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messages of solidarity
Jul 03, 2013
Friends of the Earth Australia: Australia's forest carbon experiment in Indonesia ends in failure
AusAID has effectively axed its $47 million forest carbon experiment in Kalimantan ahead of Prime Minister Rudd's visit to Indonesia this week. The Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFCP) began in 2008 as part of a program to demonstrate that 'forest carbon offsets' were a viable way to reduce carbon emissions. The KFCP pilot project began with big promises to demonstrate policy and program activities capable of reducing emissions from deforestation and land degradation in Indonesia, and incentivise sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Friends of the Earth groups criticise the Federal government and its implementing partner's for their failed approach to deforestation and the land rights issues in Indonesia.
Deddy Ratih from WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) said: 'AusAID and the KFCP staff have failed to support conservation programs that are environmentally effective and sensitive to the rights of indigenous people in rural Indonesia.'
'The KFCP is a missed opportunity to empower local communities to develop their sustainable livelihood practices and address the drivers of land conversion in Kalimantan.'
Ratih is Bioregion and Climate Campaigner campaigner for WALHI - Indonesia's leading environmental justice organisation with more than 450 groups across the Indonesian archipelago.
'A key aspect of deforestation and land degradation is the lack of formal rights held by indigenous and rural people in Indonesia. The KFCP did nothing to assist local communities to assert their customary rights and develop capacity for sustainable land management.' says Ratih
'Over five years the project has produced no significant environmental outcomes, it created conflict in local communities and confusion about the status of their land.' says Deddy Ratih
Rebecca Pearse, spokesperson for Friends of the Earth Australia argued that 'the KFCP is a failed experiment in carbon pricing and a sign of ongoing troubles in carbon offset markets.'
'The failed KFCP also reflects the fundamental flaws of carbon pricing. Forest carbon offsets and other payment schemes for conservation are not addressing the drivers of land-based emissions. Despite being a key area for experiments in forest carbon projects, Kalimantan is rapidly expanding palm oil and coal production.' says Pearse.
Pearse said 'Both the Liberal and Labor governments have responsibility for the failure of this scheme.'
The KFCP is part of a larger $273 million partnership with Indonesia to demonstrate that a 'market-based approach' to forest protection is viable. It was first announced in 2008 by the Howard administration then carried forward by Rudd and Gillard.
'It's time to shift to direct regulation of industries driving forest destruction and proper recognition of individual and customary land tenure. Nothing less will halt extractive industries in Indonesia.' Pearse concluded.
Photo: Michael Padmanaba/ Center for International Forestry Research
Jun 14, 2013
Honduran activist Berta Caceres cleared of "charges" brought against her.
Berta Caceres was accused of illegal possession of a firearm. After an eight hour trial, testimonies by military and police officers, who had conducted a search of her vehicle, were ultimately considered insufficient evidence. Berta, who had been closely monitored and forbidden from leaving the country, has been cleared of all charges and has had her rights to free travel restored.
It became evident that members of the army contradicted themselves. The police had done no investigation and had merely parroted the army's version of events.
"The military officers were the ones who planted the weapon so that they could arrest us, they always look for a way to mess with our friends", said Tomas Gomez, who was arrested at the same time as Berta, but quickly released. "If Berta hadn't been released, there would have been huge mobilizations in several municipalities", he added.
Berta is the latest target of the Honduran government's attempts to criminalize legitimate dissent. She has been helping communities to peacefully mobilize against government and business interests to defend their lands.
Delegates from more than 40 organizations across Honduras arrived in the city of Santa Barbara, where the trial took place, to show their solidarity with the indigenous rights campaigner.
"What bothers the regime the most is that communities are mobilizing, and are far from being afraid, because they are aware of the value of the natural resources of their territories", said Tomas.
The humanitarian situation in Honduras worsens by the day and many organizations believe that most communities are threatened, militarized and under a permanent state of siege. This trend is expected to worsen with the coming presidential elections in November.
Read more about the trial and the display of solidarity on Real World Radio (in Spanish)
Image and reporting by Real World Radio
Jun 12, 2013
Warning sounded ahead of EU-US trade negotiations
Friends of the Earth Europe: Concerns about possible negative effects of an EU and US trade agreement are the subject of a letter sent to European Trade ministers today.
Friends of the Earth Europe, the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) and Eurogroup for Animals today wrote to the 27 ministers to raise concerns about the threat a deal could pose to environmental, consumer, and social regulatory standards.
The EU's Foreign Affairs Council is expected to meet in Brussels on Friday June 14 to approve a mandate for the European Commission to negotiate a trade agreement, also known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
Paul de Clerck, economic justice campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe said:
"The trade negotiations between the EU and the US will have significant impacts on regulatory standards which touch upon all aspects of life for people and the environment on both sides of the Atlantic. Considering the current economic and financial challenges, as well as the climate emergency, it is absolutely essential that any agreement builds on regulatory pillars such as the precautionary and polluter-pays principles and allows countries to introduce safeguards that go beyond those in the partnership. Specific rights for investors should absolutely be excluded from the agreement."
In the letter, the three organisations make the following points:
- Negotiations should be fully open to public scrutiny, including through the publication of the negotiating texts. There should be full transparency about the exact scope of the agreement and consultation with civil society about the mandate.
- Negotiations should aim at the highest common standard. Regulatory convergence should not be used to lower existing environmental, social, or consumer protection standards.
- National governments should retain the rights to maintain or introduce higher standards which go beyond what is agreed in the TTIP. These should be applied in a non-discriminatory way to domestic and foreign producers and suppliers.
- Investor States Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions should be excluded from the mandate. This mechanism allows foreign investors to legally challenge national governments, thereby elevating them to the same status as sovereign states. As both the EU and the US have well-functioning court systems, there is absolutely no need to include such provisions in the agreement.
Visit the Friends of the Earth Europe website
Jun 11, 2013
Friends of the Earth International demands the annulment of legal proceedings against Berta Caceres and the Honduras Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations (COPINH)
Berta Caceres, a community organiser from Honduras, has been summoned to court to face fradulent charges for posession of an illegal weapon. She is the latest target of the Honduran government's attempts to criminalize legitimate dissent. She has been helping communities to peacefully mobilize to defend their lands. The letter below, from the executive committee of Friends of the Earth International, calls for the immediate annulment of all proceedings against Berta Cáceres and insists that the Honduran government fulfill its responsibilities under national and international law to protect the rights and security of activists.
To the legal authorities in Santa Barbara municipality, Honduras
To the judges in the Supreme Court of Honduras
To the companies responsible for the Agua Zarca hydropower project (DESA-SINOHIDRO and FICOSAH bank)
To the Honduran and international public
On behalf of the environmental federation Friends of the Earth International, I would like to express our concern over the repeated episodes of violence against social leaders in Honduras caused by state forces and by mercenaries hired by companies, landowners and several consortia, as a variety of national testimonies and international reports confirm.
I would also like to table a petition of concern to your institutions, in light of the trial indigenous rights activist Berta Cáceres faces in your country, which I consider to be illegitimate, illegal and represents a high risk for her personal integrity and the security of her organization, the Honduras Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations (COPINH).
We have been notified over the past few weeks about the persecution and criminalization of this social activist who works for the rights of Honduran indigenous peoples, their territories and culture, against whom the authorities have initiated unjustified legal proceedings accusing her of the illegal possession of a firearm without any formal evidence.
Berta Cáceres has been summoned to court in the city of Santa Bárbara, Honduras on June 13, at 9am, to defend herself against these false accusations.
Legal proceedings were initiated on May 24, 2013, following the illegal detention of Berta Cáceres and indigenous journalist Tomás Gómez, both members of the Honduras Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations (COPINH), while they were traveling to the area where the Lenca indigenous people are mobilizing against the installation of the Agua Zarca hydro power dam. If this dam is built, hundreds of indigenous families of the Honduran North-West region will be displaced.
In the operation that resulted in their arrest, over 15 members of the Honduran Army and the Police participated. They were arrested without a warrant and despite the fact that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has extended a precautionary measure in favor of this Honduran leader, following multiple threats against her life.
