Now that the debut of this weblog has been officially declared it is time to get to the real work of reporting. Putting this blog together made me aware of a number of bloggers writing on these issues.
One blogger, Richard Power of Words of Power reminded us on 7/21/08 that in attempting to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals environmental sustainability and human rights are inseparable. The challenge is not only overcoming the failure of the developed countries to meet the promises of the Millennium Development Goals, but to stop the continued exploitation of the developing countries. Richard Powers puts it succinctly - "The Blind Will to Drill and Dam is Not Only Absurd, It is Obscene"
We are in the grip of a global sustainability crisis. That grip will only tighten. Conflicts over oil and water threaten to consume us all. It is absurd to imagine that we can drill and dam our way into the future.
Richard provides two poignant reminders -- one from Malaysia:
A secret document accidentally posted on the internet reveals plans to build a series of massive hydroelectric dams in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, submerging the homes of at least a thousand Penan, Kelabit and Kenyah tribal people.
and one from Canada:
Arnie Bellis, vice-president of the Council of the Haida Nation, said in an interview on Monday that the skyrocketing value of oil and gas resources off the British Columbia coast holds little interest for his people compared to the natural environment they have resolved to protect.
You should go to Richard's post to write letters of support.
Richard provides a number of other resources such as this map on Indigenous People. Unfortunately, the link to the United Nations site doesn't seem to be working now.
Richard also provides links to The Eleventh Hour and Spread the Message to Your Friends and Colleagues and his own Left-Handed Security: Overcoming Fear, Greed & Ignorance in This Era of Global Crisis is available now! Click here for more information.
below are technorati tags taken from Richard's post.
Haida Nation, Penan, Canada, Malaysia, Indigenous People, Sustainability, Human Rights
