Stories about Environment from August, 2010
Chile: Thermoelectric Plant is Approved Despite President's Promise
Today, the Regional Environmental Commission of Coquimbo (in Spanish, Comisión Regional del Medio Ambiente de Coquimbo) approved a project to build a thermoelectric power plant in Marine reserve Punta de Choros. Pablo Astudillo writes in his blog, Astu's Science Blog, about the project and its environmental implications; he also posts...
Nigeria: Why Farin Ruwa is not on Word Waterfall Database?
Farin Ruwa in Nasarawa State is one of the highest waterfalls on the continent but according to Jeremy, “…Farin Ruwa is not even listed on the World Waterfall Database.”
Bolivia: Waste Management in El Alto
Mario R. Duran considers [es] waste management options for El Alto, Bolivia, and analyzes the possibility and consequences of installing a plant that would turn waste into diesel fuel.
India: Navi Mumbai Mangroves In Danger
The Navi Mumbai mangroves came into spotlight after the recent oil spill near Mumbai port. However, Debolina Raja Gupta asserts that they were endangered much before the oil spill and the authorities need to wake up to the fact.
Guinea Bissau: Videos about Water Scarcity
Blog Novas da Guiné Bissau shares the video Bafatá Misti Iagu (Bafatá Wants Water) [pt], describing a project that promotes the access to water for 22.000 people in the city of Bafatá. The issue of lack of access to safe water in Guinea Bissau had been previously reported in a documentary...
China: Pambassadors
Elaine Chow from Shanghaiist blogs about the recruitment of six Panda Ambassadors in China. The Pambassadors will be working at the famous Woolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in the coming October.
Russia: Mass Manifestations In Defense of the Khimki Forest Park
Photobloggers nl [RUS], bb-mos [RUS], zyalt [RUS] share pictures of today's concert in defense of the Khimki Forest Park. The concert, that gathered from 1,000 to 5,000 people in the center of Moscow, transformed into a political rally of people protesting against the government.
Tanzania: Solar Hope in Tanzania
E.B writes about the work of the non-profit organization Solar Hope in Tanzanian schools: “Nine OIT students and two faculty members have landed in Tanzania and are currently installing the first round of solar panels, converters and chargers.”
Bolivia: State of Emergency Due to Wildfires
Bolivia is in a state of fire emergency, with 25,000 blazes affecting 1.5 million hectares. Pablo Andrés Rivero writes [es] about the lack of resources to put out the fires; he also expresses his unbelief at declarations from the Minister of Rural Development, Nemesia Achacollo, who said that only rain...
South Korea: Small Tips for Green Growth
South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo wrote an article on giving tips for green growth, focusing on how green practices can be done in every day life in ordinary houses.
Madagascar: The Undercover Investigations That Exposed Rosewood Trafficking from the Rain Forest
One of the consequences of the enduring political crisis in Madagascar is its punishing impact on the environment. The investigation of activists specialized in conservation and protection of the environment was instrumental in documenting the crimes and holding the government accountable for protecting Malagasy natural resources. Here are there reflections on the initiatives:
El Salvador: Climate Change and Migration
Tim's El Salvador Blog recommends an essay by his friend Beth, “who works with a local community on reconstruction projects necessitated by weather disasters” in El Salvador. The essay is called, “In Search of Shelter and Protection: Environmental Migration and Climate Change.”
Mauritania: Floods Impact Aggravated by Disrupted Roads, Sewer Systems
Kal writes that the severe floods in Mauritania have cut off communication between many cities, impeding the transport of critical food supplies. He adds that the limited number of sewer systems has resulted in destruction of ancient mosques. Here are photos of the flood damages [Ar].
Trinidad & Tobago: Big River
My Chutney Garden visits Grande Riviere, “a small fishing village that is best known for attracting nesting leatherback turtles.”
Russia: Anglophone Bloggers Discuss Social and Political Aspects of the Wildfires
Anglophone Russia bloggers have been discussing social and political aspects of the catastrophic wildfires and the ongoing firefighting efforts in central Russia since early August. Here is a selection of their views.
Paraguay: Soaring Soybean Production Prompts Clashes
As the global demand for soy rises, Paraguay has become the world's fastest-growing producer of the crop. But with resulting riches have also come battles over land rights and environmental concerns.
Bangladesh made boat reaches France
Bangladesh Watchdog informs that an ‘unsinkable eco-friendly’ boat made of jute fibre has reached the coast of La Ciotat, South of France after an eight month long journey from Bangladesh. The mission of the sail was to highlight the problems Bangladeshi fishermen are facing due to global warming.
Trinidad & Tobago: Toco Lighthouse
“No trip to Toco is complete without visiting the lighthouse that sits on the north eastern tip of Trinidad”: My Chutney Garden regales us with tales from her journey.
China: Technology and Offshore Farms
David Wolf from Silicon Hutong predicted that Chinese offshore farms are likely to invest in agricultural technology in the coming five years.
Bahrain: The Sorry State of Affairs of a Hidd Mosque
On Facebook, a Bahraini posts an eye-opening letter to a minister asking him to visit a mosque in Hidd, describing its sorry state of affairs. Read to the end of the letter to find out what could await those who raise their voices.
Brazil: Indigenous Camp Resists for Eight Months in Brasilia
Since the beginning of this year, members of different indigenous Brazilian nations have settled a "revolutionary camp" out in front of the Ministry of Justice in Brasília D.F. The indigenous communities demand for the annulment of a decree on matters related to them, which was approved in the end of 2009 without consulting indigenous leaders.