[alternet-l] The Alternet News 117

Mon Mar 28 20:31:42 BST 2005

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE 117
March 25th 2005

This issue:

MERCURY RISING/
WHAT PRICE IGNORANCE?/
NOT SO GRRREAT/
CURB CRAWLING/
REBORN FREE/
IT’S OIL ABOUT YOU/
PVC/
THE CHINESE NIGHTMARE/
GIVE A LITTLE BACK…/
THE SECRET’S OUT/

QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
JOBS/
DIARY/

HOT SITES:

Believe it or not, transnational corporations are not invincible.
Anti-capitalists can hit them where it hurts by choosing their 
‘favourite’ brands and using the stock market to help boycott them.
Become a shareholder – See www.karmabanque.com for more details.

‘Investing Ethically Ltd’ is a Norwich-based independent financial
advisory firm, which provides long-term financial advice based on a
commitment to ethical investment. The company is directly authorised
and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and was founded by
Alan J Kirkham, an experienced Independent Financial Advisor who has
been involved in the green movement for many years.
More information is available from:
http://www.investing-ethically.co.uk

In the run up to the General Election and the G8 leadership, with the 
twin foci being Climate change and Africa, we have a prime opportunity 
to highlight how development is being undermined by continued support 
for oil extraction. Since its launch on February 3rd, Early Day Motion 
650 (Development Aid for Oil) has been signed by over 80 MPs. More 
signatures are needed for the public and MPs to focus attention on the 
misuse of development aid in supporting oil corporations. Please write 
to your MP asking them to sign the EDM - before the beginning of April 
and general election fever. You can find more details on www.planb.org, 
and from Friends of the Earth (who have an email action to MPs) on: 
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/corporates/press_for_change/oil_edm/index.html

MERCURY RISING

Mercury contamination of wildlife may be more prevalent than
previously thought and influencing ecosystems in unexpected ways,
suggests a study released early in March. Researchers in the north 
eastern U.S. and eastern Canada found higher than expected levels of 
mercury present in the tissues of many of the region's birds and other 
animals, supporting the hypothesis that mercury from power plants and 
incinerators may be getting into the forest food chain in much the same 
way it enters water bodies and aquatic ecosystems.
The damp forest floor acts as a base from which the mercury that falls 
from the sky is transformed into its most toxic form - methyl mercury. 
Insects ingesting debris then easily accumulate the metal in their 
bodies, passing it up the food chain and around the ecosystem.
"The impacts of mercury go well beyond what anyone would have
envisioned yesterday," said Michael Bender, director of the Mercury
Policy Project in Vermont, who played no role in the study.  The
research adds to the arsenal of environmental advocates who argue
that the Bush administration needs a more aggressive plan for curbing
mercury emissions.

http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4506

WHAT PRICE IGNORANCE?

While a certain political administration is still stubbornly insisting 
that the worlds’ resources are infinite, global financial markets are 
providing evidence to the contrary. Commodity prices recently hit a 
24-year high, driven by worries that burgeoning global demand is rapidly 
outstripping supply.
Copper and oil prices are near record highs, and countries that export 
large volumes of raw materials (Australia, Canada, South Africa) are 
celebrating as their currencies rise rapidly against the dollar. 
Continuing economic growth in the US and China means that prices will 
continue to rise.
Apparently, "the only thing that will get us to move decisively lower is 
a global recession that would reduce demand,'' said Citigroup analyst 
Kyle Cooper.  Analysts have announced that oil prices will rise until 
2008 and stay high thereafter, based on worries that global oil 
production is reaching its peak.

http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4511

NOT SO GRRRREAT

The famed Sariska Tiger Reserve in the desert state of Rajasthan has no 
tigers.
An investigation by New Delhi-based organisation Centre for Science and 
Environment has found that officials of the forest department were 
cooking up the tiger census figures even as the poachers were busy 
decimating populations of the animal.

http://www.cseindia.org
CURB CRAWLING

The UK Government has been forced to re-introduce stronger curbs on
carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector after the European
Commission warned that a revised Government plan, as part of the EU
emissions trading scheme, was illegal.
Friends of the Earth have welcomed the move, saying that more robust 
targets for industry could help to reduce UK emissions of carbon dioxide 
by 20 million tonnes between 2005 and 2008 and help get the Government’s 
failing carbon dioxide reduction plans back on track. The environmental 
campaign group added that awarding fewer pollution permits to industry 
under the National Allocation Plan would encourage innovation, and 
benefit cleaner companies at the expense of inefficient ones which cause 
pollution.

