Europe
Romania: protest wave against mega-mine
Thousands of Romanians have been occupying Bucharest to protest plans by Canadian firm Gabriel Resources to establish Europe's biggest open-pit gold mine at Rosia Montana.
Tag: fracking
Southern Cone
Argentina: Mapuche block oil facility after fires
An indigenous Mapuche community blocked access to the Argentine state oil company’s wells and derricks after five of the village’s buildings were set on fire.
Mexico
Mexico: ‘energy reform’ promises privatization —and fracking
US companies are enthusiastic about Peña Nieto’s plan to let them share in the profits from Mexico’s energy sector. Mexicans are getting ready to fight against the giveaway.
Southern Cone
Argentina: Mapuche to block Chevron from territory
Argentina’s Mapuche say they will challenge a hydrofracking deal with Chevron, the multinational scofflaw that refuses to pay $19 billion it owes indigenous Ecuadorans.
Leak at tar sands plant fouls Athabasca River
Tainted water poured for hours into Canada's Athabasca River before a broken pipe was sealed at one of the Suncor tar-sands plants that it is to supply the Keystone XL pipeline.
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.
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.
Southern Cone
Argentina: silver mine defeated —but Chevron gets fracking deal
In a victory for local environmentalists, Minera Argenta suspended its Navidad silver mine in Chubut–but the national oil company has signed a fracking deal with Chevron.
Planet Watch
National Intelligence Council predicts global climate disaster —again
The US National Intelligence Council issued a report, "Global Trends 2030: Potential Worlds," that emphasizes the rise of China and the risk of catastrophic climate change.
Planet Watch
Quebec fracking ban challenged under NAFTA
Energy firm Lone Pine Resources is challenging Quebec’s fracking moratorium under the North American Free Trade Agreement, and demanding $250 million in compensation.
East Asia
China: changing of the guard —amid same old repression
Xi Jinping was chosen as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party amid stepped-up repression and a wave of labor unrest in the Fujian and Zhejiang industrial zones.
Planet Watch
Petro-oligarchs play presidential candidates —again
The oil and energy industry are funding both candidates—but not equally. Romney has received $6 million from individuals and PACs linked to the industry; Obama $1.6 million.