Actor, director and environmentalist Robert Redford will receive the inaugural Duke LEAF Award, for lifetime environmental achievement in the fine arts. The award will be presented to Redford April 18 at Duke University.
Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment established the annual award this year to honor artists whose work inspires environmental awareness and stewardship in others.
Redford was selected by the executive committee of the Nicholas School’s Board of Visitors “for his unique and central role as an artist, his moving portrayal of the natural world as an integral character in his films, and his strong and effective environmental advocacy.” He will be presented the award in a public ceremony at Page Auditorium during Duke Alumni Reunion Weekend.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Climate Change Threatens Livelihoods Along Africa's Coast
Environmental experts warn that climate change will lead to oceanic acidification and increase surface water temperatures, especially around the African continent.
This will affect fish stocks and, as a result, threaten the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities.
"Acidity levels of our oceans predominantly affect fish larvae, which depend on calcium carbonate in the seawater to build their shells, skeletons and cell coverings," explained professor Geoff Brundritt, chairperson of the Global Ocean Observing System in Africa (GOOS Africa). "A higher acidity level hampers this process."
This will affect fish stocks and, as a result, threaten the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities.
"Acidity levels of our oceans predominantly affect fish larvae, which depend on calcium carbonate in the seawater to build their shells, skeletons and cell coverings," explained professor Geoff Brundritt, chairperson of the Global Ocean Observing System in Africa (GOOS Africa). "A higher acidity level hampers this process."
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Ma Jun: China's environmental patriot
HONG KONG (AFP) — In China, where dissent is often brutally suppressed, publicly shaming powerful corporations for destroying the environment is fraught with risk. Ma Jun treads carefully.
The author of "China's Water Crisis," a savage catalogue of the country's environmental collapse, Ma now takes the fight to polluters, shaming factories on a website run by his non-governmental organisation the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE).
And working out how far a small campaign group can push businesses -- and the officials who back them -- has become his specialty.
"There is a space there, but there is a line as well. The key is to understand both," said the soft-spoken 40-year-old.
The author of "China's Water Crisis," a savage catalogue of the country's environmental collapse, Ma now takes the fight to polluters, shaming factories on a website run by his non-governmental organisation the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE).
And working out how far a small campaign group can push businesses -- and the officials who back them -- has become his specialty.
"There is a space there, but there is a line as well. The key is to understand both," said the soft-spoken 40-year-old.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Environmental investments are what the world economy needs
Far from burdening an already over-stressed, over-stretched global economy, environmental investments are exactly what is needed to get people back to work, get order books flowing and assist in powering economies back to health.
In the past, concern for the environment was viewed as a luxury; today, it is a necessity – a point now grasped by some, but by no means all, economic architects.
A big slice of President Barack Obama's $825 billion stimulus package for the United States includes a boost to renewable energy, "weatherizing" a million homes and upgrading the country's inefficient electricity grid. Such investments could generate an estimated five million "green-collar" jobs, provide a shot in the arm for the construction and engineering industries, and get America back into the equally serious business of combating climate change and achieving energy security.
In the past, concern for the environment was viewed as a luxury; today, it is a necessity – a point now grasped by some, but by no means all, economic architects.
A big slice of President Barack Obama's $825 billion stimulus package for the United States includes a boost to renewable energy, "weatherizing" a million homes and upgrading the country's inefficient electricity grid. Such investments could generate an estimated five million "green-collar" jobs, provide a shot in the arm for the construction and engineering industries, and get America back into the equally serious business of combating climate change and achieving energy security.
Friday, February 6, 2009
EA business environment declined last year
Business environment in East Africa has declined from what it was a year ago, a statement from the East African Business Council (EABC) has said.
According to the statement the overall business climate index in the region declined last year to 44 down from 51 points in 2007.
Charles Mbogori, the EABC Executive Director said in the statement released on Wednesday that although the private sector in East Africa had the capacity to grow and become globally competitive, that cannot happen without transformation of the current business environment.
According to the statement the overall business climate index in the region declined last year to 44 down from 51 points in 2007.
Charles Mbogori, the EABC Executive Director said in the statement released on Wednesday that although the private sector in East Africa had the capacity to grow and become globally competitive, that cannot happen without transformation of the current business environment.
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