Africa sustains some of the most spectacular ecosystems on the planet - from the Sergengeti to the Congo Basin to the Eastern Arc forests. But those ecosystems and their iconic wildlife are now facing their greatest peril, writes William Laurance - a mining boom of unprecedented intensity.
Africa's ecosystems imperilled by mining frenzy William Laurance | 24th June 2014 News Africa Natural World Wildlife World Heritage Mining tanzania-plains.jpg Africa sustains some of the most …
Are we going to run out of minerals? That's the central question of a debate that has been raging for a couple of centuries, writes Ugo Bardi, when it first became clear that minerals are not life forms - and do not reproduce as we extract them from the Earth's crust.
… them Ugo Bardi | 19th May 2014 Comment Mining Economics Sustainability … energy, and system dynamics applied to economics. He is a member of the Club of Rome, …
Spain's Coto Doñana shows the value of EU conservation law, writes Laurence Rose, as the UK tries to get rid of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Both have proved essential to the protection and restoration of one of Europe's greatest wetlands.
Thanks to EU laws and money, Coto Doñana rises from disaster Laurence Rose | 4th June 2014 Activism Spain Birds Water Pollution Farming Law EU Conservation Mining cd-storks-cut.jpg Spain's Coto …
If the state does not defend citizens against the violence and destruction of mining, people and communities must defend themselves, writes Raul Zibechi. And in Peru and Colombia that's exactly what they are doing, re-asserting indigenous control of the land and its resources.
Community self-defense against mining mega-projects Raul Zibechi | 8th August 2014 News Indigenous Peoples Mining Community Colombia Peru maqui-maqui-cut.jpg If the state does not defend citizens …
A remote corner of Sweden's Arctic forest has become a battleground, writes Alex Forss, over proposals for a huge iron mine that would occupy a key reindeer migration route. And with their cultural and economic survival under threat, it's a battle the Sami cannot afford to lose.
The resistance is growing! Sami reindeer herders fight giant iron mine Alec Forss | 12th June 2014 News Mining Indigenous Peoples Sweden Forests sami-flag.jpg A remote corner of Sweden's Arctic …
Greenland's first female prime minister is on a modernising drive to prosperity and independence, But will the combination of melting glaciers, oil, mining projects and mass immigration bring wealth or destruction?
Sailing full steam into treacherous waters The Ecologist | 17th March 2014 Comment Greenland Indigenous Peoples Europe Mining Corporations aleqa-hammond.png Oil drums dumped at a former US air force …
Left-wing, progressive politicians hold sway across Latin America, writes Benjamin Dangl. But defying their own 'green' rhetoric, they are committed to mining and other environmentally damaging development. Now they face growing resistance from small farmers and indigenous peoples.
Despite 'progressive' politics, Latin America's indigenous veins are bleeding Benjamin Dangl | 1st May 2014 News Peru Argentina Uruguay Brazil Ecuador Bolivia Mining Indigenous Peoples Politics …
The first ever global life-cycle assessment of clean energy sources shows that a renewable system could supply the world's entire electricity needs by mid-century, writes Tim Radford.
Renewables can supply 100% of world's power by 2050 Tim Radford | 15th October 2014 News Energy Renewables Science Mining hydropower_site_at_holbuvatnet_sunndal_2013-cut.jpg The first ever global …
The unregulated 'artisanal' gold mining sector is a massive source of mercury pollution and other environmental damage, writes Greg Valerio. But now the Fairtrade Gold initiative is helping miners to reform their practices with equipment, training and a hefty gold price premium. All it needs now is for consumers to demand Fairtrade Gold in all their jewellery purchases.
Fairtrade Gold - helping miners take the mercury out of gold jewellery Greg Valerio | 12th November 2014 News Mining Green Economy fairgold-cut.jpg The unregulated 'artisanal' gold mining sector is a …
Protests at the proposed mining of nickel and copper in the heart of Russia's Black Earth belt have been escalating - as has the smear campaign against the protesters. Konstantin Rubakhin sees this as a positive sign ...
Mining Russia - thousands join the protests Konstantin Rubakhin | 2nd January 2014 News Mining Russia Land Grabs security_guards.png Protests at the proposed mining of nickel and copper in the heart …
Left wing governments across the Americas are faced with a dilemma, writes Daniel Macmillen - high social spending programs financed by income from destructive mining and hydrocarbon extraction - or a slower but sustainable development path that puts ecology, equity and justice first. Their answer - a constant pushing back of the resource frontier.
