The Second JICA-NGO exchange meeting held in Beijing

On 11 th October , the second China Japan International Cooperation Association (JICA) NGO discussion forum was held at the JICA China office, which GVB was invited to attend. The main topic of the forum was cooperation and development in the field of environmental protection. Analysis and discussions were made using case studies of JICA's development projects in environmental protection.

At the same time, a JICA representative introduced the grassroots friendship technology sharing project and talked about the background of setting up this NGO cooperation platform, the current situation, the content of services they provide and so on. Everyone unanimously hoped that the JICA-NGO cooperation platform would help them to further increase their mutual understanding and communication, and make a contribution to the cooperation between Chinese and Japanese NGOs; thus, encouraging the development of China's environmental protection cause.

GVB, Liu Chunyu, 11 th October

            Promote Forestry Certification; Support the Green Olympics

In the morning of 16 th October, a seminar entitled “Promote Forestry Certification; Support the Green Olympics” was held in Beijing . There were many who attended and these included forestry certification experts and academics, Olympic committee official representatives and representatives from non-governmental organizations, including GVB. These people all gathered in the auditorium to discuss the issue of promoting forestry certification in China . The deputy chief of the Capital Green Committee office, Mr Gan Jing presented this meeting and started by explaining the overall situation of forestry certification to everyone. After this, WWF China branch's forestry program official, professor Dong He introduced the current situation and development trends of forestry certification in and outside of China . China 's Forestry Science Institute forestry certification expert, Professor Lu Wenming analyzed the factors of air pollution caused by construction materials and their threat to human health and encouraged consumers to buy green, forestry certified products. Professor Wang Xiaoping used the example of the management of Badaling forest as an example to introduce the practice of Beijing 's forestry certification.

Forestry certification is a completely new concept to many people and this meeting provided us with an opportunity to completely understand the situation of the development of forestry certification in China and other places in the world. Until July 2005 in China, there have been 425,000 hectares of forest that have received certification from the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and 95 forestry enterprises have passed FSC's produce and chain of custody certification. Of course in China , forestry certification is still only in its initial stages due to the fact that China has yet to establish a body to carryout certification, the price of certification is high and there is a lack of awareness about forestry certification. There is still a relatively long process before China 's forestry certification becomes widely developed.

Brimming with enthusiasm, during his report Lu Wenming suggested choosing to use primary materials which have been certified in the construction of the Olympic stadium, and during the Olympics using certified wood for entrance tickets, bus tickets, subway tickets, and any other tickets as much as possible.

Of course, due to the current situation in China where there are still no certifying bodies to provide qualification, certifying standards and related experts, so far as the forestry managers and administrators are concerned, the costs for carrying out forestry certification are very high. The representative experts attending the meeting expressed that China is currently training relevant individuals and researching the establishment of a unified standard. Time was limited and after a brief discussion, a group photograph was taken to remember the occasion.

Information relevant to forestry certification:

The concept of forestry certification

Forestry certification is the short name for forestry sustainable management certification; it is also called wood certification. It is a way of using the market mechanism to promote the sustainable management of forests and a tool to realize ecological, social and economic goals. People hope that through certification, special labels can be given to products with good sustainable management, and lead consumers to only buy forestry products that have this certification label to support sustainable management of forests.

Forestry certification is carried out by certification bodies who, in accordance with specific and publicly recognized principals and standards, carry out private assessments of the forestry management activities of forestry management units, to prove that the forest has applied good management procedures.

Led by market regulation, in the past within the work of forest management, protection and use have been closely linked together, so that if it is good, it is all good and if it is bad, it is all bad, restricting and promoting each other, thereby achieving the goal of creating a positive cycle whereby sustainable management is promoted and economic interest is raised.

Forestry certification includes forestry management certification (FM) and chain of custody (COC).

Forest management certification is aimed at forest management companies, privately establishing third party forestry certification organizations in accordance to the forestry management standards they have set, carrying out verification of the forestry management performance in accordance with regulations and publicly recognized orders to prove that they have adhered to the procedure required for sustainable management.

Web link: http://www.bjfs.org.cn

                   NGO – Earth Council Alliance Discussion Forum

On 10 th October 2005 , Mr Tommy Short and Mr Maurice Strong from the Earth Council Alliance came to Beijing along with eight other representatives to hold an exchange visit with China 's grass roots organizations.

At 8.45 am on the 10 th October, representatives from the Earth Council Alliance arrived punctually to GVB's office and in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere shared their project activities, targets and development plans with GVB's employees. Three hours of sharing and discussing passed quickly, and all GVB employees and the Earth Council Alliance delegation broke for a lunch break.

On 11 th October, the “Environmental NGO --Earth Council Alliance Discussion Meeting” was held in China 's International Science and Technology Development Centre. The delegation met in a lecture hall with more than twenty NGOs, after each NGO had introduced themselves, all participant representatives split into smaller groups to hold discussions, looking at value and education, partners and networks, project planning and other questions, analyzing the problems currently being faced by China's grass root organizations and trying to find a solution.

Particularly worth mentioning is that in the meeting, Mr Strong shared the wishes of the Earth Council Alliance with everyone, and at the same time, expressed his wishes for China's NGO cooperation. He told everyone that he will be spending a third of his time in China and that he feels that the voice of China 's environmental NGOs will have a strong influence on future organizations' strategies.

Mr Strong's sonorous and dynamic words left everyone with a deep impression, “I will go to all lengths in the years that I am alive to promote cooperation between us in order to realize sustainable development of the world, to realize programs of sustainable development.”

The meeting finished at this high note and everyone had a photo taken together to remember the occasion.

Source: GVB, Zhao Yingjie, October 2005

“ Green Cradle” Environmental education program launched in Yushu , Qinghai

From 2 nd – 6 th October 2005 Snowland Great Rivers Environmental Protection Association collaborated with Yushu County education office to launch a “Green Cradle” environmental education program. This program received funding from the Bridge Fund.

There were 30 training participants in total, including head teachers from county middle and junior schools, guidance directors and normal teachers. Government department leaders who attended the training included county education department head, the county Civil Administration Association Administration Department Chief. Everyone was supportive and approving of the value and long term goals of this project. The main purpose of this project was to prepare for the launch of environmental education classes in all middle and junior schools in the ecologically weak Sanjiangyuan region. The main content of this training was the significance, content and methods and techniques for environmental education and discussion about the “Structural guide for Yushu region's Environmental Education Studies”.

