[alternet-l] The Alternet News 115

Fri Feb 25 14:18:51 GMT 2005

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE 115
February 25th 2005

This issue:

PERMISSION FOR EMISSION/
ROBIN HOOD IN REVERSE/
WORLD BANK LENDS AN AXE/
CASHING IN/
CATCH A WAVE/
JOURNALISTS UNITE/
BLACK AND WHITE ETHICS/
FLY ANOTHER DAY/
BIG TROUBLE IN BIG CHINA/
BUSH WAVERS ON WOMENS' RIGHTS/
BUILD A WEBSITE AND TELL YOUR STORY/

QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
JOBS/
DIARY/

HOT SITES:

Two years of work have produced "Energy Beyond Oil", a 200-page book
that looks at the issue of energy futures and renewable energy. The
book will be available from High Street bookshops in late May or June
Read the introduction to the book online:

--> http://www.fraw.org.uk/ebo/

The Gender and ICT Awards 2005 is open to civil society
organisations, community-based groups, women's organisations and
networks and social movements based in Asia Pacific. The focus of
the 2005 Awards is on ICT initiatives that promote women's economic
empowerment as it relates to development. Special attention will be
given to projects initiated by women themselves.

For more information, please read the complete application procedure
and download the application form at

--> http://www.genderawards.net

Hundreds of Guatemalans are separated every year from their families
as a result of migration, kidnapping, sexual exploitation,
trafficking and violence, a high percentage of them children and
teenagers highly vulnerable to exploitation.

As an initiative of Casa Alianza Guatemala, and thanks to the
support of Save the Children Sweden, various State organisations
such as Guatemalan Civil National Police, the Judicial Organism, and
the Committee for Reduction of Natural Disasters will join forces to
find missing children in Guatemala and Latin America through the
website:

--> http://www.guatemaltecosdesaparecidos.org

PERMISSION FOR EMISSION

Friends of the Earth have reacted angrily to the UK Government's
decision to increase the level of climate emissions it will allow UK
companies to emit as part of the EU's Emissions Trading scheme. The
environment group warned that the decision sends a dangerous signal
to other countries.

Friends of the Earth's Head of Research, Dr Dan Barlow, said: "In
the same week that the Kyoto climate treaty comes into force the UK
Government caves in to shortsighted and ill-informed business
pressure. Allowing increased pollution limits will do nothing to
stimulate efficiency, or encourage the movement away from fossil
fuel intense processes and investment in alternative or low carbon
technologies". The decision appears to mock Tony Blair's earlier
commitment to ensuring that tackling climate change remained a
priority issue at this year's G8 summit.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050214c.htm

ROBIN HOOD IN REVERSE

Whilst many applaud the priorities of the Kyoto protocol, a
coalition of NGOs, social and environmental activists, communities,
scientists and economists (the 'Durban Group') has claimed that the
1997 climate treaty not only fails to cut greenhouse gas emissions
enough to avert climate catastrophe, but also 'steals from the poor
to give to the rich'.

The Kyoto Protocol states that industrialised country signatories
must reduce their emissions to 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012.
However, the group noted, the scientific community has called for
global reductions of over 60% below 1990 levels. The Kyoto
Protocol's attempt to create "carbon dioxide-saving" projects in
poorer countries is meanwhile raising protests from Brazil to South
Africa. Such projects - which include industrial tree plantations
and schemes to burn off landfill gas - are designed to license big
emitters in the rich north to continue using fossil fuels. But they
usurp land or water the inhabitants need for other purposes.

"We're creating a sort of 'climate apartheid,' wherein the poorest
pay the highest price, with their health, their land, and, in some
cases, with their lives - for continued carbon profligacy by the
rich," asserts Soumitra Ghosh of the National Forum of Forest
Peoples and Forest Workers in India.

http://www.carbontradewatch.org

WORLD BANK LENDS AN AXE

Illegal logging bans have been overturned recently in Cambodia.
International donors led by the World Bank, and including the UK
Department for International Development, have allowed the Cambodian
government to lift a transportation ban that has been in force since
2002.

The Cambodian government introduced a definitive ban on log
transportation at the request of international donors in May 2002,
as a means of compelling logging concessionaires to produce
sustainable forest management plans. None of the companies has yet
completed the forest management planning process.

http://www.globalwitness.org/

CASHING IN

The growing demand for organic food in rich Western countries has
become a benefit for the difficult rural economies that exist in
many developing countries. Organic cash crop farming is booming in
India and China, thereby reducing urban migration and improving the
environment simultaneously. (Ed. However, this rather flies in the
face of the values of the Organic movement itself, which stresses
that food should be grown and bought locally wherever possible, in
order to prevent the accumulation of damaging food miles).

http://uk.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/103121/5795/13867

CATCH A WAVE

Though wind power is currently the fastest-growing renewable energy
source, many researchers, power companies, and energy officials are
turning their attentions to the oceans for further inspiration.
Despite the fact that it is still very much in its infancy, ocean
power (generated from either waves or the tides beneath) is showing
great promise. According to the Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI), the amount of wave energy available for harnessing off U.S.
coasts represents nine to 10 times the power generated cumulatively
by the nations' hydroelectric dams. Though they caution that the
effects of ocean turbines on wildlife need to be carefully studied,
most environmental groups are optimistic.

