Why unions need to join the climate fight by Naomi Klein | 5 Sep 2013 Canada | corporations | climate crisis Naomi Klein, addressing the founding convention of a new Canadian workers union, arguing that the fight against the climate crisis should be at the centre of their struggle. Radical, refreshing and cutting through myths and stereotypes. Naomi Klein, addressing the founding convention of a new Canadian workers union, arguing that the fight against the climate crisis should be at the centre of their struggle. Radical, refreshing and cutting through myths and stereotypes.
Our seed, our sovereignty - seed law victory in Indonesia by Indonesian Human Rights Committee for Social Justice | 22 Aug 2013 Indonesia | seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies Since 2005, 14 farmer breeders in East Java have been prosecuted for "stealing seed" from corporations. But a judicial review by Indonesia's constitutional court has just found key parts of the law used to go after the farmers are unconstitutional. Since 2005, 14 farmer breeders in East Java have been prosecuted for "stealing seed" from corporations. But a judicial review by Indonesia's constitutional court has just found key parts of the law used to go after the farmers are unconstitutional.
Africa’s food sovereignty under attack by corporate Interests by Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa | 21 Aug 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity Africa’s diversity and knowledge systems are being threatened by corporate and genetically modified (GM) seeds, agro-chemicals, resource grabs and laws that prevent farmers from freely using, sharing or selling their seed. Africa’s diversity and knowledge systems are being threatened by corporate and genetically modified (GM) seeds, agro-chemicals, resource grabs and laws that prevent farmers from freely using, sharing or selling their seed.
Our coming food crisis by Gary Nabhan | 24 Jul 2013 United States | climate crisis So you thought that the climate crisis will mostly affect poor farmers in the tropics? Here's a sobering account in the New York Times on what's happing to farmers in the US South West, by Gary Nabhan. Pluse a battery of sensible proposals of what could be done. Problem is that the main farmers organisations and agribusness aren't interested. So you thought that the climate crisis will mostly affect poor farmers in the tropics? Here's a sobering account in the New York Times on what's happing to farmers in the US South West, by Gary Nabhan. Pluse a battery of sensible proposals of what could be done. Problem is that the main farmers organisations and agribusness aren't interested.
Calling in the corporates by Frontline | 11 Jul 2013 corporations The latest issue of Frontline magazine focuses on the push to expand corporate agriculture in India. The latest issue of Frontline magazine focuses on the push to expand corporate agriculture in India.
"From planting to plate" by Let's Liberate Diversity | 10 Jul 2013 seeds & biodiversity | actions The Let's Liberate Diversity! Forum is an annual gathering of farmers, seed-savers and groups from all across Europe who are working on bringing agricultural biodiversity to life on farms and in gardens. This year the forum will devote special attention to practices - 'from planting to plate' - which contribute to the sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity as outlined in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Let's Liberate Diversity! Forum is an annual gathering of farmers, seed-savers and groups from all across Europe who are working on bringing agricultural biodiversity to life on farms and in gardens. This year the forum will devote special attention to practices - 'from planting to plate' - which contribute to the sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity as outlined in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Bubble bursts on next generation biofuels by Bloomberg | 9 Jul 2013 corporations Investments in next generation biofuels have shrunk from a high of US$7.6 billion in the last quarter of 2007 to US$57 million in the 1st quarter of 2013, leaving future demand to continue being met by the use of food crops. Investments in next generation biofuels have shrunk from a high of US$7.6 billion in the last quarter of 2007 to US$57 million in the 1st quarter of 2013, leaving future demand to continue being met by the use of food crops.
US Embassy must be open and transparent on GMO debate in Ghana by Food Sovereignty Ghana | 9 Jul 2013 Ghana | technologies | seeds & biodiversity Following our call for a moratorium on genetically modified foods and crops in Ghana, Food Sovereignty Ghana has received an invitation from the US Embassy in Accra to a CLOSED DOOR “Roundtable Discussion and an Interdisciplinary Presentation on Biotechnology at the US Embassy on July 10”. Following our call for a moratorium on genetically modified foods and crops in Ghana, Food Sovereignty Ghana has received an invitation from the US Embassy in Accra to a CLOSED DOOR “Roundtable Discussion and an Interdisciplinary Presentation on Biotechnology at the US Embassy on July 10”.
