Founders of Tropico Verde attacked
Two environmental activists, Carlos Albacete and Piedad Albacete, the founders of Tropico Verde, an environmental organisation dedicated to protecting the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, have been forced to flee Guatemala after being attacked by gun men. Amnesty is urging supporters to write an appeal to the Guatemalan authorities, urging them to stop the harassment and intimidation of environmental activists.
http://tinyurl.com/ysxjeq
UNHCR chief meets Iraqi refugees
An estimated 1.8 million Iraqis are currently displaced within their country, while another 2 million have fled to nearby nations, mainly Syria and Jordan. UNHCR, which last year struggled to get US$29 million in funding for its regional Iraq programmes, has called for US$60 million for 2007 amid a displacement crisis that has seen 40,000 to 50,000 people fleeing their homes in Iraq each month. Syria currently has an estimated 1 million Iraqis, most of whom have fled to Damascus. The government says they have put a huge strain on schools, medical facilities and other social services and have driven up rental and other prices throughout the capital.
EU fails on emissions trading
Days before the EU agreement to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020, the EU Commission agreed to relax minimum standards car emission standards after a wrangle between Commission directorate’s in which ‘industry’ trumped ‘environment’ again. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme was also criticised for being inefficient, ineffective and unambitious by a group of MPs.
Italy orders CIA kidnapping trial
Two days after the European Parliament criticised member states for turning a blind eye to CIA ‘extraordinary rendition’ activities, Italy moved to put 26 CIA agents on trial for the kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric in Milan in 2003. Jean Lambert MEP, who sits on the European Parliament’s temporary Committee of Inquiry into the CIA’s activities, called on member state parliaments and governments to investigate fully what may have been happening on their territory.
Animal Rights
Caroline Lucas has joined animal protection groups across Europe in calling on the EU to replace ‘cruel, unnecessary and misleading’ animal experiments. Campaigners in 11 countries are demanding the EU to replace animal experiments with more ethical and scientifically reliable non-animal research techniques. The petition was launched in the UK by the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research and can be signed at http://www.endeuanimaltests.org/
Poland builds a road through Europe’s wetlands
The Polish government has given the green light for diggers to begin the destruction of the pristine Rospuda wetlands to create the Polish section of the Warsaw to Helsinki transnational highway. The construction will damage internationally-important wildlife habitats protected under Polish and European law. The road will put at risk strongholds of lynx, wolf and the most important European Union populations of two globally-threatened birds: the greater spotted eagle and aquatic warbler. The European Commission is proceeding with a formal infringement procedure and has reprimanded the Polish government. More than 150,000 Polish people have signed a petition urging the Polish government to halt work immediately.
www.bigpicture.tv - a new web-based video channel shows hundreds of free, thought-provoking videos of global experts in sustainability - with practical ideas and solutions. Contributors include Caroline Lucas MEP.
www.green.tv is hosting short films from the UNEP, Soil Association and others.
EAST Journal (Environmental and Sustainable Technology Journal) is online at www.eastjournal.co.uk. Sigmar Gabriel, the German Federal Minister for the Environment, lays out how Climate Change should be tackled and their government’s sustainable way forward.
www.cheatneutral.com takes a satirical look at carbon offsetting. Cheatneutral offsets your cheating by funding someone else to be faithful and NOT cheat!
