Stories about Environment from April, 2012
China: What is Causing the Death of Endangered Finless Porpoises?
More than a dozen corpses of the Finless Porpoise, a species even more rare than the Giant Panda, have been found in Dongting Lake in Hubei and Hunan provinces since March 2012. Chinese micro-bloggers are keeping each other updated on the situation while trying to determine the reasons for the deaths of this critically endangered species, as the government is yet to confirm the death toll and put forward a rescue plan.
Brazil: Homage to the Victims of the Amazon in Washington, D.C.
President Dilma Rousseff's official visit to Washington, D.C. attracted around 100 people to the Brazilian embassy in an act of solidarity with the Amazonian victims. Learn a little more about the Brazilians who were killed and are being persecuted for protecting the rainforest.
Spain: King Juan Carlos and the Elephant in Botswana
Days after Felipe Juan Froilan accidentally shot himself in the foot during shooting practice, his grandfather, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, fell while he was hunting and broke his pelvis. This would have been minor news, had it not been for the fact that he was hunting elephants in Botswana on...
This Week in the Caribbean Blogosphere
It has been another interesting week in the Caribbean blogosphere, with netizens discussing everything from crime to upcoming elections…
Russia: Ilya Varlamov, Omsk's Blogger-Mayor?
In the city of Omsk, a local activist group has arranged online primaries for opposition candidates, in order to nominate one for the city's June mayoral election. Popular Muscovite photoblogger Ilya Varlamov has emerged as the contest's front runner, but what impact could his candidacy have on regional politics?
Peru: What Is Killing the Dolphins?
The news that 3,000 dolphins have been found dead along the coastline of north Peru so far this year has shocked the world. Citizens and activists are using social networking sites to provide information and make people aware of these deaths so that the cause can be investigated.
India: Gearing Up for Better E-Waste Management
E-waste dumping and hazardous recycling by the non-formal sector has become a major challenge in India, where e-waste output has multiplied eight fold in the last seven years. A new legislation coming into effect from May 2012 hopes to streamline e-waste management in the country.
India: Illegal Asphalt Plant's Pollution Causes Cancer in Villagers
A video report by Video Volunteers' India Unheard project exposes the plight of a community in Rajasthan, is where the people and farms are being affected by the pollution caused by several illegal asphalt factories. Juliana Rincón Parra reports.
Africa: Access to Water and Sanitation Services Still a Burden
Babatope Babalobi, Secretary General WASH-JN [Water, sanitation and Hygiene journalists network (WASH)] discusses two meetings on water and sanitation held in Marseilles last month: “It seems that the organisers of the two events wrongly assumed that all citizens are able to access water and sanitation services through public or privately...
Myanmar: Suspended Dam Project May Reopen Again
The Democratic Voice of Burma reports about a leaked government document which suggests the reopening of a suspended dam project in Myanmar. The dam construction was suspended after it was actively opposed by local communities.
Philippines: Netizens Unite to Save Pine Trees
Filipino netizens are using the hashtag #savebaguiopinetrees to protest the plan of a mall owned by the country's richest man to cut 182 pine trees in order to construct a parking lot in Baguio City in northern Philippines
Pakistan: Stop Dumping On Us
Pakistan has become a dumping ground of plastic and medical wastes in the past decades. The people of the country had been exposed too long to harmful diseases due to lack of vigilance. Faisal Kapadia shares netizens' reactions.
Argentina: Interviews from the Mapuche Nation's Meeting on Environmental Conflicts
Deep Dish Waves of Change shares a video of interviews [es] recorded during the first encounter of the indigenous Mapuche group regarding environmental conflicts during February 2012 in Argentina.
China: No Fishes for Chinese Fishermen
Jing Gao from Ministry of Tofu translated a local feature story about the livelihood of Chinese fishermen who can't find fishes near the China coast because of pollution and over fishing.
Panama: A Video Testimony on Mining in the Azuero Peninsula
Joao Quiróz from Medio Cerrado [es] interviews Joaquín Moreno, a resident of the Herrera province in the Azuero Peninsula in Panamá, about mining. Joaquín tells Joao about his opposition to a mining project in the area.
Brazil: Indigenous Rights and the Suspension of the Teles Pires Dam
Brazilian blogger Sonia Martuscelli reproduces [pt] an open letter on the suspension of the license for the construction of the controversial Teles Pires Dam, in an area of the Amazon forest inhabited by the indigenous peoples of Kayabi, Apiaka and Mundukuru ethnicities. The natives require measures to ensure their rights...
Greenpeace Blocked from Entering South Korea for Their Nuclear Stance
South Korean immigration authorities blocked three Greenpeace staffers from entering the country. Kumi Naidoo, international executive director of Greenpeace tweeted about the incident and his several tweets are rapidly translated in Korean.
Myanmar: Construction Resumes in Suspended Dam Project
Weekly Eleven reported that construction of the controversial Myit Sone Dam in Kachin State in Myanmar which was suspended last year by the government has been resumed.