http://www.everyonecan.org

REBORN FREE

The release of Tony Blair's Commission on Africa report will call for a 
movement to end Africa's crushing debt burden. ‘Write off Africa’s debt, 
and see a continent reborn’, is the cry of civil society leader Ezra 
Limiri Mbogori. ‘The future generations of this planet should not be 
shackled by the mistakes of their forefathers, either African or Western’.
And a future free of debt is a future of fantastic possibilities.

http://www.fahamu.org

IT’S OIL ABOUT YOU

UK aid money is creating an "oil curse" for developing economies,
according to a new report, launched as G8 environment ministers meet in 
Derby to discuss the impact of climate change on Africa. Pumping Poverty 
finds that government aid is being spent on supporting energy projects 
which benefit UK and US oil companies, but which do little to help the 
countries where they are based.
The report recommends ending support for fossil fuel extraction and 
instead boosting renewable energy technologies which will benefit the 
poor. Specifically the report highlights the "oil curse" which often
accompanies the discovery of oil in a developing country. At a local
level, oil production can have an adverse effect on local communities,
with pollution affecting water supplies, farm land and air quality.
Nationally, the discovery of oil can harm the economy, with investment
in oil undermining other sectors, disrupting growth and potentially
weakening democracy.

http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/nation/pumpingpoverty.pdf

POTENTIALLY VICIOUS CONTAMINANT

A growing coalition of scientists, public-health advocates,
environmentalists, and even corporations is fighting to rid the world
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Recycling PVC is difficult and 
labour-intensive; most plastic recyclers consider it contamination. In 
landfills, it leaches lead, cadmium, and phthalates into groundwater. 
Incinerating it releases the poison dioxin into the air.
It is said to be "one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer 
materials ever produced," according to Joe Thornton, biology professor 
at the University of Oregon.
In a shock move, the Vinyl Institute, (…a group of PVC makers) denies 
such claims: "you can recycle, landfill, and incinerate it safely and 
effectively," says spokesman Allen Blakely.
Despite the institute's reassuring claims, an increasing number of 
companies, including Victoria's Secret, Nike, Mattel, General Motors and 
Microsoft, have thankfully pledged to phase PVC out of their operations.

http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4576>

THE CHINESE NIGHTMARE

The worldwide pursuit of prosperity and material luxury - long dubbed 
'the American dream' – could lead to global nightmares unless China and 
other nations reboot their economies to rein in consumption and generate 
growth without doing so much harm to the planet, warns the Earth Policy 
Institute's Lester Brown.

http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/107344/7263/17248

GIVE A LITTLE BACK…

Anti-capitalist activists are using the stock market to help boycotts of 
your ‘favourite’ brands – Coca cola, Starbucks, McDonalds and Exxon. The 
principle is that you club together as part of a 'hedge fund' and sell 
stock in targeted companies 'short'. A hedge fund is basically the very 
rich clubbing together and 'hedging' their bets by playing a range of 
different stock market games. One of those games is 'selling short'. For 
example, say Coca cola stock is worth £10 this month, £12 next month and 
£15 in 3 months time. You simply sell the stock 'short' for £11 in month 
two. If you buy enough stock (which is why smaller franchises are 
targeted) people panic and sell their stock too and the price goes down. 
Your £10 stock is then worth £9 in three months time, not the planned 
£15, meaning that the evil target companies like Coca cola lose out. 
Investment activist Max Keiser has declared that "For every 1,000 new 
boycotters, I and my group of investors/activists will increase the size 
of the fund by £5,000. All profits will go the groups/people who are the 
victims of bad companies."

Become a savvy shareholder – see www.karmabanque.com for more details.

