Stories about Environment from September, 2012
Belarus, Ukraine: No More Gratis UK Visas for Chernobyl Children?
According to this online petition, bringing Belarusian and Ukrainian children affected by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to the UK for recuperative charity-sponsored visits will soon cost an additional £86 per child in visa fees.
‘Diversity Within the Unknown’, a Conservation Blog in Bolivia
Few media outlets- mainstream, alternative or citizen-lead-, pay careful attention, or devote themselves fully, to the subject of conservation in Bolivia. Diversidad entre Pendientes is a blog that offers direct contact with the Bolivian biodiversity, home to mountains and sub-tropical valleys. The blog's author, Mauricio Pacheco, spoke with Global Voices about his work, and the state of thematic blogs in Bolivia.
Jamaica: Coral Crisis
The latest diagnosis on Caribbean coral reefs is dire. Labrish Jamaica thinks immediate action should be taken.
China: Yangtze River Turned Red
For some unknown reason, the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, has turned red last week. China Hush translated the local news story.
Croatia: Promoting Solar Energy at Terraneo Music Festival
UNDP's Voices from Eurasia blog reports on the ecological education program of this year's Terraneo music festival in Šibenik, where guests, among other things, could “test-drive Croatia’s only solar-powered car and bicycle.” In charge of the festival's “solar booth” were Marko Capek and Robert Pašičko, who “also sang songs about...
Video: San Cristobal Volcano Eruption in Northern Nicaragua
YouTube's Citizentube has a playlist of user submitted videos showing the dramatic volcanic eruptions of September 8th in Nicaragua. The San Cristobal volcano, the tallest in this Central American country, erupted at 9:02 am on Saturday, releasing steam and ash and causing authorities to evacuate more than 3000 people from Chinandega.
Russia: Dreaming About Better Roads
Prime Minister Medvedev ordered the government to auction a construction contract to build another section of a still-incomplete toll road between Moscow and Saint Petersburg. By signing the decree, Medvedev awakened a debate about the highway's negative environmental impact that only recently seemed to be subsiding.
India: Standing Neck Deep in Water to Protest
Fifty one residents of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have launched a ‘Jal Satyagraha' protest by standing neck deep inside the backwaters of Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river. The protest is against the government decision to raise the water level of the dam pending rehabilitation.
Venezuela: Is a Natural Disaster Looming Over Mata Redonda?
Neighbors of the Mata Redonda community, in the Venezuelan city of Maracay, are using citizen media to denounce a possible natural disaster if the contention wall that separates the zone from Lake Valencia were to collapse.
Biking from Tunisia to China for Wetland Conservation
Tunisian Arafet Ben Marzou, 31, fulfilled a childhood dream when he gave up his university job and cycled from Tunisia to China, to draw attention to the conservation of wetlands along the way. Afef Abrougui checks out the highlights of the trip he shared on Facebook.
Nepal: Hydro-power Sector Marred by Politics
Nepal is experiencing a huge power (electricity) deficit and despite this fact no additional power stations were commissioned in recent times to meet the growing demand. Hydroelectricity has a great potential in the country but the sector needs foreign investment and government support. Democracy for Nepal blog rounds up the latest...
Chinese Mitten Crabs Invade German Waters
An interesting post from China Hush on the problems caused by Chinese mitten crabs in German rivers. To tackle the problem, German fishermen are selling the crabs to Chinese restaurants.
Philippines: Plastic Ban Map
A google map page shows the cities and municipalities in the Philippines which have banned the use of plastic in commercial establishments.