Global threat to food supply as water wells dry up, warns top environment expert by John Vidal | 8 Jul 2013 food crisis | China | Saudi Arabia | United States Grain harvests are already shrinking as US, India and China come close to 'peak water', says the Global Policy Institute's Lester Brown Grain harvests are already shrinking as US, India and China come close to 'peak water', says the Global Policy Institute's Lester Brown
Choice of Monsanto Betrays World Food Prize Purpose, Say Global Leaders by Francis Moore Lappé and Anna Lappé | 27 Jun 2013 seeds & biodiversity In honoring the seed biotechnology industry, this year's World Food Prize -- to many, the most prestigious prize in food and agriculture -- betrays the award's own mandate to emphasize "the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people." In honoring the seed biotechnology industry, this year's World Food Prize -- to many, the most prestigious prize in food and agriculture -- betrays the award's own mandate to emphasize "the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people."
Paraguayan indigenous community reoccupies territory after two decades of forced expulsion by Real News | 23 Jun 2013 Paraguay | land grabbing Indigenous families in Paraguay have been living precariously on the side of a highway in the remote Chaco region for more than 20 years, ever since a German cattle rancher and the Paraguayan state illegally kicked them off of their ancestral lands. Video report by Real News. Indigenous families in Paraguay have been living precariously on the side of a highway in the remote Chaco region for more than 20 years, ever since a German cattle rancher and the Paraguayan state illegally kicked them off of their ancestral lands. Video report by Real News.
China’s Great Uprooting: Moving 250 Million Into Cities by Ian Jonhson | 17 Jun 2013 China China is pushing ahead with a sweeping plan to move 250 million rural residents into newly constructed towns and cities over the next dozen years — a transformative event that could set off a new wave of growth or saddle the country with problems for generations to come. But: who is going to produce the food in China, if its farmers are moved to the cities? An article by Ian Jonhson of the New York Times. China is pushing ahead with a sweeping plan to move 250 million rural residents into newly constructed towns and cities over the next dozen years — a transformative event that could set off a new wave of growth or saddle the country with problems for generations to come. But: who is going to produce the food in China, if its farmers are moved to the cities? An article by Ian Jonhson of the New York Times.
Africa, let us help – just like in 1884 by George Monbiot | 11 Jun 2013 United Kingdom | land grabbing | corporations From the Conference of Berlin to today's G8, 'helping' Africans looks suspiciously like grabbing their resources. An excellent take on the G8 plans to help Africa, by George Monbiot. From the Conference of Berlin to today's G8, 'helping' Africans looks suspiciously like grabbing their resources. An excellent take on the G8 plans to help Africa, by George Monbiot.
Open Letter from Mozambican civil society organisations and movements to the presidents of Mozambique and Brazil and the Prime Minister of Japan by UNAC et al | 3 Jun 2013 Brazil | Japan | Mozambique | land grabbing The sweeping scope of the ProSavana programme stands in contrast to the total absence of a broad, transparent and democratic public debate over it, preventing small-scale farmers and their families from exercising their constitutional right of access to information, consultation, participation and informed consent on a matter of great social, economic and environmental relevance. The sweeping scope of the ProSavana programme stands in contrast to the total absence of a broad, transparent and democratic public debate over it, preventing small-scale farmers and their families from exercising their constitutional right of access to information, consultation, participation and informed consent on a matter of great social, economic and environmental relevance.
Our man in Sudan by Aljazeera | 1 Jun 2013 Sudan | land grabbing | corporations An ex-Wall Street banker jets off to South Sudan to show how investors are rushing to Africa in a modern-day land-grab. A fascinationg Aljazeera video. An ex-Wall Street banker jets off to South Sudan to show how investors are rushing to Africa in a modern-day land-grab. A fascinationg Aljazeera video.