After the training was over, the head teachers from eight universities decided to establish environmental education classes. Some teachers decided to set up environmental education classes in their curriculum despite not being teachers of environmental education. Some teachers were preparing to go back and give environmental education training to the teachers in their school. The teachers who attended the Snowland Association's training hope that in the future the Snowland Association will organise more of this kind of environmental education training and suggested the possibility of Yushu Region setting up a youth environmental information Committee.

  Source ： Snowland Great Rivers Environmental Protection Association

Lecturer from Wild China provides wild animal filming training for Sichuan protected region


Between 27 th – 29 th September, in Chengdu, Conservation International, Sichuan Province Forestry Department and Xinanshan filming workshops got together to organize a “Sichuan protected region countryside filming and awareness raising training.” Xu Jian, lecturer from Wild China was invited to this training to hold a lecture on the subject of “Techniques for filming wild animals and plants in the countryside” and acted as a coach for the students during the practical filming class which took place on the 28 th .
Students attending the training came from more than 20 protected regions around Sichuan province and most of them were involved in frontline protection, administration and awareness raising work for these protected region s . The trainings were very successful and greatly increased these frontline people's abilities to film in the countryside. The students felt that this was the kind of training they needed the most and that the training greatly widened their field of vision. They felt that the information and techniques that they had learned from the training would be of definite use for their work in raising awareness.

Source ： Wild China

Global Village of Beijing takes part in s book fair activity to discourage wastefulness


The 2005 Autumn Book fair officially opened in Ditan Park on 29 th September. The book fair extended throughout the whole of the October Golden week for a total of 11 days, finishing on 9 th October. Nearly 450 thousand citizens went to Ditan Park during this period and, at the same time as enjoying the pleasure of reading books they also had their environmental knowledge tested.

The difference with previous book fairs is that this one promoted a series of environmental suggestions such as “Don't use disposable chopsticks, don't use plastic bags, bring your own satchel to browse the book fair” and “Go to the book fair without driving your car, use public transport or ride a bike instead”, launching under the title of “Book fair to discourage wastefulness”. As well as having more than 600 exhibitions to visit, and more than 300 000 pictorials, 100 publishing houses and book shops participating, this book fair also had GVB as the only NGO to have received an invitation to this book fair to publicize their views.

At this book fair, in the “book saving island”, set up by Fang Zetan, GVB's 10 or so employees and volunteers, Hu Deqiang an American ally insurance company, , and Beijing Industrial University's student Wang Zhongwei spent a very unusual October golden week.

Environmental issues are global problems which should not be ignored. To encourage citizens, especially young students to find more and better solutions to environmental problems and educate them on how to get involved in environmental protection activities, GVB brought environmental protection awareness raising display boards and lots of environmental protection books to the book fair, like “A Citizen's Environmental Protection Behavior Handbook”, “Child's Environmental Protection Behavior Handbook”, “Green Community Guide Handbook” and environmentally friendly shopping bags, pencils made of waste paper, student textbooks made of recycled paper and environmental DVD's from all over the world. Through swapping old books and old goods, helping to supply each other, making old books and old goods continue to be useful they were taking measures that were both economical and resourceful. Many residents who had been to the book fair previously found it very new and interesting, “This is a good way of doing things, and it's resourceful and environmentally friendly. Material bags can be used many times over and are also very hygienic.”

Under the environmental encouragement of the book fair, many reader's voluntarily went to the book fair book saving island to join the queue of people. Some children were led by their parents to swap magazines that they didn't read often for environmentally friendly pencils and homework books. A teacher from the international certified association of financial advice, Ms Kang Li said: I have seen something about this resourceful book fair island on the television, and I have come today especially to look at it. I want to buy a couple of books about environmental protection. On 6 th October, as soon as the book fair had opened, the “book fair saving island” a Chinese army air force soldier came hurriedly in, saying “Today, I leave Beijing at lunch time on business, but before I go I want to have a quick look around the book fair to buy a book on “Children's environmental protection behavior” for my 5 year old son. I hope that in the future when he is my age he will still be able to drink clear and clean water, and breathe air that is not polluted, and will be able to see lots of different types of birds.”

We are very grateful that so many people are concerned with the planet and are concerned with the environment and we thank those environmental volunteers who laid down their golden week holidays in order to raise awareness about our common struggle for environmental protection!

Source: GVB, Li Junling, 14 th October 2005

Moonkick Action 2005
Cascading Dominoes from 10,000 Mooncake Boxes

Through the mobilization of Friends of the Earth (HK) 10,000 mooncake boxes were gathered, roughly one three hundredth of this year's total. It would add to the pressure on the capacity of landfills if they are all to be dumped. FoE (HK) urges Hong Kong 's Chief Executive to address on Hong Kong 's waste crisis in his coming policy address.

The bulk of 10,000 mooncake boxes, 4000 more than last year's collection, are used as dominoes for a heart shape design sporting "Save Our Earth" characters by 250 people to send a message of resources cherishment to the public.

The ribbon cutting ceremony features Dr Sarah Liao, Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works. Lids of mooncake boxes are used to decorate the ribbon. With Dr Sarah Liao's cut the first mooncake box domino slides down the track initiating the game.

Dr. Liao hopes to see a domino effect of Moonkick Action in the public where all usable resources are treasured besides mooncake boxes. She appeals for the public support of the Source Separation of Domestic Waste.

Chairperson of FoE (HK) Stanley Wong remarks on the rise in environmental awareness of the public including mooncake producers as the Moonkick Action enters its second year. He recalls using paper mooncake boxes for lanterns when he was a child and asks the children to appreciate what they have today, "or we may have to fly the mooncake boxes to the moon when the earth is covered."

Over 720 organizations will take part in this year's mooncake box collection including schools, hospitals, housing estates, banks, shopping malls, refuse transfer stations and district councilor's offices. Hong Kong Housing Department and Hong Kong Housing Society have also mobilized their respective housing estates to participate in Moonkick Action. The two organizations have collected a total of 30,000 boxes by now.

A space the size of 100 Olympic swimming pools would be taken up if all the 3 million mooncake boxes are to be disposed of at landfills. Mrs Mei Ng, Director of Friends of the Earth (HK), says "We hope the public can reflect on the squandering of a magnitude of recyclables when they take part in the mooncake box collection. Reducing over consumption and domestic waste sorting are the ways to replenish diminishing resources."

