(May 29, 2009) Aid critics have recently been blaming aid as the source of Africa’s poverty. This column explains how Africa has long been struggling with rural poverty, tropical diseases, illiteracy, and lack of infrastructure and that the right solution is to help address these critical needs through transparent and targeted public and private investments. This includes both more aid and more market financing.
China on the Mekong: Stonewalling will burst the dam of diplomacy
(May 28, 2009) The Chinese government is sending out signals—albeit small ones— that it may start addressing issues relating to dams on the Mekong River.
Giant "Dam Home Depot" banner flies over Atlanta during company’s annual shareholder meeting
(May 28, 2009) Early this morning the nonprofit environmental organization International Rivers flew a giant "Dam Home Depot" banner over the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Atlanta. Protesters also unfurled a banner and raised questions inside the shareholder’s meeting, asking Home Depot executives to account for their role in supporting the destruction of Patagonia.
UN says China dams threaten water supplies to Mekong delta farmers
(May 28, 2009) China’s construction of big hydro-power dams on the Mekong River will be a great threat to the future of the river, a significant water source for Southeast Asia, a United Nations report said. Senior experts analysed the impacts on Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta.
Probe International in UN report
(May 27, 2009) Probe International is featured in the UN’s Independent Environmental Assessment for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The report addresses a range of concerns facing the capital city, including: air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and public transportation.
Quake readiness, turning the clock back to 2005
(May 27, 2009) Probe International provides a translation of Qian Gang’s examination of the Chinese government’s existing policies concerning quake readiness and disaster prevention. His story appeared just prior to the one-year anniversary of last year’s deadly Wenchuan earthquake.
Yangtze Power restructuring takes on more of 22,400-MW Three Gorges
(May 27, 2009) China’s Yangtze Power Co., operator of 22,400-MW Three Gorges Dam, is carrying out a 107.5 billion renminbi (US$15.76 billion) restructuring plan that includes acquiring full ownership of the project’s 26 operating units, totaling 18,200 MW.
An article that should not be ignored
(May 27, 2009) A Science Times article recounting the tale of an unpublished article by Li Youcai and CIO Shuheng, two Chinese scientists, warning of the potential dangers from building dams in the Dujiangyan and Zipingpu area.
Pollution harming Chinese sturgeon
(May 26, 2009) Researchers in China say a commonly used paint chemical, triphenyltin (TPT), is leaking into the Yangtze River and may be the cause of deformities and dwindling populations of wild Chinese sturgeon.
Aid ironies: a response to Jeffrey Sachs
(May 26, 2009) Ahead of the publication of my book Dead Aid, an author friend of mine cautioned me about responding to opponents who found it necessary to color their criticism with personal attacks. This, he argued, is a tried and tested way of side-stepping the issues and providing a smoke screen when faced with a valid argument.
UN says dams are the biggest threat to the Mekong River
(May 25, 2009) The UN is warning China that its desire to pursue hydro-electric projects may pose the biggest threat to the Mekong River– one of the most vital sources of freshwater for countries in South East Asia. The Chinese government is planning to build as many as eight dams on the upper half of the Mekong as it winds through Yunnan province.
Sachs ironies: why critics are better for foreign aid than apologists
(May 25, 2009) Official foreign aid agencies delivering aid to Africa are used to operating with nobody holding them accountable for aid dollars actually reaching poor people. Now that establishment is running scared with the emergence of independent African voices critical of aid, such as that of Dambisa Moyo.
Blogger discredits claims there are two undammed rivers in China
(May 25, 2009) There’s an interesting posting over at the Asian Energy blog. The author quickly discredits claims that there are two undammed rives in China. He also credits Probe International as being one the leading voices of criticism concerning the central government’s quest to build large dams.
Asian stimulus packages should fund job-creating infrastructure
(May 24, 2009) Legislators, trade unionists and civil-society groups in Asia have urged governments to focus their stimulus packages on community-based infrastructure investments to create jobs and address poverty that has been deepened by massive retrenchments.
Three Gorges Power Corp admits hydro dams too costly
(May 23, 2009) China Three Gorges Project Corporation vice-general manager has made a stunning admission: Relocating people and protecting the environment has made large-scale hydro projects too costly to warrant further investment.
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