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Current Events In Green Activism
From WikiVerde
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Green Activism: Doing Good the World Over
As more and more people become concerned about the earth, green activism finds sympathetic ground in more and more places across the world.
Interestingly, studies have shown that green activism is a reason for innovation in industry. Protestors are usually seen as obstacles to economic progress, but are often responsible for transformations that, though gradual, nonetheless exert an influence in that particular area. For example Michael Mobbs, an environmental lawyer was laughed at when he added a water tank, a reused sewage system and solar panels to his house. Today, 17,000 people have seen and appreciated his ideas, many of which are required by law now.
South Korea and China
In South Korea, for instance, in a meeting sponsored by The Atlantic Council of the United States, the Wilson Centre’s ECSP China Environment Forum, the Korea Foundation and the Asia Program, a concerted attempt was made to assess the South Korean eco movement, the difficulties surrounding it, and the part green and civic groups have to play. The Citizen Movement for Environmental Justice (CMEJ) has stood against the construction of dams, housing complexes, canals, and reclamation projects that threaten to degrade the environment. The second largest environmental NGO in Korea Green Korea United (GKU recently exposed contamination with poisonous chemicals of a river by Seoul’s centrally located Yongsan Base.
In neighbouring China, studies are being undertaken on environmental activity in the country – its background, proliferation and future growth. Individual roles are also being examined. Another Chinese incident occurred when activists protested against the misuse of water meant for drought-ridden regions. This precious resource has been used to fill a river for cosmetic reasons related to the Beijing Olympics, the Shunyi Olympic Rowing Park has used up still more valuable water, and reserve water is being poured into cleaning and dressing up the city. Meanwhile the dense population in the northern parts of the country suffers from paucity of water. Dai Qing, a green leader, only anticipates worse to come.
Britain
At London’s Heathrow Airport, activists mounted an Airbus to display a banner saying “Climate emergency - no 3rd runway", making reference to a public consultation about the proposed expansion of the airport. These were activists from Greenpeace, the world’s leading green warriors. Also in the U.K, a 33 year old green protestor named Daniel Viesnik undertook a peaceful, legal protest against Britain’s Trident nuclear weapons. He challenged their legality in court when he was tried on the minor issue of highway obstruction. The case referred to a peaceful sit-down in Aldermaston (Berkshire) at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), manufacturers of British nuclear warheads. The aim of the protest was to create awareness and to demand a future without nuclear weapons. Viesnik said that Britains international obligations were being contravened by the development of enhanced manufacturing facilities. He was fined £50 plus an additional £465 in court costs, and plans to appeal against his verdict and continue protesting against “nuclear expansionism in all its forms.” Shortly, Viesnik, will participate in a three month anti-nuclear peace walk from London to Geneva via France, starting on April 26, which is the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy. He will also attend the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)’s 50th anniversary event, which anticipates a gathering of 5000.
Greenpeace
Greenpeace has also been active in Finland, with boats of activists disembarking at a nuclear power station site, the Olkiluoto 3 plant. They chained themselves to the entrance and insisted that construction should be stopped. Greenpeace claims that the reactor here, the fifth in Finland, has compromised on safety requirements in order to reduce costs. The protestors were seeking to draw public attention to the non-compliance with safety requirements.
In Hong Kong, Greenpeace campaigners raided a hotel in Disneyland to demonstrate the waste of energy caused by the light bulbs in the lobby. They carried a banner which said “Mickey Harms the Global climate” and managed to replace two of the incandescent bulbs in the lobby before security prevented further indications of Greenpeace’s displeasure at the energy-inefficient lights.
News From Here & There
Trifon Haitas, candidate for the Don Valley East Green Party, has been roused by the wild fires in Greece, to reiterate that warnings from environmentalists and green activists should not be ignored. He calls upon politicians to “practise what they preach” and commit themselves to a greener earth.
The most powerful oil company, Exxon, faces environmentalists at its annual general meeting, who question Exxon’s contribution to reducing greenhouse gas, the amount of money it spends on researching fossil fuel alternatives, though the company insists on its compliance with regulations.
In Dubai, huge islands are being constructed along the coast – green activists are expressing growing concerns about effects on the environment.
Activists in America are getting geared up for Climate Crisis Action Day in Washington DC. Sadly, the U.S. did not pass a tax credit package for renewable energy, failing by only a single vote. Despite the need for policies that will factor in considerations like climate, geopolitics and environmental degradation. Americans have to realize the importance of renewable energy and formulate long-lasting, transparent policies that are best for our common future.
In Czechoslovakia, environmentalists are supporting Dusan Luzny as the Green Party’s new Education Minister, stepping into Dana Kuchtova’s shoes. One of the Green Party’s regional leaders, Jaroslav Penc, is rallying support for legalization of marijuana cultivation with 50,000 posters bearing his own image surrounded by hemp plants at home. Now police are investigating.
In the same country, the 33rd yearly Ekofilm festival was held at Ceske Budejovice, a town in South Bohemia. The whole show focuses on eco issues and heritage, with film screenings, discussions, seminars and so on.
In Kolkatta, India, there was a furor over the venue of a book exhibition. Park Circus Maidan, the selected venue was put down because of the environmental hazards involved, such as a major increase in pollution levels. Since other alternatives are available, green protestors say, why not use them?
References
Ingrid Marson ZDNet.co.uk
WordPress.com
Guardian.co.uk
Bbc.co.uk
Reuters.com
ekathimerini.com
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50843
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/world/14climate.html?hp
www.indiaenews.com/art-culture/20071229/88617.htm
