· December, 2008

Stories about Environment from December, 2008

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...

23 December 2008

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.

23 December 2008

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...

21 December 2008

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.

21 December 2008

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.

21 December 2008

Nepal: Darkness in Nepal

Bibek Paudel discusses about the constant power outages in Nepal which are disrupting the daily lives of the Nepalis.

19 December 2008

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.

19 December 2008

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...

19 December 2008

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...

18 December 2008

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.”

18 December 2008

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.

17 December 2008

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.

16 December 2008

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.

16 December 2008