Stories about Environment from December, 2008
Caribbean: 2008 in Review
From natural disasters to lightning bolts of the athletic kind, 2008 was a busy one for the Caribbean blogosphere. Here are some of the highlights...
Haiti: Photo of the Year
Haiti Innovation reports that the UNICEF “Photo of the Year” features the plight of Haiti, while the photographer, who has her own blog, says of her win: “It’s not only great because my work as a photographer gets recognition, but also and much more important – eventually many people will...
Trinidad & Tobago: A Day in the Life
TriniGourmet.com posts “A Day in the Life” flickr photoset.
Morocco: The age of the green car?
In a recent blog post, Abdelilah Boukili wonders “is it the age of the green car?”
Puerto Rico: License to Kill Trees
The recent administrative order by Puerto Rico's Secretary of Agriculture has created a shock wave of reactions in the blogosphere. In the island of Puerto Rico if a person had to cut down a tree he/she had to request permission form the island's Department of Natural Resources - that was until recently, when the Secretary of the Agency issued an administrative order that automatically grants a "fast track" permission to anyone who wishes to cut a tree.
Trinidad & Tobago: Earthquake & Flood
From Trinidad and Tobago, Coffeewallah blogs about an early morning earthquake: “It was really something that jolt, makes you wonder if the universe is trying to tell us something, floods, earthquake, what next, a plague of grasshoppers?”, while TriniView.com posts photos of the recent flooding she refers to.
Philippines: Fisherman saved by dolphins and whales
According to a Filipino fisherman, he was saved by dolphins and whales when his boat was turned upside down last week in Palawan, Philippines. It is a remarkable story, but is it true?
Kazakhstan: Nuclear Cooperation with India
Joshua Foust reports that Kazakhstan will supply uranium for India’s nuclear power plants. The deal, which involves export of so-called “yellow cake” uranium to India, will be discussed during Kazakh President Nazarbayev’s upcoming visit to India.
Russia: The Crisis and The Potential For Unrest
In mid-October, Global Voices published a roundup of Anglophone bloggers' views on the financial crisis in Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia and Ukraine. Below is another installment on the effects and the likely consequences of the crisis in Russia.
Madagascar, Kenya question wisdom of foreign land deals
Following national and international outrage, the land deal that would have let South Korean firm Daewoo Logistics lease a large swath of Madagascar's arable land, was finally rejected. However, the number of reported land deals between wealthy countries and developing nations continues to grow, and bloggers wonder if these deals will really benefit the interests of ordinary people.
Nepal: Darkness in Nepal
Bibek Paudel discusses about the constant power outages in Nepal which are disrupting the daily lives of the Nepalis.
Ukraine: Chernobyl Panoramas; Welsh Sheep and Radiation
Chernobyl and Eastern Europe writes about the effect of Chernobyl on sheep breeding in Wales, and posts links to panoramic photos from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone – here and here.
Barbados: Nature Sanctuary Closes
The Bajan Reporter calls the closing of Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary a “sad day for [the] Government of Barbados and Bajan tourism.”
Malaysia: To Live By The Slopes
Within the period of two days, two landslides caused much damage and death in Kuala Lumpur. This perhaps might not have made such major headlines had it not occurred just a few days to the 15th anniversary of the Highland Towers tragedy, which caused the deaths of 48 people.
Myanmar: Killing of elephants for trade
According to BurmaNet News, an increasing number of elephants in northern Myanmar are being killed for its ivory and skin for over a decade. Myanmar has the largest elephant population in Southeast Asia.
Bermuda: Leader of the Pack
Bermudian blogger Vexed Bermoothes shares some musings on leadership.
Gifts With a Light Carbon Footprint
The Capetown Oracle posts gift ideas for a green christmas “Buying green gifts at Xmas time is just another small way to make a difference to your carbon footprint, so why not?”
Adapting To Climate Change In Malawi
Oneworld blog reports, “In response to increased flooding and food insecurity, women in Salima, Malawi are boosting agricultural productivity by sharing resources and knowledge through local farmers’ clubs.”
Georgia: Driving Lesson
Ben Sweeney's Weblog recounts the best driving lesson yet in Georgia and at the same time encounters an apparently magnetic mountain.
Guyana: Future Flooding
Guyana Providence Stadium extends kudos to two local teens who made a documentary about the potential effects of flooding in Guyana should current weather patterns continue.
Palestine: Dealing with Deprivation in Gaza
In a statement earlier this week the World Bank said: “The ongoing closure of Gaza and severe restrictions on the flow of goods and people continues to be a cause of grave concern.” In this post we hear from bloggers in Gaza describing what life is like under the Israeli blockade – and one who says it’s not as bad as the media portrays it.
