1 March 2013

Stories from 1 March 2013

New Web Game Targets Climate Skeptics

  1 March 2013

A new web game called Reality Drop rewards users for commenting or sharing links about articles related to climate change. It was unveiled in California by former U.S. vice president and environmental activist, Al Gore.

Brazilian Family Loses Home to the World Cup

  1 March 2013

In this article by Agência Pública, we meet another Brazilian affected by preparations for the 2014 World Cup. This time, it's Elisângela, whose Rio de Janeiro home was demolished without prior notice, leaving her and her daughter homeless.

China Considers Pollution Data a State Secret

  1 March 2013

China's Ministry of Environmental Protection has rejected a Chinese lawyer's request for the details of a national survey on soil protection after deeming the information a state secret. The public and media are now pressing the Ministry to reverse its decision. China experts at Chinafile are holding a discussion: How...

China Gives PM 2.5 a Chinese Name

  1 March 2013

As Beijing continues to suffer from smog and sandstorms, a new initiative to choose a Chinese name for PM2.5 (sub-2.5 micrometer) pollutant particles has become a hot topic on Weibo. China Digital Times has translated some netizens’ comments.

Internet Post Deletion Business in China

  1 March 2013

Caixin Magazine[zh] reported about the Internet post deletion business in China: “It costs thousands to delete a negative news article, hundreds of thousands in professional fees to get a key word blocked.’’ feichengdao has translated some excerpts from the report into English.

Cyclone Haruna Kills 23 and leaves 22,000 Homeless in Madagascar

  1 March 2013

Cyclone Haruna has caused a total of 23 deaths, as well as 16 missing persons, 84 people injured and nearly 22,000 disaster victims, during just one week of February 2013 in Madagascar. Despite the images of distress and messages from humanitarian organisations requesting urgent help, some feel that solidarity has been slow be felt in the affected region, the South West of Madagascar. However, many associations and agencies have rallied round in Madagascar and abroad to come to the region’s assistance.