(February 25, 2012) The breakneck pace of dam construction in China increases the risk of reservoir induced seismicity. But, without freedom of information and a justice system that allows victims to sue for redress, will killer dams ever come to light? Chinese power companies hope not. Now, an intrepid reporter from Beijing’s Caixin Net is on the trail of unreported RIS cases.
Hong Kong earthquake an aftershock triggered by Chinese dam 50 years ago
(February 24, 2012) Reservoir-induced seismic events in dam-mad China are a growing problem requiring urgent attention.
Chinese dam triggers earthquake, rattles Hong Kong
(February 16, 2012) An earthquake that shook Hong Kong early this morning was triggered by the Xinfengjiang dam on China’s mainland, say officials from the Guangdong Provincial Seismological Bureau.
Things you may not know about the history of the Three Gorges Dam Project
(February 8, 2012) Admissions of trouble at Three Gorges Dam by China’s powerful State Council last spring, left many wondering how the behemoth dam ever got off the drawing board. Now, in a first, behind the scenes, account of raw power politics, Guo Yushan from China’s Transition Institute describes how Three Gorges critics were silenced, and China’s power mandarins maneuvered, to build the world’s largest and most troubled dam. Read this translation by Probe International of the article that went viral on China’s Internet.
Air pollution harder to deny in cyber China
(February 1, 2012) China’s cyber citizens, or ‘netizens’ as they are known, are forcing their government to come clean-er on air pollution.
Weibo Watch: Issue 10
(January 23, 2012) In this instalment of Weibo Watch: grassroots social activism takes off.
China’s north-south water diversion project to climb over 200 billion yuan
China’s plan to invest more than 64 billion yuan ($10.13 billion) in the country’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project this year, will push the total investment to date over the 200 billion yuan mark (more than $30 billion).
France orders carbon tax fraudsters to pay back millions of euros
(January 12, 2012) The first of many trials to come involving carbon trading tax-frauds lands one group in jail, with an order to pay the French state a total of 43 million euros.
China’s State Council issues death sentence for legendary Yangtze fish
(January 6, 2012) The Xiaonanhai hydro project slated for the Yangtze River poses a threat to China’s most precious wild fish and the supremacy of the law, say Chinese environmentalists and scientists.
Geology expert Yang Yong on the challenges facing China’s most controversial dam projects
(January 5, 2012) Yang Yong on the future of river management in China and the issues currently facing the country’s more controversial dam projects.
Europe’s largest emissions-related tax fraud lands six in jail
(December 21, 2011) One of the European Union’s largest probes into carbon credit tax fraud places six traders from Britain, Germany and France behind bars.
New innovations in coffee add choices in a country fuelled by double-doubles
(December 19, 2011) According to founder, Lawrence Solomon, the niche coffee market Green Beanery supports, opens up a world of taste that allows small, independent coffee farmers around the globe to flourish, which, in turn, ensures genetic diversity in the Earth’s store of coffee.
China, EU carbon markets bailed out at Durban
(December 13, 2011) The Durban climate conference set out to save the planet, but in the end may only save China’s green energy industry and the EU’s carbon markets, both of which are in danger of freefall. The $100-billion a year Green Climate Fund, agreed to by the conference, will finance the global spread of Chinese technologies. And the EU’s unilateral decision to extend Kyoto will help prop up its faltering carbon markets. But beyond December 2012, when the current Kyoto Protocol ends, the EU will be on its own as Canada, Japan, and Russia have declared their intention to withdraw.
The best way to promote human rights in Asia
(December 8, 2011) The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada held an online conversation on the question: is there a “best way” for Canada to promote human rights in Asia? Patricia Adams of Probe International says that there is: by “getting its own house in order and ensuring that Canada does not aid and abet abuses abroad.”
EDC releases internal documents to Probe International under Access to Information, but reveals little: UPDATE
(February 27, 2009) Heavily censored data keeps tight lip on Canadian investments in Chile.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 