The enormous technical and financial risks involved in the construction and operation of new nuclear power plants make them prohibitive for private investors, rebutting the thesis of a renaissance in nuclear energy, say several independent European studies. Read more
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Retooling the Planet: New ETC Group Report on Geoengineering
This critical overview of geoengineering technologies examines the history, politics and social and ecological implications of attempts to add large-scale, intentional manipulation of the planet to the menu of possible responses to climate change. The report contests the notion that more (…)
With science journalism “basically going out of existence,” how should climate scientists deal with well-funded, anti-science disinformation campaign?
The central lesson of Climategate is not that climate science is corrupt. The leaked e-mails do nothing to disprove the scientific consensus on global warming. Instead, the controversy highlights that in a world of blogs, cable news and talk radio, scientists are poorly equipped to communicate (…)
Not learning from Bhopal
It is 25 years of the Bhopal gas disaster—the night when chemicals spewed out of the Union Carbide factory to kill and maim thousands over generations. The question is if we have learnt from the disaster—learnt how to handle chemical accidents; to dispose of industrial toxic waste; to manage (…)
Our atom state
The atomic energy programme is an economic failure as well as an environmental disaster. Moreover, by its very functioning, the Atomic Energy Commission has undermined the democratic ideals of the nation. Although its power plants profess to produce goods for the benefit of the public, they are (…)
Let’s look before we leap! Civil Society calls for technology assessment as part of any Copenhaguen deal
Technology transfer is one of the four key topics being discussed under negotiations on Long-Term Cooperative Actions in Copenhagen (the others are mitigation, adaptation and financing). The inter-governmental negotiating text that is under discussion contemplates various measures for (…)
Corporate Influence on Science and Technology
It is no secret that links between the commercial sectors and science and technology are increasing. Many policy-makers, business leaders and members of the science community argue that this is positive for both science and society. But there is growing evidence that the science (…)
Green signal for Bt brinjal
Bt brinjal is a step away from becoming India’s first genetically modified food crop. Whether it will enter our kitchens, now depends on the Union environment ministry.
On October 14, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (geac, the clearing house for all genetically modified crops in (…)
Radioactive mirage
by Savvy Soumya Misra
Under the winter sky of January flamboyant French President Nicolas Sarkozy sat next to Indian President Pratibha Patil and watched the Republic Day parade last year. Eight months later India and France shook hands to sign an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation. Business followed diplomacy. (…)
Study Released in Argentina Puts Glyphosate Under Fire
by Marie Trigona
Argentina has seen an explosion in genetically modified (GM) soy bean production with soy exports topping $16.5 billion in 2008. The fertile South American nation is now the world’s third largest producer of soy, trailing behind the United States and Brazil. However, this lucrative industrial (…)
The real cost of agrofuels: food, forest and the climate
Agrofuels, which rely on large scale industrial monocultures, are a cause of global warming, not part of a solution. Promoted as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they are in fact resulting in greater emissions because they promote deforestation and the destruction of other ecosystems (…)
Who Owns Nature?
In this 100th issue of the ETC Communiqué we update Oligopoly, Inc. – our ongoing series tracking corporate concentration in the life industry. We also analyze the past three decades of agribusiness efforts to monopolize the 24% of living nature that has been commodified, and expose a new (…)
Shared concens and issues emerging from the 1st Science & Democracy World Forum
This text is the initial result of the 1st which took place in Belém on 26-27 January 2009.
It has been written and accepted by citizens of 18 countries from 4 continents. It initiates an open and inclusive global process that seeks to build an international network of movements, organizations (…)
Who benefits from GM crops?
feeding the biotech giants, not the world’s poor
Friends of the Earth International warned today that biotech crops are benefiting biotech food giants instead of small farmers and the world’s hungry population, which due to the food crisis is projected to increase to 1.2 billion by the year 2025. [1]
The warning was issued in a new report (…)
Ending the R&D Crisis in Public Health: Promoting pro-poor medical innovation
Oxfam Briefing Paper n°122, November 2008
Diseases that disproportionately affect the developing world cause immense suffering and ill health. Medical innovation has the potential to deliver new medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics to overcome these diseases, yet few treatments have emerged. Current efforts to resolve the crisis are (…)
Africa Analysis: Federal or regional science policy?
by Linda Nordling
Last year’s row between two pan-African policy bodies is feeding a split between regional and federal approaches to science, says Linda Nordling.
Research and innovation is an area that could benefit from coordinating projects and pooling resources between nations. So it was disappointing last (…)
A report back from the iSummit ’08 labs
iSummit in Sapporo, Japan from 29 July to 1 August, 2008
During the final plenary session of the iSummit ’08, participants from each lab did a report back on what was achieved in their meetings and workshops over the last three days, and what their plans are for the future. The iSummit reporters collaborated on a final article to share their feedback (…)
African model law on safety in biotechnology
Draft Revised African Model Law-August 2007
Whereas, modern biotechnology has promise for the improvement of human wellbeing, its potential adverse effects on the environment, biological diversity and human health are causing a growing public concern; Whereas, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure the safety of the people (…)
Unequal protection, cyber crime and the internet in India
In assessing cyber crime legislation, policy makers and gender and development advocates must carefully consider the implications for privacy and information security. On the one hand, ICT have created opportunities to combat inequality through movements and communities against issues that were (…)
Lebanon to reform science and technology policy
by Wagdy Sawahel
Lebanon’s parliament has endorsed a plan to reform policy for science and technology.
The plans were part of a policy statement issued by the new national unity government, which won a vote of confidence in parliament last week (12 August).
The plan focuses on human resource development and (…)