"The bedrock of a robust electricity system is a diversity of energy
sources," contributed EPRI's Hank Courtright.

http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4338

JOURNALISTS UNITE

Iraqi journalists are setting aside their differences to bring
pressure on the new government with the aim of introducing reforms
to underwrite an independent media, and provide greater protection
against the threat of violence. A new grouping - the Iraqi National
Journalists Advisory Panel - which brings together progressive
elements of the old journalists' syndicate as well leaders of a new
press union and Kurdish journalists, says the first priority is the
elimination of all threats of violence against the journalists.

Since the US invasion two years ago 73 media staff have been killed
in the country, more than half of them Iraqi. "For the first time
the authentic and independent voice of Iraqi journalism can be
heard, said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary, This is a powerful
call for a fresh start for press freedom in the country, If our
colleagues in Iraq succeed it will signal momentous change, not only
for journalism in Iraq, but for media across the Arab world."

http://uk.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/103464/5795/14434

BLACK AND WHITE ETHICS

The Liberation of Animals association from Zagreb, which opposes the
use of animals in experiments and vivisection, are promoting the use
of alternative, more efficient methods that are more useful from a
scientific point of view. The association believes that many
instances of animal experimentation cannot be justified in terms of
ethics, or indeed of benefit to science.

In addition to presenting the "White" list (those that don't use
animal experimentation in the production process) and "Black" list
(those that do) of products by manufacturers, the activists appealed
to the citizens to join the boycott of products made by unethical
companies.

http://see.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/103329/3260/14118

FLY ANOTHER DAY

Wildlife campaigners were heartened recently on learning that a huge
bird market, proposed for the 27th February 2005 at the Yorkshire
Event Centre in Harrogate, has been cancelled. The Animal Protection
Agency (APA), a national organisation campaigning against the trade
in wild animals for pets, is delighted that the Yorkshire Event
Centre has now dropped the bird market from its list.

http://www.apa.org.uk/apatv/index

BIG TROUBLE IN BIG CHINA

China now officially consumes more of almost all major food, energy,
and industrial commodities than the United States (though luckily
for the rest of the world, there is still no contest when it comes
to oil consumption - The U.S. continues to consume three times the
amount of oil that China does, and it is said that Americans own
almost 10 times the number of cars). China is beginning to widen its
lead in other areas though, making the country an "emerging economic
superpower", and the likely dominating force of the 21st century,
says eco-economy expert Lester Brown.

http://www.earth-policy.org

BUSH WAVERS ON WOMENS' RIGHTS

Ten years ago, the U.S. signed the Beijing Platform for Action,
pledging to promote women's human rights, political participation,
and access to education, employment, and health care around the
world. In a series of meetings last year, however, the U.S. refused
to support reaffirmation and withdrew much of its support for the
platform. A coalition of women's groups is asking Americans to call
on the president to reaffirm the country's support for women's
rights at a Major UN meeting in March.

http://www.genderhealth.org

BUILD A WEBSITE AND TELL YOUR STORY

Channel 4 are offering free website building workshops and webspace
for people in the Bristol area. It's part of a project to build up a
network of sites reflecting the rich cultural and ethnic diversity
of the country. The first workshops are Saturday and Sunday 26 and
27 February.

Sign Up Now for a workshop in Bristol:
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/I/insite/apply_workshops.html

The aim is to encourage groups to develop skills in website creation
in order to reflect their own particular experiences. The target age
would be 16+ and include older people as well. The workshops are
free and last 2 days and run from 10-4 with breaks. We supply lunch
and coffee. On the workshop you get training in building a website
using either Moonfruit or ZyWeb and guidance on scanning photos,
research, writing for the web and to meet an interesting bunch
ofpeople.

There's a maximum of 20 on each workshop and people can come in
groups (ie a small family group or friends). The workshops are free
and you also get two years free hosting and access to the site
building tools.

We're after a range of sites dealing with the impact of diverse
incoming cultures and people on the country. They might be recent
groups or historical ones; from a personal perspective or a
distance. We're especially targetting ethnic groups but aren't
excluding anyone.

More info on the INSITE project:
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/I/insite/index.html

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

'You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, that
is something you are free to do and it accords with your nature, but
perhaps this very holding back is the one suffering you could
avoid'.