… about ecological development and sustainable economics . Further, their arguments (and … For all the rhetorical embrace of sustainable economics and constitutional changes made to …
The curse of Uranium has fallen once again on the Black Hills of South Dakota, ancestral home to the Lakota Indians - now fighting a massive mining project that threatens land, rivers and groundwater. But this time, writes Ben Whitford, the Lakota are not alone ...
Protect our sacred water! Ben Whitford | 3rd March 2014 News Mining Ecocide Indigenous Peoples USA Water Nuclear Power bh-protect-water.png The curse of Uranium has fallen once again on the Black …
Ecuador is facing an unprecedented confrontation between a 'progressive' left-leaning government and a national coalition of indigenous peoples determined to stop vast oil and mining projects taking place on their community land and villages.
To tackle its serious air pollution, China is imposing stringent restrictions on dirty coal high in ash or sulphur, writes Shabbir Ahmad. One result: half of Australia's coal exports to China face exclusion, or extra 'washing' costs. But Australia's response is not to raise environmental quality. Instead, it's increasing production.
… to the Bureau of Resource and Energy Economics - are at the mercy of the world …
The Amazon basin faces 'ecosystem collapse' according to a new report about hundreds of major dams and other mega-projects planned for the region - home to the world's greatest rainforest. David Hill reports.
Industrializing Amazon at risk of 'ecosystem collapse' David Hill | 15th May 2014 News Forests Water Energy Mining Renewables carajas_mine.jpg The Amazon basin faces 'ecosystem collapse' according to …
As the Arctic ice retreats, a fragile but resource-rich landscape replete with oil, minerals, fish and islands is opening up, writes Conn Hallinan. A new land-rush is on, and it could all lead to war. But it can be avoided provided states respect the rule of law and build on existing regimes of cooperation to protect the precious Arctic environment.
Arctic chill, red hot politics - as the ice melts, a new Cold War can still be avoided Conn Hallinan | 25th November 2014 News Arctic Politics Oceans Oil Mining Law arctic-walrus-cut.jpg As the …
Legislation put forward by Brazil's re-elected President Dilma Rousseff would open up to 10% of protected areas to mining, writes Luke Parry. The effect would be to gut nature conservation in Brazil, already in a perilous state due to underfunding and growing pressure for the development of mines, dams, farms and plantations.
Brazil - 10% of national parks and indigenous lands face mining threat Luke Parry | 7th November 2014 News Mining Brazil Law Politics Forests Indigenous Peoples estrada_de_ferro_carajas-cut.jpg The …
A series of judgments against Canada in secret corporate tribunals costing taxpayers $100s of millions show that 'free trade' agreements really do restrict governments' right to protect health, environment and endangered species, writes Nick Dearden.
Profits before whales! To know why TTIP would be a nightmare, look to Canada Nick Dearden | 26th March 2014 Comment Politics Corporations Trade Mining Canada EU whale-watching-digbys-neck-cut.jpg A …
Global mining giant Rio Tinto markets itself as a 'sustainable company', writes Kemal Özkan. But serious failures in its reporting, and its attempt to hold an Australian indigenous group to ransom, reveal a very different truth: the company is driven by a reckless pursuit of profit at any cost.
Rio Tinto's 'sustainable mining' claims exposed Kemal Özkan | 30th July 2014 News Mining Corporations Sustainability Australia Indigenous Peoples rt_rally-cut.jpg Global mining giant Rio Tinto …
Next week the indigenous peoples of the Yukon challenge their Government in the Territory's Supreme Court, writes Jill Pangman. At issue, its plans to open the Peel watershed, a vast unspoilt ecosystem rich in wildlife and cultural meaning, for industrial development.
Wild heart of the Yukon in gravest peril Jill Pangman | 3rd July 2014 Activism Canada Indigenous Peoples Mining Development Natural World yukon-on-high.jpg Next week the indigenous peoples of the …
This day 20 years ago one of Britain's most committed and effective environmental campaigners died trying to save a coastal forest in southern Madagascar from mining, writes Yvonne Orengo. The world has been a poorer place without Andrew Lees - and his fears for the Petriky forest and local indigenous communities have been proved all too close to the mark.
Andrew Lees - 20 years after his last mission to Madagascar Yvonne Orengo | 31st December 2014 Activism Forests Mining Indigenous Peoples Corporations local flora in anosy-cut.jpg This day 20 years …
Survivors of a previously unknown Amazon tribe have escaped gunmen in Peru, seeking refuge with settled indigenous communities in Brazil. But as Alice Bayer reports, their problems are far from over. Many remain under threat in Peru, and even the refugees are at risk of common but potentially lethal infections.
… she has worked since 2009. Alice studied Economics and Politics at Bristol University …