Environment Archives - Page 45 of 46

Cellulose and Forestation: Two Sides of a Predatory Model

Raúl Zibechi October 27, 2005 Raúl Zibechi

The construction of two huge cellulose factories on the Uruguay River that threaten to pollute the binational stream illustrates how a model of forestry imposed by neoliberalism in the 1990s is gaining ground in the Southern Cone. Standing on a makeshift stage in the center of Montevideo, writer Eduardo Galeano addressed the crowd in a calm tone: "There are decisions that are made in 15 minutes but have consequences for centuries." It was May 27, 2005 during a demonstration against the construction of two huge cellulose factories on the shores of the Uruguay River. It was not the first time that environmental and social organizations had taken to the streets to protest the two megaprojects, which threaten to pollute the country's main river, shared with Argentina. But it was the first time that it was done under a progressive or leftist government.

Copper vs. Ecology in Ecuador

Stuart Schussler September 14, 2005 Stuart Schussler

Junín, a small town in the mountainous Intag region of northwestern Ecuador, is home for about 500 Ecuadorians. The community is rich in many ways. Fertile land produces organic coffee, sugar cane, and oranges for exportation. Junín is located next to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and the people of the village created their own community ecological reserve 8 years ago. These protected areas cover a large expanse of cloud forest and contain one of the world's most biologically diverse ecosystems. Public works projects like road maintenance or repairs on the school house are done with the traditional minga system, where members from each family volunteer to do a couple days of work for the common good. However, in the eyes of Ascendant Copper Corporation, a Canadian mining company, Junín's wealth isn't in its people or its diverse ecosystem-it's in its rocks.

Powering Alaska After The Oil Runs Out

Brian Yanity September 6, 2005 Brian Yanity

Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline

Someday Alaska's oil and gas reserves will run out. It is not a question of if, but when. Eventually, these commodities can no longer be the mainstay of the state's economy. This probably won't be the case for a couple of decades, but reality has a way of catching up with those who try to cheat the laws of physics. It is often claimed in Alaska that the "jobs versus environmental protection" dichotomy is an unbridgeable chasm. This may be historically true, based on past and present modes of economic production. However, Alaska can use new modes of energy production that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. The only way to protect resource-based jobs in the long run is through a sustainable working relationship with the land. Development of renewable energy sources, not just in Alaska but worldwide, is absolutely essential for a sustainable economy that preserves both jobs and the environment. The sooner Alaska starts developing innovative renewable energy resources, the more diverse Alaska's economy will be.

Activists Prepare for the Next Wave of Protests (3/01)

BRIAN TOKAR June 2, 2005 BRIAN TOKAR

The Maori people call it Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud. It’s a place of mystery and wonder, where glacial mountain peaks tower over vast coastal rain forests, with breathtaking coves and bays far too numerous to count and genera of trees and birds that can’t be found anywhere else on earth.

New Zealand’s indigenous population has made its mark on the majority colonial population’s language, cultural norms, and legal institutions to an extent rarely found in the English speaking world. read more

New Weapon Could Trigger Climate Change(03/01)

MICHEL CHOSSUDOVSKY June 2, 2005 MICHEL CHOSSUDOVSKY

The important debate on global warming proceeding under UN auspices provides but a partial picture of climate change. In addition to the devastating impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the ozone layer, the world’s climate can now be modified by a new generation of sophisticated "non-lethal weapons." In fact, both the US and Russia have developed capabilities to manipulate the world’s weather.

In the US, the technology is being perfected under the High-frequency Active Aural Research Program (HAARP) as part of "Star Wars," otherwise known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Recent scientific evidence suggests that HAARP is fully operational and has the ability to potentially trigger floods, droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes. read more

Man Made Weather: Weapon of the future? (11/00)

NICO STEHR June 2, 2005 NICO STEHR

At the recent Fifth German Climate Conference, a climate expert and I gave a joint paper on man-made climate disasters that were threatening man in historic times. After we had spoken, a participant approached us and told us about research carried out by the US Air Force. The findings were reported back in 1996 but have since been generally ignored. The research paper is available at www.au.af.mil/au/2025/ on the Web.

All past climate catastrophes caused by man pale in comparison to the study’s findings, which are but a taste of things to come in the next quarter century. He who controls the weather, controls the world. read more