Moonkick Action is echoed in the mainland. Dongguan's environmental department has called on local residents to recycle mooncake boxes for charity. The proceeds from the selling of the bulk of mooncake boxes will be used for the medical treatment of Zong Zijian, a child with thalassaemia major in Changping County . Some restaurants in Shenzhen encourage customers to return the restaurants' own mooncake boxes for free buns.

- Co-organizers: Hong Kong Housing Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society, Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union
- Sponsors: Fook Woo Group, Maxim's
- Supporting Parties: Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, Environmental Protection Department, Plaza Hollywood, Hong Kong St. John Ambulance, Hong Kong Waste Management Association

Moonkick Action Intro

As the name suggests, there are three parties FoE (HK) is kicking for the Mid-Autumn Festival. The first kick goes to the government to prod it into establishing recycling channels, introducing producer responsibility and enacting packaging laws.
The second kick goes to the bakery shops to nudge them into realizing producer responsibility by slimming down the packaging and taking back the used containers.
The third kick goes to consumers urging them to recycle and say “No” to over-packaged mooncakes.

Source: http://www.foe.org.hk , 2 nd October 2005

Scrapped Taiwanese Longline Vessels A Boon for Sea Turtles; Environmentalists and Scientists Urge the UN and Other Nations to Follow Suit with a Moratorium in the Pacific

FOREST KNOLLS, Calif. — The Taiwanese government has just announced that it will dismantle 120 tuna longline vessels, about 5 percent of its fleet. Environmentalists are praising this reduction in the largest longline fleet in the Pacific as a boon for sea turtles which are injured and killed by longlines in large numbers in the Pacific Ocean .

"Longline fishing is costly, inefficient and damages tuna fisheries. There are just far too many boats chasing too few fish and killing far too many sea turtles," said Robert Ovetz, Ph.D., Save the Leatherback Campaign Coordinator.

It is estimated that more than 1.4 billion longline hooks are set in the world's oceans every year. Longline fishing is a technique in which thousands of baited hooks are strung on monofilament lines stretching as far as 60 miles. Taiwan has the largest number of longline vessels in the Pacific with an estimated 2,113 vessels in the Pacific alone. Japan , which has the second largest longline fleet in the Pacific, has also followed suit with reductions in recent years. This summer, the United States even banned fishing for Pacific bigeye tuna for the rest of the year because of over fishing.

"Fewer hooks means fewer turtles, sharks, seabirds, billfish and marine mammals will be killed. This is urgently needed if we are to turn around the descent of sea turtles and albatross seabirds into extinction," Ovetz added.

Recent scientific reports warn that the 100 million year old Pacific leatherback sea turtles, whose female nesting population has collapsed by 95 percent since 1980, could go extinct in the next decade. Nineteen species of seabirds, including the black-footed albatross, are also threatened with extinction by longlines. An estimated 4.4 million turtles, sharks, seabirds, billfish and marine mammals are injured and killed every year by longlines in the Pacific. Other reports have pinpointed longline fishing as causing an 87-99 percent decline in large pelagic fish in the Atlantic , Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific.

One thousand and seven international scientists from 97 countries are urging the UN to implement a moratorium on longline fishing in the Pacific Ocean to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle. The scientists are joined by 281 non-governmental organizations from 62 countries. The list of signers includes famed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, biologist E.O. Wilson, oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, and former U.S. astronaut Bernard Harris, Jr., M.D.

"While a good first step, a moratorium is needed in order to have time to put into place further reductions in fishing capacity and other conservation measures, such as time and area closures, reductions in subsidies, 100 percent observer coverage and controls on illegal fishing," Ovetz said.


Source: Sea Turtle Restoration Project, 18th October 2005

The Eleventh five year plan advocates placing emphasis on saving resources and establishing an environmentally friendly society

On 18 th October, the full text of the “CCP's proposal for the eleventh five year plan for the development of the national economy and society” was published. It proposed establishing an “environmentally friendly society which uses resources sparingly” as the basis for national policy to be lifted to unprecedented heights.

According to the proposal, it is necessary to “Put effort into the development of a recycling orientated economy”. While continuing to develop resourcefulness, equal attention will be paid to prioritising resourcefulness, promoting saving energy, water, land and material in accordance with the principals of reduction, reuse and reclamation, strengthening the full use of resources and perfecting the system of recycling and reusing resources, thoroughly advancing clean production to make it low investment, low consumption, low discharge and high efficiency.

On top of this, the proposal also mentions the need to implement a strict system to eliminate equipment and products that are high consumption, heavy polluter and which out-of-date technology, and implement price and tax policies beneficial to saving resources.

The proposal advocates “increasing the scope and strength of environmental protection”. In particular this includes increasing water pollution prevention at Sanhesanhu, the Three Gorges Reservoir region, the region between the upper reaches of the Yangze and the upper region of the Yellow River and along the bank of the Nanshuibeitiao water source, and taking action to prevent pollution at rural sources, placing particular emphasis on protecting good sources of drinking water. Effort should be put into developing factories that are run environmentally, and establishing a variety of different environmental finance and investment systems across society, using economic measures to promote pollution management and the development towards a market economy.

”Using practical measures to protect good natural ecologies” was also emphasised in the proposal. The proposal indicated that it was necessary to strengthen ecological protection of natural water, land, forests, pasture and sea resources, while at the same time establishing an ecological compensation system in line with the principal of “Those who develop must protect and those who benefit must compensate.”

                                  Water Issues to Be Tackled

Major problems related to China 's water resources are expected to be solved step by step in the next five years to improve the nation's water supply, flood-control, food security and ecosystem rehabilitation.
Water authorities have set a target for this sector during the period of the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), Wang Shucheng, minister of water resources said recently. He was optimistic about the further developments within the water resource sector. The country faces five water-related challenges today worsening floods, droughts, water shortages, soil erosion, pollution and insufficient rural water infrastructure, he pointed out.

However, "further developments within the sector can back up the nation's efforts to build a well-off society by tackling water issues," he said this week in a speech for an ongoing international congress on irrigation and drainage.

By 2010, "we will reinforce institutional development and optimize water resource allocation throughout China by setting up a system of controlling water consumption with quota management," he said.