THE SECRET’S OUT

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has secretly approached UN officials 
for help in formulating a major appeal for food assistance to be 
launched as soon as the results of the March 31 election are declared. 
The president has, in the past, rebuffed international offers of 
assistance despite warnings that nearly half the population urgently 
requires food aid or they could face starvation.

http://www.iwpr.net

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

‘There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less 
than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction’.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

JOBS

Press Officer
The Fairtrade Foundation
Reporting to the Media Relations Manager you will play an important part 
in delivering a dynamic strategy working with national, regional, trade 
and specialist media, as well as celebrities and high profile figures, 
aimed at increasing awareness of Fairtrade and sales of products 
carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Closing date: 30-03-2005
Salary:  £23,863 - £25,637pa
Contact jobs at fairtrade.org.uk

Dorset Agenda 21 has three voluntary vacancies:
Book-keeper: Maintaining the accounts and financial records of a growing 
environmental education charity.
Membership Manager: Help us maintain contact with our members and ensure 
we make best use of the resources and skills they offer.
External Relations Manager: Help us make the most from our extensive 
network of contacts within like-minded organisations throughout Dorset
Deadline for applications: 01-05-2005
Contact Sally Cooke <sally at dorsetagenda21.org.uk>

Programme Manager
Christian Aid
Salary: Net salary:  FCFA 13,500,000 – FCFA 14,500,000 + relocation 
expenses
Location: Bamako, Mali
Closing Date: 15.04.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10999

Administrator/ Team Secretary
Kurdish Human Rights Project
Salary: £17,000-20,000
Location: London W1, UK
Closing Date: 31.03.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10998

Global Adviser Private Sector and Development
Oxfam Great Britain
Salary: £28,460- £36,670
Location: Oxford, UK
Closing Date: 08.04.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10980

Legacy Marketing Manager
CAFOD
Salary: £27,251 - £29,901 pa (currently under review)
Location: UK
Closing Date: 31.03.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10979

Direct Marketing Executive (Donor Recruitment)
CAFOD
Salary: £22,992 - £29,901 pa
Location: Brixton, London, UK
Closing Date: 31.03.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10978

Volunteer Radio Assistant
Panos London
Salary: Travel expenses within London, lunch
Location: Islington, London, UK
Closing Date: 01.04.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/10995

EVENTS

28 MARCH, ALDERMASTON: EASTER RESISTANCE AT ALDERMASTON ATOMIC WEAPONS
ESTABLISHMENT. Help stop the next generation of nuclear weapons.
12 noon-5pm. See http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/action/easter.php
for information.

19 March-15 April Counter Terror, Build Justice continues.
http://www.counter2005.org

1-7 APRIL: WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST THE CORPORATE PLUNDER OF IRAQ. Called 
by Stop the Plunder! Contact stoptheplunder at yahoo.co.uk or call 07749 
421 576.

Friday 1 April, Glasgow: Think the war is ludicrous? Then come and show 
it by having a good, clean April Fool’s laugh at the army recruitment 
office in Queen St. Contact faslanepeacecamp at hotmail.com

Friday 1 April, London: April fools day pro-privatisation party. 11am,
outside the offices of Windrush Communications Ltd, Mark Street, London EC1.

Saturday 2 April, London: 2nd Europe-wide day of action for Migrant 
Rights.  12 noon assemble Clerkenwell Green London EC1.  March to London 
Fields, Hackney for 2pm.
http://www.april2.org.uk

Saturday 2 April, London: Nonviolent direct action (NVDA) training 
workshop, 12-5pm, RampArt Social Centre, 15-17 Rampart Street, London E1 
2LA.

Monday 4 April, London: Buried treasure: corporate plunder and the 
reality of occupied Iraq. 7.30pm, London School of Economics, Room D202. 
With speakers Yaser Hasan (Jubilee Iraq), Haifa Zangana (Iraqi artist, 
exile from Saddam's regime), Ewa Jasiewicz (human rights activist) and 
speaker from Rising Tide.

Tuesday 5 April, London: Vigil outside the offices of Windrush
Communications, Ltd, Mark Square, London EC1. From 8.30am.
See http://corporatepirates.gzzzt.net for more information.

14 APRIL, LONDON: IRAQI WORKER SOLIDARITY GROUP MEETING with speaker 
(Yahia Said) on academic life and student organisation in Iraq today. 
6.30pm in the Golden Lion, Britannia St/ Kings Cross Road, near Kings Cross.

East London Against the Arms Fair musical protests
Please join with other gentle, angry people in musical protests
against the export of weapons. Further information from ELAAF, c/o
CIU, Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, London E7 .
Saturday 9th April and Saturday 16th April, 1pm-4pm, outside the ExCel 
Centre, next to Custom House Docklands Light Railway Station.

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.

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