International Rivers Sitewide RSS Feed

Climate Justice and the Negotiations

Payal Parekh — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:50:12 -0700

Today, I was interviewed on Terra Verde, an environmental radio program on KPFA in Berkeley. The focus of today's program was on climate justice and the international climate negotiations. The other guests were Jessica Tovar of Communities for a Better Environment and Tom Athanasiou of Ecoequity. You can listen to the program here.

Trailing Large Hydro: Quarter 2 CDM Update

Katy Yan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:23:27 -0700

Fig. 1: Projects entering the CDM pipeline.

For this second quarter update, I've introduced some new analyses (see below), along with those similar to the first quarter blog update. You can also get weekly email updates of CDM hydro projects and see our monthly spreadsheet, always available for your research and gleaning pleasure. Data based on the UNEP Risoe spreadsheet (June 1, 2009). Feel free to contact me about my calculations.

Real Cost of Belo Monte Dam Begins to Emerge

Glenn Switkes — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:56:42 -0700

Snake Oil Salesman ( archive)

Brazil's energy minister calls the country's "crown jewel" - more than 11,000 MW of cheap energy, costing only US$ 4 billion to build (according to Lula's Growth Acceleration Program, or PAC)...or US$5 billion to build (according to the latest official studies by Eletrobrás). But, now, as companies take a harder look at the investment necessary to build Brazil's biggest hydroelectric project, Belo Monte's price tag is beginning to balloon.

Brazil's Growing Regional Influence

Berklee Lowrey-Evans — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:05:13 -0700

From June 2009 World Rivers Review

Interview: Victory Over Mexico's La Parota Dam

Berklee Lowrey-Evans — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:41:49 -0700

From June 2009 World Rivers Review

Since 2004, thousands of Mexican farmers have been fighting the construction of La Parota Dam in the state of Guerrero. They have staged blockades, protests and legal actions and have faced violent police repression in return.

Chile's Endangered Rivers

Berklee Lowrey-Evans — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:18:12 -0700

From June 2009 World Rivers Review

Alejandro Koehler showed up at the headquarters of one of Chile's regional environmental authorities last October convinced he had the legal arguments to block a large-scale dam planned for the nearby San Pedro River. He was wrong.

One Person, One Vote

Berklee Lowrey-Evans — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:04:52 -0700

The Voice of Communities in Development Decisions

From June 2009 World Rivers Review

In defense of their lands and lives, throughout Latin America communities affected by dams and mines are banding together to organize their own local referenda to record their voices on critical development decisions.

Commentary: My River Journey

Berklee Lowrey-Evans — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:50:03 -0700

From June 2009 World Rivers Review

In the beginning of time, the Anaconda-Canoe descended from the Milky Way with the first inhabitants of the world. From the center of the earth, it ascended the rivers, stopping to settle human kind. – From an Amazonian Tukanoan creation myth.

Amazon in Peril

Berklee Lowrey-Evans — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:52:59 -0700

From June 2009 World Rivers Review

World Rivers Review – Focus on Latin America – June 2009

Berklee Lowrey-Evans — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:17:51 -0700

Vol. 24, No. 2

Cover Story: Amazon in Peril

NGO Forum on Cambodia Comments Re Buon Kuop Hydroelectric Project (Vietnam)

Katy Yan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:33:08 -0700

Comments on the Clean Development Mechanism Project Design Document for the Buon Kuop Hydropower Project, Viet Nam

June 29, 2009

Comments prepared by Chhith Sam Ath and Ame Trandem, The NGO Forum on Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

3SPN Comments Re Buon Kuop Hydroelectric Project (Vietnam)

Katy Yan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:21:16 -0700

Comments on the Clean Design Mechanism Validation of Buon Kuop Hydroelectric Project, Vietnam

Comments by Meach Mean, Coordinator, 3S Rivers Protection Network (3SPN), Banlung Town, Ratanakiri and Paul Humphrey, Advisor, 3S Rivers Protection Network (3SPN), Banlung Town, Ratanakiri.

Follow-Up Letter to CSG Regarding Project Risks in Southeast Asia

Katy Yan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:58 -0700

Mr. Zhao Jianguo,
Chief Executive Officer,
China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd.
6 Huasui Rd., Guangzhou, 510623
People's Republic of China.

22 June 2009

Re: CSG Project Risks in Southeast Asia

To Director Zhao:

Can Obama’s Diplomacy Help Protect Rivers in Chile’s Patagonia?

Gary Graham Hughes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:31:32 -0700

Michelle Bachelet will complete her presidential term in March 2010

For those who follow hydroelectric development issues in the Américas, it is newsworthy that Chilean President Michelle Bachelet made a trip to North America this week.

Brazil's Senator from Alcoa Hangs by a Sliver

Glenn Switkes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:26:40 -0700

Sen. José Sarney Receives Aluminum Eagle from President of Alcoa (Archive )

José Sarney rose to power in his home state of Maranhão during Brazil's military dictatorship. He ascended to the presidency of Brazil in 1985 when Tancredo Neves, the president-elect, died on the eve of his taking office. Now, his position as president of the Senate, where he wields power second only to that of Lula, is threatened by revelations of abuse of power in secret financial transactions favoring family members and political cronies, and even leaders of his own party are calling for him to step down.

