A POLITICAL USE OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

In his testament, Alfred Nobel clearly stated that the Peace Prize should be given for the reduction of armies or for understanding among nations.

Chilean Companies and Products Measure Their “Water Footprint”

Under pressure from the business sector, Chile is leading the way in measuring the impact on water resources in the production of everything from fruit to gold.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Developing an Alternative to Cement

A cement alternative, one that is less polluting, cheaper and more durable, has emerged from research at the Brazilian São Carlos School of Engineering.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Confiscated Lumber Turns Into School Equipment

Fifty percent of the lumber that Honduran officials seized from smugglers or illegal loggers will be used for school equipment, according to a reform in the Forestry Law approved by Congress.

Ecobreves – CHILE: Campaign to Protect Sea Lions

The non-governmental Chilean Eco-Oceans Center is leading a national and international campaign against a proposal to authorize quotas to hunt sea lions (Otaria flavescens).

SPAIN ON THE ROPES

The days of social peace are over. The general strike held on September 29 protesting the labour reforms decided by the government of Prime Minister Zapatero marks the opening of what promises to be a period of social turbulence.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Speeding Up Environmental Permits

The Honduran Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment announced a project to eliminate delays in issuing environmental permits.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: A Boost to Automotive Efficiency

Four non-governmental organizations in Mexico launched a campaign on vehicle efficiency -- with sights on achieving government regulation on the matter.

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: An Eco-Bus for Buenos Aires

This week the city of Buenos Aires gets its first "eco-bus," which has a hybrid engine that runs on electricity and diesel, emitting 40 percent less greenhouse-effect gas, but costing four times more than a conventional bus.

Citizens Want a Voice in Andean Tunnel Plan

The governments of Argentina and Chile are promoting a tunnel through the Andean Mountains, but activists are demanding transparency -- and a voice in the process.

GM Maize Debate Simmers in Cuba

Those who believe the introduction of transgenic crops is only a scientific matter are mistaken, says Cuban agro-ecologist Fernando Funes-Monzote in this exclusive interview.

Paraguayan “Jewel” Lake Loses Its Luster

Increasingly murky waters and the proliferation of trash along the shore await visitors to Paraguay's Lake Ypacaraí.

GYPSIES: HUMAN RIGHTS AND EU LAW

A recent European summit degenerated into an unfortunate confrontation within the context of European integration. There was a heated exchange between French president Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission president and former Portuguese prime minister Jose Manuel Barroso over the expulsion of EU citizens -in this case Romanian citizens (gypsies, 'Roma')- from French territory. The EU justice commissioner, Viviane Reding, compared the act to deportations during World War II. Sarkozy bluntly responded that she could receive in her native Luxembourg all the gypsies she wished. Reding admitted her language was rather exaggerated, but the scandal did not subside.

ON HUNGER, THE ONLY RIGHT NUMBER IS ZERO

With riots in Mozambique and food prices climbing to their highest level in two years, the early Autumn of 2010 made many observers suspect that the world was headed for a repeat of the 2007-2008 food crisis.

IMBALANCES AND FRAGILITY OF THE WORLD ECONOMY

The multiple challenges now faced by the global community can perhaps be summed up in one word: imbalances. Imbalances in food, energy, housing and financial markets were allowed to grow during a sustained economic boom, becoming increasingly interdependent. These mounting imbalances generated a level of economic fragility which eventually shattered with the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008. But despite the massive amount of public resources that have been mobilized to deal with the resulting collapse, the underlying forces have been left untouched in the aftermath of the crisis. They remain a toxic threat to stable and inclusive growth and the sustainability of the recovery.

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES

Promoting women's rights at the global level must aim to enhance women's role as pro-active individuals and as the essential and most effective channel for development and peace. However, to achieve this requires protecting women's fundamental rights, first and foremost the right not to be subjected to violence.

US AND UK MEDIA FAIL TO SEE BASQUE ETA AS TERRORIST

A recent editorial of the Financial Times floated the thesis that the prospects for a permanent peace in the Basque country would be strengthened by the execution of two basic acts by the Spanish government: first, lifting the ban preventing the pro-ETA political group Batasuna from participating in elections; and second, transferring incarcerated ETA agents to prisons closer to their homes. The FT argues that delaying restoration of electoral credentials to Batasuna serves only to "prop up ETA's dwindling support" while "the perceived injustice" of imprisonment far from home is "a money spinner for ETA's fundraisers".

Renewable Energy a Remedy for Economic Crisis

Spain is one of the world's leading producers of photovoltaic energy, with installed potential of 3,200 megawatts.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: New Weapon Against Mercury Contamination

Removing mercury from water, petroleum and natural gas, without leaving additional toxic waste, is now possible with a technique developed at the Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Engineering Research, at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: Environmental Budget Cuts Face Criticism

The 2011 budget for Mexico's Secretariat (ministry) of Environment and Natural Resources is insufficient to tend to existing and urgent needs, according to the watchdog group Greenpeace Mexico.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: China to Finance Ambitious Hydroelectric Project

The government of Honduras announced the construction of the Patuca I, II and III hydroelectric dam, over the course of three years beginning January 2011 at a cost of one billion dollars financed by a Chinese firm.