· May, 2008

Stories about Environment from May, 2008

Southeast Asia: Coping with the rice and food crisis

  21 May 2008

Food prices continue to rise in the world market. Southeast Asian governments are now re-examining their food and agricultural policies in order to prevent consumer panic and social unrest. Bloggers are discussing the food crisis and its impact in the region.

Libya: Tree of Shade

In 1996, Khadija Teri took seeds of a Florida tree to her new home in Libya. “I planted two of them in my garden and they overhang in the street in front of my house offering the only respite from the harsh north African sun on my block. People fight...

Barbados: Capacity for Tourism

  20 May 2008

“Tourism is the life blood of the Barbados economy. Any decisions made outside Barbados that would have a negative impact on our survival is cause for concern”: Bajan Global Report says that the recent decision by US air carriers to cut their capacity because of rising fuel prices could mean...

Videos: Creativity in facing the water crisis

  20 May 2008

With two very recent natural disasters in mind: the cyclone in Myanmar and the Earthquake in Sichuan, China, the topic of getting pure and drinkable water to needy populations has come back into the conversation. Following, several videos which propose different solutions to supply clean water or at least make it easier for people to have a healthful liquid to drink.

China: Be Humble

  20 May 2008

In reflection upon the earthquake, Huyong said that Chinese people should learn to be more humble and fearful of the nature in its developmental model [zh].

New Research Programme for Sustainable Decision-making

  20 May 2008

The Inspired Economy blog writes of a new research program being launched. “It aims to support the world’s decision-makers in their promotion of sustainability and at ensuring that their decision-making will rest on scientific foundations leading to – real change.”

Kidepo, an unbeaten path in Uganda

  19 May 2008

Omar Basawad writes of Kidepo National Park, saying “Of all Ugandan national parks and game reserves, Kidepo is the most remote and has the most unique wilderness and terrain.” noting that many tourists and travelers are missing out on a pristine location.

Migratory birds in Bahrain

The birdwatcher blog Bahrain Obs posts photos and observes “The number of birds and species passing at Badaan Farm has slowed to a crawl – a few surprises in what's been turning up but nothing really exceptional.”

China:国殇; survival stories in QUAKE

  19 May 2008

No pen could suffice to write out all those happened and happening in where the quake struck. But undeniable, numerous common people created one after another legends of life,survival and sacrifice on this unprecedented crisis, transcending even the most formidable disaster. They are record-worthy. In memory of this trauma of China.

Central Asia: A Gas/Oil Party

Patrick Frost reviews the experts’ reactions on Russia’s March 11 deal with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to buy their gas at world prices, which may signal a weakening Russian position in the region and rising regional cooperation between the Central Asian states.

Malaysia: Save Malacca Straits Project

  18 May 2008

Professor AK-47 blogs about the Save Malacca Straits Project. The program promotes “safety of navigation and the sustainability of resources and economic development in the Straits.”

Iraq: BlogIraq is Dead

I am sad to report the death of Ahmed the writer of the blog BlogIraq who was murdered in the Al-Mansour district of Baghdad. May he rest in peace. Also, waiting for war to come in Mosul. And find out which world leader one young Iraqi looks to as a role model for the country.

Japan: Bloggers criticize Greenpeace over whale-meat theft

  17 May 2008

The reputation of Greenpeace Japan appears to have dropped a few notches this week, with news that the organization, in order to expose the theft of whale meat by crew members of a whaling research ship, itself stole meat to use as evidence of the crime. Members of Greenpeace Japan admitted to having entered a delivery company's distribution center in Tokyo on April 15th without permission in order to seize packages of whale meat.