Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the World Resources Institute (WRI), presents “Stories to Watch,” a preview of the big environment and economic development stories – backed up by data and analysis – that WRI believes will shape the world in 2016.
This year’s focus ranges from how we’ll turn the Paris Climate Agreement from promise to action to what the major trends are in energy, finance, business, food, and cities. The World Resources Institute is a global research organization and long-time partner of Google. “Stories to Watch” is one of WRI’s flagship events, now in its 13th year. www.wri.org
In New York City, dozens of women marked International Women’s Day by rallying outside the Honduras Mission to the United Nations to demand justice for the murder of Honduran environmental activist Berta Cáceres. She was gunned down in her home last week, less than a year after she won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize. The activists also demanded the release of Gustavo Castro Soto, another well-known environmental campaigner, who witnessed the shooting and was shot twice. Honduran authorities have barred him from returning to his native Mexico. He says his life may be in danger. Honduran activist Gregoria Flores spoke at Tuesday’s protest.
Gregoria Flores: “We came here today to look for the United Nations delegate from Honduras, but they told us she wasn’t here. We spoke with the person who reports to her, and we gave him a letter demanding clarifications about Berta’s case, freedom for Gustavo, security for the family of Berta Cáceres, and security for all of the activists in Honduras and around the world, as well. One more time: Freedom for Gustavo, freedom for Gustavo. We need Gustavo to be in Mexico. We need Gustavo to be with his family. We need an assurance of the safety of Gustavo’s life. We want the whole world to say, ‘Freedom for Gustavo, freedom for Gustavo, and justice for all the defenders of human rights.'”
Peru: Indigenous Villagers Release Officials Held Hostage over Oil Spill
In the Peruvian Amazon, an indigenous village has reportedly released at least eight officials it had taken hostage to demand action over an oil spill on its lands. The village had been excluded from an emergency response plan after the spill. On Sunday, villagers seized a grounded military helicopter, capturing officials, including representatives of the state-owned energy company Petroperú, which operates the pipeline. Petroperú said the hostages were freed after the firm agreed to provide aid, including help with electrical and phone service.
Premier Li Keqiang spoke at the opening of this year’s National People’s Congress, warning of a difficult battle ahead.CCTV’s Han Peng is following the meetings and reports from Beijing.
The Schumacher Center is a nonprofit which advocates for a new economy that supports both people and the planet. We believe that a fair and sustainable economy is possible and that citizens working for the common interest can build systems to achieve it. We recognize that the environmental and equity crises we now face have their roots in the current economic system. For more information, visit http://centerforneweconomics.org
Welcome to Transition Studies. To prosper for very much longer on the changing Earth humankind will need to move beyond its current fossil-fueled civilization toward one that is sustained on recycled materials and renewable energy. This is not a trivial shift. It will require a major transition in all aspects of our lives.
This weblog explores the transition to a sustainable future on our finite planet. It provides links to current news, key documents from government sources and non-governmental organizations, as well as video documentaries about climate change, environmental ethics and environmental justice concerns.
The links are listed here to be used in whatever manner they may be helpful in public information campaigns, course preparation, teaching, letter-writing, lectures, class presentations, policy discussions, article writing, civic or Congressional hearings and citizen action campaigns, etc. For further information on this blog see: About this weblog. and How to use this weblog.
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