- Franz Kafka, The Collected Aphorisms, no. 103 (Oct. 1917-Feb. 1918)

JOBS

World Youth Programme Officer
Voluntary Service Overseas
Salary: Grade 5 (currently £23,720 including London Weighting)
Location: United Kingdom
Closing Date: 16.03.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10848

Education Advisor
Concern Worldwide
Salary: Grade 5 (Euro 30,601 - 39,103)
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Closing Date: 04.03.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10841

Head of Media Relations
CAFOD
Salary: £36,172 to £39,672 p.a.
Location: Brixton, London, United Kingdom
Closing Date: 03.03.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10839

Training Project Manager
Peaceworkers UK
Salary: £150/day for 50 days
Location: Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom
Closing Date: 28.02.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10821
EIA Volunteers Needed
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)
Location: various, United Kingdom
Closing Date: 07.03.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10788

Add your paid or voluntary vacancies at
http://www.gn.apc.org/jobs.shtml

EVENTS

MONDAY 28th FEBRUARY
Emergency Lobby against new Prevention of Terrorism Bill, on the
final day of committee scrutiny. The bill proposes The Bill abandons
the presumption of innocence completely, gives the Home Secretary
the executive power to restrict a person's liberty on the basis of
suspicion rather than proof, and proposes closed court sessions.

Letters and faxes to MPs would have to be received by Sunday 27
February, or phone your MP's office on 0207 219 4272, and attend the
lobby between 2pm and 8pm.

SATURDAY 5TH MARCH
'A Europe for Peace' International Conference

Mechanics Institute, central Manchester, UK, jointly organised by
CND (UK) and Mouvement de la Paix. (France). Workshops around NATO,
the NPT, the European Constitution. Also cultural programme on
Sunday 6th.

Registration forms and full information on the programme,
accommodation and travel are available from Greater Manchester CND,
22a Beswick Street, MANCHESTER M4 7HR e-mail gmdcnd at gn.apc.org Tel
+44 161 273 8283 Fax +44 161 273 8293

1st - 13TH MARCH
Check out Fairtrade
Two weeks of promotion of fairtrade-certified goods and empowerment
of producers in the developing world, also tying in with Make
Poverty History. A good chance to get businesses and councils to go
fairtrade.
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk

SATURDAY 12 MARCH
Shakedown '05
All-night fundraisnig bash for Dissent! Network with Rick Donohue,
Fever DJs &c. Somwehere in Nottingham

Further Details: BC 400 (Jump-up Live Party Hip Hop, London) Inner
Terrestrials (Hard mix of Anarcho-Dub-Punk-Reggae-Ska, London) DJ
Rubbish (Notoriously Entertaining Live Hip Hop, Peckham) Old Basford
(Heavy Boogie Blues, Nott'm) Pre-events, Info and Advance Tickets ?5
at the info points: 0115 841 3830/115 956 1188
http://www.dissent.org.uk

MONDAY 21ST MARCH 2005
International day of direct action against the arms trade:
International groups are calling for a day of direct action against
the arms trade, to coincide with the second anniversary of the start
of the war on Iraq.

To get involved please contact DISARM DSEi actionday at dsei.org or
visit http://www.dsei.org

World Water Day falls on March 22, 2005
Read an extract from 'Troubled Water: Saints, Sinners, Truth & Lies
about the Global Water Crisis', a book by Dame Anita Roddick and Brooke
Biggs. http://www.anitaroddick.com

Saturday 26 March, 10am - 5pm
Viva!'s Incredible Veggie Road show
Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester.

Come along to find out about why it's time to go veggie - you'll be
able to taste a whole range of veggie foods, get all your questions
answered, pick up great free info and watch cookery demos.
Admission Free!

--> http://www.viva.org.uk/roadshows/manchester.html

Saturday 12th March
War on Want Annual Conference , LSE, London, 13.30-18.00.  £5/£3
Exposing the real role of corporations in war and conflict, with
Jonathan Dimbleby, Duncan Campbell, speakers from Colombia and from
Platform &c.
http://www.waronwant.org

Saturday 19th March
March against Iraq occupation
Central London, 1pm
http://www.stopwar.org.uk

Tuesday 1st March to Wednesday 2nd March
Conference on Global Youth Work Training, Liverpool
Organised by, National Youth Agency, DEA, Cyfanfyd, Ideas, Centre
for Global Education NI, National Youth Council for Ireland
A major two day conference for youth work trainers exploring
opportunities to mainstream global youth work practice.
Contact: sarad at nya.org.uk

Sustainability and education conference:
'Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in life science
education and training'
12-15 May, 2005 in Oslo, Norway. Organised by InterNICHE.
This exciting and inspiring international conference will focus on
the design of university life science curricula in order to meet
teaching objectives in the most ethical and effective ways.

--> http://www.interniche.org

The 19th international conference EnviroInfo 2005 - Informatics for
Environmental Protection, will be held in Brno, Czech Republic, on
September 7-9, 2005. Continuing the successful series of conferences
dedicated to environmental information exchange among scientists,
public administrations, private and public companies as well as
environmental informatics end-users.

See SchNEWS events at http://www.schnews.org.uk/pap/yourarea.htm

Add diary dates at http://www.gn.apc.org/calendar/calindex.shtml and
http://www.networkforpeace.org.uk/events.htm (diary dates collected
by NfP are passed on to Peace News for their diary page. In order to
get a diary listing in PN, groups can email nfp at gn.apc.org with
details).

This edition of AlterNet is edited by Lucie Evans for GreenNet.

Send your news and hot sites to actnow at gn.apc.org

Please note that opinions expressed in Alternet News do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or of the GreenNet
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