Berta and Tomás stated that the officers stopped the COPINH vehicle in which they were traveling and detained them with vehicles identified with the logos of the consortium responsible for the construction of the dam (DESA-SINOHIDRO and FICOSAH bank).
Berta was detained for almost 24 hours and is now prevented from leaving the country and has to make herself present at the police headquarters every week until the case is solved (See article).
The COPINH members' detention testifies to the strong trend towards the militarization of the Honduran police. The actions by the Honduran armed and security forces violate the human rights of social, environmental and indigenous activists who are systematically harassed as if they were "enemies" and not citizens who are entitled to their rights.
Berta Cáceres' life and freedom are at risk and depend on the outcome of the hearing that will take place on June 13.
Therefore, on behalf of Friends of the Earth International, the world's largest grassroots environmental federation with national member groups in 74 countries on every continent, I am addressing you, together with organizations and individuals who fight for social and environmental justice, calling for the immediate annulment of the proceedings against Berta Cáceres' and demanding the Honduran authorities and international human rights organizations to guarantee the necessary conditions for her to continue working as a defender of the human and environmental rights of indigenous and peasant communities and women in Honduras.
In solidarity with the Honduran people, sincerely,
Jagoda Munic
Sign this petition calling for justice for Berta and read more about her arbitrary arrest and the harassment she has faced.
May 27, 2013
UPDATE: Guatemalan human rights defender Rubén Herrera has been released!
Rubén Herrera has been released following a decision by a Guatemalan court. Thousands of people around the world gave their support to a Friends of the Earth International email campaign.
Rubén Herrera's most recent hearing resulted in a provisional decision to grant his release. Friends of the Earth International will continue to monitor the situation. Family and friends have expressed their thanks to everyone around the world who sent an email to the Guatemalan authorities calling for his release.
Rubén Herrera was arrested as he left his house in Huehuetenango district, Guatemala on March 15 this year.
Rubén has been an active community organiser, working on many environmental and social justice campaigns and bringing together networks and organizations commited to social good for most of his adult life.
The flimsy reasons for his arrest – including incitement and kidnapping – were decisively refuted by Rubén and his defense during a hearing on March 19. However, despite requests by Guatemala's Public Prosecutor to dismiss the case due to a lack of evidence, the judge ordered that the case continue and that Rubén Herrera return to court at the end of May. Following this hearing, the judge decided to release him.
Rubén's case is part of a deeply disturbing cycle of criminalization of human rights and environmental activists in his part of Guatemala (Barillas, Huehuetenango). Spanish company Hidralia SA is building a hydroelectric dam in the area, despite 90% of local community members voicing their opposition to and voting against the implementation of hydroelectric and mining projects in a 2007 consultation. Local communities have repeatedly implicated the company in political repression, intimidation and manipulation of local and national legal processes in recent years. Rubén has been involved in efforts to demand that the company pull out of the area.
Read more about the controversies surrounding transnational corporations in Guatemala
Read about another recent case in Guatemala, involving Hidralia's dam.
Read an interview with the director of Friends of the Earth Guatemala
May 23, 2013
Everest expedition calls for climate justice from top of the world
The Climbing for Climate Justice Everest expedition – organised by the Save the Himalayas Campaign and Khangri Media, in collaboration with Friends of the Earth Nepal / Pro Public – successfully climbed Mt. Everest on May 20 to demand climate justice from the top of the world.
The team returned to Kathmandu and held a press conference on May 25, 2013.
Sudarshan Gautam – a Nepal-born Canadian resident who has no arms – has just become the first person with no arms or prosthetic limbs to climb Mt Everest. He told the media that he saw how climate change is affecting the Himalayas, and stated that "Mount Everest has lost most of its glacier and now largely looks like a big black rock." He urged the world community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions immediately.
Pemba Dorje Sherpa – who holds the world record for climbing Mount Everest in the fastest time and has set four World Records climbing Mt. Everest - said that it has become easier to reach the top due to climate change as there is less and less snow on Mt Everest. "You can get to camp 3 just using sports shoes these days," he said.
Prakash Mani Sharma, Director of Friends of the Earth Nepal congratulated expedition members and thanked them for their effort to raise awareness of climate justice.
"Nepal is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the people of Nepal are already suffering its consequences. Himalayan glaciers are melting rapidly and the risks of glacial lake outburst floods have significantly increased. There are more than 40 glacial lakes at risk of bursting. Outburst floods have catastrophic impacts on the life and property of the thousands of people residing downstream of those lakes," warned Prakash Mani Sharma.
Two expedition members, Kapur Shrestha, and Min Bahadur Sherchan, 82, could not reach the top with the expedition and decided to attempt the climb separately, but were ultimately prevented from reaching the summit.
Nepali climber Min Bahadur Sherchan, 82, was aiming to become the oldest man to summit the mountain, a record he held for five years, until May 22, 2013, when 80 year old Yuichiro Miura from Japan summited the world's highest peak.
You can read more about the expedition in our press release and more on the rivalry between these octogenarian climbers in this article by Associated Press.
Image: Climbing for Climate Justice/ Save the World Heritage and Everest is Melting - banners held by Pemba Dorge Sherpa ( left with white helmet ) and Suman Shrestha ( right without helmet )
Khangri Media and Pro Public/ FOE Nepal
May 21, 2013
Land grabbing in Uganda: Voices from the community
Images and videos capture personal and moving testimonies by people affected by Wilmar's plantations in Kalangala, Uganda.
Wilmar International is developing palm oil plantations in biodiverse islands off the coast of Lake Victoria, Uganda. The first phase of the project was completed in 2011 and the second phase of the project is currently going ahead. The second phase will expand palm oil plantations onto several other islands. The project is being promoted as a poverty-reducing endeavour, yet it is causing displacement, food insecurity and deforestation. Read more on the background to this case.
Watch more video testimonies from community members affected by land grabbing >
Images and personal stories
May 02, 2013
Transnational Corporations don't respect Human Rights in Guatemala
Social movements in Guatemala are being increasingly criminalized, repressed, intimidated and subjected to human rights abuses
Guatemala has increasingly opened its doors to foreign and European investors exploiting the country's hydrological and mineral resources, and sugar and palm oil plantations, which has resulted in mounting pressure on local communities and the environment, and has led to land grabs and human rights violations.
These violations often take place in collaboration with the government, according to the representatives of social movements.
"The current government has introduced a policy of repression – pursuing and illegally incarcerating people from social movements resisting so called "development" projects," warned Víctor Barro, chair of Friends of the Earth Spain.
Barro took part in a November 2012 international mission organized by Friends of the Earth International that verified systematic human rights violations and criminalization of environmental activists and communities resisting mining and hydroelectric projects in Guatemala and El Salvador.
According to Natalia Atz Sunuc, Friends of the Earth Guatemala general coordinator : "Campesinos and indigenous people are labeled as 'terrorists' for defending their basic human rights in a peaceful way".
According to Paula del Cid, representative of the Feminist Association "La Cuerda" of Guatemala : "in a context of mandatory evictions, the role of the army is increasing, and sexual abuse is being used as a tool to intimidate women who are defending their land."
In June 2011, forty European parliamentarians denounced the situation in Guatemala, but the European Union still refuses to take an effective stance in its trade and investment policies.
Civil society organisations based in Brussels – Friends of the Earth Europe, Aprodev, CIFCA and Grupo Sur – have called on the European Union to ensure policies include mechanisms to monitor and enforce the defence of human rights.
The Spanish company Hidralia Energía, developing dams for hydroelectric power in Santa Cruz de Barillas, Guatemala, began development with neither permission nor consent from indigenous and local communities.
This is just one blatant example of how a company supported by the government grab land to exploit Guatemala's natural resources while criminalising peasants and indigenous people.
"The Guatemalan and Spanish governments must take responsibility and do everything in their power to protect human rights in Guatemala," said Víctor Barro, Chair of Friends of the Earth Spain.
A recent example of unjust detention is the case of Ruben Herrera who has been detained since March 2013 in Guatemala. He has participated in the resistance to projects such as Hidro Santa Cruz (originally Hidralia SA) and a member of the Peoples' Assembly of Huehuetenango (ADH).
An international petition to free Herrera has been launched. The petition states that over 20 community leaders, including Ruben, are being unjustly persecuted or are unjustly put on trial.
