· June, 2011

Stories about Environment from June, 2011

Philippines: Worst Flash Flood Hit “Typhoon-Free” City

  30 June 2011

Many Filipinos were taken by surprise by the heavy floods that hit the southern Philippine city of Davao recently. The Philippines is notorious for flash flood disasters, but Davao city is supposedly found in a typhoon-free zone. As of the evening of Wednesday 29 May, 2011, the death toll reached 25 while 15 others remained missing.

Peru: Peace Restored in Puno Following Agreements

  30 June 2011

Through the enforcement of recent statutes put in place by the executive, little by little peace is being restored in the Puno region after recent conflict and social unrest (both related to mining) that resulted in the death of 6 and more than 30 wounded and millions in material losses. Social networks are buzzing with commentary.

Japan: Uncanny Terrain, a documentary on Fukushima farmers

  30 June 2011

Filmmakers Junko Kajino and Ed M. Koziarski have been working on a documentary about the organic farmers of the Fukushima Prefecture. The film titled Uncanny Terrain will examine “the impact of the nuclear disaster on the farmers, their land, the food they produce, and their customers.” At the homonymous blog...

Senegal: Power Shortages in Dakar Lead to More Riots

  28 June 2011

Website politicosn.com has provided real time coverage [fr] of the protests against power shortages in Dakar, Senegal, on June 28, 2011: “Ongoing demonstrations have flared up in Senegal capital, public buildings have been stormed by youth protesting against power shortages. This situation has forced authorities to call upon the army, security...

Brazil: Despite Protests, Government Insists on Belo Monte Dam

  28 June 2011

There are recent developments in the controversy regarding Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant and its dams, the world's third largest project in terms of energy capacity, which is to be built in heart of the Amazon. On June 1, Belo Monte's license for construction was approved. On the web and on the street, citizens call "Stop Belo Monte".

North Korea's Fragility in the Face of the Rainy Season

  28 June 2011

Open Radio for North Korea, a Seoul-based radio station founded and runs by North Korean defectors, reported that North Korean citizens have been mobilized to bolster constructions as rainy season begins. Poorly constructed embankments and dams often flooded during heavy downpour.  

South Korea: Typhoon Opening Doors to Nature's Revenge

  28 June 2011

A typhoon hit South Korea on June 25 and 26, bringing heavy downpours and gusts and signalling the start of the rainy season. At least nine people were killed and a bridge and a levee collapsed. Moreover, a leakage was reported on a landfill where livestock was buried during a recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

Haiti: BBBC Benefits in Question

  27 June 2011

An interesting post on Bill Clinton's housing initiative, Building Back Better Communities (BBBC), which “seeks to construct housing projects across the nation of Haiti”, but upon closer examination, “seems as though the initiative won't live up to its name and in fact will build worse communities than even before the...

Peru: Residents of Puno Resume Protests

  26 June 2011

Once again the inhabitants of the Puno region have taken to the streets in protests, this time against the contamination caused by the mining of minerals. Six people died as a result of the protests on the day when Peru celebrates the Day of the Peasant.

El Salvador: Price of Corn Triples in a Little Over a Year

  23 June 2011

El Salvador From the Inside reports on the rising cost of corn, an important and basic staple for Salvadorans: “June 2011 newspapers report a quintal [100 lb bag of corn] costs up to $40 , due to last year’s bad harvest and growing season starting late this year. Maize had...

Bangladesh: Energy Politics and Selling Out National Interest

  21 June 2011

Last week police brutally cracked down on the members of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports who were rallying against a recent production sharing contract between the Bangladesh government and US energy giant ConocoPhillips for deep sea gas exploration. Netizens react.

Guyana, Bermuda: Food & Graffiti

  21 June 2011

Guyana-Gyal suggests a way to help control rising food prices, while a bermudian's view suggests that the best way to deal with graffiti is to “have [it] removed within 24 hours.”

Haiti: Preserving Architectural History

  20 June 2011

Throwing Down the Water is concerned that “the historical houses of Haiti are mostly being left to rot, to fall into disrepair or – worse – to be lived in happily and well, until some landlord comes along and decides that a cement box would look better in their place...