The Andes

Colombia: coffee strike claims advances

With a strike that lasted from Feb. 24 to March 8, tens of thousands of Colombian coffee growers took to the streets across the country, ultimately claiming victory. 

Planet Watch

Peak oil apocalyptoids: eating crow yet?

The US Geological Survey estimates there is seven to eight times more oil in the ground than the human race has yet consumed—and this constitutes the real threat to the planet.

The Andes

Peru: new mobilization against Conga project

Campesinos in Peru’s northern Cajamarca region began the year with a renewed campaign against the pending Conga mining project, pledging to occupy the concession area.

The Amazon

Bolivia: deforestation decree protested

A new law promulgated by Bolivia’s President Evo Morales forgives past illegal deforestation in the name of boosting food production—drawing criticism from ecologists.

Oceania

Kali Yuga in Australia

Nuclear disaster was narrowly averted in Sydney when one of the wildfires sweeping New South Wales threatened an atomic research station near the city.

Planet Watch

Protesters occupy Keystone XL offices in Houston

More than 100 protesters stormed the lobby of TransCanada's Keystone office in Houston as a new tree-sit was established at the Texas town of Diboll to block pipeline construction.

Mexico

Oaxaca: indigenous protest camp eviction

A protest encampment of Triqui indigenous campesinos displaced from their village by paramilitary violence was evicted by police in downtown Oaxaca City.

Iran

Iranian cities evacuated by smog alert

Iranian authorities have advised the 1.5 million residents of Isfahan to leave the city because air pollution has reached emergency levels—while denying rumors of a nuclear leak.