Friends of the Earth Netherlands: Nigerians and Milieudefensie appeal in Shell case
AMSTERDAM/PORT HARCOURT, 1 May 2013 – Today, the Nigerian farmers from two villages who lost their case against Shell, together with Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie), have submitted an appeal to the 30 January decision by the court in The Hague. Milieudefensie is also filing an appeal in a third case. All the cases are centred around oil pollution due to spills from Shell pipelines and oil wells.
In one case, the court ruled in favour of Milieudefensie and one of the Nigerian plaintiffs, Elder Friday Akpan. Shell was ordered to pay compensation to this farmer from the village of Ikot Ada Udo, because the company did not adequately protect its oil well from vandalism, and oil from the well streamed over Akpan's land. In this case, however, the court ruled that Shell Headquarters in The Hague could not be held liable for the failures of its subsidiary, which is responsible for the daily management of Shell in Nigeria. Milieudefensie hopes that the court in The Hague will reverse its decision on this point – for Milieudefensie it is clear that the headquarters shares responsibility for the massive environmental damage in Nigeria.
The lawyer for the farmers and Milieudefensie disputes in its entirety the decision taken by the court in the cases addressing damage from oil spills from Shell pipelines in the other two villages, Goi and Oruma. In those two cases, the court did not find Shell liable for the damages suffered by the farmers due to the oil spills because the cause was
considered to be sabotage and the court ruled that Shell could not have reasonably prevented it.
In Nigeria the cases are being watched with great interest. Oil and Mining campaigner Evert Hassink of Milieudefensie has been to the country numerous times: 'In the village of Goi, Chief Eric Dooh and his fellow villagers are still living amidst the sticky black remnants of oil spills from the Shell Trans-Niger pipeline. In Oruma, Chief Fidelis
Oguru, Alali Efanga and the rest of the village are trying to rebuild normal lives. But the fish that supported them in the past have yet to return to the polluted creeks, and they are still hoping to receive compensation for all the years that agriculture was impossible because their fields were polluted by Shell oil.'
The case, which today enters its next phase in the court in The Hague, is of considerable international significance, especially after the recent decision by the US Supreme Court in a comparable case. It ruled that under US law it is not possible in principle to take multinationals to court for human rights violations outside the United States. This further increases the need to hold multinationals liable in their home
Apr 22, 2013
Friends of the Earth South Africa: Climate change to be 'unpacked' on Earth Day 2013
Environmental justice NGO Friends of the Earth South Africa/ groundWork is celebrating Earth Day today by launching its latest publication 'Unpacking Climate Change: Background notes to the catastrophe' in an e-book version online. This year's Earth Day theme is "The face of climate change", looking at how climate change is affecting real people and environments throughout the world, and how people are stepping up to take action to stop it.
Written by groundWork associate researcher David Hallowes, the guide aims to help readers work through the jargon and engage with the global debate on an issue that is already majorly impacting upon people today.
Climate change is just one dimension of global ecological change forced by the massive scale of industrialisation powered by the fossil fuels: coal, oil and gas. The scale of change is such that scientists are calling this the beginning of a new geological epoch – the Anthropocene. Almost as scary as climate change is the jargon that comes with it. This short guide is intended to let people know what is happening and to make the debate more accessible.
This online version of Unpacking Climate Change is interactive, enabling readers to engage in critical discussion with groundWork around the issue of climate change and the various points raised by this publication.
[1] groundWork is an environmental justice organisation working with community people from around South Africa, and increasingly Southern Africa, on environmental justice and human rights issues focusing on Air Quality, Climate and Energy Justice, Waste and Environmental Health. groundWork is the South African member of Friends of the Earth International www.groundwork.org.za
[2] To read the e-book, visit http://www.groundwork.org.za/Unpacking%20climate%20change%20for%20web/Unpacking%20climate%20change%20for%20web.pdf
[3] For more information on the Earth Day Network and what they have planned this year, visit the website at http://www.earthday.org/2013/
[4] David Hallowes is a Durban-based researcher focusing on climate and energy. His most recent publication Toxic Futures: South Africa in the Crises of Energy, Environment and Capital was published in 2011 by UKZN Press.
Apr 18, 2013
European companies not respecting Human Rights in Guatemala
Social movements in Guatemala are being increasingly criminalized, repressed, intimidated and subjected to human rights abuses, according to representatives of indigenous and feminist social movements.
Guatemala has increasingly opened its doors to European investors, which has resulted in mounting pressure on local communities and the environment, and has led to land grabs and human rights violations. This is often done in collaboration with the government, according to the representatives, in a rush to exploit the nation's gold and nickel deposits, and land for sugar and palm oil development.
The current government wants to introduce a policy of terrorism and repression – pursuing and illegally incarcerating people from social movements. Natalia Atz Sunuc, Friends of the Earth Guatemala said: "Campesinos and indigenous people are labelled as 'terrorists' for defending their basic human rights in a peaceful way".
Paula del Cid, representative of the Feminist Alliance of Guatemala said: "in a context of mandatory evictions, the role of the army is increasing, and sexual abuse is being used as a tool to intimidate women who are defending their land."
In June 2011, forty European parliamentarians denounced the situation in Guatemala, but the European Union still refuses to take a stand in their trade and investment policies. Civil society organisations based in Brussels – Friends of the Earth Europe, Aprodev, CIFCA and Grupo Sur – call on the European Union to ensure policies include mechanisms to monitor and enforce the defence of human rights.
The Spanish company Hidralia Energía, developing dams for hydroelectric power in Santa Cruz de Barillas, Guatemala, began development with neither permission nor consent from indigenous and local communities. This offers a clear example of company and governmental roles in criminalising peasants and indigenous people, while grabbing land to exploit Guatemala's natural resources. Either the Guatemalan or Spanish government must assume their responsibility to respect and protect human rights in Guatemala.
Mar 20, 2013
Friends of the Earth South Africa: Brics-from-below summit: Watching and challenging power!
As the five heads of states of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) meet on African soil in Durban next week for the developing nations' summit, civil society in Durban will be holding its own summit of a very different nature.
BRICS governments often use radical rhetoric alluding to anti-imperialism, and in this year's summit, they will undoubtedly impress upon the rest of Africa that their corporations offer better investments in infrastructure, mining, energy, and agriculture than traditional Northern multinationals. In the brics-from-below! civil summit, hosted by groundWork (Friends of the Earth South Africa) [1], the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) [2] and the University of KwaZulu Natal Centre for Civil Society (UKZN CCS) [3], civil society will play two major critical roles: firstly, acting as a watchdog of the claims, processes and outcomes of the BRICS summit, and secondly, providing a platform for civil society organisations in these countries to share experiences and create networks.
The prospect that South Africa "presents a gateway for investment on the continent" [4] could leave Africa overwhelmed by BRICS corporations and is indicative that the trajectory of the 21st century 'scramble for Africa' has already begun. Africa's 'Resource Curse' will attract billions of dollars worth of BRICS infrastructure developments. In this light, the BRICS Summit in Durban is set to be the next successor to the initial carving up of Africa, which took place in 1885 in Berlin.
Africa's survival, however, is largely at the mercy of climate change. Climate change is driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, which is fuelled by South Africa and other BRICS countries that continue to rely on and supply their Northern counterparts with dirty, non-renewable sources of energy, or the products created from dirty energy. The United Nations COP17 hosted in Durban in 2011 resulted in a weak, non-binding deal, which neglects the historic responsibility of Northern countries and promotes a rising average temperature for the continent at 1.5 degrees higher than the rest of the world.
The major focus of this year's summit is the new BRICS Bank, despite the growing world financial crisis clearly not boding well for this. Austerity scenarios continue to play themselves out in Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland, as a result of IMF bail-out of banks – which in 2012 included $75 billion of BRICS countries' capital. The proposed BRICS Bank will exacerbate the chaos in our and our neighbour's social, economic and environmental spheres already caused in part by multilateral financing. Existing development finance institutions in BRICS countries – like South Africa's Development Bank of Southern Africa – offer mainly negative lessons.