Top priority of water supply will be given to the security of drinking water. Ninety-eight per cent urban residents and 60 per cent of rural residents will get access to safe, clean water.

A decade-long water shortage has plagued major cities across North China and East China 's Shandong Peninsula , this will be relieved once the first phase of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project is completed. It is the most ambitious attempt yet by China to transport water from the Yangtze River in the south to the thirsty north.

"By then, we will settle the problem of drinking water security, an issue that has plunged 80 million rural people into chronic poverty in China 's remote areas," the minister said.
To improve grain production capacity, water-saving irrigation will be increased on 10 million hectares of land with key large irrigation areas either renovated or upgraded. He made it clear that China will realize a nil growth in water consumption for irrigation by increasing the efficiency of water used for agriculture. Farming irrigation still consumes 66 per cent of China 's total water supply due to backward irrigation techniques or equipment. In the south, draining capacity of major grain-growing bases will be further improved to withstand the worst waterlog in three to five years. Water quality in over 65 per cent of sections of major rivers and lakes serving as key water supply sources will be improved according to State criteria, with at least 95 per cent of headwater sites used for urban water supply to be kept unpolluted. Furthermore, authorities will rehabilitate rivers with fragile ecosystems through controlling water and soil erosion.

In the following five years, the ministry will further reinforce flood-control systems with the operation of frequently used flood detention basins ensured either to mitigate damages or manage floodwaters to be used as resources.

Source: China Daily October 6, 2005

                     Rural Areas to Lead Way in Biogas Use

Rural areas are going to have to develop renewable energy resources to help solve energy shortages that have slowed economic growth, Wang Jiuchen of the Ministry of Agriculture said at the International Seminar on Biogas Technology for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development which opened in Beijing on 18 th October.

He advocated developing large-scale industrialization and commercialization of China 's renewable energy resources, using in particular the large supply of biomass resources available in China as an alternative to coals and crude oil.

The "Ecological Home and Rich Farmer Programme" was implemented in China in 2000 and has produced multiple models of efficient energy utilization. It sets biogas, biomass and solar energy as the priorities and “would be of great significance in promoting the development of rural renewable energy, raising farmers' income and facilitating the sustainable development of the rural economy," according to Agriculture Vice-Minister, Zhang Baowen.

Source: China Daily October 19, 2005 (Edited)

                    Diverted water to quench thirst in Beijing

Nearly 100 million tons of water from North China 's Shanxi and Hebei provinces is winding its way to the nation's capital to quench its thirst.

The on-going water diversion project is the third of its kind since 2003. Over the past two years, nearly 150 million cubic meters of water from reservoirs in Shanxi and Hebei provinces have been transferred to Beijing , which consumes around 3.5 billion cubic meters of water annually.

As one of China 's most populous regions, Beijing 's average annual per-capita water availability is only around 200 cubic meters, much lower than the international benchmark for an area suffering acute water shortage 1,000 cubic meters or less per person. Embattled by successive years of drought, Beijing has been grappling with ways to secure new water sources. The city has already finished three groundwater projects in districts of Huairou, Fangshan and Pinggu respectively.

Enterprises in the city have been urged to use water more efficiently. Residents have also been encouraged to buy efficient taps, showerheads and toilet.

Source: Xinhuanet 20 th October 2005 (Edited)

                            National Chopsticks Standards Issued

The national quality standards regulator issued rules for the production of wood and bamboo disposable chopsticks on Monday. The standards aim to ensure product quality and save wood.

Li Zhonghai, head of the SAC, said that as most disposable chopsticks in China are made of leftover materials from the lumber industry, it is not necessary to completely ban their production and use.

China produces around 45 billion pairs of chopsticks a year, of which 60 percent are exported overseas.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2005 ) (Edited)

                      Hope Dim for Eliminating Sandstorms: Official

Sandstorms will not vanish in China and increasing green coverage is the only resort, said an official with the State Forestry Administration (SFA) Saturday.

Situated in the central-Asia sandstorm region, one of the world's four largest sandstorm regions, China now has more than 1.74 million square kilometers of desertification areas, only 530,000 square kilometers of which can be curbed, and the remaining 1.2 million square kilometers are desert and gobi, a series of shallow alkaline basins that serve as the major source of sandstorms hitting northern China.

In China , the areas of frequent sandstorms are mainly in the Taklimakan Desert and nearby areas in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region , and other deserts in Ningxia , Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia . He noted that China has made remarkable progress in curbing sandstorms, the occurrence of which has reduced in the last two years. China will redouble efforts to curb 11 million hectares of decertifying areas in the 2006-2010 period, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2005 ) (Edited)

                         Polluting 'Black Rain' Hits Chengdu

On 19th October, Chengdu experienced a heavy rain which was black in colour and left the cars in the city covered with gray and black dust. An environmental protection bureau discovered that trees, flowers and buildings in the area were also covered with gray this black slurry.

Ruling out the possibility of acid rain or a sandstorm, the bureau suspected that the nearby Jialing Thermal Power Plant was the culprit and an investigation at the plant revealed that the coal used as fuel was substandard, causing dusting equipment in the boiler to malfunction, sending out an excessive amount of soot, which was the cause of this “black rain”.

( China Daily October 22, 2005 ) (edited)

                        Polluter Closed Down After 27 Cancer Deaths

A papermaking factory was suspended after causing pollution that a Heilongjiang Province village blamed for a high cancer rate among locals in recent years. A total of 27 people died of cancer in Mingyue Village where the factory is located, the provincial Life Daily reported. Most lost their battle to stomach or esophagus cancer at ages between 30 and 50.

The county government ordered the factory to shut in late September, months after environmental officials took samples of drinking water in the village. The evaluation reportedly has been kept secret from the villagers. Officials at the county Environmental Protection Bureau would only tell the locals that "it's high time that the village's water problem was solved," according to the newspaper.

The factory has since turned the lake into a "pit of soy sauce." No one has tended to the black untreated waste water the factory discharged into the lake where residents live as close as 50 meters away. They have to wait at least two days until residue in the water they draw from wells settles. The water also tastes bad.

Source: Shanghai Daily October 21, 2005 (Edited)

                            “Polluters to pay” rule urged

Environmental protection experts called for Guangzhou to establish a mechanism to handle computer, electrical and electronic waste, suggesting the government make the manufacturers bear responsibility for handling electrical and electronic equipment waste based on the "polluters have to pay" principle.

