Stories about Environment from May, 2012
Mozambique: Diving and Defending Marine Life
Recent alarm has been raised about overfishing at one of Mozambique's most important tourist beaches. We document involvement of Mozambicans as dive professionals and conservationists - crucial to a sustainable future for Mozambique's coastal areas, where it is estimated two-thirds of the population lives.
Brazil: Will President Dilma Veto the Future of Forests?
Online social media has been abuzz since the approval of the new Forestry Code in Brazil by the National Congress. In the spotlight is President Dilma Rousseff, who can use her legal right in congress to veto the future of forests up until May 25.
Peru: Iquitos Faces Aftermath of Record Floods
Reported floods swept the Amazon region in Peru for more than a month, reaching and bypassing the record height of floods recorded in the past. They have now slowly begun to recede. In this post we share citizen videos, photos and reports about the after effects of these floods.
Iran: “Let's Save Lake Urmia With Our Tears”
Protesters fighting to save Lake Urmia in Iran from permanent environmental damage have not given up. In protests across the Azerbaijan region of Iran, they called on government to protect one of the world's largest salt water lakes.
Elders Call on Youth to Help Lead the Way at Rio+20
A group of independent and former world leaders, The Elders, is calling on young leaders to help make a better world possible at the Rio+20 United Nations conference on sustainable development from June 20-22.
Bulgaria: The Strongest Earthquake Since 1917
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake, the strongest since 1917, shook Bulgaria's capital Sofia and the perimeter zone of around 100 km last night, followed by a number of strong aftershocks. No...
Bulgaria: Calling for National Protest Against Shale Gas Extraction
Activists in Bulgaria have called for national protests against shale gas extraction on May 22. There is a Facebook event [bg] “National protest against shale gas and changes in Forest...
Cape Verde: Encouraging Storytelling and Creative Writing
Set over the course of seven weeks, a creative writing competition promoted by the young Cape Verdean journalist Odair Varela on his blog, has led a dozen word lovers to get behind their keyboards and let their imaginations flow. The winners have already been announced and this article provides an overview of the stories told.
India: Crackdown on Tamil Nadu Anti-Nuclear Plant Protests
Activists are protesting the commissioning of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu, India. The government has cracked down on demonstrators, detained many and had given prohibition orders for further protests.
Taiwan: Could the Future Be Nuclear-Free?
Inspired by the shutting down of all nuclear power plants in Japan since May 5, 2012, for thorough security checks, the people of Taiwan have started discussing the possibility of moving towards a nuclear-free Taiwan.
Georgia: Five Dead in Flash Flood
The Young Georgians posts video of this weekend's flash flood in Tbilisi, Georgia. Five people, including two children, are reported dead.
Taiwan: Indigenous Tao People's 30 Year Nuclear ‘Nightmare’
After Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident last year, more and more Taiwanese have started to become aware of the problems caused by nuclear power plants. One of the most serious issues is nuclear waste on Orchid Island, where the Tao people have lived for generations.
Bolivia: Development at What Cost? New Conflict Over TIPNIS Road
A proposed road project in Bolivia that plans to cross right through the middle of the Indigenous Territory and National Park Isiboro Sécure (TIPNIS for its initials in Spanish) is once again generating conflict. Indigenous organisations insist on their right to be consulted about policies concerning their territories.
Kenya: Chronicles of a Kenyan Farmer Online
E.K. Kamwenji is a Kenyan blogging farmer residing in Nyeri. He believes that farmers need to use new technologies for networking and marketing of farm produce. His blog, Chronicles of a Kenyan Farmer, was nominated in the Agriculture Category in this year's BAKE Blogger Awards.
Africa: Will Local Content Policies Help Avert the Oil Curse?
In recent years, major reserves of oil have been discovered at various locations across Africa. This 'black gold' may represent an opportunity for economic growth, but the fear shared by experts and Sub-Saharan Africa citizens is that the windfall may not benefit local populations at all.
Brazil: Plans for a democratic vote on the Acquario Ceará
The construction of the Acquario Ceará, which has provoked many a discussion lately about transparency in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza, will be subject to a democratic vote [pt] this...
Macedonia: Protest Announced in Support of Environmental Activist on Trial
Greenbox blog reported [mk] that the Green Coalition and NGO Lenka would hold a protest in front of Veles court on May 9, 2012, at 11:30 AM, before the start...
Brazil: Blogging Carnival on the New Forestry Code
Global Voices in Portuguese launched today, May 4, a blogging carnival [pt] about the new Forestry Code, recently approved by the Brazilian Senate. While some claim that agribusiness is hindered...
Africa: Calls for Transparency Over Marked Increase in Land Deals
Almost 5% of Africa's agricultural land has been bought or leased by investors since 2000. Observers are increasingly worried about the fact that such land deals usually take place in the world poorest countries and how they impact its most vulnerable population, the farmers.
Armenia: Backhanded Victory for Environmental Activists
Just days before Armenia's crucial parliamentary elections, environmental activists have scored yet another victory in their campaign to save one of the last remaining green spaces in the country's capital, Yerevan.
Georgia: Beyond Tbilisi
Beyond Tbilisi says that local authorities plan to clean up a river full of garbage in June. The blog run by Transparency International Georgia hopes to report on issues outside...