Along with these issues, people in BRICS countries face numerous serious socio-economic, political and civil rights violations. Inequality, lack of adequate infrastructure, increased levels of violence, state repression, and the exploitation of resources to the detriment of people's livelihoods and their ability to live in a healthy relationship with their environments, are all symptoms of development not oriented towards people but rather government and corporate profit.
The brics-from-below! civil society summit will take place from 22 to 27 March at different venues around Durban and is open to all journalists to participate.
To follow the brics-from-below! summit on social media:
- @groundWorkSA and @SDCEA_ngo
- www.facebook.com/groundWorkSA and www.facebook.com/SDCEAngo
Megan Lewis, Media and Information Campaigner at groundWork (Friends of the Earth, South Africa): +27 (0) 83 450 5541 or email@example.com
Desmond D'Sa, Coordinator at South Durban Community Environmental Alliance: +27 (0) 83 982 6939 or email@example.com
Patrick Bond, Director at University of KwaZulu Natal Centre for Civil Society: +27 (0) 83 425 1401 or firstname.lastname@example.com
[1] groundWork is an environmental justice organisation based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, working with community people from around South Africa, and increasingly Southern Africa. groundWork assists civil society on issues relating to environmental justice and human rights, focusing particularly on Air Quality, Climate and Energy Justice, Waste and Environmental Health. groundWork is the South African member of Friends of the Earth International http://www.groundwork.org.za
[2] The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) is an alliance of 16 organizations concerned with environmental justice and human rights, particularly relating to industrial pollution in the south Durban Basin, an area which is home to more than 285 000 people living in settled communities http://www.sdcea.co.za
[3] The Centre for Civil Society (CCS) was established at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in July 2001, with the mission of promoting the study of South African civil society as a legitimate, flourishing area of scholarly activity. The CCS's objective is to advance socio-economic and environmental justice by developing critical knowledge about, for and in dialogue with civil society through teaching, research and publishing http://ccs.ukzn.ac.za/
[4] Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Deputy Minister, Marius Fransman. 2012. Roundtable Discussion held at the University of Stellenbosch on the theme "South Africa: A strong African Brick in BRICS" on 21 November 2012 http://www.dfa.gov.za/docs/speeches/2012/frans1121.html
Mar 18, 2013
Genetically modified crops: European farming at risk
Environmental and agricultural organisations have launched a new campaign today to prevent the further spread of genetically modified (GM) crops in Europe. The European Commission is currently considering reviving talks to approve 25 new GM-crops for cultivation in Europe – including crops resistant to the pesticide RoundUp and insecticide-producing varieties of GM maize, soybean and sugarbeet. The groups claim that such a move would drastically change farming in Europe, leading to a big increase in pesticide use, contamination of conventional and organic crops and a further industrialisation of the countryside.
Mute Schimpf, food campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe said: "This campaign aims to stop further genetically modified crops from being licenced in the European Union. Experience shows that this way of farming leads to an increase in pesticides and the further industrialisation of the countryside. If this happens any more in Europe then our landscapes will be poorer, our nature damaged and our food contaminated."
The campaign launches with a new film documenting GM-crop cultivation and extensive pesticide use in Latin America, and the negative environmental and human health issues experienced by local communities.
Nina Holland, campaigner at Corporate Europe Observatory said: "Currently, the EU imports soy from large-scale monoculture plantations in South America, causing not only deforestation and displacement of people, but also a public health disaster among rural communities living nearby. In those areas, citizens have taken legal action and have brought soy farmers and agribusiness companies to court."
The introduction of patented GM-crops has increased the corporate control of the food chain. Moreover, contamination of other fields is unavoidable. In the USA Monsanto has so far sued 410 farmers and 56 farm companies for patent infringements; a situation that could be repeated in Europe if GM-crop cultivation is expanded.
The campaign also claims that the push for GM crops draws attention away from sustainable alternatives, while failing to find real solutions to alleviate hunger or poverty.
Mute Schimpf continued: "GM crops are unnecessary, risky and profit large multinational companies at the expense of small scale and sustainable farming. The public clearly demands greener farming that doesn't include genetically modified crops or foods. It's time to plough all our resources into making farming really sustainable and to stop pandering to the biotech industry and their empty promises of reducing hunger or feeding the world."
Visit the campaign site: Stop the Crop
Photo Credit: Peter Blanchard via Compfight cc
ITN Productions have produced a video news release (VNR), including interviews with farmers, researchers, campaigners and politicians on the upcoming authorisations. The VNR is available in English, French and German, in different sizes, as well as scripts for translation into other languages. Longer interviews and other materials are also available. All materials are open-source and are available here:
Mar 01, 2013
March 8 is International Women's Day: Interviews with women leaders from the Fair Green and Global Alliance
March 8 is International Women's Day. We are proud to present a selection of videos with women leaders from around the world. Hover over the image below for links to the videos.
What would the world look like if men and women around the world had the same opportunities in life? What would politics look like if half of the world's leaders were female? What would development look like if men and women had equal access to and control over the natural resources they depend upon? We are convinced that the world would be a better place if at least half of the seats at all negotiating tables were occupied by women. Women are not only primary care takers of their families and their communities, they also form the majority of small-scale farmers and are the guardians of biodiversity worldwide.
They have a wealth of experience and knowledge on how to use and manage the world's resources in a sustainable way and have often come with innovative ideas. In our view, female visions and knowledge are indispensable for making balanced management decisions on a local, national or international level. But what do female leaders in developing countries have to say about this themselves? What role do women already play? To mark International Women's day 2013, we asked these and other questions to six female leaders from around the world.They all express their own vision on the role of women in sustainable and fair development. Six visions from strong women on the female contribution to a green and fair world.
Feb 14, 2013
Stop threats to Nigerian environmentalist Odey Oyama
Odey Oyama, director of the Nigerian Rainforest Resource Development Centre (RRDC) is facing threats to his life due to his advocacy on behalf of communities and against Wilmar International, one of the world's largest palm oil corporations. Wilmar has recently established a 50,000 hectare palm oil plantation in Cross-River State, Nigeria; Odey and RRDC say that the lands claimed by Wilmar belong to local farmers and lie within the boundaries of protected forests. The company has begun planting palm oil seedlings without conducting a proper Environmental Impact Assessment, and without consent from locals who claim rights to the land.
RRDC is on the eve of launching a lawsuit against both the company and the government due to Wilmar's failure to comply with Nigerian laws. As a result of his advocacy, Odey has been placed on a government watch list – a recognized signal that his life could be under threat – and has been forced to flee his home.
Please click here to join us in calling for an end to threats against Odey Oyama and other Nigerian environmentalists. Alert Nigerian government officials that the world is watching: Odey Oyama's safety must be guaranteed, and the company must comply with national and international law.
Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific (FoE APac): statement on the duplication of the Four Rivers Project in Thailand
Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific(FoE APac) is very much concerned that the Korean government is distorting the true consequences of the Korean Four Rivers Project to win a contract for a similar project in Thailand. It is also regrettable that South Korean environmental NGOs who have been critical of this project were described as "unpatriotic" and "anti-state" in a Korean Cabinet meeting last January 15th.
When FoE APac visited the Four Rivers Project construction sites on the South Han River on 30th of June, 2011, it was clear that the project had damaged the river ecology, blocking the river flow by constructing dams, and making the serpentine river a straight one. Despite the information circulated by the Korean government, we believe the dams cannot prevent floods or provide clean water.
Construction went ahead despite requests from FoE APac for the suspension of the project. We learned that the Korean government is now chasing another contract for a similar water management project in Thailand, despite the ecological impact of the Four Rivers Project. The Four Rivers Project was nothing but the destruction of the river ecosystem due to unnecessary construction, which was obfuscated by supposed benefits such as flood control, improvement of water quality, securing water supply, job creation and so on.
Thailand is our neighbor in Asia Pacific, with high riverine biodiversity, and we are concerned that the model of the Four Rivers Project may cause severe damage to Thailand's rivers and ecosystem, and neighboring countries on the Mekong.
FoE APac is also worried about the suppression of civil society voices in Korea in this regard. Last January 15th when there was a Cabinet meeting, President Myeongbak Lee said that it is obviously "unpatriotic" and "anti-state" for some NGOs to hinder efforts by Korean companies to win the Thailand contract. This is an attempt to politically constrain our collaborative response – the natural duty of environmental organizations – to environmental problems, whose impacts spread beyond national borders.
