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Sunday, November 8, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
Via Crucis for Endangered Turtles
The demand for the eggs and meat from endangered turtle species hits a peak during Catholic Holy Week. Environmental officials in Colombia and Mexico have tried to quell consumption.
Sovereignty Claims Revived in the Arctic
An expedition is under way to help Canada and Denmark prove their sovereignty over certain areas of this frozen region, and its potential sources of petroleum and natural gas.The Feline Link in the Bird Flu Chain
Some scientists warn that we're underestimating the role of cats as vectors of virus H5N1. European countries are stepping up controls of feline pets as a means to stave off a bird flu epidemic.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Forestry Certification On the Rise
The proportion of environmentally certified forests in Brazil nearly doubled in the past two years, while worldwide it increased 70.25 percent, according to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Criticisms Raised Against Official Pro-Biotech Stance
The Rural Reflection Group (GRR) in Argentina has criticized its government for defending the dominant model for producing genetically modified soybeans and maintaining positions in line with the biotechnology corporations, during the biodiversity summit that ended Mar. 31 in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba.Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Eco-Corridor to Be Expanded
The Guatemalan capital's municipal government approved the "Metropolitan Ecological Corridor Conservation" project, to preserve the forests that surround the city.Ecobreves – HONDURAS: More African Palm Grown for Biodiesel
The Honduran government will promote the cultivation of 200,00 hectares of African palm over the next five years to produce the alternative fuel known as biodiesel.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Satellites Reveal Misleading Data
Brazil is less urbanized than what official statistics indicate: the total urban area (with pavement, basic infrastructure services, telephone systems, homes and businesses) covers just 0.25 percent of the country, according to a study by the satellite monitoring center of the Brazilian agricultural research agency, Embrapa.
Indigenous Languages in Final Throes
Languages like Kiliwua in Mexico, Amanayé in Brazil, Záparo in Ecuador and Mashco Piro in Peru are on the verge of disappearing. Their extinction would be a tragedy for humanity, warn linguists.
Yes, Aspartame Is a Carcinogen”
The world's most widely consumed artificial sweetener could cause serious harm to human health, according to the latest study headed by Italian scientist Morando Soffritti. Tierramérica spoke with the renowned cancer researcher in Bologna.Norwegian Prize for Argentine Activist
Romina Picolotti, who recently won an international award for promoting the link between environment and human rights, sat down with Tierramérica for a Question-Answer session.
A Satellite for Solving the Polar Ice Mysteries
Is it true that the ice is melting at the North Pole but expanding at the South Pole? The European space mission of Cryosat 2 promises to answer this and other questions, and deepen scientific knowledge about climate change.
Indigenous Groups Denounce Exclusion from Biodiversity Talks
Indigenous groups had no voice in the negotiations in Curitiba, Brazil, about a binding global policy for the use of genetic resources. But they are already preparing to make sure they are heard in 2008.Ecobreves – A new campaign against GMOs
Environmentalists and other activists celebrated April 1 in eight Mexican cities the first World Day Against Transgenics, another name for genetically modified organisms (GMOs)Ecobreves – To the rescue of Venezuela's Lake Valencia
The Venezuelan government will compensate around 3,500 poor families who were affected by the expansion of Lake Valencia that occurred in 2005, but hundreds more complain about the lack of assistance.
Ecobreves – Combatting animal trafficking in Guatemala
El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras will draft a transnational operations manual in the next four months for fighting the trafficking of animals in danger of extinction.A Name as Means of Protection
An initiative to put together a global taxonomy index of species is under discussion at an international environmental meeting in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba. The idea is a good one, say experts, but what is lacking is money.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: It's a Go for Space Mission
The Mar. 30 space flight of Marcos Pontes, Brazil's first astronaut, "will give visibility to our space program and will make citizens understand why it is necessary," Sergio Mauricio Brito Gaudenzi, president of the Brazilian Space Agency, told Tierramérica.Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Sustainable Development for Wetlands
An environmental organization in Argentina presented a project for the sustainable development of a wetland in the eastern region, considered a priority area for the conservation of biodiversity.Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Water Fund Created
Environmental, business, government and local entities have launched the Water Fund to improve the quality and quantity of freshwater in Guatemala.Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Eco-Education Under Scrutiny
The southern Brazilian city of Joinville will host the 5th Ibero-American Congress on Environmental Education, Apr. 5-8. In Brazil, 96 percent of primary school students attend classes specializing in environmental education.« Previous Page — Next Page »
Tierramérica is the main communications platform on sustainable development and the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is produced by IPS Noticias, the agency’s Spanish-language service, which created it jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with later support from the World Bank. The weekly editions of Tierramérica are published in Spanish, Portuguese and English and are picked up and printed by dozens of media outlets in the region. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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