(June 2, 2009) Sachs Debate, Day Eight. Surprised that Sachs did not understand the point about Occam’s Razor — that a theory should be as simple as possible but no simpler. African poverty is complex, but our theories about it should not have so many complex Buts, Ors, and Excepts that they are impossible to disprove. Ignoring Occam’s Razor is how astrologists stay in business.
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Something smells fishy
(June 9, 2009) When the World Bank decided to finance the Pak Mun dam at the confluence of the Mekong and Mun rivers in Thailand, it faced fierce criticism and relentless opposition due to the project’s predicted environmental damage.
China’s ambitious water diversion project way beyond budget
(June 9, 2009) After some seven years in progress, China’s South-to-North Water Transfer Project has burst its planned budget by tens of billions of yuan and run into delay.
A third way
(June 8, 2009) What started out as a critique last week of Dambisa Moyo and her new book “Dead Aid” by Jeffrey Sachs morphed into a full-on war – Jeffrey Sachs and the pro-aid establishment vs. William Easterly and the aid skeptics.
African leaders call for the DIY approach
(June 6, 2009) As the economic crisis continues to work its way across the globe, the plight of African countries has been used as a reason for increasing foreign aid to the developing world. But a new tone has taken root amongst lawmakers in Africa, with a number of African leaders saying its time for leaders across the continent to find ways to fix problems without relying so heavily on foreign aid.
Report: Beijing’s water and waste performance at Olympics earns Gold
(June 9, 2009) Beijing’s water management leading up to the Olympic Games serves as an example to other cities of how to achieve maximum efficiency in the use and management of scarce water resources. Beijing should continue its efforts. Further, the International Olympic Committee should promote the development and implementation of environmentally sound water and waste management in all cities being considered for future games.
Omar Bongo, the last of Africa’s “Big Men”, dies at the age of 73
(June 9, 2009) Gabon’s President Omar Bongo – the world’s longest-serving president – died today in a hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Mr. Bongo leaves behind a political legacy marred by corruption and patronage – marking a throwback to an era when Africa was ruled by “Big Men.”
China’s economic stimulus package raises environmental concerns
(June 8, 2009) China’s minister of environmental protection, Zhou Shengxian, has expressed concern that the country’s economic stimulus plan will have a negative impact on the environment. In an interview with China Daily, Zhou warned that he will push his 200-odd staff ministry into an all-out “warfare” to promote environmental and green initiatives and policies.
Multinational corporations: The new colonisers in Africa
(June 6, 2009) Before the end of the first period of colonialism African nations were properties of their colonial masters who did what they could to rape the continent of whatever resource they deemed good for the development of their citizens in Europe. Out of nowhere and without any consultation with the people of the African continent, the Europeans met and divided the continent amongst themselves in what has been termed ‘The Scramble for Africa’.
Geologists reflect on last year’s earthquake in Sichuan
(June 5, 2009) When the Sichuan province was rocked by a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake last year, many scientists and government leaders were caught off guard. Previous studies by geologists stated that while the area—on the surface—appeared to be seismically active, their research showed otherwise.
Canada’s foreign aid: Big picture versus water wells
(June 5, 2009) Helped by emergence of foreign aid heavyweights, Canada’s mainstream media is taking note of the country’s foreign aid policies.
Good governance can only bolster aid to Africa
(June 2, 2009) The recent debate about aid sparked by Dambisa Moyo’s book, Dead Aid, has polarised the development community. I have long argued that it is investment and good governance, not aid, which will solve Africa’s problems, although effective aid has an important role to play in the quest for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Ms Moyo suggests that government bonds can take the place of development assistance. This is unrealistic.
Business big shot: Dambisa Moyo, director, SABMiller
Few people dare to take on the likes of Bob Geldof on the issue of development and aid to Africa — but Dambisa Moyo, who joined the board of the brewing giant SABMiller on Monday, has done just that.
World’s largest hydroelectric project to launch underground power station in 2010
(June 3, 2009) Generators of an underground power station of the Three Gorges project have started installation, and the first underground turbine is expected to be put to use in 2010.
Internet community targets officials’ misconduct
(June 3, 2009) China’s Internet community is becoming a voice for the country to protest against official corruption.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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Probe International 