We further request that the Korean government stop citing the Four Rivers Project as a great achievement and stop promoting this ecosystem-destruction model to other Asia Pacific countries. We appeal to the President of South Korea not to block the voice of civil society who are searching for the truth. FoE APac stands with Korean civil society.
Feb 04, 2013
Free Stop the Wall activist Hassan Karajah!
In the early hours of 23rd January 2013, the Israeli army arrested Hassan Yasser Karajeh, a 29 years old Palestinian youth activist in the Stop the Wall Campaign, violently breaking into his home in the West Bank village of Safa, west of Ramallah. He has been detained since.
The arrest comes as Palestinian popular resistance against the onslaught of Israeli settlement construction and expulsion of Palestinian communities is gathering pace.
Hassan Karajeh is youth coordinator of Stop the Wall, a coalition of Palestinian NGOs and popular committees that mobilizes and coordinates efforts aimed at stopping and dismantling the wall erected by the state of Israel along and within the West Bank, and resisting Israeli occupation and colonization. Friends of the Earth Palestine (PENGON) is member of the coalition.
Hassan is a young human rights activist, well-known both at the local level and across the Arab world. He served as youth ambassador for Palestine at the Arab Thought Forum and has represented various Palestinian organisations at international conferences and seminars.
Stop the Wall calls on all human rights organizations, international solidarity movements and human rights defenders to support them in mounting a powerful and effective campaign for the release of Hassan Karajah. Specifically, the coalition urges you to
- use your government's influence to pressure the Israeli authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Hassan Karajeh and to seek assurances from Israeli authorities that his rights as a detainee will be fully respected for as long as he remains in custody;
- ensure consular representatives are following the case of Hassan Karajah;
- raise the case of Hassan Karajah and the issue of Israeli repression of Palestinian human rights defenders at the upcoming EU Foreign Affairs Councils.
Nov 16, 2012
Solidarity for missing environmental activist Miguel Ángel
Friends of the Earth International expresses its alarm and distress at the disappearance of Miguel Ángel Pabón Pabón, leader of the social movement for the defense of the Sogamoso River in Colombia.
Miguel Ángel was last seen on October 31 2012. The environmental federation Friends of the Earth International, composed of environmental groups from 76 countries, learned of his disappearance during their Biennial General Assembly in El Salvador.
Please take part in our action in solidarity with Friends of the Earth Colombia and Miguel Ángel Pabón Pabón!
Miguel Ángel, a 36 years old father of two girls, is a dedicated and notable environmentalist, defender of the River Sogamoso and of the fisherfolk and peasant communities in the area. He created the Social Movement for the Defense of the Sogamoso River, together with other leaders of the region in 2008, which has contributed to building awareness among the communities about the terrible consequences of local hydro-electrical projects. He has also participated in demonstrations against the company ISAGEN, denouncing the negative social and environmental consequences that have hurt fisherfolk and peasant communities, and the terrible labour conditions of the workers that are building the hydro project.
In 2011, he was instrumental in the creation of the Columbian Movement in Defense of the Territory and Affected People by Dams "Ríos Vivos".
Since his disappearance, members of the settlements, peasants and fisherfolk of the region who closely know Miguel, have organized groups (brigades) to search for him in the surrounding areas, including Municipalities of Sabana de Torres, San Vicente, Betulia and Barrancabermeja.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that such a tragedy has happened to the members and leaders who defend the rights of communities in the region. The Observatorio de Paz Integral reported that 11 people have already disappeared in 2012, 6 of whom were subsequently found dead. Several social leaders have been assassinated in the region of the Sogamoso River since 2009. These crimes have been committed with total impunity, with no consequences for the perpetrators.
Friends of the Earth International requests that the Colombian authorities - particularly the Magdalena Medio Police, the National Attorney General, the Ombudspeople, the Municipality of San Vicente, the Regional Attorney, and other entities of Public control - to do everything in their extensive powers to prevent a major tragedy, and to make sure that Miguel Ángel Pabón Pabón is found and returned to his home in good health.
San Salvador, November 9 2012.
Please take part in our action in solidarity with Friends of the Earth Colombia and Miguel Ángel Pabón Pabón!
Nov 06, 2012
November 10: A significant day for activists working against mining, oil and gas
Friends of the Earth International commemorates Ken Saro-Wiwa's death on November 10 as a day of solidarity with victims of mining, oil and gas activities around the world and a celebration of all the activists who continue to resist.
Seventeen years ago, environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed under the Abacha dictatorship in Nigeria.
It was widely alleged that oil giant Shell interfered in the trial that led to his death sentence. Shell has been drilling in Nigeria for 50 years and its operations in the Niger Delta continue to have massively negative impacts on the population there.
Friends of the Earth International commemorates Ken Saro-Wiwa's death on November 10 as a day of solidarity with victims of mining, oil and gas activities and a celebration of the activists who continue to resist.
Since the release of the 2011 report 'Memory, truth and justice for heroes' (1) the death toll and level of persecution of community leaders defending their territories against abuses by the extractive industries has continued unabated. (2)
The destruction of communities and ecosystems caused by extractive industries has generated a global resistance movement struggling for justice and the defense of life, land, resources, biodiversity, livelihoods and cultures.
Extractive industries have caused some of the world's worst environmental disasters and displaced tens of thousands of local people from their traditional homelands. Abuses perpetrated by the extractive industries have cost the lives of many environmental advocates and communities.
This year Friends of the Earth International marks this anniversary during its biennial general assembly in El Salvador in November by reflecting on its work with environmental defenders across the globe.
Fifteen international delegates will visit communities negatively affected by mining in Guatemala and El Salvador as part of a solidarity tour following the general assembly, from 13-20 November. (3)
Friends of the Earth International reiterates its support for communities resisting destructive extractive projects, in their struggles against social injustices, and in bringing about environmental and economic justice.
On 11 October 2012, Friends of the Earth and four Nigerians brought Dutch oil giant Shell to court in The Hague for damage caused in Nigeria; a milestone in the decades of struggle of the people of the Niger Delta and a fitting testament to the struggle of Ken Saro-Wiwa. (4)
(1) For more information see the report published on November 2011: http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/pdfs/2011/memory-truth-and-justice-for-heroes/view
(2) For more information on activists at risk see http://www.radiomundoreal.fm/Luchadores-sociales-en-riesgo
(3) Full coverage of the tour can be followed at http://www.radiomundoreal.fm/?lang=en
(4) For more information see http://www.foei.org/en/media/archive/2012/30-january-verdict-expected-in-court-case-on-oil-giant-shells-nigerian-oil-pollution
Nov 02, 2012
Friends of the Earth International is proud to announce Jagoda Munić as our new chairperson
Friends of the Earth International is proud to announce that Jagoda Munić from Croatia has been elected as our new chairperson, effective November 15, 2012.
Jagoda has extensive experience in environmental research, activism and conservation. She joined Friends of the Earth Croatia as a volunteer in 1997 and was president of the group from 2001 to 2007. She has degrees in biology; library and information sciences; and pollution and environmental control. She has led successful biodiversity research projects and public advocacy campaigns, including a campaign on Genetically Modified (GM) crops, which resulted in Croatia adopting one of the strictest GM laws in the world. Jagoda has served as FoEI's Treasurer on the executive committee since 2004.
Outgoing chairperson Nnimmo Bassey said, "Jagoda's commitment and experience will inspire the wider Friends of the Earth federation. Her appointment gives Friends of the Earth International a charismatic and talented new chair."
Friends of the Earth International is deeply grateful to Nnimmo Bassey for his visionary and invaluable leadership. Nnimmo has demonstrated incredible dedication and passion for his work and the work of Friends of the Earth International.
Every two years, Friends of the Earth International's Biennial General Meeting elects FoEI's Executive Committee.
Read the interview with Jagoda at Radio Mundo Real


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by Charles Husemann
Here at Gaming Nexus we have a bit of a soft spot for the 4X space genre as we've collectively lost hundreds, if not thousands of hours to games like Master of Orion, Galactic Civlization, and even Sins of a Solar Empire. When Kalypso announced Legends of Pegasus our ears perked up and we wanted to see what they were bringing to the table and we were lucky to get our questions answered by
Andre Overhagen, a Co-Founder Novacore Studios.