Sarney's fate is of critical importance for the Brazilian dams industry, for Sarney has made Brazil's dam building plans in the Amazon and the promotion of the aluminum industry his personal fiefdom. Sarney was reportedly instrumental in Alcoa and Billiton's decision to base their aluminum plant in São Luís, capital of Maranhão. And, Sarney helped the companies arrange publicly subsidized energy from Tucuruí Dam.

Bad Deal Cut on Domestic Offsets

Payal Parekh — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:56:30 -0700

In order to secure votes for the climate and energy bill from representatives of agricultural states, Congressman Waxman cut a deal with Congressman Peterson, chair of the House Agricultural Committee. Waxman compromised on two major issues. On the first, Waxman agreed to a five year moratorium before the indirect land-use effects of ethanol are assessed. On the second, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will adminster domestic ag offsets, instead of the EPA. The EPA will be also given a role, although in what capacity is still unclear.

The Return of the Outlaw Cowboys

Glenn Switkes — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:59:03 -0700

Raul Seixas at the Tapajós River Garimpos (archive )

When I traveled to Itaituba last month, for community meetings on the planned Tapajós River dams, for me the image still remained of the period of the region's "Gold Rush" of the 1980's, when Itaituba was still a small town whose economy was dependent on providing services for the 70,000 gold dredgers ("garimpeiros") along the river. I found that this no longer applies - the city has matured, and has become more tranquil and organized. Now, Eletrobrás plans to take the region back to its glory days - this time, promising that Itaituba will become a launching pad from which workers will be dispatched to build a huge dam in the Amazonia National Park. The company has even posted a ludicrous video, which argues that there are too many protected areas in the region, and asks us to believe that helicopters will beam down workers who will open clearings in the rainforest to build the dam. Let's flash back to 1985, when Raul Seixas, arguably Brazil's most original rock-and-roller, was summoned to Itaituba to play a series of shows for the gold miners...

Lula Contemplates his Navel

Glenn Switkes — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:25:45 -0700

Lula Points to his Navel (Archive)

As Obama has said, "Lula's the man." So, all ears tuned in on Lula the other day in Londrina, Paraná when he spoke of his role in achieving the licensing of the Madeira River dams. What follows is a direct transcript of Lula's words of wisdom, with the help of a translator to more clearly elucidate his technical arguments:

Illusory Benefits of Carbon Offsets

Payal Parekh — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:28:44 -0700

Carbon offsets akin to an optical illusion?

Yesterday the San Francisco Chronicle reported on criticisms that environmental groups have with the Waxman-Markey bill, the climate and energy bill currently making its way through the House of Representatives. International Rivers' executive director, Patrick McCully explained the illusory benefits of carbon offsets, since most of them are not additional.The bill would allow up to 2 billion offsets, equivalent to approximately 30% of the US' emissions in 2005. If the total number of offsets are turned in every year, emissions would not decrease within the United States until 2027. Yet the latest science makes it clear that cuts of at least 40% are needed in advanced economies. My earlier blog, as well as our in-depth analysis describes more fully the problems with the offsets provisions in the bill.

Comments to the Western Climate Initiative on Offsets

Katy Yan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:20:28 -0700

Quantity and Quality Criteria for Offsets Under the WCI

International Rivers submission to the WCI Offset Committee and the Cap Setting and Allowance Distribution (CSAD) Committee

International Rivers provides the following comments regarding the Offset Limit White Paper and the overall offsets protocol as proposed in the Working Plan.

Thousands Call for Regional Governments to Save the Mekong

Aviva Imhof — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:14:29 -0700

In a bold outpouring of public concern for Southeast Asia's Mekong River, more than 16,000 people from within the six-country Mekong region and around the world have signed a "Save the Mekong" petition urging governments to abandon plans for hydropower development along the river's mainstream.

Offsets and the Truthy Targets of Waxman-Markey

Patrick McCully — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:26:38 -0700

Steven Colbert

[Truthiness: The quality of seeming to be true, even if this contradicts evidence or rational thought - http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/truthiness]

Explanations of the current version of the Waxman-Markey energy and climate bill (the American Clean Energy and Security Act or ACES) usually state that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from US polluters by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83% by 2050. (At the time of writing, the "current" version is the version passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee).

Spreadsheet Showing Impacts of Offsets Upon ACES Targets

Patrick McCully — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:59:05 -0700

This spreadsheet shows the impact upon the targets in the Waxman-Markey climate bill of allowing pulluters to use up to two billion offsets every year to meet emission reduction obligations.

The bill is formally known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES). It was introduced by Representatives Waxman (D-CA) and Markey (D-MA).

CDM Auditors Flunking Additionality

Katy Yan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:40:23 -0700

DNV and BV Cert both received an F (http://www.isletsofhope.com/pic/grade%20f.jpg)

Misbehaving school children aren't the only ones in need of remedial classes this summer. Auditors (or DOEs) of CDM projects have been given abysmal scores in a new report by WWF and the Öko Institute for Applied Ecology.

Call on Merowe Dam

Peter Bosshard — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:31:11 -0700

A National, Regional, and International Call
To obviate the Ominous Hazards of Mirwi Dam