The Mechanical Electronics Association said Guangzhou companies should speed up research and development in eco-friendly materials and related government departments should do their utmost to meet EU trade standards in environmental protection. EU started to implement Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) directives this August, requiring producers to recycle 10 categories of electrical and electronic products in the EU market.

At this year's Canton Fair, some exporters have announced they may increase prices by 10 percent to include waste disposal fees in the export cost, depending on whether the EU countries have started to implement WEEE directives or not. Some manufacturers upgraded their products to meet EU WEEE directives.

Source: Xinhuanet, 20 th October 2005 (Edited)

                         Beijing Plans Against Winter Air Pollution

The Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has made an emergency plan to prevent heavy air pollution in Beijing 's winter, said vice director Du Shaozhong in Beijing Sunday.

The plan was made after wide consultations with government departments and companies and it will be launched when there emerges heavy air pollution for two consecutive days. According to the plan, the government will organize special street cleaning and sprinkling work when it is in effect and factories with huge pollutant emission will be ordered to reduce their production.

The official said the bureau will pay especial attention to curbing smoke pollution from burning coal for heating use in the winter. High quality coal with low sulphur and ash content will be recommended to be used for heating in the winter and the municipal government will also invest in replacing coal with cleaner fuels in small furnaces.

Source: Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2005 (edited)

                       Botanists Succeed in Artificial Cultivation of Yew Trees

Botanists in northeast China 's Heilongjiang Province h as successfully cultivated yew trees, which have grown on the earth for about 2.5 million years. The success makes it possible to increase the survival rate of artificially-cultivated yew trees and to extract anti-cancer substances from the rare plant, said Xie Ailin, an engineer with the Suiyang Town Forest Bureau of Dongning County.

 As a kind of evergreen plant, yew trees are only found in dense forests in mountainous areas 2,500 meters to 3,000 meters above sea level. Under natural conditions, yew trees grow very slowly and are weak in reproduction. Many countries, including China , put yew trees under first-grade protection. Currently, only about 25 million yew trees live on the earth.

Source: Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2005 (edited)

                            Winds Could Change Face of Power Generation

Wind turbines could generate enough electricity to power the southern city of Guanzhou , a Greenpeace report claimed yesterday. By 2020, winds breezing through Guangdong could be producing 35,000 gigawatt hours of electricity 17 percent of the province's total 2003 power consumption, and enough to match the provincial capital's yearly power demands. The Greenpeace-commissioned report was carried out by Britain-based wind power consultancy company Garrad Hassan and Partners Ltd in cooperation with Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou .

Accounting for about one-tenth of China 's economic volume, Guangdong posted 12.6 percent economic growth in the first half of this year. Government figures predict power consumption in Guangdong will grow by 15 percent this year. The province has been facing electricity shortages, with supply not expected to meet demand until 2007. If Guangdong produces 20-gigawatts of wind-generated electricity annually by 2020, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 29 million tons each year, the report says.

Guangdong ranks fourth among Chinese provinces in terms of installed wind power capacity, says the report. It had a total capacity of 86 megawatts, generated by three wind farms comprising a total 179 turbines, at the end of last year. Guangdong has drafted its own target of 3,000 megawatts by 2020.

Source: China Daily October 18, 2005 (edited)

               China , Netherlands Cooperate to Protect Ecosystem in Yellow River Delta

China and the Netherlands have launched a cooperation program, entitled “The Yellow River Delta Environmental Flow Study” to protect ecosystem in the Yellow River Delta.

As one of the most important places for migrant birds in northeast Asia as well as the Asia-Pacific rim, the Delta has been put on both world and Chinese bio-diversity and wetland protection lists. However, a shortage of water has caused the frequent drying-up of the lower reaches of the Yellow River in recent years and posed a grave threat to the ecosystem at the estuary of the river.

In 1999, the YRCC began to manage the water resources in the river valley by diverting water from other parts to feed the lower reaches of the Yellow River during non-rainy seasons, which has resulted in the environmental improvement along the river's lower reaches.

Suo Lisheng, deputy minister of water resources, and Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, attended the signing ceremony. China and the Netherlands signed a cooperation program called "satellite-based monitoring of water and river movement forecast in the Yellow River Valley " during the first International Yellow River Forum in 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2005 ) (edited)

                           Inner Mongolian Forest Fire Extinguished

A forest fire that broke out in Hulun Buir City of north China 's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Wednesday morning was extinguished by Thursday afternoon, local police said.

After a 24-hour battle by forestry workers and police, the flames were quenched and their work turned to clearing the area. No casualties have so far been reported in the fire, and its cause is still under investigation.

Source: Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2005

                 China develops world-class new materials for sewage treatment

China has recently developed world-class high-molecular-weight polyacrylamide products which can be used for sewage treatment, paper making and oil exploitation.
The products were developed by the Changchun Research Institute of Applied Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Changchun , capital of northeast China 's Jilin Province . According to experts from the institute, the new materials, up to international criteria, are in conformity with the development trend of green chemistry.
The new products require simple production techniques and cause no second-time pollution. Application tests showed that the new product dissolved in 10 minutes without floating agglomeration, which could greatly enhance the efficiency of sewage treatment and dehydration.
In recent years, local governments have attached great importance to the treatment of industrial waste water and domestic sewage. It is believed that the new materials will benefit sustainable economic growth in China .

Source: Xinhua

                               Polluting Cities to Get Blacklisted

Official statistics indicate that one-third of Chinese cities are experiencing severe air pollution and in 2004, the emission of SO2 in the country reached 26 million tons, ranking highest in the world, causing some 30 percent of the country's land territory to be ravaged by acid rain.

At an international symposium on improving regional air quality held in Beijing from October 25 th to 27 th , SEPA outlined measures it will take to control air quality, including China blacklisting cities that fail to reach the national air quality standard, issuing risk warnings to investors who consider investing in cities that have been blacklisted for a number of years and controlling construction projects that could potentially pollute the air even further. SEPA representative said that they would also make use of international cooperation to bring air pollution under control.

Source: Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2005 (Edited)

                            Arable Land to Be Further Protected in Next 5 Years

China will take a firmer stance on arable land protection in the next five years to ensure that enough grain is planted to feed the population.

The plan is to establish more than 100 zones to protect farmland, covering 667,000 hectares, which will get more funds and technical support to upgrade farmland working efficiency and increase output.

