Panama: Dammed If You Do, Dammed If You Don't

The article discusses the impact of the Chan 75 hydroelectric dam in Panama, operated by AES Corporation, on the indigenous Ngäbe communities. The dam, part of Panama's push for hydroelectric power due to a lack of domestic oil, has led to the displacement of Ngäbe families and the flooding of their lands. Despite AES's public commitment to social responsibility, the affected Ngäbe report coercion, inadequate compensation, and broken promises. The Panamanian government has ignored international concerns, and AES has been accused of using a subsidiary, DANG, to intimidate the local population. The article highlights the plight of specific Ngäbe families and the broader implications for indigenous rights and environmental stewardship in the face of aggressive energy development.

Voices of resistance: Women on the front lines of a continental struggle

The article discusses the leadership and resistance movements led by Indigenous women across the Americas. It highlights the story of Silvia Carrera, the first Ngäbe woman elected as chief in Panama, who opposes corporate exploitation and advocates for Indigenous rights. The article also features Leanne Simpson, a Canadian Indigenous studies teacher, Rose Cunningham, a Miskito woman from Nicaragua who founded WangkyiTangni, Eriel Deranger, a Dëne Sųłiné woman fighting against tarsands development in Alberta, and Waziyatawin, a Dakota scholar and activist. These women are portrayed as champions of environmental protection, cultural preservation, and anti-violence, working towards the well-being of their communities and ecosystems.

House of the Royal Lady Bee: Maya revive native bees and ancient beekeeping

The article discusses the stingless bee species Melipona beecheii, known as Xunan-Kab in the Yucatec Maya language, native to the Yucatán Peninsula's rainforests in southern Mexico. It highlights the importance of these bees as pollinators and how deforestation is threatening their populations. The practice of keeping domesticated colonies of Xunan-Kab, which has been part of Mayan culture for over 3,000 years, has declined sharply in recent decades. However, there is a resurgence in traditional beekeeping, which could benefit both the Mayan communities and the rainforest ecosystem. The article features biologist Rogel Villanueva Gutiérrez, who emphasizes the interdependence of bees and forests. It also references a study by Villanueva that showed a dramatic decline in beekeeping, predicting the disappearance of domesticated colonies if trends continued. Mongabay investigated to see if these predictions had come to pass as of late 2018.

Local authority pension funds have nearly £2bn invested in the tobacco industry

Local authority pension funds in England and Wales have been found to have nearly £2bn invested in the tobacco industry, despite their responsibility for public health campaigns against smoking. The Independent on Sunday revealed that 80% of the 99 regional pension funds, which represent 4.6 million public sector workers, have tobacco holdings, with more than half invested in British American Tobacco (BAT). BAT is lobbying against plain packaging in the UK and is pushing sales in developing countries. Critics label these investments as 'blood money' and argue they conflict with public health responsibilities. The article also notes the financial performance of tobacco companies has been affected by anti-smoking legislation and economic downturns, leading some to argue for the ethical and financial case for divestment. Croydon Borough Council, among others, has moved to divest from tobacco and invest in ethical funds. The tobacco industry maintains that it is a legitimate sector for investment.