slow to report news of the grave floods that have devastated the south of Brazil and then sensationalized the tragedy, bloggers responded by creating a network of support. This post explores the difference in the approaches between conventional media professionals and amateur and freelancer produced news blogs.

Ukraine: Taras Kuzio on Yushchenko

  30 November 2008

Taras Kuzio analyzes “the achievements and failures and unfulfilled expectations of the last four years” in Ukraine – here and here, and also writes that president Yushchenko “had over-focused on the issue [of Holodomor] to the detriment of contemporary political and economic concerns.”

Jordan: Amman's November Fuel Crisis

  29 November 2008

When Jordan's government proposed adjusting fuel prices according to the rise and fall in the international markets on a weekly basis, gas station owners protested and for a period of about 10 days refused to buy fuel from the main refinery demanding that prices are to be adjusted on a monthly basis. That, in turn, resulted in a severe shortage in fuel from many gas stations in Amman. Bloggers picked up the issue, and here is what some of them had to say.

Japan, S. Korea, China: the Second International Congress of Asian Hemp Industry

  29 November 2008

Blogger Takashi reports [jp] on the Second International Congress of Asian Hemp Industry (第2回アジア大麻産業国際会議) held in Donghae (Korea) at the Hangzhong University from the 20th to the 23rd of November, 7 years after the first congress took place. Participants from Japan, China and South Korea [jp] debated the hemp industry...

Bolivia: Used Batteries End Up in Regular Landfill

  29 November 2008

The city of Cochabamba launched a campaign to collect waste, such as used batteries which were supposed to be disposed of properly, but Gustavo Cardoso of Observancia [es] notes with pictures that they ended up in the regular landfill defeating the purpose.

Haiti, Venezuela: Chavez's Change

  28 November 2008

The Haitian Blogger believes that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is the driving force behind “a global change agenda that gives voice to the poor and dispossessed.”

Brazil: Over 80 deaths in the worst environmental tragedy

  26 November 2008

Over 80 people have been killed in landslides and floods caused by heavy rain in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, and the death toll is rising by the minute, as rescue workers sift through the wreckage of the flooding that started at the weekend.

Madagascar: Land deal with Daewoo finally rejected by authority

  26 November 2008

Mahefa Rakotomalala writes at L'express de Madagascar that the alleged land deal with South Korean company Daewoo has been officially rejected by the Malagasy government. The minister of land reform explained in a press release to local newspapers that anyone can request to lease an unlimited amount of land but...

Oman: Flying Cigarette Butts

  25 November 2008

From Oman, Kay writes: “Things I have seen in the last few days: sharks in a mall – Dubai mall Aquarium, a chihuahua in a lady’s tote bag in Muscat City Center), a dvd of my friend’s knee surgery, the most beautiful sunset, half a dozen lighted cigarette butts flying...

Chile: Construction of a Zoo in Curicó

  25 November 2008

Marcelo Aliaga of Bloggeando la Vida [es] opposes the construction of a zoo on the Condel Hill located in Curicó, Chile. He believes that the construction would not be a creative alternative to help promote tourism.

East Timor: Air quality

  25 November 2008

Reacting to a report about the worsening pollution in Asia, Dili-gence notes that air quality in Dili, East Timor is better than in the whole region.

Kenya: Save The Mau Forest!

  24 November 2008

Kenya's Mau Forest is one of the largest indigenous forests in East Africa, and it is under threat from slashing, burning (for charcoal) and illegal settlement. Some background on the issues at play is available on this link from Africa Science News. Bloggers are making note of the deteriorating situation...

Environment: SA Bloggers sound off on GMO foods.

  24 November 2008

Genetically Modified foods have been a concern for many environment bloggers in South Africa and other parts of Africa too. On this post we check in a handful of bloggers who've recently written about genetically modified (GMO) foods and seed. Picture by Vagawi on flickr UrbanSprout points to a report...

Cuba: Hurricane Aftermath

  24 November 2008

Generation Y takes a road trip to Cuba's Pinar del Rio and is even more convinced that “we have to avoid letting our tendency to forget cover up the situation…we have to go to the affected areas, deliver aid directly, and record the testimonies there. The hurricane-force winds are still...

Madagascar: South Korean Land Deal Sparks Controversy

  23 November 2008

South Korea has just leased half of all the arable land in Madagascar according to the Financial Times. This has stirred quite a debate in the Malagasy blogosphere about land sovereignty and economic development. It is still unclear whether the land deal has actually been signed by both parties. Meanwhile, bloggers are arguing whether this sort of deal should be considered “neo-colonialism”.