Monthly Archives: February 2013

Extractive Industries, Peru

Peru: Undermining Justice

Al Jazeera

If multinationals will do anything to control the public debate, how can indigenous peoples ever assert their rights?

With global demand for natural resources increasing year on year, some of the world’s poorest communities are having to fight hard to protect their environment and way of life. When protests and direct action do not work, many will try and get redress through the courts.

But when multinational companies decide that the costs of settling such cases are far less than the huge profits on offer, is justice being undermined? Continue reading Peru: Undermining Justice →

Economic Justice, Europe

Economic activity should serve common good, say J&P Commissions

Independent Catholic News 

By: Ellen Teague
econ2The Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions has called for the economy to be at the service of society. This network, comprising 31 national Justice and Peace commissions with a secretariat in Paris, has put out the following statement:

As the global financial crisis and its consequences look set to dominate the economic, social and political landscapes once more in 2013, the Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions, drawing on the experience of 31 European countries, wishes to make the case for radical change. Our vision is of a society in which all economic activity serves the demands of justice and the common good. We believe that particular responsibility falls to those in Government to introduce the legislation and structures necessary to support such a vision. Continue reading Economic activity should serve common good, say J&P Commissions →

Kenya

The Kenyans still displaced by 2007 poll

Daily Nation

ken4

In makeshift camps on windswept barren land more than 100 families, chased from their homes in the wave of violence and killing that followed the disputed 2007 polls, are still waiting to be re-settled.

In the run up to the next elections on March 4, these still displaced people camping around the town of Nakuru in Kenya’s Rift Valley fear renewed violence once more. Continue reading The Kenyans still displaced by 2007 poll →

Environment, Extractive Industries, USA

Keystone XL decision will define Barack Obama’s legacy on climate change

The Guardian

Barack Obama is being urged by green groups to throw out Keystone XL oil sands pipeline project. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Barack Obama is being urged by green groups to throw out Keystone XL oil sands pipeline project. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Does the president have courage to say ‘no’ to a project that will lock us into decades of dependency on this dirty energy?

Very few of us have the opportunity in life to look forward to our legacy. However, sometimes events occur that we just know will shape how history will judge us.

One of those events is about to happen to President Barack Obama. This year, his administration is expected to make a decision on whether to allow the construction of a massive pipeline that would be used to export tar sands from Alberta, Keystone XL pipeline would essentially bisect the United States to bring the tar substance (bitumen) to refineries on the Gulf of Mexico. From there, it could be exported around the world. Continue reading Keystone XL decision will define Barack Obama’s legacy on climate change →

Uncategorized

Elizabeth Warren Embarrasses Hapless Bank Regulators At First Hearing (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post

econ

“Can you identify the last time when you took the Wall Street banks to trial?”

WASHINGTON — Bank regulators got a sense Thursday of how their lives will be slightly different now that Elizabeth Warren sits on a Senate committee overseeing their agencies.

At her first Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing, Warren questioned top regulators from the alphabet soup that is the nation’s financial regulatory structure: the FDIC, SEC, OCC, CFPB, CFTC, Fed and Treasury.

The Democratic senator from Massachusetts had a straightforward question for them: When was the last time you took a Wall Street bank to trial? It was a harder question than it seemed. Continue reading Elizabeth Warren Embarrasses Hapless Bank Regulators At First Hearing (VIDEO) →

Japan

Japan: A visit to Fukushima

Maryknoll Ofice of Global Concerns

Photo of volunteers cleaning the area in Minamisanrikucho (Miyagi prefecture) by Hajime Nakano.
Photo of volunteers cleaning the area in Minamisanrikucho (Miyagi prefecture) by Hajime Nakano.

Last November, Maryknoll Sisters Janice McLaughlin and Jean Fallon traveled to Japan, where Sr. Jean lived and worked for many decades. While there, they visited the Tohoku area of northeastern Japan. This area is made up of four coastal prefectures affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. The following reflection is written by Sr. Jean.

While the other prefectures endured the double disasters of earthquake and tsunami, Fukushima Prefecture had three: earthquake, tsunami, and the added tragedy of irradiated coastal cities, villages and farm lands. Some are not anywhere near the destroyed nuclear facility, but are located in the mountains where the radiation plume, driven by winds and a snow fall, brought the more dangerous irradiated particles into the trees and onto the ground. Continue reading Japan: A visit to Fukushima →

Peru

Combating Illegal Logging and Exploitation in Peru

Not for Sale

peruFor hundreds of years, Amazonian communities have supported themselves through natural resources: growing, gathering and trading produce to feed their families. As Peru’s economy has grown however, more and more local resources have been harvested for industry. Vegetation that once sustained people’s livelihoods is disappearing at an alarming rate, threatening widespread poverty among those who cannot find an alternative means of support. Continue reading Combating Illegal Logging and Exploitation in Peru →

Peru, trafficking, USA

REBBL Now Available In California Markets

Not for Sale

trafREBBL in storesThis month, REBBL begins distribution to Whole Foods and other independent natural food retailers in Northern California. Standing for “Roots, Extracts, Berries, Bark, and Leaves,” REBBL is an herbal tonic beverage enterprise launched earlier this year. The product connects labor-enslaved, resource-rich tribes in the Amazon with consumer demand in the U.S. market. Continue reading REBBL Now Available In California Markets →

Migration, USA

New Study Sheds Light on Mistreatment of Migrants Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border

Jesuits

By Doris Yu
migApprehended while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, a young Mexican man surrenders peacefully to U.S. Border Patrol agents, but the agents violently shove him to the pavement, knee him in the back and handcuff him forcefully. His story is just one of many incidents of abuse and excessive use of force brought to light in a new study, “Documented Failures: The Consequences of Immigration Policy on the U.S.-Mexico Border,” released today by the Jesuit Conference, the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) and Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. Continue reading New Study Sheds Light on Mistreatment of Migrants Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border →

Zimbabwe

Mugabe turns 89, says ruling Zim is his ‘divine’ mission

Mail and Guardian
Robert Mugabe has said he had a “divine task” to lead Zimbabwe, shrugging off concerns about his health and fitness for office.
Cris Chinaka

Mugabe is preparing for what could be one the closest election battles since he came to power in 1980.
Mugabe is preparing for what could be one the closest election battles since he came to power in 1980.

Few Zimbabweans are ruling out victory for the 89-year-old Mugabe even though his country, once an African success story, is in a decade-long economic slump worsened by Western sanctions and more than four fifths of the population is unemployed. Continue reading Mugabe turns 89, says ruling Zim is his ‘divine’ mission →