Reports
Casino of Hunger: How Wall Street Speculators Fueled the Global Food Crisis
During 2008, rising food prices — accelerated by an unprecedented run-up of prices on the commodities futures markets — created a food crisis that increased global hunger, sparked civil unrest and hurt farmers in America and worldwide. The global food crisis is an overlooked symptom of the broader global economic crisis. The food crisis shares many characteristics of the financial meltdown — it was exacerbated by the deregulation of the commodity markets (including agriculture) that encouraged a tidal wave of Wall Street speculation — leading to further increases in already rising food and energy prices.
Read MoreUnseen Hazards: from Nanotechnology to Nanotoxicity
Nanotechnology—engineering extremely small particles at the molecular level to create materials with new behaviors and chemical properties—is a powerful new scientific pursuit, one with the potential to produce the next electricity or combustion engine—the next thing to change everything. Unfortunately, the enormous potential of nanotechnology to quell the world’s problems may be offset by its potential to cause harm. There is legitimate concern that the nano-sized particles employed in this new technology will have seriously damaging effects on the health of humans and the environment. Dozens of studies from the emerging field of nanotoxicity have already demonstrated hazards associated with nanoparticles.
Read MoreMortgaging Milwaukee’s Future
The City of Milwaukee faces a serious fiscal predicament. Its budget deficit could top $100 million by 2010, and laws restrict its ability to raise taxes to help offset the shortfall. In 2008, with this conundrum in mind, a public official proposed leasing the Milwaukee Water Works to generate a new revenue source. The city needs an alternative to service cuts and fee hikes, but water privatization is an inadequate and possibly expensive option.
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Defendamos los Bienes Comunes – primavera 2009
El Foro de los Pueblos por el Agua construye un espacio para la justicia y el derecho al agua, El derecho al alimento y la soberanía alimentaria en la agenda de las Naciones Unidas, Nueva Publicación celebra el movimiento por el agua en América Latina, ANAW le da un mensaje a los Estados Unidos sobre la manipulación genética, Recuperando los bienes comunes a través de los acuerdos de cooperación entre utilidades públicas y comunitarias, El Foro de los Pueblos por el Agua construye un espacio para la justicia y el derecho al agua
Read MoreDefend the Global Commons: Spring 2009
People’s Water Forum Builds Momentum for Water Rights and Justice, The Right to Food and Food Sovereignty on the U.N. Agenda, New Booklet Celebrates Water Movements Across Latin America, ANAW Brings Anti-GMO Message to the United States, Reclaiming the Commons Through Public Utility Partnerships
Read MoreAgWatch Europe: Spring 2009
Austria and Hungary Can Keep Bans on GM Corn, History Proves EU Wrong on Milk Reform, Ireland’s Dioxin Scare, EU’s Biggest Food Crisis Since Mad Cow, German Organic Food Production Continues to Grow, UK Calls for Honest Food Labels
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