Here is a series of articles, which highlight the dramatic in several areas of the earth is going on.
Environmental degradation, is still growing.
source of the material Gianni Sartori
BIODIVERSITY '
Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus :
when biodiversity is good for health
I always thought that publishing in 1975 his book "Clandestine in town" ( dedicated to plants and animals living in urban habitat) Fulco Pratesi a nod to the phenomena of antagonism, more or less radical, which spread in Italy at the time. Or maybe the title, as almost always, had been imposed by the publisher. In any case suffered from the climate of the time. The concept was subsequently repeated in the chapter "The guerrillas of rats" which tells the epic battles between Rattus norvegicus (Surmolotto, also known as the Rape of the slaughterhouse drains or rat) and Rattus rattus cousin (the common rat, also called the black rat or roof rat) smaller and darker. While the rape of the culverts live mostly near the polluted urban rivers and irrigation ditches, sewers and cellars, warehouses and rubbish around to slaughterhouses, the rats surviving blacks prefer roofs and attics of old houses.
Both are natives of Europe. The black rat would come from the Middle East to the twelfth century, probably the result of the ships of the crusaders, spreading everywhere in the absence of competitors. For historians would have been the main vehicle of social epidemics (as well as the Black Death, yellow fever and trichinosis) that, between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries, causing carnage in European cities. To the point that the bishop of Autun gave him anathema. The surmolotto, bigger and more clear coat (brownish gray), would come later, in the early eighteenth century, from the steppes of Central Asia. A first wave was sighted in the fall of 1727, as he crossed the Volga River near Astrakhan, the cost of millions of copies drowned. Exists in regard to the testimony of a predecessor of Michael Strogoff. A courier of the Tsar, after having seen tens of thousands as they advanced in the desert, had to escape galloping horde. Escaped across a river from waters swirling that he had temporarily slowed the advance. This first wave came up in Ukraine, Bohemia, Galicia and East Prussia. The author of the fable of the Pied Piper of Hammelin was inspired to one of these sudden invasions. Subsequently, between 1730 and 1740, the surmolotto arrived in Britain, possibly with the ships coming from India. Fifteen years after he had already crossed the Channel and was rampant in France. In 1753 it was reported by Buffon in the suburbs of Paris that very soon it was invaded. Appeared in Switzerland in 1803 and soon afterwards in Spain. Early 800 now proliferated throughout Europe. With " battalions illegal landing" (as he writes Pratesi) hidden in the ships of the colonizers, conquered the American continent (1775), Africa and Australia. More voracious, prolific and adaptable (with a sophisticated social organization), the rape of the culverts ousted from the ground and from neighboring areas (with more waste and therefore more likely to eat) the black rat, relegated to the attics. Indirectly would then gradually reduced the plagues that with time there are only a bad memory. An example of how greater biodiversity diluting the chance of infection, can have beneficial effects for our species.
The next time you see a "rat" out from the gutter, thank them. Even on my part.
Gianni Sartori
BUSINESS BIODIVERSITY 'AND HYPOCRISY: THE PARIS CONFERENCE AND SUMMIT OF NAGOYA
the "Conference of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya (18 to 29 October 2010) was presented, under the supervision of some big names in finance, a report on the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity to enter the natural world in total economic value. " Nothing new.
For some time many large companies seek to rebuild their virginity by proclaiming their commitment to human rights, environment and biodiversity, using Trojan horses abused the concept of "sustainable development" and "green growth".
Last year, while Areva (a major player in the extraction of uranium in Africa, both in Namibia and in Niger) is claimed to protect a rare species of lichen in Namibia, the chemical company ; Basf claimed to have planted trees and flowers on two thousand acres of rural France.
Similarly, one of the largest manufacturers of mobile phones as input to the children of the north-east Congo. In these territories, as well as indigenous people, animals face extinction as the okapi and the dwarf hippopotamus.
