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Editor, Ecoclub.com

"green development"

  A cartoon by leading greek political cartoonist Yiannis Ioannou, alluding to the latest austerity package introduced by the newly-elected "socialist" government, who before the elections promised green development and social spending, at the request of the guardians of the Euro and to the joy of speculators. Green as in putting green? There is also fear that the government may use the current crisis as an excuse to rush through tourism mega-projects involving holiday homes and golf communities, vigorously opposed by social movements.

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another 'aboriginal-friendly' Olympics?

A very interesting article by Martin Lukacs on the attempt of Vancouver Winter Olympiad organisers to choreograph a multiculturally blissful image to the world, while the actual state of indigenous peoples tells a different story:http://www.counterpunch.org/luckas02172010.html QUOTE The evidence is hard to dispute. Roads into most Indigenous reservations, some close to the celebrated Olympic slopes, are dirt. Nearly a hundred communities are on boil alerts, their tap-water undrinkable, this in the country with the world's most fresh water. There is no government strategy to deal with the toxic mold that creeps up walls of cheaply constructed houses; even by the government's own estimates, half require renovation. Aboriginals comprise 4 per cent of the Canadian population, and almost 20 per cent of the inmates of the country's prisons. One of the acknowledged suicide capitals of the world? A small reservation in northern Ontario, where a group of girls once signed a collective suicide pact. And as I write, I am recovering from a debilitating case of the mumps, a viral souvenir from a recent visit to a Quebec community seized by an outbreak. The mumps have been practically eradicated in developed countries. Not so in the third-world pockets that exist throughout Canada.

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education as fitness, students as customers

In a recent electronic discussion, provoked by a student researching "customer satisfaction" in Universities, Professor Jim Macbeth, objected arguing that: QUOTEThe fitness centre is an apt analogy for a university, better than a supermarket or a factory. The fitness centre provides facilities, assessment, counselling and coaching. It invites you to put in considerable effort for your own improvement; you can’t blame the fitness centre if you don’t work hard enough to get fit. The centre does not sell you fitness. Likewise, a university does not sell you learning. It provides libraries, resources, counselling, lectures, tutors, assessment and a program of study. You make choices; you make commitments; you do the learning. I agree with the Professor's viewpoint and objections, however there is a key difference between a fitness centre and a university (although, caveat lector, it is some time since I last visited either).The latter offers a degree, certifying in a way that the student has been taught and more or less learned something, and then s/he uses that certificate/guarantee to find employment.Beyond a handful of reputable institutions, it is sad to see quite a few schools, especially private ones, being reduced to fitness centres, or even supermarkets and factories (or...

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a journey most eco

Experience the legendary Transiberian, complete with rumbling wheel sound, from the comfort of your screenby clicking hereEr, do we qualify for any carbon emmissions credits for doing so? ;-)Of course there is room for improvement - forum for virtual passengers, webcam streaming and remote control cameras mounted on different parts of the train. The income/donations could be used for community projects along the (long 9,000 km) way. A (not so busy?) friend who travelled 5 virtual hours on the transgooglian said it was a bit of a dissapointment, having had from childhood so many expectations about the legendary route.  Surely, it must be the fixed, grainy camera.

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no unflattering photos allowed

We are all aware of the many countries where freedom of the press, freedom of expression and various other freedoms are still unknown. But can you be imprisoned for taking images of ordinary people (with their consent) performing every day tasks in your own country? Apparently yes, at least according to the Uzbek special commission set up to 'analyse' big brother style, the everyday pictures of photographer Umida Akhmedova. Have a look for yourself at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8473285.stmAnd this is the website of the Uzbek National Tourism Authority in case you would like to share your thoughts with them as a prospective picture-taking tourist and explain what really makes you want to visit a country (and what puts you off!)

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virtual reality check

An interesting article, "The US virtual economy is set to make billions"which runs contrary to gloomy current wisdom,reveals how ingrained consumerism (and capitalism?)is in the minds of many ordinary citizens...Of course, that new bubble will also burst, but some will laughall the way to their secret treasure chest under the old garden shed next to the pond(banks are now 'unsafe')Many of those who generally argue for progressive change, and like to speakin the name of "the people", sometimes forget that "the people" apart from thetruly destitute (chronically unemployed, immigrants, minorities and others)also includes a relatively well-off crowd (think lower-middle class)a fair chunk of which is largely ignorant, easily-scared & manipulated but otherwise selfish, prejudiced and disinterested in anything beyond law+order...Aka "the consumer".Virtual games, and day-dreaming communities such as 2nd life (get a life?),seem to be the modern equivalent (and competitor?) of religious satisfaction in the afterlife.In that sense they may be slightly more realistic, instant and reciprocal (not to mentiontailor-made).FAQ:Q. So, can I upload and virtually offset my virtual carbon emissions in your virtual community?A. Yes, virtually.Hopelesshagen. Oh bummer!Enough said in 2009. Best wishes to you dear reader (ok. to both of you for a 2010 with ecological & social progress,...

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merry consumermas

As we are approaching the holy feast of consumerism, Xmas, there are the endless arguments of whether a real xmas tree is better than a plastic one. The latest wisdom is that a plastic one requires 20 times more CO2 to arrive at your house than a real one. Eco-entrepreneurial people are now also offering a rent a real xmas tree option, whereby at the end of xmas they take back your tree and replant it (hopefully). The obvious, real eco choice: no tree at all. Just decorate your home or garden plants and use the funds to support a worthy cause of your choice.

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berlin +20

It was the most visible sign of the post-war division of Europe and Germany after the horrible crimes of nazism. It was the result of cold war, super-power pressures and dirty tricks, in a peculiar situation where there was a free-market, freewheeling, bright-lights enclave, West Berlin, in the heart of an austere, 'socialist' country. It was also a symbol (of the failure and the defeatism) of a state that gradually had less and less to do with socialism and more to do with policing and monitoring its citizens: the loathed Berlin Wall that over 5,000 succeeded to climb, and 136 or more tragically failed, murdered for no reason by guards 'following orders'. It's fall 20 years ago was not seen then by ordinary people seen in the pictures celebrating, and it is not seen now, as a cold war triumph for capitalism (indeed western leaders such as Thatcher had pleaded with Gorbachev for its preservation according to recently unclassified docs), but rather, it was seen as a new beginning for the people of an emancipated & united Germany and Europe, for a better world without divisions and borders, where freedom of movement and ALL other human rights of ALL humans are...

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green heart of India

a great article by a great author, Arundhati Roy, on a relatively unknown topic,the long battle for the green heart of India, pitting corporate mining interests against tribes,and special forces against insurgents:http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/20...ists-green-huntthe big question is, would a community-owned, genuine, ecosocially just tourism be a feasible, peaceful way out of the circle of violence?

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beliefs

In two otherwise not connected rulings, the European Court of Human Rights decided in a landmark ruling that the display of the christian cross in Italian schools, violates human rights, while an English Judge ruled that Green beliefs should enjoy legal protection, meaning employees can sue for unfair dismissal if their corporation fired them as a result of their strong oppinion on their employers impact on the environment. There is an irony somewhere in all this. Is Green becoming the new religion to replace the old one? Should it become a religion? Ideally it should not, as religions demonstrably & historically have killed far more than they have 'saved'.

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