The techniques that are expected to make the zones successful will first be piloted and then be applied to the rest of the country's farmland in the future.
" China needs at least 106.7 million hectares of cultivated land to feed its future theoretical peak population of 1.6 billion," said Pan Mingcai, director of the ministry's Department of Cultivated Land Protection.

( China Daily October 22, 2005 ) (edited)

                            Illegal Oil Refining Factory Closed in Guangdong

 
Guangdong 's quality supervision department closed an illegal oil refining factory in Baiyun District on Wednesday.
The illegal factory collected engine oil waste from vehicle maintenance plants and refined them by distillation. It then sold the refined oil to some gas stations, which in turn mixed the refined oil with diesel and sold them to motorists.

The illegal business was said to be quite profitable as the city saw a fuel shortage and high fuel prices recently.

The factory owner would earn a profit of 400 yuan (US$49) per ton of refined oil, the quality supervision department said. It seized 20 tons of the refined oil and two tons of engine oil waste at the factory.

The oil was capable of damaging engines, the department said.

Legal oil refining required at least 17 different processes, while the illegal factory only took the simple step of distillation, it said. The factory would also pollute the environment near the site.

Source: Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2005 (edited)

                              Guangzhou to Build 'Garden-In-Air'

Guangzhou , capital of south China 's Guangdong Province , will start its "garden-in-the-air" program this year, the city's Urban Greening Committee has said, where "green gardens" will be built above the city and greatly change the city's landscape. With the completion of the project, the city's total roof greening area will reach 60,000 square meters, said the committee at a cost estimated at around that 12.09 million yuan (US$1.51 million).

Source: Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2005 (edited)

Urban Composting

Imagine you could turn 30 per cent of your household waste, at no cost, into high-quality compost for your plants, while at the same time helping to save the government millions a year in landfill costs. You'd also be reducing toxic emissions from incinerator plants and saving peat bogs from destruction.

To start URBAN composting all you need is …

1 A 'compost' bucket with a lid
Keep the bucket in your kitchen and simply put your food scraps in it rather than your bin. Then just take it to your composter in your garden as and when is convenient or full.

2 Ingredients
Every time you are tempted to throw any of the items listed opposite in your main kitchen bin, STOP. Chuck them into the 'compost' bucket instead.

3 A composter
This can be the difficult part for people who live in cities. Composters need to be kept outside, preferably (for convenience's sake) close to the building you live in, usually in a back garden. If you have a garden, consider starting your own compost heap. If you don't have a garden, consider the following ideas:

Do your flats have communal bins? Convince your neighbours to add a compost bin or, if there isn't sufficient room, to replace one existing bin with a composter. If enough of you use the compost bin, you won't need an extra bin.

Do any of your neighbours have space in their garden for a composter?

Perhaps one of them is already composting.

Composters:

A brief introduction: With time, all organic material will decompose. Compost can be made in six to eight weeks, or it can take a year or more. The speed at which it decomposes will depend on the type of composter you own and the mix of materials you put into it.

There are four main types of composter:

1. Open air bin

The standard compost heap found in gardens. If you or your neighbour has the space these are fine, but slow. You can buy all sorts of wooden or plastic bins. Or you can make your own:

? Cut the bottom off a plastic dustbin, and bury the bin a few inches below the surface of the soil.
?  Build a bin from wooden pallets.
?  Stack four or five old tyres on top of each other and cover the top with a piece of wood.
?  Use wire fencing to create a cylinder.

2. Closed air composter

They retain heat much better than open compost heaps, and so speed the process of decomposition. These are the most popular type of bought bin, and are mostly made from recycled plastics.

3. Rotating composter

Rather than turning the materials with a fork, you turn the whole bin. Compost can be made very quickly (in less than a month). The weekly contents of your kitchen bucket can simply be added through a hatch in the side of the bin.

4. Worm composter

Really worm farming rather than worm composting. Your worms are your livestock, and you feed them. They eat the rotting matter: anything from food waste to paper and cardboard. Their droppings are called worm casts and make any compost in which they are contained very rich. Compost from wormeries is the best you can produce, and can be used sparingly, more like a fertiliser than as straight soil.

NOTE: Many local councils offer compost bins to residents at reduced prices; before you buy one, check whether your council does so; if it doesn't, ask why not.

The right ingredients

Some materials, such as soft, young weeds and grass mowings, rot quickly. They work as 'activators', known in the world of composting as 'hotter rotters', and get the composting process started. On their own, however, they will decay to a smelly mess.

Older and tougher plant material is slower to rot but gives body to the finished compost - and usually makes up the bulk of a compost heap. Meat and fish scraps are best avoided so as not to encourage rats.

The speed at which a compost bin's contents decomposes will depend on you getting the following right:

1. The balance of carbon and nitrogen
It's a lot easier than it sounds. The bacteria and fungi in compost get their energy from carbon and their protein by synthesising nitrogen. Your compost should be primarily carbon-based materials, with just enough nitrogen to aid the process along: roughly a ratio of 30 parts carbon to one part nitrogen. As a rough guide to which of your compostible materials are which, the activators (hotter rotters) are the nitrogen-rich materials; most of the rest contains carbon in varying degrees; and if it was once a tree then there will be a lot of carbon in it.

2.  The amount of surface area exposed.
Decomposition occurs when the particles in your compost come into contact with air. If you increase the surface area, it will speed up the process. Simply chop, shred or break up material more before you put it in your composter. If you don't do this, the insects and earthworms will do it for you anyway.

3. Aeration, or oxygen, in the compost heap.
During the process of decomposition all available oxygen in the compost is taken up. You need to aerate your compost, simply by stirring it with a garden fork.

4. Moisture.
You need to keep your compost moist, but not too moist. To get the balance right, squeeze a handful of the composting materials: it should have the moisture content of a well-wrung sponge. If the pile is too wet, add some dry matter such as cardboard. If it is to dry, pour some water on it.

 1. It reduces the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites and incinerators. A third of the average domestic dustbin is filled with materials that could be composted. Currently, only 2 per cent of UK waste is composted. Even that represents 400,000 tonnes per year of compostible rubbish not going to landfill or incineration sites.

2. You can reuse the compost in your garden, on your balcony or indoors on your pot plants, and reduce demand for peat, thereby preserving internationally important peatland natural habitats

3. You are recycling the nutrients that your food, etc, took from the soil and helping them grow back into the soil. According to the Washington-based research organisation the Worldwatch Institute, in 1990 alone the earth lost 480 billion tonnes of valuable topsoil, which was washed into rivers and oceans or blown away as a result of intensive farming practices or deforestation.

