(October 9, 2006) China should slap daily fines on firms that pump untreated waste into lakes and rivers, because current penalty limits make long-term pollution profitable, an official was quoted on Saturday as saying.
Cargo ships run aground in Yangtze River’s longest tributary
(October 8, 2006) Dozens of cargo ships loaded with coal, sand and ore have run aground on the Hanjiang River, the longest branch of the Yangtze River, due to the lowest water level for 77 years.
Vietnam hydro dams threaten Cambodian food security
A new study predicts hydro dams on the upper Srepok River in Vietnam will reduce fish stocks and make riverside agriculture impossible, with major negative impact on people’s diets and livelihoods.
Norway takes historic step
(October 6, 2006) In a stunning move, the Norwegian government has become the first creditor country to implicitly acknowledge that some of its Third World debt claims are illegitimate and says it will cancel such debts outright and unilaterally. The Norwegian Parliament must now approve the government’s debt cancellation plan, details of which are contained in the government’s budget being submitted to Parliament today. If the plan is accepted, five countries – Ecuador, Egypt, Jamaica, Peru and Sierra Leone – will be relieved of some $80 million they owe Norway.
Top official tough on polluters
(October 6, 2006) A top environmental official advocated establishing legislation that fines polluters each day they violate a reform of the current fine system, which has a set maximum.
‘We won’t win’ unless aid money flows
(October. 06, 2006) Even though Canadian officials admit they are unable to track aid money, they call for millions more.
Water in Three Gorges reservior up 8.58 meters since Sept. 20
(October 4, 2006) Water in the Three Gorges reservoir reached the 144.28 meter mark on Wednesday, a rise of 8.58 meters since Sept. 20 when water flowing downstream was reduced.
Three Gorges dam project is like ‘the Emperor’s New Clothes’
(October 2, 2006) Author’s note: In 1986, The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and China’s State Council commissioned a feasibility study for the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) project. Professor Huang Wanli, a hydrologist from Tsinghua University was not one of the 412 experts involved in the study. There were reasons for this snub;
More people relocated for Three Gorges project
(October 2, 2006) The number of people relocated to make way for the massive Three Gorges Project in China has surpassed the planned 1.13 million and is expected to top 1.4 million, an official said on Sunday.
China Three Gorges dam to displace 1.4M
(October 2, 2006) The total number of people who will be displaced by China’s massive Three Gorges dam has been raised by 270,000, to 1.4 million people, state media said.
China Three Gorges Dam to close to tourists during National Day holiday
(October 2, 2006) China’s Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydro-electric project, will close to visitors during the National Day “Golden Week” holiday.
Srepok Environmental Assessment by Probe International
(October 1, 2006) Environmental impact assessment on the Cambodian part of Srepok River
due to hydropower development in Vietnam.
Review of SWECO Groner’s environmental impact assessment of Srepok EIA
(October 1, 2006) The Srepok EIA review was compiled by the 3S Working Group (a coalition of national and international NGOs and partners working to support communities living along the Sesan, Srepok and Sekong Rivers) with technical and professional review and comments.
Longtan hydropower plant begins water storage
(September 30, 2006) The reservoir of the Longtan hydropower project, China’s third largest hydroelectric plant, began storing water on Saturday when four sluice gates were lowered to stop the flow of the Hongshui River.
China releases green GDP index, tests new development path
(September 28, 2006) The Chinese government released its first “green” gross domestic product (GDP) report earlier this month, presenting an alternative to the nation’s current economic development path.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
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Probe Media
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