Why the decision to do a 4X game? What 4X games have inspired Legends of Pegasus?
We have been life-long fans of the 4X genre ourselves and we always dreamed of developing a 4X game. Because we played almost all the games in the genre, it is hard to pick specific titles that inspired us. Of course genre classics like Master of Orion and Ascendancy had their share but also RTS games like Homeworld or Haegemonia.
What separates Legends of Pegasus from the other 4X strategy games on the market?
Legends of Pegasus offers a seamless transition between turn-based strategy and real-time strategy elements. It is attractive to hardcore gamers as well as genre newbies. To really stand out, we are especially focusing on a complex economy system and a wealth of tactical possibilities during space combat. Nonetheless, the game offers intuitive access to all of the game's features. The ship customization features are also something that makes Legends of Pegasus unique.
Is there one of the "X"'s that your focusing on more than the others?
Not really. Exploring space, colonizing new planets and maintaining your colonies is just as important as the economic use of resources and tactical skill in space battles.
Could you give us some insight into the three different races in the game? How do the play styles of each race differ and does each have it's own separate type of economies or not?
Each of the three races in Legends of Pegasus has their own strengths and weaknesses influencing different parts of the gameplay (for example research or production) and giving each race an own style of play. However, the player has the possibility to compensate weaknesses or accelerate strengths by distributing bonus points. Furthermore, each race has two special resources which are not used by the two other races. After all, what should mechanical beings, like the X'or are, do with money, which is a valuable resource for the humans? The economic systems themselves will be different from each other in that different aspects are predominant with each race. Human economy is focused very much on moral while the X'or have to keep an eye on computing capacity, so as to not overload their network.
There seems to be a real focus on the single player portion of the game, how many missions will the single player portion have? The plot of the game is a little Galactica-esq, what themes did you pull from the show? Are there any other notable inspirations behind the game?
In the course of the single player campaign of Legends of Pegasus, you will play all three races. The player embodies the human John Daniels and accompanies him through all the three campaign parts. The story will be told in thirty chapters, ten for each race. The plot itself is not aligned to any particular science-fiction-series. Many great stories from film and literature have influenced Legends of Pegasus in one way or another creating one unique epic plot, that leads the player into a fight for survival and freedom in an unknown sector of space.
Does the single player campaign branch at all or is it a linear set of battles? Could you talk about how you're communicating the story to the player in the single player campaign?
The single player campaign follows the principles of Legends of Pegasus and the separation of turn-based strategy phase and real-time battles. The player will also establish colonies, construct ships and – of course – fight real-time space battles. The story will be told through dialogues and cutscenes.
How did you approach the structure of your tech tree? What are the entry levels of each branch? When you play the game, what thing to you try and unlock first?
When you start a skirmish game or a multiplayer match, you first choose a race. Each race has unique technologies, which the player can use without any restrictions. Additionally, the player can – depending on the match options – choose free tech trees, that will give him additional research options. And because free tech trees put emphasis on very different kinds of technology (for example weapons, industry or social tech), the player can make different tech tree combinations based on his style of play. There will also be the opportunity to get additional tech trees in the single player campaign. But that depends on the decisions the player makes during the story.
Multiplayer in 4X games can be a bit tricky, can you talk about how you've implemented the multiplayer in terms of the number of people it will support and how the multiplayer portion supports the transition between turn based portions and real-time sections? Will multiplayer be over local LAN and Internet?
We are aiming at eight players for multiplayer matches. The game can be played via Internet an LAN and human as well as AI players can join a match. The transition from turn-based phase to real-time is done through a dialogue, in which the player sees all the pending battles at the end of a turn. For players that are not battling at the moment, there is the possibility to watch the battles of other factions or to use some of the strategy features (editing ship blueprints, analyzing the empire screen etc.).
Could you walk us through the various multiplayer modes of the game?
In the multiplayer part of Legends of Pegasus, you can play against each other as well as cooperative against the AI. You can choose different winning conditions at game startup. Those could be: "Eliminate all enemies", "Take over X star systems", economic goals or a run to find a legendary planet which can only be done with high tech and a great empire management.
One of the cool things we've seen in footage of the game is that it switches back between turn based mode and a real time strategy mode. Could you talk about which part of the game is in what mode and he decision to take the game in that direction vs. the classic turn based approach?
Everything surrounding the maintenance of colonies, the research, the designing of space ships, the organisation of fleets and so on is done in turn-based strategy phase. It was very important to us to give players the opportunity to really dig into the deep gameplay Legends of Pegasus has to offer. Battles are fought in real-time and start, when ships of enemy nations encounter each other. At that point, the whole star system in which the battle is based in, is transferred to real-time. Depending on the choices you have made at game startup, combat may be interrupted by a strategy turn if a strategy turn has outrun the real-time combat phase.
What kind of tactics can you employ in the real time strategy mode? Is it more than just throwing a bunch of ships at each other or is there more to it?
Every ship in Legends of Pegasus is valuable. We try to avoid a problem that players come across in other games, where at some point, you just choose a big bunch of ships and send them into battle and just hope everything works out fine. To avoid things like this, we limit the amount of ships a player can lead into battle. Additionally, ships gain experience by fighting so they can improve their skills. And the different abilities of the ships, like scanners and tractor beams, demand tactical skill and some amount of micro management from players.
The later stages of most 4X games can turn into a micro-management hell which can bog the game down (especially after you colonize a bunch of different worlds), are you implementing any kind of automation to make this part of the game run faster? How does Legends of Pegasus handle this situation?
There will be the opportunity to put colonies under AI control and give a rough orientation whether the planet should develop to a industrial planet or a research colony, and the like. This way, the player gets the chance to concentrate on certain important colonies and he can outsource a lot of the administrative work.
We'd like to thank Andre for taking the time to answer our questions as well as Ted for helping to set the interview up.
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text:
Boy Fights
11 comments:
- Natalie said...
one of ours is "mom, she's acting like a teenager!"
- January 9, 2008 at 9:58 AM
- Kim Heinecke said...
THAT's funny!
- January 9, 2008 at 10:03 AM
- Summer said...
My brother and I used to do this little dialogue as kids:
Quentin: What has brown eyes, brown hair and smells like poop?
Summer's response: What has blue eyes, blonde hair and smells like poop?
Quentin also enjoyed singing "Summer is a Dork" to the tune of "Another One Bites the Dust." After my parents told him he couldn't sing that anymore, he'd just sing "You Know the Words" to the same tune, which got the same response from me.
The day I stopped crying when he sang that song was a sad, sad day for my bro.
- January 9, 2008 at 5:29 PM
- Robin Meadows said...
Andrew(27)still comes into the house and asks, "Where are the girls?" of our 15 and 13 yo sons. :)
Brothers.... :)
- September 17, 2008 at 7:03 AM
- dusty takle said...
Robin, that his hilarious.
My kids tell each other, "I'm not your friend."
- September 17, 2008 at 7:38 AM
- carikelley said...
My son(14) says "You're not my friend anymore, you're just my sister!" That status doesn't last too long.
- September 17, 2008 at 8:30 AM
- angie said...
Oh my gosh. HILARIOUS. Those be some LOW blows! Don't worry, I never speak like that with the be, but I thought it sounded good.
Our low blows go something like this, "poop head". "no, you poop head". And over and over. I can't wait until they get a little creative. he he.
- September 17, 2008 at 12:56 PM
- superstarr said...
Your boys are creative!! When I was a kid my brother loved Randy Travis, so me and my two sisters would sing over and over again-- I'm gonna' love you forever and ever forever and ever forever and ever forever and ever--- and we would do that-- well- forever, untill he would punch one of us- then we would sing it through our tears--- we were, and are some tough chicks!
- September 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM
- jenn3 said...
Right now, since Shiloh's only two (with no siblings), the worst it gets is "that's not nice Mommy!" but she's very stern about it.
- September 17, 2008 at 9:58 PM
- Runningmama said...
Charlie is too young to fight with Toby, but no words are necessary. Toby grabs those two little toddler legs and drags his brother across the floor while Charlie protests with an anry yelp. Its good times.