It was then discovered that to preserve the lichen Areva had diverted the course of a river that joins the its water desalination plant (Swakopmund) to mine uranium Trekkopje, also owned by French company. In the past (when Namibia was occupied by South Africa who had also introduced apartheid) Namibian uranium mines were notorious for the high mortality of miners. So contaminated that, when they returned to their villages, even unintentionally caused the death of their wives and children. Instead Basf was the main person responsible for marketing of fipronil insecticide active substance Regent , suspected of being a major cause of mortality of bees.
For the Congo, just remember that in areas where we extract coltan (essential for mobile phones) the girls are victims of abuse (rapes, abuse ...) by the militia of the Rwandan and Congolese military to occupy the precious Mineral.
A concentration of this "environmentalist rhetoric" was shown in Paris October 19, 2010 at the conference " Businnes and biodiversity." Among those present came to celebrate the Year of Biodiversity, representatives of Total, Veolia, Electricité de France, Lafargue and, indeed, Areva. Several representatives of MEDEF (the Confederation of French) and the World Businnes Council for Sustainable Development. Both Paris and Nagoya were discussed "environmental compensation" and "monetary value to be attributed to ecosystems" to determine costs and compensation for environmental degradation.
In line with these principles, the Caisse des depots et consignations has created the 'financial services compensation for biodiversity "by intervening in environmental restoration projects. Some executives willing the Paribas, one of the largest groups bank French have gone further. They participated in an event (think cycling and false beards, disguised as activists) organized by the Fondation Good Planet in climate protection. Particular not insignificant, Paribas would a major sponsor of the Environmental Foundation. But most would be involved in projects responsible for severe environmental damage as Sakalin II (oil project in Russia), a nuclear power plant in Bulgaria and the construction of some dams in Laos. Also check actions are companies fragmentation bombs and other involved in the extraction of sand bitumen in Canada.
For girls in the Congo and coltan, someone must have alerted the manufacturer of mobile phones that "maybe it was not the case" and the spot has quickly disappeared.
Gianni Sartori (2011)
BIODIVERSITY 'AT RISK EVEN VICENTINO
Hard times for bioversità even lower Vicenza, the territory south of Vicenza, including Berici. On the horizon one can see more devastating excavations and concrete. The A31 (Valdastico South), slipping in the hills of Monticello, Albettone, Lovolo Lovertino and could be the coup de grace.
Small hills are (or rather, were) the trait d'union, a true umbilical cord mutual "contamination" between two areas of different geological nature, the volcanic and karst Berici Hills. Now mainly concerned with side effects, new industrial zones, toll plazas, interchanges, flyovers, ring roads, announced the firing range to Albettone and the prospect of 200 fields (600 thousand square meters) consumed by the project Despar Casoni Bridge Lumignano. Who denies the accusation of "Taliban environmentalists." Or, more charitably of "bucolic romance."
Based on regional spatial plan, an area of \u200b\u200btwo km radius around the toll would be considered "special area" and then cemented with no opportunity to object by municipalities, individuals and committees. Maybe should have thought before. I remember the conference for three days against the new highway, organized by some environmentalists to Ca Brusà in 2006, saw significant participation of committees from all over the peninsula (No Tav, No Moses, No Ponte di Messina) It included the first cries of No Dal Molin, but was largely ignored by local .
moving ahead the work of "environmental enhancement" of some areas of Berici. A consolation prize for enable citizens fleeting tours natural sites survivors? A vent valve for sports or the equivalent of a sedative tea for contemplative? Unfortunately, experience shows that the use of holiday consumerism and a "kind" and tamed spectacularized is complementary and functional at the looting of the territory.
Some actions of the Province (in the hands of the PDL) Lake Fimon, although theoretically in the name of biodiversity (the formula used to take advantage of EU funding), would seem to have effects of opposite sign. Parking lots, kiosks, piers, jetties for fishing competitions, megapontile, the abundance of vessels and the dismemberment of the continuity of the reeds, not much seems to have excited the birds regularly frequent the stretch of water. Would have practically disappeared in the past two species nesting: bittern and pendulum. Depletion of other normally wintering in the lake, as the coot. A fragile balance of the natural environment has been transformed into tourist and recreation.