4. You are restoring the environment both by improving the soil and by encouraging the growth of plants. Compost improves the structure of the soil and increases its water-holding capacity. Your plants will grow better, and will be more resistant to disease and pests.

5. Compost is a good fertiliser, and reduces the demand for chemical alternatives.

6. It will save you money. If the majority of people in the US composted, they would save ￡60m worth of rubbish-collection fees.

7. A standard 220-litre capacity composter will produce the equivalent of more than seven grow bags of compost in a year, and it's free.

Do not add to your bucket:

These foodstuffs will decompose, but they will smell and attract vermin as they do so. Certain composters can cope with this, but unless you have such a system they are best avoided. All the rest of these items either don't decompose at all or give off some fairly unpleasant toxic residues.

Meat, Fish, Cooked food, Coal and coke ash, Cat litter and dog faeces, Disposable nappies, Glossy magazines

Do add these to your bucket:

Dragon Recycling Universities Coordinators Training Report

    
    To launch the second phase of the “Dragon Recycling” program, Roots & Shoots Beijing held a successful universities training on November 29, 2005 at Beijing JiaoTong University . Around 20 students attended the training, including green-group representatives from participating 8 universities. The training included:

• Presented Dragon Recycling Project
• Presented R&S (PPT)
• Showed the Dragon Recycling video
• Showed the Dragon Recycling PPT
• Discussed the plan of each university
• Checked the contact info and handed out the promotion materials

Following the training, Roots & Shoots Beijing will collect the proposals of all participating universities and follow up their own training and other activities.

Chinese City Seeks to Tighten Rules on Recycling

According to the Shanghai Daily news, the city government is planning on strengthening its supervision and management of the metal recycling industry, as well as dangerous chemicals production and transport and the use of idle workshops to ensure the security of local residents and public property.

A spokeswoman for the Shanghai government noted that the government has released a new set of rules called Shanghai Scrap Metal Recycling Regulations.

According to the spokeswoman illegal scrap recycling businesses had imposed a serious influence on the market and social security. Thieves often steal metal equipment, such as manhole covers, and sell it to illicit metal recycling merchants.

Cable thefts result in blackouts at factories and residential areas and Internet breakdowns. Missing manhole covers along city streets will lead to road accidents and casualties, she said.

"Some thieves even target fire control facilities in residential neighborhoods, which can severely undermine the residents' safety," said the spokeswoman.

The city government expects to enhance the crackdown on metal-made public property theft by implementing more forceful control on scrap metal recycling dealers.

According to the newly issued rules, those who are engaged in scrap metal recycling without a special business permit will face a maximum 30,000 yuan (US$3,704) fine.

The spokeswoman also said the government would practice stricter administration on the production and transport of dangerous chemicals in order to remove any possible hidden perils.

Source: Recycling Today, Thursday, October 20, 2005

Shanghai ( China ): World Recycling, Shanghai 2005

Call for papers for the major recycling congress in Shanghai :
World Recycling. Shanghai '05

On November 8 - 11, 2005 the Swiss congress organiser ICM will stage its first international Car, Electronics & Battery Recycling Conference and Exhibition at the Hotel Shangri-La in Shanghai , China .

During the event, leading recycling experts from around the world - including manufacturers, collectors, processors, steelmakers, legislators and policy-makers - will meet to discuss:

• car, electronics & battery manufacturers' recycling activities
• latest developments within the recycling industry
• country reports
• best available technologies, plants and processes
• collection and take-back programs
• the international market outlook
• legal and regulatory developments

The conference represents a platform to exchange information, to meet new business partners and to obtain easy access to potential new clients.

The conference offers the following opportunities:

• To meet in China - the market which is currently having the largest impact on the international recycling business
• To learn from expert speakers and exhibitors
• To visit local manufacturing and recycling companies
• To sell your know-how and products
• To get in touch with major players and new companies
• To visit beautiful and booming Shanghai

Greenpeace currently recruiting:

1. MEDIA OFFICER FOR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS

Job Summary:
Based in Beijing, you will be involved in Greenpeace's international media activities, establishing and maintaining network of foreign correspondents in China; Greenpeace's international media activities, working on mass communications strategies for Greenpeace campaigns; media campaign strategy; working in close cooperation with Greenpeace media officer

Requirements :
  Degree in Media/Communications or related disciplines;
  Minimum 3-year of journalism experience;
  Solid experience in implementing press work and communication strategies;
  Ability to work independently and in a team;
  Willingness to travel;
  Excellent command of written and spoken in Mandarin and English;
  Ability to speak additional languages such as German or French is preferable.

2. CAMPAIGNER

Job Summary:
Based in either Guangzhou or Beijing; Provide expertise on specialized campaign topic, research, develop and implement campaign plans and strategies, liaise with allied partner groups; media work; respond to inquires; prepare campaign materials; attend and organise conferences.

Requirements :
      Bachelor degree or above;
      At least 3-year working experience, especially media, advertisement, public relation or NGO experience;
      Excellent organization and communication skills; good analyze and research skills; responsible and active working spirit;
      Ability to work under pressure; good team-work spirit; understand and support the idea of Greenpeace;
      Ability to work independently and in a team;
      Willingness to travel;
      Excellent command of written and spoken English;
      Excellent computer skills and familiar with office software.

The positions above are 2-year contract.

For more information on these jobs and others currently available, please go to Greenpeace's website: http://www.greenpeace.org/china/en/jobs

Source: China Development Brief

Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy 2006

The world‘s leading sustainable energy awards scheme is now calling for entries for 2006. The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy 2006 are now looking for entries from inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects from across the globe.

Given the excellent initiatives taking place within China we are more keen than ever to attract applicants from China who can demonstrate to the rest of the world how sustainable energy used at the local level can contribute towards improving the lives of local communities and curbing climate change.

In 2006 the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy will be offering five first prizes of ￡30,000 each with second prizes of ￡10,000 each for projects in the developing world (the Overseas Awards).

The Ashden Awards is an award scheme that rewards existing, local renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing countries which can demonstrate how local sustainable energy can be used not only to slow down the factors contributing to climate change, but also to improve the quality of life of poor communities. Winning projects must also demonstrate technologies and ideas which can be replicated elsewhere.

