· February, 2012

Stories about Environment from February, 2012

Azerbaijan: The Caspian Sea in ice

Sheki, Azerbaijan posts photographs showing the Caspian Sea, generally considered the largest lake in the world, encrusted with ice. An earlier post also depicts Baku, the capital, covered in snow.

28 February 2012

Italy: Historic ‘Guilty’ Verdict in the Eternit Asbestos Trial

It is a historic verdict: on February 13, 2012 in Turin, northern Italy, the two top senior executives of the multinational Eternit, a producer of asbestos, were sentenced to 16 years in prison after a criminal trial began in 2009. Here are the reactions of the associations and the families of asbestos victims in Italy and Europe.

25 February 2012

Armenia: Activists #Occupy Yerevan Park

Green spaces in Armenia continue to dwindle at an alarming rate, but a small yet dedicated group of environmental activists has also grown. Now, in order to prevent further damage, they are attempting to occupy a Yerevan park.

22 February 2012

Lebanon: Why is Horsh Beirut Closed?

Lebanese blogger Rami(at +961) shares his opinion about the state of Beirut's public park Horsh Beirut, which has been closed for decades for unknown reasons in his latest post.

22 February 2012

Mali: The River Niger in Pictures

Boukary Konaté, a member of the Global Voices community in Mali, recently toured rural schools on a traditional Malian boat as part of a digital literacy project. This boat trip was an opportunity to explore his own country and to illustrate the many aspects of the 2,600 miles-long Niger river. Here are some snapshots, taken during the journey.

20 February 2012

Malaysia: Petition Against Sarawak Dams

An online petition urges the Malaysian government to review its plan to build twelve “highly destructive” hydroelectric dams in Sarawak that will displace tens of thousands of people and flood...

20 February 2012

Chile: Aysen Region Social Movement Gains Strength

Last year, the Aysen Region was on the national spotlight due to the controversial dam project Hydroaysén. Today people are once again paying attention to this region in the Chilean Patagonia after locals held a series of protests calling for better quality of life and lower living costs.

18 February 2012

Australia: Climate Skeptics in Denial Over Heartlandgate Controversy

Allegations of the Heartland Institute funding an Australian scientist to promote climate skepticism have brought denials from fellow skeptics in response to a barrage of criticism. Funding of and by think tanks, and their independence and objectivity, is an ongoing source of online debate in Australia

18 February 2012

Peru: The Water March Arrives in Lima

Finally the Water March arrived in Lima. For two days, different activities developed for the defense of water throughout the country. Juan Arellano gathers some citizens' reports of these final days and the activities that ended the march.

16 February 2012

Slovakia, Hungary: Shrouded in Smog

Blogger Ulrika Lejnarová, highlighting air pollution data from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute [sk], wonders [sk] why Slovakia, while often paying attention to the critical conditions in Hungary [en], is doing...

14 February 2012

Hungary: Another Environmental Catastrophe in the Making

In October 2010, a toxic spill from a red sludge reservoir in Kolontár caused the greatest environmental disaster in Hungary's recent history. Atlatszo.hu and Greenpeace are now drawing attention to another hazardous waste reservoir, in the town of Almásfüzitő, which is "leaking like a sponge" and is already causing grave environmental and health damage.

14 February 2012