News
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UPDATE: Thematic social forum in Porto Alegre plans for Rio+20
I have just arrived in Sao Paolo, Brazil en route to Porto Alegre where a thematic social forum is now underway focused on the Rio+20 Earth Summit that will take place in June. The upcoming United Nations summit had raised some hope that world leaders could come together in an inclusive forum that would begin…
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UPDATE: World Social Forum 2012 – Capitalist Crisis, Social and Environmental Justice
Just as world leaders are making their yearly trek to court global corporate sanction in Davos at the World Economic Forum, social movements and activists from around the globe are concurrently gathering in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The goal of the World Social Forum (WSF), however, is much different than that of the capitalist group hug…
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WIN! Majority of local congresses approve the project to include the right to water in the Mexican Constitution
Last September, we shared the great news that the recognition of the right to water in the Mexican Constitution had been approved by the Senate and sent to local congresses for their vote. Now, we are able to share this update that we have achieved a majority of local congresses that favour this reform. Press…
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UPDATE: Sembcorp acquires South Africa’s concessions
Keeping an eye on a growing private sector footprint: Sembcorp acquires South Africa’s concessions and becomes one of the big five water and sanitation providers in Asia Private sector acquisitions of water concessions in developing countries occur quietly through stock exchanges and negotiations amongst firms. Not only does this mean that the nature of […]
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VIEW: World Bank uses ‘green economy’ to promote more dams, says International Rivers
Peter Bosshard, policy director at International Rivers, writes, “The draft document for the Rio+20 summit, which governments are currently discussing in New York, is devoid of substance and ambition. Entitled The Future We Want, it contains no honest analysis, few specific recommendations, and no binding commitments. Instead, it tries to hide its lack of ambition…
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NEWS: Ocupa Chapu raises key water issues
The Guadalajara Reporter reports, “The Jalisco Popular Assembly (APJ) activist group has erected a mini-pavilion of tents on the boulevard of Chapultepec (in Mexico City). The project, titled Ocupa Chapu, hopes to collect such local causes as the Huichol Indians’ fight over their sacred Wirikuta site, the pushback against the construction of a second Guadalajara-Chapala…
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Coming Soon to Rio+20!
The Blue Planet Project will participate in the “Towards People’s Summit of Rio+20” in Porto Alegre, Brazil January 24-29, 2012 with other civil society organizations and social and popular movements from around the world. Check back regularly for updates.
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NEWS: Proposed Canadian copper mine threatens water supply of Arizona town
The Globe and Mail reports, “Florence, Arizona is up in arms over plans by a Canadian company to build a copper mine right in the middle of town. The proposed mine, by Vancouver-based Curis Resources Ltd., has garnered national attention and brought out some heavy hitters, including Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and developer Robert Sarver,…
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Draft of a National Water Framework Law Put in Public Domain by Planning Commission of India
New Delhi, January 17: Even as a revised National Water Policy is being awaited Planning Commission of India has come up with a draft National water Framework Law. The document mentions that since National Water Policy has no legal standing a law will enable various state governments to enact their own policies and laws related…