Stories about Environment from June, 2013
Singapore: From Haze to Hail in Less Than a Week
From #sghaze to #sghail. After the record level haze pollution, Singapore was struck by rainstorms carrying hail this week. The haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia is the worst air pollution in Singapore in years. Many people welcomed the rains which poured down on Singapore early this week because it helped in easing the haze situation but they were surprised by the hail which hit the country Tuesday afternoon.
Southeast Asia: The Great Haze of 2013
Since last week, a thick haze has enveloped Singapore and some parts of Malaysia caused by forest fires mainly in Indonesia. The haze brought air pollution levels to a record high in the region. Malaysia placed two districts under state of emergency while Singaporeans were advised to remain indoors.
Chinese Social Web Slams Local Dog Meat Festival
The annual dog meat festival in China’s southwestern city of Yulin in Guangxi province is a summer tradition for many. But this year the festival was met with outcry online and calls for a boycott.
Haze Chokes Singapore and Malaysia
Air quality in Singapore and West Malaysia hit hazardous levels after forest fires swept neighboring Indonesia. It's the worst haze in recent years in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has suspended school in affected states while Singapore advised its citizens to prepare for a prolonged haze. Indonesia has already formally apologized for the haze.
Environmental Issues Drive Russians to Demand More of Their Leaders?
Over the last year, “Save Khoper” has held a series of protests to bring attention to a cause against a mining project outside Voronezh. On June 22, the latest demonstration turned violent, after a splinter group of protestors set fire to two drill rigs and other geological survey equipment.
Peru: Anti-mining Protests Against Conga Resume
Starting in the early hours of Monday, June 17, the residents of several villages in Cajamarca headed to Lake Perol, on the grounds of the Conga mining project, to demonstrate in its defense.
The Beauty Of Mount Everest At Night
Elia Saikaly's short movie catches the majestic beauty of Mount Everest at night in time-lapse. He shares in his blog the experience of climbing to the summit of Mount Everest for the second time.
Floods, Landslides Devastate Northern India
Devastating floods and landslides in northern India have killed more than 500 people and left about 70,000 with little food and shelter because of damaged or blocked roads.
Censorship and Police Brutality Mark Three Weeks of Turkish Protests
It's been three weeks since massive protests started across Turkey. Since their start on May 31, the country has witnessed media censorship, police brutality, protests by the thousands and the deaths and injury of protestors. Here is the summary of past three weeks.
Russians See Themselves in Turkish Protests
As Turkish protests continue, Russians draw parallels between events in Turkey and their own protest movement and hard-line political leader.
Belize: Conservation Limits?
Belize is facing a difficult balancing act when it comes to determining the limits of environmental and cultural conservation. Kevin Edmonds at nacla blog explains.
PHOTOS: World Day Against Monsanto in Mexico
Upside Down World has posted a photo essay by Andalusia Knoll on World Day Against Monsanto in Mexico.
Environment Impact of Mining in Indonesia
An article published at mongabay.com exposes the destructive environment impact of mining in remote Indonesian towns.Some scholars fear that “parts of Indonesia now have the highest levels of mercury contamination on earth.”
“Give-a-Tree.rf”—Russia's Collective Reforestation Project
In a recent interview with Evgeny Voropai of Social Technologies Greenhouse, Sergey Skorobogadov, head of "Podari-Derevo.rf" (Give-a-Tree.rf) explained how a socially-conscious project can bring a profit and how quantitative indicators can stimulate activity in people.
Mauritania Faces Deadly Unprecedented Heatwave
For the first time in 50 years, Mauritania is witnessing a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 50° C. Dozens of death cases have been registered across the country. Ahmed Jedou reports.
Chinese Allegedly Mine Gold Illegally in Ghana
Xinhua News reported that 124 Chinese allegedly involved in illegal gold mining were arrested and detained in Ghana. Nationalists demanded the Chinese government to protect and avenge its citizens. On the other hand, more reflective comments criticized the discrimination against African people in Chinese gold mining business in Ghana. Offbeat...
Jamaica: Environmental Dangers
‘Hold down an tek weh.’ That’s exactly what it is. Jamaican Woman Tongue blogs about some pressing environmental issues.
Kyrgyzstan: Rule of Law Versus Rule of the Mob?
A week-long wave of regional unrest, ostensibly due to disagreements over the fate of a key gold mine, has sent Kyrgyzstan into a state of disorder that looks all too familiar for citizens of the republic.
VIDEO: Brazilian Toddler's Vegetarian Wisdom Goes Viral
In a viral video, a three-year old Brazilian boy resists his mother's appeal to eat his octopus gnocchi for lunch, arguing that he doesn't like to eat meat because "when we eat animals, they die," and that he likes to see the animals "on their feet, happy."