Other examples of the sunny cliffs and Lumignano covoli of Castegnero. Here the play activities of unconventional free climber (also supported by CAI Vicenza that the journal "Small Dolomites" regularly published articles on new ways to force open the drill) resulted in the destruction of concretions and stalactites (see the Broion) and a reduction of the characteristic flora of the cliffs and covoli ( Galium lucidum . Athamanta turbith , Pistacia Terebinthus , Eucladium verticillatum , Saxifraga Berica , Campanula carnica etc). Whole walls were covered, "crucified" by the nails Pressure planted by these caricatures frustrated (and equally alienated) of rampant social climber. Without even realizing to produce ever more powerful all the details of their artificial world and find it increasingly separated from the real world, the biosphere button and indomitable. Colonizing power of the mercantile society! (See " Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord, ch. I," verse "33.
* The chance to climb all year (including the nesting period, despite talk of" self " ) resulted in the disappearance of the reddish swallow covoli Castegnero, Broion from the peregrine and raven. Increasingly rare woodpecker that winter regularly until a few years ago. In January, also in the area between Nanto is rough, where the environment preserved its integrity, the vegetation has been eradicated to make available some covoli and small walls. The vandalism was the work of climbers Vicenza (Cai members) looking for a new playground. It should also be noted that the rocky south-facing, once a coral reef, to allow for early nesting birds such as blackbirds that nest later in the foliage of the trees. The legendary " Sengiari blackbirds, especially in the area of \u200b\u200bMossano their first nest in the shrubs and bushes close to the ledges, where you experience a milder microclimate. Exposed to sunlight during the day, the rocks retain a temperature that allows the nesting, hatching and the hatching of eggs in February. Obviously, if the vegetation is eradicated this is no longer possible.
Other habitats at risk, the valley of San Rocco (now a quarry after the war), between Val and Val Bugano Cumana. It could become the next victim projects of the province.
Over the past 30 years, after the end of the excavations, it is largely self-empowerment from the naturalistic point of view (and without even resorting to European funds). To turn it into a theme park or picnic area for '"environmental education" domesticated lead only to an impoverishment for both flora (currently flourishing) and for the fauna. As now would leave it to nature certainly more guarantees. One form of respect for the environment and biodiversity, the real one. Giving up at least once, to change the form in "spectacular merchandise."
Gianni Sartori (2011)
* nda is recommended Vallecchi the 1979 edition, translated by Paolo Salvadori, approved by the same Debord.
EVICTION Robin Hodd: GOODBYE BRITISH FORESTS?
The main reserves of biodiversity, forests. Even those in the northern hemisphere.
in Britain is about to take what Caroline Lucas, the only member of the Greens in this Westminster, called it "an unforgivable act of ecological vandalism." To "make money", the government of David Cameron wants to sell part of their forest resources of the state. In the past we had tried both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, forced to quickly reverse the reaction of public opinion. At present the only British forests (of which 70% is already in private hands) could be sold. Scotland and Wales, independent, have already made it known he wished to retain their forests. The state would sell about 800 thousand hectares in the 258mila managed by the Forestry Commission in Britain. The Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, whose budget will be reduced by one third over the next four years, would already designing a project to sell at least half by 2020. Government sources have assured that equipment would be "guaranteed access for citizens, whoever the owner," while cutting the trees "will remain in force any authorization granted by the Forestry Commission and wildlife protection measures will not be resized. But environmental groups fear that, once in private hands, the woods are "slaughtered to make way for golf or theme parks, maybe about Robin Hood and his merry band, but without the Sherwood Forest. For environmentalists "forests represent a protection against soil erosion, the increase of CO2 and global warming. " Currently only 12% of British territory is still covered by forests, while the European average is 30%. In any case, say "will never be sold at a price that will compensate for its value to the environment and for society as a whole."
Gianni Sartori (2011)
