Tag Archives: Beijing

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Immortal Technique on Al Jazeera’s The Stream


We wanted to share this episode of the Al Jazeera English show “The Stream” featuring an interview with rapper Immortal Technique about Occupy Wall Street, his lyrics and career, and more.  He is posed questions from The Stream’s online community live from Twitter and Google Plus, and discusses his views towards gay marriage and his work in Afghanistan. We encourage you to watch the episode and feel free to forward or embed the video!

http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/emcee-voiceless-0022222

Best,

Roxana

Roxana Elliott | COMMUNICATIONS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  AL JAZEERA NETWORK

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

EU Special Offer — Amazing Climate Law!


 

Europe has just launched a ground breaking new climate law that radically reduces carbon pollution by forcing all airlines to pay for emissions. But China’s top-fliers are refusing — and threatening to spark a trade war!

 This ambitious law is like taking 30 million cars off the road each year! It is a huge step forward for our climate. But China’s top three airlines, who together make $3.5 billion in annual profits, are shamefully arguing that it will seriously damage business. In fact, even in the worst case scenario it would mean between a $3 – $10 passenger fee.  30% of their business is global and they want more. If enough of us urge them to put our planet before their extortionate profits, we could convince them to comply.

Let’s show these jet-setters how important public reputation is in global business and appeal to China’s new-found image as a country serious about combating climate change. Sign the petition now and share this with everyone — when we reach 500,000 signatures, we’ll deliver it to the companies with a big splash:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/china_dont_break_climate_law/?vl

Aviation is the fastest-growing source of carbon pollution in the world — it already accounts for more carbon emission than the entire economy of the UK which in and of itself is the world’s 10th biggest carbon polluter. Europe’s new law requires airlines to reduce emissions under the carbon trading system — it’s the only law that effectively combines economic incentive with legal obligation to put the brakes on this industry’s rampant pollution.

But China’s largest airlines are trying to dodge their responsibility, instead spreading false rumours that the rules mean exorbitant costs for both them and their passengers. The truth is airlines that reduce their emissions will make money from fuel saving initiatives. And even those that don’t clean up their ways and instead pass the costs along to passengers are unlikely to feel it — a flight from Beijing to London would cost an additional $1.53 — hardly noticeable compared to ticket prices and other hidden fees we all pay.

Last year US airlines tried to challenge the law with a shady lawsuit and were struck down in EU courts. There’s no reason why record-breaking profitable airlines can’t comply with an affordable climate-saving law. Let’s protect it and fight this latest Chinese threat with people power. These image-conscious airlines won’t be able to ignore our 500,000 strong outcry. Sign this urgent petition now and send it to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/china_dont_break_climate_law/?vl

The stakes have never been so high in our struggle to stop catastrophic climate change — we must propel every carbon-reducing measure and multiply it. China, as the world’s biggest investor in clean energy, has the power to pull the world onto the right path. Let’s demand that it’s government and businesses support this crucial EU leadership and comply with the law.

With hope and determination,

Jamie, Iain, Alice, Allison, Ricken, Wen-Hua, Wissam and the rest of the Avaaz team

Sources:

China CATA to sue EU on airline carbon rule (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/24/china-eu-emissions-idUSL3E7NO01J20111224

EU’s aviation charge is a drop for China’s airlines (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16423633

 Chinese airlines dig their heels in over EU carbon charge as international dissent grows (The Daily Mail)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2082586/Emissions-Trading-Scheme-China-airlines-dig-heels-EU-carbon-charge.html#ixzz1ihNBGysI

Asian airlines mull new charges to deal with EU carbon plan (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/06/airlines-asia-idUSL3E8C40E320120106

Carbon Emission Fees for Flights Upheld (The New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/business/global/court-upholds-europes-plan-to-charge-airlines-for-carbon-emissions.html?scp=2&sq=eu%20emissions%20airline%20lawsuit&st=cse

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

In the past month, eight Buddhist monks and nuns have self-immolated to protest a growing Chinese crackdown in Tibet.


Days ago, Tenzin Wangmo walked out of her nunnery, covered herself in petrol and set herself on fire while pleading for a “free Tibet”. Minutes later she died — she was just 20 years old. In the past month, seven other monks have self-immolated to protest a growing Chinese crackdown on the peaceful Tibetan people.

These tragic acts are a desperate cry for help — machine gun toting Chinese security forces are beating and disappearing monks, laying siege to monasteries, and even killing elderly people defending them — all in an effort to suppress Tibetan rights. China severely restricts access to the region. But if we can get key governments to send diplomats in, break the blackout, and expose this growing brutality, we could save lives.

We have to act fast — this horrific situation is spiraling out of control behind a censorship curtain. Over and over we have seen that when diplomats themselves bear witness to atrocities, they are motivated to act, and increase political pressure. Let’s build a massive petition to the six leaders with the most influence in Beijing to send a mission to Tibet and speak out against the repression. Sign the urgent petition and send this to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_tibetan_lives/?vl

Tibetans are suffocating under China’s stranglehold. They are unable to practice their religion freely — just downloading a photograph of the Dalai Lama can land a Tibetan in prison. And it is getting worse: columns of Chinese troops have blockaded the largest monasteries and are abducting monks in “patriotic re-education” programmes. This horrific situation is spiraling out of control.

Just yesterday another monk, Dawa Tsering, was rushed to hospital after setting himself ablaze, and with every protest China tightens it’s grip. For Tibetans, self immolations are a very severe sacrifice and reveal their level of despair. They are deeply religious and believe that if you commit suicide it has a devastating impact on the cycle of re-incarnations and may even put you back 500 lifetimes. But their situation is so horrific that they are forfeiting their position in the cycle in exchange for the hope of international attention and freedom for their brothers and sisters.

The Chinese government won’t allow journalists and human rights monitors into the region — Sky news and AFP journalists were forced out last week. But diplomats can request access and get in and, as we have recently seen in Syria, they are the best way to get first hand reports, let China know that the world is watching and start high level political conversations on Tibetans’ human rights.

It’s up to us to raise the global alarm. If we can get the US, UK, Australia, India, France and the EU to send a delegation now, they could push China to action. We have no time to lose — sign the urgent petition and share this email:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_tibetan_lives/?vl

Avaaz members have supported projects that are piercing the blackout and defending Tibetan culture and religious practice. But China’s ruthless crackdown is escalating. It’s time for our whole community to take a stand together with these peaceful people sacrificing their own lives for basic rights. Let’s show them that the world has not forgotten them.

With hope and determination,

Emma, Iain, Dalia, Ricken, Diego, Shibayan, Giulia, and the whole Avaaz team

More information:

Tibetan Nun Who Set Herself On Fire Dies (Sky)
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16095074

Self-immolation ‘trend’ at restive Tibetan monastery (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15169007

Study points to heavy handed repression of Tibetan area in China (The New York Times) (including HRW report)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/world/asia/study-points-to-heavy-handed-repression-of-tibetan-area-in-china.html

China is fuelling the fires of Tibetan resistance (Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/17/china-tibetan-resistance-self-immolation?newsfeed=true

Graph showing China’s increased spending in Tibetan regions:http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/10/12/china-end-crackdown-tibetan-monasteries