News
-
UPDATE: Bolivia’s proposals for Rio+20
Bolivia has develop a 56-point program for the Rio+20 summit this coming June. Notable among their proposals: Poverty/inequality 1. In this century, the central challenges of sustainable development are: on the one hand, to overcome poverty and the tremendous inequalities that exist and, on the other hand, reestablish the equilibrium of the Earth system. Both…
-
NEWS: Business comments on Rio+20 and the right to water
Joppe Cramwinckel, of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, writes in The Guardian that, “The Bonn2011 Conference clearly demonstrated that water, energy and food are inter-related. Producing more food requires more water and energy; many forms of energy production need water, we need water to cool power plants, refine crude oil and produce biofuels.…
-
Fighting for a Real Green Economy
Dear Friends, As you may know, the Rio +20 Zero Draft document was released this week and this will be the starting point for the negotiations at the upcoming Earth Summit. It is a very general document which seems to be non-threatening, but please do not be fooled! There is truly a lot at stake…
-
A global battle for water justice in the homeland of water privatization
Last weekend in Barcelona, the Council of Canadians participated in a gathering of more than 90 activists involved in planning the alternative world water forum (Forum Alternatif Mondial de l’Eau) to take place in Marseilles on March 14 to 17. The FAME is a counter summit taking in opposition to the 6th World Water Forum…
-
NEWS: Leaked Rio+20 document outlines 10 sustainable development goals
The Guardian reports, “Countries will be asked this summer to sign up for 10 new sustainable development goals for the planet and promise to build green economies… According to a leak of the draft agenda document seen by the Guardian, they will also be asked to negotiate a new agreement to protect oceans, approve an…
-
Aguas de Barcelona is bad news around the world
Today, around 50 people from Spain and different parts of the world rallied in front of the corporate offices of Aguas de Barcelona (Agbar) in its base city. We had all had good reason to speak out against this transnational. People from Greece, Philippines and Italy spoke about the struggles of fighting against water privatization…
-
NEWS: India places reservations on Rio+20 green economy initiatives
The Times of India reports that the following issues are being discussed in the lead-up to the Rio+20 summit: “global targets for reducing subsidies on social goods in the name of ‘getting prices right’ (allowing markets to operate without any intervention by the governments, even in supply of essential services like drinking water, food, public…
-
World Bank Mission Faces Opposition from Local Communities in Vishnugad-Pipalkoti HEP on River Ganga
New Delhi, December 29 : World Bank funding in water sector have had a turbulent history in India. In 1993, they had to withdraw their funding from Sardar Sarovar Project on Narmada river after stiff opposition from Narmada Bachao Andolan nationally and internationally. For nearly next ten years World Bank didn’t support any major dams…
-
Action Alert for Temacapulín, México
Christmas and New Year’s Holiday bring mixed feelings to Temacapulín. This is a town that has seen many people migrate to cities in Mexico and the US and the holiday season brings many back home to celebrate with their family and friends in their hometown. However, the holiday season is also feared because those pushing…
-
NEWS: Auction of Essal shares in Chile suspended
Business News Americas reports, “Chilean water utility Essal will auction the 40.5% stake the government holds in the company on December 16. …Last December, Chile’s government announced it would sell its stake in four water companies to pay for reconstruction following the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck central-southern Chile in February of that year. …The…