The Awards are prizes for demonstrated achievements, not grants to start projects. However, applicants must show that they will use the prize money in a way in which will further increase the sustainable use of energy.

For the Overseas Awards, the application is in two stages with a Concept Note due by 21 November 2005 and the full application following at a later date for those who pass the initial stage. We accept Concept Note applications forms in Mandarin as well as English.

For more information and to download the concept Note Application Form, go to: http://www.ashdenawards.org/int.html or email: info@ashdenawards.org

WSDWTF China 2006 (April 28-30, 2006)

October 26, 2005 — By Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences

SHANGHAI, China — The WSDWTF China 2006 will be held April 28-30 at INTEX SHANGHAI (88 Loushanguan Rd., Shanghai, China).

We are delighted to invite your company to participate at WSDWTF 2006
  Over 470 companies exhibited at WSDWTF 2005
  18 countries and regions were represented
  28 percent of exhibitors expect to conclude business within 12 months after the show
  Business Transactions valued at US $10,000,000 were negotiated

WSDWTF 2006 is a highly reputable event that comprises of following exciting activities:
  Technology Conference (Water, Waste Water Management, Purifying, Urban Planning and Water Engineering )
  Water Industry Investment Networking

Exhibitor Profile
Water and Sewage - Water supply; Water treatment plants and equipment; Sewage and sludge treatment, Water pipes and drains, leak detection; Sewer inspection, cleaning, maintenance; Pumps, valves and flow controls; Drinking water and portable water; bottled water, Water filtration; waste water treatment, Membrane technology; Monitor system and Remote Management; Electronic surveillance equipment & products; Engineering services; Consultancy Water Purifying- Purifying tech and equipment, Water meter and instruments, Water infrastructure engineering.

Visitor Profile
Decision Makers include Key Personnel and Government Officials from Various Environmental Protection Bureau, CEOs, Technical Directors, R&D professionals, Purchasing Managers, Plant Managers and Marketing Managers from the following sectors: Real estate, Engineering Construction, Research Institute, Petrochemical, Metallurgy, Electrical Power, Electronics, Textile and Dyeing, Mining, Automobile, Water Conservancy, Food & Agricultural, Building and Construction, Air-conditioning, Leather and Footwear, Furniture, Printing & Packaging, Plastics, Pulp & Paper, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical and Medical.

Please contact us if you are interested to visit or exhibit at WSDWTF 2006!

For more show information and space booking please contact
Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences
Mr. Stanley Ding
Tel: 86 21 54592323 ext336
Fax: 86 21 54253480
stanley@zhongmao.com.cn
www.wsdwtf.com

Source: Environmental News Network

Canada Fund calls for proposals for Local Initiatives in China

The Canada Fund, Fund for Local Initiatives  is a CIDA program that provides grants for poverty alleviation and rural development projects in remote areas of western China .  The aim of the Canada Fund is to help the poorest of the poor, or the most disadvantaged groups.  In recent years, the Canada Fund has supported 30-40 projects annually.  Though the Canada Fund focuses on six provinces/regions in the west, this year we may make one or two small project grants available for applicants in or near Beijing and are now inviting submissions.  Proposals are due by NOVEMBER 1, 2005 .  Please forward this information to any organizations that you think might be interested.

More information on the types of projects that the Canada Fund usually supports can be found in the Canada Fund Guidelines.  Proposed project budgets should be between 10,000 RMB and 100,000 RMB.  Projects should be short-term projects that will produce immediate results; applicants should be sure that projects can be finished within 2-3 months of funding. 

 The Canada Fund has six programming priorities:

1. Basic Health and Nutrition;
2. Basic Education;
3. HIV/AIDS;
4. Child Protection;
5. Environmental Protection;
6. Income Generation;

Please note that the Canada Fund does not support any kinds of research, advocacy, meetings, etc. It only supports community-based projects that directly benefit poor, disadvantaged individuals and communities.  Preference will be given to local organizations.

 For a copy of the Guidelines, please visit: http://www.cccsu.org.cn/epm/projectdetails.asp?id=628

For a copy of the application form, please contact program.assistant@cccsu.org.cn or phone 10-6465-1520, ext. 119 or 121.

Source: China Development Brief

Alcoa Foundation's Conservation and Sustainability Fellowship Program's 2005 and 2006 Practitioner Fellowships

Alcoa Foundation is launching this unique fellowship program to advance the knowledge in the field of conservation and sustainability through fellowships to outstanding academics and practitioners from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Practitioner Fellowships are designed to provide a non-degree opportunity for qualified middle level individuals from NGOs with a chance to conduct intensive applied research projects for six months in specific topics in conservation and sustainability, under the mentoring of an expert in that field of study.

Practitioner Fellows will be mentored by experts from Sustainability Institutes selected as partners in the Fellowship Program. Twelve six-month Fellowships will be awarded in each year in 2005-2009. Each Fellow will receive a six-month grant of $10,000 and a $2,500 travel allowance for a total of $12,500.

Three institutions have been selected to serve as Sustainability Institutes in the Fellowship Program:

· IUCN - The World Conservation Union , Gland , Switzerland

· Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM), Monterrey, Mexico

· World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington , D.C. , USA

To check eligibility requirements, topics of research, terms of Fellowship, selection process and deadlines, application form, and other information about the program and the Practitioner Fellowships please visit:

http://www.iie.org/programs/practitionerfellows

Applications for the Practitioner Fellowships are due to IIE by November 18, 2005 .

Source: China Development Brief

Green Drinks

From September the monthly Green Drinks will be launched in Beijing , Green Drinks is an informal monthly opportunity for green (Sustainable development and CSR!) drinkers to meet, chat, network. It's a self-organising network, there are no fees, so make sure to spread the word. Green Drinks has been a regular event in many cities in the world, and there are now nearly 100 green drinks networks worldwide - visit www.greendrinks.org for the full global list!

Beiing Greendrinks is initiated by many existing networks, LEAD fellow network, IFP fellow network, IMRE MBA Asia pacific network, AIESEC China Network etc. We are all young guys studying and working on CSR or sustainable development or related to sustainable development in China .

Come on...join us... share your story... show you new friends...

Green Drinks are always the third Thursday of the month.

For details of location, contact Bill Zhang on 13911387626

Source: Donation Center