- September 18, 2008 at 10:34 AM
- Sarah Brooks said...
Ouch!! Hehe! My kids are too young for insults... I'm sure they are coming though. We've just entered into the "He said No!" She pulled my hair" "He dared to breath near me!" phase. I feel I play ref. all day long. Tell me it gets better, it doesn't even have to be true just tell me it is anyway!
- September 24, 2008 at 5:08 PM


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The Center for Exhibition Industry Research's first-ever census puts the number of annual exhibits held in the U.S. far above any previous estimates.
Even before they "slice and dice" the numbers, says Douglas L. Ducate, president and CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, preliminary results are off the charts in the first-ever census of the exhibition industry.
Ducate and Linda McKinney, 2000 CEIR chairwoman, discussed some early findings at the International Association for Exhibition Management's annual meeting in San Diego in November, admitting that CEIR's initial estimate of how many events take place in the U.S. and Canada was an understatement. More than 12,000 exhibitions are held annually, triple any previously reported figures. And survey responses are still coming in, Ducate notes.
Why is this census so important to the industry? First, says Ducate, it's never been done before. The numbers he's talking about were always a best guess, and as pressure grows on budgets and the bottom line, estimates and projections simply won't cut it, especially for event organizers under increasing pressure to show value for their event. Another application of the data: Cities and facilities can look at stats for events and shows held in their city, compare it to attendance and space sales in other cities, and get a competitive edge and leverage in contract negotiations.
Ducate offers another specific example: "Say you're an association trade show manager who puts on a 35,000-square-foot show, and you're proposing a space rate increase to your board. The event manager can mine our data, and make a rate proposal increase based on empirical evidence."
CEIR will make the census data available in two ways. A publication, set to come out sometime this spring, will provide an analysis and breakdown of the numbers by city, industry, size of event, etc. Second, an online database service, also due out sometime this spring, will reside on the CEIR Web site (www.ceir.org), and will allow visitors to make broad searches. An important caveat: Ducate says that one crucial aspect of the CEIR census is its confidential nature. "Someone doing an online search can't drill down deep enough to find out anything about a single event," he says. "The query system will reject any search criteria that is too specific." For instance, if someone were to search for "the buyer attendance for an event in Chicago during the first week of November," Ducate says the system will reject that question.
Why Now? A body of data like the CEIR census couldn't come at a better time for the events and trade show industry. As an industry trend-watcher, Ducate says there are several key areas of concern emerging - among them industry consolidation, and declining or flat attendance. Knowing the numbers - and monitoring shifts - will be increasingly important, says Ducate.
Other trends in Ducate's crystal ball: - Space expansion is outpacing growth in the number of shows.
- It's a buyer's market for exhibit space, which means that the buyer's market for hotels may not be far behind.
- Exhibits are becoming more valuable to decision-makers - 53 percent of CEOs will attend up to five shows in 2001. Show organizers need to develop more VIP programs, says Ducate. "CEOs are at your show, and that can attract others. That will put your show in a different league."
- The threat of new technology can become a weapon when you give your exhibitors a Web site.


text: Mike Wilson Archives Email Author Follow @@mwilson1977 BASF Bets Big On Biological Seed Treatment What the BASF Becker Underwood deal means to farmers, seed treatment. Published on: Dec 7, 2012 Tweet Post to Your Wall. Email Story RSS Permalink Print In late November, BASF purchased privately-held Becker Underwood for $1 billion, making the world's largest chemical company an instant leader in biological seed treatments as well as seed treatment colorants and polymers, an area where BASF already excelled. It was another sign that multinational companies see a strong future for global agriculture and are doubling down on that commitment through mergers and acquisitions. More directly, the purchase signaled that BASF wants to be seen as a leader in sustainable agriculture with an emphasis on biologicals. "We are entering the era of biologicals and harnessing their power in agriculture," said Peter Innes, Chairman and CEO of Becker Underwood. "We believe by 2020 the market will be worth $8 billion, so it's a big prize"What the BASF Becker Underwood Deal Means to Farmers For farmer-customers it will be business as usual. No big changes are expected in brand names. Going forward, company officials on both sides of the deal say this will strengthen biological seed treatment product lines as farmers look for new ways to grow yields in a sustainable way. New approach Agriculture has been able to meet increased demand with crop protection products, fertilizers and plant breeding, added Innes, "but the world requires new yield-enhancing technology. We strongly believe the biologicals represent a good opportunity to increase yields." Most of Becker Underwood will join BASF's newly formed Functional Crop Care division, part of the company's Crop Protection division. BASF will merge its existing research, development and marketing activities in the areas of seed treatment, biological crop protection, plant health, as well as water and resource management, with those of Becker Underwood. The goal is to successfully integrate the two companies by end of calendar year 2013. "We will strengthen our sustainability strategy with a biological product portfolio," says Jürgen Huff, BASF senior vice president in charge of the new business unit. "This will put BASF in a different league regarding biologicals. We are joining forces to use synergies that benefit our customers." ~~~PAGE_BREAK_HERE~~~Huff says Becker Underwood was a "perfect portfolio fit" for BASF. "We don't compete, we complement," he says. "For us an important factor was Becker Underwood's strong research capability, pipeline and ability to commercialize that pipeline. And the Becker Underwood team will be able to capitalize on BASF resources and competencies." Biological leader Becker Underwood may not be a household name in agriculture, but the company is a leader in biological seed treatment, with 10 manufacturing facilities across 12 global locations, primarily in North and South America. Its core competency is fast commercialization of novel biological products for Ag and other markets. The biological business came to Becker Underwood in 2000 when the company purchased MicroBio Group, a leading UK-based provider of inoculants, nematodes, biological seed treatments, and biopesticides with presence in Canada, the U.S., the UK, mainland Europe and Latin America. Over the years the challenge was trying to identify a beneficial microbe, explained Innes, but the company developed a screening process along with methods for formulating and fermenting those products. The company's success rate skyrocketed around 2010 when it introduced bio-stacked products through proprietary research that combines complementary biological components to achieve greater yields in multiple crops. Competitors have been unable to replicate and commercialize as effectively as Becker Underwood. According to the company, independent trials show a 3.9% yield advantage in U.S. corn yields and a 5.8% yield advantage in U.S. soybean yields when farmers use Becker Underwood biological seed treatments such as VAULT HP. According to Innes, the product costs only $4.40 per acre, but can return 2.2 bu. more per acre, or approximately $30 per acre in value. "Yield increases for soybeans are clearly visible with biologicals," he says. "That resonates with our growers." Biologicals have been sold to soybean farmers for 100 years, he added. "There is an established market and understanding that it is possible to take a biological and convert it to a product that gives a measurable yield response," said Innes. "We've had biological products introduced into Ag that have been underdeveloped so we have had to overcome a healthy skepticism. So for us, we need to make our products consistent and be able to measure yield response. "I do think there is generally a much greater acceptance now than even two or three years ago," Innes concluded. "We feel strongly we are entering the age of biologicals, to really be able to harness that product, in combination with what BASF brings to the table."


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This set comes with:
1 bag containing 20 grams of henna powder
2 clear tubes for application
1 mini design card
1 instruction card
You are ready to go with this full set that gives you easy and straightforward instructions to creating beautiful henna body art to show off in this season's skin bearing fashions.
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Appointed to a high standard, this 18th-century property is located in the heart of Market Rasen and combines historic character with contemporary design. The operation centres around the stylish rest...More about The Advocate Arms
Situated at the top of Bully Hill with expansive views across The Wold, this smart bed and breakfast offers modern bedrooms and warm hospitality. Ideal for walking, riding, or touring the charming nea...More about Wold View House B&B
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Being a Manager is a lost Art in prowrestling. Back in the early 90s and 80s there was 4 or 5 maangers per promotion. Managing in Prowrestling is outdated, Along with the Attitude era and NWO Managing just seemed like a thing of the past. Today we have very few managers and in WWE there is only one and she is becoming one of the all times Greats and thats Vickie Guerrero. A heel could burned down
Hey guys hope all is well. I'm blogging today on the great sadistic and grueling wrestlers in history. This is an opinionated list so try not to bash and say whom I forgot because I didn't forget anyone lol its opinionated.
