GBM Blog Archive: September 2011

When Prof. Won the Nobel: GBM-North America Board Member Mia MacDonald Recalls

September 26, 2011 - 02:30PM
Published by Mia MacDonald

I had the enormous privilege -- and sheer good luck -- to be with Prof. Maathai on an October morning in Kenya nearly seven years ago when she got the news she'd become the 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate. On this day of great sorrow, I thought I'd share my account of that wonderful, happy, historic day, which was published in the Los Angeles Times.

Will REDD Conserve Natural Forests and Protect Local Livelihoods?

September 14, 2011 - 02:45AM
Published by Francesca de Gasparis

In July I attended a public debate in London on the potential for REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) to make international forestry more just. The debate brought together a wide variety of stakeholders in REDD in order to assess its possibilities and its frailties. The panel leading the discussion included John Vidal from the Guardian and representatives from DFIDODI, and FERN among others. What became increasingly clear during the debate is that although the international community appeared to be pushing on with REDD, it remains a highly contested and confused idea.

Nuclear techniques are helping the Maasai in Kenya improve their livelihoods

September 2, 2011 - 10:05AM
Published by Edward Wageni

On a dusty, dry patch of land in south-east Kenya a lone Maasai man admires thriving fruit and vegetables on a plot of land. Mangoes, papayas and spinach flourish under the searing heat of the African sun. It is a rare sight here in Ng'atataek on the Tanzanian border, an arid region where rainfall is scarce and the little water available is usually reserved for the livestock.