However, I would appreciate if everyone left their own list in the comment section so we can compare and have a friendly debate. Hope you all enjoy.
Dolph Ziggler vs. John Morrison - Good opening match. But I think we all knew Ziggler was going to win. As if Morrison apparently heading towards unemployment wasn't bad enough, the guy has to hear how much the MSG crowd wanted Ryder in the match instead of him. Ryder coming out was the only thing that kept the crowd from chanting Morrison out of the building with the "Na na na, na na na,
Updated 11-21-2011 at 12:37 AM by Parallax
I have read a few blogs in the last few days that really have shed some realisation on what wwe, and wrestling really is today. It is entertainment, as it always has been.
Rated_R(ob)KO and THE_CRIPPLER in particular have written really great blogs that reflect reflect what the wwe is about right now. CRIPPLER about the overall state of wwe and where they are/already have been moving
Updated 11-20-2011 at 07:44 PM by The Next Big Thing
Whether you are sick and tired of him or feel sorry for him, Matt Hardy has tried everything to keep himself relevant when all he had to do was WRESTLE and be MATT HARDY. I look back at the YouTube clips of the Hardy Boyz in the WWE, their TLC matches with E&C and The Dudleys, The Mattitude Era, Matt Hardy 'version 1', his feud with Edge…heck, he even had the biggest pop in
This is a simple run down for the year ( besides for survivor series and the TLC PPV ) for all WWE ppvs and how they have done throughout the year, in my opinion.... :)
[B]The Royal Rumble[/B] Obviously this is the first PPV of 2011, and I think it was pretty well done. There was some big returns such as Booker T and Kevin Nash, A bit of a surprise winner in Alberto Del Rio. The Edge
Top 5 Entertaining World Title Reigns From Superstars Currently in WWE
This blog is about superstar's who have had entertaining World Title Reign's,who are still in WWE right now.It also has to be atleast from the past 5 years and by the way like my Title says it has to be Entertaining, so that doesn't mean they have to put on great matches to be on the list.
Updated 11-20-2011 at 11:39 AM by deadly56
Hey Splashers welcome back! Every now and then I need to take a break from blogging. Sometimes it's a few days, sometimes it's a few weeks. This next splash is going to cover the top 10 big names in wrestling that could take us into the next decade. Now before any of you read this
Updated 11-20-2011 at 03:16 PM by Rick Starr
(minor fix)
I read Blog after Blog. Artical after Artical. All giving their Theory why the WWE went PG. But the truth is, the answer is right in front of are face.
Lets Get the facts on why WWE is PG
WWE became PG in mid 2008. That was the First Raw PG show for WWE.. WWEs ratings around 2005 were around high 3's and sometimes (very Rare) they hit a 4.0. They ranged around 3.7..... Ratings
Updated 11-20-2011 at 11:36 AM by Frank
Hi guys, Mr.Turtle here and I've decided to try a new blog concept which should hopefully be a weekly thing if all goes well and people want to watch/read it.
So the idea is to present two (potentially three) wrestling videos a week from the web (youtube)and well . . . go through them.
Once again, think of this as a pilot on TV, if all goes well and people like it, i'll
Updated 11-20-2011 at 11:37 AM by Frank
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The win was USD's (17-1, 2-1 NCC) first against an NCAA Division II opponent that was ranked. Nebraska-Omaha (15-3, 1-2 NCC) came into the game as the nation's 16th-ranked team.
Turnovers and free throws were major keys in the victory for the Coyotes.
While neither team was sloppy with the basketball, USD was able to take advantage of the Maverick miscues. USD had a 19 to 2 advantage on points off of turnovers.
USD also held a major advantage in free throws, as they went to the foul line 29 times compared to UNO's 11. The Coyotes made 19 free throws while the Mavericks had just six.
One area in which Nebraska-Omaha was able to stay in the game was three-point shooting.
Surprisingly the Coyotes were out-shot from behind the arc as the Mavericks hit 10 three-pointers while USD was able to hit just four. South Dakota shot 17.4 percent from the 3-point line, their lowest percentage of the season.
The two teams battled back and forth throughout most of the first half.
The Coyotes suffered an early blow when Tyler Cain picked up his second personal foul at the 16:06 mark. Cain's early fouls prompted the earlier than anticipated return of Dustin Little.
The team's point guard, who had missed the three games due to a broken bone in his hand, energized the Coyote defense with his return.
With Cain out of the lineup, the Mavericks attacked the middle of the USD defense. Nebraska-Omaha's Michael Jenkins scored 11 first half points, thanks in large part to his ability to drive to the basket without Cain lurking.
Despite the play of Jenkins, the Coyotes were able to string together a big run towards the end of the first half to take control of the game.


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Saturday's NCAAB Free Pick: Tennessee +1
0 Reply | 138 ViewsOn 03/09/2013 12:57 AM in Cappers
Point Spread: +1/-111 Tennessee
Saturday's NCAAB Free Pick: Tennessee +1
The Volunteers should not be listed as an underdog at home against Missouri. Tennessee comes in having won 7 of their last 8. They are a dominant 12-3 at home this season and have been crushing teams on their home floor of late. Over their last three home games they have beat Kentucky by 30, LSU by 10 and Florida by 6.
Missouri is a good team and are riding a three-game winning streak, but two of those wins came at home where they are extremely tough to beat and the other was a road game against a pretty poor South Carolina team. Missouri's only other road win inside the SEC was at Mississippi State, who is 3-14 inside the conference.
Add in the extra motivation that will go into this game for Tennessee with it being their final home game of the regular season and you can see why the wrong team is favored. The Volunteers are a ridiculous 16-4 ATS in their last 20 games as a home underdog of 3-points or less and are 9-2 ATS as an underdog this season! BET TENNESSEE!
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Most Viewed Stories
City worker quits to serve poor in Mexico
After accomplishing his goal of becoming a department head and making $100,000 a year by age 30, Rick Ochoa left his job with the city of Hesperia and moved to Mexico to take care of the poor.
"I can't see myself coming back to the United States," said Ochoa, who moved two years ago to the Mexican town of Maneadero with his wife, Marina, and three sons. "It would break my heart if I did, and it would be like taking a step backwards."
As information systems manager, one of Ochoa's responsibilities was to transition Hesperia's technological infrastructure from its former Ninth Avenue facility to the new location on Seventh Avenue in 2006.
In Mexico, Ochoa said, "We spend most of our time ministering to orphans and migrants workers from the southern state of Oaxaca. The people in the migrant camps live in deplorable conditions, and their children don't go to school."
Besides a Bible curriculum, Ochoa's ministry, mision de capilla Calvario Companeros, has set up an educational program for the migrant children who don't go to school.
"We have some teenagers who have the education level of a third grader," said Ochoa, whose family is in the process of adopting a young girl. "Educating a child is educating a nation."
"There is no word for love in the Qaxaca language, and we don't see a lot of nurturing language or love toward the kids in that culture," Ochoa said. "So just spending time with the kids make a huge impact. You can see the difference in their faces."
One of Ochoa's goals is to also build up adult leaders that would return to minister in Oaxaca, which has been difficult ground for outsiders to penetrate.
"The communities in Qaxaca are run by rites and customs, not the government," Ochoa said. "So their own people have a better chance of going back and making a difference over someone from the U.S or even Mexico."
Ochoa, who visited Maneadero many times with his Spanish church from Calvary Chapel of the High Desert, said he left a bit of his heart after each visit to Mexico and felt like the doors to minister full time were wide open.
"Every time I came down to Mexico, I felt that God wanted me to stay, so it was a struggle to drive back home after we ministered," Ochoa said. "My wife was not on board with my idea, but after some time of waiting and praying, she suddenly got the passion to move down here."
After eating a meal of beans, rice and tortillas for Thanksgiving, Ochoa said he doesn't mind not having a traditional meal.
"Living here is like going to Disneyland and being told you don't have to leave," Ochoa said. "To me, this is the happiest place on earth."
For more information or to contribute to the ministry, visit www.hananel.org or call (760) 488-9752.
Rene De La Cruz may be reached at (760) 951-6227 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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